as a politician he was 'a man of rather tempestuous nature and strong personality (and) he naturally found himself in conflict with the governors of the time.' in 1784 he was appointed deputy receiver general. under governor carleton he focused on improving the militia, highways, communications and later education. ten years later, in 1794, he was sworn in as receiver-general of lower canada with an annual salary of £400. he retained this position until 1808 when his son, john caldwell (seigneur), took over. long after his death, in 1823, it was discovered that he had embezzled nearly £40,000 during the exercise of his duties, including almost £8,000 from the jesuit estates, which he had managed as treasurer of the commission set up to administer them.