He continued to write verses, but published nothing under his own name until his famous ode, "God" and "The Murza's Vision," in 1785.

We cannot here enter into his official career further than to say, that all his troubles arose from his own honesty, and from the combined hostile efforts of the persons whose dishonest practices he had opposed.

Towards the end of Katherine's reign he became a privy councilor (a titular rank) and senator; that is to say, a member of the Supreme Judicial Court.

Under Paul I.he was President of the Commerce College (Ministry of Commerce), and Imperial Treasurer.

Under Alexander I.he was made Minister of Justice.
"Katharine's Bard," as he was called, like several of his predecessors, cherished an idea of fixing a style in Russian literature, his special aim being to confine it to the classical style, and to oppose the new school of Karamzin.