 In 1754, Thomas Pelham-Holles, 1st Duke of Newcastle made him a Lord of the Treasury.He also served joint Paymaster of the Forces from 1755 until 1757.He was well known in political and literary circles, and his friends included Philip Yorke, 1st Earl of Hardwicke, William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield, and the Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Secker.