In 1718, he was sworn of the Privy Council and appointed Treasurer of the Navy. In 1719 he was one of the original backers of the Royal Academy of Music, establishing a London opera company which commissioned numerous works from Handel and others.
In 1718, he joined the Privy Council and became the Navy's financial officer. In 1719, he supported the Royal Academy of Music financially, leading to the creation of a London opera company that commissioned works from Handel and others.