By 1749, Townshend had been given a commission on the Board of Trade. Senegal Map Tourist Attractions While serving in that capacity, the young upstart distinguished himself in a debate over proposed changes to the marriage law. His political future seemed bright indeed as he was made lord of admiralty in 1754 and appointed treasurer of the chamber two years later under William Pitt, the new secretary of state.
True to his nickname, Townshend shifted his allegiance from Pitt to the new secretary of state and John Stuart, Earl of Bute, and he was awarded the post of secretary of war in 1761, which allowed him to be active in the conduct of government business in the House of Commons. After resigning this last position, he was appointed president of the Board of Trade in February 1763. When Grenville succeeded Bute in April, Townshend refused a post after his nominee failed to win a commission in the new administration.
Although he later accepted the position of paymaster general, which he continued to hold through Rockingham’s ministry, he was an outspoken critic of both administrations. In 1766, Townshend became part of William Pitt’s cabinet as his chancellor of the exchequer. Due to ill health, Pitt was unable to keep his subordinates under close watch. As the new chancellor, Townshend used his post to get a substantial share of a public loan and to rise above many of his colleagues, seizing leadership of the cabinet.
