in 1774 frederick was returned as member of parliament for newport, cornwall in the interest of humphry morice. he married mary garth, daughter of richard garth of morden, surrey on 15 october 1778. by 1780 morice had sold his borough and frederick was not returned in 1780. he sought another seat and was returned for christchurch at a by-election in 1781. on the death of his father on 9 april 1783 he succeeded to the baronetcy. he was re-elected for christchurch again in 1784. in 1790 he was elected mp for his home county surrey and held the seat until 1807.