[5] Holburne had known Lord Morton as an intimate family friend and may well have owed his advancement in the Navy to Archibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll who "took him by the hand in his younger days and made him a captain".

"[6] Promoted to rear-admiral on 5 February 1755, Holburne was quickly sent in May to reinforce Admiral Edward Boscawen's fleet in the North Atlantic.

"...all the court martial seemed terrified....except old Admiral Holburne, who cursed and swore at the bar of the House, because Byng was not shot out of the way, without giving him the trouble of coming from Portsmouth".

On the night of 24 September they were caught up in a violent storm which drove the 60-gun Tilbury onto the shore, sank the 14-gun Ferret and dismasted most of the remainder of his fleet.

[8] On return to London Holburne was also appointed to the post of Port Admiral at Portsmouth, which largely discontinued his active service at sea.

[10] In September 1760 Francis made political capital of his position as Port Admiral when he stood for Provost in his native lands at Inverkeithing.

It is reported that he unscrupulously brought in armed press gangs to a trades meeting and with his sword drawn and by intimidation and bribery secured the return of his party.

[5] As his port commission progressed, and encouraged by his friend and patron Lord Argyll, he contested the seat of Stirling Burghs at the 1761 General Election, beginning a career in politics.