[7][8] The death of his father in 1705 gave him financial independence, particularly after he had received £15,000 from his uncle, Sir Francis Dashwood, for the sale of his share of the manor of West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
In September of that year, Beaufort was a key figure in Dashwood's campaign at Stockbridge, a "notoriously venal borough which was accustomed to electing outsiders.
"[9] On 25 January 1712, the day after the vote of censure against the Duke of Marlborough, he was one of the eight Members to receive the thanks of the Board of Brothers for their "good attendance and service" in the House.
The following month he was identified as a member of the October Club, but before the Parliament was over he had broken with his party, choosing to vote against the French commerce bill on 18 June 1713.
[9] "Only a few weeks before, he had presented at court an address on behalf of his constituents which gave thanks for the end of the war, but his apostasy in that division may have cost him his seat, since he did not appear at the succeeding Stockbridge election.