Samuel Sandys was briefly chancellor of the exchequer after the fall from power of Sir Robert Walpole in 1742, in the ministry of Spencer Compton (Lord Wilmington). However, his successful scheming against Compton backfired after the latter’s government fell: when Henry Pelham became prime minister in 1743, Sandys was moved to lesser posts and gradually vanished into political obscurity.
Background
Samuel Sandys was born on 10 August 1695, the son of Edwin Sandys, M.P. for Worcester, by Alice, the daughter of Sir James Rushout, M.P. for Northwick Park, Worcester, and the sister of Sir John Rushout. While still a child, Samuel inherited the family estates, succeeding his father in 1699 and his grandfather in 1701.
Education
He matriculated at New College, Oxford, in 1711, but did not graduate and returned to run his family estates.
Career
Sandys, who was described as “a tall thin young gentleman”, became M.P. for Worcester in 1718, and kept that seat until he was raised to the House of Lords in December 1743. At first he was closely associated with the Whig government of Sir Robert Walpole; but in 1725 he joined a group of Whigs opposed to Walpole and led by Pulteney, allegedly because he had been refused the post of secretary at war. He soon became the second-in-command to Pulteney in the opposition and also worked closely with Sir John Rushout, his brother-in-law, for the next 17 years, until Walpole was removed from office. Walpoles ministers largely survived his fall from power; but Sandys replaced Walpole as chancellor of the exchequer in February 1742, in the ministry of Spencer Compton (Lord Wilmington).
Sandys, raised to the House of Lords on 20 December 1743, briefly served as speaker in the Lords from November 1756 until July 1757 and as First Lord of Trade between March 1761 and February 1763. He also served many lesser functions, but never again won a major role in politics. He died on 21 April 1770, from injuries sustained when his carriage overturned on Highgate Hill, London.
Views
As chancellor, Sandys supported Pulteney, advocating in March 1742 the formation of a secret committee to inquire into Walpole’s administration, and seeking indemnity for witnesses giving incriminating evidence against Walpole—an action that the House of Lords rejected. However, he changed his mind later that year and decided to oppose the formation of a secret committee, telling his friends that the formation of such a committee would have led King George II to dismiss the Compton ministry.
While in the post of chancellor, however, Sandys strove to thwart the policies of Spencer Compton (Lord Wilmington), who as First Lord of the Treasury was also prime minister. When Compton died in July 1743, Henry Pelham, his successor as prime minister, transferred Sandys to another post and became chancellor of the exchequer himself.
Connections
On 9 June 1725 he married Letitia, the daughter and coheiress of the estates of Sir Thomas Tipping, M.P. for Wheatfield, Oxfordshire. He eventually became a very substantial landowner.