After unsuccessfully contesting Preston in 1780, Cawthorne was returned for Lincoln on the interest of his father-in-law, J. H. Delaval, whose political lead he followed. Cawthorne supported North; voted against Shelburne’s peace preliminaries, 18 Feb. 1783, for Fox’s India bill, and against Pitt’s Government; and after the general election of 1784 was listed by William Adam with Opposition. But when in the new House Delaval declared his adherence to Pitt, Cawthorne again followed him; defended Delaval when attacked by Philip Francis for changing sides, 16 July 1784;1Debrett, xvi. 72; Stockdale, iii. 95. and on 21 Jan. 1790 in a few sentences seconded the Address.2Stockdale, xix. 5. Before 1790 only two other interventions of his in debate are noted, on technical points concerning election petitions.
Cawthorne died 1 Mar. 1831.