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pofe, for he seems ftupid and indifferent how matters goe. 53 (Marchmont) is much concerned at your Lordship being out; and I queftion not but he'll be with us on every point; and I cannot but still be of oppinion but 24 (Succeffion) is our only game; for your Lordship must perceive the defigne of leaving the nomination to the Parliament. I had almoft forgot to tell you that, for certain, Forfar is to be of the Treasury. Our Government will, at this rate, turn a jeast: they had better put my Lady ther.

MY LORD,

XCIX. FROM THE EARL OF ROXBURGH.

I HAVE juft now received your's of the 7th, and am intirely of your mind as to 5 (the Lord Treasurer). But by what 55 (Annandale) says to you, I am fattiffyed that 38 (Argyll) will be ruin'd; for 24 (Succeffion), it's plain, is to be proposed, in order to miscarry, both by the way of ufing 59 (the New Party), and the infinuation made to them.

I wrote very bluntly last night to 46 (Baillie), and wou'd have as bluntly advif'd his dimitting, if I had thought it right; but now what they fay concerning 50 (Tweeddale) I truly don't know; for it seems he is only to be laid afide in cafe of 49's (Montrofe's) accepting. But if 49 (Montrose) does not accept, as I hope he will not, I fee no harm in both 50 (Tweeddale), and 51 (Rothes) keeping their places; but, on the contrary, it faves 50 (Tweeddale) from the imputation of petts, which lyes heavy upon him, and can be no hinderance to 24 (Succeffion), nor make any one man beleeve that 59 (the New Party) is devided, for our meetings must be pritty open, by which they will be very probably, in a very little time, fav'd from doing an unmanerly thing, as 45 (Johnstone) fays.

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The reafon of Sir John Hume's being continued is, as I fuppofe, because they conclude that he will be for Z (Succeffion), out or in. 52 (Ormiston), it seems, has writ to 6 (the Whigs) concerning 51 (Rothes); but what keeps in 50 (Tweeddale) I cannot imagin; for, in all my reafonings, I never think of the defire of 58 (the New Party*), but of the design of 60 (the Court). Now 57 (Belhaven), 46 (Baillie), 35 (Roxburgh), and the

* So decyphered by Baillie.

fourth gentleman's (Selkirk's)+ being laid afide, is certainly because they are thought gainable to be 7 (Tories), and fo must have a pretence.

46 (Baillie) may remember the word Effence, which I told him upon the subject of the nomination, when I came down ; but, in fhort, we have been mistaken in nothing, and 39 (Duke Hamilton), I think, may be expof'd, as being in confert with 60 (the Court)-I mean only as to 54 (a Treaty). This may brake him and 7 (the Tories) in 21 (Scotland).

I am mightyly pleaf'd with what 55 (Annandale) has faid to 46 (Baillie) and with 51's (Rothes') letter); but 56 (Haddington), I am afraid, will be, all his life, uncertain.

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I fend you here inclofed my letter to 45 (Johnstone), which is nothing but complements, and fuch words go for nought amoungft Statesmen. 46 (Baillie) may fend it or not, as he thinks fit.

My humble fervice to 53 (Marchmont); and pray keep 50 (Tweeddale) from flying out. I fhall be glad to fee you when you have nothing to do. Farewell.

Pray tell Mr. Johnstoun that I have referr'd him to you as to our buffinefs. Floors, June 8th, 1705.

C. TO THE EARL OF ROXBURGH

MY LORD, 10th June 1705. I HAVE despatched your's. There came a flying packet yesterday, but I can learn nothing that it brought, fave commiffions to Loudoun and Glasgow, which are now at the feal. I'm not much of Johnstone's opinion about impropriations; and therefore have taken upon me to write to him, that I believed the New Partie would not meddle with them, having oppofed fuch grants to others; befides, there might offer ane occafion of reverfing them in Parliament, wherein the New Partie would not concurr with a good grace, if upon the fame lay with others; that, nevertheless, I thought Mr. Wedderburn might take one for his money, if the Queen would not pay him, which would be beft of all. The Chancellor is in no danger from Argile, as Johnstone infinuats. The way they gained the Chancellor was by telling

+ Above the word "fourth," Baillie has written " Selkrig's," that is, the Earl of Selkirk.

him roundlie they could and would difpofe of his place, unless he joyned them, upon which he melted into obedience and fubmiffion.

My Lord

Phefdo died fuddanlie yesterday. Argile is for Sir Gilbert Eliot. If your Lordship be not engadged, I cannot but be of opinion your writing to the Treasurer in favour of Mr. Wedderburn might prevaile, at least for a delay till after the Parliament. Who knows in whofe hands the power may be then. I do not defire my concern in this should be knowne. Duke Hamilton defigns to contend that I cannot represent a fhire after having been ane officer of ftate. I have right on my fide, and will hazard a vote against one Duke; but if all three concurr, I muft lose it.

CI.

FROM THE EARL OF ROXBURGH.

MY LORD,

I AM intirely of your mind as to impropriations; and upon what you have told me of the Seffion, have writ to 45 (Johnftone) and to Mr. Wedderburn fuch letters as may be shown to E (the Lord Treasurer), but cannot refolve to write to him myfelf. It's impoffible 39 (Duke Hamilton) will be fo mad as to propofe a new election, for it can never do. I am plagued to death with this call, and if ever I meddle in another, plant whom they will, I am much mistaken. My leg is a great deal better, and tomorrou seven-night I defign to go for Broxmouth: fo if I fee not you here betwixt and then, I reckon our first meeting will be at Edinburgh. If there's nothing in my letters of this day's poft that requires despatch, the bearer may stay for my Wednesday's letters; and pray let me hear from you concerning 49 (Montrofe). There's no hindring 45 (Johnstone) to trust 60 (the Court).

Farewell.

Pray tell 45 (Johnstone) that the letter I have writ to him is only in order to be shown to E (the Lord Treasurer) or A (the Queen).

Floors, June 11th, 1705.

CII. FROM SECRETARY JOHNSTONE.

June 22d, [1]705, London.

I HAVE had all your's. I thought to find E (the Lord Treasurer) here,

but muft find him elsewhere. 37 (Queensberry), in all appearance, haftens ugf rtll kr ekwfc down, and is to be 51 (Privy Seal); and it seems the fumm is fixed, for 60 (the Court) can refufe nothing. 6 (The Whigs), who a week or two agoe faid nothing is to be expected from Scotland, fay now that all will certainly goe right there. Matters abroad goe wrong, which ftraitens 60 (the Court). The Germans have abandoned Treves. The Court apprehends Coitlegon may goe to Scotland, but he has only arms and not landmen. He had orders to faill on the 6th. Our Irish fleet for Lisbon failled from Cork on the 7th. Our Lifbon fleet of 400 faill was come from that place. Byng was in Plymouth nine days after; it's ftrange if Coitlegon have not a hitt. The defigne of our great fleet is upon Cadiz, which is thoroughly provided. Tell 56 (Haddington) I had his, and shall answer it as foon as I fee his friend. I should have added that Coitlegon's failling on the 6th was upon an expreffe, no doubt, to intercept thofe fleets, and not upon his main defigne.

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Farewell.

CIII. FROM THE SAME.

.

June 27th, 1705.

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My laft to you was the 22d, and to LL (Roxburgh) of the 23d your's and his upon your being out went to A (the Queen) himself with them 51 (Rothes) had delayed to write till LL (Roxburgh) and others come to town. Thus there's room ftill for them to write if they think kr ltdg ens tokno fitt. I mean letters to be shown. 5 (The Lord Treasurer) is much for union

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amongst 59 (the New Party). He commended mightily XX (Baillie) for

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refufing KKK's (the Old Party's) offers. WW (Johnstone) told him that 59 (the New Party) had not mett of late, and fo had not writen their minde to him about money, but that their cafe was new and unprecedented, particularly 50's (Tweedale's), and that the methods taken with them would much prejudice the Queen in the end ;-that by impropriations other methods of payment were now rendred ineffectual, and fuppofing they should think it more decent for them not to ask them, yet they having in all this matter preferr'd the Queen's intereft to their own, no doubt the * A French admiral.

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be payed, but there must be firft a representation to the A (Queen), by them,

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or order; but both as to Mr. Wedd[erburn] and other matters he intimated bqqfbs bu qsfrfou appear at present. He contrary to his usuall way. 45

there would be a time, but not

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(Johnstone) said that the news in 21 (Scotland) were, that 13* had engaged

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5 (the Lord Treasurer), (at least made their friends believe fo,) to be liberal. ons cfokfc ku atu xkug flnukno rbkc gf zkrgfc He jested not, as formerly, nor denied it, but with emotion faid he wished ugfz gbc Inofz atu ugfsf xbr onof ko ugf usfbrtsz

they had money, but there was none in the Treafury. Add to this, that a few weeks agoe 6 (the Whigs) railed against F [E] (the Lord Treasurer), that he would do nothing, and that 25 (the Scottish Parliament) would be loft. NN (Queensberry), too, where he spoke freely, faid that he would accuse him of being 24's (the Succeffion's) enemy; but now all is right, and AA (the Scottish Parliament) is fure. 13 (The House of Lords), too, to my knowledge, have all all along declared that this was the

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60 (The Court), no doubt, will trick if ugfsf kr bo foc

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they can. If this method once take, there is an end: better A (the Queen)

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were abfolute. I am preffed to go further from town for a month by a friend in the country, and E (the Lord Treasurer) feem'd to be for my going too-one would think to fhun giving jealoufies, and yet he made me dine with him. I do not fee that my ftaying here can be of any ufe; however, if friends thinks otherwise, lett me know it, and I'll stay, and in that cafe give more addreffes, and give matters of fact fully. I would not have wanted 56's (Belhaven's) letters for gold. 39 (Duke Hamilton) has been treating with others without E's (the Lord Treasurer's) knowledge, as well as with E (the Lord Treasurer). He thinks he deceives others, but it seems is deceived by fomebody, tho' E (the Lord Treafurer) dealt plainly himself that he cannot be more plain than he has

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* The cypher 13 signifies The House of Lords; but it is apparently used here by mistake.

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