pany. If endeavours have been ufed to make them jealous, it has had no effect as yet; for I spent laft week with them, but could not difcern the least tendencie thereto; and therefore no handle should be given. Perhaps your going to London may be made use of for this end, especially after its having been given out here, that you were to return ftraight home. Notwithstanding, if the fcandals raised be of ftate matters, it's neceffary you be at Court to remove them; if of another fort, time will doe it, or a few dayes ftay at London-a longer I cannot advife, upon the view I have of affaires. I may be mistaken, because I know not particulars, as you doe, which perhaps might make me change my mind. Upon the whole, if there be a breach, I would have thofe that make it without excufe.

Edinburgh, April 17th, 1706.

Adieu.

CLIII. TO THE SAME.

My laft was of the 17th, fince which having fully confidered the copie, am of opinion it may doe hurt, if not warily managed; and if too sharp, may make the Old Partie defperate, drive him (them) to own his (their) principles above-board, and to herd with the Jacobites, or perhaps to call a new Parliament for to through* them; which, as I conceive, might be of dangerous confequence in this juncture: befides, might widen the breach too much, and make a reconciliation impracticable; and yet it may happen to be neceffary, one time or other-I mean with fome of them. Therefore, in managing of it, things would be chieflie infifted on, and all perfonall characters avoided, unless when abfolutelie neceffary to prove that the Old Partie's practice has not been suitable to their profeffion; and that, as a partie, they have acted against the Succeffion; and even in this fome would be more tenderlie dealt with than others, and the Juftice-Clerk not meddled with on any account; for fhould he guess who's hand is in it, (as he may, being skill'd in discoveries,) Rothes and Haddington might perhaps refent it. To make good a charge against the Old Partie and Whigs, it will be needless to infift on any thing elfe befides their conduct in the Succeffion fince the Queen's reign, and in the nomination for the Treaty. Thefe enlarged upon, without going furder, will make it evident that keeping up

* To through to carry through.

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a partie, if not fomewhat elfe, has been more minded than what they pretended to. To say things that have been often repeated to no purpose, will be constructed pick (pique), and will make the reft have the lefs weight. I'm told that Salton is writing against the Union, till at least a new Parliament be called, inftructed for that effect; and I have ground to think he has the Advocate's affiftance. If Johnstone be with you, fhow him this. I could fay a great dale upon this fubject, but dare write no more; and indeed the New Partie have a new pairt to a&t.

April 19th, 1706.

CLIV. TO THE SAME.

I HAVE your's of the 30th past. If offers be made, they would be listened to, but not clofed with, till advised with friends; for as it is not the New Partie's business to help the Whigs, neither ought they to help those against them, to whom they owe as little, but rather leave them to decide their own quarrells, especially that it may be doubted there is another fet in England inclined to the Succeffion. If there were, or if the Whigs are not what they pretend, the choice would be eafie. In Scotland nothing is to be done without fome of the Old Partie, for were all put in the New Partie's hands, it would ferve onlie to expose them; and unlefs the Court agree to frame a new set of such of all fides as with well to Scotland, I expect no good; and even this might be no easie task, after that parties have been fo much encouraged against one another. I wish you a good May Fair.

Adieu.

May 14th, 1706.

CLV. FROM SECRETARY JOHNSTONE.

May 29th, [1]706.

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I HAD your's but t'other day-your's I mean of April: it followed me from town to countrey, and back again. I fhould be forry that 175 asnif wkug (Baillie) broke with 102 (the New Partie); but I do not fee their loffe if 176 (Baillie) were 195* (Treasurer-Depute), but rather their advantage. I

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* This cypher stands for Lord Glasgow, but here it is used to denote the office he at this time held, and is so decyphered on the original.

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doubt much others of 102 (the New Party) would refuse for him: however, it is beft to have their confent, he declaring that he will be still 175 (Baillie),

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or the fame man. It feems the Queen was born to have the honour of atu rtddfrr xkm gkocfs humbling France; but fuccefs will hinder 76 (Union), 78 (Succeffion), and 81 (Limitations). For my part, few follies, as well as fhort follies, are the beft. I am of the fame mind I ever was of, that is, for the three, but I

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am not for 102's (the New Party's), and yet lefs for 176's (Baillie's) running their heads against a wall, that is, both 57 (the Court) and 74 (Scotland): better have patience.

Farewell..

CLVI. TO THE EARL OF ROXBURGH.

I have your's of the 21ft and 25th past. The last was opened. The addrefs fhould not be always the fame. What you write about Jervifwood was much talkt of here, and now that it has been infinuat to you, does fufficientlie clear to me the Old Partie's plot in it. I believe I may have given rife to it; for fome time ago one of the Old Partie, whom you shall know at meeting, would have perfuaded me that many of the Partie had a reguard for me, and wished me in the Government, but doubted I would accept, unless others, whom he named, were likewife brought in. I told him plainlie I would not. This declaration, which could not be avoided, has made them fet about the storie to create jealoufies, if poffible, and perhaps may make them twift it to ane offer, of purpose to free themselves of the perfonall friendship fome of them pretend for me, and for other obvious reafons. That the Treasurer is againft offers to the New Partie is what was to be expected. He may mifs his mark. I admire that Queensberry perceives not the defign, but more that the Treasurer does not rather caufe fuch offers be made as could not be accepted, which would ferve his turn better. Belhaven, and perhaps others, will be of Johnstone's opinion. I long for a good account of what concerns my friend's particular.

June 1ft, 1706.

CLVII. FROM SECRETARY JOHNSTONE.

[August 1706].*

I HAVE wrote twice to you fince you have asked my advice: one its like

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you got not. If you had that by Sinclare, its enough; but I believe their be no occafion for it; for 36 (the Lord Treasurer) is jealous that 77 (the

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Union) may fucceed; fufpects 170 (Belhaven), 159 (Tweeddale), &c. for it; 121 (Carftairs) and 171 (Ormifton), or one of the two, pretending to be fure that 161 (Montrofe) and 163 (Rothes)† I wrote twice to 159 (Tweeddale), and have heard once from him. Tweedale will get his money, you may tell him, but not now; the reafon is obvious. The Queen had told the Secretaries, that before they went fhe would speak to them on that business; but now they say no answer is given to them upon it. Seafield fays he had that to tell to Tweedale that would fatiffie him, to wit, that the Queen will rather pay it out of her own purse than that he have it not. He'll get payment, no doubt, when it hits that they are willing to pay, and he to be pay'd. 33 (The Lord Treasurer) being apprehenfive that 148 (Johnstone) gkr asnugfsr

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may be for 77 (the Union), has given his brother's reverfion. You will not believe 171's (Ormifton's) behaviour here. At first comming [he] informed 45 (Somers), &c. that the other Commiffioners were against the Union, and has fince owned that he himself was then against it too, but that he is converted; and that it is the only way to fettle the Succeffion, and fecure Prefbetiry. He runs fo faft that the reft of them

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call him Judas, and even 133 (Paterfon) fays that he does not underftand him, and that in his zeall, or ignorance, or fawning, he would have let goe 160,000 pound, which 45 (Somers), &c. had underhand yielded, but expect to be preft to it by the Scotch. Nay, 46 (Somers) at last grew fo jealous of him with 33 (the Lord Treasurer), and for reasons that I know not, that he said he would prove as dangerous a man to 74 (Scotland) as ever 121 (Carftairs) had been: this particular you may depend on; but it muft continue a fecret: 148 (Johnftone) had a watch-word. 111 (Queenfberry), too, broke quite with him, and at last even 36 (the Lord Treasurer)

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* This letter has no date, but is indorsed as above.

+ Some words are evidently wanting to complete the sentence.

ufed him cavalierly. 45 (Somers) complains, but adds they had no other to truft, for 119 (Leven), whom they incline to, is quite out of favour with them he smelt a rat, and would not meddle. 45 (Somers) and 37 (the Whigs) have, within these three weeks, difponded of 77 (the Union); and Queensberry, too, who one would think is in earnest for 76 (the Union), but is ill used by 34 (the Lord Treasurer). 41 (Nottingham), 141 (Rochester),

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and 139 (Haversham) are refolved, (which you may depend on,) not to

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oppose 76 (the Union), but to catch 57 (the Court). I promist to 206 (Annandale) to write to you and others of him. It's his miffortune that it's like he will not be believed to have acted fo ftedy a part as he has done; but before I write of him, I must tell you that Annandale at first would be either Chancellor or Secretary, but Ormifton, in his abfence, proposed the Guards, without his knowledge, as he fays, but that he would not disowne him; but upon his being refused them, he is faid, in difcourfe, to have threatened Queensberry with the Plot; upon which Queensberry came to him, and offer'd him, under his hand, with all the oaths immaginable, that he was neither against his having the Guards, nor any other thing, which he was ready to declare to 57 (the Court) before him. This being told to 37 (the Whigs), they, as they fay, lay'd all home to 35 (the Lord Treasurer), and have left the matter at his door; upon which he came to him, and offer'd him what falary he pleased, till he should be provided for, afsuring him that no man was more his friend than he; upon which he told him what is above; the other faid 112 (Queensberry) did indeed talk fo in generall, but that he would not tell him what he faid, when they came to particulars. At parting, he spoke to him of transmitting his letters, or coppys; the other denyed it, and that he had not shown them to 143 (Nairn), but only to his good friends 37 (the Whigs). 208 (Annandale) is now poffitive, that upon what is past betwixt him and 44 (Sunderland) and fome others, 43 (Sunderland), and one more at least, are acting a part. He fufpects not 46 (Somers). 207 (Annandale) ownes to 148 (Johnstone), that he can put friends upon the true fcent of the Plott, and fo undoe 112 (Queensberry), which should be made use of, but not fo far: it's enough if 112 (Queensberry) can be made wife. 147 (Johnstone) has a new opportunity of knowing a great deal, but must hear from 121 (Carstairs) to make the best of it.

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Farewell.