and linen, its being imported; and fo it was put off till Wendfday next. I fhould be glad to know what friends fay to this matter, but have not time to write to my Lord Chancellour, or my Lord Privy Seal, to-night. I am, My Lord,

Your Lordship's moft humble Servant,
ROXBURGHE.

London, December the 7th, 1704.

XIX. FROM THE SAME.

THE defign of 6 (the Whigs), in this matter, is to force us in to 24 (the Succeffion); and the way they propose it is, that those prohibiting A&ts should not begin till a year and a half hence, and that only in case of Z (the Succeffion) not being declared betwixt and then; and that fo foon as it is declared, they should terminate: But tho E (the Lord Treasurer) seems to go into this, the defign is, that all this buffle fhould end in no Acts. I am only affraid that tho there fhould be no A&t, yet that this buffle make 25 (the Scottish Parliament) poffitive to have a treaty firft; and I do own it may very naturally be said, How shall we be sure but hardships be put upon us, fo foon as 24 (the Succeffion) is over, if we be not fecured against them antecedently, as much as a poor nation can be fecured against the oppreffions of a richer, fince it is alwayes in their power, and fince they already seem to threaten us with it? For my part, I don't well know what to say; for unless our cattle and linen can be otherwayes difpofed on, we are utterly ruined fhould thofe laws take effect. And this is a matter of fact I beg you would clear me of; for if they can be otherwife difpofed on to advantage, 31 (Limitations) are still fufficient to me; but if they cannot, I shall think a treaty neceffary, and the dangers of that, too, are innumerable. Again, fuppofe GG (Limitations) were fufficient, it will be impoffible to do it upon them, unless both 37 (Queensberry) and 39 (Duke Hamilton) come into the bufinefs; but if 39 (Duke Hamilton) ftand ftill out, confidering how matters have gone here of late, it will be impracticable upon our last scheme. On the other hand, fuppofing a treaty should be neceffary, there is no bringing in 39 (Duke Hamilton) into the Government before next 25 (Scottish Parliament); or else 13 (the House of Lords) would as much fay next winter, that a treaty was to ruin 24 (the Succeffion), as they now cry out against

28 (the A& of Security). Withall, I must tell you, that 5 (the Lord Treafurer) told me, to'ther night, that PP (Duke Hamilton) was coming to town; to which I replyed, he would certainly have him; and I believe he thinks fo. Now, if PP (Duke Hamilton) is brought in, and if 31 (Limitations) is fufficient, it's a clear cafe; but if a treaty must be, 39 (Duke Hamilton) muft be left out, for the forefaid reafon, and we shall have a troublesome gaimer. So pray let me have certain information whether we can export our cattle and linen elsewhere, or not, to advantage; for we cannot fubfift without exporting our product, and our being allowed to bring it here feems precarious. You fhall hear from me next poft; for to-morrow at ten a'clock I meet with 5 (the Lord Treasurer,) and at fix a'clock at night I am to have my first meeting with 37 (Queensberry), at the Caftle Tavern in Fleet Street. Pray let me know how 49 (Montrofe) and his friends are pleaf'd, and what people fay of 39 (Duke Hamilton) yet. Pray remember Mr. Cuningham, for we are all obliedged to him.

London, December the 7th, 1704.

Adieu

XX. FROM THE SAME.

I WROTE you a long letter laft poft, and am now clear'd of that matter of fact I wrote to you off, being very certainly inform'd that we may export our beef and linen to greater advantage elsewhere. But that is not the business now; for, as far as I can guefs, 54 (a Treaty), which I defire may stand for the word that was in my last, seems now to be the intention of 5 (the Lord Treasurer); by which means I am perfectly in the mift; for if that must be, where it will end, God knows. Befides 39 (Duke Hamilton) can never be brought [round, in] order to fet 54 (a Treaty) on foot; for in th and 14 (the House of Commons) will fwear it's a trick to hinder 24 (the Succeffion); and to go into 54 (a Treaty), leaving him out, makes it his doing, at the head of the oppofers, which is indeed makeing him mafter of 21 (Scotland). If 54 (a Treaty) is certainly the defign, all our former schemes are broke, and how 24 (the Succeffion) will be brought about, is not very eafie to determine. 36 (Seafield) seems very much now for 54 (the Treaty); and I am told to-night that 38 (Argyll), and all that partie, are to be for it; fo we need fay nothing for a while.

I was last night with 37 (Queensberry), who is in mightie paffion that his appropriation is ftopt. I told him, I did not defign to trouble him with business, but faw no reason why we might not meet, tho we differ'd in politicks. He faid we feem'd to defign ruin for him and his familie; to which I said, it was never [intended] to facrifice either to 39 (Duke Hamilton), but that I was against appropriations in generall. At laft, he infifted fo violently, that I was forced to say there were many in opinion it was not a juft debt, and that he might be called to an account for it; to which he said, he wished 1 (the Queen) would refer it to 25 (the Scottish Parliament). It's impoffible to tell you all that paff'd ; but, in short, his great aim was to bring me to be for his business, telling me 36 (Seafield) had fwore to be his friend; and mine was to exasperate him at 39 (Duke Hamilton). I ftood bluff, and believe firmly that A (the Queen) and E (the Lord Treasurer) may fecure him without contrary orders. This meeting will make great noise, and, I believe, have good effect; tho at first I shall fuffer by it. Sel. (Selkirk), when I told him on't to-day, was [very angry], and faid, he was 39 (Duke Hamilton's) brother, and [that he] would never fet up 37 (Queenfberry), who he knew defired nothing so much as to brew his hands in their bloud. I told him, I was as little for setting up 37 (Queensberry) as he, and was as much against his appropriation; but that it was neceffary to gain him in order to do the bufinefs. He said, he did not think it neceffary, for he did not doubt but 39 (Duke Hamilton) and 40 (the Duke of Atholl) might both change their mindes; which he had not said, if he had not been piqued. Next poft I fhall write to Rothefs and Haddingtoune. I am fory at what you write me, and shall think of what you tell me of Steward. Adieu. The worst thing, in my opinion, 13 (the House of Lords) and 14 (the Houfe of Commons) can do to us, is to force us into 54 (a Treaty). I forgot to tell you that 37 (Queensberry) faid, he never believed 1 (the Queen) [was in] earnest as to 24 (the Succeffion); but that, notwithstanding of all that had paffed, he believed there was a poffibilitie of doing that, but would not tell me how. However, I may find a way, if it is to the purpose, to get out of him by 5 (the Lord Treasurer.)

London, December the 9th, 1704.

XXI. FROM THE SAME.

December the 12th, 1704.

I TOLD you in my last that I [was] afraid there would be no need of those schemes we had projected; and indeed, if the House of Commons do to-night as the House of Lords did laft night, we shall have no need of either 37 (Queensberry), or 39 (Duke Hamilton). But it is now nine a'clock, and the House of Commons is not up yet. The House of Lords, as I am informed, have left it to the Queen to name perfons to treat with us upon the business of an Union. They have likewife ordered bills to be brought in, discharging the bringing in our cattle and linen, which are only to take place against such a time, in cafe the Union is not concluded, or the Succeffion fettled, betwixt and then. There is one juft now come in, that tells me the debate run in the House of Commons to-night, whether a cenfure should be put upon the proceedings of the Parliament of Scotland, or no. It was carried No. You fee what we are to expect if an Union wont fatiffie us, fince Limitations not; for, instead of propofing us favours, as a feperate kingdome, if we do fettle the fame Succeffion with them, they make hard laws upon us, if we do it not within such a time; nor without an entire Union will they ever give us any favour in trade. 35 (Roxburgh) is refolved not to speak to E (Lord Treasurer) concerning the affairs of 21 (Scotland), till E (Lord Treasurer) speak to him; nor is there any certainty what 5 (Lord Treafurer) raily defignes. So foon as any thing is proposed to LL (Roxburgh), you fhall know it, but till then we had beft fay nothing; and even then it will be pretty hard to know whether what's first said be defigned, or no. I am very poffitive that 39 (Duke Hamilton) will fall of his price very much upon 35 (Roxburgh's) meeting with 37 (Queensberry); for I have been told by a friend of PP (Duke Hamilton's), and one that knows him well, within this eight-and-forty hours, that if A (the Queen) had a mind for this business, 39 (Duke Hamilton) was vain and neceffitous; but it's needlefs to think of this for a while. The Houfe of Lords are to addrefs the Queen to have ships fett in such and such stations, for taking of Scotch ships going and coming from [France]. 25 (a Scottish Parliament), you fee, cannot be delayed. I have writ to to night, as you defired me. Next poft you shall have a letter for a hundred pound to Mr. Redpath, tho not in his name. This should have been a letter of compliment to you, for

It being

receiving my commiffion at Counfell, but I know you'l excufe me. past eleven, I muft defire you would fend me a copy of this letter, as likewife of the firft I wrote you.

Adieu.

London, December the 12th, 1704.

XXII. FROM SECRETARY JOHNSTONE.

London, December 12th, 1704.

I HAD none with the last poft from you. It's now near eight a'clock, and the Commons have not yet done with the Scotch buffinefs. Yesterday the Lords ordered bills to be brought in; one for empowering the Queen to name Commiffioners to treat with you for an entire Unione; one to declare all Scotch not fetled here, or in Ireland, or in the Plantations, or that are not in the fleet or army, to be aliens. This A&t is to commence from a blank day, which it's thought will be the last day of the next feffion of Parliament here; and it is to commence only in cafe neither the Unione nor Succeffion be fetled then. A bill of the fame nature, too, is ordered, prohibiting cattle and sheep; and bills are ordered, but which I fuppofe will be turned to an addrefs, to have friggatts in proper stations for seifing all your fhips that trade with France. More guards, too, are to be appointed, and more fevere laws enacted, to hinder the carrying of English or Irish wool into Scotland. All this was propofed by 6 (the Whigs,) and 7 (the Tories) acquiefced. It appears by what was faid, that no conceffions are to be expected barely upon your coming in to the Succeffion; and fo treatys, in order to the Succeffion, fignify nothing, as I in vain told people the last fummer. In short, you may fetle the Succeffion upon limitations, if you please, if the Court will still venture to grant them, or you may accept of a Union. If you will do neither, you may expect all the mischief that can be done you; for, as it was faid, you and your independence are not fo great but that you muft depend either on France or England, and fure they will not fuffer you to depend on France, if they can help it. 52 (Ormifton) faid yesterday (but name him not) that my chief* was to be quickly here. This I am fure of: I am not so sure that Leven is to be with him; fo what you do, do quickly. I have preff'd 35 (Roxburgh) to writ to the former this night. The spirit here runs upon 20 (conqueft) or 23 (union);—the last Apparently the Marquis of Annandale, chief of the clan of Johnstone.