XXVII. FROM THE EARL OF ROXBURGH.

I AM very much fatiffyed with 53's (Marchmont's) letters, and fhall make deliver them to-morrou. The Eaft India fhip makes a great noise here; and fo will the shutting up of our banck, when it is known. It is certainly a great miffortune; and, indeed, our misfortunes are many. What will become of our affairs between 13 (the House of Lords) and 14 (the House of Commons) is very uncertain, but I am throughly convinc'd that if we do not go into Z (the Succeffion), or Y (an Union), very foon, 20 (Conqueft)

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will certainly be, upon the first Peace; for fuppofing E (Lord Treasurer) durft go into fuch GG (Limitations) as were yielded last, 22 (England) will never fuffer 21's (Scotland's) enjoying 30 (the A&t of Peace and War), 34 (Armes), 27 (the Wool Act), and what is neceffary for maintaining of those. Its true had 21 (Scotland) virtue and power enough to maintain such a condition, I am fure it's preferable to all; but that's the question in debate, which, after all, depends upon occurring circumftances. What follows is intirely to yourself. 52 (Ormifton) having yesterday defired LL (Roxburgh) to fhow A (the Queen) that he was willing and defirous to ferve the Queen,

and that now there was room, he hoped both posts would be given him, for he having once been 46 (Treasurer-Depute), could not, with his honour, accept of one of them. 35 (Roxburgh) faid he was engaged to another, but fhould represent to A (the Queen), in his own words, what he had faid. 52 (Ormifton) defired he might do fo, and withall faid 35 (Roxburgh) and 36 (Seafield) could not but fee that that was more for the Queen's service than what they had promiffed; and hoped, fince they were engaged, they would not take it ill if he employed others in this matter, but defired 35 (Roxburgh) might fimply narrate to A (the Queen) what he had faid; which 35 (Roxburgh) did this morning in prefence of MM (Seafield), after having re

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commended Forgland, according to promife. However, 35 (Roxburgh) and 36 (Seafield) being very much convinced that 52 (Ormifton) would carry his point by the means of 6 (the Whigs), which what follows will convince you of, they did humbly propofe that Forgland fhould be Lord of the Seffion;

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DDD (Ormiston) Juftice-Clerk, and Glenagies (Gleneagles), Generall Receiver; but that all should be delayed till 49 (Montrofe) was employed. As for 52's

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(Ormifton's) fcrupling the one poft without the other, it was propofed he fhould have £200 penfion, over and above; upon which 1 (the Queen) said they would determine nothing at prefent, being juft going to Windfor; but in the mean time bid 35 (Roxburgh) and 36 (Seafield) tell 52 (Ormiston) he should be honourably employed; with which he seemed very much satisfyed, believing (I fuppofe,) he was to have both, which, after all, I don't know but he may, tho' I do think the other better. Let me know only how

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Glenagies will like it. I am quite wasted.

London, December the 26th, 1704.

In answer to yours of the 4th. It will be impoffible.*

you think

Adieu.

XXVIII. TO SECRETARY JOHNSTONE.

30th December 1704.

I HAD none from you last post. Its generally reported that there is to be a totall change in Scots affairs, which is the rather believed, that its faid here Leven is called up, and that Ormifton has got the gowne by Marlborough's procurement without Roxburgh's knowledge. Whatever may be in this, I know not, but this is certane, that Queensberry, &c. are uppish at prefent, which I perceived by a conversation I had with Philliphaugh, in fo far that I find him averfe to the uniting of parties. Notwithstanding of this, I would not have Roxburgh or you quitting upon any account, for it is not to be fuppofed all will doe the fame, and this will divide and confequently expofe us to our enemies. I wrote fully last post to Roxburgh about it. I fee no reason why you should gratifie the Court fo much, for its what they must be ashamed to doe of themselves; but whatever shall be thought neceffary in this, I'm refolved to goe along and take my fhare with my friends, but fure I am it will be a wrong measure, and will discourage all that wish well to the nation or us. When I told Annandale that you would have wrote to him, but that you [fancied] he was to be with you,

* This postscript is written on the envelope of the letter.

.

+ There appear to have been about two lines more in the original, but they are so much mutilated as to be illegible.

XXIX. FROM THE EARL OF ROXBURGH.

WHAT I wrote you in my last will certainly take effect; for A (the Queen) afked 35 (Roxburgh) and 36 (Seafield) what 46's (Treasurer-Depute's) penfion was, and fo propofed a £100 more than we have spoke of; yet did not poffitively say it should be fo; but this will be at a point before next post. You need have no apprehenfions as to MM (Seafield), fave that he has a great mind to be in 50 (Tweeddale's) poft again, and that with confent.*

52 (Ormifton) will be bloudily baulked, and how it came about must be an everlasting secret. He gives himself extraordinarie aires, and brags he has done his business, whether LL (Roxburgh) and MM (Seafield) would or not. He fayes, too, that tho' 51 (Rothes) has recommended another, he can take him in his own hands. He was likewise here t'other day, in order to speak to me of Carstairs, not doubting but he was to be in very good terms with us, and in both pofts. The request was to be, that BBB (Tweeddale) fhould receive a vifit from the forefaid, and fhew him his countenance What's neceffary to be done in this, you can better judge than I.

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I long to hear what's become of Green's bufinefs; and begs you would give me an account of Murray's fignature, as well as that of Kilfaunes. When we shall have a meeting with 3 (the Duke of Marlborough) and 5 (the Lord Treasurer), God Almightie knows.

London, January the 2d, 1704[-5.]†

Adieu.

XXX. FROM THE SAME.

35 (ROXBURGH) and 36 (Seafield) were this day with 3 (Marlborough) and 5 (the Lord Treasurer). To tell all that paffed is impoffible, but what's materiall you shall have; [and be] pleafed to tell 50 (Tweeddale) that I

* The office of Lord Chancellor, then held by Tweeddale, and previously by Seafield, is here meant. Seafield was re-appointed to it on 9th March in this year.

+ In the original of this letter the date is 1704, instead of 1704-5, as in some subsequent letters, written by the same person in the early part of this year. The date indorsed upon it by Baillie is 1705.

have not writ to him this poft, because the most of what I have to say must be in cypher.

25 (the Scottish Parliament) must certainly be before Whitefunday; so

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the army muft continue as it is, fo far as I can perceive, except as to Mar:

Ramfay and Maitland I find are to continue as they are.

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I have no fear of 37 (Queensberry), but the worft on't is, that they think the employing of 49 (Montrofe) before 25 (the Scottish Parliament) not to be done, by reafon of their circumftances here, tho' I am satisfyed they are all very defirous on't. As for 52 (Ormifton), A (the Queen) told him they qforkho were refolved to make him Justice-Clerke, with an additional penfion of £300, which he plainly refuses, and has this night defired LL (Roxburgh) to tell A (the Queen) that he cou'd not ferve without both pofts. This is very peremptory: [how it] will end I don't know.

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LL (Roxburgh) and MM (Seafield) are defired to give, in writing, what they think neceffary to be done by A (the Queen) next AA (Scottish

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Parliament), both as to men and things. Y (an Union), or 24 (the Succeffion), must be recommended; but 23 (an Union) is what seems moft defired; and without doubt 13 (the House of Lords) and 14 (the House of Commons) will agree in fome act to [that] end. For my part, I am perfuaded that 23 (an Union) is impoffible; and that if Z (the Succeffion) be brought about, it will be out of fear of 23 (an Union), but the Miniftry must have it in their power to go into 24 (the Succeffion) with 31 (Limi

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tations), or into a Treaty of 23 (Union), but muft Union), and fo flip into Z (the Succeffion) at laft.

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only seem to be for Y (an For, as I take it, GG (Li

mitations) in this cafe will be opposed to 23 (Union), and [when] Limitations are voted, [they?] will never be able to ftand out against 24 (the Succeffion) with 31 (Limitations.)

I believe there's no reafon to fufpect 45 (the Lord Regifter's) being laid afide, after what has paff'd to-day; and what I said to 50 (Tweeddale) was only upon fufpition; but what's done in those matters must alwayes be done by advice of the whole. Pray let me know what's the [reafon that ?] you speak of 39 (Duke Hamilton's) setting himself at the head of GG (Limitations); for we never hear of him here.

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Since 25 (the Scottish Parliament) must meet fo foon, and fince fuccefs

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is fo uncertain, I am very clear for 38's (Argyll's) being Commiffioner, and

for Annandale being Secretary; but this last part must come from 50 Tweed· dale); and for that reafon it's neceffary that 35 (Roxburgh) and 36 (Sea

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field) go foon downe, and that the change be made whilst they are there, after which Annandale must take poft, and be made believe that he is to adjust all; which, in every article, must be determined before he knows any thing of the matter. Let me have your opinion in all those matters,

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what you think fit.

Green's fhip makes a great noise here, and if nothing is made out will make yet a greater. I wish 43 (the Lord Advocate) may do his part. I am quite tired out of my life with writing; and yet I owe a million of letters.

London, January the 4th, 1704[−5.]*

Farewell,

XXXI. FROM THE SAME.

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(52) ORMISTON went from this yesterday with both places in his pocket. He brags he did his bufinefs, whether 35 (Roxburgh) or 36 (Seafield) would or not, and gives himself out here for a very great man, as having gbcckhunto

(49) Montrose and 51 (Rothes) and Haddington in his hands; in short he

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mocks us all, and if CCC (Rothes) feem to put much respect upon him, there will be no doing. Laft night 36 (Seafield) and 45 (the Lord Register Johnstone) drove me out of what I propof'd to you in my laft concerning LL (Roxburgh) and MM (Seafield) going to 21 (Scotland), and Annandale coming up; and indeed what I propofed was intirely upon the fuppofition

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that the Court was throughly to be trufted, which they refufe, and think that the forefaid must be fent for, (I defire you may add him to the cypher,)

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and that we all go of together, in which case the change must be proposed by BBB (Tweeddale); and if AAA (Montrose) is employed upon the rifing of 13 (the House of Lords) and 14 (House of Commons), then 49 (Montrofe)

* The remark made in the second note to the preceding letter is applicable here also.