Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

Cclxxii WILLIAM, FIRST MAKQUIS OF AXXANDALE, 167-2-17l'l.
time for Annciudalc, Melvill, as commissioner, had shown so mnch considera-
tion for liis lordship that the latter •^•rote a grateful letter expressing his
belief that he owed his bcin^ in so good circumstances to his Grace, and
assuring him he should ever retain a suitable sense of so great a favour.^
The cpiestion of making further discoveries about the plot continued to
engross attention some time longer, even after the king's return from Ireland.
Sir James Montgomerie had an interview with the queen. His information
was meagre and unsatisfactory ; and he aftcrv.-ards made his escape to
Prance. Lord Eoss was sent to the to\\-er of London and liberated without
any prosecution. Auuandale was not proceeded against for his share in the
plot. He was less gnilty than his associates, and had made atonement by
his ingenuous confession. Aunandalc now avoided all public communi-
cation with the plotters or Jacobites, and became perfectly loyal to King
William's government. A good deal of the summer of 1691 he spent at
Bath, and afterwards retired to liis old tower of Lochwood, where he v,as
only conversant Avith his papers and private business. He wrote tlience
in October 1G92 congratulating King Willianr's return to England, and
saying he would ever be ready to sacrifice for his interest tliat life and
fortune " which in a speciall maner I hold of their Majesties." - Annandale
was too important and influential a nobleman to continue spending his
time over his private family muniments and the routine business incident
to a country gentleman. In the next chapter we shall find that he
emerged from his voluntary retirement in his native dale, and took an
active and prominent part in the public offices and business of the nation.
1
' Annandale to Meh-ill, 20th Augiist 1G90, Leven and Melvill Papers, ji. 405,
- Vol. ii. of this work, p. 5^.