Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

PUESIDKS IX PAULIAMENT, 1C95. cclxxvii
sacrament, ami told the arclibisliop that she had always been against trusting
to deathbed repentance, and therefore had nothing to do. The king says that
she never offended hira during \heir seventeen years' married life."^
As president of the council, Annandalc prepared and signed, with other
members, an address to the king on the death of his consort." The address
was delivered by the Tvlarquis of Tweeddale, chancellor, and the king said he
would answer it, which was all he could do at the time. The chancellor took
the opportunity to speak of the necessity of the king's approbation of the
council's choice of president, which thereafter was signed late at night and
despatched by the secretary.^ The letter of the king to the council, which
is printed in this work,^ approves the nomination of Annandale to preside in
the council during the chancellor's absence, or till the king's further pleasure.
The iifth session of the first parliament of King William was opened
at Edinburgh on 9th May 1695. John, Earl of Tweeddale, lord chancellor,
who was commissioner, by the king's command appointed Annandale to be
president of the parliament. The earl thereupon took his place and swore
the oath of allegiance and oath of parliament, and subscribed the allegiance
and assurance. After the king's letter to the parliament was presented by
the commissioner and read, the Marquis of Tweeddale made a speech to the
parliament, and after he had concluded, Annandale, as lord president, fol-
lowed with a speech of considerable length. lie began by saying that it was
a gi'cat and undeserved honour that he had his Majesty's commands to
preside in that session of parliament, for he knew well 'us own insufilciency
to discharge so important a trust, " but duty calls, and I must obey." lie
refers, among other things, to the king's exposing his person to the dangers
of war, to his assurances to maintain the prcsbyterian government of the
' Leltir, 2Stli Dcccmb>;r 1G94, vol. ii. of tin's work, pi'. SS, 89.
- Hid. p. 90.
3 The Chaucellor to tbe Earl, 15tli January 1C93, ihid. [>. 92.
* Court at Keuaington, 12th January 1695, ihid. p. IS