Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

cclxviii \VIT,LIAM, FIRST MAKQUIS OF AXNANDALE, 1672-1721.
fonucil}' wcr displeased."^ The king ordered the troops- of Lords Annan-
daio cind Pcsj to be divided amougst the standing troops, or disbanded.^
Annandalc and the other Scottish lords-^-eturned home about tlie begin-
ning of January 1G90, and were honoured by many as great patriots.^ The
incsiago which Woutgomerie and his friends sent to King James in France
was acknowledged by his queen, Slary of Jlodena. Her first letter to Sir
James Jlontgomerie, dated 23d March (1690), expresses her persuasion tliat
she had to do with men of honour, and refers to a cautious abridging of the
royal power. Her second letter states at length the arrangements made
in France for forwarding the wishes and designs of her husband, King James.
Parliament met on 15th April 1690. The presence of the king being re-
quired in Ireland, he sent the Earl of Melvill to attend as his commissioner.'*
After adjournments to the end of the month, legislation was proceeded with
harmoniously till the 22d of July, wlien it was adjourned till September.
But the plan of co-operation in parliament between the remaining members
of the club and the Jacobites did not help the club with the dissenter,?,
and even the Jacobites failed them, for, finding the inconveniences that might
arise to them from so public an appearance against the interest of the king, the
Jacobites told them plainly they M'ould leave them and concur in the money
bill. The attempt of the club to have parliament dissolved was thus frustrated.
Mr. Simpson returned to Edinburgh towards the end of May ICOO, and
brought from King James, then in Ireland, a great bundle of papers in a
leather bag sealed with the king's seal, which he delivered to Sir James
Montgon\erie ; and which, according to Anuandale's confession, contained
the following commissions and letters :
1. A commisiion to Annandalc to be high commissioner.
—
1 Crawfurd to Melvill, 19th December ' Dalrymplo to Melvill, lOth January
ICSO, Lcven iincl Meh-jU Papers, p. .349. 1600, Leven and Melvill Paper.-), p. 367.
2 Order dated 4th January 1690. The ^ lll.s instructions aie dated at Kensington
Melvilles, Earls of Melville, vol. ii. p. 40. 25th February 1CS9-90.