Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

CCXC WILLIAM, FIRST MAUQUTS OF ANXANDALE, 1G72-1721.
Paterson was a caiidii.late for tlie reprcsentaiinn of tlie Dumfries burglis in
tlie tirst parliament of Great llrilain. lie applied to Anuandalc for Ins
assistance in the election, " without which," lie says, " I cannot expect
success therein to lay satisfaction." He adds, that Dumfries Leiug the
place of his birth, he would most of all .
rejoice at being useful there.
Paterson was elected representative of these burghs. But the return was
double, and his opponent was also elected, and upon a reference to the
House of Commons Paterson was unseated. Much obscurity hung over the
origin of Paterson, but it has latterly been ascertained that his father was
a farmer at Skipmj-re, in Trailllat, formerly a part of Tiuwald, IJumfries-
shire, and possessed lands of his own at some distance from his farm.
His son, William, was born there in March or A}>ril 1655.
One of tlie ship.s built by the Daricu Company was named " Aiinandale,"
probably from the circumstance that the Earl of Annandale took an interest
in the passing of tlie act of parliament incorporating the Darien Company,
and also, perhaps, from Paterson being a native of Annandale or Dumfries-
sliivc. The " Ajinaiidale " ship was ill-fated. While in an English harbour
to obtain English seamen for an Indian voyage, the ship was si'ized at the
instance of the East India Company, and condemned for breach of charter
privileges. About the same time a vessel called the "Worcester" had to
put into the Firth of Porth for repairs. That vessel Avas supposed to belong
10 the East India Company, which had seized the "Annandale," but that
was a mistake, the "Worcester" really belonged to the Jlillion Company, a
rival to the East India Company. The secretary of the Darien Company
I
captured the "Worcester," and Captain Green, her commander, and some of
his crew, were tried for piracy and murder by the court of admiralty, at Edin-
burgh, on 5th Marcli 1 705. They were found guilty and condemned to death.^
Owing to the serious illness of the Countess of Annandale in London, his
lordship was unable to attend the parliament which met in autumn 1G90.
' Burton, vol. i. ijji. .375-37S.