Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

cccvi WILLIAM, FIKST MxVKQUIS OF ANNANDALE, 1 072-1 721.
SeafielJ acj^'^i") accordiuij to Baillic, was so afraid of Queensbcrry aud Aimaii-
dalc making it up, that he sent messages to the Jlarchioness of Annandale
" decjareing his iiinoccTicc " in tliat matter ; tliat it was Queensberry chiefly
who did it ; that without liini it could not have been done.^ From these various
«ind somewhat contradictory accounts, Annandale appears to have resigned ofHce,
and not to have been dismissed. Lockhart, in his usual wa}', furnishes a travesty
of the transaction, asserting tliat Annandale v.-as displaced, because it was thought
he held a private correspondence with the squadron, being more inclined to favour
the succession without tlian with an union, and would not implicitly follow the
dictates of Queensberry and his partisans. Lockhart also, at the same time, gives
Annandale 's character, which is an amusing libel. He says : " He was a man
framed and cut out for business, extremely capable and assiduous," of a proud
aspiring temper, haughty in success, the most complaisant man alive when aflairs
were low; he had gone backwards and forwards so often that no man trusted
him ; " even those of the Revolution party only employ 'd him as the Indians
worsliip the devil, out of fear," and " honest men," though they welcomed so
capable a pierson to serve them, yet were secretly glad to see him humbled. His
being turned out of tlie secretary's ofRce was the cause that induced him to oppose
the union, " so upon that account he was much caressed, but little trusted, by the
cavaliers." -
A better character of Annandale is drawn about this time by ]\lack y, who
was the author of so many memoirs of ofilcial men. He says :
" He was often out and in the ministry during King "William's reign, is
extremely carried away by liis private interest, hath good sense, and a manly
expression, but not much to be trusted ; makes as tine a figure in the iiarliamont
house as be does in his person, being tall, lusty, and well sliaped, with a \cry
black complexion. He is near 50 years old."^
During his staj" in Loudon, Annandale went to court about once a fort-
niglit. TSut he refused to give his concurrence and assistance as president of
the council to those w]io?£\^ he considered had ill-treated both him and the
queen's interest, unless he had as good a share in the government, and upon
' P.aillie to Ko.\burgh, 3l1 January 1706, .Jerviswood Correspondence, p. 1 15.
2 Thu Lockh.-irt Tapers, vol. i. pji. l.'?7, 13S.
•^ Mcmoira of tlie Secret Service of John .\Iacky, Esq.