Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

DECLl.NK.S TllK OFFICK Oi' VUKSIDEST, liUC. cccvil
as honourable terms as I'onnerly. Aniiaiidale's stay in Kn;;lan(.l was loiii^er
tlian lie liaJ intended. His purpose was to roUau to Scotland iu the
beginning of December, but the lameness of a leg prevented hini.^
In the beginning of 170G there appeared to be some pro.spect that Annan-
dale would return to power. His name was much spoken of by the dificrcnt
political parties in connection with various public otFices. A great deal of
gossip passed upon the subject, and the ^Yhigs set him up as their chief man.
Offers were made to him on behalf of the queen to continue president of the
privy council. This, however, did not meet the washes of his loi-dship, who
declined the offers. It was found difticult to procure another post to him.
In a letter to Mr. Carstares, the Earl of Sea field says Lords Marlborough and
Godolphin both asked him to continue in office, and Lord Loudoun, secretary,
was sent to him by the queen, desiring him, as his lordship adds :
" To let him know that she was willing to employ him in that station if he
pleased, but he still refused, and the secretaries and I were unwilling to oblige
him so far as give him any of our posts, but we were very willing to have served
in conjunction with him. He is gone to the Bath, aiid lies this night at Mr.
Johnston's house at Twittenham, where it is like new game may be projected.
The Marquis of Montrose is made president of the council, and I liojie will be
found very useful to her JIajesty in that station." -
Annaudale remained at Bath till the month of Alay. Charles, fourth
Earl of Traquair, in writing to Lady Mary Maxwell, his countess, observes,
" Ther is a great crowd of company here already. My Lord Annandale makes
the greatest figuir of any."^ Annandale antl his marchioness, who had been
residing at Lochwood, were both at Craigichall, near (Jucensfeiry, by the
beginning of September, when Laillio, in a letter to the marquis, congratulates
him upon his safe ariiv;il. "Writing on Kltii Scptemlicr from that {)!ace
' Aiin.iucl.ile to Levcii, 2oUi IJcceiiiber 9th March 1700, dratarca State I'ajieis,
1705, vol. ii. of this work, p. 230. Annan- |). 7-i5.
H.-ili- to BaiUio, loth January 17U0, -Jervis-
wooil Cornsponlence, \>. 111. -' Letter, 4tli M.iy IT'iO, 'I'lic book of
- The Earl of St-atitM to Mr. (ar>tari'5, Carlavcrock, \ol. u. [.. lOiJ.