The manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of ... - Electric Scotland

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prececTeucy before the Earles of Lothian above fifty years in parliaments,,
conventions and all other places, untill of late that the deceased WiUiara,
Earle of Lothian did procure a signature from our most dear and most
entirely beloved brother of ever blessed memory, giving the ancient precedency
of the family of Lothian to the deceased countesse of Lothian.
But his said Majestic, having been informed that the title and dignity of
the first Earle of Lothian was by his patent provided to the heirs male
of his body, and that these heirs male had failed, whereby the honour
was extinct, and that the said Earle of Eoxburghs predecessors and the
other earles aforesaid had been created before the year 1631, at which
time the late Earle of Lothian had acquiesced in the extinction of the
former honours of that family, and procured a new patent. Upon which
considerations our said most entirely beloved royall brother was pleased
by his letter to discharge the passing of that signature; notwithstanding
whereof, Robert now Earle of Lothian did procure a signature of the
same nature, giving him the ancient precedency of the family of Lothian
from the date of the first patent, which was extinct. And whereas our
said most entirely beloved royall brother (not having been informed
of the interest of the said Earle of Roxburgh or the other earles concerned,
nor of his former letter) did direct another letter to the lords of
session bearing date, at Whitehall, the 16th day of June 1679, wherein he
did signify that upon a representation from the last Earl of Roxbourgh
of his interest, he did remitt the matter to the course of law, and did
ordaine them to determine the precedency according to the just rights
of the severall parties concerned, without considering his royall interest
in it. And whereas, likewise, wee are informed that the Earle of Lothian
hath lately presented a petition to you and the lords of the Articles, still
pretending to the precedency aforesaid. It is now our royall will and
pleasure, and wee doe hereby authorise and require you to take care,
that neither our advocate or any other of our oflficers shalbe allowed to
object our royall prerogative to prejudge the rights of the said Earle of
Roxburgh, or of the other earles first above mentioned, but that the
whole matter relating to the precedency aforesaid, be left to be determined
according to law, without regard to the said late signature. For
doing whereof this shalbe your warrant. And so wee bid you heartily
farewell. Given at our court at Whiteliall, the 11th day of May 1685,.
and of our reigne the 1st year.
By his Majesties command
(Signed) Morray.
28. (7) King James the Seventh to the Duke of Queensberry as
commissioner—to delay the pressing of the Test, dated 1 1 May 1685
Superscribed by the King and countersigned by the Earl of Morray.
Addressed as JSTo. 22 (1). Under the address the following
holograph docquet has been added by the Duke of Queensberry as
commissioner : "By this his Majestic orders to delay the ackt anent the-
Test, bott itt wes past and toutcht befoir itt came to my hands."
(Superscribed) James R.
Right trusty and right entirely beloved cousin and councellor, wee
greet you well. Whereas by our letter of the date of these presents to
you and the rest of our secret committee, wee have thought fit to
require your and their advice in the matter of the Test, as you will see
therein more fully expressed ; wee have also thought fit hereby to signify
our royall will and pleasure, that you forbear to proceed upon that part
of our 28th Instruction given to you as our commissioner, which relates
to the pressing of the Test in time to come, untill wee shall receive the