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

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2°. The annexing the forfeitt estates (which and prosecuteing the
phanaticks are the trew rise of all this clamour against the
Thessurer) and the restoring to the croun the old fewduties
of Argjle, taken away by former- parliments, mil augment the
revenue towards 8000 ^^'^ sterling yearly.
3°. The supplie which was given by former parliments did continou
but a shorte tyme and came not the lenthof what his Majestie's
service seemd to require. So this parliment lia« most cheerfully
not only made a considerable addition to the then current
supplie, even to the outmost of what the kingdom is able
to give, but has continoued the whole dureing his Majestie's
life.
These particulyrs being now stated in a constant revenue and added
to the old oroun rent, which formerly was very inconsiderable, does
secure to his Majestic if right managed a revenew sufficient to maintain
a considerable force for support of his royall government ; so that ther
will not be so great need of parliaments after and beside the advancement
of the revenue in these and other particulars. The Commissioner
and tliat most loyall parliment have contryved and past such lawes for
making the payment therof, as also fynes &c. effectuall, which was
never done before. They have also so fare secured his Majestie's
government against the turbulent phanaticks, that not a man of interest,
who is of that principall and refuses to conforme himself to the law but
his estate is at the King and Councills mercy, who by Act of parliament
have it in ther pouer to inflict what fynes they judge fitt in these
cases, and because methods wer allwayes taken to defraud the King
upon these occasions the parliment both past the Act forsaid for making
these fynes effectuall, and declaired ther estates effected with them
preferable to other creditors.
They have lykeways been so fare from incroaching on his Majestie's
royall prerogative, that they have by ane Act ouned and acknouledged
the King's absolute, unlimited and suppream pouer in more express and
full tearms then ever was done by ther predecessors. They have a(l)so
made offerr to his Majestic of ther lives and fortouns, and have
oblidged the nation to bestow both in his service when and wher his
occasion shall require, and this is lykeways done more fully and effectually
then by any former parliment, and makes the militia after this of
noe use.
From these and many more instances that might be offered of the
great loyalty, zeall, dutie and affection of the Commissioner and parliment,
it's hoped his Majestic will not only have suteable thoughts of
both, but also in his ounc way and tyme vindicat them from these
insolent and calumnious aspersions wherwith ther actings are so malitiously
and unwarrantbly charged.
Speeches of the Lord Commissioner and Lord Chancellor at the
opening and closing of the parliament &c. 23 April 1685.
57. Arrangement of the order of parliament and business.
The parliament having come up in their order they are to march in
from the place of their lighting to their respective seats in the parliament
house. The constable conducts the Commissioner from the ladies
steps to the door of the parliament house, quhair the Mari shall receaves
him and conducts him to the barr.
Wher the Chancellour and all the other officers of state meets him
the Chancellour with the purse goes befor his Grace and the other
officers of state follow him.