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

90
-Head Second.—Commission by King James the Seventh to William
first Duke of Queensberry, to be Lord High Commissioner to the
first session of the only parliament held by his Majesty in Scotland,
in the year 1 685 : Also Instructions and Additional Instructions to
the Commissioner,
9. Commission by James, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland,
which proceeds on the preamble that owing to considerations of great
moment the King had caused a meeting of the three estates of his
ancient kingdom (of Scotland) to be appointed to assemble at Edinburgh
on the 9 April next, which had been afterwards prorogued to the 23d
day of April; and the king himself being detained by affairs of high
moment in England, was unable to be present in the first session of bis
parliament : Therefore he had resolved to commit the right and power
of representing his sacred person to some most eminent man of very
illustrious rank and proved fidelity and special qualifications ; and having
experience of the steady loyalty and singular endowments and fidelity
of his most faithful and well beloved cousin and councillor, William,
Duke of Queensberrie, high treasurer of Scotland, which qualifications
render him most meet and proper for undertaking such an office, and for
promoting the king's pious and royal designs, for furthering the weal
and interest of the kingdom in church and state, and recalling to mind
the high loyalty and zeal of the Duke towards his interest at the time of
his Majesty's greatest difficulties ; therefore the King bestows on him
authority to represent his person and sacred Majesty, and to bear the
royal authority in the first session of the parliament of his kingdom, and
in all things concerning the good of the church, the peace and government
of the kingdom &c. as the king's High Commissioner ; with most
full and ample power, and title of Commissioner, as fully and freely as
the office was given by any of his royal predecessors. Further, the king
confirms all things done by the Duke in his office of Commissioner, and
charges all ministei"S of state, privy councillors, judges, and all subjects,
and especially officers of the forces, to recognize and obey him in his
office. The commission begins from the day of his departure fi-om the
royal presence, and lasts for the first session of parliament. The Commission
not to be prejudicial to any other commission such as that of
high treasurer committed to him, and these other commissions to last
during the king's pleasure. The king comniands the great seal to be
appended, at the Court at Whytehail, 28 March 1685. A fragment of
the great seal is still attached. At foot, *' Per signaturam manu S. D. N.
Kegis suprascriptam."
Indorsed "
: Written to the great seal and registrat 9 April 1685."
(Signed) Jo. Grahame, Dep*.
Subs*, att Edinburgh, the 9 day of Aprile 1685, conform to ane order
of his Majesties Privy Counsell. (Signed) Jo. Cunynghame.
Sealed at Edinburgh, the 22d day of April 1685. (Signed) Jo.
Cunynghame.
10. Instructions to the Duke of Queensberry as Commissioner to the
j)arliament of Scotland, 28 March 1685.
[On margin of the original in the Duke's handwriting, as are all the
Marginal Notes :
" The haill artikell with this X on the margen ar past
as the Instruction beris."]
(Superscribed) James R.