[M1706/10/98]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Prayers said.
Rolls called.
Minuts of the last sederunt read.
Then the parliament proceeded to consider in what manner the severall shyres of this kingdome shall choise the thirty members appointed to represent them in the house of comons of Great Brittain, as also in what maner the severall burrows shall choise the fifteen members appointed to represent them in the said house of comons.
And, after reasoning thereon, a draught of ane act was offered setleing the maner of electing and summonding the sexteen peers and fourty five comoners to represent Scotland in the parliament of Great Brittain.
Which being read it was moved to proceed to consider that clause of the draught of the act appointing the shyres of Bute and Caithness to have only one representative, the shyres of Nairn and Cromerty to have only one representative, and the shyres of Clackmannan and Kinross to have only one representative, to be chosen alternatively, and the haill other shyres and stewartries of this kingdome now represented in this present parliament each to have one representative in the parliament of Great Brittain.
And it was also moved to remitt the same to a committee.
And, after reasoning on these motions, the vote was stated approve of the above clause of the act or committ.
But before voteing a protestation was given in in these terms: I, James Sinclair of Stempster, one of the commissioners for the shyre of Caithnes, doe protest, for my self and the other barrons and freeholders of the said shyre, that the vote now to be putt for approving of the conjunction of the said shyre of Caithnes with Bute or any other of the lesser shyres is against our right of being alwayes seperatly represented in parliament, and that because the rule of reduceing shyres is by their valuation and six only to be reduced, the shyre of Caithnes ought to enjoy its representation as other greater shyres, and the shyre of Sutherland, being less in valuation than Caithnes, ought to be conjoyned with the other lesser five shyres. Which being read he took instruments thereupon and Mr James Dunbarr, younger, of Hempriggs, the other commissioner for the said shyre of Caithnes, adhered thereto.†
Then the vote was putt approve of that clause of the act setleing the manner of electing representatives for shyres or commit, and it caryed approve.
Therafter it was moved to proceed to consider in what manner the burghs shall choise their representatives.
And, after debate thereon, the furder consideration therof was delayed till next sederunt of parliament.
Then the lord chancellor, by order of her majesties high commissioner, adjourned the parliament till to morrow at ten of the clock.
Seafield, cancellar[ius], I.P.D. p[arliamenti]