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Prayers said, rolls called.
Minutes of the last sederunt read.
Act for the more effectual payment of the salaries of the commissioners of justiciary read the second time, and, after several amendments made thereon, it was put to the vote approve or not, and carried approve.
The parliament proceeded to consider the report of the commission for auditing the accounts of the public funds, and, having read the first four accounts of charge and discharge with the observations thereon contained in the said report, they sustained the first observation on the first account as to the first article of rests given up by John Drummond and James Maxwell, and sustained the second observation, and sustained the third observation relating to Sir Alexander Bruce [of Broomhall]. As to the fourth observation for provision to English forces, they find and state the same as an article due by England. As to the fifth observation, the sum therein is likewise found due by England, and ordered that the clerk to the treasury produce the instructions of the said fifth article again the next diet of parliament. As to the sixth observation, ordered that the instructions thereof be likewise produced by the clerks to the treasury. As to the seventh observation, they sustain the same. And as to the eighth observation, find that the fifth and sixth articles are carried on to the subsequent account.
The second account in the report read, and ordained that the instructions of the first article of discharge be brought in the next diet of parliament, as also the instructions of the second article. And the third article sustained. As to the fourth article, remitted to the said commission to bring in a particular account of what is over rated. As to the fifth article, the commission to report how it was allowed to the accountants and by whom next diet of parliament. The consideration of the sixth article continued to the next diet of parliament, to the end the clerks of treasury and Mr [James] Dunlop may give account thereof. And the seventh article sustained.
As to the observations on the said second account, the fourth observation to be considered the next diet of parliament. The fifth observation that the clerks of treasury give account how it was employed and by whose order next diet of parliament. The sixth observation the parliament find the sum therein still due, as is acknowledged by Mr Dunlop. As to the seventh observation, continued to be further considered when the instructions of the former observations are brought in.
The third account in the report read, and the first article of discharge sustained, and the warrants of the second and third articles ordained to be produced. The fourth article sustained as carried down to the next account. And the fifth and sixth articles sustained as in the first observation thereon. And the parliament find the seventh article is carried down to the subsequent account.
As to the observations, the parliament sustain the fifth and sixth, and find the fourth and seventh carried down to the subsequent account.
The fourth account in the report read, and the articles of discharge with the observations thereon considered. The first, second, third, fourth and fifth observations sustained, and as to the sixth observation, remitted to the commission to consider the account given in by Sir George Hamilton and to report next diet of parliament. And the seventh observation sustained.
Agreed that the parliament will proceed on the report of the public accounts the following diets of parliament, and go on therein until they be ended, without interposing any other business whatsoever.
Ordered that the solicitor cause cite all persons concerned mentioned in the report of the commission by whom the several balances are alleged to be due.
Agreed that the further consideration of the plot come in after the said accounts are ended.
The lord chancellor, by order of the lord high commissioner, adjourned the parliament until Monday next at 10 o'clock.
[James Ogilvy, earl of] Seafield, chancellor, in the presence of the lords of parliament