Minutes of the last sederunt read.
Then the parliament proceeded to consider in what manner the several shires of this kingdom shall choose the thirty members appointed to represent them in the house of commons of Great Britain; as also in what manner the several burghs shall choose the fifteen members appointed to represent them in the said house of commons.
And, after reasoning thereon, a draft of an act was offered settling the manner of electing and summoning the sixteen peers and forty-five commoners to represent Scotland in the parliament of Great Britain.
Which, being read, it was moved to proceed to consider that clause of the draft of the act appointing the shires of Bute and Caithness to have only one representative, the shires of Nairn and Cromarty to have only one representative, and the shires of Clackmannan and Kinross to have only one representative, to be chosen alternatively, and the whole other shires and stewartries of this kingdom now represented in this present parliament each to have one representative in the parliament of Great Britain.
And it was also moved to remit the same to a committee.
And after reasoning on these motions, the vote was stated, approve of the above clause of the act or commit.
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But before voting a protestation was given in in these terms.
I, James Sinclair of Stemster, one of the commissioners for the shire of Caithness, do protest for myself and the other barons and freeholders of the said shire that the vote now to be put for approving of the conjunction of the said shire of Caithness with Bute, or any other of the lesser shires, is against our right of being always separately represented in parliament, and that because the rule of reducing shires is by their valuation and six only to be reduced, the shire of Caithness ought to enjoy its representation as other greater shires, and the shire of Sutherland being less in valuation than Caithness ought to be conjoined with the other lesser five shires. Which being read he took instruments thereupon, and Mr James Dunbar, younger of Hempriggs, the other commissioner for the said shire of Caithness, adhered thereto.
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Then the vote was put, approve of that clause of the act settling the manner of electing representatives for shires or commit, and it carried approve.
Thereafter it was moved to proceed to consider in what manner the burghs shall choose their representatives. And, after debate thereon, the further consideration thereof was delayed until the next sederunt of parliament.
Then the lord chancellor, by order of her majesty's high commissioner, adjourned the parliament until tomorrow at 10 o'clock.