[1703/5/19]¹

Procedure: disputed elections

The consideration of these² which related to controverted elections was resumed and the double election for the shire of Clackmannan considered, and both the commissioners elected were allowed to see and interchange such writs and instructions as should be founded upon for either party, and diligence allowed to Sir John Erskine [of Alva] against the clerk of the election and other havers, to be reported the [...] day of May instant.

The double election of Sir George Suttie of Balgown and John Cockburn, laird of Ormiston, younger, for the shire of East Lothian³ was considered, and both ordained to produce and allowed to see all writs to be founded upon in the competition, to be further considered by the parliament at the next meeting.

The double elections of the several commissioners for the shire of Berwick considered and their respective objections and answers, with the writs to be founded on for instructing thereof, ordered to be given in and seen in the clerks' hands by the parties concerned against the next sitting of parliament and then either determined in plain parliament or remitted to a committee.

A warrant given to the barons and freeholders of the shire of Selkirk to elect another commissioner for that shire in place of Sir James Murray of Philiphaugh, now promoted to be lord clerk register, and to meet for that effect on the day specified in the said warrant, which is as follows:

Warrant to elect a new commissioner for the shire of Selkirk

Her majesty's high commissioner and the estates of parliament, considering that Sir James Murray of Philiphaugh, one of the commissioners elected for the shire of Selkirk to this present parliament, is now promoted by the queen's majesty to be lord clerk register and one of her officers of state, therefore, they hereby ordain and give warrant to the freeholders of the said shire to meet and elect another of their number to be commissioner to the effect foresaid at Selkirk, 18 May instant, in the usual manner.

The double election of the several commissioners for the shire of Lanark considered, and the commission from that shire in favour of the lairds [William Baillie of] Lamington, [George Baillie of] Jerviswood, [John Sinclair, younger of] Stevenson and [James Hamilton of] Aikenhead unanimously sustained, and they took the oath of allegiance and oath of parliament and subscribed the allegiance and assurance accordingly.