The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 29 March 2024
[1703/5/91]1
Procedure: disputed election
Moved that the objection against James Sinclair of Stemster, as commissioner for the shire of Caithness, might be considered and thereupon the advocates for the objectors and for him being called, it was alleged for Stemster that the objection could not be received unless there were some freeholders from that shire present to insist in it, or some legal mandate from a party having interest for that effect, and there being a missive letter from Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs, one of the freeholders, to Mr Robert Fraser produced and read, giving him warrant to insist in the objection and an order alleged upon from the minutes of the 15th ordaining Stemster to produce the writs for instructing his freehold, the advocates for Stemster craved to see the missive letter until the next sitting of parliament, whereupon the vote was stated proceed or delay and carried delay.
Resolved that the parliament proceed to discuss the remaining controverted elections at their first meeting, and the next thereafter proceed to consider the act for security of the kingdom.
- NAS. PA2/38, f.99v-100.