[M1703/5/59]¹

[Protest against petition; lord commissioner's speech]

Prayers said, the rolls called.

The minutes of the last sederunt being read, [George MacKenzie, viscount of Tarbat], lord secretary, protested that the deliverance on the petition of the heritors of Inverness and Ross in favour of Duncan Forbes of Culloden might not prejudice her majesty's interest in the annexed property of the excise, that it might neither operate an extension of nor addition to the acts in favour of the said Duncan Forbes, nor import any monopoly in prejudice of the petitioners or others, and that it might not derogate from nor prejudice any obligation upon the said Duncan to any shire or person according to the law, and thereupon asked instruments.

Then her majesty's high commissioner made a speech to the parliament in manner following:

My lords and gentlemen,

It was with great uneasiness to me that I was forced to be silent yesterday when so many did appear earnest that I should speak. I have all the inclination in the world to give you full satisfaction, but I thought that I ought not to be pressed to give the royal assent or to declare my instructions in parliament, which I had made known to many noble and worthy members, besides the queen's servants.

Now that these instances are let fall and that you have proceeded to other business, to testify how willing I am to give you contentment in anything that's in my power, I tell you freely that I have received her majesty's pleasure and I am fully empowered to give the royal assent to all the acts voted in this session, excepting only that act entitled 'Act for security of the kingdom'. You may easily believe that requires her majesty's further consideration. At the same time her majesty expects that you will mind your own safety in making necessary provisions for the troops upon the present establishment, and that you will put the trade and customs on that foot that the civil list may be supported. And I entreat your lordships to finish these as quickly as possible that this session may be put to a speedy and happy conclusion.