Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

Charles, Second Earl of Middlcton. 249
for there are two things I hoped to have had from
you. One was the account of the Scotch Parliament ;
the other, how you reason upon this great affair of the
Spanish Succession, whereof you had my opinion
upon the 24th November, N.S. Of both I hope to
have something from you by the next. As to the
Scotch Parliament, 1 by other letters I am glad to find
all goes for the Court. You know my opinion as to
John Murey's (the king's) affairs is the same as yours;
and yet, if it were possible to persuade people to
accept of what he offers, it would bring every one
into the same channel that we proposed it to run in,
by a more natural way than all other overtures can
make it; and by this method, too, you see he does not
desire to be trusted, for he gives all out of his own
hands. But this is an argument that I would not
have you make use of with the colonel ; and yet it is
the best thing could happen, both for him and his
friends. But all propositions any other way in our
parts, that is downright, will be to no purpose ; and
yet, upon your side of the water they would naturally
of themselves consider this, and press it where there
is occasion. The bees (city) are a dead weight upon
them, and look more like a judgment than anything
else, they being an abomination to all the rest of man-
1 The Scotch, indignant at the abandonment of the Settlement of
Darien, petitioned for a new Parliament. (Smollett. )