Moodie book

j2 The Moodie Book.
1701, and on the revaluing of the Shire of Caithness, and was dead before 6th
July 1704. »
X. James Moodie, sixth Laird of Melsetter, &c, aforesaid, M.P., a Captain
in the Guards, &c, commonly called " the young Laird," son and heir of the
preceding. He had a disposition from his father of the 9 penny lands of
Osmondwall, and was infeft March 1695. He was, " as James Mudie of
Melsetter, Younger," one of the Commissioners (of Supply) for Orkney in the
Parliament of 19th June 1702; and, "as Capt. James Moodie of Melsetter," he
was a Commissioner for Orkney and Shetland in the Parliament which met 6th
July 1704. He was also a member of the last Scottish Parliament, and appears
from the following interesting letter, dated from the old Parliament House,
16th January 1707, to have voted for the Union with England : —
" Dear Sir, — I am glad that I can now tell you that within this house the whole articles
of union were put to the vote approve or not, and carried the former by a great majoritie, and
immediately it was enacted and had the Royall Sanction, so that now, blessed be Cod, there
are no grounds for a rupture, tho' many, I believe, in both nations too greedily desired it. I
expect there will be a new election of members for the Hritish parliament, and if I can get the
E. of Mortone managed, I doubt not much to have you elected. Morton's business will
proceed, which will make way for yours, but I see it will not be possible to get it in this
parliament because the Commissioner and other great men must be in London, otherwise the
Queen will not grant it except your self were upon the place. 1 was resolved to have gone up
some time agoe, but was advised it would be to noe purpose unless some of the courtiers were
there ; however, I resolved to send up the discharge when the Commissioner goes up, and am
resolved to take all Imaginable methods to have it pass, even to give some money to some
bodie who will doe it, for if we should get a refusal it is for ever lost. I waited a Treasaurie
day for that business of the exchange, and I am to give in an address to the Parliament for
that business of the Minister of Walls stipend which will keep me here most part of March.
Am informed from Orkney that B is past recovery, and that Faray and Holland are
dead.
" I wrote you some time agoe desireing you might consider my circumstance — you know
I cannot pretend to except you take care to provide it— so as in case of mortalitie I
may be put in a conditione either to redeem the Estate or to have something that might make
me live otherways. I will not prescribe anything, for I know both your justice and kindness,
but because all depends upon your breath I beg you may consider of it in time ; for my part
your will shall be a law to me. But I pray God I may see you again. I conclude,—
Dr. Sr., Your most affectionate nep. and sertt, J. Moodie.
" P.S. — I spoke to Egilshay about his brother— he complains that his bro. has never
wrote to him — shall be glad you be kind to him, for Egleshay is ane honest man. Let me
know if you have thought of goeing further as Lisborne. Mr Finlason writes that he has at
last gotte the night of — , but nothing of value."
The letter is addressed : —
" To Capt. James Moodie, Commander of Her Majesty's Ship Lancaster.
" To the care of Mr Andrew Mitchell, Appothecarie in pell mell, London."
and is endorsed : —
"Edinburgh, 16 Jany. 1707. — Captain James Moodie, Junr., to Capt. James Moodie,
Senr. On the Union of Scotland and England having been carried and received
the Royal Sanction that day."
1 On the 13th September 1686, the Session ordered a window " to be broken out of the north-
side [of Kirkwall Cathedral] for light to Patrick Traill and William Mudie's seat." — See Hossack, p. 37.