Frasers of Philorth > Volume 1

THE FKASERS OF PHILORTH, LORDS SALTOUX. 213
declaratory law of their own, ' That this country had not, nor has not any
jurisdiction over them, nor any powers to bind them by any laws what-
soever.' 1 In case of their separation from this country, France would
naturally support the Catholicks in their demands of restitution. Possession
would then be weak against force, accompanied by such claims. Catholicks
are good casuists and bad civilians ; they coidd easily say to the present
holders, ' semel rualus semper malus, et quod initio vitiosuni est, tractu
temporis non convalesced' But be this as it will, it is a notorious fact that
an officer in the French service did lately offer 1000 Louis to a poor man
near Cork, for his claims on the great ShanDon estate, whereof his grand-
father's great-grandfather was deprived. But the sons of the man would
not assign their birthright as they call it. This may all turn out a ministerial
manoeuvre."
Among Lord Saltoun's papers is the following analysis of the Aberdeen-
shire election of 28th February 1786, when a keen contest took place between
Mr. Skene of Skene and Mr. Ferguson of Pitfour, in which the former was
victorious ; and it is considered worthy of preservation, as a record of the
constituency of the county at that date : —
" Aberdeenshire Election, February 28th 1786.
Disqualified by office, . . 1
Alexander Udny of Udny.
Did not attend, ... 8
James Farquharson of Invercauld.
Alex r Ogilvie of Auchirries.
Alex r Bisset of Lessendrum.
Gen 1 Robert Fullerton of Dudwick.
Col 1 Harry Gordon of Knockespack.
Francis Farquharson of Finzeau.
John Bamsey of Barra.
W m Gerard of Midstrath.
Present, but did not vote, . . 1
John Gordon of Craig.
1 Home Rule seems to be no new invention in Ireland.