Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

XVI ABSTRACT OF THE STATE AND OFFICIAL LETTERS. [1699.
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101. Mr. William Carstares to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok, expressing his regret that Sir John felt
dissatisfied with what was intended for him by his .Majesty; assuring him that the places of
Lord Justice-Clerk and of a Lord of Session were never before proposed for any one person,
much less offered to any one; and that if the Justice- Clerk had not accepted the office of
Treasurer- depute, his Btajesty's intention had been to offer it to him (Sir John) ; and stating
that he had, notwithstanding the terms of Sir John's letter, ventured to advise my Lord Secre-
tary that the commissions designed for him should be expeded. London, 4th February 1699, 114
102. James Viscount Seafield, Secretary of State for Scotland, to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok,
expressing his regret to find that the latter was labouring under a mistake in regard to what
was intended for him ; informing him that the Lord Justice-Clerk had been advanced to the
office of Treasurer-depute, and that his Majesty had signed a commission in favour of Sir
John to be Lord Justice- Clerk and one of the Lords of Session ; that if he (the Secretary)
were capable of discharging the duties of these offices, he would prefer them to the one he
himself held ; and requesting him to assist with his best advice Mr. Francis [Montgomery of
Giffen, second son of the Earl of Eglinton], who was to succeed him as a Lord of the Trea-
sury. Whitehall, 7th February 1699, 116
103. Sir John Maxwell of Pollok to James Viscount Seafield, Secretary of State for Scotland, ac-
knowledging his Majesty's royal favour in appointing him to two such important places, and
thanking his Lordship for representing him so favourably to the King ; admitting that he had
been under a mistake regarding what was intended for him, and stating that his new appoint-
ment was more acceptable to him than any thing that was ever designed for him. Edinburgh,
14th February 1699, 117
104. James Viscount Seafield, Secretary of State for Scotland, to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok, Lord
Justice-Clerk, wishing him "joy in the two stations in which he was settled;" assuring
him that if he were capable of doing him better service, he "would do it ; and expressing a
hope that his Lordship would continue to write to him from time to time, and take pains to
inquire into and inform him of any intrigues and designs against the Government. Whitehall,
21st February 1699, 117
105. David Home, Lord Crossrig, to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok. Lord Justice-Clerk, expressing
his concurrence in a proposed adjournment of the Court of Session from 19th May to 17th
August ; stating, in reference to an approaching trial for witchcraft, his opinion that all who
prayed for the kingdom of God to come should exert themselves " to destroy the kingdom of
Satan;" that although that " profane and lukewarm generation made a mock at witchcraft,
as they did at most other sins," he hoped that it was by Divine Providence that the trial had
been delayed ; and recommending that their Lordships should all pray that it might please
God " to clear up their way to purging the land of that abominable crime." Edinburgh,
13th May 1699, 118
106. James Earl of Seafield to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok, Lord Justice-Clerk, informing him
that he and the Earl of Hyndfoord had presented to his Majesty an address from the shire
of Renfrew, expressive of affection to his Majesty's person and government, and of high
resentment against the injurious proceedings of the French King in acknowledging the