Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

lxxviii SIR GEORGE MACKENZIE OF TARBAT, BARONET. [1630-
Advocate, has given a very minute account of these proceedings in his
History of Scotland ; and as that was considered necessary in a general
history of the country, so a summary of these proceedings appears to be
necessary and appropriate in this memoir of Lord Tarbat. 1
At the Eestoration of King Charles the Second, in 1660, the Lord Chan-
cellor Hyde was made the chief minister of State in England. He was
himself a keen cavalier, and attached to Episcopalian principles. In his
opinion, none hut those holding principles similar to his own were worthy to
he intrusted with office under his Majesty. It was by his advice that the
Earl of Middleton was made Commissioner in Scotland:
Middleton was bred a soldier, and was considered a brave officer ; but it
was soon found that he had not an equal talent for the high offices of State.
The Earl of Rothes was made President of the Council, all parties approving.
Newburgh became Captain of His Majesty's Guards. The Earl of Crawford
was continued Treasurer. Marischal was made Lord Privy Seal, in room of
the Earl of Sutherland. Bellenden was Treasurer-Depute. Sir John
Fletcher was made Lord Advocate. Being junior in his profession to many
others, his appointment created dissatisfaction, and his keen prosecution of
several of those whom Middleton had marked as victims, fixed on him the
name of Incpiisitor-General.
In the bestowal of the other principal Scotch offices, Lord Chancellor
Hyde had considerable influence. But his intentions were frustrated respect-
ing the office of the Scotch Lord Chancellor, which he wished to be bestowed
on the Earl of Lauderdale, on the pretence of rewarding him for his sufferings
on behalf of the King. His real motive however was to prevent Lauderdale
from holding the office of Secretary of State for Scotland, which involved
1 Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland, by Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugk. Edinburgh,
1824. Pp. 1-29, 63-135.