Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

cxxxiv GEORGE FIRST VISCOUNT OF TARE AT. [1630-
rendered to them by Lord Tarbat that they granted him in 1690 a pension
for life of £400, payable yearly out of the feu-duties and casualties of the
Earldom of Eoss and Lordship of Ardmanach. 1
After having been much occupied with many matters for several years,
subsequent to the accession of King William, Lord Tarbat was employed
under that sovereign, by reappointment to his former office of Lord Clerk -
Eegister. His patent is dated 3d March 1692, and he continued to hold
that position for four years, when he resigned in 1696. On his retirement,
he received from the King a pension of £400 per annum.
In 1693, the year after he had accepted his former office of Lord Register,
there are indications in the correspondence that it was coveted by others. In
a letter to him by John first Earl of Breadalbane, dated fromLondon, Decem-
ber 7, 1693, he refers to the scheme for laying Lord Tarbat aside, specially
for the sake of his post, although that was not encouraged by the King. 2
The same writer, in a subsequent letter, dated London, March 8, 1694, again
refers to contemplated changes. He says that he is clearing his baggage to
be ready at the King's return from Winchester, and when he met Lord
Tarbat they would resolve whose turn it should be next. 3
In the following year, 1695, Lord Tarbat was in correspondence with
Mr. William Carstares about his position as Lord Clerk-Eegister. His Lord-
ship refers to the temper of the hot party. He asks Mr. Carstares to repre-
sent to his Majesty that he is not afraid of his adversaries, for he is not
guilty of a thought prejudicial to him, nor wearied of serving him. But if
the King think it either fit or easy to please a party with allowing Lord
Tarbat's wish for a private life, he is willing to resign a beneficial office to
serve him, as they can trouble his Lordship until they obtain it. He pro-
1 Original grant, Bundle 3 N., No. 7 of Cromartie Papers.
- Letter, vol. i. p. 102. 3 Ibid. p. 105.