Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

clvi GEORGE FIRST EARL OF C ROM ARTIE. [1630-
of the Union. He says he is always the same, i.e. for a full and incorporat-
ing Union, as against what he calls the romantic federal union, and he gives
many cogent reasons in support of his views. 1
A few months afterwards Lord Cromartie again recurs to the question of
the Union, in his correspondence with the Earl of Mar. He writes to Lord
Mar that he wishes the Union, and a true, effectual, and no sham Union,
established. He hopes that though prudence and honesty should make all
Britons for it, yet if they fail, necessity and foresight of danger, by dis-
union, will force it over the tricks of self-designing opponents. He says that
if he were beside the Duke of Marlborough, he would venture to tell his
Grace that, though nobody thinks with more honour of all his great actions,
not one of them — no, not Blenheim itself — can be of so great advantage to
all Britain, if he contribute to make all that one. Lord Cromartie adds that
whatever party be for the Union, he shall be of that party. He even adds
that he will be of that party though it consisted of his private enemies. 2
In another letter, Lord Cromartie assures Lord Mar of his satisfaction that
so many in England are for an incorporation of Britain. Federation is not
worth the pains, and will be an Egyptian reed, and the mother of future
dangers and discords on some unhappy occasion. In the same letter, after dis-
cussing other topics, he again repeats that he is taken with the incorporating
Union, because he is old, and in long experience of slavery ; and he wishes
to leave the nation free of the first, and at least in the road to leave the
other. He says he is no slave to his present sentiment, but ready to leave
its command when he sees a better fellow. But he must see him before
he loves him.
Another nobleman with whom Lord Cromartie corresponded about the
Union was David fourth Earl of Northesk, who was the husband of his
1 Letter, vol. ii. pp. 5, 6. 2 Ibid. p. 14.