Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

198 CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [may
that goe to Scotland. Its thought he will be Comissioner,
and if this happen he owes it inteirly to my maister. They
live in perfect freindshipe togither, and I hope shall con-
tinoue to doe so, and they have so resolved betuixt them¬
selves, qch resolutions if they observe they neid not valoue
who take up the gudgells agt. them. If the Earle of Melvill
will quite his place of Prive Seall and accept of being
Precident of the Councell, the Duke of Queensberrie will
be made Privie Seall. The King hes signed both those
comissiones in Flanders, and sent them over blank to be
transacted in that maner ; bot if Melvill will not willingly
chainge, then Queensberrie is Precident of the Councell.
The Earle of Argyle is made captain of his Maties troup
of gairds, so that by this settlement and the other altera¬
tions I gave your Lope, ane accompt of formerly, they have
brocken the interest of both the divided pairties, and
brought all into on united pairtie, who I hope will continoue
in union and followe that which is for his Maties service
with closeness. Secretarie Johnstouns tuo sisters, wiz.
Greden and Bogie, have gott ane pension of 200 lib. ster.
yearly. The Duke of Queensberrie his letter goes doune
this night, which makes him ane Exterordinary Lord of
the Session. Your Lope, will sie by the inclosed letter from
Cornet Ogilvie what conditione affairs are in in fflanders.
The Secretary is determined to doe for him, and will slip
no opertunity that he thinks fitt for him. Your Lope,
will sie by the prints inclosed what furder newes pasess
here at present. I wish your Lope., my Lady, and all the
family all happieness and prosperity, and I ame, My Lord,
Your Lopes, ever obleidged and most humble srvant,
Ja. Baird.
The Secretary hes furnished his loadging here verie
nobly.
When Parliament met on 8th September 1696, Lord Murray,
who was on 27th July created Earl of Tullibardine, was Com¬
missioner, the Earl of Melville was Lord President of the Privy
Council, and the Duke of Queensberry was Lord Privy Seal.
William Ogilvie, Cornet in the Royal Scots Dragoons, writer of
the next letter, was son of William Ogilvie of Bachlaw near