Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

374 CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [may
under your Lops, covert, lest you may be of ane oyr
oppinnion. I containoue with all duty, My Lord, Yor
Lop’s, most humble and obedient servant,
David Nairne.
Whitehall, 13th May 1704.
Since writting whats above ye enclosed came from the
D. of Q.
David Nairne, Under Secretary of State for Scotland, was
appointed to that office in the spring of 1703 in room of Mr.
Pringle who was retired.1 On 10th June 1704 a warrant2 was
issued to Al. Wedderburn, on the narrative that the Queen had
laid aside Sir David Nairn, to officiate as Under-Secretary in the
absence of the Secretary of State for Scotland.
To THE RIGHT HONERABLE THE EARELL OF SEA-
FFEILD, LORD HEIGH CHANCLER OF SCOTLAND
Edr., 17th May 1704.
My Lord,—Please pay to Balie Alexander Baird,
marchand in Edr, the soume of sixtein hundred markes
Scots, and that as ane yeares rent of yor Lordships loadg-
ings set by me to yor Lordship, and that from Whitson-
day 1703 to Whitsonday last by past; and this with his
recept shall be ane sufficient discharge ffrom, My Lord,
yor Lordships most humble and most obedent servant,
Tho. Smith.
Edinburgh, May 19, 1704.—Accepts the above written
precept, deducing the cess and oyr reparations paid be
Mr. Stewart. Seafield.
Next three letters show that Seafield was making interest for
the Queen, in view of the meeting of Parliament on 6th July 1704.
For THE EARL OF SEAFIELD
My Lord,—Allow me to signifie to you that I have a
great deal of contentment to understand, that by your
Lo. conduct publick matters have a more uniform appear¬
ance than formerly. The difficulties were certainly great,
1 Historical MSS. Commission, Fourteenth Report, App., Part III., p. 218.
2 State Papers (Scotland) Warrant Books, vol. xx.