Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

429
FEB. 1707] FIRST EARL OF SEAFIELD
four dayes agoe. By all the accompts wee have from
thence, it’s generally beleeved it will not meett with great
difficulty in passing in the English Parliat. I fear my
Lord Chancelor will be oblidged to goe to London when
the Parliament rises He cannot gett any bargain for his
wictuall this year, but has fraughted two ships to bring
some of it about, and they sail next week. Mr. Stewart
will write you accompt of there chartour parties. You
have not yet sent me yor opinion of Burdsbanks acco1
with my Lord. He is requiring his pay1, and considering
his circumstances my Lord will clear him. . . . Give my
humble duty to yor bedfellow and my mother and all
friends.-—I am, D. C., Your affectionat cousine and humble
servant, John Philp.
To WILLIAM LORIMER, Chamberlane to the
EARLE OF SEAFIELD att Cullen
Edinburgh, ffebry. 6, 1707.
D. C.,—. . . I wrote formerly to you about the purchass
of yor uncles houses. Am satisfied with the disposition,
if it contains the warrandice, but by Mrs. Lorimers letter
she seems to scruple it. You ’ll need to advyse her, and
if she pleases I ’ll pay her interest for her money till
Whytsunday next, though it will be above a years @rent
loss upon any money that people may have in there hands
att that, if the union succeed, for no species yrafter will
pass but att the English rates of ffyve shillings the crown,
and so proportionally. The Parliat. inclynes to make up
the loss of the money out of the equivalent, but that’s
uncertain and will take a time to be good. For guineas
they ’ll pass att no more than 21s and 6d ster. and no repara¬
tion for the loss.1 I send you accompt of the proceedings
of Parlia1 by these minutes. They ’ll best informe you.
Scotland is exempted from the malt tax dureing the warr,
and in time of peace its never imposed. For what all the
nobility and gentry brews they are to pay no excyse. Ale
sold above two shilling the pint payes 4s and 9d sterline
of excyse for 10 gallons.2 This will very litle affect the
Article XVI. of the union.
2 Article vn. of the union.