titution, this circumstance might be a precedent for the parliament
of Great Britain to assume the same power: that the representatives for
Scotland would, from their poverty, depend upon those who possessed
the means of corruption; and having expressed so little concern for the
support of their own constitution, would pay very little regard to that
of any other. "What!" said the duke of Hamilton, "shall we in half
an hour give up what our forefathers maintained with their lives and
fortunes for many ages? Are here none of the descendants of those worthy
patriots who defended the liberty of their country against all invaders;
who assisted the great king Robert Bruce to restore the constitution,
and revenge the falsehood of England and the usurpation of Baliol? Where
are the Douglasses and Campbells? Where are the peers, where are
the barons, once the bulwark of the nation? Shall we yield up the
sovereignty and independency of our country, when we are commanded by
those we represent to preserve the same, and assured of their assistance
to support us?" The duke of Athol protested against an incorporating
union, as contrary to the honour, interest, fundamental laws, and
constitution of the kingdom of Scotland, the birthright of the peers,
the rights and privileges of the barons and boroughs, and to the
claim of right, property, and liberty of the subjects. To this protest
nineteen peers and forty-six commoners adhered. The earl-marshal entered
a protest, importing, that no person being successor to the crown
of England should inherit that of Scotland, without such previous
limitations as might secure the honour and sovereignty of the Scottish
crown and kingdom, the frequency and power of parliament, the religion,
liberty, and trade of the nation, from English or any foreign influence.
He was seconded by six-and-forty members. With regard to the third
article of the union, stipulating, that both kingdoms should be
represented by one and the same parliament, the country party observed
that, by assenting to this expedient, they did in effect sink their own
constitution, while that of England underwent no alteration: that in all
nations there are fundamentals which no power whatever can alter: that
the rights and privileges of parliament being one of those fundamentals
among the Scots, no parliament, or any other power, could ever legally
prohibit the meeting of parliaments, or deprive any of the three estates
of its right of si