er the crown; that this list was shown to
peers, as a list approved by the crown; and was called the king's list,
from which there was to be no variation, unless to make way for one or
two particular peers, on condition they should conform to measures;
that peers were solicited to vote for this list, without the liberty of
making any alteration; that endeavours were used to engage peers to vote
for this list by promise of pensions, and offices civil and military to
themselves and relations, as well as by offers of money: that sums were
given for this purpose; that pensions, offices, and releases of debts
owing to the crown, were actually granted to peers who concurred
in voting for this list, and to their relations; that on the day of
election a battalion of his majesty's troops were drawn up in the
Abbey-court of Edinburgh, contrary to custom, and without any apparent
cause but that of over-awing the electors. This answer gave rise to
another violent dispute; but the majority voted it unsatisfactory, and
the petition was rejected, though the resolution was clogged with a
vigorous protest.

{1735}

Notwithstanding this discouragement, the earl of Abingdon moved, that
although the petition was dismissed, an inquiry might be set on foot
touching an affair of such consequence to the liberties of the kingdom.
The earl of Hay declaring his belief that no such illegal methods had
been practised, the other produced a pamphlet, intituled, The Protests
of a great Number of Noble Lords, entered by them at the last Election
of Peers for Scotland. Exceptions being taken to a pamphlet, as an
object unworthy of their notice, lord Bathurst exhibited an authentic
copy of those protests, extracted from the journal of that election,
signed by the two principal clerks, and witnessed by two gentlemen
then attending in the lobby. These were accordingly read, and plainly
demonstrated the truth of the allegations contained in the petition.
Nothing could be more scandalous, arrogant, and shamefully flagrant,
than the conduct and deportment of those who acted the part of
understrappers to the ministry on this occasion. But all this
demonstration, adorned and enforced by the charms and energy of
eloquence, was like preaching in a desert. A motion was made for
adjourning, and carried in the affirmative: a protest was entered, and
the whole affair consigned to oblivion. Divers other motions were
made successively by the lords in the opposition,