Att Edinburgh the Twentie Sevinth day of March Jaj vijc and sevine yeirs
A1707/3/6
A1707/3/61
Letter: royal
Letter from the Queen anent the Admirality of Orkney and Zetland
Letter from the Queens Majestie To the Counsell anent the Admirality of Orknay and Zeatland which was formerly read in Counsell, and remitted to a Committie, being this day again read, The samen was ordered to be recorded, and is as follows
Sic Suprascribitur Anne Regina
Right trustie and right well beloved Cousine and Councellor etc Wee greet yow well, Being informed that the Ratifications, which wee have granted of the Duke of Lenox his Commissions to Sir Robert Forbes and Mr James Graham to be Judges, and to Mr Daniell Hamillton to be Clerk of the Admiralitie in that our antient kingdome to pass under our great seall per Saltum, Maybe understood to extend to the Isles of Orknay and Zetland, as being expressly mentioned in the saids Commissions by us Ratified; albeit it was and is our intention that the saids Ratifications should only be of the Duke of Lenox’s saids Commissions In so farr as the Duke had right to grant the same, which did not extend to the saids Isles, which we never in his possession as Admirall, And whereof the Admirality is expressly annexed to the Crown, by the act of parliament in the year 1669. Lykeas by our Commission dated the Twentie fyfth day of August Jaj vijc and two years, wee did Constitut Mr Robert Douglas Son to the late Earle of Mortoun, and Sir Archbald Stewart of Burray to be Commissioners and Judges of the Admirality of the saids Isles of Orknay and Zeatland dureing our pleasure, as purposeing and being resolved that any Commission granted or to be granted by ws of the Admirality of the saids Isles, Shall only be dureing pleasure; Therfor wee have thought fitt heirby to declaire that the forsaid Ratifications shall extend no further then the Commissions granted by the said Duke of Lenox, and the right he had to grant the same, And that they shall not be understood as any Revocation of our said Commission granted to the said Mr Robert Douglas, and Sir Archbald Steuart dureing our pleasure, which wee purpose Shall Still depend upon our pleasure as said is; And this our declaration wee will and ordaine to be Intimat Judicially to the saids Sir Robert Forbes, and Mr James Graham, and Mr Daniell Hamillton; And they discharged to make use of our saids Ratifications any maner of way, In so farr as may be extended to the saids Isles of Orkney and Zetland; and that these presents be recorded in the Books of our privie Counsell, and also of our Exchequer, there to remaine as a clear verification of our mynd and intention in the premisses, To prevent all debates touching the same; So wee bidd yow heartily fairwell: Given att our Court att St James’s the sixth day of March 1707/6. And of our reigne the third year, By her Majesties Command Sic Subscribitur Seafeild.
1. NRS, PC1/53, 498.
1. NRS, PC1/53, 498.