Procedure, 20 March 1706, Edinburgh

Procedure: committee formed, 28 December 1706, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Twentieth day of March Jaj vijc and six years. Councell Called extraordinary

A1706/3/271

Procedure

Commission To David Earle of Weemes to be Lord high Admirall of Scotland

Commission under the great Seall In favours of David Earle of Weemes to be Lord high Admirall of Scotland and Isles thereto belonging being read was ordered to be recorded, who being present did receive the Same from the Lord president upon his knee as use is, and then the Lord Advocat declaired that tho the Earle of Weemes his Commission was Generall, according to the usuall Style, yet his lordship understood that it contained all the powers and priviledges in use to be exerced by the high Admiralls of Scotland, or the late Commissioners of Admiralitie, And that therefore the Captains of the Friggots wer to depend on him as high Admirall, And that in this and all other things his lordship would be carefull to acquyte himselfe faithfullie of his trust to the Satisfaction of the Lords of Counsell, which he desyred might be marked in the Minuts.
Anna dei Gratia Magnae Brittaniae, Franciae et Hyberniae Regina, fideique defensor, Omnibus probis hominibus ad quos praesentes litterae nostrae pervenerint, Salutem Quandoquidem nos considerantes officium Supremi Admiralitatis antiqui Regni nostri Scotiae et Insularum ejusdem in manibus nostris, et ad nostram donationem existere, Nosque etiam serio perpendentes egregiam fortitudinem et prudentiam, Insignem itidem fidelitatem aliasque preclares animii2 dotes ad munus illud et officium necessarias, Fidelissimi et dilectissimi nostri consanguinei et Conciliarii Davidis Comitis de Weemes, Ob praedictas igitur et plurimas alias res et considerationes Satis momentosas Noveritis nos Nominasse, fecisse, Constituisse et Ordinasse, Sicuti nos tenore praesentium Nominamus, facimus, constituimus et ordinamus eundem fidelissimum et dilectissimum nostrum consanguimeum3 et Conciliarium David Comitem de Weemes (durante nostro beneplacito Solummodo) Supremum Admirallum dicti Regni nostri Scotiae, et Insularum ejusdem, Dando, Concedendo et Disponendo, Sicuti nos tenore praesentium Damus, concedimus et disponimus dicto Davide Comite de Weemes (durante Spatio antedicto) praedictum officium Summi Admiralli, Cum universis honoribus, dignitatibus, Jurisdictionibus, libertatibus, privilegiis, Immunitatibus, feodis, Casualitatibus, proficuis et divoriis quibuscunque eo Spectantibus, Similiter adeoque plenere et libere in quovis respectu quam quivis ex ejus praedecessoribus in dicto officio Secundum leges praedicti Regni fecerat seu facere poterat, Excepta ex hac nostra Commissione Admiralitatis Insularum Orcadum et Zetlandiae, ad quam Magister Robertus Douglas frater Comitis de Mortoun et Dominus Archibaldus Steuart de Burray Jus habent, durante nostro beneplacito solummodo, Declarando omnimodo hanc nostram Commissionem absque praejudicio esse cujusvis Juris Argatheliae Dux habere potest, tanquam Admirallus pro qualibet parte dicti regni nostri aut Insulis eo spectantibus; In cujus rei testimonium Praesentibus magnum Sigillum nostrum appendi Mandavimus Apud Aulam nostram de St James’s Septimo die mensae4 Martii Anno domini Millesimo Septingentesimo Sexto et anno Regni nostri quarto, Per Signaturam manu S . D. N . Reginae Suprascriptam. Wrytten to the great Seall and registrat the nynteinth day of March 1706 Sic Subscribitur Charles Kerr .Sealed at Edinburgh the nynteinth day of March 1706. In absence of Sir Alexander Ogilvie of Forglen Sic Subscribitur John Steuart deput.

At Edinburgh 20 March. Council called extraordinarily

A1706/3/271

Procedure

Commission to David earl of Wemyss to be lord high admiral of Scotland

Commission under the great deal in favour of David earl of Wemyss to be lord high admiral of Scotland and isles thereto belonging being read was ordered to be recorded, who being present did receive the same from [James Graham, marquis of Montrose] the lord president upon his knee as use is, and then [Sir James Stewart of Goodtrees] the lord advocate declared that though the earl of Wemyss his commission was general, according to the usual style, yet his lordship understood that it contained all the powers and privileges in use to be exercised by the high admirals of Scotland, or the late commissioners of admiralty, and that therefore the captains of the frigates were to depend on him as high admiral, and that in this and all other things his lordship would be careful to acquit himself faithfully of his trust to the satisfaction of the lords of council, which he desired might be marked in the minutes.
Anna by the grace of God queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, and defender of the faith, to all good men to whom our present letters will have come, greetings. Since we considering that the office of high admiral of our ancient kingdom of Scotland and the isles of the same exists in our hands and to our donation, and we also weighing in earnest the admirable fortitude and prudence, likewise the distinguished fidelity and other remarkable qualities of character, necessary to that duty and office, of our most faithful and dearest kinsman and councillor David, earl of Wemyss; therefore, on account of the foresaid and many other things and considerations momentary enough, know that we have nominated, made, constituted, and ordained, just as by the tenor of these present we nominate, make, constitute, and ordain our same most loyal and dearest kinsman and councillor David, earl of Wemyss (during our pleasure only) high admiral of our said kingdom of Scotland and of its isles. By giving, granting, and assigning, just as by the tenor of these present we give, grant, and assign to the said David, earl of Wemyss (during the aforesaid interval) the foresaid office of high admiral, with all honours, dignities, jurisdictions, liberties, privileges, immunities, fees, casualties, profits, and service dues whatsoever pertaining to it, similarly and so fully and freely in whatever respect as any of his predecessors in the said office had done according to the laws of the foresaid kingdom or was able to do, with the exception from this our commission of the admiralty of the islands of Orkney and Shetland, to which Master Robert Douglas, brother of [James Douglas], earl of Morton, and Sir Archibald Stewart of Burray hold the right, during our pleasure only. By declaring in every way this our commission to be without prejudice of any right [John Campbell] the duke of Argyll can have, as admiral for whatever part of our said kingdom or the Isles pertaining to it. In testimony whereof, we have ordered our great seal to be appended to the presents. At our court of St James’s on 7 March 1706, and in the fourth year of our reign. By the sign manual of our supreme lady the queen above written. Written to the great seal and registered 19 March 1706 Sic Subscribitur Charles Kerr. Sealed at Edinburgh 19 March 1706. In absence of Sir Alexander Ogilvie of Forglen Sic Subscribitur John Stewart depute.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 457-8.

2. Sic.

3. Sic.

4. Sic.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 457-8.