Att Edinburgh the Twentieth day of March Jaj vijc and six years. Councell Called extraordinary
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Commission for Treating anent ane Union betwixt Scotland and England
Commission under the great Seall Nominating Severall persons to be Commissioners for treating anent ane Union with the Commissioners for England being Read, The same was ordered to be Recorded, The tenor wherof follows
Anna dei Gratia Magnae Brittaniae Franciae et Hyberniae Regina, fideique defensor, Omnibus probis hominibus ad quos praesentes literae nostrae pervenerint , Salutem Quandoquidem nos considerantes immense commodum omnibus nostris Subditis per arctiorem et completiorem Unionem Regnorum nostrorum Scotiae et Angliae oriundem, Cumque per actum Parliamenti dicti Regni Angliae anno domini Jai Viic quarto, iis personas vel tot et tali earundem numero qui a nobis Nominarentur, et quos nos in hunc effectum Pro quorum (ut Loquitur) Statuerimus, Plena authoritas et potestas concessa est, Conveniendi et tractandi Cum iis Commissionariis autoritate Parlamenti Scotiae muniendis de tali unione dictorum duorum Regnorum Scotiae et Angliae, Aut circa quaecunque alia negotia, causas et res, quae (debita deliberatione habita) majoris Partis dictorum Commissionariorum ut praedicitur congregatorum, Una cum Commissionariis authoritate Parliamenti Scotiae nunc muniendis dicti Commissionarii nostro honori et mutuo bono utriusque Regni in perpetuum convenientia, et necessaria in eorum prudentia Judicabunt; Nosque etiam ex Regia nostra affectione et Cura ad promovendam faelicitatem omnium nostrorum Subditorum, Tale insigne et bonum opus prosequi desiderantes et cupientes, Parliamento nostro Scotiae mense Junii ultimo elapsi Commendavimus, ut cum dicto Regno nostro Angliae tractatus institueretur; In cujus prosecutione per quartum Actum Sessionis Parliamenti ultimo elapsae, decretum, Statutum et ordinatum est Quod ii et quot eorum nobis visum fuerit Sub magno Sigillo dicti antiqui Regni nostri Scotiae constituere et nominare plenam potestatem, Commissionem et autoritatem haberent locis et temporibus a nobis designandis conveniendi et congregandi, Ac cum talibus Commissionariis autoritate Parliamenti Angliae muniendis tractandi et deliberandi circa talem Unionem dictorum duorum Regnorum Scotiae et Angliae, Ac circa quaecunque alia negotia, causas et res quae (matura habita deliberatione majoris Partis dictorum Commissionariorum ut praedicitur Congregatorum) una cum Commissionariis autoritate Parliamenti Angliae muniendis Secundum tenorem eorum Commissionum eatenus concessarum, dicti Commissionarii honori nostro et utilitati et mutuo commodo dictorum Regnorum nostrorum in perpetuum conducere Judicabunt, Ac etiam quod dicti Commissionarii pro utroque regno secundum tenorem suarum Commissionum respective sua acta et gesta in eadem materia in tria diversa scripta aut Instrumenta singulatim per ipsos aut eorum Quorum subscribenda et sigillanda redigent et digerent In et ad hunc finem ut unum dictorum Scriptorum seu Instrumentorum Nobis, Aliud dictorum Scriptorum vel Instrumentorum Parliamento Scotiae, et tertium dictorum Scriptorum aut Instrumentorum Parliamento Angliae proximis dictorum Parliamentorum Sessionibus In unoquoque Regno respective tenandis exhibeantur, Postquam dicta Scripta seu Instrumenta per dictos Commissionarios Subscripta et Sigillata fuerunt ut desuper, Nos et dicta Parliamenta ultra procedamus prout necessarium visum fuerit, pro commodo et bono utriusque regni, quibus Parliamentis integra consideratio totius ac in totum vel pro parte approbandi aut reprobandi prout iis expediens videtur, omnino reservatur, Et per dictum providetur quod nulla materia, aut res tractanda, proponenda vel per dictos Commissionarios virtute dicti acti concludenda ullius erit vigoris seu effectus cujuscunque donec prius authoritate et Acto Parliamenti Regni Scotiae confirmata et Stabilita fuerit; Et quod non licitum erit praedictis Commissionariis de alteratione cultus disciplinae aut regiminis Ecclesiae Scoticanae ut nunc per leges Stabilita sunt Ullo modo tractare: Cumque nos satis experte Specialem fidem et fiduciam reponamus In fidelitate, eximiis animi dotibus et Prudentia personarum Infrascriptarum Videlicet Jacobi Comitis de Seafeild Summi nostri Cancellarii dicti Regni, Jacobi Ducis de Queensberrie Secreti nostri Sigilli Custodis, Joannis Comitis de Marr et Hugonis Comitis de Loudoun nostrorum Principalium Status Secretariorum Joannis Comitis de Sutherland, Jacobi Comitis de Mortoun, Davidis Comitis de Weemes, Davidis Comitis de Levine, Joannis Comitis de Stair, Archibaldi Comitis de Roseberrie, Davidis Comitis de Glasgow nostri Theasaurarii deputati, Domini Archibaldi Campbell fratris germani Ducis de Argyll, Thomae Vicecomitis de Dupline; Gulielmi Domini de Ross Unious Commissionariorum nostri Thesaurarii, Domini Hugonis Dalrymple , Collegii nostri Justiciae Praesidis , Adami Cockburne de Ormiestoun, nostri Justiciarii Clerici , Domini Roberti Dundas de Arniestoun et Magistri Roti Steuart de Tilliecultrie Senatorum Collegii Justiciae , Magistri Francisci Montgomrie Unious Commissionariorum nostri Thesaurarii , Domini David Dalrymple Unius nostrorum Solicitorum , Domini Alexandri Ogilvie de Forglen Generalis nostri Receptoris, Domini Patricii Johnstoun Praepositi Edinburgensis, Domini Jacobi Smallet de Bonhill, Georgii Lockart de Cairnwath, Gulielmi Morieson de Prestongrange, Alexandri Grant de eodem Junioris, Gulielmi Seaton de Pittmedden Junioris, Joannis Clerk de Penniecook Junioris Hugonis Montgomrie nuper Praesiti Glasgowensis, Danielis Steuart fratris Germani Barronis de Castellmilk , et Danielis Campbell de Arnteanet? ; Noveritis igitur Nos Nominasse , constituisse et ordinasse , Sicuti nos tenore praesentium Nominamus , Constituimus et Ordinamus memoratas personas Commissionarios pro dicto Regno Scotiae ad effectum praedictum, Dando et Concedendo illis vel eorum Novem , quos pro Quorum (ut loquimur) constituimus , plenam potestatem Commissionem et authoritatem congregandi et conveniendi cum talibus Commissionariis authoritate Parliamenti Angliae muniendis vel eorum Sufficiente numero (vulgo Quorum) Apud Civitatem nostram de Westminster decimo Sexto die mensis Aprilis proxime Sequentis, et tempore et loco praedicto Tractandi circa Unionem dictorum Regnorum Scotiae et Angliae, Et circa quaecunque alia negotia, causas et res, quae (matura deliberatione habita majoris partis dictorum Commissionariorum, ut praedicitur congregatorum) una cum Commissionariis authoritate Parlia[men]ti Angliae muniendis secundum tenorem eorum Commissionuum ad hunc effectum dicti Commissionarii , honori nostro et commodo, et mutuo bono utriusque Regni in perpetuum necessaria et convenientia Judicabunt ; Cum potestate dictis Commissionariis, et eorum Sufficienti numero (vulgo Quorum ut Loquuntur) de tempore in tempus, cum aut absque continuatione congregandi et conveniendi, Et in omnibus quibuscunque rebus per praesentes, vel dictum actum Parliamenti eorum Curae concreditis et commissis, secundum officium et Judicium eorum procedendi, Mandando et Requirendo dictos Commissionarios curam adhibere, ut omnia sua acta et gesta in praemissis In tria diversa Scripta aut instrumenta debite redigantur et digerentur, per eos Subscribenda, Sigillanda et praeparanda, ita ut nobis et Parliamentis utriusque Regni exhibeantur, modo per dictum actum Statuto et requisito; Declarando omni modo per praesentes quod Licitum non erit dictis Commissionariis de alteratione Cultus disciplinae aut Regiminis Ecclesiae Scoticanae, ut nunc per leges Stabilita sunt ullo modo tractare; Ac etiam Declarando nulla negotia aut res tractanda, proponenda, aut per dictos Commissionarios virtute praesentis Commissionis concludenda, ullius fore vigoris seu effectus cujuscunque donec prius authoritate et acto Parliamenti dicti antiqui Regni Scotiae confirmata et Stabilita fuerint; Reservando nobis plenam potestatem et authoritatem continuandi praesentes Commissionarios ad quemvis locum, et quoties nobis visum fuerit per Scriptum nostra Regali manu Signatum, aut Epistolem iis directam, non obstante potestate seipsos continuandi talibus temporibus et ad tales locos, ut ipsis visum fuerit per praesentes iis concessa: In cujus rei Testimonium praesentibus magnum Sigillum nostrum appendi praecipimus, Apud Aulam nostram de Kensingtoun Vigesimo Septimo die mensis Februarii Anno domini Millesimo Septingentesimo Sexto, et Anno Regni nostro quarto, Per Signaturam manu S . D . N . Reginae suprascriptam, Wrytten to the great Seall and registrat the nynth day of March 1706 . Sic Subscribitur Charles Kerr. Sealled at Edinburgh the nynth day of March 1706 years Sic Subscribitur Alexander Ogilvie.
At Edinburgh 20 March 1706. Council called extraordinarily
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Procedure
Commission for treating concerning a union between Scotland and England
Commission under the great seal nominating several persons to be commissioners for treating concerning a union with the commissioners for England being read, the same was ordered to be recorded, the tenor whereof follows:
Anne 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 the huge advantage to all our subjects originating through the closer and more complete union of our kingdoms of Scotland and England, and since by the act of parliament of the said kingdom of England in the year of the lord 1704 full authority and power was granted to those persons or so many and such number of them who should be nominated by us and whom we will have established in this effect for a quorum (as is said), for convening and transacting with those commissioners [who are] to be fortified with the authority of the parliament of Scotland, regarding such a union of the said two kingdoms of Scotland and England, or about whatever other businesses, causes and matters, which (after due deliberation has been held of the greater part of the said commissioners, as is foresaid, congregated along with commissioners now to be fortified by the authority of the parliament of Scotland), the said commissioners will judge convenient and necessary in their prudence for our honour and the mutual good of each kingdom in perpetuity. And we also, out of our royal affection and care for advancing the happiness of all of our subjects, wanting and desiring to advance such distinguished and good work, have commended to our parliament of Scotland of the month of June last past that a treatise should be established with our said kingdom of England. In the prosecution of which, through the 4th act of the session of parliament last elapsed, it was decided and ordained to constitute and nominate under the great seal of our ancient kingdom of Scotland that these and so many of them as it will have seemed fitting to us should have full power, commission and authority of meeting and congregating at the places and times to be designated by us and with such commissioners fortified by the authority of the parliament of England, of transacting and deliberating about such a union of the said two kingdoms of Scotland and England, and about whatever other businesses, causes and matters which (early deliberation having been held of the major part of the said commissioners congregated as is foresaid, along with the commissioners to be fortified with the authority of the parliament of England, according to the tenor of their commissions granted so far) the said commissioners will judge to lead to our honour and utility and the mutual profit of our said kingdoms in perpetuity. And also that the said commissioners for each kingdom, according to the tenor of their commissions respectively, will render and arrange their own acts and deeds in the same matter in three separate writings or instruments to be subscribed singly by them or their quorum and sealed, in and to this end that they be shown: one of the said writings or instruments to us, another of the said writings or instruments to the parliament of Scotland and the third of the said writings or instruments to the parliament of England at the next Sessions of the said Parliaments, to be held in each kingdom respectively. After the said writings or instruments will have been subscribed by the said commissioners and sealed as above, we and the said parliaments may proceed further just as will have seemed necessary for the profit and good of each kingdom, to which parliaments it may be entirely reserved the full consideration of approving or rejecting of the total, and in whole or for part, just as it seems expedient to them. And it is provided through the said [act] that no matters or things to be transacted, proposed or concluded by the said commissioners by virtue of the said act, will be of any strength or effect whatsoever, until it will have been confirmed and established formerly by the authority and act of parliament of the kingdom of Scotland. And that it will not be allowable to the foresaid commissioners to transact in any way about alteration of the worship, discipline or government of the Scottish Church as they are now established by the laws. And since we are experienced enough, we renew faith and trust in the loyalty, admirable qualities of character and prudence of the persons within written, namely James [Ogilvie] earl of Seafield high chancellor of our said kingdom, James [Douglas], duke of Queensberry keeper of our privy seal, John [Erskine], earl of Mar and Hugh [Campbell], earl of Loudoun our principal secretaries of state, John [Gordon] earl of Sutherland, James [Douglas], earl of Morton, David, earl of Wemyss, David [Melville], earl of Leven, John [Dalrymple], earl of Stair, Archibald [Primrose], earl of Rosebery, David [Boyle], earl of Glasgow our treasurer depute, Sir Archibald Campbell, brother german of the duke of Argyll, Thomas [Hay], viscount of Dupplin, William, Lord of Ross, one of the commissioners of our treasurer, Sir Hew Dalrymple, president of our college of justice, Adam Cockburn of Ormiston, our justice clerk, Sir Robert Dundas of Arniston and Master Robert Stewart of Tillicoultry, senators of the college of justice, Master Francis Montgomery, one of the commissioners of our treasury, Sir David Dalrymple, one of our solicitors, Sir Alexander Ogilvie of Forglen, our receiver general, Sir Patrick Johnston, provost of Edinburgh, Sir James Smollett of Bonhill, George Lockhart of Carnwath, William Morrison of Prestongrange, Alexander Grant of that Ilk the younger, William Seaton of Pitmedden the younger, John Clerk of Penicuik the younger, Hugh Montgomery, recent provost of Glasgow, Daniel Stewart, brother german of the baron of Castlemilk, and Daniel Campbell of Ardentinny. Know therefore that we have nominated, constituted, and ordained, just as by the tenor of these present we nominate, constitute, and ordain the mentioned persons commissioners for the said kingdom of Scotland to the effect foresaid, by giving and granting to them or nine of them, whom we appoint for a quorum (as we say), full power, commission, and authority of congregating and convening with such commissioners to be strengthened by the authority of the parliament of England or with a sufficient number of them (commonly a quorum) at our City of Westminster on the sixteenth day of the month of April next to come, and of transacting at the time and place foresaid about a union of the said kingdoms of Scotland and England and about whatever other businesses, causes, and matters which (early deliberation having been held of the major part of the said commissioners congregated as is said before, along with commissioners fortified by the authority of the English parliament, according to the tenor of their commissions to this effect) the said commissioners will judge necessary and convenient for our honour and profit and for the mutual good of each kingdom in perpetuity. With power to the said commissioners and to a sufficient number of them (commonly a quorum as they say) from time in time of congregating and meeting, with or without continuation, and of proceeding in all whatsoever matters granted and committed by the presents or the said act of parliament to their care, according to their office and judgement, by ordering and requiring the said commissioners to keep care that all their own acts and deeds in the foregoing should be duly rendered and digested in three separate writings or instruments, to be subscribed, sealed, and prepared by them in such a way that they may be shown to us and the parliaments of each kingdom, in the way established and required by the said act. By declaring in every way by the presents, that it will not be allowed to the said commissioners to transact in any way about the alteration of the worship, discipline or government of the Scottish Church, as now established by the laws. And also by declaring no businesses or matters to be transacted, proposed, or concluded by the said commissioners by virtue of the present commission to become of any force or effect whatsoever, until they will have been confirmed and established formerly by the authority and act of parliament of the said ancient kingdom of Scotland. By reserving to us full power and authority of continuing the present commissioners to whatever place and how often it will have seemed fitting to us by the writing signed by our royal hand or a letter directed to them, notwithstanding power to themselves of continuing at such times and to such places that will have seemed to themselves granted to them by the presents. In testimony whereof, we have commanded our great seal to be appended to the presents. At our court of Kensington on 27 February 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 t9 March 1706 . Sic Subscribitur Charles Kerr. Sealed at Edinburgh 9 March 1706 Sic Subscribitur Alexander Ogilvie.
