276

HISTORY OP ENGIAUD.

CHAP.

XIII.

1GS9.

contents of the document on which so much depended. Theywere willing, however, to hope for the best. King Jamescould not, situated as he was, be so ill advised as to act indirect opposition to the counsel and entreaties of his friends.His letter, when opened, must be found to contain suchgracious assurances as would animate the royalists and con-ciliate the moderate Whigs. His adherents, therefore, de-termined that it should be produced.

When the Convention reassembled on the morning of Sa-turday the sixteenth of March, it was proposed that measuresshould be taken for the personal security of the members. Itwas alleged that the life of Dundee had been threatened; thattwo men of sinister appearance had been watching the housewhere he lodged, and had been heard to say that they woulduse the dog as he had used them. Mackenzie complained thathe too ivas in danger, and, with his usual copiousness andforce of language, demanded the protection of the Estates.But the matter was lightly treated by the majority: and theConvention passed on to other business. *

It was then announced that Crane was at the door of theParliament House. He was admitted. The paper of which hewas in charge was laid on the table. Hamilton remarked thatthere was, in the hands of the Earl of Leven, a communicationfrom the Prince by whose authority the Estates had been con-voked. That communication seemed to be entitled to pre-cedence. The Convention was of the same opinion; and thewell weighed and prudent letter of William was read.

It was then moved that the letter of James should be opened.The "Whigs objected that it might possibly contain a mandate

* Balcarras’s Memoirs. But the fullest account of these proceedingsis furnished by some manuscript notes which are in the library of thoFaculty of Advocates. Baloarras’s dates are not quite exact. He probablytrusted to his memory for them. I have corrected them from the Parlia-mentary Records.