Bedfordshire Archives Service Catalogue
  • Reference
    L30/12/54/18
  • Title
    Letter to Alexander Hume-Campbell, Lord Polwarth from his nephew, Hugh Scott, sent from Edinburgh. [Typed transcript available]. Probability of a dissolution of Parliament. 'Our Berwickshire politics have taken an unexpected turn.'
  • Date free text
    29 Jul 1780
  • Production date
    From: 1780 To: 1780
  • Scope and Content
    'I am not yet acquainted with the Knight of Eccles; I did not think his emnity to both of us would have carried him to the lengths it has done, to offer with more than double numbers, either to divide the parliament or throw the dice for the whole seven years with Mr Renton; in short anything short of giving up the election entirely.' 'In my opinion [it] was meant first to prevent my getting into parliament and next to prevent your having anything to say in that County in time to come. The third party however preferred us, but said they would have good terms otherwise they would close with Sir John Paterson - they would throw the dice with us or they hinted that we might have the four first years of the parliament. We could by no means agree to either of these propositions for that would have given them too great a chance for the County at the general election after this, as they might have been in possession at that time. We therefore said since we were drove to terms, the only terms we would accept should be to have the four last years of the parliament; that the proposition should be made by them and agreed to by the heads of that party otherwise we would not show it to our friends; we are yet in doubt whether this will be agreed upon, but I think it will, and I hope will not be greatly disadvantageous to us as we shall be put in possession of the county three years hence and may then keep it as long as we can. This seems to be the only means to prevent the county ultimately falling into the hands of people adverse to your interest, or at least saving a hard struggle for the recovery of it. The Duke of Buccleugh has offered, in case the compromise takes place, to bring the writer in for the boroughs of Selkirk and Peebles during the first three years of the parliament.
  • `
  • Level of description
    item
Hierarchy browser