Translation of the above.

"Know all ye, etc.

"Whereas we are not unaware of the many signal services by which our strenuous and sincerely faithful lieutenant-general, our beloved John Middleton, has bound unto himself our dearest father of happy memory; and with what devoted zeal and indomitable fortitude and prudence he has set on foot the most honourable attempts for the avenging of our royal power and the restoration of the Government of our kingdom, and has followed out his undertakings in the best possible way; and how willingly, many times over, he has hazarded his own life and fortune for the promotion of the same. And whereas we have ascertained by many and strong proofs that our said lieutenant-general, John Middleton, has always shown all faithfulness towards us,1 and has spread his sails, as it were, for our advantage. And whereas he has strenuously and faithfully discharged duties of the greatest importance entrusted to him by us. Moreover, it is recorded that our lieutenant-general and his family have undergone the most difficult perils and the heaviest losses, with persecutions withal, during the whole of the late disturbances, partly in our presence, partly in our absence-all which things render him deserving of 1 Charles II.

being raised to the highest honour, and of being rewarded with all fidelity; so, also, on account of his noble exploits in that calamitous time, it seemed good to us to confer on him the title and dignity of Earl, A.D. 1656. And whereas now, by the customary protection of the Divine Deity, our lawful right of governing is restored to us. We therefore not only have ratified and approved the aforesaid title of honour, but further, out of our royal power and kingly prerogative, we have made, constituted, and created, and by the tenor of these presents we do make, constitute, and create, our said lieutenantgeneral, John Middleton, and his heirs bearing the surname and arms of Middleton, in all future time, Earl of Middleton, Lord of Clairmont and Fettercairn. And we have given and granted, and by the tenor of these presents we do give and grant, to them the title, honour, and dignity due to an Earl, together with a vote in Parliament, and all the other privileges, prerogatives, and immunities belonging to an Earl and Lord of Parliament, which are possessed by any other person of the same degree and quality, with precedence in all Parliaments, according to the date and from the first time of the said title of honour being conferred upon him, in the month of September, A.D. 1656.”

CHAPTER IV.

Middleton appointed High Commissioner to the Scotch ParliamentHis state entry into the kingdom, and regal reception-Opens Parliament His abuse of power and intemperate habits-Annuls all Acts of Parliament passed since 1633-Proceedings against, and execution of, Argyle and others-Establishes Episcopacy in Scotland-The Act of Fines-Marriages of his daughters-Act of Balloting-Lorne impeached for leasing making — Lauderdale obtains his pardon from the king, and draws up an accusation against Middleton-The Scotch people displeased by Middleton's violent conduct towards the Presbyterians-Summoned to London to defend himself-Powerful friends intercede for him-Completes his own ruin by an act of rash folly-King deprives him of all his offices-Returns to England, and receives a command at Rochester -Deaths of his elder daughter and wife-Appointed Governor of Tangiers Marries a second time--Tries to obtain £1500 in advance of his pay-Goes to Tangiers, and dies there, in 1673, from the effects of a fall down a staircase-Lady Middleton's epitaphMonument erected by the Earl of Middleton, still standing at Fettercairn-Description of it by Queen Victoria.

THE king soon afterwards appointed Middleton to the distinguished post of High Commissioner to the Parliament of Scotland, or Viceroy of that kingdom, the holder of which office was in those times treated with the same pomp and reverence due to the king himself. At the same time, he was made Com

mander-in-Chief of the Scotch forces, and Governor of Edinburgh Castle.

For this high advancement he was chiefly indebted to Hyde, Earl of Clarendon.1

The Earl of Glencairn was made Chancellor to the Parliament; the Earl of Lauderdale,2 Secretary of State; the Earl of Rothes, President of the Council; and the Earl of Crawford, Lord Treasurer.1

In the end of December, 1660, Middleton made his entry into Scotland with great state. At Musselburgh he was met by 1000 horse, who received and conducted him to Edinburgh (December 31st), where the Scotch nobility bowed to him with almost the same humility as they would have shown to their sovereign in person. He proceeded to Holyrood Palace, where he and his family took up their abode during the meeting of the Estates.

On the following day, January 1st, 1661, Middleton opened Parliament “with a splendour to which the nation had long been unaccustomed." The regalia, which had been concealed 5 in the North

1 Wright.

John, second Earl of Lauderdale, created duke by Charles II. His initial forms the last letter of the famous Cabal Ministry. Died 1682.

John, sixth Earl of Rothes.

4 Kirkton.

5 Sir John Keith had the regalia conveyed from Dunnottar Castle, and deposited underground in the church of Kinneff.

As he sailed

during the Commonwealth, were now displayed; the crown being carried before him by the Earl of Crawford, the sceptre by the Earl of Sutherland, and the sword by the Earl of Mar.1 A sermon was preached by Mr. Robert Douglas, after which Middleton produced his commission, which was read aloud. The Earl of Cassillis 2 then rose to move that, according to old custom, they should now proceed to elect a president; but in answer to this, an Act, already prepared by the Court, was brought forward, depriving the Parliament of the privilege of electing their own president, and bestowing the same upon. the Lord Chancellor, in virtue of his office.3

A few days afterwards, probably by order of the Parliament, the doors of Holyrood Palace were opened to admit the remains of Middleton's sometime rival, the great Marquis of Montrose. His head was removed from the Tolbooth, his limbs from the towns to which they had been sent, and his body from Boroughmuir. The whole were placed in a sumptuous coffin, and lay in state at Holyrood, soon afterwards for France, it was supposed that he had taken them with him, and no search was made for them.

1

1 John, ninth Earl of Mar. He fought under Montrose, at Philiphaugh, on which account his estates were confiscated. After this he became blind, and lived with his family in a small cottage at the gates of Alloa House till the Restoration, when his estates were restored to him.

2 John, sixth Earl of Cassillis. 3 Wright.