"

And further, those papers bearing the name of representations,
propositions, protestations, &c. were by the said lord Warriston,
Messrs. Cant, Rutherford, Livingston, &c. presented to the reverend
ministers and elders met at Edinburgh, July 24, 1652, when the marquis
of Argyle at London procured an equal hearing to the protestors; and Mr.
Simpson, one of these three ministers deposed by the assembly 1651,
being sent up by the protestors for that purpose; in the beginning of
1657, Messrs. James Guthrie and Patrick Gillespie, the other three who
had been deposed by that assembly, together with lord Warriston, were
sent up to assist Mr. Simpson[127].

Lord Warriston had now, for the space of five years or more, wrestled
and acted with all his power, for the king's interest, and, being a man
of great resolution, he both spoke and wrote as openly against Scotsmen
submitting to take offices under the usurper; but being sent up to
London in the foresaid year 1657, with some of the Scots nobility, upon
some important affairs, and Cromwel being fully sensible how much it
would be for his interest to gain such a man as Warriston was, over to
his side, he prevailed upon him to re-enter to the office of
clerk-register; which was much lamented by this worthy man afterwards,
as well as his sitting and presiding in some meeting at London after
Oliver's death.

A late historian has observed, That, at that meeting at Edinburgh, which
sent him up to London upon business, he reasoned against it, and to the
utmost of his power opposed his being sent up, acquainting them with
what was his weak side, that, through the easiness of his temper, he
might not be able to resist his importunity, craving that he might not
be sent among snares; and yet after all he was peremptorily named[128].

To account some way for his conduct in this:----His family was numerous;
and very considerable sums were owing him, which he had advanced for the
public service, and a good many bygone years salaries; he was, through
importunity, thus prevailed upon to side with the usurper, there being
no other door open then for his relief. And yet after this his
compliance, it was observed, he was generally more sad and melancholy
than what he had formerly been, and it is said that his outward affairs
did not prosper so well afterward.

The king being restored again to his dominions _anno_ 1660, and the
noble marquis of Argyle imprisoned July 14, orders came down to