uppose I had been misrepresented to them by some here upon
account of party, or to ingratiate themselves by aspersing others,
as one party here too often occasion; but I hope your Majesty will
be so just as not to give credit to such misrepresentations.

"The part I acted in bringing about and making of the Union when the
succession to the Crown was settled for Scotland on your Majesty's
family, when I had the honour to serve as Secretary of State for
that kingdom, doth, I hope, put my sincerity and faithfulness to
your Majesty out of dispute. My family had had the honour for a
great tract of years to be faithful servants to the Crown, and have
had the care of the King's children (when King of Scotland)
entrusted to them. A predecessor of mine was honoured with the care
of your Majesty's grandmother, when young; and she was pleased
afterwards to express some concern for our family, in letters I now
have under her own hand.

"I have had the honour to serve her late Majesty in one capacity or
other ever since her accession to the Crown. I was happy in a good
mistress, and she was pleased to have some confidence in me and
regard for my services. And since your Majesty's happy accession to
the Crown, I hope you will find that I have not been wanting in my
duty in being instrumental in keeping things quiet and peaceable in
the country to which I belong and have some interest in.

"Your Majesty shall ever find me as faithful and dutiful a subject
and servant as ever any of my family have been to the Crown, or as I
have been to my late mistress the Queen. And I beg your Majesty may
be so good not to believe any misrepresentations of me, which
nothing but party hatred and my zeal for the interest of the Crown
doth occasion; and I hope I may presume to lay claim to your royal
favour or protection. As your accession to the Crown hath been quiet
and peaceable, may your Majesty's reign be long and prosperous; and
that your people may soon have the happiness and satisfaction of
your presence amongst them, is the earnest and fervent wish of him
who is, with the humblest duty and respect, Sir, your Majesty's most
faithful, most dutiful and most obedient subject and servant,

MAR."

"Whitehall, August thirtieth, 1714, o. s."

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