Chapter I: Preface

In 1792 the eleventh Earl of Buchan published a volume of _Essays on the Life and Writings of Fletcher of Saltoun and the Poet Thomson_. It contains our only biography of Fletcher; but, though founded on original sources of information, it is frequently inaccurate, and must, therefore, be used with great caution. The author of the article on Fletcher in the third edition of the _Encyclopædia Britannica_ (1797) mentions that the tenth Earl Marischal, when Governor of Neuchâtel, suggested to Rousseau that he should write the life of Fletcher. Rousseau was furnished with MSS. for this purpose; but nothing came of it, and most of the materials on which that work was to have been founded seem to have been lost. Some interesting documents, however, are preserved in the University Library at Edinburgh, including MSS. used by Lord Buchan, and a letter to him from Lord Hailes, who had evidently been applied to for information. (Laing MSS. 364.)

Mr. F. Espinasse refers to most of the printed authorities for the life of Fletcher, in a succinct but exhaustive article in the _Dictionary of National Biography_, vol. xix. p. 292; and in the _Scottish Review_ for July 1893 (vol. xxii. p. 61) there is a very interesting paper on ‘Andrew Fletcher, the Scottish Patriot,’ from the pen of Mr. J. R. Donaldson. Many allusions to Fletcher’s conduct as a member of the last Scottish Parliament are to be found in the Godolphin Correspondence in the British Museum. (Add. MSS. 28,055.)

I have to thank Mr. Fletcher of Saltoun for allowing me to consult a volume of _Recollections respecting the Family of Saltoun_, and for an opportunity of examining the library and visiting the scenes of Fletcher’s early life.

Mr. E. Gordon Duff, librarian of the John Rylands Library, Manchester, and Mr. R. A. S. Macfie have for some time been engaged in compiling a Bibliography of Fletcher; and I desire to thank them for their kindness in placing their MS. unreservedly in my hands. There is considerable doubt respecting the authorship of several pamphlets which have been attributed to Fletcher, as well as regarding the places at which his works were printed; and if this Bibliography appears in print, it will be found most valuable by all who take an interest in his writings.

G. W. T. O.

OXFORD, _March 1897_.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
PAGE
Fletcher’s Birth and Education--Travels Abroad--A Member
of the Scottish Parliament--Goes to the Continent 9

CHAPTER II

The Whig Plot--Comes to England with Monmouth--Shoots
Dare--Is found guilty of High Treason and attainted--The
Estate of Saltoun forfeited 20

CHAPTER III

Adventures in Spain--Serves in Hungary against the Turks--Returns
to Scotland at the Revolution--Reforms in the
Scottish Parliament--Saltoun Restored--Darien 37

CHAPTER IV

Fletcher’s Political Writings--‘A Discourse on Militias’--The
Affairs of Scotland--Supports Slavery as a Cure for
Mendicancy--Attacks the Partition Treaty 49

CHAPTER V

The First Session of the Union Parliament--Fletcher proposes
his Twelve Limitations on the Crown--An Act of Security--The
Supplies are refused 61

CHAPTER VI

‘A Conversation concerning a Right Regulation of Government
for the Common Good of Mankind’ 85

CHAPTER VII

A New Ministry in Scotland--Scenes in the Parliament House--The
Act of Security becomes Law--England retaliates
by passing the Alien Act 96

CHAPTER VIII

A Ministerial Crisis, and a Change of Government in Scotland--The
Government is defeated--The Limitations again--Fletcher’s
Duel with Roxburghe--The Act for a Treaty
of Union passed 108

CHAPTER IX

The Union Commission at Westminster--The Act of Union
passed--Belhaven’s Speech--Violent Conduct of Fletcher
and other Members during the Debates 129

CHAPTER X

Arrest of Fletcher--His Release--The Jacobite Prisoners of
1708--Death of Belhaven--Fletcher retires into Private
Life--Conversations with Wodrow--His Death--Views
of his Character 142