and a Lord of the Session, he was made Provest of Edinburgh, but it was not put upon him out of any favor, but was done by Traquaire, then Tresaurer, of designe to break him:  so that none of thesse instances quadrat with our case; heir a merchant, one who entred cum bona gratia, and who hes maintained himselfe by his oune parts and moyen in that office by the space of 10 years altogether, on who toped with the Colledge of Justice for the precedency and carried it from them, and who feared not to make open war with the greatest of them; he as the only single instance is made a Lord of the Session.[615]

    [613] Lord of Session (Sanquhar), 1546-61; Provost, 1554.

    [614] Alexander Seton, Extraordinary Lord of Session, 1586, Ordinary,
        1588, President, 1593, Chancellor, 1605-22, under the successive
        titles of Prior of Pluscardine, Lord Urquhart, Lord Fyvie, and
        Earl of Dunfermline.

    [615] See Appendix III.

On the 14 of December 1671, Richard Maitland of Pitreichy was received ane ordinar Lord in the place vaicand throw the advancement of my Lord Lee to be Justice Clerk upon his Majesties letters to that purpose.

On the 5 of January 1672 died Sir John Scougall of Whytkirk, and was buried in the Grayfriers on the 7 day of January theirafter in great pomp, his goune being carried before the herse.

On the 4 of March 1672 was Mr. Robert Preston of that Ilk installed in his place in obedience to his Majesties letter direct to the Lords to that effect.

On the 16 of February 1672 died John Ramsay, keiper of the Register of Hornings and Inhibitions, and on George Robertsone was admitted in his place by my Lord Register.

About the end of March, this same year, died Mr. Alexander Hamilton, Justice Clerk Depute, to whosse place on Mr. Robert Martin was received by my Lord Lee. (Vide infra.)

About the 14 of May 1672 died Charles, Earle of Dumfermeling, Lord Privy Seall, and ane extraordinar Lord.

Its reported that Mr. Martin hes payed saltly for his place, vid. 500 pound English money to the Justice Clerk, 500 merks Scots to Mr. William Cheisley as agenter, and 1000 merks to the widow.

About the 20 of May this yeir died Mr. John Morray, advocat.

Upon the 27 of June 1672, Sir Robert Sinclair fell unto a lamentable pramunire in this manner.  Some merchants in Glasgow being quarrelled by the manadgers of the Royall Fisching for exporting herrings, that being their priviledge, their is a bill drawen up for them by Sir Robert, and given in to the Lords of Secret Counsell, wheirin, among other things, he had this expression, that the petitioners ware frie natives, members of a royall borrow, whosse priviledges ought not lightly to be reversed, else malcontents would thairon take occasion of grudge, and of sowing fears and jealousies betuixt his Majestie and his people.  At the hearing of which my Lord Commissioner,[616]