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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
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In a speech to Parliament reported in the American Weekly Mercury on Dec. 1, 1737, the Duke of Argyll defends his opposition to a bill affecting Edinburgh's privileges, rejecting accusations of corruption and affirming his loyalty to the King and Scotland.
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We are desired to insert the following SPEECH of the D---e of A---ll, on occasion of a late famous Bill brought into Parl---t.
The L---d Ch---l--r seeming to reflect on his G---e, spoke thus:
My LORD,
This fills me with the greatest Astonishment and Surprize, especially, seeing I have always had the greatest Veneration for His Majesty's Person and Merit, and given no cause for Insinuations. I appeal to this honourable House, to the whole Nation, and my own Conscience, whether in Justice they can brand me with the Title of Jobber, or Party-Man; am I a Buyer of Boroughs, an Election Briber, or a Tool in any Respect? No, my Lord, I scorn the Name, and would suffer the greatest Indignities, rather than be an Hireling in the most exalted Station. Consider my past Life, examine my Actions, either in the Field or Council, and see whether any thing will appear that can sully my Reputation or Honour. I have serv'd His Majesty with my Sword, Interest, and Council; and, tho' stript of all Employments, am ready again to risque my Life and Fortune in his Service. I have experienc'd both the Smiles and Frowns of a Court, and am determined to walk according to Truth alone. I have prepared myself with an equal Indifference for either. I have already given my Reasons for oppoing this Bill, which I think are self-evident, and have plainly made it appear, that it is contrary to the express Article of the Union, the Good of the Community, and the Interest of the Kingdom in general. And shall the Metropolis of Scotland, the Residence of such an illustrious Race of Kings, who have made it their Glory to dignify this noble City: shall such a City as this (I say) for the Fault of some unknown Offenders, be robbed of its most valuable Privileges, its Guards and Gates, and a Scotch Man calmly behold the Havock! I glory, my Lord, in oppoing so rigorous a Proceeding, and reckon it my greatest Glory to stand up in Defence of my Native Country, while it is thus exposed to Shame and Infamy.
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Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Edinburgh, Scotland
Event Date
Late 1737
Key Persons
Event Details
The Duke of Argyll spoke in defense against reflections by the Lord Chancellor, denying accusations of being a jobber, party-man, buyer of boroughs, or election briber. He affirmed his service to the King, opposition to the bill as contrary to the Union, community good, and kingdom interest, and defended the privileges of Edinburgh against removal for faults of others.