An Apology for Sir James Dalrymple of Stair - President of the Session by Himself #270085

The following Apology, now reprinted from a copy in the Advocates' Library, was written by Sir James Dalrymple, in 1690, to vindicate himself from certain charges published against him the preceding year. The attack was contained in an anonymous pamphlet, professing to be a Vindication of several Votes of a Majority of the Scottish Parliament, 1689, approving of five acts which had not obtained the Royal assent, and on which the members who supported them presented an address to the King. The real author of this paper is understood to have been the notorious Robert Ferguson, whom Bishop Burnet terms "a man who naturally loved to embroil matters," and whose whole life seems to have been such a series of intrigues and conspiracies, as well entitled him to the nickname of "The Plotter," bestowed on him by his contemporaries. On this occasion. Sir James Dalrymple, and his son. Sir John Dalrymple,. (afterwards better known as the Master of Stair,) were the principal objects of Fergusons virulence; and the subjoined passage is that which appears to have chiefly and justly raised the indignation of the former.