The Patriot (6 page)

There was general approval, and Andrew's credit rose further. It was' decided to recommend this procedure to the Duke of Hamilton next day. Even though there was no party, as such, the Duke was accepted as the obvious leader against Lauderdale, because of his rank and their mutual hatred.

If young Andrew Fletcher had any tendency to swelled-headedness, it was sorely tested that night by the acclaim of his elders. But what went to his head more was the unaffected praise and favour of Margaret Carnegie, who made no bones about expressing her sympathies and encouragement. Indeed, as she said farewell to the brothers at the close-mouth later, she emphasised her concern.

"Would it be possible, Mr. Fletcher, for me to attend at Parliament House tomorrow? To watch and listen? I have heard that it can be allowed. For friends of the commissioners. It would greatly please me."

"I
wanted to go, today," Henry said. "But Andrew feared that it would not be permitted."

"They drum out all unauthorised folk before Lauderdale comes in," Andrew explained. "But today I saw visitors remaining, at the side of the hall. Two ladies whom I knew not. But I did recognise Willie Talmash, as they call him. And
he
is
no commissioner." Lauderdale had married as his second wife the notorious Elizabeth, Countess of Dysart in her own right, an evil influence in two kingdoms. Her first husband had been an Englishman, Sir Lionel Tollemache, and this Willie was their son, Lauderdale's step-son. "If fifteen-year-old Willie can sit through the sessions, then you can, I say!"

"Good! Then allow me to be your escort," Henry put in quickly.

"Delighted, sir . . . !"

Next noonday, consequently, Andrew was in no hurry to take his seat in the Parliament
Hall,
being more concerned with awaiting his brother and Margaret Carnegie at the outer entrance, behind St. Giles Kirk, and then conducting them to the place where the visitors had sat the day before. They were not long settled there, however, before one of the officers of the guard came up, and peremptorily ordered their departure.

"On whose authority, sir?" Andrew demanded, flushing.

"On His Grace's own," the other asserted.

"Well, I'll be damned! This, this is insufferable! I am a commissioner. And these are my guests
..."
A thought occurred to him. "How does the Duke of Lauderdale know that we are here?"

"He has been informed. And it is not permitted for such as are not commissioners to remain in the hall during sessions."

"But - William Tollemache, a mere boy, was here yesterday. Throughout. The Duke's step-son . . ."

"I know nothing of that. I have my orders. These are to leave, sir."

"No! If the Duke's step-son can remain, my brother and this lady can."

"Please, Mr. Fletcher!" Margaret Carnegie had risen. "I will go. I certainly desire no trouble, embarrassment. Say no more. I will leave . . ."

"No - do not, I beg of you. This is a disgrace! Not to be truckled to."

"I cannot remain. You must see that. Not now." She turned to Henry. "Will you take me out, please. I am sorry, but I must leave."

Henry nodded.

"Then
you
come back, Henry," Andrew urged. "We cannot just give in to this. A matter of principle." "Very well
..."

The High Commissioner again delayed his appearance well past noon, so there was time for Henry Fletcher to return and resume his seat, however uncomfortably.

At length Lauderdale and Rothes came in, all upstanding. In the ceremonial of the bestowing of the Crown, Sceptre and Sword and the official seating, movement at the side of the hall caught Andrew's eye. Two officers were hustling Henry out, hands gripping his shoulders.

Hot temper rising, Andrew had to restrain himself from hurrying to his brother's aid. He clenched his fists and waited.

Lauderdale heavily announced that the session of the convention was resumed, after adjournment. But he warned sternly that he would adjourn again, if necessarily finally, should there be further improper and disloyal behaviour. To ensure such proper behaviour and to remind all present of their legal duty to the monarch, he had drawn up a short declaration, which all should sign, confirming their entire loyalty to the King's Grace. Lacking this, and hearing of some of the words spoken the previous day, His Majesty might well come to believe that Scotland was being led to rebellion. No doubt the Duke of Hamilton would be the first to sign.

Clerks came down with copies of a paper for signature, as the company murmured. Andrew stood up.

"Your Grace," he called loudly, "while this is done, I have protest to make on a matter of procedure. My brother has just been escorted from this hall by your officers. I am entitled to ask why."

Rothes it was who answered. "The young man taken out had already been warned to leave. He returned. He is not, I understand, a commissioner or authorised officer. So has no right to be present. He will be lodged in the Tolbooth until this session is over. Lest he should again seek to make entry."

"The Tolbooth. .
.!"
Andrew all but choked. "This . . . this is an outrage! He has committed no offence. I demand that he be released."

"No, sir."

Voice quivering, Andrew sought to control it. "Tell me, my lord - is it an offence for one who is not a commissioner to watch during a convention session?'-'

"It is, yes."

"Then, sir - order your officers to arrest that youth standing there!" Andrew's pointing finger jabbed towards where, at the side of the doorway by which the official party had entered, young William Tollemache stood watching the proceedings. "Confine
him
in the Tolbooth - beside my brother."

The hall all but rocked with excitement. Even Rothes turned to stare behind him, for the moment at a loss.

Striking whilst the iron was hot, Andrew went on. "He was here, where my brother was sitting, all yesterday's session. As were . . . others. Not commissioners. Will Your Grace order the release of my brother, forthwith, make apology, and allow him to return to this hall?"

Lauderdale cleared his throat. "No, sir - I will not. Mr. Tollemache is here at my request. As my, my servant. For my convenience. I may require . . . that he fetches things, papers, suchlike. From my coach. Or from Holyroodhouse." Nothing could make that sound less than feeble.

"Then should he not wait outside, Your Grace? If my brother must . . ."

Strangely, Lauderdale was rescued from his predicament by the Duke of Hamilton. That haughty individual stood up and rapped on his chair for suitable quiet.

"Your Grace - may I suggest that you and this young man settle this personal disagreement at some more suitable time and place? For myself, I see no reason why I should have to wait while this unseemly bicker goes on. No doubt others feel the same." He raised a copy of the paper being circulated for signature. "This writing affirms all loyalty to King Charles and supports the royal prerogative - which I am glad to sign. But it goes on to condemn the Covenant and all its supporters. I am no Covenanter - as once were
you
! The inference here is that in supporting the King we hereby declare against those who hold to the Covenant. This I am not prepared to sign."

There was considerable murmur of agreement.

"Did not King Charles himself sign the said Covenant?" Belhaven pointed out. His voice was weaker today and he did not rise when he spoke. Yesterday presumably had been overmuch for him.

Andrew fumed, but stooped to listen to his uncle who was tugging at his sleeve.

"Sit, lad. You can do no more. At this stage."

"But
...
it is disgraceful! And Henry . . . ?"

"Let it be. Henry will be let out anon. Nothing to be gained by offending Hamilton. So much depends on him . . ."

Unhappily Andrew sat down.

Hamilton at least gained some small advantage in getting the words treasonable and seditious inserted in the declaration before Covenanters' activities, which enabled him, and all, to sign it - Lauderdale making it very clear that refusal to sign would entail expulsion from the session, as refusing to admit the King's authority.

While this was going on, the Earl of Southesk rose to declare that it had come to his hearing that not a few of the elections for this parliament and convention had been grievously misconducted and rigged. Since this would of course affect votes taken and decisions made, he would move for an enquiry.

This was the signal for Andrew. He seconded and moved further that a committee of enquiry be set up by the convention itself to investigate the entire issue of elections and how they were conducted. Sir David Carnegie and Belhaven signified agreement, as did others.

Rothes huffed and puffed. But as no such enquiry could change the voting strengths of this assembly, he did not rule it out-of-order. Names were put forward for this committee, with Carnegie as chairman, and the thing went through without a vote.

So far so good. Andrew felt a little better.

Before any other tactic could be developed, Argyll briefly moved that the vote on the King's supply be taken, Archbishop Sharpe seconding.

Southesk rose to assert that, since his previous motion was carried, implicit was the understanding that the voting strengths in this convention were, to say the least, at issue and doubtful.

Therefore no vote today could accurately reflect the will of the nation - especially on so important a matter as this. He moved no vote and decision until the committee had reported.

Rothes, as expected, ruled that the convention had not been proved
not
to be properly representative. Until it was, it could and must act. The counter-motion was therefore unsound and the Earl of Argyll's motion stood. They would vote.

Again Andrew jumped up. "If a committee of enquiry is acceptable for the lesser matter of election-rigging, how much more necessary for this greater matter," he cried. "Here is the largest sum of moneys ever demanded of Scotland. £1,800,000 Scots! Every man in this hall will have to put his hand deep into his pocket, I say! Think of it, my lords and friends - there are 290 of us here, representing lordships, baronies, shires, burghs, dioceses. How many times goes 290 into 1,800,000? Have you all calculated it? I will tell you - 6,200 times. Heed that - 6,200! Will you all go back to your houses, your coffers, your burghs, those who elected you, and find £6,200 each? Are you prepared to do this? Without enquiry? On the word of . . . some London clerk! I say a committee of enquiry first!"

Bedlam broke out, everywhere men on their feet, shouting. Rothes shouted and beat his table as loud as any, but few paid heed. Lauderdale's florid features were working and he seemed to be shouting also. Belhaven, Southesk, Carnegie, Bruce, Scott and others were all claiming to second the motion. But it was the main body of the members over which Andrew stared - and a grin spread over his face. For it was at these that he had aimed - and, it seemed, aimed truly. They were hit where it hurt, in their pockets. Although, probably, few could take in the real meaning of a million pounds and more, most scarcely having even heard the term before, all there could envisage £6,200 - and quake at the thought that each might have to find such sum, or at least contribute deeply to it. With £300 a fair annual value for many a respectable estate, the thing, put this way, was quite overwhelming.

Lauderdale and Rothes, whatever else, were no fools, realists to recognise the situation. The latter went over to consult the High Commissioner, and only a brief exchange was necessary. Returning to his chair, the Chancellor awaited quiet.

"A committee of enquiry is accepted," he said curtly. "Four. Names?"

Thereafter all was wound up in minutes. Four names were put forward, all as it were neutral in theory - and all of whom, undoubtedly, would be bribed, threatened or otherwise got at by Lauderdale, before they reported. To that extent all there realised that here was no true victory or defeat. But it was the first time in his 'reign' that the uncrowned king of Scotland had been halted in his course, publicly, out-manoeuvred, humiliated. When he stamped out of the hall thereafter, his whole demeanour proclaimed the fact.

The young man who had encompassed this was surrounded by well-wishers, congratulators, hand-shakers - many of whom no doubt would have voted against him had it come to the crunch. He was appreciative but far from ecstatic. Over-modesty was not part of Andrew's nature; but he also had a strong sense of reality and recognised that this was only a superficial triumph, one step on a long journey. And, to be sure, a hazardous step - of that he scarcely required the many warnings he received.

He went off to spring Henry out of the Tolbooth.