Passing the Union

1. Passing the Union Changing Attitude of England Debate: federal Vs Incorporating Union Role of Commissioners Negotiations Passing by the Scottish Parliament

2. Tell me about… • Federal V Incorporating Union: arguments • Position of Scottish political parties towards the union • Issues discussed amongst Scottish commissioners • Unrest in Scotland

3. Negotiations in London • In silence, read the passage and answer the questions that follow – using own knowledge in some cases. You have 15 minutes to complete this. Bullet points are acceptable.

4. Negotiations in London • Take notes on the Duke of Hamilton. • Who was Hamilton? • What was his attitude towards the union? • What was his involvement in the Treaty Negotiations? • What type of union was proposed by England and why? • What type of union was proposed by Scotland and why? • What terms did the English propose?

5. Reasons for Passing: Economic factors • Commissioners in favour to start with because of possible benefits to Scotland’s economy. • The ‘Equivalent’ payment to cover taking on share of English debt - £398,085.10s. This influenced support for the treaty. • Last minute concessions made by English on issues such as salt, wool and liquor – turned some in favour of union. • Increased trade because Scotland could trade with their European partners as well as England’s colonies. • English promised that a British Parliament would support Scottish economy over difficulties caused by increased taxation. Convinced people that union would be workable.

6. Reasons for Passing: Political • Seats in House of Lords for 16 Scottish peers • Other Scots peers to retain privileges – Treaty appealed to self-interest. • Other Scots peers to retain privileges – Treaty appealed to self-interest • Rights of burghs and Royal Burghs to remain • Inherited offices for Lords to continue • Scots laws and Scottish courts to remain • Security of liberty and stability under one parliament

7. How fully does Miss MacKay explain the reasons for the passing of the union? • Miss MacKay “many were influenced by the Equivelent”

8. Reasons for Passing: Role of Commissioners • Country Party: Opposed the Union but was divided and Hamilton’s actions often harmed the anti-union cause. • Suggested Queen choose commissioners to negotiate Treaty. • 7th-9thJanuary 1707: Pan for him to lead a walkout of parliament in order to throw proceedings into chaos and make any vote invalid. But, at the last minute he failed to do so, initially refusing even to attend parliament– said he had toothache! Did attend in the end but by that time articles had been voted on. • Hamilton divided opponents of union and obstructed arguments against union

9. Reasons for Passing: Role of Commissioners • Court Party: in favour of union. • Queensberry was one time leader & Lord High Commissioner 1700-1703 • He is regarded as the main architect of union because he guided it through parliament. • Court members voted consistently through all Articles of the Treaty.

10. Reasons for Passing: Role of Commissioners • Cavalier Party (Jacobites) – opposed union. • Did not join with Country Party against the union because they disagreed over Hanoverian succession.

11. Reasons for Passing: Role of Commissioners • SquadroneVolante (changed sides!) • Presbyterians who had come to the position of favouring the principles of union by the start of the debates. • This gave the Squadrone a hold on the balance of power, which became crucial to the eventual outcome. • Belief amongst some members of the SquadroneVolante that they would have a share in the Equivalent if the treaty was successfully passed by parliament • Most members of S.V. were shareholders in Company of Scotland & lost money in Darien.

12. Reasons for Passing: Religious reasons • Act of Security for the Kirk would allow Church of Scotland to continueas Presbyterian. Guarantee of no royal intervention.

13. Reasons for Passing: Military • English forces moving north and placed on border in 1706 and fear of invasion if treaty not agreed. • Peace secured by being part of Great Britain.

14. Reasons for Passing: Historical • There had been previous attempts at a union between Scotland and England. • These had been thwarted by resistance by either Scots or English politicians. • Problems such as; religious divisions within the Protestant churches of each country. • The difference in 1707? Most politicians in both countries needed and desired union simultaneously.

15. Reasons for Passing: Bribery? (Some argue…) • £20,000 was distributed by the Earl of Glasgow to various Scottish politicians. • Money served as a reminder to court supporters that real power & their future rewards lay in supporting a full union. • Professors Whatley & MacInnes say this was genuinely payment of arrears because: • It did not alter the voting behaviour apart from a maximum of three individuals e.g. George Ogilvy & Lord Banff. • The Earl of Atholl received £1,000 but still voted against union

16. Reasons for Passing: Bribery? (Some argue…) • Positions, Places & Offices: • Contemporaries expected to be rewarded for their support of Union. This was the culture of the time. • The Duke of Argyll received military promotion for his support. • Seton of Pitmedden received a £100p.a. a considerable amount of money. He was already a union supporter as a Scottish Commissioner.

17. Daniel Defoe • Role of Daniel Defoe in informing the English government during Treaty’s passage through the Scottish Parliament.