George Lockhart, Memoirs concerning Scotland, 1707-1708.
- Reference:GB 227 msDA805.M2
- Dates of Creation:1707, 1708, 1714, 1810
- Name of Creator:
- Language of Material:English
- Physical Description:1 volume, 184pp
Scope and Content
An early nineteenth century transcript of Memoirs concerning the Affairs of Scotland by George Lockhart of Carnwath, Lanarkshire, completed on 17 August 1714, an account of Scottish politics from 1703 to 1708.
- p.vii Transcript of a statement of provenance, allegedly made by the earl of Oxford on 7 July 1714, from B.L. Harl. Ms6214.
- p.ix Title page.
- pp.I-VI Preface.
- pp.1-184 Text.
- p.184 Transcribed a Paris 1810.
The original manuscript was printed in London in 1714. The watermark on the paper is dated 1817.
Administrative / Biographical History
George Lockhart (c.1681-1731) of Carnwath, Lanarkshire, was a Jacobite supporter, and a vitriolic but accurate commentator on Scottish politics in 3 works, Memoirs Concerning the Affairs of Scotland; Commentary of George Lockhart of Carnwath, which covers the period 1708 to 1715; and A Register of Letters twixt the King and George Lockhart of Carnwath, which deals with 1716 to 1728. He was an agricultural improver, became an Episcopalian and a supporter of the Jacobite cause through his wish for an independent Scotland. He was a Scots privy councillor but often voted against the court, and although he was appointed to the commission which was to negotiate the treaty of Union, he served on it only to supply information to his allies. He vigorously opposed the Act of Union in the Scottish Parliament and then entered the new Parliament as representative of Edinburghshire and allied himself with the tory party at Westminster, where he tried to organise a Jacobite group of tories and pressed for the repeal of the Union. He was involved in planning for the Jacobite rebellion of 1715 and was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle but his connections secured his release. He carried on with Jacobite intrigues but much more cautiously after the execution of his brother. He became secertary of a commission of trustees appointed to oversee the affairs of James Stuart, the old Pretender, in Scotland, and spent his time trying to keep various factions together. He eventually cut his Jacobite links after he had had to flee to France because messages to him from the exiles were intercepted. Again his powerful friends gained him the chance to return home, where he set about completing his memoirs.
Arrangement
Single item
Access Information
By appointment with the Keeper of Manuscripts. Access to records containing confidential information may be restricted.
Acquisition Information
Purchased for 5s.6d. from Richard Cameron, bookseller, Edinburgh, 31 January 1879.
Note
Call number used to be ms1499
Other Finding Aids
Individual Manuscripts and Small Collections database available as part of Manuscripts Database.
Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements
Binding: quarter calf, damaged along spine, with marbled boards. Paper: 17.9x22.8cm
Archivist's Note
Description compiled by Maia Sheridan, Archives Hub project archivist, based on material from the Manuscripts Database
Conditions Governing Use
Applications for permission to quote should be sent to the Keeper of Manuscripts. Reproduction subject to usual conditions: educational use and condition of documents.
Accruals
None
Subjects
Personal Names
Geographical Names