Andrew Millar, letter to Robert Wodrow, 10th August 1725 Millar, Andrew University of Edinburgh Arts and Humanities Research Council Dr. Adam Budd The University of Edinburgh and the Arts & Humanities Research Council CC BY-SA

© University of Edinburgh and the Arts & Humanities Research Council

 Politics of Printing NLS Wod. Lett. Qu. XVI f.400

This brief update on the Malt Tax crisis underlines the value of having a correspondent who could give the latest news, corroborating or contradicting official reports.

Dr Sr

I have here Sent you inclosed the double of ye Petition of ye Brewers

[Robert Dundas], The Petition of the several Brewars in and about Edinburgh under subscribing (Edinburgh: n.p., 1725); see letter of 5 August 1725, note 11.

wc was brunt at ye Cross

ye Cross, the Mercat Cross (market cross), a monument that stood at the eastern end of Edinburgh’s Parliament Square, from which royal proclamations were read. It was both a symbol and extension of government powers invested in the Edinburgh Town Council. The order to burn the Petition was made on 31 July, and took place the same day. Lord Dundas denied having written it, but it probably was his.

 – and a Remonstrance from ye Highland Clans &:c:,

A Remonstrance of the Gentlemen of the Highland Clans of Scotland to General Wade [1725]. This short pamphlet anticipated Wade’s order to disarm the clans and their leaders. Wodrow’s copy, dated 10 August 1725, is held in the National Library of Scotland.

 both wc I thought you would be Curious to See – we have a report here yt there’s a Stopt put to Prosecuting ye Brewers, as also ye Uplifting of ye Malt tax, till ye Parliment sit doun

This was a rumour, for it had been neither ordered nor published by any authorities.

this sd to be done by Order from ye Justices by ye Kings desire who has heard of what past at Hanover

This further rumour, that the king had disagreed with the malt tax and planned to sack Robert Walpole and all associated ministers, was probably circulated by Lord Roxburghe (a friend and political ally of Dundas).

 what Certainty is in any of these things I can not be positive till you but it’s ye Common discourse in town at this time and Moroever there’s none of ye Brewers imprisoned neither have they enacted as yet conformed to ye stat. of Sederunt,

The act of sederunt (judicial order) had ordered the brewers to resume their work by 10 August. Declining stocks of beer and bread would threaten social disorder.

 and this being ye last day that they had gives more ground to thinkt so. —

wc wt kind respects to yr Self & Mrs Woodrow I am Dr Sr – yr Oblidged Humble Servt

Edr Aug: 10th 1725 A:Millar

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