Queen Anne's ministers and the administration of Scotland, 1707-1714

Abstract

The Union left the future of Scottish administration in the hands of the Queen's ministers. The methods adopted by Godolphin and Harley differed, partly because their political problems were different and partly because of temperament. Godolphin tried as far as he could to rule Scotland in the old way, through Queensberry1s Court Party. He hoped to strengthen the Court at Westminster with the Scottish representatives elected under influence. When the abolition of the Privy Council upset his full scheme he strove to keep the channel of administration between England and Scotland in the hands of the Court Party. Harley also wished to strengthen the Court at Westminster but he could not rule through a homogeneous Court Party in Scotland since he was hoping to draw support from too wide a field to risk giving offence. To solve the problem he tried to administer Scotland himself through the financial departments, advised by personal agents. He hoped to make the secretary?s office redundant. The scheme proved to be largely a system of centralised procrastination. Opportunity was provided for Bolingbroke as a secretary of State to expedite business in a bid for interest amongst the Scots. In self defence Harley had to appoint Mar as third secretary. As far as revenue departments were concerned Godolphin kept to the proper channels of business, observed precedent and set much store by official opinion. Patronage he left largely to the commissioners which probably meant putting it in the hands of the Scottish ministry. Harley trusted the revenue commissioners far less and was much less a respecter of the proper channels and forms of business. And, although it was done informally, patronage seems to have been directed much more from the Treasury under Harley.