THe Union oF 1707 In DUMFRIESSHIRE. ib! 
Provost of the Burgh of Annan in 1706, and I think he held the 
same position in Lochmaben, and his influence had no doubt 
considerable effect upon the votes of the members for these two 
burghs. On the other hand, the Queensberry influence at 
Sanquhar may account for the member of that burgh voting in 
favour of the Union, which has occasioned some surprise, seeing 
that that district was a stronghold of the Cameronians, who were 
so much against it. 
THe Enp oF “ ANE AULD SANG.’’ 
The Act of Ratification was read a first time on 15th 
January ; it was again read on the following day, and “ Then the 
Act for Security of the Protestant Religion and Presbyterian 
Church Government, which is insert in and ratified by the above 
Act, was touched by the Royal Scepter by Her Majesties High 
Commissioner in the usuall manner,’’ and after some further 
procedure, including a third representation and petition from the 
Commission of the Kirk, “ The vote was put approve the Act, 
ratifieing and approving the Union of the two Kingdoms of 
Scotland and England Yea or not, And it carried approve.” 
The majority was 110 to 69, and in this division there voted 
with the majority Sir John Johnstone, William Douglas, and 
William Alves, and with the minority the Marquis of Annandale, 
Alexander Fergusson, and John Carruthers; the other local 
members were absent. The scene now changes to England. 
The English Parliament commenced its deliberations upon the 
Treaty and the Scots Act of Ratification early in February, and 
the English Act of Ratification received Royal assent on 6th 
March, 1707. On 19th March the Exemplification of the English 
Act of Ratification was laid before the Scots Parliament, and 
ordered “to be inserted in the Books of Parliament and to 
remain with the Records of this Kingdom,’’ and after authenti- 
cating it for this purpose by his signature, the Earl of Seafield 
used the memorable words, “ Now, there’s ane end of ane auld 
_ sang.’’ By the Treaty the number of members to be returned by 
Scotland to the British House of Commons was fixed at 45, and 
of these the Scots Parliament appropriated 30 to the shires and 
15 to the burghs. Under this distribution, Dumfriesshire 
returned one member, and the burghs of Dumfries, Annan, Loch- 
maben, Sanquhar, and Kirkcudbright one member. It was 
