APPENDIX. ■ 49 



to have taken in that meafure, it would be prefumption in any ^^^^In, 

 man to pronounce with confidence, while he muft admit, that ^--i--- 

 opinions, equally weighty and refpedable, are found on either 

 fide of the queltion. 



It is not to be denied, that arguments of a very illiberal na- 

 ture were urged in Parliament by a few Members, who, with 

 a mean and narrow fpirit, reproached this country with difaf- 

 feaion to Government, and inculcated the danger of allowing 

 the ufe of arms to thofe who had recently employed them in re- 

 bellion. It was no wonder that afperfions of this nature called 

 forth the mod animated, noble and fpirited defence of their 

 country's honour from fevpral of the Scottiih Members, who 

 perhaps contended the more keenly in behalf of that meafure, 

 that they faw it oppofed from fuch unworthy motives. But 

 the queftion, viewed without prejudice, remains ftill difputa- 

 ble ; and the arguments of the Lord Advocate againft the efta- 

 blifhment of a militia in Scotland, were founded on the great 

 principles of national expediency, and a regard for what appeared 

 to him the real and fubftantial interefts of the country. 



On the 14th of June 1760, Mr Dondas was appointed Pre- 

 fident of the Court of Seffion. This was the aera of the fplen- 

 dour of his public charader. Inverted with one of the moft 

 important trufts that can be committed to a fubjed, the fuper- 

 intendence and regulation of the higheft judicature of his 

 country, he acquitted himfelf of that truft, during the twenty- 

 feven years in which he held it, with fuch confummate ability, 

 wifdom and redtitude, as muft found a reputation as durable 

 as the national annals, and tranfmit his memory with honour 

 to all future times. 



At his firft entry upon office, the public, though well aflTured 

 of his abilities, was doubtful whether he pofTefled that power 

 of appUcation and meafure of affiduity, which is the firft duty 



(G) of 



