APPENDIX. 67 



his friend the Earl of Selkirk had recommended him to Go- ^""';>"',?( . 

 vernment for the flewartry of Kirkcudbright, and it had been ''•''''"• 

 underftood between him and the Earl that he was to accept it. 



The duties of this office he performed with great pundluality, 

 and to the entire fatisfadion of the diftridl entrufted to his 

 charge ; and he continued to hold it till the year 1755, when he 

 refigned, and was named Solicitor of Excife — an office in thofe 

 days generally held by a lawyer. 



In the year 1759, on the promotion of MrPRiNGLE (after- 

 wards Lord Alemore) to the Bench, he reaped the fruit of 

 the public favour, in being appointed his Majefty's Solicitor- 

 General for Scotland. 



In the year 1760, he fucceeded the late Prefident Dun das as 

 hi^ Majefty's Advocate for Scotland ; and in the following year, 

 he was chofen to ferve in Parliament for the burgh of Dum- 

 fries. 



While in thefe ftations, Mr Miller, whofe modefty and 

 difcretion were equal to his ability, did not think it fo much in- 

 cumbent on him to take an adive fhare in the debates of the 

 Affembly, as to regulate his voice according to his opinion of 

 the public good. The fingle occafion that called him up as a 

 fpeaker, was indeed of a very interefting kind, and became a 

 fignal proof of the independence of his fpirit, and fincere con- 

 cern in the grandeur and profperity of the Britifh empire. This 

 was the repeal of the American ftamp ad ; a meafure in which 

 Mr Miller's fagacity forefaw the miferable train of confe- 

 quences that have fince enfued from it, and which, though 

 fupportjd by all the influence of the then Miniftry, he accord- 

 ingly both voted againft, and gave his reafons to the Houfe for 

 oppofing : — A moft refpedable and truly patriotic piece of con- 

 dud, and of which he reaped a jufl:, but unlooked for reward, 

 in the friendfhip and efteem of the Marquis of Rockingham j 

 who, however loath to have an opponent in the principal fer- 

 vant of the Crown for Scotland, yet, fatisfied that he had taken 



(I 2) this 



