This article examines the correspondence of Sir David Dalrymple, 1st baronet of Hailes and lord advocate in 1709-11 and 1714-20. For some, the Dalrymple family might appear to epitomise that Robert Burns’ ‘parcel of rogues’ who allegedly gave up their nation’s sovereignty in return for personal gain. This research suggests something different, and, through Sir David’s own words, we hear the voice of a patriot who strove to protect his nation.
Family background and the union
Sir David Dalrymple was born around 1665, son of Sir James Dalrymple, Viscount Stair and Margaret Ross. The family had a long tradition of supporting the reformed faith and in the 1680s they faced persecution which resulted in Sir James, accompanied by David, fleeing to Holland.
Following the arrival of William and Mary in 1688-89, the Dalrymples rose to be one of the most important legal and political families in Scotland. Sir David’s father became president of the court of session, and his brother John was appointed joint secretary of state for Scotland 1691-95. In 1698, Dalymple himself sat in parliament as commissioner for Culross, and, in 1701, he became solicitor general for Scotland.
Dalymple, together with his elder brothers Hew and John (the latter of whom had been created 1st earl of Stair by Queen Anne), was part of the Scottish delegation nominated to negotiate a union treaty in 1702-03. It was unsuccessful, but in 1706, the three brothers were again amongst the parliamentarians who negotiated the final treaty. It has been suggested that they were part of the inner circle of commissioners who undertook most of the detailed discussions and drafting in London, and many historians consider Stair to have been one of the main architects of the final treaty.
The treaty of union took effect on 1 May 1707 and, from the beginning, Dalymple appears to have played an active role in the house of commons, contributing to debates, sitting on the drafting committees of legislation that affected Scotland, and lobbying on behalf of Scottish merchants and
