[9] These letters of Glasgow, Seafield, and Annandale to Godolphin are all dated 26th April 1705. Add. MSS. 28,055.
Argyll and Annandale had long been friends, and during the preceding winter and spring their friendship had increased. By the influence of Argyll, Annandale had been appointed to represent her Majesty at the General Assembly of the Scottish Church, which had just been held. It was on his advice that the letters to Godolphin had been written. But at this point differences arose between them, which ended in a complete separation. Argyll, having no doubt that the English Ministers would agree to the dismissal of the New Party, wished to settle at once how the vacant offices were to be filled, and, a few days after the letters to Godolphin had been despatched, he called a meeting of his friends to discuss the subject. At this meeting Annandale was for delay. It would be time enough, he said, to think about new appointments when they had received an answer from London. Argyll, however, said that he had promised to send a list of names 'within two or three days'; and at the same time he suggested that Loudoun should be Secretary, in place of Roxburghe. Annandale muttered something to himself, and then said that Loudoun was well fitted for the place, but he was married to Stair's daughter, and to appoint him would be to aggrandise the Stair family, and that would 'raise a dust in the Parliament.' On this Argyll gave way for the sake of peace, and nothing was arranged.
But in a few days Glasgow and Leven waited upon Annandale, and informed him that the Commissioner begged him to concur in recommending Loudoun as Secretary. Annandale was a most difficult man to deal with. 'Even those of the Revolution Party,' says Lockhart, 'only employed him, as the Indians worship the devil, out of fear.' He refused, point blank, to comply with Argyll's request, and never after acted cordially with him. There can be no doubt that this episode was the real cause of Annandale's opposition to the Union in the following year.
The next post from London brought a letter, from which it was evident that the Ministers wished to delay the change of Government in Scotland. Argyll instantly sent off an answer, in which he said that he would not act as Commissioner unless his advice was taken. This threat of resignation produced the desired effect, and Argyll received authority to construct an Administration as he thought best.