ERSKINE (Hon. Henry, 1746-1817, Scottish Lawyer and Wit, Lord Advocate, 1783 and 1806-1807)

Autograph Letter Signed to 'My dear Kieth' [sic], Captain the Hon. George Keith Elphinstone (1746-1823, Admiral, 1801, 1st Baron Keith, 1797, 1st Viscount 1814), the Prince of Wales's Secretary for Scotland, saying that "Not finding Mr Blane", (Andrew, 1744-1839, Writer to the Signet, 1774, Sheriff-clerk of Ayrshire, 1815-1821, eldest son of Gilbert Blane of Blanefield) "willing to accept of the offices of Depute Secretary and D[epute] Keeper of the Signet which you were kindly pleased to offer for the purpose of accommodating Matters", Erskine must "in Justice to myself & I think ... to his Royal Highness ... intreat you most humbly to lay before his R.H. the inclosed Memorial [not present]", showing that "the promise founded on by Dr Blane", (Gilbert, Andrew's brother, 1749-1834, from 1812 1st Baronet), "was most improperly obtained ... and should not be fulfilled", seeing that the Prince had commissioned Erskine to dispose of the post "which I had actually done before his Royal Highnesses promise was obtained", Keith must judge whether such a promise ought ever so "affect his R. Highness mind" as to command Erskine to fulfil it, but "there is no Command of his that I shall not cheerfully obey ... especially in the Execution of an Office I owe to his favor", subscribing himself "With the most anxious attention to his Pleasure Honor & Interest ...", 3 sides 4to, Edinburgh, 2nd March

Henry Erskine was one of the most admired Scottish lawyers of the day, seasoning his arguments with wit that was always to the point. In the spring of 1783 the Prince of Wales appointed him his advocate and State Councillor in Scotland, a post that survived his short tenure as Lord Advocate later that year. At the time of this letter he was also Dean of the Faculty of Advocates, 1785-1796.
The Keeper of the Signet, now one of the titles of the Lord Clerk Register, is an office under the Crown, whose day-to-day business is managed by the Deputy Keeper. The Society of Writers to the Signet, besides their standing as solicitors to the Court of Session, had formerly wide powers in approving the issuing of writs.
Gilbert Blane was a distinguished physician who reformed the Navy's attitude to health by preventive measures, particularly in combating scurvy with lemon juice, made official in 1795.

Item Date:  1793

Stock No:  56567      £375

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