Mr. E. Gordon Duff, librarian of the John Rylands Library, Manchester, and Mr. R. A. S. Macfie have for some time been engaged in compiling a Bibliography of Fletcher; and I desire to thank them for their kindness in placing their MS. unreservedly in my hands. There is considerable doubt respecting the authorship of several pamphlets which have been attributed to Fletcher, as well as regarding the places at which his works were printed; and if this Bibliography appears in print, it will be found most valuable by all who take an interest in his writings. G. W. T. O. OXFORD, _March 1897_. CONTENTS CHAPTER I PAGE Fletcher’s Birth and Education--Travels Abroad--A Member of the Scottish Parliament--Goes to the Continent 9 CHAPTER II The Whig Plot--Comes to England with Monmouth--Shoots Dare--Is found guilty of High Treason and attainted--The Estate of Saltoun forfeited 20 CHAPTER III Adventures in Spain--Serves in Hungary against the Turks--Returns to Scotland at the Revolution--Reforms in the Scottish Parliament--Saltoun Restored--Darien 37 CHAPTER IV Fletcher’s Political Writings--‘A Discourse on Militias’--The Affairs of Scotland--Supports Slavery as a Cure for Mendicancy--Attacks the Partition Treaty 49 CHAPTER V The First Session of the Union Parliament--Fletcher proposes his Twelve Limitations on the Crown--An Act of Security--The Supplies are refused 61 CHAPTER VI ‘A Conversation concerning a Right Regulation of Government for the Common Good of Mankind’ 85 CHAPTER VII A New Ministry in Scotland--Scenes in the Parliament House--The Act of Security becomes Law--England retaliates by passing the Alien Act 96 CHAPTER VIII A Ministerial Crisis, and a Change of Government in Scotland--The Government is defeated--The Limitations again--Fletcher’s Duel with Roxburghe--The Act for a Treaty of Union passed 108 CHAPTER IX The Union Commission at Westminster--The Act of Union passed--Belhaven’s Speech--Violent Conduct of Fletcher and other Members during the Debates 129 CHAPTER X Arrest of Fletcher--His Release--The Jacobite Prisoners of 1708--Death of Belhaven--Fletcher retires into Private Life--Conversations with Wodrow--His Death--Views of his Character 142 CHAPTER I Fletcher’s Birth and Education--Travels Abroad--A Member of the Scottish Parliament--Goes to the Continent.