Draft Constitution for Scotland, proposed by Andrew Fletcher of Saltoon (1655-1716). 1. THAT elections shall be made at every Michaelmas head-court for a new Parliament every year; to sit the first of November next following, and adjourn themselves from time to time, till next Michaelmas; That they choose their own president, and that everything shall be determined by balloting, in place of voting. 2. THAT so many lesser barons shall be added to the Parliament, as there have been noblemen created since the last augmentation of the number of the barons; and that in all time coming, for every nobleman that shall be created, there shall be a baron added to the Parliament. 3. THAT no man have vote in Parliament, but a nobleman or elected member. 4. THAT the King shall give the sanction to all laws offered by the Estates; and that the president of the Parliament be empowered by His Majesty to give the sanction in his absence, and have ten pounds sterling a day salary. 5. THAT a committee of one and thirty members, of which nine to be a quorum, chosen out of their own number, by every Parliament, shall, during the intervals of Parliament, under the King, have the administration of the government, be his council, and accountable to the next Parliament; with power in extraordinary occasions, to call the Parliament together; and that in the said council, all things be determined by ballotting in place of voting. 6. THAT the King without consent of Parliament shall not have the power of making peace and war; or that of concluding any treaty with any other state or potentate. 7. THAT all places and offices, both civil and military, and all pensions formerly conferred by our Kings shall ever after be given by Parliament. 8. THAT no regiment or company of horse, foot or dragoons, be kept on foot in peace or war, but by consent of Parliament. 9. THAT all fencible men of the nation, between sixty and sixteen, be with all diligence possible armed with bayonets, and firelocks all of a calibre, and continue always provided in such arms with ammunition suitable. 10. THAT no general indemnity, nor pardon for any transgression against the public, shall be valid without consent of Parliament. 11. THAT the fifteen Senators of the College of Justice shall be incapable of being members of Parliament, or of any other office, or any pension; but the salary that belongs to their place to be increased as the Parliament shall think fit; that the office of President shall be in three of their number to be named by Parliament, and that there be no extraordinary lords, and also, that the lords of the Justice court shall be distinct from those of the Session, and under the same restrictions. 12. THAT if any King break in upon any of these conditions of government, he shall by the Estates be declared to have forfeited the crown.
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 10:02:04 +0000
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