Patent for Knighthood

The accompanying text in the volume begins as follows:

"The satirical allusion of this Print will be best understood by reference to the debate in the House of Commons in the month of May prior to the disturbances. The subject of discussion was the King's proclamation (already alluded to), which the Whigs opposed as tyrannical and unnecessary. After several speakers had delivered their sentiments, Mr. Courtenay said—"The proclamation was a severe censure on ministers for not having discharged their duty-in not having prosecuted the libels, which they said had existence for several months. He declared his misbelief of the proclamation having been intended for insidious purposes by one of his Majesty's cabinet ministers, the Home Secretary (Mr. Dundas), whose good nature and civility had always induced him to accommodate himself to every minister; which good nature and civility called to his mind the old man in Edinburgh, who used to go about with a pail and great-coat, calling out - 'Wha wants me?' The honourable Secretary, upon every change of administration, had imitated the old man, by calling out -'Wha wants me?' This readiness to oblige, therefore, did away with all suspicion of malice."

To this sally of humour, Dundas of course made no reply. He was impenetrable to all such assaults. It did not fail, however, to excite the notice of his opponents north of the Tweed; and we have seen by the "Patent of Knighthood" how the artist improved upon the suggestion.

Notwithstanding his temporary unpopularity, Sir James was subsequently at the head of the Magistracy in 1794-5, and again in 1798-9. During the latter warlike period his conduct was truly meritorious. Scottish commerce had suffered considerably from the attacks of French and Dutch privateers, even on our very coasts, which had been left in a shamefully unguarded condition. By the representations of Sir James, and his judicious applications to Government, proper convoys were obtained for the merchantmen, and due protection afforded to our bays. He zealously forwarded the plan of arming the seamen of Leith and the fishermen of Newhaven, by which a strong body of men were organised in defence of the harbour and shipping.

So highly were the services of Sir James appreciated, that at the annual Convention of the Royal Burghs of Scotland (of which he was preses), held at Edinburgh in 1799, the thanks of the Convention were presented to him in a gold box, "for his constant attention to the trade of the country, and in testimony of the Convention's sense of his good services in procuring the appointment of convoys, and in communicating with the outports on the subject."

Sir James Stirling died on the 17th February 1805. In private life he was very much respected: of mild, gentlemanly manners, but firm in what he judged to be right. His habits were economical, but not parsimonious; and the party entertainments given at his house were always in a style of magnificence. In person, he was tall and extremely attenuated.

At one period Sir James resided in St. Andrew Square, the first house north from Rose Street; and latterly at the west end of Queen Street, not far from the Hopetoun Rooms. He acquired the estate of Larbert, in Stirlingshire, which, with his title of Baronet, descended to his son, Sir Gilbert Stirling, then a Lieutenant in the Coldstream Guards. He left another son, George, who on the 25th December 1820 married Anne Henrietta, daughter of William Gray of Oxgang, Esq. He had also two daughters, Janet and Joan, the former of whom was married to Admiral Sir Thomas Livingstone of West-quarter, near Falkirk."