BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 101
Mr. Dundas had now obtained a high reputation as a statesman ; and from
his knowledge of public business, and intimate acquaintance with the condition of
the country, was considered so desirable an auxiliary by those in power, that no
change of Ministry seriously interfered with his advancement, every new
Administration being equally anxious with its predecessors to secure his services.
Thus, on the promotion of Lord Shelburne to the premiership, (1782), Mr.
Dundas was appointed Treasurer of the Navy. This situation, however, he
resigned on the formation of the celebrated Coalition Administration. He was
again restored to office by Mr. Pitt, of whom he was latterly one of the steadiest
and ablest supporters. .
During this interval, Mr. Dundas had rendered himself remarkable in
Parliament for his intimate acquaintance with the affairs of India, and was twice
elected chairman of committees appointed for the purpose of legislating for
this immense territory. But it was as Treasurer of the Navy that Mr. Dundas’s
services were of the greatest benefit to his country. In this department he
effected a total reformation; substituting order and economy for perplexity and
profusion-securing greater promptitude in the payment of the seamen’s wages
-carrying through Parliament various measures calculated to improve their
condition and to increase their comforts-and removing a fruitful source of
fraud against the families of sailors, by procuring an act for preventing the
successful use of forged instruments. He it was, also, who introduced the bill
which empowers seamen to make over their half-pay to their wives and families.
Such were some of the benevolent and judicious improvements which Mr.
Dundas introduced. He held the office of Treasurer of the Navy till 1800.
In the Session of 1784, hlr. Dundas introduced a bill for restoring the estates
forfeited on account of the Rebellion of 1745-a measure not less remarkable
for its policy than for its liberal and generous spirit.
In 1791, Mr. Dundas was appointed Principal Secretary of State for the
Home Department, having been previously nominated President of the Board
of Control.
Amongst the public measures that originated with Mr. Dundas about this
period of his career, was the formation of the Fencible regiments, the
Supplementary Militia, the Volunteer Corps, and the Provisional Cavalry.
With him also originated the improved system of distributing the army throughout
the country in barracks and garrisons. The singular ability and judgment
which marked Mr. Dundas’s superintendence on military affairs, suggested the
propriety of appointing him Secretary of State for the War Department, and
he was nominated to this office accordingly in the year 1794. In 1800 he
was appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, and his son succeeded him
as Keeper of the Signet. He held the offices of Secretary of State, and President
of the Board of Control, till his resignation along with Mr. Pitt in 1801.
While in the House of Commons, Mr. Dundas represented first the county,
and afterwards the city of Edinburgh. For the former he sat from 1774 till
1787, and for the latter from 1787 till 1802, when he was elevated to the
