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Kay's Originals Vol. 1

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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
Volume 8 Page 148
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