Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/95

 ( 95 ) the mere difficult work of settling the country's of establishing new forms of government; and of imicking his acquisition durable to the crown of England. He seems to have carried matterſ to an extremity against the natives; he abro- gator all the Scottish Jaws and customs: he endevoured to substitute the English in their place; he entirelt rased of destroyed all the monuments of antiquit: such records of histo- ries as had escaped his former search, were now burnt or dispersed: and he hastened, by. too precipitate steps to abolish the Scottish name, and sink it finally into that on the English." Once contrary, Maitland, 'Heron, and others, inform us, that a general council of the nation was assembled at Perth, by royal grant; that ten commissioners were elected; four from among the clergy; four from eang. the military freeholders, and two from among the burgesses; who should, in their name.. re- pair to London, and give advice to the kings and there establish a government calculated to support the royal authority, and the happi ness of the people. The following were ac- cordingly appointed: the bishops of St. Andrew's. and Dunkeld; the abbots of Cupar and Melrose; the Earl of Buchan, Joha Mowbray: Robert Keith; Adam Gordon, John de Inchmartin, and the Earl of March, who declining to go, was substituted by Sir John Monteith. To these were ailed twenty English commission