Tweeddale, John Hay, 2nd marquis of

Tweeddale, John Hay, 2nd marquis of [S] (1645–1713). Tweeddale's father played an important role in Scottish politics from the Restoration until 1696 and Tweeddale was a privy counsellor [S] 1670–4 and again in 1684. He joined his father in supporting William in 1688 and succeeded to the marquisate in 1697. In Anne's reign, he was one of the leaders of the ‘Flying Squadron’, a loose alliance of Scottish peers, whose political tacking earned them their name. He was plucked from opposition in 1704 and made commissioner to the Parliament. But his efforts to confirm the Hanoverian succession ran into difficulty and he was replaced by Argyll. During 1704–5 he served as lord chancellor [S]. Tweeddale helped to carry the Union and was a representative peer 1707–8. His character was said to have been amiable and his politics moderate.

J. A. Cannon