CARSTARES, WILLIAM, a Scottish ecclesiastic, distinguished for his political exertions in furtherance of the Revolution settlement, was born at Cathcart, near Glasgow, on the 11th of February 1649. His father was the Rev. John Caretares, minister of the High Church, Glasgow, who, like his son, but in a leas degree and with less diplomatic capacity, took a lively share in the ecelesiastice-political movements of his time ; offered a violent opposition to Cromwell's schemes of general toleration, and suffered by the prevalence of his owu principles of clerical coercion during the persecutions of the Covenanters under Charles II. (See 'Notices of the Life of the Rev. John Carstam,' by the Rev. William Ferris) William Carstares acquired the rudiments of his education in a neighbouring village school, and afterwards studied in the University of Edinburgh. He appears to have become in early life not only an accomplished scholar, but an accurate observer of men. During a great portion of the latter end of the reign of Charles II. ho lived in Holland, and studied theology at Utrecht, where he is supposed to have taken orders. Accident introduced him to the notice of the pensionary Fagel, who, finding in the young clergyman Feat sagacity and self.reliance, and a knowledge of the political institutions of his own country seldom equalled at his early years, recommended him to his master, the Prince of Orange, afterwards William III., who, anxious to have about his person individuals acquainted with the politics of Britain, chose young Carstarea as one of his confidential advisers ; and events justified the selection. The time of his return to Britain is not precisely known. lie was in London in 1652, and was more or leas connected with the projects on which the prosecutions ice connection with the Rye-house and assassination plots were founded. There is reason to presume that be was the medium of communication between the court of Holland and some of the parties prepared for insurrection. lie was, at all events, in the secrets of the Argyle party in Scotland, and the key to a cipher through which Argyle and Monmouth corresponded was found to be in his handwriting. A warrant to apprehend him was issued, and ho was discovered attempting to conceal himself in Kent. Sufficient evidence could not be obtained to bring him to trial in England, and be sued out a writ of habeas corpus, which was defeated by sending him to Scotland, where the practice of torture still remained a stain ou the administration of justice. In the presence of the Privy Council of
Scotland he was subjected to the torture of the ' thumbigen,' or thumb screw, which ho bore with great fortitude, refusing to divulge the secrets he possessed. lie was subsequently presented by the Privy Council with one of these cruel instruments, which be bequeathed as an heir-loom to his family; and it is a traditional anecdote that William III., having dgsired to experience the initial symptoms of this species of torture, the divine turned the screw at his request, but rather too vigorously for his Majesty's nerves. Carstares was ulti mately released on a sort of compromise, by which he confessed a knowledge of matters which were otherwise proved in the trial of Bernie of Jerviswood. He returned to Holland with all his really important secrete undivulged, and was warmly received by the prince, who, in devising the expedition which created the Revolution of 1653, is said to have mainly relied on the full knowledge of British parties, and the advice, both bold and sagacious, of Carstares. He was subse quently of great service in producing a reconciliation between the Scottish Presbyterians and William III., who could not precisely understand the pertinacity with which his northern subjects adhered to the principle of spiritual independence. A General Assembly being about to convene, at which it was understood that there would be a violent opposition to the oath of allegiance, the king, taking advice from less sagacious counsellors, had prepared and delivered to a messenger despatches directing tho peremptory enforcement of the act. It is said that Caratares assumed authority to atop the messenger in his Majesty's name; and presenting himself to the king (who had gone to bed) in the middle of the night, in the guise of a petitioner for his life, forfeited by his having thus committed high treason, to have prevailed on him to dispense with the oath. Whether the anecdote be true or not in all its circumstances, there is little doubt that his influence obtained the dispensation. He became now virtually prime minister for Scotland; and received the popular designation of 'Cardinal Carstares.' Even after the death of William, his knowledge of Scottish affairs, and the respect paid to his talents, left him with considerable influence. In 1704 he was chosen Principal of the University of Edin burgh. He died on the 28th of December 1715. (State Papers and Letters addressed to William Carstares; to which is prefixed the Life of 31r. Carstares, 4to, 1774.)