DUNDAS, HENRY, first VisConnt Melville and Baron Dunira (1742-1S11). British states man. The fourth son of Robert Dundas, lord president. of the Scottish Court of Session, he was born at Edinburgh, and received his educa tion at the high school aml university. Ile was called to the Scottish bar in I7113, and was succes sively appointed Deputy Advocate and Solicitor General. In 1774 he NV ti returned to Parliament for the comity of Edinburgh, and in the follow ing year was appointed laird for Scot land. Two years after he was made Keeirer of the King's Signet for Scotland. successful career in Parliament was marked by ability rather than political consisteney. In opposition to his constituents, he allied himself with the party in power, and became a strenuous support er of Lord North's administration as one of the most obstinate and eynivaI defenders of the war with the American colonists. When Lord North resigned in 1782. Dundas continued to hold the office of Lord Advocate under the 11oekingham Ministry, and under the Shelhurne Ministry lie became 'Treasurer of the Navy. In 1781-82 his
investigation of Indian affairs originated the reform movement which led to the impeachment of Warren Hastings in l786. He subsequently was the ablest coadjutor of Pitt, under whose .Alinistry he became president of the Board of Control and principal Secretary of State for the hone Department (1791). lie also held a great number of other offices. When Pitt resigned in 1801, Dundas did the same. in 1802. under the administration of Addington, lie was ele vated to the peerage under the of Vis count Melville and Baron Dunira. In 180tI lie was tried for "gross malversation and breach of duty." while acting as Treasurer of the Navy, but in spite of the splendid array of talent against him he was acquitted on all the charges. After this lie took little part in public affairs, but spent most of his time in retirement in Scotland.