The principal interest in Peeblesshire belonged to the earls of March, who as hereditary sheriffs were able to control the elections. An unsuccessful attempt to break this control in 1727 was made by Sir James Nasmyth, whose petition on the grounds of the partiality of the sheriff made no progress. However, after the 2nd Earl of March’s death, leaving an infant son, in 1731, followed by that of his brother, the sitting Member, John Douglas, a year later, Nasmyth obtained the support of the deputy sheriff for the ensuing by-election, at which he was returned. The petition of his opponent Sir Alexander Murray, 3rd Bt., of Stanhope, a former Member for the shire under Queen Anne, alleging irregularities in the election of the praeses and appointment of the sheriff clerk, was rejected. At the 1734 election an apparently neutral deputy sheriff returned both Nasmyth and Murray, each of whom had been chosen at separate meetings. On petition Murray withdrew, leaving Nasmyth to be elected.1 No opposition was offered in 1741 or in 1747, when John Dickson was brought in by the 3rd Earl of March,2 now of age.