“ From 1636 to 1641 he held the office of lord high treasurer of Scotland, and aided Charles I. in introducing the liturgy. He endeavoured to prevent a conflict by impressing on the king the necessity of caution and the danger of extreme measures against the rioters. He was, however, compelled to publish Charles's proclamation enforcing the use of the liturgy and forbidding hostile demonstrations on pain of treason (1638) . This was followed by military measures in which Traquair assisted by secretly conveying munitions of war to Dalkeith Palace. ”

“ He was readmitted to parliament in 1646, raised cavalry for the “engagement” between the king and the Covenanters, and was captured at Preston (1648) . He was released by Cromwell in 1654, and died on the 27th of March 1659. He was succeeded by his only son John (c. 1622-1666) , whose descendants held the title until 1861, when on the death of Charles, the 8th earl, it became dormant or extinct.
See also Spalding, Memorialls (Spalding Club) ; Sir James Balfour, Annals (ed. Haig, 1824) ; Dict. Nat. Biog. vol. liv. ”