 He was an early supporter of the Jacobite cause, which aimed to restore James and his successors on the thrones of England and Scotland.In 1707, he encouraged rebellion and the return of James by signing a letter suggesting the country would rise to support him.From the Mercat Cross at Brechin in 1715, he proclaimed James Francis Edward Stuart, son of James VII and known as the "Old Pretender", as King James VIII.