^;r^i^ .s > . *■ W\)its ?i$iatarital Kihraty THE GIFT OF PRESIDENT WHITE MAINTAINED BY THE UNIVERSITY IN ACCORD- ANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE GIFT DA 788.182™" ""'""'"^ "-"""^ ''''*»?■ in i!!l!!?.,.Pi?P'r* ■'("'■Xfl the reii 3 1924 028 ■ 151 177 . Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028151177 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS. / LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS DURING THE REIGN OF KING JAMES THE SIXTH. CHIEFLY FROM THE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OF SIR JAMES BALFOUR OF DENMYLN- FEINTED AT EDINBURGH M.DCCC.XXXVni. ?0. EDINBURGH PRINTING COMPANY. PRESENTED mmbn^ uf tf^t mumox^eint ADAM ANDERSON. THE A.BBOTSFORD CLUB, JANUARY, M.DCCC.XXXVIII. JOHN HOPE, Esquire. RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. ADAM ANDERSON, ESa CHARLES BAXTER, ESa ROBERT BELL, ESa ROBERT BLACKWOOD, ESa BINDON BLOOD, ESa BERIAH BOTFIELD, ESa JAMES BURN, ESa WILLIAM BOWIE CAMPBELL, ESQ. THE HONOURABLE LORD COCKBURN. JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. REV. ALEXANDER DYCE, B. A. THE ABBOTSFORD CLUB. JOHN BLACK GRACIE, ESa DAVID IRVING, ESa LL.D. JAMES IVORY, ESQ. THE HONOURABLE LORD JEFFREY. GEORGE RITCHIE KINLOCH, ESa DAVID LAING, ESa JAMES LUCAS, ESa WILLIAM MACDOWALL, ESa JAMES MAIDMENT, ESQ. THEODORE MARTIN, ESQ. WILLIAM HENRY MILLER. ESa, M.P. REV. JAMES MORTON. ROBERT NASMYTH, ESa ALEXANDER NICHOLSON, ESQ. ROBERT PITCAIRN, ESQ. EDWARD PIPER, ESQ. JOHN ROBERTSON, ESa ANDREW RUTHERFURD, ESQ. ANDREW SHORTREDE, ESa JOHN SMITH, YOUNGEST, ESa RIGHT HON. SIR GEORGE WARRENDER, BART. JOHN WHITEFOORD MACKENZIE, ESa WILLIAM B. D. D. TURNBULL, ESa CONTENTS. PAGE 1. Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord-Keeper, to Queen Elizabeth, September [1577-78 ?] 1 2. Monsieur Le Comte de Nassau au Roy D'Ecosse, October 6, 1588, . 4 3. Jacques VI. a Monsieur Le Comte de Nassau, September 19, 1592, . 5 4. King James VL to Queen Elizabeth, April 13, 1594, ... .6 5. King James VL to the Earl of Essex, April 13, 1594, ... 7 6. Sir William Keith to James VL, February 4, 1596, . . . 8 7. Sir William Keith to Thomas Foulis, August 15, 1596, . . 13 8. Earl of Errol to James VL, July 1, 1596, . . . . 16 9. Jacobus Sextus Magnificis et Nobilibus Zelandise Ordinibus, 1596, . 18 10. Jacobus Sextus dilecto familiari suo Gulielmo Keith, November 1596, . 20 11. Jacobus Sextus Serenissimo Principi Venetiarum Duci, November 1596, . 22 12.. Adrian Damman de Bysterveldt au Roy D'Escosse, December 4, 1596, . 23 13. Adrian Damman de Bysterveldt au Roy D'Escosse, December 10, 1596, . 25 14. Les Estats Generaulx des Provinces Unies au Serenissime Roy D'Escosse, De- cember 28, 1596, ....... 27 15. Earl of Huntly to James VI., ••.... 29 16. Earl of Errol to James VL, ...... 31 17. Le Comte de Nassau au Roy D'Ecosse, January 10, 1597> . . 32 18. Presbytery of Aberdeen to the Ministers of Lothian, January 1596, . 33 19. Robert Lord Crichton of Sanquhar to James VL, September 3, 1597, • 35 20. Private Instructions by James VI. to his Ambassadors, . . .37 21. From an Unknown Person, perhaps, to the Lord of Kinloss, ... 38 22. Jacobus VL Invictissimo Principi Shaugh Abbas, I6OI, . . .41 23. Sir James Colville to the Lord of Kinloss, 1603, ... 43 24. Lord Fyvie to James VL, April 29, 1603, . ... 47 25. Earl of Montrose to James VL, May 10, [1603 ?] • . .48 CONTENTS. TAGX 26. Earl of Montrose to James VI., May 13, 1603, . . . • 49 27. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., May 18, [1603?] . • 51 28. Lord Fyvie to James VI., May 30, 1603, , . . 53 29. Earl of Montrose to James VI., June 1, 1603, . . . 57 30. Earl of Angus to James VI., November 20, 1604, . • 58 31. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., November 20, 1604, ... 60 32. Earl of Angus to James VI., ...... 62 33. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., February 1, 1605, . . 64 34. Lord Balmerino to James VI., June 9, 1605, .... 65 35. Lord Fyvie to James VI., March 3, 1605, . ... 67 36. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., March 23, 1605, ... 68 37. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., April 20, 1605, ... 71 38. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., June 22, 1605, ... 73 39. Earl of Montrose to James VI., November 29, 1605, ... 74 40. Earl of Errol to James VI., January 21, 1606, . . . .76 41. Earl of Mar to James VI., January 21, 1606, . . . . 77 42. Earl of Dunfermline and Lord Balmerino to James VI., April 18, 1606, . 79 43. Earl of Errolto James VI., March 16, 1606, .... 80 44. Earl of Errol to James VI., July 13, 1606, . . . . 81 45. The Lords of Privy Council to the Earl of Dunbar, July 26, 1606, . 83 46. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., August 27, 1606, . . 85 47. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., September 4, 1606, . . . 87 48. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., October I6O6, ... 88 49. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., October 30, I6O6, . . . 90 50. The Commissioners of the General Assembly to James VI., December 16, 1606, 92 51. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., January 7, I6O7, ... 94 52. Lord Balmerino to James VI., January 21, 1607, . . • . .96 53. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., . . • • 99 54. Earl of Argyle to James VI., February 28, [1607], . . . 101 55. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., March 3, 1607, . . ]02 56. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., March 3, 1607, . . 104 57. Earl of Glencairn to James VI., March 4, 1607, . . . 106 58. Reverend Patrick Galloway to James VI., April 7, 1607, . . 108 59. The Lord Chancellor to James VI., April 9, 1607, . . . m CONTENTS. xi rAGE 60. Lord Gray to the Lords of the Privy Council, April 8, 1607, . • 113 61. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., August 21, 1607, . ■ • 114 62. Lord Holyroodhouse to James VL, August 25, 1607, • • • 116 63. Earl of Abercorn to James VI., August 26, 1607, . • • 117 64. The Farmers-General of the Customs to James VL, . . .120 65. Marquis of Huntly to James VL, February 6, [1608?] . . . 122 66. Marquis of Huntly to James VL, February 26, [1608?] . . . 124 67. The Marquis of Hamilton to James VL, March 1, 1608, . . 125 68. Earl of Dunfermline to James VL, March 5, 1608, ... 127 69. The Laird of Luss to James VL, April 23, 1608, . . . 129 70. Lord Balmerino to James VL, May 1608, .... 131 71. Earl of Angus to James VL, May 25, 1608, . . . .132 72. The Commissioners of the Burghs to James VL, July 8, 1608, . . 134 73. Sir Andrew Murray of Balvaird to James VL, July 13, 1608, , . 136 74. Lord Scone to James VL, . . . . . . 139 75. Earl of Dunfermline to James VL, August 3, 1608, . . . 140 76. Earl of Angus to James VL, August 10, 1608, . . . 144 77. The Marquis of Huntly to James VL, August 12, [1608?] . . 145 78. The Lords of Privy Council to James VL, August 18, 1608, . . 147 79. The Rev. Robert Durie to James VL, October 21, 1608, . . 148 80. The Rev. Patrick Symsone to James VL, November 10, 1608, . 151 81. The Rev. John Hall and the Rev. Peter Hewatt to James VL, Nov. 10, 1608, 153 82. Earl of Dunfermline to James VL, December 2, 1608, . . . 154 83. Earl of Cassillis to James VL, December 3, 1608, . . . 155 84. Lord Blantyre to James VL, December 17, 1608, . . . 156 85. The Lords of Privy Council to James VL, February 16, 1609, . . 159 86. Earl of Angus to James VL, February 16, 1609, ... 160 87. The Laird of Edzell to James VL, March 30, 1609, • . . 161 88. The Rev. Patrick Symsone to the Commissioners of the General Assembly, April 3, 1609, • ... ... 163 89. The Lords of Privy Council to James VL, May 16, 1609, . . 165 90. William FuUartoun of that Ilk to James VL, . . . .167 91. Earl of Dunfermline to James VL, July 5, 1609, ... 168 92. Jane Stewart, Lady Lindores, to James VL, August 3, 1609, . . 170 Xll CONTENTS. 93. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., August 12, 1609, 94. Earl of Angus to James VI., October 30, [1609 ?] 95. Oath tendered to the Marquis of Huntly and the Earl of Errol, November 13 and 17, 1609, 96. George Lord Gordon to James VI., ..... 97. Alexander Colquhoun of Luss to James VI., November 13, 1609, 98. The Inhabitants of the late Borders of Scotland to James VI., 99- Marquis of Huntly to James VI., February 15, 1610, 100. Countess of Crawford to James VI., February 17, 1610, 101. Rev. John Hall and Rev. Peter Hewat to James VI., February 17, 1610, 102. Warrant appointing Peter RoUok of Piltoun one of the Extraordinary Lords of Session, May 16, 1610, 103. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., June 18, [1610?] 104. Warrant by James VI. in favour of the Earl of Angus, [1610?] 105. James VI. to the Lords of the Privy Council, July 6, 1610, 106. Earl of Glencairn to James VI., .... 107. Earls of Dunfermline and Dunbar to James VI., July 27, 1610, 108. Sir Robert Melville to James VL, .... 109. The Lords of Privy Council to James VL, May 3, 1611, 110. The University of St Andrews to James VI., May 4, 1611, 111. James VI. to Sir Arthur Chichester, September 14, 1611, 112. The Commissioners of the Burghs to James VI., 113. W. Wheitfurde to John Murray, May 16, 1612, 114. W. Wheitfurde to John Murray, May 28, 1612, 115. The Magistrates of Canongate to James VI., September 26, 1612, 116. Sir Duncan Campbell to James VL, February 2, 1613, 117. Jacobus VI. Civitati Gedanensi, [1613?] . 1 1 8. Jacobus VI. Johanni Spemanno, [1613?] . 119- Sir Alexander Hay to James VL, July 4, [1613?] 120. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, February 10, 1614, 121. Sir Gideon Murray to James VL, June 9, 1614, 122. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, June 30, 1614, 123. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, July 8, 1614, 1,24. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, July 15, 1614, PAGZ 171 174 175 177 178 179 183 184 185 186 189 191 191 192 193 196 199 200 201 202 204 206 207 209 211 212 213 215 216 218 219 221 CONTENTS. xiii PAGE 125. The Earl Marischal to James VI., July 28, 1614, . . . .223 126. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, July 29, 1614, . . .225 127. Sir Laehlan Macintosh of Dunachtan to James VI., August 3, 1614, . 226 128. Earl of Abercorn to John Murray, September 12, 1614, . . .229 129. Archbishop of Canterbury to John Murray, September 17, 1614, . . 231 130. Earl of Abercorn to John Murray, October 3, 1614, . . .233 131. Sir Alexander Hay to [John Murray?] October 6, [1614?] . . 235 132. Earl of Mar to John Murray, November 25, 1614, . . .238 133. Earl of Abercorn to John Murray, December 6, 1614, ; . . 239 134. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, December 9, 1614, . . . 240 135. Reasons for the Burrows of Scotland in support of their Freights of Foreign Ships, 243 136. Sir R. Macleod to King James VI., ..... 245 137. John Carse to the Bishop of Ross, January 10, [1615^?] . . 248 138. Sir Hugh Montgomery to John Murray, January 10, [1615?] . . 250 139. Note of Proceedings of Privy Council, January 24, 1615, . . 254 140. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, January 28, 1615, . . 256 141. Lord Sanquhar to John Murray, February 1, [1615?] . . 257 142. Sir John Cockburn of Ormiston to James VI., February 3, 1615, . 260 143. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, February 24, 1615, . . 262 144. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, [March 1615?] . . . 263 145. Lord Gordon and James Mowat to James VI., February [1615 ?] . 264 146. Earl of Angus to James VI., October 11, 1615, ... . 266 147. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, November 24, 1615, . . 267 148. James VI. to the Lord Chancellor and remanent Lords of the College of Justice, December 3, 1615, ....... 269 149. Lord Cranstoun to John Murray, December 9, I6l5, . . . 270 150. Lord Scott of Buccleuch to [John Murray?] December 9, 1615, , . 271 151. Sir Alexander Hay to John Murray, December 21, [1615], . . 273 152. Sir Alexander Hay to John Murray, December 21, 1615, . . 275 153. The Earl of Crawford and Lord Spynie to James VL, [1615 ?] . , 276 154. Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig to John Murray, January 6, 1616, . 278 155. Earl of TuUibardine to John Murray, January 6, 1616, . . 280 156. Francis, titular Earl of Bothwell, to John Murray, January 8, I6l6, . 282 157. Lord Sanquhar to John Murray, January 9, [1616?] , . . 283 xiv CONTENTS. PAGE 158. Earl of Errol to John Murray, January 12, 1616, . . • 286 169. Earl of Caithness to James VI., January 26, 16 16, . . . 287 160. Countess of Eglintoun to [Mrs Murray?] 1616, ... 288 161. Earl of Lothian to James VI., April 10, I6l6, . . . 291 162. Lord Melville to James VI., April 1616, .... 293 163. Francis, titular Earl of Both well, to James VI., May 26, 1616, . 294 164. Earl of Montrose to James VI., August 27, 1 616, ... 296 165. Earl of Home to the Lord Chancellor, December 8, 1616, . . 297 166. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., March 14, 1616, . . 299 167. Articles given by the Justices of Peace for Aberdeen, [1617 ?] ■ • 300 168. James VL to the Privy Council, [June 1617?] • . . 302 169. Sir Gideon Murray to James VI., September 9, 1617, . • . • 304 170. Reverend Patrick Galloway to James VI., November 5, 1617, • • 305 171. Oliver Si John to James VI., November 25, 1617, ... 310 172. Anne Countess of Argyll to John Murray, [1617?] • • ■ 312 173. Anne Countess of Argyll to John Murray, [1617 ?] . . . 313 174. Sir James Lundie to James VL, April 8, 1618, . . ' . 314 175. His Majesty's Answer to the Council, [1618 ?] . . . . 316 176. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, February 19, 1619, . . 318 177. Note of the Proceedings of the Privy Council, August 25, 1619, • . 319 178. Earl of TuUibardine to James VL, [1620?] 321 179. Earl of TuUibardine to James VL, [1620?] 322 180. James VI. to the Privy Council, [No date,] .... 323 181. Articles of Agreement between the Earl and Countess of Hume and John Stewart, April 12, 1620, ...... 324 182. Sir Gideon Murray to James VL, June 30, 1620, . . . 328 183. Mr H. Blyth to the Reverend Henry Charteris, December 26, 1620, . 330 184. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, January 30, 1621, . . 332 185. Magistrates of Edinburgh to James VL, April 6, 1621, . . 333 186. Earl of Morton to James VL, April 18, 1621, . . . . 335 187. Earl of Mar to James VL, April 25, 1621, .... 336 188. The Trew Informatioun of the Acsident fallin out betuix Drumlangrig and Casschogill vpon Saturday the tueliF Day of May 1621 yeire, . . 337 189- James VI. to the Marquis of Hamilton, 1621, ..... 340 CONTENTS. XV PAGE 190. Earl of Mar to John Murray, . . . . . . 341 191. Instructions by James VI., relative to the Action brought by the Earl of Mar for the recovery of the Barony of Kildriramie, . . . 342 192. Countess of Mar to John Murray, June 16, 1622, . . 344 193. Earl of Mar to John Murray, June 20, 1622, ... 345 194. Earl of Mar to James VI., October 10, 1622, . . .347 195. Lady Beatrix Ruthven to James VI., October 10, 1622, . . 349 196. Earl of Mar to James VI., November 24, 1622, . . .330 197. Earl of Buccleuch to the Viscount of Annand, [1623 ?] . . 351 198. Thomas Nicolson to the Viscount of Annand, January 27, 1623, . . 353 199. The Viscount of Stormont to the Viscount of Annand, February, [1623 ?] 354 200. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI., July 15, 1623, ... 356 201. Sir James Bailie to the Viscount of Annand, October 10, 1623, . 358 202. The Viscount of Lauderdale to the Viscount of Annand, November 27, 1623, 360 203. Sir James Baillie to the Viscount of Annand, [November 1623], . 361 204. John Ashburnham to the Lord Chancellor Hay, April 8, 1624, . 363 205. The Earl of Seaforth to the Lord Chancellor, July 4, [1624], . 365 206. Scotish Subjects at Dantzig to James VI., August 30, 1624, . . 367 207. Francis Hay to the Lord Chancellor, November 5, 1624, . . 368 208. The Lord Chancellor Hay to James VI., November 8, 1624, . . 369 209. The Lord Chancellor Hay to James VI., [1624?] . . . 373 210. James VI. to the Lord Chancellor Hay, January 12, 1625, . . 375 211. John Wolfe to James VI., ... ... 376 212. Samuel Cockburne to James VI., . . . ... 378 213. Witnesses produceit by Alexander Innes of Coittis againes the Laird of Balvane and his Brother, ....... 380 214. Informatioun for the Adwocattis and remanent Memberis of the Sessioun, tuieh- ing thair Priuiledges, . . .... 382 215. The Accompt of my Diligens in the Seruice committed to mee, with a Motion commended to his Maiestie from his Embassadour at the Haghe, [by Patrick Scot], .... . . . . 385 PREFATORY NOTICE. The Papers contained in the present volume, with the excep- tion of two interesting Letters communicated by Mr David Laing, Librarian to the Society of Writers to the Signet, are taken from the Collections of the Earl of Balcarres, and of Sir James Balfour of Denmiln, Bart., Lord Lyon King at Arms, both of which are preserved in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates. The Balcarres Papers were collected by John Lindsay of Menmuir, Secretary of State to James VI.,* and gifted to the Library of the Faculty of Advocates, in the year 1712, by his descendant, Colin, third Earl of Balcarres. They were little known till within these few years, having neither been sorted nor arrangied in any manner of way ; and it was not till some time after the appointment of the present learned Librarian that they were withdrawn from their obscure recesses, and • He died at the age of forty-nine, on the 3d of September 1598. b X PREFATORY NOTICE. made available to the public. The greater proportion of them refers to the reign of the Queen Regent, Mary of Lorraine, and includes an extensive correspondence with the Court of France, in which are to be found letters of Catherine de Medicis, Henry II., the celebrated Anne Constable de Montmorency, Diana of Poictiers (Duchess of Valentinois-), and other equally distinguished persons. The letters during the reign of James VI. are comparatively few, and relate chiefly to his negotiations with foreign powers, to obtain their re- cognisal of his right of eventual succession to the Crown of England. They possess considerable interest, and have, with some few exceptions,* been included in the present volume. The Balfour MSS. were purchased in 1698 by the Faculty for L.150 sterling, no inconsiderable sum in those days. Amongst these are several volumes of Memorials and Letters of State, during the reign of King James, chiefly after his accession to the Crown of England ; and it is from them principally that a selection has been made, of such papers as it was thought would throw light upon the civil and political history of Scot- land during that period. A small portion of their contents had previously been made pubhc by Lord Hailes, in a small volume, entitled " Memorials and Letters, relating to the History of Britain in the Reign of * These having been included in the Analecta Scotica (2 vols. 8to, Edin, 1836-1837), it was not deemed advisable to reprint them here. PREFATORY NOTICE. xi James the First."* His Lordship, adverting in his preface to the Editors of Collections of the present description, remarks that they " are generally considered as dull tasteless men, who seek no farther merit in a paper than that of being old or scarcely legible : they have, however, their pretensions to literary fame ; and, indeed, those pretensions are so moderate, that it is hard to reject them altogether. " To invention, to accuracy of composition, or elegance of style, they can offer no claim ; they are not historians, they only prepare materials for history ; they chuse out blocks from the quarry, and having, with much patience and toil, brought them above ground, they leave them there to be polished and ar- ranged by more able artists." From a claim so modestly preferred it would be unjust to dissent, and the Editor ventures to believe, that as he seeks no higher praise than what is asked by the estimable and learned Judge, his demands will not savour of pretension. He is hope- ful that much curious and valuable information has been col- lected together as to the state of Scotland at the beginning of the seventeenth century, and he thinks that the Monarch who then swayed the sceptre, throughout the whole of the corre- spondence in this volume,t displays mo^e talent and good sense than is usually ascribed to him. Indeed, we suspect that the character of the " sapient" Monarch has not been generally un- • Glasgow. Foulis, 1766. Small 8v6. t The Melros Papers, which have heen wholly taken from the Balfour MSS., afford still stronger proofs of his Majesty's vigorous intellect and sound discretion. xii PREFATORY NOTICE. derstood, or appreciated by the historians of his reign, and that, in place of exercising a sound judgment, they have, whilst emptying their vials of wrath upon him, too frequently been influenced by political predilections. One very important fact seems to have been almost entirely overlooked, that when James first assumed the reins of govern- ment he found the kingdom in a semi-barbarous state, and that he left it in a state of comparative civilization. There is a re- markable letter, addressed by Lord Binning to his Majesty,* containing a report of the substance of a speech made by him in the Scotish Parliament, in which, after making every allow- ance for the usual courtly flattery, enough remains to show the inestimable benefits conferred by James upon his country. He says — " Omitting to particularize the generall benefites done to oure people in England and Ireland, I schew that the blessingis of justice and peace, and fruittis arysing thairof, did so obleis euerie one of ws, as no thing in oure power could equall it; desyring that it might be remembered, that whairas the Ilanders oppressed the Hielandmen, the Hielanders tirannised ouer thair Lawland nighbours; the powerfull and violent in the in-cuntrie domineered ouer the lyues and goodes of thair weak nighbours ; the Bordourars triumphed in the impunitie of thair violences to the portes of Edin- burgh; that treasons, murthours, burningis, thiftis, reiffis, hearschippis, hoching of oxin, breaking of milnes, destroying • 7th March 1617. Melros Papers, vol. i. p. 270. PREFATORY NOTICE. xiii of growand cornis, and barbarities of all sortes, wer exerced in all pairtes of the cuntrie, no place nor person being exemed or inviolable, Edinburgh being the ordinarie place of butcherlie reuenge, and daylie fightis; the paroche churches and churche-yairds being more frequented vpon the Sounday for aduantages of nighbourlie malice and mischeif nor for Godis seruice ; nobilmen, barons, gentilmen, and people of all sortes^ being slaughtered, as it wer, in publict and vncontrollable hos- tilities ; merchandes robbed, and left for dead in daylight, going to thair mercats and faires of Montrois, Wigton, and Berwick ; ministers being durked in Stirling, buried quick in CHddisdaill, and murthoured in Galloway ; merchandis of Edinburgh being waited in thair passage to Leith to be maid prisoners and ran- soumed ; and all vther abominations, which setled be inveterat custume and impunitie, appeired to be of desperat remeid, had bene so repressed, puneissed, and aboleissed be your maiesties wisdome, caire, power, and expensis, as no nation in earth could now compaire with our prosperities ; whairby we wer bund to retribute to your maiestie, if it wer the verie half of our hairt bloud." This is a fearful, but we believe a true picture of the state of Scotland at the commencement of the reign of James VI. In its most important essentials it is corroborated by contem- porary writers ; and surely a Monarch who, in the course of a fdw years, could, by his energy and perseverance, put down anarchy and restore order, deserves something better from pos- XIV PREFATORY NOTICE. terity than the appellations of a roi-faineant, an empty pedant, or arbitrary tyrant. James had acquired wisdom in the school of adversity, and early in life had learned the absolute necessity of curbing the power of an unprincipled nobility, in whose hands he was held merely as a puppet. This object he steadily pursued, and ultimately effected; for it is worthy of remem- brance, that when he quitted the land of his birth for the sister kingdom, he left behind him no powerful family whose influence and intrigues might disturb the peace and prosperity of the com- monwealth.* His adroitness, too, in the measures he adopted to ensure the support of foreign powers, in the event of the suc- cession to the Crown of England opening to him, evinces great foresight and wisdom ; indeed, so anxious was he to secure the co-operation of every one that by possibility might be able to assist him in the objects he had in view, that even the petty Italian Princes were conciliated, and trustworthy persons pri- vately sent to propitiate them.f Nor is it the least remarkable feature in the matter, that these multifarious negotiations were carefully concealed from the knowledge of the vigilant and jealous Elizabeth. James has been sneered at by his enemies for his theological acquirements, which are admitted at all hands to have been con- • Whatever may have been the real truth of what is commonly denominated the Gowry Con- spiracy, there can be little doubt that James was not sorry that an opportunity had occurred by which a family so powerful for wealth, influence, and talent, could be put down. t It was these secret and mysterious negotiations with Catholic potentates, that gave rise to the notion of the King's inclination for Popery. The Editor has elsewhere observed, that James was too fond of power himself to think of parting with any portion of it to the Pope. PREFATORY NOTICE. xv siderable ; but his knowledge of the principles and practice of laws in general, and especially of those in Scotland, is not so generally known. There is, however, an existing memorial of his extraordinary legal ability in the award pronounced by him upon the mutual claims of the heir-male and the bastard son of the last Lord, to the Barony of Sanquhar.* In this case there was a diversity of opinion, and of four of the first lawyers in Scotland, two were on one side, and two on another. His Majesty, who liked nothing better than settling a disputed point, undertook the final arbitreraent of the cause; and the re- sult of his deliberations may be found in an argument which, for soundness, learning, and eloquence, will not easily be matched. We trust our readers will forgive us for these hasty observa- tions in favour of a Prince whom it has been very much the fashion to run down and ridicule ; and we shall conclude them by observing, that although we do not pretend to justify all his measures, or to assert that his character was free from blemish, still it is our conscientious belief that justice has not been done to him in regard to his Scotish administration, which was gene- rally wise, salutary, and efficient.t The Melros Papers, presented to the Club by the President, and the present volume, contain by far the greater part of the • See Abbotsford Miscellany, vol. i. t D'Israeli, the author of the amusing " Curiosities of Literature," has vindicated the English government of his Majesty, and we think successfully, in "An Enquiry into the Literary and Po- litical Character of James the First." London, 1816. Crown 8 vo. As usually happens in vin- dications, the author is carried away by his subject ; but still, in the main, he is evidently right. xvi PREFATORY NOTICE. more important portion of the Balfour MS. relative to the time of James the First. But there still remains in manuscript what must be considered a most valuable addition to our memorials of the time, — the correspondence of Archbishop Spottiswood, the Church Historian, and of other eminent churchmen ; — these documents, which relate much more to the civil than to the ecclesiastical history of Scotland, would supply many deficien- cies, and form a most suitable sequel to the preceding Collec- tions. The reader will doubtlessly be struck by the sycophantish manner and abject style in which the Sovereign is uniformly addressed, nor will he overlook the profusion of idle protesta- tion and laudatory expression in which most of the writers in- dulge in their correspondence ; but he must not infer from this any unusual or uncalled for subserviency. It was the custom of the time; and if he has the curiosity to look into the " Academy of Complements,"* the text-book of the courtiers of the seventeenth century, he will find most of the " Superscriptions" and " Sub- scriptions," as they are termed, that occur in the present volume. Thus, the " superscription" to the King is, " To the most Sacred, most Gracious, most High, most Mighty, most Puissant, and Victorious Monarch, his Majesty of Great Brittain." — To a Pa- • See " The Academy of Complements, wherein ladies, gentlewomen, schollers, and strangers, may accomodate their courtly practice with gentile ceremonies, complementall amorous high ex- pressions, and form of speaking or writing letters most in fashion. A worke perused, exactly per- fected, every where corrected, and inriched by the author with additions of witty poems and pleasant songs." 7th Edition. London, 1646. I2mo. PREFATORY NOTICE. xvii tron, " To the onely hope of his fortunes ;" the " subscription" being, " the honourer of your matchlesse perfections." When addressing " his beloved friend," he subscribes " your assured ;" — " the lovingst of all my friends," — " yours inseperably," — " his highly esteemed friend," — " yours as I have professed." It is unnecessary to multiply instances ; but those above noticed de- monstrate that there was nothing unusual in the manner in which the various letters contained in this volume were either " superscribed" or " subscribed." The Editor regtets that two or three mistakes in the Notes,, entirely of a clerical description, escaped notice while correcting the sheets for press.* A very interesting letter, relative to the suppression of the Clangregor, which was subsequently disco- vered, has, instead of being placed at the end of the book, been added as an Appendix to the present desultory observations. J. M. 10, FoEEES Street, Ut May 1838. • Subsequent for subsequently, p. 67, &c. &c. xviii PREFATORY NOTICE. The Selection of Papers contained in this volume will, I trust, be considered a valuable addition to the Collections already published, relative to the same period of Scottish History. I cannot, however, present them to the Abbotsford Club without expressing the obligations which I owe to Mr Maidment, for his very able and ready assistance in the selection and arrange- ment of them. He has undertaken the whole editorial labour, and has furnished the Prefatory Notice, and the many curious and interesting notes relating to the individuals and events referred to in these Papers : and I feel assured that the Club will unite with me in appreciating his great zeal and research in the pre- paration of the present volume for publication. ADAM ANDERSON. Edinburgh, Ut May 1838. [ xix ] THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE AND THE LORD REGISTER TO KING JAMES VL Sefiembeh 18i 1612. Pleis 30UR Sacred Maiestie, The Erie of Ergyle compeiring this day befoir 30ure raaief- ties counfaill, he exhibite ellevin of that nomber of the Clangregor reft- ing vpoun him be his formair accompt, who hes changeit thair names, and found caution, conforme to the ordoure. He hes a warrand grantit to him for his repair towards 30ur maieflie, according to 30ure maiefties plefour and dire6lioun, fygnefeit vnto ws by 30ure maiefties lettre of the fecond of this inftant, and he hes nominat the Laird of Lundy, his bruther,* to haue a cair of the profequution of that feruice till his returne, ■ In a note of the Privy Council Proceedings in the same volume containing this letter, it is stated, " The Laird of Lundie, brother to the Earl of Argyle, being to repair to Court to confer with his brother anent the service of the Clangregour, as he pretendes, he hes nominat the Laird of Laweris to haue the charge of that seruice till his return, and vpoun Laweris acceptatioun of the charge, Lundie is to haue a license for his vp- cuming." There is a Minute of the Council Meetings, dated 8th July 1613, from which it appears, that the Earl of Argyle appeared and freely offered to the King L.23, 10s. out of every hundred pounds of the fines ex- acted from those who had received any of the Clangregour which should come into his hands. It is also stated, " The landislordis of the Clangregour who should have taine the baimis of the Clangregour off the Laird of Laweris hands," had " failzied in that poynt, and thairfore charges are directed againes thame for payment to Lawers of the sowme of tuentie mark out of euerye merk land pertening to thame, and formerly possest by the Clangregour." Latterly, (30th November 1613,) it was resolved, that the landlords should not be called upon to pay any contribution, provided they took the Clangregour bairns. This proposal those present agreed to ; and the conditions ultimately adjusted were, that the children should be distributed amongst them according " to the proportion of their lands," — that they should be bound to keep them, and to make them furthcoming when called for, until they were eighteen years of age, when they should be exhibited to the Privy Council, and their subsequent fate decided upon. If any of these unfortunate creatures should escape from his [ XX ] who hes vndertane the charge, with promiffis to do his indevoir to bring the fame to fome fetled perfeftioun. We haif had findrie conferenceis anent the bairnis of the Clangregour, and hes confultit and advifit heir- vpoun with the landiflordis, whofe aduife and opinioun is, that that firing fall not be tuitcheit, nor no motioun maid thereof, quhill the feruice in handis agains the men be firfl fetled and brought to ane end ; at whiche tyme the executioun of everie futche courfe as falbe then refolued vpoun againis the bairnis may with the leffe difficultie be efFedluat. This is all that hes bene done with him at this meiting. So, with our hairty prayeris vhto God, recommending soure maieftie to Godis devyne pro- tedlioun, we [reft] 3our Maiefties moft humble and obedient fubie6lis and feruitouris, Al. Cancellarius. Alex». Hay. Edinburgh, 18 Sep. 1612. To the King his moft Sacred and Excellent Maieftie. keeper, the resetter to be bound to relieve the landlord of all " pane and danger" he might incur through his flight; and moreover, to be liable to such " arbitrall censure and punishment," as the Council should think fit to inflict. The child so escaping, if under fourteen, to be scourged and burnt on the cheek for the first escape, and hanged for the second : — ^if above fourteen, to be banged at once without further ceremony. The next day a roll was made up and sworn to by Glenurquhy and the other lairds. The landlords were enjoined to keep and present the children under the penalty of two hundred pounds Scots for the child of a chieftain ; one hundred pounds for the child of an under chieftain ; and forty pounds for children of meaner rank. LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ILLDSTRATIVB OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. i.— sir nicholas bacon, lord-keeper, to queen elizabeth.* My moste Gracious Soveraigne, I with all humblenes praye pardon of your maieftie, that I pre- fume by letter to do that which bounden duety and fervice requireth to be done in perfon. O good madam, not wante of a witling harte and mynde, but a vnhable and vnweldy body, is the onely caufe of this ; and yet the body, fuch as it is, every day and hower, is, and ever fhalbe, redy at your maieilies commandement, and fo fhoulde they be, yf I had a thowfand as good as any man hath, my allegeaunce and a number of benefitts hath fo foundery tymes bounde me. The caufes that make me nowe to write to your maieftie be the dan- geroufe and perilous tymes that hath continuewed longe, and do nowe, in my judgement, daylie greately encreafe ; for as the two mightie and po- tent princes, your neighbours, and furely your inwarde enerayes, were the * This letter, from the father of Lord Bacon to Queen Elizabeth, has been preserved by Sir James Balfour, and was probably written not long previous to the death of Sir Nicholas, perhaps in the September preceding. It is a singularly curious and valuable historical document. A 2 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS leffe to be doubted as longe as they had their handis full at home, fo doubteles they prevaile againfte thofe that kepte them occupied, which, as I vnderftand, they greately do, the perillis and dangers to your maiefties flate haften and growe on as greatly. Their willis are redy, onely theis lettis differreth their oportunytie. Nowe, thofe being taken awaye, with what coniun6l force and fury they will execute their will, full of enmytie and revenge, is eafy to be iudged : for feing your maieflie hath had evidente prouffe of their ill difpoficiouns towardis you by their pradlifes, and that in waightie matters, in the mydeft of their troubles, when they were not able to do you any hurte, what then is to be loked for when oportunytie and habilitie ftiall concurre ? Agayne, it is to be doubted that when they fhall begynne to ftirre coles, that there be many, booth at home and abroade, that will put oyle to this fyer, and the rather becaufe of the glorioufe and plaufible prete6le that they pretende to have, to ferve their purpofe. Mofte gracious Soueraigne, I have been fo vnquieted with thofe thingis, when I entered into the confideracion of them, whether of ower muche fearefulnes by nature, or ouer greate ieolofy of your highe eftate, I knowe not, that I coulde not chofe but nowe at the lafte, to vtter to your raaieftie that which I have ofte intended, and yet neuer done, partely by feare, partely by hope, that thingis ftioulde prove better, which I fee dayhe prove worfe and worfe; and yf remedy be not forefeen in tyme, I doubte it will prove very harde to be holpen by any counfell : to myne vnderftanding, and the befte remedy that I can thinke of, be theis, nevertheles fubmytting them with all humblenes to your maiefties mofte grave and wife confideracioun. The firfte remedy is to make Scotland as affured to your maieftie as maye be, for fo befydis the ayde you maye have by them, the greate periU of annoyaunce by Fraunce wilbe remoued ; and the better to vnder- ftand what is befte to be forefeen and provided for both their and your fuertie, me thinketh it beft that fome wife men were fente to conferre with the Regent and his adherentis, by your maieftie, and that fuche coun- fell ftialbe agreed vpon in that conference be fente to your highnesto be confidered of, and by you allowed or amended. Ther refteth nothing OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 3 but to have it carefully executed ; and in the handling of this, greate care woulde be taken that the younge king, who groweth nowe to yeres, be not tranfported, but maye remayne in the governaunce of fuche, as flialbe mofte affured to your maieftie ; and for the better bringing this to paffe, I mofte humblie befeeche your highnes, that fuche and fo many pentions maye be graunted, as maye befte bring it to good effedte. Surely I thinke that euery thowfande poundis that flialbe thus beftowed will fave you a hundred thowfand ; yet it maye be doubted, whether, yf this be vndone, any money wilbe able to beare of the danger. As to the feconde remedy, becaufe the annoyaunce from Spayne is like to growe by the Lowe Countries, I fee no waye fo fure for your maieftie as to kepe the Prince of Orenge in harte and life ; for methinketh his eftate towardis Spayne, and the Regentis towardis Fraunce, ftand both in one predycament, and therefore require booth one cowrfe. The Statis of the Lowe Countries are fo divided, that howe trufte may be re- pofed in them where one trufteth not another, I fee not. marry, yf it mighte be broughte to pafle, by counfaile from hence, that the Duke of Arefcott and the States mighte governe the Countreis according to their liberties, and the Prince to have the rule of their martiall matters, this of alle others were the fureft waye ; otherwife, whileft the States be in dely- beracion, it maye be doubted that their overthrowe maye happen. The thirde remedie is to have your mufters kepte and contynewed, and their certificatis carefully pervfed and wantis fupplied, fo as your cap- taynes, men, municioun, and armour, maye be in a redynes againfte all fouldiouris and fo[reigners ?] Thus, I have troubled your maieftie, I confeffe, longer then perchaunce it nedeth, confidering cheefely your owne vnderftanding and wifedome, and therewith the grave, wife, and carefuU counfaylouris daylie attendaunte abowte you. But, good madam, howe can theis thingis difchardge me of my duetye, judging of theis tymes as I do ? And although I have be- fore this tyme fignified to fome of my Lords, what I have thoughte in your matters of ftate, yet feing nowe the daunger encreafing, I coulde not fa- tiffie my oune harte withoute an advertifment to your felfe, mofte hum- bly prayeing pardon for the lengthe of my letter, my (baking hande being 4 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS fo ill ; and the rather becaufe I meane not to trouble your maieftie ofte withoute your maiefties licence and good favour. Thus wifhing to your highnes all felicitie both of mynde and body, I forbeare any farther to trouble your maieftie at this tyme. From Gorehambury, the xvth of September. Your Maiefties mofte humble fubiefite and fervaunte, ^ Nicholas Bacon.* To the Queenis mofte excellent Maieftie, my mofte gracious Soveraigne. II.—MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE NASSAU AU ROY D'ESCOSSE.f Oct. 6, 1588. Sire, Dautant que voftre maiefte fera affez informee, tant par ce porteur, comme par ce que meffieurs les Eftats de ces pays luy efcriuent, de ce qui concerne le batteau appelle le Phenix et les prifonniers dedans icelluy, ie me remetteray a la relation du di6l porteur et du contenu des didles le6lres. Priant a voftre maiefte trefliumblement de vouloir croire que non feuUement en ce qui peult toucher ledidt affaire, mais en toutes aultres occurrences ou il plaira a voftre maiefte m'honnorer de fes com- * Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord- Keeper of the Great Seal. He was descended of an ancient fa- mily in Suffolk, and born about the year 1510. He was a zealous Protestant, and extremely jea- lous of the succession of the Queen of Scots. Suspected of being concerned in a tract, osten- sibly written by Mr John Hales, Clerk of the Hanaper, in support of the title of the House of Suffolk to the English throne, he fell under the displeasure of Queen Elizabeth, who, in Novem- ber 1564, restrained him from access to court, and intermeddling in any other business than that of chancery. He was preserved in his post of Lord- Keeper by the interest of Secretary Cecil, and retained that office till his demise, at his house near Charing- Cross, called York Place, on the 20th of February 1578-9. He was interred on the 9th day of March following, in the cathedral of St Paul's, where a monument was erected for him, which was destroyed by the fire of London in September 1666. t Balcarras Papers. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 5 mandemens, je ne fauldray de m'employer, felon mon petit pouuoir et credit que je puis auoir en ces pays. Et fur ce, aprez avoir baife les mains trefhumblement a voftre maiefte je prieray Dieu le maintenir, Sire, en fa fainte garde et proteaion. De la Haye, ce vi Oaobre 1588. "" De voftre Maiefte tres humble feruiteur, Maurice de Nassau* Au Roy d'Efcoffe. Indorfed: " 6 06lob. 1588. Duik Moreis to the King of Scotland." Ill — JACQUES VI. A MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE NASSAU. Sept. 19. 1592. Monsieur mon Cousin, Ce gentilhomme porteur de cettecy,f eftant des fa ieuneffe nourry en ma compaignie, a maintenant refolu voir le monde, et fe rendre plus • He was usually termed Count of Nassau, until, by the death of his elder brother, Philip Wil- liam, he became Prince of Orange. He was one of the greatest men of his age, whether con- sidered as a warrior or a statesman. The chief blot upon his character was his ungiateful and cruel treatment of John of Oldenbarneveldt, whose inflexible honesty, and love of his country, formed a formidable obstacle to the Prince's ambitious views. Barneveldt was a patriot in the proper sense of the word, and unlilie many persons pretending to the appellation in modern times, was ready to sacrifice every private advantage for the public good. This illustrious man fell a victim to his virtues, and suffered death at an advanced age. He was condemned 12th May 1619, and executed in the court of the castle at the Hague, where the scaffold was raised opposite the window of the Prince, who " beheld this execution from his window by the help of a prospec- tive ; upon which some people made their reflections." — Lives of the Princes of Orange, translated from the French of Baron Maurier, by Mr Thomas Brown. London, 1693. 8vo. p. 170. t This was probably " Jacobus Balfourius a PitcuUo, liber Baro, Cubicularius noster intimus, et a prima adolescentia, apud nos educatus, nationes exteras inuisere constituens," &c. and who is so described by James VI. in a Latin letter addressed to Philip II. (but apparently never delivered), dated at the palace of Dalkeith, in the month of September 1592. As the descriptions of Balfour, 6 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS capable a me faire feruice digne de fon rang. Son intention donques honnefte et louable merite que ie le recommende a bon efcient a mes plus affeaion6s amis,t.ant pour les vertus que ie cognoisen luy, que pour fon fidelle feruice qu'il ma fait, eftant gentilhomme de ma chambre. Je vous prie partant le vouloir fauorir de voftre courtoifie, pour I'amour de moy, fi dauanture il ait occafion de faire feiour esProuinces Vnies, ou, bien fil ait a paffer par vos quartieres. Vous affeurant que vous my faires plaifir, dont ie men reuencheray a lendroit de ceux quil vous plaira me recommender. Et en cell endroit ie prieray I'Eternel, Monfieur mon coufin, quil vous ait toufiours en fa fainfte et digne garde. De mon Chafteau de Dalketh, ce 19 de Septembre 1592. Voftre bien affe6lionne Coufin, Jaques R. A Monfieur mon Coufin, Monfieur le Conte de Nafl!au, Grand Ad- miral de Prouinces Unies.* IV KING JAMES VI. TO QUEEN ELIZABETH. AvBiL 13, 1594. Right Heigh, Right Excellent, and Mightie Peincesse, Or darreft fifter and couflin. In our maift heartie maner, we re- comend vs vnto you, hauing fo guid occafion offred of employment of and the causes of his visiting foreign parts, so completely agree in both letters — as the period is the same, and as they are both dated from the same place, it is not improbable that the Baron of Pitcullo was the individual introduced to the notice of Prince Maurice. This person afterwards became an Irish Peer by the title of Lord Balfour of Clonawley in the county of Fermanagh, and if we may credit Spottiswood, Bishop of Clogher, in after life, sorely belied the character given him by his royal master. See " Briefe Memorial of the Lyfe and Death of Doctor James Spot- tiswood," from a MS. in the Auchinleck Library. Edinburgh, 1811. 4to. • Balcarras Papers. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 7 fome from vs to deliuer unto you a defyre quhilk ue dout not fal be to your goude lyking and contentment, ue haue made choyfe of our truftie and veilbelouitis James Coluill of Eafter VymeSj* and Mr Eduard Bruc©) Commendator of Kinloffeif amplie inftrudled lykuayes in all fuch materSj as ue haue thought conuenient be them to communicat to you, quhilk tuoching ws fo neir in our honor and vther wayes, ue looke affured- lie that deue refpe6t and confideration being had, we fall at lenth receaue fuch full fatiffa6tioun as in reffoun we may reft contented ; hauing ther- vithall giuen them in charge, to affure you of the performance of fuch poynts as ues delt in be the Lord Zouche, your lait Embafadour vith us, according to our anfuers returned be him ; fo the particulars remitted to ther faithful! deliuerie, quhome it may pleis you crydit firmlie as our felve. Efter our moft earnift vifs of God for the continuance of your lang and profperous range, we leaue you, right heicht, right excellent and mightie Princeffe, to his bleffed and holy protedlioun. Edinbrugh, the xiij of Aprile 1694. J James R. V._KING JAMES VI. TO THE EARL OF ESSEX. Right trustie and wellbelouit Cousin, AUthoch I haue this long tyme forborne the vretting unto you, becaufe of the urong ye receauid their throuch, fuppoife not in my de- fault, but in the default of thaime that uaire emploied betuixt us, yett nou, hauing diredlit thir tuo gentelmen,§ ambaffadouris to the Queue youre fouueraine, vpon uechtie and urgent occafions, importing no leffe • Sir James Colville of Easter Wemys was created Lord Colville of Culross, 25th April 1604. t Afterwards created Lord Kinloss. He died in 1610, aged 62. t Balfour MSS. § James Colville of Easter Wemys and Edward Bruce. 8 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS then the preferuation or breake of the amitie fo long and happilie conti- neuid betuixt the tuo crounis, I uolde not omitt this occafion in fending thefe few lynis unto you, heirby to praye you fauourablie to heare, and according to the freindftiipp I looke for at youre hande, to further thame als farr as in you lyis to. a goode and fpeedie difpatche. I looke, milorde, that a nobleman of the ranke ye are of, uill moue and aflift the Queue vith youre good aduyce, not to fuffer herfelf to be fyled and abufed any longer with fuche as prseferre thair particulaire and unhoneft affec- tions to the Quenis princelie honoure and peax of both the realmes ; but I referr the particulairs of all to the beararis report, quhome I haue comandit to ufe youre aduyce in all thaire proceedings : And thus, richt truftie and uellbelouit coufin, I bidd you hairtelie fairuell. From Edin- burgh the xiij of Apryle 1594. Youre uerie louing freinde, James R.* To our richt truftye and well belouit Coufin, the Earle of Effex. VI.— SIR WILLIAM KEITH TO JAMES VL FEBarAKY 4, 1596. Plese 30UR Maiesti, I cam to this toun of Venice the xiii of Deffember, ftillo novo, quhar, aftir fom few dayis, I had the neius of the hell hes bein on the • From his Majesty's Autograph. Balfour MSS. In Birch's Memoirs of Queen Elizabeth, this letter has been printed " from a copy among the MS. Collections of Dr Patrick Forbes, in the possession of the Honourable Philip Yorke, Esq. ;'' and it is observed, " what answer the earl return'd to the king does not appear." It would rather seem never to have been delivered, but to have beien brought back by the ambassadors, which may account for the original being found amongst the Balfour MSS. Sir James has written upon a copy which he had made of it, " This letter, befor it wes deliuerit to the Earle of Essex he wes execut, and so it wes never deliuerit." A most absurd reason for its non-delivery, as Essex did not suffer till the 25th February 1601. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 9 counfall of ten thir thri 3eirs bygen, and cauft ray brother be him felf fpeik tham all feverally, as having vord from ane Skots gentilman : Bot to be fchort in this, fir, thair vald nain of tham do fo meikill as fpeir his nem, and denyit the knawlage of aiiy mairi [mair?] : he lernit that thair vas ane deid and ane other remaining imbaftor at Roim, that had fom faffons vith ftrangers. Sva, finding that the Devk of Venice at that tyme* is nov deid ; and as I trov the other fennatour gif any vas (3a, albeit he var leifing, thay of ten ar fchengeitt everi fax monethe) fva I focht quher I micht quyatly be aquent vith the principall fecritter, quhilk vithe dificolti I obtained, in refpedl thay remaine in office all thair lyf, and is not thair faffon to fpeik vith any bot poblikly ; 3it he did fo meikill, as I vas brocht in be ane quyat paffage, quhair the Dewk vas vithe the nomber of Sax- tein, to vit the Ten and Sax is callid propirlie the heids of the reft; and becaus I vas to begin of nev, and had nothing to flieav, bot 30ur maiefties inftro6lions quhilk I vald not, I thoght gud to fill ane of the blanks 30ur maieftie fent vith me, vithe fom gennerall vords of ofice to the Deuk and Sennat vithe credit be 30ur hines onto my felf : I and my brother being cecritters, alvay it pleift them verrie veill, and vald hav honorrit me for 30ur maiefties faik as ane imbaftour, bot I ftieu tham I vas not, bot for fecrit handling of 30ur maiefties affairs, vas com to maik my errand for lerning of the langage and other vertevs, as the faf- fon of ftraingers vas : alway they left not of in gret revarrenceing 30ur maieftie ; bot quhan I begane and tald them quhow that ane 3ong Skots gentillman called Balendin brocht fik a meffege onto 30ur maieftie, and fva forthe as 30ur hines direckit me, the Devk and all the counfall mif- kenid it clein, and villit me to fpeik quhat els, bot I held me fva lang at this point as reffon and difcreffion vald. At laft I faid in 30ur maiefties nem, I vas to gif anfuair to thair firft propofficion, quhilk vas 30ur hines thankitt tham of thair gudvill, and cowld be content to be in frainchap vith tham. The Devk anfvarrit and faid it vas verri veill, bot vald I fay any • The Doge Pascal Cicogna. He died in 1595, and was succeeded by Marino Grimani, who en- joyed the Ducal honours till his decease, 26th December 1605. His successor was Leonardo Donato. B 10 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS forder ? The quhilk I thocht not gud to do till I had anfvare in that, and deffyritt of the Deuk and Counfall to haw itt : Being convoyit veri quyatly avay, I vas fend for againe vithin ten dayis, quhar, being com, the Devk faife, that for anfvair thay var meft villing to be in freinfchap vith 30ur maieftie, and 3it focht giff I vald fay any mair ? Nov, I had lerned befor that it vas not meitefl to fpeik derekly of the Kyng of Spain, bot I faid inkece 30ur maieftie var troblit in gour avin contra, or after the Quein of Inglands diffece, be any domeftik or forrene nacion in feiking of 30ur riclit, quhat vald be thair pairt, and quhow vald thay think of.it? The Devks anfvar vas, that thay fovld advyffe and gif ane fik anfvair as God moift tham vithe all. Ovpon the morren I vas defTyrit again, and cavft fit doun amongs tham quhither I vald or not, and put on my hat. The Dewk begovd and faid, ve hav advyft to ■ gif gour King ane anfvair, quhilk ve beleife fall content him, and that 3e may remember the bettir on it, 36 fall heir it red, ains, tvys, or thryfe, quhilk vas doin. Aftir the Devk faid, ve ar veri veill content of 30ur fecritt form vith ovffe, and vill deffyr 30U fet down the fobftance of this vret onto his hines 30ur maiftir, and quhat forder, he vill bid 30U fay in his maiefties nem, now or heir- aftir, it fall be meft luifingly harde and anfvarrit. Thir fpeichis var dely- verrit vithe ane veri gracioufe countinance; sit, I thocht ains to hav faid that all vas veill genarral I hard ; bot, fir, vith your maiefties pardoun, I fand it meiter to vret fhir lynis to be advyflit vithall, and to fend the verrie vords, fo neir as I can, that vas red onto me, faiue only ane- thay fet doun to my advantage, quhilk I think fchem to let be fein, fence all the praife, honour, and veilfair, belongithe to 30ur maieftie, quha never derekit me 3it, I thank God and 3our hines, bot 30ur graces errands 3eid reflbnable veill, as I houp this fall. Sua, fir, the tyme being propir in refpedl of the Kyng of Spains interpryfe apeirandli again Ingland, gif 30ur maieftie pleife, 36 may talk onto 30V fik feu nomber of 30ur coun- fall as 36 think gud, and refolffe quhaj. fardar 3our maieftie vill deill vith this meft vyfiTe and luifing Repoblik, for quhat 30ur hines vill feik of tham vith reflbn, I beleife to obtein it onto 3our maieftie, letting me be authorreift be 30ur maiefties lettirs to the Devk and Sennat all in ane, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 11 and fom blanks vith sour maieflies gret fignet and court fignet, to cloffe them and fill tham as I find occafion.* Now, fir, being quhar papiftri is, I can not vant fom of the dreggis. 3our maieftie hes hard quhat the freirs dois, quhan thay hav pritcht all the day ; bot in gud faithe, fir, I fould never maik this preitching for my felf, gif I could othervaife do. I brocht not faife hundrithe kroons vith me, and my brother baithe, ovt of Londen, as nain knovs bettir nor sour maiefties trew poir fervant, Thomas Fovles : and, fir, my fl:aying fl;ill in Venice on this errand this tva monethe hes bein no fmall maittir onto my poffe ; bot, fir, I haiv caws to think it mair nor veill befl;owit for many reffons, and I hoip in God to do sour maiefl;ie gud and fecrit fervice heir ; only the difpatche sour hines fends, baithe for sour ferveice and my help, let it be foine and fecritt ; for I beleife, and can lerin heir nothing els, but that the Spainsairds falbe in Ingland, or els ewill douing, be the tym I dow heir from sour maieftie. But albeit, fpair not to fend me vord, for I beleife to do sour hines lytill var fervice gif thay var landit in Ing- land, nor quhar thay ar preflently. This ftet luifs tham not, and fua pre- pairs be fi, inkece thay mein for them, albeit in the raein tyrae thay ar in fair terms. If it may pleife sour hines to communicat of this onto Thomas Fovls, I, vithe sour majefties lyflance, vill anfvair for his fecreflli ; and he is verie meit to delyver my lettii-s onto sour hines from tym to tym, and vithe ane vord of sour hines (be him to James Hudfon) ray hell lettirs vill com and gang verie faife. Bifiking sour hines to pardon my baldnes and roid form in vretting fva langfomly, quhilk I vas conftranit to do, that sour hines micht heire my hell procidings, as I vald to God sour maieftie knew my hairt, and vithe quhat deflTyr I do sour fervice, and • These negotiations with the Venetians are amusing enough. James seems to have taken every opportunity of endeavouring to get his right of succession to the crown of England recognised abroad, and so far as promises went, he seems to have been not very scrupulous. It was this laxity of principle, and his dealing with Catholic princes, that gave rise to the belief of his inclination to Popery. James was too fond of exclusive power himself to think of parting with any portion of it to the Pope. Epis- copacy suited him much better where he was head of the church himself. In viewing his political arrangements generally, it is almost impossible not to agree with Lord Hailes, that whatever may have been " his character as a man, or his conduct as a monarch," his "judgment was sound, and his apprehension clear," especially where his own interests were concerned. 12 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS feiks the inkrefment of sour maiefties grettnes, that ane day I affur my felf to fi ; onto the quhilk and ever, I pray God to Wife 30ur hines and all 30ur proceidings. From Venice, the fourt of Fabrowair, ftilo novo, 1596. Your Maiefties faithfuU, humble, and moft obedient fervand, S'. W. Keithe.* The gret gudvill and fauorable intencion that the kyngs maieftie of Skotland hes participattit vithe ovffe be 30ur mediacioun. The anfvair quharof. It falbe onto ovffe moft deffyrrous and villing all the gud lovks of his maieftie inkreffmg in gretnes. And ve fall not fell in ovr pairts for to fchav all favorable correfpondance, as his maieftie fall find in freindfchap and amittie to his hines being fo veill lykitt of be ovffe, acording to the inftitutioun and form of this our Repoblik. Sir, this is the verri fobftance of that vas red onto me, albeit it vas amplifeit vithe many courtas vords in the Ittalliane, quhilk is not thair faffon to gif copis of, nather hav thay any vret of me.f To his Maiefti of Skotland. * Sir William Keith of Ludquliairn, son of Gilbert Keith, by Margaret, daughter of James Gor- don of Lesmoir. He was knighted by James VI., and married Margaret, daughter of William Lord Keith, and sister of George fifth Earl Marischal, by whom he had a son, William, who was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Charles I., by patent to him and his heirs-male whatsoever, dated 28th July 1629. t Balcarras Papers. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 13 VII.— SIR WILLIAM KEITH TO THOMAS FOULIS. I5th August [1596] ? Most luiffing and assurred Freind, I can not bot marwall, 36 haue newer wrettin bot ane lettir, fence I fende 30W myn, to be preffentit till owr deirefl freind, quha I am foir hes not bein the cawffe off fwa lang flay, the porpofTe importting fo meikill onto him, for tym is all in fik mairtchandeis, and may afTur 30W within thir twa monethes, 36 micht haue had fik ane blok as nein of any nation cowld hav the lyk off, mairtchands I mein, bot now the Inglife treid is fo thocht off, as thair is no other talk bot off that, 3et. mair nor the Spainis. I am adwarteifl be Jams Hudfon to be war in my wairs bying, in refpeft thair is fo many Inglife fchaipis at fe ; bot he wretts fo obfkoirlie, that it may be taikin twa wayis, and that he or any leiffing, bot 30ur ffreiud and 30wr felff, can ken off my mairtchandeis be my fait, it is nocht : git wretts he mair that thair is fom lettir interfeptit, wrettin be Scotts JefTowitts, quharin my nem is mencionid, howping to work wonders at my poir hands, bot wretts not quhar the Jeffowitts ar, nor wha inter- feptts the lettir ; bot, as I taik it, Ingland, quha I am afTurit has bein ewer bettir informit off me, nor that I will hawe cheng in my releigion, and any thinge els bot my prievat excerfeifTes I mell not into, and for gowr bloks and freinds off yeir maittirs I howp not to be meikill invoyitt, and gif I wis any did, I fowld do mair nor I hawe doin, git flaying owpon gowr adwarteifment. 3^ wret newer ane word news onto me, nor quhow our Sweithland maiflir is, git I haue bein demandit heir quhat news I haid from Scotland, and quhan 1 heird from it ? Confider ge thein giff I haw cawfTe to find fait with gour flewthful onkyndnes. Farder, fom of mv aquentance fpeirrit giff his maieflie of Scotland heid fend any men and fchaipis with this fieit off Ingland agains Spaine ? I faid I beleift nocht, nor wald nocht, onles the kyng off Spaine parfewid Ingland, at quhilk tym thay heir micht parfchance knaw, that owr maiflir's forfe was mair nor fom giffs owt. Thir ar ane wyfe peipill, and wil be leithe the kyng off Spaine 14 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS talks thaim for enemies ; and thinks tham fober freinds that diflyks tham, fwa sit quhat they ar and quhom thay luifF is knawin albeit nocht to many, and in fik fort as thay may deny it quhan thay will. Leiffing this por- pofe, that I wat not quhow I begane it, faue in finding fat with 30wr on- kyndnes, I man tell 30W, that I am indet for 30wr wairs ane thowfand crowns, and hes newer firll nor laft had ane pennie from 30W nor 30wr freinds, quhom I wreit not, feing I med the blok with 30W : mend this fait with fpeid, for 36 know what it is for ane sung raairtchand to tyn his credit at fourft. And sit I haue doin for ane moneth in to com, and af- furs my felf the forfaid fom is be the way, knawing the honed mynd off 30wr freind, I will not fay sowrfelf : bot this far, giff 36 twa do this sour dewty to me, for all is wrettin onto me, or can be doin in my contrair, I fall put faire wairs in sowr hands and sowr freind's, with God's graic. I fay this, wind and wader ferwing that all be not loft be the way or flewthe of tyme. ^e haue doin me ane ewill torrin, hes haldin me fwa lang from feing the reft off this gairding off the wordle ; and langer nor the end of September I cannot ftay : and giff word poffiblei corns not from sow or them, I fall tak fik ordor with sour torns and my credit as I may, till my bak coming, quhilk, God willing, fall not be lang, gif the Pep maik me not cardinell, for my deep dewocion and fervic. Parhapis the Jefllwvitts howpis to moife me and him ; thus thinking this fowficiant for ane man of sowr fpreit, I praye 30W commend my feirveice to tham I awcht, and to others as 3e think gud ; bot let als few weit off my wretting onto sow, as se can inteffipet. I am fweir to offir my fair hand wret to ewerrie ane, and my ftowdis dyttment quhilk I recomend beithe ane and other as ara- tiks, Gif it pleis God we meit, I fall gar 30W trow of the quhilk, God I pray preferwe sow. From Padoua, the 15th of Agowft ftilo novo. 3owr meft conftand and afurid freind to be employit, S«. W. Keithe.* ■ * Balcarras Papers. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 15 I pray 30W, taik gud tent that this 30wr lettir be not openit be the way. To my worthie luifBng freind Thomas Fowlls, borgefs in Edinburghe, and jewaller onto the King's Maieftie off Scotland. [There was enclofed in this letter, on a flip of paper, the following ad- ditional communication to Mr Thomas Fowlis.] Thair coms ane lettir amongs my other onto 30wr brother, hot ken nothing to him new. Taik ane gud hairtt quhat ewer cawfe 30 have, and I fall maik 30W help heir, gif his maieftie fend me moyane to bye in tym, for that is all. And the King of Spains forces again Ingland, I feir, and 30 hefl nocht, foin falbe : bot I fall make his maieftie the gretter of it heir, for thay luif him not. I wald 3e fawe my letter wrettin onto his ma- ieftie, and ye man fi it, for neift God and the king I thank 30W. Pance nocht on geir to do 30W ewill, for 3e knaw quhat cawfe I have, bot my cair is on God ; caft 30W thair, and 30wr honeft form fall ewer confort 30W. Heft word and my difcharge to me, bot I will not wret onto 30W in this other gret pakket, becaufe thay ar beithe off ane dett, and this tikett I wrot that thir lettirs fall not heir bowk ; 36 man be chamles at his ma- iefties hands for fikreife onto me ; fence it is his weil mair nor myn in the end, and I may fay, I have doin his hines ferweifs, and my lying heir hes bein no fmall maittir onto me, and maiking moyan for this torrin. Fell not to fchew his maieftie that the Italliane he was fo gud onto, at my deffyrs, is heir, and werrie gret with the gret Dewk of Florrence, and offers to cawfe the dewk fend for me. His majeftie kens he is the Kyug of Spanis onfriend quyatlie, and luifs our kyng. Gif his hines will, I fall fpeik him, and giff him fom words of offere on my awin heid, bot not from his hines, till he fend me word in this ; for in my oppinion his maieftie fall have neid off freinds and money both, or he get Ingland, and this dewk hes bethe, and is in lig with this repoblick, at left in gret amittie. I clofle his maiefties lettir, fwa that giff he taik not ane knyff 16 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS and cott it owt, it will ryff ; likewais I have cloifTit it roidlei, that it be not brokin owt or kend, fua exquiffe my roidnes lowrd fait* in this, and rid this other fyd well. I am affraid for James Hudfon, thairfor talk gud tent in the opining the lettirs. VIII.— EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VI. It may pleass 30UR Maiestie, That althocht it has pleafit God fa to difpoifs of my effaris, as that fince I profeffit the Catholik religioune, I haif remanit for the maift pairt in gryt trwbles, hot maift fpeciallie thir thrie or four seris laft by- gane, in extrem and daylie danger of my lyf, befyd all my vther irreco- werable loiffis : 3^* being affuredly perfuadit in my felf, that sour maief- tie hes fufficiently confiderit (and that according to the treuth, as God is my vitnefs), that thir my lait and gryttaft extremeties haif procedit onlie vpon that ouer gryt feruor and onneceffar rigor of the miniftrie (qua, difdainfullie reiedling all reafonable conditiouns, will force mennis con- fciencis, nocht as 3it perfuadit, till imbrace thair opiniouns in matteris of rehgioune), and nocht of any intentioune in me till offend againft 30ur hienefs perfoune or eftait. I am, thairfoir, the mair bauld heirby till re- grait and lament my hard eftait, as I haif euer doone be fie midfes as I mycht vntoe 30ur maieftie, quhairin as it pleafours God till permit my for- toune daylie till becura mair frauart, fa I hoip to find 30ur hienefs the mair gratious and freindlie. My hardeft hap and grytteft greif, as God knauis, hes euer bein that being debarrit of 30ur maiefties prefence, till maik my awin pairt guid and knawin to 30ur hienes, all my lincer and vprycbt intentiouns haif bein finiftrouflie exponit and forcit till a(5liouns for defence of my awin lyf and eftait, in opin ftiame on my pairt, offenfiu to 30ur maieftie, God being my judg, and my confcience bering me re- cord, that it neuer enterit in my mynd, famekle as to be of thocht, will- inglie till offend 30ur hienefs ; and I hop my behauiour in this, my hard * Awkward or clumsy mistake. 0. Fr. lourdefaute. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 17 banifhraent, quhairof sour raaiefte cannot be ignorant, hes giuin fufS- cient teftimonie of my deutifuU and fincer afFedlioune to 30ur hienefs fer- uice, as he, quha, as he hes the honor to be fa neir of 30ur maiefties blood, fa his grytteft defyr and contentment hes bein, and is, to fpend his lyf for 30ur hienefs, and the preferuatioune of his auin natiue cuntrie, without regaird of perfouns or perrell quhatfumeuer, .my deutie to God in my confcience onUe referuit ; vther nor quhilk, 30ur maieflie felf and all Scotland knawis, I neuer did craif. And albeit my prefent miffor- toune fall, I dout nocht, gif gryt contentment and mair pouar to my on- deferuit enemies till feik my vtter rwin, ^\t my refolutioune till returne in Scotland, being for the erneft defyr I haid (and that nocht without guid grund) to doe 30ur maieflie feruice, as the end fall pruif in effedl, I hop my attempt in that falbe the lefs offenfiue to 30ur hinefs, althocht I haif nocht as sit that I knau of, obtenit 30ur maiefties licence for my warrand ; and thairfoir, that I mycht returne the mair quietlie, and with lefs fufpitioune, I interpryfit this way, of mynd till haif paffit be Holland, hot befoir I could cum thair, being trappit be mair diligent ferce nor I luikit for, I wes brocht heir, and at laft, being tryit quha I ues, am nou detenit till 30ur maieftie be aduertiffit and refolue hou to difpofs of me :* Quhairin I befeik 30ur hinefs to talk fie order, as may beft aggrie with 30ur maiefties awin honor and my feurtie, vntil the tym I be brocht to quhat pairt of Scotland fall lyk 30ur hienefs, quhair quhenfoeuer it may pleafe God I arryue, I am nocht to plead with 30ur maieftie for my juft defence (albeit I lak nocht guid argument), hot onlie till feu to 3pur hie- nefs clemencie and fauor, for my faif-gaird againft the violence and malice of my enemies, being maift affurit that bayth natur be blood, and princelie courag, fall talk mair place, and voork gryttar efFe6lis in 30ur hienefs hert, for my feurtie and preferuatione, quhilk in end will seild 30ur maieftie gryttar honor and contentment, nor the fatiffa6lioune of my * Lord Errol and the other Popish peers, Angus and Huntly, not finding themselves comfortable in foreign parts, resolved to return to Scotland, and used all means to reconcile themselves to the King and the Church. Errol, while passing through the Low Counfries, was intercepted and de- livered into the hands of Mr Robert Danielston, Conservator at Campvere. This letter appears to have been written to the King in consequence of this seizure. The Earl contrived, however, to escape, and shortly thereafter arrived safely in Scotland. C 18 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS enemies, be my vrak (quha am alredie fa far vrakit) can breid 30ur hienefs commoditie or pleafeur, fpeciallie being to sour raaieftie that I am. Nather fall I euer craif at God or 30ur hienefs gryttar graice or fauor in this uarld, nor I carie and euer did a faythfuU hert to sour raaiefties feruice, and a feruent defyr to fpend my lyf for the fame, quherfoeuer guid occafioune haid bein or may be ofFerit. And thairwith ceffing to virie 30ur hienefs uith farthar purpofs heirin, bot committing my felf and the cair of my hale eftait to God and 30ur maiefties guid confideratioune, and langing till haif the honor to fie 30ur hienefs felf, houfoeuer raatteris fucceid thairefter, in maift humillie kiffing 30ur maiefties handis, and befeking God till grant 30ur hienefs als guid fucces in all 30ur guid and uerteoufs defyris, as I wiftie, I talk leif. Middlebruche, the firft day of Julij 1596. 5our Maiefties euer maift faythfuU, luiffing, and obedient fubie6t and feruitur, to his laft breath, Eeroll.* IX — JACOBUS SEXTUS, MAGNIFICIS ET NOBILIBUS ZELANDIiE ORDINIBUS. 1596. Jacobus Dei gratia Rex Scotorum magnificis et nobilibus Zelandiae ordinibus compatribus fuis amiciffimis, falu- tem et perpetuum felicitatis incrementum. Nobiles et magnifici domini, amici et compatres nobis fincere diledli, cum ex veftris Uteris intellexerimus, Francifcum quondam Arrolice comitem, unum ex perduellium noftrorum numero, cum clandefti- num in regnum noftrura reditum pararet, imperio veftro captum ac de- tentum efle, ac Roberto Danielftoun priuilegiorum noftrorum conferuatori in cuftodiam datum, donee de animi noftri voluntate certiora afferri pof- • Balcarras Papers. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 19 fent, in toto hoc negotio conflantem veflrae erga nos (ut compatres ami- ciffimos decet), beneuolentise tenorem manifefliffime perfpexiraus, magno- que noftro et regni noftri commodo id confilii a vobis captum effe inge- nue profitemur, illius enim ceterorumque profcriptorum inopinatus in pa- triam reditus, periculofum aliquem tumultura excitare potuiffet. Quocirca maximas veftris magciis et meritas gratias habemus, relaturi cum amicif- fimse noftrae erga vos voluntatis teflandse, par fe occafio obtulerit, quod certiffime a nobis expedletis, atque etiam ut pro veftro amicitise jure cum oportunum fuerit, flagitetis, etiam atque etiam rogamus. Quid autem de Francifco illo profcripto confilii ceperimus, id vobis impartiri voluimus, eum fcilicet noftrarum rerum ftatum effe, vt quauis cautione adhibita, eum in patriam redire, nee f eligioni, nee nobis aut regno, nee vobis ami- cis nunc expediat. Idcirco eum in cuftodia detineri volumus, donee fpon- foribus hie prseftitis caueat (multos enim et potentes affines et confangui- neos habet) fe neque in regnum noftrum fine licentia et commeatu noftro, prius impetrato, rediturum, neque interea quicquam, quod vel religioni, vel communi noftro amicorumque et confederatorum noftrorum ftatui detrimento effe poffet, moliturum, praefertim autem nulla cum Hifpano confilia communicaturum, fub poena magnse fummse pecuniarise, aliifque poenis quae legibus noftris confentanese funt, qua fideiuffione hie prius prseftita, tum eum dimitti volumus, vt vbilibet priuata fua negotia pro- curet, eo jure quo ante captiuitatem proximam potuerat : hoc vobis vt vi- ris amiciffimis fignificandum duximus. Quae porro ad hoc negotium per- tinent Adkiano Damman mag"'' veftris per eum referenda expofui- mus, qui fingulari fide, diligeutia et integritate hie verfatus eft, adeo vt non minus quam noftratum aliquis nobis acceptus fit, ei vt coramiffa referenti fidem, aurefque benignas praebeatis, rogamus. Interea Deum optimum maximum precamur, vt vos et diutiffime incolumes et in flo- renti rerum ftatu conferuet.* \Indorfed.'\ Copie of the Kings letter to the eftaits of ^eland, anent the taking of the Erie of Arrol. 1596. • Balcarras Papers, 20 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS X.— JACOBUS SEXTUS DILECTO FAMILIARI SUO GULIELMO KEITH. Nov. 1596. Jacobus Dei gratia Scotorum Rex diledlo familiari fuo Gu- lielmo Keyth hsec mandata, fereniffimo Venetiarum Duci ejufque potentiffimse ciuitatis fenatui prudentiffimo exponenda, commifit. Primum nemini mirum videri debere oftendes, quod nos confilia cum ea republica communicare, foedufque et amicitiam inftituere cupimus, a qua longiflima terrarum et maris intercapedine diffiti, ne vel mercatorum quidem commercia habeamus : cum a formidabili Hifpaniarum regis vi- cinitate et potentia metus vtrique noftrum communis fit, periculum vero eorum reipublicse inde imminens eos quidem tanquam eius regis regiis dominiifque vicinos, et olim bello ab eius maioribus vexatos, probe intel- ligere et fumma prudentia prseuenturos confidimus. Nobis vero quantum a tam potentis Regis vicinitate periculi immineat manifeftum eft, cum Angliam haereditario jure poft mortem fereniffimae Reginse Elizabethae nobis debitam, idem Rex vt a pontifice diris deuotam et prsedse expofitam belli jure vindicare intendat: certum autem eft, om- nes Anglise Reges armis et glorise deditos, Scotise quoque vt eiufdem in- fulse partis exiguae imperium affedlauiffe, quanto minus tam potens Rex qui fimul femelque Galliam, Germaniam, Inferiorem Angliaraque occu- pare nititur, nos vicinos patietur, ac non potius, vt Ferdinandus eius pro- auus Nauarrum regem iniuria maxima regna exturbauit, ita nos quo- que pretextu aliquo (forte religionis, et a pontifice excommunicari ■ et regno priuari procurabit) atque eo magis, quod ad Angliae regnum indu- bitatum jus habeamus : cum certo fibi perfuadere poflit, faluis nobis noftra- que ftirpe, nunquam illi Anglise pofleflionem quietam fore, quamuis earn vt fpe jarapridem deuorauit, ita re ipfa armis vique femel occupauiflJet. Hoc quoque tibi oftendendum eft, didlum Hifpaniarum Regem primum OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 21 regnum noftrum inuadere decreuiffe vt aditu facilius et exponendis copiis magis commodum, et ad comparandos. commeatus, reficiendos milites, conducenda precipue leuioris arma curse equitum auxilia, propter fubdi- torum noftrorum fa6liones et de religione controuerfias, denique ad totum bellum Anglicum propter vicinitatem valde opportunum. Totaraque huius belli feriem exulum noftrorum confilio compofitam effe, idque ex Uteris ducis Seffae, qui legatus Romse refidet, ad fuum Regem miflis, et in itinera per Maffilienfium triremes interceptis patere, quarum exemplum ad nos per Chriftianiffimum Gallise Regem tranfmiffum, ad te mifimus, dicto fereniffimo duci et fenatui communicandum. His accedit profcriptorum et exulum noftrorum comitum fcilicet Hunt- lese et Errolise in regnum noftrum fine noftra licentia reditus, vnde tumul- tus orientes vix compefcere poffumus, quod ab Hifpano illis pecuniam adminiftrari et auxilia militum breui fecutura et Anglise Regna et omnes fere fubditi noftri certo fibi perfuadeant, nam et ob confilia cum Hifpano de regni noftri inuafione communicata a nobis abhinc triennium profcripti et arcibus euerfis bonifque confifcatis e regno pulfi fuerunt, vt eos et de- nuo confilia cum Hifpano communicaffe et eius ope fretos in regnum nu- per rediiffe verifimile fit. Cum igitur a tam potente aduerfario periculum imminens habeamus, cum, di6la potentiflima republica fcedus et amicitiam inire, fi ita ferenif- fimo duci et prudentiflimo fenatui vifum fuerit, neceflarium putamus, quod vt enixe petas, tibi fpecialiter mandamus, poteftatemque noftram de ea re confultandi, tradlandi, et concludendi commifimus, prorait- tentes in verbo principis nos ratum gratumque habituros, quicquid ad di6lum fcedus pertinens cum di6lo fereniffimo duce et prudentiffimo fe- natu concluferis. Ad milites vero conducendos, et bellum jam fere in- ceptum propulfandum [pecuniam mutuo accipere, et] amicorum prsefidium implorare, et pecuniam mutuo accipere neceflarium duximus, et quamuis di6lam potentiffimam rempublicam viciflim remunerari et eis neceflario ali- quo tempore prsefidium aliquod aiferre in poteftate noftra fitum non videa- tur, hoc tamen fereniffimo duci et fenatui confiderandum expones prsefen- tem illis vtilitatem ex regni noftri totiufque Britanniae prseferuatione fore, 22 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS quod futurse alioqui tanti Regis potentise, qui proculdubio aliquando et illis quoque inimicus futurus eft, impedimentum aliquod afFeretur. Reputent qua faraa et totius Europae terras Caletum in adfpe6lu Bri- tannise fitum hoc anno expugnauerit, et quanta moles eius magnitudini accederet, fi regnum noftrum vt nouum ad Angliam expugnandam adi- tum vicinis Europeis omnibus dormitantibus et de fuo periculo fecuris, occupare poffet. Si autem (quod indubitatum noftrum jus noftris amicorumque viribus propugnandum promittit) Anglise imperio potiri nobis aliquando (poft mortem fcilicet reginse) contigerit, turn non folum ex mercaturse com- merciis magna didlae reipublicae vtilitas ex regno noftro accedet : fed etiam quamcunque nobis hoc tam neceflario tempore, pecuniae fummam mutuo dederint, fumma fide perfoluemus, et Temper grato animo eius rei- publicae amorem et in nos beneuolentiam profequemur. Interea didlum fereniffimum ducem fenatumque orabis, vt fi quid in nobis eft quod ad eorum reipublicae decus honorem aut emolumentum facere poteft, id totum a nobis expedient, gratiflimumque nobis futurura judicabis, fi pro amicitiae jure id nobis fignificent, certo fibi fpondentes nos illis amiciflimos et ad orane amoris officium paratiffimos futuros.* XI.—JACOBUS DEI GRATIA REX SCOTORUM SERENISSIMO PRINCIPI VENETIARIUM DUCI SALUTEM.* MisiMUS ad ciuitatem veftram, generofum Gulielmum Keyth, unum ex familiaribus noftris, vt ciuitati veftrae qusedam noftro nomine exponeret. Illi vero ciuitatem veftram aures benignas praebuifle intelleximus, quo nomine fummas ciuitati veftrae gratias habemus. Plura autem eidem mandata ciuitati veftrae communicanda dedimus. Quocirca ciuita- tem veftram oramus, vt pro folita veftra humanitate, illi aures attentas prsebere et eam fidem habere oramus velit, quam nobis ipfis, fi praefentes eflemus, habitura eflet. Non dubitamus autem quin quod nobis vtile • From the original drafts preserved amongst the Balcarras Papers. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 23 eft, id quoque inclitse veftrse Reipublicse honori et emolumento cedet. Vale, fereniffime princeps, Deufque ciuitatem veftram quam diutiffime rebus fecundis affluentem conferuet. Datse e Regia nollra Sancruciana, Novemb. 15 p. 118. * George sixth Earl, .and first Marquis of Huntly, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 61 till sour moft michtie maieftie fattill the Union, and fum richt reuU unto thaeme, or than I wilbe forfit to us my licens, and my felf, uyf and familie to leiue the contrey, quhilk I will do, befor I be offenfiue unto 30ur moft michtie maieftie in onie point ; befeiking 3our moft excellent maieftie to put me to fum folid ftand, that I may be quit of thair cummer; for gif sour moft michtie maieftie friis me not from thair jurifdidlion, I man quit the contrey, rather nor be daylie trublit as I am prefentlie. I onderftand alfua, be ane lettre quhilk I haue refauit from my lord of Bamirrinou, that 30ur moft excellent maieftie uas sit fumquhat commuuit againis me for my proceidings in Perth, the tyme of the Parlement.* I uill proteft befor God, that I did nathing thair, that I thocht fuld haue beine offenfiue unto sour moft michtie maieftie, aluayis gif sour moft excellent maieftie thinkis that I haue offendit in onie fort, I will maift humblie amend the fame, fua far as my fimple pouar may extend; for fen I haue euer efteimit my greteft uordlie felicitie, to depend upon sour moft michtie maieftis fauour and gud continains, God forbid that I fuld los it be my auin doing, quhilk neuer falbe uillinglie; and gif sour moft ex- cellent maieftie thinkis that I haue raclellie failit, I will maift humblie and uillinglie mend. Heirfor, I uill befeik sour moft michtie maieftie to us me as ane, quha, in all humilitie, is halelie difpofit neuer to be ane contradi6lour, bot altogidder ane follouar of sour moft excellent maieftis uill, as I haue euer beine heirtofor, and remits me halelie to sour moft michtie maieftis auin uifdom and memorie, to judge me quhat I haue beine. And gif it will pleis sour moft excellent maieftie to grant me that fauour, as I may haue the honour to kis sour moft michtie maieftis hand, I uill think myfelf the mair happie, not for onie fuit I haue to im- pech sour moft excellent maieftie uith, bot onlie to haue it feine, that I haue not lofit sour moft michtie maieftis fauour and good continans, quhilk I will euer prefer to all uthir benefit : Sua, craiuing humbill pardon for my lang lettre, and expedling sour moft excellent maieftis uill and anfuer, efter the kiffing maift humblie of sour moft michtie maieftis hand, I uill tak my leiue, praying the eternall God to preferue sour moft • See preceding letter from the Earl of Angus to the King. 62 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS excellent, moft inichtie, and imperiall maieftie, in lang lyfe and maift profperous renge. 3our moft excellent and michtie Maieftis humble fubie6t, and moft afFedtionat feruitour to the deith, HuNTLYE. Huntlye, this 20 of Nouember. To his moft excellent, moft michtie, and imperiall Maieftie, King of Great Brit- taine, France, and Irlande. [^IndorfedJl Erie Huntley. 10 December 1604. XXXII.— THE EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. Moist Gratious and Excellent Maiestie, Althocht the parting frome my natiue foyll, frome my eftait, hous, and familie, bot moir than all of thame, the want of 30ur maiefteis gratious prefence, be unto me ane juft caus of exceiding greiff and for- row, 3it the teftimonie of ane guid confcience in all dewtie towards 30ur maieftie, and my innocencie of ony capitall cryme, ar confortis to me, that this 30ur maiefteis commandiment is nocht fo muche of ony juft conceiuit malice at my perfone, as of intendit chafteifment for my converfioun to the religioun prefentlie eftableifit, quhairof 30ur maieftie may be eafilie perfuadit, I wald moft glaidlie condifcend unto for findrie refpedtis lang to wryte, gif I culd have thairto ony warrant of confcience. Bot this being improper to this prefent fubiedl I omit the fame, and haue refoluit nocht onlye in this poynt, bot in quhatfumeuer ells 30ur maieftie will com- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 63 mand with the hazard of lyfFe (my confcience being excepit) to undergo all perell may geue 30ur maieftie contentment and juft tryal of my obe- dience. And quhairas I vnderftand of sour maiefties plefour for Haying of my fecund fone,* now in Spaine, with me, the boy being fubie6t to( ane uniuerfall gute, and I being counfellit be phifitians to fend him to the baidlhis in Loren, I will humlie entreate 30ur maiefteis gratious fauor that he may go with me for recouerie of his health, and I will heirby pro- meis, upone the leift fignificatioun of 30ur maiefteis guid plefor, to returne him bak to be difpofit upoune as 30ur maieftie thinks moift ffite. Sir, howfoever my religioun be the cans of my exyle frome 30ur maiefteis pre- fence, 3it fo far haue I bene heirtofoir, and ever wilbe, frome geving any pairt of 30ur maiefteis foueraintie to the pope, as I hald my felf juftlie bound in confcience to mantene the authoritie thairof agains quhatfum- ever commandimentis he can or may give out in the contrair ; and in tef- timonie heirof, I have gevin my aith of allegeance, quhilk I vnderftand to be fcairflie allowit of fum of the preceifer fort and vrgeris of this hard cours agains me, and it will try that, gif thai war burdenit thairof, that thai wald ather maik ane dire6l denyell, or than maik fie conftrudlions thairof as will nocht ftand with 30ur maiefteis lyking. So, rewifing I have atteint the favour that this letter may twich that princelie hand I wes fo defyr- ous to kifs, I moift humlie talk my leiff, praying God to give 30ur ma- ieftie lang and profperous reigne, intending to leiff and die 3our Maifteis moift humill and faithful! fubiedl, Erll of Anguss. To his facride and moift gracious Maieftie.t • According to Wood's edition of Douglas's Peerage, this second son was James afterwards Lord Mordington. The same writer calls the Earl's second daughter Margaret ; but in the monu- mental inscription, alluded to in the note, p. 60, she is called Elizabeth. ■f There is no date to this letter. From the want of internal evidence to fix the period when it was written, it was not deemed expedient to alter Sir James Balfour's arrangement, farther than to place it at the end of the letters for 1604. 64 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS XXXIII THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VL Plese it 30UB Sacred Maiestie, At a meitting of the counfall vpoun the lafl of Januar, we had befoir ws the Marques of Huntley, and the minifters of the prefbiterie of Aberdene, anent the proces of excommunicatioun, inteiidit be thame againis him, quhairin, efter a litle conteftatioun, thay ar be mutuall con- fent drawin to fome conformitie for the prefentt: 3it becaus at this prefentt dyett, that raattir could not reffaue a final! determinatioun, we haue continewit the fame to the firft of May nixttocome, to the effedl, that in this meanetyme, gour maieftie may be acquentit, alfueill be the marques himfelf as be the faid prefbiterie, of euery particular circum- ftance in that turne. And feing the faid marques is myndet fchortlie to repair to sour maieftie, quha, we doubt not, will mak a relatioun to 3our maieftie of all that hes procedit in this mater, we will lykwayis in all reuerence,fubmiffioun, and humilitiejrequeift gour faered maieftie to grant accefs and audience to fie of the faid prefbiterie, as falbe fufficientlie in- ftru6led and authorifed from thair brethrene, quhairthrow, eftir hering of baith pairteis, 30ur maieftie may be the better refolued thairrn, and ac- cordinglie gifgour dire6lioun to ws, quhilk falbe profequuted and followed oute. And fua, in all reuerence, fubmiflSoun, and humilitie, kifling sour faered handis, we pray God to grant vnto 50m faered maieftie a long, happy, and profperous regne. Frome sour maiefteis burgh of Edinburgh, the firft of Februar 1605. 3our Maiefteis maift humble and obedient fubiedls and feruitours, Neubottle. Quhittinghame. Halyruidhous. R. Cokburne. Tbakquaib. Jo. Prestoun. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 65 XXXIV LORD BALMERINO TO KING JAMES VI. Pleas 30UB most Sacred Maiestie, The eftats of this sour maiefteis realme, affembled the 6 of Junij, with great frequencie of nobilmen, prelats, commiffionars of fmall barrories and burrowis, in fik nombre as the danger of the plague, quhilk was in all the cuntrey about, was no impediment, but th' affemblie was more frequent, nor 30ur maieftie has feen many parliaments, of quhome al- thochtmany had thair awin particuler difcontentements,3it thair reuerence to 30ur maiefteis au6loritie was fik, as no apperance of any difturbance was utterit in all thair metingis. S^""" maiefteis lettre was firft red, con- teyning both the commandement of the meting, and diredlioun of the materis to be entreated, wherewith all men was fo weill pleafed, as after thay had caufed reid the fame over and over agane, the maift of tham behoved to haif doubillis of it for thair bettir fatiffa6lioun, remembering with no litill erniftnes thair moft humble thankis to 30ur facred maieftie, and moft harty wifties for 30ur maiefteis long and profperous raigne. Relatioun was thaireftir very gravelie and eloquently made by the chancellor of all the commiffionars proceedingis during the treatie, and fatiffa6lioun gevin to every man quho had any fcrupule. Sum litel in- ftance was made by fum of the moft curious for publicatioun, and copeis of the principall, quhilk was refufed. In all the report, the chancellor omitted not 30ur maiefteis moft loving and princelie cair of this 30ur poore cuntrey, quhilk gave no litil confort to all the affiftants, in fik fort as many quho came thair exafperated upon calumneis and mifreports befoir, departed in end weill fatiffyed. Divers thinges war motioned concerning the eftate of the cuntrey, but generallie this ground was held by the maift part, that a conventioun might not medle with any thing that appearit to derogat, till ane a6l of parliament, or wherof, the eftabliffing requyred the authoritie of a par- liament : fua all materis of moment was remitted to the next feffioun of the parliament, to begin the 26 of November approching. The names of fik as war prefent, with the materis that war agreit unto, ar heirwith fent to be confidderit of by 30ur maieftie. 66 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS Thefe of the counfall, biflioppis, and commiffionaris, as sour maieftie hes committed the bilhoppis erands unto, ar to meitt the morne to re- folve anent the nixt conventioun, and the names of thame that falbe wretin for. Tuyfday the ii. of this inflant is appoynted for voyding this proces betuix the Marquis of Huntly and Mr Johne Forbes, and ending the agreance betuix the Lord Maxwell and Johnftoun. If it pleas God in his mercy, that we may be frie of the plague, we hoop that nather in the adminiftration, nor executioun of juftice, nor in the hole cours of the pohcie of the cuntrey, sour maieftie fall heir any thing, but that wherwith 30ur maieftie falbe weill pleafed ; and if it fall pleas 30ur maieftie to performe that royall promeis, quhilk 30ur maiefteis loving fubie6ls heir of all rankis erniftly wifties, and afliiredlie lookis for, to honour and felicitate this 30ur native kingdome with 30ur princelie pre- fens, that 30ur maieftie fall find the Bordouris, Hilands and Yles, in fik a frame of peax and poUcie, the reft of the cuntrey in that wealth and ftedfaft obedience, that in mannis opinioun evir could have beene ex- pedled. Thefe ar the fruits of 30ur maiefteis heroique labouris, quhill 30ur maieftie was amangis us, daily encrefling by 30ur maiefteis grave and wyis commandements; wherin our greiteft reioyfing is, that we hoop afluredlie 30ur maieftie will not difdane to lie with 30ur facred eyis this new face of 3our ancienne kingdome, ftryving in vertuous emulatioun with any natioun quhatfoevir. Thus humblie craving 30ur maiefteis pardon for iny prefuraptioun, I end with my continuell prayeris for 30ur facred maiefteis eternell felicitie. From 30ur maiefteis Pallice of Halyruidhous, in fum mefour renewit as the reft of the cuntrey, this 9 of Junij 1605. 3our Maiefteis moft humble and obedient fervant, J, Balmerinoch.* * Sir James Elphinstone, third son of Robert Lord Elphinstone, was created by James Lord Balmerinoch. He was particularly favoured by his majesty, from whom, according to Scotstarvet, " he craved the reversion of Secretary Cecil's place, at the King's coming to the crown ef Eng- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 67 XXXV.—LORD FYVIE TO KING JAMES VI. Maist Gracious and Sacred Soueraine, Being arrivit heir within this twa dayis, I could nocht hot think it requifit, and alwayis my dewtie, to gif 30ur facred maieftie fuira ac- coumpt off the eftait off this 30ur ancient kingdome, and 3it becaufe I onderftand and knawis the fame, is maift paifytUe and exa6lUe writtin unto 30ur hienefs be my Lord Balraerinoch 30ur fecretair, Hke as I haue alfo writtin all the fpeciall particulars to my Lord Barwike,* to be declarit unto 30ur facred maieftie : Fearing I fould trubill 30ur hienefs with doubill re- petitioun off fafliious and tedious puirpoifs, I will tak the bauldnefs for the maift pairt, to raport me to my Lord off Balmerinochis lettirs, and to my Lord of Barwikis informatioun to 30ur gracious hienefs, off fik as I haue writtin to him. I haue found the counfall and feffioun fittand in this toun, and the eftait off the toun (thanks to God) rafonabill, guid, and free off fiknefs or contagion, albeit nocht without fuim remainis off fufpicioun, and fuim leitill new infe6lions fpreiding about, quhilk be Godis grace and magiftratis diligence I hoipe fall be helpit. The morne is the day apointit for creatioun off the earlis be 30ur maiefties land, which was the beginning of his overthrow; for the said Secretary Cecil wrought so, that having procured a letter which had come from King James, wherein he promised all kindness to the Roman See and Pope if his holiness would assist him to attain to the crown of England. — \ This letter the said Secretary Cecil showed in the King's presence, in the Council of England ; ■whereupon King James, fearing to displease the English nation, behoved to disclaim the penning of this letter, and lay the blame thereof on his Secretary, whom, a little before that, he had made Lord Balmerino,'' p. 59. His Lordship confessed that he had transmitted the letter without his majesty's knowledge- He was sent to Scotland, brought to trial, and condemned to lose his head. The sentence was, however, not carried into execution ; for, as the scandalous chronicler before quoted informs us, " he got liberty to go to his own house of Balmerino, where, being a widower, he got an amatorious potion of cantharides from a maid in his house called Young (thereafter wife to Dr Honeyman), of which he died," in anno 1612..<-iStaggering State, p. 61. • George Home (subsequent Earl of Dunbar), created by James VI. Lord Home of Berwick, 7th July 1604. 68 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ordonance, thair is rafonabill noumbir off nobill men conueinit to the fame effedl. We ar to aduyfe with thame that ar heir, quhat tyme fall be raeiteft to be apointed for the conuentioun. My Lord Maxuell is alfo to be this oulk before the counfall with his freindis, for to onderlye the lordis ordonance, and 30ur facred hienefs commandement in this lang- fuime feade betuix him and the Jhonftons. The greateft pleyars now in the Towbuith off this toun ar Jhonftons and Maxuellis, ane werye great and guid noueltie. The kirk materis gois rafonablie weill, according to the diredlions off 30ur facred maiefties wifdom, as I haue wrettin mair at lenth to my Lord Barwike. The Laird off Lawrefton attendis diligent- lie, and obeyis refolutlie 30ur hienefs commandements in thefe maters. Thus maift humbly taking my leive for the prefent, praying the eternall God lang to keip and preferue to us 30ur facred maieftie, and 30ur other half, with all 30ur royall progenie, I reft 3our facred Maiefties maift humbill and affedlionat fubie6t and feruitour, Fyvie. Edinbrough, 3 Marche 1605. To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. XXXVI.— THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VL Maist Sacked Souerayne, I have noe farder occafioun to vryte vnto your maieftie at this tyme, bot to acquent your hienes with ahe lytill accident fell furthe of laite befoir the Secreit Counfall, the lyke whereoff hes nocht bene oft feyne in that faite of judgement. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 69 Ane called Alexander Cheyne was perfewed be a poore man dwelling vnder my Lord Glames in Angoufs, that he had cum violentlie in the night vppon him in his hous, brocken ane battoun vppon him and his wyfe in thair bedd, and belted the poore man him felff with ane fwoord belt, efter he had pulled him out of his bedd : The pairteis compered, — the defendar denyed maift conftantlie the deid ; the witneffes was nayne other bot twa of the faidis defendars awin ferwands, and fome of my Lord Glames men, who could nocht be refaued witneffis, nocht onlye becaus thai war all as pairteis thame felfEs (in refpefil thai war all night- bours of the toun, and affifted the poore man to the perfuite), bot alfo in refpedl of fead and blood ftandand betuix the faid Alexander Cheyne and the Lord Glames, albeit the Lord Glandes affifted nawayes the perfewte, nor came nocht to this toun, nor nayne for his lordfhip. This made the offendar foe bauld, that he feared nocht to faice the counfall, thinking the mater could nocht be provin againes him, being noe witneffis, bot his awin ferwands, whoe war a6lours with him in the wrong. AI- wayes the counfall examined his two ferwandis feverallie; and albeit at the begynning thay manfweir the deid; nochttheles, be divers interroga- tories, admonitiounes, terrors, and warieteis in thair depofitiounes, at laft the weritie was expreft out of thame. Whilk being gottin, and the haill maner of the fadt difcowered to the lordis, we called in the faid Alex- ander Cheyne, principall doar, and efter he was fworne wppon his knees (lykas we made him to fitt on his knees the haill tyme of his depofitioun, to remember him the bettir of his dewtie), being admoniflied of the gre- vioufnes off perjurie, whilk was far abowe the offence he was challenged wpon, nochtwithftanding he aboade ftiff and ftubborne at his denyall, and condampned himfelffe to all mofte rigorus deathe and executioun, giff anye fie thing war; lipining certanlye in his fuborned fervands and pertakers, and in the platts layd amonges thame, concerning the denyall, O coeca nocentium Confilia. Till at laft, be confronting of him perfonallie with the faidis witneffis, his ferwands, and pertakers, he was conftrayned to acknawledge and grant 70 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS the haill weritie, with great repentance (albeit too laite); and declaired the haill circumftances of the deid, fubornation of the witneffis, and plat layde amongs thame, what ewirie ane of thame fould faye. The counfall committed thame all inftantlie in the juftice hands, and ordanyed thame to be put the morne eftir to ane tryall upon thair depofitiounes; and being conwidl, the faid Alexander Cheyne, principall a6lor, for his per- jurie and fubornatioun of the witneffes, in foe fowU ane fadt and oppref- fioun, to be headed. The ane of his witneffes and ferwands, whoe wilfullie and ftubbornelie aboade be his falfhoode, till he was conftrayned be the difcowerie of his marrow to grant the weritie, to be handged, and the other wha firft granted the weritie, and gaife greit light to the tryall of the haill adlioun, to be fcurdged allanerlye, and his lyfe faiffe. I hope your maieftie Ihall werye weele allow of our procedings in this, for foe does all good men, and thinkes that this Ihall be ane great terrour to all malefa6loures. I affure your maieftie, the counfall tuke great paynes in tryall of this mater, and your hienes aduocat was als ftrait and quicke as onye man could be. Of all riotts or wrongs that hes cum be- foir the counfell fince my haymecumming, thair hes bene fummar and prefent cognitioun tayne, and inftant pwnifliement be wairding and fines. Thair is ane laite accident fallin furthe betuix the Maxuells and Jhon- ftouns, about the hous of Newbie, and ane Jhonftoun flayne, or at leaft deadlye hurt. With all diligence we haif dire6led thair ane companye of the gaird, with ane herauld, to tak the hous, to chardge baithe the parteis befoir the counfall, and to prevene anye farder inconvenient. Swa, maift humblie taking my leife, praying the eternall God to continew your hienes in all healthe and happines, long to raigne over ws, I reft Your facred Majefteis moft humbill and loyall fubjeft and fervitor, Al. Dunfeemeling. Edinburght, 23 Martij 1605. To the Kingis moft excellent Majeftie. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 71 XXXVII._EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. Maist Sacred Souerayne, I reflaued your gracious maiefteis letters from the Marqueis of Huntlie the 4 day of this inftant monethe, the whilk daye the faid mar- queis arrywed firft to this town, prefented himfelfe to your maiefties counfall, offered and promefed thair all dew obedience, as ewer he fliould be chardged or fend for. All the wyfeft of this land, be great trawell and lang adwyfement, could nocht haif dewyfed anye thing fwa proffit- ablie for the eftablifliement of your honor, obedience, peace, and good governement off this countrie, as your hienes graive, wyfe, and circum- fpe<3; behaviour and vfage towardes the faid Lord Marqueis, at his laft woyadge thair hes done ; your maiefteis wifdome, alwayes great, in this hes bene admirable, with the gentle corre6lioun of ane, your hienes hes teatched to all the reft thair dewtie, and that foe fenfible, as I beliefe, for this lang whylle, thair fliall nayne fall in fie ourfight, and he and all the reft fhall beir the greater reverence and refpedl vnto your maiefteis authoritie, and to fie as your hienes committes the adminiftratioun off your affaires in this kingdome. I hawe alfo fenfyne reffaued ane other letter of your maiefteis from Mr Jhone Forbes, minifter, according to the dire6lioun whereoff, thair ftiall be lettirs fchortlye dire<3;ed from the counfall, for my Lord the Marqueis of Huntlye, and fome commiffioners of the minifterie of that countrie, to trye the veritie of thais fpeitches. At thair coraperance, your facred maieftie maift rafonabill and wyfe com- mandements, contened in the faid letter, fliall be followed in all, and your hienes immediatiie efter adwertefed of the fuccefs of that procefs. The counfall hes nocht thocht meitt to call the Marqueis of Huntlye befoir the tyme of the conwentioun, whilk will be in the begynning of June nixt, becaufe it wald haif bene verye trublefome to him, within fwa fchort fpace, to raak twyfe that woyadge, being hot laitlie returned from your maieftie. The haill eftaite of your maiefties affaires in this cuntrie goes 72 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS (thankes to God) werye weell, and all is in great quyetnes and obedience. Your facred maieftie may be affured, gifF thair war onye fraallefl aperance off anye ftur, malcontentment, or anye maner of noveltie, we wald nocht fpair to cans the poaftes ryde thithar, and I wald ofter take the bauldnes to truble your maieftie with my letters, whilk I am otherwyfe laithe to doe, without fome relewant and good occafioun. Onye other particulars requifite to be remembered vnto your gracious hienes in your affaires heir, I wryte mair particularlye to my Lord of Barwicke, to be communi- cate wnto your hienes, as your lafur may beft ferwe : for we haiff thir twa dayes keeped counfall in this toun, where befyde all other particulars, we haiff putt my Lord Maxwell to fome point in his feade, and hes tayne fome refolutiones with my Lord Ergylle, concerning the perfute of the M'Gregoures, whilkes haill proceidingis I haif written mair particularlye to my Lord of Barwick, to be impairted to your facred maieftie. The dewyfe, whilk proceedit from your maiefteis onlye wifdome of the mutuall commifliouns and commiflioners vpon the Borders proceeds (thankes to God) werye weell, and takis ane werye good fuccefs, to the great quyetnes and contentment of the haill countrie. I pray your maieftie excufe me, that I dare be fwa bauld, as to recommend vnto your gracious hienes good favour and countenaunce, your awin creature the Erie of Home ; as I did perfonallie, when T had laft honour to kifs your hienes hand ; for I heir, that he and all his kyithes als great obedience and willingnes in feruice as ony in that countrie. Swa, praying the eternall God long to continew your hienes in all profperitie, and daylie to augment your grandeur, I reft Your facred Maiefties maift humbill and obedient fubiedl and feruitour, Al. DUNFERMELING. Edinburght, 20 Aprilis 1605. To the King his mofte excellent Maieftie. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 73 I XXXVIII — THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VL June 22, 1605. Most Sacred Souerayne, As it is the cheif and principal! point off his dewtie, wha hes the honour to beare charge in the Cowmounwealthe, to be ewer vigilant and cairfuU in paines taking for dew adminiftratioun thairoff, fo the prof- fitable adliounes of ane magiftrat did ewer mereit and rapport ane heichar commendatioun, than ather good fpeitches, or tymous wrytts, howbeit, that baithe the ane and the other ar na lefs proffitable than neceffar, and caryes with thame eche one thair awin prayfe. The confi- deratioun wheroff (moft facred fouerayne), as it hes ewer mowed me to preifs and indevoir myfelfe, rather to do than to fay weelle, and to be mair erneft in doing than bufie in writting ; fa now, lykwayes, it fur- neiffes me baldnefs and reafon to excufe myfelfe at your maiefteis handis, gif, perhaps I hawe ather feyrait, or heirefter may appeir to your maieftie, to be to flaw in vritting, or fending adwerteifmentis off all parti- culars ; albeit in this fame, I hope nawayes to be fa fleuthfuU as to ne- gledl that dewtie, whilk tyme and occafioun may require. As now at this prefent, nochtwithftanding I have thoght it neidfuU to adwerteis and ac- quent your facred maieflie with this lait uproir and tumult, whilk hes fallin out betuix the Lairdes of Edjell and Pittarro;* newirtheles, the mair ample and particulair recit off all particulair circumflances thairoff, I will remitt to my Lord Secretaryes declaration, wha hes, I am certaine, vrittin the fame, at great lenthe, to your facred maieflie. Swa I hawe this onlye to fchaw your maieftie, that, in generall, the eftaite of this land is futche (prayfed be God), to your maiefteis great gloir and immortal fame, and to the afTured weill and joy off your maiefteis fubiedls, that al- maift we may rather wifche and defyre the confervation and ftanding thairof, than any heichar perfection, or farder increafs of the famyne. Seing that, in plaice of the heiche contempt of your maiefteis lawes, of the proud • In the High Street of Edinburgh. The fight lasted from nine at night till almost two in the morning. Several of the combatants were hurt, but only one man killed. 74 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS rebellioun, and raaifterfull opprefioun, whilk was wount to regne in thir partes, thair is nathing now (at leift generalie) bot a fatled and quyetl forme of doing, eche one peciable in his awin eftait, awaiting for juftice, and redie to obey your maiefteis lawes, and all prayfing and admiring, in thair awin felicitie, your maiefteis good and happie governament ; for the continewance and furderance whereoff, I fall labour, God willing, for my pairt, to doe all that ather the honour of my chairge requyres, or my dewtie bindes me, or my awin maift bent and willing affedtioun to your maiefteis ferwice preifTes me to, or in end, whatfumever your facred ma- iefteis preconcaved favorable opinion, may expe6t of me. Sua, praying the eternall God lang to raanteyne and preferue your facred maieftie in all profperitie, maift humblie taking my leiwe, I reft Your facred Maiefties maift humbill and obedient fubie6l and feruitour, Al. Dunfekmeling. Edinburght, 22 Junij 1605. To the King his excellent Maieftie. XXXIX — THE EARL OF MONTROSE TO KING JAMES VI. November 29, 1605. My most gratious, sueit. Sacred Souerangne, However I am fumquhat to laite in congratulating of your ma- iefteis laite happie delyuerie,* sit I hoip the place of my abode being remote fra the ordinarye arryuell of aduerteifments, and the inhabihtie of my bodie being the onlie ftay of my nocht prefence at that laft confell day, will procure your maiefteis moft gratious pardoun for my abfence at that tyme, haueing fince the firft report of this mater euer wifched myfelfe (if fo, as prafed be God of the contrare, that deuilifche inten- tioun had takin effedl), to haue bein thair alfo, to haue maid ane periode • From the conspiracy commonly called the Gun Powder Plot. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 75 of my dayis, thair being nothing that culd haue bene expe6lit be ray furveuing, bot worfe than a thoufand deathis. And thairfoir, vpon con- fideration of this hynous intendit treafon (quherof the interpryfers, no doubt, ar verie deuiUis incarnate by conceptioun), far furpaffing not onlie all former adlis or intentiounes ever fince the creatioun, and ikairfe cam- ming within the compas to be crededit or beleived, that fuche a thing fo voyde of all humanetie culd haue takin place, in any perfon poffeffit with reafoun, and feing thir aduancers (not of any relligioun, as they furmyife, bot of the deuillis awin kingdome) hes cleirlie difcouered thair correfpondence with Belsebub, the head of thair churche, I am thair- foir moll humblie to entraite your maieflie, to haue a more warye cir- cumfpedlioun over fuche lyk pepile, who, vpon pretence of thair geale to aduance thair relligioun, gois about fuche diabolicall prafilifes, that, by your maiefteis fuorde of juftice, they may be difpatched for Goddis eternal! iugement, to thair proper hie temple, the bottomles pit of hell, the atteining quherof they haue fo greidalie and haferdouflie focht. And as it is no fmall confort and mater of ioye vntoo all your good fub- ie6tis heir, that your hienes hes the happie benefeite of fo good, wyfe, and Weill effedbit confellors thair, quhoife cairfuU diUgence in the tryell of this adlioun hes gevin fo good a proofe of thair deutefuU affe6lioun, fo euerey one of ws wald humblie befeik your maieflie, by thair adwyfe and confell, to foirfie al poffibill meanes for preventioun of fik lyk heir- efter, and to tak lik ordour, that fuche malignant fpreittis, in humane fchape, may not haue the benefeite of braithing within your dominiounes, bot may be fecludit fra all poffibiletie to go about any fuche erand heir- eftir. And with randering thankes to God for his many former, and this laite mercie extendit towardis your maieflies, with prayer alfo for con- tenuance of his protedlioun over your heignefs, I humblie kifs your facred hand, rellihg Your Maiefteis humble and obedient fubie6l and feruitour to death, MONTROISS. Halyrudhous, the 29 of November 1605. To his moft facred Maieftie. 76 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS XL THE EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VL Jandary 21, 1606. Sir, It may pleis sour maifl excellent maieflie, according to the command of sour hienes letters, quhilks come to my hands sifterday, I falbe cairfuU to prowyd ane terfel to the halk of Fowliftiewch,* and falbe anfuerable to sour maieftie for the fame, in cais the auld terfel be dead : 30ur maiefties Mangrell falcone, quhilk I haif, fowld haif bein at sour hienes lang or now, bot that as my falconer was reddie to tak his jornay, ftiie contradlit ane difeafs, quhairwith he durft not adwentewr to trawell hir, in refpedl of the great frofts and ftormes. I wilbe anfwerable to sour maieftie, that fhie has bein nawayes ftreffit, bot als weill treatit as any halk cowld be : Nather fall sour maieftie fufpe6l that I haif retenit hir for my awn pleflbur, quhilk I fall newir compair in the greateft thing quhatfoewer with sour maiefties meaneft contentment, or am I able as sit, ewin at this prefent, to trawell wpoun the feilds for any game. Alwayes how foin it falbe poffible that the halk may in any fort be traw^llit, ftiie falbe at sour maieftie with all diligence. She haid the fame feiknes the laft seifj in this fame feafone, and was not frie of it quhill neir Mairche. And thus not prefwming to be farther faftiiows to sowr hienes, bot in * Foulsheuch is a steep rock on the eastern coast of Scotland, about three or four miles to the westward of Stonehaven. It is nearly a quarter of a mile in length, and the height from the sea, which washes the base of it, is upwards of two hundred feet. A writer in the Scots Magazine (July 1808) says, " The rock, and the birds which lodge on it, are considered the property of the proprietor of the neighbouring estate, who lets them for a considerable sum of yearly rent to a tenant, who is called the heughman, and who is obliged annually to give the landlord a young hawk, from a nest of these birds, of an uncommonly large size, which builds in the rock regularly every year." From this extract it would appear that the particular breed of hawks so much esteemed by James VI. exists, or at least recently existed, at Foulsheuch. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 11 all hwmilitie attending 3owr maiefties farther coramandements, in kiffing 30wr royal] hands I tak leif, and reftis ewer 3owr Maiefties maift luifing and faithfuU fubiedt, and howmill ferwand, Ebrol. Perth, this 21 Januar 1606. To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. XLI._THE EARL OF MAR TO KING JAMES VI. January 21, 1606. May it pleis 30UE Maiestie, According to 3our diredlion anentt the terfall * of Foullflieuch, I ftiall obey 30ur commandimentt fuUie and in all points. I can nott, as 3itt, certefy 30ur maieftie quhither he be alyue or nott, bott vithin few days, I think, I fhall go neir to gett the certintie may be had of fo on- certan a mater. I haiue fpokkon my Lord Marfchall, quha fays to me, he thinks he be alyf, 3itt vpon this I dar not affeure 30ur maieftie, bott • Tercel or tiercel, " a male hawk, so called because it is a third part less than the female in bigness and strength." Phillips' Moderne World of Words. 1696. Folio. Gervase Markham terms hawking " a most princely and serious delight;" and in enumerating the different kinds of hawks, he divides them into long-winged and short-winged. Among the latter he includes the goshawk, and the tercel of the goshawk; and subsequently mentions, that the goshawk and tercel were used for flying at the partridge, pheasant, or hare. Countrey Contentments. London, 1615, p. 87. Lord Binning, whose premature death deprived the world of a most worthy and accomplished man, wrote a very humorous and clever ballad, entitled " The Jolly Hawk and the Tearsal," on the temporary loss of a favourite tercel belonging to his father, the Earl of Haddington, which had flown away to the Bass, but was afterwards discovered. 78 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS vill fend ain of my auin,* and fliall leive naithing ondoun in that or any other thing 30ur maieftie plefis to command me ; fua, maifl humblie killing 30ur facred hands, I euer reft 3our Maieftis houmbill feruantt, A. MAR.f Edinburgh, the xxi of Januar 1G06. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. • The passion of James for hawking is well known; and that he was somewhat anxious to appro- priate the best hawks of his subjects, is evinced by the following letter from him to Sir Alex- ander Fraser of Philorth, reprinted from the Literary Register for March 1823, 4to, a periodical work that has long since ceased to exist, and the numbers of which are somewhat rare : — " Right traist friend, we greit you hartlie well. Hearing that ye have ane gyir falcon, quhilk is esteamit the best halk in all that cuntrie, and meetest for us that haue sa gude lyking of that pas- tyme, we have, thairfoir, taiken occasion eflfectuouslie to requeist and desyre you, seing halkis are but gifting geir, and na otherwise to be accompted betuix us and you, being sa well acquainted, that of courtesie ye will bestow on us that gois halk, and send her heir to us with this bearer our servand, quhom we have on this earand directed to bring and carry her tenderlie : Quherin, as he shall report our hartie and speciall thankis, sa sail ye find us reddy to requite your courtesie and good will with na lesse pleasure in any the like gates as occasion sail present. Thus, resting persuadit of your presenting us heiranent, we commit you in Goddis protectiouo. " Jahes R. " From Perth, the first of March 1596[7.] " To our traist fi^iend, the Laird of Philorth." Sir Alexander Fraser was the ancestor of the Lords Salton. He was knighted at the bap- tism of Prince Henry, and died at Fraserburgh, 12th April 1623. There is a portrait of him in Pinkerton's Scotish Gallery. t Lord Mar " was called to a by-name John Slaits, the reason whereof some give to haue been called so by the King while young when they were playing at game. The King alledged he had slaited him, which is an old Scotish word, signifieing that he had outwitted him ; and the King oftimes, when he writt with his own hand to him, designed him John Slaits, as his compellation in the beginning of his letters." Erskyn's MS. Memoirs. He died 1634, in the 72d year of his age. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 79 XLII — THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE AND LORD BALMERINO TO KING JAMES VL April 18, 1606. Maist Sacred Souebane, Thair is fick bruittis paft throught all this land, off fome, indeid horribill, accufatioimes againfl ws (ffor we think thame naa otherwayes our felffis), as the mater is now paft concealling, wee haiff hard greate word that wee war to be challengitt heirwpon be your facred maieftie, and called to ana accompt anent the veritie oflF fik imputatiounes as is alledgit on ws. We haifF this lang whylle attendit wpon fome fig- nification heirofF from your maift gracious hienes, whofe wifdome and juf- tice, we are affured, will neiwer condemne ws onharde. Albeitt it be wydelie aneught fpoken, that the allegatiounes in our contrair, and calumnies gevin furthe aganift ws, hes maid great irapreffiounes in your hienes mynde, we will naways beleiwe onye fik thing. This only we haiff thoght ws bund to, off dewtie, feing thair is fua mekle talke off this all whair, as we can naa langer milkenne itt ; we proteft befoir God, thay ar als great calumneis and ontreuthis, as ewer was dewyfit againes onye men ; and faa fals, as the dewyfars and forgears thairoff Ihall neiwer be hable to fchaw faa mekle as onye apperance or lykliehade off the fame. What is farder requifeit to be done thairanent, we remitt to your maift gracious hienes wifdome and confideration. The thing wee regraite maift is, that the worde off fick impreffiounes in your hienes mynde, or geving eare to fik onlyklie calumneis, is naa fmall hinder vnto your facred maiefteis ferwice in thir pairtes, wee haiffing fie chairdge and burding in the fame as we haiff. The balding off this countrie in obe- dience, will neiwer want eiwill will and inwye off manye off the greateft, and this turne whairon we ar faa caluraniat, broght ws mekill ewill will off the coumoun forte off the countrie alfo, fua that, giff it may be 80 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS thoght that wee be nocht certane off your maiefleis conftant favour, bot may be fua eafilie detra6ted and traduced butt farder, it can nocht faill to mak our authoritie and ftrenthe the lefs in your hienes feruice, whilk wee regaird maift off anye wardlie thing ; and what grudge wee beare for doing the fame preceiflye according to your facred maiefleis dire6tiounis in all pointes, as we haiff done, wee doubt not bot your hienes knawes and onderflandis fufficientlye. Sua, maifl humblye taking our leiwe, and praying the Eternall lang to preferue and augment your royall maiefteis eftaite and grandeur in all profperitie, reflis Your facred Majeflies maifl humbill and obedient fubjedls and feruiteurs, DUNFERMELYNE. J. Balmerino. Edenburght, 18 April 1606. To the King his mofl excellent Majeflie. XLIII._THE EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VI. Maech 16, 1606. It may pleas 30UR maist excellent Maiestie, That as next wntoe God, the eflait of my howfs hath ewir bein prote6lit and preferwit be 30ur hienes, againfl the fubtill pradlifJis of my fatheris lafl wyff, and my flepmother,* quhilks many seires befoir this tyme, hath bein cleirlie difcowerit, and maid Weill knawin to sowr royall • Lady Agnes Sinclair, daughter of George fourth Earl of Caithness. She had one son, George Hay of Killour, from whom the present Earl of Errol is descended. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 81 maieftie. Sa, gif the fame fall not 3it be wphalden be 30ur hienes princelie fawour, againft the onquencheable malice of that fame woman, and put in fewrtie be 30wr royall power in this fame enfewing parliament, I can half na affurance, bot that both my houfs and my pofteritie may periflie in hir falftiood. In confideratioune of quhilk great extremitie, I doe maift howmlly craif sour maiefties pardoune, that I am forcit to be fa bawld, as be thees lynes to befeik 30ur hienes to aflift, me in that quhilk wilbe agreable both to 30ur hienes honour, and the fewrtie of that howfs : Quhilk, and my awin lyf alfo, fall ewir be maill reddelie beflowit for 30ur maiefties ferwice, at all occafiounes. And as I am not of pur- pofs to offend 30ur hienes with any tedious difcours, fa I doe maift hwmillie defyr, that it may pleas 30wr maieftie, to heir the fame fra Mr Alexander Hay, as lykwayes my hwmill petitioune to 3owr hienes, togidder with the forme of the fewrtie quhilk I defyr to be grantit be 30ur maieftie, and accordinglie dire6lit to the parliament. And thus, in all dewtiefuU re- gairds, expedling 30ur hienes gratious anfuer, I doe maift hwmillie kifs 30wr princelie hands, and maift erneftlie pray the Almychtie to half 30wr maift royall perfonne and princelie childrein, with all 30wr maiefties maift werteous defeynes, in his bleffed protedlioune. 3owr Maiefties maift Iwifing and faithfull fubiedt, and hwmill ferwand, Errol. Logealmond, the 16 of Marche 1606. To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. XLIV THE EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VL July 13, 160.6. Pleas 30UE most Sacred Maiestie, Quhereas the privilege of Conftabularie in the realme of Scot- land, grantit be 30ur maiefties raoft nobill progenitouris, of gude memorie, 82 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS to my prediceffouris, be law and daylie pra6lique, hes bene to judge vpone bluide and bluidweit, committit within fie boundis neir to 30ur maiefties royall chalmer, and in tyme of parliament : Notwithftanding, it hes plefit gour maiefties moft honorabill and Privie Counfell, to defigne and delegat judges be commiffioun, for ordour taking with this lait acci- dent, fallin out betuix the Erie of Glencairne and Maifter of Wentoun at Perth, upone the different allegeance and claime maid betuix the Chiefe Juftice and me, anent the libertie of jurifdidlioun, and affixing of court to that effedt: Quherebe, the immunitie and friedome of my office is not onlye imparit, hot lykwayis the moft fufficient argument of manie- fefting my seale to 30ur maiefties fervice, the abundance quhereof, at all tymes, hot chieffie in this parliament, God and honeft men can beare record vnto 30ur hienes. And theirfore, Sir, I am bold in all humilitie to beg 30ur maiefties moft gracious favour, be returning ordinance to the counfell, difchargeing the creatioun of the judges delegat ; or, els that I may have the benefite of replegiatioun from the commiffioneris as ac- cordis of the law, and the authoritie and affiftance of the counfell inter- ponit, to cleide with the ancient liberties of my office, anent the citatioun of the malefa6louris to compeir befoir me in my Court of Jufticiarie : in the adminiftratioun quhereof,' I fall have fik due confideratioun as my tendir care, and trew regarde to the furthfetting of 30ur maiefties honour and princelye eftate, fall be cleirlie publifched vnto the world. And thus craveing 30ur maieftie moft humble mercie for my boldnes, with my hart perpetuallie confecrate in love to 30ur maiefties facred perfoun and eftate, I tak my leive, remaneing to death gour Maiefties moft loving and faithfull fubiedl and humble fervant, Erkol. Logealmond, 13 of July 1606. To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 83 XLV._THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO THE EARL OF DUNBAR. July 24, 1606, Owe dewtie rememberit, we have thocht ve cwild do no les nor acquent 30ur lordlhip of this twmwlt fallin owt in this townn of Glafgow, betwix the Laird of Minto sownger,* and Sir George Elphinftoun,f proweft, wher- vpone the haill town almaift reifs in armes, and the grettefl pairt accum- paneit the Laird of Minto and his fone, quhome (eftir ve haid puit the proweifl in my Lordis of Wigtdun howfs for his fwirtie, and haid coramandit the bailseis, in his maiefties name, to chairge the Lairds of Minto and thair complififs to thair Iwdging, and had extendit all owr athoritie in his maiefties name), sit cwild nocht fwa meikle preveill, that thei wald con- tein thame felffis in thair Iwdginis, bot with greit difficultie cwild refift thame, on forfing the pairt quhair we ftwid to hawld of thair fiorce. We • The Stewarts of Minto were for a long series of years provosts of Glasgow. The family is now, it is understood, extinct. Paton, in a MS. Memorandum-book> in possession of the Editor, has noted down — « There was an old family, Stewart of Mintoi near Glasgow, as in the High Church of Glasgow appears from a funeral monument, on the left in the entry into the church, engraved on a copper or brass plate, where six or eight more generations, enumerated as knights created under the banner." — " Query, if true, the last of the family was a poor boy, who was sent into Edin- burgh barefooted, with a letter to Stewart of Coltness, who [being] promising, was recommended to the Duke of Hamilton, who took him under his Grace's protection, got some education, and afterwards went abroad to Darien, where he died. The mother was of the Whitfoord family, and so poor, that she retired to a town or place near to Dalserf) called Miltoun, where she procured subsistence for herself and son by spinning." t Sir George Elphingston of Blythswood " was a burgess and provost of this town, he rose by the favour of King James VI. to be a great man ; he was knighted, and made a Lord of the Session, and Gentleman of the Bedchamber. King Charles I. raised him to be Lord Justice Clerk, and he held the office till his death, which was in the year 1634. He got the Gorbals erected into a burgh of barony and regality ; but behold the instability of human greatness : for he was the only burgess in all Scotland that I ever observed came to the highest office, and made the greatest figure, and yet died so poor, that his corps was arrested by his creditors, and his friends buried him privately, in his own chappel adjoining to his house.'' M'Ure's Glasgow. 1736, 8vo. p. 63. According to Scotstarvet, he " was in his youth in great credit with King James VI„ and lay in bed with him many years, but was discourted by Sir George Home (afterwards Earl of Dunbar) before the King's going to England." Page 132. He married Agnes, third daughter of Thomas fifth Lord Boyd, by whom he had a son and a daughter. The former died without issue ; and the latter married Colonel John Maxwell, son of Sir James Maxwell of Calderwood. 84 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS will wreitt fparenlie of thair infolent behaveowr, aganis commanderaentis gevin in his hienes avthoritie, and mifregaird of ws quha hes the honour to be his maiefties confellors, will remit the tryell thairof to the avin tyme, quhan we fall declair the veritie of all theis proceidingis ; and in the meine tyme to efchew forder inconvenient, eftir we haid caufit mak proclamatioun in his maiefties name, that all men fwild repair to thair Iwidginis, and the brwn3ie wes fum quhat pecefeit, als weill for the mif- behauiour and mifregaird of the commandementis in his hienes name, and of ws execewteris thairof, as alfo for prewenting of forder twmult, quhille his maieftie or his hienes Priwie Confell might deliberat, quhat cwirs falbe takin for pwnifching and fatteling the famyn, quhilk no dowt gif it had nocht chainfit ws to be heir at ane particular tryift, wald have twirnit to greit inconwenient, and can noicht weill efchew 3it, gif the famyn be nocht preventit. In refpe6l quhairof, we thoicht meiteft to chairge the Lairdis of Minto, elder and 30wnger, to entir thame felffis within the ■ caftell of Dumbartan, withe all dihgens, to [till?] his maieftie, and lordes of his hienes Privie Counfell, forder plefour wer knawin ; and in lyk maner. Sir George Elphinftoun to entir in waird within the caftell of Glafgow : As alfo, to command the bailseis to mak proclamatiounis, that naine indwellaris within thair burgh, offir iniwrie be onay maner of way to utheris, bot that thai fwild keip the kingis pace wnder the paine of deithe ; and that naine of thame fwild weir wapinis invafeiff within the brwch, bot behave thame felffis in quyeitt maner, as thei wald be anfwer- able on thair perellis : And forder, to chairge thrie of the fpeciaUis on ather pairtie to entir thame felffis, the ane pairtie within the caftell, and the wther within the Tolbwithe of Glafgow, till forder ordour wes takin be the counfell. The Ikyth is noicht greitt, onlye ane man caUit Thomas Cloggye deid, withowt onye woind, and fondrie hwirt withe ftauis, quhilk wes to ws greteft impediment to ftay thame. The Lairdis of Minto, as we are informit, ar paflit to Dumbartane, and Sir George hes enterit in this caftell, withe fick of his pairtie as wee commandit. Swa, halving doine quhat ley in ws, to procwir his maiefties obedience and paice of this townn, quhair ve chainfit to be for the tyme, remittis to sour lordfchip, to dehberat quhat forder ordour falbe takin heirin, baithfor tryell and pwnifching of this OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 85 ryett, and faitling thairof, will tak owr leif, committing 30ur lordfhip to God. Reftis 3our Lordfhip affwred to power, WiGTOUN. MONTROIS. KiLSAYTH. We have alfo acquentit my Lord Chainfeller thairwithe. Glafgow, the xxiiij Julij 1606. To my varie gwid Lord, my Lord Erlle off Dunbar. XLVI._THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VL August 27, 1606. Most Gratious Souerane, According to 30ur hienes dire6lioun fignefeit vnto ws be 30ur maiefteis faithfull counfallor the Erie of Dumbar, we did call and con- vene befoir the counfall the Erllis of Eglintoun and Glencarne, and Glencarne and the Lord Semple, with a nomber of thair freindis, quhome we knew to haue cheifeft interefft in the prefent feid ftanding betuix thame, and efter that we had declarit vnto thame the great panes and travellis quhilk 30ur facred maieftie tuke in 30ur hienes awin perfone, for 86 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS extinguilheing of the name and memorie of deidlie feidis, what goode futtes had followit upoun 30ur maiefteis travellis in fome of the gritteft feidis of this kingdome, and how that sour maieflie had now recommen- dit to the counfall the removing of this feud, whilk hes bene of fua lang continewance, and be reffone of the minoritie of the Erie of Eglintoun, could not quhill now tak effedt, we burdynit thame with a fubmiffioun conforme to the a6l of parliament. The Erie of Glencarne pretendit that thair wes no quarrell betuix him and Eglintoun, and that a fubmiffioun wes vnneceffar, and in end he diredllie refuifit to fubmitt, becaus the fub- miffioun importat agains him a guiltynes of the flaughter of the umquhile Erie of Eglintoun, whilk he will never tak vpoun him, bot offeris him reddy to the tryall of the lawis for that flaughter, whilk tryall on his pairt aucht to proceid the fubmiffioun. We rememberit him of ane fubmif- fioun fubfcryuit be him felff in this fame matter, agreable in euery worde to that whilk wes now defyrit, when this matter wes laft in handis afoir the counfall in Februar 1604, bot he, ftanding vpoun his innocency of that flaughter, refufit to fubmitt. Eglintoun maid no refufall, bot pre- tending fome excuife vpoun the fliortnes of the warning, he only craued a continewatioun to be aduyfit with his freyndis, becaus this wes the firft tyme that euer he wes chairgit in this matter fen his minoritie. And the Lord Semple very frelie, for 30ur maiefteis fatiffa6lioun and obedience, without ony ceremony offerit to fubmitt. We haue grantit vnto Eglintoun, with his awin confent, the twenty day of November nixt, to be aduyfit with his freindis, and to come prouydit in that mater. We haue no aflurance of the Erie of Glencarnis obedience, bot the hoip that he will conforme himfelff to 30ur maiefteis pleaflbur, and the Lord Semple wilbe obedyent. We had lykwayes in handis this proces of Glafgow, quhairin we haue fund a very great infolence and ryott committit be Mynto and a nowmer of the commouns of the toun, and hes committit the perfons guilty to warde within the burgh of Linlythgow, quhill 30ur maiefteis pleafour be knawne. This is all that we haue done at this meitting, wherwith we haue thocht meit to mak 30ur maieftie acquented, to the effe6l 30ur hienes may gif diredtioun thairin, as 30ur maieftie fall think goode, whilk we OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 87 fal profequute and follow oute. And fua, praying God to blyffe sour facred maieftie with a lang, happy, and profperous reigne, we reft Sour Maiefteis moft humble fubie6lis and feruitours, monteoiss. Al. Cancells. Linlithgow. WiGTOUN. Elphinstoun. J. Secretar. Lynlythqw, the 27 of Auguft [1606?] To the Kinges moift excellent Maieftie. XLVII THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE* TO KING JAMES VI. Seftembeh 4, 1606. Maist Sacred Souerayne, It pleafed your maieftie to recommend vnto your eftaittes, at the laft feffioun of the parliament, in this kingdome, the inhabitants of Dounbartane, that fome help might be granted to thame of the haill countrie, to mak fome defence to thair toun, agains the furgefs and in- undatiounes of the feas, whilk is lykelie to deftroye and tak away that haill toun, and can not be defendit nor repulfitt be naa moyane, thair poore habilitie and fortunes are hable to furneifche. Theefe whoe had * Upon the 6th of August, the Lord Chancellor addressed a few. lines to the King, in which he says, " Yesterday, in great zealle and affectioun, we haiffall celebrat the blessed memoirie oiFyour sacred Maiesties happie delyverie from the traitour Gowreis treacherous and devilische conspiracie,. acknawledgeing all thairin the saiftie, preservatioun, and greatest evidents of Goddis providence, and favorable eyes vpon this Dand, Empire, and Cowmounwealthe, that eiwer hes been schawin." 88 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS the commiflioun to vifeitt that mater maid " thair rapport, that be good confideratioun and calculatioun, naa lefs nor threttie thowfand pounds Scottes was hable to furnifche the charges to fie a wark. The Lordes of Articles, and others of the eftaitts than convenit, thocht not meit nor expedient, at that tyme, to lay twa taxatiounes vppon the countrie, onder tua feuerall naymes, hot with good will granted the taxatioun or fubfidie, the greater vnto your facred maieftie, in hope that your hienes, wpon good confideratiounes, in your wifdome and wounted clemencie towards your poore fubje6ts, wald bellow fome portioun thairof, for the faiftie and prefervatioun of that poore toun. Whilk, at that tyme, the haill eftaitts willed me to recommend vnto your facred maieftie, lykas, I doubt not bot my Lord Erie of Dunbar will fchawe your maieftie at greater lenthe. And I hope your maift gracious hienefs will dire6l fome good prouifioun to be maid thairfoir, to the confort and contentment of your maiefteis poore fubiedls of the faid toun, wha will ewer remayne your hienes maift bund and deuote oratours; lykas, I, praying the Eternall lang to continew your facred maieftie in all profperitie and contentment, reftis Your facred Maiefteis maift humbill and obedient fubiedl and feruitour, DUNFEEMELJNE, Nedrie, 4 September 1606. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. XLVIIL—THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VL [OCTOBEE 1606.] Maist Sacred Souebaine, Thay haue bene great maters, and heiche defeyngs, your maieftie hes had this fommer in this kingdome : And albeit your hienes princelie OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 89 intentiounes hes not laiked thair impediments and difficulteis, whilk all alteratiounes and nouelteis caryes, your dewyfe newertheles hes bene fwa wyfe, and weill grundit, and your inftruments faa fit, that all (thankes to God) is fucceidit at wiffes to your hienes contentment, and to the con- tentment off all good and peceabill fubie^ls. This I can not of my deutie omitt to teftifie, that the Erie of Dunbar, be his induftrie, trawell, dili- gence, and extraordinair moyane, and credeit with the nobilitie and haill eftaittes, hes maruelouflie aduancedthe good fuccefs off all hes bene done : as he hes bene trayned wp from his youthe at your facred maiefteis feett, hes eiwer bene a great obferwer off all your maiefteis vertieus, fwa I think nayne can ather fwa weill tak wp the drift of your maiefteis plattis, nor 3it with fie dexteritie follow furthe the fame, eiuen to the utter poynt of your maiefteis blank, as he can doe, and hes gevin fufficient proofe at this tyme, baithe in the Borders, whilk he has fatled, far by onye thing that eiwer hes bene done thair befoir, or 3it might be thoght habill to be done in fa fchort fpaice, and in fie multitude off other great interpreifes, and alfo in the parliament, whair his behaviour with the diverfitie off humours off our nobillmen and others, fchew weell he had narrowlie remarked manye leflbns and documents off your facred maiefteis proceidings in fie aflFaires. Bot this I am certane, will be declaired all to yiour hienes at greater lenthe, and better nor I can vryte, be divers off your fpeciall fer- wands, and ofiicears wha ar thair prefentlie, befides that deid, and the event doeis furneis fufficient teftimonie of his fidelitie, care, finceritie, and wifdome, in the governament off all thir affaires. The prefent eftaite of the countrie is maruelous quyett in all other nor this truble of the pefte, whilk is fpred, and does great harme in Siuers pairts, a mater to be recommendit fpecialie to Goddis mercie, in fua far as men can mak lytle fupport to the fame. Some domeftic afflidlioun is fallin on my felfe, whilk I can nather difTemble, nor will denye, bot greives me mightelie, giff it war otherwayes I war onnaturall, fenfeles, and owir ftoic. I hope alwayes it fhall diuert me from naa poynt of my deutie in your facred maiefteis ferwice. All fhall be waited on, in fie afFe6lioun, cair, and foirficht as I can furneife, the mair diligentlie now, that I hawe few heir at this tyme to help or fupplie me. The counfall M 90 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ftiall be convenit at fie tymes and plaices as may be maift conuenient, and your facred maieftie ftiall be aduerteift off all proceidings in onye extraordinair accident. This, raoft humblie taking my leiwe, and praying the Eternall to preferue eternallie your hienes, and all your royall pofte- ritie, in all blifs and felicitie, reftis Your facred Maiefteis maift humbill and obedient fubiedl and feruitour, DUNFERMELYNE. [Oaober 1606 ?]* To the King his moft excellent Maieftie. XLIX.— THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VL OcTOBEa 30, 1606. Maist Sacred Souerane, The fuffifance of this berar is fik, and fwa weell knowen vnto your facred maieftie, that I war in the vrong to importune your hienes with langer letter or difcourfe, in the proceidings heir in all affaires, or diredtiounes fend hither be your maieftie with my Lord Secretair, or with the berar. He faw and hard what was done in all, and can declair the fame to your maieftie at lenthe, better nor I can vryte. I hope your hienes fliall think thair is als mekle done as can be in fie a tyme, for in all the corners off this kingdome this contagious fiknes is fwa fpreadde, that nather broughe nor land in onye pairt is free. * No date, but from the leference to the plague, probably written in October 1606. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 91 Mifta fenum et juuenum denfantur funera. The tounes off Air and Striveling ar almofte defolat.* This eftait and ca- lamitie hinders all meitingis off counfall, and all publi6l fundliounes for miniftration of juftice, and mantenance of good reuUe and governement, except fik as we tak at ftarts, with fome few at Edenburghe, or in fik other place for a day, to keip fome countenance of ordour and cair off your maiefteis peace and obedience, whilk doesmekle good for als fynderlie as we meitt, and fhall be fua continewed, till it pleis God to releive the land of this affli6lioun. I haiff likewayes defired this berar to fatiffie your facred maieftie in fome credi6l deliwered to me, be my Lord Secre- tair in your hienes nayme, whairvnto he was alfo witnes ; I find my felfe alwayes infinitlie addebted to your maiefteis favour and clemencie ; hot I hope your hienes Ihall onderftand that thefe reportes has na grounds other nor malice, or inwye, whilk I knaw nocht how I can half deferwed of onye man, except in a fincere, upricht, and dire6l obeying and following all your maift gracious maiefteis maift princelie and jufte commandements. Whairin I intend newerthelefs to continew ftill even to my lifes end. Swa, praying the Eternall lang to preferue your facred maieftie in all profperitie and good fuccefs, I refte Your facred Maiefties maift humbill and obedient fubiedl and feruitour, DUNFERMELYNE. Dunfermlyne, 30 Oaobris 1606. To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. • In the Chronicle of Perth, p. 9, it is said that the plague raged in the south of Scotland from June to February 1603. In 1605, we are told that there was " great pestilence in Leith, Edinburgh, and sundry places." It came to Perth, August 29, 1608, " and continewit till May therefter, 1609, quherin deit young and auld, 500 persons." P. 12. The plague thus appears to have been almost stationary in Scotland for upwards of six years. 92 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS L.—COMMISSIONERS OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO KING JAMES \l. December, 16, 1606. Please your most Sacred Maiestie, Having for obedience of your hienes letter bene prefent at the Affemblie of Lithgow as your maiefties commiffionars, and thairin done oure moft humbill and faithful! indeuors to fie all thinges grauelie' and wyfelie proceidit vnto for the weill and peace of the kirk, quyetnes of the cuntrey, and dew obedience of your maiefties authoritie, according to the moft wyfe and prouident dire6lions and inftru6lions fend to ws be your maieftie thairanent. Albeit, the great diftra6lions ftanding this whyle bygane amangis the miniftrie, and hard opinions alfweill precon- faued be findrie of thame, as by ane great number of your hienes vther fubie6lis of dyuers pourpofes hardlie intended agains the libertie of the difcipline and policie of the kirk to be wrocht at this tyme, maid the beginning of oure trauellis full of doubt and difficulties, yet that blif- fing of God, whilk ordinarlie accumpanies the juftice of your maiefties- moft holie and wyfe difleigns, efter many appearances of great oppofition to haue bene maid to all that we could haue proponed, kythed fo forci- bill at this tyme, that efter oure declaration of your hienes conftant fa- uour to the kirk and all godlie and dewtifuU minifters, and thair confider- ation of the acceptabill contentis of your moft gracious letter dire6led to the aflemblie, thair myndis wer thairby fo far chainged, that firft thay or- danit your maiefties letter to be inbuked in thair regifter, and perfauing be the progres of oure a6lions, how great your maiefties caire wes to re- pres and puneis the papiftis, and to menteane the kirk in thair liberties, and ftrenthen thame with the power of your maiefties authoritie, the ficht of thair former errour, and of the vnexpe6te^ weill offered to thame in your maiefties name, maid the hail affemblie, and evin thefe, wha came of fet powrpofe to haue opponed to the power and laufulnes thairof, and to oure haill proceidingis thairin, to confent to all that wes concluded with greater moderation and vniformitie, nor euer wes fene in any former affemblie. Whairof your maieftie will vnderftand the particulars be the OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 93 a6lis thairof ordanit to be extra6led and fend to your maieftie. Swa that in end, all that wer prefent, alfweill of the nobilitie, counfall, baronis, and miniftrie having vote, as the reft wha came to haue opponed to oure power and proceidingis, in ane voce gaue moft hairtlie thankis to God for your maiefties contineuance of your loue to this your natiue cuntrey, and caire of the weill of your faithfuU fubiedlis, and libertie of the kirk thair- of, and moft affedluoufly requeifted ws, in all thair names, to giue to your maieftie moft humbill, hairtlie, and vnfeyned thankis for the exceiding confort whilk thay haue reflaued be the gracious effe6lis vttered at this tyme, of your maiefties conftant affedlion to this kirk and cuntrey, for the whilk, albeit thay can not offer or performe any farder nor thair former dewtie band thame to do, yit, we ar affured, that thay will neuer ceafe to wifti to thame felfSs the happines to haue occafion to manifefte to the worlde how earniftlie thay defyre to mak it knawin be thair adlions, and all that the frie and readie beftowing of thair trauellis, moyens, bloude, or lyues can effedluat, how far thay think thame felfis bund beyond the ordinar dewtie of common fubiedlis to thair prince, to exprefle thair in- finit loue, and humbill and faithfuU affection to your maieftie for your in- numerabill and daylie increfling benefites and fauouris to thame. And becaus we haue moft evidentlie fene this thair requeift to proceid of the fincere affedlion of thair faithfuU hairtis, we haue tane this bauldenes trewlie to recorde the famin to your maieftie at thair earnift defyre, hop- ing that your maieftie wald graciouflie accept it in gude pairt. Whairin humblie craning your maiefties pardoun for oure prefumption, we befeik God long to preferue your maiefties lyfe and health, and to incres your hienes profperitie, honour, and contentment. At Edenburgh, the 16 of December 1606. Your Maiefties moft humbill and faithfuU feruands, MoNTROISS. S*. JoHNE SkENE. J. LiNDESAY. Jo. PbESTOUN- Blantyke. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. 94 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LI THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VL January 7, 1607. Maist Sacred Souerane, As it micht be condamned for prefumptuous importunitie, giff I fould jornalie with idle letters, truble your facred ees, or divert your princelie thochtes from weghtiar affaires, fflt doe I fear the cenfure and blame of fleuthe and fluggifchenes, giff, in the eftaite and rank it hes pleafed your royall maieftie, abowe all merite or valour in me, off your onlie favour and benignitie, to place me, I fould nocht at tymes geive your facred hienes fome accompt of the generall eflaite off this your maiefteis auncient kingdome ; for, as to the daylie particulars, I doubt not bot be my Lord Secretairs* diligence, and other oflBcears, your maieflie hes fpeciall informatiounes, aduerteifments, and intelligence, with full fa- tiffadlioun. The courfe of juflice, thankes to God, is weri^ weele fatled ; and trewlie, I think, nather thair be, or can jufthe be, ony complaint of wrang done, or sit for laike of dew and tymous miniftratioun of juflice. In the Hielands, the M^Gregours affaires lyis owir, partlie be the feafoun of the year, and partlie be my Lord of Ergyles abfence, whome we looke daylie for. The countrie of AthoU, and adjacentis about it, throw the imbecillitie and weaknes of this Earle, and intricat eflaite of that houfe, -is now in warfl rewll and ordour of anye pairt of theefe countries, whilk was wount to be maifl obedient of thame all ; but your maiefleis Secreit Counfall heir is prefentlie on the adwyfement how to reforme and putt ordour to that pairt, whilk I hope fhall be done fchortlie, to your hienes content- ment. All the reft of the Hielands ar in fie ordour and obedience, as we heir na complaint off thame, nor of naa infolence in thame. As the firft terme of the taxatioun, or fubfidie, accorded vnto your maieftie be the laft feflioun of parliament, is approtcheing, to wit, Can- * James Elphinstone, Lord Balmerino. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 95 dlemefs, fwa is the charges for the fame going furthe and about, with all diligence may be required, in theefe officears. As it was maift wil- linglie and plefandlie granted, for maift juft and plaufible cauffes, I hope will be maift willinglie, thankfullie, and but onye grudge, payed be all good fubjefitis. Thair is not fwamekle as anye talke at this tyme, in this countrie, off anye mater of eftaite, except it be fome lytle of thir churche maters, and of thair differences, whilks ar alfo marvelouflie fatled and quieted, and, be all aperance, will fchortlie wear to a full conformitie to your facred maiefteis godlie and princelie diffeynge. After your facred maiefteis dewyfe, and be your exprefs diredlioun, this pafled yeare the counfall hes compofed and quieted findrie of the greateft deadlie feads was in this kingdome. At the enterie of this yeare, we ar to beginne with the auldeft fead hes bene of thame all, betuix the Earles of Eglintoun * and Glencairne,f thair houffes and haill confequentis, whilk hes ewer bene haddin aff all tymes bigane, wpon the Earle of Eg- lintounes minoritie and lefs age. The 15 day off this monethe is appoynt- ed thairfoir, and all pairteis on ather fydes fummoned to that effedl, and ordour tane for afTurances betuix thame all, in the middle tyme, als con- venientlie as might be. God. fend the fuccefs, according to your maief- teis ferwandis and counfalloures defire and affe(Stion, and it will be weell aneuche. I alTure your maieftie, I fhall omitt naa thing may ly in my powar, ather be authoritie I hawe of your hienes, or be moyane credeit or freindfchipt I hawe with anye of the pairteis, to worke that pur- poife, to your majefties worthie and good intentioun. What ewer anye may fpeik of me, ather in this or onye other your • Hugh, fifth Earl of Eglintoun. His Lordship married his cousin-german, Margaret, daughter of Robert Montgomery of Giffen, but having no issue, he settled his earldom on Sir Alexander Seton, son of Margaret, Countess ofWinton, his aunt, and his heirs-male, whom failing, Thomas and John Seton, fourth and fifth sons of the Countess, and the heirs-male of their bodies ; whom all failing, to his own nearest and lawful heirs-male whatsoever, bearing the name and arms of Montgo- mery. He died in the year 1612, and after his demise the honours were assumed by Sir Alexander Seton, and the reader is referred to the interesting documents in the Melros Papers relative to the ultimate recognizal of his right. f James, seventh Earl of Glencairn. 96 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS facred majeflies dire6liounes, in dew tryall, my pairt fliall ewer be found according to my dewtie, fwa far as my judgement and poffibilitie may extend, to follow and fett fordwart all may proceed from the ordonances and commandements of your hienes great wifdome, whilk I think newer to difpute off, or bring in contrauerfie, as I confide affuredlie in your accuftomat princelie juflice and clemencie, that naa reporte fhall ather prewaill, or hawe anye plaice, credeit, or accefs aganis my lawfull and vpright meaning and doing to the meafour of my ftrenthe. This being all I can vrite to your majeflie for the prefent, in all humilitie, taking my leive, and praying the Eternall lang to continew your royall perfoun and your princelie pofleritie to this warlds end, in all profperitie, grandeur, and contentment abowe ws, reftis Your facred Maieflies maifl humbill and obedient fubje6l and feruitour, ' DUNFEBMELYNE. Edenburght, 7 January 1607. To the King his moft eccellent Maieftie. Lll — LORD BALMERINO TO KING JAMES VI. January 21, 1607. Pleas your Sacked Maiestie, The fyftene of this inftant being appoynted for the dealing betuix the Erllis of Eglintoun and Glencairne, the counfell, in very fre- quent nomber, hes been in no lytill bufynes to gett the pairtyis broght till ony conformitie; and, albeit the panes hes been very great, yitt'the fuccefs of our laubouris hes takin away the memorie of our travell, for boith the principallis for thame felfBs, and thair freyndis, and all the par- ticularis that wer pairttakaris of that feid, ilkane for thame felffis, hes OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 97 fubfcryved a fubmiffioun to fax on ather fyde, or ony three of thame, viz. Eglintoun to the Lairdis of Drumlangrig, Garleis, Caruell, Kilfyth, Sir Johnne Bruce of Kincavill, and Andro Ker, bruther to the Erll of Lo- theane; and Glencairne to the Lord Cathcart, the Lairdis of Glenvrquhy, Blair, PoUok Maxwell, Reidhall and Barrochane, with pouer to thame to chufe ane ourifman, who fall convene and accept the faid mater vpoun thame, the xxiiij of Februair nixt, and decerne thairin, within the fpace of thretty dayis efter thair acceptatioun ; wherin yff thay faill, boith pair- teis hes moift humblie remitted the compofing of the hoill feid to your facred maiellie, to be fettled be fuche as your maieftie fall imploy as moift fitt for that purpois : vnder the compafe wherof not only is compryfed the Erll of Eglintoun, Abbot of Kilwynning, and diuers other flaughteris ac- cefforie to that feid, hot mony bloodis of great antiquitie betuix thefe houffis, thair freindis and dependaris, the not quencheing wherof did ftill fofter that peftiferous humour, whilk, in end, did burft oute in that cruell flaughter of the Erll of Eglintoun,* revengeit with no les rigour on the other pairt fenfyne, wherin the pairtyis being fo great and mony, and the rancour fo inveterat, thair wes almoift no hoop of ony end of it, yff the Erll of Dunbarris particulair dealing with ather pairty, and wyifs vfing of your maiefteis authoritie with great cair and dexteritie, had not terri- feit thame, fo as in end, efter mony nycht and dayis werk, it is broght to a happy begynning, wherof we hoop the end falbe to the great peace of the cuntrey, and your maiefteis contentment. Thair wes lykwayes fome dangerous heit and vnkyndlie diflykeing betuixt the Erll of Wigtoun and Maifter of Montrois on the ane parte, and the Lord of Blantyir and Myntof on the other ; whilk, with the lyke cair and dexteritie vntroubling the counfell, the Erll of Dunbar hes re- confiled. And now, laft, whilk is the end of thefe Glafgw broyllis, the • Hugh, fourth Eail of Eglintoun, succeeded his father in June 1585, but did not enjoy his title a full year, as, on the 18th of April 1586, when riding from his house of Folnoon to Stirling, he was attacked and murdered by the Lairds of Robertland and Corsehill, and others of the name of Cunningham, between whom and the Montgomeries a feud had subsisted for a long course of years. t Stewart of Minto. The Elliots of Minto are a modem family, and the estato'from which they take their title is in the county of Roxburgh. N 98 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS particulair betuix Mynto eldair and youngair, and thair freyndis, my cofine Sir George and his foUowaris, is fubmitted to the Erll of Dunbar, wherin we expert no wer fuccefs nor God hes gevin to the reft of his labouris. In counfell wer lykwayes red your maiefteis letters, prefented by the Bifchop of Orknay, wherin, as the raoift judicious of that nomber did ac- knowlege your maiefteis aune werk, fo iuft and cheritable to fik as by lenitie may be recalled, not omitting, in end, the remedyis of difperat cures, exacting penalteis dew for thair diffobedyence, and irrogating panes for contempt ; fo, by the hole nomber the letter wes imbraced with that applaufe and defyir, that the copyis of it fould be difperfed to come in the handis of all honneft fubiedlis, and the commandimentis contenit thairin fould be moift exadllie putt to dew executioun. The lyk acceptance wes of the other, anent the moderatoris appointed by the lait affembly of Lynlythgow, and that all fuche as willinglie wald not conforme thame felffis thairvnto, fould be chargeit be the counfell in maner contenit in your maiefteis diredlioun. Twifday nixt, we half the gentilmen of Athoill, and other cuntreyis bordouring thairto, for fetling thefe boundis, alfweill anent the brokin men of that cuntrey, as the Clangregour, who, howfoeuir thay ar become your maiefteis cofines, ar litill better manert nor befoir. This is the foume of the laft counfellis labour, wherin your maieftie may confidder what hinderance is to your maiefteis feruice, when, by the plague, the ordinar cours of fitting vpoun your maiefteis affearis is inter- rupted, and what furtherance it is to your maiefteis feruice fometymes to fpair the Erll of Dunbar to be with ws, whofe difpofitioun in your maiefteis feruice, as being fufficientlie knowne to your maiefteis felff, neidis not my recommendatioun : — and what terrour to malefadlouris, and , fteidfaft hoop of peace and juftice to all goode men that duellis ather within the boundis of the late marcheis or cuntreyis nixt adiacent vnto thame, this ouerfight and begynning of imployment your maieftie hes layed vpoun him, over thefe officiaris, your maieftie will heir of otheris; fo that, yff his body wer als able to fuftene the panes of your maiefteis feruice, as his mynd is willing, and dexteritie rair to accompliftie the fame, no imployment could be to him impoflible. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 99 In the falling of thir materis of Glafgw betuix the Lord of Blantyr, Mynto, and Sir George Elphinftoun, the principall poynt is the repofi- tioun of the gentilmen who wer brokin of thair placeis by my Lord Duke of Lennox, whilk your maieftie wilbe gratiouflie pleafed to fee performed; for all other thingis amang thame ar compofed vpoun the foirfaid con- ditioun. The Erll of Dunbar hes putt Maifter James Nicolfoun* and Maifter Andro Lambf to ane poynt, fo I hoope your maieftie falbe als wele pleafed with thofe twa bifchopis as ony of the reft, and that thair labouris in that work fall not be improffitable. Sua, moift humelie craving your maief- teis pardoun for my lang letter, I pray God to grant vnto your maieftie a lang and happy regnn, and eternall felicitie. Frome your maiefteis palice of Halyruidhous, the xxi day of Januair 1607. Your Maiefteis moift humble and obedyent fubie6l and feruitour, J. Balmerinoch. To the Kingis moift excellent Maieftie. LIII THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. Pleis your most excellent, most michtie, and Imperiall Maiestie, Being honorit be the reception of your moft michtie maiefties lettre, and hauing hard at lenth the Erlle of Dumbar's credit, I haue taine the boldnes be this prefent, to utter fum pairt of my mening befor the tym cum, nou that I haue to gif proof of fik fimple feruis as I may do. I haue langit to be honorit with your moft excellent maiefties com- • Parson of Meigle, preferred to the Bishoprick of Dunkeld in 1606. He died on the l7th August the succeeding year. t Minister at Burntisland. He obtained the Bishoprick of Brechin in 1606, was translated to Galloway in 1619, where he sat till his death in 1634. 100 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS mandement, not for onie good that I can do in your moft michtie ma- iefties feruis, bot onlie to haue occa;fioun to utter that more than addettit affe6lion quhilk I carie, and euer fall giff proof of, not onlie nou at this parlement, quhar my not, and all that I may mou, fall euer be to foUou your moll michtie maieftis will, bot uith maifl uilling hairt, falbe euer readie to uar my blood and all that will foUou me, quhanfoeuer the oc- cafioun prefentis, that it may gif proof of my loyall afFedlioun to your moft michtie maiefties feruis ; for I acknauledge my felf far more det- bound to your moft excellent maiefties admirable conftancie, by onie of ray deferts, than euer uill ly in ane thoufand of me till acquit. Bot forder, I can not gif nor that I haue, quhilk is to gif proof that your moft michtie maiefties thocht, gif I can knau it, fall euer ferue me for perforraans of your moft excellent maieftis plefour and uill, and I am forie that ray lot hes caflin rae fua far from my greteft contentment, quhilk is your moft michtie maiefties prefens ; bot in affe6lioun I fall not be diftant, till I haue that honour as to kis your moft excellent maiefties hand, quhilk I lang for. The Erlle of Dumbar, I beleiue, will ureit mair araplie of my mening to your moft michtie maiefties feruis. Sua, craiuing humble pardon for this my tedioufnes, eftir the kiffing maift humble of your moft michtie maiefties hand, I will pray God to gif me grace to do your moft michtie maieftie fum acceptable feruis or I die, for the monie fauours I haue refaiuit, and to preferue your moft excellent, moft michtie, and imperiall maieftie, in lang and happie lyf, and maift profperous renge. Your moft excellent, moft michtie, and imperiall Maiefties humble fubie6l, and moft affedlionat feruiteur to my laft braith, HuNTLYE. To his raoft excellent, moft michtie, and imperiall Maieftie, King of Greit Britaine, France, and Yrland, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 101 LIV— THE EARL OF ARGYLE TO KING JAMES VI. February 28, 1607. Sire, — pleis your Sacred Majestie, According to your hienes command, the Marques of Huntly and I hes mett, and hes appointed the xxiv day of Junj nyxt, for conclud- ing the mariage your majeftie ordeined betuix his Lordfchips fone and my dochter, vhiche hes maide me fo bold as to entrait your hienes moft hum- ble to gif his Lordfchip foone leif to cum to this cuntrie, for the accom- pleifliing the fame ; and thaireftir quhateuir pleifis your maieftie to de- Te&, concerning that mater falbe obeyed be me, fua far as I am hable to accompleifli. Sua, praying God to grant your maieftie ane long and profperous reinge, I reft Your Majefties raoft obedient fubjeft, ArGYI/L.* Edgell, the 28 of Februer [1607.] To the Kings moft excellent Majeftie. • This letter has no date. But according to Wood's Douglas,. Lady Anne Campbell was " mai- ried, in 1607, to George, second Marquis of Huntly, and had issue, and died at Aberdeen, 14th June 1638." 102 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LV— THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VL March 3, 1607- Moist gratious Souerayne, Afoir the reffett of your maiefteis letter, concerning the Erll of Athoill, he had meanit him felff to your maiefteis counfell, fliowing how mony great and weghtie adois he had in handis, tuicheing the eftate of his houfe, wherin he could tak no folide ordour during the tyme of his warde. The counfaill knowing a parte thairof, and mony of the extre- miteis whervnto he is reda6lit, thay tranfportit his warde fra the caftell to the burgh of Edinburgh, vpoun goode cautioun of xxxx" merkis for his remaning and keiping warde thairin whill he be fred.* This band fall ly aboue his head whill the difordourit eftate of Athoill be fetled, Thair hes bene a preuey dealing be fome of your maiefteis counfell, anent the apprehenfioun of Johnne Dow M'Gillichallum, and Allafter, his bruther; and your maiefteis chancellair delt particularlie heirin with James Gor- doun of Lefmoir. This gentilman, in regaird of your maiefteis obedyence and feruice, by the earnift entreatie and foliftatioun of your maiefteis chancellair, tuke the feruice in hand, and haueing maid inony purpoiffis for effe6luating thairof, whilkis mifgaif him : in end, he lichted vpoun the lymmaris, vpoun thet day of Februair laft, and efter a lang and hett combatt, and flaughter of fome fyve or foure of the principallis of thame, the faid Allafter wes apprehendit, and Johnne, being very evill hurte, by mirknes of the night efcaiped. This Allafter wes the perfonall executour of all the murthouris contryved be himfelfF and his bruther, and hes bene ane of the moift notable and maifterfuU lymmaris that hes bene in the Heylandis thir mony yearis. Thair wes great entreaty, and mony fair promiffis maid be his freyndis for his releiff, hot the gentilman, his taikair, preferring your maiefteis feruice, and his awne honnour, to thair offeris-, • See Melros Papeis, vol. i. p. 30. t This blank occurs in the MS. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 103 and to ony futur event, hafaird, or inconvenient, whilk doubtles he will vndirly, he hes prefentit him heir, within the Tolbuith of Edinburgh, wher he is maid faft in the irnis, and falbe tane ordour with accordinglie : we hoip that his bruther fall not lang efchaip, and no goode meanis falbe omittit whilkis may entrap him.* And feing this gentilman hes fo far advanceit him feliF in your maiefteis feruice, and hes red the cuntrey of fuche a maifterfuU theif and lymmar, we wilbe bauld to recommend him vnto your maiefteis faiiourable confideratioun and rememberance, wherby he and otheris may be encourageit to vndirtak the lyke feruice heirefter. The tyme of our parliament being now approcheing, at the 18 of this inftant, we humelie requeift your maieftie to latt ws knaw your heynes pleafour anent the continuatioun of the fame. And fua, we pray God to grant vnto your maieftie a lang and happy reignn, and eternall feli- citie. Frome your maiefteis burgh of Edinburgh, the thrid of Marche 1607. Your Maiefteis moift humble and obedyent feruitouris. MoNTEOiss. Halyeudhous. Al. CaNCELL^ J. COKBUBNE. LOTHIANE. R. COKBURNE. Jo. Prestoun. To the Kingis moift excellent Maieftie. " This same month [February], Alexander Dow Mackgilleycallum, a notorious theiffe and mur- therer, was taken by the Laird of Lesse-more, Gordon ; his brother Jhone was hurt, and five of his men killed. He was presented to the Lords of Counsaill, and thereafter arraigned and execute." Balfonr's Annals, vol. ii. p. 21. Edinburgh, 1824, 8vo. 104 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LVI.— THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VL March 3, 1607. Pleas your moist Saceed Maiestie, We, your moift humble and loyallie affe6ted feruandis, haueing hard of fome reprochefuUe fpeicheis vttered in the lower houfe, by fome evill difpofed fpirittis, to the diflionnour of this your maiefteis antient kingdome, and that only your maieftie had fland to oure defence, we haif in all humilitie, by thefe prefentis, prefumed to tak notice of the fame, and to yeald your maieftie moift humble and hairtie thankis, not haueing committed ony thing againis that ftate deferving fuche iniureyis, and far les worthy of fo great fauour, as it hes pleafed your gratious maieftie to vouchaif by vindicating ws frome thair opprobrious calumneis. It is no litill greif to ws till heir what juft caufes of difcontentment ar mini- ftrat to your maieftie at all thofe meitingis, for enforceing that vnioun ' fo greatlie heated by thame, and fo litell affedled by ws, except in that religious obedyence we aught, to your maieftie, not to deflyke ony thing that lykis your heynes. And yff it may pleas your facred inaieftie, with- out offence, to heir oure apologyis, in defence of the honnour of oure cuntrey, we doubt not to mak it knowne, be the trew recordis of bygane tymes, fence this Hand hes bene firft inhabitit, that in no poynt of finceir chriftianitie to God, loyall obedyence till oure princes, inviolat freindfchip with oure confederatis, and vnconquered libertie of our eftate, we haif nevir bene inferiour to thame. And in the very fubiedl of the vnioun, whairat thay pretend fo mony friuolous exceptionis, that thair advantage falbe euerie way greitar nor ouris, we wald be fory to be authoures of diftra6ling that, whiche your princelie wifdome and faderlie cair hes hap- pelie contra6led, haueing fo deeply takin in hairt, fo to vnite thefe two kingdomes joyned by nature, but by affedlioun altogidder diftant, as no markis of diverfitie betuix thame, till the efter comeing ageis fould ap- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 105 peir ; yitt we ar perfuadit, that oure iuft defence aganis thefe fals impu- tationis layed vpoun all the natioun, not fpairing your facred maieftie, nor your moift royall progeny, nor your moift worthy anceftoris, of a hundreth and fax kingis lineallie difcending of one ftok, can not, hot in your ma- iefteis accuftumed iuftice, refave at your handis a fauourable cenfure; and yff in ony meitting, ather privat or publi6t, wherof we had mony, about that fubjedl, fuche audience wes euir gevin till ony fpeeche, ather derogating to the honnour of that flate, or diffuading the vnioun (how- euir thair be amangis ws not a few of the beft fort, who ar als aliene frome it as ony of the lower houfe, and hes moir iuft caus to be difcon- tented, with fo eafie obliterating of bigane wrongis), latt it be till ws a difloyall pairt aganis your maieftie, and vnworthie of treu freindfliip aganis youre nyghtbouris; bot contrarie wayes, fick hes bene the dili- gent cair of your minifteris heir, vpon whorae your maieftie is pleafed to repofe the waight of your affairis, that knowing your maiefteis eirnift difpofitioun to perfyte that vnioun, in all thair conferences thay haif labourit to extoll all the apparent benefeittis we myght reffave thairby, and to conceale and fuppres the trew illis. In doing wherof, althoght we haif reportit fmall thankis of thefe, who fo liberallie hes talked of ws, or thofe who, in fo patient hearing, did cleirlie manifeft thair allow-' ance of all wes fpokin, yitt, your maiefteis princelie refenting our wrong, and vrgeing the tryall and pvniflxeing thairof, is raoir nor fufficient re- compence, yff oure lyveis, and all oure fortuneis fould be endangerit in ony thing, myght yeald your maieftie fatiffaftioun : and yff (vnder your maiefteis corredlioun, to the whiche we alwayes fubmitt our felffis) your maieftie wald be pleafed to defift frome ony forder moving of this vnioun, and mak knowne to that eftate, that the whole inhabitantis of the ile ar your maiefteis fubie6lis, and that in all your feruiceis and imploymentis, yee will indifferentlie prefer thofe, whome your maieftie, in your wifdome, fall find moift capable; that your maieftie will vouchaif to grace ws with your refidence amangs ws fome tymes, and feclude ws frome no fauour your maieftie, in your royall prerogative, may gif ws, and wherof we fall rander our felffis, by oure cairfuU and loyall deferving to prove worthy, we doubt not bot thay fall require at your maiefteis handis, that whiche 106 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS by this enforceit dealing thay wald appeir to refufe. Bot this and all other thingis, tending to the libertie and honnour of this your maiefteis an- tient kingdome, we remitt to your maiefteis moift rare and princelie wif- dome, humelie requeifting your maieftie to tak in goode parte this our moift humble thankis, haueing nothing els to offer your maieftie for all your vndefervit fauouris, bot our moift loyall hairtis, whilkis fall nevir deborde frome the fmalleft of your maiefteis thoghtis. Thus humelie craving pardoun of oure prefumptioun, we pray God to grant your ma- ieftie, after a lang and happy reignn, eternall felicitie. Frome your maiefteis burgh of Edenburgh, the thrid of Marche 1607-* Your Maiefteis moift humble and obedyent feruitouris, MONTROISS. RoXBURGHE. LOTHIANE. ElPHINSTOUN. DUNFERMELYNE, CaNCELL^. BlANTYRE. J. Balmerinoch. R. Cokburne. A, L[ord] Wchiltrie. Sir R. MeluIll. To the Kingis moift excellent Maieftie. LVII._THE EARL OF GLENCAIRN TO KING JAMES VI. March 4, 1607- Pleise 30WR MOIST Sacreid Maiestie, According to 3owr maiefteis command, I fubmittitt the par- ticular bluidis and contrawerfeis ftanding betwix the name of Mongowm- erej, me, and my name,t to feike freindis, as was fchofin befoir sowr • See Laing's History of Scotland, vol. iii, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, as to the proposed union between England and Scotland. t Balfour's Annals, vol. ii. p. 16. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 107 maiefteis confaill, and the day appoyntitt be the confaill to conwene be- foir thame to exceptt the famen, qhilke day we haif all keipitt, and the jugis exceptitt, and ower clames on ather fyid was gifin in. Then reftitt the commoneris to agre on the owerifman, quhilke thay wald nocht do, and fwa it is cummen in 30wr maiefteis handis, quhairof I am maift glayd, ewer expedling 30wr maiefteis moift gratiowfe fawour to me and myne, quha hes, and fall ewer carie maift ferwyabill hartis as we falbe command- itt. Gif thair fall cumme any reportis of me to 30wr majeftie, I am fer- tane, according to gowr maiefteis wuntitt and moift gratioufe cuftowme, I wilbe callitt to my awin accont ; — I dowt nocht bott 30wr moift facreid maieftie will fwa fettill thatt turne, as heirefter thay be na cawiffe of gruge on ather fyd, and that ewerilke ane of ws may joiffe ower awin kyndlye rowmes and pofeffiounis in all tymes cummeing. This erefiliowne of the Abeffej of Kilwyneing, quhilke my Lord of Eglingtowne menis to fuite att 30wr maieftie, will nocht faill to intertenej the feid of trubill amangis ws, for we wilbe all entereft thairby ; and I proteft befoir 30wr maieftie, I haid rather loifle my lyf, or ony occatiowne war gifin be me to breke that wnitej quhilke 3owr maieftej will command. I man crawe 3owr maiefteis humbill pardowne for this my fafcheowfe lettir, and ewill wrytt. My moift huijibill feruice prefentitt to 30 wr moift facreid maieftie, I pray the Lord to gif 30ur maieftie gud hailthe, lang lyf, with ane proffeper- owfe ryng, in the feir of the Lord ; fwa I reft 5owr Maiefteis maift humbill and obedyent fubiedlt, ewer redej to be commanditt with all humbill ferwice, Glencairne.* Edinburgh, the fourtt of Merche I607. To his maift Sacreid Majeftej. • James, first Earl ofGlencairn, a privy councillor, and one of the commissioners for a treaty of union between England and Scotland. 108 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LVIII THE REVEREND PATRICK GALLOWAY TO KING JAMES VL April 7, 1607. Pleas your Gratious Maiestye, This prsefent is to giwe your maieftye moft hartlye thankis for all your maieftyes fauors touards me, fpeaciallye for the conftant continuance of your maieftyes loue with me, as it vas vount, affuring your maieftye, you haue the man vho neuer vas nor fliall, God willing, be found alter- able in his duetifuU affedlion to ferue your maieftye, as becomes him. If it fall out that I fufpend my judgment in fomethingis proponed to me aff hand, till I got fuller refolution both to fpeak and to ftand honeftlye to that vhiche I fpeak, affuredlye it arryfes of no vnfound and altered afFe6lion touard your maieftyes feruice, bot onlye off laik of foreinforming, vhiche geues light and curage to men to doe ; and vherewith euer fince I feruedyour maieftye I haue bene made pertaker als foone as others: and for the clear- ing of this point, I referre myfelf to my Lord of Dunbars teftification, vho can and will giue iuft information to your maieftye of it. I heare that your maieftye is refolued to haue the miniftreeof Edinburghe plainted, the eftate vhereof is more miferable and defolat nor ony toune or kirk in Scotland, and vhiche is vorfe, the pulpittis ar fometymes pofleffed with yong people, and perfones vnmeete for that place, vhiche bringis the gofple and mini- ftree into a contempt, and will ouerturne all in end if it be not remeadit. The planting of it will doe great good to all the countrey, and help to amend mony thinges amifle, and procure great forderance of your ma- ieftyes feruice and quyat of this kirk, provyding the perfones be good teachers, peaceably difpofed, and weyll affecfted. I heare alfo that your maieftye is fome quhat moued to haue me placed there ; bot, Ser, beleefe me, in truth I am not for it, in refpedl of mony thinges in thame, and more in me, vhiche can not concurre weyll to make vp a good mariage OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 109 betuix vs. I need not to vfe mony vordes with your maieftye, vho knoues vs both alfueyll as our felfis doe. I mynd, God willing, to teache euery Sabboth, where euer I be, fo long as I may, and to be readye in moft duetifuU maner to concurre in your maieftyes feruice, as I falbe employed; bot to take on the charge of a particular flock, and fuch ane flock, my heart cannot yeeld, and I hope your maiefl;ye fall not burdin me with it. The bearer hereoff", Mr Peter Heuat,* is ane honefl man, and your ma- ieftye may reiofe in the planting of him, being ane of your maieftyes owne plantation there, and anfuring to your maieftyes expe6lation of him in all pointis, and can truely and fufiiciently informe your maieftye of all particulars here; bot he is not, as he deferues, and as your maieftye ap- pointed for his encouragement, anfured of his fmall penfion aflSgned to him, vhiche is pitie, and wald be helped to put difference betuix thofe that ar your maiefties oune men and others. If Mr Jhone Hall,f ane honeft man, and ane of your maieftyes owne planting alfo, and he war remoued, I wat not vhat fuld become of Edinburgh, your maieftyes cheefe toune her. Bot leafing thofe particulars, appardone me, Ser, to fpeak one word of the common caufe. Ser, at Lightquho, my Lord of Dunbar did good feruice to your maieftye, and by God blifling his vyfe and canny forme of doing, he prevailed fo as I neuer fawe ane more peaceable and ordourlye affemblye in my tyme, bothe in the progreffe and end, as it vas, and therefor vas admired and praifed of all in publique * Author of a treatise entitled " Three excellent Points of Christian Doctrine. Edinburgh, 1621." He demitted the ministry about the year 1615. t Mr John Hall continued in the ministry until 1619, when he craved to be " dismissed with the King's favour, in respect of his age and infirmitie of bodie, which he granted; yet he was not in- firm, but he might have continued teaching for there was no sensible decay found in his gifts. The truth is, he would not offend the King by not conforming, for fear of losing his pension ; and on the other side, would have the godly belieav that he was averse from the latest novation. But they interpreted this forsaking of his station, after he had helped to set the house on fire, to proceed only from lone of ease, leasiness, and fear to lose some part of his reputation, when his gifts should begin to fail. So he left his ministry of Edinburgh without the people's consent, resting only upon the King's demission." Calderwood, 1678, folio, p. 723. These censures, coming from an opponent, are not entitled to much weight. The plea of age is overlooked, and infirmity partially admitted, causes quite sufficient to account for Mr Hall's retirement. no LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS fermones and priuat fpeaches. The hope of taking order with Papiftis, and quyating of diftra6lions amongfl our felfis be conftant moderators, led all menn ioyfuUye your maieflyes vay, and if that courfe fetled there be profequute, your maieftye may affure your felf of pace here during our dayes, that is, if Papiftis can be keeped vnder be your maieftyes authoritie foundlye vfed here, and the kirk cenfures be fufferred to haue the awne place againft thame, our pace will grow, ill tongues wilbe filenced, and all thinges will go calmely, to your maieftyes contentment. Your maieftyes glory hath bene, and is the profeffing and manteaning of the gofple of Jefus Chrift, and all the vorld fees your maieftyes multi- plyed praefermentis and prseferuationes to arryfe of theprsefence of Jefus, the Lord of this gofple, with you, and to tend to the praeferuation and aduancement of it by your maieftyes prseferuation and aduancement, tuo thinges infeparably vnited, fence your maieftye hade being. Lat thame, therefor, be compted your enimyes that will not conforme thame felfis to it, and God fall contineue his blifling with your maieftye, and croune you with that incorruptible croune of glory in the end. So, moft humblye taking my leefe, I commend your maiefties perfone, familye, kingdome, and affairis, to the blifling of God. From Edinburgh, this 7 of Apryle 1607. Your Maiefties awin moft humble and affedlionat feruitour, Mr p. Gallouay.* To his Maieftie. • Patrick Galloway was originally minister of Perth, but was translated from thence to Edin- burgh, where he exercised his ministerial functions till his death in 1624. He married Mary, daughter of the Rev. James Lawson, also minister at Edinburgh. His son. Sir James Galloway, was created Lord Dunkeld, 15th May 1645. In a letter from Bishop Sage to Mr John Guillan (Catalogues of Scotish Writers. Edin. 1833, 8vo) he says, " While at Aberdeen, 4 years agoe, I learned that Dr Urquhart there has some volumes of a MS. history of what passed in his time, by Mr Patrick Galloway, who was famouse in King James the VI. minority and afterwards." P. 130. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. HI LIX._THE LORD CHANCELLOR TO KING JAMES VI. April 9, 1607. Moist Sacred Souerayne, Your maiefleis letter of the thrid of this inftant, anent the comptroUaris intentioun to exa6l cuftome of the outwarde and inwarde commoditeis exchangeit betuix this, your maiefteis kingdome, wes pre- fentit to your heynes counfaill, and, conforme thairto, ane a6l paft, dif- chargeing the comptroUair and cuHomaris of all forder melling in that mater. Your maiefteis vther letter, anent the mifbehaviour of the Maif- ter of Gray towardis his fader, wes lykewayes prefented and red in coun- faill, and ane commiflioun exped accordinglie to the Lord Haliruidhous ; hot, in the meantyme, the Lord Gray, heiring quhat wes concludit be your maiefteis counfaill in that mater, he direStit his fone Robert with a letter to the counfaill, fubfcryved be himfelfif, a nomber of his freyndis, and two minifteris, fliowing, that his petitioun, exhibited vnto your maief- tie, procedit vpoun euill informatioun, and perfwafioun of fome perfonis, who lyked not of concord and peace betuix him and his fone, and, that all thair differences wald be fetled and dreflit with their awin freyndis, and, that your maieftie nor your counfell fould not be troubled thairwith, as be his letter, whiche your maieftie fall heirwith reffaue, may appeir ; wher- upoun the counfaill thoght meit to forbeir all forder melling betuix thame. Thair hes bene findrie dyettis betuix Mr James Home and the freyndis of the Laird of Melleftanes, anent the fatling of that feid. Mr James feamis to be very penitent, andivald glaidlie imbrace freyndftiip, and mak fatiffa6tioun and aflyithement, hot the Haitleyis pretendis mony excuiffis vpoun the abfence and minoritie of thair cheif, and, that diuers of thame being removeable tennentis to him, can not enter into that treaty by his advife. Efter diuers continwationis granted vnto thame, in end, this pre- fent day, a nomber of thame compeirit and produceit a letter, writtin to thame frorae thair cheiff, proporting, that he will only fubmitt that mater 112 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS to your facred maieftie, and nane vtheris ; and thay, as alfua his cura- touris, who corapeirit with thame, following his opinioun, maid the lyke anfuer, and, for thair pairtis, hes fubmittit to your maieftie, wherupoun ane a6l of counfell is paft, and nothing reftis now hot Melleftanes awne pairte to be perfyted, whilk wald be done thair be your maiefteis direc- tioun, and returnit bak heir to fuche of your maiefteis counfell, whome your maieftie will mak choife of in that mater, wherin thay fall haif the concurrence of the whole counfell.* The fubmiffioun betuix Eglintoun and Glencarne is caffin in your maiefteis handis, as, by the proces of the counfallis dealing with thame, whiche the Erll of Dunbar will fliaw vnto your maieftie, may appeir. The Efteatis of Flanderis being debtfuU in diuers great fowmes to vmquhile Capitayne Achiefoun, for his feruice in the wearis amang thame, and his bairnis finding a warr fchip, pertening to the Efteatis, lyand in the harbory of Leyth, awaiting vpoun the tranfporte of the Lord of Buchcleugh, and fome companyis lifted by him, thay caufit arreift the faid ftiip. This mater feamit grevous to the whole eftate of maircheandis, who hes fa frequent a handling in thefe pairtis ; and your maiefteis coun- fell haueing at lenth aduyfit heirupoun, thay refoluit, that, in refpedl this wes a mater of eftate, wherin your maieftie hes intereffe, the arreiftment fould be lowfit; and thay humblie crave your maiefteis refolutioun, incaife the lyke mater fall oute heirefter. And fua, humelie craving pardoun of your facred maieftie for my lang letter, I pray God to bliffe your maief- tie with a lang and happy reignn, and eternall felicitie. Frome your maiefteis burgh of Edinburgh, the nynt of Aprile 1607. Your Maiefteis moift humble and obedyent fubie6t and feruitour, Al. Cancells. To the Kingis moift excellent Maieftie. • " In May this yeere (1607), the deadly feid and inimitey betuix Haitley of Mellerstanes and Home of Eccles, by his maiesties especiall command, was reconceilled by a comittee ftom the cottn- saill table.'' Balfour's Annals, vol, ii. p. 21. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 113 LX.— LORD GRAY TO THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL. April 8, 1607. My Lords, Heiring that his maieftie hes fend ane letter to 30ur lordfhips of his honorable pryuy confell quhilk I vret to his maieflie, with com- mand to tak tryell of materis betuine me and my eldeft fone, I thocht gude, fo fchone as I hard of it, to dere6l my fone, Robert, in prefence of fie our frinds as war heir for the tyme, quhais fubfcriptiounis ar with myne, to lett 3our lordfhips knaw that I vrett that letter to his maieftie at that tyme being euill informit, be perfuafioun of fum euill difpofit per- founis quha lykit nocht our agreement, and on thair informatioun, being tranfportit with coloir, the ordinar difefe of eage, thinking that my eldeft fone wald haiff vfit himfelf vtherwayis to me and my feruands nor he hes done : bot fen that letter was vrettin, we haiff fatlit all our awin towrnis amangis ourfelfis, and both I and hee ar content that giff ony queftioun fall arifs amangis ws heireftir, that our awin neareft friends fall judge it, without troubling his maieftie or 30ur lordfhips of his honourable pryvy confell, as att lenth the berar will inform 30ur lordfhips, fo it fall nocht be neidfuU ony be dire6lit in commiffioun from 30ur lordfhips heir for that effe on the 16th March 1649, tried, condemned, and on the 22d beheaded. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 123 hauing more honour than he meritis, to be fua neir of bluid unto 30ur moft excellent maieftie ; and for my auin pairt, I haid that honour as to be prefentit be his guidcher unto sour moll michtie maieftie, being ane youth as he is nou, and God forbid that my afFe6lioun or loyaltie fuld faill nou in my auld dayis, to 30ur moft excellent maieftie, of quhois conftant affedlion I haue fund fua monie fauours, that all the blood within me being uairit in 30ur moft michtie maieftis feruis, can not corefpond.* The Erlle of Dunbar, I hoip, will informe sour moft excellent maieftie mair amplie of my pairt and meining, quhomwith I haue conferrit at lenth this day, and.fering to be tedious, eftir the kifling maift humblie of gour moft michtie maieftis hand, I will ever reft 3our moft excellent, moft michtie, and imperiall Maieftis humble fubiedt, and maift affedlionat feruitour to the deith, HUNTLYE. At Edinbruch, this faxt of Februar [1608 ?]t To the Kingis moft facred Maieftie. • " After the King was settled on the throne of Great Britain, he governed his kingdom so pru- dently, that he keept them peaceable so long as he lined. The Marquis of Huntly was several times called by him to London to consult about Scotish affairs ; and the last time he was called, being come to his presence, he desired his son, Charles Prince of Wales, to take Huntly by the hand as the most faithful subject (said he) that ever served a Prince, assuring him that so long as he should cherish and keep Huntly on his side, he needed not be very apprehensive of great danger from seditious and turbulent heads in Scotland." — The Pourtrait of True Loyalty, exposed in the Family of Gordon. MS. Advocates' Library, p. 417. t This letter has no date ; as it mentions, however, the Earl of Dunbar, it must have been written subsequent to the 3d of July 1605 (though placed by Balfour amongst the letters of that year), when George Home, Lord Home of Berwick in England, was elevated to a Scotish Earldom. The Earl of Dunbar died 29th January 1611. In Balfour's Annals the Marquis is said to have sent his son to court, as commanded by the King's letters of the 15th February. 124 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LXVI._THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. Februaey26, [1608?] Pleis 30UR MOST Sacked Maiestie, Onderftanding be ray good-brother, the Duk of Lennox, that it is 30ur facred maieflis plefour and uill, that I fuld fend my fone* unto 30ur facred maieflie, and albeit he be the greteft pairt of the con- fort quhilk I haue nou during my uarding, ^\t I will euer prefer 30ur facred maieflis plefour and uill, till onie of my auin contentments, hoping that 3our facred maieflie will not be forgetfull of my auld affedlionat feruice, nor sit will lat me be ufit with fik rigour as the Puritins of this contrey intendis; for I protefl befor the lining God, that I carie that af- fedbion unto 30ur facred maieflie, that I will hazard my lyfe and my blood in 30ur facred maieflies feruis, athaer within 30ur facred maieflis domi- niouns, or againis onie foraner whatfumeuir. And feing in this I proofe ane deutiful and affe6lionat fubiedl, I hoip 30ur facred maieflie will not condifcend to my uraik, quhom it hes plefit of 30ur facred maiefleis fa- uour to mak up, onlie for refufing to fueir that all is true that it plefis the Puritins of this contrey to affirme. Bot feiring to be tedious, I haue impairtid the haill particulars of my affairis to this berar, be him to be declarit unto 30ur facred maieflie at greter lenth. Sua, humblie taking my leive, eftir the kiffing of 30ur facred maieflis hand, I will pray the eternall God euer to preferue 30ur raofl facred maieflie in lang lyf and mofl profperous renge. 3our mofl facred Maieflis humbill fubiedl, and mofl affe6lionat feruitour to the deith, Hunt LYE. At Stirling Caflell, this 26 of Februar [1608 ?] To the Kings mofl facred Maieflie, • See Gordon's History of the Family of Gordon, vol. ii. p. 109. Edin. 1727. Balfour's An- nals, vol. ii. p. 20. Edin. 1824. 8vo. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 125 LXVIL— THE MARQUIS OP HAMILTON* TO KING JAMES VI. March 1, 1608. Most Sacked Souebane, 3our maieftie hauing, vithout ony merit upone my pairt, bot upone 30ur maiefties gratious rememberance of the faithfuUe devtie and feruice of my fathir and grandfathir, don to sour maieftie, and the queen 30ur maiefties mother, vith the graet lofs, not onlie of thair freinis lyuis, bot thair auin blud, banefment from thair cuntrie, ouerthrau of thair houfis, and hail fortunis, bontfuUie grantit to me the eredlioun of Arbroith, according to the infeftment of the fame giuen of befoir be 30ur hienes to my fathir vnder the Great Seill, and be 30ur maiefties letter vrittin with 30ur royall hand, I thocht, and euer fall think, myfelf bund to 30ur maieftie, beyond al thie fubiedlis of this kingdome, amoinft quhom, nane hes reffeuit fo great fauor vithout any defert of thair auin ; and as this benefeit flouis frome 30ur maiefties only guidnes, fo uil I euer affuir my felf, that 30ur maiefties fauor will be unchangabill, fa lang as maift humil deutie and feruice fall not fail in me ; vhairof being giltles in my hairt, quhilk hes conftantly auouit rather to die, nor to giue entrie to any undeutifuU thocht, I hop 30ur maieftie vil graciouflie be plefd, uithout offence, to permit me to regraet, that it is heir gifun out, that 30ur ma- ieftie fould haue comandit my infeftment to be ftayit unexped, till the Laird of Pamuirf and fum otheris obtein fatiffa6lioun, in fik futtis as thay « James, second Marquis of Hamilton. Created Earl of Cambridge in England, 16th June 16 19 ; installed a Knight of the Garter, 7th July 1623; and died at Whitehall, 2d March 1625, in the 36th year of his age. t Patrick Maule of Panmure. Created by Charles I. Earl of Panmure, Lord Maule of Brechin and Navar, 3d August 1646. 126 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS mak to my difgrace and preiudice, becaus thay informit 30ur maieftie, that I refpedl not as becurais me 30ur maiefties benefite, quhan I refuis to giue tham ane fether of the guife whilk 30ur maieftie hes fo graciouflie giuin me : vheras, if that quhilk is crauit ver bot ane fether, it ver great madnes in me to mak any ceremonie in granting, bote 30ur maieftie hauing ordanit the minifteris to haue thair local ftipendis, and ane blanche deutie to be modifiet to be pyed to 30ur maieftie, that lining uald thairby be reducit to fuch eftate, as uil hardly furnice me mentinance in the rank vhairuith 30ur maieftie hes bein plefit to honour the hous, quhilk for the prefent, I unuorthelie pofTes; and gif that refpedl maid me, not fumquhat careful of meanis to liue in that rank, I fould rather trail ane pik in the fardeft pairt in the vordil, nor contend vith the meaneft that could be habil to purchas 30ur maiefties recommendatioun ; bot nou hauing meikil ado, and my eftait being graetlier burdenit nor it may veil bear, I houp and humlie defyre, that 30ur maieftie, at this tyme, vald continou 30ur moft gratious fauour towardis me, and fuffer that benefiet to be affedlual, the grant quhairof proceids of 30ur maiefties royal bounti, and gratious opinioun of the merit and feruice of my pre- difeffors befoir I vas borne, quhom I fall ftryue to equal, and, gif it ver poffebil, to exceid in al faithful, humil, conftant, euerieuey devutiful feruice to 30ur maieftie. And at Sanioniftoun, I fatiffiet the Laird of Pamuir in fecuriti of his auin teindis, according to the command of 30ur maiefties letter, than fend for that effe6l ; fua, quhan tyme and 30ur ma- iefties gratious fauour fall mend my means and eftait, 30ur maieftie fall difpois upon quhat farder 30ur maieftie fal than find that I can poffeblie do, uithout my utir ruynd, quhilk I knau afluritly 30ur maieftie vil preuent in 30ur infinit gudnes, the gratious effedlis vhairof alreddie refTeuit, geuis me affurance that 30ur maieftie vil accept in guid pairt, ane treu decla- ratioun of the verie eftait of that hail mater be my brother Sir Johne Hamiltoun, vhom I haue exprefflie dire6lit for that purpois. Hoping 30ur maieftie vil gratioullie heir and credit him, and be hime returne that fignificatioun of 30ur maiefties gratious and princelie vil, quhilk may mak 30ur maiefties former benefite effe6lual to me, and me abil to ferue 3our maieftie in the rank of my predicefluris, as I fall be villing, vith OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 127 maift faithful and reddie afFedlioun to biftou that, and al the reft that God has giuen me vith my blude, lyf, and freins in 30ur maiefties feruice, according to thair commendabil exempilis, vhairof I fal be moir glad to giue prouif nor promeis, and fal daylie defyr the occafioun to perform the fame, vith als guid hairt as erniftly I befeik God to grant 30ur facred maieftie long lyfe, perfyt helth, hapie regne, and moft bliffit con- tentment. 3our Maiefties moft humbill and faithful feruant, Hamilton. Hamiltoun, firft Marche [1608?]* The King his moft facred Maieftie. LXVIII THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VL March 5, 1608. Maist Saceed Souerane, I tak the occafioun and bauldnes to vritte this vnto your hie- nes, in anfuere off that it pleiafed your facred maieftie vritte to me the fecund of Februar, diredling me to deall with my nepvieu, the Erie of Abercorne, that he fould defift from onye farder infifting in fuitte of the • The year is not given, and Balfour has placed the letter amongst those of 1606 ; but as it ap- pears that the Marquis obtained a charter of the Jands, patronage, and titles belonging to' the Abbey of Aberbrothock, 5th May 1608, it was probably written in the month of March of that year. 128 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS Laird of Achindraynis* forfaulteur, and renunce all benefite and promeis he had of yiour maieftie for the fame, I could naa better trawell with him in that nor be communicatting yiour gracious mynd to him, be the ficht off yiour hienes awin letter, whairtoe I hope he hes fend yiour maieftie ane anfuere, whilk will fufficientlie fatiffie your princelie intentioun in this purpofe. This I can teftifie vnto yiour maieftie of certantie, that wha- foewir hes informed yiour hienes, that the faid Erie off Abercorne delt, or wald onye wayes be perfuadit to deall, for onye favour or owirfight to the faid Laird of Auchindrayne, hes fayde far bye the treuthe, or onye thing hes ewir bene in his mynde. He hes indeed fome freindfchipt with the hous of Bargenie, whomtoe Achindrayne hes bene this lang tyme a de- pendar ; bott as the hous off Barganie findis that the faid Achindraynis pradlifes was the wrack of the laft Laird off Barganye, fwa haiff thay be experience off laitt tryed, that he was be all poffible meanes working to ondoe that houfe, and, thairfoir, hes haillilie caffin him off. And this, I affure yiour maieftie, that it was be thair fpeciall moyane, diligence, and induftrie, with the affiftance of the Erie off Abercorne, that baithe this laft treafonable murthour of his, is brocht to the light it is cummed to, and alfo his foirknauledge, privitie, and perfuafioun to the yioung man, Thomas of Barganie, for the fouU murthour of the tutour of CaffiUs: and without thair doing and infifting, the fame will be hardlie yitt brocht to perfedlioun and dew outredde in tryall and punifchement. I knaw Achindrayne hes be manye meanes focht to purchefs my Lord Abercornes goodwill, or at leaft to lay him bye his perfwitt, and for that hes cauffed offer him mair nor he can ewer haiff of the benefite off his parfuitte. Bot he hes newir gevin anye ear to fie propofitioun, regaird- ing ewer mair yiour hienes prencelie intentioun in the profecutioun of juftice and pwnifchement off fua wylde a fa6l, and the dewtie off his plaice and eftaitt, nor anye commoditie : And this I hope yiour maieftie ftiall find be proofe to be the veritye and be his a<3;ioun, in regaird whereoff he is perfuadit certanUe, that for naa vrang nor ontrew rapport off anye fie fubje6ls, yiour hienes will alter or cbaynge your formar prencelie word, • See note to Letter from Lord Balmerino, page 132. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 129 grant and benefite, whereoff yiour hienes than thocht him worthie, for he efteyms that war a greater difgraice to him, nor all the mater is awaill. This I remitt alwayes to yiour majefties heiche wifdome and good refolu- tioun, for it may be that fchortlie the event may prove the Erie of Aber- corne to be the Laird off Achindraynis fpeciall parfewar, and onlie owir- thraw onder yiour maiefties authoritie and lawis, whilk will manifeft the ontreuthe off that yiour hienes hes bene informed off. Swa, taking my leive, with the maifl humbill kifTe off yioar royall hand, reftis for ewir Yiour facred Maieflies maift humbill and affedlionat fubje^l and feruitour, DuNPEBMLYNE. Edinburgh, 5 Marche 1608. To the King his maift excellent Majefti©'. LXIX THE LAIRD OF LUSS TO KING JAMES Vt Apeil 23, 1608. Pleas 30WR most Sacked Maiestie, I hawe beine wrgit be the counfell to fubmitt with the M'Farlanes my brothers flauchter, and all wther Hauchteris, muirtheris, bairfchippis, theiftis, reiflSs, and oppreffiounis, raifing of fyre, demohfch- ing of howfis, cwitting and deftroying of woods and plainting, committit be tharae againft me ; quhilk fubmilfioune is now become in sowr ma- R 130 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS iefteis hands.* And being informit that my Lord of Mar is to infift with 3our maieftie to pronunce ane decreit not onlie upon criminall ac- tiounis, hot alfo wpon the ciuill a6liounis, quhairof I hawe obteinit de- creitis alreadie befoir the Lordis of Seffioun, extending to the fowme of Ixxij thowfand poindis money of Northe Britane, I will maift humbillie be- feik 30wr maieftie to referwe my decreitis alreadie obteinit ; and quhat fatiffa6lioune 30wr maieftie pleafes to decerne to me for the criminall ac- tiounis, I mane hald me content thairwith, gife it be 30wr maiefteijs will, that rebelles to 30wr maieftie refawe that benefit, for they ar oft and di- wers tymis at the home for all the crymis abowewrytine, and findrie vther crymis not mentionat, wnrelaxit as yet. Requeifting 30wr maieftie to tak in gwid pairt this my humbill fwit, hawing nothing els to offer 30wr heynes, for all 30wr wndeferwit fawouris, hot my moft loyall hart, quhilk fall newer deword from the fmalleft of 30wr maieftijs thochtis. This, humbillie craifeing pardoune of this my prefumptioun, I pray God grant 30wr maieftie, efter ane lang and happie regne, eternall felicitie. 3our Maieftijs moft humbille and loyallie affedlit fubie6l and ferwand, Alexander Colquhoun off Lufs. Rofdo, the xxijj day of Apryll 1608. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. • " The olde feids of blood and slaughter, betuix the Laird of Lusse and the Macfarlans, was in this month (April), by the counsaills mediatione, absolutely submitted to the Kings maiesties de- terminations. The Macfarlanes had killed the Laird of Lusses brother, with maney of his friends and followers ; casten doune some of his housses, cuttit his woodes, spoyled his landes and tenants, for which he had obteined decreitts against them for grate soumes of money, and had declared them rebells by law." Balfour's Annals, vol. ii. p. 25. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 131 LXX._LORD BALMERINO TO KING JAMES VI. May 1608. Pleas your most Sacked Maiestie, I refaived your maieftes lettre of the 12 of May the 17, at eight a clok at nicht. The fame morning, Sir Alexander Drummondes prefen- tatioun was gevin in to the feflioun, who, with the other tuay competitouris, being called in, and thay refufing to go to tryell, but willingly yealding to his preferment, his tryell was appoynted him, conforme to your ma- iefleis a6l. And for your maiefleis refolutioun anent his religioun, I haif fend heirwith, the teflimoniall of his ordinair paflour, whair he hes made his refidence thir thre yearis, and of the minifter of Abercorne, whair he remainit befoir, evir fen he had any duelling. So, I lave to your maieftes moft princely confideratioun, out of what malice, ather aganes me or him, this inventioun hes growin : always his admiftioun fall ftay, whill it pleis your maiefty to certify your gratious plefur, protefting befoir the greit God of heavin, that nather blood nor acquaintance, but knawlege of his ability and inclinatioun to ferve, and what neid your ma- iefty ftandis in heir of worthy minifteris, did move me both to trayne him wp for your fervice, and finding him capable, to fute his preferments. So, hooping in your maieftes accuftumed favour, that my affedlioun to your fervice fall not bp turned to my difgrace, and craving pardone of this boldnes, I wifti your moft facred maiefty, after a lang and profperous raygne, eternell felicity. Your Maieftes moft humble and moft obedient fervand, J. Balmeeinoch.* • This letter has no date, but the reference to. Sir Alexander Drummond, who was appointed a Judge of the Court of Session, and took the title of Medhope, proves it to have been written in May 1608. Lord Medhope died in July 1619. See Melros Papers, p. 335. 132 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS The Erl of Abercorne hes taken Achindrane,* a moft vyill murtherar, partly to kyith his affe6lioun to your maiefteis fervice, and to flop thair mouthes who calumniat him; and he wald be encouraged by renewing your gratious favour, promefit to him befoir, and he will not faill to do bettir fervice. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. LXXL— THE EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. May 23, 1608. Sir, — Pleis ^our Sacred Maiestie, Tt is nocht poflible, be lettre, to expres the greifF of mynd quhilk juftlie I haue concawed, quhan be the counfall I wes laitlie informit of 30ur maiefties difcontentment aganis me, proceding, I dout, no thing of jour maieftes princlie and courtes inclinatioun, quhairof I haue had fo mony and dyweris experiences, bot of fum linifter informatioun of vn- freindis, as giff vndewtefullie I had behauit my felff, ather towardis jour maieftie, the miniftrie, or in contempt of 30ur hienes lawes or commande- mentis, quhilk I haue ewer reuerencit, and falbe to me in heicheft re- comraendatioun. For, Sir, it is ane greit regrait to me, that I may nocht pleid my innocencie in jour maieftes prefens, becaus than I wald nocht feir, but it fould cleirlie appeir, and my reuerend refpedl and obe- * The atrocious murders to which tWs person was accessory form the subject of a Drama by Sir Walter Scott, entitled " Auchindrane, or the Ayrshire Tragedy," and the reader will find in the preface a most interesting abridgment of the chief particulars, Poetical Works, vol. xii. (last edition), 12mo, p. 243. The trial that followed {with various illustrative papers) is given by Mr Pitcairn in his valuable Criminal Trials, vol. iii. 124. Some additional and hitherto unpublished particulars occur subsequently in this volume. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 133 dience to sour maieftes laft commandementis be manifeflit, quhilk, faueing 30ur maiefties plefour, wes fumquhat hard (all thingis being reichtlie confidderit). 3^tt, gifFather bifchop or minifter can iuftlie ac- cufe me of the brek of any poynt of dewetie to thame, I am content to be tryit and puniffit accordinglie; hot be the contrar, giff I haue, with all obedience, obeyit and fatiffeit the preceifeft of thame, I think thay fould nocht haue fa maliceouflie traducit me to 30ur maieilie, in complening quhair thay haue na caus of complaint. Bot fence no thing I can do can content fum of thame, I mod, with all humilitie and reuerence, in- treit 30ur hienes nocht to credeitt all thair reportis of me, without ane mair particular tryalL And in this laitt chairge, qubairby 30ur maieftie hes ordanit me to be wairdit in Glafgow, I am mofl humblie to requyre 30ur maieftie, inrefpe6l of the greit indifpofitioun of my bodie, tending to deathe, as the principall do6louris of medeceane in this cuntrie, be thair teftimoniall vnder thair handis, teftefeit to 30ur maieftie, as thai haue alreddie done to the counfall, to be that gracious to me, that, giff I falbe wairdit, it may ather be in Thomptalloun, Edinburgh, or Leithe, quhair I may haue the help and affiftance of phifitianis for my feiknes, than in Glafgow, quhilk is ane place verie vnmeit for me, for fondrie re- fpedlis, but fpeciallie for recowerie of my helthe : or giff it fall pleis 30ur maiefte, that I may haue 30ur hienes fauour to pairt frome this cuntrie for ane quheill, for the better preferuatioun of my helthe, I will accept of the fame as ane Angular benefeit, for fie fervices as I haue done to 30ur maieftie in tymes bypaft. And this, in all humilitie and reuerence, kifs 30ur maieftes princle hand, I humble tak my leiff. a 3our Maieftes moft humble and faithfuU fubiedl, E«LL OF Anguss- Cannogaitt, the 25 May 1608. To his moft facreid Maieftie, 134 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LXXIL— THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE BURGHS TO KING JAMES VI. July 8, 1608. Our maist gratious and Sotjerane Lord, We refeauet 30ur maiefties lettre dire6l unto ws, with 30ur ma- iefties counfallour, Sir Robert Danielftoun, knicht, conferuatour of 30ur maiefties fubie6ls of Scotland in the Law Countries, daittit at Grein- wiche, the xv of Junij laft; be the quhilk, we wnderftand that 30ur maieftie is informet of fum prepofterous cheritabill fupplie, gevin be fum merchantis trading in the Law Cuntries to the baneift minifters, with the quhilk 30ur maieftie is difcontent, and thairfor willing ws to reftraine that^ wndewtifull impertinent fupplie. 3o"r maieftie hes alfo willit ws to mak na choife of ane minifter, to feme the natioun at the Campher, without 30ur maiefties knawledge and approbatiouuj and ficlyk that we fould ratifie the former adlis, for eftablifching the ftapill of the natioun at the Campheir. And laft, that we fould refpe6l the bearer, quhome 30ur maieftie hes fund truftie in 30ur feruice. Plais 3our maieftie as to the firft, everie ane of ws heir prefent hes gevin his declaratioun, that he knaws of na kynd of fupplie gevin to thais baneift minifters, and we haue ordanit, that all the magiftratis within 3our maiefties burghes fould, be 30ur maiefties authoritie, inhibit and difchairge all fie fupplies in tyme cumming, and that ilk commiflioner fould intimy the famyn to his magif- trattis, and cans thame tak held thairto, and puneifch the offenders fua oft as thay can be knawin. And as to the minifter at the Campheir, we haue determinat and agriet, that nane falbe plaicet thair bot be 30ur maiefties confent and approbatioun ; and as to the ftapill at the Cam- pheir and conferuatour, we haue tane fie ordour thairwith, as 30ur ma- ieftie hes defyrit. Forder, my Lord Conferuatour hes fchawin that 30ur maieftie hes declairit wnto him the caldnes of the burrowis, in not com- plaining to 30ur maieftie vpoun the frequent reforting of Papiftis and OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 135 Jefuittis within this realme. We ar greatlie bund to thank gour maieftie, that hes fie rememberance and 3eall of religioun, as to fteir and waikin ws vp to the doing of our dewties ; and thairfoir, be the graice of God, expedling 3our maiefties help and concurrence, we falbe mair cairfuU to effefituat that pairt of our dewties to our power. And we ar this bauld to requyr 30ur maiefties authoritie, with the mair fchairp and fpeidie executioun; and thairfoir, we pray sour maieftie maift humbhe to hald hand thairto, and to vrge the remanent magiftrattis of the realme to ane mair vigilant cair in difchairging the dewties of thair offices in that behalf, quhilk we dout not but 3e will do. We alfo ar this humelie to pray 30U, that ane warrand may be diredl to the poft maifters betuix Londoim and Edinburght, to tak the merchant pakkat, to be faiflie de- lyuerit, as 30ur maieftie hes grantit to the Flemyngis, quhilk wilbe ane great farderance to the negotiatioun of 30ur maiefties fubiecStis of Scot- land : to the quhilk office of refait and delyuerie of pakattis, we think 30ur maiefties fubiedl, James Bannatyne, refident at Londoun, maift apt and qualifiet. And fua, praying the Lord to multiple sour maiefties dayis with ws, in ane happie governament, we committ 30ur maieftie to his mercifuU protedlioun. Frome Selkirk, this aucht day of Julij 1608, 3our maift humble and obedient fubie6lis, the Commiflioners of 30ur Maiefties burghes of Scotland, laitlie convenit at Selkirk, fub- fcryvand be our commoun clerk of conven- tioun at our command. [Indorfed.'l The copy of the lettre fent be the burrowes to the Kings Maieftie, with Sir Alexander Hay. 136 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS LXXIII.—SIR ANDREW MURRAY OF BALVAIRD TO KING JAMES VI. Jdly 13, 1608; May it pleas 30UR Sacred Maiestie, I haue bein, be vertew of 30trr heichnes commandement, accufit be the Erl of Dumbar, as gif I haid bein ane raoft ondewtifuU fubie6l vnto gour maieftie, kything the malice of my hart by the vttering of onreverent fpeiches. S^'^'' maiellies informer is Andrew Henderfoun, of quhom I will forbear to fpeak any thing, leaft I fould feim to haue no better defence nor the accufing of my accufer. The firfl point of my ac- cufatioun is, that I haue callit 3our maieflies promifis hot diffimulatiounis, and quhatfoeuer may, by confequence, be inferrit vpon this point, for verificatioun quherof he hes producit vnto the Erl of Dumbar ane letter wrettin by me from Roiftoun, the kft of March 1604, direclit vnto my vncle my Lord of Scone. The woordes ar theis : — My Lord, efter I had wrettin at lenth vnto sour Lordfhip with Maifler Dauid Moray, I haue tryit fum thinges, quherof my dewtie bindes me to aduertife gour Lord- fhip. Notwithftanding of that quhilk I wret to 30W in my lafl letter, that his maieftie had faid vnto my felff concerning 30W, I fear it be al bot diffimulatioun ; quhilk woordes, how far they man be wreftit befoir they can proue the thing alledgit, I am perfuadit that 30ur maiefties felf, without any apologie of myn, will moft gratiouflie confider; Neuertheles, to the end 30ur maieftie may the moir cleirlie onderftand how far this malicious imputatioun diflagreis from my trew meaning, I will bot fchortlie fay this meikill. That former letter, quherof I maik mentioun, fent be Maifter Dauid Moray, had in it tua pairts. The firft was ane declara- tioun how 30ur maieftie had not only moft gratiouflie admittit me to 30ur prefence, bot alfo gracit me with moft fauorabilli countenance; and, mair- ©uer, moft bountifulUe had givin commandement to gif me tua hunderith OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 137 pund. The vther part was, that I had rememberit my vncle vnto fundrie of 30ur maiefties counfell and fura of 30ur fauorites, from quhom I had re- fauit great proteftatiounis of affenWr^ ^ 7 OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 201 and profperous raigne; and vith ane eternal and glorious in the lyf to cum. Your Majefties moft humble and obedient feruitoris and fubjedlis, Maifter Jhone Wemis, Redlor. Mr James Martine. Mr Dauid Monypennie. Mr RoBEET Wilkie. Mr Jhone Jonston. Mr Patrik Malvill. Peter Bruce. Mr Ja. Wemyse. Mr George Martine. Maifter Jhone Strang. Mr Wm. Macdowell. Mr Alex*. Henderson. Maifter William Lambie. Mr Robert Hovye. Maifter James Blair. Maifter James Schevez. Mr Hendrie Danskein. Sanftandrous, 4 Maij 1611. CXI KING JAMES VI. TO SIR ARTHUR CHICHESTER.* Seftembeb 14, 1611. James R. Right truftie and welbeloued, wee greete yow well. The Lord Ochiltree,f a noble man of Scotland, of gopd defert toward vs, being an ■ Sir Arthur Chichester, Lord Deputy of Ireland, who obtained considerable grants of land in the province of Ulster, and was created a peer of Ireland by the title of Lord Chichester of Belfast, 23d February 1612. He died without lawful issue, at London, 19th February 1624, when his estates, almost entirely derived from the old Irish families, passed to his brother, Sir Edward Chichester, who was created Viscount Chichester, 1st April 1625. From him the present Mar- quis of Donegal is lineally descended. The old barony of Chichester is extinct. t Andrew, third Baron of Ochiltree. From a letter without date, addressed by him to James, he appears to have been involved in pecuniary difficulties in consequence of his employment in the Isles under his Majesty's order. He supplicates the King to order the council to audit and pass his accounts, so that he might be enabled to settle with his creditors. In conclusion, he entreats " your highnes for eschewing the present wraik and rwyne of my old house, who hath bene so long 2c 202 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS vndertaker of a portion of the efcheated landes in Vlfter, and now going thether to fetle himfelfe and his company on the landes of Montioy, for the eftimatioun we mak of him, wee haue thought fitte to accompany him with our lettres, whereby to let yow know that whatfoeuer fauour yow fhall do him, in furtherance of his well fetling in that place which he hath vndertaken, wee fhall take in kinde parte, as beftowed on a noble- man vnto whome wee wifli all goode fucceffe. Giuen at our mannour of Hauering, the xiiij"' of September, in the eight yeare of our reigne of Greate Britayne, Fraunce, and Irland, and of Scotland the xlv*. To our right truftie and welbeloued Sir .Arthur Chichefter, Knight, our De- puty of our kingdome of Irland. CXII._THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE BURGHS TO KING JAMES VI.' To HIS Sacked Maiestie, The humbill Petitioune of the Commiffioneris for the Burrowghes of 30wr Maieflies Kingdome of Scotland, in the behalf of the faid Burrowghes, Maist humbhe befeeching 30wr facred maieftie as the onlie fontane, vnder God, of juftice, and nixt wnto him, the velfpring of our happines, loyall subjects and true servands," to order a payment to account. It is probable, as the King's Exchequer was not usually overflowing with cash, that Lord Ochiltree got the Irish grants in pay- ment of his claim. He was created an Irish peer by the title of Lord Steuart, Baron of Castle- steuart, in the county of Tyrone, 7th November 1619. He died in 1632. His descendant and heir-male, Andrew Thomas Steuart, the sixth Baron, was created, 20th December 1793, Viscount, and 29th December 1800, Earl of Castlesteuart. Andrew Lord Ochiltree is said to have resigned his Scotish honours in 1615, which were then conferred on Sir James Stewart of Killeitb, in whose family the Barony became extinct. The Earl of Castlesteuart claimed, however, the Scotish Barony ; but the House of Peers, 16th April 1793, decided that his vote, given as Lord Ochiltree, at the election of Scots peers, was a bad one. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 203 feing we half had acceffe vnto 30wr facred prefence, that it wold pleis 30wr maieflie, off 30wr accuftomid fauour and clemenfie, to pardoune and forgifF owir owirfichtt (and many mo 30wr maiefties faithful! and loyall fubiedlis, quho ar wnder the fame fenfour with ws) in taking abuifif ten for the hundreith, contrar to 30wr maiefties a6t: the occatioune quhairof was, that the fame tuik newer plaice by executioune, it being now paft fourteine or fyfteine 3eiris fence the ina6ling of the fame, fwa, that all perfounis of quhatfumewer rank, eftait, or conditioune thay be of, hes takin tuelf for the hundreith, quhilk was authorifed be decreitis of the Lordis of Seffioune, allowitt be the Loirdis of 30wr maiefties Exchaker to the thefawrer, controller, and wtheris : quhilkis warrandis our owirficht heth imbaldnit ws of the mener fort (ignorant of the lawis and mening thairof), to commit the lyk by imitatioune, and not of contempt: alfo, the neceffitie and fkairfnes of mony,* owir countrie not yeilding the lyk ftoir as wtheris, and the neceffitie of the adois of the countrie amangis owirfelwis and elifquhair, maid the fame moir tollerabill, fuppofing toUe- rance to be law. And feing this is the firft fute of 30wr maieftieis bur- rowis fence the vnfpicabill lois of 30wr maiefteis happie prefence and aboid amangis Ws, quhairby we half loift all ftrenth and vigour, and ar becum as deid and rotin ftokis, 30wr maiefteis prefence being the fontane thatt did watter and refreche ws, we humblie befeik 30wr maieftie to par- doune owir bygaine ignorance and owirfichtt anentt tuelf of the hundreth, and to none wtheris, promiffing all lawfull obedience in tymis cuming. Nixt, that it wold pleis 30wr maieftie to difchairge the exa6ling or heichting of the cuftoraes of hering, cloth, hydis, fkinis, and fuch wther ftapill waris of that kingdome, being the onlie waris quhich bringeth home gould, filwer, wyne, faltt, irne, and fuch wther neceflaris, by importing quhairof, 30wr maiefteis cuftomes ar inlairgid. Thridlie, that it wald pleis 30wr facreitt maieftie the exacting of cuf- • Some interesting notices relative to the scarcity of coin in Scotland will be found in the Melros Papers. 204 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS tomes for tranfporting of gudis in tyme bygaine, frome Ingland to Scott-- land. Laft, that it wold pleis 30wr raaieftie to difchairge the exadling of bul- yen for ony tred wfed within 30wr heichnes dorainiounis, feing that 30wr maiefteis awin coyne can not be conwertid into bulyon; and as we ewer' heirtofoir hes beine moift willing and redy to facrifice owr lywis, and quhatfumewer we had befydis for ^our maiefteis honour and faftie, fo fall we ewer continow, with our moift dewot and hertlie prayeris to God, for 30wr maiefteis profperus and hapie regne. CXIII.— W. WHEITFURDE TO JOHN MURRAY. May 16, 1612. Right honorabill, I truft your honour hes reffaued my letter, whairin I did an- fwer your laft thatt cam to me in the ende of Marche, and fchew yow your biflines could nott be enditt with Mr Ro'. Henderfone, till Mr Thomas Hope* his returne to the toun, who was then gone to Londwait, Yow falbe fure in grace of God, att his returne, thatt biffines falbe done as Mr Thomas fall diredl, as Mr Robert is moft willing, wpon the ficht of your laft letter which I fchew him, and expedles yow will tak fay euir with Mathow Wilfone being thair now with yow, that he fall quitt his pofleflioun of your myll and maynes, which is moft fitting yow fould do, Sir (favand your awin pleafour and better judgment), for fince he herd yow wer to beftow itt wpon Mr Robert, he hes vttered a fort of contrie clayrae to itt, and grudged with Mr Robert for taking his kyndlie rowme, and foe far as I can learne, howfoewer yow may, Sir, mak vfe of him in wther fervices, he is nott a fitt man thair to menage your rent, for he hes • Afterwards Sir Thomas Hope, Lord Advocate. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 205 principal! entries in thaes landes, be clayme of his kyndlie poffeffioun,* as thaes peopill do efteara itt, and moft credite with the reft of thatt fort, thatt he doeth no wther, bott be all raenis ftryue to keip thaes landes att the meineft rate he can, thocht he do itt cunninglie and covertlie. Befyd, I haue learned thatt he fuffers thair of his nychtbouris to incroache in the poffeffioun of fome off your rowmes, who feik to keip thame be wther titillis then of your landes, and be tyme will bruik thame fo; as, namelie, Rammerfkaillis thrie darkis of meidow,'and John Maxwell in Lochmaben, ane clofe of land. Itt may be thair be wtheris, I haue nott lerned, for I am a mere ftranger thair, and that thir be bott mein thinges. Do, Sir, as yow pleafe. I thocht it my dewtre fo foone as I leairned this muche, not to conceill itt. Yow may lykwayes, Sir, try how the fyfcheing of your loche is vfed; and when Robert Philip and Mathow is both thair with yow, yow may try, Sir, gif yow can fynd outt of thame, examining ather of thame apairt from the wther, who wer the inftigatouris of thaes .tenentis of youris, to prefent to his maieftie a complaynt of yow, and giff Mathow wes accefforie to itt. The commiffioners of the Middle Schyres ar verie cairfull in difcharge of thair commiffioun, hath apprehenditt a gritt many kept prifoners to this enfewing court, that doeth muche good for the quyetnes of the con- trie, which in all liklihood er now, gif this courfe had nott prevented, bein in verie greatt diforder. Yow haue done. Sir, verie honorablie in joyning your felff in this commiffioun ; and itt is grittumlie to your honour, and furtherance of your biffines in this contrie, this courfe in repreffing of infolenceis and villaneis thus proceids. Thair is one thing enlaiking, muche hinderfome to this fervice, that thair is no jayll in Annandaill. Itt is a worthie and memorabill work for yow, Sir, to bethink yourfelff of the meines to help itt, and whairin nott the leift help of the quyetnes of this • Wilson seems to have been one of the kindly rentallers of the four towns of Lochmaben, who were said to have come in place of some favoured servants of Robert the Bruce, who had obtained their small possessions by a species of tenure unknown in any other case of heritage in Scotland, and whose representatives could not be removed by the Overlord, although possessing without charter or seisin. See Case of Kindly Tenants of Lochmaben v. Viscount of Stormont, Nov. 24, 1726. Morison, p. 15, 195. 2u6 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS contrie confiftes. Captane Jhonfloun and a number of his fervandes, for a flauchfer of the Laird of Warafrayes brother, ar efcaiped, and for wther cawfes ar cited to this court, and itt is thocht falbe fugitive. The captane hes putt Drumlangrig in truft of his eflate, who hes taken the gift of his efcheitt and lyfrent. Heir itt is thocht the captaine is att court. GifF he can mak meins for him himfelff, I doutt nott. Sir, yow will be his freind ; bot gif things go werfe with him, a pairt of his eftate he haldis of yow, whairoff yow may confidder whatt is fitting to be done. He em- barked himfelff in the purchafe of the fortie pund land of Corheid, quhairon the toun of Moffeitt flandis, which is one of the prettie thinges in this contrie. Gif the occafioun prefent that ather. Sir, yow may doo him good as his friend, or that none of his freindis can do him godd,r yow may accordinglie confidder. Thair is warning vfed in your name aganes the landes of Longboddom this yeir, which many conjec- ture this long tyme, hes holden of the Starr of Babylon ; and fo yow will do Weill, Sir, to defyr your agent to prevent gif thei feik any new richt. Thus, entreiting your honouris pardon of this my boldnes, I commend yow and all your effairis to the blefEng of God, and fall remane Your Honouris mofl; affe6lionatlie devoted in all fervice, W. Wheitfuede. Moffet, Maij 16, 1612. To the Richt Honorabill Jhone Murray of Lochmaben, one of his Maiefl;ies Bedchamber, thefe. CXIV W.WHEITFURDE TO JOHN MURRAY. May 28, 1612. Right honorabill, I trufl;. Sir, yow haue reffaued a letter whairin I writt to yow concerning Captane Jhonftoun. He is now fugitive from this court OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 207 holden at Dumfreifs, for thift, and a man of his hanged as accefforie to thatt thift whairfor he wes to be endyted. Whatt falbe the event. Sir, yow may better judge then I : Itt feames thair is no way for him bott be his maieflies favour. In the meintyme, his freindis feir his eftate fall in the kinges hand ; being a landed gentilman and fugitive for thift, falles vnder the compas of treafpn. A pairt of itt holdes of your felff; moft pairt of the Laird of Drumlangrig, as being of the landes of Torthorrell. This mekill, I thocht itt my dewtie to advertife yow of. Sir : Yow can better difpofe then I can advyfe. One thing he had, a entres in the landis of Corheid and MofFeitt, whilk gif yow had, itt wer eafie to purchafe the full titill thairofF. Bot craveing pardoun of this my prefumptioun, I commend yow to the diredlioun and bleffing of the hiefl and onlie wife, and fall evir remane Your Honouris humble ferviteur, moft affe6lionatlie devoted, W. Wheitfuede. MoflFett, May 28, 1612. To the Richt Honorabill Jhone Murray of Lochmaben, one of his Maiefties Bedchamber, thefe. CXV.— THE MAGISTRATES OF CANONGATE TO KING JAMES VI. Seftembeb 26, 1612. Pleis 30UE Excellent Maiestie, Thair being nane of 30ur fubie6tis of this kingdome quho be not grevit with the want of sour gratious prefence, set non haif fuch caus, 208 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS or ar moir fenfibill of the lois, then 30ur pure and ever dewtyfuUie deyotit brugh of Cannogate, quho do now fynd a cauld nipping wynter for the fweit feaffonable fomer they inioyit in 30ur maiefties flay heir, and sit hald thame felffis happie heirin with the reft of 30ur fubiedlis, that thaj inioy the benefite of sour maiefties raoft iuft, royall, and bhffit gouerna- ment, fully perfwading thame felfis, now quhen the fardeft limeittis and bordouris of sour impyre (ones thocht almoft impoffible) ar brocht to that fredome frome thraldome as thair refteth no farder feir of oppref- fioun, that sour maiefties faid burgh and inhabitantis thairof fall not want fum refrefching frome that fame welfpring of grace, in being protedlit frome the wrang and iniurie intentit vnder cuUour of perfute by law, sit more vniuft then quhat is done vtherwayis in a moir oppin fchaw of vio- lence. And, thairfoir, we haif bene bauld heirby to mak humble treatty to sour maieftie for paffing and expeiding this article of parliament in our favouris, be ane fo iuft and reffonable, as we Ikairflie do beleif that any falbe oppofed to the expeiding thairof; and that sour maieftie wald thairwith recomend by fpeciall lettre the fame to the eftates, for a tefti- monie of sour maiefties continewing favour to the inhabitantis of this pure burgh of the Cannogait, quho wer alwayis reddy and wald think thame felfSs ftill happie to be imployit in the fervice of sour maieftie, sour court and trayne. And fo, wiffing frome God the happie continewance of sour maiefties gratious regnne over ws, we humblie tak our levis, refting 3our Maiefties moft humble and obedient and devotit fubie6ls, Mr JoHNE Haet, Bailse. Mr W. WiLKiE, Bailse. At sour Maiefties Burgh of the Cannogait, the xxvj. day of September 1612. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 209 CXVI._SIR DUNCAN CAMPBELL TO KING JAMES VL Februakt 2, 1613. Pleis 30UR Excellent Maiestie, 3our heighnes lettres, writtin in fauoris of Robert Abbroche M'Gregour,* now calling himfelf Ramfay, I haue reflaveit, quhairby I am willit to repoffeffe him in quhatfoeuer landis he haith rycht wnto, with- out truble or plea in law. It is of treuthe that he did poffefs certane landis belonging to me without ony rycht or titill at all, yea, fo far againis my confent, that with remembrance of my verie grit loiffis, I fall repent I had fuche tennent ; and quhen he, as one of the cheif fpeceall ringleadaris of his viperous clan, did nocht content thamefelfis to wrong me by the moift barbarous oppreffing of my tennentis, but had alfo ovir- rwne ane grit pairt of thre or foure fhirefdomeis, than the generale greif of fa mony dewtefuU fubiedlis maid the exterminioun of this damnable raice of people to be reffolueit wpone, as moift expedient and neceffary for 30ur maiefteis peace and obedience, and the furetye of 30ur heighnes dewtefuU fubiedlis duelling in thais pairtis ; whiche work, fince it tuik begining, haithe bene euer chairgable to 30ur maieftie, panefuU to the cuntrie, and with my particular very grit hurt and Ikayth, haueing had, befydes, many former loifes within les nor thais xviij monethis, twa hundrethe merk land waiftit and fpoiled be that clan, condu6led by this fam man now recommendit ; my tennentis, thair wyfis and young chil- drene wnmercefuUie mwrthoured, and fick of thame as efchaipit the fworde, in regaird thair houflis wer all brunt, being left in the oppin air, boithe the aigit and 30unger fort wer killit with colde. It may perhapis by fum be fupponit that this feruice is at fum gud poynt ; bot quhen all, boithe noble men, barrounis, and gentilmen, who haith moift interefs in this work, wer conveyned, than it wes amang thame refolved, and by thame to 3our maiefteis counfall proponed, and thair alfo allowit of, that without tranfplantatioun of this clan, no quyetnes to thais boundis culd • See Metros Papers. 2d 210 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS be expedled; fo as this manis repoffeffioun to any landis, whiche by ftrong hand he held formerhe without any richt at all, implyis a dere6l ranverfing of quhateueir was intendit for the gude of that feruice, the particular harme and inconvenience quhairof being wnfelt, no dout, to thais who hes bene fo eirneft folicitouris in the behalf of this man, fo ar thay als far miftakin in thair wndertaking for his gud behaviour in tyme cuming, in regaird thair is no dout at all, hot quhen he findis himfelf of new ftrenthned with a frefche grouth of this wnhappie weid (quhairof thair be of male kynd fum xvj'"' of new aryfeing), lyke aneuche he will put who promiffis in his behalf to ane perfonall adlioun for thair releif. And becaus hard experience haithe maid me more fenfible nor wtheris, and my dewtie to 30ur maieftie doithe enforce me to conceale no thing of my knawledge heirin, I haue thairfoir prefumed to acquent 3our heighnes withe the treuthe ; affureing 30ur maieftie one my credit, that giff the ringleadaris of this clan fall haue the libertie to dwell and refide in thair former poffefliounis, this wndercotting woude fall be found heirefter moire incurable. Alwayfe, for my awin pairt, haueing lyfe and whoile eftait euir reddie at 30ur maiefteis difpoifeing, I moift humblie tak my leif, praying God Almychtie to continew long 30ur heighnes happie and prof- perous reigne, and reftis 3our Maiefteis moift humble and obedient feruitoure, Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhay.* Edenbruche, the 2 of Februarj 1613. To the King his moift excellent Maieftie. • Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurquhy -was in great favour with King James VI. He assisted at the coronation of Queen Anne, 18th May 1590, when he was knighted. In 1617, he had the office of heritable Keeper of the Forest of Mamlorn conferred on him, and obtained from King Charles I. the Sheriffship of Perthshire for life. He was created a baronet by patent bearing date 30th May 1625, and dying in June 1631, was buried at Finlarig. He is the direct ancestor of the present Marquis of Breadalbane. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 211 CXVIL—JACOBUS VI. CIVITATI GEDANENSI. [1613 ?] Jacobus, Dei gratia Britanniarum, Francise, et HiberniaB Rex, Fidei De- fenfor, &c. magnificis, genero% et fpe6labilibus Dominis Prseconfulibus, Confulibus, totique ampliffimo regise ciuitatis Gedanenfis Senatui, amicis noftris diledtis, falutem et beneuolentiam noftram regiam, &c. Magni- fici, generofi, et fpeftabiles viri, araici noftri dilefili, literas ueftras, amici- tisB et amoris erga nos fubditofque noftros plenas, jam pridem nobis reddidit famulus nofter Patricius Gordonius, qui etiam ore tenus fiqgu^ larem amplitudinum veftrarum in regii nominis noftri fama et dignitate, aduerfus iniquiffimas malitioforum quorundam obtre6latorum difperfas per famofos libellos calumnias, afferenda, curam et diligentiam abunde expofuit. Qua3 omnia vt prudentise et judicio veftro tribuenda agnofci- mus, ita a nobis maximas et habendas et referendas gratias jure optimo cenfemus, nullafque gratificandi rationes, commoda oblata occafione, ne- gligemus. Quod ad focietatem Anglorum mercatorum alicubi in Boruf- fia ftabiliendam attinet, etfi fereniffimi Polonis3 Regis veflramque volun- tatem perfpeximus, et in eadem acquiefcere lubenter cuperemus, tamen ne vicinis vrbibus, aut fubditis etiam noftris, vllam juftse offenfionis caufam praebere videremur, prsefidi focietatis illius, eiufque affefforibus iniunxi- mus, vt (fi vobis id gratum fuerit), fex homines idoneos mandatorio nof- tro adiungant, quibus negotii illius curam cum plena tranfigendi poteftate committendara duximus ; vt exploratis conditionibus a vobis vicinifque ciuitatibus proponendisi commodis et fecuritati fuae confulant. Tranf- a6liopis articulps nobis confirmandos referuari volumus : caetera quae ad tradlatus initium, progreflum, euentura, et ad ciuium veftrorum fubdito- rumque noftrorum commodum pertinent, veftrae prudentiae et promiflb re- linquimtis. 212 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXVIIL— JACOBUS VI. JOHANNI SPEMANNO. [1613?] Magnifice et generofe Spemanne, fincerum gentis tuae, totiufque am- pliffimi fenatus regise civitatis Gedanenfis erga nos fubditofque noftros amorem fapius perfpeximus ; nofque ad eundera orani benevolentia regia compenfandum raerito obligates effe lubenter agnofcimus. Inprimis vero gentis tuse virtutes egregiae nos tibi maxirae devinxerunt, effeceruntque ut negotium non valde difficile prudentise tuse feorfura commendaremusi Famofus libellus, ad ignominiam totius gentis Scoticse, in Pruffia ante an- nos aliquot divulgatus, veftro et ampliffiraorum coUegarum veftrorumjuffu et audtoritate in urbe veflra prohibitus et fuppreffus eft, quod nos maxi- mum benevolentise et prudentiee argumentum, nee oblivioni tradendum exiftimavimus. Ejufdem libelli audtorem Johanem Starcovium* manda- rins nofter Patricius Gordonius ad extremum fupplicium, juxta provincise illius [leges], eft perfecutus. Cumque adlio ilia magnis fumptibus con- • The execution of Stircovius, which, in these days, would very properly be deemed as an act of atrocious barbarity, was regarded in a very different light two centuries since, when it was considered as a most pro- per and necessary proceeding. This unfortunate Pole had, it seems, paid a visit to Scotland, but was not received with that hospitality and kindness for which, in more modem times, that kingdom was so justly ce- lebrated. His strange dress excited astonishment, and his odd dialect ridicule. He was jeered, hooted, and actually laughed out of the country. Home he returned, and the first thing he did was to pen the " famosus libellus," which excited the ire of the sapient James, who lost no time in bringing to condign punishment the unfortunate scribbler. By the instrumentality of Patrick Gordon, the author of the " Bruce," Stircovius was apprehended, tried, convicted, sentenced, and beheaded. All this could not be done without money, and of necessity a considerable sum was expended; his Majesty, although desirous of vindicating the dignity of the Scotish nation, was not inclined to do so at his own expense, and he modestly proposed to make the Scotisb boroughs the sufferers. To this proposition, however, the various magistrates were not disposed to listen : — so the King took proceedings against his refractory subjects before the Lords of the Secret Council. To his great vexation, the proposed Judges held they had no jurisdiction, and refused to proceed. The King was thus obliged to have recourse to some other expedient, and accordingly he appears to have written to the magis- trates of Dantzig the letter now first printed, by which he proposes to tax all his subjects resident there. The decreet of absolvitor in favour of the boroughs was printed from the original among the papers of the dty of Edinburgh in a private publication, entitled Nugs Scotics. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 213: ftiterit, et adhuc non exigua fumma urbis veftrse incolis perfolvenda reftet, confuetiffimum nobis vifum eft, ut fubditi noftri, tam in urbeveftra degentes quam e Polonia et Pruffia eo advenientes, qui cuiri vicinis paria onera in negotio illo Starcoviano non fuftinuerunt, illis pro ratione cenfus adsequen- tur, donee tota fumma refidua plene perfolvatur, et Davidi Graio pro maximis laboribus in negotio illo conficiendo exantlatis ex equo et bono fatiffiat. Quapropter ut gentis tuse juflU et confilio homines idonei ele- gantur, qui hujus rei curam habeant, pecuniam a volentibus coUigant, a nolentibus, veftra au6loritate freti, exigant, rationemque diligentiee et fidelitatis reddant, vehementer rogamus. Fa6lura gens tua rem nobis gratiffimam, et, uti opportunitas offerat, regio favore noftro dignam". Magnifico et generofo Domino Johanni Spemanno, ampliffimo regiae civitatis Gedanenfi Prasconfuli, equiti aurato, fideliter nobis diledto. CXIX.— SIR ALEXANDER HAY TO KING JAMES VI. July 4, [1613?] MosTE Ghatious AND Drbade Soveeayne, According to diredlioun, immediatlye vpoun my arryvall heir, I delyuered to the tuo Archbifhoppis, being together, the draught of the Confeffioun of Faithe, whereanent they ar to wryite, and fend vp there owne opinionis. For my owne pairte, I do fkairfe think that it can be ather addit to, or altered to the bettir, haveing alreddy abidden fuche a tuiche- ftone; bot leiving the divines to there owne fundlioun, I wes the more vnhable to yeild thame fatiffa6lioun in there doubtes, when the fame wer referved wp from me. Anent the keiping of the parliament, I haif ac- quaynted the archbifhoppis therewith, as in lyike fort the chancellour have- ing fhewin no caus thereof, bot the aid of remanding, and therewith to ray 214 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS Lord Chancellour only as yit, the courfe to be takin thereat, for fome fupplye to my Ladye Elisabethis mariage. In thefe few vnto whome it is alreddy impairted, I do find contrarye opinionis both of allowing and difproveing the holdeing of it ; bot heirof your maieftie is to be certified at more lenth by nixt packett. Aiient excoramunicat noblemenj and the advertifment whiche fuld haife bein long fince fent to your maieftie anent thame, Glafgpw dothe excuife himfelf in fo far as both thefe noblemen ar within S* Androis his province. The other layeth the blame vpoun the biflioppis, who wer employed in that fervice ; always he hathe vnder- takin, that if it be not alreddy done, that it falbe performed with fpeid. In this bufynes betuix my Lord Chamberlyne and Coldenknowes, I haif written to my Lord Feutoun at lenth all difficultyes whiche I do find therein, being afeard if I fuld haif conteyned thame in this fame lettre, and rather referring it to his difcretioun, to be impairted to your maieftie at your highnes beft leafure. No packett fall rwnne, bot your maieftie fall vnderftand of my difchairge of fome pairte of my laidening, vntill I do cleare myfelf, dift)urdeyned of whatevir is within my inftru6liounis conteyned; wherein, I do humblye entreate your maiefties pardoun, if, in doing thereof, I fuld the more frequentlye wryite. And wifheing from God the daylie increafe of your maiefties health and happynes, I hum- blye kifs your facred hand, and reftis Your Maiefties moft humble and dewtifuU fubiedl and fervant, Alex". Hat.* Edinburgh, 4 July. * Sir Alexander Hay, younger son of Alexander Hay of East Kennet. On the 3d February 1610 he was admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session, in room of Lord Holyroodhouse. He was appointed Clerk Begister on the 30tb of July 1613, and died in 1616. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 215 CXX._THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. Febeuaey 10, 1614. Right traist Feeind, and weilbeloued Cousing, I haue refaued yiours off the 28 Jan"^., quhairby I onderfland myne was cuimed to yiourhandis off the 21, concerning Rihillis biffines,* quhairoff I am werie glaid, fpecialie be that yie write to me, I fould Ihoirtlie, as yie hoiped, heir off ane guid fuccefs in that earand. This onlye I haue to write to yiow ; if yie that ar daylie attendantis, domeftic and hamelie with his facred maieftie, can nocht moue his maieftie to putt that turne fummarlie and fliiortlie to guid end, vpon fa guid and fuire groundis as I haue fett doun, quhilk in my faule and confcience ar iuft and equitabill, or then being fa adiured be his maiefties lettir, as I wifl, I fould neiuer haue prefuimed to write fa far, if yie, I fay, procure nocht prefentlie, ane finall determinatioun in that caufe, be his maiefties awin fentence, quhilk may be a royall fentence in deid, and wordie off king Solomon, or onye wifeft monarche ; if the mater be putt to farder difpu- tatioun, that lordftiippe will melt and vanifh away; and nather fall his maieftie, nor onye other, haue eiuer honour or pleafour off the end off the befines. This I write to yiow, and wiffis yiow communicat the fame to Lord Fentoun, and doe the beft yie may, for I can doe na mair for my pairt. Sua, nocht hauing farder hot to wifs yiow all happines, reftis Yiour louing coufing alwayis at command, DUNFERMELJNE. Frome Edinburgh, 10 Feb. 1614. I pray yiow that this may prefent baith my bedfallowis hartlie kindnes to yiouris and my awin. To my weelbeloued cofen Johne Murraye, of his facred Maiefties Bedchalmer. • The dispute between Lord Sanquhar and the natural son of the late Lord. The King's award will be found in the Abbotsford Miscellany. 216 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXXI._SIR GIDEON MURRAY TO KING JAMES VL June 9, 1614. Most Sacred Souerane, The workis of the filwer myndis being now fo far advanced that the workmen haif begunne to land fume metall, altho far inferiour to the expenfes that the wndirtakaris beflow thairvpon, it is neceffar your ma- iefleis plefour touartis the eledlione ather of the tent part of the mettale, or the threttie part of the filwer efter it be fynned, vpon thair expenfes,' be knawin. Sir William Alexander* hes a warrant to be paft your maiefleis hand for this effedl, and I houpe your maieflie will mak choice of your proportione efter it be fynned, becaus thair is probabilitie of greiter bene- feit that way, nor be reffaving of the mettall, to be fynned at your maief- teis charges. The eledlione beand maid, I fall do my dewtie by tak- ing vpp your maielleis part exa 1614. Good Me Murray, I received your letter yefternight, and have thought it fitt this prefent day to returne you an aunfwere, that it may appeere what the truthe is of the matter in queftion. I pray you deliver vnto his majefty the copy of the fermon which I fend heerewithall, and the letter of Mr Ball,* the authour thereof, vnto my Lord of London, whofe paines I was forced to vfe in that bufineffe, becaufe I was not well when the complaint was firft brought vnto mee ; but I tooke account of it ftridtly as foone as poffibly I could, and if I had found the report to haue bene true, I had both acquainted his majefty therewithall, and fhould have bene an humble filter that fome fevere punifliment might have bene layd vpon him, whereof not long fiuce I gaue example in a like cafe yet depending, as his majefty may remember. But fince I found that it was a miftaking, I hold it better to fuppreffe all ftirring in it, becaufe I hold it not good that any fuch buzzes fliould bee putt into the heads of idle people, when there is no ground of truthe. The enormity of rogues and vagrant beggers whereof hee fpake is fuch and fo greate, that certainly it will one time or other do greate hurt in this kingdome, if it be not prevented, as yef- terday diverfe of vs did fay at the counfell table vpon another occafion. I truft his majefty, vpon the reading of this fermon, will give fome pre- fent order to that behalfe. I fend my fervant fo fpeedily with this letter to know whither it bee his maiefties pleafure, that now having the copy of this fermon, and find- ing the truthe of thinges, I fliould attend him at Theobalds or not, which, it feemeth by your letter, that his maiefty doth not neceffarily require. But if it bee his majefties pleafure, I will come by day or by night, through • Richard Ball, then holding the living of St Christopher's. His letter, dated August 29, 1614, transmitting the sermon that had excited the suspicions of the King, is amongst the Balfour Papers ; but the sermon itself has not been preserved. 232 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS wett or drye, and fhall obferve this while I live, ficke or whole, according to my duty. But if I might be fpared, I defire to be at Croydon to- morrow vpon this occafion. There is an old gentleman of Surrey, called Mr Dorrel, a man of faire ellate, buthimfelfe,his wife, and all his children, greate recufant Papifts ; fo that one of his fonnes, for denyeing the othe of allegeance, was convi6led vpon a praemunire, and lay long in Newgate, till, by his maiefties grace, at your interceffion, hee gave fome mony for compofitioun, and obtained his pardon. On Monday laft, another fonne of this old Mr Dorrells, a proper gentleman, about 24 yeeres of age, and one who hath bene at S* Omers, at Doway, and diverfe other places in thofe partes, came vnto mee, being fomewhat prepared before by an honeft divine ; and after much conference which I had with him, was con- tented to heare prayers in my chappell, and afterward teftifyed that hee very well approoved the fame. I difmiffed him for that time, but tooke his promife that hee fliould bee with mee tomorrow at Croydon churche, where I told him, that, God willing, hee fliould heare mee preache, and fee the reverend behaviour of our publicke congregations, which hee had never beheld in all his life. So this night I looke for him, being to come fixteene or feaventeene miles of purpofe ; and tomorrow I hope publickly to engage him in an aflembly of more then a thoufand perfons, which I do the rather defire to accomplifti, becaufe he telleth mee that, as the greatefl part of his fathers kindred are Papifl;s, fo there was never any of his mothers kinne or name which were of our religion. Her father was named Gage, and indeed I know none of that name but they are Papifts ; and yet there are many of them in Suffex. Now, I am glad to take this day, becaufe the next Sunday I am to waite vpon the kinge at Hampton Court, and fo forward. I forbeare further to trouble you, but reft Your very loving frende, G. Cant.* Croydon, Septemb. 17, 1614. * George Abbot, D.D. He died at his palace at Croydon, in 1633, aged 71. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 233 CXXX.— THE EARL OF ABERCORN TO JOHN MURRAY, OCTOBEB 3, I6I4. Moist loving Cousing, Having fpent thir thre wekis paffit in trying and clering all maters queftionabill betuixt my coufing Sir James Hamilton, and Sir Hew Mongomere, als weill in the marchis of thair landis as vtherwayis, qubairin, I thank God, I have maid ana gud progres, as I hope to bring it to ane happe end for thame boithe, and to many gentilmen of gud fafchion duelling vnder thame in this kingdome, quhair thai have above 2000 habill Scottis men, weill armit heir, rady for his maiefties fervice, as thai fall be commandit. Thir many, I will certefe 30W, I had at on dayis hunting with my felf, fence my heir cuming, quhilk, I mofl confes, did incourage me the les to fpare ray travellis to put thame and holde thame in concorde, vtherwayis foirfeing ruyne to thame felfis by difcord, not without greit hinderans to his maiefteis fervice. And I beleve his maieftie, being trewle informit of my procedingis, fall think I do him no lytill fervice heirin ; for beleve me, thir gentilmen leving in concord, as I trufl now thai fall, being favored and allowit by his maieftie in gud and ciuill courfis, altho thai be mere gentilmen, his maieftie may afluredlie expe6l grait fervice of thame in this kyngdome; and befydis thame, be affurit, thair ar no corner in the northe, quhairin thair is not gud num- bers of our nation : and quhat I have at Straban I will not tak notice myfelf, leving it to vthers. Thair is cravit throch this kyngdome, by di- redlion frome the Lord Depute and counfall, alfweill frorae the vnder- takers as others, ane voluntar fupple and fre gift, as thai call it, to his maieftie, quhairin, it feiris me, thai do muche wronge his maieftie. I refavit ane letter frome Sir Tobe Cafeild for this effedt, to quhom I have 2a 234 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS anfwarit, that geve I fould haif occafioun to be at any publik meting for that biffines, I waild maill wiHinglie explaine my affe6lioun to my gratious maifters fervice, hauing nothing bot that quhilk I acknawlage to be his and frome him ; and to the berar of his letter and my anfwar, quhilk was Mr Hare Achefon, I faid vnto him, geve his maieftie fouild have occa- fioun to crave any thing of me in that fafchion in this kyngdora, I could never mak offer of les then one yeiris rent at leift. This I gaue out of purpois to mak vthers the moir fre, and that vtheris fouild not tak advan- tage of me and honeft men of our natioun in this kyngdome, and certefe his maieflie, as I have faid I have nothing in this woirld quhilk I will not be rady to lay doun at his facred feit, and myfelf with all, to be difpofit vpon at his royall plefour ; and quhat I fay for myfelf, I do in lyk fort for all thois quhome of I fall have power and credit; and fpecialle I geve this affurance for Sir James and Sir Hew, heir prefent with me. Quhair^ foir, geve it pleis his maieftie, quho, out of his grait wifdome, confiders the hardnes of our beginningis in this kyngdome, to defyre quhat is ours, we defyre to vnderftand his facred maiefteis gratious plefour, and, not- withftanding of our poverte, his maieftie fall haue profe of our love and radines, and that we fall, as we ar bund of all dewte, prefer his ftrait to our awin meferies. Sir Hew Mongomere is in building ane fyin houffe at the Newton, quhairof ane quarter is almoft compleit, and Sir James Hamilton hes buildit at Killileuche ane very ftronge caftell; the lyk is not in the northe. Efter I haue put ane end to thair queftionis, and cleret thair quhole marches, I purpois to go to Straban, quhilk, I think, fall be about the 6 of this inftant. It is thocht the parliament fall go fordwart heir the 1 1 of this inftant, befoir quhilk tyme I purpofe to haue my bro- ther Sir Claud at Dublyn, quha now is at Straban taking ordour for his buildingis. I hope 3e will acquent his facred maieftie with my defyre to know his plefour, and in all diligence lat me be certefeit thairof, quhilk I will expe6l in this kyngdome befoir the 24 of this inftant. This, I truft, 3e will tak in gud pairt, as no fervice I fall be habill to do 30W can be trublefum to me. I wiffe 36 fouild wrete to my Lord Secretar of Scotil- land to deredl your anfwar in all diligence to my bedfallow at Paflay, quha thairefter in all haift will not fail) to deredl the fame to me. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 235 Thus, my mod loving dewte rememberit to 30ur felf and gour moid woirthie lady, I reft 3our moft loving coufing, Abercorne. It may pleis 30W to prefent my moft humble fervice to his facred ma- ieftie. Bangor, the 3 of Oaober 1614. To my moft loving Coufing, Mr Jone Murray, of his facred Maiefteis Bed- chalraer, at Court, with fpede, and in his abfence to his Lady, and Sir James FuUerton. CXXXI SIR ALEXANDER HAY TO [JOHN MURRAY?] OcTOBEIi 6, [1614 ?] Sib, In this vacatioun tyme, haveing fome reafoun of more privat reteiring, inregaird of my laite vifitatioun in the loife of my bedfellow, I tooke occafioun to review fome of the olde recordis in the Regiftre, and by coUationeing of former thinges with this prefent tyme, I haif deprehen- dit my maifter to haif reflaived a greitt prejudice ; for it hathe bein evir in my tyme muche marvelled, how the landis in the weft pairtes of this kingdome fuld haif bein fo high retoured, and the landis in the northe pairtes, and in the choiceft pairtes of our countrey, as Fyife and Lothi- ane, to be fo far vndervallewit. Heirvpoun I haif begune with a fliyire or tuo, comproUeing thereby paft retours with the prefent, and findes the 236 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS oddes fo greitt as his maieflie in tyme pail hes bein very far intereft in his proffeitt, for not in wairde landis only, hot in blenfti alfo, endureing the tyrae of the nonentrye, the kingis maieflie gettis the retoured dewtye yeirlye, and this is a fpeciall poynte wherewith the fheriffis yeirlye in the Exchecker ar burdeyned in there accomptes. Now, whereas his ma- ieflie in tyme pafl for fourtie pundis hathe gottin only ten pundis, and fometymes fkairfe foure pundis, this, in many fmall particularis, wald turne to no meane prejudice. The reafoun how this hathe befallin is cleare to haif bein done in his maieflies own minoritye, and in the befl aige of his mother, of blifTed memorye ; and lyike aneugh mofl of them haif done it of ignorance, for tuo yeirisbefoir Pinkye Feild, to wit, in 1545, the toun of Edinburgh wes by our neighbouris brunte, and then many menis par- ticular evidentis, and the mofl part of all regifleris, hot fome few whiche wer in the caflle, wer all confwimed ; fo that fenfyne every man prefwime- ing that nothing wes extant to controU them, they retoured there landis at pleafour, and fo vndervalewed them as fkairfe they keiped the fixt pairt of the proportioun of there former retoures. Now, my controlment fall proceide vpoun goode warrantis of there owne retouris from the tyme of Flowdoun to Pinkye. Now, as for the compaffing of the bufines, it hathe in itfelf no difficultye at all, being fo cleare, that no wryter boye will put queflioun in it, Bot it tuiches many, and the greitt ones mofle, who, howevir they haif gottin their landis frielye of his maieflies predecefTouris, yit ar they loathe, according to our Scottifhe proverbe, to give him kaile of his awne peittis, and every one tryis flill to haif from the crowne, bot very few ar willing to returne any thing back to it. Alwayes, for the profequuteing of the bufynes, the more quyett the mater be keipt, it wil- be the eafier compafTed. There neideth nather parhament, nor afTem- blie, or conventioun of eflaites. It fall not requyre recommendatioun ather to feffioun or counfell, generall or particular. Bot if his maieflie do allow that I fuld proceide in it, I will break this iyce where it is thin- nefl, and will procwre fome cleare decifionis agans fome of ray owne freyndis in the northe, and fo, peice and peice, bring it fordward in fever- all corneris of the countrey, where there falbe leiil refiflance ; and the greitt ones falbe then efhaimed to oppoife. I haif communicatt this ma- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 237 ter as yit to no flefhe alyive bot vnto his maiefties advocatt, becaus I neide not the concurrence of any other at firft in it ; and as his niaieftye defyires any otheris to know of it, it will not be the worfe to fpaire it vntill the turne be ryiper. As for my owne pairt, I mak no exceptioun of any per- foun in this bufynes ; nather do I propone to my felf any projedt of re- wairde. If the bufynes do fray me weill for his maiefties profifeitt, fo as his maieftie may find that I am a weillwilled dewtifuU fervant, I haif ob- tejmed my intent. I haif written this particular vnto you to be impairt- ed to his maieftie, and that I may vnderftand back againe of his maiefties pleafour whither I fuld proceide or furceafe. As for the reafonis where- for I wald haif the mater fomuche keipt vp, no queftioun the knowledge of it wilbe the crofleing of it, and heirof at fome other tyme. If his ma- ieftie fo requyre it, I can give more particular remonftrance. Bot there is one thing that wald be adverted into, that when as this mater fall breake furth, it may that fome propone as a grounde of a fwite at courte to haif the bigones of the vndervalewing. Bot his maieftie muft be pleaf- ed to referve this to be difchairged by way of gratuitye to the whole fub- ie6lis generallye, they amending the errouris of all there retouris ; where- by his highnes fall haif his owne, and the fubie6lis muft acknowledge to haif reffaived very greitt favoure. Eftir you haif communicatt the ma- ter with his maieftie vpoun the firft goode occafioun, I hoipe you will cer- tifie me of his pleafour. There is no nobleman nor gentleman in the countrey bot makis his heft vfe of his chartour kift ; and I think there is muche more reafoun that thefe who fervis his maieftie fuld fie and ende- vour to help where the crowne hathe bein hurte. So, till nixt occafioun, I tak my leave, and reftis Youris at command, Alex*. Hay.* Edinburgh, 6 Oaob. [I6I4?] • There is an admirable letter from Sir Alexander, detailing the captures of certain pirates by Macleod of the Lewis, printed in the second volume of the Analecta Scotica. It is there errone- ously ascribed to Lord Fosterseat, a mistake arising from these persons bearing the same name, and being both Lords of Session. 238 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXXX1I._THE EARL OP MAR TO JOHN MURRAY. November 25, 1614. Good honest Jhonne, I haiue vryttin this letter vnto 30U in regaird of the prefentt ftraitt thatt our freind the laird of Vachtune Hands into ; for he is fo hun- titt be the laird of Quhitingham, as thair is no mefur in itt. Itt is a hard mater that a juftice of paice in execufion of his office being very neir mifl of his lyf, and his neir freind innocentlie flain, albeit he hes commit- tit ain error in his furie, 3itt that he fliould be fo hardlie perfeuitt. I defyr not that his maieftie fhould knaw that I deill any thing in this mater, for it may be he think that I deill only out of my particular fauor to my freind. Itt is treu I can nott deny bott I loue the laird of Vachtune, bott this I vill fay, that I vill varrand theis quha veris hagbutts fhall go plain- tie aneuh in the cuntrie, from this furth, befoir a juftice of pace putt to his hand to mend itt. I vill prey 30U to deill be all the menis 36 can to gett the day continuitt, till freindis may doe thair baft to fattill itt. I heir his maieftie gatt a fyn entermiwit goflialk from my Lord of Shreuf- berrie. I heir fliee fleis the herrin, I knau fliee vill not mak the king gritt plefur thair, Gif 30 vill gett hir and fend hir to me, I vill think 30U a good fellow. I vill fay no more, bott I prey 30U remember on Vachtune. Thus I reft Your louing goffup, A. Mabb. Holyroudhoufs, the xxv. of Nouember 1614. As for this mater of Vachtuns, fens the vrytting of this letter, freinds are deling in itt fo as se Ihall deill no thing in that mater vith his ma- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI, 239 leftie till 30 heir from me againe. Now, gif 36 be a good fallow, and vill fend me the auld terfell, I vill fay itt is goffups cours : gif other vays, doo quhat 36 may, I knau his maieftie vill nott forgett me quhen his ramage halks cums in. To my very louin freind, Jhonne Murray, on of the Groums in his Maieftis Bedchallmer, gif this. CXXXIII THE EARL OF ABERCORN TO JOHN MURRAY. December 6, 1614. Most assured and loweing Cusigne, I refawit 30ur letteris befoir my earning furthe of Irelande; and in the particular, I wryte vnto 30W anent the voluntar contributioun there, to be given to his maieftie, I had takin that fame courfe 30 did advyffe me by 30ur lettir, as his maiefteis plefour beffoir the reffait thairoff, hot I think now all fall turne to ane generall fubfidye. Thir few lynis ar onlye to accompany Sir Hew Montgomerye and Sir James Hamiltounis lettiris, defyreing 30ur freyndlie ayde and afliftance with his maieftie in their favouris, as 36 wil be bettir informed of by the particular of their awin letteris, quhilk ar wryttin at large; for quhilk Sir Hew Montgomerye did defyre me to crave 30ur pardoun for him. Alfo, I defyre to be certifyet by 30ur letter giwe his maieftie be pleafed to creat, at my defyre, thofe twa barrounis in Ireland, as his facred maieftie, diverfe tymes, hes beine pleaffed to promeife vnto me, whereofT, iff fo it had pleafed God, I thocht his maieftie by ane vther fowld hawe beine remembered, quhilk fince it hes pleafed God to prevent by his deathe, I am conftrayned to be moir trublefome vnto 30W as my deir freynd; and I expedl thofe twa I fould 240 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS hawe created falbe the firft, whereoff, alfo, by my brother, I had his ma- iefties promeiffe. Seiknes at the prefent makis me moirt fchort, bot I fal evir reft 3our thankful! and loweing freynd to ferve 30W, Abercornb. Edinb. the 6 of December 1614. To my moft affured and loweing cufigne, Mr Johne Murraye, one of his facred Maiefties Bedchamber. CXXXIV.— THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. Decembee 9, 1614. Right Honoeabill and weelbeloued Cousing, I haue nocht writtin to siow this quhyle, becaufe I had na fubjedl off moment to impairt to giow. At the prefent I haue this aduer- tifment to mak to siow, to be impairted to our maift gracious fouerane. Sence thir rebellis off Yla, befidis the inuading and pofTeffing thame felfis with his maieflies houfe of Duniwayge, prefumed alfo maift trafon- ablie to tak the Bifchoppe off the lies fonne, and the Laird of Ranfurlie* his cheiff, to be as pledgis to thame, to haue quhat condicions thay pleafed require; onderftanding Weill his majefties royall minde nocht habill to condefcend to entir in onye condicions with fie peopill, and knawing alfo Weill his heighnes forcis ouir fufficient to dantoun all the pride oflf fie barbarous limmers, as his maieftie had fend his dire6lions> quhilk are ftill going fordwart, fufficient to bring all thair to his will. Confidering, neiuerthelefs, ftill that the parrell off thefe gentilmen, al- • Knox — his descendants settled in Ireland ; and the present representatire of the family b the Earl of Ranfurlie of that kingdom, and Lord Northland in England. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 241 belt, too rakleflie caffiu in that danger, could nocht be bot werye on- pleafand to his gracious maieftie ; as it wald alfo haue tuiched this haill eftaitt, and as all in honour, if thay had gottin onye ikaith, I was maift cairfuU for thair releiff, and thairfore fand out ane man off my awin, quha had guid Irifli, and on his ondertaking, upon fuim auld acquentance he had with Angus Ogg McDonald, quha is the cheiff off all thir outlawis, that he thocht he wald be habill to perfuade him to deliuer to me the faid gentilmen free, I diredled him about the beginning off Nouember to goe thair: gaue him na write off mine with him, nor powar to gif thefe men onye promeis frome me off onye particular condicion, bot gif he could on guid rafons, and apeirance of guid generallis, alluire thame to the deliurie and freedome of the gentilmen, I promifl to himfelf honeft rewarde off his maieftie. He went thair with greate difficulties off wadder and otherwayis, and in end and conclufioun, dealt fa with thefe rebellis, as he has broght hame frie the twa gentilmen (quhairoff I thank God), butt onye promeis or condicioun. Farder, thay fend to me with him the keyis of the houfe, with this worde, thay will be content to deliuer the houfe to onye I fall pleis fend thair to reflaue and keip it, with onye cum- panie thairfore, on this onlye defirie of thairis, that thay may haue frie libertie to haue accefs, ather to his maieftie or to his counfall, to declair thair awin pairtis; and quhou thay ar fallin or cafin in this troubill, thay fay thair fould be found leitill fait in thame, and mair in others. The confideratioun off this I remitt to his facred maiefties royall wifdome. I will nocht meddill in the like off that, but fpeciall warrand and dire6tioun. His maieftie knawis I profeffed eiuer ignorance in all Irifche cabale. I hoipe his maieftie will think thir gentilmennis releiff guid feruice. The bifchioppes fonne has faid to me, thay bofted thame eiuer, gif onye feige came frome his maieftie to that houfe, thay fould be fett out ouir the wals to kep the firft fhoittis. The gentilman quha has bein my moyenner and doar of this feruice, is ane Rofs man, called George Grahame.* I promift to him, gif he fould bring me hame the prifonnars. * The Chancellor got into a scrape by dealing with this man, who, if we may believe his Lord- ship, exceeded the powers entrusted to him. See Melros Papers, vol. i. p. 200 — 209. 2h 242 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS as he has done, for his chargis and recompenfe at leift ane thoul'and markis Scottis, and quhat farder rewairde fould pleis his maieftie allow on him. I will nocht brake my condition with him, hot fall fatiffie him before this be at slow, and fendis 3iow thairfore heirwith ane precept to be figned be his maiefties moft gracious hand, to command the threfaurar depute heir to rander me that meikill filuer. Nane will think it eiuill beftowed. Or the men had nocht bein releiued, for his maiefties and eftaitis entres and honour, I wald rather haue parelled the lofs off ten thoufand off my awin. His maieftie may remembir, to fie priuie moyen- nis, for fmall foumis I had Jhone Dow M°Alafter, the greateft limmer, and brokin man in all the North, and his brother baith putt out : the ane execute in this toun, the other with twa of his marrowis brunt in ane houfe, becaufe they wald nocht rander. For this I gaue three thoufand mark. Ane other M'Gillieworike, I had broght into this toun, and execute, ane ftark theiff and captane off theifis, a Barrabbas infignis latro, [who] trubled all the Cabroch and Braa of Mar: for him I gaue ane thoufand mark. Quhilk foumes, be his maiefties command, was remburfed to me be my Lord Dumbar, and Sir Jhone Arnott; like as I haue his ma- iefties generall command to threafauraris to deburfe at my defire, onye fie foumis upon fie occafions; hot I think meiteft [to] haue his maiefties fpeciall allowance for the feruice in eurie particular. I will omitt na thing may ly in my power or capacitie to doe his maieftie guid feruice. All this I remitt to the imparting to his faered maieftie, at guid tyme and opportunitie. God preferue his maieftie. Sua, wifling slow all weill, reftis 3our maift affe6tionat Coufing to be commandit, DUNFERMELJNE. Frome Edinburgh, 9 Dec'. 1614. Thair is latelie cuimed to this toun, fuim worde of fuim late fla\jghter OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 243 committed in the lies, in the He of Jura, on his maiefties guid fubie6lis, the particularis quhairoff I remitt to my Lord Secretairis and Sir Gedeonis relatioun, for thay ar mair particiilarlie aduertifit off the fame. CXXXV REASONS FOR THE BURROWS OF SCOTLAND IN SUPPORT OF THEIR FREIGHTS OF FOREIGN SHIPS. Januaey [1615?] Reasonis for the Burrowis of the Kyngdome of Scotland, quhairfoir thair libertie aucht not to be reftrayned in the frauchting of forraine fchippis and boddomis for tranfporting of thair guidis to and fra the faid kyngdome.* Firfi;, Thay proteft, as nature and dewtie bindis thame, that they ar moll willing to prefer thair awin countriemen and fchipping to any ftrangeris in the warld in the caice forfaid, yea, ewin with evident and feine lofs of thair awin accordis ; hot if this proceid fra ony conftitutioune, or publi6l reftraint, or prohibitioune, to be maid be his maieftie, they fear it fall produce fuche dangerous effe6lis, as may evert and overthrow thair haill feafairing tred and fchipping for ewer. Becaus that prefident and example, the kynges and prynces of vther kyngdomes no doubt wilbe inducit, for the benefeit of thair awin fubjeiftis, to mak the lyik conftitutionis within thair dominiounis ; and if fo be thair is nathing to be expe6led but decay and wrack to our fchipping, infa- mikle as the greitteft number of the beft fchippis of Scotland ar con- tinuallie imployed in the feruice of Frenfchemen, not onlie within the dominionis of France, hot alfo within the boundis of Spayne, Italie, and Barbarie, quhair thair tred lyis, quhilk is ane cheiff caus of the incres of the number of Scottis fchippis and of thair mantenance : quhairas be the * See Balfour Annals, vol. ii- p. &T, 58 ; and Melros Papers. 244 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS contrairie, the half of the number of fchippis quhilkis ar prefentlie in Scotland, will feme for our awin priuat tred and negotiatioune, if we haid not this benefeit and commoditie of ftrangeris. This is nocht to be efteimed ane naiked prefumptione vpone our pairt, becaus we haue alreddye found the pradlize thairof in France, in fa mikle as vpone informatione gewin to the Kyng of France and his maief- ties counfell thair, that this publi6l prohibitione of the frauchting of fchippis belanging to ftrangeris in England or vther pairtis, they haue beine pleafed to mak the lyik prohibitioune within the dominiounis of France ; quhilk taking executioune laitlie in Normandie againis ane IngUfch fchip, and ane vther Dutche fchip, quhilkis being laidned with Frenfche commodities, the maifteris and marineris thairof wer compellit to diftjurden the fame of the faidis commodities, and returne toome and emptie to thair awin cuntries. So alfo the lyik wes intendit; becaus ane Scottis bark perteyning to Andro Allane, quhilk that fame tyme wes alfo laidned with Frenfche merchandice, and no doubt wald haue beine prac- tized againis thame, bed not the maifteris and marineris of the faid bark pretendit greitter immunitie be the ancient alliance and leagues maid betuix the kyngdomes of France and Scotland nor vther ftrangeris ; and that they wer compellit to alledge that thair wes no reftraint maid in Scotland of any libertie quhilk Frenfchmen haid ewer injoyed thair before, and to find cautioune to report ane autentick teftimoniall thair- vpone from Scotland, as may appeir both be the proces quhilk wes de- ducit at Rowane heirvpone, and by the lettres of the Scottis fadlouris fent heir to the proveft of Edinburgh, teftifieing the premiffes to be of veritie ; fwa that if this publi6l reftraint and prohibitioune haue place heir in Scotland, we neid not to luike for any tred in France, without quhilk nather can our fchipping nor tred of merchandice ftand, hot all will turne to ane pitifuU wrack and confufioune, for we ar not in fie caice heir in Scotland as the fubje6lis of vther kingdomes, quhairin thair is continuall intercourfe and commoditie by refort of ftrangeris, by quhome thair welth and eftait growis ; and thair is no ftrangeris that repairis to this kyngdome, except fie as importis tymber and vther grofs merchandice of fmall woorth. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 245 Secundlie, If our libertie in frauchting of flrangeris fchippis heir in Scotland be reftrained, we wilbe compellit to leave our tred of heringis, quhilk we tranfport to the eift countries, becaufe the beft occafioune of the tranfport thairof is offred onlie in the monethis of September and October, in the quhilk feafoune we haue the comnioditie of fum Dutche fchippis heir, quha hes imported tymber within this realme, and wilbe content to tranfport our guidis for the thrid of the fraucht quhilk Scottis fchippis may feme for ; becaus, if they want this iraployment, they will returne emptie ; and the awneris of Scottis fchippis can not undertak thir voyages hot vpone greit and exorbitant frauchts, feing they wilbe conftrayned to ly the maift pairt of the wynter feafoune in the eift coun- tries, be reafoune of the froftis inclofeing thame thair. If thir frauchtis wer gewin by merchandis, they wald report no gayne nor commoditie by that tred, and fo muft leave the fame, to the hurt and prejudice of the whole kyngdom. It is alfo to be confidderit that Scottis fchippis can not convenientlie ferue for the importing of waynfcott, knaphult, tar, and vther grofs waires within this kingdome, becaus they ar nocht able to ferue vpone fo eafie conditiounis as Dutche fchippis, quha ar feruit by thrie or four marineris at the maift ; and if greit frauchtis were giwen for fuch wares, all the wairis aboue writtin culd fcarflie be fald for dowble pryce, quhilk wald turne to the hurt of the haill kyngdome. CXXXVI.— SIR R. MACLEOD TO KING JAMES VI. Januaet 7, 1615. Most Geatious and Sacred Soverane, Since it hes bene the goode pleafour of God, by sour maiefteis moft prudent and happie governament, and to 30ur maiefteis immortall prais and commendatioune, with the exceiding grit confort of all 30ur faithful! fubiedtis, to blis this 30ur maiefteis kingdome with ane 246 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS vniverfall peace and quietnes, throughout all the nukis and cornaris thairof, efpeciallie in the Yllis and Heylandis ; , fwa, that now ,the hoip and expe6tatioune of iuftice makis all men to feik redres of thefe wrangis, quhairin thir mony yeiris bygane, through the iniquitie of the tyme, thay half bene filent. So it is, that I and . my prediceffouris, being here- table tenentis to 30ur maieftie and 3our prediceffouris of the landis of Slait, North Vft, and vtheris landis lyand in the North Yllis, quhairin we war heretabhe infeft be 30ur raaiefteis worthie goodfir of famous memorie efter his perfyte aige, the Clandonald, quho, efter the daith of gour raa- iefteis faid goodfir, wer of griteft power, force, and freindfchip in the Yllis, did moft violentlie detrude my forbearis furth of oure faidis landis with grit flauchter of diverfe of thame, efpeciallie of my father, brothir, and vther kynnifmen, and by fyre and fuord mantenit thair violent poffeffioune aganis my forbearis and myfelf fenfyne; and I having now enterit myfelf as air to my father brethir in the faidis landis, and being infeft and feafit thairintill, and 30ur maieftie being lykewayis gratiouflie pleafit at my kite being with 30ur maieftie, to difpone vnto me the nonentrie of the faidis landis, I hawe thairvpone intentit a6lioune befoir 30ur maiefteis feffioune, for recOverie of my poffeffioune and richt of the faidis landis ; in the quhilk a6lipune, I am lyke to fuftene fome preiudice by the prac- tezeis and deahng of my adverfair pairtie, Donald Gorme of Slaitt, quho taking hald of that a6l of parliament, quhairby the inhabitantis of the Yllis war ordaneit to exhibeit and produce thair infeftmentis befoir 30ur maiefteis chekker, to the effe6l the tenour and conditiounes thairof micht haue bene knawin to thame, the faid Donald, vpone my alledgit failzie in that poynt of the exhibitioune of my infeftmentis allenerlie, intendis to furneis adtioune and pley aganis me, and vpone that onlie caus to de- tene and withhald fra me my lauchfull heretage. Althocht it be of trowth that I and all my prediceffouris haif euir conftantUe profeft sour maiefteis obedience, and did nevir kyth in counfall, aaioune, or hoftihtie with ony of the rebellis of the Yllis aganis 30ur maieftie, lykas, I myfelf, in the fourfcoir fextene seir of God, gaif my compeirance befoir sour maiefteis counfall, and at that tyme fand cautioune for my conformitie in all tymes thairefter; and I, thairvpone, firaplie apprehending that the faid ad of OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 247 parliament could nawayis ftryke aganis me, quho wes a lauthfuU fubiedl, bot that the famene wes maid and devyfit aganis the rebellis and brokin men of the YUis, in the quhilk nomber I difdanit to rank myfelf, I ignor- antlie, and not vpone contempt, failled in that poynt of the produftioune of my infeftmentes, quhilkis I could not produce the tyme of the making of the faid a6l, in refpedt the faid Donald Gorhame ftud than infeft in the faidis landis, haldin of gour maieftie, and continowit in the violent poffeffioune of the famene, lykas he sit does; and I am bot laitlie prouet and retourit air to my faid father brether in the faidis landis, quhairin I am certane that it is not sour maiefteis meaning, that any advantage fall be tane of me, bot that I fall haif iuflice aganis the faid Donald notwith- ftanding thairof, or of my obiedlioune that can be moved aganis me thairvpone, the faid a6t of parliament being onlie maid to draw brokin Ilifmen to obedience, and not to fnair fimple, ignorant, and lauthfull fub- ie6lis. In confideratioune quhairof, I am bauld in all fubmiffioune and reverence to haiue my recours vnto gour facred maieftie, as the fontane fra quhome all 30ur diftreffit fubiedlis reffaues confort, and in all humilitie to befeik sour maieftie to wryte in my favouris to gour maiefteis feffioune, willing thame to proceid and minifter iuftice vnto me aganis the faid Donald and vtheris, violent poffeffouris of my landis and heretage, not- withftanding of the faid a&, of parhament, and the not produdlioune of my infeftmentis, or ony thing that may refult or follow thairvpone. And fo, crawing pardone for this my prefumptioune, humbhe praying God lang to preferve 30ur maieftie in 30ur bliffit governament, that we 30ur poore fubiecSlis may, in tyme of our diftreffe, haw oure recourfe to 30ur maieftie, I reft 3our moft humble and obedient fervitour, S*. R. Macleoid. Edinburgh, 7 Januarij 1615. To the Kingis Maieftie. 248 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXXXVII — lOHN CARSE TO THE BISHOP OF ROSS.* Januaey 10, [1615?] "* My Lord, I receaued your lordfchipps letter yeflernight. Mafter Geddie has vndertook the fafe conveyance of this. This day I am glad of your lordftiips counfell ; and as it may concern me, I wil ply my en- deavores to pradleis. Benedicat Dominus ! Your lordfchipp defyres to know the challenge and challengers; my Lord of Brichenf will be pleafed, I hope, when he cums, to clear that poynt. They who preffed me with it fayd that the vniverfall confent of great men had caryed it as high as his majefties eare in fuch termes. Libera nos Domine ! For your part of the chara6ler and min, as I am your lordfchipps vnworthy fervant, as thear was a tang in it, I may chance ferve to tell them, in min owin name, as I haue don in yours. Noli me tangere ! My Lord, I rejoyfe, as I fchould, aboue expreffion, to hear of my Lord Ele6l of DumblaneJ his health and good proceedings, hie labor hoc opus eft. God enable me to proue a thankfuU fervant to my Lord St Andrewes for his favor. I fhall be glad to ferve in the meaneft of his commandements hear ; and to your lordfchipp I have ftill communicated my felf, as to min own foul. Proba me ! I haue n6t been fo weak as to ftumble at your lordfchipps filence ; if I had not known, vnder your hand, the caufe, I fchould haue beleeued as much as I know. My hart ryfes at the newes of a ryfeing cathedral at " Patrick Lindesay, minister at St Vigeans, was advanced to the see of Ross, 27th October 1613. In 1633 he was translated to Glasgow. t Andrew Lamb, minister at Burntisland, succeeded to this see in 1606, and retained it tilll 6 19, when he was translated to Galloway. X Adam Bellenden, rector of Falkirk, who, upon the translation of Graham, Bishop of Dun- keld, to Orkney, in 1614, was preferred to the vacant bishoprick. DF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 24^^ Uoffe, in the words of the Pfalmift, " The glorious majeftie of the Lord our God be vpon it ; profper the worke, O, profper it." The Liturgy, ann. 2, regni Ed. 6, which with much adoe I gott, I leaft it with my curate at Brixton. He wold needs copy out what he could not find elfquher. I haue fent for it by the caryer ; when it cums to me it fchall be forthwith fent to your lordfchipp. I am fo confident of what concerns me with your lordfchipp, foe farr as you haue intereft in it, that I fchall never further examyn it, no not in St thoght, whether time wil work it pro or con ; but vpon fuch a threat- ning as I had then, and a tryal of ray patience fince, about Patney (in fuch a manner as I haue layed open to my Lord Dumblane in his letter), I fliould haue held myfelf vnworthy of fuch freinds as both your lord- fchipps have fchowed your felfes to me, if I had not, as a gratefuU fer- vant, acknowledged the honor of your noble motions, by layeing my felf in all duty and fervice, at the feet of our Holy Mother, the Church of Scotland, to be difpofed by her as fche fchall think fitt. I directed a packett to my Lord of Galloway* vpon Chryftmafday. I hope his lordfchipp has receaved it. I praefume thear wer letters in it which concerned my betters, to which I was only Tabellarius. My Lord, forgive me, and flill bliffe me by your letters and commandements. Your Lordfchipps (very) faythfuU fervant and cofen, John CABSE.f London, 10 Jan. [1615 ?] To. the Right Reuerend Father in God, my much honored Lord,, the Lord Bifchopp of Roffe. * William Couper, born IS66, and died I5th February 16l9s A prelate of great worth and extensive learning. His works were printed at London,, la folio, 1629. t Communicated by Mr David Laing. 2 I 250 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXXXVIII.— SIR HUGH MONTGOMERY TO JOHN MURRAY. January 10, [161S?] Sir, Remembering me of our gifterdayis conferance conferneing that lettir his maieftie refawit fre Sir James Hammiltowne, and of his raaiefteis fpich to 30W abut the eftatis of lie as had planttit with me in the cwntre, bethinking me of them, I am not a lytill amaffit quhat thay fould raein ; for that as conferneing the erillis decreit, I am perfuadit that thaer is non gifin out as geit, or otheirvayis I hawe refaivit mor Wrong nor I am perfuadit fo nobill an erill, and fo refpe6lif of his awin honnour and credeit, will dow. My refownis ar, Firft, For that thair vas a lettir of his lordfchip direclit to the Lord Depute for the refolutiowne of the mane and materiall pvnt, quharvpon all our queftiowne and debat ftude, I had the karieing thaerof, and it was to be delyvirit to the Depute ill both our prefentis, and We both war to hawe had the refolutiowne. This I did in the cownfall chalmour. I attendit and followit alwayis in Sir Jamefis prefent, and at the cownfall tabill, quhan, as the jugis war pre- fent quha war to refolf our dowt, knawing that, " Veritas non quereret an- gwlos," quhilk Sir Jamis fo oppofit with his accuftomat fcheiftis that for tow boll termis togethir, quhairby it coft me 300'^ I could hef no refo- lutiowne nor meitting ; and now (in my abfant) to hawe ather preffit a refolutiowne, or to hawe gifin out a decreit wpon a refolutiowne grundeit vpon Sir Jamefis forgerie at his awin pofl;, in my abfant, and that flat contrarej to his lordfchippis deredtiowne and lettir to that effedl, I riewir being fo mvch as callit to hear of it, I am perfuadit that no fuche de- creit will profeid from his lordfchip, or that ther is annay gifin out as get at all. ' And, laftly. If thair had annay fuche refolutiowne com, sitt was I to haw bein aduertiflit thaerof, that if I had had annay thing to fay for my felf, I micht haue had place to fay it, and thaerefter his lordfchip raicht OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. S5I hawe determeined with a full refolutiowne quhat to hawe downe. Bot in fo greit a matter, and vpon a refolutiowne refawit fre Sir Jamis of his awin haching, and nothing thaerof fignefeit to me, I belef that it will be thocht a hards deilling, for that wpon tways als good grwndis the erill micht hawe profideit in my fawouris, quharas I brocht his lordfchip the trew eflat of our caus, drawin wp in a moft formmall and vnevitabill kace in law, refolfit and fet ondir thre of the heft laweiris handis in Dwblin, to wit, Mr Boltowne, Sir Jhone Everot, and Mr William Tabart ; the quhilk kace and refolutiowne will alfo hauld good heir amongifl the bed laweiris in England, bot I was fatiffeit that his lordfchip fould do nothing wpon annay privat refolutiowne ; and quhatfoevir I hawe downe is by the erillis confent and liberie, sit extant ondir his hand ; quharonto thaer is no conditiowne annexit to aduertis his lordfchip affor I dow it ; or not to profeid without his lordfchip prewac, and all that I hawe downe I am inforffit to do as he is (that the dewill drayfis), for that Sir James hefing fo inderedlly and onconfionabilly profideit in that buffines, both agenfl his maieftie and me, that I could hef no fekuirate bot from his raaieflie, and that not to fuch tym as the defait and wrong doun to his maieftie was firft knawin and redreffit ; and that I being his maiefteis fuorne fer- vant, and thaereftir a fvorne covnfallour, at both wich tyms I was bwin, by them othis I tuke, to withftand and reveill quhatfomevir hurte I knew to be downe or profideing agenft his maiefteis perfwn, pofteritie, crown, or eftait : And now that how fone I cam to the knawlag of Sir James profideingis, if I wald hef combeinit with him or confpayrit agenft his maieftie, and hef mad wfe of that benefeit, that by the outvart face of the law, I micht hawe takin by wertew of that lettir that I hawe ondir his maiefteis hande, for the pafling of my eftat, togethir with all that I bocht from Con, or hes richt vnto, than am I effuirit that my lord, that is not onle his maiefteis fuirne cwnfallour tuays, bot hes alfo refawit fo greit honnour and benefeit from his maieftie, wald hawe thocht me on- vurthy of lyif, and wald hawe proklemit me for fuche a , on ; nathir wald his lordfchip. evir hef allegit or brocht furth this decreit to hef fconddeit me with, fo as quhat I hef downe I hawe his lordfchips allowanc, and that wpon fo good grwndis, and eftir fuch a maneir profideit vnto, as that 252 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS I to my jugment prefomis that his lordfchip will nathir pris to blame me, nor do me wrong thaerfor. Now, Sir, for the fecownd part of his raaiefties propofitiowne, confern- ing the palling of my eftat to me, it being now fwnde woyd, that I wald happely wrong fuch tennantis as ar com to inhabit with me, and I hef fet richtis vnto, I am foure his maieflie fuld fo confawe of me quho hes bein ewir funde willing and faithfull to ferf his maieftie, and that to the wttir- moft that my perfowne, puer, or credet, could ilrich onto ; nathir hes his maieftie evir harde of my onfathfuU cairiag to annay man. All that I feik almoft I hef it alrede ondir his maiefteis hand and fignat, gifin at Barar Caftall, the 7 of Auguft, and the 12 of his maiefteis renge (and if I fevt now annay forder it fall not be without good confideratiowne), quhairiu my honneft meneing apeiris fuffitiantly, for that in that letter it is expreffit, that for the ftraynthining of my tytill, and the fettiUing of thos gentilmen and otheir inhabitantis that I haw plantit thaer, his ma- ieftie is pliffit that a grant or grantis fould be mad onto me,&c. ; and this his maiefteis grant onto me, with a confideratioune expreffit in my petitiowne, is onle to be wrayttin owir agen onto me in fuche form as, the defat down onto his maieftie being mad kleir, this lettir may be fo frameit, that my eftat that fuld pas theropon fould be good in law. I feik not to pas this in the perfowne of my fone or fom othir, quharby to de- frad annay manis eftat, hot in my awin, quha am bwnd to mak all thaer eftatis good. Now, the grant being in my awin perfowne, 36 knaw that flltho I wald be afronttit, I can not go agenft my awin deid, quhilk is to mak them eftatis; quharfor, this miftruft that is had of me, with all re- verenc I fpik it, will be thocht ane evill revarde for my ferweic ; and efpecially, quhairas I am com heir to attend and confinne my felf onle to his maiefteis fervic, quharas for a fifte or a threilkor of pundis, I could hef ftayit at hom and had my lettir fo renewit, for that it was his maief- teis pleafour that I fould be mad fewr, as it micht hef bein mad good in law ; quhar as, now, 14001b. will not karie me hom agen, to my greit owirthraw, and the hinder of his maiefteis moft neffifarej ferveic intendit by me, if that his maieftie, out of his maiefteis princly and accuftomat bontefuU confideratiowne, help me not, that to this hour, notwithftanding OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 253 of my gritt burdeingis, hes nather focht help, nor put his maieftie to a pennej chargis. And this far, Sir, I thocht good to wrayt onto 30W, rathir nor to fach 30W with long and oftin troubelfom fpichis, intretting 30W to furder my difpache, that my petitiowne being harde and exam- meneit, I may be put to that punt, that his maieftie, in his moft royall fawour and bonte, fall think feit : And thus, intretting 30ur patienc, I am 3our Lordfchips ewir for his awin meine, Hugh Montgomery,* In haift, this 25 Janvarej. To his honnorabill and his aprowed good freinde, M' Johne Mvrray, Gen- tilman of his Maiefteis Prewej Puree of Bedchalmour, gif theis. * Sixth Laird of Braidstane. He was a descendant from the ancient stock of the Montgomeries, and was bom about the year 1560. He was educated at Glasgow, and thereafter went to France, after which he settled in Holland, and obtained a captain's commission in a Scots regiment under the Prince of Orange. ■Upon the accession of James YI. to the crown of England, he was taken into favour, and obtained a grant from Con O'Neale, Lord of the Claneboyes, in the following manner: — This Irish chieftain, indulging with his friends and followers at Castlereagh, in a " grand debauch,'' as Lodge terms it (vol. i. p. 358, edit. 1754i), speedily got rid of all the wine ; and being desirous of procuring more, they sent their servants to Belfast for a fresh supply, when they contrived to quarrel with the garrison there, and returned to their masters after receiving a tolerably severe drubbing, and without any wine. Con, exasperated, not so much at the discom- fiture of his men, as at their not procuring wine, reproached them bitterly, and as their number doubled that of their antagonists, swore " by his father's and all his noble ancestors' souls," none should serve him or his friends if they went not back and revenged the affront put upon him and them by those " few Poddagh Sasse- nagh soldiers,'' as he termed them. They accordingly vowed to execute their revenge ; and proceeding to Belfast, assaulted the garrison, and killed one of the soldiers; but were at length, beaten off and pur- sued, several of their number being killed and wounded. For this outrage Con and his adherents were found guilty, by a Committee of Enquiry, of levying war against the crown, and he was committed to prison. This happened a few months before the death of Queen Elizabeth. Montgomery thought he could turn O'Neale's imprisonment to advantage, and resolved on a rescue. This be successfully accomplished ; and contrived to get Con on board a trading vessel, in which he arrived with him safely at Largs, from whence he conducted him to Braidstane, where he was treated with great kindness. He then told his visitor, if he would divide his estate with him, that he would procure the king's pardon, who by this time had succeeded to the crown of England. Poor Con had no alternative. It was a sad thing to lose half his lands, but sadder still to lose his life ; so, with bitter curses upon himself for Jiis drunken frolic, he complied with the demand ; and Montgomery and his victim proceeded to Londo% where 254 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXXXIX— NOTE OF PROCEEDINGS OF PRIVY COUNCIL. jANUAnT 24, 1615. That letter fend downe frome his maieftie, with the petition enclofed therein anent the buflies fifheing, wes this day prefented and geven in to the counfall ; which beeng oppened and redde in there audience, thay do werrye well allow of the enterpryfe, and fo far as in them lyes, will hold hand to encourage the enterpryfares and vndertakares to profequute and follow oute that trade. But becaus the queflion anent the teynd, which is the cheefe poynte whereon the enterpryfares doeth now ftand, can not be fetled hot in prefence of the pairtyes haveing entereffe, therefore the biftiope of Sandlandrois, Abirdeine, and Orknay, the Chalmerlane and cuftomares of Orknay, the minifleres of Pittenweyne, Anftruther, and Carraill, who ar the fpeciall pairtyes who clames enteres to this teynd, ar ordained to be warned to compeere befoir the counfall, vpoun the xiiij* day of Februarij nixt, to anfwere to this mater, and to fee fuche good courfe taken therein, as flialbe thoght expedyent ; at which tyrae the counfall will omitt no good duetye wherby this trade may be forthered and advanced. The differrence betweene the Lord of Scone and Andro Henderfone, beeng fubmitted in prefence of the counfall to the Bilhopes of Dunkeld and Dunblane, the Lardes of Pitcur and Ballmanno, and the Goodeman a pardon -was obtained ; but the division was not ratified in the manner Montgomery expected ; for Sir James FuUerton, a needy courtier, contrived, no doubt for a proper consideration, to introduce Mr James Hamilton (Viscount Clandeboye, 1622) as a third party to the contract, and obtained the king's sanction to this arrangement, some particulars as to which, and as to the disputes with Hamilton, will be found in the Abbotsford Miscellany. Notwithstanding this tripartite division, the estate acquired by Montgomery was sufficiently extensive ; and he proceeded to " plant" it with English and Scotish Protestants. He was made a free denizen of Ire- land in 1605, in which year he was knighted. On 3d May 1632 he was created Viscount Montgomery of the Great Ardes, and died at Newtoun-house, on the 25th of May 1636. From him the Montgomeries, Earls of Mount- Alexander (now extinct in the male line), were descended. Notwithstanding this curtail- ment of his estates, Con O'Neale is said to have ever lived in strict friendship with Montgomery, and to have been deeply affected by his death. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 255 of Balgowne, and they haveing had dyuerfe tryeftes and meetinges vpon that fubmiffion, thay fufferred the fame in end to deferte, without pro- nvnceing of any decreite or fentence therein ; whereof enformation beeng made to the counfall, and thay being defyreous to vnderftand vpon whofe default and occafion the fubmiffion deferted, thay caufed charge both the pairtyes and arbitouris to compeere before thame for that effedl this prefent day : And thay compeering, and at length hard, it wes funden by reporte of the commonares, that after dew examination of all accomptes betweene the pairtyes, that Andro Henderfone wes reftan great fowmes of money to the fade lord, which he wes not hable to pay, and whiche the lord wes verrie onwilling to difcharge and quyte : And the commonares feareing Henderfones exclamationes and outcryes, yf thay decerned him to pay thofe reftes, and beeng loath to offend the Lord of Scone, by decerning him to quyte the fame, thay therefor fufferred the fubmiffion to defert. The counfall haveing at length hard thame heerevpon, and beeng loath that thir jares fliould flill continew betweene the pairtyes, and that his maieftie fhould be of new importuned by Andro Henderfone, or his wyff, thay therefor delt with the faid lord and Andro, that thay wold fubmitt thame felues of new to the counfall, according to the tennour of the firfl fubmiffion. The Lord of Scone made deficultye to fubmitt ac- cording to the firfl fubmiffion, vnles the penfioun of v" merkes, which Henderfone hes out of the lordfhipe of Scone, wer lykwyfe fubraitted, to the eflfefit that thereby all occafion of queflion betweene thame heirafter might be removed, and that he might haue no forder doing nor medling with him. This beeng imparted to Andro, he freelye yeelded to fubmitt his penfion in lyk maner ; wherevpon the counfall, without ony forder delay, gave furth there decrete and fentence betweene thame, decerning ather of thame to quyte and difcharge otheres of all comptes, refles, rekinninges, and fowmes of money, that ather of thame can lay to the charge of otheres, for whatfomevir cans or occafion bygane, preceeding the date thereof ; excepting allwayes the fowme of two thoufand merkes, as a pairte of that fowme which wes funden by the firfl commonares to be reftan by the fade Andro ; which fowme of two thoufand merkes the counfall hes thoght raeete to hald aboue the faid Androes head, as ane 256 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS awband to keepe him in quyetnes and ordour, and to reftreane his dif-- tempered and vnreulie fpeatches : And thay haue ordained the faide lord onnowyfe to crave payment of the fade fowme, vnles the faid Andro,» by his mifbehaviour, give iuft caus to the faid lord to crave the fame (the mifbehaviour beeng alwyfe firfl tryed, and declaratour geven there- vpon by the counfall) : And whereas in the accomptes made by the fade Andro of his intromiffion with the fade lordes leveing, he hes geven vp findrie reftes whereof he alleadges he gatt no payment, the counfall hes ordained him to warrand thir reftes frome his owne deede allanerlye. They haue alfo decerned the faid Andro to renunce and difcharge his penfion of v" merkes, which he hes oute of the abbay of Scone^ in favoures of the fade lord, for the which they haue decerned the fade lord to mak payment to the faide Andro, in fatiffadlion of his fade penfion, both for bygaines and in all tyme cuming, of the fowme of two thoufand merkes, within eight dayes after Whitfunday nixt ; with this prouifo, yf he mak payment of the fowme of ane thoufand pundes, preceiflie at the terme of Witfonday, that he Ihalbe free of the fowme of two thowfand merkes. Andro Henderfone, by his petition geven in to the counfall, com- plained havelie of his confyneing, and of the harme and preiudice which he fufteanes thoroughe that occafion ; and his defyre wes to be fred and releved. Becaus the derre6lion for his confyneirig proceedit from his maieftie, the counfall wold do no thing without his maiefties allowance.* CXL._THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. January 28, 1615. RiCHT HONOBABILL CoUSING, I haue na farder occafion to write to slow at the prefent* bot to accumpanie this berar, with quhais earand heir, I doubt nocht hot jie ar acquent ; like as he will fliiaw to slow all that guid freinds has. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 257' done heir. I doubt nocht bbt my Lord Secretair writes to siow here- with, like as I haue alfo writtin to my Lord Fentoun, and willed him fliiaw my lettir to his facred maieftie ; and gif he be abfent frome Court, I haue defired him to fend it to siow, to be on his name Ihiawin to his maieftie, and reteired agane. His maieftie, feing baith quhat the fecre- tair writes to siow, and quhat I write to Lord Fentoun, I efteeme, fall fufficientlie tak vp, quhow far Mr Williame Murray is failed too. It can nocht be hot a regraitt to honeft men, that debofched drunkin babillis fould prefume, fa imprudentlie, at fa wyfe and iufte a prencis hand, to mifreport honeft and wordie men, abufing his fauour, more to thair eftait, nor to thair mereit or ony worth ; hot man be borne with, fence eiuer fa has bein, fuim onwordie in onye beft eftaitt or gang off men, a Judas amangs Chryftis twelf apoftlis. Sua, ending this, wiffis 3iow allwayis all weill, 3iour louing coufing to ferue siow, DUNFEEMELJNE. Frome Edinburgh, 28 Jan'. 1615. To the Right Honorabill my weilbe- loued Cofen, Mr Murraye, in his facred Maiefteis Bedchalmer. CXLI LORD SANQUHAR TO JOHN MURRAY. February 1, [1615 ?] Right Honorabill and worthy Cussinge, My beft luffe rememberit. I haiff refaifRd sour letter the 23 of this monthe, quhilk gifis me greit contentment, bothe concerning my awin,- biffines and souris ; and as for the biflchope of Santtandrofe behewioure towardis 30W, it is cleirly knawin bothe to the kirk of Scotland and to many more, to his greit difadwantage and diflyking of all that heiris the fame ; for the hale biffchopis is lyk to go mad at him : for, blift be. God, Sir, gif 38 hard the honourabile report the kirk reportis of 30W, se 2k 258 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS wald think 30wr trewell weill beftowid, 36 haif taken for thame, quhilk maid my hart glaid to heir the fame. Sir, we heir that 36 ar a lytile in wytt, and I doubt nocht hot 3e fie the fame wtter in fum muflbur. Sir, my cunffell to 30W is for Godis caufe to be circumfpeck, and cald, and wyfe, and let nocht 30wr paffioun ower rewle 30W, hot wait 30wr tyme, and feik God, and I find 30W God to borrowis, they that feikis 30wr dif- credit, they fall find thair awin lykweyis. Sir, 30 fall wnderft;and Santt- androfe hes bein werie feik, and no man lippinis he fall leif.* Sir, I howpe 3e will pardoune me for my cunflell to 3.0W, for I protefl; to God, it cumes frome ane faithfule hart, that luffis 30W trewlie as himfelf. Fer- der, Sir, 36 fall wnderfl;and that the Erie of Orkney conwick of treflbne, and is to fuffer the thrid of this infl;ant,t Alfo, Sir, 3e fall underfl;and, that I wflid all diligence to haif gottin my declaratore of redemptioun throw aganfl; the air of Carco, conforme to ane preceis ordore, wflid at my awin infl;ance, for redeiming the lordfchipe of Sanquhar out of Carcois handis ; and the Lordis of the Seflioun hes decernit my ordour nule, and hes caflin my ordour, for nocht fulfilling the haill heidis contained in the rewerfioun and innowat contrak, fua, that the lordis hes pute me to ane new ordour of redemptioun again : fua. Sir, quhill my ordour of redemp- tioun be anewe wflid and gottin throw^anddecreit of the lordis thair wpoun, the aduocat findis that I can nocht mak his maiefl;ie ane reicht of the fliireffchipe, nor he will nocht anfuer for the fame to be walid, as his lord- fchipe will perticulerlie wryt to 30W to the fame eSieck, and gif his lord- fchipes awin refonis for the fame to be fchawin to his maiefl;ie be 30W, Sir ; and tile me Lord Advocatis letter of informatioun cum to 30W, Sir, 36 fall fchawe nothing of the biflines to his maiefl;ie ; alweyis. Sir, the deley quhen his maiefl;ie knawis the trewthe of the biflSnes, I am per- fuadit his maiefl;ie will be pleflid with the fame. Alweyis I think gud to aquent 30W, Sir, that the cafting of this ordour of myne hes pute me in ane greit fecurittie of my efl;ait ; for the cafl^ing of my order of redemp- tioun will tak awey the lait Lord Sanquharis ordour of redemptioun that • George Gladstanes — " The Archbishop of Santandrois hes passed ane dangerous fit of apoplexie. It is supposed that ane new assault may be more difficil to put off." Lord Binning to John Murray— Met- ros Papers, vol. i. p. 194. + According to Calderwood, he suffered at the market cross of Edinburgh, February 6, 1613. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 259 the fame will niwer conwalefe agane ; for the lait Lord Sanquharis or- dour hes all the faltis that my ordour is caffin for, and many mor faltis, fua, that the lordis can niwer cum aganft thair awin decreit all in ane wote in foro contradifilorio contentiouflie difputtit ; fua, Sir, that ordour that the lordes hes caffin to me, they can niwer fuftein to my adwerferie, fua, that all the diffadwantage that I haif, I am put to ane new ordour of re- demptioun. Lykweyis, Sir, ^e fall wnderfland forder, that I haif put my Lord Sanquharis fone natrall to the home for nocht obeying his ma- iefteis decreit, and his maieflie promeift to me gif he geid to the home I fowld haif his lyfrent for this caufe, quhilk caufe is for diffobeying his maiefteis decreit. Sir, the threfforer deput wald glaidlie gif me the fame, but his lordfchip wald haif his maiefteis letter for his warrand ; fua, Sir, 3e man get his maiefteis letter for this effeck, and the fame man be done fecretlie, that Roxbruche get nocht wit of the fame, for gif he get wit, he will do all lyis in his power to ftey the fame ; for. Sir, fchaw his maieftie this is hot for ftrenthining of his maiefteis decreit and fentence.* Sir, I wes on Orkneyis afyfe myfelf. Sir, fchawe his maieftie that, be Godis grace, I fall be caiifule to difcharge any ferwice lyis in my power faithfullie to his maiefteis contentment, for I knawe his maieftie is and hes ewer bein ane juft and equitabile prince, and I am his maiefteis ferwand more nor ordinerrie fubiedlis, and fall give prufe of the fame, gif God fpair my lyfe. Frorae Edinburgh, the firft of Feberwerrie. 3owris effe6lionat and luffing Cuffing to ferwe 30W, Sanquhar. Sir, wryt to me with the firft occatioun, for I lange till I heir frome 30W. To the Richt Honourabill and his worthie gud freind Johne Murrey of Lochemeben, on of his Maief- teis Bedchamber, this to be givin. • See the King's award in the Abbotsford Miscellany. Robert, Baron, and (1616) Earl of Roxburghe, was the guardian of the late Lord Sanquhar's " sone natral," and would, no doubt, have opposed the pro- posed gift by the King. 260 LETTERS AND STATE. PAPERS CXLII.— SIR JOHN COCKBURN OF ORMISTON TO KING JAMES VI. Febkuaey 3, 1615. Pleis your most Gratious Maiestie, The deceiffed Lord Sinclare* marying one of my dochters, and by her haveing iffue of tuo fones, of whome the elder, bye his fathers death, being now your raaieftyes waird, I, as being the grandfather, can not, in dewtie, omitt to be a humble fuiter, that the gift of his waird and maryage (giving alwayes your raajeftyes dew confideratioun thairfoir) may be difponit vnto thofe whome nature doth enforce, and the generall opinion of everie man will prefume to carye the greateft to the pure or- phanes weilfare. As for any refpedl to be had to my felf heirin, I do only plead out of grace, at the bar of your majefties gratious accuftomed bountye, nawayes challenging any merite (whilk in a fubje6l may be held for prefumptioun) ; and yit with proteftatioun of pardoun, avowing that never any of my rank have furpaffed me in dewtyfuU affedtioun to ferue your majeftie, according to my talent. So, if your majeftie wold be pleafed to teflifie to the world, bye yeilding vnto this my humble fuite, that I am ftill in your majefties gratious fauour (fence it hath bein cuf- tomeable to thofe in publick placeis, and employed in daylie fervice, to be euer refpe6led in this kynd), no doubt, as it wold gif vnto my graye haires (which are now verye neir to the grave) muche comforte in find- ing the vnchangeable contynuance of my moft gratious foveranes afFec- tioun ; fo wold it alfo move and encourage vthers to indevore thamefelues by all fervice, on their pairt, to acquyre ane impreffioun in thair princes heartis of thair dewtyfuU caryage, and becum fo affured, as when anie * Patrick sixth Lord Sinclair. By Margaret Cockburn be bad John bis successor, and Henry, a Colonel in the army, who died at Dysart, 5th February 1670. His only daughter, Elizabeth, married Sir Duncan Campbell of Glenurquby. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 261 perticuler which micht concerne thame fould occure, that it fould not pas vnregairded. As for the eftate of the levyng, the hous hathe bein olde, honourable, and vntainted ; bot the rent and revenues thairof verie fmall, and the fame at this prefent alluterlie exhauftit by occafioun of three fur- viving widowes haifing all three feuerall coniun6l fyes furth thairof, fo as thair is not fo muche left of the rent as will afford to the pure orphane ane monthes intertenyment. Perhaps fome of conceat to mak benefite thair- by may be fuitters heirof, bot I falbe loathe, for the whole worthe of it, to be found within compas of vntreuth ; indeid, the maryage may be fome what accomptit of, bot when the boy at this prefent exceidis not the fourt yeir of his age, God knoweth how vnprofitable thofe preventiounes may prove. Alwayes humbhe intreiting your majeftyes pardoun for this my boldnes and prefumptioun, and whollye relying vpoun your moll gra- tyws fauour, which hes neuer yit bein wanting to any weill deferving fer- vant, I hurablie kis your facred hands, and with my prayer for the conty- nuance of your majeftyes moft hapye, long, and profperous regne, I reft Your Maiefties moft dewtifuU and faithfull fubjefit and feruitour, Jo. COCKBURNE, OrMISTOUN.* Edinburght, the 3 February 1615. To my moft gratious and dread Souerayne, the Kings moft excellent Maieftie. • Son of John Cockbnrn of Ormistoun, whom he succeeded in 1583. On the 4th of July 1588 he was made, upon the resignation of Lord Boyd, an Extraordinary Lord of Session. He was knighted, and ap- pointed Justice Clerk on the death of Sir James Bellenden in 1591, and admitted an Ordinary Lord on the 15th February 1593. He died in June 1623. 262 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXLIII._THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. FEBBUAnT 24, 1615. Right Honourabill Cocsing, All that I haue to write to slow is, that wee haue na mater off moment to write off frome this, nor be apeirance wee will haue na fub- ie6l off aduertifment till the prifonaris frome Ila be heir, to be tried and examinat. We ar fallin upon fuim difcourie off fuim treacherie in mater off coine : fuim villains has ufed to gilt fuim filuer riellis, baith doubill and fingill, and has geiuin thame out for Spanifli piftolettis, doubill or fingill. Suim of thame we haif in handis, and, as I hoipe, wee ar on the way off the triell of that abuife ; albeit, wee haue nocht 3itt attained to the full knawledge of thair knawifhe treadde, 3ie will heir parhappis mair off this after. The florme continewis flill heir, and I think fua thair to, for wee gett na worde frome thence. Sua, ending this, wifEs siow all contente- ment. 3our louing Coufing to ferue giow, DuNFERMELJNE. Frome Edinburgh, 24 Feb'. 1615. The Archbifchoppe St Androis apeirs fuim better in his health, and sit is thocht fall nocht putt off this feiknes in haill. Glafgow* is gone frome this to fee the Jefuifl Ogiluie refaue law. To the Right Honourabill my weil- beloued Coufing, Johne Murray, in his facred Maieflies Bedchal- mer. * Spottiswood, who succeeded Gladstanes as Archbishop of St Andrews. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 263 CXLIV— THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. [Makch 1615 ?] I CAN fay na mair to 3iow, bot I will be glaid at my hairt to haue anis ane guid end in this befines, and to be bound to nane, thair- fore, onder his facred maieftie, bot to slow, quhilk fall neiuer be forgot- tin for me ; albeit my powar be bot fraall, my guid will and acknawledge- ment in deute fall be greate and continuall. Sence now, be this refigna- tioun, all is putt in his maiefties hand and powar, and he may doe greate hurt and difpleafour to my nepuieu, quhilk I na wayis can fufpedl, 3it fearing eiuill counfall or inftigatioun micht raoue his maieftie to derogate onye point to his honour, I wald wifs siow, if 3ie parfaue onye fie thing or motioun in his heighnes minde, then for 3iour awin entres deale with his maieftie, and fliiaw to his heighnes, if he fa did, he wold doe 3iow greatar wrang nor to onye, to caft a galant 3ioung man fa far abak, on- dir 3iour mediatioun, quhairby he thocht to haue had his fatling and quiet- nes in his promotioun. Wifs his maieftie and ftiiaw to him, it will be mair conuenient, or he doe 3iow that wrang, to latt all ftand as before : randir him his refignatioun and difcharge, and deftroy or cancell the writes figned, if his maieftie can na wayis confent to his preferrement. His heighnes may haue wayis anew to bald him abak mair conuenient nor this, or to bring 3iow in ony blame for fie a mater. This ground I thocht guid to fignifie to 3iow to hald slow be, if 3ie find fie intentioun or mo- tioun ; for wee fould forfee fa far as wee may, all poffibilities habili to hurte usj albeit thay be neiuer fa onliklie. If 3ie can gett at the refaitt off this, and fa fon as his maieftie fall fee the refignatioun, quhilk is maift fufficient, ane command to James Douglas to fend hither in diligence 264 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS the lettirs figned, quhairoff ^\e fend me the note, all is weill ; and if ^\e can gett this done quicklie, I wald nocht think expedient 3ie maid langer flay on ceremoniall matters and circumftances. The Lord Somerfettis fubfcription is nocht neceffair, nor ^ie neid nocht troubill him with this. If it be nocht his maiefties pleafour and diredlioun, I think he will nocht be oppofite, for he has promift fauour and guid will ; hot I defire no (lay nor delay, and he has much adoe.* Priuat for siour felf. CXLV.— LORD GORDON AND JAMES MOWAT TO KING JAMES VI. February [1615?] Pleis your Maiestie, Efter ane inhibitioun was feruit agaynft M'Kintoflie his teynds, at my Lord Gordoun his inftance, and he was requyrit to gife teynding, as ordour of laue prouyds, my Lord Gordoun fend on of his ferwands, with.tuo notars and thrie witnefs, to the lands of CoUodin, perteyning to the faid M'Kintoflie, and thair be werteue of a decreit obteynid be my lord, befoir the Lords of Seflioun, conteynand a leuen yeirs fpulze of the teynds of the faids lands, to haife poyndit for the by-run fpulzeis ; but M'Kintoflie fend and haid lying await about the number of aught or ten fcoir men, armit with guns, pifl;olats, bous, fuords, and axis. All of them bend thair bous and guns, and violentlie deforflit and boifl;it to haif kilt * This is an unsigned confidential letter fi-om Lord Dunfermline apparently to John Murray. It relates to the pretensions of bis Lordship's nephew to the earldom of Eglinton, TrhJch were ultimately reesgnized by the King. See Melros Papers, vol. i. p. 199. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 265 the faids femande and witnefs, gife they fuld fett thair foot wpon ther ground, and manifaftlye mifregairdit the lords decreit, and reallit out that they did nocht cair for any decreit, or letters that culd cum from your maieftie. This thay did, the aught day of September, and tuentye-tua day of September laft, in moir ufurping maneir nor can be fchouin your maieftie. M'Kintoflie did this, moir to haife the cuntrey and your maiefteis peace broikin, nor for any wther refpeck, as may be evidentlie knowin, be reffene my Lord Gordoun wfit means to apoynt feuein feuerall tryftis fence your maieftee was in Scotland, for agreing that mater, and fubmiffiouns war pend and fubfcryuit be aither of pairteis and freinds, but M'Kintoflie not being willing the mater fuld pack wp freindlie, fand means to break euerye on of the meittings on day or tuo befoir thay fuld haife mett, and hes drauin all the broikin heighland men to him, feik as Robert Abrach, on of the Clangrigor, with uthers of his accomplecees that ar your maieftees rebells to be his fulde- ours, and keips them in his houfs of CuUodin, for the fayme effeck, and gifs it out that the moft pairt of the heighland men in Scotland will tak his pairt, and will be glaid to find any occatioun of a break, becaus they fay they haife nocht threuen fence your maieftee maid the cuntrey fo peaceable. Heirfoir, my lord humblie entreats your maieftie wreit to the cunfall of Scotland to puniflie M'Kintoflie and his complecees for his rebellion and mifregairding your maieftees laws, and that M'Kintoflie may be maid to prefent thees rebells quhom he keips as fuldeours, that thay may be takin ordour with, for the better obferuing your maieftees peace, and preuenting of gryter inconuenientefe. The nixt cunfall day in Scotland is wpon Wednifday, the tuentye-on of this month. Indorfed: Lord Gordoun and James Mowats Informatioun to His Maieftie. * This letter, which has no date, is placed by Sir James Balfour amongst those of the year 1615, although it is probably of a somewhat later date. 2 L 266 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CXLVL— THE EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. October 11, 1 6 15. Pleis your most Gratious Maiestie, As it wes my no fmall greifF, when I onderftoude of the finifter and vrongous mifreporte of me, conferning my profeflioun in rehgioun (the fpreaderis of thefe calumnies vpone ther conceaved advantage of the far-diftance of place, prefuming that the partie whome they intend to vronge falbe condemned before hearing), fo it is vnto me no fraall con- forte to be the fubiedl of fo gratious a foueraigne, with whome no detrac- tioun hath place, nor any evir be him convi6l vnheard ; hot flill referv- ing the one ear to the pairtie accufed, whereof I haue found the particu- lar prowife in this calumny laitly vttered againes me be Mr Robert Wil- kie, in that your maieflie wes pleafed nott to truft what ves vttered vntill tryall wes taiken therof be my Lord Santandros ; and laiteft, your maief- tie did diredt Sir Robert Douglas to bring your heines fertentie heirin, vho, no dout, befor this tyme hes certified your maieftie how far I haue bene vronged in that buffynes, where the pretendit zeale whereof fome makes profeffioun, caufs them forgett both honeftie and difcretioun. Al- wayes it may veill content me to indure that which too often and moil juftlie hes moved my gratious maifter and foueranes owen patience. I doe not intend to be in the reverence of any of thefe people, if they will dehuer no more then treuth, and if your maieftie wald be pleafed to dire6l my Lords St Androis and Glafgow to provyid many of our kirkes heir vith fik as wald not prefs to fupplie there vant of good do6lrine and paynes, and there private inftru6lioun, with a pretendit outward fchaw and pretence of devoted zeale, no doubt it wald try a great meanes to flrethen them who ar meanly groundit, and to releyue many vho daylie fall away. It is now four yeares fince your maieftie had a letter of my hand-vritt, which may giue full aflurance of my profeffioun. Intreatting, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 267 therfor, humble your maieftie to reft confident, notwithftanding of what- evir falbe informed to the contrarie, vntill I fall refuifs the tuichftone of all dew tryall, in geuing full fatiffadlione to the moft worthie fatheries of the church, and fecunditt by thefe vho ferve cuire vnder them, as they themfelfes doe moft vorthely difcharge there owen roumes, and gives rea- fone of your maiefties moft juft praifs, in making fo good choice. And praying the Almichtie God long to conlinow your maiefties long and moft happie gratious gouernment ower ws, I kifs your facred hand, and reftis Your Maiefties moft dewtifuU fubiedl and feruitour, Angus.* Douglas, the 10 of OiSlober 1615. To my moft gratious and dreid Soue- raigne, the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. CXLVIL_THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. NOTEMBEK 24, 1615. HiCHT HONOUBABILL AND WEILBELOUED CoUSING, I thank slow maift hartlie for siour guid remembrance be siour lettir, quhilk I refaued fra James Bailsie. As to that siour lettir bearis, 3e hoiped to fee me thair fhiortlie, treulie at the refaitt I marueled thair- * William, eleventh Earl of Angus. He succeeded bis father (many of whose letters occur in the early part of this volume) in 1611 — ^was created Marquis of Douglas, IStb June 1633, and died in the 71st year of his age, at Douglas Castle, 19th February 1660t He left the religion of his father, and became a n^testant. 268 LETTERS AND' STATE PAPERS off; for albeit the berar, James Bailsie, fliiew to me, alfo, he was in- formed he wald meit me on my iornay be the way, at that tyme I knew off na apeirance nor rafoun thairfore ; bot fenfyne, within this four dayis, my 'Lord Fentoun has fignified to me be his lettir, it is maiefties gra- cious pleafour, at the queenis maiefties delire, that I fouldcuim up fa fone as I may conuenientlie. . .For this pirefent, I can nocht' enterprife that iornay, for my bedfallow is on the point to be broght to bed within werie fiew dayis, and before flioe can be at that eftaitt that I may weill leiue hir, will be the dead off the gieir, maift difficill and hard to onye man' to trauell, and I am now na chikkin, drawing to three fcore, was neiuer werye ruide nor ftrong, albeit, nather too delicat nor fparing off my felf. Alwayes fa fone as I can find I may weill tak toe to fie a voyage, I fall, be Goddes grace, mak 3iow forefein off ray intentioun, and off my dyett ; for I will alwayis be bath hamelie with 3iow, and trubilfuim to 3iow in all my adois. All our eftaitt heir is (praifed be God) fa quiett as can furnifh us na fubjedl off occurrence to write off to our freindis. God hald all lang fua, and preferue our maift gracious fouerane and maifter, quhome fra (vndir God) proceidis all this our calmnes, frome his wyfe, equitabill, and iuft dire6lions and ordonancis. Sua, wifling siow alfo all happines, I refte for eiuer 3our louing Coufing alwayis at command, DuNFERMELJNE. Frome Edinburgh, 24 Nouember 1615. I defire this may remembir baith my bedfallowis and my maift hartlye kindnes to siour good halfmarrow. We wifs hir a good and blith deliuerie off hir burding to hir contentement and wifs, and to siowris. ^ie may OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 269 ftiiaw hir that hir fpeciall guid freind, my dochter, my Ladye Eglintouti, has bein in parell off hir lyff, and is sit, albeit, now (praifed be God) fuim thing fofter ; for flioe was faUin in a haitt feiuir tua dayis, before ftioe was brocht to bed, and through that feiknes preueined hir tyme ten or twelf dayis : has now bein this .15 dayis in continuall vehement feuir, butt reft, and oft reuing ; this tua laft nights at fuim eafe and quietnes, 3it werie feike and weake. To the Right Honourable my weil- beToued Coufen, Jhone Morraye, in his facred Maiefleis Bedchalmer. CXLVIII JAMES VI. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR AND REMANENT LORDS OF THE COLLEGE OF JUSTICE. December 3, 1615. James R. Right trufty and welbeloued cofen and counfellour, trufty and welbeloued counfelloures, wee greet yow well. Whereas wee were pleafed this laft fummer that Comraiffioners fhould be appoynted for furueying of all the coilheuches within oure kingdome of Scotland, to the effedl that before wee would graunt a licence for carrying of coilles to any forraine nation, it might be ferioufly confiddered whither the coilheuches of that kingdome might fubfift and be mantained by their ordinarie fale in fur- nifhing the countrey about the places where they are ; togidder with tne benefite, arryfing by the nomber of thofe coilles which are brought from thence to this oure kingdome ; or if there were a neceflitie for thair better mantainance, that a priuiledge Ihould be graunted for tranfporting them to other nationes, wee vnderftand that a furwey wes made for this effedl, but for the prefent haue not befyde ws your tellimonie thereupoun. 270 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS Therefore oure pleafour is, that yow certifiews whatwes found by the Com- miflion forefaid, with your judgement thereanent, that therefter (haueing the reguard that is due to the goode of that oure kingdome) wee may refolue what is expedient for ws to be done ; fo, expe6ling your anfweir, wee bid yow hartely farewell. Frome oure Court at Newmercat, the 3 of December 1615. To oure right trufly and welbeloued Cofen and Counfellour, the Earle of Dumfermiling, oure Chancellour of Scotland : to our truftie and welbeloved Counfellouris, the rem- nant Lords of oure CoUedge of Juf- tice of the faid kingdome. CXLIX._LORD CRANSTOUN TO JOHN MURRAY. Decembes 9, 1615. Rycht Honokabill, Within this fourtnycht I haue wryttine tuo feuerall letters to 30W, quhilk I hoip be cumit to gour handis : the one be my nephew, the fchereife of Tivotdaill, the vthair be my fervant Niniane Armflrange. Quhat I wrett in thefs letters, I hoip it will be neidles to repeit in this ; onlej this berer beinge dyfpofit to repair to courtt, I make bolde to re- mimber 30W in all dewtej. I knaw the careierr will informe 30W of the eftait that 30ur fifter is in for the prefent,* and quhat myghttej enemej hir hulband and fcho hes opjmglej profeffit to their rueine. Itt is in 30ur handis to help for the prefent, and quhat ye will commande me to do to thair furder, affuire 30wrfelf I fall leiue nothinge vndoun that lyis in my • Jean Murray, who married John Maxwell of Kirkewine. Their son James was created by Charles I. £arl of Dirleton, Lord Elbottle in 1646. As the patent limited the earldom and barony to heirs-male of the body, the titles became extinct upon the demise of the earl, who left only two daughters, Ladies Elizabeth and Diana. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 271 power. This muche I dyffyre 30W to make account of, and fo takis my leiue, and reftis 3owris ever affurit to doo 30W ferveice, W. Cranstoune.* Too the Richt Honourabill my verej kynd freinde, Mr Johnne Murrey, of his Maiefties royell Bedchalmer. CL — LORD SCOTT OF BUCCLEUCH TO [JOHN MURRAY?]. December 9, I6I5. SlE, I do vrett to you now in a fubjett quhairin I did nott attend to haue had ony occafione, if them quhome it touches had had ony con- fideratione off thair awin particular credit, lett be ony obligatione I micht juftly chaulengett for mony raifons. Robin EUottf is on hys journay touards you for a particular quiche I thynk quhen you vnderftand the verite, you vill nott approve hys faffons. You remember for your re- fpedl I gave hym the faueur that mony having the raifons I had againfl hym, and thofs advantages off revanche, vood a extenditt them more rigouroufly nor I did ; yett, quhatt did pafTe, I eftimett veil eraploytt for your regard. Att thatt tyme I paffett hym hys infeftement off lands, quhairin I hope he did iignify to you he vafs fatilBett fully by hys letter, and you alfo did ratify by a letter to myfelf of your pairt : he immediatly, efter my figning of hys fecuritie, gois and falfifis in the rycht I gauve hym, and inferts others lands in hys charter, quiche moft evidently I vill * William Cranstoun, son of John Cranstoun of Moriestoun. He married Sarab, the heiress of Cranstoun —was captain of the guard to James Vl., who knighted him, and thereafter elevated him to the peerage, 17th November 1609. He died in June 1627. t Elliot subsequently attempted to assassinate Lord Buccleuch. See Melros Papers, vol. ii. p. 378. 272 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS prove, bothe by ocular infpe6lione, afs alfo by other circonftances I vill fchow att the triall thairof, vafs nott given hym by me : efter thys maner, he caufis a vryter raife vp fome wordes and put in others, afs thai haue a trik to dow heir, them quho hefs no honefty to obferve.* Judge you if thatt man fould a carriett hymfelf to me in thatt forte. I knewe the humour off the man better nor you did ; and you mofl remember I told you tharr vafs no honefty to be attenditt of hym. If you vnderftud hys particular cariage to them you fauour hym for, I am perfuaditt you vood nott do for hym in indeferant occafiones, lett be in thofs quhair he micht paraventure haue fome raifone. Beliue this informatione vill prove juft to hys difcreditt ; and I am affeurett no man off honour bott vill reput hym naucht. It is nott only difcreditt to hym, hot indangeris hys lyf to falfify ane infeftement. I thocht expedient to acquent you with it, to the end you may affeure you off my juft deling, and thatt you kno hys ingra- titudes. I hope you vill thynk I do no thyng in it bott quhatt apertines to ane man off honour to do, quhen. he finds hymfelf fo ingratly and dif- honeftly vfett. So, remetting all to your confideration, I reft ever hym quhome you haue moft abfolut pouer to command, BuKCLEUGHE.f Edinburghe, 9 December 1615. I vifs I had occafione to fye you, quharby I micht informe more par- ticularly off hys carriage to me. * Such practices as these were then common enough. t Then Lord Scott of Buccleuch. He was not elevated to the earldom until 1619. His Lordship had the command of a regiment in the service of the States of Holland, and served with much reputation against the Spaniards. He was thus addressed by Arthur Johnston :— Arra dedit Scoto Rex Scotus, Belga dat aurum Estque triumphatus serta daturus Iber. He died at London, on the 21st of November 1633, and his body was put on board a vessel for Leith, which arrived after a most tempestuous voyage, arid after being nearly cast away on the coast of Norway. The corpse was carried to Branxholm, and his Lordship interred there. An account of the funeral ceremony occurs in " The Genealogical and Historical Tracts of Sir James Balfour," printed at Edinburgh, 1837, from the Balfour MS& 12mo. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 273 CLI._SIR ALEXANDER HAY TO JOHN MURRAY, December 21, [1615?] Sir, There is nothing that I can wryite from henfe hot it is fo fpedelye advertifed by thefe who half the chairge, that I holde it a neid- lefs poynte in me to trouble any with renewing of date advertifmentis. Thir pairtes affordes not nather muche nor greit mater. So long as it pleifes God of his infinite mercye to prolonge our maifteris gratious governament over ws, there is nothing to be expelled heir bot all dewti- fuU obedience ; and albeit now and then there may fall out fome inci- dentis, fo is there no bodye of nevir fo gode conftitutioun, bot will haif a catharre, or fome other diftemperature. Alwayes our lyles fervice is finiflied, and our lieutennant, the Erie of Argyile, returned yifternight, and wilbe with the counfell this day. By many it is thoght, that if goode will did fecunde the dewtye whiche they ar bounde to do, thir frequent iyland employmentis wald not occurre fo often. I wrotte to yow in my former lettres that account being takin what this lyla hathe floode his maiefties cofferis into thir tuo voyages, and fpecially in the accomptes of admiralitye there. I doubt if the rent of our whole lyles will recompenfe it in ten yeir. Sen it is now quyted, it is fitting the purchefferis of the new right ather fecuire it heirefter, and difburdeyne his maiefties cofferis of furder chairge, or then furrender it to his maieftie; for when thir employmentis ar fo proffitable in prefent pay, and a preparatioun for making fuite at courte for fervice done, how eafie a mater it is to haif fome of thefe vnhallowed people, with that vnchriftiane language, readye to furneis frefh wark for the tinker, and the mater fo caryed as that it is impoffible to deprehend the plotte. But leiving this vntill the leutennant 2m 274 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS mak a relatioun of his fervice, we haif had in the boundis of Cathnes, fome barne yairdes brunte to the Lord Forbes, a barbarous adlioun, and pernicious in fo fkairfe a year. Alwayes, howevir, baife lownes be adlouris, it is muche to be feared that without fetting on of greiter, thefe thinges wald not be interpryifed. In the other pairtis of the cun- trey there is greit quyetnes and obedience ; and there is a very dewtifull nobleman, your maiche, the Erie of Kingorne deceiffed,* concerning whois wairde no doubt you will heir be the officeris whome it concernis, who in this farhe particular, without regaird of any manis fwite, howevir other- wayes he affedlis them, caryes no other founde hot a goode compofitioun to his maieftie, and haiftenis to haif it put to the beft, that fuiteing and importuneing his maieftie there, hinder not his proffeit heir. We haif now ane a6l regiftrat in our exchecker bookis, whereof I can not find thefe hundreth yeiris paft any lyike prefident, to witt, to lay vp fo muche every moneth in floire. It is one of the moft dewtifull courfes that evir wes intendit for the kinges fervice ; for if we had ones hot ten thoufand pundis fterling in ftoire, not to be ftirred, the report of it wald do as muche to reteyne our peple in obedience as the interteyneing of a con- tinuall garriefoun. The povertye of the crowne is the cans of the info- lence oftentymes of people who propone to them felfis befoir preparalioun can be made for thair perfwite, ather a compofitioun, or then tyme to efcaipe ; bot when it is knowne to be in reddynes, it will ftay them to fturre. His maieftie will find the goode of this in a fliort progres of tyme; and I pray God that nothing from thenfe hinder the going fordward of it. The Erie of Mar is there alreddy ; we looke the chancellour fall fhortly tak jornay. I pray God in thefe bufynes of difcovereyes whiche yow haif abowe, his maieftie may evir haif a regairde to himfelf; and yit I doubt ^ot of Godes provydence for his prefervatioun, for I am fully affuired of Godis mercye towardis me, that I fall prevent him, and that he fall longe continew efter ; and if it be Godis pleafour, I haif no de- fvire as yit to end. In him is all our earthly happynes ; and for my pairt, * He died December 19, 1615, which fixes the date of this letter. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 275 I culd wiftie the laft confirraatioun fuld come at the time of his vifiteing. Lord keip him, and you yourfelf ftill attend him as you do; and fo I reft Youris at command, Alex*. Hay. Edinburgh, 21 Dec'. [1615?] To the Right Honorabill and his affuired Mr Johnne Murray of Lochmaben, of his Maiefties Bedchamber. CLIL— SIR ALEXANDER HAY TO JOHN MURRAY. Decembeb 21, 1615. SlE, I muft begine with craiveing pardoun for my bypaft filence, haveing this excuife, that in fo bufye tymes abowe, lettres, vnles they wer of the more moment, might give mater of offence rather than content- ment. To retribute complement for the fubftance of favour I reffaive, wer in me vndewtifulnes. I wrotte vnto you in a particular, and ob- teyned not only the bufines difpatched by his maiellie, but fo recom- mendit by your felf to him who wes to performe the refidew of it, as haveing it all done, I muft confefs my felf your iuft debtour therefoir in no les degrie then if it had bein your owne frie gift, and yit can offer no more then what I wes formerly bounde,and fall evir remayne what I am or evir falbe ; and as beggeris do mofte importune where they come beft fpeide, I mutt entreats you in the firft occafioun of any of your lettres to 276 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ray Lord Thefaurar, your coufeing, to give him thankes for his freyndly deahng in my bufynes, and I hope he fall not find it ewill bellowed. The other lettre* I haif written to be fliewin by you to his maieftie, if you think meitt, or fuppreffed ; for I can wryite nothing hot what otheris may bothe preuent me, or wryite bettir ; and yit I falbe loathe to wryite any thing hot the treuth. So, with remembrance of my humble dewty to your fueitt bedfellow, vnto whome I pray God grant my Lady Dum- fermling hir laite goode lucke, I tak my leive, refting. At your fervice, Alex^. Hay. Edinburgh, 21 Dec'. [1615 ?] To his very honorabill and affuired freynd, M' Johne Murray of Loch- maben, of his Maiellies Bed- chamber. CLIIl — THE EARL OF CRAWFORD AND LORD SPYNIE TO KING JAMES VI. [1615 ?]t Most Dkede and Gracius Souerane, We, 3our maieflies humble fubiedlis, the Erie of Craford< the Lord of Spynie, Anna and Margaret Lindfayis, dochteris to vmquhile * See preceding letter. The present one was entire); confidential. t There is no date to this letter ; but it has been placed by Balfour, whose arrangement, however, can- not much be relied on, amongst those of I6I5. Edzell seems to have been by no means in an enviable situ- ation, for some years after the death of Lord Spynie. In a letter to the King, dated 16th August 1608, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 277 Alexander Lord of Spynie, hering that the prefbitrie of Edinburgh, and bifchopis of this 30ur maiefties kingdome, hes enterit in deiUng with the Laird of Edg3ell for relaxatioun of him fra his excommunicatioun, without anie fatiffa6lioun of sour maieftie, or guidwill of ws, quhiche fall neuer be without 30ur maiefties fpeciall command for oure pairtis, we moft humblie haue taken occafioun to pray 30ur maieftie for jufteice, and that 30ur maieftie wald nocht fuffer fo hard ane preparatiue pas in oure con- trare, quho hes no other protetSlioun, vnder God, hot 30ur maiefties favour ; and we dout nocht hot 30ur maieftie will remember the one of "WS wanting his vncle and dereft freind, the reft thair father, and hes left "ws altogidder vnprovydit ; and that puir eftait quhilk it pleiffed 3our maieftie of 30ur moft gracius liberalitie to beftow vpone vmquhile the Lord of Spynie, 30ur maiefties owne creatour, be his vntymlie deith neir brocht to rowein. So, in all humilitie, we moft humblie defyre 30ur ma- ieftie to fend fuche ordour to the bifchopis, that thair be no favour fchowne to that cruell murderer without 30ur maiefties firft fatiffadlioun : Praying to God for 30ur maiefties monie happie dayis, we, as we aucht, fall ever remaine 5our Maiefties moft humble and obedient fubie6lis, Crafoed. Spynie.* To his moft Sacrede Maieftie. be states that he had « stayit heir in Edinburgh ane yeir bygane, and three months, crawing ewer to be tryit of the onhappy slauchter of my unquhill Lord of Spynie, quhairof I protest before God and your Ma- ieslie I am maist innocent." He complains besides of the persecution of Lord Crawford in March 1609. See Letter, a previous part of this volume, where he accuses that nobleman directly of forgery, • The second Lord Spynie. 278 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLIV._SIR WILLIAM DOUGLAS OF DRUMLANRIG TO JOHN MURRAY. January 6, 1616. Right worthie and lowing Brother, 3e remember, in on of my former lettres, I fchew 30W that I had gotin fum tryall of that uyld and barbarous uillaine, quhilk was countit in the flaying of my fcheip, quhen I was lafl at court ; quhairin I did than wreat 36 more fparinglye, being lothe (in refpe6l of sour griter affairis) to trubill 30W with it, till I had brocht it till fum farther cleirnes, quhilk now I have done, and hes tuo fallowis prefentlie in hand that war adloris in it, the on callit Jok Scott, the fukler, quho hes con- feffit the fimpell treuth in all poyntis, bothe of his auin pairte, and the reft that war with him at that filthye a6lioune, to wit, Geordie Scott, the foutor, callit Mariounis Geordie ; Watt Scott, callit BraidisWattie; Willie Scott, callit of Satchelis ; and Ingram Scott. This fuccler in his confef- fioune he condifcendis cleirlie both vpoun the tyme, place, and forme of thair melting and pairting, with all wther takinis and circumftancefs that paft amongft thame quhen they war togidder (as his depofitioun beiris): Notwithftanding, this vther, callit Geordie Scott, the fouter (quhom I have alfo in handis) ftandis sit to his denyall. Altho they be many grit prefumptiounis of his guiltinefs, alwayis the fuckler being fundry tymes examinat and confrontit with him befoir the Lordis of Counfall, he abydis conftantly at everye poynt of his firft confeflioun, and offeris nocht only to fecht the foutir in it, bot all the reft, everie on of thame efter another, quhenfoeuer they can be had, gif it will pleis his maieftie and the coun- fall to fuffer him. The vther thrie ar fugitiues for that and other crymes of thift and flauchter ; and, as I wnderftand ar all out of the cuntray, fum in Irland, and fum ellis quhair ; vtherwayis befoir this tyme, I think I had fund meanis to have gotin thame in handis, sit (according till our auld Scottis proverb) " Ane ^ule feift may be quat at Pafch," quhen perhapis they may imagin it to be forget. In the meintyme, let me intreit 30W, that 36 will do me that fauowr to motioun this raaiter to his maieftie, quhair- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 279 by I may have it by his letter recommendit to the counfall, nocht only for the exafib try all and punifchment thairof to the daith, for the wrang that is alredie done, hot alfo to terrifie all other malefa6loris from at- temping the lyk heirefter : Quhilk, I proteft to God, I ponder more in refpeQ; of the preparatiue and confequens that may follow thairvpoun to the preuidice of the comoun weill of the countray, in cais it be lichtlie paffit over vnpunifchit, than for any particular of my avin. Now, gif 3e find it expedient, it war nocht amis, feing the chanfler and fecritar (quha knawis the haill eftate and progrefs of this buffines) ar to be with his maieftie at court, that 30 fould haue thame neir hand by, quhen 3e pro- poun it to his maieftie, incais he happin to defyre thair opinioun in it. And this I wald befeik 30W to do with all the conuenient haift 30W can, that I may have 30wr anfuer, with his maiefties letter, befoir the feuinth or aucht of the nixt month ; becaus I do intend, Godwilling, at thatyme to have thir tuo fallowis, at leift on of thame, put to the tryall of ane af- fyfe, at quhilk tyme, if nocht befoir thane, I do affur myfelf that God fall mowe the hart of him quho ftandis moft obftinatlie to his denayall euin to confefs the treuth, as the other hes done ; albeit thair be fum buf- fie beadit men heir, quhom I will nocht name at this tyme, that wald wis the contrair, and ar deiling be all menis poffibill, fo far as in thame lyis, to that efFe6l ; hot be the grace of God, and his maiefties fauowr, with 30Virr help, I howp to difapoynt thame. As for the reft of my particularis, I truft 30W will nocht be forgetfuU of thame, and quhen 30W find 30wr auin tyme, will let me knaw, that I may luik for in thame. So I hawe no more to fay, bot alwayis efter on, I reft 3owris in quhat I can to ferue 30W, Drumlangbig.* Edinburght, the vi. day of Januar 1616. * Sir William Douglas entertained James VI. at his house of Drumlanrig in 1617. He was created a peer by the title of Viscount of Drumlanrig, Lord Douglas of Hawick and Tibberis, to him and his heirs- male, bearing the name and arms of Douglas, by patent dated at Whitehall, 1st April 1628. In 1633, he was advanced to the Earldom of Queensberry by patent, dated 13th June, with a similar remainder. He died 8th March 1640. 280 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 30W will do me the fauowr to prefent my humbill feruice to 30wr lady. To his muche honoured and worthie Brother, Jhone Murray of Loch- maben, Grume of his Maiefties Bedchamber, thes. CLV._THE EARL OF TULLIBARDINE TO JOHN MURRAY. January 6, 1616. LOUING COUSING, I haue reffeuit your lettre from Royftoune the 21 off Decem- ber laft. Albeit ye vill excufe your fellff, yit I vill euer aqnauledge your loue and kyndenefs, allthoo I knoo it hes not produfl fuche efFe6ls as ye vifcht, yit it is not your fault. And whair as ye vrett that my honours fall be expe6le at my lords fecretairs vpcumming, and, in the men tyme, that I take no noteife thairoff to any ; I affure you, coufing, I haue careid myfellff fo. Bot it hes fallin out vtherwayis, not be me, for me Lord of Scone, at his returne home, haid occafion off conference with me Lord Chanfler, to whome he fcheu his maiefteis gratius plefour touarts me in that, vpon me Lord's demand, thinking he bed beine alls villing heirto, as off befoir he bed proffefl, bot he fund him alltert and oppofeit, and yit moir in forme than effe6l, bot houeuer by not fo as off befoir ; and at my leiue taking off me Lord Chanfler, he entert fom thing vith my fellff in that mater, to knau hou far vais proceidit thairin ; bot I fcheu his Lord- fchip that I kneu nothing. His refTone vais vpon the forme, which he thocht could not be be the Erll of Atholls demiffion in his auin tyme, bot only be vay off taillgie, as it fell to me Lord Eglingtoune. I denyed that thair vais ony fuche mater concerning myfellff, and yit I reiToned vith him that, be demiffione and refignation, that mycht be be his maiefteis vill. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 281 all is vein as if by this forme off taillgie, for boithe off them vair be dif- pofitions ; albeit that off me Lord Eglingtounes referued his lyffrent, and the vther not ; nor could me Lord Eglingtoune haue fucceidit to the laft, be reffone of the ordinar taillgie, as nareft of blood, if it haid not beine refignd be the laft lord in the kings hands, referuand me Lord Egling- toune his lyffrent, and to this efter his difcefs : This he could not anfuer too. I fcheu him lykvayis hou the Lord Ochilltry hes his honour and place as the laft lord and wtheris : Mycht it not be fo vith me, be all ref- foune ? my vyffe being the Erlle off Atholls elldeft dochter, and, if his ma- ieftie pleafed, fcho mycht boithe be lau and reffoune fucceide to the ho- nour and place off hir father. This he confeft vais treu ; and fua I endit that difcours, afluring him that I kneu nothing off his maiefteis vill heir- in. He vill impede all that he can ; me Lord off Scone and I advyft vith me Lord Secretair, wha hes thocht miteft that ve fould boithe vrett to you, that if ye could, it mycht be fent home fubfcryvit, as I take it all redy togidder vith ane lettre to the counfell heir, and command to' the keiper of the gret fell to pafs the fame vith diligence, and this to be donne befoir me Lord Chanfler his cumming to court, fua that thinge being ons done, he valid be content. Conforme heirto, ve haue boithe vretin thir prefents, and they ar to be fent poft be me Lord Secretair, to whome ve haue delyverit them. Cufing, doo heirin as ye vill, for if itt fall reffeve this fecond lett, I vill haue the lefs houpe, and I proteft to God I think moir off mens maleice nor I cair off ony thing ells. I vrett ane lettre to you laittly deredl to me Lord off Scone and you boithe, tuitching the dethe of my Lord of Kingorne, and that ve compond for this lords vaird and marriage heir at home for twellff thoufand marks : my defyr to you boithe, as lykvais in my vther letter to my brother Sir Patrik, [is] to deill vith his maieftie if I mycht haue haid the compofition. What ye haue done heirin I knau not, hot I vald requeft you to be ane feuter at left to aflift Sir Patrik heirin, that his maieftie mycht be pleafd to grant it to me, for in confcience, cufing, ye knau my hellp off his ma- ieftie as yit hes bein hot litill, and I doe all that I can to hellp ane dif- treffit efteat. It may be that thair vill be' vthers in fent off this off his piaieftie, at me Lord Chanflers comming thair; and if it could be pre- 2 N 282 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS veind in tyme, I vald requeift you erniftly. Bot I remitt this to your auin difcretion, and committs you to God. I reft Yours euer affurit loving Cufing, TULLIBARDINE, Edinbro, the 6 off Janouer I6l6. CLVI.—FRANCIS, TITULAR EARL OF BOTHWELL, TO JOHN MURRAY. January 8, 1616. Right Honokabill and Loving Freind, It is not long fince I trublit yow with ane lettre, with your brother in law of Lariftane, quhairof I haue not yit receauit anfuer : Yit, not the les, the former proofe I had of your wndeferued and wn- acquyteable fauour imboldenis me agane to truble yow, and maift ear- neftly to defyre your favourable affiftance, your pouerfull interceffion and great moyane, to the fecounding of this my moft equitable and humble petition, quhilk the Lordis of our Counfell off Scotland, in my name, hes fent wnto his facred maieftie, be his maiefties fpeciall command unto my felfe, quhen laft I had the honor to kis his royall hands, command- ing me quhatfumever I had to fay vnto his maieftie in anye my awin par- ticulars, at my returne to Scotland, to prefent it be petition to thair lordfchips, and to defyre thair lordftiips, in his moft facred name, to pre- fer my equitable, juft, and humble petition to his maiefties royall pre- fence, to the quhilk his moft facred maieftie promeift ane gratious anfuer ; afluring myfelfe, if in this it fall pleas yow to honour me with your favour, freindfhipe, and affiftance, to obtain my moft equitable dje- fyre, my petition being fo iuft and reafonable, as his moft gratious ma- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 283 ieftie did never refufe the lyke to anye of his gyltles fubjedls. Leving, for tedioufnes, the particulars of my petition, for your better inflrudlion, I haue referred them to the fufEciencie of the beirar, M' James Reath, feruitour to my Lord Chancellour of Scotland, quhom it will pleis yow to do me the favour to queftion in this matter : Him alfo haue I moft ear- neftlie intceated to be, in my abfence, agent at your hands for me; defyring yow moft humblie, as euer I fall be reddye to do yow feruice, that it wald pleafe yow at all times quhen your raoir ferious adois fall permit me the favour, that, being requyred of the beirar in my name to give your prefence to the heiring and affifting of my juft caufe, not to deny it. For the quhilk to the death, I fall reft Euer obliftied to do yow feruice, Feancis Steuart.* Setoun, the 8 of Januar I6l6. To the Right Honorable and my verie loving freind, M' Mur- ray of Lochmabane, one of his Maiefties Bedchalmer. CLVII_LORD SANQUHAR TO JOHN MURRAY. JanuabyS, [1616?] RiCHT HONORABILL AND WORTHIE CcSSING, My beft luffe and dewtie rememberit, I haif refaiffed 30wr letter daittit the 21 of December, frome Royftowne, quhairin I perfaifTe that 3e, Sir, haiffe gottin fure refolutioun that my Lord Sanquharis fone • See page 294. 284 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS is ane and tuentie geiris compleit bygane at Santandrofe day ; as alfo, Sir, 36 defyre me refolwe with my Lord Chanchler and Advocat quhat is befl to be done, and the fame fall be followed with all faithfulnefs and expeditioun. As for anfwer, Sir, therto, within aucht dayis I fall wryt my awin oppinioun and the advocats to 30W ; and as for the chanchleris, his lordfchip wes gone to curt befoir I fawe this letter of 30wris, hot I fall wryt to his lordfchip particulerlie in that biffines of myne, to conifer with 30W at lenthe in it, and 36 and his lordfchip, I dowt nochtj will re- folwe on the bell curfe concerning my weill. For I do truft in my Lord Chanchler as I do in 30W, Sir, for I half greit prufFe of his lordfchippis fawour in my greiteft biffinefe ; and. Sir, as ewer I may be ebile to ferwe 30wr plefour, let his lordfchip fie that for my caufe, 36 will haife fo muche the greitter cair to ftand freindlie to his lordfchip, and fpair nocht to let his lordfchip knawe, albeit ^e neid nocht my fute, howe ernifl I am with 30W to plefour his lordfchip : And, Sir, I ernifllie requifl 30W ower agane to do the chanchler all the gud ofFeice lyis in 30W ; for. Sir, con- fidder he mey do 30W gud offeice in oure cuntrie; and giffe 30 wnderftude his lordfchip reichtlie, 36 wald find his lordfchip ane worddie man ; and I dar aflTure 30W, the more 36 haiffe ado with him. Sir, 3e fall ewer find the moir worthe in his lordfchip ; and giff it wer wtherwayis, I proteft to God, I wald nocht affirme the fame to 30W as I do, for all the erthe ; and the onlie caufe makis me, Sir, to wryt this ernifllie to 30W is pertlie out of my lowe to 30W, as lykwyfe for the luffe I carie to his lordfchip, and that quhilkis laft of all, I knawe his lordfchip to be ane of the honeftell myndit men within oure kingdome, and it is ewer fik men I wald wiffe 30W to be in greiteft formes with. And as for my place in cunffell. Sir, 36 haif werie fite tyme now to deill in it, for thair is twa places in cunffell waikand ; the ane is my Lord of Gingornis* place, and the wther is Mr George 3owngis place, quha ar baith laitlie diffeiffit at the pleafour of God. My Lord Hen3ief wes plecid on the cunffell this laft cunffell day, and I lukit. Sir, to haif cumit alfe gud fpeid as any in oure cuntrie that wald haif bein futteris for the fame, alweyes quhat fall I fey, I am a lytile difap- * Patrick, ninth Lord Glamis, and first Earl of Kinghorn, died tlie lOtli of December 1615. f The Earl of Enzie, afterwards second Marquis of Huntly. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI.' 285 poynttit of my expedlatiounis; bot, Sir, do 36 in it as 36 pleis.. Sir, I knawe gif his raaieftie fpeik the chanchler any thing concerning me or my biffines, the chanchler will report better of me nor I am worthe : and I recommend that turne, tuiching my place in confell to 30wr doing, Sir, with als greit expedition as may be, as 3e haif done mekill mair for me. Sir, I am werie diligent [at] prefent till trying the fecreit of my Ladie Tor- thoroells lyfrent, and fall with the firft cettation adwerteife 30U quhat I learne of the fame, bot I can proceid no forder bot be on my tryell till I heir frome 30W, quhat 3e haif done thereanent 30urfelf. Sua, I fall ewer continew 30wr eflfedlionat culling to ferwe 30W, Sanqchaib. Frome Edinburgh, the 9th of Janarey [I6lfi]. Sir, fpeik me Lord Secreitter on my biffines, that if Roxbruche enter my wey with his Lordftiips, that he may fchewe Roxbruche ther is no helping in that perticuler be lawe to be lukit for to the Lord San- quhars fone, as lykweyis that his Lordfhip ley downe no wtber curfe to Roxbruche in my contrair.* To his muche honnoreit gud freind, Johne Murrey of Lochmeben, on of his Maiefleis Bedchamber, theife be givin. • 18th September 1616. " Tbair is charges direct against William Creichton, bastard son to the late Lord Sanquhar, and the Laird of Drumlanrig, one of his curators, to compear before the counsall-day, the nint of October, now approaching, for satling that mater betuix the Lord Sanquhar and him. The Lords of Roxburgh and Buccleugh, vthertuo of the saids curators, being personalie present with the Lord Sanquhar, ar warnit heirof apud acta, and promised to keep the said day." Note of Privy Council proceedings. The result of the proceedings on that day was transmitted to the King by the Privy Council, and the letter on the subject will be found in the Melros Papers, vol. i. p. 264. 286 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLVIII THE EARL OF ERROL TO JOHN MURRAY. Januaey 12, 1616. RiCHT HoNOEABILL AND MY LUIFING FrEIND, Howfoeuir hithertillis I half neuir found the meanes, in any fort, to oblifhe 30W vnto me, git, wnderftanding be findrie aduerteifmentis from my fonne, and laftly mair particularlie fra my fonne, my Lord Erikin, gour luifing kindnes and ondeferwit fauour to my fonne ; as I find myfelf werie far indebtit to gour courtefie, fa can I not omit heirby to rander gow maift hertlie thankes for the fame, defyring alwayis the continewance of gour regard to him ; lyk as, gif be gour furtherance he find good fae- ces in his effairis with his maieftie, as he will thairby be the mair able to ferue his maieftie and his luifing freindis, fa fall ge reft affurit, that wherin I and he can ferwe gow or any of gouris to good offices, ge fall find gour kyndnes thankfuUie acquyted in what we can be worth, praying gow to mak wfe of ws as occafioun fall offer. Sa, remitting all farther to gour luifing confideratioun, my hertly affedlioun rememberit, I reft for euir ^our maift luifing freind, Ebbo&l. Erroll, 12 Januar 1616. To the Richt Honorabill my luifing freind Johne Murray, one of his Maiefties Bedchalmer. OP THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 287 CLIX._THE EARL OF CAITHNESS TO KING JAMES VI. Januaat 26, 1616. Most Grasius Socerene, The occatioune that hes moued me to fafhe 30ur ma- ieftie with this my letter, is the malicius maHce of my iuill difpofed nightbouris, quha neuer ceafes to do me vrang, and to inuent calum- neis aganeft me, to incens 30ur maiefties vrathe aganefl me. Thay haiue inuentit ane moft odius and ane inhumane he, as my Lord Bin- ning and Jhone Murray wille informe 3our maieftie at grytter lenthe, whilk thay wald, if thay could, mak me to be the authore of (wheche inuentioune will not content thame, all thoght that the vorld knauis my innofenfie, and hes offered myfelfe to the tryell of 30ur maiefteis moft honorabille counfell, if I could find ane accufer). Thay haife preaced to fuborne brokin men to lie wpone me, be promifing thame bothe land and geare, as I fall qualifie ; thinking throw the intollarabille wrangis I dayhe fufftine, I will be compelled to do fume thingis aganeft thame for my creditis caufe, to brake 30ur maiefteis peace, and be . that mine to make me to lofe 30ur maiefteis fauour. My ennimeis ar many and ma- lifius : (ray confort is) I knaw 30ur maieftie is wyfe, and will wy my willing hairt to do 30ur maieftie feruice, withe the malife and numer of my fois. I confidder vith my felfe thair is no remaneing heire to me, feing I uill be forfed to parrell 30ur maiefteis fauour, or then to fuffer bothe fchame and Ikethe, quhilk is hard to ane nobill hairt. God of his merfie grant me pafiens to I heire from sour maieftie, and knaw 3our will. I moft humbhe bege at 30ur maiefteis moft grafius hands, not for enny thing that is in me, nor enny merit that euer I haife deferued, or is abille for to deferue ; bot for Godis caufe lat me haife ane juft tryell and juftife, fo to 30ur maiefteis moft admirabille wifdome will tak fuche ordoure, that according to 30ur maiefteis plelToare, and my good inten- tioune, I haif occatioune to line in peace. I tak my Hue, withe all hu- 288 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS militie, wifhing 3our maieftie many and happie dayis, withe all content- ment that 30ur awine hairt wald wiflie. I fall euer remane 3oure Maiefteis moft houmille feruand to the deithe, Caithnes.* Caftill Sinclair, 26 Januar I6l6. To the King his moft Sacred and Excellent Maieftie. CLX— THE COUNTESS OF EGLINTOUN TO [MRS MURRAY?] 1616. My deake and louing Brother,! I did refeaue your kynd and wealkom letter from Sir Daued Morray, which did infinithe content me boeth by the pleafing newis of her maiefties good helth, and her finguUar fauour fliowed to you in this fuUich falling out of Sumerfyds with you, to his oune grit difgrace, which hes med him fo heated of thofs hear that ar bound to you, and knowes your trew worth and his fallflioud, that if ther war non but your feruant my houft)and, he wold, if it war exceptable to you and nefficer, vndertak to pruf him ane erand lyare in that he wret to you, and meflage fent with that vngret fullich coufing of yours, Herie Gib.:]: I long now to hear what fatifffacione is med vnto her maieftie and you. I pray God increfs her gritnefs with the king, and eftimacione and loue of the piple, with • George, fifth Earl of Caithness. He died in 1643, aged 78. A worthless nobleman, even for those times. His base betrayal of the unfortunate Lord Maxwell is an indelible stain on his memory, t So in the original, but the letter is evidently addressed to the lady of John Murray, ^ It may be inferred, from the strong language used against Somerset, that the favourite was then totter- ing. This letter was probably vrritten early in the year 1616, as Somerset and his infamous wife were brought to trial on the 24th of May in that year. OF THE REIGN OP JAMES YI. 289^ ane long and hapie raing ouer ws. I was raor then defyrous to haue hard the fertantie of thes things from you, and efpecialie conferning your owne helth, which I pray God may be good, and I doubt not of your wealfear vther ways, but I protefft your fikhnes, when I hard it, did mor griue me then yee can imagine, and I was neuer content till ye wret to me of your better helth : God of his raerfie increfs it whilefl I Hue. As conferning thos particulars yee defyred me, I haue bein courious for your fatelffa6lione to tray them, and fyndis that my Lord Ab[ercorn ?] dois efleim him felf bound to my Lord Chamberland * for no thing but fear wordes, and thinkis him proud and feclefs ; and I haue this out of his owne moueth, that he could haue found in his hert to haue foughtin him in your qwarell. Boeth hee and Sir Wiliam Setoun did much prefs your good interteanment at your owne hous, and kyndnes to me. We haue bein all at Jhon Achamutisf wading to Sir Wiliams dochter, wher yee was oftin remember'd. As for my Lord B. hopes they ar but fmall, as I euer doubted. It was thoght that Sir James Stewart, now Lord Oc[hiltrie]t did put him in hop the chamberland wold doe much for him, and when he found himfelf defeu'd at his coming to court, I think he was affhamed to enter with you, in refpe6t he did not creue your opunione nor your houfbands in this vp coming; but as I did expedl, he rewis it. I pray you lat me know what is don betwext your houfband and Louchinvar§ conferning thos lands he hes in wadfet in Loudiane, for Louchinwar gaue it out that ye had agried with him for his right, but I remember ye med me once diffuad my lifter and her houfband to giue ther confent to him, fo I can not think ye ar agried, but if it might content you or your houf- band, they wold giue it to your felf, but not to him ; fo I expedl to hear from you conferning thofe matteres. Now, dear brother, I can not omit to giue you thanks of the infinet • Earl of Somerset. t John Auchraootie, Groom of the Bedchamber, afterwards kaigbted. ^ Upon the 9th of June 1615, Sir James Stewart of Killeith obtained a charter to the lands and baron;^ of Ochiltree. Wood's Douglas, vol. ii. p. 329. § Sir Robert Gordon of Lochinvar. He married Lady Isabel Ruthven, daughter of the Earl of Gowrie, by whom he had John, created, in ] 633, Viscount Kenmure and Lord Lochinvar. 2o 290 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS fauouris boeth you and your worthie houfband at all ocafionis fchowis to me and my houfband ; and now in haueing fuch ane car at my Lord Glenkern, got no thing don in our preiougice. Ther was ane letter pro- cour'd from his maieftie to my lord, in fauours of the Lerd of Eakat, which he hes fent the anfur of to your houfband to prefent to his maieflie, with the trew informacione of the efleat of that erand ; and I raofl intret you to infill that he will haue ane care that his maieflie does not beliue anie wrong informacione of our vnfrends. My lord hes his feruice re- member'd vnto you, as to her whom he thinks himfelf mor bound vnto then he is able to reqwyt : Boith he and 1 am aflhamed that as yet we haue in no mefour but good will reqwyted the infinit obligacie we owe you; but I wifh we may Hue no longer if yee haue not full powar to comand ws in what is in our pouar to plefour you and your houfband, whois imploymentis we long for. I will fay no mor, but hopes ye will do it fhortlie ; as I wifh it to be alfo trew that my Lord of Skun hes givet Fakland to you alredie, but I pray you lat me hear of it from your felf, which will mak me haue the greter defyre to Hue and fie you ther as I wifh. My good Ladie Mar, prefTed be God, growis flronger the neirer her tyme aproches. Her fonne, my Lord Bouchan,* and the Erell of Routhousjf beifs boeth wadet this nixt wiek to their young brydes. God giue them much ioye. My Ladie Erfkins dochter is deperted this lyf, but groues fat herfelf. Your fonnes, Hew and Henrie, is in good helthe, thanks to God, and I trufl Ihall be men to ferue you, and efter Mer- timefs I expert yee will pray for me, that I may bring fureth this chyld, and Hue to deferue your innumerable kyndnefes ; but houfoeuer, ye * James, eldest son of the second marriage between John seventh Earl of Mar and Lady Stewart, married Mary, Countess of Buchan in her own right, and thereupon he assumed the title of Earl. On the resignation of his wife, a royal charter of the earldom was, 32d March 1617, granted to the countess and her husband, in conjunct fee and liferent, and to the longest liver of them, and the heirs-male of their marriage whom fail- ing, to the nearest lawful heirs-male and assignees whatsoever of the said James Earl of Buchan. f John fiiVh Earl of Rothes, whose History of the Church was recently printed as a contribution to the Bannatyne Club, married Lady Ann Erskine, sister of Lord Buchan, and second daughter of John Earl of Mar. He died 3d May 1640. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 291 Ihall neer {how fauour to anie that boeth in lyf and death fhall trewHer reft Yours moft fathfulie affe6lionat euerie way, Anna C. Eglintoun.* My ladie, my good mother, remembers her louing dewtie vnto you and to your houfband. CLXL— THE EARL OF LOTHIAN TO KING JAMES VL April 10, 1616. Most gratious Souerane, I reffeauit your maiefties lettre, beiring that as your ma- ieftie wes gratiouflie pleifit to grant your remiffioun to Johnneftounburne, fo your maieftie wald wifche that your clementce wer extendit towardis his eftait; and thairfoir defyreing me, that thefe landis whilk I poffes be his forfaytour fould be reftoirit bak vnto him, he giveing vnto me fuche fatiffadtioun as my vmquhile father offeiit to haue acceptit. As in all dew fubmiffioun and reuerence, I acknawledge myfelf buiidin to acquiefce in eurie thing to your gracious maiefties will and pleafour, feing nothing can proceid frome your maieftie hot that whilk is weill groundit vpoun infallible reafoneis of equitie and gude confcience, fo, laying afyde all priuate confideratioun whilk I micht haue pretendit on that foirfeytour, as being difponit vnto me be your facred maieftie, in rememberance of * Lady Anne Livingstone, eldest daugliter of Alexander first Earl of Linlithgow, and wife of Alexander sixth Earl of Eglintoun. She died November 1632. This letter has no address, but was probably written to the wife of John Murray. 292 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS fum 3eiris feruice and attendence vpoun your maieftie, I wes content to enter in a freindlie comraoning with him. And firft, I vrgeit that poynt mentionat in your mai^fties lettre, anent the conditioun paft betwixt my father and him, being refoluit yf it had bene cleirit to haue gevin vnto your maieftie fatiffa6lioun thairin, bot he wes nocht abill to qualifie nor inftrudl ony fuche conditioun ; and he haueing failseit in this, I proponit vnto him the judgement of indifferent freindis, quhilk wes acceptit; bot thefe quhilkis wer for him ftoode fo preceiflie vpoun his richt, whilk wes befoir his for- feytour that thay fufferit the fubmiffioun to defert ; as more particularhe the berare heirof, Sir Williame Balfour, who wes one of the commoneris, will informe your maieftie, in eurie circumftance, to quhois relatioun I refer the fame. And fo, humblie befeiking your facred maieftie nocht to barken to the reporte of my pairtye, bot to think of me as of one who in finceritie of trew affe6lioun, with all fubmiffiue obedience, falbe willing and reddie, with the beft of ray indevoiris, to feme your maieftie in what I am abill to do, I end with my hartye and humbill prayeris vnto God for the lang continwance of your graceis moft bliffit and happie regne, and I do reft for euir Your Maiefties moft humbill and obedient feruitour, LOTHIANE.* Newbottill, the tent of Aprile 1616. To the King his moft facred and excellent Maieftie. * Robert, second Earl of Lothian, succeeded his father, Mark, the first Earl, in 1609, and died I5th July 1624. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 293 CLXIL— LORD MELVILLE TO KING JAMES VL Afbil 1616. It may pleis 30UR Maiestie, 3our gratious fauour conftranis me to tak the bauldnes, humblie wpone my knees, to give 30ur hienes moft humble thankis for the monye benefeittis I half refauit of 30ur maiefteis liberahtie, and not the les of my abfence frome 30ur maieftie thir ten 3eiris paft. It hes pleafit 30ur maieftie to remember me with moir fauour in honoring me with the name of ane barroun, then I can deferue ; quhilk mowis me to be fo far obleift in affe6lioun and loue to 30ur maiefteis feruice and pleafour, as to omit no occafioun quhairin I may gif pruiff of my fidelitie. At my laft depairting frome 30ur maieftie, it pleafit 30ur maieftie to command me to aduerteife 30ur hienes of the eftait of this cuntrye, quhilk hes beine in gret quyetnes, and 30ur fubiedls maift loving to obey all 30ur maiefteis dire6liounes. And at this prefent, haiffing fua guid occafioun to mak 30ur maieftie aduerteifment of our happie eftait and governement, I vill forbeair the wayne byward, quhilk men of my age is accuftumat to utter, quhilk in effe6l is to praife the dayis and searis bypaft, and the prefent to be eiwill ; albeit the treuth is, I haue continowit longer in 30ur maiefteis and princlie predeceflbris feruice, then ony par- foun this day living ; and all the faid 3earis we was deftitut of the trew religioun, our cuntrye being full ' of barbarity, deidlie fedis, and oppref- fiounes. Since the tyme 30ur maieftie tuik the manyment of the efi"airis of 30ur princelie dominiounes in 30ur awne hand, all 30ur hyenes cun- treis hes beine peaceible and quyet ; and fpeciallie this cuntrye, quhair the trew religioun fluriflis, and juftice fua veill miniftrat be 30ur eledlioun of 30ur faithfull officiaris, as I may be bauld to affirme, that no cuntrye is in ane mair happie eftait, and hes bettir occafioun to be thankfull to 294 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS God, and faithfull to 30ur maieftie. Thair is fie loue borne to 30ur maieftie, as 30ur officiaris ftryves amongis thame felffis quho fall do beft, being prefentlie in hand to decoir all deformiteis in this cuntrye that hes beine ouerfeine in tymes paft, and fpeciallie 30ur maiefteis houffis, and the Caftell off Edinbrughe fau weill orderit, as I hoipe it falbe to 30ur maiefteis guid contentment ; and the prefent officiar in the thefaurie* verrie panefuU and diligent in repairing the reft of 30ur houflis, quho omittis no occafioun to put all the reft to the fame poynt. Haiffing tane the bauldnes to be fo tedious to 30ur maieftie, efter I kyffit 30ur maief- teis hand, I humbUe tak my leiff, praying God to grapt 30ur maieftie monie long and happie dayis, in quhais protedtioun I commit sour maieftie. 3our Maiefteis moft humble and obedient fubiedl and feruitour. R'. MELUILL.f To the Kingis Maieftie of Great Brytane. CLXIII.— FRANCIS, TITULAR EARL OF BOTHWELL, TO KING JAMES VL May 26, 1616. Most Geatigus Souekane, The heighe benefite laitlie granted to me be your maieftie, in granting me acces to your facred prefence, being the thefaure incom- parable ; as alfo the former favour in the purches of my wyfe (being, according to the couftume of all other daft youthes, than the firft of ray * Sir Gideon Murray. t There is no date to this letter, but it must have been written about the time the patent was passing the seals, creating Sir Robert Lord Melville. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 295 vUhes), hes emboldened me, with a few lynnes, in all fubmiffion and humilitie, to giue your maieftie, fo gratious a fouerane, moft hartie and humble thanks for both, that hes fo gratiouflie overfhaddoued me with fo great and fauorable benefitis, and that of free grace, and but any my merite, being the poore diftreffed fone of ane vnhappie father, your owne creature, inriched with favour, honor, credite, and all other felicitie, abowe his or ony other fubiedls merite: ay, and quhile his brutijDhe, hay- nous, and deteftable defe6lion, and fo juftlie defervand to himfelf and all his pofteritie tenfold more heavie and fliarpe afflidliones and punilhment then ewer befell ws ; whairin I haue no other meafour to beg, hot wil- linglie to fuftene and indure fo raony as your moft excellent maieftie pleaflis to inioyne, being the prince leifand who beft knowis what of law, reaffone, equitie or confcience, aught to be done. I haue nothing to prefent to your maieftie bot a loyall hart, a faith onfpotted, placeing my being in your maiefties fole favour, and more willing, then to leif, to facrafise my lyfe at ony occafion in your maiefties fervice. Moft humblie begand that your maieftie wold be gratiouflie pleafed to efteme of me that your command falbe the rewU of my lyfe, no wher ellis fall I feik favour. If any it fall pleas your facred maieftie to beftow, whatfoeuer be the meafour thereof, I fall reft and acquiefce thairat with contentment, and fall fpend my hole ftudie and cair to pleas, and nowayis offend your > maieftie, to my lyfis end. Humblie prayand the Eternall to grant bothe your maiefties, your childrene and pofteritie, all temporall and eternall felicitie. Your Maiefties moft humble and obedient feruiteur, Francis Steuart.* Seton, 26 Maij I6l6. To his moft facred Maieftie. * Eldest son of Francis Stewart, the turbulent Earl of Bothwell. He married Lady Isabella Seton, only daughter of Robert, 6rst Earl of Winton. His son and heir, Charles, is said to have been a trooper in the civil wars, and the prototype of Francis Bothwell, the dashing cavalier, in Old Mortality. From the kirk- session records of Perth, it appears that a son of his received almi as a pauper— a melancholy proof of the instability of human greatness. 296 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXIV— THE EARL OF MONTROSE TO KING JAMES VI. August 27, 1616. May it please 30UE Sacred Maiestie, As I did prasfume to acquent 30ur hienes with the progres of the Affemblie from Aberdein, fo nou I doe vith the finifching thairof, which (according to that happie fucces vhairwith God hes alwayis bliffed 3our maiefteis moft gratious adlionis) is concludit, vith great contentment of all eflatis. The Marquis of Huntly keipitt the day apoyntit ; vhaire itt vas aduyfitt that the archbifchopis, vith the praefident and certane vtheris, fchould firft deall with him, to refolue his doubtis ; lyke as, I did particularlie defyre him to remember 30ur maiefteis gra- tious fauour touardis him, and obey 3our hienes diredlionis. He, efter fum difEculteis, condefenditt to cum before the Affemblie and giue fatif- fa6tion, vhair the Archbifchop of Sandlandrois did fo vyfelie moderat, that the Marquis gaue humble obedience, and the church receaued full contentment ; and efter opin reading of thois thingis ena6led, according to 30ur maiefteis direfilion, and receauing of certen fpeciall citizenis of Aberdein fufpefib of Poprie, and thair publick affenting to the particular Articles of the Confeffion of Faith eftablifchitt at this Affemblie, the fam vas concluditt vith generall applaufe, all praifing God, and praying for long continuance of 30ur maiefteis happie raing. As to my felf, altho I haue bein villing at this tym to difcharge that humble and faithfull deutie, which I am alwayis bund to perform in 30ur maiefteis feruice ; 3itt, the good fucces of all dois onlie proceed from 30ur maiefteis godlie, vyfe, and happie deffeingis, which the Lord fo vonderfuUie profperis, that ve, 3nur maiefteis faithfull feruandis, ar more and more encourgitt to pro- ftrat our lyuis, for the aduancment of vhatfuraeuer 3our maiefteis fer- wicis ; lyk as, I doe particularlie acknauledge myfelf infinitlie tyed to OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 297 3our maiefteis moft gratious remembrance and trull to me, vhich, in all humble and faithfuU obedience, fo long as I leiue, I fchall ftudie to de- ferue, and fchal be moil readie to feall vith my blood. Remitting the more particular relatione to the archbifchopis, in all humilitie, I kifs 30ur hienes handis, praying God for the long continuance of 30ur maiefteis profperous eftate and happie raing ouer vs, 3our Maiefteis moft humble and obedient fubie6l and feruitor, MONTKOSE.* Newmontrofe, the 27 of Auguft 1616. To his moft Sacred Maieftie. CLXV — THE EARL OF HOME TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. Decembee 8, 1616. My Lord, I heare, by my Lord Hambilton, that Frances Stewart has fubmited all his difrences with all partes to the kinge, • and that*theare is a blancke left to bee filde up with my fonnes name ;' and that if it weare thought fit by my fonnes frendes, that he flioulde come in, that I Ihoulde aduartis your lordfliip, that his name might bee contaynde in the fub- * John, fourth Earl of Montrose, married Lady Mary Ruthven, eldest daughter of William, first Earl of Gowrie. He was the father of the celebrated Marquis of Montrose. His lordship died 24ith November 1626. 2p 298 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS miflitjon. Trewly, my lord, I coulde haue wifht his parte of that bifnes had not byn to haue fetled, tel his yeayrs had giuen him tow underftande beter, that he might haue byn a dealer for his oune compofiflityon ; but now I fee no remedey but it muft be ventred. God fende him finde as much fauer at the kingeg handes as the reft. I haue writih to my Lord of Morton* to feeke his opinion heare in, and if he thincke as I dow, then that he will fpeacke with your lordfhip, and that you will bee plefde to let his name bee put in. The great fauor that your lordfliip bathe euer fhoune to him in his prefence, I muft houmbly bege the continuance of in his abfence ; and as I haue founde allready your lordfhips refpedt and care of him to haue prefarued him from many inconuenentes, fo in that muft I repofe his fafety ftill to protect him fram the maney ingures of fo maney maliflityus, unconftyonat peple, that are continewalley plotinge his hurt. For which he will be bounde with his utormoft inde- uers to dow fames, and myfelfe to remayne, ■ Your Lordfhips trewly afe6lionat frende and feruant, HoME.t London, this 8 of December [I6l6?] To the Right Honorabill my Lord Chanflor. * William, Earl of Morton, bom 1583, served heir to his father Robert, 3d July 1605, and to his grand- father, 4th November 1606. He died in Orkney, where he had retired during the great civil war, 7th Au- gust 1648, in the 66th year of his age. t From the writer mentioning that he had a son, he must have been Alexander, sixth Lord, and first Earl of Home. He died 5th April 1619. His son James, though twice married, had no issue by either of his wives, in consequence of which the titles, upon his death, in the month of February 1633, in virtue of the re- mainder to heirs-male whatsomever, devolved on Sir James Home of Coldingknows. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 299 CLXVI._THE LORDS OF THE PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VL Maech 14, 1617. Most Gratious and Sacred Souerane, We reffauit your maiefteis lettre tuitcheing that overtur and propofitioun maid vnto your maieftie, anent the making of Hnning cloathe in this kingdome in another foirt and maner nor formarlie hes bene wrought heir, and tuitcheing the making of goode and fufBcient tyill for building and fclaitting of houffis at lowe raittis ; whairin it wes your maief- teis pleafour to crave our aduife and opinioun, yf the preuilege foght of your maieftie for this purpois myght importe ony benefeit or preiudice vnto the cuntrie. As with all dew reuerence and moft humble thankis, we acknowlege your maiefteis faderlie cair, and the refpe6liue confidera- tioun whilk your maieftie hes ever had of the publi6l goode of this your maiefteis kingdome, in being fo fpairing to yield to ony overturis and propolitionis of the natur and qualitie foirfaid, whill firft your maieftie commvnicat the fame vnto your maiefteis counfall heir ; whairin it be- cometh ws in all finceritie and efauldnes, without ony privat refpedlis or confiderationis to prefent oure fimple and walk opinionis and iudgement vnto your facred maieftie. So, we haveing at lenthe conferrit, reafouned, and confultit vpoiin the benefeit and inconuenientis whilk by the overtur foirfaid, and preuilege foght of your maieftie for that purpois, may refult to this kingdome, we do find the overtur and propofitioun foirfaid, alf- ueele anent the workeing of the cloathe, as of the tyill, in the forme and tennour as is confavit in your maiefteis lettre to be neceflfair and verye expedient to be imbraceit, and to importe the publi6t goode and benefeit of the kingdome, and that a preuilege for fome certane yeiris may be grantit to that effe6l, refpe6l being alwayes had to the terme of the pre- uilege, and that the fame be for fuche a reafounable fpace as nouther 300 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS your maiefteis fubiedtis half iuft caus of greif and complaynt, as being fruftrat of the hoipis of thair awne labouris and traveillis in leirning of the faidis workis, nor yitt that the vndirtakaris of thir workis haif mater of grudge and mifcontentment, and fo be difcourageit to profequute and follow oute the worke. i And fo, with oure humble and hairty prayeris vnto God, recommending your facred maieflie, with all your royall pro- genye, vnto his divyne and fatherlie prote6lioun, we reft for ever Your Maiefteis moft humble and obedyent fubiedlis and feruitouris, Sanctandrois. Glencairne, Blantyre. Wigtoun. A. Elphinston. Ross. Jo. Prestoun. R. Cokburne. Almussar. Cl[ericu]s Reg[istr]i. Edinburgh, the xiiij day of Marche 1617. To the King his moft facred and excellent Maieftie. CLXVII ARTICLES GIVEN BY THE JUSTICES OF PEACE FOR ABERDEEN. [1617]? Articlis givine in be the Juftices of Peace within the fchirefdome of Aberdeine to the Lordis of his Maiefteis Secreit Counfall, for Reformatione of the Abufis following. In the firft, becaus their ar diveris vagabundis within the faid fchiref- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 301 dome, quha ar giltie of thiftis, pykrie, and robing, and vther fufpedl per- fones of thift, quhais puniftiment and tryell is negledlit be the (hereffis, thairfor, the faidis Juftices of Peace cravis ane commiffione to be givine to thame to try and punifh fik perfones. Item, becaus the faid fchirefdome is verie fpatious, and quhen any perfones ar apprehendit within the faid fchirefdome, be the faidis Juftices of Peace, quhais tranfportatione to the brught of Abirdeine, is verrie ex- penfive, daingerus, and trubilfome to the faidis Juftices of Peace, thairfoir, it is cravit that jeyollis and ward-houflis may be buildit be the faidis Juftices of Peace within evrie preftjetrie of the faid fchirefdome ; and for that effe6l, that the half of the fynis may be allowit to the faidis Juftices of Peace for building thairof. Item, becaus the clerkis, officeris, and remanent memberis of court will not exerce thair fun6tionis without fwme reffonabill fatiffadlione for thair paines, thairfoir, it is cravit that ane compitent fie be modifeit, to be payit to tharae of the firft and reddieft of the faidis fynis. Item, becaus the faidis Juftices of Peace, haveing prefentit captives and malefaftouris to the fchireff of Abirdeine his deputis, and to the pro- veft and bailleis of the faid brugh, thay refuife to accept thame af thair handis, thairfoir, it is cravit that fwme expedient cours may be takine thairanent. Item, becaus thair ar diveris parochines within the faid fchirefdome, quhilkhes no jeyoU or ward-hous ; thairfoir, it is cravit be the faidis Juftices of Peace, that thai may have power to ward the perfones to be takine be thame, within thair awin duelling houffis, quhill jeollis be buildit, or that the prifoneris may be convenientlie tranfportit. Item, becaus the perfonis vnlawit be the Juftices of Peace will not willinglie mak payment of the fynis and vnlawis, it is thairfoir cravit that 302 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS lettres of horning, poinding, and vtheris exe[cutoria]llis neceffair, may be dire6t vpone the a6lis maid be the faidis Juftices, for recoverie of pay- ment thairof, and of the contrabutione to be impofit for fufleinyng of the puir of the indigent perfones. Item, to remember to fpeik my Lord Chancellour that quhilk I am di- redlit be tonge. CLXVIIL— JAMES VI, TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL. [June 1617.] It coulde not bot be verie greeuous vnto vs if the earnefl delire wee haue longe had to vifite that our natiue and ancient kingdome of Scotlande, flioulde be mette at our arriuall there, with anie vnvelcome coldenes of a nomber of our good fubiedles in that contrie, and that by the occafioii of apraeiudged opinion in manie of our peoples hartes, grounded vpon falfe rumouris, eyther maliciouflie or foolifhlie fpred anent the caufes and erandes of our intention to repair thether at this time. Wee-haue therefor thoughte it verie conuenient, for preuenting of this miflaking, to make by thefe prefents, an ingenuous and fincere profeffion vnto you of the motiues inducing vs to refolue vpon our jorney thether at the time appointed. Firft, wee are not afliamed to confeffe, that wee haue had thefe manie yeares a greate and naturall longing to fee our natiue foyle and place of our birthe and breeding, and this falmond-like inftin6le of ouris hath reft- leflie, both when wee wer awake, and manie times in our fleepe, fo flirred vp our thoughtes and bended our defires to make a iorney thether, that wee can neuer reft fatiffied till it ftiall pleafe God that wee may accom- plifti it ; and this wee do, vpon our honour, protefte to be the maine and OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 303 principall motiue of our intendit iorney. But vnto this defire of ouris, proceeding frome a naturall man, is joyned the care wee haue to difcharge our kinglie office the time of our being there, and fo to mak vfe of our naturall affe6lion, by applying that occafion to the difcharge of our call- ing ; wherein, firfte, our greatefte care Ihalbe to heare and giue redreffe to fuch iufte complaintes, if anie there be, of our fubie6les, as coulde not vtherwife be fo well redrelt withoute our owne prefence ; and our nexte cair Ihall be to reforme anie fuch abufe or diforder, if wee (hall finde anie, as could not be fo well performed in our abfence. As for making anie alterations or reformations in the ftate of that gouernment, eyther ecclefiafticall or ciuile, it is trew wee wilbe glad that by our prefence as manie thingis tending to good as may be, may haue their fetling in the time of our being there, but we wifli not onlie you, who, by your place, ar beft acquaynted with our intentionis, but all our good fubie6les of whatfoeuer degree, to haue that fetled confidence in our honellie and difcretion, that wee will not fo much as wifh anie thing to be done there, which fliall not tende to the glorie of God and the well of that common- wealth, and all our good fubiedlis therein. As alfo, there may be diuers thinges, which, although wee mighte iuftlie wifh them, yet may ther be fo manie impedimentis and lettes to croffe them, that although, in our confcience and honeftie, wee might auow them to be good, yet in our dif- cretion we wold be loth to trouble ourfelfe and our good fubiedles with them at this time, except they mighte afwell proue to the generall liking and applaufe of our people, as to the benefite and well of the com- monwealth. Wee ar therefor hereby earneftlie to defire you, that yee will, not onlie for your oune partes, harbour no preiudged conceapteof our intention vpon the ground of thefe idle rumouris, hot alfo make this our fincer declaration come to the eares of our other good fubiecSles, [that] wee may haue conforte of fuch a ioyfuU meeting there with our people, as wee for our parte Ihall euer deferue. To conclude, wee pray you to refte affured that our intention is fo to behaue ourfelfe, the time of our being there, as euerie one fhall fee that our care fliall not be wanting to do afmuch good as wee can, and yet fo to carie ourfelfe, as our adions 304 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ftialbe accompanied with the applaufe and hearty confente of all our good people. [Indorfed :] Lettre dited by his Maieftie felfe to the Counfell, before his going to Scotland. CLXIX SIR GIDEON MURRAY TO KING JAMES VI. September 9, 1617. Most Sacred Souerane, As I did oftymes importune your maieftie at your being heir, by dealing with your hienes that no fauor might be granted to Symon Scott of Bonyngtoun, himfelf, his breither and complices, for the cruell flaughter of one of the fones of Walter Scott of Harden,* fo will I now, in moft humble maner, craue pardone to put your heines in remeraberance thairof. I knaw they haue fent vp to folicit the buffines, and ar put in houpe, by the moyane of thair freindis thair, to get a pardone, at leift to procuir the gift of thair lifrentis to be difponit to fume freind for thair be- houe, whiche is almoft equiualent to a pardon. Geue they wer appre- hendit and broght to thair punefchment, it wer not amiffe to difpone thair efcheatis andlyfrentis in fauoris of thair freindis andchildering ; and coum- onlie that cours is keiped when malefa6loris are punefched for thair faultis; but fuche as committ flaughter, and ar maid rebelles for the fame, thair efcheates and lyfrentis vfes alwyfe to be difponed to the partie that hes gottin the herme, and fo is maid a part of thair punefch- • In October 1616, " Walter Scot, second sone to Harden, was creuUy murthered by Scot, Laird of Boni- ton, and hes brother; the murtherers escaped." OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 305 ment, This cours haue I alwyfe keped in your maiefleis feruice, and neuer fuffered the efcheat of a malefadlour that efcheaped punifchment to pas in his fauoris. I procured your hienes hand to a fignatour of that lyfrent in fauoris of my fone-in-law, who is brother to the perfone that wes killed. Geue your maieftie wilbe pleafed that I geue it him to be put throw, anie fuit to be maid in fauoris of the malefadboris may be re- fufed with the better reafone, that your hienes haue maid grant thairof already. Whairanent I hurablie intreat the fignificatione of your maief- teis plefour, and will end with earneft and feruent prayeris for your hienes longe preferuatione in all healthe and happienes. Your facred Maiefleis moft humble and faithfull feruand, G. Murray, Edinbrught, 9 of September 1617. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. CLXX.— THE REVEREND PATRICK GALLOWAY TO KING JAMES VI. NOTEMBEB 5, 1617r Please your Gracious Maiestie, I receavid your maiefties letter, fchowing the repoirtis made of me to your maieftie be fuche perfons, and willing and requyreing me, vnder my hand, to certifie your maieftie of my mind in thefe Articles, which your maieftie defyred to be receavid into this Church. As to the reporteris, certanelie I admire what fould haue moved thame to repoirt to your maieftie that which was paffed in priuat betuix ws ; 2q 306 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS for, fpeaking with thame of fome particulares, I fchew to thame fimply my opinione, to knaw thair judgement thairin ; hot I neuer faid to any of thame that ather I was vnrefolued, or throughly refolued, into thefe Articles, bot was to informe myfelf in tyme of euerie poynt of thame, and to do according to my knawledge to informe otheris. And as to my awin mynd in euerie one of thefe Articles, this is it, Ser ; bot with moft humble proteflatioune : — I. That I trewly fett doun to your maieftie what I think of thame, being readie, vpon better informatione frome your maieftie, to amend what is amiffe. II. That this is my awin privat opinione keepit with myfelf, and yit vncommunicat to any man, and fend to your majeftie firft to vndergoe your maiefties cenfure. III. That what I wryte, it is frome a afald mynd, readie to help ford- ward your fervice, fo far as my knawledge and credite may reache ; and thairfoir wold be the more favourablie accepted, and able to procure of your majeftie, that, as your majeftie hath done before to me, fo your ma- jeftie wold put to your hand to pen, and fend me your particular infor- matione and warrand of thefe Articles, which I may embrace and follow; for thay ar Articles which I neuer thoght neceflar to tak paines in to know thame, till I hard your maieftie propone thame as thoght meete be your maieftie to be embraced be ws. I. As to the firft Article, of Confirmatione : I think it is fufficiently fett doun in the laft General Affemblie at Aberdeene, and needis no more bot to be put in pra6life. II. As to the nixt Article, of Holy Dayis : of Chrift our Saviouris nati- vitie, paffione, refurre6lione, afcenfione, and comming of the Holy Spirite, to be keepid with preaching, prayar, prayfe, &c.j I think it the more indifferent, becaus I reide that Auguftine comptis it among apofto- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 307 lik traditions, and obfervid be all kirkis, Lib. Epift. 118; and fundry Reformid Kirkis vfes it, both in Germany and Swifferland, as thair do* minicall fermons in thefe dayis printed teftifies. Bot with ws the fame will feeme more hard to be embraced ; becaus hitherto we have beene frie of thame, keeping only the Lordis day, and on it preaching (I am affured) fufficientlie of Chrifl's nativitie, paffione, refur- redlione, and afcenfione, and comming of the Haly Spirit, almoft in all our fermons ; and it will be hard to fett vp a weeke day for thame whilk will not be abufed be fuperftition and furfet ; and the paftors will be more bufied in declameing againft abufes, nor in preaching of Chrifts gofpel. I fchew in my priuat talking with Dodlor S^^i^gj ^^^^ gi"^ when thefe dayis fell on a weeke day, thay fould be referrid to the nixt Lordis day (as the Councell of Nice concludit concerning the day of the celebra- tioune of the Lordis Supper), and the miniftrie ordayned to change thair ordinary textis, and mak that the fubieft of thair do6lrine that day, it wold appeare that your maiefties defyre wer reafonably fatiffied. III. As to the thrid Article, of Baptifme, to be miniftred at all tyms to thefe that craifes it: I think it fould be graunted; and betuix funne and funne, in day time, to be denyed to nane quho is a knowin honeft perfone of that flocke. Bot to graunt baptifme in priuat houfes, and vnder filence of night, to fuch as craife it (if this be the Articles meaning), wer to confirme the opinione of abfolute neceffitie of baptifme, which is dangerous, and to doe as our Church wer vnder perfecutione ; when as we inioy pace vnder your gracious maieftie to doe the workis of the miniftrie in publidt, in day light, and at all occafiouns. nil. As to the ferd Article, of the celebratione of the Lords Supper in priuat houfes, to perfons craveing it : I think it may be graunted, bot not abfolutly (for then euerie wyfe moft haue it before Ihe come to church from her chyld bed, and euerie headach mvft haue the commu- nioun before it come to the calfay, and that graunted to one, moft be commoun to otheris, or the paftor falbe exclamed on as a refpedler of perfons, in end, the facrament fall become of fo fmall accorapt in 308 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS publidl, as few fall be had to celebrat the remembrance of the Lordis dead, in the publifil affemblies of the Church, whairupon arrofe, of old, the celebratioune of priuat meffis), bot according to that inftance which I hard your maieftie give of your old fervand, Johne Bog, that is, if ane knawin honeft man, vpright in the religioun, haue keepid houfe or bed for a yeere or tuo, and is vnable throgh age and feeknes to refort to the church, then he earneftlie craifing it for the confirmatione of his fayth, in the affurance of the remiflioun of his fynns and lyfe euerlafting, I think it might be graunted to him, fome reafonable number of his honeft neighbouris accompanying him thairat, with his minifter. V. As to the fyft Article, of receaving the Lordis Supper kneeling : Trewlie, Ser, I wolde faine be informed of your maieftie, how I might doe it myfelf ? how I might informe otheris to doe fo ? and how, be reafone, I might meete and mend otheris who ar of contrary mynd ? And as for my awin opinione heerin, I think as yit that the beft forme of taking it is, as we do, fitting ; becaus, firft, Chrift our Lord did fo : he had a table, Luk. 22. 21 ; and, vers 14, fat doun with the tuelf to celebrat the fupper ; and Chriftis adlione fould be our inftitutione. And the Apoftles rule is, 1 Cor. 11. 1, " Be the followaris of me as I am of Chrift ;" and, vers 23, " I haue receavid of the Lord that which I haue delyverid vnto yow ;" fo following fimply the praelife of the Lord in the celebratioun of the facrament. Nixt, prayar and prayfe going immediatly before the adlioun, and following immediatly after the adlioun, with kneeling : it appearis moft fimply that the adtioun itfelf fould be according to the cuftome vfed in fuch afitiouns, and that is, to eate and drink fitting, and as communi- cantis with our Lord, to rejoyfe with him at his table. Thridly, The Churches Apoftolik, and fuch as foUowid after thame, till the yere 1215, neuer vfed, as I can reid, kneeling at the receaving of the communion, till Pope Innocentius 3, at Lateran, decreed tranffubftan- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 309 tiatione of the elementis in the Sacrament ; and after him Pope Hono- rius 3, the yeere 1220, decreed that the elementis fould be lifted vp be the preeft, adored be the people, and keepid in a box, and on the box fould be this infcriptioune : — " Hie Deum adora : item flefte genu : pixis hie venerabilis hofpite Chrifto." And Do6lor Sutliue, a learnid and grave divine, contra Bellarminum de Ceremoniis Miffae, fayis, fol. 99. 100, 101, " Omnes has ceremoniae ex recentiorum Miffialium formulis authoritatera ^t originem habent." Then he enumberis amongis the reft, " Et coram eis genuflexiones. " Item nufquam certe legimus genua fle6lenda effa coram Sacramento, nifi in miffalibus et libris ritualibus. " Item nihil turpius quam genua coram Sacramento fledlere. " Item nufquam legimus inclinationem corporis et genuum incurva- tionem coram Sacramento indicium effe; humilitatis aut aliquos viros fandlos aut pios fe coram Sacramento panis aut calicis dominici vel corpora fua inclinaffe." And Bellarmine, a man as feemis mightie for tranffubftantiatione, wreittis, lib. 4. cap. 30, " De Euchariflia melius difcunt rudiores in Eucha- riftiae Sacramento vere effe Chriflum praefentem ; et proinde falfam effe haereticorum dodlrinam ex publica adoratione totius ecclefiae, et honore illo eximio qui huic Sacramento exhibetur, quam ex multis concionibus." And thairfoir in another place he fayis, " Non poteft carere fufpicione idolatriae capere euchariftiam genuflexione, nifi concedatur tranffubftan- tiatio." Thus, I haue fimply obeyed your majefties command, in fetting doun my opinioun of thefe Articles, which I befeech your majeftie to accept in good pairt, and to amend whair any thing is amiffe, be your loveing informatione ; remembering how, according to knawledge and abilitie, I have foUowid your maieftie before, and is now als readie to follow as euer I was (whatfoeuer repoirtis be njade of me) ; and fall, Godwilling, according to my knawledge, follow the fame courfe to the end ; and 310 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS thairfoir needis bot informatione and confirmatione, that I may proceed, quhich nowe I attend. Pardons me now, Ser, to renew my requeaft for your maiefties prse- cept to your thefaurer to pas my fonns gift, which fo lovingly your ma- iefties felf hath paffed ; and to befeeche your maieftie, in any reportis that fall be made of me, to keepe ane eare free for my anfure, whilk will incourage me to goe on in the fervice of fo loving a maifter. So, humblie taking my leefe, I recommend your maiefties facred perfone, familie and eftate, to the blefling and protedlioun of God. Frome Edinburgh, this 5 off Nouember, the day of your maiefties moft gracious delyuerance from the gunnpoulder treafone of confpyred Papifts, 1617- Your Maiefties awine old and truftie feruitour, M* P. Galloway. [Indorfed :] To his Maieftie. M' Patrik Galloway his judgment anent the 5 Articles of Perthe. 5 Novemb. 16 17- CLXXL— OLIVER ST JOHN TO KING JAMES VL NOTEMBEB 25, 1617. Mat it please your excellent Maiestie, This noble man, the Lord Cromwell,* beinge defirous to kiffe your maiefties princelie handes, defires to go accompanied with my letters, * Thomas fourth Lord Cromwell, and great-grandson of the celebrated Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, beheaded by Henry VIII. in the year 1540. This nobleman was in 1635 created Viscount Lecale, and in OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 311 which I could not denye vnto him, findinge his caryadge here to be very noble, and himfelfe apte and likely to live to be a worthie fervant to your maieftie. He hath humblie befought, that I would make knowne vnto your maieftie his conformitye to your maiefties princely diredliounes, in a controverfie concerning M"" Alexander Julius and Adam Abercromney, wherein, although it was manifeft that the ftate the late Lord Cromwell, his father, had in thofe landes, was fuch as he could not paffe them away without doinge wronge to his fonne, and that by the lawe he was not compellable to confirme the graunt that his father had made to M' Julius and Abercromney ; yet, in obedience of your maiefties princelie pleafure, he hath aifured vnto them a ffee-farme in thofe landes, to his hinderance of thirtie or fortie poundis a yeare of his inheritance. Thus qiuch, at his humble defire, I haue prefumed to relate to your facred ma- ieftie, that his promptnes to obeye your maieftie may appeare ; leavinge him and his other occafions to your moft royall pleafure. Humbly be- feechinge the Almightie to bleffe your facred maieftie with longe life, and a profperous reigne over vs. Your Maiefties humble and obedient fubiefile and fervant, Ol. S». John.* Dublin, the xxv"" of Nouember 1617. To the Kinges moft Sacred Maieftie. 1644 Earl of Ardglass iti Ireland, where his property was situated, his father having sold all his English estaUs. He died in 1653. The Irish Earldom and Viscountcy became extinct by the death of Vere Essex, seventh Baron Cromwell, and fourth Earl of Ardglass, vrilhout issue male, upon the 26th November 1687. The English Barony has remained dormant. • Succeeded his father as fourth Lord St John in 1618, and was created, December 28, 1624, Earl of Bolingbroke. 312 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXII ANNE COUNTESS OF ARGYLL* TO JOHN MURRAY. [1617?] Ser, You Ihal vnderftand ther is on James Ratrey, who now is in your farvies, that one was in myne, tel his falfevod pot him awaye. I will now fpeke it, altho euer fine, I have byn content to confele it, in hope of amendment, Ther is on Dromand, who now is his wife, that had in trvft and keepinge of myne, fundrye thinges to the valve of five hvndreth povnd or ther aboutis. After fliee knew of my determynacion in goinge to Scotland, fliee and hee togeather, fecretly by nyght, convayed the fayd goods ovt of my hovfe, and had not byn fcarce a fortjiyght ther hot fliee mayd herfelfe an occafion, by her evel tonge, to com hear agayn. Within fev wiekes after, my lord fent a gentelman with money to paye fum deptis he was owinge in London. Shee and her hvlband would not let the gentelman paye the money, bot wovld have it in their ovne hand, and went to every credetor and pvrfuaded them it was but defprat deapt, and wovld haue had them taken, fum halfe, fum a quarter of ther money, to my lordes great diflionor. If you dout of this. Sir, I flial fend the men themfelues to teflyfie it. The fame gentelman I defired to refeve her charge, but fliee refvfed it, and anfwred flie would keepe it tel my owne cominge, which fliee thovghte would never haue byn : But when fliee fa mee come, and that fliee codld get no oather excvfe, fhee fayd fliee with hild them for deapt I was owinge her. I defired to know for what : but fliee mayd a byl to mee which fhe movght have byn fliure non would have harkend to aboue the age of twlve in that fafliion. What I myght have dun of my owne good will, mor then her defart, after the * There is no date either to this or the succeeding letter. The writer, Anne, daughter of Sir William Cornwallis of Brome, was the second wife of Archibald Earl of Argyle, who entered the service of Philip III. of Spain, and became a Roman Catholic in 1618, much to the vexation of his relatives. His Lady was a Papist herself, and made him a convert. He did not return to England till 1638, in which year he died at London, aged about 62. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 313 delivrie of my thinges, ihee myght haue put to my owne cortefye, if theyr meninge had not byn to have kepte them llile ; but that cannot be as longe as ther is a kinge and laves in the cuntrey. I will trvble you, Ser, no fvrther with my tedyvs leater, whos end is to tel you the trvth, fearinge you fliovld have byn abvfed by falfe informacion, which Fde- fire non fheuld bee that I wifh al honor and hapynes to, as on that ihall ever remayn Your louinge frind to difpofe of, A. Argyle. To my verae good frind, M'® Morey, of his Magiftyes Bed Chamber. CLXXIII THE COUNTESS OF ARGYLE TO JOHN MURRAY. [1617?] Ser, I make no queftion, knowinge the trvth, that you would eather mayntayne him or anye oather in fo vild a accion ; but knowinge of ould the ikope of falfnes and difemulacion of his tonge hath mayd mee this fare to trubuel you. You defired, Ser, by your leter, to vnderftand further of his behavyore in the tyme he was with my lord. It wear vn- femlye to wright every thinge in partikiler what hee dyd; but this fare I will iaye, that what a man could do in theft, he left not vndune. Hee had for a while the kepinge of my lordes purfe, but his falfwod in that extended fo fare, that it was foon perCeved halfe a year after his goinge aweye, my lord was faine to paye thinges hee had taken in troft, which my lord befor had payd redye money to him for. When thefe greter 2r 314 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS trickes fayld him, hee would not fticke to pilfer anye thinge hee could conveniently. One I toke him with the maner, and mayd him laye it downe agayne. I haue hard diueres report of his ftelinge money out of the pocketes, and that they haue taken him with the maner, but I will fpeke nothinge of fartentye but that which I haue fene and knowes my felfe vpon my chargies ; yet, altho on would thinke it were to much for on to beare paciently, yet the fhowe of his fayned repentanc was fo great, that I proteft, Ser, I neuer dyd fo mvch as reuele it to anye, tel now this laft vileny of his hath mayd mee thinke I haue confeled it to longe. For anye thinge, Ser, that hath latly hapned, this berar, who hath byne witnes to mofl part of there procidinges, can tel, if you plefe to give him leue, the trvth : he beares a honeft nam. I hope he flial not lye in anye- thing. So, I will no longer, Ser, be trubelfom to you to explayn the great ronge I haue refeued, which I am Ihur is vnmatchabel in that kinde, and leue al to your nobvel and wife confederation, and fhal now and euer remayne Your rnoft afhured frind to defpofe of, A. Aegyll. To my afliured frinde, Mr Murey, of his Magiftys Bed Chamber. CLXXIV._SIR JAMES LUNDIE TO KING JAMES VI. April 8, 1618. Most gracious Souerane, It may pleas your moll excellent maieftie, vmquhile King Williame, of worthie memorie, for the lufe wiche he caryit towardis his OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 315 fone natural!, my prediceffour, callit Sir Robert,* thairefter callit Sir Robert of Lundy be King Alexander the Second, gaue all and haill the barony of Lundy, of whome the Lairdis of Lundy hes linialie defcendit, as oure charteris and evidentis dois record; and evir fines the dayis of King Williame, be the fpace of foure hundreth, fyftie and fyve yeiris, we haue bene in peciable poffeffioun of our awin teindis, quhill now laitlie, that the Laird of Largo hes procurit the kirk of Largo, eredlit in ane laick patronage, quha intendis moft rigorbuflie to leid oure teindis : albeit that I haue caufit deall with him thir fevin yeiris bigane for ane new tak of oure awin teindis, quhairunto he will nawayis condifcend be ony perfuafioun or reafonable offer ; hot hes intendit adlioun aganis ws for fpoliatioun thairof, whairintill be the rigour of law he is liklie to prevale. The haill Senatouris of your maiefties Colledge of Juflice thinkis it agreble with reafon and confcience that we fuld flill continew in poffef- fioun of our awin teindis, feing we ar fa lang kyndlie takifmen and pof- feffouris thairof; and I am fullie refolvit that thair is no mean to hold me in poffeffioun of the faidis teindis, hot that it wald pleas your mofl; excellent maiefl;ie to diredl ane lettre to the Lordis of your hienes Col- lege of Jufl;ice, to cans ws both fubmitt that mater to thame, anent quhat takis the Laird of Largo fall giue of our awin teindis, and quhat fall be gevin thairfoir. This I am mofl; willing to do. It is weill knowin to your maiefl;ie quhat querreUis and deidlie feidis hes followit vpoun rigourous teinding within your hienes kingdome of Scotland, whiche hes bene the ruine of mony houfes thairof. Moft humlie, thairfoir, befeiking your gracious maieftie to prevent ws be your hienes letter to the Lordis of your maiefties College of Juftice, thus in all humilitie expedling your * Sir George Mackenzie, in bis MS. Genealogical Collections, observes, in reference to the Laird of Lundie, '* His predecessor was Robert de Lunden, naturall son to King William, so surnamed because begotten within the city of London, in England, as some say, or from their lands in Fyfe, which he got from the King, as others [say]. I haue sein him frequently designed by that lUng, amongst the witnesses in his chartours, 'Roberto de London, filio nostro,' and in ane chartour by King William to the Erie of Stratherne, amongst the witnesses, Joanne de Londonij. 1 haue sein also ane charter quherin King William gives Roberto de London, filio nostro, the Foresterie of Tith, near Dunfermling, which thereafter the said Robert giues to the abbacy, and designs himself filius Regis Scotiee." 316 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS maiefties moft gracious will and interceffioun in this point, I moft hum- lie tak rayleve, kiffing, with all reverence and hurailitie, your moft gracious hand. Your Maiefties moft humle and obedient fubiedl and fervitour, S» James Lundie. Edinburgh, the 8 of Aprile 1618. To his moft excellent Maieftie. GLXXV.— HIS MAJESTY'S ANSWER TO THE COUNCIL. [1618?] Whereas by your lettre vnto ys, yee make mention of the regrete that the magiftrates of Edinburgh made anent this ordinance, and proclama- tion craued to be made that it ftiould not be lawfuU to laden anie of the commodities of marchandife of that our kingdome in foreyne bottomis, fo long as anie of our owne contrie ftiippes remayne vnfreighted : to this wee anfuer, that wee are affured that yee remember nocht what was done and concluded in that bufines, in our prefence the laft day that wee fat at our counfell table in Scotlande, which was this, that as for the generall, it wes diredllie agreed in thefe verie termes that yee fette doune in your lettre, without one contrarie vote, and wee our felfe did propounde the queftion; but becaus, it is true, that manie particulair queftions might refulte vpon this grounde, which wolde require furder time tp be digefted and debated, thofe thinges were lefte to a furder time, and a full hearing of both marchandes and mariners. Wee, therefor, for our parte, can fee no reafon to change our former refolution in generall ; and as for the difcontentment of the magiftrates, wee haiie learned to diftinguifti betwixt. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 317 the particulare well of the marchantes, and the well of the whoUe king- dome ; nether are wee anie thing fcard by that refolulion alledged to be tfiken in France, for wee fee no reafon whie the wine fhould be tranfported to Scotland in French bottomes, fince wee do affuredlie know the French wine to be a commoditie of that nature, as France muft be faine to vtter once a yeare in anie bottomes, being a commoditie that they muft yearhe vente, or elfe be extreme loofers. And vpon the other parte, naturall reafon teacheth vs that Scotlande being a parte of an He, cannot be maynteyned nor preferued withoute Ihipping, and ihipping cannot be mayteyned without employment, and the verie law of nature teacheth euerie forte of corporation, kingdome, or contrie, firft, to fette th'emfelues and their owne veffeles on worke befor they employe anie ftranger. For our parte, therefor, yee may giue our counfell there full affurance that no argument can or ftialbe made againft the generall conclufion which our felfe tooke there, that flialbe hable to alter our refolution in this generall grounde, no more then to make vs beleiue that day is nighte, and fire is colde. • But as for the particulare conditions and reftridtions, which at our being there wee lefte to be debated at full leafour, is, that that courfe fliall ftill be kepte ; and in caife, vpon the hearing of the marchantis and mariners, anie fuch queftion Ihall arife vpon the particulare, as may dif- tradle our counfell in diuers opinions, then and in that cafe our counfell fliall do well to fende vs thefe controuerted heades, together with their opinions or doubtes therevpon. As for your other pointe of your lettre, wee neede giue no other anfuer, then that wee approue verie well the order which the counfell hath taken in the fame. [Indorfed :] His Majefties Anfwere, dited by him felf'e, concerning tranfporting goodes in ftrange bottomes. 318 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXVI— THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. February 19, 1619. Ryght honorabill Cousin, I haue hitherlill contineued to mak anfuir to 3iours of the 26th Januar, that I micht fee fuim progres in siour befines, all this oulke has bein beftowed in siour acSlions, in feffion with the vaffals and fewars in Anandell ; all is done to 3iour aduocatts contentment. With Dundranane all donne : alfo, almofh as siour adlions ar rafonabill, fua I can nocht fay to 3iou, bot gie haue als greate fauour off all our breether in feffion* as onye honeft man can wifti. I knaw particulars heiranent will be mair particularlie writtin to siou be 3iour doars. 3iour adtioun with Bonitoun fall be, God willing, donne this next oulke, for I called the other adlions firft in order, as I was defired be 3iour agent, James Hamiltoune.t All the occurrents I can write to 30U [are], our Bifchoppe of Galloway is departed this lyfif-l Mr Robert Bruce, minifter, according to his facred majefties royall dire6lion, is confined to his awin houfs, and ane mile about. Nocht ellis at this prefent, bot my deutie remembered to 3iour good • Murray could not fail to be in high favour with the judges. He had succeeded the Earl of Dunbar in the management of Scotish affairs, and was all-powerful ; so much so, that the proudest of the Scotish nobility sought his patronage. t The notion of a Lord Chancellor advising and superintending the management of the law proceedings of a friend is somewhat inconsistent with modern ideas of judicial character. There is too much reason to believe, from the evidence that has come down to us, that the administration of justice in Scotland then, and for nearly a century afterwards, was very corrupt. At a later period, Lord Balcarres positively asserts that the leading men of his time got persons thrust in as judges, for the express purpose of influencing the decisions in those cases in which their patrons were personally interested. It is remarkable, that, at the date of Lord Dunfermline's epistle, the English judges were not so subservient as their northern brethren seem to have been ; and there is a letter preserved in the Abbotsford Miscellany, in which Sir Henry Montagu, afterwards Earl of Manchester, solicits two of the judges to favour a man who had been one of the King's falconers, but who was in prison on a charge of felony. These upright men disregarded the application, and the culprit having been convicted, they shewed him no favour, but ordered his instant execution, which, to Sir Henry's great annoyance (as he had interfered to gratify the King), actually took place. See p. 312. ^ William Coupar, a learned and excellent man. He died 15th February 1619. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 319 half mairaw,* wiffis slow baith all siours all happines and contente- ment. 3iour louing Coufing at command, DUNFERMLYNE. Edinburgh, 19 Feb'. 1619. To my weilbeloued Coufen, Mr Murray of Lochmaben, off his facred Maieftie Bedchalmer. CLXXVII NOTE OF THE COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. August 25, 1619. Halyruideous, xxv. Auguft 1619. The mater anent the navigatioun and fraughting of flrangearis fliippis wes this day at grite lenthe agitat befoir the counfell, and the haill ob- ie6lionis, anfueris, replyis, and duplyis, maid thairanent in write wer all red, and the pairtyis hard thairupoun ; and after lang conteftatioun on ather fyde, the mater wes drawne to tua pointis, to witt, the difcuffing of the difficulteis and impedimentis proponned anent the eafterline trade, quhilk is the cheif point now contrauertit, and the fetting doun of the frauchtis and conditionis of goode and deutifuU feruice on the pairt of the marinaris to and fra France, Spayne, and Flanders; and for this purpois, the marcheantis and marinaris hes nomiuat aucht on ather fyde to conveene and meet at Edinburgh, vpoun the xiii day of September now approtcheing, with my Lord Prefident and fome otheris of the coun- faill appointit for that buffynes, quho ar to deale thairin, and to fie yfF * Marrow, i.e, his wife. 320 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS with mutuall coiifent the pointis contrauertit may be broght to ony goode conclufioun, and thay ar to reporte thair procedingis to the counfaill, vpoun the xv day of the faid moneth of September, at quhilk tyme this mater wilbe putt to a point without forder delay.* Thair wes ane other point contrauertit, anent the portage, quhilk is difcuffit by difchairgeing of all vnfreemen to haif portage. The particulair recommendit be his maieftie to the counfaill, anent the refyneing of fugair, is thoght, in the generall, to be very reafounable ; and yitt for remoueing of all queftioun and obie6lionis that may be pro- ponned aganis the expediencie of the fame, the counfaill hes appointit fome of thair nomber to confer thairupoun, and to reporte thair opinion thairanent. The particulair anent the reffett of Egyptianis, whilk wes lykwayes recommendit be his maieftie, hes reflauit this anfwer, to witt, that yf the perfone recommendit be his maieftie will call the reffettaris of thir Egiptianis befoir his maiefteis thefaurair, and deputie thefaurair, and fuche otheris of the counfell as falbe adjoyned vnto thame, and will fur- neis probatioun aganis thame, that thay fall haif the ane halfi" of the efcheatis and penalteis of the perfonis that falbe convicS; of the faid ref- fett. The patent grantit be his maieftie to Gilbert Dik for the Booke of Commoun Prayer is exped. The ponder boughte in Danfkin for his maieftie being taken to the vfe of the King of Denmark ; and the counfell hauing written to him, defiring that it mighte be reftored to the marchant who had boughte it for his maiefties vfe, no order was taken in the mater ; and, therefor, it is humbhe defired that his maieftie may be pleafed to require his brother, the King of Denmark, to take iufte freindlie order in the bufines, and to permitte the marchantes of this contrie to tranfporte thair pouder and other lawful! wares, withoute any trouble or impediment in his boundes. * No note of the proceedings in September occurs among Sir James Balfour's MSS., but see Melros Papers, vol. ii. p. 34<7. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 321 CLXXVIII.— THE EARL OF TULLIBARDINE TO KING JAMES VI. [1620?] May it plaes your sacreide Maiestie, I kno that begging is ane ordinar phrafe for all men that ar futers for thee kings liberalitie, and of this fort I haue beine on, this long tyme, altho I haue as yit come no fpeid, bot nou, Sir, I am a begger of ane vther kynd, if nobilitie vill permit pouerty to exprefle itfelf in thee hyeft degree, or if your maieftie can think me poore, that hes nather maete, fyre, clothes, monny, nor credit. I am perfuadit your maieftie will think this ane ftrainge chainge from that of my prediceffours, who war rather hellpfuU and lenners to vthers, then borrouers from any : fome pairt of thair thankfullnes your maieftie hes feine, alltho not as thay wifcht. Whoofoeuer, God hes nou layde his corre6ling hand on me, yit can I plaede nothing bot vnwirthines, and becaus kings ar called gods, it may be your majeftie wald take euill (thee word of deferuing), I will forbaer to vfe that too, only. Sir, geiue me leiue to begge your charatie, in fuch miffour as it fall plaefe your majeftie beft to extend thee fame, according to my prefent mifery, vntill your maieftie may be plaefd to vfe your liberalitie according to your gratius promeife. Thus, re- mitting all to your maiefteis gratius confideration, I kifle your majefties hands. Your Majefteis moft humble and obedient fubiedl and fervant, Will: Tullibardine.* [No date.t] To his moft facreid Maieftie. • William, second Earl of Tullibardine. See letter from him to John Murray, p. 280. He died in the year 1626. He married Lady Dorothea Stewart, eldest daughter of John, fifth Earl of AthoU, by whom he had one son, John, whose right to the title of Atholl was confirmed by Charles I. 17th February 1629. t Probably written in the year 1620. Jt S 322 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXIX— THE EARL OF TULLIBARDINE TO KING JAMES VI. [1620?] Pleis your Sacreide Maiestie, I haue fo long expe6lid your maiefleis gratius fauour, for releiffe of my diftreffid efteat, that nou I am vtterly ondone, for I haue fould all my fathers patrimony, I haue ingadgd all the efteat off AthoU, and I haue bond my freinds heir and in Scotland for great foumes off monny, that I dar not go home, and hardy byde heir vithout your ma- iefteis prefent hellpe, I befeifche your maieftie not to be difpleide that I propone on off theis vuertours ; the making off ane Inglifche barroune or tua thoufand pounds fterling out off your Efcheker heir, vith fex thoufand punds fterling off the taxatione of Scotland ; or ells that your maieftie vill geiue me leiue to fell my ftylle of TuUibardine to ane In- glifche man. Sir, it is not prefumtione that moues me, hot extreme neceffitie ; and I houpe your maieftie will take it fo, vtheruayis I vill be forft to fell all, and fo no moir to be your fubie6l, althoo all mifereis and banifraent fall neuer make me leue to be Your Maiefteis moft humble and obedient feruant. TULLIBAEDINE. To his facreide Maieftie.* * There is no date to this letter. It was probably written not long after the preceding one. It presents a singular picture of the extreme poverty of this Scotish nobleman, who seems willing to sell his title even to an Englishman, in order that he may obtain the means of subsistence. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 323 CLXXX._KING JAMES VI. TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL. [No Date.] RiGHTE TRUSTIE AND RIGHTE WELLBILOUED CuSENS AND COUNSELLOUBS, AND RIGHTE TRUSTIE AND WELLBE- LovED Counsellors, We greete you well. Whereas by reafons of thofe troubles in France, a verie great nomber of people profeffing oure religions' haue lofte their fortunes in that realme, and for thair fafetie fledde with their wiues, childrene, and families into this, hauing no other meanes of mayn- tinance, fauinge charitie of well difpofed people, wee haue bene pleafed, oute of our royall commiferation of their diftreffed eftate, to permitte a voluntarie contribution to be leuied in this our kingdom, frome fuch as oute of their chriftian charitie flialbe difpofed to contribute to their re- leefe; and although wee are not ignorant of the fmall ftore of raonie prefentlie to be founde in that our kingdoms, yet in fo pitifull a cafe, wee haue bfene pleafed to yealde to the humble fuite of the deputies of the French Church here, who haue mofte humblie befoughte vs that the volunterie belpe of well difpofd people there may likewife be craued and colle6led, it is therefor our pleafor that yee giue diredlion to the Arch- byfchoppes to write to the Byfchoppes of their prouinces, to recommends the matter to the minifters of their diocefes, and they to recommends it to the charitable deuotion of their particular flockes, and fuch moire as fchalbe leuied for that effe6t, to be by the minifter of each parroch broughte to his ordinance, and by him to the Archbifhop. 324 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXXI ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EARL AND COUNTESS OF HUME AND JOHN STEWART. Afkil 12, 1620. Articles of Agriement fet downe by his maieftie, and agreit to by James Erie of Hume, and the Countes of Hume, his mothir, for hir entres, on the ane pairt ; and Johne Stewart, fone to Frances, fumtyme Erie Bothwell, on the vther pairt, for a finall determinatioun of all difference and contraverfie betuene tharae, concernyng the Abbacie of Coldingham, to be extendit, and pall in the beft forme of fecuritie that can be devyfed for that effedl, by his maiefties Chanceller, Prefident, and Advocat, with advyfe of both the pairties lawers, Firft, That the faid erle and his mother, for hir entres, difpone, re- nunce, and tranffer in the favoures of the faid Johne, his airis, affignyis, and fucceffouris, all richt, entres, and poffeffioun, quhilk they haue or may claime, to ane pairt of the landis and teindis of the faid abbacie, pendicle and pertinent thairof, to which Johne Stewart wes provyedit, and had richt befoir his faid fatheris forfaltour ; with warrandice from ther awin proper fa6lis and deidis allenerlie, done or to be done fince the de- ceis of Alexander, lall Erie off Home. That is to fay, that they haue nethir maid nor fall mak ane other richt or tranflatioun of the title and poffeffioun foirfaid, hot to the faid Johne Stewart onlie ; and with this explanatioun, that that difpofitioun falbe nowyfe interpreted nor ac- compted anie deid done by them, quhairby they or .anie of them may be OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 325 called or perfewed at the inftance of the faid Johne or his foirfaidis, or anie other pairtie quhatfumever, for warrandice of anie anterior takis or richtis, fet, maid, or granted be the faid Erie of Hume ; hot that the faid Johne Stewart, his airis and fucceffouris, fall warrand and relieve the pre- fent erle and countes, thair airis and fucceffouris, of all warrandice quhilk may follow, be occafione of thefe prefentis, at the inftance of quhat- fumevir perfones haueing or pretending richt from the faid late Erie off Home: Provyiding alweyls, that the grant heiroff fall nowyfe prejudge the faid Johne in his awin anteriour richtis, nor bind him in anie fort to war- rand, ratifie, or approve the faid deidis done be the faid late Erie of Home ; hot that it falbe lawfull to him to reduce and annuU the fame be vertew of his forfaid anteriour richtes be law. That therfoir the faid Johne fall give perfite fecuritie to the faid Erie of Home, for peyment to him of the fowme off fourtie eight thoufand pundis Scottis, in maner and at the termes after following : viz. off ane fourt pairt thairoff, being tuell thoufand pundis money foirfaid, at Mer- times nixtocum in this inftant geir of God 1620 ; of vther tuell thoufand pundis at Whitfonday ; and of ane thrid 12 thoufand pundis at Mertimes thairefter 1621 ; and of the laft tuell thoufand pundis, in full and compleit payment of the foirfaid fowme of 48000 pundis, aX the terme of Witfon- day 1622, with vfuall penalties for ilk termes failsie : And to the effect that the faid late Erie of Home's debtis dew be bandis, and as git vnre- leivet, being fatiffiet and peyit fufth off the firft end of the faid fowme, and ane competent proportioun of the profeit thairoff geirlie allowit to the faid countes, for recompenfe of the lofe quhilk fcho fall fuftene by this tranfaelioun in quyteing onie thing fcho had richt to for herlyftyme, the fupplus thairoff may be maid furthcuming to the faid Erie of Home, and his airis of his awin bodie, and failgeing therof, to the faid erles fifteris, thair airis and affigneyis : And that the famyn may be dewlie im- ployit for his and thair beft profeit, it is his maiefties plifour, that the faid lordis caus fufficient fecuritie be maid be the faid countes, ather be finding of cautioun, or, if that cannot be becaus fcho is a ftranger, be binding of hir conjun6lfee for performeance of the famyn. 326 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS That the faid Johne lykweyis bind and obleis his haill landis, teindis, and vtheris aperteining to him of the faid abbacie, for peyment to the faid erle, and his aires male of his bodie, 3eirlie of the fowme off thrie thowfand fex hundreth pundis Scotis, at tua terraes in the geir, Witfonday and Mertimes, be equall portiounes, the firft termes peyment to be reuled be his entrie, and fet downe be the faid lordis, according to the cuflum and pradlife in the countrey in the lyke caiflis. Provyiding alweyis, that if it fall happen the faid erle to die without airis male gotting of his awin bodie, that the faid annuitie of thrie thowfand fax hundreth pundis Scottis fall returne to the faid Johne, and remane with him and his foirfaidis heritablie. That the faid Johne fet and grant takis of the teindis of Aid Cambes and Faftcaftell to the faid erle, and the airis male of his bodie, he and they,de- faceing and allowing to the faid Johne and his foirfaidis seirly, of the faid annuitie of thrie tboufand fax hundreth pundis Scottis, fo much as by dew eflimatioun falbe fund equivalent to the geirlie value of the faidis teindis; with this provifioun, that failling airis male of the faid erles awin bodie, the faidis takis fall furthwith expyre and be null of them felfis, and the richt of the faidis teindis returne to the faid Johne and his foirfaidis, to be intromettit with and difponit vpon at ther plifour : And if the faidis pairties at ther appeirance befoir the faidis lordis do not agrie vpon the 3eirlie worth of the faidis teindis, that ilk of thame in that cafe chofe and nominat tuo freindis to try and vpon oath to informe the faidis lordis of the trew value of the fame; and that accordinglie they ordane a propor- tionable defalcatioun to be expreflie conditioned and mentioned in the faidis takis, quhilk gif the faid erle refufe to condifcend to, that then it falbe lawfull to the faid Johne and his foirfaidis to intromet with the faidis teindis, and difpone therupon at their plifour, they paying in that cace 3eirlie the foirfaid haill fowme of thrie thoufand fax hundreth pundis Scottis money. That Johne Stewart difcharge the faid erle, his faid mother, and ther foirfaidis, of all byrun dewties and profeitis of the faid abbacie fince the late Erie Homes poffeflioun therof ; provyiding alweyis, that (if the afoir- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 327 namet lordis fall find it requifite and neceffar for the faid Johne his bet- tir fecuritie) the faid erle be in that cace bund at his majoritie to rati- fie and approve the difpofitiounes and fecurities to be now maid in fa- vouris of the faid Johne and his foirfaidis, and that, if the faid erle refufe to do the fame, it falbe lawfull to the faid Johne and his foirfaidis, nocht- withftanding the faid difcharge, to call and perfew, be ordour of law, for the faidis byrunis : And lykweyis, that, in cace of his faid refuifeifall, the takis ordaned, as faid is, to be fet to him, fall fall, and be null in them- felffis, and the faid Johne fred, from thencefurth, of all forther peyment of the faid annuitie of thrie thoufand fax hundreth pundis money foirfaid, and the faid erle and his foirfaidis be bund and obleift in repeyraent of the foirfaid fowme of fourtie aucht thowfand pundis Scottis to the faid Johne and his foirfaidis. That, for the better fecuring and eftableifing of the faid Johne and his foirfaidis in the heritable richt and poffeffioun of the faid abbacie, and pertinentis of the fame, quherunto he wes provyidit befoir his faid late fatheris fall, the faidis lordis, with advyfe of his laweris, cans forme and fend to his maieftie fuch new richtis and fecurities, or confirmatiounes and ratificatiounes of his auld richtis, conteining in them ane ere6lioun of the abbacie to him and his foirfaidis (hot without title and dignitie of a lord), as, in ther jugement, they fall think moift effedluall to fecure him and them of the fame. Laftlie, It is his maiefties plifour, that, for the fpidier performance of the premiflSs, baith the faidis pairties fall repair to his maiefties kingdonfle of Scotland betuene the date heiroff and the day off nixtocum, that fo they may the moir convenientlie meit with the foirnamet lordis, to the effe6l foirfaid ; and in taikin of ther willing confent to the fulfilling of the haill premiffis, to thefe prefentis, figned by his maieftie, both the faidis pairties haue fet ther handis : At Whytehall and St Mertenes Lane, the tuelff and auchteint dayis of Apryle 1620, befoir Archibald Prymrois and Duncane Prymrois, and Mr Patrik Hammiltoun, witnes to Johne Stewartes fubfcriptioun, and Mr Edward Wrae, off his ma- 328 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS iefties bedchalmer, and James Dowglas, witnes to the Countes of Homes. Sic fubfcribitur, A. Home. J. Steuart. Edward Wray, witnes to Archibald Prymrois, witnes the Countes of Homes fub- to Johne Stewartes fubfcrip- fcriptioun. James Dowglas, tioun. Duncane Prymrois, witnes to hir fubfcriptioun.* witnes to his fubfcriptione. CLXXXII.—SIR GIDEON MURRAY TO KING JAMES VI. June 30, 1620. Most Sacked Souekane, It is litle paft a yeare fence forrane moneyes, by pfoclamatione, wer difchardged to haue cours within this realme ; bott that prohibitione hes bred fuche vniuerfal fcarftie of moneyes throuhowt the whole king- dome, as your maiefteis fubieiStes of all fortis ar liklie thairby to recaue irreparable herme, geue fume fpeidy and tymous remedy be not provydit. Amongeft a number of wther inconvenientis, your maiefteis cofferis heir ar maid fo emptie, that I find great difficultie to gett whairwith to fur- neifche moneyes for your maiefteis buildingis, and the wther neceffarie and ordinarie burdingis, altho no part thairof wer to be employed for pay- mentis dew befoir Witfonday laft ; and geue the inconvenient fall cbn- tinow and incres, your fubie6lis heir, of all rankis, wilbe rendered unable to performe thair dew feruice for your maiefteis honour, when it fall pleas God we haue the happienes to fie yowr maieftie within this kingdome. It wilbe peraduentur obie6led aganes the humble petitione prefented * " It is lykeweyis signed by his Maiestie.'* OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 329 in name of the noblemen, burowes, and remanent fubie6lis of this king- dome, whairanent your maieftie hes a lettre frome the Lordis of Cown- fell, that thair defyr wilbe preiudiciall to your maiefteis benefeitt, arry- fing frome the mynt, whairanent it will pleas your maieftie be informed, that, albeit for the fpace of ane half yeare efter the proclamatione, m-On- eyes came by exchandge to the mynt hous moir abundantlie nor they did for a long tyme befoir, yet the frie proffeit thairof, and of all that cam in for the fpace of twa yeares (the bulseoun payable by the merchantis ex- cepted) did litle exceid the foume of fex or fevin thowfand merkis Scottis, as the compt laitlie maid by the maifter of the coin3iehous doethe tefte- fie. Nor will the geving cours to fume fpaces of forraine moneyes heir do preiudice to your maiefteis fubiedlis of England, whair thefe fpaces, beand tranfported frome hence, will onlie ferue for bulseoun, altho they pas in paymentis amongeft yowr maiefteis fubiedlis heir. The difficultie I find to do yowr maiefteis feruice, by reafoun of the prefent fcarftie, with the earneft defyr I haue that your maiefteis fubiedlis heir may be eafed of fuche inconvenient, haue moved me to prefent to your maiefteis princ- lie confideration thefe informall lynes, for the whiche I humblie craue your maiefteis pardoun,. and will end with my humble prayer for your ma- iefteis long preferuation in all healthe and happienes. Your facred Maiefteis moft humble and faithfull feruand, G. MUEBAT. Edinburgh, the laft of June 1620. To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. 2 T 330 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXXIIL— MR H. BLYTH* TO THE REVEREND HENRY CHARTERIS. December 26, 1620. My deir and maist loving Brother, I hartlie wiftie to 30W in the Lord Jefus, our common Sauiour, the fweit affluence and joyful! increafe of all fpirituall happines with 30ur deir bedfellow and hopefuU children. I haue bene and am in great langour defyring to heir of 30ur weilfair, and mervells 3e wryt not to me, feing I forseitt nocht 30W as I haue occafioun, for 36 are ftill in my re- membrance, wilhing it may pleife our good God I may haue agayne the 30ur face, and inioy the fweitnes of our wonted chriftiane familiaritie. I [doubt] nocht, deir brother, bot 3e remember me alfo, bot I wald haue the teftimonies of sour loving remembrance more frequent be 30ur wryting to me, till it pleife our God to bring ws more neir to vther. As to my prefent eftait, I preis my God it is tolerable. I am awayting in patience the iffew it fall pleis my heavenly Lord to fend of my troble, wherin my God hes wyflie difpofed. Albeit I think in vn- deferued in regaird of all the inftruments wha hes concurred in the fam. I am expedling a relenting of this rigorous dealing, hoping alfo that be 30ur intercelwoun with fie vther my weillwillers thair, the fam may be pro- cured att St Androifs hands, be whais will, as I vnderftand, only I am deteined heir. I think it my dewte to omit no lawfuU meane I may vfe for my awin releif, and thairfor will renew my earnefl requeift to 30W as my moft fpeciall and loving brother and freind, to remember me as 36 find occaffioun, with the help of Mr Thomes, my father, and billie, Mr James King, and fie vthers 3e think meit in fpeiking St Androis for me, that I may haue libertie ayther to cum hame agayne, or at leaft may haue a tyme granted to putt my diffordered affairs to a poynt, as I may within thir four or fyue dayes. I being in Channorie mett with the * Mr Henry Blytb, minister of the Canongate, on the 2d July 1619, was brought before the Court of High Commission — suspended from his ministry, and banished to Inverness by the King's orders. See an account of his troubles in the printed edition of Calderwood's Church History, pp. 731 and 735. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 331 Biftiop of Ros,* wha profeffis great kyndnes to me, and willed me to wryt my felf to St Androls, quhilk he thinks wald effedluat muche, for he tells me it may be that St Androisf ftormes, and thinks I dort that wryts not to him my felf. Trewlie I think not ill of the overture, for my not wryting to St Androis aryfes of na contempt, and if that meane may do good I mind not to negledl it. The Bifliop of Ros, out of his love to me, quhilk he profeiBs, hes drawn vp a minute according to the quhilk I fuld frame my letter to St Androis. When I wryt it I fall fend 30W the copie. In the meane tyme, do 30 as the Lord fall prefent occafioun, and be not fa flaw in wryting to me anent that, or ony vther purpofe 30 pleis, for nothing will cum fra 30W quhilk will not be moft acceptable to me. My Jewell is weill, all preifes to God, and hes hir hartlie com- mendatioun to 30W, and her fweit kymmer and filler, Helene, hes bene maift dangerouflie difeafed thir 18 weeks, as I dowt not 3e haue hard, bot in the Lords gracious mercy is recovered. All the reft of the barines hes had the fluxe thir many days, bot I hope without preiudice of thair health. The berars haft cutts me fliort. I pray 30W remember all our freinds, namely, 30ur honeft mother-in-law, 3our brothir, and Mr Thomes Sydferf. He wrytes not to me, and I haue fmall purpos to him bot com- mendatiouns, quhilk I pray 30U mak in my name. The grace of the Lord Jefus be with 30W. 3our loving brothir, in all I may in the Lord Jefus, M». H. Blythe. Invernefs, 26 Decemb : 1620. To my maift loving and deir Brothir, Mr Henrie Charteris, Minifter of the Evangell, at Edinburt, thes.J • Patrick Lyndesay, advanced to the see of Ross, 27th October 1613, translated to the Archbishoprick of Glasgow, 1633. t Archbishop Spottiswood. i Communicated by Mr David Laing. The ori^nal letter had been pasted upon the boards of a book to strengthen the binding. 332 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXXIV.— THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. Jandarv 30, 1621. Right Honorabill and Cousing, I diredled ane pacquett to 3iow 9 inftant, quhilk I lang to onderftand that gie refaued, becaufe I directed the fame at Mr Thomas Henderfon his defire, and with his lettirs to siow. Our Archibifchioppe of St Androis is going thair to Court, in this terriblie eiuill waddir, at the greats entreatie off all the nobilitie was heir at this conuentioun, to giue his facred maieflie, in name of all, all poffibill fatiffadlioun. I man requeifl slow alfo, in name of all, and my felf alfo, to affift the faid lord bifchioppe be all 3iour beft meanis, fo he may be weill hard and accepted be his maieflie. I affure 510W, if his maieftie fall giue eare to his ouuer- tures, and profecute fie courfe as he will propone, it will worke all for the bettir to his maiefties intentiouns. I hoipe my lord bifchioppe will latt his maieftie knaw I did for my awin pairt all I micht, to haue all at his maiefties wifs and will ; fua I did in treuth, and, if siow heir off onye other, I pray 3iow anfuir for me, and latt me knaw it : I fall mak it cleir for 3iour releiff and my awin. Mr Archibald Hamiltoun, called Dodlour Ha- miltoun, hes fliiawin me he was meikill behaldin to 3iow quhen he was thair this laft fomer. He fti[iawis] alfo that he had ane promeis of his maieftie, as 3iow knaw, off ane bifchioprick in Ireland ; the bifchiopricke off Caffillis has required me to remembir slow of the fame, for he onderftandis the prefent bifchioppe* is werye weake, if he be nocht gone, and wald be thairfore remembred to his maieftie. I wald 3ie did him onye guid gie could, for I knaw na farder in the befines nor be him. He is minifterof Paflay, and I knaw werye weill his father, ane werye honeft man, Claude off the Cochno ; thairfore I remitt that to siowr awin wifdome, albet I wifs eiuer our pepill had all rafonabill and poffibill helpe. I haue writtin to * Miler Magragh, a Franciscan friar, who, turning Protestant, was promoted to the see of Cashell in 1 570. He died, aged 100 years, in 1622. He was succeeded by Malcolm Hamilton, and in 1630 Archibald Ha^ milton was translated from Killala to this Archbishoprick. He died at Stockholm in 1659, aged 80 years. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 333 3iow fuim tymes to remembir siow helpe me to ane new poolke for the greats feale, bot hes had na anfuir fra slow 3it off the fame ; nather is thair haifl in the mater, bot I wifs it nocht forsiett. I haue na farder to wryte to siow, other nor my awin and my half-marrowis maift hartUe com- mendations to 3iow and siour bedfallow. Sua wiffis siow baith and all 3iours all happines, 3iour maift affedlionat Cofing, to ferue 3iow, DUNFERMELJNE. Frome Edinburgh, 30 Jan'. 1621. To the Right Honorabill my weilbeloued Coufing, Jhone Murray off Lochmaben, in his facred Maiefties Bed- chalmer. CLXXXV.— THE MAGISTRATES OF EDINBURGH TO JAMES VI. Apbil 6, 1621. Maist gratious and dbead Souerane, As none of our endeuouris doe fatiffie ws till we find thame approved by your facred maieftie, fo your maiefties truftie counfailour the Archibifchop of Sanaandrois, vpone his returne haveing delyuerit to vs, to our ineftimable conforte, your maiefties gratious conftru6lioun of our meaneft feruices in the rewllis of your royall affe6tioun, and for our furder incouragement in the work of draperie latelie intendit be vs, your maiefties grant of findrie liberties and priveledgis, we can not bot in all 334 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS humilitie and fubmiffioun of myndis, rander to your maieftie all thofe facrifices of maift humble fubmiffioun and acknawledgement of your roy- all fauours, quhilk is dew to fo great, gratious, and wyfe a monarche ; and humblie proftrate our felffes, and quhat we haue in this world deareft to vs, at your facred feet to be difpofed vpone. To this effedt we haue di- redled the bearar heirof, Maifter Johne Hay, our clerk and commiffioner, to your maieftie, and, with all, humblie intreate from your facred ma- ieftie thofe fupplies whiche we houped to haue reffaued by your maiefties royall prefens (more then which nothing in earth can be pleafing to vs), quhairof we fall now be ecclipfed, if it fall not pleas your facred ma- ieftie, vnder your royall hand, to giue warrant to your maiefties eftaites of parliament heir to be convened, to ratifie thofe grants whairwith your facred maieftie and your maift noble progenitouris hes formerlie beauti- fied this your maiefties guid toun. For the quhilk, as we haue nothing to rander bot which is dew, fo will we aflure your maieftie we fall not value our lyffes nor our fortunes to mak your maieftie demonftratioun of our royall affedliounis, quhen we fall haue the happienes of the occafioun to fchaw it ; nather fall any thing be more in the lyne of our defyres, then that your maiefties dayis may be extendit to the periode of nature, the limites of your empyre to the boundis of your matchelefle wifdome and worth, that as in all royall furniture, fo in dominioun, your facred maieftie may furpaffe all earthlie monarches. And fua, maift humblie craving pardoun for our prefumptioun, remitting quhat furder is to be faid to our commiffioner, quhom your maieftie fall be pleafed to truft on our behalfe, we fall euer reft Your Maiefties maift humble and obedient fubiedlis, The Proveft and Baillies of Edinburgh, D. AiKiNHEiD, Provest. W". Dick, Baillie. Robert Dougall, Baillie. Hary Moresone, Baillie. Jhone Maknacht, Baillie. Edinburgh, 6 April 1621. To his moft excellent Maieftie. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 335 CLXXXVI — THE EARL OF MORTON TO KING JAMES VI. Afeil 18, 1621. Most sacred Souerane, Wpon the ficht of a licence giuin be your maieftie to Mr Alex- ander Coluill, for the freindis of the hous of Argyll,* to deal with that erle to try if we micht recall him from that euill cours wharin he hes plungit him felue, I, as on who, both by bluid and aliyance, am oblifit to wifch the ftanding of that hous, did wret to him to kno if he grundid him felue upon anie refons in that cours wich he had takin ; as alfo, I laborit to fie if yet he was cum to that fence of him felue as to wifch a retrait from his euill wayis: His anfuer cam flolie to me, and when I had it, I could ged- der no uther thing by it, bot that he ferit I had no uther pouer bot by my kynd wifchis to procuir him a faif retrait. Heirupon I heue prefumit humble to beg your raaiefties refolution, if without offence I may yet trauell with the Erie of Argyll to bring him to a juft acknoledgement of his grait ouerficht, and that he may mak fuch offers of amendment as may be acceptable to your maieflie : and in my trauels to this effedl, al- beit I will ftryue to fcho my felue a kynd freind to him and to his hous, yet my greteft cair fall be, that I do no thing which may be unfeimlie for Your Majefties mofl faithful fubjedl and humble feruitor, Morton. f Neuhous, 18 Apryl 1621. To the King his mofl facred Majeflie. » The Earl of Argyle left his own country, took service under the King of Spain, and became a Papist. His conversion, as we have previously remarked, was brought about by his second wife Anne, daughter of Sir William Corawallis of Brome, a Roman Catholic lady. Craig of Rose- Craig has these lines on him : Now Earle of Guile, and Lord Forlorn thou goes. Quitting thy prince, to serve his Spanish foes. No faith in plaids, no trust in Highland trews, Camelion like, they change to many hues. t William seventh Earl of Morton. He was born in 1582, and died in his sixty-sixth year, 7th August 336 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CLXXXVII THE EARL OF MAR TO KING JAMES VL April 25, 1621. Sir, For obediens of 30ur maiefties comands delyuerit vnto me oy Sir Patrick Morray, I haive bein als caerfuU as the Ihortnefs of tym void fufTer me to try the beft mein for effedluating 30ur gracious plefor anent the makking of Glenammind* a foreft, as this berar sour maiefties feruant can moft particularhe fhau 50U, quhat I can nott doo att this tym I fhall very ftiortlie, I houp, rander 30U an account of ; the greateft parts of all the foreft moft be of Sir Patricks aun lands, only this far I vill afuir 30ur maieftie, thair is not in this kingdom fo fitt a place for a foreft. In this, or any thing els quhairin I can ferue 30ur maieftie, I fliall euer be reddie as my deutie binds me. Thus, efter the killing of 30ur facred handis, I humblie reft 3our Maiefties moft houmble fubiedl and feruitour. Mar. AUuay, the xxv of Apryll 1621. To the Kings moft excellent Maieftie. 1648. He suffered great pecuniary losses by his support of the royal cause during the great civil war, and was compelled to part with his noble property of Dalkeith — now a principal estate of the Buccleucb family. His sister. Lady Agnes, was the first wife of the Earl of Argyle. * A picturesque valley in Perthshire, watered by the river Almond. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 337 CLXXXVIII.—THE TREW INFORMATIOUN OF THE ACSIDENT FALLIN OUT BETUIX DRUMLANGRIG AND CASSCHOGILL, VPON SATTURDAY THE TUELFF DAY OF MAY, 1621 YEIRE. In the firft. It is to be rememberit, that the landis of Airdoche and Cnok- cone, pertening to Dauid Douglas, brother to the Laird of Drumlangrig, and the landis of Caffchogile, pertening to Sir Robert Douglas, ar baith hauldin of thehous of Drumlangrig, and lyand within the barronie thair- ofiF, merchand togidder, weill knawin, be ane waiter paffaige diffending from the hicht of the hill, and rining doune betwix thame. Thair being no guid mois vpon that pairt of the landis pertening to Caffchogile, thay haue oft and diuerfe times haid licence and tolleranCe of the Lairdis of Drumlangrig, as thair kinefmen and freindis, to call and wine thair peattis and haill elding vpon the landis of Cnokconie, and diueris tymes as thai omittit thair dewtie to the hous of Drumlangrig, thay haue beine interupit and impedit thairof, ay and quhill thai creavit libertie out of luiff frome the Lairdis of Drumlangrig to caft thair faidis peattis thair, quhilkes being creavit was ever granted. It is to be rememberit, that this being the firft yeir of the faid Dauid Douglas his entrie to the faidis landis of Erdoche and Cnokconie, fyne the deceis of his vmquhile faither, and expyring of his minoritie, he haue- ing the occafioune to go to Hawick to vifeit his mother, quhilk is mair nor fourtie four mylnes diftant fra the faidis landis, the faid Dauid, efor his goeing, did defyre his brother James Douglas of Moufwall, to haue ane caire that he, his grund, nor tennentis, fould get na wrange be- foir his returning home againe frome Hawick ; as alfua he diredlit his tennentis, that gif Cafchogill or his tennentis com to caft their peattis vpon the faidis landis, that thai fould adverteife his brother the Laird of Mowfwall thairofF, quha wald not fuffer him nor thame to get wrang. Vpon Wedinfday the nynt day of Maij, Caffchogills fervandis and 2u 338 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS tenentis haueing cumed to the mofe of Cnokconie for cafting of thair peitis, the Laird of Moufwall being advertefit thairof, fend to the cafleris and difchairgit thame in the faid Dauid Douglas name, of the cafting thairoff, without his licence, affuireing thame gif thai wald not ftay, that thai wald be impedit and not fuffered to caft the faidis peitis. Lykeas the faid James Douglas of Moufwall, vpon the morne thairefter, come himfelf and ane vther with him, and interruptit the faid wark be cutting of fume of the peitis and cafting of thame in the pot agane. Vpon Setturday thairefter, being the twelff day of Maij, Caflchogill him- felf, with his fone Robert, his haill fervandis and tennentes, to the number of threttie fex men or thairby, with fuordis, hagbottis, lances, corne-forkis, and great kentis, by wemen and fallowis, com to the faid mofe per force be way of bangeftrie, to caft thair peitis. The Laird of Moufwall being adverteifit thairof, paft and tuik with him the Laird of Ballaggine, ane freind of thairis, quhome he diredtit to deall with Caflchogill and his fone to ftay the faid wark, and not to doe it in contempt, bot to feik it out of luiff; quhilk being fua creavit thai fould get thair defyre ; quhilk thai difdainefuUie refuifit, and vtterit contemptuous fpeitches, declairing that thai fould caft thair peitis thair, quha wald, quha wald nocht. The faid James Douglas of Moufwall enterit in fpeitches with the faid Robert Douglas, requeifting him to move his father to leive of that contemptuous forme of doeing, for efchewing of ane gretter Ikaithe, aflureing him that he wald cum better fpeid efter ane luiffing mainer. The faid Robert than an- fuerit him with the lyk difdainefuU fpeitches as of befoire. The Laird of Moufwall, than anfuering and afluireing the faid Robert, gif his faither and he war of that mynde, thai fould not be fufferit to proceid in that wark. This cuming to the Laird Drumlangrigis knawledge, he, for prevent- ing of evill, dire6lit the Laird of Dalzell, the Laird of Lage youngar, the Laird of Balagane, and Capitane Johnftoune, to deall with Caflchogill and his fone, to ftay that contemptuous warke, and to giff thame ane af- fuirance that giff thai wald feik libertie to caft peitis out of luiff, thai fould be fatiffeit : And efter he had diredlit thame away, he callit to remem- berance the ftuburnes of the people of both fydis, and quhat authoritie OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 339 he had vnder the kingis maieftie to command thame, he heaftit himfelff after the faidis comiffioneris to quhome he fchew his farder will, that gif Caffchogill could be moveit to ony reffone, he wald abfulotlie, as fuper- iour to thame both, command his brother, and as the kingis maiefties officer and fliirreff, difchairge the wark for ane fchort tyme, that fume better ordour war lakin thairwith. According to the quhilk, the faidis comiffioneris proceidit, Drumlangrige being prefent, he as fhireff, in maner foirfaid, in his maiefties name difchairgit the faid warke, and all being done in maner as faid is, was diffisbeyit ; the Laird of Moufwall heiring the contemptuous anfwer, vtterit in thir fpeitches, as followes : " ^e ar over peart to diffiabey the kingis maiefties chairge, quicklie pack you and goe away." Immediatlie thairefter, ane of CafTchogillis fervandis with ane great kent, ftrak Capitane Johnftoune behind his bak, tua great ftraikis vpon the heid, quhilkis maid him fall deid to the grund with great loife of his bluide. And than the faid Robert Douglas prefentit ane bendit hagbote within thrie elnes to the Lairdis of Drumlangrigis his breift, quhilk at the pleafour of God mifgave. And immediatlie thair- efter, the faid Robert of new morfit the faid hagbut, and prefentit bir agane to him. quhilk fchot and mift him, at the plefour of God ; and Robert Dalzell, naturall fone to the Laird of Dalzell, was ftruken throuche the body with ane lance, quha cryit that he was flaine ; and fume tua or thrie men was ftruken throuche thair clothis with lances, fua that the haill company thought that thai haid beine killit, and than thoucht it was tyme for thame to begine to defend thame felffis ; quhairvpon the faid Robert Douglas, and vther thrie or foure of his folk being hurte, was put to fficht, and in the fleing the faid Robert fell, quhair the Laird of Drum- langrig chanefit to be narreft him, quha, notwithftanding of the formar offer, the faid Robert maid to him with the hagbute, not onlie fpairit to ftraik him with his awin handis, bot lykewayis difchairgit all the reft vnder the paine of thair lyffis to fteir him ; vtherwayis the faid Robert had beine ftain, as the faid Robert and findrie vtheris of his company de- claird. All this was done vpon ane great fuddinetie efter the falling of Capitane Johnftoune, the prefenting of the hagbute to Drumlangrig, and Robert Dalzellis crying that he was ftaine. Quhat hurt of bodie and lois 340 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS of bluid, Drumlangrigis few company hes, it war langefum to wryitt ; for Caffchogill war thryfe als many of company as he.* CLXXXIX JAMES VI. TO THE MARQUIS OF HAMILTON. August 2, 1621. RiGHTE TeuSTIE, &C. Wee haue vnderftood by the letters of diuers perfons, your good and happie endeauoris in our feruice at this parliament, and how far your paines and trauelles haue aduanced our affaires. How yea haue behaued your felfe, or what formes yee haue vfed wee know not, but your prouident and wife cariage hath bene highlie commended to vs by all fortes of people, both ecclefiafticall and laik, whereby as yee haue giuen vs exceeding contentment, fo wee can not choofe but giue you mofte heartie thankes, not doubting but the finall euent wilbe correfpondent to fo good a beginning. And now, the Lord Ochiltrie returning into that our kingdome, who exhibited vnto vs certeyn Articles concerning Sir Gedion Murray, it is requefite that the faid Articles be tried, that if that man who is now deade haue bene honeft, his fame may be cleared even in the graue wher he lyeth ; as, on the contrarie, if he haue bene dif- honeft, it is no leffe important to our croune that he be difcouered. And if the enformer proue falfe, it is likwife materiall ; for befides the perpe- tuall afperfion which will ly vpon him, it will caufe vs be the more warie in crediting him herafter. And becaufe it is requefite that for triall of thefe Articles, commiflion be granted to certeyn perfons for that efFe6le, the Lord Ochiltrie prefented vnto vs one which wee refufed to figne, but haue thoughte good to require yow to caufe one be framed by the ad nice of our counfell there, and fpeciallie of our aduocate, in legall forme ac- • Both Drumlangrig and Douglas were criminally indicted. See Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. iii. part ii. p. 500, but were never brought to trial — having accommodated matters amongst themselves, and having doubtlessly dealt with his Majesty in the usual way. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 341 cuftomed, or as flialbe requefite in this cafe ; and that yee caufe inferte therin with your felfe, our Chancellour, the Archbylhoppe of St An- drews, the Earles of Mar, Lithgow, and Winton, the Byfhoppe of Roffe, Sir George Hay, Sir Androw Car, and Sir James Skene. Wee like- wife require yow, before your comming frome thence, to fette the faid triall on foote, and fee fuch of the faid Articles tried and examined as may by witnefles be mofte eafilie procured ; and in fpeciall, the firfl Ar- ticle concerning the fetting of our cuflomes, which (in refpedle that thofe who were farmers thairof, are all or mofte of them yet aliue) may be eaiilie tryed, to the entent that, at your returne hether, yee may giue vs a tafting of the mater, that, by thofe few pointes, wee may coniedture what wilbe the euent of the whoUe; and becaus, for clearing of diuers pointes, it wilbe requefite that the Lord Ochiltrie haue infpedlion of fuch writtes, roUes, and regifters as may ferue for his better proofe, it is good reafon that yee caufe the fame be made patent to him as often as he fhall require, and that yee giue him all lawfuU incouragement which may animate him to perfifte in a good courfe. And affuring yow that the finding oute of the treuth of this mater wilbe vnto vs mofte acceptable feruice, wee, &c. Apothorth,* 2 Aug: 1621. [Indorfed :] Coppie of his Maiefties lettre to the Marques of Hamilton, 2d of Auguft 1621. CXC— THE EARL OF MAR TO JOHN MURRAY OF LOCHMABEN. JoNE 12, 1622. Good Gossip, Theis ar to aquentt 30U that this morning betuix fax and feuin, my Lord Cancelar departed this lyff at his aun houfs of Pinkie. • Althorp? 342 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS I knau or this tym, 36 haue received letters from Sir Jaems Ballyie. I vill erneftlie intrett 30U to be careful! in this mater concerning the keiping of the abbay and park of Holyroudhous, thaer is many refons that moues to itt. I am duelling prefentlie in it, and am fo tyed be my place. All thir particulars I remitt to Sir Jaems Balyeis letter with this berar, and I doubt not bot ^e vill haue a cair of itt, as ever I can doo 30U pleafar. This from 3our louing Cufing, J. Mak. Holyroudhoufe, the xij. of June 1622. To my louing Cufing, Jhoone Morray of Lochmabane.* CXCI— INSTRUCTIONS BY JAMES VI. RELATIVE TO THE ACTION BROUGHT BY THE EARL OF MARt FOR RECOVERY OF THE BARONY OF KILDRIM- MIE. 1. For my aduocate not to conceale, as he will anfowre to me upon his allegiance, if I can reffaue anie hurte ather in honoure or proffeit, if the Erie of Marre ftiowlde tryumphe in this adlion. • Shortly afterwards Viscount of Annand and Lord Murray of Lochmaben, and lastly Earl of Annandale. — Wood, in his edition of Douglas, mentions that "the date of his creation does not appear," but that he had a charter, wherein he is called John Viscount of Annand, of the Palace in Dumfries, &c., 20th February 1623-4. His elevation to the Peerage is earlier than this, as amongst the Balfour MSS. there is a letter signed "John Murray," dated the 27th June 1622, and addressed to the Earl of Melros, and then follow* a letter by the Lord Johnstoun, dated 6th August 1622, to Murray as " my Lord Viscount of Annan." t John Earl of Mar brought an action of reduction-improbation, &c., against the Lord Elphinstpne for setting aside his right to the barony of Kildrimmie (or Kildrummie), the principal estate of the ancient Earls of Mar. In this law-suit he was successful, and Lord Elphinstone, although he and his ancestors had been in possession for more than a century, was (as the act 1617 had only recently passed) compelled to restore the lands. KUdrimmie had been seized by Alexander Stewart, a natural son of the Wolf of Badenoch. Alarmed at what he had done, he, on the 19th September 1404, presented himself at the castle gate of KUdrimmie, and OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 343 2. That he tranfferre his place for this adlion, upon a qualified per- fon of the Lorde Elphinftons ele6lion. 3. That the feffion be commandit to take goode heede if any thing interuene in this procefle, that may indeede ather towche me in confcience, honoure or profitte, and that how foone any fuche firing fhall be touched upon, I may be aquainted thair with, before thay make anie proceiding in that point. 4. That the Erie of Marre fhall publiquelie declare, that he claimes nothing by Dame Marguerite Douglaffe tytle* to any pairt of the erldome surrendered to Isobel, Countess of Mar in her own right, and widow of Sir Malcolm Drummond, not only the castle, but the furniture and title-deeds. He then delivered the keys ; whereupon the Countess, tak- ing them in her hands, chose the said Alexander for her husband, gave him the castle, together with the Earl- dom of Mar, to be held by her said husband and herself, and the heirs to be procreated betwixt them : which failing, to the Countess and her lawful heirs. Accordingly, in presence of the Bishop of Ross and her ten- ants, she granted a charter to this effect on the 9th December 1404, which was ratified under the Great Seal the 21st January following. Isobel Countess of Mar died without issue in 1 4 1 9, whereupon the earldom and estate devolved on the heir of line, Janet Keith, grand- daughter of Ellen, sister of Donald, twelfth Earl of Mar. But James the First, who, in his desire to curb the nbbility, made no scruple to set justice at defiance, refused to recognise her right or that of her husband. Sir Thomas Erskine, and although Alexander Stewart had merely a liferent, his Majesty obtained from bim a resignation of the honours ; whereupon a charter of the earldom was granted, 28th May 1426, to Alexander for his life, and to Thomas his natural son, and the lawful heirs-male of his body ; which failing, to return to the crown. Earl Alexander died without issue in August 1435, and, as his son Thomas predeceased him, the earldom, under this charter, reverted to the crown, 'the resignation was, however, clearly null, as the substitution to the heirs of the Countess Isobel, in the charter 1405, upon her death effec- tually transferred the earldom to Janet Keith. Robert Lord Erskine, son of the marriage between Janet Keith the heir of line, and Sir Thomas Erskine, upon the death of Alexander, served himself heir (22d April 1438) to Countess Isobel, and a precept was issued for infefting him, upon which seisin followed, 21st November 1438. He assumed the title of Earl of Mar, and subsequently besieged and took possession of the castle of Kildrimmie, but was compel- led to redeliver it to the King. His service was thereafter reduced, and although his right to the earl- dom was perfectly clear, neither he nor his descendants were able to obtain it for more than a century. Upon the 5th May 1555, John Lord Erskine was served heir of Robert Erskine Earl of Mar, and upon the 23d June 1565, Queen Mary granted a charter of the earldom in his favour, which was ratified by Par- liament, 19th April 1567. He accordingly became Earl of Mar^ various suits, for recovering the family estates, were instituted by him and his son John, the next earl, which were for the most part successful. • " Margaret, daughter to the third Donald, Earle of Mar, as she designs herself in severall charters, suc- ceeded her brother. She maried William, the first Earle of Douglas, by whom she had James, Earle of Douglas, killed att Otterburn, who had no lawful issue, only two bastard sones, the eldest, William, Laird of Drumlanrig, predecessor to James, Duke of Queensberrie, who got of the family severall lands, and, in 344 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS of Douglaffe, and fliall, if need be, make renunciation of any fuche clayme in fuche manner as the parties hauing intreffe fliall deuyfe ; et fie fiat iuftitia. CXCIL— THE COUNTESS OF MAR TO JOHN MURRAY. June 16, 1622. Most Worthy Servant, I am fory att my hart, faving Gods pleafur, to haue this oc- cafion to advertis you of the death of my Lord Chanceller, who deceafled this morning betuixt fax and feaven. I pray God dere6l his magefly to take the beft cowrs for the eftaytt of this poore kingdome, for itt will be fownd thatt ther will be greatt miffing of him thatt is gone. I know my lord hath wretten to you as one whome he doth repofe in. My Lord is defyrows to haue his mageftys favor to haue the keiping of the Abbay and the Park, the rather thatt in regard of his continuall attendance heir in his magefl^y fervice, and thatt none will fo willingly undergo fie occafions as do concerne the honor of the country, in enterteinment of ftrangers when itt fall fall owt, or any vther occafions of his mageftys fervice. So I befeik yow to giue your beft affiftance in thes, and thatt yow will do me the favor as to let me know whatt cowrs his magefty is to take, both in his fervice for appoynting of another chanceller, as lykways in this other token of his grateful sense of their kindness, quartered the armes of the family of Mar with that of Douglas : the other bastard was Archibald, predecessor to Douglas of Cavers. She bore also to the said William, Earle of Douglas, ane daughter called Isobell, afterwards Countes of Mar. The said Margaret, Countes of Mar, was maried after to Sir John Swinton, whether after the death of William, Earle of Douglas, or by reason of a divorce from him, is not certain ; by whom no issue. She designed herself Countes of Mar and Douglas. Godscroft, in his History of the Douglasses, as also a printed genealogie since come out, makes the said James, Earle of Douglas, to have been son to Margaret Dumbar, daughter to the Earle of March, which is a mis- take, as appears by a disposition of Keith of Inverugies, as also by a charter granted by the said Margaret, Countes of Mar, of a mortificatione to the chappell of the Virgin Mary in Garviach, which is to be seen in the chartulary of Aberdeen in the Advocates' Library." Erskyne's Genealogie of the Mar Family, MS. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 345 particular of the Park and the Abbay : So, wifching yourfelf and your bedfellow all happines, I reft Your affeured freind to ferve yow, A. Erskyne. Halyrudhus, 16 of June 1622. Yefterday his mageftys letter was rede in the ceffion, and according to his mageftys defyr in itt, my lord did publickly renunce all clairae to the Erldome of Dowglas, and therefter fett his hand to itt, as the lordes de- fyred. To my verie loving freind, Mr Jhon Murray, of his Majeftys Bedchamber. CXCIII THE EARL OF MAR TO JOHN MURRAY. June 20, 1622. Good Gossup, Althoh I haiue vryttin this other letter, quhilk, according to 30ur aun difcrefion (give 3e think itt good), se may ihau unto his ma- jeftie, 3itt haue I vryttin this letter particularlie for sour felf, to latt 30U knau fumquhat of the proceidings betwixt my Lord Elphinflon and me in this a6lion we haue in hand. On Setterday laft our adlion vas called, and his majefties letter to the lords red in that grett mater that thay maed all the varld to ftartt at, concerning the erldom of Douglas and his lands. I haue giuuen the lords fatiffadlion, and hes ondir my hand be- for the lords renunced itt, quhilk is incert in the Bouks of the Seffion, and thair is no honeft man that is nott fatiffied with it, bott I houp to giue him fatiffa6bion for 30urfelf. I fee my onfreinds hes not fpared '2x 346 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS (giff thay could) to haue Hired vp 36 eiuin my bell freinds againft me, bott thay ar difceved. I haue fpokin both with my Lord Precedentt and M' Thomas Houp, and ge Ihalbe fatiffied in any thing 36 or thay Ihall think good ; fo no mor of this att this tym. Vpon the xviii of this inftantt it vas called again : thair thay naimed aine aduocatt, and the man vas my Lord of Durie, M' Alexander Gibfoun, a thing thocht fo ftrange be all men heir, as the lyk vas neuer hard ; for itt is aine ordinarie thing to my Lord Aduocatt to mak fubflitufion of anie in his place, to any aduocatt the partie vill choofe ; and in any caufs quhaer he may nott compeir himfelf, hot to naim a lord of the ceffioun itt vas neuer hard befor, hot this is nott all ; thay haue moued his majeftie to vrytt a particular letter to him to accept it ; vpon this my partie giuueth furth, that his majeftie doth fauor thair caufs better than myn ; and altho I knau itt is aine ontreuth, sitt itt grieues me nott a lytill that many peipill heir talks of itt. I vill pray 30U and all my freinds thair, to moue his majeftie to be indifferentt, and latt the comun courfs of juftice go on, and latt thaem mak thaer choifs of any aduocatt thay can, and lat the lords be our judges, and nott to fuffer thair triks to haue place. The treu refon that thay vuld haue my Lord of Durie aduocatt is, that he may be fett and nott haue a vott in thatt cawfs, becaufs he is aine ondirftanding honeft man, and thay knau any man of ondirftandings vill neuer be on thaer fyd. This pakkett of letters I haue diredled in my Lord of Kel- leis abfens, to be delyuered onto 30U, feiring he fliould be abfentt from courtt for his aun particular effaers ; thairfor, giue fo he brek vp my letters to him, and giue he be thaer, I defyr euerie on of 30U to fee others letters, for I vrytt euerie thing to any of 30U as itt did cum in my mynd. I am loth to fafche the prince vith continuall vryting to him, bott I vill pray both 30U and my Lord of Kellie to remember my fervice vnto him ; and vithall, in all humilitie, to defyr him to hauld hand that no nouafion may be brocht in in my caufs, for than the varld vill think that my Lord Elphinftoun hes mor fauor of my mafter then I haiue, quhilk vill do me mor herm than all the land is vorth, I haue vryttin tuo lynis (of creditt to my Lord of Kellie or 30ur felf) to my Lord Deuk ; and OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 347 thairfor I pray 30U inform him particularlie as I haue vryttin unto 30U. This is all I can fay for the prefent ; and fo I vill reft 3our louing Cufing, J. Mae. As for 30ur aun particular, itt is doin. 3e fliall receiue inclofed in this letter 30ur letter of the 11 bak again according to sour defyr ; and I vill pray 30U to fend me bak thir tuay letters in this pakkett vith this berar, for I haue only fentt him vp for expedition, becaufe the ordinar pakkett runs fo flaulie ; and I pray 30U hefl him bak to me, for my partie feiks nothing bott delay. My Lord of Sandbandrofs vnderftanding of this pakkett, defyred me to fend this inclofed vnto 30U, quhilk 30 fhall receiue. 3our louing Goffup, J. Mak. Holyroudhoufs, the xx of Junie 1622. CXCIV THE EARL OF MAR TO KING JAMES VI. October 10, 1622. Most Gkatious Soueeaine, Becaus of the warrants dire6lit by 30ur maieftie for pa- ments to my Lord Chancellor, the Marques of Hamiltoun, and Thomas Hudfon, of ther moneyis put of the firft and fecond termes pament of 348 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS the taxatioune, ther wilbe no moneyis at this nixt Mertimes terme where- with to buy in ane of thefe penfionis whiche 30ur maieftie hath appointed to be bought, for laik wherof 30ur maiefties debts will incres, and the poffibilitie of pament therof wilbe the harder ; for remedy heirof, I do heir prefent wnto 30ur maieftie my awin fimple opinion, leiving to 30ur maieftie 30ur confideratioun to embrace or reie6l the famyn. If 30ur maieftie wilbe pleafed that ane hundreth thoufand merkis falbe borrowed vpon intereft, I hoip fo to manage the fame, as I fhall buy in of 3earlie rent to 30ur maieftie, frome thefe penfioneris, twentie thoufand pounds — the rent to be pait for this borrowed money in ane 3ear and ane half, will extend only to ten thoufand punds, and the reht to come into 30ur majefties coffers in that fpace, will extend to threttie thoufand punds, fo as 30ur maieftie fliall reffaue three pennyis for one whiche 30W ftiall giue out. I dar nocht promife, in regaird of 30ur majefties former warratmts, that this ane hundreth thoufand merkis can be pait in fchorter tyme nor ane 3ear and ane half after Mertymes, from whiche tyme furth, 30ur maieftie wilbe freed of paiment of the annualrent therof. Iff 3our majeftie allow of this my opinion, and will let me haue 30ur warraunt for paiment of this ane hundreth thoufand merkis, with the annuell therof, out of the reddieft of 30ur majefties rents and of the taxatioun (the Marques of Hamilton being firft pait), I ftiall engadge myfelff and my frends our credits for borrowing therof. I haue ordanit William Barclay to attend 3our majeftie, and to receave 30ur dire6lioun heirin, whome it will pleas 30ur majeftie to truft : And fo, befeiking Almightie God to blifle 30ur majeftie with many happy dayes, I reft 3our Majefties moft humble fubie6t and fervitor, J. Mab. Halyruidhous, the tenth of 06lober 1622. To the King his moft Excellent Majeftie. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 349 CXCV.— LADY BEATRIX RUTHVEN TO KING JAMES VI. October 10, 1622. My most humble seruice being in all reurance repbesantitt, Gif it may pies your moft excelant maieftie not be offendit withe me, moft excelant, moft worthi, and moft gracius feuit Keing, that I moft humblly ons againe befeik your gracius graitt maieftie to haue pitie on my moft difftrefit efftett of me your maieftis moft treu and faithfuUe fer- uant, quha neulyis vnder the daenger, in this next feffion, to lofe and be put fra that littille roume calit Coufland, quhairin I haue remaenit and huett fence my motheris diffefe to this prefeantt tym ; and thairfoir I moft humblly befeik your maieftie, for Godis caus, and for the lang and faith- fuUe feruice I maed your maieftie, that your maieftie will be fue gracius to me, as prefantlye, befor the feffion fit dune, to fend ane varand of your maieftis to the counfalle, comanding tham varrie ftaetlye, that I be nae vayes truubilit or hurt by laue in the peffabille braking of Coufland for my lyftyme ; vithe ane particiler letter of your maieftis to the fchanfler, and to the Erile of Mourus, that thay tua may nou be my protekturiffe, wnder God, in all my afferis, as the laft fchanfler vas, quha now reftis with God : Your maieftie dereking tham this vaye, thay ville afleuritlye do fue. I moft humblly befeik your moft gracius maieftie, gif this varantt, together with your maieftis particuler letter to the fchanfler and prefident,, aether to gif thes to the Douk of Lenox, or to the Erile of Huldernefe, to fend me, that I may go with tham myfelf, and prefent tham to. thes lordis in your maieftis moft princly nainclye naeme.* Moft humblly ex- peking this fauuaris of your moft excelent maieftie, as I fall euer pray the Etarnalle God, of his grait mercie, to grant your maieftie many lang and happie dayes, with the moft joyfuUe ring of all erthly kingis, to Godis • Sic. 350 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS glorie, your maieftis heiche honour, and to the grait contentment of vs all, your maieftis moft loueing feruantis ; euer refting Your Maieftis moft humblle, faithful!, and obediant feruant to deithe, Beatrix Ruthuen.* Edinbroche, the x of 06bober. [Indorfed :] Ladie Coldenknoweis, 10 06tober 1622. CXCVI THE EARL OF MAR TO KING JAMES VI. NOTBMBEE 24, 1622. Most Geaciouse Souereing, I receiued 30ur majefties letter of the 21 of 06lober, {halt- ing that 3e haue maed choifs of Sir Archibald Naper to be trefurer de- put of this kingdom, vith the motiues mouing 30ur maieftie to tak this courfs ; fen 30ur maieftie hath fo refoiued, I ftiall in all humilitie obey 30ur dire6lions ; as for the gentillman, he is knaun to be both iuditious and honeft, and as 30ur maieftie wrytts in 30ur aun letter, frie of par- tialitie or any faftious humer ; and I, vith all my hartt, doo viflie that all 3our maiefties fubie6les var als free of ther tuo fallts, as I houp tym ihall mak knaun to 30ur maieftie that beth he and I ar ; in quhilk refpefts 30ur maieftie heth made a good chois. For myfelf, my caer and paens Ihalbe ■ The writer was a daughter of William first Earl of Govrrie, and sister of John the last Earl. She married Sir John Home of Coldingknowes. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 351 nothing the lefs in forthering of sour maiefties feruice in all things inci- dent to that place* viche 30ur maieftie heth honored me vith : And fo, befeiking AUmichtie God to blifs sour maieftie vith many happie days, I reft 3our Maiefties moft humble fubiedl and feruitor, J. Mar, Holyroudhoufe, the 24th of Nouember 1622. To the Kings moft Excellent Maieftie. CXCVII THE EARL OF BUCCLEUCH TO THE VISCOUNT OF ANNAND. [1623 ?] My Loed, I recevett your letter from Andoveer, and dois attend hys majeftie refolutione about the particular the counfell rytte in, viche I in thatt fliall obey in all humihtie, vhatt it ftiall pleis hys majeftie to com- mand. I dout nott bott my Lord off Nithifdaille vill acquent you vhatt hes bein done att thys laft courte, fo I vill nott enter in ony particular. For me in thatt fervice, affeure hys majeftie thatt my lyffe fliall rather faille then vnvillingnes to doo hym all fervice, viche I am bond too, and moft faithfullie as hys trew fubjett. My Lord, I vnderftand that my • The office of Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. 352 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS oncle, Frances Stewart,* is partett from heir touards your courtt : vhatt hys defyrs vill be to his majeftie I kno nott, yett I vood defyre that faueur from you, as to remember hys majeftie faueur touards thos thatt hes bein faithfull fervants to hym, and that to thaire pouar is daylie doing his majeftie fervice, thatt if fo be his difleins be as befoire to the prejudice off me and others thatt hes done hys majeftie fervice, in thatt particular he may be plefett to fchow the continuance off hys royall difpofitione in our faueur, as befoire it hes plefett his majeftie to do. I ritt thys nott off any mifdout I haue off hys maieftie faueur to me, far aboue my me- ritte I confefs, bott left hys majeftie fould be furprifett, and he perfuade hym of vhatt is nott. I am confident your Lordfliip vill do this faueur to your ferviteur, and vithe all fpeike hys majeftie in thys particular about Frances Steuartt; as alfo befrind vhatt concerns hym, thatt on all occa- fiones vill ever proff your lordftiips ferviteur, BuCCLEUCHE. [No Date.] I vill humblie intratt that faueur off your lordfliip as to lett me heir from you in thys bufines, and to caus delyver thyr other too letters, for viche I fliall be ever obligett. To my verrye honorable good Lord, my Lord Vicount off Annande. • Francis, the forfeited Earl of Bothwell, married Lady Margaret Douglas, eldest daughter of Dayid seventh Earl of Angus, and relict of Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch. Francis Stewart was, therefore, brother uterine of Sir Walter Scott, first Baron of Buccleuch, and uncle of Walter (the writer of this letter), who succeeded his father as Lord Scott of Buccleuch in 1611; and who, by patent, dated 16tb March 1619, was created Earl of Buccleuch. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 353 CXCVIIL—THOMAS NICOLSON TO THE VISCOUNT OF ANNAND. January 27, 1623. Rich Honorabill, My very guid lord, efter dewtifull remembrance of my feruice, I receavit your honouris letter from my guid lord the Earle of Roxburgh, quhairby and be his lordfhips informatioun of the pains your honour hes takin in my particular, anent my gift of the pollmaifterfchip of Colbrandfpeth,* I think my felf fo tyit to ferue your honour, that I am afchamit of my inhabilitie, quhilk clofis vp the inward affedioun 1 haue to ferue your honour. Bot feing thair is no obligatioun of impofli- biliteis, I doubt not bot your honour will accept of my guid mynd, and vfe me as your honouris fervand in any thing quhairin my fervice may be fteadable. And becaus, notwithftanding of the difficultie of my erand, your honour wills me in the letter to abyd quhill his maieftie may be movit, I haue takin the bauldnes at this prefent to putt your honour in remembrance heirof. I haif fent the gift with this gentilman, Archibald Campbell, who will attend your honour heirin. I think my Lord Mar- ques of Hamilton will affift your honour heirin, becaus the Erie of Rox- burgh and the Clerk of Regifter hes writtin to his lordfchip in my favouris. The only fcrupule that withhaldis the kingis maiefty is becaus he will not mak offices hereditary ; bot in my particular, thair is no fie daunger as in offices of authoritie and jurifdi6lioun. For, firfl, it is ane fervice and a thraldome quhilk I wald never vndergoe, if it wer not to efchew ane gritter oppreffioun, if the office wer difponit to men of clan, quho wald, vnder colour thairof, oppreffe me and my tennentis ; nixt, it is only within ray awin land, and fua can do no man harme; and lafl, thair js no fchyir quhairin his maieftie hes not heritabill mairis or fervandis, quhilk ar al- lowit as maift neceflar for his maiefteis feruice. The lyk is in my cafe; * See Metros Papers, vol. ii. p. 494). 2 Y 354 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS for if I had the office heritabill, I wald caus mak provifioun boath for fufficient horffes and intertenement of gentilmen paffingeris, quhilk is aluterly negle6lit, and can not weill be redreffit, in refpe6t of the waiknes of the poflmaifteris; quhair, be the contrair, I wald b'e compellit be my infeftment to mak fufficient provifioun for hors and man. Thefe argu- mentis, I think, wilbe fufficient to move his raaieftie; bot the gritteft ar- gument I rely vpon is your honouris favour towardis me vndeferved ; for the quhilk I will remane Ever your honouris bund man, Th. Nicolson. Edinburgh, 27 Januarij 1623. To the richt honourabill my verry guid Lord, the Lord Vicount of Annand. CXCIX— THE VISCOUNT OF STORMONT TO THE VISCOUNT OF ANNAND. FEBEUAEy [1623?] My weeay honorabill gud Lord and luving Sune, Thir prefents ar onle to let 30U knaw quhow gled I arae to heir off 30ur preferment,* quhilk I thocht to hef knavne by 30ur avine letter, for fo 36 affurit me at our laft miting that 3e vald do nothing in 30ur avine afers bot 3e vald acquent me with the fame with the firft of 30ur frindis; bot fince, fen 3e hef dune fo vill, and I think all 30ur freindis heir vill be gled, and none mor nor myfelff, for the quhilk we that ar 30ur freindis heir hes grayt caus to thank God for the fame, and 30ur lordfchip felff mor nor enay ; vtherfor, God hes the hert of all creatur in his handis, quha difpofis all thingis at his plefur in the avine tyme. Now, * The elevation of John Murray to the peerage, as Viscount of Annand. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 355 my gud lord, fen 30 hef gotine gour prefermenl by God and sour grafivs mefter, let it be 30ur griteft ker to be , thankfull, and that God will con- tinow his bliffings with 30W, and vill continow 30ur mefters louf in gifin mor and mor. And I pray 30W let not 30ur preferment draw 30U ava fre ^oui vuntit atendens vpone 30ur mefter that hes bene fua grafivs to 30W : let 30ur thankfulnes be knavine to the varild, and fper nather penis nor trevell in 30ur atendens, mor now nor 3e hef dune befor. Sune, I lef this to that God that hes direkit 30W in all 3our afers to direk 30W now fefer frome him, and he vill gif 30W mor nor 3e kane vis or cref. Now, fune, I moft end, and I recommend 30W and all 30ur afers to the protec- tioune of Almychte God. ^\t, fune, I moft be trubilfum, and intret 30ur vuntit fauour to be kerfuU of 30ur fervand, my auld mane, quhume I vis recomendit to my grafivs mefter, quha promift to me that he vald prefer him to fume fervis. My hert fune, remember quhow ftedabill 36 hef beine by the pies that 36 hed in 30ur mefters fervis, not onle to me, hot to menay vtheris. Remember quhat it is to hef ane trow frind in ane pies of credit ; and now fince sour credit is avanfit, and I ame fertene 36 hef credit boithe with 30ur grafivs mefter, and with them that hes moft credit abut him, extend 30ur credit, and pies Mungo* in fum pies of credit abut his maieftie or the prens, for the varild is no fo conftant, hot the grayteft may hef ado with ane trow frind fumtyme, and I vill be gud for his trowthe and duate to 30W. My hert fune, remember quhat I hef wretine, and be kerfuU to pleis him and extend 30ur credit, for I houp 3e fall niver repent the fame. Sua I reft, and fall remene, 3our Lordfchips trow friend to ferff 30W, Stobmont. To my weray honorabill gud Lord and laving fone, my Lord Vicountt off Annand. • Fourth son of John first Earl of TuUibardine. He became, upon the death of the writer of this letter, on the 27th of August 1631, by force of a special remainder in the patent of creation, second Viscount of Stor- mont. 356 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CC — THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VL July 15, 1623. Most Sacred Souerane, Thair wes a complaint maid to your maiefties counfell, be the Earle of Bugcleugh, the laft counfell day, proporting, that quhairas by a cuftome vncontrauerted, and in commoun pradlize betuix the twa king- domes thir mony yeires bigane, the commiffionaris on ather fyde wer allowit, be thame felfis, thair freindis or feruandis, to follow and perfew fugitiues fleeing frome the one cuntrey to the other, and to apprehend thame, and bring thame bak to thair tryall, whilk wes a fpeciall meane to fuppres the forder growthe of thift, and wes a grite fcair to lymmaris and malefa6touris to offend. And that he, as one of the commiffionaris ouer the Middleihyris, haueing diredlit certane gentlemen, who are authorized be your maieflies warrand, in the executioun of fome pointis of feruice concerning the Middlefhyris, to apprehend one Johnne Hay, a commoun and notorious theif and lymmair, who wes fugitiue, and fled oute of this cuntrey to England for thift, that thay wer perfewit be a nomber of Sir Raulff" Gray his men, houndit oute be him, the fugitiue tane of thair handis, and thay thame felffis maid prifonnaris, till they fand cautioun to be anfwerable to thair tryale in England. And he forder complenit, that whereas the lawis of this kingdome admittis fummar and fauourable iuftice in materis of thift and wrongis falling oute betuix the kingdomes, quhairof the fubiedlis on that fyde hes had goode prooffe in all thair adois prefented to the confideratioun of the iufl,ice heir, that notwithiland- ing the lyke meafour of iuflice is not grantit to the fubie6lis of this king- dome, who, when thay challange ony of thair goodis in England, and craveis redres and reflitutioun to be maid vnto thame, according to that mutuall goode forme and ordour whilk aught to be interteyneed betuix OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 357 the kingdomes, and is verie refpedliuelie keeped on this fyde, that thay ar putt of and remittit to the commiflionaris and jufticeis of aflife in thair ordinarie circuitis ; quhairthrow the growthe of thift hes a dayhe progres, malefa6louris vpoun hoip of impvnitie ar encourageit to offend, your maiefteis fubie6lis ar fruftrat of iuftice, and that goode correfpondence and mutuall concurrence whilk fould be intertenyed betuix your maiefties officiaris on ather fyde, for fuppreffing of thift and pvniflieing of male- fa6louris is interrupted and negledlit. Whereof, at the humble requeift and defire of the faid earle, we haif heirby thoght meete to acquent your maieftie, to the intent that youre maieftie, in the excellencie of youre wifdome, may tak fuche ordour thairin as flialbe fitteft for the goode of your maiefties fubiefilis of bothe kingdomes. And fo, with the remem- berance and continewance of oure vnceffant prayeris vnto God for your maiefties lang and happie reignn, we reft Your Maiefties moft humble and obeydent fubiedlis and feruitouris, George Hay. J- Mae. Sanct Andrews. Morton. NiTHISDAlLL. GlENCAIRNE. Haliruidhous, xv. July 1623. To the King his moft Sacred and Excellent Maieftie. [Indorfed :] Counfell, concerning the E. of Buckleughes complainte of S' Ralphe Grayes people, 15 July 1623. 358 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CCI SIR JAMES BAILLIE TO THE VISCOUNT OF ANNAND. October 10, 1623. My most honorable good Lord, Pleas your lordftiip, I have mett with WiUiam Dik, but hath not as yet concluded with him. I fie gif he vndertak t9 furniflie ellevene hundreth pundis, your lordlhip mull before the terme, and before he come out of Paries, give vnto his fadlour the vther thowfand pundis, whiche will outred my Lord Nithifdall and Bacleuch, But in this I fall be fuUie refolved befor I fie your lordfliip and part with William Dik. I hoip to be at Roifloun this Setterday, and fo foone as your lordfhip is able to gett me difpatched, I mynd to returne homeward, both for your lordfhips awin caws and myne. I will not dubt but your lordfliip will be thinking to gett all thingis done to my contentment, for I falbe forie at my hart to fie any thing difcontent yow. I pray your lordfliip confer with the marques, and vnderfl;and his lordfliips mynd befor I come, and both of you enter with his maieftie anent Sir Archbald,* to quit the jufl;ice clarckfliip for fome tytle of honour, and that I may be dealt with for my place ; and be fparing to promes too muche in my name, but promes to deall with me. Do in this particular as your lordfliip thinkis meiteft, and I befeech your lordfliip have it begune befor I come, for I may not flay on it. Gif the'marques delay tyme, and gif this takis no effedl, I muft pas all in Sir Archbaldis his name. Tak head that Sir Robert Duglas and his freindis mifinforme not the prince of me. Speak the Duk of Bukinghame, wha I know will fie me gett no wrong. Pleas your lordftiip, refave this letter frome your honourable and good ladie, whome * Sir Archibald Napier. This attempt to induce him to resign his pretensions to the office of Justice" Clerk was not successful, as Sir Archibald obtained the appointment (which he, however, retained a verjr short time) in November following. He was, in May 1627, created Lord Napier of Merchiston. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 359 I have found at this tj^me moft loving and kynd. So I tak my leave to meating, and reftis Your Lordlhips loving cufyne, to ferve yow, James Baillie. Kingftreat, this 9 06lober 1623. Since the wrytting heirof, I come to the Exchange, and fpak with Wil- liam Dik,* who is content to fend down his man with me, that befor I go to Scotland thingis may be left at a certantie, and himfelf will wrytt to yow his awin mynd. London, this 9 06lober 1623. This morning I haue feene the marques go to the Starchamber, fo that I know not what to do. I pray your lordfliip let me hear your lordfliips awin opinion, whidder I fall come downe or day till the marques come. This 10 of Oaober 1623. To my moft honourable good Lord the Vicount of An- nan, theas. [Below the Seal :] This letter wes twys opened, ons for William Dik, and this morn- ing when I did fi6 the Marques going to the Star Chamber. * Afterwards Sir William Dick, and Lord Frovost of Edinburgh, in 1638, 1639. He was, at one period, pettiaps the most opulent merchant of bis time, but subsequently he fell into difficulties, and died in poverty. There is an exceeding rare pamphlet, in small folio, containing an account of bis sufferings, with three en- gravings by William Vaughan ; in the first of which Sir William is seen mounted on horseback, with attend- ants, shipping, army, and a town in the back-ground. In the second, he is represented in prison, with his wife, attended by ^e jailor and his assistants ; and in the third, he is in his coffin, with bis family mourning over him. A copy of this curious volume was sold for twenty-three guineas at the sale of Sir James Lake. 360 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ecu THE VISCOUNT OF LAUDERDALE TO THE VISCOUNT OF ANNAND. NOTEMBEA 27, 1623. My verie honorabill good Lorde and Brother, The good proof your lordftiip hath often giwen whatt place my requeifts hath fund with yow makes me oftentymes more importunatlie to be urged to be a footer to your lordfhip, nor either reafone or dif- cretione can fuffer me to obeye. Houbeitt, at this tyme I can not refuis to fecond ther entreatyes, who I knaw will be humble footers to your lordfliip in the behalf of my Perfone of Lauder, Mr James Burnett, whode- fyreth be my Lorde of St Androes (who I knaw can not in dewtye refuis anye of your lordfliips demandes) to be tranfported to the cure of the kirke of Libbertoun, wher I am lykwayis a pariflioner. The particular informatione I will remitt to his brother, your lordfhips fervitour, Mr Ro- bert Burnett, who, att his laft cumming home, delivered a letter of your lordfhip anent youre redu6lione againft Harden, which, I fhall be verie cairfull, maye goe right ; and in everie thinge els, fhall be readie to dif- charge the dewtye of Your Lordfhips mofl afFe6lionat brother to ferue yow, Lauderdaill.* Edinburgh, 27 of Nov'. 1623. To my verie honorabill good Lorde and brother, my Lorde Vicount of Annand. • John, second Lord Maitland of Thirlstane, created Viscount of Lauderdale by patent, dated at White- ball, 2d April 1616, to him and his heirs-male and successors in the Lordship of Thirlstane, and Earl of Lauderdale by patent to him and his heirs-male, bearing the name and arms of Maitland, dated I4th March 1624. He died in January 1645, and was buried in the church of Haddington. Drummond of Haw- tbornden wrote an epitaph upon him. He was the father of the celebrated Duke of Lauderdale. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 861 CCIII — SIR JAMES BAILLIE TO THE VISCOUNT OF ANNAND. [November 1623 ?] My most honourable good Lord, Pleas your Lordfliip, I refaved your lordfliips of the 8 of this inftant, wherin it appeiris your lordfliip hes writtene a letter to Mr Thomas, whiche your lordfliip thinkis fufficient to informe both Mr Ro- bert Burnett and me, as indeid it had beene fo, gif it had comit to Mr Thomas Hoips handes, but we cannot fynd fuch a letter : Alwayes for the buflines of Bonitoun, I hoip we fall do the befl; we may, for your lord- fliip is mutche beholdene to my Lord Chancelair, and Mr Thomas Nicol- fone does his part bravelie. As for all your lordfliips effairis, I fall tend theme as my awin, and do theirin, I hoip, to your lordfliips contentment, I delyvered your lordfliips letter to my Lord Kinclevene prefentlie, who gave your lordfliip many thankis for the fame and the letter of exchange. I culd not fliawe it to my Lord of Mar als your lordfliip defyred, becaus it was clofed ; but I read the poft,fcript of your letter to his lordfliip, who randered your lordfliip many thankis, and fayd he cared not what my Lord Kinclevene wriett, for he had no juft caws. Your lordfliip will per- fave be Robert Burnettis letter how your action goes : He mifled the pa- kat the lafl; week : your lordfliips letter is within this pakat, whiche your lordfliip may break vp and tak your awin : this him felf fayes. In tyme coming he will give me your lordfliips letter to be fent, for I knaw the Duk his grace is fomtyme abfent. I thank your lordfliip that wraett to my Lord of Melroes, that I putt your lordfliip in mynd of his maiefl;ies 2z 362 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS tokene : His lordfhip gave me many thankis, and delyvered me theas laft letteris out of his awin hand, and fent at night to fie gif I wold wrytt any anlTwer. I hear no thing of Harbart Maxwellis coming to this towne. I feir he come not at all. It merwellis me that he never wryttis his mynd to me. A greater man wold have honored me with ane anffwer of my let- teris ; but your lordfhip is wys, and knawes how to come by your awin. Had he comit heir, I thoght to have takene himfelf, his fone, and fone in law, bund for the fowme to Witfonday, whiche I perfave he efliewes. Your lordfliip rememberis what charge his maieflie gafe me anent Sir Jhone Buchannan, and I wes going about to have drawene him to have gevene his maieftie all contentment ; but I perfave the commiffioneris of the rentis hath mett vpoun a letter of his maiellies, writtene in favouris of my Lord Chancelar, that gif they fynd it raeitter to fewe it thene to feek the rayfing of the tenentis, that thene my Lord Chancelar fuld have the benefit of the fynes of the feweris for his help, and releif of his lord- fliips dettis. I beleve the lordis hes found that the fewing is the befl way for his maieftie, and that howfoever Sir Archbald Napier hes beene informed, and wold have ftryvene to improve the rent for his maiefties pro- fit, yit that way wes vncertane for his maieftie and fuccelTouris ; wheras, being fewed to the heieft rentall, it will euer be a fure rent heirefter to the crowne. Muche reafouning hes beene in this, and many thinkes my Lord Chancelar not wys to tak that, I meane the fynes, for his maief- ties help and revard, for the people ar poor, and hes beene rayfed to als great a rent as the land is able to pay to the lordis and earles of Orknay, and fewe of theme will defyre fewes, fo that, gif his maieftie be not gra- tious to him vtherways, he hes fped evell. I proteft to God, thoghe himfelf go over as he intendis, I do think he fall repent his jornay, and never mak fyve Ihilling the frank. So that, gif your lordftiip heir any thing of this when the commiffioneris anfl!wer comes, tell your opin- ioun to his maieftie freelie, to lat his freindis their at court fie that your lordfliip is his freind, and lat his maieftie knaw that I forgat not his di- refilioun in ony one poynt. Sir Archbald Napier merwellis your lord- fliip never wreatt to him his maiefties mynd concerning the Juftice OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 363 Clerkis place ;* but I think Sir George Elphinfone is not fo fure of it as is talked of heir, in refpefil your lordftiip hes never writtene. Do as your lordftiip thinkis good and fittefl for his maieflies fervice. I think I gaue your lordftiip thankis in my laft for your lordftiips newe yeir gwyft or to- kene to my doghter Sophei, and now my wyf, who hes read your lord- ftiips letter, fendes hir mofl; hartlie thankis with the remembrance of hir humble fervice to your lordftiips felf and your noble ladie. I pray God grant that we may have yow both long to the foir. So, wifliing your lordftiip and hir both all happines, I remaine Your Lordftiips loving Cufyne to ferve yow, James Baillie.I [No date,] For the landis of Wamphray, and all thingis of that erand, we fall meit and do the lykeliefl;, and I think your lordftiip is of a good opinioun. CCIV JOHN ASHBURNHAM TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR HAY. April 8, 1624, Right Honokable, The queene, my mifl;rife, being folicited by this bearer, James Reid, to recommend vnto your honour the confideration of his • Napier was appointed Lord Justice Clerk, 23d November 1623. So this letter, which is without date, must have been written shortly before that event. t Weldon mentions BaUUe. amongst other favourites of James, as getting a "pretty estate, and ob- serves, « Old servants should get some moderate esUteS to leave to posterity." Secret History of Court of James L Edinburgh, 1811, 8vo, vol. i. p. 372. 364 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS eftate, and havinge had information from his captain of his true and vaHant fervice in the warrs of Bohemia and the Palatinat, herfelfe com- miferating his hurts and miffortunes, hath given me the bouldneffe, in thefe fewe hnes, to fignifie as mvch vnto your honour, and to defire you, in her name, to fliew him fuch favour, as fhall Hand with his defert and your convenience ; for which her maieflie will be readie to acknowledge the obligation at your hands, and myfelfe bound ever to remaine, Your Honoris faithfuU and humble fervant, Jo. ASSHEBUKNHAM.* Hagve, the 8*'' of Aprill 1624. St. Novo. To the Right Honourable Sir George Hay, Lord Chaun- cellor of Scotland, &c. at Edinburgh. • John Ashburnham has obtained an historical celebrity from having been one of the two persons by whose means Charles I. fell into the hands of his enemies after his escape from Hampton Court. Whether this was the result of accident or design, is one of those controverted points whiph can never be satisfactorily settled, although the presumptions are much in favour of the former supposition. His descendant, the present Earl Ashburnham, with the view of vindicating bis ancestor's reputation, published in 1830, at Lon- don, in two volumes 8vo, "A Narrative of John Ashburnham — of his attendance on King Charles the First from Oxford to the Scotch Army — and from Hampton Court to the Isle of Wight. Never before printed. To which is added, A Vindication of bis Character and Conduct from the misrepresentations of Lord Clarendon, By his Lineal Descendant and Present Representative." The biographers of Ashburnham seem not to have been aware of his ever having been in the service of the Queen of Bohemia. He died on the 15th of June 167 1 , in the 68th year of his age. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 365 CCV.—THE EARL OF SEAFORTH TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. July 4, [1624?] My were Honorabill Good Lord, The Inglifch gentilman quho was recommendit heir be gour lordfchip, after as he taried fum dayis with me, he thairefter vent to Lochew, and faw fick voodis as was thair, and vent to Lochcarron, and faw the voodis and fick commodities as he thocht micht beft ferue his purpofe. Sick certanty as I haue gottin of him, 3our lordfchip may per- ceaue by theis tua letteris of his, quhilk efter as 30ur lordfchip hes con- fident them, 30ur lordfchip wilbe pleafit to think on the beft vay how to draw on a bargan tuixt him and me for the voodis of Lochcarron ; for I mynd to keip the voodis of Lochcarron for him, fince thej may beft do his turne, and may mak me maift benefeit; fua that gif he cumis fchortlie as he vreatis, I afluir myfelfe he will adrefs himfelf to 30ur lordfchip, efter quhilk tyme how far 30ur lordfchip may vork with him, 30ur lordfchip fall acq'uent me. Gif vther vayes he cum nocht befoir the 15 or 20 of Auguft, it will pleis 30ur lordfchip to vreat to him that he will nocht find me to bargan vith wnles he mak fpeid. Since this is one of the beft things I haue, both to get 30ur lordfchip and me moneyis, 30ur lordfchip fall tak 30ur avin confideratioun heirin quhat is fitteft to be done with him. I creaw 30ur lordfchips pardoun for putting 30W to this panis. The workis that ar at Lochew, I found at Vitfunday the furnace blowin outt, and no ftok provydit ; fua that, quhill I may get a ftok mead, I haue difmiffit all the feruandis, except the faw millis, quhilk I w,ill follow. I conducit vith George, 30ur lordfchipis nephew, for to fet both the fur- nace he vreatt till Larabes ; hot things hes interveinit fo to him, that the 366 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS pairt concernit me of the vorks ar to do, quhilk I pafs. He is in deilling vith me for the things that ar about that loch of Lochew. Since nothing as 3it hes taken eSe&,, I fpair to vret any thing thairanent. Gif ony thing be done, I fall haue 30ur lordfchip aduertefit, quhair be that or I had ony thing ather in that of Lochew or the vther, I may be aduyfit be 30ur lordfchip. This, with the rememberance of my beft feruice, 3our Lordfchips maift affedlionit freind and feruant, ' Seaport.* 4 Julij. On my vay to Lochew. Gif anie thing 30ur lordfchip dois with this Inglifch man, be way of bargan tuix me and him, I fall performe the fame at his heircuming. Gif vther uayis 30ur lordfchip thinks good to bring him to ane point, and to aduertife me, in that do as 3e think beft : I fall follow 30ur lordfchips aduyfe. Sick letteris as beis diredl to him, he defyrit George Hay to fend them to M' Galloway, or to James Douglas. I tak vp no les nor that he and George thinks to partak togidder. To the Right Honorabill my noble good Lord, my Lord Chancellour of Scotland. * Colin, second Lord Kintai), was created Earl of Seaforth by patent to him and his heiis-male, dated 3d December 1623. This letter was probably written in 1624. His brother George succeeded him in 1633, and became the second Earl. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 367 CCVI._SCOTISH SUBJECTS AT DANTZIC TO KING JAMES VI.» August 30, 1624. To THE KiNGis Maiesty OF Great Beitane, &c. our Gratious and Soveraigne Lord, 3our maieflies lettre, fent to ws with Hughe Mowat, 30ur maieflies fervaunt, hes manifefted the fatherlie cair quhilk 30ur maiefty hes of our wiellfair, and to prote6l vs frome the oppreffioune of thir ftraungeris amang quhome we lief; and trewlie we acknawledge that his diligence with 30ur maieflies authority hes bein very profitable to ws. Bot of lait their is ane generall edi6l promulgat, quhairby all flraungeris (quha ar not burgeffis) ar commanded to remowe out the townis of Dantzik and Lueinfbrig (althocht we knau that the executioune is onelie bended aganis thefe of the Scottis natione quha ar not frie), and we can conie6lure no other reafone for this vnaccuflumed rigour, bot the exorbi- tant numberis of goung boyis and maidis, vnable for any feruice, tranf- ported hier sierlie, bot efpecially this fommer, quj^a baithe fcandalizes the natioune, and ar burdenable to ws. Hierfoir we mofl humblie befiek 3our maieflie, that (by the advys of this gentillman) 30ur. maieflie wald prevent the fcandall in tyme comming, and by 30ur maieflies favorable lettres to the magiflratis of this land, hinder the executioune of theis edidlis, leafl we be ranked with Jewes and Infidellis ; and we (as in • In the Analecta Scotica, vol. ii. p. 385, a letter is printed from Patrick Gordon, the Poet, to James VL in which he gives a very curious account of the dissolute morals of the Scotch in DanUig. 368 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS dewtie bund) fall pray continewallie for 30ur maiefties lang and happie regne, 3our Maiefties moft humble and diftreffed fubiedles of the Scottis natioune, remaining in Dantzik and Lueinfbrig, James Moresone. Wiliam Ramsay. James Ruthvene. ^ David Ouchteelony. George Blewhous. Thomas Morttimer. Wiliam Lyndsay. Dauid Maxwall. With fundrie wtheris quhais names cannot heir be conteined, Dantzik, this penult Auguft 1624. To the Kingis Maiefty of Great Britane, &". our Gratious and Soveraigne Lord. CCVII—FRANCIS HAY* TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR. ' Novembers, 1624. Rycht Honorabill and my verie Good Lord, Pleis yow receaue tuo letteris that I had out of France. Ane other of my Lord Ambaffadouris fervantis wryttis to me, that Monf'. de Cheuereux wes at the Begnieux, making greatt preparatioune to come ouer, bot the work men ar ftayit, which makis him think the match is not far advanced, and fayes the Cardinall ruillis all, and the Cardinall may not offend the Pope, and the Pop muft not difpleas the * Probably the chancellor's nephew. He was a writer to the signet, and acquiring the lands of Balfaousie in Perthshire, was designed by that title. Wood's Douglas, vol. ii. p. 48. From him the present Earl of Kinnoul is descended. DF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 369 Deuillis balrnes, the Spainyardis. He that brocht ouer this pacquet wes difpatched that fame nicht he come, and my Lord Buckinghame, who went to London, and wes not to returne for aucht days, come bak with this pacquet to gett ane anfuer difpatchit, as he did. The morrow we go to Newmercat, and dynes by the way in Chefterford Park. They talk of the Duik of Buckinghames going to France, and manie noblemen to go with him, as Salilburie, Montgomerie, Dorfett, and vtheris. Pray God all thingis wer in reddines for that jurney. This in haift, finding my Lord Kellie to fend away a packet. I reft, My Lord, your Lordfhippis humble fervitour, Fr. Hay. Royftone, the 5 of Nouember 1624, I pray your lordfhip remember the Nafmythis buffines, and help An- dro Scott. To the Rycht Honorabill my verie good Lord, my Lord Chancellour of Scotland. CCVIII._THE LORD CHANCELLOR HAY TO KING JAMES VL NOVEMBEE 8, 1624. Most Sacbed Soueraine, Amongft "vther lettres from your maieftie, whiche I cannot fd quiklie anfuer, I rejBauitt this day one, bearing that your maieftie is crediblie informed that the Lord Kinclevin gave way to my bufinefs con- 3a 370 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS cerning Orkenay; but your maieftie not knowing the conditiones, re- quyreth me to aduertife your maieftie how farre wes commoned betuix vs, and whither anye thing wes concluded, and what it wes. And whereas the faid Lord of Kinclevin* demandeth fix and threttie thoufand pounds Scotts for his fatiffadlion in that matter, that your maieftie is well pleafed that I find out the meanes how he may be payit or fatiffeit without your maiefties hurte. The paflages betuix the Lord Kinclevin and me, as I mot anfuer to God and your maieftie, fa farre as my raemorie ferveth me, have bein thefe, and no vther. After my returne from England in December 1623, or thairabout, he came to me in the loging I have in your maiefties pallace heir, and fayd that he wes informed that I wes about the fewing of Orkenay, and that he culd hardlie believe that I wold feik the ouerthrow of his houfe. I faid his lordfliips informatioun wes trew ; but that I wes perfuaded that neuer he nor anye of his wold get that erldorae nor anye fubiedl els. He faid that I wold neuer mak 30" markes of that bufines (whatfoeuer hopes I had of more). I anfuered that then I fuld have ane ill bargaine, for I douted my chairges wold furmount that, befoir all wer fetled. Some other wordes he vttered, and pairted difcontent. After that, I hard not from his lordlhip againe (that I remember), till the verie day I tooke my jorney from Dalkeith, in Auguft laft, towardes your facred maiefties court, whiche being Sonday, and I having dyned and haiftening to fermon about elleuin a cloke, to be at Lawder tyraouflie befoir nicht, he cam to me in the ftreet, and afked if I meant to go on in the bufinefs of Orinay. I fayd that not, and that I had left thinking anye more of it. " Nay," quod he, " ye fliall not do fo. I ftopped yow, and I will • John Stewart, second son of Robert Earl of Orkney, was created a Peer by the title of Lord Kinclevin, 10th August 1607. He was subsequently advanced to the dignity of Earl of Carrick, but although his crea- tion was in July 1628, he was not admitted to the dignity for more than two years, owing to a doubt express- ed by the Peers, how far the title of Carrick, which was the proper style of the Prince of Scotland, could he communicated to a subject. His Lordship explaining that he took the title from a place called Carrick, on his own estate' in Orkney, and not from the Earldom in Ayrshire, the difficulty was got over, and he was received as an Earl. He died in 1652 without male issue, when the titles became extinct, his Lordship leav- ing only one daughter, and the dignities being limited to the heirs-male of his body. In the year 1733, a no- tice was inserted in one of the newspapers, that these honours were to be claimed by one having right to them. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VL 371 worke it againe for yow." « That is more then I know" (faid I), " that ye flayed it. As euer it be, I meane to deale no further in it :" And iny words wer as my thoughts, for as I mot be faved, when I cam to your maieftie at RufFod, I had no intention euer to meddle anye more with it. The reft of his wordes at that tyme he remembreth better then I, who took na great head to them, as having caft of all thinking of Orkenay. He fayde he wold wryt vp to the Erl of Annandale, who wold fpeak with me more particularlie. The Erl of Annandale, I think, can remem- ber whither at anye tyme of my being thair, his lordfhip and I had euer anye conference anent the giving off my lands, but for the pryce. , When I cam bak from England laft, the Lord Kinclevin afked me if I had done anye thing anent Orkenay ? I faid, " Yes, more then I thocht to have done at our pairting." " Then," quod he, " ye will let me have Kinclevin and Innernytie." " That ye fhall," quod I, " and als cheape as I can give, them to anye man in Scotland." " Nay," quod he, " ye will let me have them frielie, and I will give yow the half of the precept I am to get from his maieftie." This to me was a motion I neuer dreamed of, and made me to reply, that I wold not give him ane aker of myne heretage for your maiefties gift to me ; nor had I euer in my lyffe anye fliare in any vther mans gift. He infifted to make me think that his meaning at Dalkeith wes fuche, and that his lettres wrytten vp to court, procured your maief- ties and the princes highneffe fauour to me in that particular, both whiche may be trew, but not to my knowlege. After this, he cam to me to Perth, and thair, paffing from his former imaginarie grounds, he afked of me the pryce of my lands, whiche, becaufe I wes defyrous to fell, and rather to him then anye vther, for his contentment, I told him at the feconde and laft word, wes fourtie four thoufand markis, or tuentie nyne thoufand and fum odde pounds, with a difcharge of a defperat det of four thoufand pounds, for whiche my poore brother wes oblift to his lordfhip, for the Laird of Clunye. He then afked me if I wold accept a precept, for my payment ? I fayde that I wold be loth to be a futar to the. the- faurar for the pryce of my laiids, but if his precept did bear to-be payde be myfelfif off the few deutie of Orknay, I wold accept it for payment, and put his lordfliip in prefent pofTeffion of the lands. Thus we left, and at 372 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS his defyre I wret to the Erl of Annandale and Mr Maulde. If in this I erred in naming fo fure and conftant a pairt of your maiefties reuenew to be fubiedl to his precept, I crave your maiefties pardon. I know it is nather my dutie, nor hath it bein my cuftome, to fliaw men the wayes to draw or keep moneyes out of your maiefties coffers ; but having vnder- ftoode from your owne facred mouth, that ye wer pleafed to grant him a precept, I thocht it a point not fo materiall for your maieftie out of what pairt of your rents the fame wer payde, and to me, ouercharged with dets, important to be fure of payment for fo good a pairt of my heretage. The tyme your maieftie wes gratiouflie pleafed to grant the abatement off the fyve thoufand markes of the rent to me, and to alke me what I thocht wold content the Lord of Kinclevin, I fayd to your maieftie that I beheved if he culd have my land of Kinclevin and Innernytie, they wold content him ; and if your maieftie wold be pleafed to abate fo muche of the 40™ markes per annum of the rent of Orkenay, as thefe lands payde to me yearlie, he fuld have them. Your maieftie anfuered me, that ye wald diminiftie the rent no more. " Then your maieftie muft grant him a precept," fayd I ; and fo your maieftie bad me think of it : and I may lang think of it, befoir I fatiffie the laft pairt of your maiefties lettre,: willing me to find out the meanes to gett him moneyes without your maiefties hurte ; for wher fhall thefe, moneyes be fund, whiche nather ar, nor fhall, nor can cum into your coffers ? I have bein tedious, but it is out of a defyre to anfuer your facred maiefties lettre in all pointes. The fumme is, that, as God is my witnefs, I neuer made any condition with the Lord Kinclevin for giving any pairt of my lands, hot for payment, as to vthers ; nor to ftiare with him in any precept, nor till my laft returne from your maieftie, did I euer conceive that his lordftiip had anye fuche meaning anent my lands, but by way of fale. What his owne thoughts have bein he knoweth beft ; or what ftopp he made to me firft, or what way he gave laft, your moft facred maieftie and your moft excellent fon know, not I, whom, albeit priuate difficulties have oft made ane impor- tune, ane oft and happie beggar from that foueraiiie bountie; yetreafon, confcious of rny fmall worth and poore feruices, hath teached to acquiefce euer cheerfuUie, with your good pleafure in grant or refufal (whereof \ OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 373 remember few), without anye curious enquyrie of the motives to the one dr vther; reftmg ever confident, that as I ferve your maieftie with as muche loyaltie, fmcere zeale and affedlion, as euer feruant did mafter, your maieftie (whom God of his mercye to vs, mot long preferve in helth and all profperitie) will neuer fuffer to want, neither me nor the children of Your moft facred Maiefties moft faithfuU and moft humble fervant and creature, Geoege Hay.* Hallir. this 8 off Nou^ 1624. [Indorfed :] The Lord Chancellour concerning what paft betuixte him and the Lord Kincleuin, 8 Nouemb. 1624. CCIX_THE LORD CHANCELLOR HAY TO KING JAMES VL [1624 ?J My refolution to execute your maiefteis commandements is, and euer Ihallbe, fuche as ought in fo meere and obliged a creature ; bot be- caus I know that, from that fontaine of reafon which iuftifiethe all your * George Hay, second son of Feter Hay of Megincbe, \rho was brought up to the profession of th? law, was knighted and appointed Clerk Register in 161 6. He was made Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, 16th Jul; 1623, upon the death of the Earl of Dunfermline. On the 4th May 1637, he was created Viscount of DupUn, and Lord Hay of Kinfauns, and 24ith May 1633, Earl of Kinnoul., . He died at London^ 16th December 1634. His body was conveyed to Scotland, and interred, 19th August 1635, in Kinnoul Church, where a sumptuous monument was erected to his memory. An account of the ceremonial of bis interment will befound in the " Heraldic.and Historical Tracts of Sir James Balfour.'' Edinburgh, 1837. 12mo. . 374 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS adlions, your maieftie is pleafed to let flow, euen to the meanefl minifters, fo muche as may cleare thair proceidings 6'om the blame of groffe and incongruous errours ; and that, fince the reffaving off your maiefleis laft inflru6lions, I can by no meditation licht vpon a faire formulaire of fo round a difcharge of all former treaties for mareage as is prefcrybed by the faid inftru6lions, and that, by conference with Sir Thomas Edmonds, I finde myfelff rather perplexed further then helped heirin ; I haue aduen- tured by thefe humblie to intreat your maieftie to confider how (in a treatie off' mareage, wherin fo many propones and anfueres have bein interchanged, reafons have bein alleaged by aither fyde ; a willingnes to performe bathe bein exprefled withe proteftatiounes ; a deahng with the king off^ Spaine during the tyme off" this treatie bathe bein furniftied by many, boafted of by his minifters, and fcairce denyed by your maiefteis ; ane extraordinair ambaffadour hathe bein fent out of your bedchamber, with- a warrant vnder your great feale, to treate and conclude a mareage), it fall agrie with your maiefteis royalle procedure in all your other actions, that we begin withe a difcharge of all former deahng and treaties in that mareage, and that, becaufe your maieftie dothe thinke thair laft anfueres not to be worthy off" your maiefteis felff" and your fone. Now, if they alke ws in what poyntes your maieftie dothe finde them onworthy or onreafonable, we muft fay, aither that your maieftie hathe not bein pleafed to let vs know fo muche, or cum to the particulars, whiche we dar not, nor may not by our inftrudtionis. And iff" we fliall ftand vpon the difcharge of all former dealing, ^without examination off" any article, sit with whate faces fhall we bothe difcharge all former treaties, arid requyre them to make new offers iff" thei will have any farther dealing for mareage ? May they not juftlie vrge us to know what conditiones will content vs, fince thefe alreadie made do not? Shallw^ reie6l thair conditiones offered, and propofe none for your maieftie ? This feimethe to vs, and we feare fliall feira to thame, a harflie and peremptorie forme off^ dealing in a treatie of mareage with a ft9,te.and countrey to whome your maiefteis loving care in appeafing thefe laft trou- bles, and the expe6latioun of aUiance, bathe foirideared your maiefteis freindfliip, as hathe bein well teftified by the concurfe, velcoming accla- OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 375 matiounes and prayers for your niaieflie, fince my cumming into this land We think this treatie of mareage micht have bein more eafilie, and with lefs dm, fhaken off by him who bathe delt in it hithertils ; and that I, your extraordmarie embaffadour, micht therefter have cum, and to better pur- pofe have talked off the continuance and affurance of your raaiefteis friendfhip towards this king, crovne and cuntrey, rather then with fuche a neidles foUemnitie off ane extraordinary ambaffadour, to proclayme to fo michtie and fo well affedled a nation a negledl of thair alliance. Thefe things I have prefumed to reprefent vnto your maieftie. [Indorfed :] Sir George Hay, Chancleour of Scotland, hes letter to King James the 6, concerning Prince Charles hes mariage. OCX.— JAMES VI. TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR HAY. Januast 12, 1625. James R. Right trnftie and right veill belouett counfellour, we greit youveill. Much earnift fuit being made to ws by the French embaffador, in the behalfe of the Roman Catholicks (as they terme them) of that our king- dome, requyring that inregaird of this mariage (vich aught to be a t)mie of publique reioyfeing, vherin all perfons ought to be fet at libertie), we void fhou them fauor, we wer pleafed to ureat to the Archbifchop of St Androus to fu[r]ceafeal troubling of them, ather by citation to compeirbe- for any iudgs or by excommunicatioun, till our furder pleafiir ftiould be knowen, the faid recufants giuing no publick offence. And therfor ve haue thought guide by thefe prefentts to accquaint you with our forfaid pleafur, to the intent that, if any buffines fall araffe vpon any former ex- 376 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS comunication or horning for mater of religioun vich fall be brought befor our counfell, ye fall caufe it be diffmifed vith the leaft fture or noyfe vich may be : And this recommending to your fpeciall care, we bid you fairveill. Giuen at our manour of Theoballds, the 12 day of Januarij 1625. JCing James Letter to Sir George Hay, Chancleour, concerning Catholicks, 12 Januarij 1625. ccxi.— john wolfe to king james vi. Pleis toue Maiestie, One Sires, being fervant to Maifter Morgan, apothecarye to the lait queen of happie memorie, vrgeing his preferment, and difapoynt- ed of bothe your maiefteis and the queenis fervice, prefumeing vpoun there ignorance who did accompany your maieftie, that thay did not know what was dew to thair placeis, heirvpoun moft craftelye procured hirafelf to be fworne fergeant of the confefilionarye, being a parcell of the apothecareis office, and als apothecarye for the houfhald : and not heirwith contented, he did alfo pas a graunt of being fervitour odorifer- ous to your maieftie, to the queenis highnes and your royall iffew, being a plaice nevir hard of befoir in the court of England (the very fmell whereof hes bein evir onfavory vnto me), onlye vfeing it as a meane by this difraembering the office to difable the poffeffour, and fo to mak him vearye of his plaice : and heirvpoun taking hold of Clavies, your maiefteis lait apothecarye his fimplicitie, by the meanis of a fubmiffioun, and the otheris craftie dealing with the arbitouris, Clavie was maid to pairt and devyid the furneifing of wateris, perfumeis, and odouris (whiche did foley and onlye belong to him), with this other new invented feruitour, who, -taking boldnes vpoun this advantage, intendit to half vfed me in lyik foirt, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 377 I being than in fervice with the queenis highnes, hot being loathe to be abuifed, or to lois any pairt of my dew privilegis of my plaice, and ftand^ ing out for my right, I wes continowit in the full poffeffioun. Now, after it hes pleafed your maieftie to accept me in that fervice, voyde by Cla- vies deathe, this odoriferous fellow, miftaking his fraell, wald haif the continuance of that abuife in not contenting himfelf with the plaice of apothecarye of the hous and ferieant of confedlionarye, hot wald alfo difmember that only one place which I poffes. And this frefche water fouldiour nevir preifling to come one myle abroade in all your maiefteis journayis, dois nottheles challenge the perfumes, fueit wateris and odouris for your maiefteis prefence, and linning, and other occafionis that ar for and inrefpe6l of your maieftie, and no otherwayis ; he laying his full accompt that, howevir I did faive myfelf from being wronged in the queenis fervice (vnto the whiche his grant dois beir him alyik), that yit nottheles, vpoun Claveis prefident (whiche I aucht not to acknowledge, heaveing nevir confented thereto), his furnefing in pairt of my office fall continow, and I thereby fo difabled to attend, as by my veareing, he may atteine to that plaice whiche in conceate he hes already devored. Now, fince the multitude of offices ar a chairge to your maieftie, inregaird no plaice wants a feall, and that it wes weill knowen that no court in all the worlde wes fo perfyite in all memberis as this courte, your maieftie may eafilie conceave what wrong I refaive by this new innovktioun, which evir. produces alfo with it fome preiu^ice to your maieftie. And therefoir, as in the tyme of my fervice to the queene, the craftie courfes of this fox did nothing availl him for doing vnto me any preiudice ; fo it may pleis your raoft gratious maieftie not to fufter your poore Wolfe to be any way wronged, howevir this countrey hes bein fatall to that kynd of beift, inre- gaird of the Prince of Waleis his tribut payed, whereby all my kinfolkes by name war maid ane end of; yit, fince I was nevir no ravenous beift, and ftandes now in feire to be robbed, I haif no other recourfe, hot to the Lyouns facred patrocinye, humblie entreateing that I may be contin- owit in the rightis of my plaice whiche ar dew thereto, that fo I may be the better enabled to attend your maiefteis fervice. And, according to 3b 378 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS my bound dewtie, I fall pray for your maiefteis long, happie, and profper- ous regnne. Your Maiefties humble fupplicant and daylie fervant, JoHNE Wolfe Rumleb,* Apothecarye. [Indorfed :] Mr Volfes Letter to the King. ' CCXIL—SAMUEL COCKBURN TO KING JAMES VLf Sir, Your facred maieftie, of your accuftomit gratius fauor, ordenarlie extendit touards all your faithful fubie6lis, whereof in my awne particuler I haue had fo manie teflemones, will excufe my bauldnes at this tym, for- fit be fome neceffitie, if I prefume to interrupt your maiefteis more ferius • "John Wolgango Rumlero was, in 1617, the King's principal apothecary, and received for his fee, by the year, L.4iO, as appears by the abstract of his Majesty's revenue, attached to Truth brought to Light by Time." Nichols's Progresses of King James, vol. iv. p. 721. In the Epilogue to Ben Jonson's Masque of the Meta- morphosed Gipsies, 1631, it is said — " But, lest it prove like wonder to the sight. To see a gipsey, as an iEthiop white. Know, that what dy'd our faces was an ointment Made and laid on by Master Woolfe's appointment. The court Lycanthropos." Gifford's Ben Jonson. London, 1816. 8vo. vol. vii. p. 424. 1 As there are no dates to the Papers that follow, and as some difficulty consequently occurs in the ar- rangement, it was judged best to place them at the end of the volume. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 379 and weghtie effeares, with the reading of this my humble petitions. Your maieftie, of your gratius and princelie liberalitie, for my great peans beftowet in your maiefteis feruice heir in this cuntrie, and dyuers voyages to your court, grantit wnto me a gift of the efcheatis of all fuch as wer put to the home for not confirming of teftamentis ; wherewith the biftiops, finding themfelues fomewhat interefl in there, particuler, dealt with your maieftie for the benefeit thereof, and with me for my good will, which whan I knew to be agreable to your maiefteis plefur, wpon fome condi- tions, I yealdit wnto. But now of leat, when the bifliopis wer about to haue there gift confirrait be your maiefteis counfel and officers of your fteat in this kingdome, thay fand the mater of fuch importance, and fo preiudiciall to your maiefties regal authoritie and puir heir, that in no ways could there graue wifdoms be mouet to affent therto, but to fignifie the importance and weght of that buffines to your maiefteis felfe to de- termine therevpon : Wherby the houp of that recompence of my feruice is altogider takin from me, and I compeled to haue recourfe to your ma- iefteis princelie and gratius fauor. It hes plefiit your facred maieftie to imploy me in fome charges heir of great peane and trauel, without any profeit, and fubie6l to the envye of the greateft, which notvithftanding, in refpedt of your maiefteis feruice, I did neuer regerd. I take your ma- iefteis whol counfel to record of my behauiour and peans in difchargin therof : And my efteat wer fuch as might wnderly this burdin without my wter overthro, I wauld be forie to importune your gratius maieftie, and principallie at fuch a tym. And fo, referring the trew report heirof to your maiefteis graue and wyfe counfel, your maiefteis trefurer deputie, who knawes the whol fteat and counfelis mynd therin, I in al humilitie, with my erneft prayer for your facred maieftie and royel efteat, ftial euer remane Your facred Maiefteis moft loyel and faithful fubiedt, Samuel Cokbuene. To the King his facred Maieftie. 380 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS CCXIIL— WITNESSIS PRODUCEIT BE ALEXANDER INNES OF COITTIS AGAINES THE LAIRD OF BALVANE AND HIS BROTHER, Maister James Gutheie, Minifler at Vrquhart, fworne, and deman- dit quhat he knawis anent the libell ; deponis, that he wes defyreit be the good man of Cokftoun and the goodeman of Coittis, to go with thame to the tryft appoyntit to be keipit at Haltoun the day libellit, and to bring with him the teftament of vmquhile James Innes of Haltoun, for fieing the goodis raentionat thairin compryfit ; and accordinghe Alexander In- nes of Coittis come to .the deponneris houfe the day lybellit, and tooke the deponner with him to the tryift. Alexander Innes, bruther to Bal- vany, come thair about the evining, and faluted the haill perfones at the tryft, and conferrit a litle with Williame Innes of Coittis, and thairefter pretending that he wald ryde that nycht to Elgin, the goode- man of Cokftoun invited him to ftay with him ; who anfuerit he wald not ftay, and raid away, as it feamed to the deponner towardis Elgin, and wes not fene agane, quhill he was fene in company with his bro- ther at the fadl lybellit : And as the guidman of Coittis, the deponner and Andro Innes wer ryding harae by Vrquhart to the Coittis, thay raett in the way the goodeman of Letterfourie, who, after fome litle priuat conferrence with the goodeman of Coittis, tauld him that in the way he faw fome aught or nyne horfle in the mure, whome he thoght to haue bene his young cheif, the Lord Gordoun ; and he preaffing to haue riddin to thame, and addreffing himfelff towardis thame, thay ef- chewit him and fled, as not willing to be fene: And with this, Letterfourie takis goodenycht and raid towardis Elgin, and the goodeman of Coittis and the deponner rydding the hie way home to thair houffe, thay tooke vp thir horffe in the mure, who come fordwart taking the way, as it feemed, to Vrquhart, and not dire6llie to thame ; quhilk quhen the goodeman of Coittis perfaueit, he faid to the deponner, " It is fome folkis of Geycht going to my houfe :" My wyff" wes ay vntymous to haif left her houfe in mercat tyme ; and then thay haueing tint fight of thir horfemen, throw OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 381 occafioun of a litle howe in the way, at thair firft kytheing agane vpoun the hight, within a litle fpeace afoir the deponner, thay kaift thair clokis frome thame, and drew thair fwordis, and come galloping towardis the faid Alexander Innes of Coittis, quhilk, quhen he perfaved, he faid, " It is fome vnfreindis." The deponner anfuerit that thay wer miftaken, for thair wes no vnlaughfuU perfone heir; and Andro Innes faid, « I trow yow fall find thame vnfreindis :" And quhen thay come neir, the deponner knew iiane of them hot Balvennie himfelff and his bruther Alexander ; hot one who callit himfelff George Cuming, faying his mother wes a Innes, advanceit foirmeft, and he flrooke at the goodman of Coittis, bidding him be tane ; and the goodman lightand, drew his fword, and rebaitting the firft ftraik, wes hurt with his awne fword a litle aboue the ey, to the effufioun of his bloode ; and the haill remanent perfones come fordwart and ftrooke at the goodeman of Coittis, hot thair fwordis lighted vpoun George Cumingis fword, fua that it appeirit to the deponner thay haid not a purpois to flay him. Then the deponner turneing and abyding with Balvanie, quho had his fword lykewayes drawne, bot ftrooke not, the deponner faid to Balvanie, " AUace, Sir, that yow fould behald this, for thair wes other thingis lippynnit of yow in the country." Balvany anfuerit, " Yow ar a man that feares God, Maifter James : I haue borne more of that companyoun nor flefche and bloode could degeift :" And Balvany turneing to Coittis, faid, " Thou haid no mynd of this, quhen after the bifchoppis coppis, in thy drukinnes thow faid, thou wes als goode as my- felf ; quhairin thow leis, and may not compair with me." Coittis anfwerit, he fpak not thefe wordis in that fenfe and meaneing. Balvanie thairafter commandit him to fitt doun on his knees, and afk him forgifnes ; quhilk Coittis flowlie and fmoothlie, with fome difcontentment, did. And de- pones, he knawis not how the goodman of Coittis fword wes takin frome him, or reftoirit to him, in refpedl of his contenowall inftance with Bal- vanie ; and depones, that Balvanie, at the inputting of his fword, and calmeing of thir thingis, fpak thir wordis to the goodeman of Coittis, " Sie, Coittis, as thow wilbe anfuerabill to thy wyff and bairnes, vpoun the perrell of thy lyff, that thair be no moir din of thir thingis :" Quhair- vnto Coittis anfuerit this only, " Thair is ouer many behalderis fua to do." 382 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS And depones, that afoir Balvany finderit frome Coittis, the faid Alex- ander Innes, Balvanyes bruther, haueing his drawne fword fliaiking ouer Coittis head, faid to the laird his brother, " Alaice, Sir, gif ye wer away;" unto whome the deponner anfuerit, " Thair hes bene ouer meikle of this alreddy." Andro Innes, in the barne yaird of Innes, fworne and examinat, de- ponis, conformis primo tefli in omnibus, addende that he threw the goodeman of Coittis fword oute of Alexander Innes brother to the Laird of Balvany his hand, [Indorfed :] M'' James Gutheries depofitions in the caufe betwixte Baluanie and Cotes. CCXIV.—INFORMATIOUN FOR THE ADWOCATTIS AND REMANENT MEM- BERIS OF THE SESSIOUN TUICHING THAIR PRIUILEDGES. First, The Seffioun and College of Juftice ar exemit fra all taxatiounes in the eredlioun thairof in anno 1537. And quhair it may be obiedlit that thair is na mentioun thairin of Aduo- cattis Clerkis, and Wrytteris, it is anfuerit thairto, that the Seffioun and College of Juftice moft comprehend thairin all memberis, becaus the faid exemptioun man be vnderftoud according to the fens, and not according to the letter; vtherwayes the fame exemptioun falbe altogidder perfonall, becaus it fpeikis allenarlie of the Lordis of Seffioun that then wer, and dois not extend verbalie to thair fucceffi)uris, quhilk wer abfurd. Item, The abfurditie of the faid firft a6l is cleirit be the fubfequent OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 383 a6l of parliament, quhilk ratifies the faidis priuilegis, and declairis the fame to have bene gevin to the College of Juftice and memberis, for the quhilk we haif xiii or xiiij a6lis of parliament. Item, Our faidis priuilegis ar cleirit be our lang and peaceable poffef- fioun be the fpace of Ixxx yeires ; quhilk poffeffioun is proven be the buikis and regifteris of the comptis of the taxatiounes fubfcrivit be the commiffionaris of parliament, and be the decreittis and fentences gevin baith befoir commiffionaris of parliament and Lordis of Seffioun, quhair we ar fund to be exemit fra all taxatiounes. Item, His maieftie hes remowit all doubt quhilk may be obiedlit to our priuileges, in fa far, in Auguft 1588, quhen the realrae and the religioun was threatnit be the Spanzeardis, his heires did not vrge ws to pay taxa- tioun, bot did gratiouflie except of ws, ane voluntar and frie contributioun than offerit be ws to his maieftie, being fitting in ane feffioun in prefens of the haill lordis ; quhilk acceptatioun is regiftrat in the buik of ftatutis of the College of Juftice. Item, Albeit we wer not able to fchaw ane exprefs grant of our priui- leges, maid at the eredlioun of the College of Juftice ; 3it our pofleffioun be the felff is fufficient to raentene ws ; becaus be fpeciall a6l of parlia- ment maid in Junij 1594, his maieftie and eftaitis hes ratifiet our priui- leges maid to the memberis of the College of Jufticej not onlie as the fame ar contenit in the ere6lioun thairof, bot alfo as the fame hes bene bruikit and pofleft be ws fenfyne ; fua that our poffeffioun vith this afl; gevis ws ane full priuilege. Item, His maieftie hes declarit ws to be exemit fra all contributioun of taxatiounes with the burrowis, quhairof we haif ane fpeciall a6l in Junij 1592, cap. 15, 3 ; be the quhilk a6l, his maieftie and eftaitis, confidering that the taxatiounes vpon the realrae wer multiplied, and the burrowis hauelie burdenit, and thairfoir hesftatut and ordanit that all inhabitantis within burrowis fall contribut to taxatiounes for thair releiff; bot that. 384 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS with this expres declaratioun, that the fame fall nawayes prejudge the memberis of the College of Juftice thair priuiledges and immunities grantit to thame, or quhairof they half bene in vfe in tyme bygane, and giue we be frie fra all contributioun of taxatioun with the burrowis (as we ar be this a&,), we man alfo be frie from the reft, feing we haif bene in poffeffioun alyk of baithe ; and it wer ane abfurd thing to mantene that we wer exemit from ane pairt, and not from the reft, that is to fay, baith exemit and not exemit. Item, The ordour of taxatioun in fpeciall a6t of parliament, maid in De- cember 1595, fett doun and declairit be his maieftie and eftaitis. In the quhilk a6t, the memberis of the College of Juftice ar declarit to be priui- legit and exemit, and als his maieftie hes thairby declarit his gratious will and mynd that he intendis not to hurt priuileges dirogat nor prejudgit, and thairfoir, feing his maieftie being prefent amangis ws, wes gratiouflie pleifit to mantene our priuileges, it war ane hard preparatiue to infringe them now in his hienes abfens. Item, We ar certanlie informit that it is [his] hienes will, that no man nor perfones be hurt or prejudgit in thair priuileges, hot that all be raovit and perfuadit'to contribute at this tyme, in refpedl of the weichtines and neceffitie of the caus ; quhilk we, to fignifie our affedliounes to his ma- ieftie, ar moft willing to do, our priuileges being referuit.* Item, It is humlie defyrit that the eftaitis confidder how dangerous it is to begin notatioun, and to quarrell mens priuileges and prefcriptioun heirof be fourfcoir yeires pofleffioun, for omiffioun of ane word, for this thaireftir may be drawin to thair awin priuiledgis, feing thair ar fundrie priuileges pertening to ilk ane of the eftaitis feueralie, and to them all in generall, quhilk hes no warrand be writt or law, hot only lenis to cuftome and prefcriptioun of tyme ; and thairfoir it is defyrit, that they on na wayes gif thair confent nor writt be this notatioun. * This probably refers to the contribution for the Palatinate. OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 385 CCXV._THE ACCOMPT OF MY DILIGENS IN THE SERUICE COMMITTED TO MEE, WITH A MOTION COMMENDED TO HIS MAIESTIE FROM HIS EMBASSADOUR AT THE HAGHE.» After my difpatche at Beauer Caftle, I did with all diligens adrefTe myfelfe to the Lowe Cuntries, where, within foure dayes after I did ar- • This singularly valuable paper contains a narrative, by Patrick Scot, of his expedition to Holland, in order to secure, if not assassinate, David Calderwood, the Church Historian, who fled there to escape the vengeance of James VI., which bad been roused against him, as author of the " Perth Assembly, containing — 1. The proceedings thereof. 2. The proof of the nuUitie thereof. 3, Reasons presented thereto against the receiving the five new Articles imposed. 4. The oppositenesse of it to the proceedings and oath of the whole state of the land, an, 158 1 . 5. Proofs of the unlawfulnesse of the said fiue Articles, viz. — I . Kneel- ing in the act of receiving the Lord's supper. 3. Holy daies. 3. Bishopping. 4i. Private Baptisme. 5. Private Communion." 1619. 4to. Calderwood having been carefully concealed, his death was rumoured, and Scot thought this an admirable opportunity for gratifying his Majesty, and vexing the refractory clergy, ■by forging a recantation, which was skilfully done, in a work with the following title : — " Calderwood's Re- cantation, or a Tripartite Discourse, directed to such of the Ministerie and others in Scotland, that refuse Conformitie to the Ordinances of the Church. Wherein the causes and bad effects of such Separation, the legall proceedings against the refractarie, and nulUtie of their cause, are softly launced, and they lou- ingly inuited to the Vniformitie of the Church. Epist. lam. cap. 3 : Vbi Zelus et Contentio, ibi Inconstantia et omne opus prauum. London, printed by Bernard AIsop, dwelling in Distaffe Lane, at the signe of the Dolphin, 1622." ito. The introductory notice is dated " Amsterdam, this 29th of Nouember 1622," and the general appearance of the work was such as to induce a belief of its reality. Unfortunately for this conspiracy against his fair fame, Calderwood was alive and able to expose it, which he lost no time in doing. The following account of the matter is from his Church History (MS. Advocates' Library), vol. xv. p. 1209 : " Patricke Scot, a landed gentleman, beside Falkland, having waisted the money that he had, had no other meanes to recover his estate, but by some unlawful shift at court. He set furth a Recantation under the name of a banished minister, Mr David Calderwood, but soon after came furth a Latine worke intituled Altare Damascenum, which testified to the world, that he was farre from minding any recantatione, and that he was yett living : for the Recantatione was sett furth upon a report that he was dead. The truth is, he was deadly sicke, and if he had died, the Recantatione had gone for current as his. But the devise turned to the shame of the devisers j he confessed himself, that the King furnished him matter, and he set it down in ibrme. This course failling, he went over to Holland— sought the said Mr David at the Hague, at Delf, at Amsterdam, and other towns, in the moneth of November ; pretending to such as he thought favoured the said Mr David, that he had a thousand pounds to deliver to him, which was collected among weill affected people at home ; and offered money to some to reveal where the said Mr David was, Noe doubt the man was employed to seeke his Hfe, and murther him privatly ; which was easie for him to doe, if he had been there under cloud of night, when the said Mr David was to come from the Scottish inne to his owne chamber, 3 c 386 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS ryue, findinge by ray intelligens at Roterodam, that the perfon after whome I enquyred was latelie remoued, I came to the Haghe, where I deliuered his majeflies letter to the embaffadour, with that which was referred to my relation, which hee verie dutifully receaued, and promifed his bed indeuouris to further this feruice, tellinge mee there was a yeare and more paft, fince vpon viewe of that pairties labouris, his eie had bine vpon him ; but (lyke a foxe when hee offendeth) hee had learned a tricke to keepe himfelfe obfcure or out of the way. The Embaffadouris aduyfe was (for fhunninge of difcouery), that be- fore ane motion were made to the States, I fhould labour by all meanes to learne the certaintie of his refidens ; foe, refoluinge vpon the fittefl places and perfons by whome intelligens might be had, I did returne backe to Carapheare, from that to Dort, from thence to Roterodam, and then to Leyden ; in all which places I learned hee had bine, but could find noe prefent certantie of him. either by shooting him in the water, or otherwise, not fearing evil! of the man he had never seen before. Af- ter he had stayed at Amsterdam seventy days, and inquired dih'gently, he was informed that the said Mr David was at home in his oun native countrie of Scotland ; and soe he returned to court disappointed. His dependence, for the most part, was upon the Viscount of Annan, a man unlcnown likewise to the said Mr David, be whom he was hounded out." See also the learned biographical account of Calderwood, in the last edition of the Encyclopaedia Britanniea. The following anecdote of Scot is given at length, by Calderwood, in his MS. history : — An Englishman hadbought a piece of land, and promised to pay part of the price on a certain day. When the time came, he could not raise the money, and he was threatened with ' the extremity of the law.' He went to London, and walking ' in Paul's church, and pensive, made his own mone to a Scotishe man walking there,' and ' of- fered him a reward if he could procure the King's protection.' The Scotch man replied that he had no court influence, but observing Scot, who probably had been dining with Duke Humphrey, he said, ' I see one walking hard by, his name is Mr Scot, he can doe your turne.' An introduction followed— Scot demanded fifty pounds for his patronage, but took thirty, and the Englishman's horse worth five pounds, giving him ' a packald, as it were of letters sealed,' to be delivered to the persons to whom they were addressed. Alas, these missives were as deceptive as his satanic majesty's coin, for when opened by the individuals to whom they were presented, there was nothing inside. As a fitting termination to this adventure, the poor appli- cant for royal protection was cast into prison. Of course, this story coming from the pen of an enemy must be received with caution, but we much fear that the moral principles of the fabricator of " Calderwood's Recan- tation" would not operate as any bar to his defrauding the poor Englishman of his money. " After the death of King James, he sett out a pamphlet full of lies, intituled ' Vox Vera,' but as true as Lucian's Vera Historia. For all his godlesse and unlawfull shiftis, he died soon after, soe poor, that he had not wherewith to bear the charges of his buriall, but it behoved the Bishope of Ross to bear the cbargeia of it, for the good service be had done to the King and the Bishops." OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 337 At laft (after twentie dayes were thus confuraed) I repaired to Vtereght, where M^ Scot that wrote Vox Populi* dothe remaine, with whome I did foe infinuat myfelfe, that within twoe dayes hee did tell mee, that my freind whome I faid I was defirous to fee was at Amfterdam, but (as the embaffadour had faid before) hee thought hee fliould be hardlie inquyred after; yet did hee direft mee to an inne keeper, to a booke feller, and to a printer, of his acquaintance, fome of whome (hee faid) might perhapps bringe mee to the knowledge of the man whome I defii;ed to fee. At my cominge to Amfterdam, and three dayes conuerfinge with thofe to whome M' Scot direfted mee, I did learne that the partie was in toun ; yet by noe meanes durft I reueale myfelfe further to them (they beinge ftricke Puritans), then that I had hard much good of the man, and was defyrous to fee and haue fome of his workes. The booke feller told mee, that one Johne Hamleton, a rehgious merchaunt of Edenboroughe, had tranfported the moft part of them to Scotland this laft yeare ; yet at night he promifed to goe to a freind that had the fellinge of the rema- nent, wherby I conieaured that it was the author that had bothe the keepinge and fellinge of thofe bookes, foe I did carefullie watche the booke feller's oute goinge at night, whoe did goe diredllie to the printer's houfe, where the parties reiidens is, as before I had learned from dyuers perfons by infalible circumftances. When I had done this, I returned to the embafladour, tould him I had found the parties refidens, and de- fired that hee would be pleafed to procure the States warrant, and I Ihould doe my beft to enforce the printer's houfe, and feafe vpon his ghueft. The embafladour aunfwered, that he would willinglie moue the States to this effect, but hee much feared that the motion might marre the bufi- nes, inregard the partie was kept foe clofe amongft thofe of his owen profeflion, and that it was to be doubted that fome amongft the States, without whome he could get noo warrant, were his fpeciall freinds, and would aduertife him before anie warrant could be ferued. Secondlie, " Vox Fopuli, or Newes from Spaine. J 620, 4to. By Thomas Scot. He vpas author of numerous political tracts, of which there was a very complete collection in the Gordonston Library, sold in March 1816. 388 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS The embaffadour told mee there was another motion in hand (wherofe M"^. Johne Forbes was dire6led to giue his maieftie information), that might in fliort time procure a generall warrant from the States for appre- henfion of all delinquents of this nature, withoute fufpition of aime at any particular perfonl For thefe reafons, hee thought good to let the motion I defyred fleepe till his majeflie were aduertifed of the conueniencie of the other. Becaus ficknes and the roughnefs of this winter feafon did lett M'. John Forbes from vndertakinge iornay towards England, as hee in- tended, the embaffadour did thinke fiitt that I fhould fupplie M'. John his place in preferringe thefe inftru6lions to his majeflies confideration, which I fliould haue, and his letter to this purpofe. When I had re- ceaued his letter, conceaued the inftru6lions, and goten diredlion to M'. John Forbes to giue me particular information of the former proceedings, I tooke my leaue, and came to Delphe, where M'. John Forbes did de- liuer mee the fubftance of the enfuinge motion. THE MOTION. Vpon a ferious confideration of the loofenes of lyfe, and fcandalus behauiour of manie bothe Englifhe and Scots minitlers refident in the Vnited Provinces, and more frequent refort of others then before, tbe Dutche minifters, oute of theire care to haue fuche fcandalus prefidents in the Church repreffed, were content to ioyne with the Engliflie and Scots miniftrie, in petitioninge vnto the States, that an a&, from them might be eftablithed, authorizinge them to reforme fuche abufes wherofe they did complaine, and depofe from the miniftrie all fuch as Ihould be found faultie in lyfe or dodlrine, or that did preiudice the vnitie of the Church and dignitie of theire cuntry, by preachinge, wrytinge, or anie other meanes, then theire, profeffion and good order would allowe. This correfpondens of the Dutche Churche was foe well lyked by the beft fort of the Englifhe and Scots minifters, that furthwith they apointed M'. John Forbes to deale with the reft of the miniftrie to affemble at the OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 389 Haghe, where, by affiftance of his maiefties embaffadour, they might concurre for the aduancement of foe neceffarie a motion; which accord- inglie M^ John Forbes performed, in affembhnge afwell the Dutche as Engliflie and Scots minifters at the Haghe. But at theire firft meetinge the motion was obuiat by a propofition (as it apeared finifterlie thruft in) made by one M'. Allexander Mackduffe, minifter at Campheare, whoe defired in his maiefties behalfe, that there might be a conftant moderatour chofen, and that three, at leaft twoe, names might be fett doune and fent to his maieftie, that hee might make choyce of one of them. This propofition was fo diftaftfuU to the Dutche Churche, that they prefentHe broke vpp, and refufed to ioyne anie further in that motion, which they did conceaue dire6lUe tended to the eredlion of bifhops : Yet the moft part of the EngUfhe and Scots miniftrie did conclude for giuinge his maieftie all poffible fatiffadlion on theire parts, that M'. John Forbes fliould be fent to England to giue true information of the conue- niencie of the firft courfe, and to fupplicat his royall approbation and afliftance, that it may goe one as it was firft propounded, for three fpeciall reafons : — 1. Reafon. — Firft, It will curbe all lewde, infolent, or vnqualified per- fons, that daylie, without order, intrude themfelues in the miniftrie, and Hue lyke libertins, without makinge confciens of theire profeflion, to the difgrace of the Churche, and reproache of theire cuntry. 2. Reafon. — Secondlie, If this beginninge had once taken effedl, it wilbe a fpeciall meanes to repreffe afwell the infolent wrytings of fugi- tiues, reforters, or refidents, as the fcifmes that daylie fale oute heare, which cannot but vnquyet bothe Churche and State at home. 3. Reafon.— Thirdlie, His maiefties approbation and afliftance of this motion, will vindicat him from thofe iealoufies which the Dutche Churche (prompted with fome ill affeaed perfons) conceaue that his maiefties in- tention is to bringe in Epifcopall gouernment araongft them, if not Po- 390 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS pifme itfelf : Of the firft theire cuntry is not capable, churche reuenuea beings deftitute to other publicke vfes, and irrecouerable ; and the other they cannot hear named with patiens. This is the fumme of that which the Embaffadour and M'. John For- bes by his direction did deliuer unto mee, bothe ferioufly regratinge the mifdemeanouris of fuch whofe difloyall labouris are dayhe vented, to the greefe of euery good fiibiedl. Thus, after long ftay at Flulhinge, and foure repuifes by contrary winds, ame I returned, referringe the premiffes, with fuch other obferua- tions as I haue fett doune apart, to his maiefties royall confideration. THREE SHORT OBSERUATIONS. 1. Firft, I obferue, that the correfpondens betwixe the Puritans of Scot- land and thofe of the Lowe Cuntries, dothe rather increafe than diminifhe, wherby it faleth oute, that by comunitie of Puritan feminaries, and correfpondens from Scotland, the moft part of his maiefties fubiedls inhabitinge in the Lowe Cuntries, are not onelie addidled to Puritanifme, readie to intertaine the badeft impreffions of theire owen ftate, but to cheriftie afwell fedition, lybillis, and rebellious notions, as the authors therofe. 2. Secondlie, I find that the contempt of bifchops, and the wrytinge bothe againft theire perfons and gouernment, is much applauded in the Vnited Provinces, which coraeth (as I conceaue) thoroughe the negledl of correfpondens, wherofe they haue litle or none either to aduance theire well, or oppofe theire preiudice. 3. Thirdlie, I haue learned that the caufe of the comunitie of for- biden bookes, both heare and in the Lowe Cuntryes, proceedeth from the correfpondens that is kept betwixe the printers and ftationers in England, Scotland, and there. If there be heare a copy that cannot be printed without danger, it is conueyed to Amfterdaid, \yhere it is faiflie printed, OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 391 returned, and fould at a tenn-fould deerer rate then anie other booke whatfoeuer. I haue diligenthe marked this abufe, and I do werelie thinke that without ftricke animaduerfion, it will rather increafe then become leffe. [Indorfed :] Patricke Scott, his Accompt of his Diligens.* * A letter from Sir Dudley Carleton, Ambassador to the States, relative to Patrick Scot's transactions in Hol- land, and addressed to James VI. is printed in the Analecta Scotica, vol. ii. p. 433. Scot complains that he be- held, in Holland, every " Bookseller's shop and most Pedlars' stalles loaden with the NuUitie of Perthe's As- sembly, the Altar of Damascus, the Dialogue betwixt Theophilus and Cosmophilus, the Speech of the Church of Scotland to her Beloued Children, and the Course of Conformitie joyned with all these (severally printed before), reprinted in one volume, and to be sold at no lesse a rate then if they had been oracles of Apollo." See " Vox Vera, or Observations from Amsterdam, examining the late insolencies of some Pseu- do-Puritanes, seperatists from the church of Great Brittaine, and closed vp with a serious three-fold advertise- ment for the general! vse of euery good subiect within his Maiesties dominions, but more especially of those in the kingdome of Scotland." London, 1625, 4to. p. 3. It is dedicated to King Charles I. He was also probably the author of " A Table-Book for Princes, containing Short Remembrances for the Government of Themselves and their Empire," &c. London, 1621. I2mo ; a copy of which is No. 2095 of the Gordon- ston Catalogue. The Altar of Damascus, above mentioned, was the English edition, now very scarce, which was subsequently enlarged, translated into Latin, and published, first, in 1623 (no place), andsecondly, " Lugd.-Bat. 1708," both in4to. At the end of the English work is the following very curious paragraph, in which the venerable primate of Scotland is spoken of in terms by no means flattering : — " Bishop Spotswood hath spread a rumour, that M. David Calderwood is turned Brownist ; but I assure thee, good reader, it is not true. That old impudent lyar bath, together with his supposed authour, a young man, trimmed up a tale with many circumstances, to make the misreport the more credible. But if ever he required by letter, the judgement, either of that sup- posed authour, or of any other man else, anent their opinions, then let him never be reputed for an honest man hereafter. If he bad doubted, he would not have sought resolution from yong scbollers, and unsetled brains. The ground being false, all the rest of the circumstances builded upon it are knavish forgeries also. If either Spotswood, or his supposed authour, persist in their calumnie after this declaration, I shall try if there be any blond in their foreheads. " It is, perhaps, almost unnecessary to add, that the " young man" is evidently intended for Patrick Scot INDEX. 3d INDEX. Abbas, Shah, solicits the assistance of James VI. against the Turks, 41, 42, 43. Abbot, George (Archbishop of Canterbury), informs John Murray that he has found suspicions against Richard Ball groundless, 231 ; and of his endea- vours for conversion of Mr Dorrell from Popery, 232. Abercom, James, first Earl of, reports proceedings at meeting of Synod of Clydesdale to the king, 117; and that the Archbishop of Glasgow has been ad- mitted as their moderator after much opposition, ib., 118; mentions prosecution of Papists, 119; has not interfered in behalf of Laird of Auchin- drane, 127, 138, 129; apprehends the Laird of Auchindrane, 132; about to sail for Ireland on the king's service, 239, 230; engaged in adjusting differences between Sir James Hamilton and Sir Hugh Montgomery, 233 ; has bad 2000 Scotch re- tainers of these gentlemen present at a hunting with him, ib. ; mentions proposal to levy a voluntary sup- ply to his majesty throughout Ireland, ib., 234, 239 ; desires the good offices of John Murray in Sir Hugh Montgomery and Sir James Hamilton's mat- ters, 239 ; and wishes to be informed as to proposed creation of two Irish barons, ib., 240. Aberdeen, presbytery of, to ministers of Lotbian re- garding excommunication of Earl of Huntly, 33, 34. , articles given in by the justices of peace for, for the reformation of certain abuses, 300. Advocates, exempt from taxation, 382 ; privileges of them and other members of College of Justice, 383, 384. Aersens, C, 28. Aitchison, Captain, seizure by his children of a war ship belonging to the Estates of Flanders in security of debt due to him, 113. Alexander, Sir William (afterwards Earl of Stirling), 216. Altenburgh, besieged by the Bassa of Bude, 26. Amiens, siege of, 35, and note. Angus, William, tenth Earl of, explains his conduct in parliament, 58, 59; asks leave of the king to send his second son to the baths in Lorraine, 62, 63 ; has taken the oath of supremacy, ib. ; imputes his majesty's displeasure against him to the misrepresen- tations of his enemies, 132 ; prays to be removed from his present place of confinement, 133; excom- municated by General Assembly, 144, 145; has written the particulars of his meeting with the pope's 396 INDEX. nuncio to Sir Alexander Hay, 160, 161 ; asks leave to return home for a short space to arrange his af- fairs, and to take a last leave of his friends, 174 ; allowed to quit the country, 190 ; warrant in his favour by the king, 191. Angus, William, eleventh Earl of, writes the king regarding calumnies against him on the subject of his religion, 266, 267. Annand, Viscount, John Murray, letter to him from Earl of Buccleuch regarding Francis Stewart, 351, 352; Thomas Nicolson applies to him regarding postmastership of Coldbrandspeth, 353; congratu- lated by Viscount Stormont on his elevation to the peerage, 354f, 355; letter to him from Sir James Baillie, 358 ; Viscount Lauderdale solicits his inter- est in behalf of Rev. James Lauder, 360; letter from Sir James Baillie to him, 361. Annandale, want of jail in, complained of, 305. Anne of Denmark (wife of James VI.), her dispute with Earl of Mar regarding the custody of Prince Charles, 4i8, and note, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55 ; her jour- ney to England, 57. Arbroath, charter of the lordship of, granted to Marquis of Hamilton, 125. . Arescott, Duke of, 3. Argyle, Earl of, his prosecution of the Clan Gregor, 72 ; his daughter's marriage, lOI ; negotiations with him, 335 ; verses by Craig of Rosecraig upon him, note, ib. Argyle, Anne, Countess of, accuses John Rattray and his wife of theft, 312, 313. Arnot, Sir John, elected Provost of Edinburgh, 153. Articles of Perth, opinion regarding them sent by Rev, Patrick Galloway to James VL, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310; written against by David Calder- wood, note, 385. Ashburnham, John, recommends James Reid to Lord Chancellor Hay, 363, 364, and note. Assembly, General, commissioners of, report proceedings of Assembly at Linlithgow to the king, 92 ; informed by the Rev. Patrick Symsone of his conference with the Marquis of Huntly, 163, 164. Athol, country of, in great disorder, 94, 98]; tranquillity restored by royal commission, 157. , Earl of, 102 ; escapes and raises commotion in Athol, 156 ; his demission, 280, 281. , John, sixth Earl of, note, 321. Auchindrane, Laird of, 117, 118, 119, 120; appre- hended by Earl of Abercom, 132 ; examined, 154 ; petition for his and his son's being put to the torture, 155, 156. Auchmootie, John, marries daughter of Sir William Setoun, 289. Ayr, town of, devastated by the plague, 91. B. Bacon, Sir Nicolas, letter to Queen Elizabeth, 1 ; apprehensive of danger from France and Spain — mentions policy to be pursued — Scotish nobility to be liberally bribed, 2, 3, and note, 4. Baillie, Sir James, writes to Viscount Annand regarding competition for the Justice-clerkship, 358 ; letter to Viscount Annand on miscellaneous matters, 361. Balfour, James, of PitcuUo, 5, and note. BaU, Richard, 231. Balmerino, Lord, Sir James Elphinstone (Secretary for Scotland), apprises the king of proceedings at meet- ing of Estates, 65, 66, and note; vindicates himself from accusations against him, 79, 80 ; reports pro- ceedings of council, in settlement of the feud betwixt the Earls of Eglintoun and Glencairn, 96, 97 ; and that sittings of council are interrupted by the plague, 98 ; letter to the king, on appointment of Sir Alexander Drummond as a judge of the Court of Session, 131, 132. Balvany, Laird of, witnesses produced against him, 380, 381, 382. Bannatyne, James, recommended by commissioners of burghs as a fit person to take charge of the post between Edinburgh and London, 135. INDEX. 397 Barganie, Thomas of, instigated to the murder of the tutor of Cassillis by the Laird of Auchindrane, 128. Eamevelt, John of Olden, note, 5. Berwick, Lord, George Home, afterwards Earl of Dunbar, 67 ; see Earl of Dunbar. Birnie, Mr William, 118, and note. Biron, Charles Gontault, Duke de, conspiracy of, 44, and note. Bishop, synod of Clydesdale object to being moderated by a, 117, 118, 119, 120. Blantyre, Lord, his feud with Earl of Wigtoun and Master of Montrose, 97 ; informs the king of escape of Earl of Athole, 156. Blyth, Mr Henry, solicits intercession of Reverend Henry Charteris, for obtaining a reversal of his sentence, 330, 331. Bonitoun, John Murray's action with. Lord Dunferm- line promises to conclude it, 318, 361. Books proscribed in England and Scotland, customary to send them to Holland and the United Provinces to be printed, 391. Borders, commissions for their pacification, 72, 89 ; suppression of turbulent Border clans by Earl of Dunbar, 172, 17a , commissioners of, their right to pursue and apprehend fugitives in the opposite kingdom, 356. , inhabitants of the late, complain of the tur- bulent state of the Borders, and the remissness of the officers of the crown in enforcing the laws, 179, 180, 181, 182. Eothwell, Francis, titular Earl of, 218; requests John Murray to second his petition to the king, 282; thanks the king for favours done him, 294>, and note, 295; see Francis Stewart. , Francis Stewart, forfeited Earl of, note, 352. -, Mr Francis, killed, 226. Bouillon, Monsieur de, 44. Brissac, Marechal de, 45. Bruce, Mr Edward, afterwards Lord Kinloss, ap- pointed ambassador to Queen Elizabeth, 7. , Reverend Robert, confined by the king's or- der, 318. Bryce, Reverend Edward, hostile to appointment of Archbishop of Glasgow as moderator of synod, 118. Buccleuch, Lord Scott of, informs John Murray of delinquencies of Robin Elliot, 271, 272; writes Viscount Annand regarding Francis Stewart, for- feited Earl of Bothwell, 351 ; his complaint against Sir Ralph Gray's people, 356, 357. Buchan, James Erskine, afterwards Earl of, marries Mary, in her own right, Countess of Buchan, 290. Buchanan, Sir John, 362. Buckingham, Duke of, about to go to France, 369. Bude, Bassa of, besieges Altenburgh, 26. Burghs of Scotland, reasons for, in support of their freights of foreign ships, 243. —^ commissioners of, protest ignorance of supply granted to banished ministers, 134 ; promise to be more watchful of proceedings of Papists and Jesuits in future, ib., 135 ; solicit pardon for having taken illegal rates of interest, 202, 203 ; petition for re- lease from duties on staple commodities, 203 ; and from bygone duties on goods imported from Eng- land, 204 ; desire to be freed from use of bullion in the intercourse of trade, ib. Burnett, Rev. James, wishes to be translated to the cure of Libherton, 360. Burntisland, Lord, represents the flourishing state of Scotland to the king, and eulogizes the Earls of Dunbar and Dunfermline, 196, 197, 198—220, and note. • c. Caithness, disturbance in, and barn-yards of Lord sations circulated against him, 287, and note, Forbes burnt, 274. 2^^' s burnt, 274. '""'■ , ^ ., , , ^ k- . • •, -. Earl of, appeals to the king against accu- Calderwood, Dav.d (church historian), escapes into 398 INDEX. Holland, and is pursued by Patrick Scot, 385; is traced by him to Amsterdam, 387; notes from his MS. History of the Church, 380, 385. Campbell, Sir Duncan (of Glenurquhy), complains to the king of depredations by the Clangregor, and represents danger of allowing Robin Abbroche M'Gregor to repossess his lands, 209, 210, and note. Campvere, appointment of minister at, I34i. Cianongate, magistrates of, petition the king to expede an act of parliament in their favour, 207, 208. Canterbury, Archbishop of, see George Abbot. Carco, heir of, 258. Carey, Sir Robert, 40, and note. Carrick, disturbance there, 55, 57. Carse, John, letter from him to the Bishop of Ross, 248, 249. Caschogill, Laird of, see David Douglas, 337. Cashel, archbishoprick of, promised to Dr Archibald Hamilton, 332. Cassillis, Earl of, urges the king to order the Lairds of Aucbindrane to be put to the torture of the boots, 155, 156. ^— — , tutor of, Thomas of Barganie instigated to murder him by the Laird of Aucbindrane, 118; trial of bis murderers, 154. Catholics, Roman, prosecutions against them to be dis- continued, 373. Cecil, Robert, Lord Burleigh, note, 38. Charles, Prince (son of James Vl.),stateof hisheallh, 46, 55 ; Marquis of Huntly recommended to him by his father, note, 123>; treaties regarding his mar- riage, 373, 374, 375. Charteris, Reverend Henry, his good oiiices solicited by Mr H. Blyth, 330. Charters, falsification of, common, 272. Chevereux, Mons. de, 368. Cheyne, Alexander, tried before secret council for as- sault upon a tenant of Lord Glarais, 69 ; sentenced to be beheaded, 70. Chichester, Sir Arthur (Lord Deputy of Ireland), letter to him from the king, recommending Lord Ochiltree, 201. Churchealdye (Kirkaldy), 121. Cicogna, Doge Pascal de, note, 9. Clandonald, 246. Claneboys, lordship of, 251, and note, 253. Clangregor, 47, 51, 52, 56, 72, 94, 98, 178, 290. Clergy, English and Scotch, resident in the United Provinces, loose life and scandalous behaviour of many of them, 388; Dutch clergy unite with them for the reformation of abuses, ib. Clydesdale, synod of, 117. Coals, petition by the burghs for restraint on transport of, 147, 148; the Chancellor and remanent Lords of the College of Justice receive instructions from the king to investigate the subject, 269, 270. Cockburn, Sir John (of Ormiston), solicits the trans- ference of his grandson's wardship from the king to himself, 260, 261. Cockburne, Samuel, petitions the king for remunera- tion of his services, 378, 379. Coin, false, 262; scarcity of, 328. Colbrandspeth (Cockburnspath), Thomas Nicolson wishes to be postmaster of, 353. Coldingham, abbacy of, articles of agreement concern- ing it between the Earl and Countess of Hume and John Stewart, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328. Colguhoun, Alexander, of Luss, submission of his feud with the M'Farlanes, 129, 130; petitions the king for assistance against the Clangregor, 178. Colville, Mr Alexander, licence granted to him by the king to treat with the Earl of Argyle, 335. , Sir James, of Easter Wemyss, ambassador to Queen Elizabeth, 7; writes Lord Kinloss as to want of a proper person in England to support the king's interests, and regarding the Due de Biron's conspi- racy, 43. , James, second Lord of Culross, decision in his favour as one of the postnati, 159. Commartyn, 44. Corhead, lands of, 207. Cornwall, duchy of, great part of it sold by Queen Elizabeth, 40. Corsehill, Laird of, note, 97. Cousland, 349. Craig, Alexander, of Rosecraig, his Poetical Recrea- tions, note, 217, 335. Cranstoun, Lord, letter to John Murray, 270. Crichton, Lord Robert, see Sanquhar. Crawford, David, eleventh Earl of, accused by the Laird of Edzell of forging letters in his name, 161, 162, 163; FuUarton of that Ilk solicits protection from the king against him, 167, 168; petitions against Laird of Edzell, 276, 277. , Jane, Countess of, complains to the king of her husband's ill usage of her, 184. INDEX. 399 Cromwell, Thomas, fourth Lord, introduced by Oliver St John to the king, 310. Crown, poverty of the, 274. Cuilzeane, murder of Laird of, 154, 155. CuUoden, teinds of,- Mackintosh of Culloden refuses to pay them, 264, 265. Customs, Farmers-General of the, make offer of a larger payment to his majesty, 120 ; desire all controver- sies regarding their customs to be referred to the ju- dicatory of the exchequer, 120, 121 ; complain of new impost of four pounds per ton within jurisdic- tion of Edinburgh, 121 ; desire that right of search- ery may be wholly referred to them, ib. ; and draw the king's attention to case of burghs claiming ex- emption from all customs, ib. Customs, the royal burghs of Dunfermline, Kirk- aldy, and Musselburgh, claim total exemption from, 121. D. Dalrymple, murder of William, by the Lairds of Auchindrane, 154. Damman, Adrian de Bysterveldt, empowered by James VI. to act in the case of the Earl of Errol's deten- tion, 19 ; directed by the states of Zealand to in- form James VI. of the formation of a powerful army in Spain, and to convey assurances of their friend- ship, 23; particulars regarding him, note, 23; in- forms James of loss of Spanish fleet by storm — of the defeat of the Emperor of Germany by the Sul- tan Mahomet— Altenburg besieged by the Bassa of Bude — death of the King of Spain, 26 ; peace be- tween the King of France and Duke of Savoy broken — truce between the Turk and the Poles re- newed, 27. Danielston, Mr Robert, conservator at Campvere, note, 17, 134> 148, 149. Dantzig, states of, letter to them from James VI., 211 ; Scotch subjects at Dantzig petition King James re- garding edict commanding the removal of all strangers from Dantzig, 367. Declony, Susanna, claims payment of account due to her husband Adrian Vanson, King's painter, 191. Dick, Gilbert, patent granted him by the king for print- ing book of Common Prayer, 320. — , William (afterwards Sir), his transactions with Sir James Baillie and Viscount Annand, 356, and note, 359. Dorrell, Mr, 232. Douglas, Sir William, of Drumlanrig, solicits John Murray's interest with the king in procuring the condemnation by the council of persons apprehended for plundering his sheep, 278. Douglas, David, of CashogiU, affray between his, and Drumlanrig's tenants, 337, 338, 339, 340. Drumlanrig, Laird of, has been put in trust of Captain Johnston's estate, 206; disputes between him and Lords Sanquhar and Kilmaurs settled, 225 ; fined 3000 merks for sending challenges, 226; affray be- tween his and Cashogill's tenants, 337, 338, 339, 340. Drummond, Sir Alexander, appointed judge of the Court of Session, 131. Dunbar, Earl of, 83, 85, 89, 97, 98, 109, 122, 123, 172, 194; bis death, note, 196, 197, 198. Dunbarton, in danger from inroads of the sea, 87, 88. Dunferqiline, burgh of, claims to be exempted from all custom duties, 121. , Earl of (Lord Chancellor), acquaints the king with state of his son Duke Charles' health, 46 ; mentions disturbances in the Highlands, 47 ; informs the king of his proceedings in the dis- pute between the queen and Earl of Mar about the custody of Prince Charles, 53, 54 ; recommends the Court of Session to the king's especial considera- tion, and urges the importance of selecting properly qualified persons as judges, 56 ; letter to the king, 67 ; reports proceedings as to feud between John- stons and Maxwells, 68 ; proceedings of council in the trial of Alexander Cheyne for assault, 68, 69, 400 INDEX. 70 ; affray between Johnstons and Maxwells about the house of Newby, ib. ; reports proceedings of the council in the Marquis of Huntly's case, 71; and general tranquillity of the country, 72 ; mentions af- fray between the Lairds of Edzell and Fittarro, and reports the tranquil and flourishing state of the country, 73, 74) ; vindicates himself, in concert with Lord Balmerino, from accusations circulated against them, 79, 80; writes the king on behalf of town of Dunbarton as to grant for enabling them to erect a bulwark against the inroads of the sea, 87, 88 ; re- ports success of king's designs for the improvement of Scotland, 88 ; praises Earl of Dunbar, 89 ; alludes to domestic affliction, ib. ; announces universal preva- lence of the plague, 90 ; hopes the king will not give ear to reports against him, 91 ; reports disordered state of Athol, 91 ; and exertions of council in ad- justing feuds, 95; communicates proceedings of council in the Master of Gray's dispute with his fa- ther, 111; and for settlement of feud between Haitley of Mellerstanes and Home of Eccles, ib. ; men- tions seizure of ship belonging to Estates of Flanders, 112; announces solemnization of the anniversary of the king's escape from the Gowrie conspiracy, 114, 1 15 ; vindicates Earl of Abercom from allegation of having taken the part of the Laird of Auchindrane, 127, 128, 129; denies having engaged in political intrigues with the queen, 14>2, 143, 144; reports examination of the Lairds of Auchindrane, 154; apprises the king of satisfaction given by his chap- lains, Drs Goodwin and Milwaird, 169; has read the work lately published by his majesty, ib. ; refers to his epigram upon the king, ib., 171 ; informs the king of Earl of Dunbar's success in bringing the Borders to a state of subjection and tranquillity, 172, '■ 173; reports the capture of pirates on the coast of Orkney, 193, 194, 195; urges upon John Murray the necessity of procuring a speedy decision from the king in dispute between Lord Sanquhar and natural son of the late lord, 215; letter to John Murray, 218; requests he may be furnished with a new bag for carrying the great seal, 219, 220; obliged to John Murray for his good offices in the dispute be- tween Sir Claude Hamilton and the Lord Deputy of Ireland, 221 ; cautions John Murray against giving credit to what may be alleged against him and his nephews by Laird of Skelmuirlie, ib., 222 ; an- nounces adjustment by the council of dispute be- tween Lords Sanquhar and Kilmaurs, and Drum- lanrig and his brother, 225, .226 ; relates measures pursued in procuring the surrender of Bishop of the Isles' son and the Laird of Ranfurlie by the rebels of Isla, 240, 241, 242; letter to John Murray, 256, 257 ; reports arrest of utterers of fa'.se coin, 262 ; writes John Murray regarding his nephew's preten- sions to the earldom of Eglinton, 263, 264 ; states obstacles to his making a journey to London, 267, 268; praised by Lord Sanquhar, 284; hostile to Earl of Tullibardine's claim toEarlof Athole's title, &c., 280, 281 ; Earl of Home writes him regard- ing the placing of his son on the commission for trying Francis Stewart's matters, 297, 298; ac- quaints John Murray with the progress of his law proceedings, 318; recommends claims of Dr Ha- milton to the archbishoprick of Cashel to John Mur- ray, 332, 333; dies at Pinkie House, 341. Dunkeld, Lord (Sir James Galloway), note, 115. Durie, Reverend Robert, writes the king contradict- ing accusations against him, 148, 149, 150, and note. D. Edinburgh, burnt by the English in 1545, 236. , Castle of, repaired, 294. , magistrates of, petition the king as to grants for improving the city of, 333, 334. Edinburgh, ministry of, its ill-appointed state — pulpits filled by incompetent preachers, 1 08. Edzell, Laird of, encounter between him and Laird of Fittarro, 73 ; accuses Earl of Crawford of forging INDEX. 401 letters in his name injurious to his credit, 161 ; and desires to be protected against him by the king, 163, 163; petitioned against by Lords Crawford and Spynie, 276, 277. Eglintoun, Hugh, fourth Earl of, murdered by Lairds of Robertland and Corsehill, 97. , Hugh, fifth Earl of, dted before privy council, 85, 86 ; his feud with Earl of Glencairn, 95. 96, 221. -, Countess of (Lady Ann Livingstone), let^ ter from her to Mrs Murray, 288, 289, 290, 291. Egyptians, law regarding reset of, 320. Elizabeth, Queen, letter to her from Sir Nicolas Ba- con, 1,2, 3, 4 ; from James Vl., 6, 7 ; her sick- ness, and grief for death of Earl of Essex, 39. , the Lady, provision for her on her marriage, 2U. ElUot, Robin, accused of falsifying charter granted by Lord Scott of Buccleuch, 271, 272. Elphinston, Sir George (Provost of Glasgow), his affray with Laird of Minto, 83, 84. Elpbinstoun, Lord, his action with Earl of Mar, 346. Enrol, Earl of, complains of hardships to which he has been subjected on account of his adherence to the Catholic religion, 16; intercepted in his passage through the Low Countries, 17; desires protection from the king, ib., 18; to be detained till sureties are given for his allegiance, 18, 19; insurrections consequent upon his return to Scotland, 21; sus- pected of treasonable correspondence with Spain, ib. ; solicits audience for his messenger from the king, 31 ; writes the king as to the hawk of Fouls- heuch, 76 ; requests his majesty's protection against machinations of his stepmother, 80, 81 ; complains of invasion of his hereditary office of constabulary by the privy council in the case of Earl of Glencairn and Master of Wintoun, 81, 8S ; oath tendered to him, 175; thanks John Murray for kindness shown by him to his son, 286. Erskine. Sir Thomas (Viscount Fenton, afterwards Earl of Kellie), 45, and note; 220. Erskyne, David, MS. Account of the Earls of Mar, 38, 48, 78. Escheats of malefactors' estates granted in favour of the party injured, 304. Essex, Earl of, has been injured by maintaining cor- lespondence with James VI., 7; his interest with Queen Elizabeth solicited by James VI. , 7, 8, note, 37 ; grief of Queen Elizabeth for his death, 39 ; English nation stunned by his unexpected death, 42. Exchequer, act of, for establishment of a fund for the crown's behoof, to be levied monthly, 274. , judicatory of, 120. Faith, Confession of, 2 13. Fenton, Viscount, 45, and note; 220. Flanders, Estates of, arrest of vessel belonging to, 112. Fontenelles, Baron de, 45, and note. Forbes, Mr John, minister of Aberdeen, his proceed- ings against Marquis of Huntly, 66, 71. , Mr John, agent of James VI. at Amsterdam, 388. -, Lord, his bam-yards burnt, 274. Foulis, Sir David, 45, and note. , Thomas^ king's jeweller, Sir William Keith commends him to the king as worthy to be trusted, 11 ; letter to him from Sir William Keith, 13, 14, 15, 16 ; the Lord of Kinloss referred to him for in- formation, 39. Foulsheuch, hawk of, 76, 77. Eraser, Sir Alexander, Laird of Philorth, letter to him from James VI. regarding his hawk, note, 78. Freights of foreign ships, 243 ; James VI. 's reasons for prohibiting them, 316, 317 ; discussed before the council, 319. French refugees, voluntary contribution to be raised for their relief, 323. 3 E 402 INDEX. FuUartoun, William, of that Ilk, entreats the king's pro- tection against the violence of the Earl of Crawford, 167, 168. Fyvie, Alexander Seton, Lord, President of the Col- lege of Justice, and afterwards Lord Chancellor — sketch of his life, note, 47, 48. See Earl of Dun- fermline. G. Galloway, Reverend Patrick, 108, 109, liO; ser- mon by him on his majesty's escape from Gowrie conspiracy, 1 14; sends the king his opinion as to the five Articles of Perth, 303, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310. , Sir James, note, 115. , William Coupar, Bishop of, dies, 318. Gibson, Mr Alexander, of Durie, appointed advocate for Lord Elphinstoun in action between him and Earl of Mar, 346. Glamis, Lord, 69. Glasgow, Archbishop of, opposition to his appointment as moderator of Synod of Clydesdale, 117, 118, 119, 120. Glenalmond, proposal to make it a forest, 336. Glencairn, Earl of, his feud with Earl of Eglintoun, 83, 85, 95, 96, 106; complains of his son's diso- bedience and misconduct, 192; 221. Goodwin, Doctor (one of the king's chaplains), 169. Gordon, James, of Lesmoir, 102. , George, Lord, applies to the king for grant of a sum of money to maintain his state, 177 ; in- forms the king of Macintosh of CuUoden's violent resistance to the law, 264. Gordon, Patrick, 211. ) Sir Robert, of Locbinvar, his dispute with John Murray about lands in Lothian, 289. Gorme, Donald, of Sleat, his feud with Macleod of Harris, 47 ; complained of by Sir Robert Macleod, 246. Gowrie Conspiracy, general thanksgiving for his ma- jesty's delivery from, 87, 117; sermon on the sub- ject by the Rev. Patrick Galloway, 114. Grahame, George, employed by the Earl of Dunferm- line in obtaining the release of the Bishop of the Isles' son and the Laird of Ranfurlie from the hands of the Highlanders, 241, 242. Gray, Lord, HI, 113. , Master of, his quarrel with his father reconciled, HI, 113. , Sir Ralph, complained against by Earl of Buc- cleuch for rescue of John Hay, 356. Gunpowder Plot, Earl of Montrose congratulates the king on his escape from, 74, 75. Guthrie, Mr James, his depo^tion in the cause be- twixt Balvany and Coates, 380, 381, 382. H. Haitley of Mellerstanes, settlement of feud between him and Home of Eccles, 1 10, 111, and note. Halkerton, Laird of, complains to the lung of being wronged by the Earl Marischal, 223. INDEX. 403 HaU, ReT. John, praised by Rev. Patrick Galloway, 109, and note ; intimates election of Sir John Ar- not, as provost of Edinburgh, to the king, 133; ex- culpates himself from misrepresentations to the kine. 185, 186. HamUton, Dr Archibald, much beholden to John Mur- ray— ^)romised the archbishoprick of Cashel, in Ire- land, 333. •, Sir Claud, dispute between him and Lord Deputy of Ireland, 221, note, 230. , James, second Marquis of, writes the king regarding delay in granting him charter of the lands of Arbroath, 125; his estate greatly burdened, and therefore anxious to obtain a grant that may enable him to maintain the dignity of his house, 126. , Sir James, his disputes with- Sir Hugh Montgomery, 233, 239. Sir John, deputed by his brother, the Mar- quis of Hamilton, to represent his case to the king, 126. , Marquis of, placed upon commission, for trial of charges brought by Lord Ochiltree against Sir Gideon Murray, 34'0. , John, a religious merchant of Edinburgh, active in importing Calderwood's works from Hol- land into Scotland, 387. -, Sir Thomas (afterwards Earl of Melros), king's advocate, 54. Hartsyde, Margaret, case of, 147. Hawking, 76, 77, 78, and note, 238. Hay, Sir Alexander, has delivered the Confession of Faith to the two archbishops in Edinburgh, 213; does not think it can be improved upon, ib. ; re- ports various opinions as to propriety of holding a parliament, 214 ; mentions proceedings as to ex- communicated noblemen, ib. ; has been reviewing the old records, and discovers great prejudice done to his majesty, by false retours of lands held of the crown, 235 ; submits his design for correcting this abuse, 236, 237 ; informs John Murray of expense of the expeditions for pacifying the Western Isles, 273 ; disturbances there fomented by interested in- dividuals, ib. ; announces Earl of Kinghorn's death, 274 ; mentions plan for establishing a fund for the crown's behoof, ib. ; thanks John Murray for favours received, 275. , Francis, letter from him to Lord Chancellor Hay, 368, 369. Hay, Sir George (Chancellor of Scotland), grant in his favour of feus in Orkney, 363; James Reid recommended to him by John Ashburnham, 363, 364 ; letter to him from Francis Hay, 368, 369 ; letter to him from Earl of Seaforth, regarding sale of Lochcarron woods, 365, 366 ; details his trans- actions with Lord Kinclevin to the king, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, and note; states his opinion to the king as to difficulty of breaking off the treaty of marriage with the Spanish court, 373, 374, 375 ; instructed by th'e king regarding discontinuance of prosecutions against the Catholics, 375. , Mr John, 118. , John, taken by Earl of Buccleuch, and rescued by Sir Ralph Gray's men, 356. Henderson, Andrew, accuses Sir Andrew Murray of Balvaird, 136 ; denies having brought accusations against Lord Scone, 139, 140, and note; decision of privy council in his dispute with the Lord of Scone, 254. • , Thomas, his ship seized by King of Spain, and himself sent to the galleys, 165. Herrings, exportation of, 245. Hewatt, Mr Peter, praised by Rev. Patrick Galloway, 109; intimates election of Sir John Arnot, as pro- vost of Edinburgh, to the king, 153; exculpates himself to the king from misrepresentations, 185, 186. Holyrood, Earl of Mar wishes to be made keeper of Abbey and Park of, 345. Holyroodhouse, Lord, 111; thanks the king for ho- nours lately conferred upon him, 116, and note. Home, Alexander, Earl of, recommended to the king's favour by Earl of Dunfermline, 72 ; writes the Lord Chancellor, as to placing of his son upon commission for settling the disputes of Francis Stew- art, 297. , Mr James, of Eccles, anxious to put an end to his feud with Haitley of Mellerstanes, 111, 112. Hudson, James, 16. Hume, Earl and Countess of, articles of agreement be- tween and John Stewart, concerning the abbacy of Coldingham, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328. Huntly, Marquis of, note, 17; insurrections conse- quent on his return from banishment, 21 ; suspected of treasonable correspondence with Spain, ib. ; peti- tions the king to order his release from process of excommunication, 29,30; suspected of having mur- 404 INDEX. dered the Earl of Murray at the instigation of the king, note, 29; directions as to dealing with him from presbytery of Aberdeen to ministers of Lo- thian, 33, 34, 35, and note ; thanks the king for letters to the council, in his favour, 60 ; has been cited before presbytery of Aberdeen, ib. ; mentions that the union of the kingdoms is preached against by the clergy, ib. ; petitions to be freed from their jurisdiction, ib., 61 ; explains his conduct in Parlia- ment, ib. ; professes his attachment to the king, 99, 100 ; letters to the king on his son's going to court, 122, 123, 124/ ; frequently called to London, to con- sult about Scotish affairs, note, 123 ; recommended by the king to his son, Prince Charles, ib. ; more rigorously dealt with than he expected, 145, 146 ; solicits the king's interference in his behalf, ib. ; his conference with Rev. Patrick Symsone, 163, 164 ; oath tendered to him, 175, 176; assures the king of his alle^ance, 183 ; complains of unreasonable demands of the clergy, 189 ; desires to be allowed either to have occasional access to the king, or to quit the country with his family, 190 ; makes satis- faction to the church, 296. Huntly, Earl of, see Marquis. , George, second Marquis of, sent to court, 122, and note. I. Innes, Alexander, of Coates, witnesses produced by him against the Laird of Balvany and his brother, 380, 381, 382. Ireland, rebellion in, 148. Isla, expeditions for pacification of, 273. Isles, disturbances in the, said to be fomented by in- terested individuals, 273. James VI., King, sends embassy to Queen Elizabeth, 6, 7 ; solicits Earl of Essex to give his support to ambassadors sent, 7, 8; informed by Sir W. Keith of particulars of his conference with Doge and council of Venice, regarding the recognition of James' right of succession to English crown, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12; desires the States of Zealand to detsun the Earl of Errol, 18, 19; instructs Sir William Keith as to negotiating alliance with Venetian re- public, 20, 21, 22; introduces Sir W. Keith to Doge of Venice, 22, 23; letters to him from Adrian Damman, 23, 24, 25, 26; assured of friendship and assistance by States General, 27, 28 ; petitioned by Earl of Huntly to order his release from process of excommunication, 29, 30 ; requested by Earl of Errol to give audience to bis messenger, 31 ; re- ceives assurances of friendship from Prince Maurice, 32 ; informed by Lord Sanquhar of delivery of his letters to Henry IV. and Monsieur de Rohan, 35, 36 ; his private instructions to bis ambassadors at English court, 37 ; letter from him to Shah Ab- bas, 41, 42, 43; informed by Lord Fyvie of stale pf Prince Charles' health, 46 ; and fallen condition of the Clangregor, 47; Earl of Montrose assures INDEX. 405 ' him of his entire blamelessness in regard to queen's visit to Stirling, 48 ; and mentions particulars of her majesty's dispute with Earl of Mar, regarding cus- tody of Prince Henry, 49, 50, 51 ; informed by privy council of proceedings relative to Clangregor, 51 ; and feud between Lindsays and Ogilvies, 52 ; informed by Lord Fyvie of proceedings in queen's dispute with Earl of Mar, 53, 54, 55, 58 ; exculpa- tion of Earl of Mar sent him by Earl of Montrose, 57 ; Earl of Angus vindicates conduct in parliament to him, 58, 59 ; thanked by Marquis of Huntly, 60; who explains his conduct in parliament, 61, 62 ; solicited by Earl of Angus to allow his second son to go to baths in Lorraine, 63 ; acquainted by privy council with proceedings in Marquis of Hunt- ly's case, 64 ; apprised by Lord Balmerino of pro- ceedings at meeting of estates, 65, 66 ; letter from Lord Fyvie, 67 ; informed by Earl of Dunfermline of trial of Alexander Cheyne for assault before privy council, 68, 69, 70; and of their proceedings in Marquis of Huntly's case, 71, 72; informed of affray betwixt Lairds of Edzell and Pittarro, 73, 74 ; congratulated by Earl of Montrose on escape from Gunpowder Plot, 74, 75 ; Earl of Errol writes him regarding hawk of Fpulsheuch, 76 ; letter from Earl of Mar on same subject, 77 ; Lords Balmerino and Dunfermline vindicate themselves from reports cir- culated against them, 79, 80; solicited by Earl of Errol to protect him against machinations of his stepmother, 80, 81; complained to by him regard- ing encroachment on his hereditary oflBee of consta- bulary, 81, 82; informed by privy council of their proceedings in the case of the Laird of Minto and Sir George Elphinston, 83, 84; and in regard to feud between Earls of Eglintoun and Glencairn, 85, 86 ; solicited for grant of money for erecting bulwarks to defend Dunbarton against the sea, 87 j informed by Earl of Dunfermline of state of Scot- land, 88, 89, 90, 91 ; informed of proceedings at meeting of assembly in Linlithgow, 92, 93; ap- prised by Earl of Dunfermline of disordered state of Athol, 94 ; and of labours of council in adjust- ing feuds, 95; informed of proceedings as to feud between Earl of Eglintoun and Glencairn, 96, 97, 98 ; assured by Earl of Huntly of his attachment, 99, 100; Earl of Argyle asks permission for Mar- quis of Huntly's son to come to Scotland to conclude marriage with his daughter, 101; informed by privy council of measures for capturing certain of the Clangregor, 102, 103; privy council write regard- ing obstacles to a union of the kingdoms, 104, 105, 106; informed by Earl of Glencairn that the de- cision of disputes between him and the Montgom- eries has been remitted to his majesty, 106, 107 ; informed by the Reverend Patrick Galloway of ill- appointed condition of Edinburgh as to its ministers, 108, 109, 1 10; informed that misunderstanding be- tween Master of Gray and his father has been cleared up, HI; and of steps taken for settlement of feud between Home of Eccles and Haitley of Meller- stanes, 112; Lord Dunfermline acknowledges re- ceipt of letter from him, and announces solemniza- tion of anniversary of Gowrie Conspiracy, 114, 115; thanked by Lord Holyroodhouse, 116 ; informed by Earl of Abercorn of proceedings at meeting of synod of Clydesdale, 117, 118, 119; letter to him from farmers-general of the customs, 120, 121; letters to him from Marquis of Huntly on sending his son to court, 122, 123, 124; solicited by Marquis of Ha- milton to confirm grant of the lordship of Arbroath, 125, 126; Earl of Abercorn vindicated to him by Lord Dunfermline of having taken the part of Laird of Auchindrane, 127, 128, 129; petitioned by Colquhoun of Luss to reserve the decreets already obtained by him against the M'Farlanes, in pro- nouncing decision on submission of their feuds, 129, 130; informed by Lord Balmerino of proceed- ings relative to Sir Alexander Drummond'S appoint- ment as judge of Court of Session, 131 ; solicited by Earl of Angus to allow his warding place to be changed, 132, 133; letter to him from commissioners of burghs as to supplies said to have been granted to banished ministers, 134, 135; letter to him from Sir Andrew Murray of Balvaird, denying charges against him, 136, 137, 138 ; letter from Lord Scone to same effect, 139, 140, 141 ; letter to him from Lord Dunfermline denying political intrigues with the queen, 142, 143 ; solicited by Earl of Angus to allow him either to go abroad or to be confined in one of his own houses, 144, 145 ; petitioned by Earl of Huntly to interfere in his behalf, 145, 146; in- formed of proceedings in Margaret Hartsyde's case, 147 ; letter to him from Rev. Robert Durie, vindi- cating himself from accusations against him, 148, 149, 150; thanked by Rev. Patrick Symsone in name of presbytery of Stirling, 151, 152 ; informed 40G INDEX. of Sir John Arnot's election as provost of Edin- burgh, 153; apprised of proceedings agdnst the Lairds of Auchindrane, 154; solicited by Earl of Cassillis to grant warrant for putting them to the torture, 155, 156; informed by Lord Blantyre of escape of Earl of Athol, 156, 157, 158 ; receipt of his decision in Lord Colville's case acknowledged by privy council, 159; letter to him from Earl of Angus, 160; his protection against Earl of Craw- ford solicited by Laird of Edzell, 161, 162 ; case of Thomas Henderson represented to him by privy council, 165, 166 ; Fullarton of that Ilk entreats his protection against Earl of Crawford, 1 67 ; in- formed by Lord Dunfermline of satisfaction given by his chaplains, Drs Goodwin and Milwaird, 1 68, 169; his newly published work praised, ib.; peti- tioned for assistance by Jane Stewart (Lady Lin- dores), 170 ; informed by Lord Dunfermline of success of Lord Dunbar's efforts for tranquillizing the borders, 171, 172, 173; solicited by Earl of An- gus to allow him to return to Scotland for a short time to arrange his aifairs, 174 ; petitioned for an allow- ance of money by George Lord Gordon, 177; his interference solicited by Colquhoun of Luss to put down Clangregor, 178; unsettled state of the bor- ders, and remissness of crown officers in performing their duty, represented to him by inhabitants of the late borders, 179, 180, 181, 182; receives professions of grati tudeand obedience from Marquis of Huntly, 183; complained to by Countess of Crawford, regarding her ill trearaent by her husband, 184; letter to him from Rev. John Hall and Peter Hewat, 185, 186; grants special warrant for appointing Mr Peter Rol- lock of Filtoun an Extraordinary Lord of Session, 1 86, 1 87, 1 88 : informed by Marquis of Huntly, that he has signed the articles of religion, directed to him by the king, and taken the oath of allegiance, 189, 190; grants warrant in favour of Earl of Angus, 191; instructs privy council to enquire into claim of late Adrian Vanson, king's painter, 191, 192; Earl of Glencairn complains to him of his son, Lord Kilmaurs, 192, 193; informed of capture of pirate ships on the coast of Orkney, 193, 194, 195; Earls of Dunbar and Dunfermline praised to him by Sir Robert Melville, 196, 197, 198; James Johnstoun recommended to his mercy by privy council, 199 ; thanked by University of St Andrews, for his design of establishing a library there, 300; recommends Lord Ochiltree to Sir Arthur Chichester, 201 ; petitioned by commissioners of burghs, 202, 203 ; petitioned by magistrates of Canongate to expede act of Par- liament in their favour, 208 ; informed by Sir Dun- can Campbell of the losses inflicted on him by Clan- gregor, 209, 210 ; thanks the States of Dantzig for their zeal in putting down libels against him, 21 1 ; explains his wishes with regard to establishment of a company of English merchants in Prussia, ib. ; in- structs John Speman as to tax to be levied on Bri- tish subjects to defray expense of Stircovius's prose- cution, 212; letter to him from Sir Alexander Hay, 213, 214 ; his instructions required as to proportion of produce of silver mines to be levied for crown'a behoof, 216; letter to him from Earl Marischal, regarding accusations advanced by Laird of Halker- toun against him, 223, 224; Sir Lachlan Macin- tosh represents bis grievances to him, 226, 227, 228 ; solicited by Sir R, Macleod to aid him in the reco- very of his estates, 245, 246, 247 ; petitioned by Sir John Cockburn, to convey to him the wardship of his grandson, 260, 261 ; informed of violent proceed- ings of Macintosh of Culloden, 264, 265 ; letter to him from Earl of Angus, 266 ; calls for report on state of collieries from Lord Chancellor and rema- nent Lords of College of Justice, 269, 270; peti- tioned by Earl of Crawford and Lord Spynie against Laird of Edzell, 276, 277; appealed to by Earl of Caithness, regarding reports circulated to his preju- dice, 287 ; informed by Earl of Lothian of fail- ure of negotiation for redemption of the forfeited lands of Johnstounbourne, 291 ; apprised by Lord Melville of the flourishing state of Scotland, 293; thanked by Francis, Earl of Bothwell, 294 ; informed by Earl of Montrose of proceedings at the meeting of Assembly in Aberdeen, 296 ; privy council re- commend grant of a monopoly for an improved me- thod of manufacturing linen cloth and roof tiles in Scotland, 299 ; articles submitted to him by the jus- tices of peace for Aberdeen, for reformation of abuses, 300 ; states his reasons to privy council for projected visit to Scotland, 302; solicited by Sir Gideon Mul-ray to confer the escheated estates of Scott o' Bonyngtoun upon his son-in-law, 304 ; receives opinion of Rev. Patrick Galloway, on five articles of Perth, 305 ; Lord Cromwell introduced to him, 310; applied to by Sir James Lundie, as to the teinds of the barony of Lundie, 314 ; transmits his determi- INDEX. 407 nation to the council with regard to the freighting of foreign bottoms, 316; solicited for pecuniary aid by Earl of TuUibardine, 321 ; TuUibardine proposes means for relieving his indigence, 322 ; recommends a voluntary contribution, for relief of French refu- gees, to the privy council, 323 ; apprised of extreme scarcity of coin in Scotland, 328 ; petitioned by ma- gistrates of Edinburgh, as to grants for improving the city of Edinburgh, 333; Earl of Morton begs leave from hira to negotiate with Earl of Argyle, 335 ; as- sured by Earl of Mar of his attention to proposed plan for laying out Glenalmond as a forest, 336 ; writes Marquis of Hamilton regarding commission for trial of charges against Sir Gideon Murray, 310 ; gives instructions relative to Earl of Mar's action for re- covery of Kildrimmie, 342; receives proposal from Earl of Mar, regarding money to be borrowed for buying in of certain pensions, 34i7 ; solicited by Lady Beatrix Ruthven, to preserve to her the pos- session of the estate of Cousland, 349 ; addressed by Earl of Mar, on the appointment of Sir Archibald Napier to be Treasurer Depute of Scotland, 350 ; his instructions regarding dispute between Earl of Buccleuch and Sir Ralph Gray solicited by privy council, 356 ; petitioned by Scotch subjects at Dant- zig, to interfere in their defence, 367 ; informed by Lord Chancellor Hay, of particulars of his trans- actions with Lord Kinclevin, 369; receives opinion of Lord Chancellor Hay, respecting marriage of I'rince Charles, 373 ; orders discontinuance of pro- secutions against Roman Catholics, 375; John Wolfe complains to him against one Sires, for invasion of the duties and privileges of his office, 376; petitioned by Samuel Cockburne for remu- neration of his services, 378, 379; account drawn up for him by Patrick Scot of his proceedings in the Low Countries, 385, 386, 387, 389, 390, 391. Jesuits, numerous in Scotiand, 134. Johnston, Captain, kills the Laird of Wamfray's bro- ther and escapes, 206 ; his lands in danger of being escheated to the crown, 207; killed in a fray be- tween the servants of Drumlanrig and Caschogil, 339. Johnstons, feud betwixt them and Maxwells, 68, 70, 72. Johnstoun, James, sentenced to lose his hand for shoot- ing of pistoletts, recommended to the king's mercy by privy council, 1 99. , St, house and furniture surrendered to Lord Scone, 218. Johnstounbourne, lands of, 291. Jonson, Ben, lines by him referring to Wolfe, the king's apothecary, 378. Justice, College of, recommended to the particular care of his majesty by Earl of Dunfermline, 56; infor- mation respecting the privileges of its members, 382, 383, 384. K. Keith, Sir William, informs the king of his meeting with Doge and Council of Venice concerning the recognition of James VI. 's right of succession to the crown of England, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and note; urges Thomas Foulis to furnish him with intelligence of what is passing in Scotland, 13, 14; reports as- surances of good will on the part of the Italian States to James VI., 15 ; afraid of James Hudson, 16. Ker, Sir Thomas, commissioned by Earl of Huntiy to convey assurances of bis fidelity to the king, 183. Kildrimmie, Barony of, claimed by Earl of Mar, 342, 343, 344, and notes. Kilmaurs, Lord, complained of to the king by his fa- ther, 192, note, 225. Kilwinning, erection of Abbacy of, 107. , Abbot of, 97. Kinclevin, John Stewart, Lord, his transactions with Lord Chancellor Hay respecting the purchase of Kinclevin and Innemytie, 369, 370, 371, 372. Kinghorn, Earl of, his death, 274. 408 INDEX. Kinloss, Abbot of, ambassador to Queen of England, 7; private instructions to him by James VI., 37; letter from an unknown person to him, 38, 39, 40, 41, note, 196. Kirkaldy (Churchealdye), burgh of, claims exemption from all custom duties, 121. Kirkwall, church of, seized by bastard son of Earl of Bothwell, 226. Lamb, Mr Andrew, appointed Bishop of Brechin, 99, 248. Lancaster, Duchy of, 40, see Cornwall. Largo, kirk of, 316. Lauderdale, Viscount, applies to Viscount Annand on behalf of Mr James Burnett, minister of Lauder, 360. Lawriston, Laird of, diligently attentive to church mat- ters, 68. Lennox, Duke of, 99. Libberton, appointment of minister at, 360. Lindores, Lady, 170, see Jane Stewart. Lindsay, Anna and Margaret, daughters of Alexander Lord Spynie, petition the king against the Laird of EdzcU, 276. , Barnard, claims right of searchery, 121. , Sir David, kills Lord Spynie, note, 162. , Patrick, see Bishop of Ross. , Sir Walter, assassinated by Earl of Crawford, note, 162. Lindsays, submission between them and the Ogilviei, 52. Linen, manufacture of, in Scotland, 299. Lochcarron, woods at, 365. Locbew, Earl of Seaforth's works at, 365. Lochinvar, Sir Robert Gordon of, his dispute with John Murray regarding lands in Lothian, 289. Lochmaben, kindly rentallers of, 205, and note. Lorrain, baths in, 63. Lothian, Robert, second Earl of, writes the king as to negotiations for redemption of the forfeited lands of Johnstounbourne, 291,292. , ministers of, letter to them from Presbytery of Aberdeen regarding Earl of Huntly, 33, 34, 35. Lundie, Sir James, descended from William the Lion, 314; solicits the king's interference as to settlement of teinds exigible from his barony of Lundie, 314, 315, 316. , Sir Robert, 315, and note. Luss, Alexander Colquhoun of, see Colquhoun. M. Macgregor, see Clangregor. , Robert Abbroche, 209. Macintosh, MS. Chronicle of the family of, 227, 229. , Sir Lachlan, of Dunaehtan, petitions the king for a release from his imprisonment, 226, 227, 228, 229. Mackduffe, Mr Alexander, minister at Campvere, pro- poses appointment of a moderator at meeting of INDEX. 409 Dutch, English, and Scotch ministers at the Hague, 389. Macleod, Sir Robert, solicits the king's assistance in the recovery of his estates, 245, 246, 247. ^^— of Harris, 47. M'Donald, Angus Ogg, leader of rebels in the West- ern Isles, 241. M'Farlanes, the, submission of their feud with Col- quhoun of Luss, 129, 130, and note. M'Gillichallum, John Dow, a notorious cateran, wounded in conflict with Gordon of Lesmoir, 102, 103, and note. ■ » Allester, apprehended by James Gordon of Lesmoir, 102, 103, and note. M'lntosh of CuUoden, offers armed resistance to en- forcement of legal warrant against him, 264, 265. M'Kenzie, Sir George, account by him of the descent of the Lundies of Lundie, note, 315. Magragh, Miler, Archbishop of Cashel, in a very weak state, 332 ; note as to him, ib. Mahomet, Sultan,*makes himself master of Wallachia, 26. Mar, MS. genealogy of the Earls of, notes, 38, 48, 78. , Earl of (Lord High Treasurer of Scotland), private instructions to him, as ambassador to English court, 37 ; very graciously received by Queen Elizabeth, note, 38 ; appointed governor of Prince Henry, note, 48 ; his dispute with the queen regarding custody of the prince, 48, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 57 ; promises to obey the king's directions regarding the tersel of Foulsheuch, 77, 78 ; writes John Murray on behalf of the Laird of Vachtune, 238 ; writes the king regard- ing proposal to lay out Clenalmond as a forest, 336 ; announces the chancellor's death to John Murray, 341, 342; instructions by James VL relative to his action for recovery^ of the barony of Kildrimmie, 342, 343, 344, and notes; wishes to be made keep- er of Abbey and Park of Holyrood, 345 ; informs John Murray of proceedings in his action with Lord Elphinston, 345, 346, 347; writes the king as to raising funds for buying in certain pensions, 347, 348; acknowledges intimation of Sir Archibald Na- pier's appointment to be Treasurer-Depute of Scot- land, 350, 351. , Countess of, announces Lord Chancellor's death to John Murray, and her husband's wish to be ap- pointed Keeper of the Abbey and Park of Holy- rood, 344, 345. Marischal, George Earl, vindicates himself to the king from charges brought against him by the Laird of Halkertoun, 223; desires that both parties may be cited before the Privy Council for the trial of these charges, 224, and note. Countess of, behaves ill towards her husband, note, 224. WilUam, Earl of, 224. Maule, Patrick, of Panmure, see Panmure. Maxwell, Lord, 68, 72. , Herbert, 362. Maxwells, feud betwixt them and the Johnstons, 68, 70, 72. Mayene, Monsieur de, James VL advised by Lord Sanquhar to secure his goodwill, 35, 36. Mellerstanes, Haitley of, settlement of his feud with Home of Eccles, ill, 112, and note. Melville, Robert Lord, 220 ; apprises the king of the flourishing condition of Scotland, 293, 294. Middle Shires, Commissioners of the, of great service in tranquillizing the country, 205 ; 356. Milwaird, Doctor (one of the king's chaplains), has given great satisfaction by his learning, eloquence, and godliness, 169. Mines, silver, 216. Minto, Laird of, younger, fray between him and Sir George Elphinstoun, provost of Glasgow, 83, 84. , Stewart of, his feud with Earl of Wigtoun and Master of Montrose, 97, 98. Moffat, lands of, purchase of Captain Johnstone's in- terest in them recommended to John Murray, 206, 207. Monbaraut, Monsieur, Governor of Rheims, 44, and note. Money, circulation of foreign, prohibited, 328 ; its partial reintroduction recommended, ib. Mons, Compte, 44. Montgomery, Sir Hugh, disputes between him and Sir James Hamilton adjusted by Earl of Abercorn, 2.33 ; recommended to John Murray by the Earl of Aber- corn, 239 ; writes John Murray regarding his dis- putes with Sir James Hamilton, 250, 251, 252, 253 ; sketch of his life, note, 253. Montrose, third Earl of, protests himself to have been no party to the queen's journey to Stirling, 48, 49, note, 57; congratulates the king on his escape from the gunpowder conspiracy, 74. , fourth Earl of, apprises his majesty of pro- 3 F 410 INDEX. ceedings of General Assembly at Aberdeen, 296, 297, and note ; solicits the king for leave to negotiate with Earl of Argyle, 335. Montrose, Master of, his feud with Lord Blantyre, 97. Mordington, James, Lord, second son of Earl of An- gus, 63, and note. Morgan, Master, apothecary to Queen Anne of Den- mark, 376. Mouswall, James Douglas of, 337. Mowat, James, letter from him to the king, regarding Macintosh of Culloden's refusal to pay the teinds of his lands, 264<, 265. Murray, Sir Andrew, of Balvaird (afterwards first Viscount Stormont), vindicates himself from charge of having spoken disrespectfully of the king, 136, 137, 138, 139, and note. , Earl of, murdered by Huntly, note, 29. , Sir Gideon (Treasurer-depute of Scotland), asks instructions from the king regarding proportion of produce of silver mines to be levied for the crown's use, 216; mentions his dispute with Arch- bishop of St Andrews, ib., 217 ; verses on him by Rose of Rosecraig, note, 217; actively employed in repairing the royal residences and fortresses, 294< ; solicits the king for grant, in his son-in-law's favour, of Scott of Bonyngtoun's escheat, 304, 305 ; informs the king of great scarcity of coin in Scotland, 328 ; and recommends partial reintroduction of foreign money, 329 ; charges brought against him by Lord Ochiltree to be tried, 34iO. , John, of Lochmaben, letters to him from W. ■Wheitfurde,204., 205,206,207; Earl of Dunfermline urges upon him the necessity of a speedy decision in Lord Sanquhar's case, 215 ; letters to him from Earl of DunfermUne, 218, 219, 220 ; thanked by him for his good ofiices in dispute between Sir Claude Ha- milton and the Lord Deputy of Ireland, 221 ; caution- ed against Laird of Skelmuirlie, ib., 222, 225, 226; desired by Earl of Abercorn to intimate his departure on his majesty's service to the king, 229, 330; letter to him from Archbishop of Canterbury, 231, 232 ; letter to him from Earl of Abercorn, 233, 231, 235; letter to him from Sir Alexander Hay, re- garding retours of lands holding of the crown, 235, 236, 237 ; Earl of Mar writes to him regarding Laird of Vachtune, 238; letter from Earl of Abercorn accompanying Sir Hugh Montgomery and Sir James Hamilton's letters, 239, 240 ; Earl of Dunfermline sends faim a statement of his proceedings for effect- ing release of Laird of Ranfurlie and the Bishop of the Isles' son, 240, 241, 242; Sir Hugh Montgo- mery writes him regarding his dispute with Sir James Hamilton, 250, 251, 252, 253; letter to him from Earl of Dunfermline, 256, 257 ; letter to him from Lord Sanquhar, 256, 257, 258 ; letters to him from Earl of Dunfermline, 262, 263, 264, 267, 268, 269 ; cautioned against Bobert Elliot by Lord Scot of Buccleuch, 271, 272; letters to him from Sir Alexander Hay, 273, 274, 275, 276; from Sir W. Douglas of Drumlanrig, 278, 279; from Earl of Tullibardine, 280, 281 ; from Francis, titular Earl of Bothwell, 282 ; from Lord Sanquhar, 283, 284, 285 ; from Earl of Errol, 286 ; from Anne Countess of Argyll, 312, 313; from Earl of Dunfermline, 318, 332 ; from Earl of Mar, 341, 345; from Coun- tess of Mar, 344 ; see Viscount Annand. Murray, Jean, sister of John Murray, 270, and note. , Mrs, letter to her from Countess of Eglintoun, 288, 289, 290. Mungo, 355 ; second Viscount Stormont, note. ib. , Sir Patrick, proprietor of Glenalmond, 336. , Patrick, shews instructions from the king to the presbytery of Aberdeen, 33. , Mr William, 257. Musselburgh, burgh of, cldms exemption from all custom duties, 121. N. Napier, Sir Archibald, appointed Treasurer-Depute of Scotland, 350 ; attempts made to induce him to INDEX. 411 forego his pretenaons to Justice-Clerkship, 358 ; sur- prised at Viscount Annand's silence respecting that office, 362 ; appointed Justice- Clerk, note, 363. Kassau, Corate Maurice de, writes James VI. regard- ing the ship Phoenix and prisoners in her, 4, 5, note ; James Balfour of Htcullo recommended to him by James VI., 5, 6 ; sends assurances of his friendship to James VI., 32; description of him by Baron de Maurier, note, 32, 3a Newby, house of, 70. Nicholson, Mr James (Bishop of Dunkeld), 99, and note. , Thomas, applies to Viscount Annand re- garding postmastership of Colbrandspeth, 353 ; 361. Nithsdale, Earl of, 351. Northumberland, Henry, Earl of, commits suicide in the Tower, note, 40; inquisition taken post mor- tem, ib. o. Ochiltree, Lord, Andrew, recommended by James VI. to Sir Arthur Chichester on his going to take possession of escheated lands in Ulster, 201, 202, and note ; charges brought by him against Sir Gideon Murray, 340. , Sir James Stewart, created Lord, note, 289. Ogilvies, their feud with the Lindsays submitted to privy council, 52. O^lvy, Master of, subscribes submission between the Lindsays and Ogilvies, 52. , the Jesuit, 262. Oldeubarneveldt, John of, note, 5. O'Neals, Con, Lord of the Claneboys, 251, and note, 253. Orange, Prince of, 3 ; see Nassau, Comte de. Orkney, Earl of, 52 ; convicted of treason and execut- ed, 258. , Bishop of, presents letters from the king to privy council, 98. , pirate ships taken on thecoastof, 194,195,218. , feuing of, 362, 370. Ormiston, Sir John Cockburn of, 260, 261. Palatinate, contribution for, 384. Panmure, Patrick Maule of, dispute regarding his teinds with Marquis of Hamilton, 125, 126. Papists, prosecution of, 110, 118, 119; sdd to be fa- voured by the king, 149 ; prosecutions of them or- dered to be discontinued, 375. Paton, George, MS. note book of, 83. Perth, five articles of, opinion of Rev. Patrick Gallo- way on, sent to tiie king, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310 ; written against by David Calderwood, note, 385. Phoenix, the ship, 4. Pirates, English, frequent on the Scotish coast — en- gagement with a pirate ship and pinnace, on the coast 412 INDEX. of Orkney — the ship taken, and 37 men with their captains, Perkins and Randall, put to death, I94f; the pirate's parson apprehended, and gives evidence against them, 1 95 ; a number of English pirates taken by the inhabitants of Orkney, 218. Fittarro, Laird of, his affray with the Laird of Edzell, 73. Plague in Scotland, 65, 67, 89 ; universal over Scot- land, 90. Portage, disallowed to all unfreemen, 330. Postnati, case of the, 159. Prayer, Book of Common, patent for printing it granted to Gilbert Dick, 320. Privy Council of Scotland, acquaint the king with their proceedings relative to the Clan-Gregor, 51 ; desire to be furnished with a shipfor transporting some of the clan into banishment, 52 ; mention proceedings in submission betwixt Lindsays and Ogilvies, ib. ; re- port proceedings to the king in process of excom- munication brought by presbytery of Aberdeen against Marquis of Huntly, 64; inform Earl of Dun- bar of steps taken by them in quelling disturbance in Glasgow, between Laird of Minto and Sir George Elphinstoun, 8-3, 84^; report their proceedings to the king in reference to feud between Earls of Eg- lintoun and Glencairn, 85, 86 ; inform the king of change of Earl of Athol's ward from castle to burgh of Edinburgh, 102 ; and of measures adopted for apprehension of John Dow M'Gillichallum and his brother Allester, 102, 103 ; write the king as to opposition offered in England to union of the two countries, 104; have always advocated such an union, not from any hope of benefit to Scotland, in particu. lar, but merely because it was desired by his majesty, 104, 105, 106; informed by Lord Gray that his com- plaint against his son had proceeded on erroneous in- formation, and that it is unnecessary to proceed far- ther in the matter, 113; inform the king of proceed- ings in Margaret Hartsyde's case, 147, 148; acknow- ledge receipt of the king's decision in Lord Colvill's case, 159, 160 ; represent case of Thomas Hender- son to the king, 166, 167; instructed to inquire into debt said to be due to Adrian Vanson, king's painter, 191, 192 ; recommend James Johnston to the king's mercy, 199; notes of their proceedings in dispute between Lord Scone and Andrew Hender- son, 254, 255, 256 ; intimate 'to the king their ap- proval of proposed introduction of improved methods of manufacturing linen and roof tiles into Scotland, 299, .300 ; informed by the king of bis reasons for intended visit to Scotland, 302, 303, 304 ; furnished by the king with his determination as to the freighting of foreign bottoms, 316, 317; note of their proceed- ings on this and other subjects, 319,320; receive directions from the king as to voluntary contribution in aid of French refugees, 323; refer dispute be- tween Earl of Buccleuch and Sir Ralph Gray to the king, 356, 357. Prussia, establishment of a company of English mer- chants in, 211. Prymrois (Primrose), Archibald, 327, 328. , Duncan, 327, 328. Puritans of Scotland, correspondence between them and the Low Countries said to be increasing, 390. R. Rammebskails, 205. Ramsay, Robert Abroche M'Gregour, takes the name of, 209. RanfurUe, Laird of, taken prisoner by rebels of Isla, 240 ; ancestor of the Earls of Ranfurlie, note, ib. ; released, 241. Rattray, John, accused of peculation by Countess of Argyle, 312, 313. Records, greater part of them burnt in 1545, 236. Beid, James, recommended by John Ashburnham to Lord Chancellor Hay, 363, 364. INDEX. 413 Retours of lands held of the crown greatly under- valued, 235, 236. Robertland, Laird of, one of the murderers of Hugh, fourth Earl of Eglintoun, note, 97. Rohan, Monsieur de, 35, and note. Rbllock, Mr Peter, appointed an Extraordinary Lord of Session, 186. Ross, Bishop of (Patrick Lindsay), letter to him from John Carse, 248, 249, 331, and note. Rothes, John, fifth Earl of, marries Lady Anne £r- skine, 290. Ruthven, Lady Beatrix, solicits the king to preserve her in possession of the estate of Cousland, 349, 350, and note. 1 Lady Mary, married to John fourth Earl of Montrose, note, 297 j some account of him, ib. ; his death, ib. s. Sanquhar, Robert, sixth Lord Crichton of, reports to the king the delivery of his letters to Henry IV., 35, 36 ; some account of him, note, ib. , seventh Lord, his dispute with natural son of late lord, 215, 259, 283 ; his variance with Drum- lanrig adjusted, 225 ; writes John Murray as to re- demption of lordship of Sanquhar, 257, 258 ; dis- appointed at not having been made a privy council- lor, 284. I , lordship of, proceedings for redemption of. 258. Savoy, Duke of, rupture of peace between him and king of France, 37 ; his attempt on Geneva, 44 Scone, Lord, 136, 139; his dispute with Andrew Hen- derson, 254, 255, 256, 280, 281. Scot, Patrick, his account of his expedition in pursuit of David Calderwood, the church historian, 385 ; traces him to Amsterdam, 387 ; but finds it impossi- ble to procure his arrest, ib. ; submits proposals tg the king for the reformation of the English and Scotch clergy in the United provinces, 388, 389, 390; and observations on the leaning of British subjects resident in United Provinces to Puritanism, on their contempt of Episcopacy, and on the prac- tice of sending forbidden works from England and Scotland to be printed there, 390, 391, and notes, 385, 386, 391. — — , Simon, of Bonnington, murders Walter Scott, son of the Laird of Harden, 304. Scot, Thomas (author of Vox FopuliJ, resident at Utrecht, 387. — — , Walter, son of Scott of Harden, murdered, 304. Seal, Great, of Scotland, bag for cariying, 219; a new bag wanted, 333. Seaforth, Earl of, writes Lord Chancellor Hay, re- specting sale of woods at Lochcarron, 365 ; and as to works at Lochew, 366, 367. Semple, Lord, submission of his feud with Earl of Glencairn, 85, 86. Sesse, Duke of, letters from, 21. Seton, Lady Isabella, marries Francis, titular Earl of Bothwell, note, 295. Setoun, Sir William, 289. Session, Court of, lack of knowledge and learning in judges of, 56 ; appointment of vacation in the win- ter session, construed by the common people as an allowance of general idleness and licentiousness, 85 ; Mr Peter Rollok appointed one of the Extraordi- nary Lords of Session, 186 ; privileges of its members, 382, 383, 384. Shirley, Sir Anthony, ambassador at the court of Per- sia, 41, and note. Simpson, Mr William, hostile to appointment of Arch- bishop of Glasgow, as moderator of the synod of Qydesdale, lia Sinclair, Lady Agnes, Earl of Errol solicits protection from the king against her machinations, 80, 81. 414 ind:ex. Sires, a servant of Master Morgan, complained against by John Wolfe, 376, 377, 378. Skelmuirley, Laird of, his character by Earl of Dun- fermline, 221, 222. Somerset, Earl of, his quarrel with John Murray, 288. Spain, King of, intends to invade Scotland, 20, 21; report of his death, 26 ; common enemy of Scotland and Holland, 28. Spanish fleet destroyed by a storm, 26. Speman, John, instructed by James VI. as to levy- ing a tax upon ScoUsh subjects resident at Dantzig for defraying expense of Stircovius' prosecution, 212, 213. Spotdswood, Archbishop of St Andrews, 330, 331 ; deputed to court by Convention of Estates, 332. Spynie, Lord, signs submission between the Lindsays and Ogilvies, 52 ; slain by Sir David Lindsay, 162, and note. - , second Lord, petitions against Laird of Edzell, 276, 277. St Andrews, University of, thank the king for his purpose of founding a library in their college, 201. — — — , Archbishop of, his dispute with Sir Gideon Murray, 216 ; struck with apoplexy, 257 ; Spottis- wood. Archbishop of, 330; deputed to court by Convention of Estates, 332. St John, Oliver, recommends Lord Cromwell to the king, 310. Star of Babylon, lands said to hold of, 206. Stewart, Lady Dorothea (daughter of John, fifth Earl of Atholl), marries William, second Earl of Tulli- bardine, note, 321. Stewart, Francis, titular Earl of Bothwell, 218 ; 4'e- quests John Murray to second his petition to the king, 282, 283; thanks the king for favours re- ceived, and acknowledges his father's delinquen- cies, 294i, 295, and note; has submitted all his disputes to the king, 297 ; goes to court, 352, and note. , Sir James of Killeith, Lord Ochiltree, 289. , Jane (Lady Lindores), represents her necessi- tous condition to the king, 170. , John, articles of agreement between him and Earl and Countess of Hume concerning Abbacy of Coldingham, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328. Stircovius, John, tried and executed for libel against Scotland, 212, and note. Stirling, Presbytery of, letter in their name by Patrick Symsone to the king, 151, 152. , town of, devastated by the plague, 91. Stormont, Viscount, congratulates Viscount Annand on being raised to the peerage, 354, 355. Sugar, plan for refining, approved of by Privy Coun- cil, 320. Symsone, Rev. Patrick, thanks the king in name of Presbytery of Stirling for his gracious reception of Commissioners of Assembly, 151 ; praises his policy in religious matters, ib. ; mentions writings against the king, 152 ; his history of the Christian church, note, 152; informs the Commissioners of General Assembly of particulars of his conference with the Marquis of Huntly, 163, 164. Tedjds, feuds frequently occasioned by rigorous exac- tion of, 315. Teith, Forestry of, granted to Robert de Lunden by King William, note, 315. Tercel of Foulsheuch, 77, and note. Testaments, gift of escheats for non-confirmation of. granted to Samuel Cockburn, 378; such grant found prejudicial to the king's authority and with- drawn, ib. Tiles, improved system of manufacturing them pro- posed to be introduced into Scotland, 299. TuUibardine, William, second Earl of, thanks John INDEX. 415 Murray for former favours, 280; and solicits his support to his claim upon Earl of Athole's title and estates, ib., 281 ; is anxious to effect an arrange- ment for obtaining the wardship of Lord Kinghorn, 281 ; in extreme poverty, and supplicates pecuniary assistance from the king, 321 ; has sold all his pa- trimony, has mortgaged the estates of Athol, and is otherwise deeply in debt, 322; proposes to the king to make him an English baron, with an allowance from Exchequer, or else to allow him to sell his title, ib. u. Union of England and Scotland, preached against by the clergy, 60 ; opposition to, 104, 105. United Provinces assure James VI. of their friendship. 27, 28 ; practice of English printers and stationers sending forbidden works fi-om England and Scot- land to be printed there, 390. V. Vachtune, Laird of, letter in his behalf from Earl of Mar to John Murray, 238. Vanson, Adrian, king's painter, claim of, 191. Vaughan, William, engravings by him to the account of Sir William Dick's sufferings, note, 339. Venice, Doge and Council of, particulars of their conference with Sir William Keith, regarding ac- knowledgment by them of James VI.'s right of succession to English crown, 8, 9, 10, II, 12. w. WalLachia, conquered by Sultan Mahomet, 26. Wamfray, Laird of, his brother killed, 206. Weldon, Sir Anthony, mentions that Sir James Baillie had got a pretty estate, note, 363. Whorlton, 40, and note. Wigtoun, Earl of, his misunderstanding with Lord Blantyre reconciled by Earl of Dunbar, 97. Winton, Master of, 82. 416 INDEX. 'Wheitflirde, W. writes John Munay as to feuars on his property of Lochmaben, 204 ; mentions activity of the' Commissioners of the Middle Shires, 205; informs him of Captain Johnston's flight after killing liSird of Wamfray's brother, and probability of bb lands being escheated, 206, 207 ; advises purchase of his share in lands of Corheid and Moffat, 207. Whittingham, Laird of, engaged in prosecution of the lisird of Vachtune, 238. William the Lion, ancestor of Sir James Lundie, 314>. Malison, Mathevr, 204, 205. Wolfe, John (principal apothecary to the king), com- plains against one Sires for invasion of his office, 376, 377, 378; Ben Jonson's notice of him, note, 378. Wrae, or Wray, Edward, 327, 328. TuLE (Julius), Alexander, grant by the late Lord Cromwell to him and Adam Abercromney, 311. Zealand, States of, instructed by James VL as to de- tention of Earl of Enol, 18, 19. Zouche, Lord, late ambassador to Scotland, 7. EDINBURGH PRINTING COMPANY.