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Full text of "Letters and state papers during the reign of King James the Sixth, chiefly from the manuscript collections of Sir James Balfour of Denmyln"

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socsci 

DA 750. A2 No. 13 

Letters and state papers 

during the reign o-f King 

James the Sixth, 



Date due 




LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS. 






/? r -"* 




LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



DURING THE 



REIGN OF KING JAMES THE SIXTH. 



CHIEFLY FROM THE MANUSCRIPT COLLECTIONS OF 
SIR JAMES BALFOUR OF DENMYLN- 




PRINTED AT EDINBURGH : 



M.DCCC.XXXVIH. 

l * 



!THCR-VN FROM 



Initials: 



EDINBURGH PRINTING COMPANY. 



THE LIBRARY 
UNIVERSITY GF GUELPH 



PRESENTED 



ADAM ANDERSON. 



THE ABBOTSFORD CLUB, 

JANUARY, M.DCCC.XXXVIII. 



JOHN HOPE, ESQUIRE. 



RIGHT HON. THE EARL OF ABERDEEN. 

ADAM ANDERSON, ESQ. 

CHARLES BAXTER, ESQ. 

ROBERT BELL, ESQ. 

ROBERT BLACKWOOD, ESQ. 

BINDON BLOOD, ESQ. 

BERIAH BOTFIELD, ESQ. 

JAMES BURN, ESQ. 

WILLIAM BOWIE CAMPBELL, ESQ. 

THE HONOURABLE LORD COCKBURN. 

JOHN PAYNE COLLIER, ESQ. 

REV. ALEXANDER DYCE, B. A. 



THE ABBOTSFORD CLUB. 

JOHN BLACK GRACIE, ESQ. 
DAVID IRVING, ESQ. LL.D. 

JAMES IVORY, ESQ. 

THE HONOURABLE LORD JEFFREY. 

GEORGE RITCHIE KINLOCH, ESQ. 

DAVID LAING, ESQ. 

JAMES LUCAS, ESQ. 

WILLIAM MACDOWALL, ESQ. 

JAMES MAIDMENT, ESQ. 

THEODORE MARTIN, ESQ. 
WILLIAM HENRY MILLER. ESQ., M.P. 

REV. JAMES MORTON. 
ROBERT NASMYTH, ESQ. 

ALEXANDER NICHOLSON, ESQ. 

ROBERT PITCAIRN, ESQ. 

EDWARD PIPER, ESQ. 

JOHN ROBERTSON, ESQ. 

ANDREW RUTHERFURD, ESQ. 

ANDREW SHORTREDE, ESQ. 

JOHN SMITH, YOUNGEST, ESQ. 

RIGHT HON. SIR GEORGE WARRENDER, BART. 



JOHN WHITEFOORD MACKENZIE, ESQ. 



WILLIAM B. D. D. TURNBULL, ESQ. 



CONTENTS. 



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 VI. to Queen Elizabeth, April 13, 1594, ... .6 

5. King James VI. to the Earl of Essex, April 13, 1594, ... 7 

6. Sir William Keith to James VI., February 4, 1596, . 8 

7. Sir William Keith to Thomas Foulis, August 15, 1596, . . 13 

8. Earl of Errol to James VI., July 1, 1596, .... 16 

9. Jacobus Sextus Magnificis et Nobilibus Zelandiae 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 VI, ...... 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 VI., 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 VI. Invictissimo Principi Shaugh Abbas, 1601, . . .41 

23. Sir James Colville to the Lord of Kinloss, 1603, ... 43 

24. Lord Fyvie to James VI., April 29, 1603, . ... 47 

25. Earl of Montrose to James VI, May 10, [1603?] . . .48 



CONTENTS. 



I'M.' 



26. Earl of Montrose to James VI., May 13, 1603, . ... 49 

(2^ 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 Errol to James VI., March 16, 1606, .... 80 

44. Earl of Errol to James VI., July 13, lb'06, .... 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 1606, . . . 88 
49- Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., October 30, 1606, . . . 90 

50. The Commissioners of the General Assembly to James VI., December 16, 1606, 92 

51. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., January 7, 1607, . . .94 

52. Lord Balmerino to James VI., January 21, 1607, . . . . 96 

53. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., . . go, 

54. Earl of Argyle to James VI., February 28, [1607], . . .101 

55. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI, March 3, 1607, . . J02 

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, . . ni 



CONTENTS. xi 

FACE 

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 Holy roodhouse to James VI., August 25, 1607, . . . 116 

63. Earl of Abercorn to James VI., August 26, 1607, . . . 117 

64. The Farmers-General of the Customs to James VI., . . .120 

65. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., February 6, [1608?] . 122 

66. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., February 26, [1608?] . 124 

67. The Marquis of Hamilton to James VI., March 1, 1608, . . 125 

68. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI., March 5, 1608, ... 127 
69- The Laird of Luss to James VI., April 23, 1608, . . . 129 

70. Lord Balmerino to James VI., May 1608, . . . . 131 

71. Earl of Angus to James VI., May 25, 1608, . . . .132 

72. The Commissioners of the Burghs to James VI., July 8, 1608, . .134 

73. Sir Andrew Murray of Balvaird to James VI, July 13, 1608, . . 136 

74. Lord Scone to James VI., . . . . . . 139 

75. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI, August 3, 1608, . . .140 

76. Earl of Angus to James VI, August 10, 1608, . . . 144 
77- The Marquis of Huntly to James VI, August 12, [1608?] . . 145 

78. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI, August 18, 1608, . .147 

79. The Rev. Robert Durie to James VI, October 21, 1608, . . 148 

80. The Rev. Patrick Symsone to James VI, November 10, 1608, . 151 

81. The Rev. John Hall and the Rev. Peter Hewatt to James VI, Nov. 10, 1608, 153 

82. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI, December 2, 1608, . . . 154 

83. Earl of Cassillis to James VI, December 3, 1608, . . . 155 

84. Lord Blantyre to James VI, December 17, 1608, . . . 156 

85. The Lords of Priry Council to James VI, February 16, 1609, . . 159 

86. Earl of Angus to James VI, February 16, 1609, ... 160 

87. The Laird of Edzell to James VI, 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 VI, May 16, 1609, . .165 

90. William Fullartoun of that Ilk to James VI, . . . .167 

91. Earl of Dunfermline to James VI, July 5, 1609, ... 168 

92. Jane Stewart, Lady Lindores, to James VI, August 3, 1609, . . 170 



xii CONTENTS. 

FACE 

93. Earl of Dunferraline to James VI., August 12, 1609, 171 

94. Earl of Angus to James VI, October 30, [1609 ?] 174 

95. Oath tendered to the Marquis of Huntly and the Earl of Errol, November 13 

and 17, 1609, . " 175 

96. George Lord Gordon to James VI., . '.177 

97. Alexander Colquhoun of Luss to James VI., November 13, 1609, ; 178 

98. .The Inhabitants of the late Borders of Scotland to James VI., . ..179 

99. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., February 15, 1610, . 183 

100. Countess of Crawford to James VI, February 17, 1610, 184 

101. Rev. John Hall and Rev. Peter Hewat to James VI, February 17, 1610, 185 

102. Warrant appointing Peter Rollok of Piltoun one of the Extraordinary Lords 

of Session, May 16, 1610, . . .186 

103. Marquis of Huntly to James VI., June 18, [1610?] . . .189 

104. Warrant by James VI. in favour of the Earl of Angus, [1610?] . . 191 

105. James VI. to the Lords of the Privy Council, July 6, 1610, . . 191 

106. Earl of Glencairn to James VI, ...... 192 

107. Earls of Dunfermline and Dunbar to James VI, July 27, 1610, . . 193 

108. Sir Robert Melville to James VI, . . . . . . 196 

109. The Lords of Privy Council to James VI, May 3, 161 1, . . 199 

110. The University of St Andrews to James VI, May 4, 16.11, . . 200 

111. James VI. to Sir Arthur Chichester, September 14, 1611, . . 201 

112. The Commissioners of the Burghs to James VI, .... 202 

113. W. Wheitfurde to John Murray, May 16, 1612, .... 204 

114. W. Wheitfurde to John Murray, May 28, 1612, .... '206 

115. The Magistrates of Canongate to James VI, Seplember 26, 1612, . '207 

116. Sir Duncan Campbell to James VI, February 2, 1613, . . . 20<J 

117. Jacobus VI. Civitati Gedanensi, [1613?] . . . . .211 

118. Jacobus VI. Johanni Spemanno, [1613?] ..... 212 

119. Sir Alexander Hay to James VI, July 4, [1613?] . . . 213 

120. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, February 10, 1614, . . 215 

121. Sir Gideon Murray to James VI, June 9, 1614, . . . 216 

122. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, June 30, 1614, . . . 218 

123. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, July 8, 1614, . . . 219 

124. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, July 15, 1614, . . . 221 



CONTENTS. xiii 

125. The Earl Marischal to James VI., July 28, 1614, .... 223 

126. Earl of Dunfermline to John Murray, July 29, 1614, . . . 225 

127. Sir Lachlan 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, 161 5, . ... 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 VI., [1615?] . . 276 

154. Sir William Douglas of Drumlanrig to John Murray, January 6, 1616, . 278 

155. Earl of Tullibardine to John Murray, January 6, 1616, . . 280 

156. Francis, titular Earl of Bothwell, to John Murray, January 8, 1616, . 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 

159. Earl of Caithness to James VI., January 26, 1616, . . . 287 

160. Countess of Eglintoun to [Mrs Murray ?] 1616, . . . 288 

161. Earl of Lothian to James VI., April 10, 1616, . 291 

162. Lord Melville to James VI., April 1616, . . 293 

163. Francis, titular Earl of Bothwell, to James VI., May 26, 1616, . 294 

164. Earl of Montrose to James VI., August 27, 1616, . . . 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 VI. 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 Coiyitess of Argyll to John Murray, [1617?] . . . 312 

173. Anne Countess of Argyll to John Murray, [1617?] . . . 313 

174. Sir James Lundie to James VI, 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 Tullibardine to James VI, [1620?] 321 

179- Earl of Tullibardine to James VI, [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 VI, 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 VI, April 6, 1621, . . 333 

186. Earl of Morton to James VI, April 18, 1621, .... 335 

187. Earl of Mar to James VI, April 25, 1621, . . . 336 

188. The Trew Informatioun of the Acsident fallin out betuix Drumlangrig and 

Casschogill vpon Saturday the tuelff Day of May 1621 yeire, . . 337 

189- James VI. to the Marquis of Hamilton, 1621 340 



CONTENTS. 



I'AGF 



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 Kildrimmie, . . . 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, . . . . 350 

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, tuich- 

ing thair Priuiledges, . .... 382 

215. The Accompt of my Diligens in the Seruice committed to mee, with a Motion 

commended to bis Maiestie from his Embassadour at the Haghe, [by Patrick 

Scot], .... . . 385 



PEEFATOEY 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 Librajy 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 arranged 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. 



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.I 50 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 
public 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. 8vo, Edin. 1836-1837), it was 
not deemed advisable to reprint them here. 



PREFATORY NOTICE. x i 

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 literarv 
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,f displays more 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 8vo. 

t The Melros Papers, which have been 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 aduaritages 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 vncon troll able 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 Cliddisdaill, 
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 
few 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.t 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 arbitrement 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.! 

The Melros Papers, presented to the Club by the President, 
and the present volume, contain by far the greater part of the 

* See Alibokford Miscellany, vol. i. 

f D'Israeli, ths 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 ths First." London, 1816. Crown 8vo. 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 Ralfour MS. relative to the time 
of James the First. Rut 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 Rrittain." To a Pa- 



PREFATORY NOTICE. xv ii 

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 regrets 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, FORRES STREET, 
1st 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, 
lit May 1838. 



[ xix ] 



THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE AND THE LORD REGISTER 
TO KING JAMES VL 
SEPTEMBER 18, 1612. 



PLEIS SOUK SACKED MAIESTIE, 

The Erie of Ergyle compeiring this day befoir 3oure maief- 
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 sour maieftie, according to goure maiefties 
plefour and direclioun, fygnefeit vnto ws by 3oure maiefties lettre of the 
fecond of this inftant, and he hes nominal 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.22, 10s. out of every hundred pounds of the fines el- 
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 bairnis 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 



who hes vndertane the charge, with promiffis to do his indevoir to bring 
the fame to fome fetled perfe6lioun. We haif had fmdrie 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 firft 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 effe&uat. This is all 
that hes bene done with him at this meiting. So, with our hairty 
prayeris vnto God, recommending soure maieftie to Godis devyne pro- 
tedlioun, we [reft] 

gour Maiefties moft humble and obedient 
fubieclis and feruitouris, 

AL. CANCELLAEIUS. 
ALEX B . HAY. 
Edinburgh, 18 Sep. 1G12. 

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 " arbitral! 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 hanged 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 



ILLUSTRATIVE 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 m perfon. O good madam, not wante of a willing 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 
maiefties 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 enemyes, 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 ftate haften and growe on as greatly. Their willis are redy, 
onely theis lettis differreth their oportunytie. Nowe, thofe being taken 
awaye, with what coniundl force and fury they will execute their will, full 
of enmytie and revenge, is eafy to be judged : for feing your maieftie 
hath had evidente prouffe of their ill difpoficiouns towardis you by their 
pra&ifes, 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 fhall 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 prete&e that they pretende to have, 
to ferve their purpole. 

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 maieflie that which I have ofte intended, and yet neuer done, 
partely by feare, partely by hope, that thingis fhoulde prove better, which 
I fee daylie 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 
rayne vnderftanding, and the befte remedy that I can thinke of, be theis, 
nevertheles fubmytting them with all humblenes to your maiefties mode 
grave and wife confideracioun. 

The firfte remedy is to make Scotland as aflured to your maieftie as 
maye be, for fo befydis the ayde you maye have by them, the greate 
perill 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 fhalbe agreed vpon in that conference be fente to your highnes to 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 fhalbe 
mofte affured to your maieftie ; and for the better bringing this to pafie, 
I mofte humblie befeeche your highnes, that fuche and fo many pentions 
maye be graunted, as maye befte bring it to good effe6le. Surely I thinke 
that euery thowfande poundis that fhalbe 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 muflers 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 foreigners ?] 

Thus, I have troubled your maieftie, I confefle, longer then perchaunce 
it nedeth, confidering cheefely your owne vnderftanding and wifedome, 
and therewith the grave, wife, and carefull 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 fhaking hande being 



4 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

fo ill ; and the rather becaufe I raeane not to trouble your maieflie 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 fubiecle 
and fervaunte, 

NICHOLAS BACON.* 

To the Queenis mofte excellent Maieftie, 
my mofte gracious Soveraigne. 



H MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE NASSAU AU ROY D'ESCOSSE.t 

OCT. 6, 1588. 

SIRE, 

Dautant que voftre maiefte fera affez informee, tant par ce 
porteur, comme par ce que mefiieurs 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 diet porteur et du contenu des 
didles lectres. Priant a voftre maiefte treftiumblement de vouloir croire 
que non feullement en ce qui peult toucher ledict 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 concerred 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. 

f Balcarrus Papers. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 5 

raandemens, 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 protection. De la Have, ce vj O&obre 
1588. 

De voftre Maiefte tres humble feruiteur, 

MAURICE DE NASSAU.* 
Au Roy d'Efcoffe. 

Indorfed: 

11 6 Oftob. 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 ieunefle 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, lie 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 unlike 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. 

f This was probably " Jacobus Balfourius a Pitcullo, 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 affe&iones amis, tant pour les vertus que ie cognois en 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 1'amour de 
moy, fi dauanture il ait occafion de faire feiour es Prouinces Vnies, ou, bien 
fil ait a pafier par vos quartieres. Vous afieurant que vous my faires 
plailir, dont ie men reuencheray a lendroit de ceux quil vous plaira me 
recommender. Et en ceft endroit ie prieray 1'Eternel, 

Monfieur mon coufin, quil vous ait toufiours en fa faindle et digne 
garde. De mon Chafteau de Dalketh, ce 19 de Septembre 1592. 

Voftre bien affeclionne Coufin, 

JAQUES R. 

A Monfieur mon Coufin, Monfieur 
le Conte de Naflau, Grand Ad 
miral de Prouinces Unies.* 



IV.KING JAMES VI. TO QUEEN ELIZABETH. 
APBIL 13, 1594. 

RIGHT HEIGH, RIGHT EXCELLENT, AND MIGHTIE PRINCESSE, 

Or darreft fifter and couffin, 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 cred.t Spottiswood, Bishop of Clogher, in after life, sorely belied the character given 
h,m 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 Vymes,* and Mr Eduard 
Bruce, Commendator of Kinloffeif amplie inftrucled lykuayes in all fuch 
maters, 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 refpecl and confideration being had, we fall at lenth receaue 
fuch full fatiffa6lioun as in reflbun 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 faithfull 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 prote<Stioun. Edinbrugh, the 
xiij of Aprile 1594.J 

JAMES R. 



V KING JAMES VI. TO THE EARL OF ESSEX. 

RlCHT TRUSTIE AND WELLBELOUIT COUSIN, 

Allthoch 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 direclit thir tuo gentelmen, ambaffadouris to the Quene 
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. 

f 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 amide 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 freindfhipp 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 affift the Quene 
vith youre good aduyce, not to fuffer herfelf to be fyled and abufed 
any longer with fuche as pra?ferre thair particulaire and unhonefl 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 truflye and well belouit 
Coufin, the Earle of Eflex. 



VI.SIR WILLIAM KEITH TO JAMES VI. 
FEBRUARY 4, 1596. 

PLESE 30UR MAIESTI, 

I cam to this toun of Venice the xiii of Deffember, flillo 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 been 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 any mairi [mair?] : he lernit that thair vas 
ane deid and ane other remaining imbaftor at Roim, that had fom faflbns 
vith flrangers. Sva, finding that the Devk of Venice at that tyme* is nov 
deid ; and as I trov the other fennatour gif any vas (33, albeit he var 
leifing, thay often ar fchengeitt everi fax monethe) fva I focht quher I 
micht quyatly be aquent vith the principall fecritter, quhilk vithe dificolti 
I obtained, in refpect thay remaine in office all thair lyf, and is not thair 
faffbn to fpeik vith any hot poblikly ; 3it he did fo meikill, as I vas brocht 
in be ane quyat pafiage, 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 fheav, hot 3our 
maiefties inftro6lions quhilk I vald not, I thoght gud to fill ane of the 
blanks 3our maieflie fent vith me, vithe fom gennerall vords of ofice to 
the Deuk and Sennat vithe credit be 3our hines onto my felf: I and my 
brother being cecritters, alvay it pleift them verrie veill, and vald hav 
honorrit me for 3our maiefties faik as ane imbaftour, bot I fheu tham 
I vas not, bot for fecrit handling of 3our 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 3our 
maieftie ; bot quhan I begane and tald them quhow that ane song Skots 
gentillman called Balendin brocht fik a meflege onto 3our maieftie, and 
fva forthe as 3our 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 reflbn and difcreffion vald. At laft I faid in 3our maiefties 
nem, I vas to gif anfuair to thair firft propofficion, quhilk vas 3our 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 sour 
maieftie, and 31! 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 sour maieftie var troblit in sour avin contra, or after the Quein of 
Inglands diffece, be any domeftik or forrene nacion in feiking of sour 
richt, quhat vald be thair pairt, and quhow vald thay think of it ? The 
Devks anfvar vas, that thay fovld advyfie and gif ane fik anfvair as God 
moift tham vithe all. Ovpon the morren I vas deffyrit again, and cavil 
fit doun amongs tham quhither I vald or not, and put on my hat. The 
Dewk begovd and faid, ve hav advyft to gif sour King ane anfvair, 
quhilk ve beleife fall content him, and that se 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 sour fecritt form vith ovffe, and vill 
deffvr sou fet down the fobilance of this vret onto his hines sour maiftir, 
and quhat forder, he vill bid sou 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 thir 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 sour maieftie, quha never 
derekit me sit, I thank God and sour hines, bot sour graces errands seid 
reffonable veill, as I houp this fall. Sua, fir, the tyme being propir in 
refpect of the Kyng of Spains interpryfe apeirandli again Ingland, gif 
Sour maieftie pleife, 36 may taik onto sov fik feu nomber of sour coun- 
fall as 36 think gud, and refolffe quhat fardar sour maieftie vill deill 
vith this meft vyffe and luifing Repoblik, for quhat sour hines vill feik of 
tham vith reffon, I beleife to obtein it onto sour maieftie, letting me be 
authorreift be sour maiefties lettirs to the Devk and Sennat all in ane, 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 11 

and fom blanks vith sour maiefties 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 flaying ftill 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 beflowit for many 
reflbns, and I hoip in God to do 3our maieftie gud and fecrit fervice 
heir ; only the difpatche 3our hines fends, baithe for 3our ferveice and my 
help, let it be foine and fecritt ; for I beleife, and can lerin heir nothing 
els, but that the Spain3airds falbe in Ingland, or els ewill douing, be the 
tym I dow heir from 3our maieftie. But albeit, fpair not to fend me vord, 
for I beleife to do 3our hines lytill var fervice gif thay var landit in Ing- 
land, nor quhar thay ar prefTently. This ftet luifs tham not, and fua pre- 
pairs be fi, inkece thay mein for them, albeit in the mein tyme thay ar in 
fair terms. If it may pleife 3our hines to communicat of this onto Thomas 
Fovls, I, vithe 3our majeflies lyflance, vill anfvair for his fecreffi ; and he 
is verie meit to delyver my lettirs onto 3our hines from tym to tym, and 
vithe ane vord of 3our hines (be him to James Hudfon) my hell lettirs 
vill com and gang verie faife. Bifiking 3our hines to pardon my baldnes 
and roid form in vretting fva langfomly, quhilk I vas conftranit to do, 
that 3our hines micht heire my hell procidings, as I vald to God 3our 
maieftie knew my hairt, and vithe quhat deflyr I do 3our 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 blife sour hines and 
all sour proceidings. From Venice, the fourt of Fabrowair, ftilo novo, 
1596. 

Your Maiefties faithfull, humble, and 
moft obedient fervand, 

S r . W. KEITHE.* 

The gret gudvill and fauorable intencion that the kyngs maieftie of 
Skotland hes participattit vithe ovfie be sour mediacioun. 

The anfvair quharof. It falbe onto ovfle moft deflyrrous and villing 
all the gud lovks of his maieftie inkrefling 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 ovfle, 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 
faflbn to gif copis of, nather hav thay any vret of me.f 



To his Maiefti of Skotland. 



Sir William Keith of Ludquhairn, 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. 
15TH AUGUST [1596] ? 

MOST LUIFFING AND ASSURRED FflEIND, 

I can not hot marwall, 30 haue newer wrettin hot ane lettir, fence 
I fende sow myn, to be preffentit till owr deireft freind, quha I am foir 
hes not bein the cawfTe off fwa lang flay, the porpoffe importting fo 
meikill onto him, for tym is all in fik mairtchandeis, and may affur 3ow 
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 refpect 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 
3our ffreind and 3owr felff, can ken off my mairtchandeis be my fait, it is 
nocht : 3^ 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 JefTowitts ar, nor wha inter- 
feptts the lettir ; bot, as I taik it, Ingland, quha I am affurit has bein 
ewer bettir informit off me, nor that I will hawe cheng in my releigion, 
and any thinge els bot my prievat excerfeifles I mell not into, and for 
3owr 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, 3it flaying owpon 
3owr adwarteifment. 3 e wre t newer ane word news onto me, nor quhow 
our Sweithland maiflir is, 3it I haue bein demandit heir quhat news I 
haid from Scotland, and quhan 1 heird from it ? Confider 36 thein giff I 
haw cawffe to find fait with sour flewthful onkyndnes. Farder, fom of 
my aquentance fpeirrit giff his maieflie of Scotland heid fend any men 
and fchaipis with this fleit 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 

taiks thaim for enemies ; and thinks tham fober freinds that diflyks thara, 
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 sowr on- 
kyndnes, I man tell sow, that I am indet for sowr wairs ane thowfand 
crowns, and hes newer firft nor laft had ane pennie from sow nor sowr 
freinds, quhom I wreit not, feing I med the blok with sow : mend this 
fait with fpeid, for 36 know what it is for ane sung mairtchand to tyn his 
credit at fourft. And s\t I haue doin for ane moneth in to com, and af- 
furs my felf the forfaid fom is be the way, knawing the honeft mynd off 
3owr freind, I will not fay sowrfelf : hot this far, giff 36 twa do this 3our 
dewty to me, for all is wrettin onto me, or can be doin in my contrair, I 
fall put faire wairs in 3owr hands and 3owr 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. 3 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 3ow or 
them, I fall tak fik ordor with 3our 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 Jeffwvitts 
howpis to moife me and him ; thus thinking this fowficiant for ane man 
of sowr fpreit, I praye sow commend my feirveice to tham I awcht, and 
to others as 36 think gud ; hot let als few weit off my wretting onto sow, 
as 36 can intefiipet. 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 sow trow of the quhilk, God I 
pray preferwe sow. From Padoua, the 15th of Agowft ftilo novo. 

3 wr meft conftand and afurid 
freind to be employit, 

S. W. KEITHE.* 

Balcarras Papers. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 15 

I pray gow, talk gud tent that this 3owr lettir be not openit be the way. 

To my worthie luiffing 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 corns ane lettir amongs my other onto 3owr brother, bot ken 
nothing to him new. Taik ane gud hairtt quhat ewer cawfe 36 have, and 
I fall maik sow 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 
36 held nocht, foin falbe : bot I fall make his maieftie the gretter of it 
heir, for thay luif him not. I wald 30 fawe my letter wrettin onto his ma 
ieftie, and ye man fi it, for neift God and the king I thank 3ow. Pance 
nocht on geir to do 3ow ewill, for 36 knaw quhat cawfe I have, bot my 
cair is on God ; caft 3ow thair, and 3owr honeft form fall ewer confort 
3ow. Heft word -and my difcharge to me, bot I will not wret onto 3ow in 
this other gret pakket, becaufe thay ar beithe off ane dett, and this tikett 
I wrot that thir lettirs fall not beir 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 deflyrs, 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 
Kyng 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 



and cott it owt, it will ryff ; likewais I have cloiffit 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 taik gud tent in 
the opining the lettirs. 



VIII. EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VI. 
IT MAY PLEASS 3OUR 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 ^ens laft by- 
gane, in extrem and daylie danger of my lyf, befyd all my vther irreco- 
werable loiffis : git 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 reie6ling all reafonable conditiouns, will force mennis con- 
fciencis, nocht as 311 perfuadit, till imbrace thair opiniouns in matteris of 
religioune), and nocht of any intentioune in me till offend againft 3our 
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 
mychtvntoe sour maieftie, quhairin as it pleafours God till permit my for- 
toune daylie till becum mair frauart, fa I hoip to find 3our hienefs the 
mair gratious and freindlie. My hardeft hap and grytteft greif, as God 
knauis, hes euer bein that being debarrit of 3our maiefties prefence, till 
maik my awin pairt guid and knawin to 3our hienes, all my fincer and 
vprycht intentiouns haif bein finiftrouflie exponit and forcit till acliouns 
for defence of my awin lyf and eftait, in opin fhame on my pairt, offenfiu 
to sour 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 sour hienefs ; and I hop my behauiour in this, my hard 

. Awkward or clumsy mistake. O. Fr. lourde faute. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 17 

banifhment, quhairof 3our maiefte cannot be ignorant, hes giuin fuffi- 
cient teftimonie of my deutifull and fincer affe6lioune to sour hienefs fer- 
uice, as he, quha, as he hes the honor to be fa neir of 3our maiefties 
blood, fa his grytteft defyr and contentment hes bein, and is, to fpend his 
lyf for 3our hienefs, and the preferuatioune of his auin natiue cuntrie, 
without regaird of perfouns or perrell quhatfumeuer, my deutie to God 
in my confcience onlie referuit ; vther nor quhilk, sour maieftie 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, 3^ my refolutioune till returne 
in Scotland, being for the ernefl defyr I haid (and that nocht without 
guid grund) to doe 3our maieftie feruice, as the end fall pruif in effect, 
I hop my attempt in that falbe the lefs offenfiue to 3our hinefs, althocht 
I haif nocht as 311 that I knau of, obtenit sour 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, 
bot 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 3our maieftie be aduertiffit and refolue hou to difpofs of me :* 
Quhairin I befeik 3our hinefs to taik fie order, as may beft aggrie with 
3our maiefties awin honor and my feurtie, vntil the tym I be brocht to 
quhat pairt of Scotland fall lyk 3our hienefs, quhair quhenfoeuer it may 
pleafe God I arryue, I am nocht to plead with 3our maieftie for my juft 
defence (albeit I lak nocht guid argument), bot onlie till feu to 3our 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 taik mair place, and voork gryttar effe6lis in 3our 
hienefs hert, for my feurtie and pj eferuatione, quhilk in end will 3eild 3our 
maieftie gryttar honor and contentment, nor the fatiffa&ioune 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 Countries, 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 3our 
hienefs commoditie or pleafeur, fpeciallie being to 3our maieftie that I am. 
Nather fall I euer craif at God or sour hienefs gryttar graice or fauor 
in this uarld, nor I carie and euer did a faythfull hert to sour maiefties 
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 3our hienefs uith farthar purpofs heirin, bot committing my felf and 
the cair of my hale eftait to God and 3our maiefties guid confideratioune, 
and langing till haif the honor to fie 3our hienefs felf, houfoeuer matteris 
fucceid thairefter, in maift humillie kiffing 3our maiefties handis, and 
befeking God till grant 3our hienefs als guid fucces in all 3our guid and 
uerteoufs defyris, as I wifhe, I taik leif. Middlebruche, the firft day of 
Julij 1596. 

3our Maiefties euer maift faythfull, luiffing, 
and obedient fubiecl and feruitur, to his 
laft breath, 

EBROLL.* 



IX.JACOBUS SEXTUS, MAGNIFICIS ET NOBILIBUS ZELANDLE ORDINIBUS. 

1596. 

JACOBUS Dei gratia Rex Scotorum magnificis et nobilibus 
Zelandise ordinibus compatribus fuis amiciffimis, falu- 
tem et perpetuum felicitatis incrementum. 

Nobiles et magnifici domini, amici et compatres nobis fincere dile6li, 
cum ex veftris literis intellexerimus, Francifcum quondam Arrolise 
comitem, unum ex perduellium noftrorum numero, cum clandefti- 
num in regnum noftrum 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 conftantem veftrae erga nos (ut compatres ami- 
cifiimos decet), beneuolentise tenorem manifeftiflirae perfpeximus, magno- 
que noftro et regni noftri commodo id confilii a vobis captum effe inge- 
nuo profitemur, illius enim ceterorumque profcriptorum inopinatus in pa- 
triam reditus, periculofum aliquem tumultum excitare potuiffet. Quocirca 
maximas veftris mag ciis et meritas gratias habemus, relaturi cum amicif- 
fimse noftra? erga vos voluntatis teftandae, par fe occafio obtulerit, quod 
certiffime a nobis expecletis, 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 efie, vt quauis cautione adhibita, 
eum in patriam redire, nee religioni, nee nobis aut regno, nee vobis ami- 
cis nunc expediat. Idcirco eum in cuftodia detineri volumus, donee fpon- 
foribus hie prsaftitis caueat (multos enim et potentes affines et confangui- 
neos habet) fe neque in regnum noflrum fine licentia et commeatu noftro, 
prius impetrato, rediturum, neque interea quicquam, quod vel religioni, 
vel communi noftro amicorumque et confederatorum noftrorum ftatui 
detrimento efie poflet, moliturum, praefertim autem nulla cum Hifpano 
confilia communicaturum, fub poena magnaj fumma? pecuniaria?, aliifque 
poenis qua3 legibus noftris confentane* funt, qua fideiuffione hie prius 
praaftita, turn eum dimitti volumus, vt vbilibet priuata fua negotia pro- 
curet, eo jure quo ante captiuitatem proximam potuerat: hoc vobis vt vi- 
ris amiciflimis fignificandum duximus. Qua? porro ad hoc negotium per 
tinent ADRIANO DAMMAN mag ciis veftris per eum referenda expofui- 
mus, qui fingulari fide, diligentia et integritate hie verfatus eft, adeo 
vt non minus quam noftratum aliquis nobis acceptus fit, ei vt commifla 
referenti fidem, aurefque benignas prsebeatis, rogamus. Interea Deum 
optimum maximum precamur, vt vos et diutifiime incolumes et in flo- 
renti rerum ftatu conferuet.* 

\IndorfedJ\ 

Copie of the Kings letter to the eftaits 
of ^etand, 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 dile6lo familiari fuo Gu- 
lielmo Keyth haec mandata, fereniffimo Venetiarum 
Duci ejufque potentifiimaB ciuitatis fenatui prudentiffimo 
exponenda, commifit. 

Primum nemini mirum videri debere oftendes, quod nos confilia cum 
ea republica communicare, fcedufque 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 reipublica? inde imminens eos quidem tanquam eius regis regiis 
dominiifque vicinos, et olim bello ab eius maioribus vexatos, probe intel- 
ligere et fumma prudentia praeuenturos confidimus. 

Nobis vero quantum a tam potentis Regis vicinitate periculi immineat 
manifeftum eft, cum Angliam hsereditario jure poft mortem ferenifllmas 
Regina? Elizabethan nobis debitam, idem Rex vt a pontifice diris deuotam 
et prsedse expofitam belli jure vindicare intendat : certum autem eft, om- 
nes Anglia? Reges armis et glorise deditos, Scotise quoque vt eiufdem in- 
fulse partis exigua? imperium affectauifie, quanto minus tam potens Rex 
qui fimul femelque Galliam, Germaniam, Inferiorem Angliamque 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 Anglic regnum indu- 
bitatum jus habeamus : cum certo fibi perfuadere poffit, faluis nobis noftra- 
que ftirpe, nunquam illi Anglise pofieflionem quietam fore, quamuis earn 
vt fpe jampridem deuorauit, ita re ipfa armis vique femel occupauiflet. 

Hoc quoque tibi oftendendum eft, di&um 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 fa6tiones et de religione controuerfias, denique ad totum 
bellum Anglicum propter vicinitatem valde opportunum. 

Totamque huius belli feriem exulum noftrorum confilio compolitam effe, 
idque ex literis ducis Seffse, qui legatus Roma? refidet, ad fuum Regem 
miffis, et in itinere per Maffilienfium triremes interceptis patere, quarum 
exemplum ad nos per Chriftiam'ffimum Gallic Regem tranfmiffum, ad te 
mifimus, diclo fereniffimo duci et fenatui communicandum. 

His accedit profcriptorum et exulum noftrorum comitum fcilicet Hunt- 
Iea3 et Errolia? 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 Angliae 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 communicafie et eius ope fretos in regnum nu- 
per rediifie verifimile fit. 

Cum igitur a tarn potente aduerfario periculurn imminens habeamus, 
cum di6la potentiffima republica foedus et amicitiam inire, fi ita ferenif 
fimo duci et prudentifiimo fenatui vifum fuerit, necefiarium putamus, 
quod vt enixe petas, tibi fpecialiter mandamus, poteftatemque noftram 
de ea re confultandi, traclandi, et concludendi commifimus, promit- 
tentes in verbo principis nos ratum gratumque habituros, quicquid ad 
di6lum foedus pertinens cum di6lo fereniflimo duce et prudentifiimo fe- 
natu concluferis. Ad milites vero conducendos, et bellum jam fere in- 
ceptum propulfandum [pecuniam mutuo accipere, et] amicorum prafidium 
implorare, et pecuniam mutuo accipere neceflarium duximus, et quamuis 
di6lam potentiffimam rempublicam vicifiim remunerari et eis necefiario ali- 
quo tempore prafidium aliquod afferre in poteftate noftra fitum non videa- 
tur, hoc tamen ferenifiimo duci et fenatui confiderandum expones praefen- 
tem illis vtilitatem ex regni noftri totiufque Britannise praaferuatione fore, 



22 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

quod futurae alioqui tanti Regis poteutiae, qui proculdubio aliquando et 
illis quoque inimicus futurus eft, impedimentum aliquod afferetur. 

Reputent qua fama et totius Europae terras Caletum in adfpedlu Bri- 
tannia? 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 pofiet. 

Si autem (quod indubitatum noftrum jus noftris amicorumque viribus 
propugnandum promittit) Angliae imperio potiri nobis aliquando (poft 
mortem fcilicet reginaa) contigerit, turn non folum ex mercaturae com- 
merciis magna didlse reipublicaa vtilitas ex regno noftro accedet : fed 
etiam quamcunque nobis hoc tarn neceflario tempore, pecunia3 fummam 
mutuo dederint, fumma fide perfoluemus, et Temper grato animo eius rei 
publicaa amorem et in nos beneuolentiam profequemur. 

Interea di6lum 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, gratiffimumque nobis futurum 
judicabis, fi pro amicitiae jure id nobis fignificent, certo iibi fpondentes 
nos illis amiciffimos et ad omne amoris officium paratiffimos futures.* 



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 praebuhTe intelleximus, quo 
nomine fummas ciuitati veftraa gratias habemus. Plura autem eidem 
mandata ciuitati veftrae communicanda dedimus. Quocirca ciuita 
tem veftram oramus, vt pro folita veftra humanitate, illi aures attentas 
praebere et earn fidem habere oramus velit, quam nobis ipfis, fi prafentes 
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 inclitae veftrse Reipublicae honor! et emolumento cedet. 
Vale, fereniffime princeps, Deufque ciuitatem veftram quam diutiffime 
rebus fecundis affluentem conferuet. Data? e Regia noilra Sancruciana, 
Novemb. 15<j6. 

[Indorfed.] 

Venice. 
Inftru6lions to Sir William Keith. 



XII.ADRIAN DAMMAN DE BYSTERVELDT AU ROY D'ECOSSE. 
iiij DECEMBRE 1596.* 

SIRE, 

Suiuant la permiffion de voftre maiefte, j'ay prins la hardiefle 
d'efcrire ceftes, mefmement ayant icy entendu d'une grande armee, qui 

* Adrian Damman de Bystervelt was born in the neighbourhood of Ghent, and afterwards taught 
Latin in that city. Amongst the Balcarras Papers (in which collection this letter and the succeed 
ing one is preserved) there is a letter dated 3d January 1594, from the United States to James 
VI. appointing Damman Resident at the Scotish Court. The following is an extract from it : 

" Nous ne doubtons aulcunement que vostre maieste ne soit fort bien asseuree du bon zele et 
singuliere deuotion, qu'avons tousiours porte a lendroit d'Icelle, et le respect qu'auons eu a la gran 
deur et authorite de vostre maieste. Neanmoins pour en rendre plus ample tesmoignage et decla 
ration, aussy pour auoir d'oreseuanant aulcune personne, par le moyen duquel les differens sur- 
uenans entre les subiects de vostre maieste, et les habitans de ces pays sur le faict de leurs com 
merces mutuelles, et train de marchandise puissent estre tant mieulx moyennez et assopiz, et 
toute ancienne amitie et bien viieillance reciproqueuse entretenne, ce que par lettres ne se 
pourroit faire si commodement, auons trouue non moins expedient que necessaire d'employer 
deuers vostre maieste le S r Adrian Damman, luy ayant en premier lieu donne charge de baiser 
treshumblement les mains de vostre maieste de nostre part, 1'assurer du grand desir qu'auons de 
continuer en la deuotion qu'auons tousiours porte a Icelle, et luy declarer sa dicte commission de 
resider avec la bonne grace, et plaisir de vostre maieste en sa Court et Royaume, comme nostre 
Agent general. A 1'occasion de quoy supplions treshumblement vostre maieste qu'il plaise a Icelle 
1'accepter pour tel, et le tenir en sa Royale protection, en luy donnant benigne audience et cre 
dence, toutes et quanteffois besoing sera de remonstrer quelque chose a vostre maieste de nostre 
part, nous asseurant que sa presence sera agreable a vostre maieste, et seruira pour continuer 
vostre Royale accoustumee benevolence, bonne volonte et affection vers nous laquelle desirous sur 
toute aultre chose." 

Damman was a great favourite of the King's, and was for several years Professor of Humanity in 
the University of Edinburgh. He was sent in the year 1596 to the Low Countries, to obtain deli- 



24 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

fe fait en Efpaigne, comme par aduertiflemens continuels on cognoit 
pardeja ; et eft 1'opinion des gens plus aduifez, que celle foit, ou pour 
eftre enuoyee en Irlande, ou en voftre Royaulme, ou celuy d'Angleterre, 
chofe qui de pres touche voftre maiefte. Je n'ay fceu doncques moins 
faire, comme tres affectionne et tres oblige feruiteur, que de 1'aduertir de 
ce que deffus, car j'ay la memoire toute frefche de ce que voftre maiefte 
mauoit commande de prier meffeigneurs mes maiftres affin d'auoir par 
eux aduertances quand jufte occafion fe prefenteroit. 

Et fitoft que j'eftoye arriue en Zelande, j'ay receu lettres de mefdicls 
feigneurs par lequelles j'ay efte commande de rapporter a voftre maiefte 
ce que je viens de dire. 

Auffi mefdi&s feigneurs m'ont aduerty de ce que leurs feigneuries 
ont trai6le auec le Roy de France, et la Royne d'Angleterre, y eftant 
invitez par lefdicles maieftes dont de brief ils donneront plaindre cognoif- 
fance de ledict part a voftre maiefte. Or comme il a pleu a voftre 
Royale douceur de me dire fa benigne volonte, touchant ce que voftre 
maiefte non feulement defire y fe joindre, ains comme mefdi6ls feigneurs 
m'efcriuent auoir trefbonne memoire de ce que voftre maiefte leur a fait 
remonftrer, par fes ambaffadeurs expres, auoir efte le premier qui trouuoit 
vn tel traite, et expedient tres neceffaire a la confederation de la Religion 
Chreftienne, et pour 1'eftat des princes et feigneurs, en faifans profeffion 
au rang defquels mefdiels feigneurs treuuent voftre maiefte pour des 
plus fignales et donne3 en noftre temps pour nouriffeurs a fon Eglife, 
par la grace de Dieu. 

very of the Earl of Errol, who, as before mentioned, had been arrested there. Besides the original 
MS. of the Bartasias corrected throughout in his own hand, there are the following printed works 
by him in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates : 

I. Schediasmata Hadriani Dammani, a Bisterveld Gandavensis. 1. De nuptiis serenissimi po- 
tentissimique Scotorum regis Jacobi VI. et serenissimae virginis Annse, Frederic! II. Daniae, Norve- 
gise, etc. Regis, filiae. 2. De tempestate qua; sponsam Regiam navigantem repulit. 3. In Atheos 
elegia. 4. In Regis navigationem Danicam emblema. 5. De Coronatione Reginas Scotorum 
Annae. 6. De introitu ejus in primariam Regni Vrbem Edinburgum. Edinburgi, excudebat Ro- 
bertus Walde-graue, An. Dom. 1590. Cum privilegio Regali. 4to. 

II. Hadriani Dammanis a Bysterveldt, D. N. de Fairhill, Bartasias ; qui de mundi creatione libri 
septem ; e Gulielmi Salvsti D. N. de Bartas septimana Poemate Francico liberius tralati et multis 
in locis acuti. Edinburgi, excudebat Robertus Walde-graue, Typographus Regis, Anno Dom. 1GOO. 
Cum privilegio Regio. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 25 

Je ne failly de defclairer ladicle voftre volonte, a meffeigneurs les eftats 
de Zelande auec les circonftances que voftre maiefte me dit alors, et 
(comme jugent leurs feigneuries) auec grande raifon, ains eux n'en 
peuuent; mais, voires, en font fcandalizes, comme je remonftreray a 
voftre maiefte eftant de retour pardela. 

Ne fauldray cependant, de fere entendre ladidle benigne volonte 
voftre de ce que deffus, a meffeigneurs les eftats generaulx arriuant 
auecques la grace de Dieu en Hollande de brief, lequel je prie, 

Sire, 

Auoir voftre Maiefte en fa diuine protection. 

De Middlebourg en Zelande ce iiij e de Decembre 1596, Stilo veteri. 
De voftre Maiefte le trefhumble et trefaffeclione feruiteur, 
ADRIAN DAMMAN DE BYSTERUELT. 



XIII. ADRIAN DAMMAN DE BYSTERVELT AU ROY D'ESCOSSE. 
x DECEMBRE 1596. 



SIRE, 

Eftant jcy arriue en Hollande, n'ay rien eu plus cher que de 
faire les commandemens de voftre maiefte, et jceux entendus, Meffeig 
neurs les eftats generaulx ont trefaffedlueufement vous remercie, en 
baiffant les mains de voftre maiefte bien humblement, dont de brief 
j'efpere que le bon dieu, qui miraculeufement m'a preferue a deux di- 
uerfes fois de naufrage, me donnera le moien de faire mon rapport tout 
a plain. 

D 



26 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

En ce pais tout eft tranquille, graces a dieu, et floriffant en bonnes 
loix, religion et trafique. II eft vrai qui defpuis la derniere flotte et 
expedition en Efpaigne, la nauigation n'eft fi frequente. 

Jcy Ion dit que la flotte d'Efpaigne pour certain ayt efte en chemin, 
pour fe jetter fur 1'une des places dont j'ai efcript a voftre maiefte. 
Quand j'eftoye en Zelande qui feroit forte de 160 galeons, hulques, 
nauires, patares et portant (comme 1'aultres de Ian [15]88) feize mille 
hommes, entre lefquelles il auroit 2100 cheuaulx, et que par tempefte 
du 25, 26, 27, et 28 d'Oclobre elle feroit diffipee, et auroit perdu jufques 
a 48 nauires auec cincq ou fix milles Efpaignolls. 

En Alemaigne eft grand trouble, car 1'armee de 1'Empereur, qui eftoit 
de quattre vingts mille combatans eft rompue par le Turcq, et en font fur 
la place demoures morts plus de dix mille, le canon et trefgrand nombre 
prins, et tout le bagage. On efcript jcy pour certain que deuant ladicte 
bataile deux cerfs fe font venus ruer deuant le palais du diet Empereur, 
en la ville de Prage et quan aprez long combat 1'vn y duft eftre tombe 
roide mort et Paultre fort bleffe, et au mefme inftant le di6l palais fuft 
embraife de feu cafuel. 

Le Turcq auparauant auoit prins la ville d'Agria trefgrande et forte, 
et ce par trahifon d'un Capitaine Hongrois nomme Bliarj, lequel depuis 
en eft fait Bafla. 

Ledicl Sultan Mahomet f ayant fait maiftre de la Walachie, laquelle 
a eux foloit eftre tributaire, deuant que ces deux ans paffez ou enuiron, 
le Prince de la Tranfiluanie avoit prins le party de 1'Empereur et a fait 
tuer tous les inhabitans et y a fait venir 800 Tartares auec femmes et 
families. 

Le Bafla de Bude affige auec vne aultre armee la ville d'Altenbourg 
en leftat de Kamora. 

Le grand Turcq eft auec fon armee en perfonne et y fe iournera centre 
fa couftume. L'Empereur foubz pretexte d'vne diet f eft retire de Prage 
en la ville de Noremberg. 

De la mort du Roy d'Efpaigne nous auons jcy auis fur auis mefmement 
que fon filz feroit empoiflbnne quand de quand. Les Marchans de 
Genes et aultres eftant en arriere du diet Roy de huict millions d'or font 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 27 

refufez en Efpaigne, et ceux d'Anuers de cincq, chofe qui caufe en 
Flandres et Brabant grande alteration. 

Le Cardinal d'Auftrie eft on fe faint malade cependant force matelos 
et mariniers f affemblent vers Calais. 

La paix fai6le entre le Roy de France et le Due de Sauoye eft rorapue 
a caufe que le parlement n'a voulu permettre au dicl Due le Marquizat 
de Salluffe. 

Les treues entre le Turq et les Polonnois font renouuelles non obftant 
Pambaflade et folicitude du Pape au contraire, et ce, diton, a caufe, que 
le chancelier de Poloigne eft ennemy profeffe de la maifon d'Auftrie. 
La di6l Alemaigne eft aufli miferablement mangee de la pefte. La 
diet Cardinal prepare fes forces jufques a 18 m hommes de guere de ce 
cofte et de France on fe prepare auffi. 

J'efpere de brief auoir 1'honneur et heur de dire d'auantage a voftre 
maiefte. 

A laquelle je baiffe trefhumblement fes mains. 

De la Haye ce 8 de Decembre 1596, Stilo nouo. 

De voftre fereniffime Maiefte trefhumble feruiteur, 

ADR. DAMMAN. 



XIV LES ESTATS GENERAULX DBS PROVINCES VNIES AU SERENISSIME 

ROY D'ESCOSSE. 
xxvni DECEMBRE 1596. 

SIRE, 

Nous auons entendu par le rapport du S r Damman noftre 
agent, ce quil a pleu a voftre maiefte nous faire communicquer par luy 
de la conftitution de 1'eftat d'Efcofle,* au temps quil en eft party, efperans 

* In Thorpe's Catalogue of MSS. August 1835, occurs " Rapport de Monsieur Adrian Dam 
man, agent des Etats des Provinces Unies en Escosse sur 1'etat de ce Royaume d'Escosse (1600)." 



28 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

que icelle voftre maieile aura depuis tellement pourveu, et donne ordre a 
tout ce qui pourroit caufer plus grands mefcontenteraents et aigreurs 
entre les fubiecls des deux Royaulmes quil n'y arriuera par femblables 
accidens aulcun dangler ou inconuenient, du quelle le Roy d'Efpaigne 
noftre ennemi commun fe pourroit preualoir en cefle coniun&ure au 
preiudice non tant feullement de 1'eftat defdicles Royaulmes en parti- 
culier, ains de celuy de toute la Chreftiente en general : Nous re- 
merfions, Sire, voftre maiefte bien humblement de ceft honneur et cor- 
refpondence, principallement de la demonftration de fa bonne volonte et 
affection enuers ceft eftat, auecq afleurance que nous vous en demeure- 
ronstoufiours fort obligez, commeaufli trefapareillezatoutesoccafionspour 
correfpondre cefte grande faueur par noz bien humbles feruices aultant 
que nos affaires le pourront aulcunement permeclre. Ainfy qu'auons 
en charge noftredi6l agent de le declarer plus amplement ce voftre di6le 
maiefte, fuppliants bien humblement quil vous plaife luy donner en ce re 
gard entiere foy, comme a nous mefmes, et au createur, 

Sire, 

Quil Oclroy a voftre maiefte en trefparfaicle fante longue et 
treiheureufe vie. De la Haye le 28 e Decembre 1596. 

De voftre Maiefte bien humble feruiteurs, 

LES ESTATZ GENERAULX DES PROVINCES 
VNIES DU PAYS BAS. 

Par ordonnance defdidles Eftatz, 

C. AERSENS.* 
Au Sereniffime Roy d'Efcofie. 

Balcarras Papers." 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 29 



XV EARL OF HUNTLY TO JAMES VI. 

PLEIS YOUR MAIESTIE, 

Eftir the fuffering of monie hard and uechtie troublis uithin this 
contrey, and at the laft, eftir the banifment of my felf, to gif your maieftie 
gretar proof of my obediens and affection, I am retournit of intention halie 
to put my felf in your maieftis uill, and to direct my haill actions heireftir 
as falbe maift agreable therto, not onlie in amending in quhatfumeuir it 
fall pleis your maieftie think that I haue offendit touards your maieftie 
felf, bot alfueill to the kirk, contrey and pairtie, as it fall pleis your 
maieftie to fet doun the uay ; for, fra this furth, I haue dedicat my felf 
to follou your maieftie in all refpects,* and this I efteim the greteft 
amendement I can offer, albeit my offens uar neuer fua great, and your 
maieftie knauis that the prins pairt to his fubiects fuld be as the fathers 
to the childrin, not be rigour to feik thair utter ruin (albeit racleflie thay 
haue faillit), bot be humiliation to accept thair amendement, the ernift 
defyr I haue to do your maieftie humble feruis, and that I be not langer 

* The Earl of Huntly was much favoured by James, and, according to popular rumour, his 
Lordship murdered the Earl of Murray at the instigation of his royal master, who had become 
jealous of the " Bonnie Earl" (as he is termed in the beautiful ballad on his death), from the praise 
bestowed on him by Queen Anne. Whatever the cause was, true it is, that Lord Murray was 
attacked by Huntly, at his seat of Dunybirsill his house set on fire, and himself slain. Subse 
quently he became mixed up with Lords Angus and Enrol in the matter of the Spanish Blanks. 
See Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. i. p. 310. On the 3d of October 1594, he defeated, at the 
battle of Glenlivat, the Earl of Argyle, who had gone against him a victory very beneficial to the 
country people, who otherwise would have been "miserably spoiled" by the Highlanders; Spottis- 
wood's Church History, 1677, folio, p. 409. Huntly and the two other Popish Lords retired abroad, 
but finding they were little respected there, became anxious to return ; and as Huntly was still se 
cretly favoured by the King, this might have been accomplished but for the clergy, who were not 
easily propitiated. They were not indisposed to favour Angus and Errol, but Huntly was particu 
larly obnoxious. When James hinted the thing to Mr Robert Bruce, he replied, " I see, sir, that 
your resolution is to take Huntly in favour, which if you do I will oppose, and you shall chuse 
whether you will lose Huntly or me, for us both you cannot get." The King never forgave the 
speaker. 



30 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

debarrit therfra, is the occafion that I haue taine the hardiment to utter 
the mor plainlie, be this prefent, my intention, requefting your maieftie 
to grant me that fauour, as to be relaxit from the profes of excomuni- 
cation ather be your maieftie and confell, or than be chargis direct to the 
miniftrie of thir pairts to that erTec"l, or be oni uther uay your maieftie 
fall think maift expedient, that thaireftir I may haue that honour as to 
cum to your maieftis auin prefens, quhar I fall accomplis, Goduilling, all 
that I haue promefit be thir prefentis ; hoping that your maiftie will con- 
fider my gud intention and mening in this, and that your maieftie will 
not debar him from your maieftis prefens and feruis, quhais aciions, af- 
fedlion, and obediens fall gif proof of his gud mening. And becaus the 
hicheft point of my accufation bygaine hes bein vpon inbringing of 
ftraingeris, nou your maieftie fall haue proof of me in that point in the 
contrar, be being the firft to uair my bluid aganis thaeme, quhan euer it 
fall pleis your maieftie to command me. Sua, expecting your maieftis 
fauorable anfuer, eftir the kifling maift humble of your maieftis hand, I 
uill end, uiffing at God to giue your maieftie grace to tak that cours 
quhilk is maift to your maieftis honour, weilfair, and union of your 
contrey, and to grant your maieftie lang and profperous rengne. Uretin 
this penult of December [15Q6]. 

Your Maieftis maift humble fubiect and 
affeclionat feruiteur to my lyuis end, 

HuNTLYK.* 

To the Kings Maieftie. 

Balcarras Papers. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 31 

XVI EARL OF ERROL TO JAMES VI. 

SIR, 

As in all thir tymes paft, quhairin I half fufferit fa gryt trwbles and 
irrecowerable lofiis, God bearis me witnefs of a fincer intentioune and 
dewtifull affe&ioune to 3our maiefties feruice, howfoeuer my vprycht 
meaning hes bein exponit ewill be vtheris, and the effe6lis thairof con- 
wertit to my awin damag, fa now, as diuerfe tymes affoir, I doe maift 
hwmillie craif 3our hienefs pardoune for my baldnefs in offering my felf 
be this prefent to 3our maieftie in all thingis, fa far as appertenis or may 
be thocht the dewtie of a maift hwmill and faythfull fubie6l and feruant 
to his foueraing and mailler ; quhairof I euer haif bein, am, and falbe, 
reddie to gif pruif vith the hazart of my lyf and lofs of my blood. 

In confideratioune quhairof, I doe maift hwmillie befeik, that, as heirto- 
foir, sour hienefs hes nocht difdanit to refaue my letteris, and gif ear 
alfo to fie of my freindis as maid fuit for me, fa now lykways it may pleafs 
3our maieftie patientlie to heir of this berar quhat, on my pairt, I haif 
direclit him to Ihawe and hwmillie craif of 3our hienefs, and to inftrudl 
him of 3our maiefties will in all. 

And thus ceffing farther to impefhe 3our hienefs vith langar letter, in 
maift hwmillie killing 3our maiefties handis, and praying God to bring 
all 3our hienefs verteoufs defingis to the wilhit end, I taik leif. The 25 
day of Januar 1596. [1597-] 

Your Maiefties euer maift luifing, faythful, 
and obedient fubie6l and feruant, to his 
laft breath, 

ERROLL.* 

* Balcarras Papers. 



32 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



XVII LE COMTE DE NASSAU AU ROY D'ECOSSE. 

10 DE JANVIER 1597.* 

SIRE, 

Le Sieur Damman, a fon retour en ces pais has, ma faidl 
entendre que voftre maiefte me fai6l cefte faueur de me continuer touf- 
jours fes faveurs roialles, et de me tenir du nombre de fes plus affe6lionner 
ferviteurs, de quoy je me fens lui eftre infiniment oblige. Je ne voy voulu 
laiffer retourner fans qu'il portaft de meslettres a voftre maiefte pour lui 
aflurer de nouueau de I'affe&ion, que je porte a fon feruice et que je 
meftimeray toufjours tres heureux, quand les occafions fen offriront, et 
qu'il vous plaira, Sire, m'honorer de vos commandemens de vous faire 
cognoiftre par les effects, que je fuis, 

Voftre trefhumble et tres obeifeant ferviteur, 

MAURICE DE NAUSSAU.J 
A la Haye, ce 10 de Janvier 97- ' 

Au Roy d'Efcofie. 

[Indorfed."] 

" 10 February 1597. Compte Maurice 
to his Maieftie." 



Balcarras Papers. 

t Prince Maurice died in the spring of the year 1625. " The Prince," says Baron de Maurier, 
" was very strong and indefatigable in labor; he appeared lesser than he was by being full 
and fat ; his face was plump and ruddy ; his beard fair, which he wore very large and broad ; he 
always made use of little pleated ruffs about his neck ; he never clothed himself but after the same 
fashion, with the same stuff, and that always of a sort of brown or musk colour ; his doublet was 
of silk with gold stripes ; the rest of his cloathes were woollen, but his cloaks or long-coats were 
faced with velvet : I speak of his common habit, and not of those that were designed for great 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 33 



XVIII PRESBYTERY OF ABERDEEN TO THE MINISTERS OF LOTHIAN. 

BRETHER, . 

This is to aduertife how we of this miniflrie in this countrey ar 
chargit be his maiefteis letteris, vnder pain of horning, to gif conference 
to the Erie of Huntley, and farder ar informit that he hes his maiefties 
letteris to charge ws to refaif his offeris, and gif thai be agreabill with 
Godis word and weill of the countray, to abfolue him fra the fentence of 
excommunicatioun, or than to compeir within fyftein dayis next after the 
charge before his maieftie and counfall, and to gif a reafon quhy we will 
not do the fam. Farder, we ar informit be fum of his freindis that he 
will offer to fubfcryue the Confeffioun, and gif cautioun of his freindis 
for bygane offencis, as the kirk (hall inioyne, albeit we fie not as yit that 
he is refoluit in the articles of the Confeffioun in particular : And therfor, 
we being heir a few number conuenit to haif gifin conference to him, 
nocht feing him fa inftant in futing therof, as be petitionis gifin in to ws, 
and fubfcryuit be him, quherof 36 fall refaif with thir prefentis a juft copie, 
crafing of ws that we wald abfolue him for the caufis therin contenit, de- 
fyred of him a day to conuen our bretheren of all our prefbiteries, that, 
with common aduyfe, we mycht gif anfwer. Alfo Pa[trick] Murray, his ma 
iefties domeftik, hes fchawin ws fundrie inftrudliouns of his maieftie, craf 
ing our anfwer to the fam, quha hes requyrit ws to afiemble our felfis, and 
declaris that he hes a commiffioun to requyr our bretheren of Murray to 
conven with ws, and to refaue our anfweris to his inftrudlionis, quherbe we 

feasts and public assemblies. He often wore on his hat a band of diamonds ; he was never with 
out a girdle, to which was fastened a sort of belt for his sword that was gilt. I never saw him in 
any other habit, and yet I have minded him a thousand times at the French church, in the castle 
at the Hague, which heretofore was a chappel for the Counts of Holland, and often at my father's, 
whither he used to come either to eat or play at chess, which was his chief diversion." Memoirs 
of Princes of Orange, p. 148. 

E 



34 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

ar chargit to fubfcryue the band, to difalow the minifleris of Edinburgh 
as feditioufe and treasonable; alfo declaring the nulling of the com- 
miffioun of the Generall Affembly be his maieflies counfell, and confe- 
quently of ony inhibitioun maid be tham to flay ws from refauing the 
erle of Huntley, and that na delay be langer wfit in his refauing be ws, 
than be the prefbiterie of St Androwis, wes vfit in his excommunication, 
and that the abfolutioun may be ratefeit heirafter in the Generall Affem 
bly, as the excommunicatioun wes lang after the fentence pronuncit. 
Item, that we fuld not dout quhat form of fatiffaclioun he fuld mak, fe- 
ing the ac~le of Parliament, maid anno 1572, intituled anent difobedientis 
quhilk falbe refauit to our foueran lordis mercie and pardon, declars the 
fam, quhilk is nathing els, but to fubfcryue the Confeffioun of Fayth, and 
fweir accordingly. Item, we ar chargit to refolue the quefliounis pre- 
fented be his maieflie againfl the laft of Februar in Perth, and fchew- 
ing ws that a number of all prefbiteries, thair with 3ow, mod difcreit, 
hes affirmit thair is litle queflioun but the hail miniftrie will agre to his 
maieflies intentioun in all thofe controuerfies. Quhairfore we haif writtin 
baith to our bretheren of the Merns and Murray to fend fum of thair num 
ber befl inflructed to keip heir with ws our prouinciall affembly vpon the 
aucht of Februar, with common aduyfe to gif anfwer to his maieflies in- 
ftrucliounis, and the erle of Huntley his petitiounis : And for the fam caufe 
hes writtin to 3ow and the bretheren thair, for sour counfall, and mainlie 
that ye will imploy sour credit with fik bretheren as ar maifl gratioufe to 
his maieflie, to obtein a continewatioun of all thir chargis and anfwers, till 
the Generall Affembly nexte at Perth ; fpecially feing my lord Huntley 
is not refoluit in the doutis of religioun, and we ar redy to gif him daylie 
conference to that effedle. This day he wes at fermoun in our kirk, bath 
afor and efter none, and hard the dodlrin, and remufit him felf at the 
prayer, and we hope if he be found willing afore the tym appointed to 
the nexte Generall Affembly to do mekle till it for his refolutioun. But 
if 36 can not get ws continewatioun of his maieflie, we pray 3ow fend ws 
the counfall and [aduyfe] of the bretheren maifl difcreit thair with 3ow, 
with all diligence, that we may haif the fam befor the 8 of Februar. In 
the mein tym commendis our felfis to sour ernefl prayeris to God for ws, 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 35 

as we lykwyfe do pray for sow. From Aberden, the penult of Januar 
1596. [1597].* 

Indorfed: 

Copie of the letter fent be the prefbitery 
of Aberdein to the Minifters of Lou- 
thian anent the Erie of Huntlie, pe 
nult Januarij 1596.f 



XIX. ROBERT LORD CRICHTON OF SANQUHAR TO KING JAMES VI. 

SIR, 

Finding na fuir commoditie till now, I wes conftrainit till delay 
the fending 3our maiefties letters, quhill I ranconterritt this gentilman, 
quha promifit till delyuer thame out of his awin hand. At my arryual 
in France, I went immediatlie to the army befoir Arniens,^ quhair I 
delyueritt 3our maiefties letters to the king and Monfieur de Rohan, 
and retirit thair anfuers, quhilkis it will pleis your maieftie reffaif fra this 
beirir. I rememberitt lykwayis sour maiefties commendatiouns to Mon 
fieur du Mayene, quhometo 3our maieftie in my fimpill opinioun fuld do 
verie weill to wryte, and gif it wer bot a letter of complimentis till enter- 
teney his affeclioun to 3our feruice, for 3our maieftie may mak 3our 
count to draw mair feruice out of that prince alane, and 36 haif ado with 

His Lordship was finally absolved and reconciled to the church. See Melros Papers, vol. ii, p. 
613 to 618. Edinburgh, 1837. 4to. A very amusing account of the ceremonial upon the oc 
casion of receiving his Lordship and the Earl of Errol to the King's peace, at Aberdeen, is given 
in a letter from Thomas Mollisone to Mr Robert Paip, Advocate, 27th June 1597. Analecta 
Scotica, vol. i. p. 299. 

t Balcarras Papers. 

J This reference to the troops of Henry IV. being before Amiens fixes the date of the letter, 
as the Spaniards having in 1597 surprised that city, the King immediately besieged and retook it, in 
spite of the efforts of Archduke Albert. Upon learning the news of the surprisal, his majesty 
said, " Let us go; we have acted the King of France long enough ; it is now time to act the King 
of Navarre." 

The Viscount de Rohan, a distinguished Huguenot warrior. He was created a duke and peer 
in 1603, was mortally wounded at the battle of Rheinneld, and died on the 13th of April 1638, at 
the Abbey of Kunisfield, in the Canton of Bern. His corpse was interred in the Great Church of 
Geneva. He bequeathed his armour to the Republic of Venice, and it was received by the sena 
tors with extraordinary respect. Henry IV. having paid his addresses to his sister Catherine, she 
told him that she was too poor to be his wife, and of too good a family to be his mistress. 



36 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

men, then a greit pairt of the reft of 3our forraine freindfchips, as weill 
for his valour and experience, quhilk I can beir witnefs in this army he 
hes fchawin at this tyme to furpafs all the captaines in France, as for the 
greit affedlioun he caryis towards 3our maieftie, quhairof I may alfo beir 
record, as haiffing it out of his awin mouth. I mynd, God willing, to taik 
journey towards Italy within four or fyue dayis, quhilk culd be na foner ; 
for being engadgit with the king be his command, I culd nocht with my 
credeit leif him till he was reteirit himfelf, and had put the army in gar- 
nifoun. I will ceifs to wryte 3our maieftie onie occurrents, for I am 
certaine 36 haif thame frefcher and frome a bettir place be Ingland; 
alwayis I haif informit the berar of fie as wer currant in this court for the 
prefent, quha will informe 3our maieftie at length. As for my awin pairt 
(Sir), I wald onlie wifs at God, that I mycht be that happy anis in my lyfe 
to do 3our maieftie onie aggreable feruice, as ane quha finding him felf 
fa far chargit in obligatioun, nocht onlie as a commoun and naturall 
fubiecl, bot be infinit particular fauours, that I am forie that I am wna- 
bill to gif 30ur maieftie at this tyme onie fmall recognoffance of refenti- 
ment, bot man intreit sour maieftie to content 3our felf to refiaif of him, 
quha man remaine raither in hairt then habilitie to anfwer thame, in 
place of thay humbill thankis, that I aw a deuotioun of mynd fa greit, 
that it dar compair evin with the greitnes of 3our maiefties fauour. Sua, 
humbly fubmitting my nakit good will and pore feruice to 3our maiefties 
gratious cenfure, quha can ferue sour felf of the litile meritt of wtheris to 
maik 3our fauours the greiter, I hoip to comporte my felf, fua that 3our 
maieftie fall Judge me for a faithfull and affedlionat feruand, quha feik- 
ing all meinis to inhabill himfelf to do 3ow feruice, fall neuir ceifs, till 
fum happy occafioun prefent, quhairin sour maieftie may fie that thair 
is nane liuing, quha caryis a mair honeft and trew hairt to 3our feruice, 
then sour maiefties maift humble and afieclionat feruitour, 

SANCHAR.* 
Paris, 3 September [1597-] 

To the Kingis Maieftie. 

Robert, sixth Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, had charters of the barony of Sanquhar, 27th July 
1609, and of Cowrie House in Perth, 10th January 1611. In 1605, whilst on a visit to Lord 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 37 



XX PRIVATE INSTRUCTIONS BY KING JAMES VI. TO HIS AMBASSADORS. 

A Priuate Inftru6tion to the Erie of Marre and Abbot of 
Kinloffe, ray Ambafiadouris touardis the Quene of Eng- 
lande. 

YE fall temper and frame all youre dealing uith the quene or counfall, by 
the aduife of my freindis thaire, quhofe counfall ye fall dire6llie follou in 
all youre behauioure thaire, uith thefe referuations only, quhiche by 
tounge I deliuered unto you, and if that a&uallie thay performe thaire, 
promeifis on thaire pairt, I giue you by thefe prefentis of my owin 
hande, ample powaire to giue thaime full affurance of my affifting thaime 
accordinglie. 

JAMES R.* 

Norreys, in fencing with a fencing-master called Turner, his Lordship accidentally got one of 
his eyes put out, and was for some time in danger of his life. Seven years afterwards he hired two 
assassins, one of them 'called Robert Carlyle, to murder the unfortunate Turner, which was effected 
by the last named person, who shot him with a pistol, llth May 1612, for which he and his ac 
complice were executed. Lord Sanquhar absconded, but was apprehended, tried, and sentenced 
to die. He was hanged on a gibbet with a silken halter, erected in Great Palace Yard, before the 
gate of Westminster-hall, 29th June 1612. He died penitent, professing the Roman Catholic reli 
gion. He married at St Anne's, Blackfriars, 16th April 1608, Anne, daughter of Sir George Far 
mer of Easton, in the county of Northampton, but had no issue by her. He left all his property 
to his natural son, but the heir-male, William, seventh Lord Sanquhar, disputed the succession, and 
matters were adjusted upon a reference to James VI., who issued notes of an award, an extractfrom 
which was printed by Lord Hailes, Memorials of the Reign of James VI. p. 51 . See also the Melros 
Papers, pages 127, 132, 133, 264, 265. The King ordered that the magistrates of Perth should take 
an " exact count and inventorie of the haill gudis, gear, plenishing, hingings, siluer-work, and 
quhat else is within his house in Perth, or any other part of the burgh, and put them in sure 
custodie." Chronicle of Perth, p. 13. Great interest was used to save his Lordship's life, but 
James was inexorable ; less, it is said, from an extraordinary love of justice, than because his Lord 
ship had not resented an insult offered to his Majesty in a company in Paris, where some one had 
observed that it was no wonder James was called Solomon, since he was the son of David i. e. 
David Rizzio. His Lordship, if the story be true, suffered not because he had killed one man, but 
because he had not killed two. This letter is amongst the Balcarras MSS. 

* Autograph of the King. Balfour MSS. This embassy was sent in February 1601, ostensibly 
for the purpose of congratulating Elizabeth upon her suppression of the Earl of Essex's insane 



38 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



XXI FROM AN UNKNOWN PERSON* PERHAPS TO THE LORD OF KINLOSS. 



ALBEIT that I haue not aunfwered your lordfhips letter, neuerthelefs I 
hoope that my filence fhal receiue that fauorabl confirmation which my 
innocency may challenge of right ; for I was refolued to commit no letter 
to the hands of fortune, feeing that the expectation of a litl tyme might 
fecure the paflage of thoofe papers, which I decreed to confecrate only 
to your felf. And if the debt I owe you might bee payed by woordes, I 
would frankly fpende al my tyme in acknowlegement of your fauours, 
which beare fruits of fuch forte, that fo foone as I haue receaued them, 
they begin to bud forth, and to produce new bloffomes. Neuerthelefs, 
my hoope is, that al the world fhal knowe, that power in requiting hath 
rather fayled mee, then will. Therfor, pardon mee, I befeech you, if, 
wanting meanes to difcharge the debt I owe, I am conflreined to runn 
on the old fkoare, and to fpende flil out of your lordfhip's flocke. 

I haue at length fent his majefly an abflra6l of fuch gentlemen's 
names as are in greateft accompt in Englande, the greatefl part wherof 



attempt at rebellion. The letter written by James to the English Queen is printed in Crawford's 
Lives of the Officers of State, p. 403 ; the real object was to conciliate his friends in London, and 
settle with Cecil and the rest of them the line of procedure to be adopted in the event of Eliza 
beth's demise. It was on this occasion that the secret correspondence was arranged, which has 
been partially printed by Lord Hailes. Edin. 1766, 12mo. " The Queen received Lord Mar 
very graciously, and besides other things presented him with a very fyne bason and lawer of mother 

of pearle, with several rubies and pearles sett therein, which the family have this hour." History 

of the Family of Marr, collected in the year 1705, by Mr George Erskin, Bailif of Alloa. MS. 
in possession of the Editor. 

This letter, which is written in a very legible and distinct hand, has the figure 7 substituted 
for the writer's name ; who he may have been the Editor has been unable to ascertain. There is 
another letter from the same person to the King, in which the proper names are also indicated by 
figures; and, to increase the difficulty, the figure 7 is in it applied to some other individual. 
Both letters are amongst the Balfour MSS. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 39 

are knowne vnto my felf : the reft I haue had intelligence of by many 
wary queflions, and fundry relations of thoofe that weer well afiured of 
that which they informed. And concerning the apologetical preface, I 
haue deliuered my opinion, wherin I jumpe juft with your lordfhip's cen- 
fure therof, hooping that his highnes will take your woord in my behalfe, 
that my difference from the forme of an apology, fpringeth not from any 
fpirit of contradiction, but from the obedience I owe, to anfwer truly 
vnto euery demaunde his majefty fhal propounde vnto mee. Alfo, I 
haue fent a difcourfiue aunfwer vnto certeyne queflions, wherin I fuppofe, 
that though perhaps I may feeme to (hoote at rouers, I haue not fhott 
very wide from the marke. Our queene is trubled with a rhewme in her 
arme, which vexeth her uery much; befides the greefe fhee hath con- 
ceiued for my lord of Effex his deathe :* fhee fleepeth not fo much by 
day as fhee ufed, nether taketh reft by night : her delight is to fit in the 
darke, and fometimes with fheddinge of tears to bewayle EfTex. This is 
the reafon that wee haue fo many horfe about London, the particularitis 
wherof I refer to Mr Foules. In any cafe, let mee intreate you to folli- 
cite his majefty to fend often, and though the jorney bee longe and 
peynefull, I doubt not, but that Mr Foules will gladly vndertake the 
charge, wherin fo good feruice may bee performed : for it is expedient 
that the meflenger bee fkilful in our prefent eftate, trufted by us, and 
knowne to bee confidente with the kinge. Concerning my felf, or the 
feruice which I may performe, ether in this place, or in any whatfoeuer, 
I proteft that I remayne firme, and ready to bee imployed whenfoeuer his 
majefty fhal grace mee with his commandements. For I breathe no 
other contentment then that which may turne to the aduancement of fo 
gratious a prince, and the eafe of his diftrefTed cuntry. In what ftate 
wee ftande at this prefent, may better bee related by Mr Foules, Quae- 
que ipfe miferrima vidit, then by a fhort narration of perpetual woes. 

Therfor I will aduertife your lordfhip of your owne affairs, wherin I 
haue traueyled to the vttermoaft of my power, and gotten a particular 



Beheaded 25th February 1601. 



40 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

information for al Caris proceedings touching Whorlton.* The common 
voice of the tennants is, that hee payed only a 1000 marks to the queen ; but 
hauing conferred with himfelf, I founde him much discontented, as hee pre 
tended, for the great price he had payed, videlicet, 1 800 lib . ; but I beleue him 
not therin, nether doth 3 or I think it fitt that any thirde perfon fhoulde com- 
pounde with him for itt ; for it is certeyne that, feing it is already leaced, 
it wil not bee bought but at an vnreafonabl rate, and the tyme will come 
when he wilbe glad to take half the mony hee hath difburfed, for his in- 
terefl therin. The queene hath fold a greate parte of the Duchy of Corn- 
well and Lancafter, which landes muft ether be recalled, as wee haue a 
prefident therof in Henry the Fourth's tyme, or boughte agayne to vnite 
them to the crowne. I haue fent your Lordfhip a draught of the furuay 
of Whorlton, which I gott cunningly out of the checker. Likewife, you 
dial receive a coppy of a letters patients, taken out of the Rfecords?] 
which is counted to conteyne the moaft general woordes that may bee ufed 
in a good and perfe6l affurance. And albeit, that the name of a re6lory 
agree not with your mannors, it importeth not, feing that mutatis mutan 
dis, for as much as concerneth the names, the whole procefs of the graunte 
is to be obferued. I feare that you can hardly reade itt, for it is written 
in badd Lattin and abbreuiations, which is the manner of the clarks that 
coppy anny recorde out of the chauncery. The graunte you fent mee, 
with the claufe of renewinge the letters patients in die illo, is held to bee 
better then any other affurance that can nowe bee made by the kinge. 
I will deteyne your Lordfhip no longer : befeeching you to build upon 

Whorlton, in the district of Cleveland, Yorkshire, had been granted by Henry VIII. to Ma- 
thew Earl of Lennox, and Margaret his wife. From them it appears to have passed into the 
hands of Henry Earl of Northumberland, who shot himself in the Tower, 21st June 1585; as, by 
an inquisition post mortem, taken at Topcliffe (2d October), it is proved that he was seised of 
the castle and manor of Whorlton. Possession afterwards seems to have been resumed by the 
crown ; and the Carey referred to in the letter may not unreasonably be conjectured to have 
been Sir Robert Carey, afterwards Earl of Monmouth, whose father, Lord Hunsdon, was mater- 
nally related to Elizabeth. The advice given relative to the treating with this person, materially 
supports the presumption that the party addressed was Lord Bruce of Kinloss, as lie afterwards 
obtained a crown grant of the estate, which is now in possession of his descendant the Marquis 
of Ailesbury, one of whose titles is Earl Bruce of Whorlton. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 41 

that good foundation of my affedlion, which your merite hath firmely 
layd ; for my defir is to ftreyne my vttermoaft ability to bee alwais of the 
formoaft in 

Your Lordftiips feruice, 

.7. 



XXII. JACOBUS REX SCOTORUM, INVICTISSIMO PRINCIPI SHAUGH ABBAS. 

1601. 

JACOBUS, Dei Gratia, Rex Scotorum, Omnumque Infularum cir- 
cumjacentium : ac Regnorum potentiffimorum Anglise et Hi- 
berniae fummo ejufdem Jehonse nutu Ha3res proximus. 

Potentiflimo et invidliffimo Principi Shaugh Abbas, Perfarum, Medo- 
rum, Parthorum, Hircanorum, Carmanorum, Margianorum, populorum, 
cis et ultra Tigrim Fluvium et omnium intra mare Cafpium et Perficum 
finum, nationum atque gentium Imperatori : Salutem et rerum profpe- 
rarum foeliciffimum incrementum. 

Cum non ita pridem, nobiliflimus ille Eques Anglus, ANTONIVS SHER- 
LEIVS* Legatione fibi a Majellateveftra commifiapulcherrime fun6lusapud 

Sir Anthony Shirley, knight, was the second son of Sir Thomas Shirley of Wistenston, Sus 
sex, by Anne, daughter of Sir Thomas Kempe. He was protected by Robert Earl of Essex, under 
whose auspices he undertook several voyages. ' Queen Elizabeth sent him in 1596 into America, 
and afterwards, in the winter of 1598, into Italy, to assist the Ferrarese, who had revolted from 
the Pope. He subsequently went with his brother Sir Robert to Persia, where he was favourably 
received, and in 1601 was employed by Shah Abbas to negotiate a general alliance with all the 
Christian powers against the Turks. His Majesty, however, detained Sir Robert, " being younger, 
and therefore the more to be tendered, and not every day exposed to new dangers." Purchas, his Pil 
grims, Part II, p. 1407. The letter from the Balfour MSS. by James to the Persian Monarch 
refers to this embassy. After many vicissitudes of life and strange adventures, this remarkable 
person died in Spain, in the year 1636. The exploits of Sir Anthony and his two brothers form 
the subject of a very entertaining dramatic piece by Day, Rowley, and Wilkins, intituled " The 
Travels of the Three English Brothers, Sir Thomas, Sir Anthony, and Sir Robert Shirley, an 
Historical Play. 1607, 4to." 

F 



42 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

raultos Principes, in Aula etiam Csefarea, fapienter fortiterque permulta 
de rebus Perficis peroraflet : dici non potuit quantum fplendoris nomini 
veftro accefferit, cum omnes publice teftarentur, neque per vaftas folitu- 
dines, afpera juga, vel infolita maria, vllam virtuti veftrae inviam effe 
viam : num cum plurima apud nos ab hifloricis commemorantur bella 
faclaque egregia, ab Imperatoribus Perficis, terra marique gefta, in qui- 
bus fortuna maximam partem proprio quodam fuo jure expetere videatur. 
In ifta Legatione, qua fanc~la hofpitalitatis jura, et dulcia communis hu- 
manitatis officia inter nos, noftra regna, noflrofque fubditos conftitui, 
coli et conftanter conferuari queant, non hoc fortunae fed confilii, non 
cafus fed virtutis, certiffimum argumentum efie conftat. Nee in re tam 
plana halucinari debemus, quin omnipotentis Dei fumma prouidentia 
ratum efTe fateamur ; vt fortiffimus ille miles Sherleyvs, nullis vel paren- 
tum illuftrium prsecibus, vel ampliflimi patrimonii fpe fle6li potuit, quo 
minus dulciflima fua patria derelicla in finum Majeftatis veftra? feipfum 
fortunamque fuam conjicerit ; fperamus itaque brsevi affuturum tempus 
cum ex mutuo omnium Principum confenfu, infefla gentis Turcicae infig- 
nia lacera et fub pedibus contrita, ludibrio et rifui exponentur. Verun- 
tamen illud nos male habet, quod in re tam feria et tam neceffaria de 
Anglorum auxiliis nihil promittere, nedum fperare aufi fumus. Herois 
etenim Comitis Efiexij, qui ad omnes bellicas expeditiones fulminis inflar 
paratus efle folebat, violenta ac inopinata mors, Regni illius incolas adeo 
obftupefecit, vt interna potius timere, quam externa fperare, malint : 
maxima quippe pars eorum qui Anglorum habenas hodie moderantur 
priuatis odijs non folum inter fe certant ; veruntamen propter initam a 
mercatoribus fuis cum Turcis amicitiam, ftrenue, huic noftrse legationi 
fefe opponunt. Quod cum per confidentes noftros exploratum habere- 
mus illico Equitem Sherleyvm admonere et hortari, non dubitauimus, 
ne vana et Majeflati veftraa non profutura fibi ipfi exitralia inciperet. Qui 
quidem authoritati ac confilio noftro acquiefcens, exulem fe fieri quod- 
ammodo pafius eft, vt pofthac cum corona illius imperii ad nos deuoluta 
fuerit, vberiores fru6lus laborum fuorum reportare pofiit. Nam cum Reg- 
num Angliaa munitiflima clafie inftrudlum, ac totius orbis circumnauiga- 
tione celeberrimum terrorem maximum genti Ottoman* incutiat, dubium 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 43 

non eft, quin diuino fpirante numine ex iftis amicitise foelicibus aufpicijs, 
vobis et noftris eternam gloriam cum fumma vtilitate conjunctam ali- 
quando fimus confequuturi. Magnanimum itaque Equitem Sherleyvm 
Majeftati veftra ita coramendatura efle velimus, vt pote hominem omnis 
generis armorum, et politic* rationis peritiffimum, in quo minus valent 
verba quam fides, manus quam animus, vtrifque tamen infignibus pra?- 
clarus. Etfi fortitudinem illam quae virtutis ftirpe ftipata mirum fua? in- 
dolis fpecimen toties edidit, conferuatam et nutritam fore intellexerimus 
vniuerfo mundo palam innotefcere faciemus, plus virium habuiffe beneuo- 
lentiam ad nos conjungendos, quam terram et mare ad nos longiflime 
feperandos. Deus Optimus Maximus falutem omnem et perpetuam 
veftrae concedat Majeftati. Datum in Scotia in inclito noftro Palatio 
Edinburgi, Anno Mundi 5680, Domini noftri Jefv Chrifti 1601, Reg- 
norum vero noftrorum xxxiiii. 

Amantiffimus frater tuus, 

JACOBUS R. 

Potentiflimo et inviclifiimo Principi, SHAVGH ABBAS, Perfarum, 
Medorum, Parthorum, Hircanorum, Carmianorum, Margianorum 
populorum, cis et vltra Tigrim fluuium, et omnium intra mare 
Cafpium et Perficum finum,nationumatque gentium, Imperatori. 



xxiiLsiR JAMES COLVILLE TO^THE LORD OF KINLOSS. 

COUSING, 

Efter my hartly commendation, I culd not omit thir feu lynis that 
36 may knau of my profperus ariuel to this toun, defyring sou to haue 
my maift humble feruice recommendit to his hines. It greifis mekil in 
my paffing throuche Ingland, the los he hes for laik of fum refident 
honeft man, in quhom baithe his maiftie micht confyd, and fik as interly 



44 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

low him micht aflur them felfis ; for, to be plain, I dout vtheris for caufis 
I vill not vret. I pray the Lord grant him that grace that he may faueur 
them quha lovis him aboue al. I dout not bot or now 36 haue refauit 
my letter from Londoun, defyring erneftly to knau the fucces of that 
maiter aganis his maieflie. I hoip vithe the grace of God to difcouer 
mair in that nor his maieflie hes sit hard ; as alfo in fundry other prac- 
tifes aganis him. At my firft camming I heir no bruit but of ver, quhilk 
I beleue not, albeit it be faid heir his maieftie is makand for Lion for the fe- 
cours of Geneua, quhilk I dout not 36 haue hard hes falziit to be takin be 
the duik of Sauoy : fua is it vretin heir be the governouris nepho from curt. 
It fhuld haue bein takin be ane pilard : they var anes fyve hundrethe 
vithin the toun, quherof at left remanit 300 vithe the principal quho com- 
mandit. Monfieur de Buillon cummis not, bot the king hes fend ane 
Commartyn to him : I knau not his meffage. The greteft thing is imput 
to him that he (hud haid fum condition of filuer for agreing the Archiduik 
and Compte Mons. 

It is not thocht that he haid ony deling vithe Marifhal de Biron,* in 
ony fort to haue bein ane Efpainsol ; alvayis vithe my nixt I flial do gud 
vil to aduertis 3ou. For the reft of Marifhal de Biron his confpiracy, 
the king hes, as 1 can lerne, pardonit al. For Monfieur Monbarro, gover- 
neur of Rems, his maieftie defyrit to knau, quhither he vald haue grace 
or juftyce : his anfuer vas juftice, for he haid neuer failit to his maieftie, 

Charles Gontault, Due de Biron, Peer and Marshal of France, was condemned to death, and 
his effects confiscated, the 31st of July 1602. Of the justice of his sentence there can be no ques 
tion ; but when his former services to Henry IV. are remembered, we cannot help thinking that it 
might have been commuted. " The executioner," says Pierre Mathieu, " struck him so high above 
the nape of the neck as hee glanced vpon his lawe-bones, and left a great tufte of hair on his neck. 
Being dead, hee shewed choller in his countenance, as they write of the souldiers which died at the 
battle of Cannas. Every one departed, commending the Kings justice, and lamenting the misery 
of so valiant a man, beleeving that of long time they should not see his equall." Grimeston's trans 
lation of the General Historie of France [Lon.] 1624. Folio, p. 1049. When Baron de Biron, 
he consulted a magician at Paris as to his future fortunes, who told him, " That only a back blow 
of the Bourguignon would keepe him from being a king." This prediction was remembered when 
in the Bastille, and having learned that the executioner of Paris was a Bourguignon, he exclaimed, 
" I am a dead man." That admirable old poet, Chapman, wrote a Tragedy in two parts, entitled 
" The Conspiracie, and Tragoedy of Charles Duke of Byron, Marshall of France, acted lately in 
two playes at the Black-friars and other publique stages." London, 1625. 4to. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 45 

faif that he hed ingagit al he haid for his feruice : it is rather thocht 
Mairifhal de Bryfak his il vil nor ony other thing agains him, faue the 
takin doon of Fontineles* hed, quhilk vas fend to Rhems, quhilk he caufit 
tak doon, he being his kinfman.f I man 3^ erneftly requefl 300 to re 
member my coufing, Captain Coluill, to his maieftie, quha hes lofit al 
his efperance for his maiefties feruice, and hopis he fhal fhortly git better 
prouf nor he hes 3^ doon. I vret to 300 afor tuiching mefter Dauid 
Foulis;J lat him mak 3011 priue to the maiter ; for the man is content, and 
defyris only the furtie of convoy. Al vther thingis to neu occation, and 
my hartly commendationis to sour brother. Praying 300 that this may 
ferue 3011 and fir Thomas Erfkyne, I remain 

3our maift loving Coufing, 

JAMES COLUILL 
of Weimes. 

From Calys our firft of Januar [1603.||] 

To my Lord, 

My Lord of Kinlos. 

Ther vas neuer fo mayny paffageris heir avay. I pray the Lord it be 
for gud ; but his maieftie hes gret caus to luik to him felf. 

* The Baron de Fontenelles was broken on the wheel for his participation in Biron's conspiracy. 

f Monbaraut was committed to prison. 

J Knighted 13th May 1603, and created a Baronet 6th February 1619. He was cofferer to Prince 
Henry, and afterwards to his brother. He died in the year 1642. 

Viscount Fenton, 18th March 1606, and Earl of Kellie, 12th March 1619. He was one 
of the individuals who assisted to rescue the King from the Earl of Gowry and his brother, 
and for his services obtained a considerable share of the estates of that unfortunate family. He died 
at London, 12th June 1639, in the 73d year of his age. 

II An extract from this letter has been published by Lord Hailes, who fixes the date to be 1603, 
from the notice of the manuscript of the Duke of Savoy's attempt on Geneva. Peace was con 
cluded in July 1603 between the Duke and the Genevese. 



46 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



XXIV. LORD FYVIE TO KING JAMES VI. 



MAIST HEIGH, MAIST EXCELLENT, AND MIGHTIE PRENCE, 
MY ONLYE SOUERAINE AND GRACIOUS LORD, 

The lang pruiff and experience I haue had off 3our gracious 
maiefties thochts and cair, eiuer greatar for the weill and tranquillitie of 
3our peipill and fubiecls, nor for 3our awin eafe, has maed me to abftein 
frome wryting to 3our maieftie this lang quhyle, affuring me felf that this 
happie accrefle off 3our maiefties dominions has increffit alfo greatumlie 
the occupations off 3our maift nobill minde, and that 3our hienefs be 
frequencie off lettirs frome all pairts has bein fa occupiet, that butt 
offence 3our maieftie could nocht be impafchit or diftraclit frome fa greate 
affairs, till now, at laft, I haue refolued to be my bound dewtie, to gif 
3our maieftie fuim coumpt off that precious jowell it pleafit your hienefs 
to credidl to my keiping, 3our maiefties nobill iflue and fone Due 
Charles, quha is (prailit be God) for the prefent at bettir health far then 
he was, and, to mak 3our maieftie mair particular accoumpt, eats, drinks, 
and ufis all naturall functions as we wald wifs in onye child off his graces 
age, except that his night's reft is nocht as 3it fa found as we hoipe in 
God it fall be fliortlie. The greate weakneffe off his bodie, after fo lang 
and heuie feiknefs, is meikill fuppliet be the might and ftrenth off his 
fprit and minde : I will allure sour maieftie he luiks als ftatlie, and bearis 
als greate ane maieftie in his countenance, as could be requirit of onye 
prence, albeit four tymis aboue his age. I hoipe in God 3our maieftie . 
fall haue pleafour and confort off his grace. This I can affure 3our 
majeftie, be the grace of God, thair fall nathing be omittit may appartein 
to dew feruice or guid attendance on his grace, quhilk may lye in my 
fobir powar or habelitie quhatfomeuer. As to the affairs off this 3our 
majefties realme, fence 3our hienefs departour frome us (thanks to God), 
all is in reafonabill guid quietnefs, nor we haue hard off na breake as 3it 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 47 

off ony confequence, except in the far Hielands fuim treubill amangs 
thame felfs betuix Donald Gorme and MacClaude Hereis, quhilk trublis 
na thing the Lawland. 3 our majeftie will onderftand be sour counfalls 
lettirs the eftait and proceidings with Macgregors. Gif all the greate 
Hieland clannis war at the like point, I wald think it ane greate eafe 
and weill to this commoun weill, and to 3our maiefties guid fubiecls heir. 
Sik noumber of sour maiefties counfall as is heir (quhilk 30ur majeftie 
may confider to be hot weake in refpe6l off thefe that ar with 3our hie- 
nefs), has alwayis hithertill waitit on werie weill and diligentlie on the 
counfall, and all affairs baith concerning the publik gouernement, and par 
ticulars belanging to all preparations for the queeins maiefties jorney. 
I fall, God willing, for my awin pairt, keip that bound dewtie quhilk I 
haue aduowit and promift to 3our maieftie, and quhilk the innumerable 
fauours and benefitts I haue refauit off 3our hienefs onlye beneuolence 
and maift gracious fauour towards me, requiris off me, and binds me to. 
Sa, maift humblie taking my leiue, and praying the king eternall off all 
kingdomes, as he has augmented 3our maiefties dominions to fa greate 
confort and contentment of all 3our hienefs fubie&s, fa to mantein 3our 
maieftie in lang and profperous reigne and gouernement aboue us. With 
the maift humble kifle off 30ur gracious maiefties hand, I refte 

3our Maiefties maift humbill and loyall feruitour, 

FYVIE.* 

Edinburgh, 29th April 1603. 
To the Kings Maieftie. 

Alexander Seton, third son of George, sixth Lord Seton, and brother of Robert, first Earl of 
Winton, was originally destined for the church, and went to Rome to perfect his ecclesiastical 
studies. The Reformation induced him to change his intentions, and to betake himself to the study 
of the law. Finding favour in the eyes of James, his promotion was rapid. He was made Presi 
dent of the College of Justice, 28th May 1593; a Peer of Parliament, by the title of Lord Fyvie, 



48 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

XXV. THE EARL OF.MONTROSE TO KING JAMES VI. 

SIR, 

Hir maiefties prefent eftaite and conditioun I refer to the beiraris re- 
porte. Of hir graices departour to Striveling,* I wes nawayes ane mover 
thairof, nather fkairfe acquaynte thairwith ; as this beirar cumming in haifte 
can fufficiently impairte to sour maieftie hir graices prefent eflaite and 

4th March 1597-8. He was appointed Lord Chancellor in 1604, and created Earl of Dunfermline, 
4th March 1605. Spottiswoode observes that he exercised his place with great moderation, and 
to the contentment of all honest men. " He professed himself," says Scotstarvet, " a Protestant 
in outward show, but died an avowed Papist." Staggering State. Edin. 1754, 12mo. p. 17. 
He left a large estate, which was made away with by his only son, a very dissipated person, who 
was so much addicted to gambling, that, if we may credit Scotstarvet, " when he was debarred by 
promise to play at no game, he devised a new way to elude his oath, by wagering with any 
who was in his company, who should draw the longest straw out of a stack with the most grains of 
corn thereon." 

The Lord Chancellor died at his seat of Pinkie, on the 16th of June 1622, and was buried at 
Dalgetty in Fife, with great funeral solemnity, on the 19th of July following. Various interesting 
particulars relative to his death, and the estimation he was generally held in, occur in the Melros 
Papers, vol. ii, pp. 460, 477, 478. A poem of some merit, written by John Lyoun, on his demise, 
published at Edinburgh, 1622, was some years ago reprinted, as a contribution to the Bannatyne 
Club, by one of the original members. 

Her majesty's visit to Stirling, and subsequent illness, arose out of the following circumstances : 

John, Earl of Mar, Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, was much esteemed by James VI. who 
appointed him governor of Prince Henry. He gave him " a warrant, all with his own hand, or 
dering him not to deliver up his son to any person, yea, not though he subscribed a warrant to that 
effect, only in case he ordered him by word of mouth to do so, and in such company as he knew 
he liked ; and it bears, in case of his maiesties death, a command not to deliver him up neither for 
Queen nor Estates of Parliament, till the Prince came to be eighteen years of age, when lie might 
command himself; which argued ane exuberant trust." Erskyn's MS. Memoirs of the Family of 
Mar. Upon the accession of James to the crown of England, he left the Queen to follow him 
within about forty days afterwards ; but the Prince was to remain at Stirling. Her majesty, how 
ever, who was probably jealous of the influence the Earl might acquire over the mind of her son, 
proceeded to Stirling, where his Lordship resided, and unsuccessfully attempted to carry off the 
Prince. Her failure threw her ill, and occasioned a miscarriage. 

The King, alarmed for his wife, authorised the delivery of the Prince ; but her majesty in 
sisted that Lord Mar should make public reparation for his alleged misconduct. This being re 
fused, she became very much enraged, and was with difficulty reconciled to his Lordship, who, 

by act of council, was declared to have done nothing that might affect her honour See Birch's 

Life of Prince Henry. 1760, 8vo. p. 30, 31. A letter from the Privy Council, on the subject, 
will be found in the Melros Papers, vol. i, p. 3. The King's letter, sanctioning Lord Mar's con 
duct, is, with relative papers, in the Appendix to Hailes' " Memorials" of the Reign of James. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 49 

cumpanye, fua it wer loft labour to me to wryte any thing, quherof I haif 
na forder warrand, hot of this beirar him felf. 3 our niaieftie fall be 
fullye acquainted at all occafiouns how materis fall fall out heir ; hot if hir 
hienes jornay wer anes vndertakin, 3our grace fuld fie ane amendment 
in bygane overfichts, that micht be imputed to ws in the governament, 
and ane honeft and difpofit refolutioun in my felf, at leift to poftpone 
all the feir of hazaird, danger, or inconveniens to that quhilk may re 
dound in any wayes to sour maiefties honour, or ferve for the weill of the 
puire fubieclis within this sour hienes realme. And fa at the prefent 
humblie kiffing sour graice handis, I tak my leave, praying the Almightie 
God to preferve 3our maieftie in ane gude, happye, and profperous 
eftaite, be 

3<>ur Maiefties maift humbe and obedient 
fubiedt and feruitour, 

MONTROISS.* 
Halyrudhous, 10th May [1603 ?] 



XXVI THE EARL OF MONTROSE TO KING JAMES VI. 

SIR, 

Thir vnluiked for milhappes falling furth heir in this cuntrey, 
thortureing that contentment quhilk 3oure maieftie refaues in thefe 
pairtis, na doubt ar the bettir acceptit, and the mair patientlye borne with 
be 3oure hienes, that in this lyife thair can be na full and compleitt hap- 
pines. I will nawayes renew the remembrance of that laite accident, 

John, third Earl of Montrose. He died 9th November 1608. At the period this letter was 
written, he was Lord Chancellor of Scotland. Scotstarvet says, in his " time that line was written 
in the sederunt-house, 

Et Bibulo memini consule nil fieri ; 

for he was altogether void of learning, which King James finding, and perceiving his error, got a 
fair means to shuffle him out by making him Vice-Roy at a Parliament, 1604, and then putting 
in Chancellor Seaton in his place. After which he retired home." Staggering State, p. 14. All 
the letters that follow, excepting those otherwise marked, are from the Balfour Collections, in the 
Library of the Faculty of Advocates. 

O 



50 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

fafar to be forrowed in the perfoun of the queins graice; albeit, prayfed 
be God, thair is ane full affurance of hir maiefties preferu'atioun and full 
recovery of hir wounted health ; bot being bound in dewtye, as ane of 
3our maiefties fubieclis, and be the greit manifold graices and favors be 
tymes beftowed upoun me; and laft, in refpecl it hes pleafed 3our 
maieftie to appoynte me in place of bettir, to fupplie the office of chan- 
cellarye, I culd nawayes omitt to impairte the very trew eftaite of materis 
as they fland heir, for the langer that fyire remaines vndifcovered, the 
laiter cumis the remeide to quenche it ; and that wounde and fore, quhilk 
at the beginning wes baith eafie and facile to vndertak, be negle6l- 
ing of it, the cwire of it may trye difficill, if not impoffible. Thair is 
ane contraverfie and jar enterit betuix fum of the nobilitie, anent this laite 
queftioun of the princes delyverye. Thefe that accumpanyed the queins 
maieftie, ar accompted be the erle of Mar to haif bein the moveris and 
intyiferis of hir hienes to that enterpryife. Thay thame felfis be aithes 
proteftis, that thay had na intentioun at all, bot hir graices convoye, being 
requyred be hir miffiues thairto. Quhilk chairge thay culd not guidlye 
difobey. In ather of the contradiclours, thair reftis greter hatrent and 
malice, nor as 30" be aclioun hes buddit furth; bot if it be nocht preven- 
tit, na doubt it is able to mak ane greitar fturre in this cuntrey, than any 
that hes bein thir mony 3eiris ago. In this earand thair reftis famony 
difficulties, that all men depend vpoun 3our maiefties will, and nane heir 
will preifs to meddle with the fame, for be sour maiefties laite warrand, 
it is ordaineit, that the erle of Mar fall haif the princes convoy in the 
queins cumpanye. The queins maieftie is not of mynd to depairt, 
vnlefs the prince go with hir, and will nawayes reft contented that the 
erle of Mar fuld accumpany hir. Quherin the counfell heir hes fund 
that necefiitie vpoun thir conclufiouns, that ather mon thay pafs the 
boundis of the laft warrand, quhilk thay can nocht guidlie do of thair 
dewtye, or than be authori3eing of it, to offend the quein at this .toumeft 
tyme of hir hienes difeafe. Only I thocht it nocht amifs to impairte the 
fame to 3our maieftie, maift humblie befeiching 3oure hienes to provyde 
remeids, how the queins graice may reft fatiffied and contentit, the erle of 
Mar exonerit of that greit chairge, and band that lyis on him for keiping 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 51 

of the faid prince, and fum ordour to be takin how this eileft and contra- 
verfie, licklye to aryife and increfs amangis thefe of the nobilitie, may be 
fetlit and pacifiet. Quheranent, I doubt nocht 3our maieftie immediatlie 
will forfie ane means to help the fame, according to that wounted pruif of 
3our maiefties wifdome and foirficht, kyithed heirtofoir in the lyke maters. 
Quhilk as. we adoire and admire, fua we reft forye and difcontent to be 
fa far removeit and feparatit from the prefence of it amangis ws. And 
fa humblie taking oure leave, wifcheing the almightye God to half ane 
cairfull regairde over jour maiefties perfoun and eftaite, I reft, attending 
quhatevir direcliouns it fall pleis 3our maieftie to injoyne, be jour 

Maiefties maift humble and obedient 
fubiecl; and feruitour, 

MONTROISS. 
Halyrudhous, 13 May 1603. 

To his Maieftie. 



XXVIL THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VI. 

SIR, 

According to that commiffione quhilk was direct anent the taking 
ordour with the Clangregor, we haif refauit alreddie aucht pledgis, and 
the vther four ar expe&it for within thrie or four dayis to remane heir in 
waird, vpone the perrell of thair awin lyfs, to anfuer for the dew perfor 
mances of all efferis. 3 our hienes falbe affuirit that the qualitie of the 
pledgis thame felffis will procure ane neceffitie of the forderance of that 
wark, the profequuting quherof is nocht to refaue ony lang delay ; feing 
be theifs gentlemen quha ar commowneris thair is allenarlye aucht oulkis 
crawit betuix and the ifchew quhairof it is vndertaken, that all that is pro- 
mefit falbe performit. We mentionat of befoir to jour maieftie anent the 



52 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

tranfport of fa many of that clan that are appointed for banifhment, that 
ane fchip micht be fend hither. We mon maid humblie renew our fwite, 
feing all theifs quha are to depart, in quhilk nomer the laird him felf is 
ane, ar to be in redines heir, reddy to embark agane witfontyid, being 
vnable of thame felffis ather to defray thair chargis, furneis thame felffis 
of vi6lualls, or pay thair fraucht. Siclyk it will pleis 3our maieftie to knaw 
that the fubmiffione betuix the Lindfayis and Ogilvis was fubfcryvit be 
the lord Spynie and mafter of Ogilvy sefterday in our haill prefence, 
thay being fullie aggreit of befoir, and thair ar nane that hes nocht com- 
perit bot the laird of Kerfs Rynd, and his fone, quha for thair abfence ar 
ordanit to be denouncit, and we haif ftayit the lord of Spynie of ony 
taking jornay befor that that mater be fullie endit and put to ane point. 
In the vther diredlione, anent the erles of Orknay and Caithnes, we cold 
do na thing in that mater, be reffoun of the abfence of the ane being 
now in the north pairtis, and the vther haueing cum toward sour hienes, 
quha, without doubt, wilbe mowit fa meikle the rather to conforme him 
felf to that direclione, if it be mentionat thair befoir his returne. We, 
for our pairt, fall tak ordour, that the partie refufer to fubmitt falbe dif- 
chargit to accompanie the queins maieftie. Sa, humblie intreating par- 
doun for impafheing 3our hienes, attending vpone sour maiefteis ordoure, 
we humblie tak our leave, committing 3our graces facred perfone in the 
tuitioun and fpeciall protecTaone of the Almichtie God, 

3our Maieflies humble and obedient 
fubiedlis and feruitours, 

Jo. PRESTOUN. ELPHINSTOUN. 

R. CoKBURNE. MoNTROlSS. 

FYVIE. 
Edinburgh, xviij May [1603 ?] 

There is no date to this letter, but the allusion to the Queen's journey to England seems to 
place it in the year 1603. Balfour has put it up with the letters after October 1605, thus making 
its date 1606 ; but this arrangement is clearly wrong, as Lord Fyvie, one of the council, had been 
created Earl of Dunfermline, 4th March 1605. The account of the depressed state of the Clan- 
gregor is very curious. The Highland Clans appear to have been regarded as intolerable pests by 
Lord Fyvie. See page 46. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 53 

XXVIII LORD FYVIE TO KING JAMES VI. 

MAIST SACRED SOUERAINE, 

Efleeming na lefs by my dewtie to empefche 3our hienefs daylie 
with frequent letters, then to omitt that quhilk may be iuftlie required off 
me, to mak 3our maieflie acquent at certane tymes with all fpeciall heads, 
ather concerning sour grace's eftait heir, or particularlie committit to my 
awin chairge, I hoipe, God willing, in that to keep, fa far as I may, ane 
midde courfe, lipning alwayis maift in the moderation off 3our hienefs 
gracious minde. Firft, concerning that it pleafed 3our facred maieflie re 
commend unto me be 3our letteris, to entreate with the queens maieflie 
3our daireft bedfallow, to think and accompt na mifs in all was done be 
my Lord off Mar, his fone, or bedfallow, in thir accidents fallin furth laitlie 
at Stirling; in fa far as all that they did, had fufficient warrand frome 
3our hienefs foueraine authoritie and direclioun, quhilk be guid rafon, 
nather thay could in ony point omitt, nor onye other with faif dewtie con- 
trolle; albeit, I haue nocht before geiuin 3our maieflie onye coumpt off my 
pairt in that, becaufe, that being prefent with the haill counfall at the 
treatie off thefe maters at Stirling, the 24 off this inflant, I thocht be 
the counfalls lettir, 3our grace micht be fufficientlie refoluit off our fuc- 
cefs in that ; I wald nocht the lefs farder, sour hienefs war perfuadit, I 
omitted na thing micht lye in me, to haue thefe maters mair foundlie 
compofit; and hir maieflie to think that all that was done, cariet werye 
guid rafon with it. I pafl immediatlie after the refaitt off 3our hienefs 
letter to Stirling, quhair firfl I dealt particularlie with hir maieflie als er- 
nifllie as I could, and with all the rafons my witt micht furnifs me to that 
entent ; nixt at the meiting off the counfall, I laid doune fik grounds and 
arguments as I thocht meitefl, to be proponit and infiflit on be us all 
comounlie before hir maieflie to the fame effe6l; quhilk the counfall 
thocht fa fufficient, that as thay concludit befl we fould goe all to gither 
to hir maieflie to propone and rafon the fame, fua thay burdeinit me to be 
the firfl proponer and rafonar thairoff: I entred indeid, and beganne that 
puirpoifs to hir maieflie the befl I could, before sour hienefs haill coun 
fall, and was bettir followed nor I could beginne. Our anfuir and fuccefs 



54 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

3our grace has onderftand be sour counfals lettir writtin immediatlie after. 
I doubt nocht bot hir maieftie confideris and onder'flands fufficientlie 
the bed and the ward, and all the right and the wrang in that mater; bot 
the honour off the ending and finall compofing thairoff, as off monie 
greatar difficulties, is referued to sour hienefs wifdome, and exceiding 
greate dexteritie in all fik caufis. At melting with sour maieftie, hir hienefs 
will think, efteeme, and doe in all that, and all belangs thairto, as fall 
pleas sour grace to direct, fignifie, or difpofe. This I onderftand to be 
hir maiefties minde and refolutioun. As to 3our maiefties aduocat's* 
pairt or mine in this, albeit wee haue had that honour and direclioun be 
3our maiefties, to be as hir hienefs counfalouris, in the haill courfs off this 
befinefs, I certifie 3our maieftie, wee haue bein mair fubiect to obey com- 
mandements and directions, nor weill hard or tane with in our counfals, 
quhilk wee wald neiuer haue geiuin bot to 3our maiefties contentment in 
the firft place, and to the fulfilling off sour hienefs full will ; and nixt to all 
quietnefs and tranquillitie, quhilk sour maieftie has eiuer knawin our haill 
courfes to be maift addicted to, and as I am certane 3our facred maieftie 
will onderftand parfitlie at meiting with hir maieftie, quho knawis our pairts. 
I was at Dunfermiling quhen this fturre fell furth, and came nocht to Stir 
ling till I was fend for be hir maieftie, being in extreimitie off feiknefs and 
difeafe, quhilk eftait wald nocht admitt all that guid rafon might haue 
furnift to onye off us, to be faid to hir maieftie. 3 our hienefs aduocat 
chanced to be with hir maieftie prefent at the werie warft; be the cariage 
of fuim lettirs off 3our maiefties thair the night before 3our hienefs has had 
fufficient pruiff baith off his witt and guid behauiour of before; at fik ane 
tyme, in fik ane accident, to fik ane perfon, quhat could he doe or fay ? His 
dew refpect to 3our maieftie, and to 3our obedience, behouit eiuer to haue 
the firft place in his minde, he was not ignorant off the great cair, and 
tender loue sour maieftie has to hir hienefs royall perfon : todifpute or con- 
tefte quhat rafon and wifdome wald urge off hir hienefs proceidings, was 
bot the way to incenfe her maieftie farder againft all, and to augment hir 
paflion to greatar parell, quhilk he was certane wald haue anoyed 3our 

Sir Thomas Hamilton, afterwards Earl of Melros, which title he subsequently exchanged for 
that of Haddington. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 55 

raaieflie aboue all, and might haue been iuftlie imputt to lake of difcretion 
on his pairt. All being weyit, the bed expedient was to comfort and 
encourage hir maieftie, to gif hir guid hairt; in fumme, phifick and medi 
cine requireth then greatar place, nor economic or politic. Hir maiefties 
paflions could not be fa weill moderat and mitigat, as be feconding, fol 
lowing, and obeying all hir directions, quhilk alwayis was fubiect and 
dependit haillie upon sour facred maiefties anfuirs and refolutions as 
oracles, to gif baith health and full refolution off all doubts and difficul 
ties. This was his eftait, this was his pairt in the perplexitie off this 
befinefs, quhilk weill examinat be sour hienefs oncomparabill wifdome, I 
am certane will neuer engender onye preiudice to his former deferuings, 
and extreeme guid will to 3our maiefties feruice. I can nocht wyte my 
Lord off Mar being fo hardlie tane with, finding hir maieftie fa incenfit 
againft him, by ony deferuing off his, or onye that aparteinit to him, to 
wyte others rather nor hir royall maieftie off all proceidings. Bot the 
decrees of 3our maiefties fouerane minde will paffe ( I am perfuadit), and 
go by all our pretends, and platts to the werye points off equetie and 
rafon, and to the iuft interpretation off all our actions. I haue fo^iet 
mefelf infifting fa meikil in this puirpois with 3our maieftie, quhilk I proteft 
has greeued me fa, that to haue all memorie off the fame extinguift and 
abolift, I wald be content almoft to be buried thairwith mefelf. 

3ur facred maiefties maift nobill fone, Duke Chairles, continewis 
(praifit be God) in guid health, guid courage, and loftie minde, althocht 
3it weake in bodie, is beginnand to fpeik fuim words, far bettir as 3it off 
his minde and tongue, nor off his bodie and feite ;* hot I hoipe in God 
he fall be all weill and prencelie, wordie off sour maieftie, as his grace is 
iugit be all werye like in lineaments to sour royall perfon. Thair is ane 
laitt attempt fallin furth in Carrik, quhairoff I haue writtin at mair length 
to my L. Secretair, not willing to trubill sour hienefs with tedious dif- 
cours of fik onpleafant puirpois. 

Charles " was exceedingly feeble in his lower parts, his legs growing not erect, but repandous 
and embowed, whereby he was unapt for exercises of activity. Again, he was none of the grace- 
fullest orators, for his words came difficultly from him, which rendred him indisposed to speak 
much. But, in the flux of time, and when he began to look man in the face, those tender limbs 
began so to consolidate and knit together, as the most eminently famed for exercises of honour 
were forced to yield him up the garland." Reign of King Charles. London, 1655. Folio, p. 1. 



56 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

Ane thing reftis to me, quhilk I man tak the baldnefs to recommend unto 
3our maieftie, as I haue oft done off before, that is, 3our hienefs Seffion 
and College off luftice, the fpeciall fponk off light, and fondament off 
5our maiefties eftait, and now the only ornament off this land. I man 
requeift sour gracious maieftie to be cairfull off the honorabill mainten 
ance and preferuation thairoff, for gif it decay in onye forte, I will affure 
3our hienefs, sour royall authoritie and obedience in this realme will 
participat off all the accidents may onye wayis befall to that faitt off 
iuflice: and becaufe it is now prefupponit be monye, 3our maieftie is to 
reteine thair, fuim off our numbir, in cafe fa be, and that 3our grace be to 
fupplie thair places with others, I wald 3our maieftie remembrit off that 
guid and nobill a6l, deuifit and fett doune off 3our hienefs awin deuyfs, 
for preferuation off the integritie off that houfs, that na dimiffion fould 
be refauit in fauorem, hot pure and fimpill, and quhen eiuer onye place 
fould vake in onye maner, 3our maieftie fould prefent at leift three off 
the beft qualified perfons to be tryit be the Lords, and the wordieft 
refauit. As this a6l was maift wyflie, and worthelie deuifit be 3our ma 
ieftie, fa doe I wifs it to be conftantlie keipit; and as thair is na thing in 
that houfs obfcure or onknawin to 3our maieftie, the greateft eileft amangs 
us, I doubt nocht hot sour maieftie remembris, is lake off knawledge and 
learning requifit to that place, quhilk I pray 3our maieftie, fupplie be the 
guid qualities off all 3our maieftie fall prefent in tymes to cuim. This is 
ane werye effential point off 3our maiefties croun and eftaitt in this realme, 
the integritie and worthinefs off the fubiedls off that houfs and counfall, 
quhilk maks me the mair inftant, and, parchance, importune to recom 
mend the fame fa liberallie to 3our maieftie. I am paft all dew bounds 
in langfumnefs off my lettir to 3our maieftie, fa occupiet in wechtie affairs. 
My maift humbill and dew feruice remembrit, I will conclude this lang- 
fuimnefs with earnift prayer for lang and profperous reigne to 3our ma 
ieftie aboue us, and to the warldis end, and to 3our pofteritie. Sua reftis 

3our Royall Maiefties maift humbill and 
obedient fubiecl and feruitour, 

FYVIE. 
Edinburgh, 30 Maij 1603. 

To the Kings maift excellent Maieftie. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 57 



XXIX THE EARL OF MONTROSE TO KING JAMES VI. 

SIR, 

Quhen, as I entir in confideratioun of this laite broylle fallin 
furth heir, quhairby nocht onlye 3oure maiefties contentment thair is im- 
paireit, and thairwith 3our hienes forrow gretumelye procureit, hot alfo 
greit mater of greif is gevin to all 3our liegis, that any fick accident fuld 
haif interuptit the full effence of our joye, git all humane thingis being 
fubiecT; to viciffitude, and mifehances being often and commounlie with 
guide and happie fuccefs intermixed, I wald reft fameikle the mair ag- 
greivit heirat, if I had nocht ane full affurance, that gour maiefties 
patience dois alfweill in this particuler, as evir it hes done heirtofoir, over- 
rewll and obfcure any fuppofeit paffiouns ; and thairwith being fully per- 
fuadeit that gour hienes acceptis this vifitatioun as Goddis gentle correclioun. 
And now hir maieftie, praifeit be God, haveing returneit to Edinburgh, 
the prince and princefs being with hir in cumpanye, intending the morne 
to tak jornay towardis Berwick, reftis as git vnreconceilit with the erle of 
Mar, quha hes maid his depairture towardis gour hines ; quhais wraithe, 
if it be nocht appeafit, be all licklyehoode is able to produce ane neceffitie 
of ane of thefe confequentis, for if hir hienes will be fatiffied, it is thocht 
that the conditioun of that nobleman, quha be his fervice hes fa worthelye 
demeinitt, fall not anfwer to his expedlatioun : And if hir hienes be 
refuifit of amendis, complayneing of hir conceavit offence, na doubt the 
vttering of hir difcontentments will breid fmall pleafure to gour maieftie. 
Bot leift hir hienes wraithe continewing, fuld heirefter produce unex- 
peclit thortures, I wald maift humblie entreat gour maieftie to prevent 
the fame, according to that prudent foirficht that hes evir heirtofoir 
kyitheit in goure former proceidingis, and fuffer not this canker or cor- 
ruptioun to haif any forder progrefs. Thair is ane laite mater fallin 
furthe in Carrick, the particulars quhairof remitting to the fecretaris in- 
formatioun, quha, at tyme convenient, will acquaynte gour maieftie thair- 



58 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

with; the counfell heir hes proceidit be chairge and proclamatioun of the 
accuftimat forme, sit if thair be nocht force adjoyned to 3our direc- 
tiouns, thair may fmall obedience be luiked for, at the handis of thefe 
quha hes bein heirtofoir, and as s\t remaynis outlawis. In this and fin- 
drie vther thingis, for feir of impafching 3our maieftie, I haif written at 
lenth to the fecretair, quha will impairt the fame as oportunitie fall ferve. 
And fa, humblie taking my leave, I pray the almightie God to accompt 
3our maieftie the apple of his awin eie. 

3oure Maieflies maift humble and obedient 
fubiedt and feruitour, 

MONTROISS. 

Edinburgh, 1 Junij 1603. 
To his Maieftie. 



XXX. EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. 
20 NOVEMBER 1604. 

PLEIS YOUR SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Being informed that your maieftie is offendit with fik of the 
nobilitie as mett in the Inche of St Johnneftoun, at the laft parliament, to 
adwyfe by quhat meanes the chairges of fik as was chofen commiffioners 
mycht be defrayit, I moft humblie crawe your maieftie pardoun to purge 
my pairt of any mifbehaviour vfit att that tyme, ather agains this happie 
vnion, or ony vther your maiefties intentioun : for in credite I perfauit na 
difference amangis all your maiefties fubiedlis thair conuenit, hot ane er- 
nitl intentioun in ewery way, vtering their weil affecled hairtes to your ma 
iefties feruice in the vnion : controuerfie ftanding onlie concerning the 
taxatioun, quhairin the gritteft number of the nobilitie feiring that the 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 59 

brunt thairof fhould breid ane miflyking of the vnion amanges the 
commouns, quha, at na tyme, without regrait, ar inducit to any taxa- 
tioun, choifit rather to ferwe your maieilie vpoun thair awin chairges 
than call in dowbt your maiefties diffein, be impofing vpoun the 
commouns ane grit taxatioun, without the quhilk the commiffioners could 
nocht haue beine honourablie outred : and if any man do vtherwyfe in- 
forme your maieftie, thay do finiftroufly traduce your maiefties beft af- 
fee"lionatt fubiectes. Your maieftie hes to vey in this our affecliouns vnto 
your maiefties ferwice, nochte crediting calumnies of vnfriends, the fim- 
ple treuth being (in confcience) this quhilk I wryt to your maieftie fo far 
as come to my knawlege. Quharefore, I befeik your maieftie nocht to 
condeme me, indicia caufa, nor to think any vtherwyfe of me, hot as of 
ane of your maiefties moft loyallie affected fubiecles, quha, by my gene 
ral allegiance, doth acknowlege myfelf, in particular, manywyfs dett-bound 
to your maiefties fauorable clemencye in fik fort, that there is, nor can be, 
nothing more grevous to me than to vnderftand myfelff to be anywayfe 
ecairted fra your maiefties favor, efpecially it being my gritteft content 
ment on earth to be thocht of your facred maieftie as I am, and fall al- 
wayes continew, 

Your Maiefties moft humble and obedient 
fubiect, 

ERLL OF ANGUS.* 
Tomthalloun, 20 November 1604. 



William tenth Earl of Angus. His adherence to Popery induced him to join with the Earls of 
Huntly and Errol for the purpose of obtaining the assistance of the Spanish King to re-establish 
the Roman Catholic religion in Scotland. He was seized and committed to the Castle of Edin 
burgh, 1st January 1593, but made his escape on 15th February to the north, where he joined the 
other two noblemen. Latterly he made up matters at court, but finding his religious opinions 
peculiarly obnoxious to the clergy, he left Scotland and retired to France. He died at 
Paris on the 3d of March 1611, in the 57th year of his age, and was buried in the Church of 
St Germain de Prez, where there is a magnificent monument to his memory. In the inscription 
on his tomb he is made to say " Vixi cum virtute et in spatiis me exercui maximarum laudum ; 



00 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



XXXI.THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY* TO KING JAMES VI. 



PLEIS SOUR MOST EXCELLENT, MOST MICHTIE, AND 
IMPERIALL MAIESTIE, 

To excus my baldnefs in taking this occafion to giue sour moft 
excellent maieftie maifl humbill thankis, for the lettres quhilk it hes 
plefit 3our michtie maieftie to wreit in my fauours to the confell heir, and 
miniflrie, to keip me from excommunication, quharby I reft euer mair and 
mair det-bound in all humilitie and affectioun to feme 3our moft excellent 
maieftie ; 3it I find the miniftrie heir the mair malicious againis me, the 
mair 3our moft michtie maieftie wreittis in my fauours, for they hatie 
prefentlie fummonit me to Abirdein to the fecond day of Januar, mening 
that day to proceid againis me and my uyf, not regairding sour moft 
excellent maieftis will, and thay ar plainlie boith falling and preiching 
maliciuflie againis the union of the kingdomes, quairby 3our moft michtie 
maieftie may judge thair rnening, quhill of affeclioun and deuetie I am 
bound not to confeill the famin from 3our moft excellent maieftie, and 
gif I haid that honour as to kis 3our moft michtie maieftis hand, I culd 
inform mair amplie of thair euill and feditious mening : aluayis for my 
auin pairt, I haue my onlie refuge to befeik sour moft excellent maieftie 
to exime me, my wyf and familie, from thaeme altogidder, for ane 3eir, 



ut in sanctissima atavorum religione in Dcum : Obsequio in Regem : Amore in Patriam : Chari- 
tate erga meos : Bonitate in omnes, nemini cederem. Ne qui primus eram regni Scotorum Comes, 
et in bellis primae Dux aciei, uspiam forem in secundis. Hinc omnia tarn pro voto fauste, ut in 
sacris ct civilibus morem majorum retinuerim : et jnssus religionis causa, patria excedere aut in 
custodiam pergere, vitas quietiori turbinibus averruncandis delegerim Galliam, caram alteram Scotis 
patriam : mihi vero carissimam, quod in ea, pro ea, meos meminerim majores, bellica claros gloria, 
res gessisse maximas : et pro meritis factisquc fortibus sic iis relatam gratiam, ut Ducatu ornarentur 
Turonensi." A copy of this inscription is given in the Scots Magazine for March 1767. p- 118. 
* George sixth Earl, and first Marquis of Huntly. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 61 

till 3our moft michtie maieftie fattill the Union, and fum richt reull 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 sour mod 
michtie maieftie in onie point; befeiking sour moft excellent maieftie to 
put me to fum folid ftand, that I may be quit of thair cummer; for gif 
3our moft michtie maieftie friis me not from thair jurifdic"lion, 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 3our moft excellent maieftie uas s\t 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 3our moft michtie maieftie, aluayis gif 3our 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 3our moft 
michtie maieftis fauour and gud continains, God forbid that I fuld los it 
be my auin doing, quhilk neuer falbe uillinglie; and gif 3our moft ex 
cellent maieftie thinkis that I haue racleflie failit, I will maift humblie 
and uillinglie mend. Heirfor, I uill befeik 3our 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 3our moft excellent maieftis 
uill, as I haue euer beine heirtofor, and remits me halelie to 3our moft 
michtie maieftis auin uifdom and memorie, to judge me quhat I haue 
beine. And gif it will pleis 3our moft excellent maieftie to grant me 
that fauour, as I may haue the honour to kis 3our moft michtie maieftis 
hand, I uill think myfelf the mair happie, not for onie fuit I haue to im- 
pech 3our moft excellent maieftie uith, bot onlie to haue it feine, that I 
haue not lofit 3our 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 expecting 3our moft excellent maieftis uill and 
anfuer, efter the kiffing maift humblie of 3our 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 michtie, and imperiall maieftie, in lang lyfe and maift 
profperous renge. 

3our moft excellent and michtie Maieftis 
humble fubieci, and moft affe&ionat 
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. 

[IndorfedJ] 
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, hot moir than all of thame, the want of gour maiefteis 
gratious prefence, be unto me ane juft caus of exceiding greiff and for- 
row, sit the teftimonie of ane guid confcience in all dewtie towards sour 
maieftie, and my innocencie of ony capitall cryme, ar confortis to me, that 
this sour maiefteis commandiment is nocht fo muche of ony juft conceiuit 
malice at my perfone, as of intendit chafteifment for my converlioun to 
the religioun prefentlie eftableifit, quhairof 3our maieftie may be eafilie 
perfuadit, I wald moft glaidlie condifcend unto for findrie refpeclis lang 
to wryte, gif I culd have thairto ony warrant of confcience. Bot this 
being improper to this prefent fubiecl I omit the fame, and haue refoluit 
nocht onlye in. this poynt, bot in quhatfumeuer ells 3our 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 sour maieftie contentment and juft tryal of my obe 
dience. And quhairas I vnderfland of 3our maiefties plefour for Haying 
of my fecund fone,* now in Spaine, with me, the boy being fubiecl; to 
ane uniuerfall gute, and I being counfellit be phifitians to fend him to 
the baiclhis in Loren, I will humlie entreate sour 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 3our maiefteis guid plefor, to returne 
him bak to be difpofit upoune as 3our maieftie thinks moift ffite. Sir, 
howfoever my religioun be the caus of my exyle frome 3our maiefteis pre- 
fence, 3it fo far haue I bene heirtofoir, and ever wilbe, frome geving any 
pairt of sour 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 lie conftruclions thairof as 
will nocht ftand with 3our 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 taik my leiff, praying God to give 3our ma 
ieftie lang and profperous reigne, intending to leiff and die 

3our Maifteis moift humill and faithfull 
fubie6l, 

ERLL OF ANGUSS. 
To his facride and moift gracious Maieftie.f 

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 VI. 

PLESE IT 3OUR SACRED MAIESTIE, 

At a meitting of the counfall vpoun the laft of Januar, we had befoir 
ws the Marques of Huntley, and the minifters of the prefbiterie of 
Aberdene, anent the proces of excommunicatioun, intendit be thame 
againis him, quhairin, efter a litle cohteftatioun, thay ar be mutuall con- 
fent drawin to fome conformitie for the prefentt: Qt becaus at this 
prefentt dyett, that mattir could not reffaue a finall determinatioun, we 
haue continewit the fame to the firft of May nixttocome, to the effect, 
that in this meanetyme, sour maieflie 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 fchbrtlie to 
repair to 3our 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 humilitie,requeifl 3our facred maieflie to grant 
accefs and audience to fie of the faid prefbiterie, as falbe fufficientlie in- 
ftructed and authorifed from thair brethrene, quhairthrow, eftir hering of 
baith pairteis, 3our maieftie may be the better refolued thairin, and ac- 
cordinglie gif 3our direclioun to ws, quhilk falbe profequuted and followed 
oute. And fua, in all reuerence, fubmiffioun, and humilitie, kiffing 3our 
facred handis, we pray God to grant vnto 3our facred maieftie a long, 
happy, and profperous regne. Frome sour maiefteis burgh of Edinburgh, 
the firft of Februar 1605. 

3our Maiefteis maift humble and obedient 
fubie&s and feruitours, 

NEUBOTTLE. QUHITTINGHAME. 

HALYRUIDHOUS. R. COKBUJINE. 

TRAKQUAIR. Jo. PRESTOUN. 

To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 65 

XXXIV LORD BALMERINO TO KING JAMES VI. 

PLEAS gouR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

The eftats of this sour maiefteis realme, affembled the 6 of 
Junij, with great frequencie of *nobilmen, prelats, commiffionars of fmall 
barrones 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 3our maieftie has feen many parliaments, of quhome al- 
thocht many had thair awin particuler difcontentements, s\t thair reuerence 
to 3our maiefteis auc"loritie was fik, as no apperance of any difturbance 
was utterit in all thair metingis. 3 our maiefteis lettre was firft red, con- 
teyning both the commandement of the meting, and directioun 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 half doubillis of it for thair bettir fatiffadlioun, remembering 
with no litill erniftnes thair moft humble thankis to 3our facred maieftie, 
and moft harty wifhes for sour 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 3our maiefteis moft loving and princelie cair of this 3our 
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 act 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 sour maieftie. 



66 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

Tbefe of the counfall, bifhoppis, and coramiflionaris, as sour maieftie 
hes committed the bifhoppis 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 inftant 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 adminift ration, nor executioun of juflice, nor in 
the hole cours of the policie of the cuntrey, 3our maieftie fall heir any 
thing, but that wherwith sour maieftie falbe weill pleafed ; and if it fall 
pleas sour maieftie to performe that royall promeis, quhilk sour maiefteis 
loving fubiecls heir of all rankis erniftly wifhes, and affuredlie lookis for, 
to honour and felicitate this sour native kingdome with 3ourprincelie pre- 
fens, that 3our maieftie fall find the Bordouris, Hilands and Yles, in fik 
a frame of peax and policie, the reft of the cuntrey in that wealth and 
ftedfaft obedience, that in mannis opinioun evir could have beene ex- 
peeled. Thefe ar the fruits of 3our maiefteis heroique labouris, quhill 
3our maieftie was amangis us, daily encrefling by 3our maiefteis grave 
and wyis commandements; wherin our greiteft reioyfing is, that we hoop 
affuredlie 3our maieftie will not difdane to lie with 3our facred eyis this 
new face of 3our ancienne kingdome, ftryving in vertuous emulatioun 
with any natioun quhatfoevir. 

Thus humblie craving 3our maiefteis pardon for my prefumptioun, I 
end with my continuell prayeris for 3our facred maiefteis eternell felicitie. 
From 3our 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 Elpliinstone, third son of Robert Lord Elphinstorie, 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 jour facred maieftie fuim ac- 
coumpt off the eftait off this jour ancient kingdome, and jit becaufe I 
onderftand and knawis the fame, is maift parfytlie and exacllie writtin unto 
jour hienefs be my Lord Balmerinoch jour fecretair, like as I haue alfo 
writtin all the fpeciall particulars to my Lord Barwike,* to be declarit unto 
jour facred maieftie : Fearing I fould trubill jour hienefs with doubill re- 
petitioun off fafhious 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 jour 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 infections 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 jour 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 
quotedjnforms 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 Staggering State, p. 61. 

George Home (subsequent Earl of Dunbar), created by James VI. Lord Home of Berwick, 
7th July 1604. 



08 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 
meiteft 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 sour 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 directions off gour facred maiefties wifdom, as I haue wrettin mair at 
lenth to my Lord Barwike. The Laird off Lawrefton attendis diligent- 
lie, and obeyis refolutlie gour 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 sour facred maieftie, and sour 
other half, with all sour royall progenie, I reft 

3our facred Maiefties maift humbill and 
affectionat fubiecl and feruitour, 

FYVIE. 

Edinbrough, 3 Marche 1605. 
To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. 



XXXVI THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 

MAIST SACRED SOUERAYNE, 

I have noe farder occafioun to vryte vnto your maieftie at this 
tyme, hot to acquent your hienes with ane 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 felffis (in refpec~l thai war all night- 
bours of the toun, and affifted the poore man to the perfuite), bot alfo 
in refpecl of fead and blood ftandand betuix the faid Alexander Cheyne 
and the Lord Glames, albeit the Lord Glames 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 aclours with him in the wrong. Al- 
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 exprefl out of thame. Whilk being gottin, and -the haill 
maner of the fact 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 litt on his knees the haill tyme of his depolitioun, 
to remember him the bettir of his dewtie), being admonifhed 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 conwicl, the faid Alexander Cheyne, principall aclor, for his per- 
jurie and fubornatioun of the witneffes, in foe fowll ane fadl and oppref- 
fioun, to be headed. The ane of his witneffes and ferwands, whoe 
wilfullie and flubbornelie aboade be his falflioode, 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 aclioun, to be fcurdged allanerlye, and his lyfe faiffe. I 
hope your maieftie {hall werye weele allow of our procedings in this, for 
foe does all good men, and thinkes that this fhall be ane great terrour 
to all malefacloures. 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 pwnifhement 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 directed 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 fubjecl; and fervitor, 

AL. DUNFERMELING. 

Edinburgh!, 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 reffaued 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 fhould 
be chardged or fend for. All the wyfefl of this land, be great trawell 
and lang adwyfemtnt, could nocht haif dewyfed anye thing fwa proffit- 
ablie for the eflablifhement of your honor, obedience, peace, and good 
governement off this countrie, as your hienes graive, wyfe, and circum- 
fpe6l 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 correctioun of ane, your hienes hes 
teatched to all the reft thair dewtie, and that foe fenfible, as I beliefe, for 
this lang whylle, thair (hall nayne fall in fie ourfight, and he and all the 
reft fhall beir the greater reverence and refpect vnto your maiefteis 
authoritie, and to fie as your hienes committes the adminiftratioun off 
your affaires in this kingdome. I hawe alfo fenfyne reflaued ane other 
letter of your maiefteis from Mr Jhone Forbes, minifter, according to 
the direclioun whereoff, thair fhall be lettirs fchortlye directed 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 comperance, your facred maieftie maift rafonabill and wyfe com- 
mandements, contened in the faid letter, fhall be followed in all, and your 
hienes immediatlie 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 mak twyfe that woyadge, being bot 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 fmalleft aperance 
off anye ftur, malcontentment, or anye maner of noveltie, we wald nocht 
fpair to caus 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 c 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 
commiffiouns and commiffioners 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, 
tbat 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 Maieflies maift humbill and 
obedient fubiec~l and feruitour, 

AL. DUNFERMELING. 

Edinburght, 20 Aprilis 1605. 
To the King his mofte excellent Maieftie. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 73 



XXXVIII.THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 
JCNE 22, 1605. 

MOST SACRED SOUEHAYNE, 

As it is the cheif and principall point off his dewtie, wha hes 
the honour to beare charge in the Cowmounwealthe, to be ewer vigilant 
and cairfull in paines taking for dew adminiflratioun thairoff, fo the prof- 
fitable adliounes of ane magiftrat did ewer mereit and rapport ane 
heichar comraendatioun, than ather good fpeitches, or tymous wrytts, 
howbeit, that baithe the ane and the other ar na lefs profitable 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 maiefleis 
handis, gif, perhaps I hawe ather feymit, or heirefter may appeir to your 
maieflie, to be to flaw in vritting, or fending adwerteifmentis off all parti 
culars ; albeit in this fame, I hope nawayes to be fa fleuthfull as to ne 
glect that dewtie, whilk tyme and occafioun may require. As now at this 
prefent, nochtwithflanding I have thoght it neidfull to adwerteis and ac- 
quent your facred maieflie with this lait uproir and tumult, whilk hes 
fallin out betuix the Lairdes of Ed3ell 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 maieflie, that, in generall, the eftaite of this land 
is futche (prayfed be God), to your maiefleis great gloir and immortal 
fame, and to the affured weill and joy off your maielleis fubiecls, that al- 
maifl we may rather wifche and defyre the confervation and flanding thairof, 
than any heichar perfection, or farder increafs of the famyne. Seing that, 
in plaice of the heiche contempt of your maiefleis 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. 

K 



74 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

rebellioun, and maifterfull opprefioun, whilk was wount to regne in thir 
partes, thair is nathing now (at leift generalie) hot a fa'tled and quyett 
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 affectioun to your 
maiefteis ferwice preifles me to, or in end, whatfumever your facred ma 
iefteis preconcaved favorable opinion, may expe6l of me. Sua, praying 
the eternall God lang to manteyne and preferue your facred maieltie in 
all profperitie, maift humblie taking my leiwe, I reft 

Your facred Maiefties maift humbill and 
obedient fubiec~l and feruitour, 

AL. DUNFERMELING. 

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,* s\t I hoip the place of my abode being 
remote fra the ordinarye arryuell of aduerteifments, and the inhabilitie 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 effect), 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 expedlit be my 
fiirveuing, hot worfe than a thoufand deathis. And thairfoir, vpon con- 
fideration of this hynous intendit treafon (quherof the interpryfers, no 
doubt, ar verie deuillis incarnate by conceptioun), far furpafling not onlie 
all former a&is or intentiounes ever fince the creatioun, and fkairfe cum- 
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, hot of the deuillis awin kingdome) hes cleirlie difcouered thair 
oorrefpondence with Beljebub, the head of thair churche, I am thair 
foir moft humblie to entraite your maieftie, to haue a more warye cir- 
cumfpeciioun over fuche lyk pepile, who, vpon pretence of thair 3eale to 
aduance thair relligioun, gois about fuche diabolicall practifes, that, by 
your maiefteis fuorde of juftice, they may be difpatched for Goddis 
eternall 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- 
ie6lis heir, that your hienes hes the happie benefeite of fo good, wyfe, 
and weill effeclit confellors thair, quhoife cairfull diligence in the tryell 
of this a6lioun hes gevin fo good a proofe of thair deutefull affeclioun, 
fo euerey one of ws wald humblie befeik your maieftie, by thair adwyfe 
and confell, to foirfie al poffibill meanes for preventioun of fik lyk heir- 
efter, and to tak fik 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 maiefties, with prayer alfo for con- 
tenuance of his protedlioun over your heignefs, I humblie kifs your 
facred hand, refling 

Your Maiefteis humble and obedient 
fubie6fc and feruitour to death, 

MONTROISS. 
Halyrudhous, the 29 of November 1605. 

To his moft facred Maieftie. 



70 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



XL THE EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VI. 

JANUAKY 21, 1606. 



SIR, 

It may pleis 3our maid excellent maieftie, according to the 
command of 5our hienes letters, quhilks come to my hands sifterday, I 
falbe cairfull to prowyd ane terfel to the halk of Fowlifhewch,* and falbe 
anfuerable to sour maieftie for the fame, in cais the auld terfel be dead : 
3our maieflies Mangrell falcone, quhilk I haif, fowld haif bein at 3our 
hienes lang or now, bot that as my falconer was reddie to tak his jornay, 
fhie contraclit ane difeafs, quhairwith he durft not adwentewr to trawell 
hir, in refpecl of the great frofts and ftormes. I wilbe anfwerable to 3our 
maieftie, that fliie has bein nawayes ftreffit, bot als weill treatit as any 
halk cowld be : Nather fall 3our maieftie fufpecl that I haif retenit hir 
for my awn pleffour, quhilk I fall newir compair in the greateft thing 
quhatfoewer with sour maiefties meaneft contentment, or am I able as 3!!, 
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 trawellit, fhie 
falbe at 3our maieftie with all diligence. She haid the fame feiknes the 
laft 3eir, in this fame feafone, and was not frie of it quhill neir Mairche. 
And thus not prefwming to be farther fafhiows to 3owr 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. 77 

all hwmilitie attending 30 wr maiefties farther commandements, in kiffing 
3owr royall hands I tak leif, and reftis ewer 

3owr Maiefties maift luifing and faithfull 
fubie6l, and howraill ferwand, 

ERROL. 

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 3OUR MAIESTIE, 

According to sour direction anentt the terfall * of FoulHheuch, 
I fhall obey 3our commandimentt fullie and in all points. I can nott, as 
3itt, certefy 3our maieftie quhither he be alyue or nott, bott vithin few 
days, I think, I (hall 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 3our maieftie, bott 



Tercel or tierce), " 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 3our maieflie plefis to command me ; fua, maift humblie 
luffing sour facred hands, I euer reft 

3our Maieftis houmbill feruantt, 

A. MAR.| 

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 Eraser 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 effectuouslie 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 protectioun. 

" JAMES R. 
" From Perth, the first of March 1596[7.] 

" To our traist friend, the Laird of Philorth." 

Sir Alexander Eraser 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. 

f 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 VI. 

APRIL 18, 1606. 



MAIST SACRED SOUERANE, 

Thair is fick bruittis pad throught all this land, off fome, indeid 
horribill, accul'atiounes againft ws (ffor we think thame naa otherwayes 
our felffis), as the mater is now pail concealling, wee haiff hard greate 
word that wee war to be challengitt heirwpon be your facred maieftie, 
and called to ane accompt anent the veritie off fik imputatiounes 
as is alledgit on ws. We haiff this lang whylle attendit wpon fome fig- 
nification heiroff from your maifl 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 aganiil ws, hes maid great impreffiounes 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 mifkenne itt ; we protefl 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 fhall 
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 maifl gracious hienes wifdome and confideration. The thing wee 
regraite maifl 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 maiefleis 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 greatefl, 
and this turne whairon we ar faa calumniat, 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, hot 
may be fua eafilie detracted and traduced butt farder, it can nocht faill 
to mak our authoritie and flrenthe the lefs in your hienes feruice, whilk 
wee regaird maifl off anye wardlie thing ; and what grudge wee beare for 
doing the fame preceiflye according to your facred maiefteis dire&iounis 
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 prefer ue and augment your royall maiefteis 
eftaite and grandeur in all profperitie, reftis 

Your facred Majefties maift humbill and obedient 
fubjedls and feruiteurs, 



DUNFERMELYNE. 

J. BALMERINO. 



Edenburght, 18 April 1606. 

To the King his moft excellent 
Majeftie. 



XLIII. THE EARL OF ERROL TO KING JAMES VI. 
MARCH 16, 1606. 

IT MAY PLEAS 3OUE MAIST EXCELLENT MAIESTIE, 

That as next wntoe God, the eflait of my howfs hath ewir bein 
proteclit and preferwit be sour hienes, againfl the fubtill pracliffis of my 
fatheris lafl wyff, and my flepmother,* quhilks many 3eires 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 

maieilie. Sa, gif the fame fall not 31! be wphalden be 3our hienes 
princelie fawour, againfl the onquencheable malice of that fame woman, 
and put in fewrtie be sowr royall power in this fame enfewing parliament, 
I can haif na affurance, bot that both my houfs and my pofteritie may 
perifhe in hir falfhood. 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 3our hienes to afiift me in that 
quhilk wilbe agreable both to 3our hienes honour, and the fewrtie of that 
howfs : Quhilk, and my awin lyf alfo, fall ewir be maift reddelie beftowit 
for 3our maiefties ferwice, at all occafiounes. And as I am not of pur- 
pofs to offend 3our hienes with any tedious difcours, fa I doe maift hwmillie 
defyr, that it may pleas 3owr 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 3our maieftie, and 
accordinglie directit to the parliament. And thus, in all dewtiefull re- 
gairds, expecting sour hienes gratious anfuer, I doe maift hwmillie kifs 
3owr princelie hands, and maift erneftlie pray the Almychtie to haif 3owr 
maift royall perfonne and princelie childrein, with all 3owr maiefties maift 
werteous defeynes, in his blefied proteclioune. 

3owr Maiefties maift Iwifing and faithfull 
fubiedl, 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 VI. 
JULY 13, 1606. 

PLEAS SOUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Quhereas the privilege of Conftabularie in the realme of Scot 
land, grantit be sour maiefties moft nobill progenitouris, of gude memorie, 



82 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

to my prediceffouris, be law and daylie practique, he.s bene to judge 
vpone bluide and bluidweit, committit within fie boundis neir to sour 
maiefties royall chalmer, and in tyme of parliament: Notwithstanding, 
it hes plefit sour maiefties moft honorabill and Privie Counfell, to defigne 
and delegat judges be commiflioun, 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 jurifdictioun, and affixing of 
court to that effect: Quherebe, the immunitie and friedome of my office 
is not onlye imparit, bot lykwayis the moft fufficient argument of manie- 
fefling my scale to 3our maiefties fervice, the abundance quhereof, at all 
tymes, bot chieflie in this parliament, God and honeft men can beare 
record vnto sour hienes. And theirfore, Sir, I am bold in all humilitie 
to beg 3our 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 commifiioneris 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 malefaclouris 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 3our maiefties honour 
and princelye eftate, fall be cleirlie publifched vnto the world. And thus 
craveing 3our maieftie moft humble mercie for my boldnes, with my 
hart perpetuallie confecrate in love to 3our maiefties facred perfoun and 
eftate, I tak my leive, remaneing to death 

3our Maiefties moft loving and faithfull 
fubiecl and humble fervant, 

ERROL. 
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. 

OWR dewtie rememberit, we have thocht ve cwild do no les nor acquent 
3our lordfhip of this twmwlt fallin owt in this townn of Glafgow, betwix the 
Laird of Minto 3ownger,* and Sir George Elphinftoun,f proweft, wher- 
vpone the haill town almaifl reifs in armes, and the gretteft pairt accum- 
paneit the Laird of Minto and his fone, quhome (eftir ve haid puit the 
proweift in my Lordis of Wigtoun 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), 3\t 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 flwid to hawld of thair fierce. 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 Minto, 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 manied Colonel John Maxwell, son of Sir James Maxwell of Calderwood. 



84 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

will wreitt fparenlie of thair infolent behaveowr, aganis- coramandementis 
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 refpecl quhairof, we thoicht meiteft to chairge the 
Lairdis of Minto, elder and 3ownger, to entir thame felffis within the 
caftell of Dumbartan, withe all diligens, 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 banVjeis 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 fpeciallis 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 fkyth is noicht greitt, onlye ane man callit 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 paffit to Dumbartane, and Sir George hes enterit in this 
caftell, withe fick of his pairtie as wee commandit. Swa, haiving 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 deliberat 
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 3our lordfhip to 
God. Reftis 



5<>ur Lordfhip affwred to power, 



WIGTOUN. 
MONTROIS. 

KlLSAYTH. 



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 VI. 
AUGUST 27, 1606. 



MOST GRATIOUS SOUERANE, 

According to 3our hienes diredlioun fignefeit vnto ws be 
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 Handing betuix 
thame, and efter that we had declarit vnto thame the great panes and 
travellis quhilk 3our facred maieftie tuke in 3our hienes awin perfone, for 



86 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

extinguifheing of the name and memorie of deidlie feidis, what goode 
futtes had followit upoun 3our maiefteis travellis in fome of the gritteft 
feidis of this kingdome, and how that gour maieftie 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 effect, we burdynit thame with a fubmiffioun 
conforme to the act of parliament. The Erie of Glencarne pretendit that 
thair wes no quarrell betuix him and Eglintoun, and that a fubmiffioun 
wes vnnecefTar, 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, {landing vpoun his innocency of 
that flaughter, refufit to fubmitt. Eglintoun maid no refufall, bot pre 
tending fome excuife vpoun the fhortnes of the warning, he only craued 
a continewatioun to be aduyfit with his freyndis, becaus this wes the firfl 
tyme that euer he wes chairgit in this matter fen his minoritie. And the 
Lord Semple very frelie, for 3our maiefteis fatiffaelioun 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 affurance of 
the Erie of Glencarnis obedience, bot the hoip that he will conforme 
himfelff to 3our 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 gour maiefteis pleafour be 
knawne. This is all that we haue done at this meitting, wherwith we 
haue thocht meit to mak sour maieftie acquented, to the effect 3our hienes 
may gif dire6tioun thairin, as 3our maieftie fall think goode, whilk we 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 8 ? 

fal profequute and follow oute. And fua, praying God to blyrte sour 
facred maieftie with a lang, happy, and profperous reigne, we reft 

5our Maiefteis mod humble fubieclis 
and feruitours, 

MONTROISS. 
AL. CANCELIA 

LlNLITHGOW. 
WlGTOUN. 

ELPHINSTOUN. 
J. SECRETAR. 
Lynlythqw, the 27 of Auguft [1606?] 

To the Kinges moift excellent Maieftie. 



XLVII THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE* TO KING JAMES VI. 
SEPTEMBER 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 off your 
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 Hand, Empire, and Cowmounwealthe, that eiwer hes been schawin." 



88 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

the commifiioun 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 fubjecls, wald beftow 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 direct fome good prouifioun 
to be maid thairfoir, to the confort and contentment of your maiefteis 
poore fubiects 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 fubiect and feruitour, 

DuNFERMELJNE. 

Nedrie, 4 September 1606. 
To the Kingis moil excellent Maieftie. 



.XLVIII THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 

[OCTOBEB 1606.] 

MAIST SACRED SOUERAINE, 

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 fubiecls. This I can not of my deutie 
omitt to teflifie, 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 sit 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 failed, 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 leffons and documents off your facred maiefteis proceidings in fie 
affaires. 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 officears 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 diuers 
pairts, a mater to be recommendit fpecialie to Goddis mercie, in fua far 
as men can mak lytle fupport to the fame. Some domeftic affliclioun is 
fallin on my felfe, whilk I can nather diflemble, 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 
affeclioun, 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 

fliall be convenit at fie tymes and plaices as may be maift "conuenient, 
and your facred maieftie fhall be aduerteift off all proceidings in onye 
extraordinair accident. This, mofl 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 fubiecl; and feruitour, 

DUNFERMELYNE. 

[October 1606 ?]* 
To the King his moft excellent Maieftie. 



XLIX. THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 
OCTOBER 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 
direcliounes 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 fhall 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 reference to the plague, probably written in October 1606. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 91 



Mifta fenum et juuenura denfantur funera. 

The tounes off Air and Striveling ar almofte defolat.* This eftait and ca- 
lamitie hinders all meitingis off counfall, and all public! fundliounes for 
miniftration of juftice, and mantenance of good reulle and governement, 
except fik as we tak at ftarts, with fome few at Edenburghe, or in lik 
other place for a day, to keip fome countenance of ordour and cair off 
your maiefteis peace and obedience, whilk does mekle good for als fynderlie 
as we meitt, and fhall be fua continewed, till it pleis God to releive the 
land of this afflidlioun. I haiff likewayes defired this berar to fatiffie 
your facred maieftie in fome credici 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 ; bot 
I hope your hienes fhall onderftand that thefe reportes has na grounds 
other nor malice, or inwye, whilk I knaw nocht how I can haif deferwed 
of onye man, except in a fincere, upricht, and direcl; 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 fubie6l and feruitour, 

DUNFERMELYNE. 

Dunfermlyne, 30 Odlobris 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 VI. 

DECEMBER 16, 1606. 

PLEASE YOUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Having for obedience of your hienes letter bene prefent at 
the Aflemblie of Lithgow as your maiefties commiffionars, and thairin 
done oure mod humbill and faithfull indeuors to fie all tliinges 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 directions and inftructions fend to ws be 
your maieftie thairanent. Albeit, the great diffractions 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 
fubiedlis of dyuers pourpofes hardlie intended agains the libertie of the 
discipline 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 juflice 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 dewtifull minifters, and thair confider- 
ation of the acceptabill contends of your moft gracious letter directed 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 actions, 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 vnexpecled weill offered to thame in 
your maiefties name, maid the hail aflemblie, 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 
aflemblie. Whairof your maieftie will vnderftand the particulars be the 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 93 

aclis thairof ordanit to be extracted and fend to your maieftie. Swa 
that in end, all that wer prefent, alfweill of the nobilitie, counfall, baronis, 
and miniflrie having vote, as the reft wha came to haue opponed to oure 
power and proceidingis, in ane voce gaue mod hairtlie thankis to God for 
your maiefties contineuance of your loue to this your natiue cuntrey, and 
caire of the weill of your faithfull fubiectis, and libertie of the kirk thair 
of, and mofl affe6luoufly requeifted ws, in all thair names, to giue to your 
maieftie moil humbill, hairtlie, and vnfeyned thankis for the exceiding 
confort whilk thay haue reflaued be the gracious effectis vttered at this 
tyme, of your maiefties conftant affection 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 felffis the happines to haue occafion to manifefte to the 
worlde how earniftlie thay defyre to mak it knawin be thair actions, and 
all that the frie and readie beftowing of thair trauellis, moyens, bloude, 
or lyues can effectual, how far thay think thame felfis bund beyond the 
ordinar dewtie of common fubiectis to thair prince, to exprefle thair in- 
finit loue, and humbill and faithfull affection to your maieftie for your in- 
numerabill and daylie increffing benefites and fauouris to thame. And 
becaus we haue moft evidentlie fene this thair requeift to proceid of the 
fincere affection of thair faithfull 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 crauing 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 faithfull 
feruands, 

MONTROISS. S E . JOHNE SliENE. 

J. LINDESAY. Jo. PRESTOUN. 

BLANTYRE. 
To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. 



94 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LI THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 

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, 3it 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 eftaite off this your 
maiefteis auncient kingdome ; for, as to the daylie particulars, I doubt 
not bot be my Lord Secretairs* diligence, and other officears, your maieftie 
hes fpeciall informatiounes, aduerteifments, and intelligence, with full fa- 
tiffaclioun. The courfe of juftice, thankes to God, is werie weele fatled ; 
and trewlie, I think, nather thair be, or can juftlie be, ony complaint of 
wrang done, or 311 for laike of dew and tymous miniftratioun of juftice. 

In the Hielands, the M c 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 Atholl, and adjacentis about it, throw the imbecillitie 
and weaknes of this Earle, and intricat eftaite of that houfe, is now in 
ward rewll and ordour of anye pairt of theefe countries, whilk was wount 
to be maift obedient of thame all ; but your maiefteis Secreit Counfall 
heir is prefentlie on the adwyferrient how to reforme and putt ordour to 
that pairf, whilk I hope mall 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 maifl 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 fubjectis. 

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 directioun, 
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 effect, and 
ordour tane for affurances 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 affection, and it will be weell 
aneuche. I affure 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 directiounes, in dew tryall, my pairt ihall 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 flrenthe. 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 pofteritie to this warlds end, in all profperitie, grandeur, 
and contentment abowe ws, reflis 

Your facred Maiefties maifl humbill and obedient 
fubjecl and feruitour, 

DUNFERMELYNE. 

Edenburght, 7 January 1607- 
To the King his moft eccellent Maieftie. 



LII LORD BALMERINO TO KING JAMES VI. 
JANUARY 21, 1607. 

PLEAS YOUR SACRED 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 felffis, 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, Pollok 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 compoiing of the hoill feid to your 
facred maieftie, 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 
houfiis, thair freindis and dependaris, the not quencheing wherof did flill 
fofter that peftiferous humour, whilk, in end, did burft oute in that cruell 
(laughter 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 Earl 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 Polnoon 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 modern family, and the estate 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 followaris, is fubmitted to the Erll of Dunbar, wheriu 
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 moift 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 fubie&is, 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 afiembly 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 haif 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 malefa6louris, 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 impoffible. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 99 

In the fading 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 
fubiecl; and feruitour, 

J. BALMERINOCH. 
To the Kingis moift excellent Maieftie. 



LIII __ THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. 



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 17th 
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, hot onlie to haue occafioun to utter that m'ore than addettit 
affeclion quhilk I carie, and euer fall giff proof of, not onlie nou at this 
parlement, quhar my uot, and all that I may mou, fall euer be to follou 
your moft michtie maieftis will, hot uith maift uilling hairt, falbe euer 
readie to uar my blood and all that will follou me, quhanfoeuer the oc 
cafioun prefentis, that it may gif proof of my loyall affectioun 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 
my 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 
performans of your moft excellent maieftis plefour and uill, and I am 
forie that my lot hes caffin me fua far from my greteft contentment, 
quhilk is your moft michtie maiefties prefens ; bot in affeclioun 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 amplie of my mening to your moft michtie maiefties feruis. Sua, 
craiuing humble pardon for this my tedioufnes, eftir the kifling 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 fubiedl, and moft affe6lionat 
feruiteur to my laft braith, 



HuNTLYE. 



To his moft 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 majeflie ordeined betuix his Lordfchips fone and my 
dochter, vhiche hes maide me fo bold as to entrait your hienes mod hum 
ble to gif his Lordfchip foone leif to cum to this cuntrie, for the accom- 
pleifhing the fame ; and thaireftir quhateuir pleifis your maieftie to de- 
reel concerning that mater falbe obeyed be me, fua far as I am hable to 
accompleifh. Sua, praying God to grant your maieftie ane long and 
profperous reinge, I reft 

Your Majefties moft obedient fubjecT;, 

ARGYLL.* 

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 " mar 
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 VI. 

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, mowing 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 redaclit, 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, hisbruther; 
and your maiefteis chancellair delt particular-lie 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 mony purpoiffis 
for efiecluating 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 maifterfull 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, bot the gentilman, his taikair, 
preferring your maiefteis feruice, and his awne honnour, to thair offeris, 

See Melros Papers, 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 felff in your maiefleis feruice, and hes red the cuntrey of 
fuche a maifterfull theif and lymmar, we wilbe bauld to recommend him 
vnto your maiefleis fauourable 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, 



MONTROISS. HALYRUDHOUS. 

AL. CANCELL S . J. COKBURNE. 

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 j his brother Jhone was hurt, and five of his 
men killed. He was presented to the Lords of Counsaill, and thereafter arraigned and execute." 
Balfour's Annals, vol. ii. p. 21. Edinburgh, 1824, 8vo. 



104 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LVI._ THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VI. 
MARCH 3, 1607. 



PLEAS YOUR MOIST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

We, your moift humble and loyallie affe6led feruandis, haueing 
hard of forae reprochefulle fpeicheis vttered in the lower houfe, by fome 
evill difpofed fpirittis, to the dilhonnour of this your maiefteis antient 
kingdome, and that only your maieftie had ftand 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 tenforceing that vnioun 
fo greatlie heated by thame, and fo litell affected 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 maieftie, 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 fubieci 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 
diftradling that, whiche your princelie wifdome and faderlie cair hes hap- 
pelie contracted, haueing fo deeply takin in hairt, fo to vnite thefe two 
kingdomes joyned by nature, but by affe6lioun 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 cure 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 fex kingis lineallie difcending of one ftok, can not, hot in your ma- 
iefleis accuftumed iuftice, refave at your handis a fauourable cenfure; 
and yff in ony meitting, ather privat or publicl, wherof we had mony, 
about that fubject, fuche audience wes euir gevin till ony fpeeche, ather 
derogating to the honnour of that ftate, 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 ealie obliterating of bigane wrongis), latt it be till ws a 
difloyall pairt aganis your maieftie, and vnworthie of treu freindfhip 
aganis youre nyghtbouris; bot contrarie wayes, fick hes bene the dili 
gent cair of your minifteris heir, vpon whome your maieftie is pleafed to 
repofe the waight of your affairis, that knowing your maiefteis eirnift 
difpofitioun to perfyte that vnioun, in all thair conferenceis thay haif 
labourit to extoll all the apparent benefeittis we myght reflave 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 pvnifheing thairof, is moir nor fufficient re- 
compence, yff oure lyveis, and all oure fortuneis fould be endangerit in 
ony thing, myght yeald your maieftie fatiffa6tioun : and yff (vnder your 
maiefteis correc~lioun, 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 fubie&is, 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 relidence 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 cairfull 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 kingdorae, 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, hot 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 8 . 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 SOWR MOIST SACREID MAIESTIE, 

According to 3owr maiefteis command, I fubmittitt the par 
ticular bluidis and contrawerfeis Handing betwix the name of Mongowm- 
erej, me, and my name,f to feike freindis, as was fchofin befoir 3owr 

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 3owr maiefteis handis, quhairof I am maift glayd, 
ewer expecting sowr maiefteis moift gratiowfe fawour to me and myne, 
qdha hes, and fall ewer carie maift ferwyabill hartis as we falbe command- 
itt. Gif thair fall cumme any reportis of me to 3owr majeftie, I am fer- 
tane, according to 3owr maiefteis wuntitt and moift gratioufe cuftowme, 
I wilbe callitt to my awin accent ; I dowt nocht bott 3owr moift facreid 
maieftie will fwa fettill thatt turne, as heirefter thay be na cawifle of gruge 
on ather fyd, and that ewerilke ane of ws may joifle ower awin kyndlye 
rowmes and pofefliounis in all tymes cummeing. This ere&iowne of the 
Abeffej of Kilwyneing, quhilke my Lord of Eglingtowne menis to fuite 
att 3owr maieftie, will nocht faill to intertenej the feid of trubill amangis 
ws, for we wilbe all entered thairby ; and I proteft befoir 3owr maieftie, I 
haid rather loiffe my lyf, or ony occatiowne war gifin be me to breke 
that wnitej quhilke sowr maieftej will command. I man crawe 3owr 
maiefteis humbill pardowne for this my fafcheowfe lettir, and ewill wrytt. 
My moift humbill feruice prefentitt to 3owr moift facreid maieftie, I pray 
the Lord to gif 3our maieftie gud hailthe, lang lyf, with ane profleper- 
owfe ryng, in the feir of the Lord ; fwa I reft 

3owr Maiefteis maift humbill and obedyent fubiedlt, 
ewer redej to be commanditt with all humbill 
ferwice, 

GLENCAIRNE.* 

Edinburgh, the fourtt of Merche 1607- 
To his maift Sacreid Majeftej. 

James, first Earl of Glencairn, 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 VI. 
APRIL 7, 1607. 



PLEAS YOUR GRATIOUS MAIESTYE, 

This praefent is to giwe your maieflye mofl hartlye thankis for all 
your maieflyes fauors touards me, fpeaciallye for the conftant continuance 
of your maieflyes loue with me, as it vas vount, affuring your maieflye, 
you haue the man vho neuer vas nor Ihall, God willing, be found alter 
able in his duetifull affeclion to ferue your maieflye, as becomes him. If 
it fall out that I fufpend my judgment in fomethingis proponed to me aff 
hand, till I got fuller refolulion both to fpeak and to fland honefllye to that 
vhiche I fpeak, affuredlye it arryfes of no vnfound and altered affeclion 
touard your maieflyes feruice, bot onlye off laik of foreinforming, vhiche 
geues light and curage to men to doe; and vherewitheuerfincelferuedyour 
maieflye 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 teflification, vho 
can and will giue iufl information to your maieflye of it. I heare that your 
maieflye is refolued to haue the miniflreeof Edinburghe plainted, the ellate 
vhereof is more miferable and defolat nor ony toune or kirk in Scotland, 
and vhiche is vorfe, the pulpittis ar fometymes poffefled with yong people, 
and perfones vnmeete for that place, vhiche bringis the gofple and mini- 
flree 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 amiffe, and procure great forderance of your ma 
ieflyes feruice and quyat of this kirk, provyding the perfones be good 
teachers, peaceably difpofed, and weyll affedled. I heare alfo that your 
maieflye is fome quhat moued to haue me placed there; bot, Ser, beleefe 
me, in truth I am not for it, in refpe6l 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 maieflye, 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 mod 
duetifull 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 maieflye fall not burdin me with it. 
The bearer hereoff, Mr Peter Heuat,* is ane honed 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 expectation of him 
in all pointis, and can truely and fufficiently 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 affigned 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 afiemblye in my tyme, bothe in the progrefie 
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 loue 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. 



110 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

fermones and priuat fpeaches. The hope of taking order with Papiftis, 
and quyating of diftraclions amongft our felfis be conftant moderators, 
led all menn ioyfullye your maieftyes 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 profefling and manteaning of 
the gofple of Jefus Chrift, and all the vorld fees your maieftyes multi- 
plyed preferments and prseferuationes to arryfe of the pra?fence of Jefus, 
the Lord of this gofple, with you, and to tend to the prasferuation 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 bliffing 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 bliffing 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. ill 



LIX THE LORD CHANCELLOR TO KING JAMES VI. 

APRIL 9, 1607. 



MOIST SACRED SOUERAYNE, 

Your maiefteis letter of the thrid of this inftant, anent the 
comptrollaris intentioun to exadt cuftome of the outwarde and inwarde 
commoditeis exchangeit betuix this, your maiefteis kingdome, wes pre- 
fentit to your heynes counfaill, and, conforme thairto, ane a&. paft, dif- 
chargeing the comptrollair and cuftomaris 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 commifiioun 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 dire6lit his fone Robert with a 
letter to the counfaill, fubfcryved be himfelff, a nomber of his freyndis, 
and two minifteris, mowing, 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 dreffit 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 reflaue, 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 failing of that feid. Mr James 
feamis to be very penitent, and wald glaidlie imbrace freyndfhip, and mak 
fatiffadlioun and afiyithement, bot 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 frome 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 compeirit 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 bot 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 (haw vnto 
your maieftie, may appeir. 

The Efteatis of Flanderis being debtfull 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 mip. 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 refpecl this 
wes a mater of eftate, wherin your maieftie hes interefle, 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 blifle 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 
fubiect, and feruitour, 

AL. CANCELIA 

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 majesties especiall command, was reconceilled by a comittee from thecoun- 
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 3our lordfhips 
of his honorable pryuy confell quhilk I vret to his maieftie, 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 derecl my fone, Robert, in prefence of 
fie our frinds as war heir for the tyme, quhais fubfcriptiounis ar with 
myne, to lett sour 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 cage, thinking that my eldeft 
fone wald haiff vfit himfelf vtherwayis to me and my feruands nor he hes 
done : hot 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 sour lordfhips of his honourable pryvy 
confell, as att lenth the berar will inform 3our lordfhips, fo it fall nocht 
be neidfull ony be dire6lit in commiffioun from sour lordfhips heir for 
that effect to me. 

Sour moft lowing frend to command, 

P. L[ORD] GRAY.* 
At Fowlis, the 8 of Apryle 1607- 

JAMES OGILUY of Balfour. 
WM. GRAY off Bandirren. 
Mr ROBERT RYND, minifter at DAVID MAXUELL of Cullerny. 

Langforgund, witnefs. JAMES MONOROOUND of that Ilk. 

Mr H. MORTOUN, minifter at P. GRAY of Balgarno. 

Foulis, witnes. R. GRAY. 

Patrick, sixth Lord Gray, succeeded his. father in 1582, and died in 1609. His eldest son was 
the celebrated Master of Gray. 

P 



114 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LXI THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 

AUGUST 21, 1607. 



MAIST SACRED SOUERANE, 

Schortlie befoir the entrie of our parliament, I reflaued fra my 
Lord of Scoone, your facred majefleis gracious letter, in a pairt teflifeing 
baith your hienes good rememberance off my foirbears good ferwice, and 
your fauorable and benigne acceptatioun of my awin goodwill and endewore 
to employe fie qualitie and giftes as God hes beftowed on me, at your 
hienes devotioun and command, with greater accompt thairoff, nor ewer 
I can be hable to deferwe ; and in a pairt remembering me off my dewtie 
in all refpects and degreis. 

As the firft binds me in all dewtie to thankfull and cairfull ferwice to 
fa thankfull, gracious, and fa kyndlie a foverane, fwa does the fecund re 
member me, the weyght and importance of the burding I vnderly in fa 
honorable a charge, to ane fa wyfe, grave, and weel feand prence, wha 
examinis and weyis all his fubjects, and fpecialie his officiars acliounes, 
baith in favour, wifdome, equitie, and juflice. 

I protefl befoir God, that, nixt to that dewtie I aught to God for my 
faule, and haill being, your facred majefleis honour, will and weell, is, 
and fhall ewer be, my firfl intentioun, and principall butt off all my ac- 
tiounes, whairto my haill induflrie and fludie fhall be directed in all fin- 
ceritie and erneflnes. 

I will not be curious to purge me of all imputatiounes, whilk naa man, 
in fie charges and fie diflance of plaices fra thair maiflers fight, can ef- 
chew. I repofe haillie on your hienes cleir perfpicacitie, heiche judge 
ment, and conftant zeal to juflice, whilk I am certane will newer con- 
damne me, in the fmallefl enclein of your mynd, onhard and tryed, and 
in good tryall, I am ewer certane to preiwe my acliounes conforme to 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 115 

your maid gracious hienes directiounes, to your will, plefour, and devo- 
tioun ; for that hes ewer bene, and fwa, Godwilling, fall continew, my 
cynofura and leidar ftarre, to follow and obey, in all humilitie, your 
prencelie wifdome in all deliberatiounes and conclufiounes. 

I doubt not, bot the progrefs and fuccefs of all affairis in the parlia 
ment was iignifeyed vnto your facred maieflie, at all tymes and occa- 
fiounes, be my Lord of Balmerinoche, fecretair. 

In the middeft of the parliament, we celebrat verie folemlie the 5 day 
off Auguft, the day of your hienes blifled deliverie from Gowreis treafon- 
able confpiracie, in the quhilk Mr Patrik Galloway * maid the fermone, 
in the heiche kirk, werie weell to the purpofe, and difcharged his dewtie to 
your majeftie werie honeftlie, geving to the haill auditorie cleir evi- 
dentis off the cair God had off your hienes preferwatioun, for the fpeciall 
weell of his haill natioun ; off your majefleis innocencie and good mean 
ing ; off the treatcherous intentiouns and behaviour of the confpiratouris, 
whilk God turned all miraculouflie to thair confulioun, and to your ma- 
jefteis (as his chofen ferwants) weill, honour, and adwancement ; for his 
text was the 121 Pfalme, whilk he applyed werie purpoiflie to this intent. 
This maifl humblie taking my lewe, with erneft prayer to the Almichtie 
for your hienes lang and happie regne, reftis 

Your facred Maiefties maiil humbil and 
obedient fubiecT; and feruitour, 



DUNFERMLYNE. 



Dunfermelyne, 21 Auguft 1607- 



See a letter from him to King James, p. 108. He was father of Sir James Galloway, the 
first Lord Dunkeld, whose elevation to the peerage gave considerable offence from the obscurity of 
his family ; and it was remarked, " That though the King could make him a lord, he could not make 
him a gentleman." His Lordship, if we may credit Wodrow, had the gift of prophecy, for that 
reverend gentleman has preserved in his collections some very unintelligible lines, which he desig 
nates as the predictions of Lord Dunkeld; adding, however, that " others ascribed them to Napier 
of Merchistoun." These wretched verses were some time ago privately printed in a volume 
termed Nugae Derelicts." 



116 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LXII. LORD HOLTROODHOUSE TO KING JAMES VI. 
AUGUST 25, 1607. 

MOST GRACIOUS AND SACRED SOUERAIN, 

As al sour maiefties fubiedls in general has mor nor caus to 
prais and magnifie the bleffit nam of thair God, vho, in al the tym of 
3our maiefties moft happie gouernament, has had fo many proofs of the 
innumerabl bliffings and comforts vhich has accompaniit. 3our maiefties 
facred reign ; fo I, vho, befyds the deutie and aleagans of an comon fub- 
iecl, Hands fo far debtour to 3our maiefties fauours, can not, without 
the imputation of the higheft point of ingratitud, bot vith al reuerens, 
and in moft fubmiffiu affection touards sour facred maieftie, akknauledg 
the fontain and origin of my vhol fortons to hau fprung from the ocean 
of 3our maiefties liberalitie : and as from my infancie 3ou hau ben my 
vphalder, fo nou, in the lait preferment vhervith I am honourit, although 
vnvorthie of fuch fauour, 3our maieftie has giuin as it var an neu crea 
tion, for the vhilk, fens natur has denyit means to prou vorthy of fo many 
benefits, 3et to fuppli al thos defects of judgment, knawledg, and expe- 
riens, and fens I can not do vhat I void, I fhal euer be affe6lionat to do 
vhat I may, and to facrific my lyf, and al my fortons, in 3our maiefties 
feruic, and fhal neuer ceas to pray for the continuans of an profperus 
regn to 3our maieftie, and for euer to 3our royal progenie, and fo fhal 
reft 

5our Maiefties humbl feruand, 

HALYRUDHOUS.* 
The 25 of Auguft 1607. 

To the Kings moft excellen Maieftie. 

John Bothwell, first Lord Holyroodhouse, was the eldest son of Adam Bothwell, Bishop of 
Orkney, who married Queen Mary to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell. Upon the 2d July 1593, 
he was appointed an ordinary Lord of Council and Session, on the resignation of his father. He 
was subsequently made a peer of Parliament ; and this letter is one of thanks to James for the 
honour conferred on him. He died in November 1609. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 117 



LXIII THE EARL OF ABERCORN TO KING JAMES VI. 

AUGUST 26, 1607. 

IT MAY PLEIS 3OCR MOIST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Haueing refiavit 3our hienes lettre about the 24 of Julij, 
commanding me to attend the fynode of Clyddifdaill, the fourt of Auguft, 
quhilk, being continewit to the 18 be reaffone of the parliament, I did 
direct my particular lettres to everie prefbyterie, willing thame folemplie 
to keip the fyft of Auguft with thair flokis, gifing thankis to God (as 
moifl iuftlie we haid all reaffoune, in memorie of fua greit ane bliffing, as 
God, in his mercie, did grant wnto ws all 3our maiefties fubieclis), by 
3our hienes happie prefervatioun frome that abhominable and moift trea- 
fonabill confpiracie at Perth ; quhilk thay moift willinglie obeyit. Alfo I 
cauflit this haill countrey (fpeciallie thefe quhome off I haid commande- 
ment off all eftaittis) mak fyreis of joy, with all wther lauchfull takynnis 
off glaidnes. The 18 day, accoirding to 3our maiefties directioun, I did 
keip the fynode convenit at Glafgw, and requyreit thame, accoirding to 
the act at Linlythgw* (quhilk I produceit and cauffit reid wnto thame), 
that thay wald admit the archebifchope of Glafgw thair moderator, quhair- 
into, in the beginning, thay maid greit oppofitioun, allegeing the acl nocht 
to haue bene concludit in forme, as was thair gifin out, and that the 
moderatouris of prefbytereis wer aggreit vpoun, to continew for a tyme 
in the perfounes of thame that wer thair nominat, bot that of the modera- 
tione of fynoddis nothing haid bene fpokin. Quhairunto I repleit, that 
to be ane accufatioun of honeft men, namelie, the moderator and clerk of 
the aflemblie, under quhais handis the fame wes extraclit, quhilk being 
verefeit, wald mak thame infamous, and put thair lyffis in sour maiefteis 
handis. Thairfoir, giff onie wald direcllie allege it to be fals, and tak 

See Spottiswoode's History of the Church of Scotland. London, 1677. Folio, pp. 500, 501, 
502. 



118 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

upone him the improbatioun of the fame, I wald, accoirding to my place 
and power grantit to me be sour maieftie, mak tharrje faft, untill thay 
maid guide thair perfute and allegeance ; quhairupoun thay fell frome the 
faid challenge, and defyreit a continewatioune of materis to fum fchort 
dyet, that thaj myght be advyffit quhat to do : bot I denyit onie fie pouer 
to be gevin me be 3our maieftie ; and that I wald nocht go ane poynt 
beyond my directiounes. So as, in end, fynding thame felffis ftraittit 
with a prefent aunfuer, and haveing fignifeit to thame quhat command 
I haid for denunceing thame rebellis, and diflblving the fynode incais of 
difobedience, thay put foure of thair number vpoune the lyttis, and the 
archebvfchope being removit by him felff, the queftioun was movit quhid- 
der thaj wald accept him accoirding to sour maiefteis defyre, or proceid 
to the eleclioun of ane of thair awin lyttis, as thaj haid bene accuftomeit? 
The haill fynode (tua onelie exceptit) voittit to his acceptatioun. The 
tua wer Maifter William Simfoun, minifter at Dumbarton, and Maifter 
Edward Bryce, minifter at Drymmen. Maifter William Simpfoun de- 
partit frome the aflemblie quhen he faw the admiffioun to proceid, with 
thir wordis, " That he wald nocht remaine in aflemblie that wes moderatit 
be ane bifchop," and went away without returning. This endit, and the 
archebyfchope haueing acceptit the moderatioun of the fynode, chois wes 
maid of tua of thair number to keipe the colloque at Halyruidhous, the 
firft of September, namelie, Maifter Johnne Hay, and Maifter William 
Birney.* Inquirie was alfo maid of the diligence of the prefbyteries in 

Mr William Birnie was born at Edinburgh, 1563. He was of the ancient family of Birnie of 
that Ilk, and was originally brought up as a merchant ; but, having suffered considerable losses at 
sea, he resolved to turn his thoughts to the ministry, " and for that end went to Leiden, where 
he continued thrie years, applyeing himself to the studie of divinity, and, from thence returning to 
his native country, was admitted minister at Lanark by a letter of presentation from King James 
VI., dated at Edinburgh, the 28th December 1597." Memoirs of Familyof Birnie, MS. in posses 
sion of Editor. He died 1619, in the fifty-sixth year of his age. His biographer gives the follow 
ing curious notice of him : " Alt his comeing here, there were seuerall feids among his parishion 
ers, as iu other places at that tyme, and frequentlie the quarrels began soon after sermons on the 
Sunday; but as he was a great peace-maker, so he was a stout man, and upon his appearance with 
sword in hand, he had the happiness, by his authority, to dissipate the contending parties without 
manslaughter, and, for the most part, without blood." He was the author of a singular work, 
called " The Blame of Kirk Burial." Edin. 1606, 4to, of which a beautiful reprint, with preface 
by W.B.D.D. Turnbull, Esq., Advocate, appeared in 1833, 4to. He also wrote " A Tractat of 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 119 

the perfewing of Papiftis, accoirding to sour hienes ordinance ; and quhat 
remainnit in thair cenfureis amangis thame felffis, and wtheris thair affairis, 
wes, with greit calmenes, and ane wniverfall lykeing of all that number, 
fo handillit, that the moid fcrupulous amangefl thame wer verie weill fa- 
tiffeit, and na afiemblie this lang tyme keippit in better ordour, to all 
thair contentmentis, and that fpeciallie be the archebyfchop, then mode 
rator, his prudent and grave governement ; fwa that, heirefter, I hoipe, 
quhair thair falbe fuche eftablifched to rewll and moderat under 3our 
maieftie, sour hienes in all tymes heirefter fall nocht haue neceffitie of 
commiffionaris, bot raipe the fruite of 3our maiefteis langfum travellis. I 
pray God furnifche to 3our maieftie mony lyke to him, haveing equall knaw- 
lege, with no les affedlioune. As for my felff, it hes fua pleiffit God (nocht- 
withflanding of my waiknes) to blis sour maiefteis litle fervices at all tymes 
committed by 3our hienes to my charge, that it hes emboldnit me to offer 
myfelfF of new with no les affe6tioun nor onie 3our maiefteis fubiect, to 
quhatfumever fervice I falbe habill to difcharge, beleifing thair falbe found 
verie few or nane to withftand 3our maiefteis commandementis, that ar 
euer feine to be godlie and moift reafonabill. It may pleis 3our maief 
tie to pardone me, iff I do feme over prolixt to 3our hienes in this letlre, 
the defyre I haue to giff compt of all, conforme to the trewth, is my 
beft excuis. I haue alfo heirwith fent to 3our hienes the extract of the 
adl. Thus, beging at God to 3our maieftie lang dayeis, with incres of 
all hapines, and full accomplifchement to 3our hienes greatteft content 
ment of all 3our graces moft princelie defignes, I remaine for ever 

3our Maiefteis moift humbill, obedient, and 
affe&ionat fubiect and fervitoure, 

ABERCORNE.* 
Blakiftoun, the 26 of Auguft 1607. 

To his moift Sacred Maieftie. 



Chronologic," which he dedicated and presented to King James VI. This work, which does not 
seem to have been printed, was preserved in MS. in the Broomhill Library. 
* James, first Earl of Abercorn. He died March 16, 1617. 



120 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LXIV.THE FARMERS GENERAL OF THE CUSTOMS TO KING JAMES VI. 



PLEIS SOUR MAIESTIE, 

Our dewtye as fubieclis, our defyr to be sour fervantis, and 
our intentioun to augement the revenew of the twun, the fmalnes quhair- 
of is a reprooiche to the kingdome, mouit ws not out off neceffitie, fince 
none bott thofe who ar of abilitye and credeit could vndertak fik a worke, 
wpone a motioun maid wnto ws by the ryght reuerend father in God, our 
very guid Lord, the Airchebifchope of Glafgow, to mak this offer off 
greater payement, to the valew off xxxviooo merkis a 3eir, then was for- 
merlie payet wnto 3our maieflie ; none could in fchaw diflyk our guid 
meanning, muche applauding was maid to it, and maney offers of guid 
affiftance ; wherupone we did vndertak, and hes fund fuirties, and ad- 
uancid fome of our payement beiffoir hand, being villing till continew giff 
we could find that patrociney in this aclioun, quhilk 3our maiefteis awin 
affaires off reafone fould haue, quhairof we wer fully affured, fo long as 
we had that moft honorabill noble man, the Earle of Dumbar, 3our 
maiefteis moift worthie trew fervant, in the cuntrey. Bot otheris being 
now difapoyntid of that 3eirlie gaine quhilk thaj haue off maney 3eiris 
inioyed, wifhing itt fould rather haue fallin ftill in thair owen purfes than 
come to sour maiefteis cofferis, dois omitt no maner of way, whereby 
thay may veirrye ws off the chairdge, that fo by this affront quhilk falbe 
gevin wnto ws, all vtheris may be affrayed to ferve 3our maieftie heirefter, 
or advance 3our profeit in any foirt : our onlye defyr is, to haue the 
covenantis and articles of the contrake maid betuix 3our maieftie and ws 
to be keipit, and the impedimentis removed; quhairin, firft, we do humblie 
intreat, that all contraverfies concernyng our cuftomes may be refferred 
to the Judicatorye of the Exchecher, quhilk was the only competent judg 
ment for fuche maters untill the lait bred confufioun betuix the feffioun, 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 121 

and it did fupprefs the Exchekker altogether. It is conditionet by the 
contrak, that no new exadtioun nor impoift falbe impoiffit vpone the 
fubiedlis to the preiudice or hinder to the tread of merchandeice, and 
now, by this lait grant off four pundis off every tun, within Edinburgh and 
jurifdixioun thairof, thair is ane diredt breache of that article ; and 
within few seires sour maieftie will find the great hairme that fall infew 
thairof. By one contrak, we haue the grant to be only fearchers during 
our tak ; we defyr that conditioun to be perfoirmit ; and in fo far as 
Barnard Lyndfay wald now acclayrae ane auld lyferent gift of fearcheary 
itt is fo frivolous ane pretent, quhen he himfelf hes, fince the daitt of 
itt, exceptit voluntarlye tua temporary takis of the famyn, on efter 
another, as it dois manifefllye fchew quhat be the intentiouns off fum 
men quha vald countinance fuche ane vnrefonable demand, quhiche we do 
nocht refpecl; fo muche for ony benefeit that he can acquyr be retennyng 
off it, quhilk we do nocht invy, as we do jufllie feir off the hinderance he 
may gif to the tred, for the evill will of ws quha hes takin the cuflomes 
ouer his heid, he formerlye being fermour : And this office of fearchearye 
being inftitut only for the behove off the cuftomer, and no vayes to be a 
croice vnto him and the hynderance of jour maiefties benefit, as in this 
caice it will no doutt procuir, fould be healillye refferrit vnto vs, or vther- 
wayes this wilbe the laft 3eir that ony will tak it in ferme. Sum bruches 
off regalittye, pretending thair exemptage frome payeing of any cuftome, 
fuche as Dumfermeling, Churchealdye, and Mufiilbruche, fall fchoirtlye 
becume the ftaple of all wairis in jour kingdome, and 3our maieftie fall 
lois the profeit of 3our haill cuftoms, being ane grit pairt of 3our hienes 
revenew, the beginnyng of quhiche canker we do alreddy feill, and in 
our deuttye to 3our maieftie, can nocht omitt till certiffie sour hienes 
thairoff, that thay may be in tyme difchairdgit. Entreitting, thairfoir, 
humblie, 3our maieftie to aduert to thois things, quhiche, houever thaj 
may at the prefent hairme vs in fum foirt for our forvardnes in sour fer- 
uice, and villingnes till augment 3our profeit, 3itt will it be fchoirt of that 
preiudeice, quhiche sour maieftie fall refave thairbye heirefter; and, 
haifing fend thois tua off our number, to explain at more lenth to 3our 
maieftie, the hard crofles, and maniefolde impediments we reffaue in 

Q 



122 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

3our feruice, we, in all humilitie, according to our bounden deutye, do 
pray for all happines to sour hienes, and reftis 

3our Maieflies moid humbill fervantis and fubie&is, 

THE FERMOURIS OF SOUR MAJESTIES 
CUSTOMES OF SCOTLAND. 



To his moift excellent Maieftie. 



LXV._ THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. 
FEBRUARY 6, [1608?] 



PLEIS SOUR MOST EXCELLENT, MOST MICHTIE, AND 
IMPERIALL MAIESTIE, 

Being this far on my journay, of intention to haue prefentit my 
fone* unto 3our moft michtie maieftie, and onderflanding be the Erlle of 
Dunbar, that it is sour moft excellent maiefties pleafour, that I fuld ftay 
myfelf till efter the parlement, I mynd euer till conforme myfelf to sour 
moft michtie maieftis will and direction, althocht my greateft defyr be to 
haue that honour, as to kis 3our moft michtie maieftis hand; and feing 
that it is 3our moft excellent maieftis pleafour that I fuld ftay heir for 
ane tyme, the Erlle of Dunbar hes fchauin me that fauour, as to be his 
prefenter in my abfens, and I uis at God, that his feruice may oe agre- 
able unto 3our moft michtie maieftie, as I dout not of his affeclioun, 



George, the second Marquis, who, for his loyalty to the unfortunate Charles, of whose cause 
he had been an uncompromising supporter, was, 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 3our 
moil excellent maieftie ; and for my auin pairt, I haid that honour as to 
be prefentit be his guidcher unto sour moft michtie maieftie, being ane 
youth as he is nou, and God forbid that my affeclioun or loyaltie fuld 
faill nou in my auld dayis, to 3our moft excellent maieftie, of quhois 
conftant affection I haue fund fua monie fauours, that all the blood within 
me being uairit in sour moft michtie maieftis feruis, can not corefpond.* 
The Erlle of Dunbar, I hoip, will informe 3our 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 kifiing maift humblie 
of 3our moft michtie maieftis hand, I will ever reft 

3our moft excellent, moft michtie, and imperiall 
Maieftis humble fubiedl, and maift affedlionat 
feruitour to the deith, 

HuNTLYE. 

At Edinbruch, this faxt of Februar [1608 ?]f 
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 liued. 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. 

FEBRUABY26, [1608?] 

PLEIS 3OUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Onderftanding be my good-brother, the Duk of Lennox, that 
it is sour facred maieftis plefour and uill, that I fuld fend my fone* unto 
3our facred maieftie, and albeit he be the greteft pairt of the con- 
fort quhilk I haue nou during my uarding, 'jit I will euer prefer gour 
facred maieftis plefour and uill, till onie of my auin contentments, hoping 
that jour facred maieftie will not be forgetfull of my auld affeclionat 
feruice, nor jit will lat me be ufit with fik rigour as the Puritins of this 
contrey intendis; for I proteft befor the liuing God, that I carie that af- 
feclion unto 3our facred maieftie, that I will hazard my lyfe and my blood 
in 3our facred maiefties feruis, athaer within jour facred maieftis domi- 
niouns, or againis onie foraner whatfumeuir. And feing in this I proofe 
ane deutiful and affeclionat fubiecl, I hoip jour facred maieftie will not 
condifcend to my uraik, quhom it hes plefit of jour facred maiefteis fa- 
uour to mak up, onlie for refilling 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 sour facred maieftie at greter lenth. Sua, humblie taking 
my leive, eftir the kiffing of 3our facred maieftis hand, I will pray the 
eternall God euer to preferue jour moft facred maieftie in lang lyf and 
moft profperous renge. 

3our moft facred Maieftis humbill fubie6l, 
and moft affeclionat feruitour to the 
deith, 

HUNTLYE. 

At Stirling Caftell, this 26 of Februar [1608 ?] 
To the Kings moft facred Maieftie. 

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 OF HAMILTON' TO KING JAMES VI. 
MARCH 1, 1608. 



MOST SACRED SOUERANE, 

Sour maieftie hauing, vithout ony merit upone ray pairt, hot 
upone 3our maiefties gratious rememberance of the faithfulle devtie and 
feruice of my fathir and grandfathir, don to 3our maieftie, and the queen 
3our maiefties mother, vith the graet lofs, not onlie of thair freinis lyuis, 
hot thair auin blud, banefment from thair cuntrie, ouerthrau of thair houfis, 
and hail fortunis, bontfullie grantit to me the ereclioun of Arbroith, 
according to the infeftment of the fame giuen of befoir be 3010- hienes 
to my fathir vnder the Great Seill, and be 3our maiefties letter vrittin 
with 3our royall hand, I thocht, and euer fall think, myfelf bund to 3our 
maieftie, beyond al thie fubie6tis of this kingdome, amoinft quhom, nane 
hes reffeuit fo great fauor vithout any defert of thair auin ; and as this 
benefeit flouis frome 3our maiefties only guidnes, fo uil I euer affuir my 
felf, that 3our 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 
undeutifull thocht, I hop 3our maieftie vil graciouflie be plefd, uithout 
offence, to permit me to regraet, that it is heir gifun out, that 3our ma 
ieftie fould haue comandit my infeftment to be ftayit unexped, till the 
Laird of Pamuirf and fum otheris obtein fatiffaclioun, in fik futtis as thay 

James, second Marquis of Hamilton. Created Earl of Cambridge in England, 16th June 1619 ; 
installed a Knight of the Garter, 7th July 1623; and died at Whitehall, 2d March 1625, in the 
36th year of his age. 

f 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 sour maieftie, 
that I refpedl not as becumis me sour maiefties benefite, quhan I refuis 
to giue tham ane fether of the guife whilk 3our 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 sour maieftie 
hauing ordanit the minifteris to haue thair local ftipendis, and ane 
blanche deutie to be modifiet to be pyed to 3our maieftie, that liuing 
uald thairby be reducit to fuch eftate, as uil hardly furnice me mentinance 
in the rank vhairuith 3our maieftie hes bein plefit to honour the hous, 
quhilk for the prefent, I unuorthelie poffes; and gif that refpecl maid 
me, not fumquhat careful of meanis to Hue 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 3our maiefties recommendatioun ; 
bot nou hauing meikil ado, and my eftait being graetlier burdenit nor it 
may veil bear, I houp and humlie defyre, that 3our maieftie, at this tyme, 
vald continou 3our moft gratious fauour towardis me, and fuffer that 
benefiet to be affeclual, the grant quhairof proceids of 3our maiefties 
royal bounti, and gratious opinioun of the merit and feruice of my pre- 
difeflors 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 3our maieftie. And at Sanioniftoun, I fatiffiet the Laird of 
Pamuir in fecuriti of his auin teindis, according to the command of 3our 
maiefties letter, than fend for that effect; fua, quhan tyme and 3our ma 
iefties gratious fauour fall mend my means and eftait, 3our maieftie fall 
difpois upon quhat farder 3our maieftie fal than find that I can poffeblie 
do, uithout my utir ruynd, quhilk I knau affuritly 3our maieftie vil preuent 
in 3our infinit gudnes, the gratious effe6lis vhairof alreddie refleuit, geuis 
me affurance that 3our 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 diredlit for that purpois. Hoping 
5our maieftie vil gratiouflie heir and credit him, and be hime returne that 
lignificatioun of 3our maiefties gratious and princelie vil, quhilk may 
mak 3our maiefties former benefite effectual to me, and me abil to ferue 
3our maieftie in the rank of my prediceffuris, as I fall be villing, vith 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 127 

maift faithful and reddie affeclioun to biftou that, and al the reft that 
God hes giuen me vith my blude, lyf, and freins in 3our 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 3our 
facred maieftie long lyfe, perfyt helth, hapie regne, and moft bliflit 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 VI. 

MARCH 5, 1608. 



MAIST SACRED SOUERANE, 

I tak the occafioun and bauldnes to vritte this vnto your hie- 
nes, in anfuere off that it pleafed your facred maieftie vritte to me the 
fecund of Februar, directing 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 lands, 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 foull murthour of the tutour of Caffills: and 
without thair doing and infifting, the fame will be hardlie yitt brocht to 
perfedtioun and dew outredde in tryall and punifchement. 

I knaw Achindrayne hes be manye meanes focht to purchefs my Lord 
Abercornes goodwill, or at lead 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 facl, and the dewtie off his plaice 
and eftaitt, nor anye commoditie : And this I hope yiour maieftie mall 
find be proofe to be the veritye and be his aclioun, in regaird whereoff 
he is perfuadit certanlie, that for naa vrang nor ontrew rapport off anye fie 
fubjects, yiour hienes will alter or chaynge 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 maift humbill kiffe off yiour royall hand, reftis for ewir 

Yiour facred Maiefties maift humbill and 
affedlionat fubjecT; and feruitour, 

DuNFERMLYNE. 

Edinburgh, 5 Marche 1608. 
To the King his maift excellent Majeftie. 



LXIX.THE LAIRD OF LUSS TO KING JAMES VI. 
APRIL 23, 1608. 



PLEAS SOWR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

I hawe beine wrgit be the counfell to fubmitt with the 
M c Farlanes my brothers flauchter, and all wther flauchteris, muirtheris, 
hairfchippis, theiftis, reiffis, and oppreffiounis, raifing of fyre, demolifch- 
ing of howlis, cwitting and deftroying of woods and plainting, committit 
be thame againft me ; quhilk fubmiflioune is now become in sowr ma- 



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 acliounis, 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 3owr maieftie to referwe my decreitis alreadie obteinit ; and quhat 
fatiffadlioune 3owr maieftie pleafes to decerne to me for the criminall ac- 
tiounis, I mane hald me content thairwith, gife it be 3owr maiefteijs will, 
that rebelles to 3owr 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 3owr maieftie to 
tak in gwid pairt this my humbill fwit, hawing nothing els to offer 3owr 
heynes, for all 3owr wndeferwit fawouris, hot my moft loyall hart, quhilk 
fall newer deword from the fmalleft of 3owr maieftijs thochtis. This, 
humbillie craifeing pardoune of this my prefumptioun, I pray God grant 
3owr maieftie, efter ane lang and happie regne, eternall felicitie. . 

3our Maieftijs moft humbille and loyallie 
affe6lit fubiecT; 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- 
terminatione. 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 SACRED 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 feffioun, who, with the other tuay competitouris, 
being called in, and thay refuting to go to tryell, but willingly yealding 
to his preferment, his tryell was appoynted him, conforme to your ma- 
iefleis act. And for your maiefleis refolutioun anent his religioun, I 
haif fend heirwith, the teftimoniall of his ordinair paftour, 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 molt princely confideratioun, out of what malice, ather 
aganes me or him, this inventioun hes growin : always his admiffioun fall 
flay, 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 affe6lioun to your 
fervice fall not be turned to my difgrace, and craving pardone of this 
boldnes, I wifh your moft facred maiefty, after a lang and profperous 
raygne, eternell felicity. 

Your Maieftes moft humble and moft 
obedient fervand, 

J. BALMERINOCH.* 

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 ftop thair 
raouthes 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 25, 1608. 



SIR, PLEIS SOUR SACRED MAIESTIE, 

It is nocht poffible, be lettre, to expres the greiff of mynd quhilk 
juftlie I haue concawed, quhan be the counfall I wes laitlie informit of 
3our maiefties difcontentment aganis me, preceding, I dout, no thing of 
3our maieiles princlie and courtes inclinatioun, quhairof I haue had fo 
mony and dyweris experiences, bot of fum finifter informatioun of vn- 
freindis, as giff vndewtefullie I had behauit my felff, ather towardis 3our 
maieftie, the miniftrie, or in contempt of 3our hienes lawes or commande- 
mentis, quhilk I haue ewer reuerencit, and falbe to me in heicheft re- 
commendatioun. For, Sir, it is ane greit regrait to me, that I may 
nocht pleid my innocencie in 30ur maieftes prefens, becaus than I wald 
nocht feir, but it fould cleirlie appeir, and my reuerend refpecl: and obe- 

The atrocious murders to which this 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 manifeftit, quhilk, 
faueing sour maiefties. plefour, wes fumquhat hard (all thingis being 
reichtlie confidderit). Qtt, giff ather 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 puniflit accordinglie ; bot be the contrar, giff I haue, with all 
obedience, obeyit and fatiffeit the preceifefl of thame, I think thay fould 
nocht haue fa maliceouflie traducit me to 3our maieflie, 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 3our hienes nocht to credeitt all thair reportis of me, without ane 
mair particular tryall. And in this laitt chairge, quhairby 3our maieftie 
hes ordanit me to be wairdit in Glafgow, I am moft humblie to requyre 
3our maieflie, inrefpecl; of the greit indifpofitioun of my bodie, tending 
to deathe, as the principall doclouris of medeceane in this cuntrie, be 
thair teftimoniall vnder thair handis, teftefeit to sour 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- 
fpeclis, but fpeciallie for recowerie of my helthe : or giff it fall pleis sour 
maiefte, that I may haue 3our 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 fingular benefeit, for fie fervices as I haue done to 
3our maieftie in tymes bypaft. And this, in all humilitie and reuerence, 
kifs sour maieftes princle hand, I humble tak my leiff. 

3ur Maieftes moft humble and 
faithfull fubie6l, 

ERLL OF ANGUSS. 
Cannogaitt, the 25 May 1608. 
To his moft facreid Maieftie. 



134 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LXXII.THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE BURGHS TO KING JAMES VI. 
JULY 8, 1608. 



OUR MAIST GRATIOUS AND SoUERANE LORD, 

We refeauet 3our maiefties lettre direct; unto ws, with 3our ma- 
iefties counfallour, Sir Robert Danielftoun, knicht, conferuatour of sour 
maiefties fubie6ls of Scotland in the Law Countries, daittit at Grein- 
wiche, the xv of Junij laft; be the quhilk, we wnderftand that sour 
maieftie is informet of fum prepofterous cheritabill fupplie, gevin be fum 
merchantis trading in the Law Cuntries to the baneift minifters, with the 
quhilk 3our maieftie is difcontent, and thairfor willing ws to reftraine that 
wndewtifull impertinent fupplie. 3 our maieftie hes alfo willit ws to mak 
na choife of ane minifter, to ferue the natioun at the Campher, without 
3our maiefties knawledge and approbatioun, and ficlyk that we fould 
ratifie the former aclis, for eftablifching the ftapill of the natioun at the 
Campheir. And laft, that we fould refpecl the bearer, quhome 3our 
maieftie hes fund truftie in 3our 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 3our maiefties authoritie, inhibit and difchairge all fie fupplies in tyme 
cumming, and that ilk commiffioner fould intimy the famyn to his magif- 
trattis, and caus thame tak heid 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 3our 
maiefties confent and approbatioun; and as to the ftapill at the Cam 
pheir and conferuatour, we haue tane fie ordour thairwith, as 3our ma 
ieftie hes defyrit. Forder, my Lord Conferuatour hes fchawin that 3our 
maieftie hes declairit wnto him the caldnes of the burrowis, in not com 
plaining to 3our 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, 
expe6ling 30111 maiefties help and concurrence, we falbe mair cairfull to 
effectual that pairt of our dewties to our power. And we ar this bauld 
to requyr sour maiefties authoritie, with the mair fchairp and fpeidie 
executioun; and thairfoir, we pray 3our maieftie maift humblie 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 36 will do. We alfo ar this humelie to 
pray 3ou, that ane warrand may be direct to the poft maifters betuix 
Londoun and Edinburght, to tak the merchant pakkat, to be faiflie de- 
lyuerit, as 3our maieftie hes grantit to the Flemyngis, quhilk wilbe ane 
great farderance to the negotiatioun of 3our maiefties fubieclis of Scot 
land: to the quhilk office of refait and delyuerie of pakattis, we think 
3our maiefties fubiecl;, James Bannatyne, refident at Londoun, maift apt 
and qualifiet. And fua, praying the Lord to multiple 3our maiefties 
dayis with ws, in ane happie governament, we committ 3our maieftie to 
his mercifull prote6lioun. Frome Selkirk, this aucht day of Julij 1608. 

3our maift humble and obedient fubieclis, the 
Commifiioners of 3our Maiefties burghes of 
Scotland, laitlie convenit at Selkirk, fub- 
fcryvand be our commoun clerk of conven- 
tioun at our command. 

[Indorfed.] 

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. 
JULY 13, 1608. 



MAY IT PLEAS SOUR SACRED MAIESTIE, 

I haue bein, be vertew of 3our heichnes commandement, 
accufit be the Erl of Dumbar, as gif I haid bein ane moft ondewtifull 
fubiecT; vnto 3our maieflie, kything the malice of my hart by the vttering 
of onreverent fpeiches. 3 our maiefties 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 maiefties promifis bot 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 Roifloun, the lafl of March 1604, direclit vnto my 
vncle my Lord of Scone. The woordes ar theis : My Lord, efter I had 
wrettin at lenth vnto 3our Lordfhip with Maifter Dauid Moray, I haue 
tryit fum thinges, quherof my dewtie bindes me to aduertife 3our Lord 
fhip. Notwithftanding of that quhilk I wret to 3ow in my lafl letter, 
that his maieftie had faid vnto my felff concerning 3ow, I fear it be al 
bot diffimulatioun ; quhilk woordes, how far they man be wreflit befoir 
they can proue the thing alledgit, I am perfuadit that 3our maiefties felf, 
without any apologie of myn, will moft gratiouflie confider. Neuertheles, 
to the end 3our maieftie may the moir cleirlie onderftand how far this 
malicious imputatioun diffagreis 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 3our maieftie had not only moft gratiouflie admittit me to sour 
prefence, bot alfo gracit me with moft fauorabill countenance ; and, mair- 
ouer, moft bountifullie 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 
3our maiefties counfell and fum of 3our fauorites, from quhom I had re- 
fauit great proteftatiounis of affeclioun vnto him, and as great promiffis 
of freindfchip in his adoes. Bot befoir the wretting of this laft letter 
(quherof I am now accufit), I was certanlie informit be fum of my vncles 
fpecial freindes, that they from quhom I had refauit faireft woordes wer his 
greateft enemies; quhilk mouit me to call their promifis diffimulat, fa that 
the fence of my woordes ar very cleir after this maner, notwithstanding of 
that quhilk I wret in my laft letter that 3our maieftie had faid and done 
vnto my felf ; 3et that quhilk I wret concerning my vncle, I tuik it al to 
be bot diffimulatioun. Gif my former letter wer as weill to the foir to 
be producit vnto 3our maieftie as this laft is, it wald maik al this matter 
moil cleir. Bot as God fchal be my juft judge, I haue fet doun vnto 
3our maieftie moft trewlie beath the contents of the one, and my meaning 
in the vther. Their fallowes in my letter [I knaw his maieftie to be as 
they ar that be about him, and I affuir 3ow, 3e haue no fauour of them 
that ar in greateft credit heir]. To this I anfwer, that I was neuer fie a 
fott to think that 3our maieftie was fo fimpill to be guydit be them that 
ar about 3ow. I haue boith hard and fein to muche of 3our maiefties 
wifdom and refolutioun to think fa vyld a thoght. Bot my meaning was, 
feing my vncle had no fauour of them that wer in greateft credit about 
30ur maieftie, the quhilk I was moft certanlie mead to beleiue, ther- 
foir, I greatlie fearit that their hard informatioun might muif 3our maief 
tie agenft him, he not being prefent to anfwer for him felf, and hauing 
about 3our maieftie fo many enemies. Their refts yet moir in my letter. 
[I heir fay that their is ane turn paft heir in fauoures of Andrew Hender- 
foun, into the quhilk 3our lordfchip hes great neid to tak head to 3our 
preceding; for, albeit his maieftie hes paft it vnto him, I fear it be rather 
to try how 36 behaue 3our felf, nor for any good mynd they had to plea- 
four Andrew Henderfoun]. Theis woordes, I houp, neid no apologie. 
Befoir God, I had mynd of nothing concerning 3our maieftie. I knaw, 
and that be experience, that all 3our maiefties grants ar, and haue bein, 
euer frie and abfolut. My only meaning was, of the advantage they 
that wer about 3our maieftie might maik of my vncles behauiour in this 



138 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

matter ; for it was direcllie faid be fum of them, that he wald content 
Andrew Henderfoun with a fmal pairt, and tak the reft'to himfelf. From 
this point, it will pleafe sour maieflie to conh'der that the grund of my 
accufatioun proceids, and not from that zeal and affeclioun my accufer 
profeflis to bear vnto sour maieftie, or els he had communicat this to 
3our heichnes at the firfl, and not keipit the fam befyds him thir four 3eires 
and moir, and now at lenth reveilit it be the inftigatioun of vther men, 
as himfelf pairtly confeffis. Their is no man could moir juftlie accufe 
me vpon this matter nor the Erl of Dumbar, gif his lordfchip had knawen 
my trew meaning, for it was his lordfchip of quhom I cheiflie meanit in 
my letter, and I haue crauit his lordfchip mod humblie pardoun for that 
I was fa folifche vpon any informatioun to beleiue that his lordfchip 
thoght vtherwayes nor he had faid vnto my felrT. Gif I durfl haue pre- 
fumit without 3our maiefties leiue, I wald, with proftrating myfelff at 
3our maiefties feit, be woord and not be letter, haue mead this my moft 
trew declaratioun, and vnto the tym 3our maieftie grant me that libertie 
(quhilk, be thir prefents, I moft humblie beg at 3our gratious handes), my 
hart fchal neuer be pertaker of any contentment. Albeit my confcience 
bears me witnes that I neuer fa meikill as thoght onreverentlie of 3our 
maieftie, 3et am I grevid aboue meafour to think that any thing fould 
haue efcapit my hand, quhilk, in the hardeft conftrudlioun, can be ac- 
coumptit for ondewtifulnes agenft 3our heichnes. Their is na thing in 
this warld can difcontent me moir then to want 30ur maiefties fauour; 
bot to want it throch my awen juft deferuing, wer to me infupportabill. 
I wer to be accoumptit the moft ingrat wrech that euer had lyf, gif euer 
I had fufferit any fuch thoght to haue had place within my mynd, confi- 
dering the manifold fauoures 3our maieftie hes fchawen boith to my felf, 
and all my kynred. Their remaines 3et the laft point of my letter, into the 
quhilk I maik fum mentioun of my Lord Secretar. My iimpill meaning 
was, that his lordfchip at that tym had not fa great fauour as he defyrit 
to haue had of theis that wer in credit about 3our maieftie. I will ceafe to 
trubill sour maieftie any moir with my idill woordes, not dowting bot sour 
maieftie will, according to 3our accuftomit goodnes, confider that the affec- 
tioun I careit vnto my vncles weill, mead me the moir erneft in my letter ; and 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 139 

gif their be any woordes in it onadvyfit or not weill chofin (as I do con- 
fes their is many), 3our maieftie will imput them to want of witt and laik 
of difcretioun, quhilk euer accompanies south, and not to malice, quhilk, 
I proteft in the prefence of God, is as far remouit from my hart, as it 
ftiks neir to their hart that does accuife me. Praying vnto the Eternall 
to grant vnto 3our maieftie ane moift happie and profperous regne, and 
bliffit and lang lyff, I reft 

3ur Maiefties moft humbill and moft 
obedient fubie6l, 



ANDRO MORAY 
of Baluaird.* 



Edinbrughe, the 13 of July 1608. 



LXXIV LORD SCONE TO KING JAMES VI. 

PLEIS 3OUR SACRED MAIESTIE, 

I wes conveynit heir befoir my Lord of Dunbar, and confronted 
with Andro Henryfoine, wpoun fume wnreuerend fpeicheis fpokin be me 
of 3our maieftie, quhilkis wer all utterly denyit, in the prefence of Sir 
Alexander Hay, 3our maiefties fecretar, that euer he haid fpokin or 
wrettin any thing in my preiudice, ather to 3our maieftie or ony vther 
man leiveand, quhilk if I haid euer hard fpokin be ony vther man in the 
world wnchallengit, I micht bein thocht the onlie wngrate and wnworthie 
man in the world. Bot I leave this to 3our maiefteis gratious confidera- 
tioune, what all my adliounes hes bein in 3our maiefteis fervice, bothe in 
word and deid, quhairof I will be glaid content to be cenfuret be my 
gritteft enemeyis. Now, Sir, to qualifie this informatioune of Andro 

Nephew of Lord Scone, afterwards first Viscount Stormont. He died without issue, Dec. 14, 
1624, and was succeeded by his uncle. 



140 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

Henryfonis, he hes producit ane lettre of my brother foneis, direct fra 
Ingland to me, about the fpace of four seiris and ane half fence, at 
quhilk tyme, sour maieftie will be remerabrit, I maid eirnift fute to haue 
haid the fauour to haue remayneit with sour maieftie, and to haue haid 
fome place of credit thair, wherannent it pleifit 3our maieftie to fay to 
me, that 3our maieftie wold advyfe with fome of 3our Tnglis counfall, to 
gett fume place to me; and at my waycomeing fra sour maieftie, I delt 
with fik of sour maiefteis counfall as came vp with 3our maieftie, to be 
my freind in abfence, feing all the reft of the Scottis counfall that came 
with 3our maieftie wer preferrit to placeis of credit (hot I), of quhome 
I reffaueit verrie fair promeiffis, nocht only to remember 3our maieftie, bot 
to be my particular freind, and my brotheris fone beand thair vpoon fome 
vther biffineffe of his awin with 3our maieftie, I defyreit him to haid fie of 
the counfall as haid promefit to be my freind in remembrance ; quhilk he 
did, according to my diredlioun, and wrett heir to me to Scotland, with Mr 
David Murray, that he haid kiffit 3our maiefties hand, and reffaueit ane 
verrie gratious anfuer of 3our maieftie in fome of his awin particularis, 
and haid alfo remembrit fie of the counfall as I haid defyreit him to 
fpeik with in my fauoris, of whome he reffaueit verie guid wordis and fair 
promeiffis, that thei wold nocht onlie remember 3our maieftie, and adwyfe 
with thame in the meynis, how fome place micht be gottin to me, quhilk 
letter pat me in hop to beine fend for fchortlie thairefter; and within fyf 
or fex dayis efter the receitt of this letter, my brotheris fone wrett to me 
ane vther letter, produceit now be Andro Henderfone, wheirin he affuiris 
me, he is certefeit be fum fpeciall freindis of myne, that the fair promeiffis 
that wer maid be fum of the counfall wes nothing bot diffemulatioune, 
and fpeciallie of thame that I truftit maift into, forbe fome fpeicheis that 
he haid hard, he feirit that thei fould rather kyth my vnfreindis, and that 
3our maieftie wes informeit be fie as wer about sou, that I haid fent 
Andro Henderfone to beg fumthing fra 3our maieftie, that I could nocht 
mak fute for myfelf, and quhateuer 3our maieftie haid grantit to gif him, 
3our maieftie wes informeit, he haid tranffactit with me for the fame, and 
I wald gett the fame to myfelf. Thir fpecheis beand reportit be fum 
freind to my brotheris fone, and he feiring I micht be moveit fra the loue 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 141 

I buire to Andro Henderfone, to pas his gift quhilk sour maieftie haid 
grantit to him, and that the fame micht be layd to my chairge fum vther 
day, and out of the love my brotheris fone buire to me, he gave me this 
aduertefment. And alfefone as this letter came to my handis, I fent it 
to Andro Henderfone, to the effecT; that he fould tak na exceptiones of 
my guidwill, albeit, I haid refufeit to pas his gift in refpecl; of the pre- 
miffis, hot I gaue him furetie, that I wald deill with 3our maieftie for ane 
benefit to him, quhilk I did, and obtenit of 3our maieftie bettir nor fevin 
hundrethe merkis be seir, quhilk he pofleffis prefently, quhilk wes thocht 
be maney of the cuntrie mair nor he meretit: sit, in refpedl he did 3our 
maieftie no evill, being quhair he micht haue done it (if God haid nocht 
beine 3our maiefteis better freind), and euer fence that tyme I haue re- 
teynit him in my fervice, and hes protec~lit him, and euer fall, and he hes 
haid the commandement of all that I haue in theis partis. Bot 3our 
maieftie will knaw in the awin tyme, that this is nocht come fra Andro 
Henryfone, for he wes neuer very wyfe, and he hes loft ane guid pairt of 
the witt quhilk he haid, for it appeiris he is nocht his awin man, for the 
quhilk I ame maift forey, and I will neuer tak me to him for ony thing 
that can be reportit of me to 3our maieftie, and in the awin tyme, sour 
maieftie will knaw how this comeis, fra quhome, and how this pure man 
hes beine abufeit. Alwayis, I man leave this and all my vther aciionis, 
bothe in word and deid, to 3our maiefteis gratious confideratioune, fra 
the firft tyme I haid the honour to ferve sour maieftie, quhilk is threttie 
tua seiris fence, and I neuer haid caus to weyrie, for sour maieftie hes 
nocht onlie honorit me, hot gevin me all I haue in the world, and brocht 
me vp fra nothing, and if I fould prove vngratte and wnthankfull to fa 
gratious a maifter, I mereit punefment aboue all tratouris in the world. 
Sa, wiffing 3our maieftie all happines, with the contenewance of 3our 
maiefteis guid helthe, 

I reft sour Maiefteis humill and obedient 
fervitour, 

SCONE.* 

This letter has no date, but this is in a manner fixed by the preceding one from his Lordship's 
nephew. Both these documents refer particularly to Andrew Henderson, who was said to be the 



142 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LXXV. THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 
AUGUST 3, 1608. 



MAIST SACRED SOUERANE, 

Be your heighnefs dire&ioun, yiour truftie and faithfull feruitour, 
and my awin auld freind, my Lord Earle off Dumbar, communicat unto 
me yiflerday yiour majefteis lettir, concerning fuim opinioun that yiour 
maieftie fould haue confaued, that I entertenie fuim puirpoifs and com- 
municatioun, ather direclie or indireclie, be interchange off lettirs with 
yiour facred maiefties worthie, maift nobill, and darreft bedfallow, in 
maters tuiching yiour heighnefs eftait heir, and yiour maifl fpeciall and 
maid confident feruantis.* I thocht the faid lettir (for I had hot a fliiort 
wieu off it) baith lang, pitthie, and paffionat, as I nather will nor can 
denie bot thair war maift iuft caufe to yiour heighnefs, to be offendit at 
me in all heigheft degree, gif eiuer it had entred in my minde, to attempt 
to medill in ony fie thing, or to haue ony fik trafik in your heighnefs 
affaires. I am forced, in all humilitie, to entreat yiour heighnefs excufe 
me, that I can nocht mak fik purgatioun off this crime be my lettir, as it 
wald require, gif I war onye wayes giltie off the fame ; for I proteft unto 
yiour facred maieftie, ondir quhais prencelie fauour, clemencie, and pro- 
person that detained the King in custody at Gowrie House. Some writers assert that he was, 
although absent, examined to corroborate the King's 'statement, the truth of which was questioned, 
in the belief that the circumstance of his having been Lord Gowrie's Chamberlain would add 
weight to his testimony. Others contend that he was really present on the occasion. There cer 
tainly are some slight differences in the King's narrative and Henderson's deposition; but we really 
think that too much stress has been attached to them. Indeed, unimportant discrepancies in evi 
dence, where the main facts agree, frequently tend rather to remove than create suspicion of 
collusion. However the fact may have been, Henderson was the gainer, as, besides other gifts, 
according to this letter he had an annual allowance of 700 merks a very handsome income in 
those times. 

These real or supposed intrigues are not noticed, so far as the Editor has been able to ascer 
tain, by any of the contemporary writers. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 143 

tedlioun, and be quhais onlye aduancement and inftruc~lioun I haue at 
tained to all the knawledge and experience I haue in the affaires of this 
eftaitt, and am rafin in this fortown I am in, far aboue my merite, vpon 
that faith and treuth I aught baith unto Gfod and to yiour maieflie, albeit 
I be euin at this prefent in als greate a paffioun as eiuer I haue bein in, 
for the maift manifeft and greate wrangs of calomneis I haue fufteined 
in this Generall Afiemble, as I doubt nocht hot yiour heighnefs, in yiour 
heigh wifdome and iuftice, will off yiour felf wye and confidder: yit came 
thair neiuer to me fik a greiff in hairt and minde, as I refaued be yiour 
heighnefs forefaid lettir, be the aprehenfioun I tak yiour heighnefs fould 
fufpect ony fik thing off me. It has wounded me fua, that it has putt 
me fra all other thocht or cair; for as I wald think myfelf onwordie to 
be leiuand, gif I haid committed fa filthe an errour, fua man I difdane 
baith my lyff and haill eftaitt, fa lang as I am in feare my maift gracious 
fouerane has onye fufpicion, I be onye wayis giltie of fa abominabill 
crime. This aprehenfioun troublis fua eiuin my witt, that it can nocht 
furnifh me purgations anfurabill in onye meafure to my defire ; and gif 
I wald fett doun to yiour maieftie, all the purgations that my iuft dolour 
and greiff prefentis unto me, I could nocht mifs to be importune, tedious, 
and troubilfuim. I hoipe I haue be toung fatiffeit my Lord Earle of 
Dumbar, and he has fhiawin me, he hoiped in this point to fatiffie yiour 
facred maieftie. 

This onlye I will craue yiour heighnefs pardon to wryte planelie as I 
meane, as I fould anfuer unto God, nixt to that deutie I aught to God, 
according to my knawledge, I eiuened nor equaled neiuer na thing in this 
warld to yiour maiefties fauour, and I preferred nor wyed neiuer in para 
gon onye thing with yiour heighnefs plefour, contentment, or honour, nor 
thinks neiuer to doe. The werye calomneis, and malicious delations, 
geuin fwrth at onye tyme againft me felf, greiuis me nocht fa meikill for 
onye entrefs off my awin, as for the confequence thairoff, may redound 
on yiour facred maieftie, that it fould be thocht yiour heighnefs greate 
wifdome, may haue bein fua filed and abufed in the preferrement off fik 
a man, and on ony iuft occafioun, had bein or war miniftrat be me thair^ 
off, I wifs rather I war diffolued in duft, and had neiuer bein. 



144 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

This I maift humblie, hairtlie, and fincerlie craue of yiour heighnefs 
prencelie difpofitioun to think off me, till in yiour greate wifdome and 
iuftice yie trye ony contrair. Sua, maift humblie taking my leiue, with 
the kifs of yiour facred hand, and praying fra my hairt the Eternall lang 
to preferue yiour heighnefs in all blifs and profperitie, I refte eiuer 

Your facred Maiefties maift humbill and obedient 
fubjecl and feruitour, 

DuNFERMELYNE. 

Frome Edinburgh, 3 Augti 1608. 
To the Kingis maift excellent Maieftie. 



LXXVL THE EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. 
AUGUST 10, 1608. 

PLEIS YOUR SACRED MAIESTIE, 

I haue bein this langtyme confyned in Glafco, ane part far 
frome my leifing and freindfchip, quhair be the daylie refort of fome of 
my enimies and euill willaris fome vnhappie truibill may fall furthe, by 
my will, and without my knawlege; and now the Generall Affembillie hes 
giffin furthe ane act to excommunicat me, befor the xviij day of Septem 
ber. Quhat greif and forrow this bringis to my hart, God knawis; be- 
caus my graitteft cair hes ewir bein, and falbe, that I myght end my dayes 
(quhilk, I am perfuadit, fall not be many) at peace with God, and in your 
maiefties obedience. My dewtifull affectioun to your hienes commande- 
mentis I remitt to your maiefties memorie, and my queat behauiour in 
religioun, the prefbiteries quhair I remannit can beir record ; for I beleif 
your maieftie hes not hard ony complainttis of me, in particular, fens your 
maiefties pertting frome Scotland. Newir the lefs, as I am informit the 
kirk intendis to wfe ane fommer procefs againft me, except that your 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 145 

gratius maieftie find out, and grant me fome remeid. The permiffion quhilk 
of graice only I crawe (gif it pleis not your hienes to eafe me with ane 
better) is, ether to depert this cuntrie, conforme to your hienes licence 
all redie grantid, with fuirtie not to returne ; or els, that it wald pleis 
your maieftie to confyne me within ane of my awin houffis, and fo many 
myllis about the fame, quhair I am glaid to.leif as ane priuat fubiecl, 
and newir to medill me with public! aftairis, bot be your maiefties direc- 
tioun. The experience of your maiefties accuftumat clemencie towardis 
me imbauldis me to this heumbill petitioun, and gif it war not the eftait 
and a matter of confcience, I proteft befor God, I wald haue bein laith 
to haue truiblit your maieftie with fie fuittis; and yet ane thing I moid 
humblie intrait your maieftie to mak deference of men, conforme to thair 
deferuing: and thus, in kifiing your maiefties princlie hand, I pray God 
to fend your maieftie lang lyf, and profperus reign. 

Your Maiefties moift heumbill and 
obedient fubiecl;, 

ERLL OF ANGUS. 
Glafco, the 10 of Auguft 1608. 

To the King his moft excellent and gracious Maieftie. 



LXXVII THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. 

AUGUST 12, [1608?] 

PLEIS SOUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Hauing haid from my songeft seiris that good hap and 
honour, as to be acceptit in 3our moft facred maieftis feruis to be the 
mediatioun of the laft Duk of Lenox, 3our maieftis moft fauorit coufing 
and feruiteur, and fins that tyme I leiue it to gour facred maieftis auin 
fuper naturall wifdom and memorie, to remember gif I haue not at all 
tymis giuin proof of my affeclioun, loyaltie, and obediens, quhanfoeuir 

T 



146 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

it hes plefit 3our facred maieftie till honour me uith sour commandements ; 
and nou, finding my eftait endangerit, and my urak focht, be more ri 
gorous deling than I was informid 3our facred maieftie did requeir of me, 
I am forfit to feik quhar I haue euer lenit to the anker of my refuge, 
quhilk is 3our facred maieftis fauorable clemencie, befeiking 3our facred 
maieftie not to condifcend to the ruine of him quha hes nathaer lyf, land, 
nor blood bot it that falbe uairit but exceptioun, quhanfoeuer 3our facred 
maieftis feruis fall requer the fame, hoping that 3our facred maieftis con- 
ftancie and fauour, quhilk is the ftoup of my repos, fall beir me throch 
this trubill, as it hes borne me throch greater heirtofor. And albeit I 
knau I haue monie craftie euilluillars to deill in my contrar, and my felf 
far diftant from sour facred maieftis confortable prefens, 3it I defyd 
not of 3our facred maieftis fauorable conftanfcie touards me, feing my af- 
fedlion and obediens falbe continuall. Therfor, Sire, difpos of me as fall 
beft pleis 3our facred maieftie, for I fall haue no uill of myn bot till abey 
3ouris ; nathaer defyr I to leiue langer gif it be not to ferue and content 
3our facred maieftie: fo I will befeik 3our moft facred maieftie till put 
me till fum conftant (land out of this continuall trubill, for one uord of 
3our facred maieftis uill uirk my peace, quhilk is the onlie reuard I craiue 
for my long feruis bygaine. I haue direclit ane kinfman of myne, berar 
heirof, till declaire unto 3our facret maieftie mair particularlie my eftait, 
gif it fall pleis 3our facred maieftie till honour him uith 3our prefens. 
Sua, craiuing pardoun for my baldnes, efter the kiffing maift humblie 
of 3our facred maieftis hand, I uill pray the Eternall God to preferue 
euer sour moft facred maieftie in lang lyfe, and moft profperous renge, 
uith all contentment. 

3our moft facred Maieftis humble fubiecT; and 
moft affectionat feruiteur to the deith, 

HUNTLYE. 

At Aberdein, this tuelt of Auguft. 
To the Kings moft facred Maieftie. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 147 



LXXVIIL THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VI. 
AUGUST 18, 1608. 



MOST GRACIOUS SOOERANE, 

We reffaued your maiefteis lettre, concerning your heynes direc- 
tioun to call befoir ws fuche lawyeris as fett thair handes to that forme of 
Hairtfydis caife* fent vp to your heynes, and to proceid aganis thame ac- 
cordinglie; wherin, we wer moft cairfull to haif gevin vnto your maieftie 
fatiffaetioun ; hot becaus we wantit the principall lettre whiche wes fub- 
fcryved be the lawyeris,f wherby we myght haif led a formall proces aganis 
thame, we haif fufferit that mater to reft, quhill it fall pleis your maieftie 
to caus the principall be fend doune, at whiche tyme we fall fo proceid 
in that mater, as we fall gif vnto your maieftie fatiffaclioun. We haif 
conferrit with fome three or foure of the principallis of the aduocatis, 
who feameth to mifknow the tennour of the lettre and wryte fend vp, fo 
that we could find no mater nor purpois wherupoun to challange thame. 
Thair hes bene a petitioun gevin in to your maiefteis counfaill be the 

Margaret Hartsyde or Hertsyde, spouse of John, afterwards Sir John Buchannan, was, 10th 
August 1608, convicted of stealing some of the jewels of Queen Anne, declared infamous, and 
banished to Orkney. See Pitcairn's Criminal Trials, vol. ii. p. 544. In December 1619, the King 
by his warrant ordered the declaration of infamy to be expunged from the record; at same time 
stating that she had been, " by the sinisterous information of certain of her vnfrends for the tyme, 
persewit criminallie." Balfour, in his Annals, says that the "courtiers talked" she was punished 
" for reuelling some of the Queen's secretts to the King, wich a wysse chalmbermaide wold not 
haue done." Annals, vol. ii. p. 26. 

t This letter has not been recovered. The " prelocutoures for the pannell" were Mr William 
Oliphant, afterwards Lord Advocate ; Mr, afterwards Sir Thomas Hope ; Mr Alexander King, an 
eminent advocate, who, however, according to Robert Johnstoun's account, Hist. Rerum Britt., 
folio, p. 231, usually bribed the judges with a portion of the fees he received from his clients ; and 
Mr John Russell ; Mr Robert Buchannane, minister at the Kirk of Ceres ; Mr William Buchan 
nan, minister at Methven. The two latter were probably relatives. 



148 



LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



burrowis, craving a reflrent to be maid of the tranfporting of burnecoill ; 
bot becaus findrie of your maiefteis liegeis hes gottin licenceis for tranf 
porting of coillis, in confideratioun of the great chargeis and expenflis 
whiche thay haif fuflenit, and daylie vndirlyis in wynning and vpholding 
of thair coilheuchis, we haif differred the anfuering of thair petitioun 
till the knowlege of your maiefteis pleafour, we being loath to quarrell 
your maiefteis licenceis without your maiefteis allowance. And fua, moil 
humelie recommending your facred maieftie, and all your royall progenye, 
to Godis divyne proteclioun, we reft 

Your Maiefteis moift humble and obedyent 
fubieclis and feruitouris, 



AL. CANCELL S . 
LOTHIANE. 
SANCHAR. 
ELPHINSTODN. 

18 Auguft 1608. 
To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. 



BLANTYRE. 

J. BALMERINOCH. 

Ross. 

JAMES HAY. 



LXXIX. THE REVEREND ROBERT DURIE TO KING JAMES VI. 
OCTOBER 21, 1608. 



PLEAS SOUR MAIESTIE, MOST DREAD SOVERANE, 

I have hard of lait that 3our maieftie hes conceaued a new 
offence againft me, be occafione of a fpeech which (as is reported) the 
Conferuatour hes fpoken to sour hienes of me, namelie, that I fuld hav 
faid to him, be way of traducing sour hienes, that 3our maieftie gave 
way to the rebellione in Irlande, to the end sour hienes mycht feem con- 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 149 

flraingned to grant toleration to the Papifles ; wherin, if he or any vther 
hes fo reported of me, both sour maieftie and I fuffer great wrong. If 
ther had been fuch curfed intentione in me as to traduce sour maieftie 
(which the fearcher of all heartes knawes wes and is fare fra my heart), 
it is not probable that I wald hav done it to fuch a perfone, who I knaw 
fo reverences and affedles gour maieftie, according to his bound dewtie. 
It is trew that, becaufe I wes in conference with me Lord Conferuitore, 
and having occafione to be among ftrangeres who wer talking of the 
overfight and places that Papiftes hes vnder 3our hienes, and remember 
ing how it wes fpokin of, that Papiftes had great credit, materes of 
Yrland wer not much regairded, and that the nomber of Romifhe Catho- 
lickes did greatlie growe, this, faid thay, apparentlie myght bring in libertie 
of Poprie, ather be neceffitie or be fome courfe of policie. Now, becaufe 
the Conferuator is one of 3our hienes councele, and myght fom tyme 
have occafione to fpeak a word in feafone to 3our hienes, how ftrangeres 
fcanfes of thinges that thay heir, and fo myght giv councele for remead- 
ing fuch thinges as any way myght feem to hinder the growth of 3our 
maiefties honorable and glorioufe eftimation among the godlie; theirfore, 
be way of information and report of the fpech of vtheris, I did report 
fecretlie, none being witnes betwix him and me hot God, what wes fpokin 
be vtheres, lyk as, if I had been in credit myfelf, and cowld have found 
convenient opportunitie at that tym, I wald have thoght it my dewtie to 
have craved pardone of 3our hienes, to have fpokin to 3our maieftie all 
that I fpak to the Conferuatour, lyk as fra my heart, I defire the increfe 
of 3our hienes good eftimation, and wald have everie thing removed that 
may hinder the growth of the famyne. In end, it wes fubjoyned, that I 
trufted the rebellione in Yrland fuld move sour maieftie to tak fuch 
ordour, that all thefe doubtes fuld be takin out of menes myndis. This, 
Sir, is the fimple trewth of that mater, and if ather the Conferuatour or 
any vther (yet, to my rememberance, I had na fpeech of fuch mater hot 
with him) hes fpokin vther wayfe, the thing I faid is far miftakin, and 
that which I reported as the fpeech of another, be way of information, 
is given out to sour maieftie in my nam, be way of affertione. Heerof 
it proceedes, that the thing done be me with a dewtifull and reverent affec- 



150 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

tione of heart toward 3our hienes, is imput to me as if I had traduced my 
lord the king, which God and men knawes my heart hes ever abhored to 
do to any, hot much mor to my foverane lord. Alwayfe, Sir, it will 
pleafe 3our maieftie to tak notice of the purpofe of my heart in this 
mater, as alfo of the circumftances in vttering my dewtifull affection to 
3our hienes eftimation, and what sour maieftie judges that I haue offendit 
in any circumftance in this mater, as I fhall wnderftand thairof, I will in 
all humilitie of heart acknawledg and crave pardone for the fame, per- 
fwaded that the trewth of that mater being knawin as it wes, sour ma 
ieftie will never imput it as any giltines to me, bot (according to my 
earneft defyre) freelie forgive whatsoever overfight that, throw my fim- 
plicitie and good intentione, may accidentlie have efchaped me heirin. 
Now, I befech the Lord to blife sour maiefties royale perfone and 
government, with 3our queen and princlie pofteritie, with all good blif- 
finges for this lyf, and that which is to come, and eftablifti 3our throne 
vnto the coming of our Lord in the cloudes, to fet all thinges in ordour, 
Amen. 

gour Maiefties loyall and faythfull fubje6l, humble 
fupplicant, and daylie oratoure, 

MR ROBERT DURIE.* 
Middelbrughe, the 21 of October 1608. 

Formerly Minister of Anstruther. He was one of the Ministers indicted for high treason in 
1606, and convicted by the management of the Earl of Dunbar. See Melros Papers, vol. i. p. 10, 
and M'Crie's Life of Melville, Edin. 1824, 8vo. vol. i. p. 119. After being imprisoned fourteen 
months in Blackness Castle, he was banished to France. Subsequently he became Minister at 
Ley den, and died there in the year 1616. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 151 



LXXX. THE REV. PATRICK SYMSONE TO KING JAMES VI. 
NOVEMBER 10, 1608. 

DREADE SOUERANE, 

The returning of fum of the commiflionares of the Generall 
Affemblie laitlie frome 3oure maieftie, togidder with thair reporte of 3our 
hienes gratious acceptatioun bothe of thame felfis and of thair commif- 
fion alfo, hes nocht onlie wrocht grite ioy in our hairtes, hot alfo hes in- 
curagit ws to prefent vnto 3our maieftie moft humbill and hairtie thankis 
for 3our hienes moft fauorable countenance, and gratious acceptatioun 
foirfaid. Becaus the gritteft bliffing that our hairtes could haif wifichit, 
wes to fie in our tyme one God trewlie worfchippit, one king dewtifullie 
feruit, one law reuerentlie obeyit, one faithe and religioun allanerlie, vn- 
fenzetlie profeffit within this realme, this bliffing (we fay), quhilk our 
hairtes fo earneftlie wifhit to fie throuche 3our maiefties gude inclinatioun 
to advance the trewthe of God, is liklie to attene to ane grittare mefour 
of perfeftioun then euer we could haif expecied in our dayes. Oure 
pairte falbe (Godwilling), by all humbill feruice, dewtifull obedience, 
and reuerent fubieclioun, to glaid the harte of our Souerane Lord, to 
the end 3our maieftie do nocht this worke with greif, bot with ioy and 
full contentment of mynd, and lykewyis with our eirneft fupplicationes 
to ftrenthen 3our maiefties handis, that poware may cum frome above to 
mak 3our hienes authoritie feirfull to all the profeffit enemies of Chriftis 
gofpell, bothe within and without the cuntrie. And albeit we could neuer 
as yit attene to the perfe6lioun of the beft forte of wyfe cheldrene, quha 
haif careit thame felfis fo dewtifullie toward thair father, that in all thair 
lyftyme thay haif nocht procured ane angrie looke of thair fatheris coun 
tenance, nor yet ane fcharpe ftrype frome thair fatheris handis, yit we 
fall indeuoir (God willing) to be in the fecund rank of wyfe cheldrene, 
quha walkis circumfpecUie and warlie, fering, frome thair hairtis, to gif 
iuft caus of offence to thair gratious and loving father. 3 our maieftie, 
according to 3our wounted clemencie, will pitie infirmitie in sour humbill 
feruandis, and punifhe proude malice in sour enemies, quha have pre- 



152 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

fumit (as we heare) to caft furthe, to the vew of the worlde, railing writ- 
tingis againft my Lord the King; hot the foule of. my Lorde the King 
fall be bounde in the boundell of lyf withe the Lorde thy God, and the 
foule of thy enemeis fall God caft out of the midle of ane fling, 1 Sam. 
25 ; quha difpyfes gouernament and ar prefumptuous, and ftand in thair 
awin conceate, and feare nocht to fpeake evill of thame that ar in au- 
thoritie, 2 Pet.; quhais cuftome alfo it is to ftand far af, to barke lyke 
doggis againft godlie princes, fearing to be beatine with the ftaff of 
lauchfull authoritie, gif they approche neare. Thairfoir, moft gratious 
fouerane, we humblie intreate sour maieftie to count this to be ane pece 
of the rebuke of Chrifte, quhilk fall purches to 3our hienes in this worlde 
ane fure and fteadfaft hous, and, in the worlde to cum, ane wecht of vn- 
fpeakable glorie, and fo muche the rather, nocht to tak fuche railing 
fpeches greuouflie, becaus the Lord hes maid 3our maieftie wyle, lyke 
ane angell of God, to knowe good and euill; and with the pithe of 
3our maiefties royall pen, to be als feirfull to all learned for ane aduer- 
fareis, as, by the ftrenthe of ane lauchfull and fattled authoritie, to dan- 
toun all inteftene and domeftike rebellis. Finallie, we humblie entreate 
3our maieftie to beare with our boldnes and rudenes as ane father dois 
with his awne babes, quha lykes better of the blobering fpeches of his 
awine cheldrene preceding frome love, then of all the painted eloquence 
of his haitfull enemeis. This, in all humbill maner wifhing to 3our ma 
ieftie long lyfe and ane profperous ringne, we ceafe to impefhe 3our ma 
iefties eares with farder wordes. 

3ur Maiefties humbill feruandis, the Brethrene 
of the Prefbiterie of Striuling, fubfcriuand 
be ane of thair nomber, at thair command. 

PATRIK SYMSONE.* 
Striuling, the tent day of Nouember 1608. 

To his Maieftie. 

Minister of Stirling. He wrote a History of the Christian Church, originally published at Edin 
burgh in 4to, by Andro Hart, and afterwards at London, 1624, folio. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 153 



LXXXL THE REV. JOHN HALL AND THE REV. PETER HEWATT 

TO KING JAMES VI. 

NOVEMBER 15, 1608. 

PLEASE YOUR MAJESTIE, 

After our former letters, our fupplication written in the favours 
of the town here, forae thing was done be them for your majefties con 
tentment, wherewith we thought good to acquent your highnes. They, 
perceiving your majefties difpleafure to arife upon their former election 
of a proveft, did haften to fome fpeedie remedie that their offer of amende- 
ment fhuld not be compted verball only, and have this day, the fifthtenth 
of this inftant November, made election of Sir John Arnot to be their 
proveft for the yeir to come. Whilk doing of theirs dois furnifh to us 
greater boldnes with your majeftie, and makis us with the greater earneft- 
nes to renew our former humble fute, that it may pleafe your majeftie 
accept of this amends, with our promife, in their name, of greater wari- 
nefle in all tyme cumming. It hes ever bene your majefties cuftome 
to gaine by clemencie, and recall offenders, gif their pertinacie did not 
thraw from your majefties hand rigour and extremitie. Upon this 
your majefties clemencie, wee reft in this particular, that, having to doe 
with them who are feared in any fort to incurre your majefties difpleafure, 
and whofe only frowning keepis them in fufficient aw, there may be, in 
fteid of your majefties hatred or anger toward them (where at their un 
friends wald rejoice), a continuance of your majefties woonted love and 
favour. Thus, craving pardon for our boldnea, we humblie tak our leave. 

Your Majefties moft humble and obedient fubjecls, 

Jo. HALL. 
MR P. HEWATT. 
Edinburgh, 15 November 1608. 

To the Kings moft excellent Majeftie. 



154 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



LXXXII. THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 
DECEMBER 2, 1608. 



MAIST SACRED SOUERAINE, 

Following to my powar your maiefteis princelie intentioun, and 
the good exemple we had of your hienes, when the licht of your prefence 
and wifdome was heir fchyning amongs ws, for tryall off thir wild mour- 
thouris of the Laird of Cuilzeane, Tutour of Caflills, and Williame Dar- 
rumple, parfewit be the Erie off Caflills aganis the Lairdis off Achin- 
draine, eldar and youngar, I have bene cairfull to vfe all the moyanes 
our lawis and pra6lique wald permitt me, at the pairteis defire. This 
laft oulke, with my Lord Archebifchope off St Androis, the Juftice 
Clerk, Priuie Seall, Lord Whittinghame, Sir Jhone Arnote, and your 
maiefteis aduocat, I examinat diuers dayes baithe the lairdes, and fome 
other witneflis, wpon interrogatouris werie pertinent to the triall of the 
purpois, whilk war alwayes impertinent to truble your maieflie withall. 
We find thame obftinatlie refolwed to denye all micht ather concerne 
the fact, or ony thing micht giff licht to mak thame guiltie thairoff. Bot 
thair anfuers ar fie, and the yioung laird in fie contrarietie with his 
formar depofitiounes in principall poynts, and fie contrarieties betuix the 
father and the fone in werie materiall poynts, as the faids anfwers in our 
examinatioun weyed with thair going to the home, when thai war firfl 
challenged for the crime, thair daylie intercoumoning with thair man 
Ballentyne, who hes tayne the cryme on him, and is fugitive thairfoir, and 
with innumerable other circumflances, maid ws all to think in our con- 
fciences thaj war baithe guiltie. Notwithftanding whereof, knowing par- 
fytelie giff thaj had prefentlie bene putt to ane aflife, wpon thair awin 
denyall thaj wald haif bene clenged, be aduyfe off fecret counfall, I hawe 
continowed the day off law to Februar nixt, to tak farder inquifitioun 
in this mid tyme, and to have farder aduerteifment from your facred 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 155 

maieftie whow to proceed in that mater, or giff it be your hienes will the 
juftice be ordoned to proceed to onye extraordinar forme in triall of theefe 
fadlis, feing thaj carie fie extraordinar and barbarous example, the lad 
being the murthour off ane pure boy, onlye to cover the guiltines of the 
firft murthour of the tutour of Caffills, fie a blood as may continowallie 
crye to heaven aganis the haill land, till it be purged. The criminalls 
ar ftill keped in waird. The crime off the awin nature is be act of Par 
liament trafoun, murthour onder truft. 

Heirin attending your maifl gracious maiefteis prencelie ordonance and 
commandements, praying for all felicitie to your highnes in a long and 
profperous regnne, fwa reflis 

Your facred Maiefties maifl humbill and obedient 
fubiecT; and feruitour, 

DUNFERMELYNE. 

Edenburght, 2d December 1608. 
To the King his maifl excellent Maieftie. 



LXXXIII THE EARL OF CASSILLIS TO KING JAMES VI. 

DECEMBER 3, 1608. 

MAIST SACREED SOUERANE, 

It may pleis your gratious maieftie, I haue taikin this bauld- 
nes, vpone the farder tryall of the trechrous murthouris of my vncle, the 
Laird of Culzeaine, and of the boy quha careit the lettir of his dyett, 
committit be the Laird of Auchindraine and his fonne, and now farder 
cleirit be the greit paine and cayr of my Lord Chancelare, quha hes 
broicht thame to fik contrarietie in thair depofitionis, that all indifferent 



156 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

men may be perfwadit off thair guyltines of baith thais murthouris, not- 
withftanding quhairof thaj ftill continew in ane denyall. I wald maid 
humelie befeik your maieftie, that it may be your maiefteis gracious 
plefoure to graunt ane warrand to the chancelar and counfall of Scot 
land to putt thame to the buittis, quhairthrow thaj may be broicht to the 
mair evident confeffioun. So, maift hartlie vyfling your maiefteis lang 
profperitie and happines for euer, I remane 

Your Maiefteis maift humbill feruant 
and fuiec~l, 

CASSILLIS. 

Edinburgh, the thrid of December 1608. 
To the King his maift excellent Maieftie. 



LXXXIV LORD BLANTYRE TO KING JAMES VI. 

DECEMBER 17, 1608. 



MAY IT PLEIS SOUR MOST GRATIOUS MAIESTIE, 

To lett my feiknes thir tuentie dayis excuife maift humlie to 
3our hienes my lang delay in acquenting 3our maieftie with that, quhilk, 
I perfwade me, is cum or now to 3our moft facred earis, how haifing be 
3our maiefteis moft loving and gratious aduife, endit with 3our maiefteis 
coufing the Erie of Athole anent his erldome, in prefence of his neareft 
and beft affedled freindis to the Handing of that houfe, and with thair 
approbatioun and allowance, as the minut of our appointment fent to 
3our hienes truftie counfalour and fecretar, Sir Alex' Hay, will mair at 
lenth informe sour maieftie, he notwithstanding, vpone the xxvij day of 
November laft, retired him fra my companie to the Maifter of Tullibardin, 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 157 

the Laird of Graunt, and Mr James Stewart, commiffar of Dunkeld, all 
tryfled togidder to meit him quietlie at Sterling, and to tranfport him, as 
thay haif done, to the boundis of Athole, thair to difturbe the peciabill 
and quiett eftait, quhilk be 3our maiefteis commiffioun we haid fattled 
in thais pairtis, and to vndoo, gif it culd ly in him, quhat is perfytted and 
concludit betuix him and me with his faid freindis aduife, leaving me in 
the mean tyme ingadgit for him in mair nor fourtie thowfand markis 
vpone the foirend of our bargane. In this defeing, quhat wrang is done 
to 3our maieftie 3our hienes will eaflelie confidder, gif it may pleis 3ow 
to be rememberit, how, quhen it pleafed 3our maieftie, out of 3our 
gracious cair to that sour couiingis weill, to frie him of his ftraiteft waird, 
and to fend for him, and honour him with 3our gracious prefence at 
Quhythall, 3our maiefteis pleafour at that tyme was to deliuer him to me 
befoir 3our hienes darreft and moft faithfull coufingis, the Duke of Len 
nox and the Erie of Dumbar, and to confyne him in my company till 
3our maieftie fould quiett his eftait, commanding him in the mean tyme 
to gif me his hand in pledge, that he fould not efcape till he wer fred be 
expres warrand from 3our maieftie ; and how I, at that time conceating 
that quhilk is fallin out, maift humlie prayed 3our maieftie to tak his 
hand 3our felff to that effecl, for he mycht brek to me, hot he wald be 
advyfit or he did fo to 3our maieftie, quhilk 3our hienes was pleafed to 
do accordinglie, with ane affurance to him, that as 3our maieftie had 
bene moft gracious and fauorabill to him heirtofoir, and fo was myndit 
to continew, gif he wald follow and relie to 3our advife and counfale in 
his turnis, and keip him quiett in my companie, fa gif he meanit to efcape 
at ony tyme without 3our hienes preuitie and warrand, 3our maieftie wald 
leave him to him felff, and lett 30ur lawis haif courfe and executioun 
aganis him, quhilk, be a folempne aith, he fwore befoir 3our maieftie 
neuer to incur be that occafioun. This I beleving to be fo fuire a band 
as neidit no attendance on him for his keiping, was content to lett him 
ryde or go vpone his word quhair he thocht meit ; lykas vpone the foir- 
faid day, requiring leave of me to ga to Glafgow for his paftyme, imbra- 
ceit that occafioun to keip his tryft at Sterling, and to accumpanie his 
tryfteris thairfra toward Athole, pretending to the warld for his excuife 



158 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

3our maiefteis warrand and allowance for that courfe, cairles in the 
meantyme baith of his honour, ingadgit be his aith and hand to 3our 
maieftie to the contrair, and of his dewtie to myfelff, quhome for his 
honorabill and freindlie vfage thir twa geiris bigane in my cumpanie, he 
myndis to requyte with ane vndouted wrak to me and myne, except 
3our hienes interpone sour prefent help for our releiff. Maift humlie 
thairfore befeiking 3our mod gratious maieftie to lett this dowbill wrang 
done to 3our hienes be that man and his intyferis to this courfe be re- 
commendit in a fpeciall maner to 3our maiefteis counfall heir, defyring 
thame to tak fick fcharpe and fpedie ordour for the repairing thairof, 
as 3our maieftie may find thame to refpecT; it according to 3our intereft, 
and as 3our maiefteis awin caufe ; and, in the meintyme, to direct thair 
chairges to his convoy for his reprefenting befoir thame, and, failzeing 
thairof, to enter thair awin perfonis in feuerall wairdis till he be repre- 
fented ; quhairin 3our maieftie fall baith mak thair attempt in this a 
terrour to all vtheris to abufe 3our facred prefence to fie lurnis in tyme 
cuming, and mak the commoun benefite of 3our hienes lawis effectuall 
for my releif of the great debt and troubill quhairin I haif involuit me for 
his occafioun. Hoiping for 3our maiefteis maift gracious and fpedie 
anfwer, maift humlie I tak my leiff, befeiking God to fend 3our maieftie 
moft profperous and mony dayis, and ane happie regne, 

5our Maiefteis maift humbill fubjecl 
and fervitour, 

BLANTYRE.* 

Edinburgh, the xvij of December 1608. 

To the King his moft facred Maieftie. 

Walter Stewart, the only son of the second marriage between Sir John Stewart of Minto and 
Margaret Stewart, daughter of James Stewart of Cardonald. He was bred up along with James 
VI. under Buchanan, and was much favoured by that monarch, from whom he obtained the priory 
of Blantyre. He held various high appointments, and on 10th June 1606 was created Lord Blan- 
tyre. Carmichael's Tracts on the Peerage, p. 28. He died 8th March 1617. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 159 



LXXXV THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VI. 

FEBRUARY 16, 1609. 



MOST GRATIOUS AND SACRED SOUERANE, 

We haif reffaued, to oure exceiding grite conforte, that decreit 
and fentence gevin in fauouris of the Lord Coluillis oy,* in the quef- 
tioun and fubiecl of Poft Nati, agitat thair befoir the reuerend and 
learned iudgeis of that land, wherin, with all dew reuerence and moft 
humble thankis, we acknowlege oure felffis infmitelie bundin to your 
facred maieftie for that gratious, refpe&ive, and confortable confidera- 
tioun and rememberance whilk your maieftie hes of ws, and of euerie 
thing whilk may importe the honnour, credite, and public! goode of this 
your maiefteis antient kingdome ; wherof, as we haif daylie innumerable 
prooffis, and moft lyvelie experienceis, fo this lait fentence, whilk no doubt 
hes had the concurrence of your maiefteis moft rair and excellent iudge- 
ment, is moir nor fufficient to affure ws, with what tender cair and faderlie 
confideratioun your maieftie doeth affe6l ws. We haif delyuerit that fen 
tence and decreit to the Clerk of Regifter, to be putt be him in your heynes 
regifter, thair to remane as a recoird and memorie to the pofteriteis of 

James, second Lord Colvill of Culross, who succeeded his grandfather, the first Lord, in 1620. 
He was born probably after the accession of James to the throne of England, by which means, 
according to the decision of the judges, as one of the Postnati, he became entitled to the privileges 
of a natural-born Englishman. His Lordship having died without issue, in the year 1620, the title, 
in consequence of a remainder to the heirs-male whatsoever of the patentee, devolved on John 
Colvill, nephew to the first Lord, but who never assumed it, and it remained dormant until, by a 
resolution of the House of Peers, it was resolved, 27th May 1723, that " John, Lord Colvill of 
Culross, is entitled to the honour and dignity of Lord Colvill of Culross, and ought to be placed in 
the list or roll of peers, according to the date of the patent creating Sir James Colvill a peer, 
20th January 1609." Robertson's Proceedings, p. 115. 



160 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS. 

your maiefteis benignitie, and vnfpeakable affeclioun borne to this eftate. 
And fua, mod humelie praying God ftill to manteyne and preferve your 
maieftie, with all your royall progenye, in all happynes and felicitie, we 
reft for ever 

Your Maiefteis moft humble and obedyent 
fubiectis and feruitouris, 

AL. CANCELL S . A. MAR. 

LOTHIANE. A. L. WCHILTRIE. 

P. ROLLOK. HALYRUDHOUS. 

CRAFORD. 

Edenburgh, 16 February 1609. 
To the Kingis moft excellent Maieftie. 



LXXXVI.THE EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. 
FEBRUARY 16, 1609. 



PLEIS SOUR SACRIDE MAIESTIE, 

Efter I had kiflit the Frenche king his hand, at the defyre of 
fum Catholicques heir, I went to fie the Poipis Nunce, and becaus 3our 
hienes ambaffadour (quha difcharges ane faithfull and honorable dewtie 
to jour maieftie) had gottin intelligence by my knawledge, of fum 
fpeicheis that paft betuix the Nunce and me concerning sour maieftie, 
he thocht it expedient to fet doun the fame be letter. Bot becaus it war 
langfum to trobill sour princlie caires with fo prolixt ane frivolous pur- 
pois, I have writtin the fame in ane letter to Sir Alexander Hay, jour 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 161 

maiefteis fecretair, to the effect that, gif sour maieftie pleiffis, 3e may at 
ony iydill hour reid the fame ; for befyd that I am 3our maiefteis fubiect, 
the greit clemencie and favour I have refauit by vtheris at 3our hienes 
handis, hes mair nor oblefit me to manteane 3our maiefteis honour and 
reputatioun, at all tymes quhen occafioun prefentis, quhairof, Godwill- 
ing, I fall never be forgetfull. So, praying God to grant 3our maieftie 
aboiff ws ane lang and profperous regne, I humelie kifs 3our hienes hand. 
I reft for ever 

3our Maiefties heumbill and faythfull fubiedl, 

ERLL OF ANGUSS.* 
Pareis, this xvi. of February 1609. 



LXXXVII. THE LAIRD OF EDZELL TO KING JAMES VI. 
MARCH 30, 1609. 



MAIST SACRED SOVERANE, 

It may pleife your maieftie, being advertefit that the Erlle of Craw- 
furdf hes fent copyifs to your hienes of certane lettres wrettin be me to my 
fone, and recoverit be him within the howfe of Auchmwll, quhair my fone 
was wont to dwell, quhilkis informis, it was my will and command to flaye 

His Lordship was, in July 1608, ordained to be excommunicated by the General Assembly. 
He had remained a prisoner in Glasgow for some time previously. Finding he could get no peace 
in his native country, he obtained leave from the King to retire to France. 

t David, eleventh Earl, served heir to his father, 28th June 1608. His improvident conduct and 
dissolute courses are noticed by Sir Thomas Hamilton (afterwards Earl of Metros and Haddington), 
in a letter to the King. Melros Papers, p. 97. 

X 



162 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

the wmquhile Lord of Spynie,* and fa platter and contriver of that onhap- 
pye and wyilld flachter, thinking thairbye to awert your maiefteis woontit 
fawor from me, and to difgrace me at the handis of all honeft men, I 
hawe chofine and prefumit to tak the hardiment, humblye to pray your 
hienefs nocht to giwe credit to any copye of anye lettre coming from the 
handis of my enemyifs, wnto the tyme the principall be tryit to be wrettin, 
fubfcriwit, or direclit be my felf; for I proteft in prefence [of] God, I 
newer had anye fick innaturall and ongodlye interpryife in my heart, mekle 
lefs direclit the doing thairof. And to mak this mair manifefl to all the 
world, I hawe intentit improbatioune, that all liwing may know howe in- 
juftlye I am vfit be the Erlle of Crawfwrd, and howe he quha was the 
beginner of all thir trowblis, be the murder of my wmquhill brother, Sir 
Walter, onder traift, wald nowe eik craft to his crueltes, and in place of 
repentance, be fals calumnyes wald alfo bereawe me of my fame and lyiff ; 
albeit, I hawe ewer beine, and yit am, maift willing to abyd all ordinar 
tryell of lawe. Farther, I moft alfo regrait that the faid Erlle being 
laitlve at cowrt, hes privelye obtinit ane commiffione wnto ane numer of 
his rioterifs and dependeris for ferching of my fone, and onder colour 
thairof, hes intentit nocht onlye to fureprife my houfe of Edsell, quhair 
my haill ewidentis, and of vther freindis, yit remanis, bot alfo to berawe 
me of my lyiff within my awin Iwdging in Edinburgh, and to the effect foir- 
faid, wearifs daylie piftolettis and hagbwttis, prohibitit be your maiefteis 
adlis, alledging ewer they ar feeking rebellis. For remaid quhairof, and 
my awin fecuritie, in refpect of the reafonis foirfaidis, fpecialye becaufe 
your maiefteis honorabill Priwye Counfell hes alreadye grantit ane verie 
ample commiffion, excepting onlye my howfe of Ed3ell, within the quhilk 

The first Lord Spynie was, in July 1607, slain by Sir David Lindsay on the streets of Edin 
burgh, in attempting to interfere between the Earl of Crawford and Sir David, the latter of whom 
was desirous of avenging the murder of his kinsman, Sir Walter Lindsay, who had been assassinated 
by the Earl. Lord Spynie's death was generally supposed accidental, and is so stated by the writers 
of the time; but if Lord Crawford's accusation is to be believed, it was the result of design. Con 
sidering the character of Crawford, however, it is much more likely that the alleged letters were 
fabrications of his own, the forgery and falsification of writings being then by no means uncommon. 
Indeed, it is with reluctance we are compelled to admit, that the Scotish noblemen of that period, 
with some few exceptions, were utterly devoid of moral principle, and provided they attained their 
object, cared little as to the means employed. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 163 

I hawe fwnd cautione nocht to recept my fone, nor anye of theife rebellis, 
onder the paine of ten thowfant merkis toties quoties, I will maid humilye 
praye your maieftie to dire6l ane warrant to your hienefs Priwye Coun- 
fell of this cowntrie, to fufpend the laft priwatlye obtinit commifiione, as 
your maieftie wilhawe me free of that fchaddowe, be the quhilk, my onde- 
feruit enemye crawls my lyiff and land ; for vtherwayis the counfell, for the 
reverence they carye to that commiffione feynged by your hienefs, will 
nocht mell thairwith. Hoping for your maiefties woontit proteclione, 
nowe fa mekle the rather that I am fo onkyndlie, onnaturalye, and with- 
owt deferwing, trwblit be that howfe, of the quhilk ewer of aid, nocht 
onknawin to your maieftie, in thair trowblifs I hawe fa weill meritit, 
vtherwayis, yf I fand nocht fecuritie hier, I wilbe forcit, altho be fea, in- 
refpecl of my aidge and inhabilitie, vpon my knees to beg the faming at 
your heichnefs felf. Thws maift humblye kiffing your hienefs handis, 
and praying the Eternall lang to preferwe your maieftie and royall pro- 
genie, I reft ewer 

Your facred Maiefteis maift humble and obedient 
fubiecl and fervitour, 

ED3ELL. 

Edinburgh, 1609, penult Martij. 
To the King his Maieftie. 



LXXXVIII. THE REVEREND PATRICK SYMSONE TO THE COMMISSIONERS 

OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. 

APEIL 3, 1609. 

RYCHT REVEREND BRETHBING IN CHRIST JESUS, 

I dowbt nocht hot 36 will haiwe my abfence from this prefent 
meitting excuifit, in regaird of my infirmetie, 3ttt I thocht meitt in this 
few lynis by wrett, to acquent 3our w[orfchippis] with the behaviour of 
my Lord Marques of Huntlie fence the counfall day, hauldin at Sterling 
the xxiij. of Marche laft bypaft, viz.; my Lord Marques fend for me, 
and confarrit in modeft and quyat maner with me anent the heidis of 



164 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

religioun, contravertit betuix ws and the Romane kirk. Quhat I haiwe 
obtenit be conference, it is to fchort a tyme to mak ane perfyte rekening 
to 3our worfchippis. Alwayis, the firfl fruittis 36 fall pleife to reflaiwe, 
fubfcryvit be his lordfchippis handwrett, anent the heid of juftificatioun, 
and tak fuitche wyfe confideratioun thairanent, as sour worfchippis fall 
think expedient, and inftrucl me by 3our returnit anfuer with 30111 beft 
advyfe. Forder, his lordfchip hes beine content to heare the word 
preatchit be me in the caftell of Sterling, his lady, childring, and fer- 
wandis, alfo being prefent, except ane lady quhome infirmetie with wery 
neir approching hir birth did excuife. Alfo, his lordfchip is content (al 
ways licience being purcheffit from his maiefteis honorable counfale by 
3our interceflioun) to cum downe to the towne of Sterling, and to heare 
the word preatchit thair, quhilk appeirandlie falbe greatter proffeit to his 
lordfchip, les panis till ws, and greitter contentment to the pepill. His 
lordfchip alfo is in guid efperance, and hoip to haiwe the greittar mitiga- 
tioun of the feveretie and rigour to be vfit aganis his lordfchip, the neirar 
that he approitchis to imbraice that weretie of Chrift, quhilk is profeffit 
in this land, and preatchit and allowit be the lawis of oure cuntrey; and 
in this poynte, I will intreate 3our worfchippis that thair may be fum 
lytill prorogatioun of tyme, until 3our worfchippis fie quhat farder fruittis 
may be reapit of this begun conference, and heiring of the word foirfaid. 
Nocht willing to truble 3our worfchippis with forder, committis 3ow and 
3owre trawellis to the bliffing of the Almichtie. From Sterling, the thrid 
day of Apryle 1609. 

3our brother to command in Chrift, 

P. SYMSONE. 

The articles fubfcrived by my Lord Marques war penned be me, and 
fubfcriued be his lordfchip efter deliberatione. 

To the rycht reverend in Chrift Jefus, 
the Commifilonaris of the Generall 
Aflemblie convenit at Edinburghe, 
&c. &c. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 165 



LXXXIX THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VI. 
MAY 16, 1609. 



MOST GRATIOOS AND SACRED SOUERANE, 

The continuall and importune complayntis, fra tyme to tyme 
exhibited vnto ws by your maiefteis poore diftreffit fubiect, Thomas 
Hendirfoun, and the confideratioun of the grite iniquitie committit vpoun 
him, vnder the name and authoritie of the King of Spayne (with whome 
your facred maieftie at that tyme, and as yitt, holdeth firme amitie and 
freindfchip), doeth not a litle greve ws; for he being in his lauchfull trade 
of mercheandice, within the dominionis of the faid king, in the * 

yeare of God, whair he expelled not onlie a peceable commerce, traf- 
ficque, and intercourfe of his goodis, bot fuche other officious dewyties 
of kyndnes and freindfchip as ar vfuall to lauchfull trafficquaris : nocht- 
withftanding, his fchip and goodis wer feafit vpoun be force, and him felff 
committed to the gallayes, quhill he wes conftrained to ferve, and after 
foure yearis feruice vnder the faid king, his fchip and moft pairt of his 
equippage wer caffin away and perifhed, to his vther miferie and vndoing : 
wherin, althocht fome determinatioun hes bene tane be the faid kingis 
officiaris, the value of his fchip and goodis proportioned and fett doun, 
the tymes of his feruice accompted and rated, and his whole caus pro- 
miffed to be putt to ane end, and dew redres and fatiffaclioun accord- 
inglie to be maid, yitt litle or no redres is maid at all, bot fuche fchifting 
delay is vfed in this bufynes, by thofe who hes the charge thairof, as is 
not agreable with confcience, equitie, nor juftice, nor with the honnour, 
credite, and reputatioun of thair placeis, whairthrow your maiefteis poore 
fubie6l, after lang attendance, without hoip or appeirance of redres, is 
returnit, having fpent and confumed vpoun the perfute of this bufynes, 
alfmuche, and moir nor the valu of his fchip and goodis extendit to, and 

Sic. 



166 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

is now reduceit to extreame miferye, having the charge and burdyne of 
a wyffe and a nvmerous familie, and houfhald of young childrene, whofe 
caife is to be pityed, that being fometymes in goode rank, and amangs 
the cheif and bed of this towne, and one of the firft marcheant ventu- 
raris in this your maiefleis kingdome, is now deieclit and vndone, not 
having fufficient mantenance for his poore houlholde and familye. Vpoun 
confideratioun whairof, we haif tane the bouldnes, in all reuerence to re 
commend him vnto your facred maieftie, and humelie to intreate your 
heynes to caus propone this mater to the Spanifhe ambaffadour thair re- 
fident, laying befoir him the grite iniquitie committed vpoun your ma 
iefteis faid fubiecl within the tyme of peace, the difdanefull fchifting of 
him fra hand to hand with continuall delayis, importing in effecl, ane 
plane refufall and denyall of juftice, and that thairfoir the faid ambaffa 
dour may be moved to tak fome courfe, how your maiefteis diftreffit fub- 
ie6l may be redreffit, alfweele of his loffis, as of the chargeis and expenffis 
fuftenit be him, in perfute thairof. Bot heirin fubmitting oure limple 
and waik opinioun, and what forder your maieftie thinkis meete to be done 
in this mater, vnto your heynes moft rair and excellent Judgement, and 
humelie craving your maiefteis pardoun for our prefumptioun, we end 
with oure humble and hairty prayeris to God, to preferue your heynes 
and your royall progenye in helth and felicitie. Frome your maiefteis 
burgh of Edinburgh, the xvi. day of May 1609. 

Your Maiefteis moft humble and obedyent 
fubie&is and feruitouris, 



AL. CANCELL S . HALYRUDHOUS. 

ROSS. J. TORPHECHIN. 

DOUMBAR. WlNTOUN. 

Jo. PRESTOUN. PERTHE. 

To the King his moft facred and excellent 
Maieftie, &c. &c. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 157 



XC.WILLIAM FULLARTOUN OF THAT ILK TO KING JAMES VI. 

MOST GRACIOUS AND SACRED SOUERAYNE, 

The confortable rememberance and experience of 3our maiefteis 
moft gratious fauour at all tymes towardis me, and the confideratioun of 
3our facred maiefteis naturall inclinatioun and religious difpofitioun to 
abhor and deteift iniquitie and wrong, in all degreis and rankes of per- 
founes, hes maid me 3our hwmble and diilreft fubiedl, bauld in this my 
calamitie, to have my recourfe vnto sour facred maieftie, and in all fub- 
miffioun and humilitie to crave 3our maiefteis proteclioun aganis the 
malice and iniurie of my Lord Erie of Craufurde, who, being vnmyndfull 
of the mony guid offices done be me to his vmquhile father, in whofe 
fervice I fpent about fourtie 3eiris of my aige, befyd mony guid offices 
and fervice done be me to him felff, baith befoir his fatheris deceife and 
fenfyne,* lykas I inftantlie ftand ingadged for gryt fowmes of money as 
cautioner for him, and fowmes of money of my awin particularlie lent to 
him, 3itt he hes, without ony caufe or occafioun, confaved fo heigh a 
difpleafour aganis me, as no thing can content him bot my lyfe, whiche 
he hes focht at the vttirmoft of his poffibilitie ; lyke as now laitlie in this 
laft moneth of Oclober, I being ryding out of 3our maiefteis toun of 
Dundie, in peceable and quyet maner, luiking for no harme, he, accom- 
panyed with the number of tuenty horfe with hagbuittis, piftollettis, and 
fwordis, fett on me, chaifiit and perfewit me to the faid toun, and throch 
the toun to the mercat crofs, fchott and difchairgit piftollettis at me, 
and miffing me, hes fchott ane gentill man callit Gedeon Guthrie, in the 
body, and the bullet ftikking in his bodie, and can not be gottin out as 
3it, to the gryt parrell of his lyfe, fwa that thair is no refidence for me 



David, tenth Earl of Crawford, died 22d November 1607, and was succeeded by his son, 
David, the eleventh Earl, one of the most unprincipled noblemen of his time (see pages 161, 162), 
who dying in 1621, the earldom devolved on Henry, the next heir-male. 



168 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

at my awin home, nor in na pairt of the cuntrie, hot with the extreame 
hazerd and perrell of my lyfe. In confideratioun whairof, I moft humblie 
befeik 3our facred maieftie to recommend my diftreft eftait and condi- 
tioun to the lordis of 3our maiefleis Previe Counfale, and fpecialie to my 
Lord Chancellar, willing thame to tak fuche ordour thairin as in furetie 
I may inioy the benefeit of our maiefleis peax, and be fecured from the 
malice and iniurie of the faid Erie of Craufurde, and incaife I can not 
find fufficient furetie heir, I will be compellit now, in my auld aige, to re 
pair toward 3our facred maieftie for my releif. And fua, humelie crave- 
ing pardoun of sour facred maieftie for this my prefumptioun, and with 
my humble prayeris vnto God, recommending 3our facred maieftie, with 
all 3our royall progenie, vnto his devyne and fatherlie proteclioun, I reft 
for euer 



Maiefteis moft humble and obedient 
fubie6l and fervitour, 



WM. FuLLARTOUN 

Of that Ilk. 



[No date.] 

To the King his moft facred and 
excellent Maieftie. 



XCI THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. : 
JULY 5, 1609. 

MAIST SACRED SOUERANE, 

I have noe forder for the prefent to aduerteis your highnes con 
cerning the eftaitt of this your majefties kingdom e, bot that this laft 






OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 169 

counfall daye, the 6 of this monethe, the Erie of Ergylle caufled prefent 
the heades of twa notable malefadlours in the Hielands, whoe had done 
manye ewill turnes and wrangis thir yeares bygayne. I fpair to truble 
yiour highnes with thair onpleafand, onworthie, and ongodlie naymes, hot 
I have written the fame to Sir Alexander Haye. I think my felfe alfo 
bound in dewtie to teftifie to your majeftie the great contentment and 
fatiffaclioun your highnes twa chaplaynes, Doclor Goodwin and Dodlor 
Milwaird, hes gevin to all this cuntrie in thair dodlrine, boithe in learn 
ing, eloquence, and godlines. Wee may weill all commend and admire 
thame, hot wee have ower few to follow or imitate thame. Alwayes we 
hawe all obligatioun of thankes vnto yiour facred majeftie, for directing 
at tymes fie of yiour ferwands heir to latt yiour highnes fubjects in this 
kingdome (who leiwes and profeffis that fame eftaitt and lyiff) haiff fome 
taifte and effaye what courfe thaj fould follow, what ground thaj fould 
kepe, and how thaj fould difcharge thair dewtie beft in thair vocatioun ; 
for I feir indeid thair be toe manye off ours heir that braggs toe mutche 
of thair vocatioun, and knowes toe lytle what belonges thairtoe. It may 
be feyne your maift gracious majeftie omittis naa convenient moyen to 
draw and allure thame to the richt waye. 

I have red owir, and pervfed yiour facred majefties booke laitlie come 
to licht,* and worthie of ewirlafting licht, all wifdome, all docTrine, all 
courteffie, all godlines, policie, and ciuilitie, fchynes in the fame. 

I remember it is abowe 25 yeares fince I concludit ane epigrame vnto 
yiour facred majeftie, with this diftitche, when yiour highnes was than 
begynning with your poefies, 

Ma6le animo, Rex, ifta tuum genus, ifta decebat 
Laus, famam geftis qua?rere, et ingenijs. 

I entered than, being young my felfe, in that opinioun off yiour maiefties 
valour be theefe premices of your tender fpreit, whereoff I hawe parfawed 
fenfyne fie ftrenthe and vigour aryfe, boithe in aclioun and fpeculatioun, 

Could this book be " Triplici nodo, triplex cuneus : Or an Apologie for the Oath of Alle 
giance," &c. of which the first edition appeared in 1607, and the second in 1609? 



170 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

, 

as I am to my great contentment conformed in my awin poeticall diuina- 
tioun, and hopes in my auld dayes to onderftand the haill warld fhall 
admire and reverence the fame. Sua, praying the Eternall God lang 
to preferwe yiour majeftie in all healthe and profperitie, I end this pre- 
fent with the maift humbill kifs of yiour facred hand, continowing ftill to 
my lyfes end 

Your maift facred Maiefties maift humbill 
and obedient fubject and feruitour, 

DUNFERMELJNE. 

Edinburgh!, 8th Julij 1609. 



XCII JANE STEWART TO KING JAMES VI. 

AUGUST 3, 1609. 

SIR, 

I humblie crawes 3our maieftie gratious fauour and pardoun, 
that I haif tane the bauldnes to lament my hard eftait, having my loving 
hufband tane frome me, and left with tuelf bairnes, lyttill rent to leiwe 
vpone, and burdenit with gret debt, that it may pleis 3our maieftie to 
remember of my umquhile hufbandis faithfull feruice wnto sour maieftie, 
and of 3our gratious countenance toward me at all tymes. It pleafit 
3our maieftie to be euer fauorabill wnto my hufband, and to releyue 
him of the debt contra6lit for my brother, quhilk releyuit no debt of his 
awin, hot left him in debt boith in Ingland and Scotland. Sir, I haif 
3oung weimen reddy to marie, and 3our maiefteis fervand my douchter, 
Margratt, is marreit not without ane burden to me and my fone. Humblie 
recommending my eftait wnto sour maiefteis gratious fauour and helpe, 
and 3our guid anfueir, quhairin my onlye confort reftis vndir God : maift 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 171 

humblie kyfiing sour maiefteis hand, I tak my leiff, praying the Eternall 
to grant sour maieflie monye happie and long dayis, 

Be gour Maiefteis maifl humble and obedient 
fervand, 

JAIN STEWART. 
Pitcarlye, the 3d of Auguft 1609. 

To the Kingis moll excellent Maieftie 
of Gret Brytane. 



XCIII THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO KING JAMES VI. 

AUGUST 12, 1609. 

MAIST SACRED SOUERANE, 

It pleafed yiour majeftie, be yiour prencelie and fauorable letter, 
to recommend vnto me to concurre with the Erie of Doumbar in fetting 
furthe off yiour highnes ferwice in this kingdome in all fie dire&iouns as 
your maieftie had gevin to the faid Erie, quhilk gevis me the occafioun 
to tak the bauldnes to vritte thir few lynes vnto yiour maifl gracious 
maieflie at this tyme. Your highnes dire6liounes firfl to the conventioun 
haldin in Januar laft, nixt to our lafl feffioun of parliament, and dyvers 
tymes to your fecreit counfall, war fwa wyfe, fwa worthie, and fwa eui- 
dentlie fett doun for the weill and wealthe of this eflaitt, as nather myne 
nor naa particular mannis concurfe could be requifite to adwance or pro 
cure the fame to be imbraiced. Naa good fubiec~l, nor weill affecled to 
his cuntrie, could vtherwyfe doe, nor acknawledge himfelfe in hiechefl 
degrie oblifched vnto yiour maieftie for your prencelie cair, in failing fwa 
good ordours and policie amongs ws. To this joyned the faid Earle of 
Doumbar, his dexteritie in vfing the faidis directiounes, in gewing all 
honefl men dew fatiffaclioun in all fie doubtis as micht aryfe concerning 
the faidis direciiounes, and alwayes making all men cleirlie refolwed of 
yiour facred maiefteis conflant, continowall, intere, and zealous affedtioun 



172 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

to the weele of this kingdome, and to ewirie man in particular, accord 
ing to his rank, merites, and plaice, maide me werie lytle adoe, and my 
burding werie licht in your maiefteis ferwice at this tyme, and far infe- 
riour to fie notice and acknowledgement as hes pleafed your maieftie 
geive me be your letter for my goodwill, in ftudeing to bring your prence- 
lie and royall defieyngs to dew fuccefs and accompleifchement. 

Befides all other notable good ferwice, whilk this noble man, the Erie 
of Doumbar, hes done vnto your maieftie, my dewtie in my plaice vnder 
your highnes heir bindes me to fignifie this vnto yiow, that he hes had 
fpeciall cair to reprel's, baithe in the incountrie and on the Bordours, 
the infolence of all the proud bangifters, oppreffours, and nembroithis,* 
but regaird or refpecl to ony of thame, hes purged the Bordours of all 
the cheiffeft malefa6louris, rubbars, and brigantis as war wount to regnne 
and triumphe thair, als clein, and be als great wifdome and policie as 
Hercules fometymes is written to hawe purged Augeas, the king of Elide 
his efcuries, and be the cutting aff be the fword of juftice, and be your 
maiefteis authoritie and lawis, the Laird of Tynwell, Maxwell, findrie 
Douglaffis, Jhoneftounes, Jardanis, Armeftrangis, Betifounes, and fie 
others magni nominis luces in that brokin pairtis, hes randered all theefe 
wayes and paffages betuix your maiefties kingdomes of Scotland and 
Ingland als free and peciable, as is recorded Phoebus in auld tymes 
maide frie and oppen the wayes to his awin oracle in Delphos, and to his 
pythicque playes and ceremonyes be the deftruclioun of Phorbas and his 
Phlegiens, all theiwis, voleurs, bandftiers, and throat cutters. Thefe 
pairtis ar now, I may affure yiour majeftie, als lawfull, als peciable, and 
als quyett, as anye pairt in any ciuill kingdome of Chriftianitie. 

All this is done quyetlie, fuddanlie, and in fchort fpaice, but anye 
harme, truble, hazaird, or greiff to onye good fubjecl. All is done in 
your facred maiefteis nayme and authoritie : all be your prencelie com- 
mandement and inftrudlioun. Baithe he and the haill kingdome yeildis 
vnto yiour maieftie continowallie, infinit thankis and praife thairfoir. As 
he is, and continowallie profeffis to be, your majefties ferwand, and your 

Nimrods ? probably meant to designate moss-troopers. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 173 

creature, his aeliounes ar all yiouris : the effects, the praife, the confe- 
quence thairof, ar to redound to your facred majeftie, as all the waters, 
baithe great and fmall, returnis to the great ocean fea. 

In the incountrie, where occafioun hes bene presented of riotts or 
offences in ony perfounes efteymed of the mifrewlie or bangifter kynd of 
peple, as we call thame ; as Threafaurer, he has fwa pwneift and wfed the 
maiil pairt of thame, as I hope lhall breid ws all heir great eafe for a 
lang whylle ; for I think fie Centaures, fie Gerionis, fie Bufyris of Egypte, 
and fie Arithees, fhall efchiew to come in fie a Hercules waye or daunger, 
wha, be yiour majefteis ftrenthe and wife direclioun, can decyfre and goe 
beyound all thair craft and fubtiliteis, and can contemne and owirthraw 
all thair wayne boafl and pride. 

All this I doubt not hot your maifl gracious majeftie hes bene informed 
of mair particulerlie at feuerall tymes be yiour ordinair fecretarie, Sir 
Alexander Haye, whometo all is ewir vrittiu particularlie, in all our pro 
ceedings in counfall, and in all others affairis of importance in this king- 
dome. 

This I hawe thocht neceffair to vritte, onlie to teftifie vnto your 
maieftie what praife and honour it is to yiow, and what euident demon- 
ftratioun of your royall wifdome the choyfe and imployment of fie ane 
officear and inftrument, in fie royall charges ; wha hes the witt to con- 
fawe, the cair, ingyne, and moderatioun to conwoye, joyned with the 
curage, moyen, and valour to execute and performe the fame. This, in 
all humilitie taking my leive, with a kifs of your royall and facred hand, 
and praying the Eternall for youer majefteis continowance and daylie 
increfs in all profperitie, refts for ewir 

Your facred Maiefties maift humbill and 
affeclionat fubjec"l and feruitour, 

DUNFERMELYNE.* 

Edenburght, 12th Auguftj 1609. 

' This letter is inimitable, and must have suited the fancy of the King exactly. The gross 
flattery and superabundance of classical allusion would be equally palatable. No wonder that 
Lord Dunfermline was a favourite. 



174 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



XCIV.THE EARL OF ANGUS TO KING JAMES VI. 
OCTOBER 30, [1609?] 



PLEIS YOUR SACRED MAJESTY, 

At my lad pairting from Scotland, the tyme conteinit in the 
charge was onlie xx dayes, vi^. from the 18 of October to the 10 of No- 
uember exclufiue, to paffe out of your maieflies dominions in Scotland, 
fo that I could not haue fufficient tyme to eftablifh fick folide ordour with 
my affaires as was requifite for fo* lang abfence. Nou, feing it hes pleafet 
your hienes to grant me the benefite of my leauing during the reft of my 
dayes, I will mofl humbly entreate your maiefty vpon my kneis, be this 
prefent, that I may haue licence to returne to Scotland for fome fyue or 
fax monethes only, vpon fick conditions as your maiefty pleafes till en- 
ioyne, that I may put ordour to the diforderet eftate of my leauing, whilk 
can not be done without my awen prefence to my great lofle, and is now 
all out of forme and ordour, and that I may giue my laft gudnicht to my 
contrey, familie, and friendes, for I am become now auld and feakly, and 
within fchort tyme will be vnable to trauell. Gif it fall pleafe your ma- 
ieftie to grant me this grace, of your princely clemency, the caution for 
my returne fall ftand, as they ar alreddy obliged, and I will think my felfe 
bound in confcience to pray daylie for your maiefties profperous regne 
and royall poflerity. Thus, kifling, with all humility, your princely hand, 
I reft now and ever 

Your Maiefties moft humble and faithfull 
fubiecl, 

ERLL OF ANGUSS. 

Paris, the penult of October [1609 ?] 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 175 



XCV OATH TENDERED TO THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY AND THE 

EARL OF ERROL. 
NOVEMBEB 13 AND 17, 1609. 



THE Oathe vnderwritten being offered to the Marques of Hunt- 
ley and Erie of Erroll, the one vpoun the xiij th of November, 
the other vpoun the xvij th of the fame moneth in this inftant 
yeir of God, j 00 vi c and nyne yeiris ; and they haueing fullye 
refolued in there confciencis with every poynte of the fame, 
with all dew folemnitie (the holye Ewangell tuiched) humblye 
vpoun there kneis, in prefence of many noblemen, bifhoppis, 
and vtheris of goode forte, did tak this oathe efterfpecifiet : 

1. As I acknowledge my felf to be his maiefties naturallye borne fub- 
iecl:, befyides my innumerable obligationes to his perfoun, fo do I, in the 
faithe of a trew Chriftiane, protefl and awowe to be evir trew and afauld 
to his maieflie and his pofteritye, nevir to conceale the hairme of him and 
his eftaite, and nevir to fpaire the hazairdeing of lyife and eflaite in affift- 
ing his maieflie and his pofteritye, fo far as fall lye in my power, agains 
whatfoevir enemye, invaider or invafioun, ather domefticall or forrayne, 
vpoun whatfoevir quarrell or pretext of the invaider, or of the pretext or 
caus of invafioun, yea, though it wer for caus of religioun. 

2. And therefoir, I do in fpeciall confefs and proteft, that if any warre 
fuld happin to fall outt betuix his maieftie and his fucceffouris and the 
Pope, or if any publick invafioun or privatt attempt fuld be executed 
agains his maieflie or his ftaite, aither by the Pope's direclioun, advyife, 
afiftance, or overfight, I am, in that caice, bounde, bothe in confcience 
and dewtye, to aflifte his maieftie to the vttermofte of my power : Lyike- 
as, heirby I fweare and promife, in the faithe of a trew Catholicke Chrif- 



176 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

tiane, fo to do, notwithftanding whatfoevir allwerementis, threatningis, 
or prohibitiouns of the Pope to the contrarye. 

3. And in caice it fuld happin that the Pope fuld excommunicat his 
maieftie or his fucceffouris, and loufe his fubie6lis from there fidelitye ; 
nevertheles I do not hold it anywayis laugfull, ather for me, or any other 
of his maiefties fubie6lis, to give the Pope any obedience therein, or to 
fwarue in the leafle jotte of our naturall dewtye and fubie6tioun vnto 
him. 

4. For nather do I holde it laugfull for the Pope, or any perfoun what 
foevir that lives vpoun the earth, to dethrone or depoife kingis, or to loufs 
there fubieclis from there fidelitye, or anywayes to meddle with tempo- 
rall authoritye of princes, notwithftanding any refpecT; of religioun or 
whatfoevir other fpirituall refpedl. 

5. For I am perfuadeit in my confcience, that kinges ar the immedi- 
ats lieutennantis of God vpoun earthe, and that there calling is direcllye 
from God, and therefoir ar fubiecl to nane vnder God himfelf, nor 
bounde to give accompt of any poynte of there governament to any vnder 
God. 

Renunceing and difclaimeing with my hearte all that ambitious vfur- 
patioun of popes abowe the temporall authoritye of emperours and kinges ; 
vtterlye condemning alfweill the doctrine as pradlife thereof. And of all 
thefe poyntes I am in my confcience perfuadeit, without any forte of 
a?quivocatioun, whiche doclrine I abhorre as the doclrine of lies : nather 
do I think that any pope can hawe power to difpenfe with any manis 
confcience, in any of thefe former poyntes. 

HUNTLYE. 

ERROLL. 

Balfour observes in his Annals, pp. 33, 34, that in February 1610, these two Lords still re 
mained in confinement ; " for the King (as the treuth was) thought that he could not preserve the 
publick peace better, then be keiping these birdes of prey so caidget wpe." 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 177 



XCVI GEORGE LORD GORDON TO KING JAMES VI. 



MOST DREAD SOUERAINE, 

Since it did pleafe 3our maieftie, out of 3our gratious fauor, to call 
me to the attendance heir on the princes feruice, which I hold on of the 
greatefl pointes of all wordlie happines, in regarde of gour maieflies good 
mynd towards me 30111 majeflies vnworthie fubjecl and feruant : and 
finding fome thortours in my flay, quhairat 3our majeftie no doubt will 
admire and few will creedit, I am in this, my forced neceffitie, compelled 
to haue recours to that fontaine of sour maieflies gratious fauor and pro- 
tedlione whiche I haue euer found, and flill does expect at 3our maieflies 
hand. My father by all licklyhood feemes cairles of me, I dar fay no 
forther, perhapes accompting me vnworthie of his regaird as beeng ane 
haeretic in his conceit ; and 3it no flrait, nather aduerfitie, fall diuert me 
from that impreffione of Godes trew feare, the profeffion whairof, I hope, 
according to my promife made to 3our majeftie, to giue ane conflant 
proofe to my verie lafl breath. Prouifion I haue none els, and my re 
maining heir in this fort without money or means to defray creditours, 
befydes euedent harme to myfelf, mufl neids in refpedl of my birth, be 
fome impeachement to the honour of my natiue countrie. I haue com- 
municat my jufl greifs to my Lord Due of Lennox, my unckle, and to 
3our majeflies mofl worthie fubje6l the Erie of Dumbar, I am mofl de- 
fyrous to know 3our majefties plefoure, whairunto without regaird of per- 
rell or inconuenient I will euer conforme myfelf, only wreiting thefe lynes 
(crauing pardoun of 3our majeftie for this my prefomption), to teftifie 
3our majeftie of my precent caice, quhiche, by the Due of Lennox and the 
berar, may be fegnified at more lenth. And wifhing at God that I micht 



178 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

haue occafione to teftifie my deutifull affection with the pryce of my lyf, 
I humbly pray the Almichtie God euer to blifs gouf maieflie with all 
happines, and I reft 

3our Maiefties moil humble fubject and 
feruitour, 

GEORGE GORDOUNE. 

[No date.] 



XCVII ALEXANDER COLQUHOUN OF LUSS TO KING JAMES VI. 

NOVEMBER 13, 1609. 

MOST GRACIOUS SOVERAIGNE, 

May it pleas 3our moil facred maieftie, I haue of tymes com 
plained of the infolence and heavye oppreffioune committed wpon my 
tennents and lands be the Clangregour, and have beeine forced to be 
filent this tyme bygaine, hoping that fometyme thair fould beine ane end 
thairof : Bot now finding myfelf difappointed, and thame entered to 
theire former courfes, have taine occafione to acquent 3our facred ma 
ieftie thairwith, befeeking 3our maieftie to haue pitie and compaffioune 
wpon ws 3our maiefties obedient fubjectes, and remanent poire pepill 
quha fufferes, and to provyd tymous remeid thairin ; and that 3our ma 
ieftie may be the better informed in the particular, I have acquent 3our 
maiefties fecretare thairin, to quhois fufficiency referring the reft, and 
craveing pardoune for importuning sour maieftie, I leive in all humanitie 
in 3our maiefties moft facred hands. 

3our facred Maiefties moft humble and 
obedient fubiect, 

ALEXANDER COLQUHOUN 

off Lufs. 
Rofdo, the 13 of November 1609. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 179 



XCVIII. THE INHABITANTS OF THE LATE BORDOURS OF SCOTLAND 
TO KING JAMES VI.' 



Thay that wrytts of the qualeteis of ane guid kyng compairs 
him to the fon, qui non eft alius pauperi, quam diuiti, fed omnibus com- 
munis. Rycht fo, moft gratious fouerane, 36 ar our fon, the beames of 
quhois fauour and luif heathe equallie ouerfchaddouit sour hienes haill 
realmes. Erafmus, De Inftitutione Principis, fayis, Quid eft aliud regnum, 
nifi magna familia ? Quid rex, nifi plurimorum pater ? And, indeid, 3our 
maieftie, withe the eyis of 3our prudence, juftice, and benignetie, as ane 
cairfull maifter of ane famelie, or rather as ane loowyng father, hes lookit 
narrowlie into the behauiour of thofe that inhabit euery part of sour 
hienes realmes, bot efpeciallie to the behauiour of thofe that inhabits that 
part of 3our maiefteis realm of Northbritane, fumtym callit the Bordors, 
quhom 3our hienes hes bene thir dyuers 3eirs bygane fumtym threatnyng 
by juftice, fumtyms alluryng by lenitie, to that dew obedience quhilk 
becomes trew and faithfull fubie6ls : And to this effe6l, it pleafed 3our 
hienes to gif command to your officiers in thofe parts, to play the part of 
expert hufband men, qui noxas frugibus plantas herbafque conuellere 
atque in totum extirpare folent. Neuirtheles thay ar fo far frome doing 
of thair deutie to God and 3our hienes, that all reuerence and feare of 
punifment fet afyd, thay ar returnit (vt canis ad vomitum) to thair auld 
accoftomet infolences and vicket lyf : quhairthrow wee, that ar of the 
moft peacebill and obedient fort of fubiecls within thofe parts, leifs at 
this hour in als greit feare of our lyfs and goods, as ewer we did at ony 
tyme heertofoir, quhen gritteft difobedience rang amangs ws. Quhair- 
foir we haue fend up thir our greifs to 3our moft facred maieftie, at this 
tyme, in all humilitie, befeikand 3our hienes to play the part of ane hol- 
fome phyfician to ws, qui membrum putrefaelum incidi atque in totum 

There is no date it has consequently been placed at the end of the year 1609. 



180 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

eradicari iubet, ne aliam corporis partem labefa&are aut corrumpere 
poffit. It heathe pleafed sour hienes to appoint the Erie of Dumbar to 
be grit commiflioner for repreffing of the enormeteis of thofe people, 
quho, indeid, heathe bene ane faithfull executor of sour hienes pleafour 
and will. Bot, as Cicero fayis, in Oratione pro Cluentio, thay ar lyk to 
the beafts of the feild, quse fame dominante ad eum locum vbi aliquando 
paftae funt reuertuntur. For the lytill intermiffion of Juftice Courts 
quhilk heathe bene fynce his lordlhips departur and appearance of 
lenetie, hes maid tham fo infolent, that thair is nothing quhilk thay dar 
not attempt. The defhonour of God, his word and miniftrie baithe 
pracliset ; difobediens to 3our hienes lawis no fait ; for the Erie of Dum 
bar (fay thay) and his deput commiffioners will not intermedle with ony 
maters, hot only withe new thifts. He that can rais fyr fecretlie and 
wnknawin, fall not leif it wndon. Wyld incefts, adultereis, conuocations 
of the lieges, fchutting and wearing of hagbuts, piftolets, and lances, 
dayly bludfcheds, oppreffion, and difobedience in ciuill maters, nather 
ar nor hes bene punifchit. Gif ony peacebill man feu ony of the clannes 
to the law for thair lands or goods, he is incontinent threatnit of his lyf, 
and gif he obtene decreit befoir the ordinar judge, quho dar put the 
famyn to executione ? for he dar not poynd for feir of gritter inconue- 
nients : And as for hornyng, thair is no moir accompt maid of the going 
to the home than to the aillhous ; for quhen commiffion is obtenit to the 
gaird to tak the rebells (quhilk is our laft refuge), Sir William Cranfton 
refuifis to execute the famyn, becaus it belangis not to his commiffion, 
and my Lord of Scone comes feildome to counfell with his gaird, for 
ather thay ar difperft throw the contrie, and faid to be imployet in vther 
commiffions, or ellis the haill foume contenit in the commiffion will not 
content my lord for his guidwill, and the gaird for thair expenfs, or 
wtherwayis thay ar attending vpon his lordfliip and his priuat effeares ; 
and gif at ony tyme ane commiffion be prefentit to ony of the gaird, thay 
will not execute the famyn quhill his lordfhip be foirfene and gif tham his 
warrand, quhilk is moir accountet of and moir difficill to obtene than the 
counfells ; and be this meanes, gif the rebell be his freind, or ane man 
quhome he fauours, his lordfhip is accuftomet to mak him aduerteifment 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 181 

be his letter, that the gaird is to be diredlit aganes him. The brenches 
of clannes ar begun agane to renew ligges and bands amangs themfelfs, 
and to conuene in vnlauthfull maner in euery on of thair particulers. 
Gif diligent fearche war maid throwche euery paroche, thair fuld be ane 
grit number fund of ydle people without ony calling, induftrie, or lauth- 
full meanes to leif by, except it be vpon the blude of the pooreft and 
moft obedient fort. Wthers, agane, that feames to be of the better fort, 
ar fo full of pryd, invy, and malice, that, as Plutarche fayis, quod inter 
Agathallos et Acanthylides tantum eft odium, vt fi fanguis eorum im- 
mifceatur, continue feparent fe rurfum et diffiliant hinc inde. Thir men, 
etiamfi aliquando pro rerum vfu coniungantur, durat tamen odium natu- 
rale, in fik fort that gif four or fyue of tham convene tham felfs in ane 
aillhous, as thair cuftome is, thay fall not part without contention and 
bludfchede. Sir, lat no man diflaue 3our maieftie, and fay that the 
cuntrie is brocht to quyetnes and good ordour ; for, as the Lorde leiues, 
thair was not fik appearence of wnquyetnes, fik blud[fchedes], nor fik 
ftealling, fynce sour hienes happie going in Ingland, as is [at this] 
prefent. It is not the execution of a few fymple and poore men, fik as 
wa[s done] laitlie baithe be the barrones of Nydifdaill and Galloway, 
quhen gritter . . . war ouerfene, that will bring the contre to that 
conformetie sour h[ienes defyres] : Aranearum telas corui perrumpunt 
mufca? vero implicantur. Thay [war verie] blodie mouthet hands all thair 
tyme, and leiders of companeis of th .... broken men, and as $et 
dreimes of nothyng bot of blude ; thift and oppreflion gois frie, fum of 
tham demand to remifiions, arid never a partie fatiffyit. Vthers alledgis 
thay haue gottin ane ouerfycht at the erneft fute of fum men thair freinds, 
and vthers agane ar feruants and dependers vpon [fum] of the deput 
commiffi oners, quhome thay imploy in fum feruice, as the phyfician vfis 
fel hienae et phocffi coagulum aliafque pefilmamm ferarum partes . . . 
... of grit difeafes. Thir fort of peopill ar not meit to leif in ane ciuil 
[common] wealthe, fed roftro ferreo, vt herbae radicitus euelluntur a vinea 
. . . thair pofteretie eradicandi funt : for, coccitis pullus, as Plinius . . . 
leuerit cum fit nothus, tamen legitimos deuorat, vnaque matrem .... 
fkilfull mufycian thinks it not fufficient, in cithara in vno ta . . . . con- 



182 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

centum efficere, fed vniuerfi percutiendi funt numerofe et . . . . Euen fo 
we ar perfuadet, that it is not sour hienes pleafour to pu[t ane or] tua of the 
clannes of thofe parts to ane tryall, hot that euery one of tham, the hieft 
to the lawell, fould be layed to the tuichftane of juflice. Agap[itus Dia-] 
conus, in ane treatife de Officio Regis, fayis, vt folispartes, funt illuftrare or- 
bem, fie principis wirtus eft egenorum mifereri ; and the experience we 
haue had of 3our hienes luif and pitie toward 3our diftreffit fubie6ts, hes 
geven full affurance to ws, that gour hienes will caus all the enormeteis 
of thofe parts be repreflit ; and that freqent courtes be kepit amangs 
ws, ager enim diu non profciflus fyluefcit, ac paflim innumeras vepres 
producit. The intermiflion of juftice courts, and appearance of lenetie, 
hes maid tham to put on thair old habits ; for thay may be comparet to 
the adament fton, qui folo fanguine maceratus frangitur, and man be vfit 
as the phyfician dois thois, qui crudo et indigefto funt ftomacho, quibus 
amarum prodeft abfynthium. Quhairfoir, we maift humblie entreat 3our 
moft facred maieftie, that command be gewen to 3our hienes officiers, to 
affift 3our poore and diftreffit fubiedls in thofe parts, alfweill in thair 
ciuill as criminall acliones; and that thay play not the part of euill 
craftifmen, qui femper relinquunt locum caftigationi, vt legulet occafionem 
liti. And fo, in all humeletie, we tak our leif, befeikand the Allmyghtie 
God to grant 3our maieftie ane long, happie, and profperous reingne ouer 
ws, 

<3our Maiefteis moft humble and obedient fubie&s, 

THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAIT 
BORDERS OF SCOTLAND.* 

To the Kyngs moft facred Maieftie. 

From the style of this interesting document, and the numerous Latin quotations, one might 
conjecture that it came from the pen of Lord Dunfermline. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 183 



XCIX. THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. 
FEBRUARY 15, 1610. 

PLEIS 3OUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Sins ray soungefl seiris, neuer hauing beine in us to difobey 
3our facred maieftis uill and directioun, in no temporall thing quhat- 
fumeuir, I haue nou tranfgreffit thos limits for greater teftimonie of my 
humble affeclioun and obediens. Yea, I uill go uerray neir the hazart 
of my faull, befor I gif 3our facred maieftie any juft occafioun athaer of 
grudge or miftruft againis me : and gif I did utheruayis, I uar the mod 
ingrait in the earth, confidering be quhou monie obligatiouns I am det- 
bound to sour facred maieftis fauour touards me heirtofor, quhilk lyis 
neuer in my fimple pouar till acquit, albeit I fuld uair the laft drop of 
my blood in 3our facred maieftis feruis in recompans. And feing my 
conformitie nou procedis moft of my affectioun, I hoip for the forder 
fauour at 3our facred maieftis hands, remitting me aluayis to 3our facred 
maieftis wontit fauour and clemencie touards me, quhilk I fall euer pres 
to conferue by all humble deuetie of feruis, quhilk may ly in ane fimple 
fubiects pouar to performe, as I haue informit this berar, Sir Thomas 
Ker, my feruitour, to delait unto 3our facred maieftie at greater lenth, 
gif it uill pleis 3our facred maieftie till do him that honour as to heir him. 
Sua, eftir the kiffing moft humble of 3our facred maieftis hand, I uill 
reft 

Sour moft facred maieftis euer humble 
fubiect and moft affeclionat feruitour 
to the deith, 

HUNTLYE. 

At Stirling Caftell, this 15 of Februar 1610. 
To the Kings moft facred Maieftie. 



184 



LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



C THE COUNTESS OF CRAWFURD TO KING JAMES VI. 

FEBRUARY 17, 1610. 



MOST GRACIOUS AND SACRED SOUERANE, 

It will pleis sour hienes, the gryt confort quhilks wthers dif- 
treffit fubiecls haue fundin, hes now as on of thois embaldonit me to putt 
furth thois lynis of regraitts to 30111- hienes wew, complening of the vniuft 
difdanis and vnkyndlie a6lionis of my houfband touards me, quha, fince 
the tym of my vnquhill fathers deceis, following his will and leud afiec- 
tionis, hes now repudeatt me, without all feir of God, 3our hienes and 
lauis ; detenit me as ane captiue, in dander of my lyf, quhill at laft is 
delyuerit be moyane of my freinds, and fo now leuis without ayd of him, 
fpoillid and defradit of both fuid and rayments : in the quhilk creueltie 
he 3it contenuis, without 3our maieftie prouyd remeid, the quhilk I in all 
humilitie befeiks 3our hienes giue eir wnto in tym, that he in his vikitnes 
being reftranit, may in end tend to my confort, quhairon I reft, taking 
my liue in all humilitie, praying to blis sour hienes with ane long lyf and 
ane profperus regne, 



Hienes moft humbill feruitrice 
now and euer at all pouer, 

JAENE COUNTES OF CRAFORD. 



Edinburght, the xvii Februar 1610. 

According to Stewart's (Lord Ochiltree) MS. Genealogical Collections, this lady was 
" Jean Kerr, daughter to Mark Lord Newbattle, and sister to Robert Earl of Lothian, and widow 
of John Lord Boyd." Of this marriage, Lord Ochiltree states there was one daughter, although, in 
Wood's Edition of Douglas, vol. i. p. 380, it is said that the Earl died without issue. The 
Countess, continues his Lordship, " he divorced, and she married Mr Thomas Hamilton, son to 
the Lord Annandale[ ?] This Earl David died in the Castle of Edinburgh in prison, and was in 
terred in the Abbey Church of Holyrood." " He was confined for killing Walter Lindsay of Bel- 
jayes." Nisbet's Genealogical Collections, MS. Fac. Lib. page 51, 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 185 



CI THE REVEREND JOHN HALL AND REVEREND PETER HEWAT 

TO KING JAMES VI. 
FEBRUARY 17, 1610. 



PLEASE YOUR MAJESTIE, 

We, having tane notice by your majefties fecretary, of fome hard 
information given foorth againft us, and com'd to your maieflies eares, 
as thought our fpeaches in pulpit had tended in any fort to the impugn 
ing of any of your maieflies lawfull directions, whilk courfe, as we haue 
ever bene loath and unwilling to follow, fo, lead we fhuld ly under the 
burthing of this fo untrue an report, we ar bold to prefent to your high- 
nes, by this our humble letter, the trueth of this fame, having at greater 
lenght imparted to my lord fecretarie all the circumflances of that mater. 
When fignification was given of your majefties will and pleafure, anent anew 
ceffation and time of vacancie in the winter feffion, it was fo miftaken uni- 
verfally, that the commoun fort thinking it to proclame to them libertie and 
lowfenes, to the whilk they ar fo prone, and the Papifts and enemies of 
Gods trueth taking heirof occafion of infolent fpeaches, as thought in- 
couraged to looke for the returne of their former fuperftitious doing, we 
was forced in our fermons as to fett ourfelves againft the vanitie of the 
people, and labour to tak from the enemies this mater of their joy : fo 
to cleir your maiefties honeft and godly intention, being certified by my 
Lord Chancellar directing to us the baillies of this toun to that effecl:, 
that there was none other thing meant be your highnes, but to give re 
laxation to the lords of your maiefties feffion, at that feafon of the yeir ; 
fo that in medling with this earand, we truft we have fo caried ourfelues 
with refpecl to your maiefties honor, that we haue miniftrat no juft occa 
fion of offence. And gif the contrair fhalbe alledged or qualified be any 
in quhatfomever particular fpeache, we dout not bot our anfwer ftiall 
render contentment : and we know that your maieftie has never bene in 
2 A 



186 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

ufe to condemne unheard. Whereas your maieftie hes likewife bene 
advertifed of fum unreverent and impertinent fpeaches ufed in publick 
prayer concerning your maieftie by certane of the brethren of this preflby- 
terie, we can affuir your maieftie that, to our knowledge and hearing, 
there is no fuch difordour, whereof, gif any ftialbe found culpable, your 
maieftie may perfuade yourfelf he ftiall not efcape convenient cenfure, 
as we willbe anfwerable to your hienes, under whofe wings we enjoy this 
liberty. The proofe your maieftie hes had of our former proceiding, 
and knowledge your maieftie may tak of our haill cariage in our vocation 
by perfons indifferent, and fuch as dois not hate us and our miniftery both, 
we doubt not will move your maieftie to fofter none evill conceit of us, but, 
in all accufations fallbe caried, leaue place to us to anfwer for ourfelves. 
Thus, referring to my lord fecretary a moir fpeciall report, with vvhome 
we haue bene plane in every thing, we humblie tak our leave, and com 
mends your maiefties facred perfon and eftait to the bleffing and protec 
tion of the Almighty. 

Your Maiefties loving and obedient fubjecls, 

Jo. HALL. 
Edinburgh, 17 Februar 1610. MR P. HEWATT. 

To the King his maift excellent Majeftie. 



CII.WARRANT APPOINTING PETER ROLLOK OF PILTOUN ONE OF THE 

EXTRAORDINARY LORDS OF SESSION. 

MAY 16, 1610. 

AT Edinburgh, the fextene day of Maij, the yeir of God l m 
vj c and ten yeiris, in prefens of the lordis of counfale, compeirit perfon- 
allie Mr Petir Rollok of Piltoun, and prefentit to the lordis this warrand 
diredlit from his maieftie to the chancellour, prefident and remanent 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 137 

fenatouris of the College of Juftice ; off the quhilk the tenour followis.* 
Richt truftie and weilbelouit coufing and counfalouris, we greit yow 
weill. Quhairas vfuallie in all tymes pad fince the inftitutioun of the 
College of Juflice, the extraordinaris nevir exceidit the number of foure, 
quhill of lait yeiris, that vpoun ane fpeciale vrgent occafioun the fyft was 
addit, and now, efter the death of Mark Erie of Lowthiane, quha was 
ane extraordinare boith by place and voit of the fprituale fyde, we have- 
ing nominat the rycht reuerend father in God the Archbifchop of Glaf- 
gow for poffefiioun thairof, and heirwith hairing fent doun cure warrand 
vnto yow for reducing thame to the number of four, and certifeing oure 
pleafour concerning the other thrie, we do now vnderftand that by this 
ordour Mr Peter Rollok of Piltoun, ane of thame, quho of ane lang tyme 
had bene ane extraordinare, was now difpoffefl, and knowing him to haif 
bene ane evir bent to oure feruice, and vtherwayes fit and apt for admi- 
niftratioun of juftice, and being by ane lettre from all of yow fpeciallie 
recommendit vnto ws, and by yow intrettie maid to ws on his behalff, we 
hairing bene evir vnwilling that an old fervant, aganes quhome no excep- 
tioun of ony offence could be takin, fould in his eagit yeiris carie ony 
note of the lofe of oure fauour, as mycht both breid greif to himfelf and 
heaftin his gray hairis to the graif, and imprint in the opinioun of vtheris 
fum apprehenfioun of his difgrace : Thaife ar thairfoir to will and re- 
quyre yow to receave and admit him agane to be ane of your extraordi 
naris, to haif place and voit in lyk maner as ony of the vther four hes. 
And, howevir, vpoun the refpec~lis foirfaidis we ar forcit to vrge the num 
ber of fyve extraordinaris to fit with yow, yit it is not oure mynd that this 
fall be ony preparative heirefter for the continowing of the lyk number. 
But oure plefour is, that yow, by ane fpeciale act and flatute, to be re- 



* See Metros Papers, vol. i. pp. 76, 279- Peter Rollok, who originally was brought up to the profes 
sion of the law, and who passed advocate previous to the year 1575, subsequently directed his views 
towards the church, and succeeded James Paton, Bishop of Dunkeld, in December 1585. He was 
admitted, on the 19th May 1596, an extraordinary Lord of Session, on the resignation of the Earl of 
Montrose. Of this office he was afterwards deprived, but restored by this warrant from the King. 
He retained his seat for about ten years, when he resigned it, and was succeeded, 1st February 1620, 
by Lord Erskine. 



188 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

cordit in your buikis, declair that this admiffioun of ane fyft extraordinare is 
onlie hac vice tantum ; and that fua fone as ony of thefe places fall vaik in 
ony fort, that than none fall be put in the roume of that voide place, and 
in no tyme thairefter the number to be encreafed : for doing quhairof thefe 
prefentis fall be vnto yow warrant : and in fo far as it is requyrit that 
euerie extraordinare be one of oure counfale, and the faid Mr Petir being 
none of that number, we half, tharfor, out of our prerogative royall, dif- 
penfit thairwith, inhabling him in all refpe6lis to injoy his place, as gif 
he war ane of our counfale ; and fo we bid yow fairweill. From our 
court of Quhythall, the fyft of Apryle 1610; as the faid lettre, fignet 
with his maiefteis hand and fuperfcriptioun, proportis. Quhilk being 
confideret be the faidis lordis, they fand his maiefteis defyr thairin con- 
tenit verie reafonable, and according thairto hes admittit and reflauit the 
faid Mr Peter Rollok in ane of the extraordinare Lordis of Seffioun, and 
gevis and grantis to him all the priuilegis, immuniteis, and digniteis, per- 
teining to the faid extraordinare place, and quhilk hes bene bruikit be 
ony vther extraordinare Lord of Seffioun at ony tyme of befoir : and the 
faid Mr Peter Rollok being perfonallie prefent, maid faith that he fould 
leillalie and trewlie exerce the faid office, and minifter iuftice thairin to 
all oure fouerane lordis liegis, and to obferue the aclis and ftatutis of the 
feffioun, and thairvpoun afkit inftrumentis. Extraclum de libro aclorum 
per me dominum Georgium Hay de Nethirliff, militem, clericum rotulo- 
rum regiftri ac confilii fan6li domini noftri regis, fub meis figno et fub- 
fcriptione manualibus, 

GEORGIUS HAY, Clericus Regi/lri. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 189 



CIII. THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLY TO KING JAMES VI. 
JUNE 18, [1610?] 

PLEIS SOUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Hauing euer, in all my greateft trubils, miferis, and aduerfitis paft, 
fund3our facred maieftie my onliegratious protecteur, faugard, and refuge, 
now I am forcit mod humblie to regrait my prefent hard eftait, fins nou, far 
aganis my expectatioun, all jour facred maieftis lettres uretin fauorablie 
for my delyuerans, I find thaeme thrawin to contrar effect, be the malice 
of thaes quha ondeferuidlie haitis me, and thair greter yre apperis that 
onie fpounk of jour facred maiefteis gratious fauour fuld jit feime to re- 
maine touards me : for I hauing, according to jour facred maieftis di- 
rectioun, in prefens of the Chancellor and the Erlle of Dumbar, and fum 
of the bifchops and miniftrie, not onlie ratifiit my fubfcriptioun of the 
heidis it plefit jour facred maieftie to direct unto me, bot alfweill in 
euerie point, particularlie in thair prefens, approuit the fame, jit nothing 
uald fatiffie, except I uald boith fuer and communicat : fua nou, Sir, I 
haue my onlie refuge, fen reafon will not be hard be thaem, unto jour 
facred maieftis fauorable clemencie, quhilk I haue euer fund more to 
uards me than ane thoufand of my lyuis can repay. Pleis jour facred 
maieftie to call to memorie, that this jeir paft, I was informit that my 
going to fermons wald gife jour facred maieftie fatiffactioun, quhilk I 
obeyit : Secondlie, the bifchop of Orkney prefentit unto me the oth of 
alledgens from jour facred maieftie, quhilk I willinglie performit with all 
affection, as himfelf teftifiit thereftir. git this not fuffifing, I haue at 
laft, for jour facred maieftis forther fatiffactioun, fubfcryuit the heids of 
religioun that it plefit jour facred maieftie to direct unto me. Giff all 
this cannot fuffis to procur me libertie to fum of my houfis, I knau not 
quhat reftis till me to do, bot onlie, as I haue euer done heirtofor, to fub- 
mitt my felf in all humilitie to jour facred maieftis good plefour and will : 
and I will humblie befeik jour facred maieftie to grant one of thir thre 



190 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

petitiouns : Athaer libertie, as was condifcended be sour facred raaieftis 
former lettre, to go till fume of my houfis, or than that fauour as to remaine 
in my auin chargis befyd 3our facred maieftie, that I micht haue that con 
tentment as to fe sour facred maieftis perfoun ainis in the half 3eir at left, 
quhar I fall conform my felf to sour facred maieftis will and direcldoun, 
in all points. Gif non of thir fatiffiis, that it will pleis sour facred maief 
tie to grant me licens, as the Erlle of Angus hes alredie gottin, to pas out 
of the contrey, and my wyff with me, uith fecuritie of our liuingis, quhar 
ue fall euer attend sour facred maieftis fauorable recalling quhanfoeuer 
it fall pleis 3our facred maieftie to think the tyme proper. Sua, in thir 
and in all uthir thingis, as it fall pleis 3our facred maieftie to inioine to 
me, euer offering my humble obediens, efter the kifiing moft humblie of 
3our moft facred maieftis hand, I uill reft 

3our moft facred Maieftis humble fubiedl 
and moft affeclionat feruiteur, to my 
lyuis end, 

HUNTLYE. 

At Stirling Caftell, this xviij. of 
Junj [1610?]* 

To the Kyngs moft facred Maieftie. 

This letter has no date. Assuming the oath to be that taken on the 13th and 17th of November 
1609, it may probably be assigned to the following year. The Marquis appears subsequently to 
have been less molested by the clergy, and latterly was sworn in a Privy Councillor. Balfour says, 
vol. ii. p. 64. " This 27 of February [1617] George Marquis of Huntley was admitted and sworne 
a priuey counsellor, conforme to the order." 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 191 



CIVWARRANT BY JAMES VL IN FAVOUR OF THE EARL OF ANGUS. 

[1610?] 



WHEREAS the French Ambaffadour, in the name of his maieflie the 
young king,* and the quein his mother, hath made moft earneft fuite 
vnto vs on the behalfe of the Earle of Angus, to graunt vnto him fuch 
affurance of his eftate as the lawes of that our kingdome could affoorde : 
And feeing it was neuer our intention that hee mould be more hardly 
dealte withall then the Marquis of Huntley, or the Earle of Errole 
(whofe obflinacy in their religioun is no lefle than his), and feeing that 
their liuings are putte to a pointe for their owne benefite, and his only of 
the thrie remayneth yet vnfettled : We haue thought good, by thefe pre- 
fentes, to require you not only to take like order with his eftate as hath 
bein taken with thofe of the other two, and to caufe a fignatour for that 
effecl be fent vnto vs ; but likeuife, if any difficulty do occurre which may 
any way hinder the fame, that you eyther by your felues take it away, or 
then adwertife vs, that wee may determine therein according as wee mail 
fee caufe ; and willing this to be done with all conuenient expeditioun, 
we, &c.f 



CV JAMES VI. TO THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL. 

JULY 6, 1610. 

THE bearer heirof, Sufanna Declony, the wyife of Adrian 
Vanfon, fumtyme our painter, hath diuers tymes importuned ws with 

Louis XIII. 

t This and the following document are merely original drafts. 



192 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

petitionis, defyring payment of debtes dew to hir faid late hufband, alf- 
ueill for wages as work done at our commandement : and becaus we ar 
willing to give hir all dew fatiffa&ioun (and yett are ignorant what foume 
and vpoun what ground fhee craveth), we haue by thefe prefentis 
thoght good to will and requyre you particularly to enquyre what is dew 
vnto her, and with all convenient expeditioun to certifie ws, vnder your 
hands, how muche we do juftlie ow hir, to the intent that we, fo certified, 
may tak fuche farder courfe for her fatiffactioun as falbe moft agreable 
to reafone ; and not doubting of your care heirin, we bid you fairweill. 
From our Court at Whitehall, the 6 of July 1610. 

To the Counfell. 



CVL THE EARL OF GLENCAIRN TO KING JAMES VI. 

PLEISE SOUR MOIST SACREID MAIESTEY, 

I am forej fra my hart, that I am conflraynitt to fafche 3owr 
maieftey, now in my awild age, with my wnwordey partecularis heir aganis 
my awin, cumen of my loynis, sett, remembering ewer gowr maiefteis 
moift gratiowfe contenance to me, I haif tane the bawildnefs to prefume 
the famen. It is trew that my eldefl fonne, being that thing erthely I 
moift refpe6litt and confiditt into, and thowght he fould haif bene my 
greateft helpe, to the weill of the reft of my fcheeldering (by my expecla- 
tiowne and gud will), he mareitt him felf, to my greitt grewe and his 
motheris, and to the loffe and hurtt of my howfe ; and yet, mowitt be my 
frendis, and the cair I haid to the {landing of my houfie, I remittitt that 
owirfycht in him wpon hoipe in tymes to cumme he fould haif kythitt 
mair obedyence, bot all in waine. Bot now he rynis feike ane maly- 
tiowfe cowrfe aganis me, that he perallis my credeitt and honour in feike 
forme, that I am laythe to expreffe the famen be wrytt, leift I fould ower 



* William Lord Kilmaurs " married Katharine, daughter to Mark Ker, Lord Newbottle." 
Stewart's MS. Collections, Advocates' Library. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 193 

mofche fafche 3owr maieflie ; and therfoir I haif defyritt 3our maiefteis 
fecretar heir to delayte the haill fircumeflancis betuix him and me att 
lenthe to 3owr maieftie, moift humblie crawing sour maiefteis gratiowfe 
fawour and contenence to me now in my awild age, nocht to be croffitt 
with my awin bowellis, bot to haif commandyment of my awin, fwa longe 
as I am to lewe in this pilgrymage, and that I may lewe behynd me the 
memorej of ane howffe to ferwe 3owr maieftej and 3owris. I can do no 
more, bolt I fall ewer remane 3owr moift facreid maiefteis ewer to ferwe, 
to the laft brethe, with als willing and trew ane hartt, as falbe in all 
3owr maiefteis domynownis. And fwa, humblie crawing 3owr maiefteis 
pardowne for this my ewill wrytt and fafcheowfle lettir, humbill ferwice 
rememberitt to 3owr moift facreid maieftej, I pray the Lord ewer to re- 
mane with 3owr maieftie, and to gif 3owr maieftie longe lyf and gud 
hailthe, with profeperowffe fukefefle, I reft 

3owris moift facreid Maiefteis moift humbill and 
obedyentt fubiedlt, ewer redie, in all humillitie, 
to ferwe, 

GLENCAIRNE. 
[No date.] 



To his moift facreid Maieftie. 



CV1I THE EARLS OF DUNFERMLINE AND DUNBAR TO KING JAMES VI. 

JULY 27, 1610. 



MOST GRATIOUS AND SACRED SOUERANE, 

Vpoun aduertifment gevin to ws that fome pirott fchippis 
had bene fene in the mouthe of this firth, and the fame fecundit by the 

2B 



194 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

complaintis of a grite many of your maiefteis fubieclis, bothe in the weft 
coaft and heir on the eaft, of the vnquietnes and hafaird of paffage by 
reafoun of the frequencie of Inglifhe pirottis on the fea, and fpeciallie of 
one of Caithnes, who, in his paffing home, wes robde of all that he had, 
and bothe by him and by the repoirt of otheris who had mett fome of 
thofe pirottis on the fea, being certifyed that thay wer gone towardis the 
Orknay Ylandis, we being moved and grevit with the complaint of your 
maiefteis poore people, and being loathe to impefhe your maiefteis 
vtheris weyghtie affairis with the aduertifment thairof, whill we had done 
fome thing thairin oure felffis, and wifheing that in a mater of this quali- 
tye (admitting hardlie ony delay, wherin the omitting of the prefent oc- 
cafion micht doe muche harme), your maieftie fould rather find ws cairfull 
of our dewytie then otherwayes remife or negligent, we did heirupoun 
prefentlie direct three of the beft fchippis at that tyme within the harbour 
of Leyth, weele mannit, and furniffit with all weirlyke prouifioun (your 
maiefteis awne fchip at that tyme not being arryved heir), and having 
gevin vnto thame expres direclioun and charge to mak fearche and to 
follow quhidder foeuir thay could apprehend thofe pirottis ; and our 
fchippis having mett with thame vpoun the coaft of the mayne land of 
Orknay, thay having twa faillis, the one a fchip aboue 200, the other a 
choife pinnace of 100, efter a bloodie conflici, in whiche twa of oure men 
wer killed and findrie hurte, the pinnace being excellent in failleing, maid 
choife rather by flight to faife hirfelff then by ony langer flay to abyde 
the hafaird of taking ; and albeit fcho wes followed for a fpace, yitt did 
fcho ftill gayne ground, wherupoun hir perfute being left of, the other grite 
fchip in the meane quhyle being boordit, wes brought away by oure 
fchippis, and in hir wer takin to the nomber of threttie able men, be- 
fydis fome few prifonnaris whome thefe pirottis did keepe aboorde, who, 
after they had bene dewlie and feuerall tymes examined, at laft all thefe 
threttie wer putt to thair tryall and found guiltye ; of whiche nomber 
xxvij ar execute and putt to death, of whome there wer twa captaines, 
by name Captaine Perkynis and Captaine Randall. The other three ar 
repryvit and continewit vntill fuche tyme as your maiefteis pleafour be 
knowne, in regairde that thair is hoip by thair farder examinatioun, to 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 195 

learne oute fome thingis tuitcheing the eftate. We haif alreddy difcouerit 
fome mater of abufe, helping to finde more oute, wherby this grite in- 
crefce of piracye hathe bene by fome, far aganis thair dewyteis to your 
maieftie, too muche fofterit and mantenit : bot of the particularis of the 
fame, as vnwilling to committ thame to wryte, your maieftie falbe cer- 
tifyed at lenth by your maiefteis fecretarye of this kingdome, who is 
fhortlie to mak his repair thither. In the mean quhyle, the perfonis of 
thofe men whofe lyves ar fpaired, falbe faiflie keept and maid furthe- 
comeand ather for forder examinatioun heir, or vpoun knowlege of your 
maiefteis pleafour falbe broght thither to be tryed. Ther wer alfo mony 
pregnant prefumptionis, that however thefe men now fpairit wer depre- 
hendit in the focietie of the reft, that the fame wes more by enforcement 
then by confent, whiche wes affirmed by the moft parte of thame who wer 
executed. This company of pirottis did interteyne one whome thay did 
call thair perfoun, for faying of prayeris to thame twyfe a day, who, be- 
lyke ather wearyed of his cure, or fearing the enfewing diftrudlioun of 
his flocke, had foirfaken thame in Orknay, and priuelie convoying him 
felff over land, wes at lenth defcryed and deprehendit in the burgh of 
Dundee, and being broght hither, did fo cleirlie confes and gif evidence 
aganis the reft, and, being confronted, broght mony of thame to confef- 
fioun. Thair being heirwith fome likliehoode that his ftay with thame 
had bene by conftraint, we haif heirupoun, in lyke foirt, continewit him 
frome being putt to tryale, vntill your maiefteis pleafour be knowne. 
We do vndirftand, by aduertifment from Orknay, that thair be fome fyve 
or fax pirottis mo deprehendit, bot quhidder thay be of this company or 
not, it is vncertane. Alwayes we do expe<5l thame by the firft occafioun 
of ony fchipping that dothe come frome thenfe ; and fince none of ws 
ar ignorant that by reafoun of aduertifmentis not onlie frome all the 
cornaris of your maiefteis owne dominionis, bot alfua frome foreyne 
pairtis, your maieftie hes nevir almoft ony intermiffioun or refpitt (your 
maieftie, by Godis prouidence, and to your fubieclis vnfpeakable happy- 
nes, being that grite occeane vnto whiche all revaris and brookis do 
rinne), as in dewytie we could not omitt to acquent your maieftie heir 
with, fo the feir of troubling your maieftie with too long a lettre, hathe 



196 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

moved ws to refer the particular relatioun of all the incidentis in this 
bufynes to a more proper occafioun. And concerning all fuche other 
direclionis as it pleafed your maieftie, ather by commiffioun fent be the 
Lord Burley, or by lettre writtin vnto ony of ws concerning the Marques 
Huntley, the Erll of Errole, or ony other mater worthie of the aduertifing, 
your maieftie falbe certifyed of all thefe oure procedingis by the fecre- 
tarie at his repair to your maieftie. And fo, praying God to blifle your 
maieftie with a lang, happy, and profperous reignn, we reft for ever 

Your Maiefteis moft humble and obedient fubiec~lis 
and feruitouris, 



DuNFERMELINE. 
DOUMBAR.* 



Edinburgh, 27 July 1610. 

To the King his moft facred and 
excellent Maieftie. 



CVIII SIR ROBERT MELVILLE TO KING JAMES VI. 

PLEIS SOUR MOST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

Accept, in guid pairt, the willing affe6lioun of one of the eldeft, 
althocht not the moft abill, of 3our maiefteis fervandis and creatouris, 

Lord Dunbar died a few months afterwards, and was succeeded in the management of the 
Scots business by John Murray, subsequently Viscount Annand and Earl of Annandale. The 
Earl's death is thus noticed by Calderwood: " In the moneth of January (1611), the Earle of 
Dunbar departed this life at court, not without suspicione of poisone, because my Lord of Kinlosse, 
Lord of the Rolls, a Scotishman, placed in that office be the King at his goeing to England, had 
died a little before. Howsoever it was, the Earle was by death pulled down from the height of 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 197 

quho for acquytin of the truft it hes euer pleafit gour maieftie to repois 
in me, I can nocht be filent at this tyme to congratulat to 3our maieftie 
that poynt of 3our maiefteis felicitie, quhairwith God hes bliffit sow in 
the quyet, happie, and weill gouerned eftait of this 3our maiefteis na- 
tiwe and ancient kyngdome. The cauffis quhairoff, nixt 3our maiefteis 
moft rair and princelie wofdome in direcling fo wyfelie euerie thing tend 
ing to the wniuerfall weill of ws all, I can not in my fimpill judgment hot 
afcrywe the fame to the fidelitie and cair of 3our maiefteis principall 
officiaris and fervandis, in quhome fo vorthely 36 haif fatlit the burdeine 
of the affairis. For as to the Erie of Dumbar, quhois fidelitie and cair 
to the guid fortoun in the fucces of thingis committit to him I knaw not 
quhilk to commend moft, all that is in him being 3our maiefteis awin : 
his behauiour dois fo raweis all men, that his adliounes ar interpreit to be 
3our infpiratiounes, and the circumftancis of thame flowing from the 
fame fontane: in my tyme, quhilk hes not beine fchort in this ftait, I 
haif not feine the lyke. The Chancellar, quhois vpbringing and painfull 
trauell hes maid him ane gret ftaitis man, being lykwayis diredlit by 
3our maiefteis commandement, hes applyit his knawledge and lerning to 
fo profitable endis, to the honour, aduancement, and quyetnes of this 
eftait, hes, nixt 3our maiefteis awin pairt, the prais of the bliffit and hap 
pie conditioun quhairin the cuntrye ftandis, quhilk, by sour maiefteis 
abfence, was thocht to haif beine hard to pacific. And, feing it fallis 
out fo happely in 3our maiefteis gret wofdome, that thay ar boith prefent 
with 3our maieftie, and willing to reffaiff frome 3our awin mouth the guid 
acceptatioun of thair fervice, quhilk is the greteft honour and content 
ment they can haiff, and maift willing to obey 3our maiefteis direcliounes 
in all tyme cuming, I haiff takin the bauldnes, maift humlie, to intrett 

his honour, even when he was about to solemnize magnificently his daughter's mariage with the 
Lord Waldane: he purposed to celebrat St George's Day following at Berwick, where he had al 
most finished a sumptuous and glorious palace. But the curse was executed upon him that was 
pronounced upon the building of Jericho ; he was too busie, and left nothing undone to overthrow 
the discipline of our church, and speciallie at the Assemblie holden the last summer at Glasgow ; 
but none of his posteritie enjoyeth a foot broad of land this day of his conqueist in Scotland. 
He ended his days in Whitehall, upon Wednesday, the penult of January." Calderwood MS. 
vol. xiv. p. 465. Advocates' Library. 



198 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

3our maieftie, that feing thair guid concurrence in accomplifing 
royall vill, hes bred 3our maieftie the honour of this 'our happines and 
confort to all sour fubieclis ; that sour maieftie, according to 3our ac- 
cuftummed clemencie, will tak that notice of thair labouris that may in- 
curage thame to continow, and to knyt thame togidder in thair affeclioun 
to 3our maiefteis feruice, and to the weill of our natiwe cuntray. as fo 
monie guid courfis bye 3our maiefteis princely derectioun fo happelye and 
wyflie folloued furthe to the guid lyking of all men, quhilk being effec- 
tuallie done, 3our maieftie may be richt affured that all thingis in thir 
pairtis will fucceid to 3our maiefteis contentment. For my felf, fo far as 
my age and abilitie may ferve, all falbe fpent in 3our maiefteis feruice ; 
and quhair I find any thing amifs, I fall euer mak sour maieftie foir- 
feine ; not doutting bot as sour maieftie hes euer accepted moir gratiouf- 
lye of my waik endeuoirs nor they war worthie, fo sour maieftie will tak 
this my prefumptioun in guid pairt. 

Humblie taking my leif, kyffing sour maiefteis hand, I praye God 
grant sour maieftie ane happie and profperous reing, in quhois gratious 
proteclioun I commit sour maieftie.* 

5ur Maiefteis maift humble and obedient fubiecl 
and feruitour, 

ROBERT MELUILL. 
To the Kingis facred Maieftie. 

This letter is undated ; but as Lord Dunbar is represented in life, and as he died in January 
1611, it must have been written anterior to that period. Sir Robert Melville was frequently 
ambassador to England. In January 1587, he was sent to remonstrate against the execution 
of Mary Queen of Scots. He was constituted, on llth June 1594, an extraordinary Lord of 
Session, by the title of Murdocairnie, which office he resigned in favour of his son Robert in 1601. 
Upon the 30th April 1616 he was created a peer by the title of Lord Melville of Monymail, by 
patent to him and the heirs-male of his body, whom failing, to the heirs-male of his elder brother John. 
His Lordship died in 1621, having attained the age of 94. He was the immediate elder brother 
of Sir James Melville of Halhill, author of those valuable Memoirs, of which the first complete 
edition was some years since printed by the Banoatyne Club. 






OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 199 



CIX THE LORDS OF PRIVY COUNCIL TO KING JAMES VI. 

MAYS, 1611. 



MOST GRATIOUS AND SACRED SOUERANE, 

According to your maiefteis diredlioun, fend vnto ws, for 
trying of the difpofitioun and formar maner of leving of James Johnne- 
ftoun, prifonair in the tolbuithe of Edinburgh, who wes condemned to 
lofe his hand for fchoiting of piftollettis, we haif tane als exac~l ane tryall 
and examinatioun in that mater as poflibillie we could, and (faulffing 
that particulair of piftollettis) we do find no thing in his bipaft behaviour 
and carriage, whilk may onywayes bring him within the compas or cen- 
fure of law, he being acquate and clengeit of all vtheris crymis at that 
tyme when he was pannellit befoir the Erll of Dunbar, and fen his com 
mitting to the tolbuithe we haif not hard fo mutche as one complaynte 
aganis him, hot very grite foliftatioun maid for his libertie and releif. 
And fo, remitting him to your maiefteis gratious and princelie confidera- 
tioun, and praying God to blifle your maieftie with all happines and con 
tentment, we reft for ever 

Your Maiefteis moft humble and obedyent 
fubie6lis and feruitouris, 

AL. CANCELL S . PERTH. 

Jo. PRESTOUN. CLERICUS REGISTRI. 

SIR J. ARNOTE. 

Edinburgh, the thrid of May 1611. 

To the King his moft facred and excellent 
Maieftie. 



200 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



THE UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS TO KING JAMES VI. 

MAY 4, 1611. 



SACRED SOUERANE, 

May it pleafe your moft excellent majeflie. The moft reuerend 
father in God, your majefties moft truflie counfellour the Archbifhop of 
Sanctandroufs, our werie prudent chanceller, hauing informit vs, the Rec 
tor, Deanes of Faculties, and remanent Maifteris of your majefties Vniuer- 
fitie of San6landrous, hou cairful your maieftie is of the florifhing eftait 
thairof, particularlie of the dedicatioune of ane commoune Bibliotheque 
thairto, quhairby learning (throche bypaft penurie of buikis fumquhat 
decaying) may be, to the benefit of the kirk and commoune-veil, refufci- 
tat, and vee vithin this your majefties Vniuerfitie, moir inhablit to your 
majefties feruice, ve can nocht vithout the blot of deteftable ingratitude 
and inexcuifable vndeutifulnes to your majeftie, as our moft gratious and 
beneficent prince, bot vithe all humilitie of mynd and bodie, moft hartlie 
thanke your majeftie thairfoir ; and, vith the lyk humilitie in houp to be 
hard, moft earniftlie intreat your majeftie to perfytly profecute that par- 
ticulare purpoife of liberalise touardis vs ; and, generallie, according to 
the laudable difpofitioune of your majefties royal progenitoris of Miffed 
memorie, to continoue to the immortalitee of your majefties name, in ad- 
uancingbe moiens and priuailedges this your majefties principal and moft 
renonmed Vniverfitee vithin this realme. Thus, vithe permiffioune, pre- 
fuming to affure your majeftie of our moft deutiful affedlion to your ma 
jefties feruice and furtherance thairof, ather in kirk or commoune-veil, 
according to our pouer and vocatioune, vee, frome the bottome of our 
hartis, vniformlie recommend your majefties royal perfoune and eftait to 
the Almichtie God, quho may blefs your majeftie in this lyf vith a long 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 201 

and profperous raigne; and vith ane eternal and glorious in the lyf 
to cum. 

Your Majeflies moll humble and obedient 
feruitoris and fubje6lis, 

Maifter JHONE WEMIS, Rector. Maifter JHONE STRANG. 

Mr JAMES MARTINE. Mr WM. MACDOWELL. 

Mr DAUID MONYPENNIE. Mr ALEX B . HENDERSON. 

Mr ROBERT WILKIE. . Maifter WILLIAM LAMBIE. 

Mr JHONE JONSTON. Mr ROBERT HOVYE. 

Mr PATRIK MALVILL. Maifter JAMES BLAIR. 

PETER BRUCE. Maifter JAMES SCHEVEZ. 

Mr JA. WEMYSE. Mr HENDRIE DANSKEIN. 
Mr GEORGE MARTINE. 

Sandlandrous, 4 Maij 1611. 



CXI KING JAMES VI. TO SIR ARTHUR CHICHESTER.* 

SEPTEMBER 14, 1611. 

JAMES R. 

Right truftie and welbeloued, wee greete yow well. The Lord 
Ochiltree,f a noble man of Scotland, of good 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 eflimatioun we mak of him, wee haue thought fitte to accompany 
him with our lettres, whereby to let yow know that vvhatfoeuer fauour 
yow fliall do him, in furtherance of his well fetling in that place which he 
hath vndertaken, wee fhall take in kinde parte, as beflowed on a noble 
man vnto whome wee wifli all goode fucceffe. Giuen at our mannour of 
Hauering, the xiiij th of September, in the eight yeare of our reigne of 
Greate Britayne, Fraunce, and Irland, and of Scotland the xlv th . 

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 SACRED MAIESTIE, 

The humbill Petitioune of the Commiffioneris for the Burrowghes 
of 3owr Maieflies Kingdome of Scotland, in the behalf of the 
faid Burrowghes, 

MAIST humblie befeeching 3owr facred maieftie as the onlie fontane, 
vnder God, of juflice, 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 Killeith, 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 haif had acceffe vnto gowr facred prefence, that it wold pleis 
3owr maieftie, off 3owr accuftomid fauour and clemenfie, to pardoune and 
forgiff owir owirfichtt (and many mo sowr maieflies faithfull and loyall 
fubiedlis, quho ar wnder the fame fenfour with ws) in taking abuiff ten 
for the hundreith, contrar to 3owr maiefties a6t : the occatioune quhairof 
was, that the fame tuik newer plaice by executioune, it being now pad 
fourteine or fyfteine seiris fence the inacting of the fame, fwa, that all 
perfounis of quhatfumewer rank, eflait, 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 3owr maieflies 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 tolle- 
rance to be law. And feing this is the firft fute of 30wr maieftieis bur- 
rowis fence the vnfpicabill lois of 3owr maiefleis happie prefence and 
aboid amangis ws, quhairby we haif loift all ftrenth and vigour, and ar 
becum as deid and rotin ftokis, 3owr maiefleis prefence being the fontane 
thatt did waiter and refreche ws, we humblie befeik 3owr 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 3owr maieftie to difchairge the exacting or 
heichting of the cuftomes 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, 3owr maiefteis cuftomes ar inlairgid. 

Thridlie, that it wald pleis 3owr 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 sowr maieflie to difchairge the exacting of bul- 
yen for ony tred wfed within sowr heichnes dominiounis, feing that 3owr 
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 sour maiefteis honour and faftie, fo fall 
we ewer continow, with our moift dewot and herllie prayeris to God, for 
3owr maiefteis profperus and hapie regne. 



CXIII. W. WHEITFURDE TO JOHN MURRAY. 
MAY 16, 1612. 



RlCHT HONORABILL, 

I truft your honour hes refiaued my letter, whairin I did an- 
fwer your laft thatt cam to me in the ende of Marche, and fchew yow 
your biffines could nott be enditt with Mr Ro l . 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 direct, as Mr Robert is moft willing, wpon the ficht 
of your laft letter which I fchew him, and expecles yow will tak fay euir 
with Mathow Wilfone being thair now with yow, that he fall quitt his 
pofleffioun 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 
clayme 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 

principall entries in thaes landes, be clayme of his kyndlie pofleffioun,* as 
thaes peopill do efteam itt, and moft credite with the reft of thatt fort, 
thatt he doeth no wther, bott be all menis ftryue to keip thaes landes att 
the meinefl 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 dewtie fo foone as I learned 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 acceflbrie 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 confides. Captane Jhonftoun and a number of his fervandes, for 
a flauchter of the Laird of Wamfrayes 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 eftate, 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 ; hot 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 ftandis, which is one of the prettie thinges 
in this contrie. Gif the occaiioun prefent that ather, Sir, yow may doo 
him good as his friend, or that none of his freindis can do him good, 
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 blefiing of God, and fall remane 

Your Honouris moft affe&ionatlie devoted 
in all fervice, 

W. WHEITFCRDE. 
Moflet, Maij 16, 1612. 

To the Richt Honorabill Jhone Murray 
of Lochmaben, one of his Maiefties 
Bedchamber, thefe. 



CXIV.W. WHEITFURDE TO JOHN MURRAY. 

MAY 28, 1612. 

i 
RlCHT HONORABILL, 

I truft, Sir, yow haue refiaued 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 treafon. 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 Mofieitt, 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 direclioun and bleffing of the hiefl and onlie wife, and fall evir 
remane 

Your Honouris humble ferviteur, mofl 
affe6tionatlie devoted, 

W. WHEITFURDE. 
Moffett, 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. 
SEPTEMBER 26, 1612. 



PLEIS 3OUB EXCELLENT MAIESTIE, 

Thair being nane of sour fubiedlis 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 sour pure and ever dewtyfullie devotit 
brugh of Cannogate, quho do now fynd a cauld nipping wynter for the 
fweit feaflbnable fomer they inioyit in sour maiefties flay heir, and sit 
hald thame felffis happie heirin with the reft of sour fubieclis, that thaj 
inioy the benefite of 3our maiefties moft iuft, royall, and bliffit gouerna- 
ment, fully perfwading thame felfis, now quhen the fardeft limeittis 
and bordouris of 3our impyre (ones thocht almoft impoffible) ar brocht 
to that fredome frome thraldome as thair refteth no farder feir of oppref- 
fioun, that 3our maiefties faid burgh and inhabitanlis thairof fall not want 
fum refreshing frome that fame welfpring of grace, in being proteclit 
frome the wrang and iniurie intentit vnder cullour of perfute by law, 311 
more vniuft then quhat is done vtherwayis in a moir oppin fchaw of vio 
lence. And, thairfoir, we half bene bauld heirby to mak humble treatty 
to 3our maieftie for paffing and expeiding this article of parliament in 
our favouris, be ane fo iuft and refibnable, as we fkairflie 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 3our maiefties continewing favour to the inhabitantis of this pure 
burgh of the Cannogait, quho wer alwayis reddy and wald think thame 
felffis ftill happie to be imployit in the fervice of 3our maieftie, 3our court 
and trayne. And fo, wiffing frome God the happie continewance of 
3our maiefties gratious regnne over ws, we humblie tak our levis, refling 

3our Maiefties moft humble and obedient 
and devotit fubiects, 



Mr JOHNE HABT, Bailee. 
Mr W. WILKIE, Bail 3 e. 



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 VI. 

FEBRUARY 2, 1613. 

PLEIS SOUR EXCELLENT MAIESTIE, 

3<>ur heighnes lettres, writtin in fauoris of Robert Abbroche 
M c Gregour,* now calling himfelf Ramfay, I haue reflaveit, quhairby I 
am willit to repoffefle him in quhatfoeuer landis he haith rycht wnto, with 
out truble or plea in law. It is of treuthe that he did pofiefs 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 moid 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 dewtefull fubieclis maid the exterminioun of this damnable 
raice of people to be reffolueit wpone, as moifl expedient and neceffary for 
3our maiefteis peace and obedience, and the furetye of sour heighnes 
dewtefull fubiedlis duelling in thais pairtis ; whiche work, fince it tuik 
begining, haithe bene euer chairgable to 3our maieftie, panefull to the 
cuntrie, and with my particular very grit hurt and fkayth, haueing had, 
befydes, many former loifes within les nor thais xviij monethis, twa 
hundrethe merk land waiftit and fpoiled be that clan, conducted by this 
fam man now recommendit ; my tennentis, thair wyfis and young chil- 
drene wnmercefullie mwrthoured, and fick of thame as efchaipit the 
fworde, in regaird thair houffis wer all brunt, being left in the oppin air, 
boithe the aigit and sounger 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 moifl interefs in 
this work, wer conveyned, than it wes amang thame refolved, and by 
thame to sour maiefteis counfall proponed, and thair alfo allowit of, that 
without tranfplantatioun of this clan, no quyetnes to thais boundis culd 

See Melros Papers. 

2 D 



210 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

be expected ; fo as this manis repofiefiioun to any landis, whiche by 
ftrong hand he held formerlie without any richt at all, implyis a dere& 
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 eirnefl 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 xx of new aryfeing), lyke aneuche he will 
put who promiffis in his behalf to ane perfonall aclioun for thair releif. 

And becaus hard experience haithe maid me more fenfible nor wtheris, 
and my dewtie to 3our maieftie doithe enforce me to conceale no thing 
of my knawledge heirin, I haue thairfoir prefumed to acquent 3our 
heighnes withe the treuthe ; affureing jour maieftie one my credit, that 
giff the ringleadaris of this clan fall haue the libertie to dwell and refide in 
thair former poffeffiounis, this wndercotting woude fall be found heirefter 
moire incurable. Alwayfe, for my awin pairt, haueing lyfe and whoile 
eftait euir reddie at jour maiefteis difpoifeing, I moift humblie tak my leif, 
praying God Almychtie to continew long jour 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 fireadalbane. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 211 



CXVII JACOBUS VI. CIVITATI GEDANENSI. 

[1613 ?] 



JACOBUS, Dei gratia Britanniarum, Francise, et Hiberniae Rex, Fidei De- 
fenfor, &c. magnificis, generolis, et fpe&abilibus Dominis Praeconfulibus, 
Confulibus, totique ampliffimo regiae ciuitatis Gedanenfis Senatui, amicis 
noftris dileclis, falutem et beneuolentiam noftram regiam, &c. Magni- 
fici, generofi, et fpedlabiles viri, amici noftri dilec"li, literas ueflras, amici- 
tiae et amoris erga nos fubditofque noftros plenas, jam pridem nobis 
reddidit famulus nofter Patricius Gordonius, qui etiam ore tenus fingu- 
larem amplitudinum veflrarum in regii nominis noflri fama et dignitate, 
aduerfus iniquiffimas malitioforum quorundam obtreclatorum difperfas 
per famofos libellos calumnias, afferenda, curam et diligentiam abunde 
expofuit. Quae omnia vt prudential et judicio vefhro 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 flabiliendam attinet, etfi fereniffimi Poloniao Regis veftramque volun- 
tatem perfpeximus, et in eadem acquiefcere lubenter cuperemus, tamen ne 
vicinis vrbibus, aut fubditis etiam noftris, vllam juftae offenfionis caufam 
praebere videremur, praefidi focietatis illius, eiufque afleffbribus iniunxi- 
mus, vt (fi vobis id gratum fuerit), fex homines idoneos mandatorio nof- 
tro adiungant, quibus negotii illius curam cum plena tranfigendi poteflate 
committendam duximus ; vt exploratis conditionibus a vobis vicinifque 
ciuitatibus proponendis, commodis et fecuritati fuse confulant. Tranf- 
adlionis articulos nobis confirmandos referuari volumus : cetera quae ad 
tra6latus initium, progreffum, euentum, et ad ciuium veftrorum fubdito- 
rumque noftrorum commodum pertinent, veftrae prudentiae et promiffo re- 
linquimus. 



212 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



CXVIII JACOBUS VI. JOHANNI SPEMANNO. 

[1613?] 

MAGNIFICE et generofe Spemanne, fincerum gentis tua?, totiufque am- 
pliffimi fenatus regiae civitatis Gedanenfis erga nos fubditofque noftros 
amorem fapius perfpeximus ; nofque ad eundem omni benevolentia regia 
compenfandum merito obligates effe lubenter agnofciraus. Inprimis vero 
gentis tua? virtutes egregia? nos tibi maxime devinxerunt, effeceruntque ut 
negotium non valde difficile prudentiaa tua? feorfum commendaremus. 
Famofus libellus, ad ignominiam totius gentis Scotica?, in Pruffia ante an- 
nos aliquot divulgatus, veflro et ampliffimorum collegarum veftrorum juffu 
et auftoritate in urbe veftra prohibitus et fuppreffus eft, quod nos maxi 
mum benevolentise et prudentia? argumentum, nee oblivioni tradendum 
exiftimavimus. Ejufdem libelli audlorem Johanem Starcovium* manda- 
rius nofter Patricius Gordonius ad extremum fupplicium, juxta provincial 
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 modern 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 Scotish 
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 
city of Edinburgh in a private publication, entitled Nugte Scotica?. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 213 

ftiterit, et adhuc non exigua fumma urbis veftrae incolis perfolvenda reftet, 
confuetiffimum nobisvifura eft, ut fubditi noftri, tarn in urbeveftra degentes 
quam e Polonia et Pruffia eo advenientes, qui cum vicinis paria onera in 
negotio illo Starcoviano non fuftinuerunt, illis pro ratione cenfus adaequen- 
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 tua? juffu et confilio homines idonei ele- 
gantur, qui hujus rei curam habeant, pecuniam a volentibus colligant, 
a nolentibus, veftra auctoritate freti, exigant, rationemque diligentiaB et 
fidelitatis reddant, vehementer rogamus. Factura gens tua rem nobis 
gratiffimam, et, uti opportunitas offerat, regio favore noftro dignam. 

Magnifico et generofo Domino Johanni Spemanno, ampliffimo regiae 
civitatis Gedanenfi Praaconfuli, equiti aurato, fideliter nobis dileclo. 



CXIX.SIR ALEXANDER HAY TO KING JAMES VI. 
JULY 4, [1613?] 

MOSTE GRATIOUS AND DREADE SOVERAYNE, 

According to directioun, 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 funclioun, I wes the more 
vnhable to yeild thame fatiffaclioun in there doubtes, when the fame wer 
referred 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 my 



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; hot heirof your maieftie is to be certified 
at more lenth by nixt packett. Aiient excommunicat noblemen, and the 
advertifment whiche fuld haife bein long fince fent to your maieftie anent 
thame, Glafcrow dothe excuife himfelf in fo far as both thefe noblemen 
ar within S' Androis his province. The other layeth the blame vpoun 
the biftioppis, 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 Fentoun 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, difburdeyned of whatevir is within my inftruciiounis 
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 dewtifull 
fubiecl; and fervant, 

ALEX*. HAT.* 
Edinburgh, 4 July. 



* Sir Alexander Hay, younger son of Alexander Hay of East Kcnnet. On the 3d February 1610 he 
was admitted an Ordinary Lord of Session, in room of Lord Holyroodhouse. He was appointed Clerk 
Register on the 30th of July 1612, and died in 1616. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 215 



CXX THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. 

FEBRUARY 10, 1614. 

RIGHT TBAIST FREIND, AND WEILBELOUED COUSING, 

I haue refaued yiours off the 28 Jan r ., quhairby I onderftand 
rayne was cuimed to yiourhandis off the 21, concerning Rihillis biflines,* 
quhairoff I am werie glaid, fpecialie be that yie write to me, I fould 
fhoirtlie, 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 fhiortlie 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 wift, 
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 lordfhippe 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 bot 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 VI. 
JUNE 9, 1614. 



MOST SACRED SOUERANE, 

The workis of the filwer myndis being now fo far advanced that 
the workmen half begunne to land fume metall, altho far inferiour to the 
expenfes that the wndirtakaris beftow thairvpon, it is neceflar your ma 
iefteis plefour touartis the electione 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 maiefteis 
hand for this effe6l, 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 refiaving 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 maiefteis part exacllie. 

Your maieftie hes a letter fent frome the counfell, concerning fume 
queftione that your maiefteis aduocat and myfelf hes with the archi- 
bifchope of Santandrois, whairanent, and anent fume wther queftiones of 
the lyk nature, it is defyred that your maieftie wald be pleafit to appoynt 
fume of your cownfell and feffione to confider and determine : He declynes 
the advocat and myfelf as parteis. The chanclour, fecretar, prefident, 
clerk of the regifter, and geue your maieftie will be pleafit to adioyne 
any wtheris with thame, ar weill informed of the bufiines, and fo wilbe the 
fitted perfones to be employed, geue fo be your maieftie find it to be 
doune. I declyne to haif any queftione with the archbifchope, geue ma- 
teris may be fetled in a peaceble maner, and fo hes left of all perfutt of 
law, till your maiefteis gratious plefour be knawin heiranent. Swa, wifch- 

The poet, created Earl of Stirling by Charles I. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 217 

ing your maieftie a lang and healthfull lyffe, with all happienes and con 
tentment, I reft 

Your facred Maiefteis moft humble 
and faithful feruand, 

G. MURRAY.* 

Edinbrught, the Qth of June 1614. 
To the Kingis moft facred Maieftie. 



* Sir Gideon Murray held for many years the office of Treasurer-depute of Scotland, and had the 
entire direction of the revenues, which he managed so well, that, besides keeping the royal resi 
dences and fortresses in excellent repair, he was enabled to defray the expenses of the King's visit 
in 1617. The Earl of Mar was the High Treasurer- The following verses upon Principal and De 
puty are from a rare volume, entitled The Poetical Recreations of Mr Alexander Craig of Rose-craig, 
Scoto Britan. p. 25. Aberdene, printed by Edward Raban for David Melville, 1623. 

Once more one poor petition I present, 

Marre not the muses, mightie Marr, I pray : 

Such as to musicke haue a mynde full bent, 

Will saue the sacred Muses from decay. 
The dittie giues the diapason grace : 
Bee friende to both ; for now fits tyme and place. 

Replie to a dilatorie answer sent by Sir Gedeon [Murray] to the author: 

Your sub Receiver shew'd mee, you were sorie 
You could not so dispatch mee as you would ; 
And tolde mee on, with stambring Tongue, a storie 
Scarse vnderstood, when it was ten tymes tolde. 
This difference I put betwixt you two, 
Hee's short in Words, and you in Deedes are slow. 

Notwithstanding the beneficial results of his administration of the revenues, King James listened 
to the accusations of the enemies of Sir Gideon, and he was sent down to Scotland for trial. This 
affected him so much, that he abstained from food for several da3's, and died on the 28th June 1621. 
His son and heir, Patrick, was the first Lord Elibank. 

2 E 



218 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



CXXII. THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. 
. ' JUNE 30, 1614. 

WEILBELOUED COUSING, 

I haue refaued baith 3\our lettirs off the 18 inftant frome 
3iour good half-marrow, and off the 7 fra my Lord Sanquhair, with all 
the credicl he imparted to me frome siow, quhairoff I thank siow hartlie; 
and fpeciallie for latting me knaw his maieflies minde towards Francis 
Stewart,* quhilk treulie relieuis me off ane greate thocht and cair; for I 
feared eiuer his maieflie micht fufpecl me as confentar to ane bargane 
likelie to goe fordwart quhither I will or nocht, quhilk I was verie far 
againft, and wrocht be all meanis poffibill to ganefland. Fra this furth, 
I will leiue it to Goddis will and difpofitioun, and trubill me na mair 
thairwith; albeit in treuth I think baith parties micht doe bettir for thair 
awin weill. In my Lord Sanquharis affaires, be affured I fall continew 
as I haue begunne, and as rafoun and equitie requires. According to 
his maieflies command, the counfall has fend lettirs to my Lord Scone, 
to deliuer to his lordfhip the houfs and fluff in St Jhonfloun. I haue 
na newis to impairt to 3iow frome this, but fie as I am certane is writtin 
at lenth be my Lord Secretair. Wee heir be fuim paffagers cuimed fra 
Orknay, that after his maiefleis fhippis was by that coft, the countrie peo- 
pill upon fuim guid occafioun has tane a guid number of Inglifh pirattis 
with fuim flaughter on ather fyde. The pirattis was in ane Dutche fhippe 
off twa hundir tunne and aboue, latelie fpoiled be thame, laedin with In 
glifh mennis geir frome eifl countries with rye and irne; alwayis off this 
wee haue 3it na particular certantie. Vpon fuim apeirance off fuim 
grudge betuix my Lord Marqueis of Hamiltoun and Lord Ogilbie and 
his fonne and freinds, about holding fuim courtis in Augufl at Arbroth, 
the counfall, to preuent greatar harme, has bound baith parties ondir 
greate foumis to his maieflies peace. Wee haue heir as $\l ane extra- 
ordinair cauld, wittie and windie fomer. I man be hamelie to empefche 

Eldest son of Francis Steuart Earl of Bothwcll. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 219 

jiow now in quhat was eiuer done to me before be my Lord Dumbar, 
butt onye fuite or troubill : He fend to me frome thence eurie 3eir out off 
his maiefties wardroppe ane brodered poolke for carieing the greate feale, 
lie as my Lord Chancelar caries thair, werie magnific and honeft; for 
that can nocht be gottin maed heir, or ellis I fould nocht trubill siow nor 
nane for ane. Sence my Lord Dumbar departed this lyff, this three 3eir 
I haue had nane, and lie as I haue, ar worne aulde and nocht fa cuimelie 
as neid war, quhilk I man wifh 3iow, coufing, find meanis to gett fupplied 
be his maiefties command out off the warderobbe, as hes bein before. 
Sir Alex r Hay, now Clerk of Regifter, then Secretair, quha was in vfe 
to caufe mak thame, fayes to me he caufed, eiuer at my Lord Doum- 
barris direclioun be his maiefties command, ane Mr Brodic in the ward- 
robbe mak thame, and thay war all werie fair in deid, brodered with the 
armis off Scotland on the firft quarter and thridde, Inglifh on the fecond, 
and Irifh in the fourt; and with all ornamentis off baith kingdomes an- 
fuirabill, as I doubt nocht but the faid Mr Brodic, or fuim of his feruandis, 
has 3it the exempill belide thame and patrone ; for the laft I had was in 
thesier 1610, fend to me be my Lord Doumbar. Tak fuim guid courfe 
for this as 3ie find beft. Sua, taking my leiue, I reft eiuer 

3iour louing coufing to ferue siow, 

DUNFERMELJNE. 

Frome Halyruidhoufe, laft Junij 1614. 

To the right honorabill my allured good freind 
Jhone Morraye, of his facred Maiefteis Bed- 
chalmer. 

CXXIII.THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. 
JULY 8, 1614. 

RIGHT HONORABILL COUSING, 

I haue refaued siour kindlie lettir fra my Lord Bifchop off 
Glafgow, and can nocht bot thank jiow off siour monye teftimonies of 



220 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

kindnes. Quhen eiuer that mater concerning the Chapell Royall fall 
be handled, I fall doe guid will to my powar, baith for siour fatiffaclioun 
and Sir Robert Gordounis, as 3ie recommend to me. QOUT bedfellow 
is nocht 311 returned to this toun, bot I haue ane great complaint to 3iow 
off hir; for na treatie I can mak to hir, flioe will nocht tak ane chalmer 
heir in the kings houfe, quhilk my bedfallow made readie to hir, and I 
think ather gie or (hoe fould be als hamelie and priuat with me as with 
onye, and fpecialie in this houfe. Becaufe my Lord Fentoun is reteired to 
Ingilfeild for his health the tyme of this progres, 3ie man excufe my hame- 
lines to trubill siow with my pacquettis, and to burding 3iow to be cair- 
full my lettirs be furelie delivered. 

I recommend to 3iow fpecialie at this tyme to fie deliuered with dili 
gence mine to my Lord Bruntiland,* Sir Robert Meluill, and to my Lady 
Roxbrough, my fifter. As to onye fie occurrence as wee haue heir, I 
doubt nocht bot 3ie ar participant to fie as my Lord Secretair recites to 
his maieftie; for all is heir (praifed be God) quiet, in good iuftice and 
obedience. Thus ending this prefent, whTis s\ovf all weill and happines. 

3iour louing Coufing to ferue 3iow, 

DuNFERMELJNE. 

Frome Halyruidhoufe, 8 July 1614. 

I man nocht fo^iett to gif 3iow fpeciall thankis for the guid will and 
fauour, I onderfland of my nepuieu Sir Claud Hamiltoun, 3ie haue 
fhawin to him in this befines he has had adoe. 

To the right honorabill my afTured good 
freind Jhone Murray, in his Maieflies 
Bedchalmer. 

Eldest son of Sir Robert, the first Lord Melville. He was appointed an extraordinary Lord 
of Session, 26th February 1601, by the title of Lord Burntisland. He succeeded as second Lord 
Melville in 1621, and, dying without issue, 9th March 1635, the Barony, in terms of the patent, 
devolved on John Melville of Raith, "grandson of his uncle." See Wood's Douglas, Vol. II. p. 1J3. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 221 



CXXIV THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. 

JULY 15, 1614. 

WEILBELOUED COUSING, 

I thank 3iow hartlye for siour kindlye aduertifment, conteined 
in 3iour lettir off the 4 inftant, concerning the variance and rakning fallin 
out betuix my nepuieu, Sir Claude, and the Lord Deputie off Ireland, 
quhairoff I had fuim worde before be my nepuieu, and off giour guid 
will and affiflance geuin him to mantein him, and mak him redde thairoff 
with his credicle, be right and trew informing his facred maieflie, quhairin 
I man rackin myfelf 3iour debtour. as in meikill mair, quhairfore I fall 
eiuer be thankfull, albeit I be nocht in hoipe to haue occafioun to acquite 
onye pairt of fie obligations, bot rather to trubill glow farder. 

I onderfland the Laird off Skelmuirlie is returned to court. I doubt 
nocht bot it is to mak fuim wrang narratiues to trubill his maieflie anent 
the befines of Eglintoun. The lafl tyme he came hame, he broght 
ane lettir fra his facred maieflie to my Lord Secretair, and Lord 
Threafaurar Depute, to trie my nepuieu, my Lord off Wentoun and me, 
anent fome fuim promeis he alledged wee maid to him ; quhairanent, 
in his prefence, wee gaue the faidis lordis full fatiffa6lioun be our anfuir, 
quhairanent he has focht na anfuir fra the faidis lordis, bot is gone in 
haifl thair, to mak fie informations as he may pleis. I man entreate 
3iow be fuim guid occafioun, latt his maieflie be requeifled nocht to gif 
him credicl in onye thing may concerne my nepuieuis or me, on heiring firfl 
our felfis. I wifs alfo his maieflie war richt informed, or rather remem- 
bred off the mannis humour (for his maieflie knawis him weill aneuch) ; 
he is ane kittill, mutinous, and onfatled man, full of confaittis, readie to 
rafe and fleir maa broylis his alane, nor tuentic guid and wyfe men will 
gett weill quenched. He and his was the firfl occafioun of the greate 
trubill fell out betuix the houfis of Eglintoun and Glencairne. He was 
befief himfelf off onye to mantein the fame, is 311 laithefl it fould fullie 
quenche; and gif it fould, he can nocht leiue without fuim trubill and 



222 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

befines to himfelf and others. Gif his freinds will nocht affift him to 
trubill lie as he callis auld ennemies, he will tak him to trubill with freinds. 
If he [get] guid audience and eare of his maieftie, or onye has greate 
crediet thair, I warrand siow fall mak befines aneuch, may perhappis 
after fafche his maieftie, and trubill his quietnes. Gif he be fhortlie fend 
hame to adrefs him to the ordinair cowrfe off lawis, before the ordinair 
iudges, counfall and feffioun, his maieftie will find in that greateft eafe, 
and is the beft courfe for iuftice. If he find onye extraordinair blenk off 
fauour thair, as he is inclined, his maieftie will find he will rafe mair 
fturte, and mak maa broiles, nor onye wald luike for. And this I thocht 
guid [to] acquent siovr with ; and pray siow doe siour beft wee be nocht 
ciumbred with that mannis importune or onrafonable fuitis. It wald 
feeme his maieftie fould nocht heir him off new, except he had broght 
bak agane anfuir fra Lord Secretair, and Threafaurar Depute ; quhilk I 
can nocht learne he fpeired eiuer for, I think, becaufe he fand thame 
nocht hallie anfuirabill to his humour and inclinatioun, as he imagined 
thay wald be. 

Other occurrence I can write of nane to slow, hot that we haue heir, all 
this fomer, the maift onfeafonabill waddir be daylie ranis, windis, froftis, 
and cauld, has eiuer bein hard off in ony mannis remembrance. Our 
aftronomaris fayis the plannettis off this our climat aperis to be in thair 
conjunctions, oppofitions, and fie afpeclis for this 3\er, in als ill humour, 
and als far by puirpoifs, as 3owr lower houfe has bein thair at this parlia 
ment; for be guid.rafon, the planettis fould aknawledge the fonne as 
thair lord and maifter, quhome fra thay haue all thair light, and fould 
follow his cowrfe, and gid to eurie countrie in eurie quarter of the seir, 
fie wadder as he apointis the fafon. Wee man referre all to Goddis 
mendis, doing the beft we may : Sua, I end this, and wiffis siow all weill 
and contentement. 

3iour louing Coufing to feme stow, 

DuNFEEMELJNE. 

Frome Halyruidhoufe, 15 Julij 1614. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 223 



3ie man excufe me to trubill siovr with my pacquettis, fa lang as Lord 
Fentoun is fra court. I pray 3iow direct myn to my fitter, Lady Rox- 
brough, and to Sir Claude, and Sir Robert Meluill. If thay be cuimed 
away, returne thame abak agane be the firft. 

To the Right Honorabill my weilbeloued 
coufen, Jhone Morraye, of his facred 
Majeflies Bedchalmer. 



CXXV THE EARL MARISCHAL TO KING JAMES VI. 

JULY 28, 1614. 



Vpoun recept of your highnes letter, daited at Whitehall, 
the 24 of Maij laft paft, as one way I wes (not without juft caus) mightely 
greived to confider of the hard conditioun which perhappis may befall to 
our ifchew heirafter, in being bereft of the refidence of there prince, 
whereof aduantage is taken by thofe who mak a craft of calumniating 
others, and procureing thame to be condemned vnhard ; fo, on the other 
pairt, it wes to me no fmall confort that I fould now Hue and, Godwilling, 
end my dayes in the tyme of a mod gratious Pharao, who bothe knowes 
and will not forgett his evir deutifull and devoited Jofeph. By your ma- 
ieflies letter I conceave fome offence taiken vpoun informatioun maid be 
the Laird of Halkertoun, as that by me he had bene wronged. If he as 
a fubiect had bene refpedlfull of his dewty to his foueraigne, and had 
caryed a regaird to his place when he is honored to be a feruant, no doubt 
he had bene more circumfpecl, then to haue begun the firft fruitis of his 
attendance with delyeuerie againfl abfentis of manifeft vntreuthis. I do 
perfuade my felf vpoun the many infinit prooffes of your maiefteis fin- 



224 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

ceritie, vprightnes, and indifferency to all of your fubiec~lis, that nothing 
that hath bene deliuered aganis me wilbe trufted vntill it be tryed. And 
therefore my humble fuite is, that your maieftie wilbe pleafed to direct 
your highnes counfel heir to caus call bothe that gentleman (who is fo 
hard ane informar) and me before them, and to confrontt ws togither, and 
according as they fhall try ather my mifdemeanour or his mifreporte, that 
they certifie your maieftie of the treuth, wherein I doe fo farr confide in 
my owen innocency, that, as far as that particular, I doe not deprecatt 
any favour. And fo, hoiping your maieftie, after the counfellis repoirt, 
fhall judge of the pairty informer or me, according as any of ws fall be 
found worthye of credite, efter humble kiffing your facred hand, and pray 
ing God for your maiefties long preferuatioun, I reft 

Your Maiefties moft humble fubiect 
and feruant, 

MARSCHALL.* 

Dunotter, the xxviij of Julij 1614. 
To his Maieftie delyuer thais. 



George Earl Marischal succeeded his grandfather, 7th October 1581, and died 2d April 1623. 
He founded the Marischal College, Aberdeen, and was a public-spirited and intelligent nobleman. 
He married, first, Margaret, daughter of Alexander Lord Hume, by whom he had William, his suc 
cessor, and Anne, married to William Earl of Morton ; second, Margaret, daughter of James Lord 
Ogilvie, by whom he had Sir James Keith of Benholm. The second Countess, according to the 
following letter from the King, does not appear in the most amiable light : 

JAIIES R. 

RIGHT trustie and right weilbelouit counsellour, right trustie and weilbelouit coosenis 
and counsellouris, and right trustie and weilbelouit counsellouris, we greet yow weel- Whereas, 
upon our certane knowledge of the unkynde, ingrate, and insolent behaviour of the late Erie Mar- 

schellis wyfe to hir lord and husband, who, with her sone, the Laird Thom- 

toun, and utheris, besyde other indignities, had, in a thifteous bed, the said 

* These blanks are in the original, which is much destroyed. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 225 



CXXVI THE EARL OF DUNFERMLINE TO JOHN MURRAY. 

JULY 29, 1614. 



RIGHT HONORABILL COUSING, 

All I can write to 3iou at the prefent is, that yiflerday the coun- 
fall, be the mediatioun of fuim particulars off their number, quhorae thay 
employed in that earand firft, has failed and fullie compofed the variance 
was betuix the Lordis Sanquhar and Kilmaars, and Drumlanrike and his 
brother ; bot nochtwithftanding thair agriand, has fyned the Laird Drum- 



Erie of writtis, money, plate, furniture of We, out of the regarde we had 

to the memorie of that man, who contentment, served ws at home and 

abroade in greatest charges ; and .... heirefter in otheris the following of so euill a pre 
cedent, wer pleasit to recommend to you that bussines : And becaus a great pairt thereof wes 
clandestine and night worke, wee willed yow to call before yow and examine sik persones as the 
Erie Marschell and our advocat suld give wp to yow : And whereas we ar informed, that, in a later 
letter, under our hand, we have schawin to you that it wes not cure pleasure nor meaning in ony for 
mer letteris to hurt the said Lady Marschell, or ony other persone, These ar now expreslie to mak it 
knawin to yow, that we nether gave direction to insert any sik clause in cure letteris, nether, at 
the putting of cure hand to the samen, did tak head thairto, nor never meant ony sik favour to 
hir, who hath so ill deserved of one, for whose sake we wer only to respect hir : And to will and 
requyre yow to proceid in the said action, according to the tenour of our first letteris, against all 
persones persewed for the saidis factis, as ye will schaw your readdines to obey our commande- 
mentis, and zeale to sie sic barbarous deides condignelie punished. Gewin at our Court of Han- 
well, the tuentie twa day of August, the year of God l m vi and twentie foure yeiris. 

To cure right trustie and right welbelovit Coun- 
sellour, Sir George Hay of Kinfawnes, oure 
Chancellar, and to oure right trustie and right 
welbelowit Cousingis and Counsellouris, and to 
oure trustie and welbelowit Counsellouris, 
Erles, Lordis, and utherisof our Priuie Coun- 
sell of Scotland. 

2F 



226 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

lanrike in three thoufand markis, for his mifbehauiour in fending fie car- 
tellis, in fear and terrour to others. Thair is alfo latelie cuimed heir fuim 
worde fra Orknay, of fuim trubill and motions rafed thair be the Earlis 
baftard fonne, quha has tane ane houfe of my lordis, and latelie has tane 
the kirk and flipill off Kirkoway, principall toun off that cuntrie ; is fol 
lowed be fax or feiuin fcore eiuill peopill, ufis diuers infolencis in all that 
boundis.* Alwayis, Sir James Stewart is making thairaway in all dili 
gence, with forcis fie as wee hope fall putt ordour to all wrangs thair, and 
punifh the offenders. 

The onhappie accident of Mr Francis Bothuellis flaughter,f I perfuade 
my felf, is written to jiow at lenth be others ; quhairfore I take my leiue, 
and wiflis 3iow all happiues. 

<3iour louing Coufing to be commandit, 

DCNFEBMELJNE. 

Halyruidhous, 29 July 1614. 

To the Right Honorabill my weil- 
beloued Coufing, Jhone Mur 
ray, in his facred Maiefties 
Bedchalmer. 



CXXVII._[SIR LACHLAN] MACINTOSH OF DUNACHTAN TO KING JAMES VI. 

AUGUST 3, 1614. 



PLEIS SOUK MOIST SACRED MAIESTIE, 

The fear off offence in prefumeing to wrett haid maid me 
altogidder filent, if by my reftrent in warde, and by the vrgent neceffitie 

See Metros Papers, Vol. i. p. 143. 

t Probably the brother of John first Lord Ilolyroodhouse. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 227 

of my pure eftait, lyklie to be vndone by the hard dealing vfeit agaynis 
me, I wer nocht conftrayned to haue recourfe to 3our maiefties moft be- 
nigne, vpricht, and iuft proceidour with all sour fubieftis. My aduerfarie 
heir is verie powerful!, whairas both my moyan is mean, and my freindis 
verie few. If thair wer a challenge of moir fauour and refpecl, frome 
him for whois caus my foirbearis and kyn haue fuftened fo muche harme, 
it wold be perhappis accounted by him now forgetfull of fie fervices, to 
be in me a point of idilnes. Alwayis, for the prefent occafioune of my 
committing, and of my fo long detentioune in ward, by the fpace of thir tuelf 
monethis paft, it is of treuthe, that whill I wes minor (whiche, in fome 
fort, is a refone for extenuating of the offence), by the advyfe of fum of 
my evill advyfed vncles, my kyne and freindis being than conveynir, it 
wes than concludit that thay fould enter in no aclioun with ony fubiecl;, 
without my knawledge and allowance, whiche wes done vpon a lykliehood 
of a dew confideratioune of my awin danger, who dude anfuerabill by 
the flatute of Parliament for my kyn. But when, vpon the Erie of Mur- 
rayis complaint of my vfurping this authoritie ower the tenentis of his 
landis, this wes adjudgeit by the lordis of 3our maiefteis counfall as ane 
offence, and that I wes thairvpoun committed, haveing now abiddin theis 
tuelf monethis bypaft in prifone for the fame.* In all my fupplicationis 
for libertie, prefented to the counfall, I haue no anfuer returned; hot by 
fpeciall letter frome sour maieftie, my warding is commandit to be con- 
tinewit untill I fould prefent certane perfones of my kyne, particularlie 
nominat in that mifiive ; whairin, howeuer, the importun fute of partie 
hathe perhappis procureit this direclioune, 3it I noway dowt, when 3our 
maieftie fall underftand the treuthe, that the famin falbe fpedellie recallit, 

" Macintoshes," according to the Latin MS. chronicle of the family, " quippe legitimum Catanei 
nominis Caput et Princeps, ulterior!, eorum in arm is progressui restitit, Comitisque Morraviensis 
apparitor!, in verba minus urbana erumpenti, nonnullainflixit verbera; qua propter et Comes Mor- 
raviae et Dominus Gordonus, mutua in Makintoshium conspirarunt, eumque tanquam oppressionis 
reum corara Dominis Secret! Consilii citarunt (donee eos, de pacato, suoe families gestu, dads 
scilicet vadibus, certiores faceret), in arce Edinburgena incarcerari fecerunt, ubi aliquandiu manserit. 
Tandem vero, sua apud Aulicos habita gratia, sine ullo adhibito fidejussore pristine restituitur 
libertati." f. 260. 



228 



LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 



and my releif vpon that refone no longer ftayit : For gif sour maiefteis 
counfall haue fund it ane offence, that I fould tak ony fort of commande- 
ment over my kyne and clane duelling vpon the Erie of Murrayis landis, 
what of refone can be pretendit to vrge me with exhibiting, or being 
anfuerabill for theis men nominat in that letter, who haue no duelling 
bot vpon the Erie of Murrayes landes, who haue reffaueit rychtis of wod- 
fett fra the erle himfelf of thair poffeffionis, with fpeciall claufiis irritant, 
incais they fould ather obey or ferve ony vther than himfelf? It being 
alfo of treuthe, quhilk I protefl on my confcience, that it is a mater alto- 
gidder impoffibill for me to performe. Bot whairas, I haue maid offer to 
the lordis of sour maiefteis counfall to find fufficient cautione, under fie 
payneis as they pleifit, for my appeirance befoir thame at all tymeis, when- 
foeuer I fould be cited, as in lyk fort to be anfuerabill for all men, whome 
ony law or ilatute can mak me ony way bund for; and in particular, nocht 
to middill or vfe ony fort of commandis over ony of the Erie of Murrayis 
tenentis. And now, fen the Erie of Murray hes nocht onlie difpoffefl me 
of all my auld kyndlie rowmeis, deirlie bocht, and worthellie deferveit be 
my foirbearis frome his progenitouris, with the pryce of our beft bluid ; 
and hathe in lyk fort takin fra me the bai^erie of his landis, I can 
nocht conceave vpon quhat refone I fould be thus deteynit in warde, 
haveing now in my soung 3eiris gevin that pruif of my obedience whiche 
I intend to continew, God willing, to my laft breathe: and being willing 
to find furetie to do quhateuer the moift ftricl law of this kingdome can 
vrge, I hop gour maieflie will hald it vnreafonabill I fould be burdenit 
with a mater impoffibill. And fen thair is non allyve that can, better 
than 3our maieftie, diflinguifche betuix richt and wrong, I reft allured, 
that vpoun the reiding of my letter, sour hienes pleafour falbe fpedallie 
retourneit to the counfall, fo as my lang warding hathe nocht tryit fo 
greaveous to me, as the contentment I fall refiaue of the vprichtnes of 
my moift gratious fouerane, who doithe nocht fpare to heir the complayntis 
of the pureft, being at libertie bothe moir abill, and in confcience profeff- 
ing my felf euer moift willing to fuppres all fort of diflbbedience, and to 
gif pruif of my moift dewtifull affectioune, inferiour to no fubie6l quhat- 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 229 

foeuer, of my rank in sour maiefteis fervice : For whois guid eftate, and 
long continewance over vs, as in dewtie I am moift iuftly bund to pray, 
fo fall I euer remayne 

3our Maiefteis moft humbill and 
obedient fubiedt, 

MAKINTOSCHIE 
of Dunachtan.* 

From jour Maiefteis Caftell off Edinburgh, 
this 3 Auguft 1614. 

To the King his moft excellent Maieftie. 



CXXVIII THE EARL OF ABERCORN TO JOHN MURRAY. 
SEPTEMBER 12, 1614. 



MOST ASSURED AND LOVING COUSING, 

Thir few lynis ar only to lat jow kno that I am prefentlie 
going to my fchippe for Yrland, by that menis to geve his facred maieftie 

Sir Lachlan Macintosh of Dunchattan succeeded his grandfather in 1609. In the previously 
mentioned chronicle of the Macintosh family, entitled, " De Origine et Incremento Makintoshio- 
rurn, epitome," MS. Advocates' Library, it is stated: " Anno 1612, sibi matrimonio conjunxit 
Annam Grant, Domini a Grant filiam natu maximam, ex qua tres habuit filios, Gulielmum, Lauch- 
lanum, et JEneam, et filiam unam, nomine Isabellam. Filiam etiam notham habuit, quae, succedente 
nullo progeniei monumento, morti occubuit." He got involved in a series of disputes with Lord 
Gordon, which lasted till the year 1619, when, continues the chronicler, " Dominus Gordonus et 
Makintoshius, nonnullis intercedentibus amicis, Edinburgi quandam amicitiae inierunt speciem. 
Verum cum postea Dominus Gordonus, Allan! Cameron! caussam, adversus Makintoshium, sus- 
ceperat, durante Makintoshio, aliquas semper inter ipsos viguere discordiae." 

In 1617 the honour of knighthood was conferred on him, and Sir Lachlan was appointed one 
of the gentlemen of the Bedchamber to Prince Charles, by whom he was much favoured, and who 
" made him a present of the sword he wore himself, which is still preserved in the family." 
Douglas* Baronage, p. 352. He died at Gartenbeg in Strathspey, on his return from London, on 
22d June 1622, in the 29th year of his age, and was buried in the church of Petty. 



230 LETTERS AND STATE PAPERS 

contentment, quhois feruice, God willing, I fall euer prefer to any thing 
els in this warld: And fence, boithe by his maiefteis laft letter, and my 
brother Sir Claudis* informatioun, I find fuche affurance of the continow- 
ence of his maiefteis love, I will ftryve to geve proife that the continow- 
ence of that fall be my greteft greid, not dowting quhen his maieftie 
fall find bed occafionis, I fall be rememberit in the number of his maiefteis 
mod faithfull and humble ferviteurs; for quhilk, I think never to fpare 
nather my body nor menis, quhen it fall pleis his facred maieftie to com 
mand, altho thair be fum that waild willinglie offer to me all the difficul- 
teis thai could, as I can not bot remember sow of that I wrette in my 
laft letter. This, moft loving coufing, with the remembrances of my moil 
humble dewte, I defyre sow to fignefie to his facred maieftie that I am 
gone for his fervice, and that 3ow will favour me with 3our commande- 
mentis, geve I can do 3ow any fervice in that kingdome, as I will ever 
reft 

3our moft loving coufing, 

ABERCOBNE. 
Southenan, the 12 of September 1614. 

Loving coufing, I will pleis 3ow caufe this vther letter be delyverit to 
Sir James Fullerton, in diligence.f 

To my moft loving coufing, Mr Jone 
Murray, one of his moft facred 
Maiefteis Bedchalmer. 



Sir Claud Hamilton was the second son of Claud Lord Paisley, and brother to James, the 
first Earl of Abercorn, the w riter of this letter. He obtained extensive grants of land in Ireland, 
and was, 6th October 1618, made constable of the Castle of Toome, in the county of Antrim, for 
life, 
t This letter does not occur in the collection. 



OF THE REIGN OF JAMES VI. 231 



CXXIX. THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY TO JOHN MURRAY. 
SEPTEMBER 17, 1614. 

GOOD ME MUBRAY, 

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 bufinefle, becaufe I was not well when the complaint 
was firft brought vnto mee ; but I tooke account of it ftric~lly as foone as 
poffibly I could, and if I had found the report to haue bene true, I had 
both acquainted his majefty therewithal!, and mould have bene an humble 
futer that fome fevere punifhment might have bene layd vpon him, whereof 
not long fince 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 mould 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 mould attend him at Theobalds or not, which, 
it feemeth by your letter, that his maiefty doth not necefiarily 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 ftiall obferve this while I live, ficke or whole, according 
to my duty. But if I might be fpared, I defire ta be at Croydon to 
morrow vpon this occafion. There is an old gentleman of Surrey, called 
Mr Dorrel, a man of faire eftate, buthimfelfe, his wife, and all his children, 
greate recufant Papifts ; fo that one. of his fonnes, for denyeing the othe of 
allegeance, was convidled vpon a prsemunire, and lay long in Newgate, 
till, by his maiefties grace, at your interceflion, hee gave force 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 difmified him for that time, but tooke his 
promife that hee fhould bee with mee tomorrow at Croydon churche, 
where I told him, that, God willing, hee fhould heare mee