XII.

CONE TO JOHN TWELFTH EARL OF ERROLL.

Rycht Honorable

Paris the 26 Octobre 1690

I can not say, my lord, that anie of my former letters cam saife to your lordships hands, since I neuer had the least returne; and tho this be a uerie unseasonable tym for writting, since the ordenarie commirce dis not goe on as formerly: yet necessetie oblidges us, in thir hard tyms, to find out some by way, to make our present condition knowne to our friends, as I doe now to your lordship with my best respects; begging that your goodnes may extend itself now towards your poore seruents, for that litle anuel rent which is yearly due to me upon a part of your lordships estat; wherof there is some arrieres, besyds the yeare current deu at this terme of Mertimes, which my cousin the laird of Balquhyn can make bettir knowne then I, to whom I haue sent a generall discharge and acquittence for all bygons, untill this uerie tearme; which showes the trust and confidence I haue in you bothe, as persons of honor and justice that will doe noe bodie wrong. The only motiue I can bring to your lordship to doe me this fauor is the ancient connection of friendshippe that passed betuixt that honorable and worthie persone of glorious memorie Francis Erle of Arroll, and old Patrick Conne of Achray, my grand father; and euir since we haue bene most noble familie, wherof your lordship is now become the chiefe and head, as the true and lawfull successor, and I beliue we had some particular relation to your familie besyds, from the house of Eslemont, but this I can not affirme parfitly, it being soe manie years since I cam from home. Whowsoeuir I expect your lordships kyndnes, and that you will doe me, nor myn, noe wrong. I am now too old myself to offer my seruice, but since it hes pleased God to giue me three boyes, on of them shall be allotted to be a seruent to you and your familie at home: if God send us more happie and more peaceable tyms, that honest [men] may liue upon their awne, my thoght is to satle one of my children there, under your lordships fauorable protectione. This is my earnest wishe that all discords may be takne away, and that we may serue God, king, and countrie with freedome and peace. I can say noe more at present, but the duty and

respects of this poore familie to your lordship, your noble ladie, and all yours, as being

I was sorie to hear of your ladiships indisposition, but I hope the nixt shall bring ws better news.

As to the town of Edinburghs seeking an inlargement of their priviledges, I can learn of nothing but extension thereof as to the bounds; for they design to build on the other syd of the Nore Loch, and to cast a bridge of stone over it, and to inclose that new tane in ground with a wall, and they would have the priviledges they now enjoy to be extended to that enclosure als weill as they ar within the present precincts of the town. If any other thing be sought wherin my lord is concerned I shall advert to it.

As to Lady Marys (1) woman, the design was that she might be capable to teach musick and dancing to the young ladies at home, as I think trulie she may be; but seing your ladiship is displeased with it, ther shall be no more of it.

The Lady Blair is now weel recovered, and Lady Mary proffeits wonderfullie at every thing thats taught her, so that it seems strange to me my lord should take her away before the spring; and your ladyship would be pleased to deall with my lord in it ffor the Lady Blair is most earnest to have her stay, and the tyme she hes bin at schooles will be lost if she goe away so soon.

The moon having changed yesternight which brings the stream tyd, the

(1) [The Countess' eldest daughter, the Lady Mary Hay, afterwards, in her own right, Countess of Erroll.]

convoy is to saill on Thursday being tomorrow. So Mr David Drumond and I ar to goe to Burntiland this day to wait on the Earl of Perth, who is expected ther this night, and to goe in a merchant ship. The delay that was given till the tent of October he would by no means accept of, so that wee wer forced to apply to the Chancellar(1) and the rest of my lords freinds, that he might have leave to goe with the first convoy as before, and it was granted. My lord Duke Hamilton is to be in town on Fryday, and both he and my lady Dutchess ar said to be going for court nixt week.

I opened the inclosed to see if ther wer any news, that I might wryt them to the Earl of Perth, becaus as your ladiship formerly allowed this, so I humbly conceiv my Lord Hay (2) will doe the lyke. Ther ar no other news. Edinburgh 20 September 1693

XIV.

SIR SAMUEL FORBES OF FOVERAN TO JOHN TWELFTH EARL OF

My Lord

ERROLL.

It belongs to me to attend your lordships dyett and whatever tyme you finde convenient to appoynte; so whether Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday, I will not weary whill I foster the hopes of having the honour to see your lordship. Only the commission expyres on Frydaye and I hope your lordship would be loath that I should lose the opportunity of vindicating the just right I have when it is so shrewdly attacqued and lykewayes your lordships titles theirthrough, as you saw by the depositions. I have the mapp in readiness and entertaynes a due sense of my Lady Erroll's and Lady Mary's goodness in directing Charles Whyte to come to Foveran and affoording him materials for the delineation. I confide in your patrociny and favour in this matter only because my plea is juste and I the innocent defender in the process. Your lordship hath been allwayes oblidging to me and I am both bound and resolved so long

(1) [John, first Marquis of Tweeddale.]

(2) [Her ladyship's son, Charles, afterwards thirteenth Earl of Erroll.]

as ffish swimme in the salt sea, or mussils grew in Ythan, to honour love and serve your lordship, and now only adds that I am my lord Your lordships most humble obedient

I receaved the honor of your lordships leter in favours of Mr Barclay student of divinity, who purposes to follow the caling of the holy ministry and for that end to be entred in sacrat ordors. I am willing to give all the incowragement I can to such weale designing honest persones, and so much the more when your lordship is pleased to interpose, being most wiling to shew myself reddie to serve your lordship according to my power. But non can be put in ordors till first they be examined and tryed as to ther good conversatione and literatur, befor they be prefered to sacrat ordors; therfor it is simply necessary, that he offer himselfe to tryell before some godly orthodox ministers, who if they can testifie of him, as one qualified for that promotione, I shall be willing to doe what I can for his furtherance. I wish God may bles your lordship and your noble family with the blessings of this lyfe and that to come, and may reward your lordships kindnes for the incowragement a persecut orthodox clergie have from yow

My Lord

Your lordships most humble oblidged

and affectionat servand

Ro: DUNBLANEN

My Lord, I delivered to Bishop Drummond my successor to Brichan (who dyed in your lordships family) a manuscript thick booke relaiting to

the interest and rights of that bishopricke: it war necessary that booke be preserved.

To the Right Honourable

The Earl of Erroll.

XVI.

ANDREW FLETCHER OF SALTOUN TO CHARLES THIRTEENTH EARL OF ERROLL.

so.

My Lord

Edinburgh Wedensday

I told you always that you keept ill company, but 'twas to no purpos. And now you see the fruits of it. 'Tis not R. Mory's I mean when I say As for that affair we can not understand the J. C.'s civility if the D. of M. was ignorant of the orders from S. H. nor can any body but I understand the D.'s hospitality etc. faith if he did. Your man tells me that you are not to come to town, tho you made me hope that the first time you came south I should have the honor to see you at Salton; but it seems the town is so near the castel, and S. so near the J. C. I would have waited upon you, and the noble lord with whom you are, but that your man tells me that at two a cloake you go for Kinel; and that I do not care to be involved in the appearances of a plot which I belive some people are as industriously seeking, as by goings and comeings among such considerable men in the country (which makes always great noise) you are affording them the pretences. I am

My lord

Your lordships most obliged and humble servant

To the right honourable

A FLETCHER

The Earle of Errol

Lord High Constable of Scotland.