I Perceave in your last letter to me ye hav not resaved any from my hand; indeed yee sall not wonder thairat, nor imput any neglect of dewtie to me, for I have not forgotten you nor never sall, but the evill tym I hav endured hes maed me almost forget my selfe and my Country both; for sinc the Irishes cam amongs us (which was in Iuly) we never hav had peac or quietnes but in danger of our lives and estates; as for my estate, I thanke God I have spent in this yeare more nor I can win in thrie yeir to cum, by quar­tering of troopers rigging out of seuldiers, horse and fut, tax and loan, tents and twanties, and victuall to the army, with my own personall service at all occasiones to the publicke, hes put me meer in debt nor ever I can get paied. The occurments of our Kingdome ar many but not guid, ther cam in in our West-Ills in July last about the number of tua thousant Irishes, under the conduct of Alex:clan Donald, alias Colmak [...]ittach, and within short tim the Marques of Montros joined with th [...]m, being cum out of Ingland secretlie, and raised many in our Hilands and all Atholl, and cam towards Sant Iohnstonn about the number of 4000 men, being the beginning of September, whom ane Sun­day the fift, Strathern, Angus, with Perthshire, with 6000 met tham abowt Sant Iohnstonn, where for want of governament and commanders we wes put to flight, and the number of 800 killed and drowned in the water in the flying, and than entered [Page 2] the towne and plundered it. From thence they cam throw An­gus, and gat many ajoint to tham as Arlie Kinowl, Spiney, with the Meister, & divers Barons: than to the Mearns, Marshall keipt Dunnotter his house: they crosed Die at the milnes of Drum, and cam to Aberdene, the shirif of Aberdene and Bamff being present at the tua mill crosse where Elchoes Regiment and the Townesmen, gaiff ane assault wpon the 13 of September, the wind being high and with tham, we was forced to retire to the losse of many of our men, the Towne of Aberdene losed sevin scor and ten and also many more, they staied three daies in the Towne. This is all I can shew you for the present.

The Laird of Haltowne is dead of ane fever upon the 6 of Ia­nuar.

IT hath pleased my Lady to conclude the busi­nesse betwixt my Lady Iane your daughter, and my sonne, so it wants nothing now to the finishing thereof but your aprobatione and blissing to it, and I pray the Lord with all my soull to blesse them, and make their happinesse according to their affections; my opinion is, the privater that it is consummate it will be the better, wherein you may signify your pleasure and it will be obeyed, both the time, and your ab­sence forth of the Kingdome requiring privacy.

I thinke my occasions will force my comming to London this Summer, if there be any possibility of travailing either by sea or land: if you thinke at my being there if I procured liberty to goe and see the King, that I might say any thing to His Ma­jesty that might be for the good of Himselfe and His Domini­ons, [Page 3] that you would be pleased to write thereof to the Marquis of Argyle, that I might speake with him therein: for unlesse there be some middles found to save the miserable distractions of this Kingdome, we and our posterity shall be but miserable at the best: for unlesse that God Almighty hath decreed the ru­ine of the King and His race, it is not to be doubted but He will prevaile in the end, though to the ruine of all His Kingdomes. I have many times spoken the Marquesse herein, for he gets much blame from His Majesty of the courses that this King­dome takes, and I thinke gets not many thankes here for his paines, which is all I will say for the present, but that I shall e­ver remaine

I Omitted Yesternights packet because I had this bearer Iohn Pringle, George Lesly's godsonne, before my hands. I remit likewise to his relation the estate of our present affaires, which are not as you could wish. These godlesse rebels since the rou­ting of Argyles forces in Lothaber, did returne to Murray, and finding Innernesse fortified went not that way, but held them about Ferres and Elgin, and all the parts of that poore Country. And turning over Spey returned be Ennys and Bamff, and Ye­sterday we heard they were at Aberdene, using all the expedi­tion possible to be at Angus and farther South before we be in readinesse. The Parliament before it rose, (which was upon Saturday last) made all the hast it could to provide for monies to our Army, which is making against these Rebels, for with­out present pay no souldier could be moved to advance. Colo­nell Vrrey was sent away hence upon Saturday last, to guard our troopes, we expect two Regiments presently from New-Castle, and as many are sent for from Ireland, but apparently [Page 4] these will come late. The perfidious Lord Gordon went into that wicked Band in Murray, and since the Earle of Seaforth. The Gordons and Graunts are risen and are with them. This is our present condition, which or it be long, must suffer ane change, or else we sall be made very miserable: the Lord assist us and grant us ane happy deliverance from such ane base cruell ene­my: There hath beene ane great Fray neare Yorke lately at the releife of Pontfract Castle, which was reported here to have beene ane totall overthrow of Fairefax Armies: this bea­rer and others from New Castle will report the truth farre bet­ternor I, who hath it scarcely at the third hand. Our Generall marcht from New-Castle (as we heare) towards Yorkeshire, up­on the report of that overthrow, with 3000 fut and the most part of his horse, his sonne the Lord Balgonie is not like to live, it is in effect ane Consumption, proceeding, as is reported, from intemperancy. The Parliament is very slow in all their determinations. Lord be with you and grant us ane happy and peaceable meeting to his glory and our comfort. So I rest

And loving freind, my love remembret. I wonder that I never hare from you since your departing from London to the Country concerning your Commission you left me about Charles Dickeson. For newes hear yester night certain word cam of Montrosse his arrivall at Aberdein, accompanied with the Earle of Seaffort being about 7000 men in all, not compt­ing thoss he hes left behind him at Innernesse, our Parliament is risen and nothing expected heir bot miserie. Gen. Leslie is to march presently southward with his armie, onlie leaving a garrison at Newcastle. It is thought that Montros will be this [Page 5] night at Dundie, our Parliament hes ordered ane armie of 10000 men, bot they ar so slow in leviing, that God hes left us and som heavie judgement to light on us. Master William Ru­therfoord and Crawfoord and all your freinds remember them to you. I rest

I Can adde little to what I did write by sea with our Ministers, and thereafter with the Post, there is a publicke Letter from the Committee about the ships, and another for favour or triall at New-Castle to the Delinquents that are sent up; the Ge­nerall of Artillery hes prest it very hard, ye will make the best use of it as may not wrong this Kingdome in thair reputation and affection amongst the weall affected. I have gotten the an­swer to the Parliaments Letters, as also to Sir William Ermin's papers, drawne up very faire, which we shall, God willing, bring with us on Tuesday next. My Lord Craford and the rest of the Committee for the North goeth to Bailie this day and to morrow; the enemy we beleive be with Seaforth his prisoner with his will now at Aberdene; I am my selfe this day under physicke and so hes not attended the Committee. If Crafurd and Middletoun continue not in imployment thair, I wish them at home with our Armies; Monroe will be dispatch­ed hither to assist Garthland and Cowdon, whom we have sent to Ireland. Thus in hast resting

For the Commissioners of the Kirk and King­dome of Scotland.

I feare M. Baitzee, and M. Gilespie, with Maistresse Murray, be driven over to Campheire in the water, that went from this Yesterday morning.

Wee have several tymes heirtofore Represented to your Lordships the prejudices have ensued to this Kingdome throw the Parliament of Englands not sending of ships to attend our coasts as they are bound be Treatee. And now finding that there is not one ship on our coast toward Ireland (Captaine Kerse being come in for fresh provision) And being certaine­lie informed of great preparations of men and ammunition to come out of Ireland for supplee of the Rebells who now infest this Kingdome, and whose coming heere had beene interrupt­ed, if the Parliament had performed what they are obl [...]idged to be the Treattie. We do seriouslie Recomend to your L [...] care To deale effectuallie with the Parliament of England that be­sides Captaine Kerse Two other shipps of 20 peece of Ordi­nance a peece with two pinnaces be surthwith sent to attend on our West coast toward Ireland and our Isles. And that they be provided with six months provision. And some setled course tane be exchange or otherwayes, how they may be furnished of new within this Kingdome and not forced as formerly they have done for want of provision to leave the service. And that they be ordered to obey all such direction as sall be given to thame be the Marques of Argyle, Generall Major Monro, or any other having power from the Committee of Estats for that effect. Your Lordship sall also desire, that the Excyse of Mer­chandise that comes to Newcastle be not anticipat an London But that the same may be payed at Newcastle and employed for the use of the Armie, and the like for such merchandise as [Page 8] sall come to Sunderlaind and Hartlepoole, Wee rest

having this sure bearer I could not omit but let you know how it is with me, I am blessed be God in health, and would be glad to heare the like of you, and hope ere long to heare of your arrivall here with the rest. You desire to heare newes, truly we can promise our selves nothing but miserie, for the enemy growes stronger, and our hands weaker, for God hath taken all cou­rage from us; and the ministers of God foresees great desolation, and still threatens the people, but still they continue a stuped unsen­cible people, and doe not see Gods hand in it. I thinke we must drinke of that cup which England hath begunne to us, and I feare we here must drinke the dreggs. My Lord Argyle is going out againe with new forces for he was defeated by the helpe of some of his owne me. So now I cease to write but never from being

YOur last by the ordinar post I answrit by the samen, 10 Cur­rent; wherein I sent you the list of the north committie, I haif nothing new to inlarge; onely Montrose came to Aber­dene with his rebels on Saturday the 8 of this, Bailie Iefrey came yesternicht who shewes that Nathaniell Gordun with a partie of horse fell on the baggage of Lothians regiment and hes tak­en it with Leiutenant Colonell Murray prisoner. The Earll of [Page 9] A new Earle of Craford of their owne ma­king, the true Earle being for his loyalty pri­soner in Eden­burgh. Craford went over water this day for Pearth where Baillie staies; Its like God hes a great contraversie with this Land, the judgement so growen by reason meanes ar not activelie fol­lowed, and yit no man will say its his default, nether haif we had successe since my Lard Chancelor went away, though I cannot attribute it to that onlie, yit I am confident matters would go a great deale better of his presentts, Generall Major Hurrie is gone the north and commands nixt to Baillie, thair is small appearance Baillies stiring, so tis like Montross sall once essay all our sitting. My humble service to my Lord Chan­cellour, Lady Warriston, &c.

I Wrett to you befor that all your trunkes wes broken up, for ane blacke hart of my Lord Maitland's, and shortlie they have taken your hat caisse for my Lord Maitland's use; I have no fewer newes to wrytt to you but that the bearer can aquent yow; times lookes strangelye in Scotland, the enemy is very strong and daylie gatheres strength, by numberes that runes into him both greatt men and commones. And for anie thing that I can sie, Scotland shall drinke as deip in the cupp of the Lords wraith as either England or Irland. It hes pleased the Lord to stryke Scotland with twa rodes, and threatenes for with the thride, and yet there non that laies to heart; never more grosse sining against God in Scotland nor at this same time. Now the Lord be with you.

I Have so longe bein silent that any good newis from this cun­try I can shew your Lordship are not worthy of your Lord­ships paines, the parliament heere did close on Saturday 8 of this Month having farfaulte the Erles of Montros, Nithisdaill, [Page 10] Airlie, Lord Aboyne, Harrise, and Alexander Mackdonald who is appoynted Generall Major of his Majesties forces nn­der the Marquis of Montrose, who now although a Marquis by His Majesties patent under his owne rashet not having pas­sed the grit Seall is declared a traitor by the State, the Erles of Seafort & the Lord Gordon are latelie joyned to him, he hes bein at Elgin in Murray and hes rased divers gentlemens housis, the Lard of Brodies house he hes razed to the ground, and two other gentlemens housis. I have named this gentleman the rather because of his saythfull and approved service to his cun­try, the Lord Gordon hes likewise wasted all the Viscount of Freindret and the Lord Frasers boundis, all out deadlie fead that hes bein tuixt the Gordouis and the Lord Forbese and Fra­ser who are the two pryme men in these boundis. This is all I can say at this tyme for newis, wishing your Lordship all health and happinesse, I rest

I sent a letter by this poast on Wednesday last, I have heard of your Lordship in print since at the Common counsell at Lon­don, I know not how, but the Lord for a time hath departed frō us. In my last I spoke of your Lordships regiment which is claimed by Lumsden as his owne that you would signifie your minde to my Lord Generall his excellence. My poore opini­on is that in these times your Lordship ought to be so farre from quitting of your regiment, that one of your Lordships Trust had rather need of ane army which may be cleare before you have the Kingdome in the posture wherein your Lordship left it, I say no more, but referre it to the bearer, The quicke dispatch with this bearer I hope will signifie your Lordships sense of the troubles at home, and the remembrance of