LETTERS FROM THE marquess OF ARGYLE, the Earl of LANERICK, Lord WARRISTON, and others now at Edinburgh, to their friends at London. Intercepted by Sir RICHARD willies governor of Newarke, and Printed faithfully by the Originals. OXFORD, Printed by HENRY HALL Printer to the UNIVERSITY. 1645. THe Reader may take notice that these Letters are printed exactly according to the authors Spelling, without the least alteration of word or Syllable: Most of them bear date at Edinburgh about the middle of March, and were superscribed to London, except that written by J. Meldrum in January to his friend in France, which therefore we place first; the rest follow according to their several dates, in this Order. viz. To the Earl of Lowdon from Mr Patrick Maule of His majesty's Bedchamber. To Mr Hebbe a Merchant at London, from Mr Mowet conceived to be one of their Advocates of the Sessions. To James Oswold from Ro. Kirkwood said to be one of the Writers to the Signet. To the Scots Commissioners at London from Archibald Johnston Lord Warriston. To the Earl of Lauderdale' one of the Scots Commissioners at London, from the Earl of Lanerick brother to the Duke of Hamilton To the Scots Commissioners at London from the Marquis of Argyle Earl of Cassils, Lanericke, Lord Balmerinoth, and the rest of the Commissioners at Edinburgh. From Mistress Dorothy Spense (without a Superscription.) To the Earl of Somerset at London from J. Elphinston the Lord Balmerinoths son. From Master James Stuart a Merchant in Edinburgh to his Kinsman at London, To John campbel a Merchant in London from John Wood a Stationer in Edinburgh. To the Earl of Lowdon from Master J. Mevar. LETTERS FROM THE marquess of Argyle, the Earl of Lanerick, Lord Waristone, and others now at Edinburgh, to their friends at London, &c. Sulsi● the 26 of January. 1645. Most loving friend, I perceive in your last letter to me ye have not resaved any from my hand; indeed ye sall not wonder thairat, nor imput any neglect of duty to me, for I have not forgotten you nor never sall, but the evil time I have endured he's maed me almost forget myself and my Country both; for since the Irishes came amongst us (which was in July) we never have had peac or quietness but in danger of our lives and estates; as for my estate, I thank God I have spent in this year more nor I can win in thrie yeir to cum, by quartering of troopers rigging out of soldiers, horse and fut, tax and loan, tents and twanties, and victual to the army, with my own personal service at all occasiones to the public, he's put me mere in debt nor ever I can get paid. The occurments of our kingdom are many but not guide, there came 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 marquess of Montros joined with them, being cum out of Ingland secretly, and raised many in our Hilands and all Atholl, and came towards saint Johnstonn about the number of 4000 men, being the beginning of September, whom ane Sunday the fift, Strathern, Angus, with Perthshire, with 6000 met tham about saint Johnstonn, where for want of government and commanders we was put to flight, and the number of 800 killed and drowned in the water in the flying, and than entered the town and plundered it. From thence they came throw Angus, and got many ajoint to tham as Arlie Kinowl, Spiney, with the Meister, & divers Barons: than to the Mearns, marshal keipt Dunnotter his house: they crosed Die at the milnes of Drum, and came to Aberdene, the shirif of Aberdene and Bamff being present at the tua mill cross where Elchoes Regiment and the townsmen, gaiff ane assault wpon the 13 of September, the wind being high and with tham, we was forced to retire to the loss of many of our men, the town of Aberdene loosed sevin scor and ten and also many more, they stayed three days in the town. This is all I can show you for the present. The Laird of Haltowne is dead of ane fever upon the 6 of Januar. Your loving Father in the Lord Jesus. J. Meldrum. To William Gray Preacher to Coll: Dowglas Regiment in France. Edinburgh March 8. 1645. My Lord, IT hath pleased my Lady to conclude the business betwixt my Lady Jane your daughter, and my son, so it wants nothing now to the finishing thereof but your aprobatione and blessing to it, and I pray the Lord with all my soul to bless them, and make their happiness 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 kingdom requiring privacy. I think my occasions will force my coming to London this Summer, if there be any possibility of travailing either by sea or land: if you think at my being there if I procured liberty to go and see the King, that I might say any thing to His Majesty that might be for the good of himself and His Dominions, that you would be pleased to write thereof to the Marquis of Argyle, that I might speak with him therein: for unless there be some middles found to save the miserable distractions of this kingdom, we and our posterity shall be but miserable at the best: for unless that God Almighty hath decreed the ruin of the King and His race, it is not to be doubted but He will prevail in the end, though to the ruin of all His kingdoms. I have many times spoken the marquess herein, for he gets much blame from His Majesty of the courses that this kingdom takes, and I think gets not many thanks here for his pains, which is all I will say for the present, but that I shall ever remain Your lordship's most humble servant. Patrick MAULE. For the Earl of Lowdon. Edinburgh March 12. 1645. Loving Brother, I Omitted Yesternights packet because I had this bearer John Pringle, George Lesly's godson, before my hands. I remit likewise to his relation the estate of our present affairs, which are not as you could wish. These godless rebels since the routing of Argyles forces in Lothaber, did return to Murray, and finding innerness fortified went not that way, but held them about Ferres and Elgin, and all the parts of that poor 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 readiness. The Parliament before it rose, (which was upon Saturday last) made all the haste it could to provide for moneys to our Army, which is making against these Rebels, for without present pay no soldier could be moved to advance. Colonel Vrrey was sent away hence upon Saturday last, to guard our troops, we expect two Regiments presently from Newcastle, and as many are sent for from Ireland, but apparently these will come late. The perfidious Lord Gordon went into that wicked Band in Murray, and since the Earl of Seaforth. The Gordons and Graunt's 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 cruel enemy: There hath been ane great Fray near York lately at the relief of Pontfract Castle, which was reported here to have been ane total overthrow of Fairefax Armies: this bearer and others from New Castle will report the truth far betternor I, who hath it scarcely at the third hand. Our general Marched from Newcastle (as we hear) towards Yorkshire, upon the report of that overthrow, with 3000 fut and the most part of his horse, his son the Lord Balgony 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 Your loving BrotherA. MOW●T. For Master Heb Merchant, &c. Edinburgh this 12 of March. 1645. James Oswald, And loving friend, 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 news hear yester certain word cam of Montrosse his arrival at Aberdein, accompanied with the Earl of Seaffort being about 7000 men in all, not Counting thoss he has left behind him at innerness, our Parliament is risen and nothing expected heir bot misery. Gen. Leslie is to march presently southward with his army, only leaving a garrison at Newcastle. It is thought that Montros will be this night at Dundie, our Parliament has ordered ane army of 10000 men, bot they are so slow in levying, that God has left us and some heavy judgement to light on us. Master William Rutherfoord and Crawfoord and all your friends remember them to you. I rest Your affectionate. Ro. Kirkwood. For James Oswald, &c. Edinburgh March 13. Right Honourable, I Can add little to what I did write by sea with our Ministers, and thereafter with the Post, there is a public Letter from the Committee about the ships, and another for favour or trial at Newcastle to the Delinquents that are sent up; the general of Artillery has pressed it very hard, ye will make the best use of it as may not wrong this kingdom in their reputation and affection amongst the weal affected. I have gotten the answer to the Parliaments Letters, as also to Sir William Ermin's papers, drawn up very fair, 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 believe be with Seaforth his prisoner with his will now at Aberdene; I am myself this day under physic and so he's not attended the Committee. If Crafurd and Middletoun continue not in employment their, 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 haste resting For the Commissioners of the Kirk and kingdom of Scotland. I fear M. Baitzee, and M. Gilespie, with Mistress Murray, be driven over to Campheire in the water, that went from this Yesterday morning. Your lordship's real servant ARCH: JOHNSTON. My dear Lord, Edinburgh March 13. 1645. IT hath now pleased God to put an happy end to this Session of Parliament, after a solid course was taken, for maintaining our forces at home against our as yet prevailing Enemies & recalling such from England & Ireland as our Danger & Necessity forced us to; which I hope will no ways be misunderstood where you are, seeing the only way to make us useful to our friends, and considerable everywhere abroad, is to preserve ourselves entire at home. The bad success of the Treaty occasions a great confidence here in Malignants, of His majesty's powers and means of pursuing actively the war this ensuing summer; and the new alterations in the Command of the Parliaments armies, give some grounds to honest men, (who looks at a distance upon their proceedings) not only to fear a great loss of time by these changes, and hazard of disobedience to their commands, but likewise more desperate and dangerous effects from an appearance of divisions in their Counsels. It is not long since you had the like fears of that amongst us here; I confess I cannot say there wants discontented persons amongst us, and those even of the honestest, but I am confident it can never heighten so as to occasion disaffection in any, to the great work we are all sworn to; for whatsoever particular mistakes there may be amongst persons, yet praised be God, there hath been unanimity in our Counsels, which (whatsoever your Lordship may hear to the contrary) none shall more constantly endeavour to continue and preserve then myself, for as I shall answer to God I have no private or particular ends, nor do I otherwise consider or look upon myself, but as I may be useful to the public, and I hope all amongst us have the same thoughts, if not these sifting times will soon separate the corn from the chaff. I pray the Lord bless you in your employment, and send us a happy meeting when he thinks fit. Your lordship's faithful and obliged servant LANERICK. For the Earl of Lauderdale. Postscript. My Lord, I am desired to recommend to you the desires of a Brother in Law of my wives, one Sir Thomas Boyer, I hope your Lordship will not look the less favourable upon him that he hath this interest in your servant. Edinburgh 13 March 1645. Right Honourable, We have several times heirtofore Represented to your Lordships the prejudices have ensued to this kingdom throw the Parliament of England's 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 (Captain Kerse being come in for fresh provision) And being certainly informed of great preparations of men and ammunition to come out of Ireland for supplee of the rebels who now infest this kingdom, and whose coming here had been interrupted, if the Parliament had performed what they are obl●idged to be the Treattie. We do seriously Recomend to your L●● care To deal effectually with the Parliament of England that besides captain Kerse Two other ships of 20 piece of Ordinance a piece 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 settled course ta'en be exchange or otherways, how they may be furnished of new within this kingdom 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 marquess of Argyle, general Major Monro, or any other having power from the Committee of estates for that effect. Your Lordship sall also desire, that the excise of Merchandise that comes to Newcastle be not anticipat an London But that the same may be paid at Newcastle and employed for the use of the army, and the like for such merchandise as sall come to Sunderlaind and Hartlepoole, we rest Your lordship's assured friends Argyle Yester Yougar Patrick Leslie Cassillis Lannericke Balcarres Tullibardine Balmerinoth Braighall Sir William Dicks. For the Commissioners of Scotland at London, etc 13 of March 1645. GOod friend 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 hear the like of you, and hope ere long to hear of your arrival here with the rest. You desire to hear news, truly we can promise ourselves nothing but misery, for the enemy grows 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 do not see God's hand in it. I think we must drink of that cup which England hath begun to us, and I fear we here must drink the dregs. My Lord Argyle is going out again with new forces for he was defeated by the help of some of his own me. So now I cease to write but never from being Your faithful friend Dorothy Spense Edinburgh March 13. 1645. Loving Cussing, YOur last by the ordinar post I answrit by the samen, 10 Current; wherein I sent you the list of the north committee, I haif nothing new to enlarge; only Montrose came to Aberdene with his rebels on Saturday the 8 of this, Bailie Jefrey came yesternicht who shows that Nathaniel Gordun with a party of horse fell on the baggage of Lothians regiment and has taken it with lieutenant colonel Murray prisoner. The Earll of * A new Earl of Craford of their own making, the true Earl being for his loyalty prisoner in Edinburgh. Craford went over water this day for Pearth where bailie stays; It's like God has a great controversy with this Land, the judgement so grown by reason means are not actively followed, and yet no man will say its his default, nether haif we had success since my Lard chancellor went away, though I cannot attribute it to that only, yet I am confident matters would go a great deal better of his presentts, general Major hurry is gone the north and commands nixt to bailie, their is small appearance Baillies stirring, so 'tis like Montross sall once essay all our sitting. My humble service to my Lord chancellor, Lady Warriston, &c. Your Cussing to power I. Stevart. From the abbey the 14 of March. 1645. I Wrett to you before that all your trunks was broken up, for ane black hart of my Lord Maitland's, and shortly they have taken your hat caisse for my Lord Maitland's use; I have no fewer news to writ to you but that the bearer can aquent you; times looks strangely in Scotland, the enemy is very strong and daily gatheres strength, by numbers that runes into him both great men and Commons. And for any thing that I can sie, Scotland shall drink as deip in the cup of the Lord's wraith as either England or Irland. It has pleased the Lord to strike Scotland with twa roads, and threatenes for with the thride, and yet there none that lays to heart; never more gross sinning against God in Scotland nor at this same time. Now the Lord be with you. Your humble servant till death. John Wood. For John campbel &c. 14 March. 1645. My Lord, I Have so long bein silent that any good newis from this country I can show your Lordship are not worthy of your lordship's pains, the parliament here did close on Saturday 8 of this Month having farfaulte the Earls of Montros, Nithisdaill, Airlie, Lord Aboyne, Harrise, and Alexander Mackdonald who is appointed general Major of his majesty's forces nnder the Marquis of Montrose, who now although a Marquis by His majesty's patent under his own rashet not having passed the grit seal is declared a traitor by the State, the Earls of Seafort & the Lord Gordon are lately joined to him, he has bein at Elgin in Murray and has rased divers gentlemen's housis, the Lard of Brodies house he has razed to the ground, and two other gentlemen's housis. I have named this gentleman the rather because of his faithful and approved service to his country, the Lord Gordon has likewise wasted all the Viscount of Freindret and the Lord fraser's boundis, all out deadly fead that has bein tuixt the gordovis and the Lord Forbese and Fraser who are the two prime men in these boundis. This is all I can say at this time for newis, wishing your Lordship all health and happiness, I rest Your lordship's humble Servant I. Elphinston. For my much honoured Lord and Uncle the Earl of Somerset at London. Newcastle 15 March 1645. Most honoured and my most noble Lord, I sent a letter by this post on Wednesday last, I have heard of your Lordship in print since at the Common counsel at London, I know not how, but the Lord for a time hath departed from us. In my last I spoke of your lordship's regiment which is claimed by Lumsden as his own that you would signify your mind to my Lord general his excellence. My poor opinion is that in these times your Lordship ought to be so far from quitting of your regiment, that one of your lordship's Trust had rather need of ane army which may be clear before you have the kingdom in the posture wherein your Lordship left it, I say no more, but refer it to the bearer, The quick dispatch with this bearer I hope will signify your lordship's sense of the troubles at home, and the remembrance of Your lordship's most affectionate Minister I. Mevar. For the Earl of Lowdon FINIS.