Letters of Argyle

I Perceave in your last letter to me ye hav 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 tym I hav endured hes maed me almost forget myself and my Country both; for sinc the Irishes cam amongst us (which was in July ) we never hav 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 year to cum, by quartering of troopers rigging out of seuldiers, 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, hes put me mere in debt nor ever I can get paid. The occurments of our Kingdom ar many but not guid, there 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 secretly, 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 fifth, Strathern, Angus, with Perthshire, with 6000 met tham about 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 the town 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 Aberdeen, the shirif of Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen 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 Ianuar.

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 blissing to it, and I pray the Lord with all my soull 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 anything 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

I Omitted Yesternights packet because I had this bearer John Pringle, George Lesly 's godsonne, 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 Innernesse 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 Aberdeen, 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 hast it could to provide for monies 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 New-Castle, 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 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 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 New-Castle (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 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 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 night certain word cam of Montrosse his arrival at Aberdein, accompanied with the Earl 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 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 hes ordered ane army of 10000 men, bot they ar so slow in leviing, that God hes left us and some heavy judgment to light on us. Master William Rutherfoord and Crawfoord and all your friends remember them to you. I rest

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 favor or trial at New-Castle to the Delinquents that are sent up; the General of Artillery hes 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 weall 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 tomorrow; the enemy we believe be with Seaforth his prisoner with his will now at Aberdeen ; I am myself this day under physic and so hes 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 hast resting

For the Commissioners of the Kirk and Kingdom of Scotland.

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

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 Rebells 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 shipps 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 tane be exchange or other ways, 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 Marques of Argyle, General 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 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

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 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 enlarge; only Montrose came to Aberdeen with his rebels on Saturday the 8 of this, Bailie Iefrey came yesternicht who shows that Nathaniel Gordun with a party of horse fell on the baggage of Lothians regiment and hes taken it with Lieutenant Colonel Murray prisoner. The Earll of Craford went over water this day for Pearth where Baillie stays; Its like God hes a great contraversie with this Land, the judgment so grown by reason means ar not activelie followed, and yet no man will say its his default, nether haif we had success since my Lard Chancelor 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 Hurrie is gone the north and commands next to Baillie, their is small appearance Baillies stiring, so tis like Montross sall once essay all our sitting. My humble service to my Lord Chancellor, Lady Warriston, &c.

I Wrett to you before that all your trunkes wes broken up, for ane black heart 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 wrytt to you but that the bearer can aquent yow; times looks strangelye in Scotland, the enemy is very strong and daily gatheres strength, by numberes that runes into him both greatt men and commones. And for anything that I can sie, Scotland shall drink as deip in the cup of the Lord's 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 lays to heart; never more gross sinning 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 country I can show your Lordship are not worthy of your Lordships pains, the parliament here did close on Saturday 8 of this Month having farfaulte the Erles 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 Seall is declared a traitor by the State, the Erles of Seafort & the Lord Gordon are latelie joined 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 country, the Lord Gordon hes likewise wasted all the Viscount of Freindret and the Lord Frasers boundis, all out deadly 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 time for newis, wishing your Lordship all health and happiness, I rest

I sent a letter by this poast 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 frō us. In my last I spoke of your Lordships 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 Lordships 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 Lordships sense of the troubles at home, and the remembrance of