very wyfe, and he hes loft ane guid pairt of pe witt quhilk he haid; for it appeiris he is nocht his awin Jul. 1608? 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 your Matie; and in the awin tyme, 3our Matie will knaw how this comeis, fra quhome and how this pure man hes bene abufeit. Alwayis, I man leave this and all my vther actionis, bothe in word and deid, to 3our Mateis gratious confideratioune, fra the first tyme I haid pe honour to ferve 3our Matie, quhilk is threttie tua zeiris fence; and I neuer haid caus to weyrie; ffor 3our Matie hes nocht onlie honorit me, bot gevin me all I haue in the world, and brocht me vp fra nothing; and if I fould prove vngratte and wathankfull to fa gratious a maister, I mereit punesment aboue all tratouris in the world. Sa wiffing 30ur Matic all happines, withe pe contenewance of 5our Mateis guid helthe, I reft 3our Mateis humill and obedient fervitour,

D. SCONE. [THE envelope has not been preserved, but the letter is marked, at the top of the folding, 'L. Scone to the K. No date is noted.]

(14.) LETTER, SIR ANDREW MORAY of Balvaird, to KING JAMES VI., defending himself against the accufations of ANDRO HENDERSOUN, Chamberlain of Scone.1

MAY IT PLEIS your sacred MAIESTIE,

I HAVE bein, be vertew of 30ur heichnes commandement, accufit be the Erle of Dumbar, as gif I had bein ane most ondewtifull fubiect vnto 3our Maieftie, kything the malice of my hart by the vttering of onreverent fpeiches. gour Maiefteis informer is Androw Hender foun, of quhom I will forbear to speak any thing, least I fould feim to haue no better defence nor2 the accufing of my accufer. The firft point of my accufatioun is, that I haue callit zour 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 Roiftoun, the laft of March, 1604, directit vnto my vncle, my Lord of Scone. The woordes are these. 6 My Lord, Efter I had wrettin at lenth vnto 3our lo. with Maifter David Moray, I have tryit fum thinges, quherof my dewtie bindes me to aduertife 3our lo. notwithstanding of that quhilk I wret to 30w in my laft Letter, that his Maieftie had faid vnto my felf, concerning 30w; I fear it be al bot diffimulatioun.' Quhilk woordes, how far thay man be wrestit befoir they can prooue the thing alledgit, I am persuadit that 3our Maiefteis felf, without any apologie of myne, will moft gratiouflie confider. Neuertheles, to the end 3our Maieftie may the moir cleirlie onderftand how far this malitious imputatioun diffagreis from my trew meaning, I will bot fchortlie fay this meikill. That former Letter, quherof I maik mentioun, fent be Mr Dauid Moray, had in it tua pairts; the firft, was ane declaratioun, how 3our Maieftie had not only moft gratiouslie admittit me to 3our presence, bot alfo gracit me with moft fauorabill countenance; and mairouer moft bountifullie had givin commandement to gif me tua hundreth pund. The vther part was, that I had rememberit my vncle vnto findrie of 3our Maiefties Counsell, and fum of 3our fauorites, from quhom I had refauit great proteftationes of affectioun vnto him, and as great promifis of friendfchip, 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 resauit fairest woordes, wer his greatest enemies: Quhilk, mouit to call their promifis diffimulat. Sa that the fence of my woordes ar very cleir, after this maner; notwithstanding of that quhilk I wret in my laft Letter, that 3our Maiestie had said and done vnto my self, get 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 this mater moft cleir. Bot as God fchal be my just judge, I 1 From the Denmylne MS. Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. 3 Concerns.

2

Than.

Jul. 1608. haue fet doun vnto 3our Maieftie, most trewlie, beath the contents of the one, and my meaning in the vther. Then fallowis, in my Letter, I knew his Maieftie to be, as they ar that be about him; and I affuir 30w, ze haue na fauour of them that ar in greatest credit heir.' To this I anfuer, that I was neuer fic a fott to think that zour Maieftie was fo fimpill to be guidit be them that ar about 30w. I protest, befoir God, that I had na fic meaning. I haue baith hard and fein to muche of 3our Maiefties wisdom and refolutioun to think fa vyld a thoght. Bot my meaning was, feing my vncle had no fauour of them that wer in greatest credit about zour Maieftie, (the quhilk I was moft certanlie mead to beliene,) therfoir I greatlie fearit that their hard informatioun might muif zour Maieftie agenft him, he not being present to answer for him self, and hauing about 3our Maieftie so many enemies.' Their reftis get more in my Letter. I heir fay that their is ane turn paft heir, in fauoures of Androw Henderfoun, into the quhilk 3our lo. hes great neid to tak head to 3our proceding; for albeit his Maiestie hes past it vnto him, I fear it be rather to try how ze behaue 5our self, nor for any good mynd they had to pleafour Androw Henderfoun.' Theis woordes I houp neid no apologie. Befoir God I had mynd of no thing concerning 3our Maieftie. I knaw, and that be experience, that al 3our Maiefteis grantes ar and haue bein euer most frie and abfolut. My only meaning was, of the advantage they that wer about 3our Maieftie might maik of my vncles behaviour in this matter; ffor it was directlie faid, be fum of them, that he wald content Androw Henderfoun with a smal pairt, and tak the rest to him felf. From this point, it will pleis 3our Maieftie to confider, that the grund of my accufatioune proceids, and not from that zeal and affectioun my accufer profeffis to bear vnto 3our Maiestie : or els he had communicat this vnto 3our heichnes, at the firft, and not keipit the fam befyds him thir four zeires and moir; and now at lenth reveilit it, be the inftigatioun of vther men, as him felf pairtly confeffis. Their is no man could moir juftlie accufe me vpon this mater nor the Erl of Dumbar, gif his lo. had knawen my trew meaning; for it was his lo. of quhom I cheiflie meanit in my Letter: And I haue crauit his lo. moft humblie pardoun, for that I was fa folifche, vpon any informatioun, to belieue, that his lo. thoght vtherwayis nor he had said vnto my selff. Gif I durft haue prefumit, vithout your Maiefties leiue, I wald, with proftrating my felf at 3our Maiefties feit, be woord, and not be Letter, 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 schal neuer be pertaker of any contentment; albeit my confcience bears me witnes, that I neuer fa mekill as thoght onreuerentlie of 3our Maieftie, zet am I grevid aboue measur to think that any thing fould haue efcapit my hand, quhilk, in the hardest conftruction, can be accoumptit for ondewtifulnes againft 3our heichnes. Their is na thing in this warld can difcontent me mair than to want zour Maiefties fauour; bot to want it throch my awen juft deferuing wer to me insupportabill. I wer to be accoumptit the most ingrate wrech that euer had lyf, gif euer I had sufferit any such thocht to baue had place within my mynd; confidering the manifold fauoures 3our Maieftie hes fchawen, baith to my felf and al my kynred. Their remains get the last point of my Letter, into the quhilk I maik fum mentioun of my Lord Secretar. My fimpill meaning was, that his lo. at that tyme had not fa great fauour as he defyrit to haue had, of theis that wer in credit about 3our Maieftie. I will cease to trubill 3our Maieftie any moir, w' my idill woordes; not dowting bot zour Maieftie will, according to 3our accuftomit goodnes, confider that the affectioun I careit vnto my vncles weill, mead me the moir erneft in my Letter; and gif their be any woordes in it onadvyfit, or not weill chofin (as I do confes their is many) 3our Maiestie will imput them to want of witt and laik of difcretioun (quhilk euer accompaneis youth,) 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 moist happie and profperous regne, ane bliffit and ane long lyff, I reft

gour Maiefties moft humbill and most obedient fubiect,

S. ANDROW MORAY

EDINBRUGHE, the 13 of July, 1608.

of Baluaird.

(15.) Letter, Alexander Blair in Colone, to (Dauid Lord Scone,) charging Apr. 1610. Hary Ruthven with using treasonable expreffions.1

THIS is to latt 3our II. wnderstand the wordis that Hary Ruthven spak. He vas cumand downe betuix 3our ll. park dykis, aboue Scone; quhair he and William Wallace, feruitour to my 11. of Blantyr fell in conference about ane SPROTT, quha was execut in Edinburg at that tym. William Vallace fayis to Hary Ruthuen,' this mater is mead cleirer nor it was.' Hary Ruthuen anfueris him agane, and fayis plainely, Ha! ha! THE ERLE OF GOWRY was faiklefly put downe! And the King, and all that was thair that day, vas Trateuris to the Erle of Goury!' And William Vallace anfuering, forbade him to fpeik fik langage, for it wold do him evill. This I thought good to advertice zour 11. that his Matie our gratius foueran might be acquent therwith. I have fubfcryvit this with my hand, and am redy, for my dewty to his Hienes, to feale it with my bluid.

M. G. Graham3 B. of Dumblane, vitnes to this fubfcripne.

ALEXR BLAIR.

(16.) DEPOSITIONS, relative to the Treasonable expreffions made use of by

HARY RUTHVEN alias FREELAND.*

(i.) AT EDINBURGHE, the xxvj day of Aprile 1610, IN PRESENCE of Alexander Erle of Dunfermlyne Lord Chanceller, Dauid Lord Scone, the Prefident, Aduocat, and Schir William Hairt Juftice depute.

6

ALEXANDER BLAIR in Colone, maryed, of the age of xxxviij yeiris, fworne vpoun his great aithe, being humblit vpoun his kneis, and demandit, What war the wordis he hard Hary Ruthuen speik, for the whilk he hes bene wardit thir diuers oukis bigane ?'5 Deponis, that vponn the aucht day of September, the yeir of God Im.vj° and aucht yeiris, Hary Ruthuene, William Wallace fervand to the Lord of Blantyre, and the depouner, having mett togidder in Colone, and being comeand thairfra towardis the burgh of Perth; as thay war betuix my Lord of Scones Park dykis, aboue Scone, Williame Wallace fayis, that This mater of GOWRYIS TREASOUN is maid cleirar nor it wes, be the Executioun and Confeffioun of one named Sprott.' Vnto whome Hary Ruthuen anfuerit, that The Erll of Gourye was ane honnest man, and that he wes faikleslie putt doun !' And that Thay wer all traytouris that wes at his Slauchter, King and all!' Qubairupoun William Wallace replyit, Speik not fik language!' And this deponer faid to him, That is fclanderous language: You do not weele to fpeeke fik language.' And the depouner fayis, that Hary Ruthuen and the depouner wer in goode termis of freindfchip, at that time; and that Haryis wyffe and the depouner ar thridis of kin: And deponis, that Hary Ruthuen and William Wallace ar vnder very grite freindfchip and kyndnes; and that Hary Ruthuen is doar and factour to Williame Wallace, in this rowme of Colone; and Hary aggreit Williame Wallace and Agnes Seytoun, anent hir lyverent of the rowme; and that Hary Ruthuen fend to Williame Wallace, ane hundreth merkis, in Januair last. Demandit, ffor quhat caus be concealed this mater, fra the moneth of September, quhill the moneth of Auguft thairefter, that he reveilled it to the Lord of Scone?' Deponis, that fhortlie thairefter, he taald to Henry Rattray, goodebruther to the faid Hary Ruthuen, that the faid Henry Ruthuen had fpokin fclanderous wordis of the King; and that the depouner wald haif reveillit the fame to the King, yf he wes in the cuntrey: And feing his Maieftie wes abfent, that he wald tell it to my Lord of Scone: To whome Hary Rattray anfuerit, He will defye 30w and my Lord of Scone bothe; for he hes alreddy biddan the prwffe of 1 From the Original, among the Warrants of Parliament, &c. General Register House. in a very small hand, as a memorandum at the foot of this document,' From Justice Clerk, Mr Wm Hairt this day xv dayis.' The date is likely to have been in April, 1610. 3 Mr George Graham, Bishop of Dumblane. He was translated to the see of Orkney anno 1614.

of Parliament, &c.

5 Weeks past.

2 There is written

4 Originals in General Register House, among the Warrants

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Apr. 1610. the cannoun!' And deponis, that findrie tymes, be foght the occafioune to baif tauld it to my Lord of Scone, but could not haif it; and that shortlie thairefter, he come to my Lord of Scone, being walking vpoun the Greene of Scone, and tauld him that he had fome mater to commvnicat vnto him; and my Lord anfuerit, Come to me ane vther tyme and I will heir 30w.' Deponis alfua, that afoir that tyme, he reveilled this fame mater to Andro Hendersoun, who advisit the depouner to tell it to my Lord of Scone; and that nane hard this conference bot Andro Hendersoun and the depouner: And the depouner fayis, that he tauld this to Andro Hendersoun, within fourtene dayis after that Hary Ruthuane fpak it; and he tauld it to Hary Rattray, within ane moneth after the speiking of it. Deponis alfua, that lang afoir Hary Ruthuen fpak thir speeches of bis Maiefiie, the depouner hard him fay, Andro Henderfoun is going to big (build): Lat him big quhat he will, I hoip to fee the day that I fall putt him out of his house and duell in it!' And that Adame Hepburne in Scoue, and Dauid Blair thair, wer present, and hard thir fpeeches, quhilkis wer fpokin in Sanct Johnneftoun, in Andro Boydis house thair, as thay wer come from the buryall of ane woman callit Coke, as he rememberis; and that Hary Ruthuene directit his fpeeches, on this mater, to the depouner, bidding him Go tell the fame to that fals knave Andro Henderfoun!' Deponis forder, that after Hary Ruthuen had spokin thir wordis, concerning Andro Henderfoun, that Andro Henderfoun and the deponer, being walking together on the brig of Perthe, Andro Hendersoun perfavis Conftene1 Hynd vpoun the brig, and left the depouner, and paft to Conftene Hynd; and as thay war fpeiking togidder, Hary Ruthuen come by, gaif Andro Henderfoun ane grite touke2 and almost putt him over the brig, faying vnto him, 'You may hald out of my gait!' And this wes fourtene dayis afoir the falling of the tree-brig of Sanct Johnneftoun. (Sic fubfcribitur) ALEX BLAIR. HARY FRIELAND, fumtyme callit HARY RUTHEN,3 of the age of xl yeiris, maryed, duelland in Sanct Johnneftoun, being humblit vpoun his knees, folemnlie fworne vpone his grite oathe, and demandit, Yf he rememberis, that in Harvest wes a yeir, in the moneth of September, he and Williame Wallace, with Alexander Blair come from Collone to Sanct Johnneftoun?' Deponis, [he rememberis1] that he come frome Colloun that day, towardis Sanct Johnnestoun, and that Williame Wallace and Alexander Blair come [in company] togidder, and that [a litle afoir thame] Henry Balnavis, Johnne Broun notair, [and Andro Gairdner,] and the depouner went [in company] togidder; and thay wer a large space befoir Williame Wallace and Alexander Blair, and stayed for thame vpoun the top of the parkis of Scone, befyde the ftane brig: And that the caus of thair being at Colone, wes, for geving of feafing of the Landis of Coloine to Williame Wallace; and that thai come all togidder fra Colone, in companyis, as is afoirfaid [to Scone.] Demandit, Yf ther hes been ony grudge or evill will betuix Alexander Blair and the depouner?' Deponis, that thair hes bene fome millykeing and drynes this langtyme betuix thame, because this depouner gaif informatioun and advise to the Lady Roffy to perfew Alexander Blair, for ane horse, quhilk violentlie he spulzeit and tooke from the Ladyis dochter; and becaus he affiftit and fortifeit William Wallace and his tennentis aganis Alexander Blairis oppreffioun; and becaus the depouner wes a doar, in procuireing of Agnes Seytoun lyvrent of the rowme of Colone, in William Wallace favour. Demandit, Yf at that tyme of thair comeing frome Colone, he hard Williame Wallace say, that the Treafoun of GOURY wes now cleirit and maid manifeft, be the Depofitioun and executioun of one namit SPROT?' Deponis, vpoun his grite oathe, that he never hard William Wallace speik ony fik speeches; and that he never hard William Wallace name Sprottis name: And deponis, vpoun his grite oathe, that thair wes never ony fuche anfuer maid be him to William Wallace, as is affermed be Alexander Blair; and that thair wes no kynd of conference betuix thame, concerning that mater of Goury or Sprott. Demandit, Yf at ony tyme, he Constantine. 8 A smart stroke or blow, by pushing or running at one. The Sirname was formally abolished by Act of Parliament. These and the following words, within brackets, are interlined. 5 Altered to' they.' Perth' deleted. Being the original paper, the corrections, on reading over the Depositions to the witnesses, are of course, made by the clerk.

1

3

fayd, that he fould duell in Andro Henderfonis houffis, latt him big as he wald?' Deponis vpoun his Apr. 1610. grite oathe, that he neuir fpak ony fuch mater. Demandit, Yf afoir the falling of the brig of Sanct Johnneftoun, the depouner toukit Andro Henderfoun vpoun the brig?' Deponis, that at the tyme specifeit in Alexander Blairis Depofitioun, this deponer, comeing alangis the brig, with his horse in his hand,' he forgadderit vpoun the brig with Andro Henderfoun, the Perfone of Bonhard, Alexander Blair, and Conftene Hynd, quho wer all ftanding togidder; and thay fufferit the depouner to go by thame vpoun the midis of the brig, becaus he had ane horse; and at his by-paffing, his fhoulder tuicheit Andro Henderfoun, who tooke no offens thairat; and when the depouner was by2 thame, Alexander Blair looked over his shoulder and fayd to the depouner, Yow mycht haif gevin ws the gait !'3 And that Andro Henderfoun wes angerit at Alexander Blair for thir fpeecheis. And deponis, vpoun his grit aithe, that he fpak na thing to Andro Henderfoun at that tyme. Demandit, vpoun his grite oathe, to declair,' Quhat is his opinioun anent GOURYIS TREASOUN, feing he wes prefent with the Erll in the chalmer quhair his Maieftie wes perfewit?' Deponis, vpoun his grite oathe, that he is and ever wes of opinioun, that the Erllis pairt wes worft; feing he faw the King's Maieftie haif na thing but ane hunting borne about his neck. Demandit, When he mett laft with his bruther Alexander?' Deponis, vpoun his grite oathe, that he saw him nocht for aucht yeiris; and that the laft tyme he faw him wes in Hull, in England, afoir the deceis of the Quene of England.

(Sic fubfcribitur)

H. R. of Freland. ALEXANDER BLAIR, re-examinat, grantit that he met with Hary Ruthuen and Williame Wallace, at the taking of Williame Wallace feafing of Colone; and that after the giving of the feafing, Henry Balnaves, Johnne Broun and Andro Gardiner past away, and that Williame Wallace and Hary Ruthuene ftayed a qubyle behind, to tak ordour with the tennentis; and then thay tua, with the depouner, come togidder.

HENRY RUTHEN, confronted with Alexander Blair, anent the forme of thair comeing frome Colone : Deponis, as of befoir, that Williame Wallace, Alexander Blair, Henry Balnaveis, Johnne Brom and Andro Gairdner come togidder frome Colone; and that Williame Wallace and Alexander Blair fell togidder in cumpany; and the depouner and the vtheris perfonis foirfaidis fell togidder, and wer ever afoir Williame Wallace and Alexander Blair, whill thay come to the Hoill-brig, quhair the depouner and his company stayed for thame; and then this depouner fell in company with Williame Wallace and Alexander Blair; and that the vther perfonis foirfaidis wer within the breid of this chalmer of the tolbuith to thame, and hard every worde that wes fpokin betuix thame.

ALEXANDER BLAIR deponis conftantlie, that at this tyme, the vtheris perfonis foirfaidis wer the ace of three pair of buttis frome thame; and that he with Hary Ruthuen and Williame Wallace wer half ane hour togidder, at that tyme, going thame felffis allone. HARY RUTHUEN denyis this altogidder.

(Sic fubfcribitur)

ALEXR BLAIR. H. R. of Frelandis. WILLIAME WALLACE, feruand to Walter Lord Blantyr, fworne vpoun his grite oathe, being vpoun his knees; and demandit, Yf he knawis Hary Freeland and Alexander Blair?' Deponis that he knawis thame very weele. Demandit, Yf in September 1608, quhen he tooke feafing of the hauch of Colone, yf Alexander Blair, Henry Freeland, Henry Balnaveis and Johnne Broun wer thair?' Deponis, that thai wer all thair. And that efter the geving of the feafing, Alexander Blair tooke this depouner in to his house to drink; and the vtheris perfonis foirfaid went afoir, and the depouner and

He led his horse over this frail wooden bridge, which must have been in a very crazy condition, and probably without ledges, for in 'tuiking' Andrew Henderson, he‘almaist patt him over the brig.' 2 Past. 8 The most honourable part of the way was the crown of the calsay,' or middle of the street. To usurp this privilege was attended with as much danger, as 'taking the wall,' in the days of Addison or Sir Richard Steele. A great deal of bloodshed took place in both countries, on such trifling matters of mere punctilio, between hot-blooded ‘gallants.' 4 Breadth.

Without varying, with constancy.