Apr. 1610. Alexander Blair followit, and our-tooke thame at a mylne, quhair Hary Freeland and his cumpany went in to drink ;1 and the depouner and Alexander Blair stayed vpoun thame besyde the mylne, quhill thay come out; and then thay come altogidder fra the milne, in company, to Scone; and drank in my Lord of Scones fellair, as the depouner rememberis. Being demandid, Yf thair was ony fpeeche or conference betuix the depouner and Hary Ruthuen concerning GOURYIS TREASOUN OF GEORGE SPROTT?' Deponis vpoun his grite oathe, that thair was nevir ony kynd of fpeeche, talking, or conference amang thame, concerning that mater of Goury or of Sprott; and that the affirmatioun of Alexander Blair, in that mater, is ane vntreuthe. And denyis that haill mater, and all the circomeftanceis thairof, and all that is deponit, writtin and subscryuit be Alexander Blair, concerning that particular: And deponis, vpoun his grite oath, that, as he rememberis, thair wes no privat conference betuix the depouner, Alexander Blair, and Hary Ruthuene, that day: And deponis, that he had privie conference, that day, with Alexander Blair, anent the roume of Colone; and that Alexander Blair maid ane offer of iijm markis2 for the fame, quhilk the depouner refufit. (Sic fubfcribitur) WILLIAM WALLACE. ALEXANDER BLAIR, confronted with Williame Wallace, anent the conference betuix thame and Hary Freeland, in thair comeing frome Colone: The faid Alexander abydis be his former Depofitioun, anent the mater of Gourie and Sprott; and Williame Wallece denyis the fame altogidder. (Sic fubfcribitur) ALEXR BLAIR. WILLIAM Wallace. (ii.) AT EDINBURGHE, the xxvij day of Aprile 1610. In prefence of the Examinatouris above writtin. ALEXANDER BLAIR and HARY RUTHUENE being re-examinat and confrontit, vpoun the fpeecheis paft betuix Hary Ruthuen and Williame Wallace, concerning Goury and Sprott: The faid Alexander Blair abydis conftantlie be his formair Depofitioun, in that mater; and the faid Hary Ruthuene altogidder denyis the fame. The faid Alexander Blair offerrit, in the faid Haryis prefence, to try this mater BE SINGLE COMBAT betuix thame, quhenever it fall pleis his Maieftie or Counfaill to appoint thame tyme and place; althoght it wer this fame nycht: And fayis, that he is content to be hangit, yf in the combatt he move not the faid Hary to confefs the treuthe of this mater, as he hes deponit aganis him. The faid Hary Ruthuen anfuerit, that he can not be vrgeit, be law, to feght in suche a quarrell: And that he will abyde the ordinair tryall of the law; and refuifit the Combatt. Alex. Blair. H. R. of Frelandis. WILLIAME WALLACE, being re-examinat, abydis conftantlie be his formair Depofitioun maid yifterday. AL. CANCELL". D. SCONE. JO. PRESTON. S. T. HAMILTON. S. WILLIAM HEART. (iii.) AT EDINBURGHE, the loft day of Junij 1610. IN prefence of the Erll of Dumfermlyne Chancellour, Dauid Lord of Scone, Mr Johnne Preftoun of Pennycooke Prefident, Sir Alexander Hay Kingis Secretair, Sir Thomas Hammiltoun of Bynnie Aduocat and Mr George Young. HENRY RATTRAY of Kincarrody, maryed, of the age of xxx yeiris, or thairby, fworne vpoun his grite aith, and demandit, Yf Alexander Blair come to him, and tauld him that he hard Hary Freeland fpeeke fome outragious fpeeches aganis the Kingis Maieftie?' Deponis, vpoun his grite aithe, that Alexander Blair nevir spak ony fuche mater to him. And fayis, that Williame Wallace haveing chargeit Alexander Blair to find him law fouirtie, the faid Alexander Blair come to this depouner, ane moneth afoir Hary Freeland wes maid prifouner, and fayd to him, Can I not be quyte of your goode-bruther? I vow to God, yf I be not quyte2 of him, I fall putt ane fleche in his hoife !' 1 This word deleted, and five words interlined. or arrow. 2 3000 merks. s Fr. quité, requited. 4 Fr. fleche, a shaft ALEXANDER BLAIR, being confrontit with Henry Rattray, and being re-examinat, vpoun that pairt Jun. 1610. of his formair Depofitioun, concerning Henry Rattray, the faid Alexander, with mony aithis, abydis be his Depofitioun, in that point: And the faid Henry Rattray, with mony aithis, denyis the fame, and that thair wes nevir ony fuche purpois or conference betuix thame, as is contenit in that Depofitioun. DAUID BLAIR in Scone, maryit, of the age of xl yeiris, fworne and demandit, Yf he rememberis that Alexander Blair, Henry Freeland and the deponer wer drinking togidder in Andro Boydis hous?" Deponis, that he rememberis weele thairof, and that Henry Rattray tooke thame in, to gif thame ane pynt of wyne, they being come frome the buryall of ane woman in St Johnneftoun. And deponis, that the company falling in difcourfe, who had the best aill in the cuntrie?' It wes anfuerit, be one of the company, that Andro Henderfoun Chalmerlane of Scone haid the beft aill.' And then Henry Freeland fayd, Andro Henderfoun is bying, and bigging, and conqueffing. It is evill to witt quho may brooke and poffefs thame heirefter, for all his goode aill!' And deponis, that he directit thir speeches to the haill company; and fayd, that he caired not quha wald tell it to Andro Henderfoun.' And the depouner rememberis not that he called Andro Henderfounane false knaif;' bot fayis, he gaif evill wordis anew.' And fayis, that the Parfone of Bonhard wes present, and hard thir fpeecheis. CONSTANTYNE HYND, in Brigend, vnder the Baillie of Errole, maryed, of the age of xl yeiris, fworne and demandit, Yf he rememberis, that a litle afoir the falling of the tree-bridge of Perth, this depouner, Andro Henderfoun, and Alexander Blair wer walking togidder vpoun the bridge?' Deponis, that he rememberis very weele thairof; and that in the meantyme, Hary Freeland come alangis the bridge, with ane naig in his hand; and the deponar, with his company, having thair bakis to Hary Freeland, he said to thame quhen he come to thame, Gif ws the gate!' And in his by-ganging, the paffage being narrow and ftrait, the depouner is of opinioun that he rubbit clokis with Andro Henderfoun, and paft by without ony forder fpeecheis. And deponis, that Alexander Blair fayd to Hary Freeland, when he wes by, The half of the gait mycht haif served yow, when yow crapt vnder the boorde !' AL. CANCELLS. D. SCONE. ALEXR HAY. S. T. HAMILTON. No. XX. LETTERS OF JOHN, EARL OF GOWRYE. [THE following Letters of JOHN EARL OF GOWRYE, are the only specimens of his literary compositions now known to be extant. The original of the Letter to King James VI. was presented to the College of Edinburgh, by Drummond of Hawthornden, in 1626; but it has unfortunately been either mislaid or lost, (with other autograph Letters in the same Collection,) subsequent to the year 1757. About that time, it had been transcribed and published by Sir David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes, in a reprint of the Account published by authority,' (No. IV. of the present Collection of Illustrative Documents,) and which was intended by him to serve as a specimen of his projected Collections relating to the Gowrye Conspiracy. The other Letter is preserved in a volume of Original Papers, collected by David Calderwood the historian, who was a fellow-student, under Principal Rollok, with the Earl of Gowrye, at the College of Edinburgh; where they took the degree of Master of Arts, in 1594. At the time of writing these Letters, the Earl was in his 17th year, prosecuting his studies at Padua. They are also given, pp. 351-6, of the valuable Miscellany' of the Bannatyne Club. A fac-simile of the Earl of Gowrye's subscription to the last of these interesting reliques concludes this Collection of Papers.] VOL. II. Toun' is deleted. 2 T Nov. 1595. 1. LETTER, the Earl of Gowrye to King James VI. PLEASE 3OUR MAJESTIE, GIF the bestouing of great benefites fould moue the receauers theroff to be thankfull to the giueris, I haue mony and extraordinar occafionis to be thankfull to zour Majefte; not only being fauored with the benefite of zour Majefteis gude countenance at all tymes, bot also that it hath pleafit zour Majefte to accept fo weill of me, as to honour me with 3our Majefteis most louing letter, as with ane certane figne and viue teftimonie of 3our Majefteis gude fauor and gracioufnes touartis me; wheroff I efteme so much, that I wald think my felff very hapie, if it fould please zour Majeste to comand me in any thing, that therby zour Majefte might haue ane tryall of my prompt and fathfull obedience; for 3our Majefteis worthines and valor, attour the particular courtesis schauin to me, merits whatsomeuer I am able to do, and ane hundreth thousand tymes more. In end, I pray 3our Majefte to haue me excused that I haue taine the audacitie to wrett againe to zour Majefte, for not hauing the comfort of 30ur Majefteis prefence, could not declare my willing mynd better then be vfing of the nixt remede. In the meane tyme, I fall repofe my felff ftill on 3our Majefteis conftant fauor, quhill God of his mercie grant that I fe 3our Majefte in fuche ane gude estate as I wishe, whilk will give me the greteft contentment of all. Sua crauing earnestly of that Creator of all thingis to blifs zour Majeste with all felicitie and fatisfactione in health, with ane increas of mony profperous dayis, I kifs moft deuotly 3our Majefteis hands. Your Majefteis most humble fubiect and obedient feruitor in all deuotione, ATT PADUA, the 24th of November 1595. GOWRYE. 2. LETTER, the Earl of Gowrye to Mr Johne Malcome, Minifter at Perth.' Ευλογητον εδώ το ονομα τα θες εις αιώνα. BELOVED BROTHER, HAUING taken occafione to wret to Scotland, wald nocht omitt my deutie to 30u, in vifiting 30u with this letter, that therby 3e myght vnderftand of my prefent estate, quhilk continues as of before; praifing God, from my hairt, that of the riche abundance of his gude grace and mere mercie hes maid the beames and licht of his countenance, to shine vpon me most fauorably; to be ane guide to conduct me faiflie per hunc Auernum, quherin mony here, (quorum oculi denfa 1 Mr John Malcolm, one of the Regents, and afterwards Principal of St Leonard's College, St Andrews, was ordained Minister of Perth, 4th November, 1591. He was the author of a Latin Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, a work of considerable learning, printed at Middleburgh, 1615, 4to. He died at an advanced age, at Perth, 3d October, 1634. caligine et nebulis obfuscati funt,) 6 miferum Spectaculum! are drouned, in his Nov. 1595. iuftice; I meane nocht all, abfit; for I am acquainted with diuers heir, qui, etiam inter has paludes fligias, hes neuer boued ther kne to Baal: Quhat ane meruell is this? and quha can beleue it? and 3it it is certanly true; glorificetur igitur Deus in operibus fuis, ac eo magis quo funt mirabiliora et maça τnν quoiv. παρα φυσιν. There wes ane notable exemple of conftancie not long ago, in ane Silefian Minifter, of fome threscore yeares and mair, quha, efter he had beine deteined in prifone about nyne yeares, and the Jefuites had trauailed with him to recant; bot perfaiffing that thei could preuaile nothing at his handis, caused bring him to the fyre, lyke bludie dogges; quhere, efter he had maid ane excellent difcours and harang to the people, fhauing them the gret honour he wes callit to in fuffering for Christes fake, and exhorting them to conuerfione, abode most patiently, without ony fhrinking, all tormentis; magnifeing Godis holy name, and praying that ther finnes mycht be forgiuen them. Efter he wes brunt, not being zit satisfied of the crueltie that they had vfit against him, quhen he wes liuing, did caft ane gret heap of ftones vpon his ashes, multo fauiores quam erant Judei aduerfus Stephanum. There were vtheris, quha for feare of death, at that fame tyme, maid filthie apoftacie fra the true Religione to that damnable idolatrie; and at that instant that ane of them begane to deny Chrift, in making defectione, there isfhued blude out of his nose in fuche gret abundance, that all did fee him thocht he fould have dyed prefentlie. This wes ane vifibill figne of the hand of God, that chopped on him quha had done fuch ane villanie against his confcience, for to purchase his auin lyffe, quhilk he wes not worthie to bruik, be the loss of his foule. Bot thir renegates not the les efcaped not their auin punishment, for they all were fend ad triremes, vbi non vnius hore Spatio vitam finituri, fed morientes femper, nec tamen morientur. Laitlie, efter these thingis, ane certane Inglishe man, being moued on zele to caft ther facra hoflia (as thai moft falflie callis it) out of the priestis handis, that wes careing it in proceffione, to the grund, and to ftramp on it with his fete, wes apprehendit and denudit of his clothes, therefter ane hude putt on his heade, quheron wes painted the deuils image, and fome with bleafis, quha brunt him continually in the backe and breft as he walked forduart; bot he, in the meane tyme, wes occupiet in schauing the people how thai were schamfullie abused by these mifcent idolaters, quha were leading them to their auin damnatione. In end, he fpake with fuch ane vehemencie, that the enymies caufed knett his toung, fearing fome vprore to enfeu, if he had gottin ony forder libertie to fpeke: So he wes brought to the place of executione, quhere, lifting vp his eyes to heauen, and on his knees kiffing the chain he wes bund with, they caused firft cut of his hand for the fact he had committed, and nixt burne him quicke. All thir thingis were done in Rome, Nov. 1595. that mother of all vyce, and hoorishe fynagog of deuils. I am fory that my abfence will not permit me to kyth my mynd and gudwill, in helping to fett furth Godis glorie there, cui totus ex animo incumberem; bot quhen, at his gude pleafure, I returne, fall with his grace, indeuore my felff to amend quhatfomeuer is omitted for laike of my prefens. I thank zou moft hartfully, of zour rememberance of me in zour prayeris; defyring zou earnestlie to contineu, according to the loue ze cary to the faluatioune of my foule. Thus, remembering my loving commendationis to 3our felff, with the haill nychtbouris of the toune, Committis zou with them all to the protectione of the Omnipotent. Youris aluayis affectionat, AT PADOUA, the 28 of Nouember, 1595. GOWRYE. I DOUT nocht bot ze haue hard, long fince, of the Papes benedictione given to the King of France; quhilk hes turned to ane maledictione. No vther neuis occurris heir for the present; bot nou agane, latlie, there is fome Inglishmen put in the hous of Inquifitione, in Rome. To my beloued brother, MR JHONE MALCOME, Minifter at PERTH. No. XXI. FAC-SIMILE OF THE SUBSCRIPTION OF JOHN EARL OF GOWRYF. wures a bungs affectionat. & Game [Mr Williame Hairt, Juftice-Depute.] Writing Slanderous Pasquils against the King, &c.—Sedition. [THE TRIAL of Francis Tennent forms one of the series, in a black catalogue of Cases, which must leave an indelible stain on the character of King James VI. Owing to the scrupulous care adopted 1 On the margin, Convictus et Sufpenfus.' |