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

THIS is to latt 3our 11. wnderstand the wordis that Hary Ruthven spak. He vas cumand downe betuix zour ll. park dykis, aboue Scone ; quhair he and William Wallace, feruitour to my ll. 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 II. that his Matie our gratius foueran might be acquent therwith. I have subscryvit 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.2

(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.

ALEXANDER BLAIR in Colone, maryed, of the age of xxxviij yeiris, sworne vpoun his great aithe, being humblit vpoun his kneis, and demandit, What war the wordis he hard Hary Ruthuen fpeik, for the whilk he hes bene wardit thir diuers oukis bigane ?'5 Deponis, that vpoun the aucht day of September, the yeir of God Im.vjc 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, Wil. liame 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!': Quhairupoun 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 laft. Demandit, ffor quhat caus he 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 shortlie thairefter, he tauld to Henry Rattray, goodebruther to the faid Hary Ruthuen, that the faid Henry Ruthuen had spokin 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. 2 There is written 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.

4 Originals in General Register House, among the Warrants

Apr. 1610. the cannoun!' And deponis, that findrie tymes, he foght the occafioune to haif 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 some 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 Henderfoun and the depouner: And the depouner fayis, that he tauld this to Andro Henderfoun, 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 his Maiestie, 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 Scone, and Dauid Blair thair, wer prefent, and hard thir fpeeches, quhilkis wer fpokin in Sanct Johnneftoun, in Andro Boydis houfe 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 Henderfoun perfavis Conftene1 Hynd vpoun the brig, and left the depouner, and past 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 Johnneftoun, 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 miflykeing and drynes this langtyme betuix thame, because this depouner gaif informatioun and advise to the Lady Roffy to perfew Alexander Blair, for ane horfe, quhilk violentlie he fpulzeit 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 fpeik ony fik fpeeches; 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. ? 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

6

3

fayd, that he sould 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 fpecifeit in Alexander Blairis Depofitioun, this deponer, comeing alangis the brig, with his horfe in his hand,' he forgadderit vpoun the brig with Andro Henderfoun, the Perfone of Bonhard, Alexander Blair, and Conftene Hynd, quho wer all standing 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 shoulder 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 speecheis. And deponis, vpoun his grit aithe, that he spak 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 saw the King's Maieftie haif na thing but ane hunting horne about his neck. Demandit, When he mett laft with his bruther Alexander?' Deponis, vpoun his grite oathe, that he faw 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 seasing, Henry Balnaves, Johnne Broun and Andro Gardiner past away, and that Williame Wallace and Hary Ruthuene stayed a quhyle 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 ftayed 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 spokin betuix thame.

5

ALEXANDER BLAIR deponis conftantlie, that at this tyme, the vtheris perfonis foirfaidis wer the space 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

1 He led his horse over this frail wooden bridge, which must have been in a very crazy condition, and probably without ledges, for intuiking' Andrew Henderson, he almaist patt him over the brig.' 2 Past. 3 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.

5 Without varying, with constancy.

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 befyde 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 or 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 affirinatioun 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 fubferyuit 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 aboue writtin.

ALEXANDER BLAIR and HARY RUTHUENE being re-examinat and confrontit, vpoun the speecheis 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 fuche 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 yisterday.

AL. CANCELLR. D. SCONE. JO. PRESTON. S. T. HAMILTON. S. WILLIAM HEART. (iii.) AT EDINBURGHE, the laft 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 fpak 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 goode-bruther? I vow to God, yf I be not quyte2 of him, I fall putt ane fleche3 in his hoife!'

1 This word deleted, and five words interlined.

r arrow.

2 3000 merks. a Fr. quité, requited.

your

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 said 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 Depositioun. 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 ?'1 It wes anfuerit, be one of the company, that Andro Henderfoun Chalmerlane of Scone haid the best aill.' And then Henry Freeland fayd, Andro Hendersoun 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 falfe knaif;' bot fayis, ' he gaif evill wordis anew.' And fayis, that the Parfone of Bonhard wes present, and hard thir fpeecheis.

A

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 speecheis. 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.]

1 Toun' is deleted.

VOL. II.

2 T