“G. Duke of Buckingham to the Marquis of Newcastle.
“(1650) December 5. St. Johnstone’s (Perth). Your Lordship’s kindnesse to mee has beene ever soe great, and you have beene pleased to lay soe many obligations upon mee that, I showld bee a very unworthy person if I did not take all occasions of acknoledging them to your Lordship....
“I am very sorry that I have not beene able to serve your Lordship at this present as I desired, but the gentleman that delivers this to you will lett you know how earnestly I have solicited his Majesty in your lordship’s business.
“I had once gott a promise from the King to doe it, but the death of the Prince of Orange, and—as I beleeve—letters from some that are not your friends, have perswaded the King to change his resolution. Hee sayes that when hee receives a just accownt of the somme my Lord Culpepper bringes with him, hee will lett your Lordship have as much as his occasions will give him leave to spare. But what that will bee, or how long before it bee received, is soe uncertayne that withowt doubt your Lordship ought not to rely upon it.
“The best cowncell that I am able to give you, considering your owne condition, and the present state of owr affayres, is to make your peace if it bee possible, in Ingland, for certaynly your Lordship’s suffering for the King has beene great enoughf to excuse you if you looke a little after your selfe now, when neither hee is able to assist you, nor you in a possibility of doing him service.”
Some time later the Royalist affairs were going very badly.[137]
[137] Portland MSS. at Welbeck Abbey, Hist. MSS. Com., 13th Rep., App., part II. vol. II. 139.