My Lord Traquair said—I know certainly they have a Commission most warrantable; but since now it is contradicted, I submit myself to the judgement of the Assembly; and I crave that the whole proces may be read to the Assembly, that it may be knowne on whose parte the fault is; and if it doe not clearlie improve what Master Ellot hes said, and make good what I have said for myselfe, or if there be a syllable or circumstance of that quhilk he alledges true, or if ever I have a thought in that kynd, I were not worthie to come amongst Christians, let be to come here; for it is impertinent, if not impudent, for a man to intrude himselfe in such an action as that which is against all conscience and dignitie. But I propose not now to use any recriminations.
Mr Robert Ellot said—My Protestation is not accusation or challenge against any mans persone, but agᵗ the informalitie of the election of the Commissioners, least this Assembly should be challenged afterward for admitting such a voice in matters as was not instructed with sufficient Commissions. Alway I am sorry that my Lord Thesaurer should be offendit. I thought his Lordship should not have been offendit; for, God is my witnesse, I neither intendit, neither have I given any occasion of offence.
My Lord Traquair said—I submitt to the judgement of this honourable company, if this be not rather an accusation nor a protestation, and that in a high streame, challenging me for intruding myselfe in that bussines after so unjust a way; but neither this assertion nor myne can take away ane judiciall act. I hope both our partes shall be cleared be the Proces quhich must have faith, except ye will offer to improve the writt, and prove the Clerk to be false.
The Moderatour said—It is possible he may give some information for himselfe, which will not contradict but may subsist with the proces.
Then the proces was given to the Clerk and read.
Traquair said—I doe not say but my judgement may differ from Mr Ellots or any other mans; but if thare hes been any illegall way usit by me, I am readie to answer according to law and reason; but if his judgement doeth not goe alongst with me, I hope this will be no reason to condemn myne for it; and when this honourable meeting hes considered this proces, if they be not satisfied, I will submitt myselfe to their judgement.
Moderatour said—That Mr Ellot had nothing to say against the proces; quherupon the Thesaurer tooke Instruments, that Mr Ellot acquiesced to the trueth of the proces.
My Lord Yester requyred that these who were present might be asked concerning that quhilk Mr Robert had alleadged; for he sayes nothing contrare to the proces, but something more nor is in the proces. And he hath given in a protestation only, and not ane accusation; and when I posed him straitlie, what moved him to give in the protestation, he tooke God to witnesse that he did it out of conscience and love to the good of the Cause.
Traquair said—My Lord, let me speake as good friends and Christian subjects ane to another.
Yester answered—I desire earnestlie it may be so; but it may be I cannot speake so pleasantlie to your Lordship as I would, be reason of this throng about.