Please your Grace,—We of His Majesties Secreit Counsell and Session, being jointlie conveened in this lamentable estait of Kirk and Kingdome, to consider on some fitt and convenient way for averting the evills hanging over this countrie, whilks to our great greefe are too farre advanced, have thought it incumbent to us, in our dewtie, to acquaint your Grace, who represents his sacred Majestie as his High Commissioner, that our intention is, if your Grace will be pleased to allow of this motion, to appoint some of our number to confer with your Grace concerning this bussines, and to advise with your Grace if anie faire way can be found out for accommodation of the same, quhereof if your Grace be pleased to allow, we doe expect to be advertised be your Grace of the time, place, maner, and way of their wise addresse. Whereanent expecting your Graces Answer, we rest, &c. Edʳ, 10 May 1639.—Subscribitur Argyle, Mar, Perth, Wigton, Galloway, Lauderdaill, Southesk, Naper, Sʳ Thomas Hop, Ja. Carmichael, Sʳ R. Gordoun, H. Gibsone Fletcher, Balcomie, S. G. Halyburtoun, Cranston-riddel, Scotstarvet, S. Pa. Nisbet.
1639.—May 11.
28. The Commissioner’s Answer to the Council.[189]
Apud Edinburgh, undecimo Maii 1639.
Sederunt ut die predict.
The whilk day the Missive Letter underwritten, direct frome the Marquis of Hamilton, his Majesties Commissioner, to the Lords of Secret Councell and Session abovewritten, was produced before the saids Lords and read in their audience, of the whilk the tenor followes:—
My Lords,—I receaved this morning your Lordships Letter, and sall be verie willing to embrace all faire occasions which may tend to the accommodation of this unhappie bussines, as ane who, in all my proceedings, both before and since my coming thither, have given sufficient testimonie thairof. Your Lordships being Counsellors and Judges, ought to be als carefull of what may concerne His Majesties honnour as myselfe; so I hope no motion will proceed from yow that sall tend to the diminution thereof: And if upon Monday, betimes in the morning, any sall come so instructed frome yow, aboird of this ship, I sall speidilie by thame returne such ane answer as is fitting for me His Majesties Commissioner to yow; so I rest, &c., Subscribitur,
Hamilton.
Frome aboord the Rainebow, }
in Leith Roid, the 11 of May 1639. }
Whilk Missive being heard and considert be the saids Lords, they have nominat, and, be the tennor heirof, nominats David Earle of Southesk, and Sir Andro Fletcher of Innerpeffer, Knight, to goe aboord his Majesties ship callit the Rainebow, wherein his Majesties Commissioner is for the present, and there to confer with his Grace anent such things as may best conduce to the accommodation and settling of the present troubles wherewith this countrie is threatened.