Having been some days since I wrote to you, I could not let my Lord Aboyne go without these Lines, though it be rather to confirm than to adde to my two former: onely I shall desire you to take heed how you engage me in Money-expence. As for what Assistance you can spare him out of the Forces that are with you, I leave you to judge, and I shall be glad of it if you find it may doe good. The truth is, that I find my state of Moneys to be such, that I shall be able (by the Grace of God) to maintain all the Men I have afoot for this Summer; but for doing any more I dare not promise: therefore if with the Countenance and Assistance of what Force you have, you may uphold my Party in the North, and the rest of those Noblemen I have sent to you, I shall esteem it a very great Service; but I shall not advise you to engage me in further Charge, except it may be the Pay of some few Officers. So not doubting but that you will make as much of little as you may, and recommending this Lord to your care, I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
Charles R.
Newcastle, 13 May, 1639.
1639.—May 13.
31. Letter from Rothes to Hamilton.[192]
Please your Grace,
I should have been far better contented to have seen you here at the Parliament with His Majesty, or holding that indicted, as His Majesties Commissioner, than with a Navy and Army to constrain us beyond these just limits of Religion and lawful Obedience, which we were always willing to perform. It was far by my Expectation, and your Graces Oath and Promise, that you should ever come in any chief Command against your Native Country. Whereas your Grace doth challenge our coming in such numbers to attend this Parliament, I hope you conceive that this Navy and Army upon the Borders, and the Invasion threatened in the West, do sufficiently warrant our Preparations to defend these places, and divert such dangers. That Proclamation that is said to carry so much Grace and Goodness, is as destitute of that, as your Invasion is of a good Warrant; which persuades me, that neither of the two proceeds from His Majesties own Gracious Disposition. I cannot stand here to answer all these misconceived particulars, contained in your Graces Letter; but if I had the Honour to see your Grace, before any more mischief be done, I dare engage my Honour and my Life, to clear all these Imputations laid on our Proceedings; and I can demonstrate how hardly we have been used without any just reason. I dare not be answerable to God Almighty, and to that Duty I owe my Prince and Country, if I do not shew your Grace, that your going a little further in this violent and unjust way will put all from the hopes of Recovery, for which both a great deal of Blame from Men, and Judgment from above shall attend you, as the special Instrument, which I wish you labour to evite. If our Destruction be intended, we are confident in that Majesty who owns this Cause, and is able to defend it: and if onely Terrours to fright, and prepare us to accept of any Conditions will be offered, that Intention is already as far disappointed as any of these many former. But as we are ready to defend, so ever to insist in supplicating, and using all humble and lawful means, as becomes us. Mr Borthwick will deliver to your Grace our Supplication to His Majesty, and both his and my mind, till I shall have the occasion to disburden my self surcharged with grief at your Proceedings; being most desirous (as I have been formerly) to have all these occasions removed that may divert me from being still
Your Graces humble Servant,
Rothes.