Your Excellence answered, that as they brought no Commission to treat of all these particulars, but kept themselves within the limits of the Contents in their Letters, you would doe accordingly in your Answer, and that in writing they should receive something to-morrow.
1639.—June 2.
47. Letter from the King to Hamilton.[209]
Hamilton,
This day I received yours by the Lord Seaton, and find your Opinion therein very good, if I might spare so many men; but every one, (that I dare consult with about this) protesteth against the diminishing of one man from my Army: besides, I have no mind to stay here upon a meer Defensive, which I must do, if I send you that Strength you mention. Likewise I think that I have my Lord Hume sure, and am reasonably confident of my Lord Johnstown; I have good hopes too of Queensberry, and the Scots; therefore, all these things considered, it were a shame if I should be idle. Wherefore now I set you loose, to doe what mischief you can doe upon the Rebels for my Service, with those men you have; for you cannot have one man from hence. Leaving the rest to the relation of this honest Bearer, I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
Charles R.
Camp near Berwick,
2 June 1639.