"To Henry Howard, Esqre., Commissary General of the Musters."
The next is of varied interest, giving the Duke of Monmouth supreme command, and urging to be kept informed by "flying packets." (Vol. v., page 156.)
"Whitehall, 11th June, 1679, at Midnight.
"May it please your Lordship I am commanded by his Majesty to acquaint you that in pursuance of his Resolution to send some Supplyes from hence to you for suppressing the Rebellion now amongst the Phanaticks in the West of Scotland, he hath ordered a Regiment of ffoote to be presently embarqued to goe by Sea to Barwick together with cannon and ammunition sufficient, and his Majesty has ordered two Regiments of ffoote more to be presently leauied, the one to be commanded by the Lord Cavendish and the other by the Lord Gray of Wark, as also three Regiments of Horse under the command of the Duke of Monmouth, Duke of Albemarle, the Lord Gerard, Together with eight hundred Dragoons, There is likewise three troopes of Granadiers, and these last are to march towards Scotland to-morrow. The King has also thought fit to name the Duke of Monmouth Generall to command all his fforces so long as his Grace shall remaine in Scotland. His Majesty by this Expedition will be at the charge of upwards of five hundred pounds sterline a day, which is more than £150,000 sterline by year if they continue so long. And seeing the King has so early provided for the preservation of his royall government and your common safety, he has just reason to expect that in the meantime you will bestow your utmost care and diligence as far as possible to suppresse that vile Rebellion. His Majesty presseth much that frequent flying packets may be sent at least every other day that he may know all things that pass, and that they may bear large and exact accounts. All which by his Majesty's command is signified to your Lordship by my Lord, your Lordships most humble and most faithfull servant, Lauderdale.
"To the Right Honble. The Earl of Rothes, Lord high Chancellor of Scotland. To be communicated to the remnant Lords and other of his Majesty's most honourable Privy Councell of that Kingdome."
The next relates to the rebellion, and to the appointment of "Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant General of all His Majesty's forces in that his ancient kingdome." (Vol. v., folio 167.)
"Whitehall, 19th June, 1679.
"May it please your Lordships. It was yesterday in the evening that your Letter of ye 15th instant (by a flying Packett) came to my hand, and I did immediately waite on the King with it, who after his reading it was pleased to declare that he was very well satisfied with your recommending Generall Thomas Dalzell to be Lieutenant Generall of all his Majesty's Forces in that his ancient Kingdome, and gave me a command for Preparing his Commission for that purpose; wherein I would lose no time, for it was ready this morning for his Royall hand, and he was graciously pleased to signe it, as you have it now hereinclosed. His Majesty is also exceedingly well pleased with the march of his fforces last Munday against the Rebells, and with the extraordinary care and diligence that have appeared in all your consultations and actions since the first notice you had of the breaking out of this Rebellion, which he hopes (by the blessing of God, and the continuance of your faithfull endeavours) will be soone crushed. It was likewise a great satisfaction to his Majesty to know that you were resolved to send fflying Packetts frequently for he has a very earnest desire to be informed as often as possible, of the transactions there, during the continuance of this Rebellion. Your Lordships may be pleased to send this Letter to the Duke of Buccleugh, and this commission to the Lieutenant Generall with all speed.
"I am My Lords, ...
"Lauderdale.