Sir,
His Maty hath commanded me to lett you understand that having heard yesternight by meere accident that certein companies of men were levying in Scotland and redy to embarke under the conduct of Ramsey, Steward and some other captaines his Maty enquiring whither they intended it was told him that they went for Sweeden, which his Maty being displeased with gave order presently for the stay of the levy and whereas some good number of them were alredy embarked before his Maty heard the newes or redy to embarke his Highness also hath given order to discharge them and doth utterly disadvow anie act of theirs and although he have been told by ther frendes that they desired to serve the King of Sweeden in Muscovy and they should be farre from annoying the King of Denmarke yet was not his Maty satisfied therwith but hath sent to forbidde them, accompting it all one to serve the King of Sweden there or neerer to Denmarke for that it should but enable him to use the greater force against the King of Denmarke. And this his Maty doth out of memory of his promise to the King of Denmarke and out of his especiall care to discharge all parts of a kinde frend and brother towardes him. And least anie evill report should be brought to his eare of the levying and embarking of these men his Maty thought fit to be the first reporter of it himselfe by you his Minister there and his pleasure therefore is that you take the first opportunity to advertise him of it in his Matys name both how the levy was without his Matys warrant and how spedely his Highnes uppon the first hearing of it did take order to prohibit their proceeding.
Sir Robert Anstruther to the King.
From Halmestade the 1̅0̅{10} of Agust 1612.
Most humbly sheweth unto your Majestie,
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The King of Denmark is informed, that one Menigowe a fleeming, haveing in companie with him fyfteen hundreth men, is to meet with Androw Ramsay, in some pairt of the North of Scotland, about Caithness, or Orknay, who hath in lyk maner moe than a thowsand Scottis men with, and so they mynd to joine their forces togither, and to fall upon Norroway, and spoile some towns, and so to goe into Sweden. The King of Denmark doeth much mervaile theirat, in regaird of that letter which your Mtie sent wnto him, when Sir Robert Stewart, and Maister Ramsay went first into Sweden: whereby your Mtie desyred, that they might pass saively, for particulairs of their owne; and that their going shuld in no wayis prejudge the King of Denmark: notwithstanding Maister Ramsay being come to Sweden, maid offer of his service to the Prince and State of Sweden: and coming owt againe, had letters and directions to my Lord of Wormeston, which he did throw in the sea, being taken prisoner by the King of Denmarks ships, and browght unto the King, and examined upon his oathe if he had any commission for leveing of men, for the King of Swedens wss, or if he intended to goe bak againe to serve him: all which he then flatly denyed, and did sweare that he shuld never serve against Denmark; wherewpon he was dismissed, with a saveconduict to goe through the King of Denmarks dominions. Notwithstanding of this, the King of Denmark is certainly informed by men comed owt of Scotland, that he hath leveed men about Edengh and imbarked them at Leeth: And moreover his Mtie tould me of a particular man that wes killed in Leith by one of his companie, which caused a great sturre amongst some noble men, and the towne of Leith. His Mtie wsed this speech as an argument to prove, that such leveis, and imbarkements so neere to Edenbh could not be done without permission of the State: whereto I answered, that I beleeved certainly, that these leveis were not, by any authoritie of your Mtie or the State, but only voluntarie men, of whom the cuntry is full, for want of Imployment.[139] And moreover I called his Mtie to mynd, that 10 yeers agoe when William Ogilvye, and 6 yeers agoe when Wormeston went over in tyme of peace betwixt Denmark and Sweden: notwithstanding I know perfytly, that none of them had licence to lift wp men, without express command of your Mtie that they shuld never Imploy themselves, or their men, against the crowne of Denmark; farre more easily his Mtie myght beleeve that now in tyme of warres yr Mtie would give leave to no subject of yours, to goe serve against him: I perceave by the Kings speeches if they come in his hands, they shall runne a great hasard.
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His Majesty heering of the forces that Mr Ramsay and Menigow have assembled did send shippes alreadie, towards the coaste of Norroway: and heering certainly of their strenth, intendeth to send moe shippes and men.