[139] The removal of the royal residence from Edinburgh attracted to England Scotch courtiers and men of rank who made fortunes by King James's favour. On the other hand, the sons of the gentry and better classes, "whose trade had been war and battle," were deprived of employment by the general peace with England, and the Scottish nation felt at the same time the distress arising from an excess of population. "To remedy the last evil," says Sir Walter Scott, "the wars on the Continent afforded a resource peculiarly fitted to the genius of the Scots, who have always had a disposition for visiting foreign parts."
[140] A town and fortress near Stockholm.
[141] Near the Hague.
[142] The letters found in the Public Record Office are dated respectively 9th August, 16th September, and 30th September 1612.
[II.]
COPIES OF DOCUMENTS[143] FROM THE GENERAL REGISTER HOUSE, EDINBURGH.
1.
| Apud Edinburgh quarto Augusti 1612. | ||
| Sederunt | ||
| Secretar | Kilsyth | |
| Clerk Register | Sir Johnne Arnot | |
| Advocat | ||