Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

cclxx WILLIAM, FJRST MARQUIS OF ANNANDALE, 1G72-1721.
were thci-eaiter burned in Brcadalbaue's chamber, as those in the custody
of them might find them to be dangerous documents.
The question next arose of making a return to King James's letters.
Annandale did not encourage any further communication with tlie late king,
and went into the country to escape tlie importunities of Sir James
JMontgomerie. The three principal leaders in this plot now became alarmed,
and hastened to make their peace with the government by confessions of tlie
part each had played in the conspiracy. Sir James Montgomerie was the
first to write to Lord ]\Ielvill, offering to wait upon him and clear himself of
the false accusations made against him. lie did this to escape imprison-
ment, which, in the state of his health, would have occasioned his death.^
Lord Eoss was the first actually to offer to make his confession, and was
sent by Melvill to Queen Mary. He averred that the burning of the papers
received from King James was owing to James's refusal to dismiss his
I'opish officers. Sir James j\Iontgomerie next offered to make disclosures,
but, like Lord Eoss, insisted first on an indemnity, and that he should not
be used as a wituess.-
Thc Countess of Annandale, who liad been kept in total ignorance of the
plot, hastened to Lord Melvill, and begged of him a letter to the queen that
she might intercede in her husband's favour. Melvill wrote to the queen :
"I could not refuse tlic solicitations of a fairc lady to give yoin- Majesty
this trouble. I doubt not but she is both innocent and ignorant of what hath
been her lord.s carriage, and its no wonder she be much concerned ; and I do
tliink liim to be the least guilty and the most ingenuous person of the three
friends, as the la'e queen designed them in her letters to them. I wish he had
been more frie, and given your ^lajesty greater satisfixction." ^
The Countess of Annandale lost no time in repairing to Loudon, and
immediately waited on Sir William Lockhart, who was solicitor-general, with
> Hirst, ISth ,Tiuiu ICOO. Tlic Melvilloa, Euili of Melville, vol. ii. \\ loG.
2 Levcn and Melvill Papcia, pp. -1.54-I.">0.
3 Melvill to the Queen, Cth August 1090. Jlnd. p. 4S8.
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