The manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of ... - Electric Scotland

193
Jire gott to the bottom of this damnable conspericy against his Majesty
and the Government ; in a few day[s] will be made publike to all the
world.
For the Marquis of Queensberry.
53. The Muster Master's place given to Middleton's uncle, but something
might yet be done for Lagg. The great villain, Rombold,
believed to be taken.
London, July 7 : 1683.
I had but last night yours of the 29 : of June, and his Majesty hauing
had notice by the former post, of the death of the muster master, had
given it to the Lord Middeltong vncle, or els you are sure Lagg had had
it ; and I hope other oportunitys may happen, of doing some thing for
him, knowing him to be so loyal a man, and related to you. I have had
an account from others as well as from your self how well things have
gone at Dumfrise, and every body has done you justice both from thence
and from Edenburgh, and particularly the Chanceler, who besids tells me,
he fears they will not be so obedient at Jedbrugh. The letter to the
Prive Councell you mention was not calculated for any end but what is
mentioned in it, and will not hinder your sending up the treasurer depute,
when you judg it necessary. Only this is fitt to be done, which is, that
you lett the Chanceler and Councell know, I haue obtained leaue for him
to come up from his Majesty. I haue not tyme to say more now hauing
been all this afternone below at the Secretary s, examining prisoners.
There is one taken in the West, who is beleved to be that great villan,
Rombold.
For the Marquis of Queensberry.
64:. Lord Arran troubled that Queensberry was dissatisfied with him :
—Lord Russell and others to be tried next week.
London, July 1683.
I intended to haue writen to you by the last post, but we were so
long that evening at the cabinett councell, examining some prisoners then
brought in, that I had not tyme that night to do it ; and before I say
anything else, I must tell you that Lord Aran is much troubled to heare
you are unsatisfyd with him, about his hauing told me his father had
complaind a little both of you and the Chancelor. He did not know
well how to auoyd doing it, and did not say it as his owne sence, but as
his fathers, whose letter he shewd me, writen to him upon that subject.
This I thought fitt to say to you, that you may not blame him for it. As
for newse, the Lord Russell and seuerall others of the conspirators are to
be tryd next weeke. Seuerall people are taken and examined every day,
all of which except one Mr. Trenchard owne all of them the rising which
was to have been about this tyme, tho they had put it of once before, and
had raised of their dispatching his Majesty and myself. Lord Argile
asked at first 30. pounds for to enable him to buy amies to make a
rising in Scotland, but at last came downe to six thousand pounds, and
that they might be sure the mony should not be misimploy'd by him,
desired they would send some ouer to see the armes bought. Tis reported
that the Duke of Monmouth, Lord Gray, and some others, are gott
away in a small vessell from a place neare Chichester. Yesterday the
Lord Major, aldermen, and common councell, were with hi3 Majesty
and myself to complyment upon the discovery of this damnable conspiracy.
We are all here so full of this, that one cannot write of anything els.
For the Marquis of Queensberry.
O 93549. N