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

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88. Was pleased with the good understanding between the Chancellor
and the Marquis of AthoU—Kind usage of the Duke of
Monmouth by the Prince of Orange scandalises all honest people.
Windsor, July 25 : 1G84.
Since I wrot to you from Tunbridg 1 haue had yours of the 17 ; and
two from the Secret Comitty ; and am absolutly of their opinion as to
the parliament, and thinke their reasons good for tlie not calling it any
tyme this autum. I am very glad to find you have made — so good an
understanding bettwene the Chancelor and Marquis Athol 'tis a very
good service to the King. The Secretary shall be sure, as you desire,
to give speedy and full answers to all tliat tlic Secret Committy writs
and I shall be sure to follow the aduice you give me as to seuerall
things in your letter, which I need not repeat. Your brother. Colonel
Douglas, is here and has given me a full account of all things have past
from whence he coms, and the kind usage the Duke of Monmouth and
Lord Brandon haue had from the Prince of Orange scandalizes all
honest people here, as well as where you are, and encourages the
factious party. If Smith be here, I shall send him downe to you. I
have not now tyme to write to Lord Kintore, but will do it ; and you
may be sure shall remember to moue in your concerns, when 'tis a proper
tyme. I have not tyme to say more now.
For the Lord Treasurer of Scotland.
89. The " Boots " had done no good upon Spence — proposed match
between the Countess of Wemyss and the Treasurer's second son.
Windsor, August 5 : 1684.
This morning I receved yours of the 29 : of last month, and at the
same tyme had a freind of Mr. Marr's with me, who had also receved a
letter from him, in which he, Mr. Marr, gave him an account how kind
you had been to him, for which I thanke you very hartely. I find by yours
the Boots had done no good upon Spence, and beleve him so stuborne he
will not owne wiiat he knows. As to what you mention concerning a
proposal hauing been made to you for a match bettwene the Countesse
of Weems and your second sonne, I do approve of it very much : for,
besids that it will be of advantage to him, I do realy look on the lady as
a very good yong woman, and one that 1 have a very good opinion of,
and one that I am very confident of will neuer go about to endeavor to
alter your sonn's princepels ; and if she should, would I am sure never
be able to alter those he has had from you ; so that I thinke you cannot
do better then to accept of the offer. I have sayd nothing of it to
no body here, nor shall I till I heare it is concluded. I have not tyme
to say any more to you noAV, but that all things are very quiat here.
For the Lord Treasurer of Scotland.
90. Spence was begun to speak — Duke of Hamilton should be added
to Committees.
London, August 15 : 1684.
When I came buck from a little voyage I had made to Chatham,
Sheernesse and Tilbury, I receued yours of the 7 : by which I was glad
to find that Spence began to speake. I hope to heare sone he has
been engenious and will discover all he know^s. As for your owne
concerne, you may be sure I shall move in it when the tyme will be
proper. I shall be sure to be very cautious as to what you mention
concerning Tom Gourdon. As to Duke Hamilton, you will see by
what the Secretary s wrot what his Majesty has ordred concerning him ;
since when Lord Dumbarton shewd me a letter from his brother, Duke