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

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time. I think strange Hatton apeared so litle for him ; ether his frendship
is not worth the value the Chancelor put on itt, or els he has litle
interrest with his brother, which I can hardly beleive. You need not
doubt but I am very sencable how nobly the Chanclor caries at this
time, and the more to be valued that it is so much contrare to former
practise, seaming, resolutions, and advices; and I hope you are juster
to me than to believe me capable to be influenced by any to his prejudice.
I pretend without vanetie to judge of my frends by the iitle sence I
have of ther deportment to me, and not be bayesed b}' any, and you
know all ways how much I have been obHdged to my lord Chanclor; so
you need not fear any bodies influence over me on that head. I can give
you no particular account of any thing L[auderdale] is doeing, but
what is publict. Nothing yett apears as to the other desings ; he minds
so closely to attend the Session to oblidge his friends, which no doubt
he will do to purpose, and I wish that may be all he has to do here, and
then wee ar well delivered. I do not intend to Edinburgh or from this
in hast, unles it be a day to be absent from the randevous here the 3rd of
Agust. I had your letter safe from on of the gentlemen come with my
sister. She says litle of her lord or what he does in Edinburgh. I know
not nor do I much care. Particular interrest is a generall excuis, and
must be borne with, tho it is like may not be forgote. My humble
service to my sister, and I wish both of you much joy of your young
daughter, and on all occasions you shall find me very reall and faithfull
to your interrest and familys ; so, adieu.
I have ordered Robert Kennedy to do what he can to provide you
with roome for your coach, and acquaint William Douglass with itt, but
itt could never been done in a worse time.
124. The Chancellor—oflRices during the King's pleasure—Duke of
Buccleuch at Court-—Earl Marshal of England to visit Scotland
Hatton refuses title of Dundee.
22 Agust [c. 16771.
I do as much regraite any ill usage the Chancelor may meet with as
any, but if he and other oflRcers of estat that ar now layed aside had
apeared in what they saw wrong, neither they nor wee had been at this
pass ; and I confes I atrobute much of our mistbrtuns to there deportment,
yett 1 do not hear the Chancelor is in that hasard you ar informed
cf, and iff such a letter should come from his Majestic that all offices of
Stat should be layed doun and taken dureing pleasur, I thinke before he
do it, he has a fair rise to waite on his Majestic and do it personally ;
and iff then he will apear to purpose, no doubt bnt he will gett those
that will coQCurr with him, but longer few will be jugled with half games.
Ever since I come from Edinburgh I have been troubled with a hurt in
my leg that I could not put on my boot, so that I have not been from
this since, and it still contineus ill, so that I can make no apointment
with you at present, neither hear I any thing of great moment to need
itt. For L[auderdales] threatening language, I do not much value it,
being resolved to cary my self as an honest man ; and iff in doeing
he fall on me I am satisfied to suffer. For this proclamation
againest phanaticks, I thinke it hardly practicapable, considering these
people ar more troublesome since nor befor; however, I resolue to
order my deputs to do their indevore. I think Nithsdales wav
is not worth notice. When he thinks it his interrest, he will act
just contrare to what now is his carradge. I have not heard any
cartuntie of what is said of the Duke of Buccleuch being at Court, and
I beleive their is litle in it worth noticeing ; nor can their be any thing