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

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since they wer not in the Kings instructions, by which I was put to some
deficulties, not knoueing what your lordship and others intended. But
this affaire was so quikly pressed, to giue good example to others, as
was thought, that to have put any demurr in itt one should have been
judged a great enemy to the King and the Government, which I hope
neuer to do any thing may give any ground to thinke so of me. I am
sory you should be so far misinformed as to Ciafurd, for I haue taken all
the pains I could to try iiF any of my tenants there had resett any of
these rogues, and I cannot find that on was resset by ony of them ; but
to the contrare aboue 20 of them did rise with Litlgill and some of the
melitia in search of them. And after all the try ell was made, both by a
party of dragoons and the melitia, and seuerall prissoners broght doun to
Glasgow, all that was fund was the day after their meeting 8 of them
stayed in Pedwan and 3 in Glengonar a part of a night, which lands you
know are Hoptons and the tenants in these rooms tooke the test befor us,
and wer so ingenous in the confessions that they wer set at liberty. So I
beseech your lordship be not sudden in resolveing on a garison there, for
I can not agrie to on in my house ; and iff there be an necessity for it
(which I do not see) other houses may be found more fitt, as you shall
know at meeting. I was sory to hear of Earl Cassillis unhappienes.
He has neuer favored me this seuerall years with much of his corrospondance,
so I medle litle in his affairs; but I hear his wife a cd all
his other friends are very sencable of your kindnes to him, and my wife
particularly is so, who has her humble service remembered to your lordship
and both of us to my sister, and I am, with great reality, my lord,
your lordships most humble servant and most affectionate brother.
Hamilton.
My daughter Susann is to be maried on my Lord Cochran the 13
instant, at which wee shall drinke your health ; and I hope, iff I do not
waite on you till after Crisstenmasse, you will excuse itt.
188. Horrid murder at Swine Abbey—for garrisons in moorish
places.
Hamilton, 28 November [1684].
I am glade to hear your lordship is safe aryued at Edinburgh, and I
hope you will excuise me if I do not waite on you there till January
my affaires here is in so much disorder, and mony so ill to be raised
amongest my tenants, that I can not well leave this place sooner.
People here abouts are much alarmed since the hearing of that horride
murder at Suine Abbay, and they say the fugitives has been seen more
forces went out of
publickly in the remote places of this shire since the
itt then befor. Where euer I heard of any, I sent and made search for
the resetters and has seuerall prisoners. As I write to Generall Dalyell
and now to the Chancel or^ without placeing small garison s in the moorish
places of the countrey, it will be hard to catch or banish these rogues or
find out their resetters ; and for my house of Crafurd, iff there be not
other houses in that parish more fitt, now that the on half of it is
unvaulted, I am much mistaken. Howeuer, it and all I have shall still
be ready at the Kings service, who am very sincerly, my lord, your
lordships most affectionate brothe? and most humble servant,
Hamilton.
189. Wishes him joy on his new title of honour—rebels tilling a room
at Lesmahagow— garrison at Crawford— John Lukprivike, the fowler,
caught.
Hamilton, 7 December [1684].
Giue me leaue first to wish your Grace much joy of the new title of
honor the King has bestowed on you. I receiued this day yours. I do