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

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210. Kelhead's business.—Sir John Cochran at London &c.
London, April the 12, 1683.
My Lord, I hear nothing mor of the toun of Edinbourg* business, nor
nothing that folloued on it. So I say nothing aither ; but if I doe, I'l
knou hou to give things a right turn. Nor is there need that you take
so easily alarums ; the Deuk will not so easily alter the opinion he has
of you.
I told him what diligence you wer using concerning the excyse
comission. 1 cannot yet give answer as to Kelheads business. I
supose there will be nothing don in it till Captain Inglish either demit
or be trayed. I fynd the Deuk thinks Meldrum most propre to be
Major ; but will not condeshend to put him over ane older Captains
head, that is a man of quality : tho I indevored to perswad him to it.
In these things it is hard to impose upon him. Wherfor, I told him it
Avould be best to lait it alon all togither, that we may see if tyme can
bring it about. I knou not well what he will doe in it, but I supose hemay
take advyce. I spok to him also about Gilcryst, and told him that
befor I recaived your Lordships I had persons in search of him. I was
this morning by the Deuks order at Sir Leonald Jenkins about that
affair. When I learn any thing of it, I shall give you notice. Sir John
Cochraine treated both Secretarys, my Lord Aran, and Lord Charles
Muray, yesterday at the George and Volter, but I fynd neither of the
first have any kyndness for him. I have recaived from my Lord
Chancelor the state of S tiding and have given him acount of our
opinion here, which I supose he will acquaint your Lordship with.
That will be a mighty augmentation of the customs you speak of. I
shall lait the Deuk knou of it. All other things in your Lordships
letters I take cair of according to directions. 1 am, my Lord, your
Lordships most faithfull and most humble servant.
J. Grahame.
My Lord, the inclosed papere I desseined to have keeped till meeting
conform to your first letter, but nou I send it doun as you desyr by your
last.
211. The affairs of the mint and of the Castle of Stirling.
London, Apryll the 26, 1683.
My Lord, The Provist of Edinbourg has wrytent to the Deuk and
sent up a memoriall, ane information, and petition to the Councell anent
the Mint, recomended by the Bishop of Edinbourg. I supose, my Lord
Midletoun will send your Lordship all those peapers. I told the Deuk
that it was not propre, without better recomandation then what he had,
to take any resolution in the thing ; and that I suposed what was don
was for the Kings service. So that there will be nothing don here, till
the Deuk hear from your Lordship and the Chancelor ; nor doe I see that
the Deuk blames as yet your Lordship in the least. We all here will
take speciall cair that he understand the business aright, nor can I see
hou it is possible to suspect any other dessein then peurly the King's
interest in what you doe. There will be a letter to your Lordship in a
feu days for securing the lordship of Stirhng for the Kings use, and ane
other waranding you to treat with* him for the heritable right of the
Castle and lands anexed there too. As to the Mint, there is a letter
ordered for your Lordship telling that the King pleaseuris that my Lord
Lauderdeall dispon to the Chancelour the lands about Dondie, and to me
the house and jurisdiction, for which I render your Lordship most
hairty thanks. Sir John Falconer is to pay four years and one half
purchass of all his esteat and the rest six years purchass of theirs, but
the King has ordered nothing be said of this till the letter com to your