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

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putting an end to the rebellion, with all possible haste before
the winter came on ; adding twenty men more to each troop of
dragoons ; calling for the assistance of some Forces from Ireland
and about sending yet another frigate with an expert Captain
of good conduct to command all the rest, with two little fireships.
Also about a dispute between " Craegy " and *' Collene "
about the command in a bailiary. The Sheriffship of Ayr had
been resigned by the Earl of Dumfries in favour of " Collen ;"
but Lord Melfort hoped the King would rather give it to
''Craegy," whose predecessors had sold that heritable office to the
Crown for £2,000 sterling " and was never pyed a groat of the
monny." This was delayed, and the King gave him little answer.
Melfort then offered some signatures concerning the state of
Argyle, but the King said he would have the business of the
rebellion over before he did any thing of that kind. " Then he
sayd I had past on in favors of the Marqus of Montros. I tould
the Kinge ther uas ane specialety in that of his, which non of the
rest had ; for it uas for pyment of the remaeninge paert of a
soume order 'd to the Marqus by the parlament sixty, for the
oppresione he had sufferd by the late Marqus Argyle ; uhich uas
a verry vaeluiable consideration.
The King sayd iff he had done
any fault he uould do so no mor. 07 urges this on the
account of his own signatur, uhiche he says is stopt at the
exchequer. ..."
Whythall, June 1 : 1685. On in the morning.
122. Lord Melfort being ill had sent Moray the letters to the
Court. He waited on the King and gave him account of all
Queensberry had sent. Earl Middleton being present. " You cannot
belive the toill wee ar in hear, at this time, and the deficulty
we hawe of getinge opportunetys uithe his Majesty for dispatch
of bussines. I haw now uaeted till half ane hour after alevine,
and had mutch to doe to get his hand to the letter directed to
your Grace."
Being himself doubtful on the subject, he had taken Middleton's
opinion ; and they both thought Moray should not shew
Queensberry' s letter to the King till they heard from him again.
Knowing the King's temper, they considered that "the substance
of sutch a letter uear fitter to be spokin by your self then
wrytin in a letter. However, findinge your Grace so conserned
in the mater of delyvering the letter for admiting Claverous on
the Councill, I moved his Majesty that it might be done by
my Lord Chancellor in the ordinary uay, uhich he uas ueall
plaesed uithe; and I haue urytin a letter to the Chancellor to
that purpos, uhich I send you inclosed, uithe a coppy of it, that
you may caus delyver it a^ you think fitt. In the paper you
sent inclosed in your letter to the Kinge, ther is mention
made of gratefications and ratefications uhich showld be made
to graetefy the subjects. This 07 tookhould of, and sayd, by
that uas meant that uhat forfalturs the King intended to
bestow in his deserving subjects showld be presently done that
they might be raetefied in this sessione of Parliament. I took