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

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sterling, and it uas agreed for 2,900 pounds, so the rest has bein
mony distributed amongst themselves." He mentions another
"foul transactione," between Sir James Kochead and the Duchess
of Lauderdale, also about money matters. " They hav now made
a quarrell against Captain Grahame, at the instigatione of ther
Bishop, uliich I am affrayed harme the poor man, and it is the
most unjust thing in the uorld. This night that Bishop and I
hav bein examining Earlestone, uho ue hope uill
be ingenouous,
but as yet he aither knous little, or conceals much, but he has
petitioned for the Test most humbly, so ue think that, uhen he is
once disingaged from that party, he uill not stand to tell all he
knous."
London, August 20 : 1683.
194. My Lord, I uas some hours in this place befor 3^our
lordship's letter of the 14 came. It was brought to me by Bir
Androu Forrester, by whom I know that the tuo Secretaries uer gon
this morning for Windsor. I made all the heast I could in my
jurney, and, had not the uays bein wors then ever I sau them in
Winter, I had bein hear yesterday. Houever, I came this day by
one of the clock in the afternoon, and found my cloaths ready; so
to-morrow morning I intend for Windsor. I uas surprised to find
the neus all over this toun that the Lord Chanslour uas to come
up immediately, and that something relateing to his coming had
occationed both the Secretaries to go to Windser. But uhen I
inquired at Sir Androu Forrester, he suore that he uas absulately
ignorant of any such thing, and if leav uas given him, it uas by
the Duke himself, uithout the Secretarie's knouledg ; but uith all
confessed ther uas such a report. So since I could get no informatione
by him, I said no mor of it. But to-morrow, I shal indeavour
to knou all, and shal not feall (if I can) to persuade the Duke of the
inconveniencie of letting him come up at this time. I think I
uant not arguments eneugh for that purpose, but if I cannot
persuade, then I shal turn all my forces to the getting leav for
your lordship, which I knou the Duke's justice uill not deny, but
I am hopefull ther is no such thing true.
Sir Androu Forester told me (as your lordship's letter
did) that Lord Arrane is mighty zealous about Munckland's
esteat, but that Earl Morray had the Signature in his pocket, and
uold indeavour to hav it past for me. They look upon it as a
mighty thing, so I am resolved to bargane with Earl Arrane, if
he pleases, to quite my pretentions for four thousand pounds.
Since he thinks it so great a mater, if he uill not agree uith me,
I shal consent to the reserving to Duke Hamiltone the right of
his plea, which I think they most be satisfied with, if any reason
can satisfie him. If not, then I most see uhat's nixt fitt to be
done. Houever, I shal giv as little offence as I can in the uhole
mater. I uent to see Mr. Brisbane, but he uas at Windsor. I
shal not feal to make the best use of him I can.
I asked at Sir Androu Forester hou the tuo Secretaries agreed,
and I find they are mighty well together. Sir Androu is
someuhat disobliged that he gets not the gratuities that he got