James VI, April 1593

James VI, April 1593

50. Bothwell to Burghley. [April 4.]

Since the bearer, Mr. Henry Lok, understands my mind perfectly in all respects and the state of matters here, I abstain from entering into particulars. By him I have also fully "considerit" how you begin to pity my calamity, assisting him at her Majesty's hands to work my comfort and relief; for which undeserved benevolence I can do no more than render humble thanks, with faithful promise of "inalterabill" sincerity both to that estate and your honour in particular as long as I live. Edinburgh. Signed: Bothuell.

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Endorsed by Burghley's clerk.

51. Robert Bowes to Burghley. [April 7.]

By the travail of Lord Burgh the King has not only embraced the good advice given by her Majesty through him for the further discovery and punishment of the conspiracies and conspirators here and for the course of the King's government therein and in other matters of state, but also has, in writing, bound and engaged himself and his honour to her Majesty and other Protestant princes to proceed effectually in the same; wherewith Lord Burgh thought it meet to return to her Majesty. These [negotiations] he has finished with great honour and praise. He has let me know how graciously her Majesty accepts my poor service. I lament and must needs "discover" the weakness of my aged body worn with miseries, and my broken state. Lord Burgh will commend my case to her Majesty and yourself, and my petition will be "especifyed" by Sheperson. Edinburgh. Signed: Robert Bowes.

¾ p. Addressed. Endorsed by Burghley's clerk.

52. Occurrents in Scotland. [April 7.]

At Edinburgh, 7th April 1593.

"Thoccurrantis in Scotlande fallen before the vijth of Aprill 1593."

Huntly has returned from Sutherland and has been seen near Bog of Gight (Boggygeythe), his own house. He is reset at the house of Torrysall, tenant to Alexander Duff, depending on Huntly. Errol has come near his own house at Slains (Slanys) and has been lodged in old Mackarne's house, tenant to Alexander Hay of Ardmackarne, depending on Errol. It is given out and credited that the Earl Marischal, lieutenant in those parts, is not ignorant of Huntly's and Errol's coming within his rule and office, and that, having received the keys of Slains at the hands of Sir Robert Melvill by the King's appointment, he has delivered them to Alexander Hay before named, so that the house thereby is at Errol's pleasure. The King, hearing of Huntly's and Errol's return and of Marischal's negligent behaviour therein, has by letters stirred Marischal to better diligence and called for his answer, threatening to take the lieutenancy from him upon proof of his default and to give it to Atholl, to be assisted by the Master of Forbes. Angus has been in the "Mernis," and at Dundas: he was seen on Blackburn Moor on 29th March and passed into Douglasdale with four men and two led horses. He has been in divers places near Stirling and conferred (as it is affirmed) with sundry persons of quality, namely [i.e. especially] with Sir James Chisholme, who lately is said to have ridden to speak with Bothwell, whereby Bothwell is the more suspected to have intelligence with Angus.

Mr. James Gordon and Mr. Robert Abercromby, Jesuits, have come again to Buchan. The barque still attends for them and others in Moray Firth, near Cromarty. The Earl of Caithness (as it is credibly told) has by letters both advertised the King that all the Jesuits remain still at Caithness, and also offered to surprise and deliver them to the King, if he will give him commission for the same. It is thought that he has secretly sent his commission to Caithness in this behalf, and keeps close Caithness's letter until he shall hear further of his doings and success. Some bait is laid to entrap Abercromby, and very likely to take effect if he performs his promise to come to his friend's house at the time appointed. The two barques ready for Spain lie still before Ayr. Some persons of quality in the north seek passage in one of them, "which is well awaited uppon." It is not thought meet that the Countess of Huntly shall remain in Bog of Gight or any other of the houses of her husband. Some courtiers seek to bring her to the Court, but as yet it is thought better that she be placed at St. Andrews.

Lord Hamilton has been informed that Lennox and Mar have dealt with some of the servants in Dumbarton Castle to deliver that "peece" into their hands; that Mar "is presentlie at Erskin within vj daies at the furthest," and upon the jealousy hereof Hamilton has removed some suspected in the Castle, and seeks to furnish it with better strength.

Sundry ministers have travailed lately and divers times with the Queen to pacify her wrath against the Chancellor that he might be restored to her good countenance and return to the Court to serve the King, who greatly desires his service, especially in these present and weighty causes, and the rather because the Chancellor has offered to shake off all factions and to join with such Council as the King should call to him, and thereon to procure a general band of association of the best noblemen, barons, burgesses and ministers, to like effect as the particular band was framed at Aberdeen [see Nos. 39, 40]. It is advised that the band at Aberdeen be revived and perfected, that thereon the general band may be drawn and put in execution. The King lately has sent quietly divers courtiers and ministers to the Chancellor and "useth" to take his advice in all these present affairs. But he does not like and does not find any safety to come to Court before he shall recover the Queen's favour, and thereon be reconciled with the Duke and the Master of Glamis: in which behalf fit instruments are labouring "to agree" the Chancellor and Master.

The King lately has received some overtures and is put in hope that Huntly and Bothwell shall be surprised (chiefly Bothwell), yet most men doubt the success of the overture. Lord Hamilton, for his assistance to keep the court at Linlithgow against the Duke's will, should have been "partied" by Glencairn, Eglinton, Maxwell, Livingstone and many other noblemen, barons and gentlemen; whereby the King is made to think that Hamilton has made a band with so many that he shall be strengthened with two parts of the realm, and that the same is done by the advice and means of the Chancellor. It was likewise told Hamilton that the Duke had gotten the promises of sundry noblemen and others to join with him against Hamilton. Therefore it is now looked that the strifes betwixt the Duke and Hamilton shall give first occasion of troubles in this realm.

John Leslie, Laird of Bouqhuane, and Patrick Cheyne, Laird of Eslemonth, are committed to the Castle for payment of 10,000 marks Scots upon their band given for the Earl of Huntly to appear and answer for the slaughter of Murray; and the Lairds of Findlater and Grant, being bound in like bands and for the same cause, are called upon for payment; for by these and such like means the guard here is hitherto paid. Bouqhuane pleads that before his coming hither the Duke and Mar had undertaken that he should not be charged with any crime other than the burning of Garnis [? Gardin's] house, which he justified by virtue of commission directed to him for the apprehension of Game, then at the horn. (fn. 1) Now it is advertised that he shall be charged with the privity of the conspiracies with Spain, in regard that he is noted to have been busy in these matters and of counsel with Huntly in all his secrets. But his friends in Court are thought able to clear him from the hurt likely to fall hereby.

Angus, Huntly and Errol again deny that they have subscribed the blanks taken with Mr. George Carr. It is thought that this renovation of their denial shall bring forth no good fruits; and Sir James Chisholme by his letter delivered lately to the King and Council by his wife likewise denies to be guilty of the crimes laid against him by Fintray and Carr, and prays to try the matter by single combat against Mr. George Carr. Bothwell's meeting with Sir James Chisholme, his intelligence with Angus, his being at Bewcastle (as the King is newly informed, and peradventure without good ground) and all other things of Bothwell, I leave to the report of others.

3¼ pp. Endorsed by Burghley: "7 April 1593. Occurrentis of Scotland brought by the Lord Burgh, who came to the Court 14 Aprill."

53. Lord Burgh to Burghley. [April 10.]

Because I cannot ride so fast as the running posts, and do not know whether Mr. Bowes's letters shall occasion speedy answer, I have conveyed his letters by them [the posts], and will follow as fast as I may to make relation of my service. I hope to wait on her Majesty before, or on, Easter Day. Doncaster. Signed: Thomas Burgh.

½ p. Holograph. Also address. Endorsed by Burghley's clerk. Red wax seal.

54. Robert Bowes to Burghley. [April 19.]

Since the departure of Lord Burgh, and after he had sent me a copy of your letter addressed to him on the 4th hereof, I have had access to the King and have not only sought to acquit her Majesty of any dealing with or hearkening to Bothwell otherwise than for the King's benefit and against his present rebels, but also recounted the pitiful complaint of Thomas Musgrave, having lately lost a great part of his living by the death of his wife, and being burdened thereby with greater charges in prison than his power now suffices to sustain; from whence, nevertheless, her Majesty will not deliver him without knowledge of the King's mind therein. Albeit with good patience he heard and credited my report, yet with warm passion he started against Thomas Musgrave, and, doubting of his wife's decease, he affirmed directly that his brother had lately and openly harboured Bothwell in Bewcastle six or seven days together, and that Bothwell likewise had been received and lodged in Carham and in other places in Northumberland whilst Lord Burgh was here. The King added that during the imprisonment of Bothwell's resetters the offenders' friends durst not commit the like offences without good hope of oversight. I rather passed over than granted the late "receyt" of Bothwell in England, in regard that I was not certain therein. The often and open repair and "harborrowe" of Bothwell in England against the protestations of Lord Burgh and myself have stirred and still stir great anger in the King's heart. For this I answered that borderers oftentimes respected more their own commodities and safety than their obedience and duties to their sovereign, which I proved by sundry examples in England and Scotland, letting the King understand that many borderers in England were not only persuaded by Bothwell's words that in time the King would remit his faults, but also were allured by his offers to think that they shall be safe from the violence and attempts of Liddisdale and other Scottishmen daily oppressing them before, that the feuds amongst them should be agreed by Bothwell's means, and that they should lie quietly and possess their goods without trouble; which commodities many of the English borderers have enjoyed by Bothwell, and thereby they have been enticed and drawn to favour him with hazard of their own punishment. The discourse betwixt us was long and sharp. At length the King concluded with request that her Majesty would severely punish the offenders and restrain the receiving of Bothwell. He left the further punishment of Musgrave to her pleasure, refusing to assent to his liberty in regard of these latter faults done by his brother, and Musgrave's evil behaviour to himself.

Sir Robert Melvill, appointed to be sent to her Majesty, has lately conceived some doubts of her good acceptance and success in that journey, in regard that he has been noted to have held a hard course towards England after the death of the King's mother and at the coming of the Spanish fleet into these seas. Herein the King and Sir Robert have sought my opinion. I answered them that, albeit I have heard that Sir Robert's course was suspected, since my present employment in Scotland I have found in him such good disposition towards religion and the welfare of both the sovereigns and realms that I have commended him and his good offices to her Majesty, who has returned to him hearty thanks, thereby "approvinge" such good opinion towards him that his distrust appeared to be needless. Understanding that the King had before appointed the Prior of Blantyre (one singularly well affected to all the common causes and free from all particularities and factions) to this office, which he durst not undertake in regard of his health, and that, nevertheless, the King had sent again for him, therefore I left the choice of the person to be employed to the King's own pleasure. I am told that no full commission shall be given before the assembly of the Convention of the estates at Holyrood House on the 27th of this month.

I reminded the King of his answers to Lord Burgh, and he continues constant, protesting deeply to proceed with all his power, agreeable to his promises. In the consideration of his Council, to be especially chosen and established, the King resolved to call to him the Chancellor, who could not (he thought) come conveniently to the Court before the Queen was persuaded to withdraw her heavy countenance. The labours of the ministers employed to appease the Queen's wrath have not hitherto prevailed, and the King says that only the Queen of England's letter to the Queen of Scots shall work the Chancellor's peace, and therefore he wishes her Majesty to write to this effect.

The Convention of the estates to be drawn together at this time is deemed to be "gathered of fewe chosen persons at th'apetytes of the present courtiers" rather than to be general of the whole estates and for the profit of the commonwealth. By this Convention the matters to be offered to the next Parliament, beginning on 1st June, shall be considered, and whether the Parliament shall be adjourned. For the compassing of which adjournment great means are made for the benefit of the Spanish confederates, that they, being released from the horn (to the intent they may be lawfully forfeited or attainted by the Parliament), shall by the delay escape the pains of forfeiture as well as of outlawry or horning. By it full commission shall be given to the ambassador to be sent to the Queen of England. Order is to be taken for the pursuit of the conspirators with Spain and for the accomplishment of the King's promises for the same. Provision is to be taken for the apprehension or "put away" of Bothwell and for reformation of this government and estate. Justice Courts shall be holden in Lothian and on the Borders for punishment of offenders, and chiefly to levy money for payment of the King's guard, for which order is given to take up fifty light horsemen. The Duke, Mar and especially Lord Hume severally desire the leading of them, but the King will be advised therein, purposing as yet to retain Sir John Carmichael to command the whole guard, with two captains under him to lead the horsemen.

The General Assembly of the Church shall begin at Dundee on the 24th hereof. It is lamented that sundry ministers of quality and bound to serve at this Assembly shall be withdrawn from the Convention of the estates, but due care shall be taken to provide that the Assembly shall with such speed frame their articles to be propounded to the Convention that their commissioners shall present them in due season, and thereby the persons qualified and fit to solicit their causes to the Convention shall give their attendance here.

Angus, Huntly and Errol are amongst their friends in secret manner. I have received intelligence that Huntly, in hope to find the more favour in Court, lies off from Angus and Errol and will not openly join longer with them. Although Errol makes proof that Huntly refused to meet him, yet I am in formed that they will not break in sunder nor deny to embrace Bothwell if they can have him without suspicion. I am told that Spott has showed some articles to Errol wherewith it is thought that Bothwell is well acquainted, and that the Catholics well like and allow of the articles, tending to raise a band amongst them not for religion but for the relief of the distressed nobility.

The Catholics have concluded that their cause cannot prosper unless some means be found to kindle a disdain in the King's heart against the Queen and realm of England, for which purpose they intend to entertain fit instruments chiefly Mandeville, (fn. 2) to work the matter with the King, and therewith to set some libel on the King's chamber door to stir him forwards to the same. I have warned some about the King of this.

The Earl Marischal, receiving letters from the King and from some ministers noting his negligence in the office of lieutenancy, has written to Sir William Keith to be a means for his discharge. He is blamed by many for having given over great oversight to Huntly, and especially to Errol his kinsman. If he will thus willingly leave this office, then it may be laid on Atholl and the Master of Forbes, who have frankly promised to do their best services therein; yet some bruits are lately spread abroad that Huntly and Atholl are agreed, and the same received the greater credit in regard that Atholl has retired to his house at Dunkeld and has not attempted anything against Huntly of late. But he has promised other effects, and the Countess, his wife, is purposed to be in this town within few days.

The King is advertised that the King of Denmark will shortly send to him Henry Beloo, the reut-master in Denmark, and Steven Boele, as ambassadors. Edinburgh. Signed: Robert Bowes.

Postscript.—At the writing hereof I have been sounded for Angus and Errol, who presently would seek relief by her Majesty if they thought that their suits would be accepted with any favour; and for their good dealings and behaviour their eldest sons will be proferred in pledge and hostage with the discovery of all the conspiracies with Spain, and all other good offices. "But these partyes are so fyled with pytch as I darr not touche or come nere them," yet I thought it my duty to acquaint you how far I have been tempted. The Chancellor has advertised the King that he has a matter of great secrecy and importance to be communicated to him, whereupon the King is purposed to ride quietly to him, who will (as I am informed) "discover" [i.e. disclose] a foul practice intended for the surprise of the King.

4¾ pp. Addressed. Endorsed by Burghley's clerk.

55. Robert Bowes to Burghley. [April 28.]

Sundry of the inferior sort have come to this Convention, begun yesterday at Holyroodhouse. But few other than those "ordinarye and resyant" here are looked to be present. Lord Hamilton has ridden to Arbroath, according to his appointment resolved before the summons of this Convention. Montrose refuses to come to Court whilst his enemies have such power. Others make other excuses. Sir Robert Melvill shall be despatched to the Queen of England. The fines of the barons and gentlemen failing to attend personally on the King in his late raid to Aberdeen shall be "cessed" and order given for the levy thereof. Matters of Parliament shall be deliberated, whereupon the assembly of the Church, presently at Dundee, purposes to send their commissioners to entreat that the Parliament may hold as prescribed on 1st June to proceed against Papists and the conspirators for Spain. The commissioners for the Church provide to be here on Monday next to present their petitions. The King has sent Sir James Melvill and the Laird of Colluthy to the commissioners at the General Assembly to deliver articles from the King, and of which I enclose a copy.

Lord Hume, finding the King unwilling to give to him the leading of the horsemen for the King's guard, departed from the Court with discontentment; but such large offers have since been made on behalf of him and others for the surprise of Bothwell that now fifty horsemen shall be committed to the charge of John Hume of Cromston, servant to Lord Hume, and other fifty horsemen to the government of the Laird of Dunipace and Thomas Erskine. It is "conditioned" (as I hear) with Cromstane, who pretends a particular quarrel against Bothwell, that if he fail to perform his offer within the time limited this company shall be taken from him. The King is allured by many fair overtures to hope for the speedy execution of many good services; but this hope is far from all men other than himself and the present courtiers.

This day the King, ridden a hunting, has left his hounds and will visit the Chancellor at Lethington with purpose to bring him to Court within eight days, and to be satisfied in the practice intended for his surprise. But the Chancellor finding the scars of the Queen's displeasure still appearing and the tide in the Court yet against him, holds it meet to defer his return. He thinks that her Majesty's favourable letter in his behalf to the Queen of Scots will most readily work his good acceptance at Court. I request to be directed what to do therein. As the Chancellor has received intelligence (by the Earl of Montrose as I hear) of the plot for the King's surprise, in the fields at hunting, so he will discover the same to the King, who shall hardly escape the danger within 30 days unless better provision be prepared than is hitherto made by many in Court, where some of the careless sort are suspected to be ready to join privily with the attempters.

Atholl remains constant for the advancement of the common cause against the rebels: he has been deeply tempted with the offer of the marriage of Huntly's eldest son to his daughter, with absolute gift of the inheritance of lands lying commodiously for him, with the assurance of the rest of Huntly's possessions to Huntly's son and Atholl's daughter, with remainder (for lack of issue) to Atholl and his heirs, and with such amends for Murray's slaughter as Atholl and other three Stewarts to be named by him shall award. Nevertheless he will not bite at the bait. In regard whereof I continue my labours to procure the King's grant of Lochaber and other possessions of Huntly for him, agreeable to the desire expressed in his letter which I enclose. He and his wife intend to be here about 15th May to put all their affairs in readiness against the next Parliament.

I am advised that Huntly, lurking long in Sandie Duff's house within half a mile of Strathbogy, his chief house, has now come to Fynhaven in Angus, Crawford's house; that he is disposed to entertain intelligence with Bothwell rather to entrap than join with him; and that he may be drawn to "put out" the others for the sake of his own peace, which he "challendgeth" on the ground of innocency in the blanks, his hand (as he says) being "stollen" from him by Mr. James Gordon. But, notwithstanding, it is thought meet that he shall be put back again into Caithness. If this can be compassed you shall hear of some wonder following. He lately sent Findlater hither to solicit his friends to travail for Errol, without any motion for himself, hoping that Errol's good success should readily work his own remission. The Countess of Huntly is expected to be here very shortly. The Earl Marischal is still blamed with great negligence in his lieutenancy, giving manifest oversight to Huntly and Errol and to such of the Gordons as have lately grievously wounded the Master of Forbes's servant in the chase of the Laird of Towie, fleeing to the house of his kinsman, the Master, who will not "sit with" that wrong and shame. Marischal charges Atholl with some disorders. The late broil betwixt the Tweedies and Geddeses "partyed" severally by Lord Fleming, the Lairds of Drumlanrig, Johnstone and others, I leave to the report of the officers on the Borders.

To prevent the bringing in of the Chancellor some courtiers have again commended the service of Captain James Stewart as most necessary and requisite for the King in the present circumstances. For the clearing of his way he is purposed to exhibit his petition to the General Assembly of the Church at Dundee that he may first satisfy them and afterwards "creipe" into the Court; but his course is so espied that his passage is like to be stopped. The King has been advertised, and storms greatly, that Bothwell continuing lately eight or nine days beyond the water of Forth, returned to Bewcastle, and on Monday last, the 23rd, came back into Scotland and gathered sixty men to have attempted some enterprise, which is broken, the forces scattered, and Bothwell ridden again to Bewcastle. Many things are bruited of Bothwell. By the sharpness of my ague I am enforced to omit sundry matters of greater weight than these presents. Edinburgh. Signed: Robert Bowes.

3¾ pp. Addressed. Endorsed by Burghley's clerk.

First enclosure with the same.

Printed in Calderwood, v. 242; Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 805.

(Articles propounded to the General Assembly of the Kirk.)

26th April 1593. "Articles proponed in his Majestis name to the Generall Assemblie presentlie convenit at Dundie."

1. His Majesty declares that, with respect to the privilege of his crown, he must see to the enforcement of the act of his last Parliament anent the convening of the General Assemblies by his appointment; willing them, therefore, before "skailing," to send two or three of their number to learn of him the day and place of their next convening.

2. He desires them to make an act of Assembly prohibiting ministers, under pain of deprivation, from declaiming in pulpit against the King or his Council, inasmuch as he is known to be well-disposed to promote the cause of piety and justice and at all times gives ready access and loving ear to the ministers.

3. He desires them to appoint a leet of five or six of the discreetest ministers, that he may choose two to serve in his house, in respect of the decrepit age of Mr. Craig.

4. Since the welfare of religion and of his Majesty's person are so inseparably joined, he desires that throughout all the presbyteries of the country some may be appointed to keep him informed of what they can learn not only of the practices of the Papists and Spanish factioners, but also of the "receiptes" and practices of Bothwell; and for this effect to enlist the concurrence of "the haile barrons and honest men, maist tenderers of his Majestis wellfare and good estate within ther presbetryes."

5. Fifthly, he desires that at all ports or landing places some of the brethren be appointed to cause the burghs carry out the law to enquire into the case of all who pass in or out of the country hereafter, and to inform his Majesty of anything of weight and importance. All this he craves to be faithfully done, and promises, for his part, to assist them in their good resolutions for the furtherance of peace and the established religion.

1⅓ pp. Copy in the hand of Bowes's clerk. Endorsed by the same.

Second enclosure with the same. [April 20.]

(Earl of Atholl to Robert Bowes.)

I thank you for your good-will and courtesy, and hope to repay the same when occasion offers. I beg you to continue in your dealing for Lochaber (Loquhaber); for I am informed that Argyll, moved by some that would hinder this common cause, is to suit it to keep a back door open to the sea to our enemies, notwithstanding that I have a right to it by the law of the country, besides his Majesty's promise in Aberdeen. I desire to know what you think "of the issue of this commown caws, off greit mennis affectiouns for owtting of it and of the holding off the Parliament. Giff thingis be not lyk to gang fordvard manfullie with greater respect to the advansment of Goddis cawse nor the veilfair off ill men, I wilbe constrainit far aganst my will and natur rather to thrust myself in the commown lurking of mony nor to wersell alone aganst mony and not sie ane owtgait." Dunkeld. Signed: Atholl.

½ p. Holograph, also address. Endorsed by Bowes.

56. Articles Propounded to the General Assembly of the Kirk and the Assembly's Answer. [April 29.] Printed in Calderwood, v. 244; Booke of the Universall Kirk, p. 806.

[Begins with another copy of the articles, which form the first enclosure of the preceding. Followed by "Humble answere of the Generall Assemblie of this Kirk to the articles proponit by his Majesties commissioners to the same the 29 of April, 1593."]

(1) Agreed to, according to the act of Parliament.

(2) It is ordained by the whole Kirk that no minister utter from pulpit rash or unreverend speeches against his Majesty or his Council, but that all their public admonitions proceed upon just and necessary causes and sufficient warrant, in all fear, love, and reverence, under pain of deprivation.

(3) The Kirk agrees that the commissioners should nominate certain ministers, from whom his Majesty may make choice: the brethren so chosen to be placed and admitted by the presbytery where the King shall be resident for the time.

(4 and 5). These are "condescended" to and order taken, as his Majesty shall be particularly informed by the said commissioners. "Extract furthe of the Register of the actis of the Generall Assemblie of the Kirk be Mr. James Richy clarke therof.

"Humble petitions of the Generall Assemblie of the Kirk craved of his Majestie, Counsell and nobilitie presentlie convenit."

First, seeing the increase of Papistry daily within this realm it is craved that all Papists be punished according to the laws of God and of the realm.

Item, that the act of Parliament may apply to "all manner of men, landed and unlanded, constitute in office or otherwaies," as well as "benficit persons."

Item, that a declaration may be made declaring Jesuits, seminary priests and trafficking Papists culpable of treason and lese majesté, whereby the resetters of such persons may be punished according to the act of Parliament, and that whereas the said act is extended only against such persons as receive them by the space of three days, it may be amended so that the penalty may be inflicted without any such conditions or circumstance of days.

Item, that all such persons as the Kirk shall find and declare publicly to be Papists, although they be not excommunicated, be debarred from "bruking" of any office within the realm, from access to his Majesty, and from enjoying of any benefit of the laws; and also that the pain of horning and other civil pains may follow upon the said declaration, as they do at present upon the sentence of excommunication, and that an act of Council may be published thereupon until the next Parliament establish the same by law.

Item, that his Majesty will consider the great prejudice done to the whole kirks by erecting of the teinds of divers prelacies into temporalities, as of the Abbey of Paisley and sundry others, by which the "planting" of kirks is greatly prejudiced, and that therefore a substantial order may be taken for remedy thereof.

Commission from Dundee, 25 April 1593, to Abbotshall, Wedderburn, Merchiston, John Arnott, William Little, Clement Car, Mr. Robert Bruce, Mr. Patrick Galloway, Mr. James Nicholson, Mr. Walter Balquhanquil, to crave they may be granted to reason and confer upon these articles, (fn. 3) and to report to the next Generall Assembly."

3 pp. In the hand of Bowes's clerk. Endorsed in a Scottish hand: "Fra Dundie this Lordis Daye the 29 of April 1593"; also endorsed by Burghley's clerk.