[Letter from the commissioners at London to the Earl of Dunfermline and Lord Loudoun]

To our very honourable lords [Charles Seton], earl of Dunfermline and [John Campbell], lord Loudoun, and in their absence to be disclosed by [Archibald Campbell], earl of Argyll or [John Elphinstone], lord Balmerino or committee at Edinburgh†

Our very good lords,

We had drawn a public letter, but because John Smith [of Grotehill] and Hugh Kennedy went to a well to get some waters for their health before their hands were got to that letter, therefore we thought good to send the same to your lordships, which you shall only receive by way of information, and will be pleased with all diligence to send the same to the committee at Edinburgh, to the effect their lordships may take notice thereof as a note or information sent from us. We could not neglect the sending of this letter, because his majesty was earnest that we should send some information relating thereto with all diligence. No further for the present, but we remain

Your lordships' servants, [John Leslie, earl of] Rothes; Patrick Hepburn of Waughton; J. Douglas, London, 22 July 1641

Before I received your lordships' letters, which you appointed me to deliver to the king, [William Hamilton], earl of Lanark, to whom the packet was directed, had received a large information hereof which he had shown to his majesty before yours was delivered. [John Leslie, earl of] Rothes

28 July 1641

Produced by the Earl of Dunfermline. Read in audience of parliament, which appoints every estate to take the same to their consideration and think upon the answer.†

  1. NAS, PA6/3, 'July 28 1641'. Back
  2. This clause is written on the rear of the document. Back
  3. This clause is written on the rear of the document. Back