[A1641/7/3]¹

[Declaration of the Earl of Traquair against the deposition of Captain Stewart]

[John Stewart], earl of Traquair's earnest design, signed by himself, that the parliament of the kingdom of Scotland will be pleased to bring him to his trial for what Captain [William] Stewart's depositions may seem to concern him, which his majesty desires may be read to the committees and to the parliament.²

It is a great misfortune and unhappiness for me that I cannot conveniently be at this meeting of the parliament of Scotland, before whom (as those whose judgement I shall most willingly submit myself to) I might clear the truth of all that has passed between Captain Stewart and me. In consideration whereof, and of that duty I owe to the parliament, which (as I hear) has taken particular notice of his depositions, and that his follies or knavery may neither wrong my innocency nor the truth, I do by these declare that I had no negotiation with him concerning public business, but such as was fitting for one who had sworn and subscribed the confession and covenant of Scotland. And this and all that was herein between him and me was upon such generals as I shall be glad and by these I do most heartily and freely offer myself to the trial and censure of the parliament of Scotland for anything passed between him and me. And if in anything I shall be found to have exceeded proper grounds, either from the duty of a good Christian and one who had subscribed the covenant, or if therein it shall appear that I have done anything that may appear factious or contrary to good of the happy conclusion of this treaty of peace, let my censure be [...]³ upon me accordingly. As for these informations he brought [...]⁴ first by word and thereafter by writing against [Archibald Campbell], earl of Argyll, they were from himself without either procurement or foreknowledge of mine, never entertained by me nor thought I them considerable, as my answer both to his verbal and written information, and which I am very confident he cannot deny, will clearly evince. Likewise I never did so much as take notice thereof to king or subject.

What his or his accomplices (if any he had) their plot was against [James Hamilton], marquis of Hamilton I know not. I and diverse others have heard him express foolish and impertinent speeches of the marquis and others, but nothing in particular of him nor any other, and for which he was checked by me and others to whom he kept the like discourses.

It is not for me to descend to particulars or at this distance to offer anything to the consideration of the parliament, which by undeniable circumstances will make the truth and ingenuity of my carriage herein appear, and will make him appear either a very weak busy-body or a very great and malicious knave, one or other of which I shall most clearly evince (if his informations and depositions be such as I am made to believe). In the meantime, my humble and earnest suit to the parliament of Scotland is that upon what comes from him I suffer no further prejudice in their good opinions, since for their satisfaction and clearing of the truth I am most willing and desirous to come to a trial and to submit myself therein to what they shall find to have been demerited by the carriage of their most humble servant.

Traquair

15 July 1641

Produced by [John Campbell], lord Loudoun and read in face of parliament.⁵