Border Papers volume 2: July 1601

1395. Ralph Gray to Cecil. [July 1. 1601.]

I received the inclosed from the Master of Graye this day: on Friday last he had conference with the King, returned to his house, and intends to meet me on the Borders within 10 days. Some change in Court is expected: the Border is quiet, though some stir is looked for since Lord Willoughby's death on Thursday last, and the escape of John Burn, a principal pledge, who "is with the Laird of Leystaryck in his howse at Fawscastell."

I have done all in my power with the opposite wardens to stay incursions on this East March for the present, till further order is taken: the rather, as Lord Willoughby at his "last retorn sothwardes," sent me a warrant to this effect, and to his dying day confirmed the same. If it pleased her highness and Council by your means, to think me worthy to supply the place for the present, I doubt not to perform the duty. Chillingham. Signed: Ra. Graye.

1 p. Holograph: also address. Indorsed. Three small wax signets: shield with lion rampant within engrailed bordure.

1396. Sir W. Bowes to Cecil. [July 3.]

I find myself suddenly surprised with two great discomforts: one the loss of my worthy friend, the other my Lord Treasurer withholding his warrant for the 1000l. needed for the pay. In this strait I can resort to no better friend than yourself to defend my credit at the Board.

"Being comme hither to putt somme staie to the rare practises of my Darbie-shire adversaries, as being solemnlie charged wyth making waste to the valew of 40,000li., where indeed wittinglie I cannott be charged with 40li.! I am eucountred with thos difficulties, and my old affliction of tormenting with the stone further. Nowe therfor, that I maie be found as litle wanting as maie be to the Queenes service committed to my trust, I have chosen this for my shute-ancre, to commend the thing unto your honors help to the Lord Treasurer in writing by my kinde freind and neyghbour, M^r Francis Gower your honors servant": beseeching such favour as my past faithfulness warrants. M^r W. Vernon the victualler is here with me for his money, but I answer I dare not intermeddle with the "masse" of the Queen's treasure, till I see how to go through with the pay. Walton. Signed: Will'm Bowes.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

1397. William Selby [junior] to Cecil. [July 3.]

That his packet of 29^th June "at night" addressed to M^r Nicolson, came early this morning, and had been sent on by a special man: at 8 this same morning these inclosed came from Nicolson. Berwick. Signed: Will'm Selby.

¼ p. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: fragment.

1398. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 5. 1601.]

The haste of this bearer will not permit me to write of affairs here: only that I have finished a hot and tedious journey by coming hither on Saturday last at 6 p.m. and am ready for instructions. The Scottish bills are already sworn: ours remain unsworn, for my lord died before it could be done, and there is no authority here to do it. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax seal: shield with 3 bars, 3 escallops in chief, and a mullet in base.

1399. R. Lowther to Cecil. [July 5.]

Having by lord Scrope's direction (as the copy of his letter shows) written to M^r George Nicolson, and received the King's answer from him, he incloses both. Carlisle. Signed: Richard Lowther.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the same:—

(1) (Scrope to Lowther.)

With the Queen's commands to urge the Laird of Johnston for complete delivery—instructions how to file bills with him, and if he delays, to apply to the King by George Nicolson. Tho. Scroope.

⅓ p. Copy by Lowther's clerk. Indorsed.

(2) (The King's answer to Scrope.)

A note to George Nicolsoun in answer to Lord Scrope's letter to M. Lowther warden depute.

Admitting that the latest bills should be settled first as of old—insisting however that "bill for bill" must be delivered for—and that the date from which redress begins, must be the last meeting of commissioners not the entry of the warden—for in the latter case, a warden's death would be a "jubile" to all the thieves, as on the murder of the late warden. But the King thinks—as he has already directed his ambassador to show the Queen and Council, that it were more expedient for keeping good order and justice—"That hir officiar and warden sould cum doun in persoun and minister justice within his office, punischeing the proude and insolent resettaris of these rascall thevis that murtherit the Kingis late warden, then to wrett doun lybellis accordinge to everie new inventioun hached in his brayne, and he himselff staying still at Court, be imaginatioun thus to reule the disorderit people within his charge": or that a new officer be appointed.

1 p. In a Scottish hand.

1400. Sir R. Carey to Cecil. [July 8.]

To apprehend some of these Liddesdale outlaws, on the 4^th instant I sent my deputy and officers with 1000 horse and foot, who that night passed above 20 miles within Scotland, and so divided their force that they beset and environed the bogs, moors, and woods, hitherto thought impregnable, and by good hap took 3 of the chiefest men of that "unrulye rout," and brought them to me without blood or hurt. Next day their friends came in on safe conduct, and stood on no terms, but wholly submitted themselves to any conditions I should impose and give security: intreating to be spared till Monday 14^th instant to confer, when they will come in and put in bonds to my liking. So I think these troubles are brought to an end.

As my brother is back at Berwick and Lord Scrope expected presently, I humbly beseech you to move her Majesty for my leave. I have been much beholden to the gentlemen of this country who, to the number of 60 and their followers, came to the Wastes with me 5 weeks since, and still remain with me. They deserve thanks, unless greater affairs cause this place not to be thought of? Pardon me if I offend, but I think myself too slightly regarded. But if thanks come yet, it is not too late. "From the Forte in the Heynyng." Signed: Ro. Carey.

2 pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

1401. Sir R. Carey to Cecil. [July 11.]

The slackness of the posts has made me run into the error I have done, for the letter of your honor and the Council, dated the last of June, I received yesterday: thus by their default I committed a greater, which I pray your honor forgive and forget. I read the Council's letter to the gentlemen assembled, who were greatly comforted, and protested their lives and goods should ever be at her Majesty's service.

I inclose a letter from P[oury] O[gilvy] received this day. "From the Haining." Signed: Ro. Carey.

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

1402. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 11.]

That since the Lord Governor's death the borderers of both sides have committed many outrages without redress, for want of an officer—the English complain that their bills are yet unsworn, to the advantage of the Scots. Her Majesty must presently appoint a warden with as full power as the opposite. If the Queen thinks him as unfit as he himself does, let her appoint another without delay. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

He hears that M^r Clopton receiver of Northumberland, has no warrant yet to pay Sir Robert Yexley's company at Carlisle monthly, or for an imprest to convey him thither.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan with annulet.

1403. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 13.]

"I reseved my pattent for the wardendrey uppon Satterdaye lat, beinge the xj^th, havinge sent awaye my letter to youer honer not past ane hower befor the reseyet of it." I have since written to the Lord of Roxburgh for a meeting for justice—also to appoint some of his people for swearing our bills. For Scottish news, the inclosed letters even now received, will satisfy you more at large. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed: ". . . Receaved 18 July."

1404. Sir R. Carey to Cecil. [July 15.]

The Armstrongs of Liddesdale have been with me, and for their friends' liberty, agreed to these conditions:—(1) To quit claim all deadly feed for the death of their friends lately lost: (2) they have freed all prisoners and ransoms: (3) and satisfied all in my charge who have lost by them: (4) and 14 of the best of them are bound to enter to me at 15 days' warning. So these troubles, thank God, are ended without charge to her Majesty—and this March freed from the hurt of Liddesdale: and therefore good sir, procure me my leave to come up. "From the Heyning." Signed: Ro. Carey.

¾ p. Addressed. Indorsed by Cecil.

1405. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July [15.] 1601.]

I received your letter of the 1^st July by Master Robert Vernon on the 14^th, desiring to know if certain men there named were employed here from the 10^th June 41 Eliz. till last day of July 42 Eliz.? Whereon the clerk of the check and muster searched in all his books and rolls, and found none of them. On asking all the captains and my other officers here, they all agree there was never any such ever in this town to their remembrance—save that a tipstaff of mine about 4 years since saw one Lewes Waterhowes, a Yorkshire man, here "guest wayes," not a soldier, and neither George Sheppard, Harrey Bromley nor John Hardey were ever here. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed: "July 1601. Sir John Carey to my master—without date." Wax signet: swan and annulet.

1406. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 20.]

I received this packet from M^r Nicolson even now, wherein you shall understand all Scottish affairs: "as of the rewmor of Bodweles comminge into the northen partes of Scotland," and the welter like to be among some of the Council. Even as I received it, "I was comminge from the deliverey of my lord governers bodey into his shipe, wiche was dune withe as muche solemnetey and honer as ower small compeney and meanes cold aney waye afford." To-morrow being Tuesday, the Lord of Roxburgh sends to Berwick his clerk and some other gentlemen with him, to swear our English bills. Signed: Jhon Carey.

As your honor and others of the Council commanded, I have sworn Master Herrey Gwevara in his brother's place of captainship.

¾ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Wax signet: swan and annulet.

1407. R. Musgrave to Cecil. [July 25.]

Complaining that on his return after his long absence, he finds his office in disorder. The gunner has gone to Newcastle not meaning to return to Berwick, but to sell his place. Hunte, the master smith also, whom the late Lord Governor took upon him to place, has sold his interest to one Forster a smith brought down by Sir William Bowes, on promise of preferment from himself, but thrust on Musgrave. All which he has amended, and will be ready to answer his acts before the Council with all respect, praying that no "clamorous" person's charge be given ear to, till his answer is heard. Berwick. Signed: Rychard Musgrave.

1 p. Addressed. Indorsed: ". . . M^r Musgrave," &c. Wafer signet: Musgrave shield and crest.

1408. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [July 27.]

Since my last, my lord of Roxburgh and I have met and conferred on justice: whereto he seems very ready and forward. On Saturday last we ended the swearing of our English bills, 118 in all, and now only wait your pleasure as to delivery and satisfaction, and what is to be done with the pledges, having gone as far as can be. I know not what my Lord Willoughby did, having got none of his instructions, yet the opposites say I must begin where he left off. In Scotland they are like to agree and conclude friendship on all hands. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

¾ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed: ". . . Receaved the 2 of August." Wax signet: swan and annulet.

1409. Sir R. Carey to Cecil. [July 28. 1601.]

I have received your with the inclosed to P[oury] O[gilvy] which I have sent him. "In my simple judment, your honor hath taken a good cource with him, for it is thaught he is scant worthy th'entertayning, and a fellow of more promis then performans; so as he is bettre lost then found! which your honor with good regard has well forseene."

Since my last, I have been at the "Fels," where the officers of Liddesdale did me all justice with assurance of quiet hereafter. The chief riders of the West March, as "Jok of Kinmontes," and the principal "Gingles," came there and gave bonds for themselves, friends, &c., not to offend, and that each of them would enter on 10 days' warning unconditionally: so I have brought the west part of my charge to such quiet as not often seen. Tomorrow I ride to Tividale to meet my Lord of "Roxborow," and hope to have an even "recuning" with him, for there is "no great ods" betwixt us: so as this charge is in such quiet, I may without offence have leave "to play me a whille."

From the end of your letter, her Majesty is still unwilling I come up: whereat I greatly marvel and cannot imagine the cause, this charge so quiet, "and bothe my brothers returnd to ther chardgis, as they are," so that my absence cannot be hurtful. Your honor persuades me to try some other of my friends and kin at Court, "that are passionat for others no nearer to them then my self." I desire and will deserve your honor's favour and friendship: "but for ther passions, they ar so violent for others as I have ever found scant an ansuerable correspondensy to my love, from them, and therfore dought my good will not grow by ther meanes!" Yet as you advise, I have written to some of them "for fassion sake," but trust only to yourself, and if not otherwise advised by you, will take the benefit of her Majesty's former grants, that after my brethren were returned to their places, I should come up. It concerns me much to be at London by the end of August. Woodrington. Signed: Ro. Carey.

1¼ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed: ". . . Receaved the 2 of July" (sic).