Elizabeth: April 1581

787. Hunsdon to Walsingham. [April 1.] Harl. MSS. 6999, fol. 143.

Received his letter of the 27th ult., by which he perceives that he was not well, which he is sorry for, but hopes for his amendment. Received the Council's letter written to the Earl of Huntingdon and himself, a copy of Mr. Randolph's letter, and the articles to be treated of by the commissioners, with a commandment to him for the discharging of the Queen of England's forces lately levied; all which he has answered to their lordships [the Council], which for tediousness he refers him to. Marvels that any will give her such counsel, or that she will yield to satisfy them in both their requests, who have so contemptuously and scornfully refused to yield to her majesty's ambassador in any one jot that he required at their hands in her behalf. Has presumed to forbear either to return Mr. Randolph to the King or to discharge her forces, for such reasons as he has alleged in his said letter, which he hopes her majesty and the Council will take in good part. Doubts greatly if Mr Randolph returns to Scotland that he will hardly return hither again, having been used there as he was. Berwick. Signed: H. Hunsdon.

½ p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed. Note on the back in Walsingham's hand.

788. Thomas Randolph to Walsingham. [April 1.] Harl. MSS. 6999, fol. 145.

Hopes he is in better health. Touching his coming to this town to confer with the Lord Governor [Hunsdon], has left nothing unspoken that comes to his mind concerning his charge. Was once of mind that commissioners should have taken up all griefs, these bloodthirsty men not being then so sure of their prey as now they think to have it in faucibus. Means Morton and Angus and their adherents, at whose lives, lands, and goods they so greedily snatch. Until that be swallowed there is no dealing with them.

To help those men by treaty or commissioners it is impossible, until they find some new want of friendship or great peril to hang over their heads. They stand now in fear. To keep them there nobis est utile. For them to consume themselves in levying of horse and foot is no hurt to England, Powder, armour, weapons, they have little, and money they have none to buy it withal.

If Captain James Stewart and his young companions be suffered a little to run their course, they may, perchance, break their own necks. If the Queen of England for a month or two would hold a hard hand to them, believes they would soon acknowledge their error. It is not his opinion alone. Has learnt it there where are no foolish masters in that art. His honour may use it as he pleases. He need not fear France nor the King's transportation: he shall have warning enough thereof in time. If otherwise, let him resolve and have a meeting. He must, to countervail the weight of his articles, look to hear of some who will as ill like him. If he will not have the King [of Scots] marry with Spain or elsewhere, he must give him a wife himself. If he will have the King depend upon him [Walsingham], he must do something for him cum multis aliis, who would be long to write of. Will no longer trouble him lest he runs himself quite out of breath. If he sends him into Scotland again, it may be as well done by some other as himself, except he looks not to see him again. Leaves it to her majesty's will. Berwick. Signed: Tho. Randolph.

1½ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

789. Thomas Randolph to the Privy Council. [April 1.] Harl. MSS. 6999, fol. 147.

Received their letters of the 27th of March, at Berwick, by which he understands they have knowledge what has been heretofore written touching the King of Scots' desire to have commissioners to meet, and also have seen his letters to Lord Hunsdon and the Earl of Huntingdon wishing the same. At the time of the King of Scots' letters and his own, bearing date the 10th of March last, no manifest contempt of the Queen of England had broken out or could appear, and finding in the King and his Council that that was the only way to do good in all causes of controversy— and in this there were but two, the trial of Morton and removing of D'Aubigny—and being persuaded thereto by divers honest and godly men who desire the continuance of amity, liked the better to write as then he did. But finding great alteration since in the King and Council in the chief purposes that this meeting should be for, and many things tending but to abuse, trusts it will be noted less offence for him to alter and warn betimes, than to persist in opinion, and to see the causes betrayed that are committed to his charge, of which he has written to Lord Hunsdon in two several letters. Incloses a note of what things he has found since writing his letter of the 10th of March. Doubts not but at any time to procure a meeting, but whether such commissioners as indeed have a will to do good, or such conditions will be yielded to as the Council demand. What the Council please to command, will do his best to perform the same. Berwick. Signed: Tho. Randolphe.

1¼ pp. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosure with the same:—

(Thomas Randolph's reasons why the Commissioners should not meet).

Copy of the inclosure with No. 780.

790. Robert Bowes to Walsingham. [April 1.] Harl. MSS. 6999, fol. 150.

Received his letter of the 27th ult. yesterday, and is heartily sorry to behold the hard success and condition of these northern affairs, threatening, as he thinks, effects neither pleasant to the Queen of England nor likely to produce fruits wished. All which he leaves to God's providence and to wise consideration as matters far exceeding his reach or hope of remedy without immediate provision speedily to avoid the evils grown, and immediately to prevent the increase of the same. Cannot, before their discharge, let him know perfectly what the charges of the companies lying on the Borders will amount to, and what is remaining of the treasure sent to be employed in this service. Berwick. Signed: Robert Bowes.

½ p. Addressed. Indorsed.

791. Mandate by James VI. to Lauchlan Maclean. [April 1.]

"To our louittis messingeris our shereffis in that part conjunctlie and severalie specialie, constante greting." Forasmuch as it is "humelie menit and schawin" to us by William Nicholas, Englishman, master of a ship called the White Hart, of Bridgewater, that whereas the said ship being freighted with wine, salt, and other merchandise pertaining to the said William and other merchants, and he transporting the same to the isle of Mull, not only were the said ship and goods taken and spoiled to the value of 700l, but also the said Nicholas and sundry of his company were taken by Lauchlan Maclean of Dowart, John Dow Maclean, and others, etc.; our will is that in our name you command and charge Lauchlan Maclean of Dowart to "entir" and present the said Nicholas and the other persons taken by him on the said ship before us and Lords of our Secret Council, at Holyrood House, or where it shall happen "us to be" for the time, on the 24th instant, "to heir and se thame with the said schip and gudis decernit to be restorit and set at libertie," to the effect that they may pass home at their pleasure, under the pain of rebellion and putting of them to our horn, or else to allege a reasonable cause why the same should not be done. Holyrood House.

1 p. Broadsheet Indorsed.