Border Papers volume 2: August 1601

1410. Scrope to Cecil. [Aug. 1.]

As it would have been tedious for you to peruse all the bills of outrages since the Laird Johnston's entry, I caused a brief estimate to be made and send it herein—whereby you will see the inequality: and yet there are many for England yet "unbild." I cannot consent to answer "bill for bill" without the Queen's direction: though ready to do justice to Scotland, after redress first for "these great spoiles." As for the delay being caused by my not meeting Johnston; no good came of his meetings with M^r Lowther, but delays and charges to the country. They threaten me much, but we will be doing: and I hope to make the King change his opinion. I pray you as the Council ordered, to send the land sergeant's warrant for the house of Askerton, when he will be answerable for the Queen's rents there: the Lord Treasurer promised it should be. Carlisle. Signed: Th. Scroope.

Postscript.—A little revenge has been taken since my home coming, and Brakenhill told me he would make the King of Scots make me repent it. I answered him, I had to account to the Queen, and hoped ere long to bring him and the rest of the Grames to it.

1½ pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

Inclosed in the same:—

(1) (Scots bills on England.)

Brief of the attempts by England against Scotland, since the Laird of Johnston's entry to the wardenry.

Horses and mares, 22, 40l.; kye and oxen, 123, 260l.; "yowes," 60, 12l. Insight, nil. Total, 312l. These bills were committed by the Grames and their dependers.

½ p. By Scrope's clerk. Indorsed.

(2) (English bills against Scotland.)

Brief of outrages by the Scots, from the time of Lord Scrope's journey to London, till his return to Carlisle.

Slaughters; mutilations; burnings, 400l.; prisoners, 60; ransoms, 400l.; "gold, money, plaite, spoyle, and inseighte," 2300l.; horses, mares, nags, 300, 740l.; kye, oxen, and nolt, 700, 1200l.

"Somma in toto," 5040l.

½ p. Same writing. Indorsed.

1411. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Aug. 3.]

Last night after the gates shutting, I received this packet and letter from M^r Nicolson "severally," and could not send them away till this morning. I send also a warrant for such things as I gave warrant for to the master of ordnance when my lord governor's ship went first up. Most of it was for fireworks and "sheut," but when she comes to London I intreat you to order return of the 20 muskets and bandeliers to store here, or I must pay for replacing them. Also if the pledges for the bills sworn are sent down, the commissioners should send the indents to the wardens, to show the conditions they were delivered on. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

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

1412. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Aug. 10.]

Sir Robert Yexley left on Wednesday last for Carlisle, with his 50 men: and must by this time be there. The delay was want of his imprest money, paid to him only on Lord Scrope's letter, who had left the warrant at London with one of his men. I must continue "my oweld songe," want of news. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

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

1413. William Selby [junior] to Cecil. [Aug. 17.]

I hear that my "ungratious" brother is come from London without their lordships' leave, and is thought to have retired to Scotland, to her Majesty's and their great offence. I do not extenuate his fault, only intreat that I, who am and will be a stranger to his follies, may not be prejudiced in her Majesty's gracious "couceipt" nor your honor's. I do not understand that he is or has been in Scotland: he was at Newcastle, but where now I know not, as I laboured not to know, after hearing the manner of his coming away. I know and acknowledge the favour he had of your honor, and think that his impenitence, appearing by his lewd behaviour, and keeping profane and loose company, "haith not onely stirred upp Godes wrath against him," but alienated your honor and his best friends. His fault may with some, "blemmish" my credit, but your honor knows "I am not the first true man that have had a dishonest brother." Berwick. Signed: Will'm Selby.

½ p. Closely written. Addressed. Indorsed.

1414. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Aug. 18. 1601.]

Since the 13^th instant I have received 4 several packets from you to M^r Nicolson—all sent off presently—the "ij last" were dated, one at London the 9^th in the forenoon, the other, London the 10^th in the forenoon—yet I received them together. The inclosed letter from M^r Nicolson arrived when I was on horseback to meet the gentlemen of the country by my lord your brother's appointment—also to signify the Queen's pleasure for the pledges, and to confer with them as to bringing up recusants' children.

The King is reported to have summoned a great convention to be held at S^t Johnston's on the 7^th September. Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

½ p. Holograph. Indorsed. Wax signet: fragment.

1415. Scrope to Cecil. [Aug. 18.]

Some gentlemen of my wardenry who were spoiled, made a rode in revenge, took the offenders, and brought off their goods, mostly stolen here, which have been given to those spoiled. I keep the prisoners here, notorious offenders, as the inclosed schedule shows. The King being illinformed, is offended: I send copies of his letter and my answer, formerly sent to George Nicolson. One John Grame alias "Wills Jocke" has of late left his ancient dwelling-place for a place called "Agnes well," within the lordship of Scaleby near the in-country: the most common road both for border thieves and her Majesty's forces. Thereby his kindred, mostly cousins german, as Mangerton and Whithaugh, and Kinmonth (whose sister Jocke married) haunt that neighbourhood for bad purposes, and have banished the Queen's true subjects and oppress them by blackmail. On my coming down (his conscience accusing him) he has withdrawn into Scotland: and I have stationed the soldiers at his house, so that if he presumes to complain, pray commit him, till you learn his doings from the gentlemen here: as he has said that he will enter himself to the Queen not to me! a bad example to the evil disposed, if such an infamous person should prevail by outcry.

2¼ pp. Written by Scrope's clerk. Indorsed: "Aug. 18, 1601. The Lord Scroop's reason for his last roade into Scotland," &c.

Inclosed in the same:—

(1) (Nicolson to Scrope.)

That on Friday last complaint had been made to the King of a great roade on his honest subjects, whereat he was highly offended. On Saturday, showing the King Scrope's advertisement, he answered that if it had been done on the murderers of his late warden or notorious outlaws, as Sir Robert Carey had well and discreetly done under his warrant, he would have overlooked it—but being on honest and innocent men, he cannot in honor hear with it, and will send up a special envoy to complain, unless Scrope redress it without delay. That at Nicolson's earnest suit, the King had consented to stay for 8 days—when if Scrope does not mend it he will assuredly complain. He earnestly advises Scrope to endeavour to satisfy the King in the matter, to prevent mischievous results. "At Fawkland the x^th of August 1601." George Nicholson.

2 pp. Copy by Scrope's clerk. Indorsed.

(2) (Scrope to Nicolson.)

[In very sharp terms]. The men taken were notorious thieves, not such as the King supposes. For Sir Robert Carey's government: he envies it not, but his own manner is not to suffer notorious murderers to go unpunished. As for Nicolson saying the King does not seek Scrope's remove: he has a princess of his own, and is bound to her service, and no subject of the King's. He thought to have had thanks for taking these resetters of his warden's murderers: which might have encouraged him to take the murderers also, and wonders the King's officers have yet done nothing therein. Hopes the King will be better'advised than "to send up a man of worth to be a broker for a companie of theves"! Rebukes Nicolson for being "so sillie" as to think the Queen will not see her people righted. Wonders he can think Scrope would speak ill of any man behind his back: it is not the manner of England, or of men in his place.

2½ pp. Holograph of Scrope. Indorsed by his clerk: "August the 15^th 1601. The coppie of the Lorde Scroopes lettre to M^r George Nicolson."

1416. Lord Burghley to Cecil. [Aug. [18.]]

Having occasion to send the bearer to London upon my private business, I hope for news of your health. On receipt of your last, I stayed the 2 Scottish pledges I purposed to have returned, and was glad they had not gone—meaning henceforth rather to be thought too slow than too hasty: but though it would have done no harm, and the keeper was willing to hasard his own debt on the security they offered, I will keep them till you write again. I have asked the 3 wardens to give their opinions what security the gentlemen whom the pledges have indemnified, will give to keep them when sent to make satisfaction: but fear slender resolution from them as to delivery—and the opposite wardens find them too costly to receive, and rather think to weary us with keeping them, and that many of them may die in prison, or escape by corruption. So it is a "paradoxe" what to do with them: the keeper is unable, and must soon petition her Majesty for help in his past and future charges—to deliver them on weak security would be dishonorable—so I see no better course than the same they took with ours, viz., putting in Scottish pledges, if they put in English, as I think these men will do, as they once offered. I would to God they had been so delivered at first, which would have been more honorable than to do it at the last.

"I am very sorry to heare of the evyll disposytyon of your eyes: which by that offyce yow hold, yow must allwayes venture, as the soldyar venturyth his lyffe; wherof I desyre greatly by this bearer to heare of thamendment."

Before closing up this, I received yours by "young Chomley, that was one of the late tumulte:" signifying, that the Queen had granted the 200l. fine "purposyd" on him, to Captain Loovell, in reward of his last service, and that I should arbitrate between them. I am the most unfit of all for this matter: for what I shall abate to the one, shall lessen the recompence of the other, who served under me: while Chomley is a poor gentleman under my government, who looked half by my promise and my credit, to have been freed as well as others that were of more ability than he was. So I beseech you he may be freed, and Captain Loovell satisfied otherwise. I think he means to be a suitor to her Majesty. "Your trew affectyonate broother." Signed: Tho. Burghley.

2 pp. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed: ". . . receaved the 23 of August 1601." Wax seal: shield with 6 quarters, garter and motto (damaged.)

1417. Sir W. Bowes to Cecil. [Aug. 20.]

"By M^r Francis Gower your servant, a gentleman brought upp wyth my wyfes late husband, and one who must beholden to mee for defending his possibilitie to enherib all the Foljambs landes against the heire generall," I sought your furtherance in the Berwick pay. His lordship (it seemed on your motion) wrote to me, that he would pay M^r Vernon for me at London 500l., and later, I found M^r Clopton was to pay me the other 500l., as he did: so without awaiting M^r Gower's return, I made full pay to M^r Vernon and all others, except 50l. to the master of ordnance, which exceeded my receipt, and was deferred till next pay. So albeit "had I nether that 500l., nether c li." which the Lord Treasurer appointed me to receive of the "now Governor," yet I thank his lordship and especially your honor most humbly. I have now these 3½ years disbursed the whole of the Queen's treasure come to my hands, viz., 52,500l.: and to the objection that I have not gone through with my accompts, I answer, that they have been tendered yearly to my lord and M^r Auditor, which last "checked" 500l. to certain pensioners, which her Majesty has now allowed. I hope to find no more "checkes," but one of 50l. yearly, ordered by the late Lord Governor to the "cor-deguarde" for coals and candles in their nightly winter watches, warranted by the present governor: "a noble and soldier-like change from a few old wretched watchers hired to the Queenes waged soldioures, capteynes, and pencioners, agreable to the best modern discipline." It may please you for the service sake, "and the memorie of your noble and deare freind, as occasion shalbe, to have this poinct mentioned to hir Majestie." Bradley. Signed: Will'm Bowes.

1½ pp. Holograph; also address. Indorsed. Wafer signet (Bowes.)

1418. Sir John Carey to Cecil. [Aug. 26.]

I lately received 2 packets from you—one a letter from my lords of the Council, touching a debt in controversy between Captain Jackson and Cuthbert Armorer: which has been fully settled, Jackson acknowledging payment before me, and acquitting Armorer—the other packet dated 21^st, I sent to Mr Nicolson, specially by my own servant, and have even now received this packet, sent to you with speed.

I look daily for great justice from my opposite, but have as yet nothing save a mass of good words and fair promises: "I attendinge the good hower at his good leyser, whoe hathe hetherto byn hindered bey a great marreyege of his sister, wiche feast hathe continewed this x dayes." Berwick. Signed: Jhon Carey.

1 p. Holograph. Addressed. Indorsed.

1419. Scrope on the King of Scots' Charges. [Aug. 1601.]

First:—That I left my march for Court without a deputy.

My allegiance (though upon one day's warning) compelled my repair to Court. Before I left, I deputed 4 gentlemen, who I daresay denied no justice to Scotland. They wrote often for it, and doubtless the King commanded it, but Johnston's many "bloudie" stratagems prevented it.

Secondly:—For my deferring days of meeting. I have held many, got many "naked" promises, but never "one ragge of redresse." Our assemblies consist of honest gentlemen, some from long distances, the opposite warden brings only broken borderers, so there is no equality. The often changing of the Scottish wardens, and their refusal to deal with matters before their own time, works great hindrances to justice.

Thirdly:—For the suppressing and executing of "Ebbies Arche."

He was a known chief actor in taking Kinmont out of Carlisle; and committed many murders, &c. here lately: justice for which being deferred, there was good reason to take him. Our good people are murdered and taken, and in spite of the King's commands and Johnston's promises, kept in chains, and fed like dogs most inhumanly: so this complaint seems but to hinder justice!

Lastly:—Touching Scottish fugitives who murdered Carmichael, reset by William of the Mote, and "Geordies Sandie."

Sandie is fugitive, and if the other be not responsible, it were fit, if your lordships direct, that he be severely prosecuted.

3½ pp. Holograph of Scrope. Indorsed (by Cecil): "The answer to the Erl of Marr. P. Vaus: Cambridg."