Troops, he was freely difmift. But Benefits oblige not ignoble Minds, and Mercy fhown to a fierce and obftinate Nature, difgraceth the Beauty of the Clemency of a Prince; for no fooner was he returned to his own Territories, where interpreting Imprisonment a Difhonour and Shame to a Man of his Power and Qualities, and telling that a Promife made by one imprisoned, by the Judgment of Lawiers themselves, was nothing worth; he gathered together a Rable of Outlaws and Mountainiers, came towards the Town of Innernefs, which peaceably he entered, and was courteoully received, having before difperfed his Men among the Fens and Hills towards the Weft, they, fo foon as Night had brought the Inhabitants to reft, fpoiled them, and fet their Houfes on Fire. And because the Caftle was the Place in which he had been furprifed, he befieged it with a Thoufand lewd Fellows practifed in daily Depredations and Robberies.

At the Noife of this Cruelty, the Gentlemen of the Neighbouring Shires, from all Quarters, affemble themselves for the Defence of their Friends; the King lifteth speedy Preparations: At the Approach of which, the Clans, Chatons, and Camerons, with other Thieving Troops, difperfed themselves, and fled into their Lurking-holes. Alexander abandoned of their Forces, with fo many as he could keep together, fled into Lochaber, from thence paffed to the Ifles, deliberating to go to Ireland: But things anfwered not his Expectation; for by his Spy,finding that he was way-laid, and that Numbers of People, (a Price being fet upon his Head) in all Places laboured to furprife him; when he had long continued defolate, and a Vagabound,at laft he began to interceed with his Friends at Court for Mercy to him from the King. Sundry tempt the King's Clemency, but he will not promife nor affure them of any Favour, before Alexander in Perfon, as Supplicant, render himself and his Eftate to his Difpofure. Thus finding no Escape, and deftitute of all Help,he was imboldned to come privately to Edinburgh; there on Eafter-day, wrapped in a Mourning Garment, and concealed in the Drag of the Multitude,the King being in the Church of the Holy-rood at Divine Service, he fell proftrate at his Knees,befeeching him for Grace, which, at the Request of the Queen, and other Affifters, he obtained. His Lite and private Eftate was granted him: But that he fhould do no more Harm, and be reduced to a more modeft Behaviour2 William Douglas Earl of Angus was appointed to take him in Cuftody, and that within the Cattle of Tantallon. His Mother Euphame, Daughter to Walter Lefly, fometime Earl of Rofs, a Mannish implacable Woman, who had folicited and raised her Son to all that Mifchicf, was committed to the lile of S. Colm.

Donald Balloch, Coufin-German to Alexander Lord of the Ifles, a Man of a haughty Mind, refenting the King's Proceedings against his Coufin, raised a great Number of Outlaws and Robbers, and invaded Lochaber, omitting no Cruelty, which enraged Savages ufe to commit. Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, and Alan Earl of Caithness, with fuch Numbers of People, as they could in hafte raife, came to defend the Country against the Incurfions of thefe Highlandmen, and rencountered them at Innerlochy, where,by an over-weening Opinion of Victory, which eafily deceiveth young Soldiers, imagining they went to fight with untrained, raw Thieves, who would never abide their March, and mifregard of Martial Difcipline, Alan was flain, and Alexander Earl of Mar difcomfited; and Balloch, infolent of his Victory, with a great Booty returned to the Ifles. The King at the Rumour of this Difafter, in all Celerity with a great Army, came to Dunftaffage, intending from that to pass to the Ifles, which when the Clansand other chief Men understood, turning their Defence into Submiffion, they came in hafte to DunStaffage, and humbly beg'd Pardon, laying the Fault of the whole Rebellion on Balloch, and fome Adventuring Thieves, many of which Balloch had preffed to that Mifchief against their Minds: The King finding extreme Rigour at that Time a Cure unfeasonable, taking their Oath of Fidelity, and that they fhould purfue Balloch and his Followers,accepted them into his Favour, only transporting fome of the most factious along with him. They in few Days, to feem worthy of the King's Mercy, furprised a great Number of them, Three Hundered of which died all on Gibbets. And Punishment had taken away a much greater Number, had he not confidered, that there is no Man fo miferable, who is not a Member of the State.

The King, left Hope of Impunity might cherish Rebellion, refolves to find Balloch, and hearing he lurked in Ireland, in the Bounds of one named Odo, he fends to have him delivered. Odo, either out of Fear of the King's Difpleafure, or Hope of Rewards, feifeth on him; and fufpecting if he fent him alive, he might by Power or Stratagem flight his Convoy, chopped off his Head, and fent it to King James, then remaining at Stirling.

The Clans, Chattons and Camerons, fparing the Magiftrate's Sword, yet executing Juftice by mutual Slaughters, one of another,had rendered the North very peaceable of that Scum of Thieves: Some Chiftains were fhut up in faft Prifons, among which, Two moft eminent in all Mischiefs, hating mortally others, and hated of all Good Men, Angus Duff of Strathnavern, and Angus Murray: Thele the King,out of Policy of State, let out, and fet at Liberty, of Purpofe that they might be thruft forward into a greater Danger. Returning to their wild Countries, Duff, nothing refpecting the King's Clemency, accompanied with many Thieves and Robbers, driveth a great Prey of Cattle and other Spoils from the Confines of Murray and Caithness; Which to recover, Angus Murray, that he might attempt fomething worthy of his Life and Liberty, followeth with C 2

a great Power of like Soldiers; having now Authority to justify his Revenge on a guilty Enemy,he overtaketh Duff near unto Serathnavern. There ftrongly is it fought, neither of the Parties being Inferior to other in Number, Cruelty, or Defpair. This Conflict continued fo fierce and eager,that of both Sides there remained scarce Twelve Perfons alive,and those fo wounded,that Juftice had not whom to purfue. An Overthrow delightful and commodious for the Peace and Quiet of all the honeft and vertuous Subjects of thefe Countries.

Thefe many Executions nothing appalled one Mac-Donald born in Roß, a Thief flefht in all Murthers, mifchievous without Mercy, equally greedy of Blood and Spoil, who by Robberies had acquired great Riches. Amongst other Cruelties, he is faid to have nail'd Horfe Shoes to the Soles of a Widow, because in her Grief the had worn in hafte to report his Wickedness to the King. Being brought to Perth by Men of his own qualities, with Twelve of his Affociates, the King caused them in like manner to be fhod as they had ferved the Woman; and when Three Days, for a Spectacle to the People, they had been hurried along the Town, his Companions were Gibbeted, and he made fhorter by the Head.

Grofs Enormities cut away, Factions repreffed, the King maketh a Progrefs throughout all the Parts of his Realm, doing Justice upon all forts of Malefactors: Neither did Pardons granted by the late Governour avail, it being alledged, that they expired by his Death; and though fmall Faults might have been paffed by fuch Remiffions, yet horrible and crying Crimes were not within the compafs of fuch Authority. While he thus continues in the Adminiftration of Juftice, the favoutable Eye of Providence looked upon him, and in the Year 1430. in the Month of October, Queen Fane is delivered of Two Sons at Holy-Rood-Houfe, Alexander and James: The one deceated in his Infancy, the other fucceeded to his Father and was King. To highten the Joy of his People, and diffuse it univerfally, many Prifoners are fet at liberty, amongst which were Archbald Earl of Douglas, and Sir Gilbert Kennedy, the King's Sifter's Son; the Earl had been kept in Lochlevin, the other in Stirling. They had been committed rather upon Sufpicion of the Times, than Men; having spoken too freely against the prefent Government: Alexander Earl of Roß was alfo fet at liberty. And that the King intended a real and fincere Reconciliation, the Earl of Douglas was made Parent of his Children at the Font. At this Solemnity Fifty Knights were dubbed, the firft of which was William Douglas, Sun to the Earl, who after fucceeded to his Father in the Earldom of Douglas.

A fweet Calm diffufing it felf through every Corner of the Realm, the King imagining the rest of his Reign to be but the enjoying of a Crown, fets his Thoughts wholly to the Works of Peace. Many unreasonable Cuftoms (which were become to the Vulgar Laws) had many Years continued in his Kingdom, these he will either have abolished or amended. To this Effect he felecteth Perfons commended for Wisdom, Gravity and Uprightness of Life through his Realm, to pry into all Abuses, hear and determine all forts of Quarrels and Suits, if any were brought unto them, whereof the Ordinary Judges, either for Fear dared not, or Power of ftronger could not, or for Hatred or Favcur would not give any perfect Judgment. To them he gave full Aurhority to make Inquifition of the Breach of petal Statutes. Some hereby were punifhed by Fines,others in their Lives. He took away the Deceit which had been occafioned by Variety of Measures. For this End certain Iron Meatures were appointed to be made, unto which the reft fhould be conform and like. Before his Reign not only in every Town and Shire, bur in every Mannor and Houfe, different Meafures were current; which Abute he abolished by Parliament.

The Roughness of the Times, and perpetual Wars and Troubles of his Ancestors, had near taken away the Arts and Handycrafts, and turned the Sciences contemptible, especially fince the Reign of Alexander III. The Commons, by the manifold Changes and Mileries of the Age, affecting Barbarity, the Nobles making Arms their whole Study and Care. To the further Advancement of the Common-wealth, and that his Subjects might have Occafion to avoid Sloth and Idleness, the King from the Neighbour Continent, and from England, drew unto him the best Artifans and Manufactors, whom either large Privileges or Money could entice or oblige. Of which fuch a fair Number came, and were fo gracioully received, that they forgot their NativeCountries, and here made their perpetual Abode. And what till this Day Scotland enjoyeth of them, owe all their Beginning to thefe Times. Schools of Learning were founded, to which great Liberties and Privileges were granted; the King well knowing that whatever is excellent in any Eftate,from them had Beginning and Seed, and that there is no better Means to fweeten and tame the wild Nature of Men, than to bufy their Spirits with peaceful and fedentary Exercifes rude and untrained Minds being inclinable of themselves to Tumult and Sedition. To make a neceffity of Learning, he made an Act, that none of the Nobility fhould fucceed to their Ancestors Heritage, except they had fome Tafte of the Civil Law, or Practice of the Countrey-Cuftoms; but this after was by them abolished.

Many famous Men in all Sciences from the Nobleft Universities of Chriftendom came hither, as to the Sanctuary of the Mufes, where often the King hintelf in Perion graced their Leffons, and when great Matters did not withdraw him, was Umpire to their harmless Conflicts. Being himself Religious, he advanced Men learned and of good Life to eminent Places in the Church;

;

and

and that the best Deservers might be difcerned, he diftinguished the Learned into Degrees, making a Law, that none fhould enjoy the Room of a Canon in any Cathedral Church, unless he were Batchelour in Divinity, or at least of the Canon Law. Though he challenged King David and named him a grievous Saint to the Crown, for dilapidating fo much Rent in extraordinary Donations to the Church; yet with great Coft and Magnificence he founded the Convent of Charters in Perth, and beltowed fair Revenues upon it. The excellent Skill which he had in Mufick,and Delight in Poefy,made him affect Quirifters; and he was the firft that erected in his own Chapels, and the Cathedral Churches of Scotland, Organs; being not much known before his Reign to the Nation.

Peace hath its own 'Dangers no less than Wars; yea often fuch States as have increafed their Dominions, and become Mighty by Wars, have found their Ruine in a luxurious Peace: Men by a voluptuous Life becoming lefs fenfible of true Honour. The Court, and by that Example the Country, was become too foft and delicate, fuperfluous in all Delights and Pleafures. Mafques, Banqueting, gorgeous Apparel, Revelling, were not only licensed, but ftudied and admired: Nothing did please which was not ftrange and far brought; Charity began to be reftrained, publick Magnificence falling into private Riot. What was wont to entertain whole Fa milies, and a Train of goodly Men, was now spent in dreffing of fome little Rooms, and the womanish Decking of the Perfons of fome few Hermaphrodites:

To these the Wife King had a while given way, knowing that delicate foft Times were more eafy to be governed, and a People given to mild Arts and a fweet Condition of Life, than rough and barbarous, fo they turned not altogether Womanized; and that it was an eafy Matter to bring them back again to their old Pofture. At thefe Abuses fome of the feverer fort of the Clergy began to carp; yet could they not challenge the Prince, who in the Entertainment of his own Perfon, fcarce exceeded the Degree of any private Man, yea was often under the Pomp and Majefty of a King. But the Blemish of all this Excefs was laid on the English, who by the Queen (their Country-woman) with new Guifes daily reforted hither, and turned New-fangle the Court. The King not only liftned to their Plaints, but called a Parliament to fatisfy their Humours. Here Henry Wardlaw,Bishop of St. Andrew's, highly aggravating the Abuses and Superfluities of Court and Country, all Disorders were pry'd into, and Statutes made against them. They abolished Riots of all forts of Pearl (many Rivers in Scotland affording them, not only for Ufe, but for Excefs;) only Women were permitted to wear a fmall Carkanet of them about their Necks. Coftly Furrs and Ermines were wholly forbidden, together with the Abufe of Gold and Silver Lace. Penalties were not only impofed upon the Tranfgreffors, but on Workmen which should Make or Sell them. Exceffive Expente in Banqueting was reftrained, and Dainties banished from the Tables of Epicures, with Jelters and Buffoons. In this Year 1430, the First of June, was a terrible Eclipfe of the Sun, at Three of the Clock Afternoon, the Day turning Black, for the space of an half Hour, as though it had been Night: Therefore it was after called by the Commons, The Black Hour.

The laft and greatest Matter which bufied the King's Thoughts, was, the increafing of his Revenues, and bringing back the Demefies of the Crown: A Work no lefs dangerous than deep and difficil, and which at laft procured him greatest Hatred. For till then fmothered Malice did never burft forth into open Flames. And though this Diligence of the King concerned much the Publick Weal; yet fuch as were interested, by rendring what they had long poffeffed, (though without all Reafon) efteemed themselves highly wrong'd. The Patrimony of the Crown had been wafted and given away by the Two Governours, to keep themselves Popular, and fhun the Envy of a factious Nobility. Thus the King had neither in Magnificence to Maintain himself, nor to bestow upon his Friends or Strangers.

He had advisedly perufed all Evidences and Charters belonging to the Crown:Hereupon he recalls all fuch Lands as had been either alienated from it, or wrongfully ufurped. Together what was wont to be idly given away, as Forfeitures, Efcheats and Wards, were restrained to the Crown and kept to the King himself.

There remained upon Confiderations of increafing the Demefnes of the Crown, the Lands of the Earl of March, whofe Father had rebelled against the King's Father Robert; though Faults be Perfonal and not Hereditary, and the Heirs of ancient Houfes hold little of their laft Poffef fors, but of their Predeceffors: Thofe the King feifed on. The Earl proyed by good Evidences and Writings brought forth, that his Father had been pardoned for that Fault by the Regents of the Kingdom. He was anfwered again, that it was not in the Regents Power to Pardon an Offence against the State, and that it was exprefly provided by the Laws in Crimes of Lefe Majefty, that Children fhould undergo Punishment for their Father's Tranfgreffions, to the end that being thus Heirs to their Fathers Rafhnefs, as they are to their Goods and Lands, they fhould not at any Time, with vaft Ambition in the haughty Pride of their own Power, Plot or Practife to Shake and Tear the publick Peace of the Prince and Country.

Thus was the Remiffion by the Parliament declared void, and Earl George himself committed to the Castle of Edinburgh. William Earl of Angus, Warden of the Middle March; William D

Creigh

Creighton Chancellor, Sir Adam Hepburn of Hailes immediately received the Caftle of Dumbar, the keeping of which was given to Sir Adam Hepburn.

The King not long after fet Earl George at Liberty, and to fave him from the like Dangers, which were wont to befal his Predeceffors (to fly into England for every fmall Crofs, and light Difpleasure at Court) he beftowed on him, as it were in Exchange, for thefe Lands in the Merfe, the Earldom of Buchan in the North, with a yearly Penfion to be paid out of the Earldom of March, fetting Tay and the Forth betwixt him and his too kind Friends of England. Buchan had faln to the King by the decease of John, who was Son to Robert the Governor and Earl of Buchan. He was flain at Vernueil in France, with the Marshal Douglas, and left no lawful Children after him to fucceed.The Earldom of Mar was incorporated alfo to the DemefileRoyal by theDeceate of Alexander Stewart Earl of Mar, who was natural Son to Alexander Stewart, who was the Son of Robert II. He was a Man of fingular Prowefs, and in his Youth followed the Wars under Philip Duke of Burgundy; he married Jane, Daughter to the Earl of Holland, and had greatly obliged his Country by tranfporting Stallions and Mares hither out of Hungary, the Stood of which continued long after to his great Commendation and the Commodity of the Kingdom. The Earldom of Strathern was appropriated alfo to the Crown by theDeceaic of David Stewart Earl of Strathern, Uncle to the King, who having but one only Daughter (who was married to Patrick Grabam,a younger Brother of the Lord Graham)the Earldom being entailed to the Mafculine Line, was devolved again to the Crown. Thus did King James fucceed to Three Brothers who were Sons to Robert II.

All Good Men with thefe Proceedings of the King were well pleased; for if Princes could keep their own, and that which juftly belongeth unto them, they could not be urged to draw fuch extraordinary. Subfidies from the Blood, Sweat, and Tears of their People. Yet this was the Shelf on which this Prince perifhed: For many who were accustomed to be Co-partners of fuch Off-fallings, began to ftorm and repine at his Actions: But none was fo implacable as Ro bert Graham, Uncle and Tutor to Miles Graham, the Son of Eupheme Daughter to David Earl of Strathern. For, plotting Mischief, he began to rail, fpeak in high terms, affociate himself with others of his own Mind.Notwithstanding that the King, Anno 1428. in September, had be ftowed on his Nephew the Lands and Earldom of Menteith in compenfation of that of Strathern, to which he pretended Right, it being an Appenage of the Crown.

About this Time, Ambaffadors came into Scotland from Ericus King of Denmark, requiring of King James the payment of a yearly Tribute, which was due to him as, King of Norway, for the Western Ifles, according to the Covenant and Agreement made by Alexander III. King of Scotland, and his Predeceffor Magnus, the Son of Acho, then King of Norway. The Ambaffador was honourably received, and Sir William Creighton Chancellor, directed to go with him to Denmark, who there renewed the old League between the Realms, fettled questionable Matters, and confirmed a perfect Amity and ftedfaft Peace.

Ambaffadors came alfo from Charles the French King, not only to Confirm the old Amity between Scotland and France, but, for a better Affurance thereof, to have Margaret eldelt Daugh ter to King James (already betrothed to Lewis the Dauphin, who now was Thirteen Years of Age) delivered to them and convoyed to France. The English foreknowing this Alliance, had before fent the Lord Scroop, with other Affociates to Him in Embaffy, to have the old League between the French and the Scots diffolved, and to join the King's Daughter in Marriage with Henry VI. their King, promifing, if the King would thereto agree, and join in League with them, that the Town and Caftle of Berwick fhould be delivered to the Power of the Scots, with all the Lands lying between Tweed and the Re-Cofs, which, when William the Conqueror granted Cumberland to the Scots, marched England and Scotland, and is now a Fragment of a Cross in Richmond-Shire, near the Spittle on Stanmoor, about which is nothing but a wild Defert. Having Audience, the Lord Scroop fpake before the Council to this purpose :

"I am directed hither by my Mafter and his Council, about a Business, which concerneth "the Honour and Profit of the Two Kingdoms, above any other which can be projected; and "it is the establishing of a perpetual Peace and Concord between them, and happily (when it "fhall please the higher Providence) their uniting in one Body, under one Prince, one Day. "How vain the attempting of this heretofore by Arms hath proved,the World can but too well "bear witnels. The many Proofs of either's Valour against Themselves having been but a lavish "Effufion of humane Blood. The fairest Way, the eafieft Means to make Enmities ceafe and "these ancient Quarrels, was begun, Sir, in your Perfon, by the happy Marriage of the DaughCC ter of John Duke of Somerfet, Brother to King Henry IV, and Son to the Duke of Lancaster; " and profperoutly hath continued thefe Years paft. Now that Peace may be lafting, and the "Affections and Minds of the two Nations foldered together, our Requeft is, That this Alliance may be again renewed,by the Marriage of your eldest Daughter with our young King, a most "fitting and equal Match. And in feeking of her, we crave but our own; She is defcended of our Royal Stem, and if again the be ingrafted in that Stock out of which the fprang, it is but

Сс

natural.

L

ye

"natural. And you (my Lords) where can ye find a Match more honourable for both Nati"ons? Where can ye find a better and more profitable Friendthip than ours? Are we not a "People inhabiting one Ifland, have we not both one Language, are we not of like Habit and "Fashion, of like Quality and Condition of Life, guarded and feparated from the other World "by the great Depths of the Ocean? What evil Customs have come into your Country by cc your laft Alliance with us? Nay what Civility,Policy, and laudable Fafhions (to the Con"fufion of Barbarity) have not followed hereupon? By this the Glory of both Realms will "increase, either being fufficient not only to furnish Neceffaries, but even all lawful and mo"derate Contentments of Life to fupport others. Befides that, an Affurance of Defence,Strength "and Power to invade, and Eafe in undergoing publick Charges, will hereby follow. "We are not ignorant that your Lady is defigned for France; but how long (alas) will " continue prodigal of your Blood for the French? What have ye advantaged your felves by your Alliance with France, fave that they engage your Bodies in their Wars, and by confer"ring upon you unprofitable Titles of Honour, take from you what is truly real? Ye are re-. "ferved as a Poftern-gate,by which they may enter England,diverting our Forces, and tranfporting the Stage of the War upon our Borders. Learn to forget your French; or if ye be fo en"amoured with France, love her after our Manner; come take a Share, be Partakers of our "Victories. Are not our Forces, being joined, fufficient to overcome, nay bring in Chains "hither that King of Bourges, and make our felves Mafters of his Continent? France did never "fo much good to Scotland in Twenty Years, as Scotland hath had Lofs by England for the Love "and Caufe of France in one. Are not your Wounds at Vernueil and Cravant yet bleeding, and "all for the French? It hath been your Valour, and not the French which heretofore empeached "our Conqueft and Progrefs in France: Were it not for your Swords, we had made e're now "the loftieft Tops of the Alps or Pyrenees bear our Trophies. Ye fay, ye reverence and cannot "break your old League and Confederation with that Kingdom. Happy Leagues, but wo to the Keepers of them! Unhappy Scotland, and too too honeft; and the more unhappy for that thy "Honefty is the great Caufe of thy Mishaps! How long fhall that old League (counted amongít "the Fables of the ancient Paladines)make you wafte your Lives,Goods,and Fortunes, and lose better Friends? The Genius of this Ifle feemeth to cry unto us her Nurfelings, to stay СС your «our cruel Hands, no longer to be her Defolation, and the Wrack one of another, not to pafs « over and neglect these fair Occafions of mutual Alliances, which will not only effectuate Truces "and Leagues amongst our felves, but at last bring a perpetual Peace and Union: For by Inter"change of Marriages (being united) this Ifle fhall continue ftronger by entertaining Peace and "Amity, than by all thefe Giant Walls, Rampiers of Mountains, and that huge Ditch of Seas, by which Nature hath environed and fortified her. Now, that ye may know how dearly we "elteem your Friendship and Alliance, whereas others go to take from you, we will give you "Roxburgh and Berwick, and all the Lands between Tweed and Re-crofs. If Shadows prevail "and prove ftronger with you then effential Reason, and that ye difefteem our Offer, lofing this "good Occafion; We as Neighbours and Friends entreat you,that ye do not uphold the French, "now in the Sun-fet of their Fortunes, and at their weakeft; that ye would not fhoulder this "falling Wall; but that ye would live quiet within your felves, keeping your own in a Neu"trality, receiving both Sides, French and English in the way of Friendship, neither Side in "the way of Faction.

CC.

"It

Over

The French Ambaffador fpoke to to this purpose." It feemeth ftrange to me,that it should « be queftioned, and fall within the Circle of Deliberation, whether Old, ever True,and Affu"red Friends; or Old, never Trufted, and Only Enemies, fhould in an honourable Suit be "preferr'd: Whether ye fhould ftand to a Nation,which, in your greatest Calamities, never "abandoned you;or embrace and be carryed away with one which hath ever fought your "throw. The English fue for your Alliance and Friendship, but it is to make you leave your old Confederates, and turn the Inftruments of their Ruine, and at laft bring the Yoke of Bon"dage upon your felves. The French fue for your Friendship, and Alliance, both to Support "themselves and hold Servitude from you. Were not your Friendship with France, their Power, "Policy and Number had long ere thefe Days over-turned your Realm; or had France but "fhown her felf an indifferent Arbitrefs of the Blows between Scotland and England, ye had scarce "till now kept your Name, lefs your Liberties. Can ye prove fo ungrateful as not to fupply "them who fupported you? Can ye prove fo inconftant,after to many glorious Wounds recei"ved in the Defence of France, as cowardly to turn your Backs upon her in her greatest Need, defacing all the Traces of your former Fame and Glory? With what Countenances could "ye look upon thofe Scots, which at Vernueil and Cravant, in the Bed of Honour, left their "Lives, if unrevenged ye fhould adhere and join your felves to their Enemies and Killers? Now "though ye would fortake the French, at this time intangled in many Difficulties, not regarding "their Well-being, nor follicitous of their Standing; at leaft be careful of your own.

"It cannot fubfift with your Welland Safety, to fuffer a bordering Nation, always at Enmity " So " with you, to arife to that Height and Power by fuch an Addition as is the Kingdom of France. D 2