History of the earldoms of Strathern, Monteith, and Airth

APPENDIX. XXxi
his Majestie, under the Great Seale, of his said blood : No. ix.
which things being rightly considered, it will be found ^^\:^°^^ Scot's
'^ . . °, ° Relation.
that his Majestie has been greatly wronged in many
things, which, if his Majestie will put to tryall, shall be
sufficiently cleared.
Mr, Maxwell having showed this paper to his Ma-
jestie, he immediately sent back Sir Robert Dalzcil post
to Edinburgh, with a paper subscribed with his own
hand, of the tenor following.
Robin Dalziel, Whereas I have been informed by
you and James Maxwell, that the grant of the Earl-
dom of Straitherne, which I have given, is greatly
prejudicial to me both in honor and matter of state, in
so much that he either hath or may serve himself heir
to K. Robert the Second, therefore, since it doth seem
to lay a heavy aspersion upon a man who I both do and
will esteem till I see evident cause in the contrary, he
having done me many good services, I command you to
produce your authors, that I may either punish them
for their great aspersion, or reward them for their good
service in so important a discovery ; otherways I must
take James and you for my authors, judgeing you as
ye shall prove your allegations. Make haste in this for
I must not suffer a business of this nature to hing long
in suspence. Whitehall 2 October 1632.
Sir Robert having come to Edinburgh the 4"' day,
conveened these informers before Sir Thomas Nicolson
of Carnock, Sir Lewis Stewart, and M^. Andrew Ay-
toun ; wher having laid before them the paper contain-
ing the Queries, desireing their answer therein, Sir
Thomas at the hearing of the first Article read, rose
up, excuising himself that he would hear no more of
that, swearing with a great oath that they would all be
hanged who were accessory to that bussines or had
hand in prosecuting that service, and went instantly out
of the house. The other two condescended to hear the