Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

104 The Earls of Middleton.
Translation of the above.
" Know all ye, etc.
" Whereas we are not unaware of the many
signal services by which our strenuous and sincerely
faithful lieutenant-general, our beloved John Middle-
ton, has bound unto himself our dearest father of
happy memory ; and with what devoted zeal and
indomitable fortitude and prudence he has set on
foot the most honourable attempts for the avenging
of our royal power and the restoration of the
Government of our kingdom, and has followed out
his undertakings in the best possible way ; and how
willingly, many times over, he has hazarded his own
life and fortune for the promotion of the same. And
whereas we have ascertained by many and strong
proofs that our said lieutenant-general, John Middle-
ton, has always shown all faithfulness towards us, 1
and has spread his sails, as it were, for our advantage.
And whereas he has strenuously and faithfully dis-
charged duties of the greatest importance entrusted
to him by us. Moreover, it is recorded that our
lieutenant-general and his family have undergone
the most difficult perils and the heaviest losses, with
persecutions withal, during the whole of the late
disturbances, partly in our presence, partly in out-
absence — all which things render him deserving of
1 Charles IT.