Genealogical collections concerning the sir-name of Baird, and the families of Auchmedden, Newbyth, and Sauchton Hall in particular

LETTERS. 85
way to hold things tight till I return, which I hope (God willing) will be in the
beginning of December. If I overtake Boin at Edr., I will speak to him of this
affair ; if not, I must lay it on you to inform him of my inclinations. As to your
timber, you may cause Mr. Alexr. Grant be making them ready in the wood. I
mean to cause cut them, and as to the carrying them to the water, ye shall not
want my assistance. This, with my humble service to your father, is all at this
time from,
Sir,
Your most affectionate Cousin and humble servant,
Ludovick Grant of Freuquhy.
XLV. From James, afterwards Archbishop of St. Andrews.
Banff, llth Septr. 1658.
Much Honoured Sir, —
It hath been in my desire and purpose to have seen you at your own house
since my coming to this place. The last week the unseasonableness of the weather,
with my own indisposition, put off my intended visit to Auchmedden, and after,
in the beginning of this week, I had seen a friend towards Strathbogie, to which I
was preingaged. I made a full account this day to have been with you, and paid
my acknowledgments of the many respects I owe to you ; but upon my return this
last night, I have a notice of the Protector his death, and advertisment from
Edinburgh to hasten southwards, and a necessity laid upon me of dispensing with
the satisfaction I could have taken in paying this duty to you, and your Lady and
children. It is a trouble to me that this unexpected emergent should have caused
such a neglect in me, which may be otherways construed by you than I do wish ;
but I must rest myself upon your pardon, and shall hope you will not impute it to
any change or abatement of the sense I have, and shall always keip, of the
obligation you have put upon myself and those related to me. I shall always take
no small interest in you, Sir, and shall be glad of any opportunity whereby I may
evidence, how much I tender you and your concernments, and shall entreat the
favour that when any occasion is offered, wherein my brother, Mr. William, 1 or I,
1 There is a letter of his brother, Sir William, transcribed in the MS., but of no particular
interest. — Ed.
O