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

LETTERS. 87
I hope he is, and that he shall return in 2 or 3 weeks' time. I shall be mindful of
the business you mention with him ; and now that you have rid yourself of the
intensity of following your private affairs, by devolving that care upon your son,
nothing would be more satisfying to me, than to have an opportunity to serve you,
in helping to an employment, which may exercise the useful parts God has given
you, for the Bang and your country's service points out. Your interest and
prosperity shall be tendered, by all the manner I am capable to improve for your
service, ever remaining,
Dear Sir,
Your most affectionate faithful servant.
XLVII. From Sir William Sharp of Stonyhill (giving an account of his father,
the Archbishop's murder), to Sir James Baird of Auchmedden.
Saint Andrews, 10 of May 1679,
{Half an hour after the receipt of yours.)
Honoured Sir, —
This horrid and stupendous murther has so confounded me, that I am not
able to give an suitable return to your excellent and kind letter.
What I have learnt of that execrable deed is, that on Friday the 2d of this
instant, my worthy father crost the water, lay at Kennoway all night, and next
morning set out for Saint Andrews; being 2 miles off, 27 of these villanous
regicides had a free view of the coach, but not finding the opportunity, divided
into three partys, which took up the three ways he could take homewards. Nine
of them assault the coach within 2 miles of this place, by discharging their pistols
and securing his servants. The coachman drove on for half a mile, until one of
his horses was wounded in three places, and the postilion wounded in the hand :
then they fired several shots at the coach, and commanded my dearest father to
come out, which he said he would. When he had come out (not being yet
wounded), he said, "Gentlemen, I beg my life." "No, — bloody villain, betrayer
of the cause of Christ." "Then," said he, " I ask none for myself, but have mercy
on my poor child " (his eldest daughter was in the coach with him), and holding
out his hand to one of them to get his, that he would spare his child, he cut him in
the wrist, and falling down upon his knees and holding up his hands, he prayed
that God would forgive them, and begging mercy for his sins from his Saviour,
they murdered him by sixteen great wounds in his back and head, and one above