History and genealogy of the family of Wauchope of Niddrie-Merschell

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he was one of the commissioners for putting the kingdom in a state of defence ;
also one of the commission for the plantation of kirks.*
Induced from conviction to take part against the crown, Sir John never-
theless had a warm side towards the royal family, and deeply deplored the con-
tentions by which the country was agitated. The following letter from his old
friend and bed-fellow, the Duke of Lauderdaill, sufficiently evinces this feeling,
though they were acting on opposite sides of the quarrel :
Campvere, the \ 4 of June, 1649.
"Welbeloved Cousin,
" I have not written any to any freind in Scotland since I receaved yours of
the 14 of Aprile, or els I should sooner have returned yow thanks for the great
kindnes yow express to me in it. I shall strive, God willing, to follow jo T . advice,
and to contribute still my best indevors for a happy conjunction betwixt the
King and his people in Scotland, which I thinke the onely way for preserva-
tion of religion, his Maj li . e , and the peace and happines of that poore countrey.
These have ever been the principles which constantly I have adhered to, to the
best of my understanding, how ever I have been misunderstood ; and I have
contributed at this time my best endeavors for these ends, although, (as you write)
it gets me many enemies and few friends, yet I will, God-willing, continue, be-
cause I thinke it my dewty; and I am sure my greatest enemies cannot say that
ever I considered myself in this publick caus. Yo^ Commissioners will informe
you of the progress of busines, and althogh a happy union betwixt his Maj 1 '? and
Scotland may appear very difficult, yet, if yow wold be so happy as to joyne
amongst vol selves, and part with yo r . rigidity in relation to the most honest thogh
unhappy ingagement, that so all Scotland might appeare to be one, which is the
onely way to regaine yol reputation, to make yow considerable, and to preferr your
peace, I should not doubt but by God's blessing the King and Scotland should
quickly agree ; for the keeping up of yo^ acts of classis, and those divisions which
make yow to be lookt upon but as a faction, and encourages your enemies to
undertake against yow ; whereas, if by a good act of oblivion, in relation to yo*
obedience of the Pari 1 : 1648, yow wer all united in Scotland, then yow wold be
lookt upon as the Kingdome indeed ; and then I should not doubt to see the King
and Scotland ingaged for the good of religion, and his Maj". 6 ' 3 restitution against
those destroyers of all religion and government, who have murdered our Kin g and
our friends, and will never be quiet till they make Scotland a province, let them
* Acta of Parliament.