True relation of William Earle of Monteath's affair concerning the Earldome and title of Straitherne

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with Sir James Skeen & Sir Archibald Atchison,
conjunct secretary with Sir William Alexander,
he was advised by them to crave the assistance of
Mr. Maxwell and Sir Robert Dalziell, who were
his Majesties servants then going from Scotland to
Court, who on noe terms would engadge till they
had the Earl of Haddingtons opinion, who assured
them that ther would be no hazard in informing
the King, It would be good service to his Ma-
jestie to inform him thereof as follows.
Monteath having extracted some old writts out
of the Castle, renewed a pretence to the Earldom
of Straitherne, & moved his Ma tie theranent, that
he might get satisfaction for his s d Right whilk he
pretended thereto, and for that has not only gotten
23000 pound Sterling and a pension of 500 lib
Sterling per annum for life, But also has gottin a
new Gift of a part of the said Earldom. As like-
ways the King accepted a Renounciation from the
said Earle of all right that he could pretend to the
said Earldome as heir to umq 11 David Earle of
Straitherne, In the whilk he reserves his right of
blood, whilk he declares he no wayes renunces.
Thereafter he retowr'd himself general heir, as he
was bound be the renunciation to doe, to the said
David, and last he procured a new Ratification
from his Majestie, under the great seale, of his
said