Rutherfurds of that Ilk, and their cadets

lxxi
sent as Commissioner to London " to treat concern-
ing the Union of Scotland, designed by King James
VI.," and the said Master Alexander made a pithy
speech against the Union, but in such broad Scots
tongue that some of the nobles standing near the
King said, " That gentleman may speak good sense,
but we cannot understand him," upon which he
delivered his speech in French ; whereupon the clergy
cried out, " Ignotum omnino ignotum," upon which
he presently delivered the same or some such
speech in Latine that the clergy might understand
him, but scorned to speak the least English word
that he could shun ; and when the King observed
some near the throne enquiring, he said " This is a
burgess from one of my poor fisher towns in Scot-
land," and took some opportunity to give him a ring
off his own finger. His son, David Ruthirfurd, was
Provost of Aberdeen from 1620 to 1623.
John Ruthirfurd of Migvie.
Provost of Aberdeen, 1485.
Sir John Ruthirfurd of Tarlane,
Provost of Aberdeen, 1500.