Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

344 FAMILY AND DOMESTIC LETTERS. [1695.
to prevent any just ground they may have of complaining. I recomended to
yow a poor Quaker, a coupar. He was certainly in the wrong, but ane hun
dered pounds Scots is the poor mans all, and it becomes a minister farr better
to remitt it ; and I have likewayes charity that this poor man knows not the
deeps of Quakerie.
Park Haye's son, the lieutennent, came to me and told me that now, upon
the sale of the estat, he would give my sister Lilias ane thousand pounds Scots
for her two thousand merks ; and I was told by Brodie and others, that it was
more then any creditor gott in her condition. Yow know the gentleman is
very civill, and protested that though he was ashamed to offer so litle, yet it was
more then any gott ; and therefor, though my sister have losse, I would advise
her to accept of it. Remember me to both my sisters. I am at present lame
of both feet by the gout, but am still
Yours,
Se. Ja. Steuart.
For Sir John Maxuell of Nether Pollock, at John Pedies shop in Glascou.
Sie Archibald Stewart of Blackball to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok,
16th October 1695.
347. Deare sir, ... A memorable accident happened within thes 8 or 10 days — a
boat belonging to Irland wes split in peices on Elsay. It pleased God, the
men escaped safe, with a litle meill. They stayed severall days on the rock,
calling vehementlie to all who passed by ; but ether they did not, or wold not
hear them. At last, on of my boats passing by in a calm evening, heard the
crys, and went to them, took them in, and brought them home, being five men
in whole. They declared they had as much meil preserved as wold have served
them many clays ; but wer so assaulted with incredible numbers of creatures
lyke ratts or land mice, that they were affrayed to be devoured by them, and
were glade to goe from place to place, leaving some parcells of the meill scat-
tered here and ther behind them, the gleaning up wherof diverted them, els