Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

COLONEL JOHN HILL, 1688. 59
able of that honour, I would not doubt to acquit myselfe (in some measure)
answerable to the title your Lordship is pleased to grace me with.
This countrey, my Lord, is bona terra, but generally mala gens, which
detracts from the sweetnes of it ; and tho' sometyme of late in a condition of
growing opulent, yet now inclineing to poverty. The trade (which formerly
suported us), being abated, the commoditys of the countrey lye dead upon
the peoples hands by reason they can get noe valluable price for them ; by
which meanes the rents (which formerly were wont to be well paid) are now
either obtain'd with great difficulty (and that many tymes but partly), or in
danger to be wholly lost, a great deal of land being forsaken by the tennents,
and turned wast vpon the Landlords hands, and more like to vnderly the
same fate. The government endeavors to make people of all perswations
easie, saueinge what the fear of future events may lessen it : this is in short
the sum of our present condicion. My Lord, I haue still a true love and
freindship for your countrey, (because allwayes kind and civill to me), and
could with all my heart lay my bones amongst them, had I but such gentle
suports in that countrey as might render me easie and acceptable ; for I pre-
sume not to ambition great matters (small being more suiteable both to my
person and desires.) I thanke God I am as healthy as euer, and not much
any wayes declin'd, (tho' years will bespeake themselues.)
I should doe yow wronge to beg your pardon for this trouble, since I
know your generosity such as to pardon greater faults ; only giue me leaue to
assure your Lordship that as I allways was (since I had the honour to be
knowne to yow) your obliged servant, now you haue bored my ear to your
doore, and I am your servant for euer, and therefore give me leaue to sub-
scribe, my Lord,
Your Lordship's faithfull, obedient and most humble servant whilst
Jo. Hill.