Red book of Menteith > Letters and charters

118 STATE AND OFFICIAL LETTERS. [1631.
distractiounes here wherein we haue no interest, may be better deliuered by
his tongue (as ill as it is,) then by my pen.
Your Lordship hath the letter about the cognisance, let me heare of it,
because I will be dowtfull till I heare bak, and if it be not in your handes
shall find it or another. I must trouble your Lordship with all that concernes
New Scotland and my relief, the effectuateing whereof though not more
willing, may mak me more able to approue myself,
Your Lordship's entirelie affectionat,
S. W. Alexander.
To my noble and much honoured lord my Lord Earle of Monteith, Lord
President of His Maiestie's most honourable Priuie Counceli
132. Sir William Alexander, afterwards Earl of Stirling, to William
seventh Earl of Menteith.
London, the 27 of Marche [1631.]
My noble and much honoured Lord, — My colleague your league comes
home herewith sound and euerie way vnbroken, that is, both within himself
in that which he professed to others, and from the dangers of others that
sought his harme, which were sundrie and greate ones ; this made me the
rather stand to him, because I desyre no other fellow in office, and to count-
nance him I haue renewed his gift, with the adition of the makeing of
Shireff Clerkes, with a prouision that it be not prejudicial! to my grantes,
which he is willing anie way to secure.
Manie here professe much to yow and me, but it is good to haue a care
of ourselfes, they laugh well at the diuision of officers whom they repute in
regard of them of the inferiour sort, and our strength will be to keep them