Series 3 > Letters of James the Fourth, 1505-1513

LETTERS OF JAMES IV
8
[1505
for fulfilment of the will and the avoidance of further com¬
plaint by the executors and assignees, which might bring
about grave action against friendly people. H.
11. James IV to the Treasurer of Zealand, Holyrood,
April 18, 1505. n.l. 98 ; b.m. 7 ; G. 198.
James wrote some time ago for equitable consideration
on behalf of young Patrick Merchemstoun and his interest
in the goods of the late Donald Crum. The King under¬
stands that when litigation in the Council of Middelburg
was still undecided the Treasurer was given charge of
these goods. After an agreement was reached and Crum’s
executors transferred right and action to the King’s
familiar James Merchemstoun, for whom John [Merchem¬
stoun]1 appears as procurator, James wrote asking the
Treasurer to admit what was concluded with his consent
(ejus consensu) and judicially approved, and to restore
the sequestrated goods. The King will make a point of
returning the favour if occasion should arise. H.
12. Charles, Duke of Gueldres to James IV, Tiel,
May 3, 1505. n.l. 6.
He has carefully studied the letters and instructions
transmitted to him by James’s servant, Patrick Haliburton,
and regrets that the exigencies of war kept him from
returning an earlier answer. He therefore sends his trusty
and well-beloved Secretary, John de Vyessen, who, accord¬
ing to the instructions given to him will inform James fully
about what has been done in the matters under discussion.
He asks James to listen sympathetically to the envoy,
and to put absolute faith in his statements about these
matters, since his own attitude to James is not that of an
ally {famulus) but of a devoted son.
1 G. gives ‘ Patrick,’ from the B.M. copy : the N.L. version has ‘ John,’
which is correct. H.