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

10
LETTERS OF JAMES IV
[1505
summary cognisance and sentence. Lacking confidence in
his case, perhaps, he refused judicial proceedings and de¬
clined to remain. Justice will always be most readily
available to the Queen’s subjects if a pursuer seeks a
decision, as she will find by experience. James will be
delighted to do her any favour, but he cannot admit false
charges made by private persons. H.
14. James IV to Charles, Duke of Gueldres, [c. June 1505].
N.L. 96 ; b.m. 6 ; r. 11 ; G. 192.
The Duke’s secretary, John Vyessen, delivered to James
in Glasgow, on June 14,1 the letters signed at Tiel on May 3,
in which he avowed his active interest in the cares of his
friends and his desire to satisfy James as a kinsman. Con¬
tinuous war was what delayed the secretary, whom Charles
succeeded in sending through the enemy in disguise. He
gave an admirable report, showed the written articles, and
detailed his orders. James and his consort are, thank God,
in good health.
(1) The Duke deals briefly with the negotiations by
Patrick Haliburton, of the royal household, regarding
Edmund de la Poile, formerly Earl of Suffolk, and refers
to the copies of correspondence transmitted. Repetition
is not necessary ; and, as the Duke says, an undistinguished
messenger and caution were required by the circumstances.
The messenger is no less cautious than his master.
(2) James returns thanks for his watchful policy. But
the Duke suggests that Edmund’s long residence with the
King of the Romans precluded successful action. James
leaves that question indeterminate.
(3) The Duke writes that a household man of Edmund
arrived about Easter, 1504, asking permission for Edmund
to enter his territory.
(4) The Duke admits an affirmative answer, so that, as he
‘anent the schip that umquhile Richart duke of York past away intill
furtht of the port of Ar,’ and that he refused it (Acts of Council, 1501-54, lx).
H.
H.
1 The letter to Charles on Sept. 8 gives June 11.