Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (First volume)

SUMMARY OF MEMORIALS, 1596
39
parliament in another part of the kingdom, accused and condemned
them for treason, confiscating their possessions, and raising an army
against them.
9. The Earl or Lord O’Rourke, Irishman, came from Ireland to Scot¬
land three or four years ago under the word and safe-conduct of the
King. Suddenly, because the Queen of England offered him more money
if he would deliver him to her, the King, contrary to the law of nations,
commanded that he should he given into her hands, and he was beheaded
in London.
A short time ago, the King having need of money, a certain father of
the Society of Jesus named James Gordon, uncle to the Earl of Huntly,
went to Rome to request his Holiness to give money and help, with pro¬
mise that he (the King) would join the Catholics. The said father
returning to Scotland with good supplies fell into great danger because
the King broke his word to him, and informed the Queen of these sup¬
plies from the Pope to see if she would bid higher, and so she sent him
from England 50001 angels. Thus the said King appropriated the money
of both sovereigns, hut, as always, he continued to favour the heretics
and left the Catholics unprotected. By this it may be seen how much
the word of the King may be relied on. Still less can one rely on the
valour of the said King, for he has already six or seven times let him¬
self be seized by his own vassals without seeking any redress or showing
any feeling for this dishonour and peril to his person.
From this may be judged how small is the importance any league made
with him would have for the Catholics, and how little would he the gain
were he to become King of three such Kingdoms as England, Ireland,
and Scotland.
The true cause that has really moved the King of Scotland, and certain
politicians who countenance him, to shew a desire of submitting them¬
selves to the Catholic Religion at this time, is the book of Dolman which
was written last year on the English succession. Here it is declared that
the King of Scotland hath many fellow-pretenders to the same succession,
and that all have very probable rights, and, further, that no claimant
will be admitted by the Catholics, whatever may be his right by birth,
unless he is manifestly a Catholic. The King of Scotland hath come to
know that this book hath made a great impression on all sorts of people,
and, therefore, he would now assure his interest by means of this league
and union with his Catholic Majesty and his Holiness. This would not
be a bad method, if only the King and his followers had shewn truth
and sincerity of intention. But if one is to have nothing but words, one
may as well pay with words, and send a man to Scotland along with this
agent as desired, and until he returns and brings with him an assured
report of the chance there is of the accomplishment of the offers made,
and until he has given full satisfaction to his Holiness in religious affairs.
1 The French has ‘ 1800.’