Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

XX CORRESPONDENCE OF EARL OF SEAFIELD
yow manie thankes for the kind offer your Lord and yow
meakes me, in suffering your sone my Lord Deskford to
taike a shaire of my fortune in the worlde ; and ther is
nothing I regrait more then not beieng able to serve him
as he deserves and as I incline. The regiment that is to
be under my comand in Holland is of ane old standing,
and the recrutes that I ame now meaking are onlie to adde
to the companies that are alridie ther; soe I have it not
in my pour to disposse of anie companies, but ther being
manie Dutch in my regiment will meak me indeavour,
when I ame upon the place, to gett them some otherwayes
provided, and by that means I may be able in some
measure to serve my freindes. But that will be the
worke of some tyme, tho you may be suir nothing will
meak me soe sollicitous in effectuating this designe then
the serving thos I love so weel as your childirine. I ame
not to be thanked for this, since it is so naturall to me love
what is come of a Hamilton soe well beloved by my
grandfather. If, when I ame in Holland (of which yow
shall not faill to be aqwanted), yow will send your sones
ther, they may assure them selves of all the service I ame
capable of shoieing them and yow that I ame, Madam,
Your La. most affectionat cusing and humble servant,
Aran.
I can’t but again returne your Lord thankes with assur¬
ing him of my constant service.
Whether Lord Deskford went to Holland is not specific¬
ally stated. Writing on 26th June 1683 to his niece.
Lady Findlater, Robert Montgomerie says : ‘ I wes most
glade to hear that yor sonne had gotten a company in
the States service and everie on commends him as a fyne
gentleman.’ It is certain that Mr. James was in Holland
at that time, and he may be referred to. The following
letter shows that he did not remain long abroad.
To LA. FINDLATER
Edr., Septr. 2, 1683.
Madam,—I doubt not bot befor this time your La. hes
heard of my being come home. I would have writtne