Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

i685]
FIRST EARL OF SEAFIELD
3
King, and to his lauoll airs and surs qtsoewer, with this
qualitie that its collected according to the act in the last
Parliatt, only to be lewied from off the breawers, the
commissioners and land rent being to be free. This is
all that is done as yett. The Parliament sitts on ffryday
againe att ten acloack. Ther is ane anssr drawen to the
Kings letter to be sent to his Majtie. The present taxmen
are endeawouring to farm the excyse off the whole natione;
and it is only continowed till Aug., till they settle upon
it. Ther wes ane great traitt that night, efter the Parliatt
wes ridden, giwen by the Commissioner to the members
off Parliatt who wer invited, to qch I wes ane witnes and
partaker, and did see particularlie how things wer ordered ;
bot most tell your Lop this Parliatt hes not that splendour,
as your LoP and I both hawe seen, and ther way now is
farr unlyk to the deportment off thes who are now away
and gone. I presume on your Los ffawour in respect I will
by this tyme be scant off strae att Banff, that qn James
Cock sends my hors to your LoP ye will doe me that kynd-
nes to permitt him runn in your park till I come home.
My Lo. Airly looks not so weill upon it, and says he will
be north this summer. Its thought the Parliatt will sitt
all May. The fforfaulters are to be in shortly. I offer
my humble duty and service to your LoP and to my Ladye,
and by conveniencie att some tymes qn sure occasiones
offers your LoP sail have account off the transactiones
heir from, My Lord, Your Los very affec~nat and oblidged
servant, Geo. Leslye.
I fforgot to tell your LoP how ffor honour off our good
toun off Cullen I did ryde the Parliatt. I wes prest to it
by severall frinds. I did it on little expenss, and wes weill
mounted on ane hors off Sr Wm Sharps.1
This day the Lo. Gosfoord 2 is gone ffor London, w1 ane
return to his Majties letter; and the Burrows this day
haveing mett are to putt in to be reponed to ther old
priviledges . . .
1 Of Stonyhill, brother of Archbishop Sharp.
2 Sir Peter Wedderburne, Commissioner for Haddington.