Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

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FIRST EARL OF SEAFIELD
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lyes in my pouer to get one befor my northcoming. My
Lord Northesk is desirus wee transact with him ; and if
I kneu of any money in the north that might be raised
att Whitsonday nixt I would end with him, for I am in¬
formed that his phisitians does not rekon that he can live
above ane year, and if he wer dead ther would be no
possibility of transacting with his sone, he being a minor.
I expect to hear from your Lo. anent this. For all that
I know yet, ther is nothing will hender me from coming
north just affter the session; so I desir your Lo. may send
over Anderson against the beginning of the first week of
March with my oune horse, bot I resolve to buy one for
my servant to ryd uppon. Ther is great talking hier that
the Duke of Hamiltoun is to come doun Tresierer, and
that Sir John Harper is to be one of the Lords of the
Session. The King of France and Parlament att Paris
have declared that the Pope is only first Bishop, and hes
no pouer to excomunicat bot for maters mierly ecclesiastik,
and that his excommunicating of Leuarden is most
redicolus and unjust. Ther is no other neues att present,
bot what the bearer will give you ane accompt of; and ther-
for I shal give your Lo. no further trouble att present, bot
add that I am, My Lord, Your Lo. most obedient son and
most humble servant, Ja. Ogilvie.
The struggle for place with an autocratic King was incessant.
The letter of the 20th February shows that Hamilton was at this
time unsuccessful in this pursuit.
Edr., Februar 20, 1688.
My Lord,—I beg pardon for detaining your footman
so long; bot the true reason of it was that I was att Boyns
mariage for five dayes altogether, and it being the throng-
est time of our session I had no time for providing what
was writtne for til nou. Your Lo. will receive from the
bearer ane periwig and ane pair of blak gloves conform
to your order. I have caused help your Lo. suord. I
would have givne it ane neu handle, bot I could see none
better then whatt it had befor. I have lykwayes sent
you the garden seeds conform to the not your Lo. sent