Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

202
CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [july
of Capt. Drumond and Capt. Ker of our redgment, uho
wes to be exchanged vith him.
The two next letters and James Baird’s of 24th November
1696 refer to the dearth in Scotland consequent on the failure
of the crops of 1695 and 1696.
ffor THE RIGHT HONORABLE THE EARLE OFF
FFINDLATER these
My Lord,—War it in my power to doe yr Lop. greater
service, yr Lo. may be perswaded it should not be wanting.
The pryce of this garnell is ten pund the boll, wh I thinck
to much, though I can not help it. The chamberlan is
not hear at present, but I thinck the meall is giwin out by
measur, being it pleasis the countrie people best. Yr Lo.
may send thos who ar to receave the meall aither on
Saterday or Munday nixt, as yu please, the sooner the
better, for I never did sie or hear such outcryes for want
of meall. God helpe the poor people. This being in:
heast, I shall ad no mor, but that I ame vith all dutifull
respects, My Lord, Yr Los. most humble and most faithful!
servant, A. Dumbar.
Gordon Castle, 23 July 96.
For THE RYTT HONALL TFIE EARLE OF FINDLATR
thes are
Dolochie,1 the 25 of July 96.
My Lord,—I recaved your, and for ansr his Grace the
Duks meall is all and evre pickell of it giuen out yesterdaye,
and ther had bein lyk to be a mischeiffe abut the hinder end
of it, stryving who should haue it amonsgt his ouen wassells
and servants in Achendoune, Glenliuet, Strathbogie, and
Einze ; and I am greatle quarld be all, that your Lordshipe
or anie ellse should haue anie, and anie of his Graces cuntry
lyking to sterue. They tell me it is whigishe inclinations
leids me to that prefference, so that Mr. Dunbare told me
that he had consented that your Lordshipe should haue
my chalder but none of his Graces ; and trulie, my Lord,.
1 In the parish of Bellie, Banffshire.