Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

390
CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [april
will be pleased to show the inclosed to my Lord Treasurer-
Depute. It came to my hands betwixt ten and eleven,
and it is now just eleven.—I am, My Lord, Your Lops,
most obedient humble servant, Roxburghe.
If we cannot convince them that our behaviour in this
matter was both dutiful and necessary, the old partie are
masters.
Floors, Aprill the 10th, 1705.
For THE EARL OF SEAFIELD
My Lord,—Nothing has occur’d since my last in Scots
affaires worth your Losps. reading, save that the Duke of
Argyle parted from hence yesterday about noon. He went
privatly, and some say resolves to go post part of the
way. His Grace caried with him the papers past the
Queens hand, wherof a list is inclosed. He left me no direc¬
tions except an order to deliver to Sr David Nairn all
letters and pacquets directed for him, and also to receive
from Sr David whatever he shall have to dispatch for his
Grace by ordinary or flying pacquets. Ther appears litle
or no disposition here to give credit to the guilt prov’d
against Capt. Green and confess’d by some of his men.
It seems necessary for the reputation of our countrey and
of the government .in particular, that censure be stopt by
publishing a full relation of the proceedings in this matter,
and that it be clear’d upon what motives any of the
accomplices have confessed, otherwise it will be spread
to our dishonour that these men have either been forc’d
by torture or induced by promises of life to confess any
thing they perceived would be most desir’d. Such base
insinuations are very uneasy to these that have a concern
for the honour of their countrey and the reputation of
those in the management, but I can not say all Scots men
here feel it alike. The Queen and Prince went this morn¬
ing for Newmarket. I went last night to receive hir
Majty® commands, and gott hir hand to a letter ordering
peremptorly six hundred pounds to be pay’d to my Lord
Forfar of the arrears of his pension. My Lady apply’d
for this hirselfe upon a letter she had receiv’d from hir