Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

410
CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [june
it may not be too true that a man has sometimes need of
freinds to obtain justice, at least in dispatch of his busines.
Therfor I humbly lay the case befor your Lop., being both
assurd of your Lops, justice and candour in every thing,
and of your and freindship to myself in severall things ;
and tho I can never pretend to requite your Lop. for any
of your favours, yet if it were in my power none should
be more willing than, My Lord, Your Lops, most humble
servant, Jo. Arbuthnott.
London, June 3d 1705.
Dr. John Arbuth not, author and wit, son of an ‘ outed ’ Episcopal
minister, was a graduate of Marischal College. Aberdeen. He was
a friend of Pope and of Swift, and was the author of History of
John Bull, etc.
For THE EARL OF SEAFIELD
3th June 1705.
My Lord,—I haveing gotan a generall indulgence from
yr Lo. for all bygon and future troubles of this nature,
I adventure to intreat yr Lo. to let me know, if yor Lo.
hes wreitin to England anent my masts. If not, I beg yr
Lo. may mynd it by the nixt post. My Lord pray you let
me know qt seyes [size] of timber yo Lo. neids, and ther
dimensiones, and yr. Lo. shall comand as to the prices,
My Lord, Yr. Lo. most oblidged faithfull seru, q11,
David Ross off Balnagoune.
Balnagown’s Ross-shire trees offered as masts for the English
navy are again referred to in the letters of 23rd June and 7th
July 1705.
For THE EARL OF SEAFIELD
My Lord,—Your Lops, of ye 2d I recd with one to my
Ld. Tresr, which I took ye necessary caire off. I have not
receaved any commands from ye Commissioner about the
prisoners taken by Cap. Campbell. When they come I
shall observe them. Your Lop. may remember I had the
honor formerly to receave your directions in the like
caice, and you was pleased to let me know they were
executed to satisfaction. When Scots men are taken
prisoners, they are not distinguished from English in the