Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

434 CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [july
they had been previously imported on payment of smaller duties
than those prevailing in England.1
For THE EARL OF SEAFIELD, LORD CHANCELOR
My Lord,—I had the honour of yrs of the 6th some posts
ago, but delay’d answering it til I shou’d speak wt the
Treasurer, who’s at Windsore. The Duke of Queensberry,
my Lord Loudoun, and I went there a purpose to speak of
what yr Lop. wrote me and of the goods that are now
come from Scotland. Loudoun and I are but this minut
returned. My Lord Treasurer keept Naughtie’s papers,
and has given orders to inquire into it, and will then give
me an answer to wryt to yr Lop. He told us that he had
alreddy given orders to the people belonging to the custome
house to show all the favour to our marchants that posiblie
they could consistant to law, but that he was to be in
toun on Thursday and wou’d then speak to them again.
I am indeed affraid that the goods will be seased, but I
belive they will be made very easie as to their bail, and I
hope the affair will be so manadged that they will not
have much cause of complaint. We did all we cou’d, and
I hope not without effect, but we will not give it over as
long as our speaking can do any good. I did not at all
doubt of yr Lops, being receaved w1 satisfaction in the
judicatures. I hope you will preceed long in them, wch
I’m sure will be to most people’s likeing. T’other day
when I had occation of speaking to the Queen, she told
me that she had spoke to yr Lop. and expected that you
wou’d bring up w1 you a compleat account of the civill
list and of the pensions she had given, and ordred me to
put yr Lop. in mind of it, wch I told I shou’d do, but that
I knew you did not want to be put in mind of any thing her
Majestic recomended to you. My Lord Treasurer has been
a little indispoased w1 a coaid, so wryting is uneasie to
him, but he desired me to give his service to yr Lop. My
Lord Loudoun read yo Lops, letter to him, but I know he
wryts to you, so I will not trouble you w1 any thing of that.
1 Historical MSS. Commission, Fourteenth Report, App., Part HI., Seafield
MSS., pp. 221, 222,