Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

444 CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [feb.
To WILLIAM LORIMER, Chamberlane TO THE EARLE
OF SEAFIELD at Cullen
London, Febry. 25, 1708.
D. Cousine,—My Lord has write you fully about his
private bussines, and I am to tell you that wee are allarmed
with a ffrench invasion from Dunkirk. There are great
preparations makeing there. They say about 12000 men
are to be embarqued and twice as many stands of arms
with 2000 horse. We have no particular information
where they designe, but I hope there project will be
disappointed, for the Queen and Dutch will have a ffleett
of fyfty men of warr in few dayes to block them up in there
harbours, and if this be at sea before they gett out they
dare not attempt it. I shall give you further information
as wee learn it, and advyse you to take care of my Lord’s
papers and other things if it be found necessary. Maldavat1
owes me three hundred and twenty pound Scotts with
two years <g)rent preceeding Candlemas last. Give my
humble service to my mother and all ffriends. Blessed be
God I am much better than I was. My Lord Deskfoord has
keept his health very ill this winter. The phisicians have
advysed him to drink asses milk and Bath water, and finds
himself better with it. I pray God preserve him, and am,
yours, John Philp.
For THE EARL OF SEAFIELD
Edr., 2d March 1708.
May it please yr Lp.—. . . Her Mats letter to the
Privy Council, intimating the informations you have of a
threatned invasion, came by a flying paquet to my hand
Sunday about ten at night. The nixt morning I caused
the clerk intimat to the Privy Councilors in town to meet
at nyne acloak, and yr Lp. will see by the minuts that we
met a full quorum and read her Mat8 letter, and what
ensued upon it. My Lord, the Major General 2 hath been
carefull that the troups wherever they are should be ready
to march upon a call. He also gave an account of the
Hay of Muldavit, Banffshire.
2 The Earl of Leven.