Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

462
CORRESPONDENCE OF JAMES [march
post.—I am, My Lord, Yr Lps. most humble and most
obed1 servitr, Ja. Steuart.
Lord Forglen, in next letter to Seafield, with its numerous
postscripts, continues the chronicle of events in Scotland.
Ed., nth Mertch 1708.
My Lord,—This flying packet brings ane dutiefull letter
to hir Majestic from the Councell syned by such as are in
toun. Yesterday we ware in sore paine by a letter from
Aberdein bearing the French to be lying before there toun.
We nou think it was the English in there returne. Qhither
the French will land or not is uncertain. Sum think they
will, others they will not, but the putting them by this
harbor was a peice of good service to this nation. All is
in quyet. Barks cum from Murray did not sie aney
appearence of the French. The prisoners of the ship1
are sillie lyck men and ill clothed. This day one horse
of Seafords and one of Hopetounes run for the cup.
The last gained it by as far as from the Luckenbooths
to the Netherbou. The fliet contanioues in the harbor.
Captan Gordon will mack three thousand guineis by the
ship1 he did tack. There is fyveteen hundreth pound
of pleat in hir, qhich he hath got. We have frost and
snow. It is yet a cold seasone. The report contanioues
of Boynes landing. I have not heard of him from your
cuntrie. I wish your Lo. all happienes, and am, My Lord,
your fathfull humble servant, Alex1- Ogilvie.
Gordon says there are four score oficers in the ship he
did tack. By the post cum in this day from London I
have no lyn from your Lo. family. Tho I had bein north
your Lo. could not think me lost, since qhere ever I be I
am your Lo. fathfull servant, and I hope ye shall never be
ashamed of me.
12 ackloack of the day.
There com just nou ane express from Aberdein bearing
on Mundayes forenoon the French ware sein before them,
and that it was the easterlie wind did hinder there landing.
1 The Salisbury.