Note 135 — Miscellaneous Historical Documents. RELATIVE TO THE ECCLESIASTICAL AND POLITICAL EVENTS IN SCOTLAND, 1633-1638. (continued 6)

Folio MS., f. 46. There is no date to this Letter in the copy from which we transcribe; but it was probably written about the time the Assembly 1638 dissolved itself on 20th December, when the Supplication to the King from the Assembly was adopted, (vide p. 41 of these Records.) Baillie, in his 11th Letter, dated September 28, 1639, gives the following account of the reception of that Supplication; and it is interesting as an index to the state of feeling on the part both of the King and Covenanters. It is stated in the Folio MS., that the Supplication to the King was “sent up wᵗ Mr George Winrahame,” who was probably, therefore, the bearer both of it and of this Letter to Hamilton. Baillie says (vol. i. p. 150), “The Supplication which we decreed in the Assembly of Glasgow to be sent to the King, could hardly be got presented. However, many would have ventured to have gone with it though their heads should have gone therefor; yet understanding of the King’s wrath and the danger there was, even in peaceable times, for any subject to play the ambassador, or capitulate with the Prince when he did not call for or his council did not send up, which by law and his declared will is appointed to be his only informer in high points of state; also hearing oft words from court of great spite against the very lives of most of our nobles, gentry, and ministry, who were able to agent our business, it was resolved that none of note or parts should go up, without greater assurance of their return than could for that time be expected; and withal, a gentleman of the Marquis of Hamilton’s acquaintance, Mr George Winram, undertook, on all hazards, to deliver to the Marquis the Supplication, and, upon his refusal, to give it to the King himself. He was no worse than his word, as, indeed, some of our fair undertaking statesmen thereafter did prove. He went to Court, shewed the Marquis his errand. His Grace acquainted the King, who was pleased that it should be received. His Grace took it, and on his knee read it to his Majesty in the Council. The best answer it got was, ‘When they have broken my head, they would put on my cowl.’”