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Letters and state papers of James VI., 1578-1621.

 File
Identifier: Adv.MS.29.2.6

Scope and Contents

Many of the papers are drafts made or collected by John Lindsay, Lord Menmuir, the Secretary of State.

Letter, The Hague, 30 January 1587, of the Council of State of the United Provinces to James VI; in French (folios 1-2).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

The Council have received James’s letters concerning restitution to be made for Scottish merchandise seized by warships from Flushing. This cargo has already been sold. They request James to forbid his subjects to approach any towns held by the enemy, or to prejudice their common cause and religion.

Two letters, 1588, 1597, of Maurice, Prince of Orange, to James VI; in French (folios 3-6).

- Maidment, pages 4, 32.

Letter, 1592, of James VI to Maurice, Prince of Orange; in French (folios 7-8).

- Maidment, page 5.

Letter, 1588, of Alessandro Farnese, Duke of Parma, to James VI; in French (folios 9-10).

- ‘Scottish Historical Review’, xii (1915), page 22 note.

Two letters, 1594, 1596, of the Estates General of the United Provinces to James VI; in French (folios 11-14).

- Maidment, pages 23 (note), 27.

Copy of a letter, 1596, of James VI to the Estates of Zealand; in Latin (folio 15).

- Maidment, page 18.

Letter, Middelburg, 1 February 1597, of the Estates of Zealand to James VI; in French (folios 16-17).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

The Estates are glad that James was pleased by the detention of the Earl of Errol, and ask for his favour towards them.

Letter, 1597, of Sigismund III, King of Poland, to James VI; in Latin (folios 18-19).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 106.

Letter, Buren (Gelderland), 21 February 1595, of Philipp, Graf von Hohenlohe, to James VI; in French (folios 20-21).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

As the bearer is returning to Scotland, Philip takes this opportunity to send his respects. He hopes for Scottish assistance, should he have to serve against the enemy of Christianity.

Copy of a letter, 1596, of Robert Denniston, Conservator of the Scottish nation in Flanders, to James VI (folios 22-23).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 374.

Two letters, 1596, of Adrian Damman de Bystervelt to James VI; in French (folios 24-27).

- Maidment, pages 23-27.

Letter, Dalkeith, September 1592, of James VI to Philip II of Spain, on behalf of James Balfour of Pitcullo; in Latin (folio 28).

Two drafts, 1596, of James VI`s instructions to Sir William Keith; in Latin (folios 29-31).

- Maidment, page 20.

Two drafts, 1596, of a letter of James VI to Marco Grimani, Doge of Venice; in Latin (folios 32-33).

- Maidment, page 22.

Letter, 1596, of Sir William Keith to James VI (folios 34-35).

- Maidment, page 8.

Letter, 1596, of Sir William Keith to Thomas Foulis, burgess of Edinburgh (folios 36-38).

- Maidment, page 13.

Copy of a letter, Falkland, 9 September 1596, of James VI to Ferdinand de` Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, on behalf of Patrick, Master of Gray; in Latin (folio 39).

Copy of a letter, Falkland, 9 September 1596, of James VI to Rinuccio Farnese, Duke of Parma, on behalf of Patrick, Master of Gray; in Latin (folio 40).

Draft by Lord Menmuir, of a letter, Falkland, July 1597, of James VI to Albert, Archduke of Austria; in Latin (folios 41-42; the correct order should be folios 42, 41).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

A certain George Lindsay was captured and robbed at sea by men from Dunkirk; his money was confiscated and put to military uses under a new law that goods carried in a hostile ship are forfeit. He sought restitution without success from the council in Brussels. According to the treaty, both nations may use any ships for trade. A ship, being inanimate, cannot be hostile of itself. There is an emphasis on friendship with Spain. A stranger can soon be reduced to poverty in a lawsuit to regain his goods. Such piracy undertaken against other nations would be a cause of war. The guilty should be compelled to make restitution.

Draft of a letter, Stirling, 1 October, no year, of James VI to Georg Friedrich, Duke of Prussia, on behalf of Robert Jack, whose brother, a citizen of Halbe, was killed by John Crag, and who is going there to start a lawsuit and to claim his brother`s possessions; in Latin (folio 43).

Letter, 1581, of James VI to James Lawson, Minister of Saint Giles, Edinburgh (folio 44).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 230.

Two letters, 1596, of James VI to Lord Menmuir (folios 45-48).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 328-9;

- ‘Facsimiles of National Manuscripts of Scotland’, volume iii, pages 78-79.

Draft of a letter, 1596, appointing Jean de la Jesse historiographer to James VI (folio 49).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 330.

Letter, 1596, of Lord Menmuir to James VI; in Scots and French (folio 50-51).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 334.

Memorandum, 1596, in the hand of Lord Menmuir; in French (folio 52).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 328.

Copies and drafts of letters, 1596, of James VI on behalf of Jean de la Jesse; in French (folios 53-65):

to Henri IV, King of France (folio 53);

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 331;

to Catherine of Navarre (folio 54);

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 332;

to Henri IV (folios 55 verso, 61); these differ considerably from folio 53;

‘Pour quelques Princes de l`Empire, M[?] de Lorraine et Conte Maurice` (folios 56, 62);

to Catherine of Navarre (folios 56 verso, 61 verso); with variations from folio 54;

to the Emperor Rudolf II (folios 57, 65 verso);

to Messieurs de Guise (folios 57 verso, 62 verso);

to Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, and other English gentlemen (folios 58, 63 verso);

to Monsieur de Villars and Henri, Duc de Joyeuse (folios 58 verso, 64);

to certain gentlemen of France (folios 59, 64 verso);

to Philippe Duplessis-Mornay (folios 59 verso, 65);

to James Beaton, archbishop of Glasgow (folio 60).

Draft of a letter, 1596, appointing Jean de la Jesse historiographer to James VI (folio 66). This is a French version of folio 49.

Copy of a charge to John Towers of Inverleith for the collection of a voluntary levy of 10,000 merks from the baronies of Lothian, Holyrood, 12 October 1587 (folio 67).

- This item does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

The payment has been delayed and is to be enforced. Goods are to be taken from absentees in lieu of payment.

Letter, Falkland, 4 September 1597, of James VI to Lord Menmuir, asking him to supply Thomas Foulis and Robert Jowsie with any letters they may require to the Treasurer and Secretary of the Privy Council of England (folio 68).

Warrant by James VI to Walter Stewart, Lord Blantyre, to assign 3000 merks to Lord Ochiltree, 1598 (folio 69).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 2nd series, page 382.

Letter, Holyrood, 15 November 1599, of James VI to Sir David Lindsay, Lord Edzell, summoning him to a council on the musters held to ensure a general preparation for war (folio 70).

Letter, Hampton, 25 September 1618, of James VI to David Lindsay, 1st Lord Lindsay of Balcarres, thanking him for his services at the last general assembly at Perth (folios 71-72).

Warrant for fees of Archibald Primrose, Clerk of Taxation, Whitehall, 30 September 1621 (folios 73-74).

Letter, Abbeville, 26 June 1596, of Colonel S Murray to James VI (folios 75-76).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

Murray has obtained from Henri IV copies of letters from the Spanish ambassador in Rome to the King of Spain, which were intercepted off Marseilles, and which are harmful to James`s reputation. The enemy has won Calais and is going to besiege Ostend, thereby taking all the coast of Flanders.

Letter, [1597], of Robert, 8th Lord Crichton of Sanquhar, to James VI (folio 77).

- Maidment, page 35.

Two letters, 1596-1597, of Francis Hay, Earl of Errol, to James VI (folios 78-81).

- Maidment, pages 16, 31.

Copy of an act of the Privy Council, 1594, concerning the demolition of the Earl of Huntly`s house of Strathbogie (folio 82 recto).

- ‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’, 1st series, volume 5, page 185.

Copy of an act of the Privy Council, 1594, approving the proceedings of the Duke of Lennox as Lieutenant (folios 82 verso-83).

- ‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’, 1st series, volume 5, page 207.

Draft by Lord Menmuir, 1596, of conditions to be fulfilled by the Earl of Huntly; signed by members of the Privy Council (folios 84-85).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 297.

Two drafts of articles, 1596, to be performed by the Earl of Huntly (folios 86-89).

- Variants of ‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’, 1st series, volume 5, page 328.

Copy of an act of the Privy Council, 1596, concerning the Earl of Huntly`s petition (folio 90).

- ‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’, 1st series, volume 5, page 310.

Copy of the ratification, 1596, of the act on folio 90 (folio 91).

- ‘Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland’, volume 4, page 101.

Letter, 1596, of the Earl of Huntly to James VI (folios 92-93).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 102

- Maidment, page 29.

Copy of a letter, 1597, from the Presbytery of Aberdeen to the ministers of Lothian (folio 94).

- Maidment, page 33.

Letter, 1597, of Thomas Hamilton, Lord Binning, to Lord Menmuir (folios 95-96).

- ‘State papers and miscellaneous correspondence of Thomas, Earl of Melros’, volume ii, page 611*.

Draft of James VI`s instructions to Patrick Murray, [1597] (folio 97).

- ‘State papers and miscellaneous correspondence of Thomas, Earl of Melros’, volume ii, page 615*.

Report, 1596, of the ministers of Angus, Mearns, Aberdeen and Moray (folio 98).

- ‘State papers and miscellaneous correspondence of Thomas, Earl of Melros’, volume ii, page 617*.

Letter, 1597, of Thomas Mollisone to Robert Paip (folios 99-100).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 299.

Copy of commission to Sir William Stewart of Houston, 1596 (folios 101-102).

- ‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’, 1st series, volume 5, page 309.

Drafts by Lord Menmuir of letters, Falkland, 2 August 1596, of James VI to the sheriffs and commissioners and to the burghs, concerning service against the Islesmen (folios 103-104).

- These contain the substance of the proclamation in ‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’, 1st series, volume 5, page 306.

Letter of James VI to Alexander Seton, Lord Urquhart; also a letter of Seton to Lord Menmuir, 1596 (folios 105-106).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 2nd series, page 383.

Draft of articles of a treaty between James VI and the Islesmen, 1596 (folios 107-108).

Letter, 1596, of Sir Roderick Macleod to James VI (folios 109-110).

- Mackenzie, page 61.

Memoranda, 24 September 1596, concerning affairs in the Isles (folio 111).

Letter, 1596, of Walter Stewart, Lord Blantyre, to Lord Menmuir (folios 112-113).

- ‘Spottiswoode Miscellany’, volume ii, page 370.

Letter, Glasgow, 22 October 1596, of Sir William Stewart of Houston to Lord Menmuir (folio 114).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

Since the money for ships and men has not come, Stewart is sending Robert Stewart to Kintyre to test the obedience of Angus McDonald. He has sent munitions, and thinks of going in person. He has heard that Angus has gathered his forces to attack his cousins in Ireland, but knowing his craftiness and that he recently wrote to his son James, Stewart has written to the King, warning him to watch James. He himself cannot leave without borrowing money on credit.

Letter, 1596, of Sir James Macdonald of Dunluce to James VI (folios 115-116).

- ‘Spottiswoode Miscellany’, volume ii, page 372.

Letter, Coll, 18 March 1595/1596, of Sir Lachlan McLean of Duart to Lord Menmuir, expressing his loyalty to the King, and unwillingness to join the rebels (folio 117).

Terms of submission of Angus McDonald of Dunivaig and the Glens, [1596] (folios 118-119).

- ‘Spottiswoode Miscellany’, volume ii, page 374.

Letter, 1597, of Sir John Skene to Lord Menmuir (folio 120).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 104.

List of the inhabitants of Dunbar able to provide food and lodging, 7 January 1617 (folios 121-122).

Letter, 1616, of the bailies of Dysart to the Privy Council (folio 123).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 368.

Letter, 1616, of the bailies of Anstruther Wester to the Earl of Dunfermline (folios 124-125).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 365.

Letter, 1616, of George Hamilton, bailie of Anstruther Easter to the Earl of Dunfermline (folios 126-127).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 367.

Letter, 1616, of the provost and bailies of Saint Andrews to the Earl of Dunfermline (folios 128-129).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 365.

Letter, 1616, of the Justices of the Peace of the sheriffdom of Forfar to David, Lord Carnegie of Kinnaird (folios 130-131).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 2nd series, page 328.

Letter, 1616, of the provost and bailies of Forfar to the Earl of Dunfermline and Lord Binning (folios 132-133).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 366.

Letter, 29 November 1616, of -- to Lord Binning (folios 134-135).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

Enquiries have been made in the city about food and lodgings for the King`s visit, and 600 men and horses can be put up. The bedding is reasonable, but the houses not as clean and handsome as they should be. Beggars cannot be restrained except under a general order. The writer is unable to come to Edinburgh.

Letter, Perth, 6 July 1617, of James VI to the Earl of Dunfermline and lords of the Privy Council of Scotland (folios 136-137).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

In the case of the murder of George Leith by George Leslie of Oldcraig, James had previously granted the murderer a year’s respite. The Council is to examine the case and satisfy the complainants justly.

Appointment of John Brand and Thomas Makghie as ministers to the lords at Falkirk, 1578 (folios 138-139).

- ‘Analecta Scotica’, 1st series, page 343;

- ‘Miscellany of the Wodrow Society’, page 407.

Letter, Edinburgh, 28 April 1578, of the Privy Council to David Preston of Craigmillar (folio 140).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

Having heard of trouble in Stirling castle, the Privy Council request Preston to take his forces there (folio 140).

Letter, 1596, of Patrick, Master of Gray, to Lord Menmuir, with a list of writs (folios 141-143).

- ‘Letters and papers relating to Patrick, Master of Gray’, page 183 and frontispiece.

Letter, Renton, 30 November 1616, of Alexander Home of Renton to Lord Binning (folios 144-145).

- This letter does not appear to have been published or summarised elsewhere, and is briefly summarized here:

With regard to James`s forthcoming visit, as the fleshers are unable to provide all the beef required, the gentlemen of the shire are doing so instead. The herring harvest(?) has been good. Each parish is to maintain its own poor, and the ministers are to list them. It will become an offence to help any poor except within their own parish. As this requires the help of the ministers, the presbyteries of Chirnside, Duns and Sariston were asked for their advice.

Two copies of a letter of the Duke of Sessa to Philip II of Spain, and of a report of John Cecil, 1596; in Spanish (folios 146-151).

- Birch, volume i, pages 413, 407.

Two copies of a letter, 1596, of the Duke of Sessa to Philip II; in Spanish (folios 152-156).

- Birch, volume i, page 408.

Translation of the letter at folios 152-156 (folios 157-160).

- ‘Calendar of the State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots, 1547-1603’, volume xii, page 270.

Two copies of a letter, 1596, of the Duke of Sessa to Philip II; in Spanish (folio 161 recto, 163 recto).

- Birch, volume i, page 418.

Two copies of a letter, 1596, of the Duke of Sessa to Juan de Idiaquez; in Spanish (folios 161 verso, 163).

- Birch, volume i, page 416.

Two copies of a report, 1596, of Sir Walter Lindsay of Balgavie to the Duke of Sessa; in Spanish (folios 162, 163 verso-164).

- Birch, volume i, page 417.

Two translations of the letter at folios 161 recto and 163 recto (folios 165 recto, 167 recto).

- ‘Calendar of the State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots, 1547-1603’, volume xii, page 275.

Two translations of the letter at folios 161 verso and 163 (folios 165 verso, 167 verso).

- ‘Calendar of the State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots, 1547-1603’, volume xii, page 276.

Two translations of the report at folios 162 and 163 verso-164 (folios 165 verso-166, 167 verso-168).

- ‘Calendar of the State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots, 1547-1603’, volume xii, page 277.

Translation of the letter at folios 146-151 (folios 169-170).

Dates

  • Creation: 1578-1621.

Language of Materials

English; French, Middle (circa 1300-1600) ; Latin; Spanish

Extent

0.00 Linear metres (170 folios.)

Bibliography

A number of the papers have been used by J D Mackie in his articles ‘Secret agent of James VI’, in ‘Scottish Historical Review’, ix (1912), pages 376-386; and ‘Secret Diplomacy of King James VI’, in ‘Scottish Historical Review’, xxi (1924), pages 267-282.
‘Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland’, edited by Thomas Thomson and Cosmo Innes (Edinburgh, 1814-1875).
‘Analecta Scotica’, edited by James Maidment. 1st and 2nd series (Edinburgh, 1834, 1837).
Birch, Thomas. ‘Memoirs of the reign of Queen Elizabeth’. 2 volumes (London, 1754).
‘Calendar of the State Papers relating to Scotland and Mary, Queen of Scots, 1547-1603’. 13 volumes (Edinburgh, 1898-1952).
‘Facsimiles of National Manuscripts of Scotland’, selected under the direction of ... Sir William Gibson Craig. 3 volumes (Southampton, 1867-1872).
‘Letters and papers relating to Patrick, Master of Gray’, edited by Thomas Thomson. Bannatyne Club, number 48 (Edinburgh, 1835).
Mackenzie, Alexander. ‘History of the MacLeods’ (Inverness, 1889).
Maidment, James. ‘Letters and State papers during the reign of King James the Sixth’. Abbotsford Club, volume 13 (Edinburgh, 1838).
‘Miscellany of the Wodrow Society’, edited by David Laing. Wodrow Society, volume 11 (Edinburgh, 1844).
‘Register of the Privy Council of Scotland’. 1st, 2nd and 3rd series (Edinburgh, 1877-1933).
‘Spottiswoode Miscellany’, edited by James Maidment. 2 volumes. Spottiswoode Society, number 3 (Edinburgh, 1844-1845).
‘State papers and miscellaneous correspondence of Thomas, Earl of Melros’, edited by James Maidment. Abbotsford Club, volume 9 (Edinburgh, 1837).

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

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