177 - 28 Nov. To the marquess of Hamilton

Summary

Mye verye good Lord:

Your Lordships of November 22 Came to mye hands the 28^th of the same, as I was newlye risen from dinner. Thear was then a great of deale of good Newes told me from Scotland; Namlye that mye Lord Argile and two other Lords with hime wear Come to the Assemblye and declared openlye for the Kinges Covenant, and against all that had, or should oppose it. But when I read your Leter, and found nothinge of that good in it, that which I could not beleeve before, nowe vanished quyte.

To your Graces short Leters I can saye but thiss, His Maiestye hath receaved your Leters, and Commands me to tell you, he will omitt no Care, and you shall heare from himselfe soe soone as your next packett Comes and brings hime some particulars.

For your Assemblye, I see and am sorye for it, ‘tis such as I ever sawe it would be. But the sequell of it your Lordship must prevent and proved for as much as maye be. Have you not gott some provisions into the Castle att Edenborough while the Cheef Covenanters ar at Glascowe? I have bine readye to beat mye selfe that I did not aske you thiss question a fortnight since.

Well mye Lord if I thought you had anye leisure from that great busynes, I would desyer you to tell me, what Sir Edward Powells practise is in Court against me. I have but One wittnes against hime, but he offers to take it upon his Oath, that Sir Edward told hime he hoped he had a stronger partye in Court then I had, and was bold to name your Lordship, as upon whome he did relye. Good mye Lord doe not thinke I would wright thuss to you if I beleeved it. And I beseech you lett it not troble you (for me it doth not) but if it please God to give us leave to meet, I will shewe you the finest paper one of them that ever you sawe. In the mean tyme I am and shall Continue to shewe mye selfe

your Graces most faythfull frend and humble servant

W: Cant:

Lambeth. November 28: 1638: