James VI. to Queen Mary, his mother.1

Madam,

I have received the letter which you have been pleased to write to me, and which it has pleased the queen of England, my good sister, to permit to be sent to me; and I perceive from it that she has made difficulties to allow you to send one of your people to me, on the refusal that was lately given to one of hers, and in consequence of the command which you lay upon me. I am writing to her, and shall inform her of the reasons why, at the present moment, I cannot give permission for that person to come to me-not that my intention then was to refuse him altogether; but only to put him off till after the parliament, which I was then holding, was over; and I should be infinitely sorry that she should think I had done it to affront her, since I never had any other desire but to be on good terms with her as a relative and a neighbour, as I have concluded to be agreeable to the injunctions which you are pleased to give me, the which and all others that you are pleased to honour me with, you will always find me ready to put in execution, and to honour and respect you, as God commands, and as natural duty obliges me; and it will be a great consolation to me, if you shall be pleased to render me so happy as to send one of yours to visit me, as you

1 MS. Cotton. Calig. C. vii. fol. 12. Translated from the French. It was at this period that the consent of Mary Stuart and the Scotch cabinet was given to a scheme for James and the former to rule conjointly in Scotland. It does not appear that Mary's letter, here referred to, has escaped the ravages of time.

tell me you shall, that I may be assured of

your welfare and health, which, after having very humbly kissed your hands, I pray God, madam, to grant you, together with a happy and long life.

From Stirling, this 17th day of June (1582.)

Your most humble and obedient son for ever,

To the Queen my mother.

James VI. to Queen Elizabeth.1

Madam and dearest sister,

JAMES R.

Seeing the departure of our cousin, the duke of Lennox, hath been so long hindered by contrarious winds, and the time of his passage by sea in this winter-season, so doubtful and uncertain; and finding it meet, for many great causes, that he depart with all possible speed; therefore, we request you, most affectuously, that, for the expedition of his departure, and to take away the suspicions in this matter, and also all excuses in himself, it may please you to grant to send him your passport to pass through England to France. Upon receipt of which passport, we assure you, that he shall immediately depart out of this realm, or otherwise, shall have our highest displeasure, to be dealt withal, as his disobedience therein. shall deserve.

1 Cottonian MSS. Calig. C. vii. art. 64. The demonstration made by the Scottish nobility compelled James to discard his unworthy favourites. Arran was committed to prison, and we here see James endeavouring to provide for the safety of Lennox, whose departure was strictly insisted upon.

And, whereas the liberty of the earl of Arran hath been moved and sought for in so unfit time and manner, as ought to give you occasion to suspect that some evil effects may grow thereby; therefore we have both stayed the matter, as do also assure you, that cause, or any other, shall not interrupt or alter either the good course, or yet the convenience and increase of the loving affection and amity to be always kept betwixt you and me; wherein you shall ever have experience, and find me constant and ready to acquit thankfully your great benefits bestowed on me, and to use your good advice and counsel in my weighty affairs, as my dearest sister and friend, and one whom I will chiefly lean unto, as more at large I have signified my whole mind to your servant and ambassador here resident, who will let you know more fully all these things; and thus, dearest sister, after our most hearty commendations, we commit you to the protection of the Almighty.

From our palace at Holyrood House, the 16th day of December, 1582.

James VI. to Queen Elizabeth. 1

Madam and dearest sister,

1

February 21st, 1582-3.

We recommend us heartily unto you. The continuance of your motherly affection to us, with your accustomed care for our welfare, well appeareth in

1 Cotton. MSS. Calig. C. vii. art. 241. On January 27th, the king of Scotland recovered his liberty and resumed the reins of government.

the prospect of your favourable acceptance of our last letters and negotiations presented to you by our servitor, John Colvil, entertained with great honour for our sake, and that hath reported to us the same; and your singular good will and friendly answers given to all his errands for us, and resolved to our great comfort and contentment; and how much you esteem the esteem of ourself, and lovingly tender our requests, as plainly witnessed by the testimony of your late favour granted to our cousin the duke of Lennox, whom, at our special desire, you have admitted to your presence, and honoured with great courtesies; like as, by your own letters brought to us by the Lord of Kelsith, as also by another received from our said cousin, and by the declaration of your servitor, Mr. Bowes, we are sufficiently informed.

The greatness of your present kindness, and the memory of your former benefits thus plentifully bestowed upon us, do not only justly bind us to render to you most hearty thanks, with promise of all due gratuity and thankfulness, but also upon the experience of your love and care for our prosperity, do encourage us to commit ourself and welfare of our state to your good advice and friendly support; knowing that in your own affairs you can and will counsel us most for our honour and profit ; and that in all our necessities you will relieve us for our best standing and safety. Wherein, as by your friendship in these parts we have been the better, and shall be enabled to do the offices appertaining to our calling and due to our friends; so your goodness employed upon us shall redound and return to your special contentment, as

to our most dear friend and loving cousin, professing such chief interest for us, as we cannot be satisfied or hold ourself happy, until we have given proof of our thankful mind, determined to honour, please, and requite you and your favour to us by all the good duties in our power; and, wishing that apt occasion may be offered to us, that by our own speech and action we may effectually perform and yield the due recompence that our heart earnestly desireth; which, we trust, God shall grant in due time. And, in the mean season, it may please you to accept these as a pledge of our good will and promise to you; wherein we intend more largely in particularity, as to commend and make known to you our further delays, that by our servant, Colonel Steward, whose delays protracted beyond our purpose, we heartily pray you take in good part.1

James VI. to Queen Elizabeth. 2

in

Right excellent, right high, and mighty princess, our dearest sister and cousin, we recommend us unto you our most heartly manner; doubting of the least impression which the report of this late accident about us, being carried to your ears by other means, might give

1 There appears to be some error in the last sentence; but it is printed as it stands in the original document.

2 Cotton. MSS. Calig. C. vii. art. 174.

3“ I think before this you will have been fully informed of the deliverance of my son from the hands of these traitors who held him in durance; I need not, therefore, tell you the particulars that I have heard respecting it, and will only beg you to interpose with the king, monsieur