De Menainville remained for some time after. ‘Upon Thursday the 28th
of March, commonly called Skyre Thursday, [he] called into his lodging
thirteen poor men, and washed their feet according to the popish
manner, whereat the people was greatly offended.’--_Cal._
* * * * *
[Sidenote: AUG. 23.
1583.]
All previous efforts at the finding of metals in the country having
failed, a contract was now entered into between the king and one
Eustachius Roche, described as a Fleming and mediciner, whereby the
latter was to be allowed to break ground anywhere in search of those
natural treasures, and to use timber from any of the royal forests
in furthering of the work, without molestation from any one, during
twenty-one years, on the sole condition that he should deliver for his
majesty’s use, for every hundred ounces of gold found, seven ounces;
and for the like weight of all other metals--as silver, copper, tin, or
lead--ten ounces for every hundred found, and sell the remainder of the
gold for the use of the state at £22 per ounce of utter fine gold, and
of the silver at 50s. the ounce.--_P. C. R._
We light upon Eustachius again on the 3d of December 1585, and he is
then in no pleasant plight with his mines. Assisted by a number of
Englishmen, he had done his best to fulfil his share of the contract,
but ‘as yet he has made little or nae profit of his travel, partly
by reason of the trouble of this contagious sickness, but specially
in the default of his partners and John Scolloce their factor,’ who
would not fulfil either their duty to his majesty or their engagements
to himself. Through these causes, ‘the haill wark has been greatly
hinderit.’ He had Scolloce warded in Edinburgh; but he, ‘by his
majesty’s special command, is latten to liberty, without ony trial
taken.’ At the same time, the king’s treasurer ‘has causit arreist the
leid ore whilk the complener has presently in Leith, and whilk was won
in the mines of Glengoner Water and Winlock.’ This was the greater
hardship, as it was the part he had to set aside for the Earl of Arran,
in virtue of a contract for the protection of his lordship’s rights to
certain lead-mines. The Lords were merciful to the poor adventurer, and
ordered the arrestment to be discharged.--_P. C. R._
He rises once more before us in a new capacity under September 4, 1588.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1583-4.