It forms an amusing commentary on the late grand proceedings of King
James, when we find him now trying to squeeze voluntary contributions
out of his courtiers and richer subjects generally, for the purpose of
getting the expenses paid. Under the date marginally noted, he entreats
the Laird of Barnbarroch to send immediately the remaining half of his
subscription of two hundred pounds to Alexander Lawson, ‘for the relief
of him and sic others as had the charge and oversicht of their houses,
that, in default thereof, they be not troubled by the furnishers, wha,
being for the maist part puir folks, shores [threatens] daily to use
the rigour and extremity of the law against them.’[173] There is a
similar letter written in October to the Laird of Caldwell, to quicken
him in sending, what had formerly been asked, ‘according to the custom
observit of auld by our maist noble progenitors;’ namely, ‘ane hackney
for transporting of the ladies accompanying the queen our bedfellow.’
‘In doing whereof,’ he goes on to say, ‘ye will do us richt acceptable
pleasure, to be rememberit in any your adoes, where we may give you
proof of our remembrance of your guid will accordingly. Otherwise,
upon the information we have receivit of sic as ye have, we will cause
the readiest ye have to be ta’en by our authority and brought in till
us.’[174]
After reading these curious missives, it is not difficult to believe
in the existence of a third, which unfortunately has escaped print, in
which James addresses his cousin the Earl of Mar, beseeching the loan
of ‘_the_ pair of silken hose,’ in order to grace his royal person at
the reception of the Spanish ambassador!
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1590.