64 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1901 



Appendix III. 



The Text of the Letter, in the possession of Sir Archibald 



Buchan-Hephurn, written hy Queen Mary in 1568, 



of which a facsimile is given on Plate VIII. 



To our Ryt Traist Friend 



the Laird of Smytoun. 



Ryt Traist Friend, 



We write to you laitly anent our proceedings than thanking 

 you ay oS your constancy and fidelitye anent uys and our 

 service, quhilk ye sail not repent with Goddes grace, not 

 doubting but ye will continue therein without fear other of 

 our ennemies, or tinsell of guides, to the ane we sail putt 

 order, God willing, belyne, and the other we sail refund and 

 repeat ye even to the last peny. 



The last messenger departit frae us the 2 2d of this instant, 

 and gets his answer frae the Queen at his by passing ; giff 

 she will not assist us we sail have both men and money of 

 France ; incontent we look also shortly for ansuer, because 

 Midlemas on whose returning frae the Earl of Murray it was 

 delayit passed by here up throw the 23d of this instant. We 

 have in the meantime gotten by chance some wry tings of our 

 Enemies quhilk discovers mony things, especially how sundry 

 of the court of England and counsell promise the Earle of 

 Murray all kindness against us. Quhilk wrytings how soon 

 the Queen sees (for we have sent them to the Lord Herries 

 to that) we are assurit she will be offendit yea and able to 

 to remove them frae furder melling with our affairs. 



Thus referring our service to your faithfullnes we commit 

 you to the protection of God Almighty. At Carlisle the 25th 

 June 1568. 



MARIE R. 



