582 ARTILLERY COMPANY IN SCOTLAND AT THE TIME OF THE UNION. 
beside the benefit of their quarters; now they aire tyed 
almost toe no kind of duyty ; and in time of warre they haiue 
seuntie gilders a month.’” 
“Rotterdam, 12 August, N.S., 1681—Had been in treaty with 
Capt. Seilo at Amsterdam to be Master-Gunner, who had 
been 20 years in the service of the States, who would come if 
his salary could be brought to 4s. sterling a day and a com- 
mission were sent over to him. ‘I haiue gotten a tasck upon 
me that I wisch from my hart it was well off my handes to 
your satisfaction. For if I send ouer men that can doe no 
more then our aine men, it will be [said] ‘theis aire Slezer’s 
men, he can maicke choice of such bleads when he is entrusted 
with it. If he brought none he would be charged with 
neglect ; and he could get no good men at the rate of pay 
allowed.” 
“ Rotterdam, 20 August, 1681.—Letter in French sent by Antoine 
Lermeny who had offered to enter the service of the King of 
Scotland in the Artillery. Slezer had engaged that his 
passage back to Holland was to be paid if he was not taken 
into the service and had given him 30s.” 
“ Rotterdam, 22 August, 1681.—Was to go to-morrow to Breda 
and thence to Antwerp and Brussels. The ‘caruing’ of the 
guns was begun by the Founder at Rotterdam.” 
“Rotterdam, 23 August, 1681.—His fireworker was to go by 
another ship as Capt. Frissit might stay too long.” 
“ Dunkerke, 4 September, 1681.—The 24th of August last he 
went from Rotterdam to Breda where he met Capt. Maxwell, 
an acquaintance, who introduced him to Monsieur Bombel, 
the Engineer of the Place, who showed him several ‘ bleads’ 
who offered to engage but asked too high wages, &c.” 
“ Rotterdam, 26 September, 1681.—His last was from Dunkirk 
and gave an account of his progress through the Spanish 
provinces—in which ‘insteade of gunners I didde not meet 
with a man whom | would haiue brought alongh with me for 
a metrosse. Went to Douay by Lisle (sic) wherea Scotsman 
found him out who was in the gens d’armes who found him a 
‘coppel of bleads’ in present service but they wanted higher 
salary. Saw the Foundry at Douay which turned out 16 
pieces of cannon very curiously wrought every three weeks. 
Gives a description of the casting of the cannon and had 
spoken with the founder’s master-man about coming to Scot- 
land to start a foundry there. Returned to Amsterdam two 
days ago. Could say nothing about the old metal till he saw 
it. Hxpected Capt. Seilo on Monday next and would send 
him away with the first ship. Saw the change that had been 
made in the Establishment and that he was to take one [fire- 
worker] at 8s. per diem, one at 2s. 6d., and three at 1s. 6d., 
or two at 2s. per diem, which fell out very well as he had a 
