ARTILLERY COMPANY IN SCOTLAND AT THE TIME OF THE UNION. 583 
proffer of service from a fireworker in Denmark, by letter 
from Copenhagen, whose name was George Erdman Hummel 
who had served 28 years in the Artillery of the Elector of 
Brandenburgh and who had written that Mr. Slezer need 
not trouble himself for gunners for he would make gunners 
enough ‘if we give him but men that haiue hands, feet, and 
coraidge.’ Tho founder was soon to proceed with the casting 
of their cannon. ‘I am in peine for our old brasse [guns], 
it has ben veerie hard wether this two days and I would give 
a plack to be at home again myself.’ Hopes his precept on 
the Treasury would be looked after ‘for I suspect my wife 
will be as skairce of siller as myself.’ ”’ 
“ Rotterdam, 30 October, 1681.—Had been badly used by Capt. 
Seilo but everybody told him he need not repent it ‘for we 
should haiue ben fascht with him.’ Had got no answer from 
Copenhagen. Had heard of one Rokilje at Mastricht and 
had taken him on at 2s. per diem ; he was no fireworker but 
had had the command of some gunners as Stackyonker— 
was of English parents and born at Cleve, and spoke very 
good English and was Adjutant of the Artillery at Mastricht.” 
“ Rotterdam, 4 November, 1681.—No word had come from Copen- 
hagen. Had been in treaty with a Capt.-Lieutenant of 
Miners—a Vallon [Walloon] black as a gipsy and had agreed 
with him to come to Scotland. ‘The brass had not yet arrived. 
The mottos for the muzzles of the new guns sent by Mr. 
Drummond, ‘ Non sine fulmine regnat’ and ‘ Haec regia vow 
est, Mr. Slezer thinks were so large as to spoil the shape of 
the heads, &c.” 
“Rotterdam, 18 November, 1681.—Would be able to send plenty 
ofgunners. The Lieutenant of the Miners had accepted of 8s. 
per diem and was coming to Rotterdam. Had also taken on 
a fireworker at 2s. 6d. per diem; he had been long in 
service and present at various actions. Had also taken on 
the Captain of the Canoniers at Breda at 2s. per diem. ‘He 
is a lustie bleade, has ben serdgent before the year ’74 and 
euer sence by the Artillerie.’”’ 
“Rotterdam, 24 November, 1681.—Requests a bill of credit as 
there were many expenses to pay. ‘The cannon would not be 
ready for 6 months. The old brass arrived last night. Had 
not heard from Copenhagen. Hxpected the Capt.-Lieutenant 
of Miners and the fireworker from Mastricht every day. ‘So 
soon as they come they are to be thrown into aship and away 
with them.” Thanks Mr. Drummond for his approbation of 
what he has done about the mottos on the guns and adds: 
‘I hope you wont thinck sheame your naime stands upon 
them.’ ” 
The above is the last of Slezer’s letters from Holland. It is to be 
presumed that he set sail for Scotland the end of November, 1681], in 
