Richt trustie and richt weilbelovit cosen and counsellour We greit you weill At what tyme the last service of Sir Robert Ker of Ancrum in the Midle schyres wes relaitit unto ws, we understood that he haid apprehendit a nomber of malefactouris quhairof some wer executed some sett at libertie upoun cautioun and some sent to Swaden, whiche last point we nather could then nor yett can understand what it meaneth, for whareas it is said that thair is a Colonell and certane Capitanes leveying men thair to go to Sweden we wonder that ony subject of ouris dare presome in that kynd to serve ony forreyne prince not onlie without oure licence bot directlie aganis oure meaning and speciall promeis maid to our deare bruther the King of Denmark: in respect quhairof we planelie refuisit the King of Swaden to assist or send ony of oure subjectis to his service and also recalled Sir James Spens of Wolmerstoun not sufferring him ather ony longer to serve the said King or to remane in his dominionis till now that we haif sent him as our ambassadour It is thairfoir our pleasour that ye certifie us what that leveying of soldiouris meaneth by what authoritie it is done and that ye mak stay of all proceiding thairin till yee sall be adverteist of oure fardir pleasour concerning that mater. And so we bid you fairweill at our court at Kirbie the last of July 1612. 5. Apud Edinburgh quinto Augusti 1612. Sederunt SECRETER SIR JEDEOUN MURRAY ADVOCAT SIR JOHNNE ARNOT [Sidenote: Charge aganis maisteris of shippis].