We are the rather moved at this time to be of this opinion, that having found it the opinion, not only of those to whom Your Majesty wrote in particular, (except of the Marquis of Huntley, who as yet is not come from the north:) but of most of the Noblemen, and men of respect within this Kingdom: we find few or none well-satisfied with this business, or to whom we dare advise Your Majesty to trust in the prosecution thereof; and if any have, or shall inform Your Majesty to the contrary, give us leave humbly to intreat Your Majesty, to be pleased to call them before Your Self, that in our presence You may hear the reasons of both Informations fully debated. So praying God to grant Your Majesty many happy days, and full contentment in all your Royal designs, we humbly take our leave, and rest, Your Majesties humble Servants, and faithful Subjects, Traquair. Roxburgh. Sterlin March 5. 1638. * * * * * 1638.—March 5. 30. _Letter from the Council to Marquis of Hamilton._[54] OUR VERY HONOURABLE GOOD LORD, We finding the Subjects Fears and Stirs to encrease since the last Proclamation, did appoint by the Lord Chancellour, and other Lords of the Clergy, their Special Advice, a solemn Dyet of Council to be kept at Sterlin, on the first of March, where the Lord Chancellour, and other Lords of the Clergie, promised to be present to consult upon the growth of the publick Evils and Remedies thereof, for His Majesties Honour and Peace of this Country; but having met at Sterlin, we received a Letter of Excuse from the Lord Chancellour, and were forced to proceed without him, and the other Lords of the Clergy; where, after we had spent four days in advising upon the said Evils and Remedies of them, we resolved in end to direct Sir John Hamilton of Orbiston, one of our number, with a Letter of Trust from us to His Majesty, to whom we have imparted our Opinions, and Reasons of the said publick Ills, and Remedies of the same, to be represented to His Sacred Majesty; and because the business is so weighty and important, that in our opinion the Peace of the Country was never in so great hazard, we have thought fit to recommend the business to your Lordships consideration, that after your Lordship has heard the Justice-Clerk therein, your Lordship according to your great interest in His Majesties Honour and Peace of the Kingdom, may concur by your best advice and assistance at His Majesties hands to bring these great and fearful Ills to a happy event. So committing your Lordship to the Grace of God, we rest Your Lordships very good Friends, Traquair Roxburgh Winton Perth Wigton Kinghorn Lauderdale Southesk Angus Lorn Down Elphinston Napier J. Hay Tho. Hope J. Carmichael W. Elphinston Sterlin March 5. 1638. * * * * * 1638.—March 27. 31. _Demands by the Covenanters given to Traquaire._[55]