Letter of James IV to the Earl of Essex, 6 October 1595

6 October 1595

My good friend,

Since the writing of my last unto you I have seen your letter written to
u.u.[1] whereby I find the constant continuance of your loving goodwill
towards me; but I can use no thanks towards you, since deeds and no words
must be a just requittal of your deserts. I am glad of all the heads of
your letter except one, whereof I am sorry, for I am glad of your diligent
unwayting there upon all occasions, wherein I wish you heartily to
continue. I am also glad that he who rules all there [2], is begun to be
loathed at by the best and greatest sort there, since he is my enemy
(though undeserved, as God knows). And I thank you most heartily for your
wise and honest counsel in Border causes for, as God shall judge me, I
never behaved myself, nor shall do, otherwise but as communis parens [the
common parent] and that all your country borderers can bear me witness. My
enemies are ever busy to trouble and I to quiet it. Think not that the bad
deserts towards me of any particular men of your country can ever divert my
fatherly friendship to that state. But I am sorry that ye have so much
longed for my answer, whereby I perceive ye had not at the writing thereof
received mv letter. But, as I wrote to you in my last, I pray you think not
that either sloth or negligence breeds my slowness in answering, but only
the care I have that my letters be surely convoyed since there is so many
Argus eyes that watches over me. To end now, ye may freely write all news
with this bearer, and I doubt not ye will not omit no occasion to do me all
the good ye can there and, God willing, I shall not omit no fair occasion
unwriting unto you, and further I will not hazard it. Farewell my good
friend.

Your beholden and constantly assured friend,

JAMES R.

From Saint lonstoune [3] the vi of October 1595.

[1] The identity of u.u. is unknown.
[2] Sir Robert Cecil?
[3] Perth

Document location: National Library of Scotland MS. 1.2.2., Item 28


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    Copyright © 1997 The Gunpowder Plot Society; Transcribed by Jennifer
                                 O'Brien.