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Report of the Royal Commission on Historical Manuscripts is in Victorian Books.
1570. Lady Margaret Erskine (age 54) to the Countess of Murray, circ. 1570. Madam. Efter meist hertlie commendatioun. I haue resawit your wreting fra this berer and your excuyss off your lang wreting to me, quhilk I except in gud pairt, be resoun of the ewill wedder, quhilk is als ewill heir as it is with you, and quhair ye wrett that ye and your barnis ar weall and in gud helth I am waray glaid of the same, and I assuyr your Ladysohip ther is ne woman of the erth that I wald war fayunar weill nor ye and your bairnis, and sail call meist ernestlie for the same one God, and quhair ye wrett that ye sail wisie me efter Candilraes ye salbe hartlie welcoum, and I beseik in God that ye sail think your traywell weill waird to se my baim, quha growls weill, and cumis weill fordwart, thankis to God. As for newis heir I haue nene to wratt, bot the Laird and all frindis heir ar weill, and in gud helth thankis to God. And the laird [William Douglas 6th Earl Morton (age 30)] is in the Loich, and it is all frosyn, quha is at greitt charges be resoun of grett eumpany in his houss daylie for the keiping of my Lord of Northumberland (age 42). As for newes of the Court, ye will gett from Bdinbruch, for it is ane waray sleicht court and small obeydience, and I dout nocht bot we sail think tham happye that ar away, and thay that ar wikkit that is behind. Ilk ane of thame sail try thair awain. pairt be tym, howbeit nayn uther will do it. I will cummer you vnth na laugar letter bot quhat that lyis in my power salbe reddye in the auld maner, as knauis God quha conserwe yow cternalie. Of the Newhons the fyft day of Januare be your Mother.
(Signed) Margart Erskyn