. Besides, though
it were necessary for me to go and attend the meeting, I
cannot come with freedom and safety, because I am informed
there are men-of-war and foreign troops in the passage; and
till I know what they are and what are their orders, the
Meeting cannot blame me for not coming. Then, my Lord,
seeing the summons has proceeded on a groundless story, I
hope the Meeting of States will think it unreasonable I
should leave my wife in the condition she is in. If there be
anybody that, notwithstanding of all that is said, thinks I
ought to appear, I beg the favour of a delay till my wife is
brought to bed; and in the meantime I will either give
security or parole not to disturb the peace. Seeing this
pursuit is so groundless, and so reasonable things offered,
and the Meeting composed of prudent men and men of honour,
and your Grace presiding in it, I have no reason to fear
further trouble.

"I am, may it please your Grace, your most humble servant,

"DUNDEE.

"I beg your Grace will cause this read to the Meeting,
because it is all the defence I have made. I sent another to
your Grace from Dunblane with the reasons of my leaving
Edinburgh. I know not if it be come to your hands."

The letter was read to the Convention on the following day, and on
Saturday, March 30th, John Graham, Viscount of Dundee, was proclaimed
traitor with all the usual ceremonies. Thrice was his name called within
the Parliament House, and thrice outside its doors, and thrice with
sound of trumpet at the market-cross of the good town of Edinburgh.

About the same time happened a still more untoward thing. James was now
in Ireland. He had learned how matters had gone in Scotland, and
conceived that the moment for action had come. A commission was
accordingly despatched to Dundee, constituting him Lieutenant-General
and Commander-in-Chief in Scotland, together with a letter in James's
own hand, informing him that five thousand foot and three hundred horse
would presently be at his disposal. There were letters also from Melfort
both to Dundee and Balcarres. Either by the folly or the knavery of the
messenger the papers fell into the hands of Hamilton, who read them to
the Convention. As usual, Melfort's letters were in the most foolish and
violent language. "You will ask no doubt," he wrote to Dundee, "how we
shall be able to pay ou