The anger of
March--as he is mostly called on this side of the border, while in
Scotland they more often call him Earl of Dunbar--goes beyond mere
displeasure with the Douglas, and sullen resentment against Rothesay.
He has sent a confidential messenger to me, intimating that he is ready
to acknowledge our king as his sovereign, and place himself and his
forces at his disposal.
"I see you are surprised, as is indeed but natural; but the Marches
have ever been rather for England than for Scotland, although they have
never gone so far as to throw off their allegiance to the Scottish
throne. It is not for us to consider whether March is acting
treacherously, to James of Scotland; but whether he is acting in good
faith, towards us.
"It was easy for him to send a messenger to me, since Scotland trades
with England, and a ship bound for London might well touch at one of
our ports on the way down; but the presence of an Englishman, at
Dunbar, would not be so readily explained. His messenger especially
enjoined on me not to send any communication in writing, even by the
most trustworthy hand; since an accident might precipitate matters, and
drive him to take up arms, before we were in a position to give him
aid.
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