Therefore, in the first place, I wish you to journey to Dunbar, to
see the earl, and deliver to him the message I shall give you, and
endeavour to inform yourself how far he is to be trusted. Say what he
will, I can scarce bring myself to believe that he will really throw
off his allegiance to Scotland; save in the event of a great English
army marching north, when doubtless he would do what most Scotch nobles
have always done, namely, hasten to give in his submission, and make
the best terms he can, for himself. 'Tis a business which I like not,
although it is my duty to accept a proposal that, if made in good
faith, would be of vast value to the king.
"You must, after seeing the earl, return here with all speed, to bear
me any message March may give you, and to report your impressions as to
his sincerity, and good faith. 'Tis a month since I received his
message. Since then, I have communicated with the king, and have
received his authority to arrange terms with March, to guarantee him in
the possession of his lordships, to hand over to him certain tracts of
the Douglas country which he bargained for, and to assure him of our
support. But he must be told that the king urges him to delay, at
present, from taking any open steps; as, in the first place, he is
bound by the truce just arranged, for the next two years; and in the
second because, having no just cause of quarrel with Scotland, and
being at present but newly seated on the throne, he would have
difficulty in raising an army for the invasion of that country.
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