In answer to your last, please
know that the truth of the story you have
often heard, is, that the D.Duke of C- - -[umberlan]d,
during his six weeks stay here, lived in
the house of Mr Thomsone Advocate,
that his Retinue or Servants made use
of every kind of provisions they found
in the House, Coals, Candles, Ale or
other Liquors in the Cellars, &and the Milk
of his Cow; bed &and Table LinnenLinen, which
were (you may be sure) very much spoil'dspoiled
and abused; that they broke up a press
in which Mrs Thomsone had lodg’dlodged a con-
siderable quantity of Sugars, &and whereof
they took every grain weight: that
when about to march from Aberdeen,
He left Six Guineas to the three Ser-
vants of the house, a Boy &and two women,
one wherofwhereof had wash’dwashed &and dres’ddressed the
D—[uke]’s Linen, while he stay’dstayed; but did
not make the least Compliment, or re-
quital to Mr Thomsone for the so long
&and free use of his House furniture &and
provisions, nor so much as call for his
Landlord or Landlady to give them
thanks. This you may depend on, as the 1381 (1381)
the true matter of fact, known to
every bodyeverybody in Aberdeen. The story
of the bag with an hundred guineas
is, that it was left in One of the
Drawers in Sir Everard Falkner’s room,
which he had the use of whilst he
stay’dstayed, &and after his going away, found
there by one of Mr Thomsone’s Maids
which she gave to her Master, &and he
immediately Sent her with it to Judge
Advocate Bruce to carry &and deliver it
to Sir Everard whom he was about
to follow; &and the Maid got two Guineas
from Bruce for her Honesty &and Care.
Upon missing the money, the Under
Secretary wrote back from Bamf to
Mr Thomsone about it, who in Answer,
inform’dinformed him how his Servant had
found the bag, &and by his order given
it to Bruce. This is the true fact.
As to the other story of the p.poisoned B--[rea]d,
I can give no certain Information a-
bout it, having heard nothing but the
Common report. Before they left
AbdAberdeen , above a hundred portable Copper
Ovens, were wrought &and prepared by all
the workmen in &and about the town; but
what use was made of them, I can’t tell.
I have not yet seen Jo:John Downie, but
when he comes to Town shall acquaint him 1382 (1382)
him of what you desire &and expect from
him. I’m persuaded there are seve-
ral persons in or about Leith or EdrEdinburgh,
who can informeinform you sufficiently a-
bout the Inverury affair. However
I shall put John upon gratifying
you, how soon I can see him. It is
lucky that Providence has so favour’dfavoured
you in your Laudable Design, wherinwherein
&and in all your publickpublic spirited At-
tempts I heartily wish you the
most desirable Success.

I am