The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

She further alleged, That we had spoiled the Coining-House of great sums of money. To the which we answered, both by our Letters sent to her and her Council, and by public Proclamation to the people, That we without usurpation of any such thing, justly appertaining to the Crown of Scotland, ¹did stay the Printing irons, in consideration that the Common-wealth was greatly hurt by corrupting of our money. And because we were born Counsellors of this Realm, sworn to procure the profit of the same, we could do no less of duty and of conscience,² then to stay that for a time, which we saw so abused, That unless remedy were found, should turn to the utter detriment of the whole body of this Realm. And as to her false accusation of spoil, we did remit us to the conscience of M. Robert Richeson, master of the Coining-house, who from our hands received silver, gold, and metal, as well Coined as un-Coined, so that with us there did not remain the value of a Bawbee, or Farthing. This our Declaration and purgation notwithstanding, she, partly by her craft and policy, and partly by the labours of the Bishops of Saint Andrews and Glasgow, procured the whole number that were with her, to consent to pursue us with all cruelty and expedition, before that we could have our company (which then was dispersed for new furnishing) assembled again. The certainty hereof coming to our knowledge the Saturday at night, being the 25 of July, we did what in us lay to give advertisement to our brethren: but impossible it was that the Wast, Angus, Mernes, Straitherne or Fife, in any number could come to us. For the enemy Marched from Dumbar upon the Sunday, and approached within two miles of us before Sun-rising upon Monday. For they verily supposed to have found no resistance, being assured that the Lords only with certain Gentlemen remained with their private houses: calling upon God for counsel in that straight, we sought what was the next defence. We might have left the Town, and might have retired our selves without any ⟨p. 162⟩danger, but then we should have abandoned our brethren of Edinburgh, and suffered the Ministry thereof to have decayed; which to our hearts was so dolorous, that we thought better to hazard the extremity then so to do.

She further alleadged, That we had spoiled the Coining-House of great sums of money. To the which we answered, both by our Letters sent to her and her Counsell, and by publike Proclamation to the people, That we without usurpation of any such thing, justly appertaining to the Crown of Scotland,