Part 2, Folios 107-112A. A letter [in the handwriting of William Carstares, the Prince...

Part 2, Folios 107-112A. A letter [in the handwriting of William Carstares, the Prince of Orange's chaplain] giving news brought from Scotland of the official announcement of the birth of the Prince of Wales [James Francis Edward Stuart] which is 'so much suspected' [according to the warming-pan theory] that some refuse to celebrate with bonfires, and Presbyterian ministers are not praying specifically for him. The announcement of the birth, by the [Lord] Chancellor [of Scotland, James Drummond, Earl of Perth], was witnessed by the Earl of Traquair, Lord Balcarras, Lord Arley [Airlie], and others. During the supposed pregnancy of the Queen, the Duke of Hamilton is reported by his brother-in-law the Earl of Cassills [Cassilis] to have claimed that 'his Matie [Majesty, King James II] had reached agreement with parliament to name his own successor [suggesting he expected no heir]. Also, [Carstares] proposes that the Prince of Orange appoint representatives to 'ease that Kingdom [of Scotland] of episcopacy', nominating Lord Cardross and [Lord] Melvill [Melville]; and requests that everything possible be done to ensure those in the Prince of Orange's interest in Scotland are not discouraged by the birth of the new Prince. Other matters reported include: support for 'the protestant successors' in north and western Scotland; support for the Prince of Orange among Scotland's non-conformist ministers; episcopacy and prelacy in Scotland and England; employment for Lord Cardross and Sir Duncan Campbell [?of Lochnell]; collection of arms in Dumbarton Castle [Dunbartonshire]; reports of Mr Blair going to The Hague [Netherlands], and of the moderation of her Highness [Princess Mary]; the Test Act in England, fears of the King assuming 'absolute power' in connection with changes to the corporations [of cities and boroughs], and militarisation in Northumberland; and defensive measures agreed on in the northern part of Ireland.