3 Nov

Sir

I received the favour of your Letter some time agoe, With the honour of a Copie of His Highness Instructions to Doctor Brandshagen and his Assistant IJames Hamilton, about the Survey and tryall of Sir IJohn Erskine's Mine.

The Doctor arrived her about a forrtnight agoe he has since been frequently with My Lord Lauderdale and me, And has been preparing necessary materialls for executtingexecuting his instruuctions, wherein I have givven him all the assistance I couuld, and every thing is in readines. And now within these few dayes Sir IJohn Erskine is arrived, and offers immediatly to goe and show where the Mine is, And My Lord Lauderdale and I are likewise ready to sett ouut, but the Doctor complains that he wants money, not onlie for defraying the charge of the tryalls but for his own and the Hamiltouuns subsistence. Mr Haldane of Gleemeges by whom he expected to be supplied with evvery thing (as the Doctor sayes) telling him that he had no manner of orders about furnishing him with money, And 2 Withouut money he sayes he cannot proceed. Thus the matter att present stands, And on this account the execution of the Instructions came to suffer a delay, which the Season of the year makes not soe convenient, I perceiving indeed that the Doctor absolutely wanted, and he being a stranger, Out of my duety to the Governement, your Recommendation, and regarrd to the mans necessities, for his and the Hamiltons present subsistances, havve advanced him £16: stersterling.

I humbly Iuudged it propper to give you this accouunt that you might know, how the matter is, Mr Haldane has been in the countrey thesefor severall dayes, I shall alwayes be verry ambitious of anie opportuunity to show with how much respect. I am

Sir

Your most Humble and

most obedient servant.

W Drummond

Edinbruugh Novr: 3d 1716