150 DIAEY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Nethermuir. I went thereafter to the Links

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

150 DIAEY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686

Nethermuir. I went thereafter to the Links, and passed the tyme with
inexpressible contentment.

I went with some ffriends to the Bridge of Dee, and dined in a tavenie
upon excellent fresh salmon. Returning, wee see our ship gone over the
barr. I went and took my leave of these ueerest ffriends I had reserved
till last. In the evening, I received letters from London, and from the
Duke of Gordon ; in the letters from London was the copy of the Kings
letter which was to be sent in my favours, and was written so :

James the Seventh, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England,
France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc. to the most heigh, most
potent, and most serene, our most dear brothers, the Great Lords, Czaars,
and Great Dukes, Ivan Alexeowich, Peter Alexeowich, of all the Greater,
Lesser, and White Russia Self Upholders, Czaars of Moscovia, Kiovia, Volo-
domiria,Novogardia, Czaars of Casan, Czaars of Astrachan, Czaars of Siberia.
Lords of Plesko, and Great Dukes of SmoUensko, Tweria, ITgoria, Permia,
Vatkia, Bolffaria, and others, Lords and Great Dukes of Novogardia, of the

Lower Countreyes, of Czernichow, Rezan, Rostow, Yaroslaw, Beloozersky,
Adorsky, Obdorsky, Condinsky, and Commanders of all the Northern
Coasts, Lords of the lands of Tveria and Grudzinia, (Jzaars of the lands
of Cabardinia, Czirkassia, and the Dukes of the Mountaines, and of many
other dominions and countreyes, east, west, and north, from father and
grandfather Heirs, Lords and Conquerours ; sendeth greeting, and wisheth
all happiness and prosperity : Whereas wee are informed that our trusty
and wellbeloved subject, Patrick Gordon, hath served your Imperlall Ma-
jesties many yeares, and now serveth in the quality of Lievtennant Generall ;
who now, by the deceass of his father, is to inherit lands, for which he is to
performe personell service unto us ; and wee haveing use for the service of
such of our subjects as have been bred up in military employments, wee do,
therefor, desire of your Tmperiall Majesties that you would dismiss the said
Patrick Gordon, with his Avyfe, children, family, and effects, out of your
dominions, which wee rather desire, because wee know that your great
vertue hath procured from God the blessing of an universall peace with all
your neiglibours. The doing this, will be an encouragement for men of
honour to repaire to your service, whenever you shall have occasion for
them ; and whenever the opportunity is given us of doing you the lyke