CARSTARES, William (1649-1715). Scottish statesman & divine; chaplain to William III.
Autograph Letter to Cusin, in cipher, 1 page 4to with red wax seal (neat repairs to the damp-stained paper, not affecting the text), 'At the headquarters at ?', no date. The unsigned letter refers to perplexing circumstances and mentions the Lords Ormiston, Hamilton and Melvill.

'I had yours of the 31 and did communicate the substance of them to 35 as I am allowed by him to doe all ways ... '

Adam Cockburn, Lord Ormiston (1656-1735) was a Scottish judge. James Hamilton, sixth Earl of Abercorn (1756-1734) was a grandson of the Royalist Sir George Hamilton and a privy councillor. David Melville, second earl, (1660-1728) was the son of the Lord Melville who welcomed Charles II to London and was a confidential agent to the prince of Orange.
Carstarres was imprisoned twice in Edinburgh for political crimes, but went on to earn himself the soubriquet 'the Cardinal' for his political power under William III.
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