[1]23.1. The copie of the lord Fle|mings answer.
The copie of the lord Fle|mings answer.
[1] _GEorge Careie, I haue receiued your brainelesse letter, making mention of my false and treasonable dealing against your generall, in shooting vnder trust, so vilelie against my honour and truth, traitorouslie trained him vnder my trust: which is altogither false and vntrue.The lord Fle|mings de|fense against the charge of treacherie. And howbeit your generall came by the house of Dunglas by my appointment, which I suffered, and I appointed one place of mée|ting, six men of either partie which he refused, and he departed, and certeine of his companie came brag|ging vp the riuers side towards the house, viewing the same and the ground thereabouts, shooting your harquebusses against the same: I could doo no lesse but present you with such as I had. Whereas you write of your generals calling to be presentlie bet|ter than mine, and yours not inferiour; when your generall challengeth me therof, I shall giue answer. And as for you, I will not be inferiour to a better than you, or anie souldier vnder your generals charge. Whereas you summon me (as you call it) rea|sonablie to excuse that falt supposed to be mine owne,Lord Fle|ming beareth him bold of his gentrie. or else to mainteine that traitorous act with my per|son against yours: you shall wit, I haue gentlemen of honour, seruant souldiers to me, as ye are to your generall, which may be your fellowes, shall defend the same against you and your false and vntrue in|uented writing: and were not the charge I present, or how soone I can be relieued of the same, I should lowlie my person to méet you six English miles, or anie other person. Howbeit ye be but one souldier, assure your selfe from this daie foorth, I will not re|ceiue no such inuented message, for I haue little to doo with Englishmen, ye may raile vpon my hono|rable name as ye please. You shall haue as hono|rable gentlemen as your selfe against you fighting. Take this for answer.
Iohn lord Fleming.