Hamilton Papers is in Victorian Books.
27th May 1590. Queen Elizabeth to James VI. [fol. 226]
R[ight] high, right excellent and mighty prince, our deerest brother and cousin. Understanding how it hath pleased God lately to give you and our good sister the Queene your wife safe arrivall in your relm, we wold not but let youe know how greatly we joy thereat, and doo give God our most harty thankes for the same1 as who having had care in your absence for the good state and quyet of your relm, and for your surety allso, doo nowfynde ourselves well eased therof, — and for a more ample testymony wherof of this our contentacion for your good return, we have presently sent unto youe and to our said sister the Queene, our right trusty and right welbeloved cousin the Erle of Worcester [aged 40], to whom we pray youe give credence in such thinges as he shall imparte unto youe on our behalfe. Advertising youe furder, that in the assembly of the companyons of our order of the Garter, at the late celebracion of the feast therof, we have made choyce of your self and of our good brother the Frenche king, to be knightes of that honourable Society, without allowyng of any other than you twoo, beyng kynges, to be chosen at that tyme ; for that we wold therin joyne youe with none but of lyke qualitie and degree with your self. And so have acceptid youe into that order, which we trust will not be unpleasing to youe. And therupon doo looke for som aunswer from youe.
Draft corrected by Burghley. Indorsed: '27th M[ay] 1590. Draught of a lettre to the King of Scottes sent by the Erle of Worcestir.'
Note 1. The italics are scored out in the MS.