Autograph: James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, 1644.

Autograph: Letter from James Graham, Marquis of Montrose to Ferdinando, Lord Fairfax in answer to his objection to exchange an unnamed prisoner of the rank of a Colonel for 'Mr Darly', 22 July 1644. Written shortly after the battle of Marston Moor (2 July) and the surrender of York (16 July) of which Fairfax was now governor. Montrose held the appointment of Lieutenant-General in Scotland, but was within the English borders. The exchange in question was between Henry Darley, MP for Northallerton and Commissioner to the Scottish General Assembly, and Colonel John Bellasis, created Lord Belasyse in 1645, who had lately been defeated and captured at Selby by Sir Thomas Fairfax (see Napiers, 'Memoirs of Montrose', 1856, vol. Ii p.404). Signature: James Graham, Marquis of Montrose. Scottish nobleman and soldier, 1612 – 21 May 1650. Source: British Museum.