THE JESUIT INVASION. 35 May. not hesitate for a moment were he assured of support from his Majesty. She pressed Philip for his own sake to snatch the opportunity. Through her friends in Scotland she endeavoured to drive James into hostilities, believing that when once the work was commenced the Spaniards would be compelled to assist. 1 An army of them might land first in Ireland, and after establishing Desmond and Sanders and expelling the English, they could then cross over into Scotland. 2 The Catholic powers had been embarrassed hitherto in dealing with James, because no am- bassador could be received at the Scotch Court who was not accredited to him as King ; and the Queen of Scots had protested against a recognition which would imply that she had herself been legally deposed. She pro- posed now to remove the difficulty, preparatory to the great move which was in contemplation, by associating* James with herself in a united sovereignty. A corre- spondence had been opened with the happiest pro- mise between mother and son, having this for its aim ; and Mary Stuart told the Archbishop of Glasgow that she was in haste to put James in lawful possession of all the greatness to which he could aspire. He would continue King, but King by her own free grant and 1 ' Exortandole que pase adelante con lo comeiHjado contra la Reyna de Inglaterra.' Don Juan B. de Tassis al Rey, Abril 10, 1581 : TEULET, vol. v. De Tassis had succeeded de Var- gas as Spanish Minister at Paris. 8 ' Pide la Reyna do Escocia que en toda diligencia V. M d mande em- biar el socorro que fuese servido dar a suhijo, y que esse acuda a Irlanda y alii se este a la niano para entrar en Escocia quando sea llamado.' Ibid. Mary Stuart to the Arch- bishop of Glasgow, March 4, 1581 : LABANOFF, vol. v.
