royall consideration, what successe persute of armes hes had in all
uther Kingdomes against men for matters of conscience, truelie, or
taken by them to be such; and that bloodie warres have ever bein to
harden the Spirits of men to opposition in matters of conscience, and
to increase their number.
4. That, if our neighbour nation doe invaid this countrie, it will
assuredlie be taken be all Scotsmen, albeit not affected the present
way, for a nationall quarrell; and all will strive as ane man to defend
themselves as for their lives, estates, and liberties of the countrie.
5. That the countrie is also joyned togither, now that few or none of
them most reserved, can be drawen together to oppone the countrie in
this cause.
6. To represent to His Majestie the proffer made by the bodie of the
Kingdome to imploy their readiest services, lives, lands, honours,
and quhatsoever is dearest to them in this world, for His Majesties
service, and lay the same in at his Royall feete, to be disposed at his
pleasure—they being satisfied in matters of religion and conscience, in
which was performed in our presence by the great asseverations of many
considerable persons amongst them, and which we are persuaded fullie to
be true.
* * * * *
1639.—March.
8. _The Oath that they urged upon the Scotts Men at London._[169]
I doe faithfullie swear and promise that I doe honour and obey
my Soveraigne Lord, King Charles, and will bear faith and true
alleadgance to him, and defend and mentaine him and his royall power
and auctoritie; and that I will not bear armes, or doe any rebellion
or hostile act against his Majestie, or protest against any of His
Majesties Royall Commands, but submitting myselfe in all due obedience
therunto; and that I will not enter into any Covenant, oath, or
band, for mutuall defence and assistance of any persone or persones
whatsoever, contraire to what I have herein sworne, professed, and
promised: So help me God in Christ Jesus.
* * * * *
1639.—April 2.
9. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[170]
HAMILTON,
I received yours but this morning, to which before I answer, I must
tell you News: First, that Jacob Ashly has possessed Berwick with
1000 Foot and 60 Horse, and Carlisle is likewise possessed by My Lord
Clifford with 300 men; Secondly, I have commanded Traquair to keep his
Chamber, until he give me an account how he left Dalkeith, without
striking one stroke, and before any Cannon was brought before it,
having left the Ammunition (not destroyed) to their reverence, and
likewise the Regalia: of this more by the next. Now for Answer, I have
given the Proclamation to be written over by the Clerk-Register, with
the General Oath, both which you shall have with all speed: for your
Military Oath, I like it extreme well, as likewise your opinion for
detaining the Patents of Honours until the Country be settled; for
your Brother, certainly if you had forgotten him I should not, but
have remembered my old Engagement; and for Dalliel, indeed he deserves
well; yet methinks a Viscounty may serve at this time, that I may have
something more to give upon further occasion: and so I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 2 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—April 3.
10. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[171]
HAMILTON,
According to my promise yesterday I have sent you back the Proclamation
and Oath, but with very few Additions. As touching Traquair I can say
little more than I did, because I have not yet seen his Defence; only
if I had not taken this rude notice of his base Action, I am sure I
should have disheartened a number of honester men than ever he was, or
will be. This morning I have News of the safe Landing of the 500 Irish,
which are by this time in Carlisle, there to attend untill further
Directions. I have no more at this time to say, but to know if Col. Gun
be not one that you have entertained, for it is said that he is going
back again to Germany. One thing I had almost forgot; they say for
certain that Aberdeen holds out still, and is not likely to yield in
haste; if it be so, you know what to do. And so I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 3 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—April 5.
11. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[172]
HAMILTON,
This is to tell you, that the News of the rendring of Aberdeen came
immediately after the dispatch of the last Post, and that though
Huntley be retired, yet he is neither beaten nor over-run: but the
chief cause of my writing at this time is, that since I have shown
the Proclamation to Orbiston and Sir Lewis Stewart, they have both
been very instant with me to change something in it: which (though
my Judgment goes with them in the most, and therefore I will not
be wilful; yet) I think I shall alter, or (but rather) palliate one
point, to wit, not to set Prices upon the declared Rebels Heads, until
they have stood out some little time; which time is to be expressed
in this same Declaration. Another thing is, whither and when to send
you Devick; and lastly, whether I shall see you before you put to Sea,
which I should be glad of, if it should not retard the Service: and so
I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 5 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—April 7.
12. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[173]
HAMILTON,
I send you with this my Proclamation, as I have
now made it upon debate with Sir Lewis Stewart,
wherein I have altered nothing from the first, but
what I wrote you by my last; only I have added
some things of favour to those that shall repent,
which nevertheless are of so little moment, that
although this should not come to your hands time
enough, the other might pass very well. As for
the publishing of it, I shall doe my best to get it
proclaimed both in Edinburgh, and in the rest of
the Kingdom: nevertheless you must not leave to
doe your best for the publishing of it. So wishing
good success as well to your Person as Cause, I
rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 7 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—April 7.
13. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[174]
HAMILTON,
I send you herewith my Pleasure in a Proclamation to my Subjects of
Scotland, and by this command you to use all sort of Hostility against
all those who shall not submit themselves according to the tenour of
the same; for which this shall be your Warrant.
CHARLES R.
York, 7 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—April 10.
14. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[175]
HAMILTON,
I have spoken with Henry Vane at full, of all those things that were
concerted betwixt you, and agree in all things but one, which is, that
he thinks your going into the Frith, will make the Rebels enter into
England the sooner; whereas on the contrary, I think that my possessing
of Carlisle and Berwick hath made them so mad, that they will enter in
as soon as they can perswade an Army together, except they be hindred
by some awful Diversion; wherefore I could wish that you were even now
in the Frith, though the Borders might be quiet till my Army be brought
together, which they say will hardly be yet these ten days. Yet I am
not out of hope to be at Newcastle within these fourteen days, and so
to Berwick as soon as I may with either Honour or Safety; wherefore my
Conclusion is, go on a Gods Name in your former Intentions, except I
send you otherwise word, or your self find some inevitable necessity:
and so I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 10 Apr. 1639.
POSTSCRIPT.—I have sent you ten Blanks, whereof
four be Signaturewise.
* * * * *
1639.—April 10.
15. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[176]
HAMILTON,
According to my Promise on Thursday last, I send you herewith the
Proclamation altered as I then wrote; and that you may not think that
these Alterations are grounded upon new Counsels, I shall desire you to
observe, that I do not so much as seem to adde the least thing to my
former Promises. It is true, that I neither mention the late pretended
General Assembly at Glasgow, nor the Covenant, at this time: my reason
is, that if for the present I could get Civil Obedience, and my Forts
restored, I might then talk of the other things upon better terms. As
for excepting some out of the General Pardon, almost every one now
thinks that it would be a means to unite them the faster together;
whereas there is no fear, but that those who are fit to be excepted,
will doe it themselves by not accepting of Pardon, of which number I
pray God there be not too many: So that you are now to go on according
to your former Directions, onely proclaiming this instead of my former
signed Proclamation; and so to proceed with Fire and Sword against all
those that shall disobey the same. So praying to God to prosper you in
all things, I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 10 Apr. 1639,
at 4 in the Afternoon.
* * * * *
1639.—April 11.
16. _Resolution of Council and Session to go to Court._[177]
Apud Edinburgh, undecimo April, 1639. Sederunt. The Lords of Secret
Counsell underwritten—viz., the Earles of Mar, Perth, Wigtoun,
Galloway, Lauderdaill, and Southesk; the Lords Elphinston and
Naper; the Advocat and Treaʳ Deput; togidder with the Lords of
Session aftermentioned—viz., the Lords Durie, Innerleith, Foderane,
Innerpeffer, Balconnie, Cranston-Riddell, Craighall, Scotstarvet, and
Eskbanke.
The Lords of His Majesties Privie Counsell and Session having tane to
their consideration the deplorable and calamitous estate of this Kirk
and Kingdome; and understanding that one of the greatest causes thereof
arose from his Majesties offence taken against the late proceedings
within the same, and they being fullie perswaded that his Majestie
will be pleased to heare of thame the simple truthe—as they sall be
answerable to God and his Majestie—without anie privat respect, but
allanerlie his Majesties honour and the safetie of this kingdome:
Thairfoir they thinke it necessar and incumbent to thame, out of their
humble and bound affection to the weall, honnour, and happines of
his Majesties person and government, and for preventing the imminent
dangers hanging over this kingdome, that they all unanimouslie sould
present themselves to his sacred Majestie, and falling doun at his
royall feete, deprecat his Majesties wrath againes his subjects; and,
therefore they all in ane voyce have resolved to take journey with all
expedition towards his Majestie for the effect forsaid.
* * * * *
1639.—April 18.
17. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[178]
HAMILTON,
It is true that I was content to hear your Advice concerning your going
into the Frith, it being chiefly to shew Henry Vane that your Judgement
went along as well as your Obedience: though I had a care ever to take
off from you the envy of seeking this particular Imployment, taking it,
as it is just, upon my own absolute Command; yet I will not say, but
that you might have cause to wonder, because neither of us expressed
ourselves so clearly as we might. But my chief errand to you at this
time is, that upon serious Debate upon your long Letter to Henry Vane,
only with him and Arundel, (for I dare trust no other) we found no
reason to alter my former Commands, but were more confirmed in the
fitness of them; only we have thought requisit to alter some things
in the Proclamation, which you shall receive by the next Dispatch, at
furthest within a day or two of this: so that you are not to (indeed I
think you cannot) publish any, until the New one come to you, (for I
believe it will be at the Holy-Island before you:) the Alterations of
which you will only find to be, that I do not say all I think; but in
no ways slack my Resolution, much less seem to yield to any new thing.
So referring you to Henry Vane for the relating of our Proceedings
here, I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 18 Apr. 1639,
at ten a clock at night.
* * * * *
1639.—April 19.
18. _A Letter from the Nobilitie of Scotland to the Earle of Essex,
lying in Berwick, sent with Mr William Cuninghame._[179]
OUR MOST NOBLE LORD,
As in all these great affairs which have been so much noysed abroad,
of our Church and State, our chiefest care hes beene to walke
warrantablie, according to the Laws that were sett in force for that
effect; so we are certainely persuaded that amongst ourselves there
is none that can justlie complaine of what hes passed; and for these
our Countrie Men who are now in England, if they be of that number, as
they are evill subjects to our gracious King, and worse compatriots
to us; so, of all the worst guests amongst yow, while they endeavour
to make the remedie of their evills, and the escape of their deserved
punishment, the beginning of ane incurable disease betwixt two nations,
to whom this quarrell should nowayes extend, if the informations and
protestations made by us for this end, and the bond of our Covenant
sworne to God and man, hes not cleered all scruples in the mynd of
our gracious Soveraigne hitherto: and, of all good subjects with yow,
it is not our fault, but rather our joynt misfortune with yow, that
there are too too many amongst yow, also in great place and credite,
whose privat byasse runnes quyte voyd and contrare to the publict good,
and who are, these wicked ones, rysing earlie to poysone the publict
fountaine, and to sow the unhappie teares of jealousies and discords
betwixt yow and us, before the good seed of our love and respect to our
neighbour nation can take place in your hearts. Amongst all the evills
of this kynd which daylie overtakes us, next to the present undeserved
displeasure of our Prince against us, (which God in mercie will take
off in his aune tyme,) there could nothing have been fallen so strange
and unexpected to us as the drawing of your forces together upon your
borders, which, whether to defend yourselves, or to annoy us, and so
to prepaire and gather those clouds which threatnes a sore tempest to
bothe, we for our parte wishe they may first perishe in the shipwrack
who beginnes to dashe the ane nation against the other.
As for yow, my Lord, although your place, persone, and qualitie, the
honour and reputation of your former life, may give us some assurance
that your Lordship will bewar to beginne the quarrell, whereat the
enemies of both the nations will rejoyce and catch the advantage; yet
give us live to admire the ground of these needlesse feares that makes
you thus strengthen your borders, or rather suspect these pregnant
presumptions of a farther project intendit against this nation by your
power, which needs must make us bestirre ourselves betymes at all
hands for our safetie; God is our witnesse that we desire no nationall
quarrell to arise betwixt us, or to tast of that bitter fruit that may
sett both your children and our children’s teeth on edge, but rather
hold ourselves obliged, in conscience of our duetie to God, our Prince,
and all our nation, our brethren, to try all just and lawfull meanes
for the removall of all causes of discord betwixt two nations who are
yet locked togither, and should be still in all the strongest bonds
of affection and common interest, and to be alwayes readie to offer
that occasion of greater satisfaction in this kynd for clearing our
loyall intentions towards our Prince, to all whom it may concerne,
and, namely, to your Lordship, in regard of your place and command
at this tyme, by any mids whatsomever should be thought expedient on
both sydes. This farr we thought good to represent to your Lordship,
being occasionallie together, so few of us as are in this place, for
ourselves, and in name of the rest of our number, who, together with
us, shall expect your Lordships answer, and rests your Lordships
affectionat friends to serve you.
Edinburgh, 19 Aprile 1639.
* * * * *
April 23.—1639.
19. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[180]
HAMILTON,
Before that this come to your hands you will have received two of mine
of an elder Date, to which I can adde so little, that if I had not
received yours of the 18ᵗʰ, I would not have written at this time. You
have done well in laying all the Doubts before me, and shewing all your
defects, (for which I am heartily sorry) by which I see there is not so
much to be expected as otherwise there might: yet I continue my former
Resolution, being glad that your own inclination leads you thereto;
recommending Tantallon to your thoughts, for the which I have agreed
with the true Owner. Think not of the North until I have done some good
in the South. I shall haste to Berwick as soon as possibly I may; but I
fear it will not be before the 12ᵗʰ of May, and I hope the 15ᵗʰ will
be the latest. So hoping to have a merry meeting with you in Scotland,
I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 23 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—April 25.
20. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[181]
HAMILTON,
Having opened your Pacquet to Master Treasurer, I could not but tell
you, that I could not but pity your cross Winds, and commend your
Diligence: and so I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
York, 25 Apr. 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 2.
21. _Missive Letter from the Marquis of Hamilton to the Provost,
Magistrates, and Council of the City of Edinburgh._[182]
LOVING FRIENDS,
Such is and haith bein his Majesties tender fatherlie caire of this his
native Kingdome, that he haith bein graciouslie pleased to indevore,
by manie faire and calme wayes, to reclaizme his disobedient subjects
within the same, but hitherto all in vaine. So haffing producit no
better effects in divers of theme bot _the daylie incressing of
insolences; and to such ane hicht it is growne, that nothing can be
justlie expected from his Majestie bot to use his royall power and
force: zitt still, such is his guidnes and clemencie, as that will be
the last way he will trite, and then to the gritt grieff. Quhairfore he
hes bein pleased to send me, his High Commissioner, unto these pairts
againe, with full powar and authoritie to accommodat these effaires
(if it be possible) in ane peaceable way, and to treat and use his
guid and deutifull subjects with all favour and kindnes, qwhereof I
thought fitt to give yow notice, yow being the cheiff and principall
citie of this his Kingdome; zitt I may say with sorrow, that none
hes schewing themselfis more proane to riot and disobedience to his
Majesties commands than yow. Bott zitt ther is tyme for repentance—such
is his Majesties clemencie. These are thairfor to desyre yow, that not
onlie your selfis, bot that yow lykewayes prepair the hairts of the
Commouns, that both yow and yai may be readyr to repaire his Majesties
gratious pleasure whichsal be signified unto yow, with that humble and
thankfull obedience, as becommeth loyall, deutifull, and guid subjects,
so that, by your guid example, the rest of this Kingdome may doe the
lyke, which will be ane meanes for yow to redeme His Majesties favour
which yow have iustlie lost, and saive the schedding of much innocent
blood, which both His Majestie and all just men call Heaven and earth
to witnes, yow ar the principall causers thereof, as haiffing cheiflie
countenanced the beginners of these trubles, and which one day most
lye heavilie upone yowr consciences, and call for iust vengeance from
God and the King, with the curses of manie innocents which, by yowre
meanes, will be destroyde. Bott I houp now, at yᵉ last, yow will sie
yowr awin errors, and accept this meanes of reconceiliatioun which now
is to be offerit unto yow; wherein no man sall more joy than I,
Your verie loving Friend,
HAMILTON.
* * * * *
1639.—May 3.
22. _Letter from the Provost, &c. of Edinburgh to the Marquis of
Hamilton, in answer._[183]
PLEASE YOUR GRACE,
We, his Majesties humble and loyall subjectes, doe, with all
thankfulnes, acknowledge that His Majesties caire to this his native
Kingdome hes bein more tender, and His Majesties proceedings more
calme, then our enraged enemies, who have bein, by all meanes, seeking
His Majesties dishonour, and owre utter ruine could have wyched. So
are we heartilie sorie that the suggestiounes and informatiounes of
our enemyes sould have prevailed so far with His Majestie, as that
ourselfs or anie uther of His Majesties guid subjects should be compted
so refractorie and disobedient as to have deservit that his Majestie
sould make use of any powar or forces against us, who have bein seeking
nothing bot the libertie of oure religioun against novatiounes, and
that all questiounes micht be determined by a Nationall Assemblie and
Parliament, both which were graciouslie indicted be His Majestie, and
have bein doeing nothing bot using preparatiounes for our lawfull and
necessar defence against threatened invasion and hostilities. We are
glaid that your Grace is come hither as His Majesties Commissioner,
to accommodatt effaires in a peaceabill way, which is the desyres of
oure hearts, and seemes to ws not onlie possibill bot easie. Bot we
are heavielie greived that your Grace sould come against this your
native countrey in such ane hostile way as may rather provoke then
pacifie, and does protend that the Kingdome will be moved to doe more
for feir of violence, then frome trew loyalitie and conscience of that
dewtie we ow to our dread Soveragne under God. Nothing can be requyred
of us for ourselffis, who have the honour to be the chieffe cittie
of this His Majesties Kingdome, or for the Commones, so far as our
creddeitt and powar can reache, or for giving good exemple to uthers
in receaving His Majesties gratious pleasure and iust commandments,
with all humble and thankfull obedience, which sall not be to the full
and most cheirfullie performit. Bot when we have doone the dewtie of
gud and loyall subjects which (nixt unto oure dewtie to God Almichtie)
hath beene our cheifest caire, and whairof we have given all proofes
and exemplarie evidences if it sall come to pas (which the Lord of his
mercye prevent) that innocent blood salbe sched, then hath yᵉ curse
cum on them, and the burdein wherof, the consciences of those who
haith bein aither the principall causers, or the beginners, or the
fomenters, of those present trubles; for, as we have, in this cause,
a guid conscience before God, and nevir meant evill to any man, far
les to our King, which is oure gritt confidence and comfort, so we ar
assent to be approven of all just and good men, who ar not ignorant of
our proceidings, and of the necessarie causes of our intendit defence.
Your Grace knowes weill what fals calumnies hes bein spred against us,
and we call to God of Heaven and earth to witnes; and how the wayes
of grace, informatioun (all which have bein assayed by the Nobilitie,
Barrones, Burgesses, Ministers, and Commouns, heir, by whose speciall
advyse we have sent this answer unto your Grace, and who have warranted
us to make knowen their mynd with owre owne) hath bein stopped this
lang tyme past. Humblie and earnestlie intreating, in thair name and
our awin, that your Grace vald be pleased to convay to His Majesties
eares the trew estaitt of matters as they stand, and the guid meaning
of the honest and loyall hearts of us His Majesties subjectes: which
will no doubt prove a mor readie meane of reconciliatioun then all
the terrors under heaven, and which will obleice us to prove to the
uttermost of our power
Your Graces trew and humble Servands.
* * * * *
1639.—May 8.
23. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[184]
HAMILTON,
The length of Henry Vane’s Dispatch will shorten this, not being
willing to trouble my self with writing, nor you with reading of
Repetitions. This I must observe to you, that whatsoever either he or
I writes at this time is no absolute Command, but meerly Advices to
help your Knowledge, that you may the easier judge what is best for
my Service. Upon this ground I send you here a Discourse of Mr Thomas
Hamilton’s, wherein many things to my seeming are very well said, but
how far practicable, or when, I leave you to judge; as likewise upon
the whole matter I give you my Opinion, that if you find it not fit to
land all our 5000 men upon Lothian-side, then it may be councellable to
send most of your Land-men to the North, to strengthen my Party there.
As for your landing in the South, I shall onely name two Places besides
Tentallon, to wit, Sterlin, (if that be not too far off to be relieved)
and Dumbar: as for Tentallon, I shall command the Marquis of Douglass
to send one to agree that business with you. So longing to hear from
you, and wishing you good luck, I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Newcastle, May 8, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 9.