MOST SACRED SOVERAIGNE,
Be graceouslie pleased to hearken unto the humble Supplication of
the Subjects of your ancient and native Kingdome of Scotland, still
prostrat at the feete of your Majesties clemencie and myldnes; shewing
that, as there is nothing so greevous unto us and everie ane of us as
your Majesties heavie displeasure, conceaved against us this tyme past,
which maketh us, in the trueth of our hearts and in all humilitie, to
deprecat your Majesties wrath: so nothing under heaven can revive and
refresh us so much as that the sweet rayes of the light and love of
your Majesties countenance should, in the wonted comfortable maner,
schyne upon us and this whole kingdome. In this we are most unhappie,
that we want the comfort of your Majesties personall presence, and
that your gracious accesse, which the meanest of your subjects find
there. Lett us humblie begg that your Majestie may suffer your graceous
favour to triumph over the severitie of your indignation; and if it may
be your Majesties good pleasure to keepe the Parliament, graciouslie
indicted by your Majestie, for putting a finall determination to all
our troubles, whither in your owne royall persone, which is the earnest
desire of our hearts, or by your Majesties High Commissioner, quherein
we shall labour to give your Majestie just content, as becometh
duetifull subjects, We are fullie assured that no act hath proceeded
from your Majesties goodnes and Justice which shall make your name more
glorious in the sight of the world, us more blessed in ourselves, and
more cheerful to continow in all loyaltie and obedience, and to pray
more heartilie for your Majesties long and prosperous raigne, and for
the continowance of your princelie care over us to the end of the world.
* * * * *
1639.—May 9.
25. _Letter from Lords and Gentlemen of the Covenant to Hamilton._[186]
PLEASE YOUR GRACE,
As we were here met to attend the Parliament
indicted by His Majesty, there was shewed to us
by the Provost of Edinburgh a Letter from your
Grace to himself, and the Bailiffs, and Council of
this City, with the Copy of theirs returned to your
Grace, deferring the more full Answer till our
Meeting. And withall there was presented from
your Grace His Majesties Proclamation, which having
perused, we find it doth contain divers points
not onely contrary to our Nationall Oath to God,
but also to the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom:
for it carries a denunciation of the high crime of
Treason against all such as do not accept the Offer
therein contained; albeit it be onely a Writing put
in Print without the Kingdom, and not warranted
by Act and Authority of the Council, lawfully convened
within this Kingdom. And your Grace in
your Wisdom may consider, whether it can stand
with the Laws, Liberties, and Customs of this
Kingdom, that a Proclamation of so great and dangerous
Consequence, wanting the necessary Solemnities,
should be published at the Mercat-cross of
this City. Whereas your Grace knows well, that
by the Laws of this Kingdom, Treason and Forfeiture
of the Lands, Life, and Estate of the meanest
Subject within the same, cannot be declared but
either in Parliament, or in a Supreme Justice-Court,
after Citation and lawful Probation, how
much less of the whole Peers and Body of the Kingdom,
without either Court, Proof, or Trial. And
albeit we do heartily and humbly acknowledge and
profess all dutiful and civil Obedience to His Majesty
as our Dread and Gracious Soveraign; yet since
this Proclamation does import in effect the renouncing
of our Covenant made with God, and of the
necessary means of our lawful Defence, we cannot
pve Obedience thereto, without bringing a Curse
upon this Kirk and Kingdom, and Ruine upon our
selves and our Posterity; whereby we are persuaded,
that it did never proceed from His Majesty,
but that it is a deep Plot contrived by the Policy
of the Devilish Malice of the known and cursed
Enemies of this Church and State; by which they
have intended so to disjoyn us from His Majesty,
and among our selves, as the Rupture, Rent, and
Confusion of both, might be irreparable, wherein
we hope the Lord (in whom we trust) shall disappoint
them. And seeing we have left no means
possible unessayed, since His Majesties coming to
York, (as before,) whereby His Majesties Ear
might be made patent to our just Informations, but
have used the help (to our last Remonstrance) of
the Lord Gray, the Justice-Clerk, the Treasurer,
and the Lord Daliell, as the Bearer can inform your
Grace, and yet have never had the happiness to
attain any hopes of our end, but have altogether
been frustrate and disappointed thereof; and now
understanding by the sight of your Graces Letter,
that your Grace as His Majestys High Commissioner
is returned with full Power and Authority to accommodate
Affairs in a peaceable way, we will not
cease to have recourse to your Grace, as one who
hath chief interest in this Kirk and Kingdom, desiring
your Grace to consider, (as in our Judgments
we are persuaded,) that there is no way so ready
and assured, to settle and compose all Affairs, as
by holding of the Parliament according to His
Majesties Indiction, either by His Sacred Majesty
in Person, which is our chiefest desire, or by your
Grace as His Majesties Commissioner, at the time
appointed, wherein your Grace shall find our Carriage
most Humble, Loyal, and Dutiful to our
Soveraign, or to your Grace as representing His
Majesties Person: and in the mean time that your
Grace would open a safe way, whereby our Supplications
and Informations may have access to His
Majesties Ears. And we are fully persuaded, that
we shall be able to clear the Lawfulness and Integrity
of Our Intentions and Proceedings to His
Majesty, and make it evident to His Majesty, and
to the World, that our Enemies are Traitors to the
King, to the Church and State; and that we are
and ever have been His Majesties Loyal and Obedient
Subjects. So we rest
Your Graces humble Servants,
A. Leslie,
Argyle,
Marre,
Rothes,
Eglinton,
Cassils,
Wigtown,
Dalhousie,
Lothian,
Angus,
Elcho,
Lindesay,
Balmerino,
Montgomery,
Forrester,
Erskins,
Boyd,
Napier,
Burghly,
Kirkudbright,
And about 30 Commissioners for Shires
and Burroughs.
Edinburgh, 9 May, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 10.
26. _Answer to the above, addressed to Rothes_.[187]
MY LORD,
I Received a Letter yesterday morning signed by your Lordship, and
divers Noblemen, and others, wherein you alledge you are come to
attend the Parliament; but considering your Preparation and Equipage,
it appears rather to fight a Battel, than to hold a Civil Convocation
for the good of the Church and Commonwealth. You may perceive by His
Majesties Gracious Proclamation, that he intended in His Own Sacred
Person to be present at the Parliament, so soon as with Honour and
Safety he might doe it, and for that end exprest therein what was fit
to be done. But these Courses which you take, and your Disobedience to
his Just Commands, daily more and more shewed, will necessitate him to
have them put in execution another way.
It is true that His Majesty sent me hither to accommodate these Affairs
in a peaceable manner, if it were possible, which I have laboured to
doe; and accordingly my Deportment hath been, which hath been met with
that Retribution, as if I had met with the greatest Enemy: but your
refusing to publish His Majesties Grace to his People, signified in his
Proclamation, hath taken away that Power which otherwise I had; that
being a Liberty taken to your selves, which never any Loyal Subjects
assumed in any Monarchy. You alledge many Reasons for your selves, of
the Illegality of that Proclamation; but you cannot be ignorant, that
your Carriage hath forced many of these principal Councellours for
safeguard of their Lives to forsake the Kingdom, out of which they
remain yet for the same cause. You have suppressed the Printing of all
Writings, but what is warranted by Mr Alexander Henderson, and one Mr
Archibald Johnstown; neither was the Clerk of the Council, whom I sent
for twice to give him Directions concerning this Business, permitted to
come aboard to me, upon conference with whom (for any thing you know)
I might have resolved to come ashore my self, and convened a Council
for the Publication thereof in the ordinary way. But your extraordinary
Proceedings in all things must needs force from His Majesty some
things, which perhaps you may think not ordinary. Whereas you desire
me to be a means that your Supplications may have free access to His
Majesties Ears, it is a work of no difficulty; for His Majesty hath
never stopt his Ears, to the Supplications of any of his Subjects,
when they have been presented to him in that humble and fitting way
which became dutiful Subjects: nor did I ever refuse any all the time
I was among you, or conceal any part of them from His Majesty. So
that your Allegation of not being heard, is grounded upon the same
false Foundations that your other Actions are; and serves onely for a
means to delude the simple People, that by making them believe what
you have a mind to possess them with, they may become backers of your
unwarranted Actions; which as it is generally lamented by all His
Majesties good Subjects, so it is more particularly by me, who have had
the Honour to be imployed in this Business with so bad Success.
My Lord, Your humble Servant,
HAMILTON.
* * * * *
1639.—May 10.
27. _Missive from the Council and Session to the Commissioner._[188]
Apud Edinburgh, decimo Maii 1639. Sederunt. Argile, Mar, Perth,
Wigton, Galloway, Lauderdaill, Southesk, Naper, Aduocat, Treʳ Deput,
Sir Robert Gordoun; Togider with the Lords of Session underwritten,
viz. Durie, Innerpeffer, Balcomie, Foveraine, Cranston-riddel,
Scotstarvet, Eskbanke.
The Lords nominats and appoints John Earle of Perth to be President at
this meeting.
The whilk day the Lords of Secreit Counsell and Session abovewritten,
ordained ane missive to be written and directed to James Marquis of
Hamilton, his Majesties Commissioner, quhilk was accordinglie done, of
the tenor following:—
Please your Grace,—We of His Majesties Secreit Counsell and Session,
being jointlie conveened in this lamentable estait of Kirk and
Kingdome, to consider on some fitt and convenient way for averting the
evills hanging over this countrie, whilks to our great greefe are too
farre advanced, have thought it incumbent to us, in our dewtie, to
acquaint your Grace, who represents his sacred Majestie as his High
Commissioner, that our intention is, if your Grace will be pleased to
allow of this motion, to appoint some of our number to confer with your
Grace concerning this bussines, and to advise with your Grace if anie
faire way can be found out for accommodation of the same, quhereof
if your Grace be pleased to allow, we doe expect to be advertised be
your Grace of the time, place, maner, and way of their wise addresse.
Whereanent expecting your Graces Answer, we rest, &c. Edʳ, 10 May
1639.—_Subscribitur_ Argyle, Mar, Perth, Wigton, Galloway, Lauderdaill,
Southesk, Naper, Sʳ Thomas Hop, Ja. Carmichael, Sʳ R. Gordoun, H.
Gibsone Fletcher, Balcomie, S. G. Halyburtoun, Cranston-riddel,
Scotstarvet, S. Pa. Nisbet.
* * * * *
1639.—May 11.
28. _The Commissioner’s Answer to the Council._[189]
Apud Edinburgh, undecimo Maii 1639.
Sederunt ut die predict.
The whilk day the Missive Letter underwritten, direct frome the Marquis
of Hamilton, his Majesties Commissioner, to the Lords of Secret
Councell and Session abovewritten, was produced before the saids Lords
and read in their audience, of the whilk the tenor followes:—
My Lords,—I receaved this morning your Lordships Letter, and sall
be verie willing to embrace all faire occasions which may tend to
the accommodation of this unhappie bussines, as ane who, in all my
proceedings, both before and since my coming thither, have given
sufficient testimonie thairof. Your Lordships being Counsellors and
Judges, ought to be als carefull of what may concerne His Majesties
honnour as myselfe; so I hope no motion will proceed from yow that sall
tend to the diminution thereof: And if upon Monday, betimes in the
morning, any sall come so instructed frome yow, aboird of this ship, I
sall speidilie by thame returne such ane answer as is fitting for me
His Majesties Commissioner to yow; so I rest, &c., _Subscribitur_,
HAMILTON.
Frome aboord the Rainebow, }
in Leith Roid, the 11 of May 1639. }
Whilk Missive being heard and considert be the saids Lords, they have
nominat, and, be the tennor heirof, nominats David Earle of Southesk,
and Sir Andro Fletcher of Innerpeffer, Knight, to goe aboord his
Majesties ship callit the Rainebow, wherein his Majesties Commissioner
is for the present, and there to confer with his Grace anent such
things as may best conduce to the accommodation and settling of the
present troubles wherewith this countrie is threatened.
* * * * *
1639.—May 11.
29. _Ane Letter from the Nobilitie of Scotland to the Earle of
Hollands._[190]
OUR MOST NOBLE LORD,
Although we have bein, at all occasions, using the best meanes by
such as were entrusted in his Majesties directions and commands, to
give his Majestie true information of the equitie and necessitie
of our proceedings, from the verie beginning to this present tyme,
yett hath the successe beene so badd, that all our dealling hath
bein misconstrued and perverted quyte contrare to our meaning and
desires, not only to the increasing of prejudices betwixt the Prince
and his people here, but also to the raising of a quarrell betwixt
the two nations, which was als farr from our expectation, as from our
intentions and deserving. This hath made us at last to wearie of the
mediation and meddling of our owne countrie men in these effaires; and
as we did beginne with the Earle of Essex, then being at Berwick, so
doe we now continow with your Lordship in clearing our loyall thoughts
to our Prince, and our duetifull respects to our neighbour nation; and
to tistifie how readie we are to stoupe to the smallest occasiones
serving for that end, the bearer Dʳ Johne Moiesley as a witnesse, who,
although he became hither rather by tolleration then any command or
commission, (as he declares,) yet his zeale and good affections to the
publict peace of both nations we doe commend, and his privat endeavour
to imploy himselfe in so good a worke shall not want from us the oure
encouragement, the rather that he hath made honourable mention to us
of your Lordships particular affectiouns to the continowance of your
commoun peace; of whose disposition in the generall we were fullie
assured before. We would, therefore, make knowen to your Lordship, and
all others of the like noble disposition, and, if it were possible,
to all the good subjects of England, that, as we have beene, we are
still verie farre from wearying of Monarchical Government—from the
thoughts of laying aside that of obedience, which we owe to our King
and dread Soveraigne—from any intention to invaid England, quhich are
so foule faults and haynous transgressions, as that we would not once
have mentioned them, but that they have beene the false imputations
of evill men against us, labouring thereby for their owne base ends,
to worke our hinderance in obtaining our just desyres, which have
beene and are no other but that we may peaceablie injoy our religion
and the liberties of our countrey, according to the lawes; and that
all questiones aryseing from these may be determined by Parliaments
and Nationall Assemblies. That is it for which we have petitioned,
covenanted, and consecrated our lives, and what in this world be
dearest unto us, which we trust your Lordship, and all others noble,
wise, and just men will judge to be most equitable, and for which
no nationall quarrell can justlie arise—the Kirk Constitutions, and
civill lawes in divers Kingdomes being different, and we being alse
farr from impugning the religion and liberties of other nations, as we
are carefull to mentaine our owne; and knowing that the common rule of
equitie hath place with your Lordship—“quhatsoever ye would that others
did to yow, doe yow even so to them.”
We have also sent with the bearer a double of that Supplication,
which we are to send aboord to the Marqueis of Hamilton, that if it
be possible by the Moderation of your Lordship, and of other Noble
Lords, to whom we have written in lyke maner, presenting the same, His
Majestie may be pleased to heare us at last and grant us our desires,
which shall tend to his Majesties great glory, bring ane end to all our
questions to our mutuall rejoycing, make the blessed Instruments of so
good a worke to be thankfullie remembered by the Posteritie when they
enjoy the fruites thereof, is the earnest request of
Your Lordships friends and Servands.
Edinburgh, 11 May 1639.
Your Lordship may be pleased to acquant any other of the Counsell of
England whom your Lordship thinks fitt.
* * * * *
1639.—May 13.
30. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[191]
HAMILTON,
Having been some days since I wrote to you, I could not let my Lord
Aboyne go without these Lines, though it be rather to confirm than to
adde to my two former: onely I shall desire you to take heed how you
engage me in Money-expence. As for what Assistance you can spare him
out of the Forces that are with you, I leave you to judge, and I shall
be glad of it if you find it may doe good. The truth is, that I find
my state of Moneys to be such, that I shall be able (by the Grace of
God) to maintain all the Men I have afoot for this Summer; but for
doing any more I dare not promise: therefore if with the Countenance
and Assistance of what Force you have, you may uphold my Party in the
North, and the rest of those Noblemen I have sent to you, I shall
esteem it a very great Service; but I shall not advise you to engage me
in further Charge, except it may be the Pay of some few Officers. So
not doubting but that you will make as much of little as you may, and
recommending this Lord to your care, I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Newcastle, 13 May, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 13.
31. _Letter from Rothes to Hamilton._[192]
PLEASE YOUR GRACE,
I should have been far better contented to have seen you here at the
Parliament with His Majesty, or holding that indicted, as His Majesties
Commissioner, than with a Navy and Army to constrain us beyond these
just limits of Religion and lawful Obedience, which we were always
willing to perform. It was far by my Expectation, and your Graces Oath
and Promise, that you should ever come in any chief Command against
your Native Country. Whereas your Grace doth challenge our coming in
such numbers to attend this Parliament, I hope you conceive that this
Navy and Army upon the Borders, and the Invasion threatened in the
West, do sufficiently warrant our Preparations to defend these places,
and divert such dangers. That Proclamation that is said to carry so
much Grace and Goodness, is as destitute of that, as your Invasion
is of a good Warrant; which persuades me, that neither of the two
proceeds from His Majesties own Gracious Disposition. I cannot stand
here to answer all these misconceived particulars, contained in your
Graces Letter; but if I had the Honour to see your Grace, before any
more mischief be done, I dare engage my Honour and my Life, to clear
all these Imputations laid on our Proceedings; and I can demonstrate
how hardly we have been used without any just reason. I dare not be
answerable to God Almighty, and to that Duty I owe my Prince and
Country, if I do not shew your Grace, that your going a little further
in this violent and unjust way will put all from the hopes of Recovery,
for which both a great deal of Blame from Men, and Judgment from above
shall attend you, as the special Instrument, which I wish you labour
to evite. If our Destruction be intended, we are confident in that
Majesty who owns this Cause, and is able to defend it: and if onely
Terrours to fright, and prepare us to accept of any Conditions will
be offered, that Intention is already as far disappointed as any of
these many former. But as we are ready to defend, so ever to insist in
supplicating, and using all humble and lawful means, as becomes us. Mr
Borthwick will deliver to your Grace our Supplication to His Majesty,
and both his and my mind, till I shall have the occasion to disburden
my self surcharged with grief at your Proceedings; being most desirous
(as I have been formerly) to have all these occasions removed that may
divert me from being still
Your Graces humble Servant,
ROTHES.
* * * * *
1639.—May 14.
32. _The Kings Proclamation at New Castle._[193]
CHARLES, be the Grace of God, King of Scotland, England, France,
and Ireland. To our loving Subjects, whom it shall or may concerne,
greeting. Whereas we are thus farr advanced in our Royall persone
with our army, at the attendance of our Nobilitie and Gentrie of this
Kingdome, and intends shortlie to be at our good Toune of Berwick,
with purpose to give our people of Scotland all just satisfaction
in Parliament, as soone as the present disorders and tumultuous
proceedings of some are there quyeted, and will lave a fair way of
comeing, like a graceous King, to declaire our good meaning to them;
but finding some caires of impediment, and that this nation doth
apprehend that (contrare to our professions) there is ane intention
to invade this our Kingdome of Scotland: We doe, therefore, to cleare
all doubts that may breed scruples in the mynds of our good subjects
of either Kingdomes, reiterat this our just and reall protestation,
That if all civill and temporall obedience be effectuallie and tymelie
given and showen unto us, we doe not intend to invade them with any
hostilitie. But if they shall, without our speciall auctoritie and
command, raise any armes, troupes, and draw them downe within ten
myles of our Borders in England; and in that caice, doe expresslie
command the Generall of our Army, and our Superior Officers of the same
respectively, to proceed against them as rebelles and invaders of this
our Kingdome of England, and to the uttermost of their power destroy
them, in which they shall doe ane singular service both to our honour
and saiftie. Given at our Court at New Castle, the 14 day of May 1639,
the 15 yier of our Reigne.
* * * * *
1639.—May 14.
33. _Heads of Treaty suggested by Hamilton to Sir Harry Vane._[194]
I. If they can be brought to lay down their Arms, and every man to
repair in quiet manner unto their own Dwellings, except such who are to
attend the Parliament.
II. If they can be brought to deliver up Your Majesties Castles, and
other private mens Houses they have taken, with the Arms and Ammunition
they have taken.
III. If they can be brought to express their Sorrow, that they have
offended Your Majesty, and humbly crave Your Majesties Pardon for the
same.
IV. If they can be brought to supplicate, that what they have to say
against Bishops may be heard in the next Parliament; and as their
Desire shall seem just or unjust, there to receive Ratification or
Denial.
V. The like for the last pretended General Assembly.
VI. If they in all Civil things will acknowledge Your Majesties
Authority, and swear Obedience to the same.
VII. If they will desist from their going on in their Fortifications,
and they onely to remain in the estate they are in till the end of
the Parliament. Though there is little hope of doing good by Treaty,
or that they will condescend to this; yet I thought it my duty to
give Advertisement of this, and humbly to crave Answer and Orders in
writing, how far I shall give way, and how I shall carry my self.
HAMILTON.
I shall desire that none may see this but His Majesty, or, at least,
that it be not known that it came from me.
* * * * *
1639.—May 16.
34. _The Nobilities Supplication to the Commissioner._[195]
PLEASE YOUR GRACE,