other meanes, to give our graceous Soveraigne all lawfull satisfaction,
so doe we most especiallie esteeme ourselves oblidged at this tyme
to endeavour the same, and most earnestlie to deprecat his Majesties
indignation, even to prove these preparations we have now readie, for
our lawfull and necessar defence, to be for no other end. And we doe
now expresse—not moved with fear, but with the sense of duetie—that
our hearts have been and are free of all disloyaltie and disobedience
quhatsoever to our graceous Soveraigne, and least our hope of a happie,
peaceable, and contented conclusion, be interrupted by the mischeefe
that may arise from the stoppe of trade, and injuries done by the
fleete lying here, or by the armies that will ly so near upon the
Borders, we earnestlie beseech your Grace to medeat with His Majestie,
and that so seriouslie and speedilie, as all thir threatened evills may
be prevented; and, in the meane tyme, the country may be secured from
all such dangers as we have entrusted the bearer more particularlie
to relate to your Grace; and herein we wishe your Grace that successe
which may tend to the glorie of God, the honour of His Majestie, the
good of this Kingdome, the remembrance of your Grace in after ages,
as ane happie instrument, and the present oblidgement to a thankfull
remembrance by us, who humbly crave your Graces answer.
* * * * *
1639.—May 17.
35. _The King’s Answer to Hamilton’s Proposals._[196]
HAMILTON,
I have kept this honest Bearer the longer, that I may with the more
assurance give you my Directions what to doe, consisting of two
points, Fighting and Treating: for the first, we are still of the same
Opinion, that it is not fit that you should give on untill I be on the
Borders, which will be (by the Grace of God) by this day eight days,
except you find that before that time they march down to meet me with
a great Strength. In that case you are to fall on them immediately,
and in my Opinion as far up in the Frith as you think probably may
doe good, thereby to make a Diversion. In the mean time I like well,
that you go on upon that ground of Treaty you sent a Note of to Master
Treasurer, (which you will find I have underwritten,) no body else
being acquainted with it.
Thus having given you my Directions both concerning Fighting and
Treating, I leave the rest to the faithful Relation of the honest
Bearer, and rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Newcastle,
17 May, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 17.
36. _Answer by Hamilton to Rothes._[197]
MY LORD,
I have received your Lordships Letter signed by you, but I cannot
conceive it of your Lordships enditing; for I believe you would not
have sent such an one to me, if you had not had some malignant spirits
busied in the framing of it; for you cannot but remember that my words
were never other, than that I would die at my Masters feet, and that I
would prove an Enemy to the uttermost of my Power to this Kingdom, if
my Countrymen continued in their Obstinacy: and here I set it under my
Hand, that I will (by Gods Grace) make it good. It is true, knowing my
own inability, I neither desired, nor indeed willingly did accept, the
Conduct of an Army against this Nation: but my backwardness proceeded
not out of a desire not to be imployed against such in this Country as
were disobedient, but that His Majesty might have found many more able
to have served him: but since he hath been pleased to trust me, I will
not deceive him.
You pass by many particulars in your Answer to my Letter untouched,
saying, you cannot stand here to answer them. It is most true, they are
not to be answered, and so I take it. As for your own Justification,
it is the same which you have ever used, and so continue: but the best
is, none that ever were truly informed of your Proceedings, doth or can
give any approbation of them.
You say, If I go any further in a violent course, it will be past all
hope of Remedy. If I doe, none can blame my Master, for that can never
be called Violence which is onely to suppress Rebellion: and if I
proceed to execute his Commands therein, you are the causers of it. As
Mr Borthwick told me, I expected to have heard further from you before
now: but nothing coming, I would forbear no longer to give you this
Answer under my Hand, that both you and all the world may take notice
what my Inclinations are, which notwithstanding I do infinitely desire
they may be stopt by your speedy and real Submission to His Majesties
just Commands. And this is the prayer of him who wisheth it may be
still lawful for him to call himself
Your Lordships humble Servant,
HAMILTON.
From aboord the Rainbow,
27 [17] May, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 21.
37. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[198]
HAMILTON,
I Cannot let these Lords go without a Letter, it being more to please
them than to inform you; there having nothing happened since my last of
the 17ᵗʰ that makes me either alter or take new Counsels: so that this
is onely to recommend them to your care, in so far as may comply with
my Service; which shews you both my good Opinion of them, as likewise
that I am
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Newcastle, 21 May, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 22.
38. _The Earle of Hollands Letter to the Nobilitie of Scotland._[199]
As it hath beene my fortune to receave great expression from you of
your disposition of your loyaltie and duetie to his Majestie, so it
is now to give your Lordships ane occasion to shew it, by obedience
to his Majesties proclamation; which, asking but civile and temporall
obedience from his naturall Kingdome, having beene borne in the bowells
thereof, I must beleive, by the most earnest professions of love and
duetie to him, and lykewise by the enemie of your great tyds, that so
much ought to serve that created him Monarche, your Lordships will
most joyfullie and readilie submitt to that which in his sacred and
powerfull way, as thus demanded from yow. By which meanes ye may not
onlie avoide that name ye professe so litle to deserve, but also shune
in all your particulars the inconveniences of it, with these of the
publict, threatened in the destraction of these Kingdomes, which are
so interested in the saiftie and prosperitie of each other, as their
differences will appeare as unnaturall towards ourselves, as it may
prove unfortunate. The fulnes of my heart upon this occasion, makes
me say more then is propper for me, since I am rather to obey in this
service then to advise.
My Lords,
I am your Lordships humble Servant,
HOLLANDS.
From my quarter,
22ᵈ Maii, 1639.
To the Comittie at Edinburgh.
* * * * *
1639.—May 22.
39. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[200]
HAMILTON,
Rumours come here so thick, of the great Forces that the Rebels mean
very shortly to bring down upon me, that I thought it necessary to
advertise you, that you may be ready at the first Advertisement to
land at the Holy Island, wind and weather serving; yet not to come
from where you are untill I send you word, except you shall find it
necessary by your own intelligence: and so I rest
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Newcastle, 22 May, 1639.
POSTCRIPT.—I leave it to your Consideration, if it be not fit to leave
some 300 Men in Inchcolm, though it should be fitt that you should
come away with the rest of the Landmen.
* * * * *
1639.—May.
40. _A Letter from Scottish Nobles sent to the Noblemen and
Counsellours in England._[201]
MOST NOBLE LORDS,
Although we have bein labouring this long tyme past by our
Supplications, Informations, and Missives to some of your Lordships,
to make knowen to his Majestie and the whole Kingdome of England, the
loyaltie and peaceablenes of our intentions and desires, and that we
never meant to deny to his Majestie, our Soveraigne and native King,
any poynt of temporall and civille obedience, yet, contrarie to our
expectation and hopes, matters to this day growing worse and worse,
both Kingdomes are brought to the dangerous and deplorable condition
wherein they now stand in the sight of the world. In this extremitie we
have sent to his Majestie our humble supplication, (besides which know
none other meanes of pacification,) and doe most earnestlie intreat
that it may be assisted by your Lordships, that, if it be possible, by
a meeting, in some convenient place, of some pryme and well-affected
men to the reformed religion, and our common peace, matters may be
accommodat in a fair and peaceable way, and that so speedilie, and with
such expedition, as, through farder delayes, which we see not how they
can be longer indured, our evills become not incureable. We take God
and the world to witnes, that we have left no meanes unassayed to give
his Majestie and the whole Kingdome of England, all just satisfaction,
and that we desire nothing but the preservation of our Religion and
Lawes. If the fearfull consequents shall ensue, which must be verie
neare, except they be wiselie and speedilie prevented, we trust they
shall not be imputed unto us, who, till this tyme, have been following
after peace, and who doe, in everie duetie, most ardentlie desire to
shew ourselves his Majesties faithfull Subjects, and
Your Lordships humble Servants, &c.
* * * * *
1639.—May 23.
41. _The Marquis of Hamiltons Letter to the Earle of Rothes._[202]
MY LORD,
I have received a letter, signed by my Lord Lindsey, not of many lynes,
yet full of injuries; and sure it was in such a straine as is not fitt
for a Subject to write to the Kings Commissioner, and deserves no other
cause but this, that his follie hath transported him beyond his duetie.
The article which he mentions, I find to be none other than unjust
complaints underwritten by your Lordship, and some other, written to no
other end, as I conceive, but to justifie disloyall proceedings, and to
accuse us of things quhich are notoriouslie false, quhich, to confute,
I hold it altogither unnecessar, though verie easie to be done; and so
much the more since ane answer is so peremptourilie required. This is
not the way to bring the bussinesse to that peaceable conclusion which
yow seeme to desire; wherefore, leaving these wayes, if peace it be
ye would have, and comeing in that maner as becomes subjects to come
to their Soveraigne his Commissioner, I shall then not only receave
your petitions, but willinglie contribute my best endeavours with my
Master, so farre as may stand with his honour and my duetie, for his
graceous receaving yow into his favour, and establishing a future peace
in the land, which, if it be alse heartilie desired of yow as it shall
be reallie laboured for by me, I have no doubt of the good successe. So
I rest, desirous yet to continow.
HAMILTON.
From aboord the Rainbow,[203]
in Leith Road, 23 Maij, 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—[May.]
42. _A Letter written from Sir James Carmichael and Lord Southeske to
the Nobilitie of Scotland._[204]
We propounded to His Majestie according to the desires we had from
yow, that yow might be admitted to come to His Majestie, to shew to
his Majestie the trueth of things, and withall deprecat His Majesties
wrath; quhilk motion of yours is not thought fitt, at this tyme,
to be hearkened unto; yet His Majestie is so tender of the good of
that his antient kingdome, that if yow come warranted from them by
whom his auctoritie hath, in so high a measure, many wayes suffered,
with such a submission as becomes duetifull subjects, he is most
graceouslie pleased that yow come, and he will not barre his eares
from any reasonable sute of any his good subjects, in such a way. And,
therefore, yow are to consider with yourselves whither yow can bring
any propositions that are worthie of his hearing, quherby they may shew
themselves duetifull subjects, as, upon good grounds, may make show
himself a graceous Prince, quhich, if it can be deserved, he is verie
desirous to doe. Sic subʳ.
SOUTHESKE.
JA. CARMICHAEL.
* * * * *
1639.—May 25.
43. _The Nobilities Letter to the Earl of Holland._[205]
OUR NOBLE LORD,
As nothing can be more acceptable unto us then to heare that his
Majestie were pleased to give just satisfaction unto us and all his
good people, so shall we ever be willing, with all due respect, to
remember and to honour all such as shall be so happie as be mediators
to procure the same, which we acknowledge to be yours at this tyme;
and, for our parte, shall, to the uttermost of our power, render
all civile and temporall obedience to his Majestie, als tymelie and
effectuallie as may be, with the safetie of our lives and safetie of
the countrie. And, therefore, as we doe humbly intreat, and certainlie
expect, that his Majestie is willing to cleare all doubts that may
breid scruples in the mynds of his good subjects of either Kingdome,
will, in his justice, recall all his forces by sea, which are here
lying within our bosome, to our great hindrance—will recall our
arreasted schipps in his Majesties uther dominions—will remove his
armies from the Borders, for our securitie—and will be graciouslie
pleased to give farder signification of his Majesties will for
accommodation of effaires in such a peaceable way, whether by the
confarence of some pryme and well-affected men of both nations, or
any other meanes, (which we presume not to prescryve,) as may prove
more powerfull then any thereof, already assayed, hath done: So doe
we presently resolve, in all humilitie, to doe his Majesties will, in
keeping our armies within the bounds of his Majesties limitation, and
to performe all thinges we can conceave may conduce for our owne common
peace.
The speedie effectuating of this on both sydes, as your Lordship
knowes, to be his Majesties honour. So doe we knowe it to be the will
of his Majesties Kingdome now in armes, whose present condition is
such, that it cannot longer delay; and all men who looke upon us will
perceave to be the scattering of that dark cloud which hings over
the two Kingdomes. This blessed worke, if your Lordship, who hath
begun so happilie, shall bring to passe, which, from the knowledge
of his Majesties justice and goodnes, we suppose to be faseable be
your Lordship and others who have access; and therefore intrust this
Gentleman, Sir John Home of Blackader, Knyᵗ, with farder information;
then shall we yet be farder oblidged to prove
Your Lordships humble Servants.
Lochend, the 25 Maij 1639.
_Instructions._
You shall shew to my Lord Holland—
1. The true estate of the question—Whether we shall be governed by
Generall Assemblies in matters of ecclesiasticall, and by Parliament in
matters civill, unto whose decision we have ever submitted ourselves,
our persons, our cause, and proceedings; and albeit Proclamations be
wrapt up in generalls of Religion and Lawes, the ground of both are
condemned in particulars, as our Covenant with God and the Generall
Assembly, whereof we cannot obtaine our ratification in Parliament?
2. That we never had intention, either to diminishe his Majesties
auctoritie and monarchie, or to invaid our neighbour Kingdome, but only
to defend ourselves in the mentainance of religion and our liberties.
3. That we have hitherto used all meanes possible, by supplications
and informations, to cleare our intentions to his Majestie and our
neighbour nation.
4. That, to shew our greatest testimonie of our willing obedience,
after by proclamation we were declaired rebellis and tratours, we most
humblie renued our Supplications, wrote to sundrie Noblemen of England,
and most heartillie consented to the prorogation of the Parliament.
5. That the English nation hes now lyen this fourtnight in our Firth,
stopping all tredd and comers betwixt this and any uther nation,
tackeing our schippes, boattes, and barkes, their goods and victualls
and moneyes, deteining the men, both mariners and passengers, or
forceing them to swear oathes contrare to our Religion and Lawes.
6. That many fastations and relations of our foull conspiracies (as
they call them) are published to the world against us, and yet never
ane of them suffered to come home to lett us know our accusations; that
our estates be disposed to our tennents, and our lives subjected to all
that would be rewarded for the takeing of them.
7. That, albeit it be strange that any forraigne army, after
threatening our destructions, shall marche to our Borders, readie to
come in upon us at their pleasure, and we, who intend and professe
not to offend, but to defend ourselves, should be discharged from the
bounds so lyable to barre invasion, yet, to give full satisfaction in
everie poynt, are content to stay our armies upon assurance of the
present removeing of the Navie from our Frith, and armies from our
Borders.
8. It is likelie that matters of so great importance as is now to be
intreated upon, cannot so shortlie be brought to ane conclusion as
necessitie requires, by interchanging of Letters and intercourse of
messingers. It doth, therefore, seeme convenient that a conference were
appoynted betwixt some of the Nobilitie of England and some of our
Nobilitie in some convenient place upon the Border March, so speedilie
as may be, which, doubtlesse, will prove the most comodious way to
accomodat bussinesse shortlie.
* * * * *
1639.—May.
44. _The Oath of Alleadgeance._[206]
I, A B, doe swear, before the Almichtie God that I will bear all
faithfull alleadgeance to my true and undoubted Soveraigne Lord,
King Charles, who is lawfull King of this Island, and all other his
Kingdomes and dominions, both by land and sea, by the laws of God
and man, and by lawfull succession; and that I will constantlie and
chearfullie, even to the uttermost of my power and hazard of my life,
constantlie oppose all seditions, rebellions, conspiracies, Covenants,
conjurations, and treasons quhatsomever, raised up or sett by against
his Royall Dignitie, crowne, or persone, under what pretence or cullour
whatsomever; and if it shall come, were it under pretence of religion,
I hold it more abhominable before God and man: and this Oath I take
voluntarlie, in the true faith of a good Christian and loyall subject,
without any equivocation or mentall reservation, in whatsoever frame,
whilk I hold no power upon earth can absolve me in any parte.
God Save the King!
* * * * *
1639.—May 29.
45. _Letter from the King to Hamilton._[207]
HAMILTON,
Having much Business, I refer you to Master Treasurer; yet this I think
necessary to pass under my own Hand, (because of a Clause in yours of
the 26th of this Moneth) that I am so far from having the least hint
in my heart against you, that I would think my self a happy Man, if I
could be as confident in the Faith, Courage, and Industry of the rest
of my Commanders and Officers, as I am of you; which makes me really to
be
Your assured constant Friend,
CHARLES R.
Berwick,
May 29ᵗʰ 1639.
* * * * *
1639.—May 29.
46. _Heads of Conference betwixt Hamilton and some Covenanters._[208]
The whole Discourse (so far as I can remember of it) may be reduced to
these Heads.
Their Invitation of your Excellence to go in person to His Majesty, to
present their Desires, and to mediate for an Accommodation.
To this your Excellence answered,
First, that having full power from His Majesty to treat and conclude of
all things concerning that Business, you held it unnecessary to go to
him.
Secondly, your Excellence thought it unfit, you having so great a
Charge here, which required your presence, and they having propounded
nothing that could give sufficient occasion to such a Voyage to
undertake it.
Thirdly, that if the distance from His Majesty were thought by them
to be a hindrance to the Treaty, they might address themselves to His
Majesty by such of the Nobility as were about him, who was not distant
above threescore and twelve miles from the Leaguer.
They replied, that things would be more facilitated by your
Excellence’s being there, wishing, that as you had a part in the
beginning of these Affairs, you might have the Honour to put an end to
them.
Your Excellence returned, that the Lords Traquair and Roxburgh, who
were now with His Majesty, were imployed in them before you; which they
acknowledged, but wished it had never been, confessing that they were
spoiled before you had the managing of them.
Concerning a Cessation of Acts of Hostility, both by Sea and upon the
Frontiers, where they complained of divers Insolencies committed by the
Horse-troops of His Majesty; your Excellence answered, That in what
concerned the first, you had committed none since your coming hither:
true it was, you had stayed and taken many Barques and Boats, but some
of them you had dismissed without touching any thing that they had
in them; and these from whom you did take to supply your uses, you
had paid them for it: that this day you had sent to Burnt-Island, and
would doe so to other Places, to offer them full permission of Trade,
provided they would swear not to carry Arms against His Majesty, and
take the Oath of Fidelity; and for the Fishermen you required no Oath.
As for the other, namely some pretended Insolences upon the Frontiers,
you knew of none, and believed not any; and if there was any it
was their fault, by their deferring to return to their Obedience
to His Majesty: and when they made Instance in some particulars,
your Excellence did cut them short, and said, That it was an unfit
thing, and nothing conducible to make an end of Business, for them
to stand upon those Punctilios with their Soveraign; and for your
particular, you would never be an Instrument of any dishonourable Act
to His Majesty, such as would be the engaging him not to correct the
Misdemeanours of his Subjects: that you had made a like Answer when you
was demanded for Pass-ports to those that should come to you; which you
had rejected, as judging it dishonourable for His Majesty to grant, or
any of his Subjects to ask or capitulate with His Majesty for.
They pressed to know what His Majesty required of them, and what
would be the extent of his condescending to their Desires in point of
Conscience, namely touching Bishops, and the Acts of the last General
Assembly; wherein they said if they might have satisfaction, they would
cast at His Majesties feet their Bodies and Fortunes, to be disposed of
at his Pleasure.
In answer to this your Excellence caused me read His Majesties
Proclamation, wherein desiring to be cleared of His Majesties
Intentions, in the particular of the Civil Obedience, your Excellence
said, it was the retiring with their Troops, laying down their Arms,
and the Nobilities waiting on him with their swords onely upon the
Frontier, the restoring of his Majesties Castles unto such as His
Majesty should appoint, and the demolishing of their own Fortifications
unlawfully erected, and the like.
As for the enjoying of Liberty of Religion, wherein likewise they did
press to know how far His Majesty would condescend to their humble
Supplications, as likewise in the point of the Acts of the last
pretended General Assembly, your Excellence answered, It would be so
far as the Laws of the Kingdom did permit.
They asked who should judge of these Laws, and of their intention, and
if it might be decided by a General Assembly: your Excellence answered,
Yes, and that either His Majesty would call one, or your self, as His
Majesties High Commissioner.
They desired to know if His Majesty would stand to the Award of such an
Assembly, especially in what concerned the Acts of the later.
Your Excellence answered, His Majesty was not bound to it, as having
his Negative Voice; which they not acknowledging, your Excellence
added, that notwithstanding you were confident, that whatsoever should
be agreed on by such an Assembly, called by His Majesties Command, and
where the Members should be legally chosen, His Majesty would not onely
consent unto them, but have them ratified in Parliament.
They desired your Excellence would limit them a time wherein to return,
and treat further with you, with full power to conclude all things
wherein they desired not to be pressed with scantiness of time, in
regard of the Nobilities being dispersed in several places of the
Country.
Your Excellence answered, it should be when themselves would, were it
tomorrow or a moneth hence; for you assured them, they would find you
so long in these quarters.
Lastly, they desired to know, what they might report of what your
Excellence had assured them of His Majesties Intentions concerning
Religion and the General Assembly.