LETTERS FROM The Committee of Estates at Newcastle, AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF The Kingdom of SCOTLAND residing at London to both Houses of Parliament. Together with Two PAPERS Delivered in to His MAIESTY by the Committee of Estates.
As also divers LETTERS past between the Committee of Estates, and the Committee of Parliament at York, and Col: General Poyntz.
Published by Special Command.
LONDON. Printed for Laurence Chapman, June 17. 1646.
A Letter to the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore, To be communicated to to both Houses of Parliament, from the Commissioners of the Parliament of SCOTLAND.
VVEE have frequently, and of a long time represented to the Honourable Houses our earnest desires of a happy and speedy Peace, of which we are so studious, that we cannot cease from expressing the same Desires at all Opportunities; and the rather at this time, because of the sad stroke lately faln upon our Brethren in Ireland, vvhose former and present sufferings under which they groan, do of themselves call so loud, that we do not doubt the Houses from their wisdom, care, and commiseration, will timely and effectually apply themselves to the composing of all differences, and the speedy setling of a happy Peace in this Island, whereby they may be enabled to send further aid and succour unto that Kingdom for prosecuting of the War there, and reducing the Rebels to obedience; and for the same ends speedily to send [Page 4]provisions to the Scotish army there, who for many Moneths have received no entertainment, notwithstanding of their faithfulnesse and great sufferings in that publike service.
Another occasion now ministred unto us, is, from the pressing and unsupplyed necessities of our Army in the North of this Kingdom, who are extremely straitned in their quarters and provisions: For remedy whereof, the Lord General and Committee of Estates with the Army, did write to the Committee at York, and to Colonel General Poyntz, who in their Answers have declared no unwillingnesse, but that they are not enabled by any power from the Parliament to afford them the desired assistance and satisfaction towards the inlargement of their Quarters, or bettering of their provisions, as will more fully appear by the Letters themselves herewith presented, We do therefore again earnestly desire the Honorable Houses will be pleased to give order to the Committee at York for the convenient quartering of the Scotish Army, and for accommodating them with necessary provisions, that the burthens of the Countrey occasioned to our great grief, by the failing of the due and orderly course of providing for that Army, may be eased: To which end, We do also renew our former desire for sending them from hence a considerable sum of Money towards the discharging of their quarters. We must further make known, that as the Committee at York, and General Colonel Poyntz in their Letters of the fourth of this instant June, Do fairly and ingenuously give testimony to the faithfull and careful Endeavours of the [Page 5]Committee of Estates for preventing misunderstandings, and for preserving Peace and Amity between the Kingdoms, of which they were pleased in these Letters to give for instance the Orders of the Committee of Estates, for preventing the future entertainment of such as shall give occasion of offence, and for disbanding the Regiment of General Major Vandrusk; which, as the Messenger sent hither doth assure us, is already put in execution, and none of them are suffered to be received in other Regiments. And as that Honorable Committee in their Paper of the Eighth of this instant presented to the King (which we do herewith communicate) and in their own Letters to the Honorable Houses now sent, have expressed their firm resolution, not to suffer themselves to be divided from their Brethren of England, with whom they are United by the Solemn League and Covenant, But to preserve the happy Union, and to observe the whole Articles of the Covenant and Treaties between the Kingdoms; So upon the most particular and assured knowledge which we have of their faithful, real, and unanimous Endeavours, We dare confidently say, That if both Houses had been witnesses to their most privie Consultations, as before, so especially since His Majesty did unexpectedly come amongst them, It had been in stead of many Demonstrations, to remove Jealousies between the Nations, and to breed a more full confidence of their Sincerity and Integrity towards this Nation. We therefore joyning and co-operating with them for the same good ends, Do with all earnestnesse desire the expediting of the Propositions [Page 6]intended to be sent to His Majesty; That by the blessing of God upon the joynt Desires, Councels, and Endeavors of both Kingdoms, Religion and Peace, with all possible speed may be setled, all Distempers and Differences healed, all Armies in both Kingdoms disbanded, the Country eased, the distressed Brethren in Ireland relieved, and a firm Peace and Union in this Country continued to the Generations following, then which nothing can be more earnestly desired, or endeavoured by
- A. Iohnston.
- Hugh Kennedy.
- Lauderdail.
- Charls Erskine.
- Ro: Barclay.
We do also again earnestly desire, That the Honorable Houses will send a Committee to joyn with the Committee of Estates, who may be witnesses of all their proceedings, and co operate with them for the good of the publike service here.
NOt only our consciences bear witnesse to our selves, but our actions are a real and publike testimony to all men who have marked our wayes since our coming into this Kingdom, how earnest our desires, and how constant our endeavours have been to preserve the Union of the two Kingdoms, as a principal mean of happinesse of both; and for this end, what our affection and care hath been to observe and perform the whole Articles of the Covenant and Treaties betwixt the Kingdoms: Yet (thus much we may truly say) at no time since the beginning of our engagement in this Cause, have we with more sincerity and faithfulnesse endeavored to improve our opportunities for the Publike, then we have done of late since His Majesties unexpected coming into our Army, by our carnest and uncessant dealing with Him, to send such Messages to His Parliament, as might give them full satisfaction, and be a sure ground of Peace to His Kingdoms, and of Happinesse to Himself: And although we have not as yet prevailed so far against such prrinciples, as by education, length of time, and the Councels and Company of such as have been formerly about Him, have been deeply noted in His minde, as to obtain the utmost of our desires; yet have we not lost our labor, nor are we diffident, but that in a short time He may be moved to give satisfaction to His people, which when it cometh, will be a matter of rejoycing to all that loveth the setling of Religion and Peace. And we do earnestly entreat, and confidently expect, That the Houses of Parliament [Page 8]will in their Wisdom, and from their love of Peace, be pleased, with the concurrence of the Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland, speedily to send such Propositions and Demands to be granted by His Majesty, as are necessary for curing the present Distempers, the setling of Religion and Peace, the safety of His Majesties Person and Authority, and the confirming and conserving the Union of the Kingdoms: Which being sent, we will upon His Majesties answer, clearly and distinctly know how to proceed in this intended Pacification, And to satisfie the desires of the Parliament, and our own, in Disbanding our Forces, delivering up the Garrisons possess'd by us, and retiring home, after all our Sufferings, with the same cheerfulnesse and affection that we had when we came into this Kingdom; And we resolve shortly to send some from us to give your Lordships further Informations of our proceedings here, that by mutual and joynt advice, such things as may serve for the Peace and good of both Kingdoms, may be brought to a speedy and happy close, which is the earnest desire of
A Paper delivered in to His Majesty by the Committee of Estates of the Kingdome of Scotland at Newcastle, concerning the Prince.
WE doe humbly represent to your Majesty, That we conceive it will much contribute for the good of your service, and the better procuring a right understanding and well grounded peace, if your Majesty were pleased to give Order, that the Prince his Highnesse goe not beyond Sea, but that he may stay within this Kingdome, so as he may reside therein with honour and safety, for preventing the dangers which may be to his Person and Religion, and the jelousies and inconveniences which may ensue upon his Highnesse going out of the Kingdome in this joynture of time and affaires.
Another Paper delivered in by the Committee of Estates to His Majesty.
WHereas upon consideration of the present condition of affaires and sence of our duty, we did in all humility and faithfulnesse advise and beseech your Majesty that you would he pleased to send such a message to the houses of Parliament, and Commissioners of Scotland, as might be a ground of setling Religion and Peace, according to the solemne League and Covenant. It is still our earnest desire, that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to send such a Message for the further satisfaction of your Parliaments, and preventing of imminent dangers which may ensue upon the delay thereof; Which, if your Majesty shall not (out of your wisdome and compassion of the sad condition of your Kingdomes) be pleased to grant, We will be constrained presently to take such a course, as that by mutuall advice and resolutions of both Kingdomes, they may be saved from a breach, and the dangerous sequels prevented which may follow.
WE finde by your Lordships Letters of the first of Iune, you are not pleased to give us any hopes of the removing of your Forces out of the County, which we have beene often suiters for; inregard of the disability of the County to bear the charge of both Armies, and cannot forbeare to renew the same suit still. Your Honours are still pleased to desire our assistance in the quartering of, and provision for your Army here; to which my Lords, we must deale ingeneously, as we had no power in that particular heretofore, so at present, neither in that, nor any other publike imployment, by reason that the Ordinance by which we Acted expired the last of May, and we having yet receaved no intimation from the Parliament of their pleasure for the continuance of it. We have often times applyed our selves to the house for their speedy course for the provision of your Army in some equall way, and doe expect a returne daily, till then (especially in the condition we now are) we hope your Lordships will not expect any further Answer from us herein, and that your Lordships will rest satisfied in the reality of our desires and cares to do the utmost in our power that may speak our Constancy to our Covenant, and our zeale to prevent mistakes, that might any way weaken the happy mutuall unity between the two Nations. And truly my Lords we cannot but with many Honourable respects take notice of your Lordships care therein, and [Page 10]of that Honourable instance your Lordships have given, in your Order for disbanding of Colonell Vandruks Regiment; in execution whereof we conceave your Lordships will doe your selves and the cause much right; so soone my Lords as we shall obtaine any returne from the Parliament, we shall readily give your Lordships a further accompt. In the meane time shall desire to be accounted as we are
- John Boutcher Wic.
- Rich. Darley.
- George Trotter.
- Ro. Barnick.
- Geo. Mawald.
- Tho. St. Nicholas.
- Io. Farrer.
- I. Wichlethwit.
- R [...]kie Mere.
- Dary Wentworth.
- Will. Goodraw.
WE do perceave by your Letters of the 4 th instant, that the Ordinance of Parliament, by which you acted in all publike imployments expired the last of May, So that you are not furnished with authority to afford us any assistance in the quartering of, and providing for our Army, which wee shall forbeare therefore to presse any further; Not doubting, but when you are better enabled and your power enlarged, you will coninue your publike care and affection to doe every thing that may be for the good of the army, and preserving the mutuall Amity and Union of the two Kingdomes, which we shall study to confirme by all the wayes and meanes that are in our power; having also seriously recommended the same to Generall Lieutenant Leslie (whom we desired to repaire to us about the executing of that Order for disbanding Generall Major Vandruskes Regiment) that hee would likewise take speciall care to prevent all mistakes that might beget any misunderstanding betwixt us. So wee remaine.
I Received your Lordships of the first of Iune instant, and as I perceave your Lordships doe suspend your resolutions concerning the more northerly quartering of your Army till you have a returne from the Committee of both Kingdomes, so I hope your Lordships will not expect any thing further from me in a busines of so great concernment to this poore Country till I shall likwise hear the pleasure of those above, whose commands and directions your Lordships will apprehend I am ingaged to observe. My Lords, I should highly injure your Lordships, and my selfe also, if upon all occasions I should not acknowledge your Lordships great care and prudent circumspection to carry on the publik affaires, wherein both Nations have a reciprocall interest, So as the happy union may be preserved, and the great ends which are mutually driven at in the Nationall League, may be best atchieved, And I hope your Lordships will not believe, in any complaints, I have represented, I had the least intention to reflect on your Lordships particulars, and truely My Lords, I doe with many humble [Page 13]thanks acknowledge it a great favour to my selfe, and a convincing evidence to the world of (what wise-men were alwayes satisfied in) your Lordships desires to prevent occasions of distaste, That upon my last, your Lordships have given Order for the disbanding of Generall Major Vandruskes Regiment; and for the preventing the future entertainment of such as give occasion of offence: The effecting of both which will be certainly of very good consequence, and of very honourable interpretation. For my particular, I shall ever deeme it my honour and happinesse in any civill relation, to be instrumentall to the publike good, so none shall be more ready to manifest, what a large share thereof he doth accompt is lapt in being estemed, as he is
WE received yours of the fourth instant, shewing that you could not satisfie the desires of our former Letter, nor afford us any assistance towards the enlargement of our quarters, untill their pleasures were knowne, whose directions you were to observe: And seeing you are not furnished with Authority in that behalfe, we shall not further presse it, untill you be otherwise enabled; Not doubting but you will manifest the continuance of that friendship, whereof we have alwaies had the experience. In the mean time, we cannot but be very sensible of your expressions and acknowledgement of our care and faithfulnesse in our publique imployments, and shall endeavour so to behave our selves in pursuing the ends of our Covenant, that all our waies and actions may speake our constancy and zeale to preserve the happy Ʋnion and Amity of both Kingdomes, and to prevent every thing to the utmost of our power, that may tend to the infringement of that Ʋnion. In assurance whereof, we rest