means for their satisfaction we were pressed by them to come to a speedy agreement concerning the particular time of the removal of our Army out of this Kingdom which was insisted upon with so much earnestnesse as at the Conference in September last it was required that we should declare That our consultation about the disposing of the King should be no hinderance to the marching of our Army out of this Kingdom or to any Treaty concerning the same To which we did not onely willingly assent but have since declared That we were ready within four and twenty hours to agree concerning the time and place of the payment of the first 200000 l. and the security to be given for the other and to appoint a day for the delivery of the Garisons and marching of our Army out of this Kingdom For above these six moneths past no money hath been sent to our Army nor hath any course been taken for their maintenance during that time but they have been forced to quarter upon the Northern Counties of whose sufferings we have been so sensible That there was no mean could occur to us which might afford them relief but we have from time to time represented the same to the honorable Houses And we may from certain knowledge and with confidence say That for above these two moneths past the Northern Counties have been no more desirous to be eased of their pressures then the Scottish Army hath been to remove out of this Kingdom and return to their native Countrey All which notwithstanding we do perceive that our malicious enemies will never give over to calumniate even our best actions and most faithful endeavours and for their own base ends to foment and increase jealousies and differences between the Kingdoms as may appear by a printed declaration here enclosed which we find to be so full of wicked spite bitter invectives and â—etestable lies against the Scottish Army so directly aiming to stir up a dis-affection in the people against that Nation and Army as we could not but present it to the view of the honorable Houses earnestly desiring them seriously to consider how they would construct of it if Diurnals and Pamphlets of this kind were daily licensed in the kingdom of Scotland to be printed against the English Nation or Army and no course taken for their vindication but rather all Papers which may cleer their proceedings denied to be licensed or stopped and suppressed We did long since in our Paper of the eleventh of August expresse our confidence that the honourable Houses in their wisdom and justice would take some course to prevent such vile abuses for the future and have ever since been expecting to hear of their resolutions for a speedy redresse But having perceived that the patience of the Houses hath animated the Authors of such Pamphlets to return to their former boldnes we are necessitated to renew our former desires being still confident that if the honourable Houses could spare but a little time from their greater affairs upon the perusal and consideration of a few of the Diurnalls and Pamplets that are almost daily published to the World their wisdom and affection would never bear with so many base calumnies and reproachful aspersions as are therein cast upon their Brethren of Scotland with whom they are tyed by so many bonds and mutual obligations We shall not further insist upon this busines expecting upon what is already represented to receive speedy satisfaction not doubting also but that the honourable Houses will in their wisdom and civility give order that the speeches of the Lord Chancellour of Scotland lately seized on at the Presse and which were by him discharged to be published till the conference was reported to the Houses shall be returned unto us And to end a happy correspondence with love and amity may be inviolably preserved between the Kingdoms we do again earnestly desire That all inconveniences by approaching of Armies may be prevented that some course be taken for the present maintenance of the Scottish Army and ease of the Northern parts Or which we much rather desire that the 200000. l. may be forthwith provided and sent to that Army and without further delay that a day may be agreed on for the delivery of the Garrisons and marching of our Army out of this Kingdom that after all these troubles and heavie pressures of both Kingdoms they may at last enjoy the fruits of their labours A happy Peace which is the earnest desire of Your Lordships most humble Servants Lowdoun Lauderdail Charles Erskine Hugh Kennedy Rob. Barclay Worcester House the 29. of Octob. 1646. For the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore The Lord Chancellour of Scotland his first Speech At a Conference in the Painted Chamber with a Committe of both Houses Octob. 1. 1646. My Lords and Gentlemen THe end of this Conference is to advise what is fit to be done for the Peace and Security of the Kingdomes in relation to the King and how to dispose of his Majesties Person which is a matter very ticklish and of most high concernment and they who would build very high must dig very low for a firm foundation And therefore I shall make bold to desire That what ever we resolve upon concerning the Kings Majesty it may be done by joint advice and consent of both Kingdoms and that the Unity between the Kingdomes may be inviolably preserved as that wherein next to Gods protection the chief strength of both lies which would be laid as a ground of our future debates And because the purpose we are to speak of is very grave and serious I shall speak of it with that sincerity as I wish my words were written with the beams of the Sun and registred to posterity that all the world might see the candor and integrity of our proceedings towards the King and our Brethren of England And as I had occasion once to expresse in this place so do I now say That no man hath conscience nor honour who will not remember our solemn League and Covenant as the strongest bond under heaven between God and man between man and man and between Nation and Nation in which our Unity is founded upon Verity in a threefold relation to God to the King and amongst our selves The first is the greatest and ascends as high as heaven for Religion which hath its name a religando unites us to God himself and so long as he is in League with us we need not fear who be against us Let us therefore hold fast our Unity in Religion and beware of Toleration of all Religions which is the ready way to have none for there is nothing more divine in God then Unitie and nothing more Diabolicall in the Divell then Division who therefore is known to the vulgar by his cloven foot to be the spirit of Division The next ground and relation of our Unity is with the King to whom
we are bound in the strictest bonds of loyall Subjection by our Allegeance and Covenant as to one Head and Monarch and therefore the faithfull endeavours of both Kingdoms should without wearying be constantly contributed That we may be united to him by a happy and just Peace For if one of the Kingdoms shall cast off the King and the other have a King if the one shall make Peace with the King and the other not make Peace but be still at variance with him it is to be feared that no humane wit not policie will be able to keep the two Kingdoms long without a rupture And if it please God so to incline the Kings heart and direct the wisdome of the Parliaments as that the King and wee could make a happy agreement no power or policie can be able to divide us for Qui conveniunt uni terrio conveniunt interse The third ground and relation of our Unitie is the conjunction of the two Kingdoms which hath been acknowledged to be so necessary and usefull to both That they have often declared they would stand and fall and like Hippocrates twins live and dye together And therefore as we regard our solemn Covenant with God Almighty and tender the standing and safety of the Kingdomes let us with one heart and mind joyn our Counsels and Actions That whatsoever we resolve upon for our common Peace and Security in relation to the King and of each Kingdom to other that it be done in zeal to Religion in loyalty to the King and with unanimity amongst our selves Numerus Binarâ—us infamis est quia primus ausus est dâ—sceâ—…ere abâ—uâ—…tate And as the Pythagoreans did note the number of Two with the mark of infamy as being the first number that durst part from Unity so which soever of the Kingdoms shall first violate the Unity which is bound up in our Covenant may apply it to themselves but if we shall adhere to that Unity which is builded upon the firm foundation of Verity in our relations to Religion the King and amongst our selves it will be a three-fold cord which is not easily broken and our Unity I hope shall be turned into an Identity both Kingdomes may be perfectly one Having thus in the first place laid a ground for Unity of Counsels and Resolutions I shall in the next place humbly desire and protest That what-ever may be our Propositions or Debates concerning the King it be not mis-construed as if one of the Kingdomes were imposing conditions upon the other or that we aye absolutely wedded to any one desire more then to another but that all severall waies being amicably debated and rightly pondered That which may serve most for the safety security and happinesse of the King and both Kingdomes may be gravely resolved upon And now I come to the Question it self concerning the disposing of His Majesties Person first Negatively and then Positively Negatively thâ— Qâ—…stion is not of the power and authoritie of the Houses of Parliament in disposing of any person or judging of any case which is of single concernment to England Nor is the Question how the Kings Person may be disposed of de facto by any one of the Kingdoms neither is the Question properly de jure posse but de esse bene esse And as it is neither good Logick nor good Divinity to argue 〈◊〉 pâ—sse ad esse so sure I am in this case it is far worse policie for either Kingdome to dispute what they may do in the height of their power when both are consulting what is fittest to be done for the Peace and Security of both And the relation of both Kingdoms to his Majesty and of each Kingdome to other being rightly considered as he is King to both as both are Subjects to him as both are ingaged in the same Cause and have been in the same War and are labouring under the same Danger are seeking the same Remedies and should have the same Security we do hold that the disposing of the Kings Person doth not properly belong to any one of the Kingdomes but joyntly to both And after Scotland hath suffered the heat of the day and winters cold have forsaken their own peace for love of their Brethren have set their own house on fire to quench theirs After so much expense of their blood in all the three Kingdomes after we have gone along with you in all the hardship of this War and without vanity be it spoken have been so usefull in this Cause And that the King hath cast himself into the hands of the Scottish Army and that by the blessing of God upon the joynt indeavour of both Kingdoms we are come to the harbour of a peace We cannot expect that the honourable Hâ—uses will think it agreeable with conscience or honour or with the justice of the Houses that the Person of the King should be disposed of by them as they shall think fit or by any one of the kingdoms alone but that what ever shall be resolved in this may be done by joynt advice of both as may serve most for the peace security and happinesse of both Kingdoms The Lord Chancellour of Scotland his second Speech At a Conference in the Painted Chamber with a Committee of both Houses Octob. 6. 1646. AT our last meeting in this Conference your Lordships did assert the Vote of the Houses That the Person of the King should he disposed on as the two Houses shall think fit And we did hold that the King who is the Head and Monarch of both Kingdoms ought not to be disposed of by any one of the Kingdoms but by joynt advice of both as might serve most for the peace happinesse and security of his Majesty and both Kingdoms which we fortified with severall arguments from the interests and relations which both Kingdoms have equally to the King and from the Covenant and Treaty between the Kingdoms as the best way â—o preserve our Vnity But since your Lordships do adhere to the Vote of the Houses as that which you cannot part from We do humbly desire that your Lordships may be pleased in time convenient at the close of this Conference to report the difference of our judgment to the honourable Houses who upon better reasons both may and we hope will take their Vote into further consideration And so with reservation of our judgement that the disposing of his Majesties Person doth belong to both and not to any one of the Kingdoms especially in such a juncture of affaires as both Kingdoms stand engaged in this cause I shall descend particularly how the Kings Person should be disposed of to the best advantage of both Kingdomes and for attaining such a happy peace as all good men should desire But lest we should walk in the dark upon obscurity of ambiguous words I shall desire that the word of disposing of the Kings Person may be rightly understood and the true sense of it may be
glorious a worke and so acceptable to all good men and to the whole people that it would after so great trouble be like raine to the new mownegrasse or like a resurrection from the dead and is a worke worthy of a Kings presence And the King may without arrogancy desire that glory to himselfe the more to reingratiate him to his people and not devolve that honour wholly to anyother wherein he himself ought to be the prime Actor And therefore the Kings presence with his Parliament is the most probable way to attain to a speedy and blessed peace which certainly will be the more durable if it be with the good liking of both sides I know there is one common objection and I know not another wherewith many are possest and prejudiced against the Kings coming to his Parliament That his presence may breed division and that he may thereafter withdraw and continue our troubles Unity and Concord I confesse is that by which Kingdoms and Common-wealthes doe flourish and there is nothing more dangerous then division Concordia enim res parvae creseunt discordia vero miximae dilabuntur But is there any greater or more dangerous division then to have the Head divided from the Body to have the King divided from his Parliament the representative body of the kingdome whereof he is the Head Hath not this division divided brother against brother the father against the son and the son against the father and Countrey against Countrey This division is the cause of all our other divisions Take this away and all our other divisions are at an end Ablata causa tollitur effectus The King doth with all earnestnesse desire to be joyned with you and stands more in need of reconciliation and I hope will according to his profession endeavour it rather then division And I trust the wisdom of the honourable Houâ—…s is such as they will doe so too and rather be reconciled to the King then diâ—ide amongst our selves And that argument not to admit of the Kings coming â—o his Parliament because his presence may breed division is an argument to debar him perpetually from his Parliament And now the case is altered from what 〈◊〉 was when it was thought unfit that the King should come to his Parliament 〈…〉 then he had forces in the fields garisons and strong holds to returne to Now he hath none of these against you And his desire of coming to his Parliament cannot be but with resolution 〈◊〉 agree and stay with you for if hee were once with you where can he goe from you And if they were esteemed enemies to the Parliament and the Peace of the kingdoms who advised the King to withdraw from his Parliament what estimation will the world have of them who will not suffer him to returne to his Parliament when he offers to cast himselfe in your armes Nor can there be a more reall testimony of our respect and affection to England then that we desire he may be with you and be advised by you neither can you have any greater honour then that after you haue dissipated your Enemies his Majesty is willing to returne to you And if so kind an offer shall be refused and the King driven to despaire it is to be feared these kingdomes will be involved in greater difficulties then ever and we shall be driven out of the harbour and entrance of a peace into the tempest of new and bloudy wars For although Scotland be most willing and desirous that the King should return to his Parliament with honour safety and freedome and that he may remaine where his personall presence may serve most for the security and happinesse of his people yet if any such course shall be taken or any demand made for rendring 〈◊〉 his Person which cannot stand with his honour and safety or which cannot consist with our duty allegiance and Covenant not with the honour of that Army to whom in time of his extreme danger he had his recourse for safety it cannot be expected that we can be capable of so base an Act. And if to shun this and avoid occasion of quarrelling between the kingdomes he shall goe to Scotland and resent his expulsion out of England and crave the assistance of that kingdome for recovery of his right to this Crown Hee may in a short time raise such Forces in Scotland and Ireland as with the assistance of Foraine Princes these kingdomes may be made a field of bloud and the youngest amongst us not live to see the end of these unnaturall wars But if the present opportunity be wisely managed and that we maintaine the just priviledges of Parliament and liberty of the Subject in both kingdomes with that wisedome and discretion as that may be given to God which is Gods and to Caesar what is Caesars if we fear God and the King and doe not medle with them who are given to change That same divine providence and wisdome which hath brought us through many difficulties will also teach us how to establish these kingdomes in peace and the Kings Throne in righteousnesse That the great blessing of a constant and friendly conjunction of the two kingdomes now united by allegeance and loyall subjection to one Soveraigne and Head may be firmly observed and continued to all posterity The Land Chancellour of Scotland his last Speech At a Conference in the Painted Chambâ—â— with a Committee of both Houses October 10. 1646. My Lords and Gentlemen THis day I hope will bring our Conference to some results to be reported 〈◊〉 the Houses and therefore I shall frame my Discourse and Arguments with that succinctnesse as may bring us soonest to a close At our first meeting the subject of our debate was Whether the Right and Power of disposing the Person of the King is solely in the two Houses as theâ— shall think fit or in the two Kingdomes and at our last meeting we had soâ—… arguing 〈◊〉 the same question but your Lordships did â—…ill assert the 〈◊〉 of the Houses and we say in respect of the interest and relations which both Kingdoms have equally to the King especially in the present juncture of affaires when both Kingdomes are entred in the same League and Covenant have jeoparded their lives in the same War are labouring under the same danger are seeking the same remedies and stand in need of the same Peace and security and both Kingdomes are bound by our Covenant to preserve Vnity and are obliged by Treaty that none of us shall make any peace cessation or agreement whatsoever without mutuall advice and consent of both That the Person of the King cannot be disposed of without the joynt advice and consent of both Kingdomes But as we doe acknowledge that England hath parity of interest with Scotland so doe we still offer that they shall have parity of power in disposing of the King and we doe affirm That the Person of the King who is the King of Scotland as
we might also go further back than to the Covenant and Treaties and plead the common and equall interest of the Kingdoms in their common Head and Soveraign ever since they were so united as may sufficiently appear even by some instances in his Majesties time who now reigns over us It may be remembred as to the interest of Scotland that when his Majestie was first invited and desired to come into that Kingdome to be Crowned It was represented by the Lords of his Majesties Privie Councell in England that the great affairs of this Kingdom could hardly dispence with his Majesties going to Scotland And therefore that either he might receive his Crown of Scotland by a Vicegerent there or that it might be sent hither unto him Like as this present Parliament when the King went last into Scotland to settle the Peace of that Kingdom did earnestly desire and presse that Hee might not goe but that hee might stay here for the urgent affairs of this Kingdome But both in the one case and in the other the interest of the Kingdom of Scotland was preserved And as it was most necessary that His Majestie should go into that Kingdom for reciving that Crown so His Majesty found it expedient to goe thither for the setling of Peace It may also be remembred as to the interest of England that the English Nobility both at the Berks Anno 1639 and at York 1640 whose letters to that purpose are yet extant and to be seen And this Parliament Anno 1641 did claime an interest to see and know our demands proposed to the King that neither His Majesty nor themselves might be hereby prejudiced But the present question needeth not go so farre upon a back trade whatsoever the joynt interest of the Kingdoms was formerly it is without controversie now much more conioyned And unlesse we lay aside the Covenant Treaties Declaration of both Kingdomes and three years conjunction in this warre Neither the one Kingdom nor the other must now look back what they might have done singly before such a strict Union but look forward what is fittest to be done by both joyntly for the common good of both and for the ends of the Covenant which both are obliged joyntly to prosecute and promote So that the true and proper question in this conjuncture of affairs is whether both Kingdoms have not a joynt and common interest in disposing of the King of both for the good of both and that His Majesties Person ought not to be disposed of by either Kingdom singly Much might be said for this joynt way and against a divided way from the nature of all associations and the common rules of equity observed between persons societies or nations which have a joynt interest in the same Person Parent Master Servant Or in the same thing inheritance lands house stock or the like In which cases one of the parties associated may not without the consent of the other dispose of that which is common especially if it be a common Person and least of all if it be a Person of chiefest eminency or concernment For although a common thing may be divided and to each party his proper share assigned yet one individuall Person doth not admit of a partition and so requireth the greater Union and conjunction of Councels in the disposall of it And as reasons may be drawn from the nature of all associations so especially from the nature of ours in the solemn League and Covenant the Title Narrative Articles and conclusion of it do along linke together the interest of the Kingdomes in this common cause so much concerning the glory of God their own safety Union and Peace and the honour and happinesse of the King and his posterity which ends of the Covenant both Parliaments aswel as other Subjects of both Kingdoms have oblieged themselves joyntly and mutually to promote according to their power and to continue zealously and constantly therein all the dayes of their lives against all opposition And to assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof and never suffer themselves to be divided directly or indirectly from this blessed Union and conjunction So that the ends of the Covenant upon which the disposall of the King must needs have a strong influence are not to be prosecuted by the two Kingdoms as by two distinct bodies acting singly but they were united by solemn Covenant made to Almighty God and by League each to other as one intire body to prosecute this cause which was the expression used by the Honourable Houses in their Declaration of the 5 of August 1645 to the Lords States Generall of the United Provinces of the Low Countries In which Declaration this notable instance was given which deserveth also to be remembred That by the Covenant both Houses of Parliament and many thousands of other His Majesties Subjects of England and Ireland stand bound as well as we to hinder the setting up of the Church government by Bishops in the Kingdome of Scotland And that we as well as they stand bound to endeavour the extirpation thereof in England and Ireland And as by the Covenant the Kingdomes are fast linked together in the whole prosecution of this cause so particularly both are obliged to endeavour mutually to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and liberties of the Kingdomes That the world may bear witnesse with our consciences of our loyalty And that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatnesse From the Treaty the same thing doth further appear it being thereby manifest that as our Army was to be leavied for the common good of both Kingdomes in the pursuance of the ends exprest in the Covenant And not as Auxiliaries for the single good of this Kingdom So they are not tied to be subject to the resolutions and directions of either Kingdome singly but of both jointly Also by the 8th article no Cessation Pacification nor Agreement for Peace whatsoever is to be made by either Kingdome without the mutuall advice and consent of both So that if the disposall of the Kings Person mentioned in the Vote of both Houses be intended for the good Peace and security of both Kingdomes then it should not be done without the mutuall advice and consent of both But if intended for the Peace and security of this Kingdome within it self singly this were to settle the Peace of the one Kingdome not onely without the counsell and consent but before the settlement of the other and so the more inconsistent with the plain scope of that Article Moreover by the 9th Article of the same Treaty all matter of difference arising between the Subjects of the two Nations are to be resolved and determined by the mutuall advice and consent of both which hath ever been the usuall way in such cases Neither know we
England he being the King of both ought to be disposed of for the good and with the consent of both Kingdomes And if it be considered that the Scottish Army was invited and called into this Kingdom by both Houses in a Treaty for prosecuting the ends of a solemn League and Covenant whereof one is to preserve and defend his Majesties Person there can remaine no doubt concerning the exercise of that right and interest in this Kingdom And therefore it seems very strange that when upon invitation they are come into England as for other ends So to defend His Majesties Person their being in England should be made use of as an argament why they should deliver up the Person of their King to be disposed of as both Houses shall think fit Whereas it is alledged that the Treaty extends no further then to the ordering and regulating of the Scottish Forces in relation to the warre Although this be really answered from the nature of the thing the Kings comming to the Scottish Army being an emergency of the warre and so the delivering of his Person comes under the regulation and direction of both Kingdoms or their Committees as an Act of the Scottish Army Yet that all doubt may be removed wee further adde that it is cleere from the third Article of the Treaty that the Scottish Army is to receive the Directions of both Kingdomes or of their Committees in all things which may concerne the pursuance of the ends of the Covenant and Treaty whether in relation to Peace or Warre In the 8th Article of the Treaty no Cessation Pacification or agreement for Peace whatsoever is to be made by either kingdome or the Army of either kingdom without the advice and consent of both kingdomes And in the 9th Article all differences arising between the Subjects of the two Nations are to be resolved and determined by the mutuall advice and consent of both kingdomes Object 3. That the Scottish Army did carry away the King from the Leaguer before Newark when there was a Committee of both Houses there without seeking their consent and that they have since disposed of him without consent of the Houses of Parliament whereas by the Treaty they ought to do nothing without a joynt resolution of both Kingdoms or their Committees Answ No sooner did the King come into the Scottish Army but the very same day the Committee of Estates of Scotland residing with that army did acquaint the Commissioners of both Houses therewith and not satisfying themselves with this the day following they wrote a Letter to the Committee of Scotland residing at Edinburgh and another to the Committee of both kingdomes here which was communicated to both Houses desiring the advice of this kingdome as in a matter of common interest and declaring they would obey the joynt resolutions of both kingdomes Yet no answer or advice was returned unto them either from the Houses or their Commissioners But immediatly after the surrender of Newark they received information that five thousand Horse and Dragoones from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army were upon their march towards them Northward which the Honourable House of Peers was pleased to give order to stop there being no Enemy in those parts to be opposed Upon consideration whereof the Quarters wherein they had stayed during the siege of Newark being extreamly exhausted and the Service for which they came thither being performed for preventing mistakes or new troubles between the Kingdomes They removed into Yorkshire the King as he came unto them of his owne accord did voluntarily march along with them Upon severall occasions afterwards They and we did earnestly desire the Honourable Houses to send a Committee to joyn and co-operate with the Committee of Estates there upon the place in all things according to the Treaty But no Answer was returned And from time to time the Houses were acquainted with the proceedings in that Army which were according to the Covenant and the known resolutions of both Kingdoms to debarre all such of both or either Kingdoms as had been in Arms against the Parliament from comming into their Quarters or to the Court or to the Kings Person according to the desire of the House of Peers And whereas it is affirmed That by the Treaty the Scottish Army ought to do nothing without a joynt resolution of both Kingdomes or their Committees There is no such Clause in the Treaty but they are to be subject to such resolutions as are and shall be agreed upon and concluded mutually between the Kingdoms and their Committees as by Ordinance of Parliament the Army under the command of the Earl of Essex or of Sir Thomas Fairfax was to receive and observe the Directions of the Committee of both Kingdoms sitting at Westminster But in case no new Directions were sent unto them they were left to former Orders if any were or otherwise to their own judgement and discretion There was never any such resolution agreed upon between the Kingdoms or their Committees as that the Scottish Army should not receive the King if he came unto them but it is an agreement between the Kingdomes in the Covenant that they should preserve and defend his Majesties Person And in the Declarations of both Kingdomes to rescue him from the common Enemy So that the Scottish Armie having often desired to know the direction and advice of the Houses of Parliament concerning the King and no new Directions being signified unto them According to the Treaty they were to observe the Directions and Resolutions formerly agreed upon betweene the Kingdoms And as the Scottish Army do and will ever acknowledge that they claime no power to dispose of the Kings Person but are subject to and shall be ready to follow whatsoever both Kingdoms shall agree upon as best for the King and Kingdoms so their keeping and preserving his Majesties Person as they would do to any person of his eminency and relation in an Army or Garrison Town without the least thought of hindering his voluntary return to his Parliament cannot be reputed or called a disposing of his Person Object 4. If any Peer of England go to the Scottish Armie and desire their Protection can he not be disposed of without the consent of the Committee of Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland residing with that Army Answ There is a wide and manifest difference betwixt the relation the Scottish Army hath to any Subject of England and the relation they have to their King which are sufficiently distinguished in the third fourth Articles of the Covenant for by the one they are mutually obliged to preserve and defend his Majesties Person and by the other they are mutually obliged to endeavour that all Incendiaries and dividers betwixt the King and his People or betwixt the Kingdomes be brought to tryall and condigne punishment before the supream Judicatories of the Kingdoms respectively and the Kingdom of Scotland hath equall right and interest with the Kingdom of
As for His Majesties going to Ireland or other-where beyond Sea It could not be the way to a present peace now so much desired but would certainly prognosticate new troubles Lastly his Majesties comming hither or neare this place is a more probable and hopefull way to preserve the Union of the Kingdomes because the enemy being still in armes in Scotland and expecting supplies from Ireland and the kingdome disabled by their great sufferings to entertaine an army for suppressing the Malignant party It were much more easie to raise new Forces there to the disturbance of the peace of this kingdome then it could be here where by the blessing of God all the Forces and Garrisons of the enemy are subdued and where it will not be so difficult to hinder Delinquents from accesse to his Majesty The dangers and inconveniencies of any of these other wayes doe so much preponderate and the present condition of affaires doth so much differ from that time when both Houses with our concurrence did disagree from his Majesties desire of comming to London at which time he had both Garrisons and field Forces unreduced that it may be conceived not onely safe but as things stand most convenient to agree to His Majesties coming to London or near it upon such conditions assurances from him as shall be by joynt resolution found necessary for preventing the access of delinquēts to His Majestie or an intestine commotion or forraine invasion to the disturbance of the peace of either Kingdome We trust it might accelerate a happy peace bring the present differences to an end and be no griefe of heart afterwards if upon such termes and conditions both Houses should be pleased to revive and renew such an invitation and assurance upon their part as was contained in their Answer to His Majesties Message of the 11. of Septemb. 1642. where after mention made of their chief grievance it was added All this notwithstanding as we never gave your Majestie any just cause of withdrawing your selfe from your great Councell So it hath ever been and shall ever be far from us to give any impediment to your returne or to neglect any proper meanes of curing the distempers of the Kingdome and closing the dangerous breaches betwixt your Majestie and your Parliament according to the great trust which lies upon us And if your Majestie shall now be pleased to come back to your Parliament without your Forces we shall be ready to secure your Royall Person Crown and dignitie with our lives and fortunes Your presence in this great Councell being the onely meanes of any Treaty betwixt your Majesty and them with hope of successe Divers such passages there are in the Declarations of both Houses which we shall not need to mention But if the Houses of Parliament shall not agree to his Majesties desire of comming hither with safety freedome and honour We offered to be considered in the next place whether it be not expedient that once again Commissioners be sent to his Majesty in name of both Kingdomes with power to heare his desires and to endeavour the satisfaction of doubts and scruples with intimation also That if his Majesty shall not give satisfaction in the Propositions both Kingdomes will without any more such applications consult and joyntly resolve upon other wayes of their safety and security And upon the other part that if His Majesty will be now at last graciously pleased to satisfie the desires of both Kingdoms His Majesties Throne with his just power and greatnesse shall be established aswel as the peace and security of his Subjects All which we doe propound in a brotherly freedome not being peremtorily wedded or addicted to any expedient that we have offered but if the honourable Houses in their wisedom shall be pleased to think of any other expedient which shall be for the good safety and honour of the King and Kingdomes We shall be most willing and ready to agree unto it when it shall be made known unto us not doubting but that in the faithfull and conscionable use of all good and possible meanes which may prevent differences between the Kingdomes there will be at last a sweet and brotherly agreement in such a conclusion as shall be good in Gods eyes and wherein both Kingdomes shall finde greatest comfort and happinesse By command of the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland Jo. Cheislie SEVERALL SPEECHES Spoken by the Right HONOURABLE The Earle of LOUDOUN Lord high Chancellour of the Kingdome of SCOTLAND AT A Conference with a Committee of the Honourable Houses in the Painted Chamber October 1646. Proverbs 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver EDINBURGH Printed by Evan Tyler Printer to the Kings most Excellent Majesty 1646. Good Reader I Understand that the right Honourable the Lord Chancellour of Scotland had not right done him by the printed Copie of his Speech to the Kings Majestie at New-castle concerning the Propositions of Peace there being in that Copie Errours and Omissions and both material which hath moved me to resolve as to print the former according to the true Copie so for preventing the like mistakes and mis-representations first to procure to my self and now to communicate to the publike view the true transcrips of these last three Speeches In which thou shalt find the merit of an excellent subject to speak for it self for thou hast here a most solid judicious candid and plain debate concerning the best and most hopeful means of attaining a speedy and happy Peace which may put a period to the lasting miseries of these three Kingdoms Read and consider and beware thou do not receive with the left hand what is reached forth with the right This Noble Lord hath dealt freely and faithfully both with King and Parliament and as Truth and plain dealing did appear in his Speeches so what he spake is here faithfully imparted and thou maist be confident that in this it holds true 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Thine to serve thee for the Publike good G. A. 20. Octob. 1646. From the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland HAving received the Votes of both Houses of the 24. of September declaring that whatsoever conference consultation or debate shall be with the Commissioners of Scotland concerning the disposal of the Person of the King it shall not be understood to be any capitulation in relation to the retarding of the march of the Scottish Army out of this Kingdom or of any Treaty between the Kingdoms concerning the same And being desired to give an answer hereunto before we entred upon the conference As we did then so we do now again declare That our conference consultation or debate with the Honourable Houses concerning the disposal of the Person of the King shall not retard or be any hinderance to the march of the Scottish Army out of this Kingdom or to any Treaty concerning the same And that it may be manifest how sensible we are of the
unnecessary burtheâ—…s continued in this Kingdom by keeping Armies on foot after the Warre is at end And that it may fully and cleerly appear how really it is desired by the Scottish Army that without delay they may march out of this Kingdom with the same affection and cheerfulnes that they came in for the assistance of their Brethren And to the end all jealousies mistakes or misunderstandings of our intentions may be removed we do further declare That we are willing and ready to meet with such as the honourable Houses shall appoint and within 24. hours to agree concerning the time and place of the payment of the 200000. pounds and the security to be given for the other And to appoint a day wherein our Forces shall march out of the Town and Castle of New-castle out of Tinmouth Castle Hartlâ—pool Stockton Thirlwall and all other places within this Kingdom Berwick and Carlile being disposed of according to the respective Treaties between the Kingdoms and likewise for marching of our Army out of this Kingdom Which in regard the Winter doth fast approach and for other important reasons we earnestly desire may be with all possible expedition And for this end that the money may be speedily sent unto them for the sooner they shall receive it the more acceptable it will be and give the greater satisfaction and the impoverished and exhausted Countrey will be the sooner eased And since the cause of their stay and continuance in this Kingdom is not upon their part and that for these six moneths past they have received no pay wherby they are exceedingly straitned in their quarters and the Northern parts where they remain greatly overburthened We do earnestly intreat that in the mean time with the 5000. l. at Nottingham already accounted unto them some competent proportion of money may be sent unto the Army for their necessary entertainment Or otherwise they will be forced to enlarge their quarters for the ease of the Countrey In all which we are the more desirous to come to a close that within few daies some of our number must repair to the Scottish Army and from thence to the Parliament of Scotland which is to sit the second of Novemb. next to give an account of our proceedings And therfore we do earnestly intreat the speedy answer of the honourable Houses By Command of the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland Jo. Chislie 20. Octob. 1646. 24. Octob. 1646. From the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Right Honourable IT is very well known to the honourable Houses that the Scottish Army receiving no pay for these six months past hath been forced to take free quarter from the Country people whereby the Northern Counties have been extremely exhausted and impoverished and the necessities of that Army in a great measure unsupplied we had rest disatisfied that these things had been already represented to both Houses of Parliament that the inconveniences which might foâ—low thereupon were sufficiently understood But being advertised by several Letters of the growing necessities of the Army and the insupportable burthen of those parts where they do quarter for ouâ— further exoneration and preventing the great dangers that may ensue we have judged it necessary to acquaint the honourable Houses that it is rumored abroad in the Northern parts that the Countrey people have a designe to surprize and injure our Forces as they lie dispersed in their several quarters It were a matter of no great difficulty for the Scottish Army in a forcible manner to prevent or suppresse any such insurrection But they have resolved to prefer the publike good and a happy correspondence between the Kingdoms to their owne safety In pursuance whereof they have written Letters to the Committee of Yorkeshire and other Counties earnestly desiring their concurrence to prevent such inconveniences as may endanger the Peace and Union betwixt the Kingdoms And have given direction to the general Officers of the Army to confer with the Gentlemen of the Countrey and to use their utmost endeavours to remove all Jealousies and Mistakes And particularly to acquaint them how earnestly desirous they are and have been for above these two moneths past to remove out of this Kingdom and return to their native Countrey Upon which considerations it is our renewed earnest request to the honourable Houses that the first 200000. l. may be speedily raised and sent to the Army and the security for the other agreed upon that they may forthwith march out of this Kingdom Or otherwise that in the mean time some course may be taken for supplying that army and easing of the Countrey until the money be raised wherby the great danger that is like to arise to the disturbance of the peace betwixt the Kingdoms may be prevented For if the Scottish Army shall be forced to enlarge their quarters Southward and in the mean time Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army as we are informed do enlarge their quarters Northward into those harrased exhausted Counties it is easie to foresee that these Kingdoms may unhappily be again embroyled into new and greater troubles then they have yet seen And what great advantage will be given to Forraign Nations to make use of our divided interests to the ruine of both All which out of the conscience of our duty and sincere affection to the peace and happines of these Kingdoms we have thought our selves bound timeously to make known And against all jealousies and mis apprehensions to give perfect and full assurance that whatsoever reports or suggestions there may be to the contrary no perswasion terror plot nor combination shall ever be able directly or indirectly to divide or withdraw the Kingdom of Scotland from a firm conjunction with this Kingdom But as they have done hitherto so for the future shall continue in pursuance of the ends of our solemn League and Covenant against all opposition whether forraine or intestine and to promote and settle the Peace of both Kingdomes Being very confident that the Honourable Houses in their wisdome will seriously apply themselves to the effectuall means for preventing the dangers and evils represented for hastening the return of our Army and satisfying all our just desires for setling the Peace of these Kingdomes which with constant zeal and fervent affection shall ever be faithfully endeavoured by Your Lordships most humble Servants Lowdoun Lauderdaill A. Johnston Charles Erskine Hugh Kennedy R. Barclay Worcester House the 24. Octob. 1646. For the Right Honourable the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore 29. October 1646. From the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland Right Honourable UPon the eleventh of August wee did declare how desirous the Kingdome of Scotland was of the easing of the burthens and pressures of this Nation and their willingnesse forthwith to surrender the Garisons and recal their Army out of this Kingdom reasonable satisfaction being given for their pains and charges And after the honorable Houses had resolved upon the wayes and