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
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
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
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
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
well as of England and is Head and Monarch of both Kingdomes cannot be disposed of by any one of the Kingdomes alone but what ever is to be done concerning the disposing of his Majesties Person ought to be done by joynt advice common consent of both as may serve most for the Peace security and happinesse of the King and Kingdomes which we did prove by severall Arguments To which there was nothing answered in effect but That the King being within England his person was to be disposed of as the two Houses shall think fit and that the King being with the Scottish Army and they being paid by the Parliament of England he is in effect in the power of the Houses and ought to be at their disposing in the same way as if he had come in the Army of Sir Thomas Fairfax or any other of the Parliaments Armies To which we shall not need to make any reply other then we have made already That the Kings present residence in England nor no locality can take away the reality of our relations formerly mentioned by us farre lesse can it take away the ingagements and stipulations betweene the Kingdomes and though the Scottish Army be paid by the Parliament of England yet they are the Army of Scotland raised for pursuance of the ends of the Covenant and are to be ordered and directed by the Parliaments or Committees of both Kingdomes And therefore they cannot with conscience duty nor honour deliver the Person of the King without his owne consent to be disposed of as the two Houses shall thinke fit but we have declared and doe still declare That we are content that the Person of the King be disposed of the word Disposed being taken in a right sense as may serve most for the Peace safety security honour and happinesse of the King and both Kingdomes and did offer to your Lordships consideration his Majesties coming to or neere London as the most probable meanes to procure a speedy and well-grounded Peace And seeing your Lordships have done us the honour to meet with us in this free and brotherly Conference we doe expect that you will concurre and assent to this Proposition or propound a better expedient for the good of both Kingdomes But if the honourable Houses will not admit of this Proposition our next desire is that it may appear no lawfull and possible meanes are left unassayed which may procure a happy agreement betwixt the King and his Parliaments and for our further exoneration That Commissioners may yet once more be sent â—…om both Kingdomes to his Majesty to shew the meaning of our Propositions â—…d to assert them and to heare the Kings doubts and difficulties and desires who â—…ay further intimate that if his Majesty shall not give a satisfactory answer to the Propositions then both Kingdoms will without making any such further application to him take such course as they shall judge fittest for the peace and security of the Kingdomes And as at the opening of this Conference I did begin with an humble lawfull and laudable desire for unity in relation to Religion the King and amongst our selves so shall I close in the same dialect for the first of Religion if we doe remember our vowes to God to perform them and shall endeavour really constantly and sincerely the Reformation of Religion and uniformity according to our Covenant we may certainly expect that God will crowne this great worke wherein he hath honoured us to be actors with his blessing but if in place of uniformity which we are obliged to endeavour there shall be a toleration of all Sects and sorts of Religion and if we neglect to build the house of God and become insolent upon our successes although we could mount up with Eagles wings and build our nests as high as the starres and had an army who for valour and strength could march to Constantinople God shall lay our glory low in the dust and suffer the work to fall in our hands like the confusion of Babell And what ever hath been moved by us concerning the King we desire it may be rightly constructed as proceeding from such as have not wavered from their first principles for when the King was in the height of his power we did not and I hope never shall flatter him and when the enemy was in the height of their pride and strength Scotland did feare no colours and now when the King is at his lowest ebb and hath cast himselfe into our Army for safety we hope your Lordships will pardon us from our sense of honour and duty to be very tender of the person and posterity of the King to whom we have so many neer relations and not like the worse of us that we cannot so farre forget our allegeance and duty as not to have an antipathy against the change of Monarchical government in which we have lived through the descent of so many Kings and under which both kingdomes have been governed so many ages and flourished in all happinesse And now my last word shall be for constant Vnity between the kingdomes which as it hath been the chiefe meanes to promote the great work wherein both kingdoms are so deeply engaged so there is nothing can make us so formidable to our enemies nor so much aiding one to another as the cherishing and continuing thereof and I dare say that no man would divide the one from the other but such as desire to fish in troubled waters and are reall enemies to both God hath blest the joynt endeavours of both Nations both are in one ship and are come through a very great storme and now when we are come in the harbour it would be great shame to both to split upon the rocks of division devorate bove deficere in cauda and your Lordships may be confident that Scotland who have esteemed no hazzard too great for settling of Religion and love to their Brethren will stick so fast and firmly to you so long as you hold the principles of your Covenant as no feare nor favour will ever be able to divide them from you and we doe expect that reciprocal amity which may perpetuate our Vnity The Lord Chancellour of Scotland his Speech to the Kings Majesty at NEWCASTLE YOur Majestie was pleased on Monday last to call the Lords of your privy Counsell of Scotland and the Committee to acquaint them with the Propositions and told That before the delivery of your answer you would make the same known to them The time assigned for the stay of the Commissioners is so short and the consequence of your Majesties answer is of so great importance either for the preservation or ruine of your Crown and Kingdomes as we could not be answerable to God nor to that trust reposed in us unlesse we represent to your Majesty how necessary it is as the condition of affaires now stand and in so great an extremity that your Majesty should assent to the