York, 25 Apr. 1639.
1639.—May 2.
21. Missive Letter from the Marquis of Hamilton to the Provost, Magistrates, and Council of the City of Edinburgh.[182]
Loving Friends,
Such is and haith bein his Majesties tender fatherlie caire of this his native Kingdome, that he haith bein graciouslie pleased to indevore, by manie faire and calme wayes, to reclaizme his disobedient subjects within the same, but hitherto all in vaine. So haffing producit no better effects in divers of theme bot the daylie incressing of insolences; and to such ane hicht it is growne, that nothing can be justlie expected from his Majestie bot to use his royall power and force: zitt still, such is his guidnes and clemencie, as that will be the last way he will trite, and then to the gritt grieff. Quhairfore he hes bein pleased to send me, his High Commissioner, unto these pairts againe, with full powar and authoritie to accommodat these effaires (if it be possible) in ane peaceable way, and to treat and use his guid and deutifull subjects with all favour and kindnes, qwhereof I thought fitt to give yow notice, yow being the cheiff and principall citie of this his Kingdome; zitt I may say with sorrow, that none hes schewing themselfis more proane to riot and disobedience to his Majesties commands than yow. Bott zitt ther is tyme for repentance—such is his Majesties clemencie. These are thairfor to desyre yow, that not onlie your selfis, bot that yow lykewayes prepair the hairts of the Commouns, that both yow and yai may be readyr to repaire his Majesties gratious pleasure whichsal be signified unto yow, with that humble and thankfull obedience, as becommeth loyall, deutifull, and guid subjects, so that, by your guid example, the rest of this Kingdome may doe the lyke, which will be ane meanes for yow to redeme His Majesties favour which yow have iustlie lost, and saive the schedding of much innocent blood, which both His Majestie and all just men call Heaven and earth to witnes, yow ar the principall causers thereof, as haiffing cheiflie countenanced the beginners of these trubles, and which one day most lye heavilie upone yowr consciences, and call for iust vengeance from God and the King, with the curses of manie innocents which, by yowre meanes, will be destroyde. Bott I houp now, at yᵉ last, yow will sie yowr awin errors, and accept this meanes of reconceiliatioun which now is to be offerit unto yow; wherein no man sall more joy than I,
Your verie loving Friend,
Hamilton.
1639.—May 3.
22. Letter from the Provost, &c. of Edinburgh to the Marquis of Hamilton, in answer.[183]
Please your Grace,