Most Sacred Soveraigne,
Be graceouslie pleased to hearken unto the humble Supplication of the Subjects of your ancient and native Kingdome of Scotland, still prostrat at the feete of your Majesties clemencie and myldnes; shewing that, as there is nothing so greevous unto us and everie ane of us as your Majesties heavie displeasure, conceaved against us this tyme past, which maketh us, in the trueth of our hearts and in all humilitie, to deprecat your Majesties wrath: so nothing under heaven can revive and refresh us so much as that the sweet rayes of the light and love of your Majesties countenance should, in the wonted comfortable maner, schyne upon us and this whole kingdome. In this we are most unhappie, that we want the comfort of your Majesties personall presence, and that your gracious accesse, which the meanest of your subjects find there. Lett us humblie begg that your Majestie may suffer your graceous favour to triumph over the severitie of your indignation; and if it may be your Majesties good pleasure to keepe the Parliament, graciouslie indicted by your Majestie, for putting a finall determination to all our troubles, whither in your owne royall persone, which is the earnest desire of our hearts, or by your Majesties High Commissioner, quherein we shall labour to give your Majestie just content, as becometh duetifull subjects, We are fullie assured that no act hath proceeded from your Majesties goodnes and Justice which shall make your name more glorious in the sight of the world, us more blessed in ourselves, and more cheerful to continow in all loyaltie and obedience, and to pray more heartilie for your Majesties long and prosperous raigne, and for the continowance of your princelie care over us to the end of the world.
1639.—May 9.
25. Letter from Lords and Gentlemen of the Covenant to Hamilton.[186]
Please your Grace,
As we were here met to attend the Parliament indicted by His Majesty, there was shewed to us by the Provost of Edinburgh a Letter from your Grace to himself, and the Bailiffs, and Council of this City, with the Copy of theirs returned to your Grace, deferring the more full Answer till our Meeting. And withall there was presented from your Grace His Majesties Proclamation, which having perused, we find it doth contain divers points not onely contrary to our Nationall Oath to God, but also to the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom: for it carries a denunciation of the high crime of Treason against all such as do not accept the Offer therein contained; albeit it be onely a Writing put in Print without the Kingdom, and not warranted by Act and Authority of the Council, lawfully convened within this Kingdom. And your Grace in your Wisdom may consider, whether it can stand with the Laws, Liberties, and Customs of this Kingdom, that a Proclamation of so great and dangerous Consequence, wanting the necessary Solemnities, should be published at the Mercat-cross of this City. Whereas your Grace knows well, that by the Laws of this Kingdom, Treason and Forfeiture of the Lands, Life, and Estate of the meanest Subject within the same, cannot be declared but either in Parliament, or in a Supreme Justice-Court, after Citation and lawful Probation, how much less of the whole Peers and Body of the Kingdom, without either Court, Proof, or Trial. And albeit we do heartily and humbly acknowledge and profess all dutiful and civil Obedience to His Majesty as our Dread and Gracious Soveraign; yet since this Proclamation does import in effect the renouncing of our Covenant made with God, and of the necessary means of our lawful Defence, we cannot pve Obedience thereto, without bringing a Curse upon this Kirk and Kingdom, and Ruine upon our selves and our Posterity; whereby we are persuaded, that it did never proceed from His Majesty, but that it is a deep Plot contrived by the Policy of the Devilish Malice of the known and cursed Enemies of this Church and State; by which they have intended so to disjoyn us from His Majesty, and among our selves, as the Rupture, Rent, and Confusion of both, might be irreparable, wherein we hope the Lord (in whom we trust) shall disappoint them. And seeing we have left no means possible unessayed, since His Majesties coming to York, (as before,) whereby His Majesties Ear might be made patent to our just Informations, but have used the help (to our last Remonstrance) of the Lord Gray, the Justice-Clerk, the Treasurer, and the Lord Daliell, as the Bearer can inform your Grace, and yet have never had the happiness to attain any hopes of our end, but have altogether been frustrate and disappointed thereof; and now understanding by the sight of your Graces Letter, that your Grace as His Majestys High Commissioner is returned with full Power and Authority to accommodate Affairs in a peaceable way, we will not cease to have recourse to your Grace, as one who hath chief interest in this Kirk and Kingdom, desiring your Grace to consider, (as in our Judgments we are persuaded,) that there is no way so ready and assured, to settle and compose all Affairs, as by holding of the Parliament according to His Majesties Indiction, either by His Sacred Majesty in Person, which is our chiefest desire, or by your Grace as His Majesties Commissioner, at the time appointed, wherein your Grace shall find our Carriage most Humble, Loyal, and Dutiful to our Soveraign, or to your Grace as representing His Majesties Person: and in the mean time that your Grace would open a safe way, whereby our Supplications and Informations may have access to His Majesties Ears. And we are fully persuaded, that we shall be able to clear the Lawfulness and Integrity of Our Intentions and Proceedings to His Majesty, and make it evident to His Majesty, and to the World, that our Enemies are Traitors to the King, to the Church and State; and that we are and ever have been His Majesties Loyal and Obedient Subjects. So we rest
Your Graces humble Servants,
| A. Leslie, | Dalhousie, | Forrester, |
| Argyle, | Lothian, | Erskins, |
| Marre, | Angus, | Boyd, |
| Rothes, | Elcho, | Napier, |
| Eglinton, | Lindesay, | Burghly, |
| Cassils, | Balmerino, | Kirkudbright, |
| Wigtown, | Montgomery, | |
And about 30 Commissioners for Shiresand Burroughs. | ||
Edinburgh, 9 May, 1639.