1639.—May 11.
29. Ane Letter from the Nobilitie of Scotland to the Earle of Hollands.[190]
Our Most Noble Lord,
Although we have bein, at all occasions, using the best meanes by such as were entrusted in his Majesties directions and commands, to give his Majestie true information of the equitie and necessitie of our proceedings, from the verie beginning to this present tyme, yett hath the successe beene so badd, that all our dealling hath bein misconstrued and perverted quyte contrare to our meaning and desires, not only to the increasing of prejudices betwixt the Prince and his people here, but also to the raising of a quarrell betwixt the two nations, which was als farr from our expectation, as from our intentions and deserving. This hath made us at last to wearie of the mediation and meddling of our owne countrie men in these effaires; and as we did beginne with the Earle of Essex, then being at Berwick, so doe we now continow with your Lordship in clearing our loyall thoughts to our Prince, and our duetifull respects to our neighbour nation; and to tistifie how readie we are to stoupe to the smallest occasiones serving for that end, the bearer Dʳ Johne Moiesley as a witnesse, who, although he became hither rather by tolleration then any command or commission, (as he declares,) yet his zeale and good affections to the publict peace of both nations we doe commend, and his privat endeavour to imploy himselfe in so good a worke shall not want from us the oure encouragement, the rather that he hath made honourable mention to us of your Lordships particular affectiouns to the continowance of your commoun peace; of whose disposition in the generall we were fullie assured before. We would, therefore, make knowen to your Lordship, and all others of the like noble disposition, and, if it were possible, to all the good subjects of England, that, as we have beene, we are still verie farre from wearying of Monarchical Government—from the thoughts of laying aside that of obedience, which we owe to our King and dread Soveraigne—from any intention to invaid England, quhich are so foule faults and haynous transgressions, as that we would not once have mentioned them, but that they have beene the false imputations of evill men against us, labouring thereby for their owne base ends, to worke our hinderance in obtaining our just desyres, which have beene and are no other but that we may peaceablie injoy our religion and the liberties of our countrey, according to the lawes; and that all questiones aryseing from these may be determined by Parliaments and Nationall Assemblies. That is it for which we have petitioned, covenanted, and consecrated our lives, and what in this world be dearest unto us, which we trust your Lordship, and all others noble, wise, and just men will judge to be most equitable, and for which no nationall quarrell can justlie arise—the Kirk Constitutions, and civill lawes in divers Kingdomes being different, and we being alse farr from impugning the religion and liberties of other nations, as we are carefull to mentaine our owne; and knowing that the common rule of equitie hath place with your Lordship—“quhatsoever ye would that others did to yow, doe yow even so to them.”
We have also sent with the bearer a double of that Supplication, which we are to send aboord to the Marqueis of Hamilton, that if it be possible by the Moderation of your Lordship, and of other Noble Lords, to whom we have written in lyke maner, presenting the same, His Majestie may be pleased to heare us at last and grant us our desires, which shall tend to his Majesties great glory, bring ane end to all our questions to our mutuall rejoycing, make the blessed Instruments of so good a worke to be thankfullie remembered by the Posteritie when they enjoy the fruites thereof, is the earnest request of
Your Lordships friends and Servands.
Edinburgh, 11 May 1639.
Your Lordship may be pleased to acquant any other of the Counsell of England whom your Lordship thinks fitt.
1639.—May 13.
30. Letter from the King to Hamilton.[191]
Hamilton,