1639.—May.
40. A Letter from Scottish Nobles sent to the Noblemen and Counsellours in England.[201]
Most Noble Lords,
Although we have bein labouring this long tyme past by our Supplications, Informations, and Missives to some of your Lordships, to make knowen to his Majestie and the whole Kingdome of England, the loyaltie and peaceablenes of our intentions and desires, and that we never meant to deny to his Majestie, our Soveraigne and native King, any poynt of temporall and civille obedience, yet, contrarie to our expectation and hopes, matters to this day growing worse and worse, both Kingdomes are brought to the dangerous and deplorable condition wherein they now stand in the sight of the world. In this extremitie we have sent to his Majestie our humble supplication, (besides which know none other meanes of pacification,) and doe most earnestlie intreat that it may be assisted by your Lordships, that, if it be possible, by a meeting, in some convenient place, of some pryme and well-affected men to the reformed religion, and our common peace, matters may be accommodat in a fair and peaceable way, and that so speedilie, and with such expedition, as, through farder delayes, which we see not how they can be longer indured, our evills become not incureable. We take God and the world to witnes, that we have left no meanes unassayed to give his Majestie and the whole Kingdome of England, all just satisfaction, and that we desire nothing but the preservation of our Religion and Lawes. If the fearfull consequents shall ensue, which must be verie neare, except they be wiselie and speedilie prevented, we trust they shall not be imputed unto us, who, till this tyme, have been following after peace, and who doe, in everie duetie, most ardentlie desire to shew ourselves his Majesties faithfull Subjects, and
Your Lordships humble Servants, &c.
1639.—May 23.
41. The Marquis of Hamiltons Letter to the Earle of Rothes.[202]
My Lord,
I have received a letter, signed by my Lord Lindsey, not of many lynes, yet full of injuries; and sure it was in such a straine as is not fitt for a Subject to write to the Kings Commissioner, and deserves no other cause but this, that his follie hath transported him beyond his duetie. The article which he mentions, I find to be none other than unjust complaints underwritten by your Lordship, and some other, written to no other end, as I conceive, but to justifie disloyall proceedings, and to accuse us of things quhich are notoriouslie false, quhich, to confute, I hold it altogither unnecessar, though verie easie to be done; and so much the more since ane answer is so peremptourilie required. This is not the way to bring the bussinesse to that peaceable conclusion which yow seeme to desire; wherefore, leaving these wayes, if peace it be ye would have, and comeing in that maner as becomes subjects to come to their Soveraigne his Commissioner, I shall then not only receave your petitions, but willinglie contribute my best endeavours with my Master, so farre as may stand with his honour and my duetie, for his graceous receaving yow into his favour, and establishing a future peace in the land, which, if it be alse heartilie desired of yow as it shall be reallie laboured for by me, I have no doubt of the good successe. So I rest, desirous yet to continow.
Hamilton.
From aboord the Rainbow,[203]
in Leith Road, 23 Maij, 1639.