1639.—[May.]
42. A Letter written from Sir James Carmichael and Lord Southeske to the Nobilitie of Scotland.[204]
We propounded to His Majestie according to the desires we had from yow, that yow might be admitted to come to His Majestie, to shew to his Majestie the trueth of things, and withall deprecat His Majesties wrath; quhilk motion of yours is not thought fitt, at this tyme, to be hearkened unto; yet His Majestie is so tender of the good of that his antient kingdome, that if yow come warranted from them by whom his auctoritie hath, in so high a measure, many wayes suffered, with such a submission as becomes duetifull subjects, he is most graceouslie pleased that yow come, and he will not barre his eares from any reasonable sute of any his good subjects, in such a way. And, therefore, yow are to consider with yourselves whither yow can bring any propositions that are worthie of his hearing, quherby they may shew themselves duetifull subjects, as, upon good grounds, may make show himself a graceous Prince, quhich, if it can be deserved, he is verie desirous to doe. Sic subʳ.
Southeske.
Ja. Carmichael.
1639.—May 25.
43. The Nobilities Letter to the Earl of Holland.[205]
Our Noble Lord,
As nothing can be more acceptable unto us then to heare that his Majestie were pleased to give just satisfaction unto us and all his good people, so shall we ever be willing, with all due respect, to remember and to honour all such as shall be so happie as be mediators to procure the same, which we acknowledge to be yours at this tyme; and, for our parte, shall, to the uttermost of our power, render all civile and temporall obedience to his Majestie, als tymelie and effectuallie as may be, with the safetie of our lives and safetie of the countrie. And, therefore, as we doe humbly intreat, and certainlie expect, that his Majestie is willing to cleare all doubts that may breid scruples in the mynds of his good subjects of either Kingdome, will, in his justice, recall all his forces by sea, which are here lying within our bosome, to our great hindrance—will recall our arreasted schipps in his Majesties uther dominions—will remove his armies from the Borders, for our securitie—and will be graciouslie pleased to give farder signification of his Majesties will for accommodation of effaires in such a peaceable way, whether by the confarence of some pryme and well-affected men of both nations, or any other meanes, (which we presume not to prescryve,) as may prove more powerfull then any thereof, already assayed, hath done: So doe we presently resolve, in all humilitie, to doe his Majesties will, in keeping our armies within the bounds of his Majesties limitation, and to performe all thinges we can conceave may conduce for our owne common peace.
The speedie effectuating of this on both sydes, as your Lordship knowes, to be his Majesties honour. So doe we knowe it to be the will of his Majesties Kingdome now in armes, whose present condition is such, that it cannot longer delay; and all men who looke upon us will perceave to be the scattering of that dark cloud which hings over the two Kingdomes. This blessed worke, if your Lordship, who hath begun so happilie, shall bring to passe, which, from the knowledge of his Majesties justice and goodnes, we suppose to be faseable be your Lordship and others who have access; and therefore intrust this Gentleman, Sir John Home of Blackader, Knyᵗ, with farder information; then shall we yet be farder oblidged to prove
Your Lordships humble Servants.
Lochend, the 25 Maij 1639.
Instructions.