You shall shew to my Lord Holland—
1. The true estate of the question—Whether we shall be governed by Generall Assemblies in matters of ecclesiasticall, and by Parliament in matters civill, unto whose decision we have ever submitted ourselves, our persons, our cause, and proceedings; and albeit Proclamations be wrapt up in generalls of Religion and Lawes, the ground of both are condemned in particulars, as our Covenant with God and the Generall Assembly, whereof we cannot obtaine our ratification in Parliament?
2. That we never had intention, either to diminishe his Majesties auctoritie and monarchie, or to invaid our neighbour Kingdome, but only to defend ourselves in the mentainance of religion and our liberties.
3. That we have hitherto used all meanes possible, by supplications and informations, to cleare our intentions to his Majestie and our neighbour nation.
4. That, to shew our greatest testimonie of our willing obedience, after by proclamation we were declaired rebellis and tratours, we most humblie renued our Supplications, wrote to sundrie Noblemen of England, and most heartillie consented to the prorogation of the Parliament.
5. That the English nation hes now lyen this fourtnight in our Firth, stopping all tredd and comers betwixt this and any uther nation, tackeing our schippes, boattes, and barkes, their goods and victualls and moneyes, deteining the men, both mariners and passengers, or forceing them to swear oathes contrare to our Religion and Lawes.
6. That many fastations and relations of our foull conspiracies (as they call them) are published to the world against us, and yet never ane of them suffered to come home to lett us know our accusations; that our estates be disposed to our tennents, and our lives subjected to all that would be rewarded for the takeing of them.
7. That, albeit it be strange that any forraigne army, after threatening our destructions, shall marche to our Borders, readie to come in upon us at their pleasure, and we, who intend and professe not to offend, but to defend ourselves, should be discharged from the bounds so lyable to barre invasion, yet, to give full satisfaction in everie poynt, are content to stay our armies upon assurance of the present removeing of the Navie from our Frith, and armies from our Borders.
8. It is likelie that matters of so great importance as is now to be intreated upon, cannot so shortlie be brought to ane conclusion as necessitie requires, by interchanging of Letters and intercourse of messingers. It doth, therefore, seeme convenient that a conference were appoynted betwixt some of the Nobilitie of England and some of our Nobilitie in some convenient place upon the Border March, so speedilie as may be, which, doubtlesse, will prove the most comodious way to accomodat bussinesse shortlie.