Humbly sheweth,
That where the former meanes used by us have not beene effectuall for recovering your Majesties favour, and the peace of this your Majesties native Kingdome, we fall doune againe at your Majesties feete, most humbly supplicating that your Majestie would be graceouslie pleased to appoynt some few of the many worthie men of your Majesties Kingdome of England, who are well affected to the true religion, and to our common peace, heareby some of us of the same disposition, our humble desires, and to make known to us your Majesties graceous pleasure; that, as by the providence of God we are joyned in one Island under one King, so, by your Majesties great wisdome and tender care, all mistakeing may be speedilie removed, and the two Kingdomes may be kept in peace and happinesse under your Majesties long and prosperous reigne; for which we shall never cease to pray, as becometh your Majesties most humble Subjects.
1639.—June 7.
50. The Answer sent from the King by Sir Edmond Verney.[212]
The Kings Majestie having read and considered the humble supplication presented unto him by the Earle of Dumfermling, hath commanded me to returne this answer—That whereas his Majestie hath published a graceous Proclamation to all his subjects of Scotland, whereby he hath given them full assurance of the free enjoying both of Religion and Lawes of that Kingdome, and likewise a free pardon, upon their humble and duetifull obedience; which Proclamation hath been hitherto hindred to be published to most of his said subjects; Therefore, his Majestie requires, for the full information and satisfaction of them, that the said Proclamation be publictlie read. That being done, his Majestie will be graceouslie pleased to heare any supplication of his subjects.
1639.—June 8.
51. Sir Edmond Verney, his Memento of the Answer from the Scotts Noblemen.[213]
His Majesties Proclamation which I desired, in his Majesties name, to be published, wes called for by the Noblemen and others conveened to heare his Majesties graceous desire, and, with all due reverence, was read and heard; unto which these Answers were made:—
That they are most willing, in all humilitie, to receave his Majesties just commandment, as becometh loyall subjects: That the Estates being convened for holding the Parliament called by his Majestie, had receaved, from the Magistrats of the towne of Edinburgh, a copie of this Proclamation, which his Majesties High Commissioner had commanded them to publishe; and the said Estates, considering thereof seriouslie, did returne thir reasons to his Majesties Commissioner, why it could not be published, which they doe conceave were represented to your Majestie by your Commissioner, and thereunto they still adhere.
1. And ane of the reasons which I did heare from them was, that this Proclamation did not come in the ordinary and legall way—by his Majesties Counsell—which both is the law, and hath been the perpetuall custome of this Kingdome, and was acknowledged by the whole Counsell, ever since the beginning of this Commotion. In the presence of his Majesties Commissioner it was remembered also, that both his Majesties Counsell and Senatours of the Colledge of Justice, being divers tymes since conveined, did testifie their dislyke thereof.
2. Another reason was, that they found it to be most prejudiciall to his Majesties honour, who is desirous to govern according to law.