1640.—June 27.
8. The Earl of Lanerick’s Answer to the Committee.[253]
My Lords,
By my former of the date of the 23d of June, his Majesty was pleased to promise by me, to let you know within few dayes his further pleasure concerning those proceedings and desires of the Noblemen, and Barons, and Burgesses, which you sent me to be presented to his Majesty; whereupon he hath now commanded me to tell you, that the Not Proroguing of the Parliament in a Legal and Formal way, was not for want of clear Instructions, and of full and ample Power from his Majesty, he having fully signified his pleasure to those whom he did entrust with the executing thereof, not thinking it fit to employ other Servants of greater Eminence, by reason of the disorders and Iniquities of the times: and as forced by the importance of his other great and weightie affairs, he was necessitated to Prorogue the Parliament for some few dayes, so did he most really intend to perform, at the time prefixed, whatsoever he had promised by the Act of Pacification; but neither can the neglect of his servants, (if any be,) nor those other Reasons alledged by the foresaid Noble-men, Barons, and Burgesses, in their Declaration for their sitting, satisfie his Majesty for their proceeding in a Parliamentary way; since, by the Duty and Allegiance of Subjects, they are bound to acknowledge, in a most special manner, his Transcendent Power in Parliaments. And if Subjects there do assume the Power of making Laws, and rescinding those already made, what Act can be done more Derogatory to that Regal Power and Authority we are all sworn to maintain? Therefore his Majesty conceives, they cannot in reason expect he can interpose his Royal Authority to these, or any other Acts whatsoever, whereto neither he in his own real Person, nor by his Commissioner, did assist. Yet such is his Majesties Clemency, that when they shall take such an humble and dutiful way, as may witness that they are as careful and tender of his Majesties Royal Power, as they are desirous of his Approbation, then shall it be time for them to expect such a Gracious and Just Answer, as may testifie his Majesties Fatherly Compassion of that his Native Kingdom, and his Pious and Princely care of performing whatsoever is necessary for Establishing their Religion and Laws. So thus, having imparted unto you all that was enjoyned me by his Majesty, I shall say no more from my self, but I am
Your Lordships humble Servant,
LANERICK.
White-Hall, June 27, 1640.
1640.—July 7.
9. Reply by the Committee to Lanerick.[254]
My Lord,
We received your Lordships Letter of the twenty seventh of June from the Lord Lowdon, whose Relief out of Prison gives us occasion (before we answer your Lordships Letter) to acknowledge the same as an Act of his Majesties Royal Justice and Goodness, although the pretended Cause of his Imprisonment was but a Malicious Calumny of the Enemies of the Kings Honour and our Peace, forged to engage both his Majesties Kingdoms in a National War. As we cannot but regret that any Neglect of his Majesties Officers, or absence of his Commissioner, whose presence we did both desire and expect, should hinder the interposing his Royal Authority to these Acts of Parliament, which were found most necessary for establishing Religion and the Peace of this Kingdom, and which, according to the Acts of Pacification, his Majesty was Graciously pleased to promise; so we have and shall still endeavour to give demonstration of that tender respect we have of his Majesties Honour and Royal Power. And whereas your Lordships Letter doth imply, that we should take some other way for the more easie obtaining of his Majesties Approbation, which also, by several reasons, hath been most instantly pressed by the Lord Lowdon; yet we conceive that Parliamentary way which was taken by the Estates convened by his Majesties Special Warrant, to have been most Legal and Necessary, and no wayes Derogatory to his Majesties Power in Parliament, nor contrary to the Duty of good Subjects, who are warranted by the Articles of Pacification under his Majesties hand, to Determine all Civil Questions, Ratifie the Conclusions of the Assembly, and remove the present Distractions of this Kingdom, as is more abundantly demonstrated by their Declaration in Parliament hereabout; so that we dare not take any other course, which may entrench upon their Parliamentary Power or Proceedings, nor will we (being so few in number appointed to stay here) presume of our selves, in a matter of so great moment, to return a more full and particular Answer, till there be a more frequent meeting of those appointed by Parliament, which will be shortly; and then your Lordship shall be acquainted, that you may shew his Majesty their resolutions and humble desires; and we shall remain
Your Lordships Affectionate Friends
and Servants,