Right Honourable,
As nothing in Earth is more desired of us than His Majesties favour, so doth nothing delight us more than that His Majesty beginneth again to hearken to our Humble Desires, wherein we trust nothing shall be found but what may serve for His Majesties Honour and for the Peace of His Dominions. The Particulars we would have expressed, but that they are contained in the Conclusions of the late Parliament, and our Printed Declarations, which were sent to your Lordship; but in case the Papers be not by your Lordship, we now summarily repeat them.
That His Majesty would be Graciously pleased to command, that the last Acts of Parliament may be published in his Highness’s Name, as our Soveraign Lord, with the Estates of Parliament convened by His Majesties Authority; Next, That the Castle of Edinburgh, and other strengths of the Kingdom of Scotland, may, according to the first foundation, be furnished and used for our Defence and Security; Thirdly, That our Countrymen in his Majesties Dominions of England and Ireland may be free from Censure for subscribing the Covenant, and be no more pressed with Oaths and Subscriptions unwarranted by our Laws, and contrary to their National Oath and Covenant approved by His Majesty; Fourthly, That the Common Incendiaries, who have been the Authors of this Combustion in His Majesties Dominions, may receive their Just Censure; Fifthly, That our Ships and our Goods, with all the Damage thereof, may be restored; Sixthly, That the Wrongs, Losses, and Charges, which at this time we have sustained, may be repayed; Seventhly, That the Declarations made against us as Traytors may be recalled, and in end, by advice and consent of the Estates of England convened in Parliament, His Majesty may be pleased to remove the Garrisons from the Borders, and any Impediment that may stop free Trade, and with their advice may condescend to all Particulars, which may establish a stable and well-grounded Peace, for enjoying of our Religion and Liberties, against all fears of molestation and undoing from year to year, as our Adversaries shall take the advantage. This Royal testimony of His Majesties Justice and Goodness, we would esteem to be doubled upon us, were it speedily bestowed, and therefore must crave leave to regrate, that His Majesties Pleasure concerning the Meeting of the Peers the 24ᵗʰ of this Instant, will make the time long ere the Parliament be convened, which is conceived to be the only mean of settling both Nations in a firm Peace, and which we desire may be seriously represented to His Majesties Royal thoughts; the more this time is abridged, the more able will we be to obey His Majesties Prohibition of not advancing with our Arms, Our Actions, and whole comportment since the beginning of these Commotions, and especially of late since our coming into England, are Real Declarations of our love, and desire of Peace: nothing but invincible necessity hath brought us from our Country to this Place, no other thing shall draw us beyond the limits appointed by His Majesty; which we trust His Majesty will consider of, and wherein we hope your Lordship will labour to be a profitable Instrument for the Kings Honour, the Good of your Country, and of
Your Lordships humble Servants,
and affectionate Friends,
Scots-Leager at New-Castle,
Sept. 8ᵗʰ 1640.
| A. Lesly, | Tho. Hope, |
| Rothes, | W. Rickartoun, |
| Cassils, | J. Smith, |
| Montrose, | P. Hepburn, |
| Dumfermline, | D. Home, |
| Lindsay, | Keir, |
| Lowdon, | Ja. Sword. |
| Napier. |
1640.—September 24.
6. Letter from the Earl of Lanerick appointing a Treaty.[273]
My Lords,
According to His Majesties appointment, the most part of the Peers of this Kingdom of England met here at York this day, where His Majesty did communicate unto them your Desires and Petitions; and because you do so earnestly press for a speedy Answer, His Majesty, with advice of the Peers, hath nominated such a number of them for a Conference with you upon Tuesday at Northallerton, whose names are underwritten. But withall if you shall think the time too short, and that with conveniency you cannot come so soon thither, if betwixt this and Sunday you do acquaint His Majesty therewith, he will take Order for the delay thereof, for one day or two.