Right Trusty, and well-beloved Cousins and Councellours, &c.
We have received a Letter dated the 22ᵗʰ of May, and signed by some of Our Council, some of the Commissioners for Conserving the Articles of the late Treaty, and of the Commissioners for the Common Burdens: and though it seem strange unto Us, that those Committees should Sign in an equal Power with Our Council, especially about that which is so absolutely without the limits of their Commissions; yet We were more surprized with the Conclusions taken at their Meetings, of Calling a Convention of the Estates without Our special Warrant, wherein Our Royal Power and Authority is so highly concerned, as that We cannot pass by the same, without expressing how sensible We are of so Unwarrantable a way of Proceeding; and if We did not prefer to Our Own unquestionable Right the Preservation of the present happy Peace within that Our Kingdom, no other Consideration could move Us to pass by the just Resentment of Our Own Interest therein. But when we consider to what Miseries and Extremities Our Scotish Army in Ireland is reduced, by reason that the Conditions agreed unto by Our Houses of Parliament for their Maintenance, are not performed; and likewise the great and heavy Burdens, which We are informed Our Native Kingdom lies under, by the not timely payment of the Remainder of the Brotherly Assistance due from England, contrary to the Articles of the late Treaty; and withall remembring the Industry, which We know hath been used upon groundless Pretences, to possess Our Scotish Subjects with an Opinion, that if God should so bless Us here in England, as to protect Us from the Malice of Our Enemies, Religion, and the now-established Government of Our Native Kingdom, would be in danger: We (laying aside all Consideration of Our Own particular) resolve on Our part, to endeavour by all possible means to prevent all colour or ground of Division betwixt Us and Our good Subjects of Scotland; and therefore do permit you to Meet, Consult, and Conclude upon the best and readiest ways of Supplying the present wants of Our Scotish Army in Ireland, and providing for their future Entertainment there, until some solid Course be taken for recovering of the Arrears due to them, and for their constant Pay in time coming, according to the Conditions agreed upon in the Treaty; as also to advise upon the best way of Relieving the Publick Burdens of that Our Kingdom of Scotland, by pressing, by all fair and lawful means, a speedy Payment of the Remainder of the Brotherly Assistance due from England; as likewise to prevent the Practices of such as study to entertain in this Our Kingdom groundless Jealousies and Fears of Innovation of Religion or Government, the Preservation whereof (according to Our many Solemn Protestations) shall ever be most Sacred to Us; providing always, that in doing these things, nothing be done which may tend to the Raising of Arms, or Recalling Our Scotish Army, or any part thereof, from Ireland, but by Order from Us, and Our Two Houses of Parliament, according to the Treaty agreed upon to that effect: and We do require you, to limit your Consultations and Conclusions to the foresaid Particulars. And as by this, and many other Our former Acts of Grace, and Favour to that Our Native Kingdom, it clearly appears how desirous We are of preserving their Affections, and preventing all occasions of Mistakes betwixt Us and them; so We do expect, that your Proceedings at this time will be such, as may shew your tender Care of Us and Our Greatness, which by so many Oaths and Obligations you are tied to preserve.
Given at Our Court at Oxford,
the 10ᵗʰ of June, 1643.
24. List of Documents bearing reference to the Church, from the 8th November 1641 to the 2d November 1643.
The importance and consequences of the proceedings in the Convention of Estates and General Assembly, which were held in Scotland in the summer and autumn of the year 1643, render it proper to supply a considerable number of collateral documents connected with the movements of these bodies; and, amongst other sources of information, the Register of Privy Council has been consulted for this purpose. There are some Minutes, &c., in that record, which it is unnecessary to transcribe fully. In order, however, to present a connected view of recorded occurrences from the most authentic source, it seems expedient to prefix, in chronological order, the titles and dates of the several minutes of meetings at which important deliberations took place; and, for this purpose, there is subjoined a note of these, from the time that the Privy Council was new modelled, in 1641, till the close of the year 1643. This will serve as a key to the reader in the perusal of the other documents referable to the period, which are subjoined, and thus preserve a distinct impression of the series of events connected with the Acts of the Church.
1641.
November 8. Admission of Councillors named by the King, with consent of the Estates.—Archibald Primrose’s admission as Clerk of Council.
1642.
April 9. The Parliament of England’s Declaration to the Council of Scotland.—His Majestie’s Instructions anent the Declaration foresaid. April 22. Declaration to the King and Parliament of England.