A true copy of a Paper delivered by the Duke of Hamilton to some of his servants, at St James that morning before he suffered, in the presence of Doctor Sibbald.  
I Know you that are here, to be true, and faithful to me, I will therefore in your hearing, say some what in order to myself, and to my present Condition, and give you also this copy of it, which after I am gone may perhaps be thought necessary to be published as the last testimony of my loyalty to my King, for whom I now die, and of my affection to my country, for the pursuance of whose pious, and loyal commands, I am now to suffer.  
That my Religion hath always been, and still is orthodox I am confident no man doubts, I shall not therefore need to say much to that Particular, only that I am of the true reformed Protestant Religion, as it is professed in the Church of Scotland.  
I do take God to witness, that I have been constantly a loyal and faithful subject, and servant to his late majesty (in spite of all malice and calumny,) I have had the honour since my Childhood, to attend, and be near him, till now of late, and during all that time I observed in him as eminent virtues, and as little vice, as in any man I ever knew, And I dare say he never harboured thought of Countenancing Popery in any of his Dominions, otherwise then was allowed by the laws of England, and that among all his Subjects, there could not be found a better Protestant then himself, And surely also, he was free from having any intent to exercise any tyranny, or absolute Power, over his Subjects, and that he hath been so unfortunate, I rather impute the Cause of it to the sins of his people, then to his own.  
For my own part, I do protest never to have swerved from that true allegiance, which was due unto him, and that hath Constantly been paid (to my Comfort I speak it) to his progenitors, by my ancestors for many ages without spot, or dishonour, and I hope shall be still by my successors to his posterity.  
I do heartily wish well to, and pray for, his royal Issue, and shall die a true, and loyal subject to his eldest son Charles the second the unquestionable King by right, of all his father's kingdoms, I hope (though I do not live to see it) that God's Justice and goodness will in his own time establish him on the throne of his Father, which I doubt not some of you will see come to pass, and I am Confident that till then, and so long as men deeply plunged in guilt, and self Interest usurp power, and government, These kingdoms will fall short either of Peace, or any other permanent happiness.  
I speak this from my just affection to the royal Race, and much Compassion to his majesty's Subjects, but not from any Malice, anger, or desire of revenge, against any, for what I have, or am to suffer, for I forgive all men.  
It is well known what Calumnies, and aspersions have been thrown upon me, by men of several Parties, and Interests, not excepting those who would seem to carry much affection to his late majesty as though I had expressed disservice, or disloyalty unto him, the which how malicious and groundless they were, I appeal to God, who with my own Conscience, clearly beareth witness of my innocency therein, And I shall beg mercy from him to whom I am now to give an account of all my thoughts and actions, as I have still had a faithful, and a loyal heart to my Master.  
It hath been a general Complaint, that I persuaded his majesty to pass the Act for continuing this Parliament, I dispute not whether the doing of it at that time, might have been reputed good, or bad, but surely it was not I that did persuade it.  
Neither did I at all, deal with his majesty for his Consent to the Bill of attainder, for taking away the life of the Earl of Strafford whose great parts, and affection, is known I highly valued, yet some have been pleased to attribute to me the Cause of that concession, but were his majesty now living, I am confident he would publicly clear me in both these, as he hath been pleased many times in private formerly to do.  
And truly I am not conscious to myself (though I have been for many years a privy counsellor to him) of ever giving him any advice that tended to other End (as I conceived) than the good and Peace of his majesty and his Dominions.  
It hath been rumoured, since my last imprisonment, that I should confess myself, to be the greatest Instrument under his majesty (by making use of his Scottish great seal) for authorising the war in Ireland, A report so false, and simple, as in my opinion, judicious and honest men will not believe it, And truly, as I am free from having hand therein, in any manner of way, so, I am of nothing more confident, then that his majesty was also absolutely free there of, and that he was not in any Case, a Causer or Countenancer, of those Irish troubles.  
I have been often examined touching Persons of several qualities within this kingdom, that (as is supposed) did invite into England the late Army from Scotland, or promised assistance after their coming, and of late much persuasion hath been used with me to that purpose, as that upon my discovery thereof depended the only means of my preservation, I will not say that I had any thing to reveal, which would have been satisfactory, but this I desire you to attest to the world, that I have not accused, or said any thing, that may reflect on any man, of what degree soever within the King's Dominions, And indeed, it was so contrary to my Conscience, and so derogatory to my honour, that if I had been able yet I should never have prejudiced any in that nature, though it had been to save me a 100 lives.  
Touching that foul, and senseless slander, that I betrayed the Army under my Conduct, the care, and pains I then took to prevent the loss of it, and the near approach of my suffering for it, will I suppose abundantly Contradict this aspersion, I was satisfied with the justness and necessity of that engagement, upon the grounds of the Declaration of the Parliament of Scotland, fearing then, the sad confusions which hath since followed here, both in Church, and State, and particularly the fatal fall of my Master, to the preservation of whose Person, I was by obligation, and a natural affection, as passionately tied, as I could be by duty, and allegiance.  
And now I confess, I am void of all rancour, or displeasure against any, though I am within few hours to dies adjudged by a lawless, and arbitrary Court of purpose erected (as is said) to destroy my Master and some of his servants, and for a great part composed of men mechanic, and unfit to be Judges, my death being decreed (right or wrong) as is reported before ever the trial began, and though my death is no less than murder, yet I forgive all, and pray to God to do it, and that my blood be not laid to their Charge, or to some powerful, and eminent men's, who, as is thought upon some sinister Ends, have many months since contrived my destruction, which now is ready to take effect.  
And though I have answered to that Court, in regard of the justness of my defence, which I thought would have weighed with them, yet I never thought, nor do I acknowledge any jurisdiction, or lawful Authority in the same, not withstanding, I do with all Christian humility submit to the Punishment which for my other personal sins, the Lord hath justly brought upon me.  
I should have spoken much more, yet would not have said so much, but for fear lest either my memory might slip it on the Scaffold, or that the rudeness of some people by noise or otherwise, might have interrupted me speaking on this subject, so I thank God, I am well prepared, God bless you, Remember me to all my friends.  
I know I have been a great sinner, yet through faith I have an assurance that God will forgive me, and have mercy upon me through the alone suffering, and intercession of Jesus Christ my saviour.  
AMEN.   

HAGE: Printed by Samuel BROUN English bookseller, Dwelling in the Achter-om at the sign of the English Printing house.  
Anno M. DC. XLIX.