THE DECLARATION OF THE COMMISSIONERS for the Kingdom of SCOTLAND Concerning the removal of His Majesty from Holdenby.  
Together with a Speech made by the Earl of Lauderdale touching the same; At a Conference with both Houses of PARLIAMENT on Saturday the 5 th'. of June 1647.  
LONDON: Printed for Robert Bostock. 1647.   

WHen in January last, the Honourable Houses did desire, that the King (then at Newcastle with the Scots Army) might come to Holdenby; They did declare to the Kingdom of Scotland, that they would take care of the preservation of his Person, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion, and Liberties of the Kingdoms according to the Covenant; And that when the King should be at Holdenby, and the Scottish Forces gone out of this Kingdom, they would be ready, according to their former Declarations, to join with the Kingdom of Scotland, in employing their best endeavours to procure his Majesty's assent to the Propositions of Pe●ce: And when the Parliament of Scotland did give their concurrence for His Majesty's going to Holdenby, they did declare against all harm, prejudice, injury, or violence to be done to his Royal Person. We have attended these six weeks passed in a readiness to join with the Honourable Houses, according to their Declaration, for procuring His Majesty's assent to the Propositions; and whilst we were expecting that an application should have been made to his Majesty by both Kingdoms for his assent, We understand, that in a violent manner, his Majesty is carried away against his will, by a party of Sir Thomas Fairfaxes A●my, which we are confident is without any warrant from either House of Parliament. The Parliament of Scotland to manifest their confidence in the Houses of the Parliament of England, did consent to his Majesty's coming to Holdenby; And now by an open breach against both Kingdoms, he is carried from thence we know not, whether I Which action will certainly be highly resented by the Kingdom of Scotland; and doth engage us according to the duty we own to them who have entrusted us, to represent our sense of this violent act, which must needs be dangerous to both the Kingdoms; And to desire, that the Houses in their wisdom, would take such course, as the King may be brought from those who have taken him away, unto some of his houses near the Parliament, that so a joint application may be made to him by both Kingdoms, for the settling of a just and solid peace. And we do assure the honourable Houses in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland, that if there shall be need, they will be ready to the utmost of there power, to join with this Kingdom; As for the other ends of the Covenant, So for rescuing and defending his Majesty's person, in the preservation of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms, and for maintaining the Privileges of the Parliaments, according to the Covenant, wherein we shall have regard to the honour of this Kingdom, as well as our own. We cannot think that all who are of that Army, are accessary to such wicked designs, Or will knowingly disappoint the trust reposed in them by the Parliament. Some we believe have gone along in the simplicity of their hearts; Such we doubt not but the clemency and wisdom of the honourable Houses, may, and will reclaim unto their duty; And upon the other part we trust the prudence and care of both Houses, will in such a way as they shall think fit, provide against the present visible dangers, which do more than threaten the Parliament and City.  
These things the Conscience of our duty hath moved us freely to declare. And as we would have accounted it guiltiness for us to be silent at such a time; So if a speedy remedy be not taken against this deluge of the worst of evils, we trust that we have hereby exonered our Consciences before God and the world.  
5th June 1647. By command of the Commissioners for the Parliament of Scotland. Jo: Cheislie.   

The Earl of Lawdersdales' Speech in the Painted Chamber.  
5. June 647. My Lords and Gentlemen:  
THe interest of these two Kingdoms of Scotland and England, are so nearly conjoined in this Cause, that what is hurtful or dangerous to either, must needs be so to both; for they are so united, that they must stand or fall together. This consideration hath moved us (who serve the Parliament of Scotland here) to desire to wait upon both Houses of Parliament; having understood, that his Majesty is against his will carried away from Holdenby, we know not whither.  
My Lords, The Parliament of England hath often upon several occasions, since the beginning of these unhappy troubles, declared their firm resolution to maintain and reform Religion; To preserve the established Government of the Kingdom; and, to defend his Majesty's Person and Authority, in the defence of the true Religion & liberties of the Kingdoms. These I need not repeat, your Lordships and the●e worthy Gentlemen do better remeber them, & I am confident will make good what you have so frequently declared. But we are all more solemnly tied: For when the Kingdom of Scotland was engaged in this Cause, the Parliaments of both kingdoms entered into a solemn League and Covenant, for reformation and defence of Religion, the Honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of both Kingdoms.  
In the pursuance of the ends of that Covenant, the Kingdom of Scotland hath employed both their Forces and Counsels, with so much fidelity and constancy, that the mouth of malice itself is stopped, even our Enemies being Judges. And to take away all jealousies, and to show our earnest desires of the ease of the Country, and settling of Peace; Our Army marched away (as they came into this Kingdom) in the dead of Winter, punctually performing their Treaty. And yet further to witness their confidence in this Parliament, the Parliament of Scotland agreed His Majesty should go to Holdenby, or some other of His houses in or about London, until joint Applications were made to Him by both Kingdoms, for settling jointly a happy Peace. But it was with the two Houses of Parliament He was left; They are of one Religion with us, and engaged in the same Covenant. Yet now we understand, that His Majesty is violently torn away from that place by some Soldiers of Sir Thomas Fairfax Army. We know not, nor cannot understand by what Authority; but we are confident not by the Authority of this Parliament. And I confess I wonder how any Subjects of great Britain, will take upon them to dispose of the Person of the King against His own will, and the declared intentions of both Parliaments.  
Your Lordships and the Honourable House of Commons, know best what to do for Your own Honour and safety; I shall not presume to offer any Advice, But because this action will certainly be much resented by the Kingdom of Scotland, and have a very great influence there; We are engaged to come hither, and according to the duty we own to them that trusted us, represent our sense of this violent Act which must needs be of great danger to both the Kingdoms. And we do desire, that the two Houses would in their wisdom take such a course, that the King's Majesty may be rescued from those that have so violently carried him away, and be brought to some of His own houses near the Parliament, that a joint application may be made to Him by both Kingdoms, for agreeing all differences, and settling of a just and solid Peace.  
I can assure You, that the Kingdom of Scotland, if there be need, will join as one man with this Parliament, to maintain wi●h their lives and fortunes the Covenant, the King's Majesty, an● the just liberties of both Parliaments, according to the Covenant against whatsoever violence; To vindicate the Honour of this Parliament, and to preserve and strengthen the Union of the Kingdoms, until it please God to crown all our endeavours with Truth and Peace.  
FINIS.