A LETTER From the Commissioners of the Kingdom of SCOTLAND Residing here at LONDON To William Lenthall Esq Speaker of the House of COMMONS  
Concerning the present proceedings in this kingdom, against Religion, the King, and Government; Together with their DECLARATION and Protestation against the taking away his majesty's Life.  
London, Printed Anno Dom. 1649.   

A Letter from the Commissioners of the kingdom of SCOTLAND, &c.  
SIR,  
THe Committee of Estates of the kingdom of Scotland, understanding, that the Honourable Houses of Parliament, were proceeding in a Treaty for peace, with His Majesty; did about the beginning of the last month, authorize Us to present Propositions to his Majesty, and particularly to deal with him, and the honourable houses, for establishing the Covenant and presbyterial Government, the Confession of faith, Directory for Worship, and Catechism: For preventing the toleration of Idolatry, Popery; Prelacy, Superstition, Blasphemy, heresy, and schism; And for perfecting the great work of Reformation and uniformity, according to the Covenant: the substance whereof hath been formerly communicated in a letter from the Committee of Estates to both houses, and by one of our number, upon his reception are the Committee of Derby house, by order from the houses of Parliament. But to our great grief we do perceive; That the distractions of this kingdom are, beyond our expectation, grown exceeding high; That a force hath been placed on the passages to the houses; which during transactions of highest concernmen, hath imprisoned and secluded a great number of Members of Parliament, and given occasion to many others to withdraw, because they find they cannot Act, as in a free Parliament; that applications are made to you for proceeding against the King, to take away his life, and for changing the fundamental Government of this kingdom; And strong endeavours are used, to overturn the whole work of Reformation, to cast off the Ministry, and introduce a toleration of all Religions and forms of Worship: and so in effect to destroy the Cause, wherein both Nations have been engaged, and frustrare all the ends of the solemn League and Covenant, which both kingdoms have sworn with uplifted hands to Almighty God sinceerly, really, and constantly to perform. The consideration of these things doth exceedingly trouble us, and fill our hearts with fears▪ that, as they are for the present matter of great provocation of the wrath of God against us, dishonourable to his Name, and a reproach to Religion; so, if persisted in: that they shall greatly weaken and divide us amongst ourselves, invite foreign Enemies against us: advance the popish interest, loose Ireland, and in the end, prove destructive to the Reformed Religion, and to the peace and happiness of those kingdoms.  
In the year 1640. when these Kingdoms were oppressed under the yoke and tyranny of the prelates, who then were far advanced in the design, to introduce popery; the kingdom of Scotl. did join their Endeavours with this kingdom, to procure a free Parliament here, looking upon it, as the chief mean by the blessing of God to give a check to the designs of the prelates, who were studying the change of Religion: And to the interprises of evil councillors about the King, who were endeavouring to establish an Arbitrary and tyrannical Government, and afterward, when through the power and prevalency of papists, prelates, & Malignants, this kingdom was distressed: The kingdom of Scotland did enter into a solemn League and Covenant, with this Nation: For reformation and defence of Religion, the honour and happiness of the King, and the peace and safety of the three kingdoms: And particularly for bringing the Churches of God therein, to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in Religion, Confession of Faith, form of Church-government, Directory for worship, and Catechising, for extirpation of popery, prelacy, Superstition, Heresy, schism, profanes. And what soever shall be found contrary to sound doctrine for mutual preservation of the rights and privileges of Parliaments, and liberties of the kingdoms; for discovering of Incendiaries, Malignants, and evil Instruments, that hinder Reformation of Religion, divid the King from his people or one of the kingdoms from another, or make any faction or party among the people, contrary to the Leagu and Covenant, that they may be brought to public trial and punishment: for preserving peace and union betwixt the kingdoms: And defending one another in this Cause; and continuing therein all the days of our lives, zealously and constantly, against all opposition; and for promoting the same, according to our power, against all lets, and impediments whatsoever.  
In pursuance of the solemn League and Covenant, both Houses of the Parliament have often declared, That they will Establish the Reformation of Religion, Extirpate Popery, and Prelacy: And suppress heresy, and Schism, and that they will maintain the fundamental Government of this Kingdom by King, Lords, and Commons. And when the Common Enemy being subdued, the Scottish Army was to go out of this Kingdom in the beginning of the year 1647. And his Majesty by consent of both kingdoms, was to come to Holdenby: The Houses of Parliament did declare, both to the king, & to the kingdom of Scotland. That respect should be had to the safety and preservation of his majesty's person, in the preservation and defence of the true Religion, and liberties of the kingdoms, according to the Covenant. And when the King should be at Holdenby, and the Scottish forces gone out of this kingdom; That they would join with the kingdom of Scotland, in employing their best endeavours, to procure his majesty's assent to the Propositions agreed on by both kingdoms. And in case the King should not give his assent thereunto: that the Houses were resolved still to maintain the happy union already settled between the two kingdoms, according to the Covenant and Treaties. The Parliament of Scotland did at the same also, publish a Declaration of their intentions (whereof one Copy was delivered to his Majesty, and another to the Houses of Parliament) that in the interim (Until his Majesty should give satisfaction to both kingdoms, in the Propositions of peace) there should be no harm, prejudice, injury, or violence done to his royal person: that there should be no change of Government, other than had been for the three years preceding: And that his posterity should be no ways prejudiced, in their lawful succession to the Crown and Government of these kingdoms.  
These being the engagements of both kingdoms jointly together, and severally one to another, for the ends aforesaid, we hold it our duty to endeavour, That Reformation of Religion be settled and established, as is before expressed: And especially, that the toleration of Idolatry, Popery, Blasphemy, heresy, and schism, be prevented: lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby being in danger to receive of their plagues: That the Rights and privileges of Parliament may be preserved: that there may be no change of the fundamental government: And that there be no harm, injury, or violence offered to his majesty's person, the very thought whereof, the kingdom of Scotl. hath always abhorred, as may appear by all their proceedings and Declarations: And the Houses of Parliament have upon several occasions expressed, a detestation thereof in their Declarations: Wherefore, we do expect that there shall be no proceeding against his person; which cannot but continue and increase the great distractions of these kingdoms, and involve us in many difficulties, miseries, and confusions.  
But that by the free counsels of both houses of the Parliament of England, and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland (which is now sitting) such course may be taken in relation to him, as may be for the good & happiness of these Kingdoms; both having an unquestionable interest therein,  
Your affectionate friends and Servants. Signed. 

Lothian,  
Io. Cheisly,  
Wil. Glendoning.   Covent Garden the 6th. of Ian. 1649. For the Honourable Will Lenthall Esq Speaker of the house of Commons.   

SIR, We were exceedingly surprised upon Saturday in the afternoon, when we heard his majesty was brought before this new extraordinary Court, and that there should be such haste and precipitation, notwithstanding the resolution taken by the house upon reading of our Letter of the 6 of this instant, to take into consideration what we had therein pressed, as was signified by you to some of our Number: Wherefore we have sent you this enclosed paper, to be forthwith communicated unto them. And in pursuance of the directions which we have received from the kingdom of Scotland, we do desire, That they will take effectual course, that we may have free access to his majesty this day, And afterward upon all occasions as we shall think fit, without any interruption or molestation whatsoever, And so we rest  
Your affectionate friends and Servant. Signed, 

Lothian.  
Io. Cheisly.  
Wil. Glendoning.   Covent garden the 22 of Ian. 1649. For the Honourable Wil. Lenthall Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons.   

By our letter of the 6th of this instant, we represented unto you; What endeavours have been used for taking away his majesty's life; for change of the fundamental Government of this kingdom; And introducing a sinful and ungodly toleration, in matters of Religion; And therein we did express our sad thoughts and great fears of the dangerous consequences that might follow thereupon. And further: we did earnestly press, That there might be no proceeding against his majesty's person; which would certainly continue the great distractions of these Kingdoms; and involve us into many evils, troubles, and confusions: But that, by the free counsels of both houses of the Parliament of England, and with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Scotland, such course might by taken in relation to him as may be for the good and happiness of these kingdoms; both having an unquestionable and undeniable interest in his person as King of both: which duly considered, we had reason to hope, should have given a stop to all proceedings, against his majesty's person▪  
But we understand; that after many of the Members of the house of Commons have been imprisoned and secluded; and also without and against the consent of the house of Peers, by a single act of yours alone, power is given to certain persons of your own Number of the Army, and others to proceed against his Maj. person▪ In order whereunto, he was brought upon Saturday last in the afternoon before this new extraordinary Court. Wherefore we do in the name of the Parliament of Scotland, for their vindication from false aspersions and calumnies declare, That though they are not satisfied with his majesty's concessions in the late Treaty at Newport in the Isle of Wright especially in the matters of Religion; And are resolved not to crave his majesty's restitution to his Government, before satisfaction be given by him to his kingdoms. Yet they do all unanimously, with one voice (not one Member excepted) disclaim the least knowledge of, or accession to the late proceedings of the Army here, against his Majesty; And sincerely profess, that it will be a great grief unto their hearts, and lie heavy upon their spirits, if they shall see their trusting of his majesty's person, to the honourable houses of the Parliament of England to be made use of to his ruin; So far contrary to the declared intentions of the kingdom of Scttland, and solemn professions of the Kingdom of England. And to the end it may be manifest to the world, how much they abominate and detest so horrid a design against his majesty's person: We do in the name of the Parliament and Kingdom of Scotland, hereby declare, their dissent from the said procee●ings, and the taking away his majesty's life; And protest; That as they are altogether free from the same; So they may be free from all the evils miseries, confusions and calamities that may follow three upon to these distracted kingdoms.  
Signed, 

LOTHIAN,  
Io: CHEISLY.  
WIL. GLENDONING.   22. January 1649.  
FINIS.