A MESSAGE from the ESTATES of SCOTLAND TO THE English Commissioners at Edinburgh, By the Lord Lotherdale, the Lord Lanerick, Sir Charles Erskin, and Mr. Kennedy. ALSO The Answer of the Earl of Nottingham and the rest of the English Commissioners, to three Propositions from the kingdom of Scotland. A Declaration by the Scotch Ministers against war and raising of Forces. And a Proclamation from the Estates of Scotland, published at the Market Cross in Edinburgh. March 6. 1647. Imprimatur Gil. Mabbot. Printed at London by Robert Ibbitson in Smithfield, near the Queens-head Tavern. 1648. The Copy of a LETTER FROM Mr. WILLIAM ROSSE, Concerning The Affairs of SCOTLAND: Dated at Edinburgh, Feb. 29. 1648. Right Honourable, THe Grand Committee of the Estates of this Kingdom of Scotland, had on Tuesday last, Feb. 22. 1647. a great debate about the Reports made by the Lord Chancellor to them, concerning the Answer of the English Commissioners, to the Message upon which his Lordship was sent from the Convention of Estates. And the Committee having now provided the Lord Airs house for them in the City, with accommodations in some sort suitable, resolved to give them an answer with all convenient speed, And Instructions are gone out for fitting the house and equipage. Prince Griffin is come to this City; It is said he would have ravished a Lady in England, and being prevented killed a man, and is fled hither for refuge. Wednesday the 23 of Feb. There was a great debate about the English Commissioners Papers. And divers speeches were made with sweet notions for peace, which hath been pressed by divers Earls and Lords viz. the Marquis of Arguile, the Lord Lothean, Lord Balmerinoth, the Lord Craford Lindsey, The Lord Twadeale, and others the most considearble Peers in the Realm, as the Lord Belcarry, the Lord Yester, and others, who are much inclinable to peace, so that there is great hopes of a good accommodation if actions were according to the outward face of things here, according to the opinion of the most judicious moderate men. It was declared before the Grand Committee of Estates, 〈◊〉 some of the said Lords: That if any new breach should 〈◊〉 made between the Kingdoms it would be the ruin of both, And that the Covenant doth expressly bind to peace, and amity; and if divisions should come to a national quarrel, It would make both England and Scotland to be the corn of Christendom. Make way for the Antichristian party to come in again, and Tyrannize over the Church and People. Thursday the 24 of Feb. There came Advertisements to the Convention of Estates, That the English Northern Army had called a Council of War upon notice from the South of Scotland, that divers of the Supernumeraries, that were disbanded in England, passed daily thorough Carlisle, Barwick and other ways into this Kingdom out of England; in expectation (as they said) to find preferment in Scotland, turning their backs on the warm Sun. Which the Council of War taking into consideration, together with the great concourse of Malignants about Edinburgh, it was resolved that some Foot Companies of Soldiers should be sent to the borders of Scotland to quarter at, and about, Hexam, Morreth and Alnwick, for securing of those parts from the insulting of the Cavaliers, who are at present some what predominate in these parts. But they are mistaken (I hope) in thinking to find a reception by the Scots, with them against whom they have covenanted, and joined with the loss of so much blood as hath been spilt. The Scots are (at present) very silent, for the Clergy (for the most part) have (upon the activity of Malignants) changed their note, and are now for peace, only two Ministers of this City, are with some others) averse. And the wives of Edinburgh and Leyth who carry a great sway especially at home do cry for peace, and say their husbands shall not fight. Friday the 25 of Feb. The Commissioners of the Kirke taking into consideration that if an Army should b●e raised, there must of necessity be received all the Malignants into their assistance to the Scots Army which will be a destruction to all honest men: And therefore the Divines have absolutely declared that they will not make any war against the honest Party in England, with whom they have joined: so that our open or disguised Malignants here, or in England are not like to prevail, For the Ministers (notwithstanding their discontent) are now very much pressing to the Estates, that there may not be an Army raised. There are divers Englishmen (which have been of the King's party) waiting at Edinburgh, endeavouring mischief, in expectation of a public falling out between the kingdoms. Here are, besides Sir Lewis Dives, and the rest, nominated in my last, Sir Timothy Fetherston, and others of quality; but have every day less hopes then other. The Scotch women stare upon Prince Griffin, as if he were some monster, and some of the Scots Ladies dare scarce be venturep in the City. The Lord Chancellor hath made four Knights, by Commission from his Majesty. Here are Chequer Knights; Isle of Wight Knights, etc. Saturday the 26 of February, Proclamation was made at the Market-crosse at Edinburgh, by Order from the Convention of Estates, that the Parliament of Scotland, is to begin on Thursday next: on which day the Lords of this kingdom do intent to ride in their Robes in State. The marquis of Argyle hath made two Propositions to the Estates, which are much liked. 1. That the taking of the Covenant, and the keeping thereof, be made into an act by the kingdom of Scotland, And 2. That by an Act there be a prohibition for toleration of any Church Discipline at all, other than the Presbyterian, throughout the whole kingdom of Scotland. On the Lord's day Feb. 27. Mr. Herle, Prolocutor to the Assembly at Westminster in England, (being with the English Commissioners here, upon the desire of the Ministers of this place) preached in one of the Scots Congregations; and preached very stiffly against Sectaries, and other things were delivered by him, for which he was much applauded by divers Ministers, and others of this kingdom. Yesterday the Committee of Estates sent the Lords Lotherdale and Lanerick, Sir Charles Erskin, and Mr. Kennedy, to our Commissioners, to know what they had to offer to them, from the Parliament of England: our Commissioners delivered them three papers, The first intimating to them the desire the Parliament of England had, to preserve the union betwixt the two Nations; The second concerning the payment of that 100000 li. which was due to them the third instant, which our Commissioners promised should be paid to them as soon as it could possibly be raised by the Parliament, and in the iuterim, 8 li. per cent. for forbearance: The third, concerning the payment of the Scots Army in Ireland; which papers they promised faithfully to report, and to return answer with all convenient speed. The Committee of Estates have referred the transactions with the English Commissioners, to a Sub-committee, who are all the Commissioners they sent into England, except two, and some others added, who are to make reports to the Parliament. The Earl of Stamford is not yet come hither. This is all at present, as any thing occasions, it shall be imparted to you by Your affectionate Friend to serve you. WILL. ROSSE Edinburgh. 29 of Feb. 1647. FINIS.