LETTERS FROM The Committee of Estates at Newcastle, AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF The Kingdom of SCOTLAND residing at London to both Houses of Parliament. Together with Two PAPERS Delivered in to His MAJESTY by the Committee of Estates. As also divers LETTERS passed between the Committee of Estates, and the Committee of Parliament at York, and Col: General Poyntz. Published by Special Command. LONDON. Printed for Laurence Chapman, June 17. 1646. 15 June, 1646. A Letter to the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore, To be communicated to to both Houses of Parliament, from the Commissioners of the Parliament of SCOTLAND. Right Honourable, WE have frequently, and of a long time represented to the Honourable Houses our earnest desires of a happy and speedy Peace, of which we are so studious, that we cannot cease from expressing the same Desires at all Opportunities; and the rather at this time, because of the sad stroke lately fallen upon our Brethren in Ireland, whose former and present sufferings under which they groan, do of themselves call so loud, that we do not doubt the Houses from their wisdom, care, and commiseration, will timely and effectually apply themselves to the composing of all differences, and the speedy settling of a happy Peace in this Island, whereby they may be enabled to send further aid and secure unto that Kingdom for prosecuting of the War there, and reducing the Rebels to obedience; and for the same ends speedily to send provisions to the Scotish army there, who for many Months have received no entertainment, notwithstanding of their faithfulness and great sufferings in that public service. Another occasion now ministered unto us, is, from the pressing and unsupplyed necessities of our Army in the North of this Kingdom, who are extremely straitened in their quarters and provisions: For remedy whereof, the Lord General and Committee of Estates with the Army, did write to the Committee at York, and to Colonel General Poyntz, who in their Answers have declared no unwillingness, but that they are not enabled by any power from the Parliament to afford them the desired assistance and satisfaction towards the enlargement of their Quarters, or bettering of their provisions, as will more fully appear by the Letters themselves herewith presented, We do therefore again earnestly desire the Honourable Houses will be pleased to give order to the Committee at York for the convenient quartering of the Scotish Army, and for accommodating them with necessary provisions, that the burdens of the Country occasioned to our great grief, by the failing of the due and orderly course of providing for that Army, may be eased: To which end, We do also renew our former desire for sending them from hence a considerable sum of Money towards the discharging of their quarters. We must further make known, that as the Committee at York, and General Colonel Poyntz in their Letters of the fourth of this instant June, Do fairly and ingenuously give testimony to the faithful and careful Endeavours of the Committee of Estates for preventing misunderstandings, and for preserving Peace and Amity between the Kingdoms, of which they were pleased in these Letters to give for instance the Orders of the Committee of Estates, for preventing the future entertainment of such as shall give occasion of offence, and for disbanding the Regiment of General Major Vandrusk; which, as the Messenger sent hither doth assure us, is already put in execution, and none of them are suffered to be received in other Regiments. And as that Honourable Committee in their Paper of the Eighth of this instant presented to the King (which we do herewith communicate) and in their own Letters to the Honourable Houses now sent, have expressed their firm resolution, not to suffer themselves to be divided from their Brethren of England, with whom they are United by the Solemn League and Covenant, But to preserve the happy Union, and to observe the whole Articles of the Covenant and Treaties between the Kingdoms; So upon the most particular and assured knowledge which we have of their faithful, real, and unanimous Endeavours, We dare confidently say, That if both Houses had been witnesses to their most privy Consultations, as before, so especially since His Majesty did unexpectedly come amongst them, It had been in stead of many Demonstrations, to remove Jealousies between the Nations, and to breed a more full confidence of their Sincerity and Integrity towards this Nation. We therefore joining and co-operating with them for the same good ends, Do with all earnestness desire the expediting of the Propositions intended to be sent to His Majesty; That by the blessing of God upon the joint Desires, Counsels, and Endeavours of both Kingdoms, Religion and Peace, with all possible speed may be settled, all Distempers and Differences healed, all Armies in both Kingdoms disbanded, the Country eased, the distressed Brethren in Ireland relieved, and a firm Peace and Union in this Country continued to the Generations following, than which nothing can be more earnestly desired, or endeavoured by Your Lordship's humble Servants, Worcesterhouse, June 15. 1646. Signed A. johnston. Hugh Kennedy. Lauderdail. Charles Erskine. Ro: Barclay. We do also again earnestly desire, That the Honourable Houses will send a Committee to join with the Committee of Estates, who may be witnesses of all their proceed, and co operate with them for the good of the public service here. Right Honourable, NOt only our consciences bear witness to ourselves, but our actions are a real and public testimony to all men who have marked our ways since our coming into this Kingdom, how earnest our desires, and how constant our endeavours have been to preserve the Union of the two Kingdoms, as a principal mean of happiness of both; and for this end, what our affection and care hath been to observe and perform the whole Articles of the Covenant and Treaties betwixt the Kingdoms: Yet (thus much we may truly say) at no time since the beginning of our engagement in this Cause, have we with more sincerity and faithfulness endeavoured to improve our opportunities for the Public, than we have done of late since His Majesty's unexpected coming into our Army, by our carnest and uncessant dealing with Him, to send such Messages to His Parliament, as might give them full satisfaction, and be a sure ground of Peace to His Kingdoms, and of Happiness to Himself: And although we have not as yet prevailed so far against such prrinciples, as by education, length of time, and the Counsels and Company of such as have been formerly about Him, have been deeply noted in His mind, as to obtain the utmost of our desires; yet have we not lost our labour, nor are we diffident, but that in a short time He may be moved to give satisfaction to His people, which when it cometh, will be a matter of rejoicing to all that loveth the settling of Religion and Peace. And we do earnestly entreat, and confidently expect, That the Houses of Parliament will in their Wisdom, and from their love of Peace, be pleased, with the concurrence of the Commissioners from the Parliament of Scotland, speedily to send such Propositions and Demands to be granted by His Majesty, as are necessary for curing the present Distempers, the settling of Religion and Peace, the safety of His Majesty's Person and Authority, and the confirming and conserving the Union of the Kingdoms: Which being sent, we will upon His Majesty's answer, clearly and distinctly know how to proceed in this intended Pacification, And to satisfy the desires of the Parliament, and our own, in Disbanding our Forces, delivering up the Garrisons possessed by us, and retiring home, after all our Sufferings, with the same cheerfulness and affection that we had when we came into this Kingdom; And we resolve shortly to send some from us to give your Lordships further Informations of our proceed here, that by mutual and joint advice, such things as may serve for the Peace and good of both Kingdoms, may be brought to a speedy and happy close, which is the earnest desire of Newcastle, June 10. 1646. Your Lordship's humble Servants, Loudoun. Leven. Argyl. Calandre. Crawford and Lindsay. Dunfermlinge. Lothian, Lanerick. A: Hepburne. D: Home, T: Shaw. Ro: Freidland. Wil: Glendoning. For the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster. A Paper delivered in to His Majesty by the Committee of Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland at Newcastle, concerning the Prince. WE do humbly represent to your Majesty, That we conceive it will much contribute for the good of your service, and the better procuring a right understanding and well grounded peace, if your Majesty were pleased to give Order, that the Prince his Highness go not beyond Sea, but that he may stay within this Kingdom, so as he may reside therein with honour and safety, for preventing the dangers which may be to his Person and Religion, and the jealousies and inconveniences which may ensue upon his Highness going out of the Kingdom in this jointure of time and affairs. Newcastle, 2 june 1646. Loudoun J. P. D. Com. Another Paper delivered in by the Committee of Estates to His Majesty. WHereas upon consideration of the present condition of affairs and sense of our duty, we did in all humility and faithfulness advise and beseech your Majesty that you would he pleased to send such a message to the houses of Parliament, and Commissioners of Scotland, as might be a ground of settling Religion and Peace, according to the solemn League and Covenant. It is still our earnest desire, that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to send such a Message for the further satisfaction of your Parliaments, and preventing of imminent dangers which may ensue upon the delay thereof; Which, if your Majesty shall not (out of your wisdom and compassion of the sad condition of your Kingdoms) be pleased to grant, We will be constrained presently to take such a course, as that by mutual advice and resolutions of both Kingdoms, they may be saved from a breach, and the dangerous sequels prevented which may follow. Signed by all the Committee and General Officers of the Army. Newcastle, the 8 June 1646. May it please your Honours, WE find by your Lordship's Letters of the first of june, you are not pleased to give us any hopes of the removing of your Forces out of the County, which we have been often suitors for; inregard of the disability of the County to bear the charge of both Armies, and cannot forbear to renew the same suit still. Your Honours are still pleased to desire our assistance in the quartering of, and provision for your Army here; to which my Lords, we must deal ingeneously, as we had no power in that particular heretofore, so at present, neither in that, nor any other public employment, by reason that the Ordinance by which we Acted expired the last of May, and we having yet received no intimation from the Parliament of their pleasure for the continuance of it. We have often times applied ourselves to the house for their speedy course for the provision of your Army in some equal way, and do expect a return daily, till then (especially in the condition we now are) we hope your Lordships will not expect any further Answer from us herein, and that your Lordships will rest satisfied in the reality of our desires and cares to do the utmost in our power that may speak our Constancy to our Covenant, and our zeal to prevent mistakes, that might any way weaken the happy mutual unity between the two Nations. And truly my Lords we cannot but with many Honourable respects take notice of your Lordship's care therein, and of that Honourable instance your Lordships have given, in your Order for disbanding of Colonel Vandruks' Regiment; in execution whereof we conceive your Lordships will do yourselves and the cause much right; so soon my Lords as we shall obtain any return from the Parliament, we shall readily give your Lordships a further account. In the mean time shall desire to be accounted as we are York the 4. june, 1646. Your Honour's most humble Servants John Boutcher Wic. Rich. Darley. George Trotter. Ro. Barnick. Geo. Mawald. Tho. St. Nicholas. Io. Farrer. I. Wichlethwit. R●kie Mere. Dary Wentworth. Will. Goodraw. For the Right Honourable the Committee of Estates for the Kingdom of Scotland. Noble Gentlemen, WE do perceive by your Letters of the 4th instant, that the Ordinance of Parliament, by which you acted in all public employments expired the last of May, So that you are not furnished with authority to afford us any assistance in the quartering of, and providing for our Army, which we shall forbear therefore to press any further; Not doubting, but when you are better enabled and your power enlarged, you will coninue your public care and affection to do every thing that may be for the good of the army, and preserving the mutual Amity and Union of the two Kingdoms, which we shall study to confirm by all the ways and means that are in our power; having also seriously recommended the same to General Lieutenant Leslie (whom we desired to repair to us about the executing of that Order for disbanding General Major Vandruskes Regiment) that he would likewise take special care to prevent all mistakes that might beget any misunderstanding betwixt us. So we remain. Newcastle, june 10. 1646. Yours, etc. Signed For the Committee of Parliament at York. Leven, Lowdoun, Callender, Argyll, Crawfurd-Lindsay Dunfermling, Lanerick, Lothian A Hepburne D. Home, Fryland. Tho. Ker. W. Glendoning. Right Honourable, I Received your Lordships of the first of june instant, and as I perceive your Lordships do suspend your resolutions concerning the more northerly quartering of your Army till you have a return from the Committee of both Kingdoms, so I hope your Lordships will not expect any thing further from me in a business of so great concernment to this poor Country till I shall likewise hear the pleasure of those above, whose commands and directions your Lordships will apprehend I am engaged to observe. My Lords, I should highly injure your Lordships, and myself also, if upon all occasions I should not acknowledge your Lordship's great care and prudent circumspection to carry on the public affairs, wherein both Nations have a reciprocal interest, So as the happy union may be preserved, and the great ends which are mutually driven at in the Nationall League, may be best achieved, And I hope your Lordships will not believe, in any complaints, I have represented, I had the least intention to reflect on your Lordship's particulars, and truly My Lords, I do with many humble thanks acknowledge it a great favour to myself, and a convincing evidence to the world of (what wisemen were always satisfied in) your Lordship's desires to prevent occasions of distaste, That upon my last, your Lordships have given Order for the disbanding of General Major Vandruskes Regiment; and for the preventing the future entertainment of such as give occasion of offence: The effecting of both which will be certainly of very good consequence, and of very honourable interpretation. For my particular, I shall ever deem it my honour and happiness in any civil relation, to be instrumental to the public good, so none shall be more ready to manifest, what a large share thereof he doth account is leapt in being esteemed, as he is My Lords Your Lordship's humble Servant. Signed Sednham Pointz. York the 4. of june 1646. For the Right Honourable the Committee of Estates for the Kingdom of Scotland. SIR, WE received yours of the fourth instant, showing that you could not satisfy the desires of our former Letter, nor afford us any assistance towards the enlargement of our quarters, until their pleasures were known, whose directions you were to observe: And seeing you are not furnished with Authority in that behalf, we shall not further press it, until you be otherwise enabled; Not doubting but you will manifest the continuance of that friendship, whereof we have always had the experience. In the mean time, we cannot but be very sensible of your expressions and acknowledgement of our care and faithfulness in our public employments, and shall endeavour so to behave ourselves in pursuing the ends of our Covenant, that all our ways and actions may speak our constancy and zeal to preserve the happy Union and Amity of both Kingdoms, and to prevent every thing to the utmost of our power, that may tend to the infringement of that Union. In assurance whereof, we rest Newcastle, the 10. of June, 1646. Yours, etc. Leven, Loudoun, Callender, Argile, Crawfurd-Lindesay, Dunfermling, Lanrick, Lothian A. Hepburn, D. Home, Frieland, Thomas Ker, Wil Glendoning. For Colonel General Poyntz. FINIS.