His Majesty's most Gracious LETTER TO THE PARLIAMENT OF SCOTLAND.  
WILLIAM R. 
 My Lords and Gentlemen,  
THE Continuation of the War, still Hinders Us from Pursuing Our Resolution of being amongst you in Person; And so Obliges Us to Call you together once more in Our Absence. Therefore We have appointed Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor, John Marquis of Tweeddale, to be Our Commissioner, and to Represent Our Person and Authority amongst you. The Proofs he hath given of his Capacity and Experience in Business, as well as of his Fidelity and Zeal, by his many and long Services to the Crown and Nation, and particularly to Us, since We made him Our Chancellor, will Render Him very Acceptable to you. We Desire you to give him Entire Trust and Credit; for We have fully Instructed Him with Our Mind. He has Powers to pass all such Laws for the Good of that Our Ancient Kingdom, as have been proposed to Us at this Time. He is to Ask Nothing of you in Our Name, but that which the Interest of the Country makes necessary to be Done; And therefore We need not Mention to you, that the Subsidies for Paying the Forces are now Expired, and that your Peace and Safety Requires the Renewing of them during the War. You will be also Sensible, that there is a Necessity to have the Coast and Trade secured from Privateers. We are glade of any Appearances of a Disposition to Moderation and Union, about Church-Matters; We Hope you will Encourage it, and Promote it, by removing the Subjects of Differences as much as you can.  
We are not unmindful of your Letter to Us in the close of the last Session. The known Interruptions We have had in Business this Winter, have been a great Hindrance to Us, but We are Resolved to Do whatsoever may be for the Security of the Government, and the Satisfaction of Our good Subjects. We Recommend to you Calmness and Unanimity in your Proceed; and Doubt not, but that you'll Act suitably to the Confidence We have put in you, in Calling you again in Our Absence: And that as you have done upon other Occasions, so you will upon this, Give Us such Signal Testimonies of your Duty and Affection, as will Convince all Men, of the perfect Union and Understanding, that is betwixt Us and that Our Ancient Kingdom.  
Given at Our Court at Kensington, the 17th Day of April, 1695. And of Our Reign the 7th Year. By His Majesty's Command, J. Johnstoun.  
Directed thus, 
 To the Lords Temporal, and the Commissioners of Shires and burgh's, Assembled in Parliament of Our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland.   

THE SPEECH OF JOHN Marquis of Tweeddale, His Majesty's High Commissioner, to the Parliament of SCOTLAND, On Thursday the Ninth of May, 1695.  
My Lords and Gentlemen,  
THE great Confidence the King hath in your Affection, and Faithfulness to his Government, and the Trust he reposes in you, doth evidently appear in His calling you so frequently together, during his own necessary Absence beyond Sea, as well as His tender Care and Concern for your safety and Welfare, in minding every thing which may contribute thereto.  
Particularly as to the Concerns of the Church, that all Differences about Church-Matters, and amongst Churchmen may be composed; it being His Majesty's Purpose to maintain Presbyterian-Government in the Church of Scotland.  
And that the Peace and Security of the Kingdom against Foreign Invasion and Intestine Commotion be provided for, by renewing the former, or granting other Supplies for maintaining the Land Forces, and providing and entertaining a competent Naval Force for the Defence of the Coast, and securing of Trade.  
And if you find, it will tend to the Advancement of Trade, that an Act be passed for the Encouragement of such as shall Acquire and Establish a Plantation in Africa or America, or any other part of the World, where Plantations may be lawfully acquired: His Majesty is willing to Declare, that He will grant to the Subjects of this Kingdom, in Favours of those Plantations, such Rights and Privileges as He doth grant in like Cases to the Subjects of His other Dominions.  
And that the Judicatories Higher and Subaltern be so Regulated in their Proceed, as Justice may be Administered with the greatest Dispatch, and least Charge to the People.  
These Things have taken up some part of His Majesty's Time and Thoughts these Months past, that I have had the Honour to wait upon Him, and have been frequently Discoursed by Him, and then put in the Method of Instructions, and Directions for my Behaviour in the Station He hath honoured me with.  
So that I can say without Flattery, there is nothing that can Contribute to promote the Honour and Interest, the Safety and Security of this His Ancient Kingdom, which His Majesty will not concur with you to provide for, and hath not Impowered me to Consent to.  
It remains then, My Lords and Gentlemen, for you to take these weighty Affairs under Consideration, and to Consult of the best Ways and Means to enable His Majesty to perfect so good Designs.  
By granting Him Supplies for maintaining the present Land-Forces.  
And for Providing and Entertaining a Competent Naval-Force, for the Defence of the Coast, and Securing of Trade: In Order to which, His Majesty hath granted a Commission of Admiralty for Managing the Affairs thereof.  
Not omitting to take Care for the other unavoidable Contingencies of the Government, wherein the Civil List comes short.  
Your Dispatch of these Great Affairs with Cheerfulness and Alacrity, will perfect a good Understanding, and perpetuat a Confidence betwixt the King and you.