THE readiness OF THE SCOTS TO ADVANCE INTO ENGLAND.  
The policy and Practise of the French Agent there to hinder it.  
expressed in three PROPOSITIONS.  
TOGETHER, With an Act of the privy council there.  
AS ALSO, Instructions from the Committee of Estates to the Colonels and Committees of war in the several Sheriffedoms of that Kingdom.  
LONDON: Printed for Robert Bostock at the sign of the Kings Head in Pauls Churchyard. 1643.   

EDENBRUGH, November the VI, MDCXLIII.  
SIR,  
BY my last of the 19 of October, I did acquaint you with the resolution of his Majesties privy counsel, concerning the Covenant, I have now sent you the copy of the Ordinance, whereby you may perceive Letters were directed to all the Councellors, who were absent, requiring them to be present at the counsel the second of November, for swearing and subscribing the Covenant, otherwise to bee esteemed enemies to Religion, His Majesties honour, and the peace of the kingdom. Notwithstanding, whereof the marquis of Hamilton,( now by patent from His Majesty Duke Hamilton, and marquis of Cliddesdale) the Earl of Roxburg, Kalendter and Kinnonbe, excused their not coming by their Letters, humbly entreating some time to advice in a matter of so great weight and importance: Lanerick writes, that immediately before the receipt of their Letters, he had received Letters from His Majesty, commanding him to come to him, which, he hoped would excuse his not coming: Morton saith, he conceived it would be more acceptable to bide away then to come and refuse, Southask he is sick: P●●th and Wigston declare their willingness to subscribe, but excuse th●ir not coming; after prayer and exhortation made by Mr. William B●nnet the Covenant was sworn and subscribed; There was present the Lord chancellor, Lord marquis of Argile, Earls of mar, Eglington, Casteilles, Dumferling, Launderdail, Lindsey, Dalhouse, and Angus, Lords, Yester, Sinclair, Elphingston, Balmerinoh, Burlergh, Balcarras Clerk Register, His Ma●ssties advocate, the Treasurer, Deputy, Warres●on, the Sheriff of Tiffidail, Cambo and the Provost of Edenburrough. Th● Lords who were absent( comform to the Ordinance) are cited against the 16 of this instant, to subscribe the Covenant otherwise, they are themselves decerned enemies to Religion, his Ma●●●●ies honour and the peace o● the Kingdom, and their whole goods a●d rents to be confiscated for the use of the public.  
The Commissioners of the general Assembly are likewise to proceed against them with ecclesiastical censures. The Covenant is now taken almost through the whole Kingdom, none have refused it here in edinburgh, except one Lawyer.  
To the Forces which were formerly sent to Barwick the Estates have added my Lord Maitland his Regiment, and have resolved to sand no more till the whole body of the army march, which now is ready, and onely stayeth for those long expected Articles of treaty. The common Souldiers were never more willing to come forth, notwithstanding, the season of the year. I have sent you likewise the instruction from the Committee of Estates, to the Collo.& Committees of War in the several Sheriffedomes here enclosed. The French Agent hath made three Propositions to the privy counsel: one is, That the league betwixt France and Scotland may be renewed: another, That they would recall an Act made by the late general assembly, prohibiting all the members of this Church to take any pay, or to serve under Popish Officers in France: and the last is, That they give no assistance to the Parliament of England. To the first, I conceive, no answer can or will be given, till my Lord Lothian( who was sent in ambassage into France, and is now detained in Oxford most unjustly,) return home. To the second the Counsel can give no answer in respect the general Assembly is subordinate to no civill judicature whatsoever, much less to the privy Counsel. To the third wee can perform no less then we are obliged by Covenant to do. By the next occasion you may confidently expect news of our advance, if the Articles come this week, however, I am confident, you shall not wait so long for our advance after the Articles come to our hands, as we have expected those Articles which might have been more easily performed, then an Army of at least 20000 men could be gathered together and brought on their way. Thus expecting from you an occurrence by the next occasion, I rest,  
Your known and affectionate friend. edinburgh, Novemb. 6. 1643.   

At edinburgh the 18 of October, 1643.  
THe which day some of the Ministers of the Presbytery of edinburgh, compeared personally before the Lords of the privy council, and in name and by warrant of the said presbytery gave in the solemn League and Covenant, together with the Acts of the convention of estates, and general Assembly and of the Commissioners of the said convention and general assembly made for swearing and subscribing of the same, and desired the said Lords of privy council to concur by their example and authority, with the Commissioners of the general Assembly, for swearing and subscribing thereof, and the council having red and considered the said Acts and Covenant, and finding the same to tend to the good of Religion, His Majesties honour and peace of these Kingdoms: They do hearty concur with the judgement of the Commissioners of the Convention, and general assembly therein, and accordingly ordains the same to be sworn and subscribed by all His Majesties Subjects of this kingdom. And appoints the second of November next for the counsel to swear, and sign the said league and that Letters be directed to all His Majesties privy Councellors to keep the said diet precisely, as they desire not to be esteemed enemies to Religion, His Majesties honour and peace of these Kingdoms. Extractum de libris actorum secreti consilii. S. D. N. R. per me  
Arch Prymrose. Cl: Con.   

Instructions from the Committee of Estates To the colonels and Committees of war in the several Sherieffedoms of this Kingdom.  
At Edinburgh October 20. 1643.  
WHereas by the Instructions of the first of September 1643, the number of men foot and horse are de●igned to come out of every Shire, for the encouragement and enabling whereof, there is allowed two Dollars to every footman, and one hundreth pounds to every horseman, well mounted w●th a good Horse, and sufficient Arms, and six shillings of transport-money for every twelve miles to the foot-man; There is likewise allowed one carriage horse for every twelve foot-men, and one carriage man for every two horses, appointing fifty Marks to be payed at the Rendezvous of the Shire for every one of the said carriage horses( they being worth fifty pounds) and the horse to pertain to the owner: As also there is to be allowed two Dollars for every carriage man, and a Souldiers pay.  
The Committee of Estates considering that by the saids Instru●tions there Is no way prescribed when and how the said levy money and carriage horse prices shall be payed, have therefore thought fit to declare the same to be in manner after specified.  
In respect it was the offer of all the Shires, rather to advance their Loan and Tax, then to borrow money, or sand in band to the Committee; therefore the Committee appoints the whole Loan and Tax to be advanced by every several Shire and Burgh within the same, betwixt the 15. day of November next, to the said Subcollector within the said Shire, for advancement whereof there is two of the hundred to be rebated and allowed for annuall-rent to the advancers, and no reten●ion to be allowed to any particular person, for any caus● whatsoever.  
Every on● shall advance his own part, or otherwise one or more in every Pari●● to undertake and advance the proportion of that Parish, to whom i● allowed the said two of the hundred for annuall-rent, and two o● the hundred for Collectors fee.  
The money being thus advanced, the said Subcollector is to pay to every foot-man, who being sworn to their colours, shall march out of the Shire under command by order, the said two dollars, extending to eight Marks Scottish money; and to every horse-man well mounted and armed, as said is, one hundred pounds money foresaid: And to the owner of every carriage horse( worth fifty pounds) fifty Marks: And to every carriage-man eight Marks of levy money: And to every foot-man, and carriage-man, six shillings for every twelve miles, comform to the particular note and exact count thereof, subscribed by the Clerk of the said collection, sent to the Subcolle●tor of every Shire, respectivè, the double whereof is herewith sent.  
And because by Act of Convention, these who have lent money, advanced victual or other provision for Ireland, are ordained to be payed by the said Loan; The said Committee finds this way of advancing the same to the Subcollectors to be most advantageous for the furtherance of the work in hand, and for satisfaction to the said persons who have lent money, or advanced for Ireland, as said is.  
And that each Shire and Burgh within the same, may be assured, that the foresaid sum of money allotted for the Levies, price of carriage horses, and transport-money, shall not be employed for any other use, then as is aforesaid; The general Collector, with advice and Command of the said Committee of Estate, gives warrant and power to the Sub-collectors within ilk Shire, after receipt of the money so to be advanced, to give band and security, to keep the said proportion of money in his own hand, and not to dispose thereupon, until further order come for marching or mustering of the said men, Foot and Horse, with carriage horses, and men conform: At which time, he shall deliver the same in manner above-written as the Colonels and Committees of war shall appoint for the uses aforesaid, the remanent always of the whole sum being advanced, as said is: To the effect these who have lent money, and advanced victual and provision for Ireland, may be satisfied, conform to the tenor of the said Act of Convention.  
And siclike the said Committees of War within the whole Kingdom are entreated to have their Regiments and troops of Foot and Horse, as well these who are to come out upon advertisement, as these who stays within,( where the same is not already done) formed, enrolled, put under command, exercised, and made in readiness, That upon forty eight houres warning, their numbers appointed may be ready to march, with their carriage horses, arms, and all other provision contained in the former instructions of the 1. of Septe. last.  
And the Colonels and Committees in every Shire are to take special care, as they would make conscience of the Covenant, and regard the cause in hand, that the said Loan and taxed be advanced: And that the Souldiers appointed to come forth, be of the ablest and most vigorous men in each Parish: And that they do not upon any terms admit old nor weak men, nor young boyes and naughty bodies to come forth. And if any such person shall be offered to them, that they refuse him, and unless the Heritor furnish an able man in his place, it shall be lawful to the Committee and Colonel, to take the ablest man or servant that belongeth to the said Heritor. And the Committees are to cause the Heritors provide them Souldiers with Arms, two part Muskets, and third part Pikes. And that the Colonels cause their Captains to be busy in training and exercising their souldiers to handle their Arms: And also to be careful that as many be made choice of, of these who served in the last expedition, both Officers and Souldiers, as can be conveniently had.  
And because every Regiment must carry their own Ammunition, and draw their own fielding-pieces, and other materials; the Committee ordains that ilk Shire and Division shall either buy 12. horses for every Regiment, upon the expenses of the Shire or Division, or hire them to be paid by the public after they come to the general Rendezvous, as other carriage horses of the Artillery, viz. allowing a man for every two horse, who is to have pay as a common soldier, and for each horse twelve shillings. Every horse-man is to have 18, shillings scots in their transport, for every twenty miles from their Rendezvous in the Shire, to the general rendezvous.  
And it is ordained that report be made hereof by the Committees of war in ilk Shire( to whom the same is recommended) as well anent the advance of the loan and taxed, as anent the other particulars foresaids, with all convenient diligence, after the receipt hereof.  
Arch. Primrose, clear. come.  
FINIS.