Scotland some particulars concerning the proceedings of that army: it is well known unto your lordships, that we have, upon divers occasions, signified our advices and directions how that army might employ itself most effec tually for the advancement of the public service of this kingdom, by engaging against the common enemies, and the places held and pos sessed by them; wherein, by what occasion we know not, we have found ourselves several times disappointed of our hopes and expecta tions; by which means not only the commen cause hath been retarded, but also the ends frustrated for which the assistance of so great an army was desired by us, which was, that a speedy conclusion might be put to these m happy wars. We shall not need to go further back for an instance than to that whereof the sense is freshest in our minds, and which, in that conjuncture of time, and of our affairs, proved very prejudicial to the service of this kingdom; which was the continuing of that army in the North, where no enemy was, and not marching to besiege Newark, at such time as it was thereunto desired by both houses of staut, and their wants less, than it is well known to us that both one and the other have been: neither have our endeavours been altogether so ineffectual for the supply of the Scots army, but that from the 6th Oct. 1643, to the 1st Nov. 1645, there hath been actually paid to them, in money, and provisions for which money hath been issued out of Goldsmiths-hall, the sum of 220,6297. sterling, besides 90007. in money and lead paid unto them at York; and what they have received upon the assessments of the Northern parts, appointed to be paid into the lord mayor of York, and upon the 5th and 20th part, and from the Coal and Excise of Newcastle, and of the Northern parts, or otherwise, by any assignments of both houses of parliament; and likewise besides another assignment of 2000l. per month, assessed upon the county of York, in monies and provisions, for 4 months during the siege of York and after, amounting to $8,000l. and also besides 10,000/. more to cloath the soldiers of that army upon their return to Newcastle, over and above all that themselves had levied in the several counties where they have been, and their free quarter and disorderly plunder-parliament; although they not only expressed ings; which (if they have been so excessive as the cry thereof from several parts representeth them to our cars) it is not much to be wondered at, if the water run more sparingly from the cisterns and conduit, when it is so much exhaus.ed at the spring head, from whence the assessments for the entertainment of that army, and others, should have risen.-Concerning the Excise of the Northern parts, and the ways that are alledged to be taken to divert it from the Scots army, by forestalling it here in the South, and applying it to other uses; no such practices have been made known to us; and whensoever they shall be discovered, we shall be ready to apply fitting remedies thereunto. And for the Coat of Newcastle; possibly the profits thence arising might fall very short of the estimate made thereof, in some one month; but, in other months, it hath come in in greater quantities; and we find that, for these twelve months last past, there bath, actually come in, and been taken to the use of that army, upon the coals of Newcastle and Sunderland, above 53,000/, sterling, whereof 4500!. were of the customs belonging to the navy: and if, upon taking of Newcastle by the Scots army, the course for the managing of the coals, Settled by both houses of the parliament of England, in the committee of Goldsmiths-Hall, had not been interrupted, the committee might have been better able to have given an account of any decay of trade therein, and how it hath happened that many months it hath fallen below the first estimate thereof,-Having made Answer to the most material points in your lordships Papers, concerning the Pay of the Scots Army; as you have very frequently and very freely declared unto us the wants and necessities thereof, through default of pay, so shall we also, with the like freedom and brotherly affection, represent to our brethren of their desires therein, but also their care in the provision of money and ammunition to enable and encourage them to undertake that work; but having received no satisfaction at all t that particular until that now, by your lord ships Letter of the 12th Nov. the resolution of the general, the earl of Leven, concerning the marching of that army towards Newark, wa signified unto us: by means of this delay, not only the Northern parts have lain all this whit under a most unsupportable burden, but als the fairest opportunity that hath yet offered itself unto us, since the beginning of this war, of putting an end to our miseries, together with the season of the year for the speedy reducing of that place, which was the principal ground of our resolution in that particular, is already slipt out of our hands; and the advance of the 30,000l. which we had good hope, and some assurance of, from the city, for the use of that army, in case it came to Newark before the 1st Nov, and not otherwise, is rendered more difficult and doubtful unto us.-It was far from our intentions, that the Scots Army sho neither be provided for by us, nor yet suffered to provide for their own subsistance; nor deti. the contrary appear by any actions or omissions on our part, nor yet by any sufferings of that army; but that, according to our power, we have made provision for them, and that they also have supplied themselves.-We shall remember, according to your lordships expres sions in your Papers, That not written Ord nances but real Payments must satisfy the 'necessities of the soldiers;' and we hope it shall be as well remembered also, how far better than paper our Ordinances have proved to that army, which hath not been more ready to engage itself really in the service of this kingdom, than we have been forward to pay it, and really to satisfy the necessities of the sol 13 vation of the interest and liberties of this kingdom, as also the better to maintain the union and good correspondency between' the two kingdoms; which being the surest foundation of security and prosperity to both kingdoms, it always bath, and always shall be the firm resolution of both houses of the parliament of England, to maintain and preserve the same, according to the Covenant and Treaty; the common rules and marks which both kingdoms have set up to themselves to steer their course by in the pursuing of their joint interests, and for the attaining of the good ends therein expressed and contained, from which we desire that there may be no swerving on either side; hoping and expecting the like redress and satisfaction from our brethren of Scotland, upon any infringement thereof, as we should be ready to give unto them, if any such thing should happen on our liers; and therefore desire that such expresons may be foreborne, which may seem to lerogate either from the honour of the prodings or of the Ordinances of parliament. When the Treaty was concluded between the wo kingdoms, it was supposed that such might e the wants or necessities of this kingdom, as hat they might not be able to make due and constant payments to the Scots army; yet as it not supposed, that, in default thereof, hey might forbear to engage their army, much lay taxes upon the people of England to ay themselves, this kingdom being to give her public faith for the payment of their ar- | ears, with interest; as, on the other side, the | gdom of Scotland gave their public faith, hat neither their entrance into, nor contiuance in the kingdom of England, should be hade use of to any other ends than such as re contained in the Covenant and Articles of he Treaty. That it is contrary to the liber-part.--Concerning Religion and the settling of the subjects of England, that any taxes of Church Government; as there is nothing I levies of money should be made, raised, or wherein we have more desired to approve our vied upon then, without the consent of both consciences to Ged, and our actions to the ouses of parliament, we need not declare to world, so do our hearts give us a very clear our lordships: and we are sorry that the testimony of the faithful and diligent discharge nes of the people which continually sound in of our duty therein, according to the trust ur ears, especially of the Northern parts, reposed in us, and the Covenant taken by us; rought to us under the hands of such as we and we conceive our actions witness no less to ave entrusted there, should enforce us to re- all that will rightly weigh and consider what resent unto our brethren of Scotland the great we have already done therein, and with what mplaints which, long since, and at this pre-diligence and zcal we have, from time to time, t, are made of the laying of taxes of inoney, proceeded in that Work of God; being reand other things, by some of the Scots ariny; solved to continue in so doing, till we have ad that also in very vast and excessive pro- fully supplied what shall yet appear to be ons, besides free qaarterings and disorderly wanting therein: it being always to be rememLanderings of horses, and other goods; which bered, that the preserving the liberty and freeurses being taken and continued, it cannot dom of our debates and resolutions in parlia expected that we should continue the ment, is not to be interpreted or termed neg onthly pay of that army; which, though we ligence or delay in us.-As to the Propositions ave not taken occcasion to stop and surcease of Peace to be sent to his majesty, in pursupon taxes and levies of monies, and other ance of our Resolutions of the 6th Aug. comoceedings of that army, yet we expect, as municated to your lordships; we have proat which of right is due, that, out of it, de- ceeded therein as the exigence of our affairs action and satisfaction shall be given in the would permit; and the Propositions being at cises. And as we are obliged to make this present continually in agitation and ood the monthly pay of that army, according debate in parliament, we are resolved to the Treaty, so long as we shall find it neces-apply ourselves both speedily and effectually ary to use the assistance thereof within this to the perfecting of them, according to the ngdom, and no longer; so is that army like- present state of affairs; and we doubt not se bound to demean themselves conformable but our actions shall testify to our brethren of the tenor of the Treaty; and, according Scotland, and all the world, that there is no creunto, to give satisfaction unto this king- earthly thing more in our thoughts and desires, a that such forces of the Scots nation, as than the settling of a safe and well-grounded ve been put into the several garrisons of Peace in the three kingdoms, for which we have Newcastle upon-Tyne, the city of Carlisle, and done and suffered as much as any kingdom in other places in the North, without the conent of both houses of the parliament of Engand, shall be removed; to the intent that the same may be disposed of in such manner as all be thought fitting by the said houses of parliament, the performance whereof we have demanded from the kingdom of Scotland, by Letters to that parliament.-These things we held ourselves bound to represent to our brethren of Scotland, as well in discharge of the trust reposed in us, for the preser the world." Draught of an Answer to the foregoing Message from the King.] The same day the following Draught of an Answer to the king's last Message was read and agreed to by the lords; the earl of Lincoln only dissenting: 66 May it please your majesty; The lords and commons assembled in the parliament of England at Westminster, have received your Letter of the 5th of this instant December, by a trumpet from sir Thomas Glemlam; and having, together with the commissioners of the parliament of Scotland, taken the same into their serious consideration, have commanded us to return this their humble Answer. They have, in all their actions, manifested to your majesty and the world, their sincere desires that a safe and well-grounded Peace might be settled in your three kingdoms; and, for the obtaining so great a blessing, shall ever pray unto God, and use their utmost endeavours; and should have counted it a great happiness, if your majesty's actions had been answerable to the expressions you have so often made concerning your desire of Peace. As to your majesty's desire of a Safe-Conduct for the coming hither of the duke of Richmond, the earl of Southampton, John Ashburnham, and Jeffry Palmer, esqrs. with Propositions from you; the persons formerly employed from your majesty, on the like occasion, having agitated other things to the disadvantage of the parliament, they cannot admit thereof. And finding that foriner Treaties have been made use of by your majesty for other ends, under pretence of Peace, the lords and commons, and the commissioners for the kingdom of Scotland, sithence the Breach of the Treaty at Uxbridge, have resolved and agreed to send Propositions and Bills unto your majesty, for the obtaining of a safe and well-grounded Peace; and to desire your answer unto them, without any Treaty to be had thereupon; and this they intend to do with all convenient speed." Exceptions made by the Scots Commissioners, to the above Answer.] Dec. 13. The foregoing Draught being ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners for their approbation, before it was sent away, they returned the following Answer and Exceptions to it: "My lords and gentlemen; Having received from your lordships his majesty's Letter of the 5th of this instant, to the house of peers, and at the same time a Draught of the Answer of both houses to that Letter, we find in that Answer some particulars, wherein we are named as consenters, to which we cannot agree; neither would it, we are confident, have been expected from us, if our former Papers had been considered, or we consulted therein, as formerly upon the like occasions; concerning which we are ready to give your lordships satisfaction by conference.-By command of the Commissioners for the parliament of Scotland. JOHN CHIESLEY." EXCEPTIONS to the foregoing Draught of an ANSWER to the King's Message. "Whereas, according to the Order of both houses of parliament, a Draught of their Answer to his majesty's late Letter is, by this honourable committee, communicated to us, the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, we have taken both the Letter and the Dranght of the Answer into our serious considervion; and, with the honourable houses, do, in the name of the parliament of Scotland, from our hearts pray and desire, according to our former wishes and endeavours, that a saft and well-grounded Peace may be settled in his majesty's dominions; which we are apt to conceive may now, by the blessing of God, be brought to pass, when both his majesty bath made the motion on one hand, and the ho nourable houses of parliament have resolved and agreed to send Propositions and Bills to his majesty on the other, for the same muchdesired end.--Only, according to our intere and affection, and in relation to so great a happiness, we do express our sense concerning some particulars in the Answer: First, If tha it may seem good to the wisdom of the b nourable houses, instead of these words, ‘And 'should have accounted it a great happes if your majesty's actions had been answer able,' that the expression might run the And shall account it a great happiness the your majesty's actions be answerable.' Next, Concerning that part of the Answer, wh seemeth to bar all further Treaty, we ret ourselves to our Paper of the 14th August wherein we declared ourselves most willrg that not only the three main Propositum debated at Uxbridge, but also all or any of the other Propositions of Peace, already agreed upon by the joint consent of both kingda which, upon mutual debate, should be judged necessary, should be sent, with a desa of a positive Answer without any Treaty; bat withal, did shew, that if any new Propositiv of Peace, or any material additions to, alterations of, the former Propositions were be sent, in that case we were necessitated send them to the kingdom of Scotland, to there considered and approved; as.is mot fully contained in that our Paper, which desire may be taken into consideration at the time; and this is all that is in our power, can be expected from us, in matters of so great importance as cannot be determined without the particular knowledge and express conse of the parliaments of both kingdoms, united by so many bonds of covenant of doing and sa taining in this common cause.-To the pet of denying the Safe-Conduct; the hou having declared their opinion, we do age, and earnestly do desire that, without de the Propositions, already agreed upon, be sent to his majesty for a positive Answer but if any of them be altered, or any other material difference be intended, which may las a necessity upon us of sending them to the parliament of Scotland, to be there considere and returned hither with their sense; and s the winter, the fittest season for a Treaty, spell in debates upon new Propositions, the prescal opportunity lost, occasion given to our enemies to use the more art and industry for bringing in foreign forces, when they apprehend, ty our delays, their motion of Peace not to te entertained, (besides many other inconvenienc well known to the honourable houses, and test by all the three kingdoms, which accompany our present distractions) the continuance of crease of the common miseries, through not then he shall not doubt but that God will yet again give the blessing of Peace to this distracted kingdom. Given at our Court at Oxford the 15th Dec. 1645." possible. All which the lords agreed to. The lords ordered this Message to be communicated to the commons, and to the Scots commissioners, that an Answer might be speedily made to this and the last Message from the king. At the same time they received a Message from the commons, That they did adhere to the Letter, formerly passed both houses, in Answer to the king's; and desired that the members of both houses, who were of the committee for the two kingdoms, should confer with the Scots Commissioners, and offer them the reasons for adhering to this Answer, and learn from them any reasons they should urge to the contrary. Soon after the commons sent up another Message, intimating, That upon reading the king's last Letter, this day, they perceived it to be so much in substance with the former, that to retard the sending of that Answer which the houses have agreed to, will be much to the disadvantage of the Parliament: that "C. R. His majesty cannot but extremely the commons had resolved to take the Propoonder that, after so many expressions on your sitions for Peace into consideration, de die in art, of a deep and seeming sense of the mise- diem; and therefore desired the lords to s of this afflicted kingdom, and of the dan- expedite those which were already brought up, rs incident to his person during the conti-and they would dispatch the rest as soon as ance of this unnatural war; your many great d so oft repeated protestations, That the ising of these arms hath been only for the cessary defence of God's true religion, his ajesty's honour, safety, and prosperity, the ace, comfort, and security of his people, u should delay a Safe-Conduct to the persons entioned in his majesty's Message of the 5th stant, which are to be sent unto you with ropositions for a safe and well-grounded eace: a thing so far from having been at any me denied by his majesty, whensoever you we desired the same, that he believes it hath cen seldom, if ever, refused amongst the ost avowed and professed enemies, much 35 by subjects to their king. But his masty is resolved that no discouragements batsoever shall make him fail on his part, doing his utmost endeavours to put an end > these calamities, which, if not in time revented, must prove the ruin of this unhappy ation; and therefore doth once again desire, hat a Safe-Conduct may be forthwith sent those persons expressed in his former Iessage and doth therefore conjure you, s you will answer to Almighty God in that ay when he shall make inquisition for all the lood that hath and may yet be spilt in this nnatural war, as you tender the preservation d establishment of the true religion, by all be bonds of duty and allegiance to your king, compassion to your bleeding and unhappy untry, and of charity to yourselves, that You dispose your hearts to a true sense, and employ all your faculties in a more serious endeavour, together with his majesty, to put * speedy end to these wasting divisions; and Dec. 22. The earl of Northumberland reported divers Papers from the committee of both kingdoms, being the result of their debates and conferences with the Scots Commissioners concerning the Answer to, the King's Letter. The whole of these Papers are given at length in the Lords Journals. The Report being over, the lords ordered that the several Papers, therein contained, should be taken into consideration the next morning. Taking of Hereford by the Parliament's Forces.] Dec. 23. A message was brought up from the commons, by sir Robert Harley and others, to communicate to their lordships divers Letters, importing the good success of some of the parliament's forces in the taking of the city of Hereford. Sir Robert Harley farther inform ed the lords, That the commous desired their concurrence in appointing a Thanksgiving to Almighty God, the next Sabbath-day, in London and within the line of communication, for the taking of Hereford; and also that colonel Birch might be governor of that city: to both these the lords agreed accordingly. The Parliament's Answer to the King's Messages of Dec. 5th and 15th, for Peace.] Dec. 26. The commons sent up an Answer to the King's Letters; which the lords read, approved of, and ordered to be communicated to the Scots Commissioners; which they, after some deliberation, having consented to, it was ordered to be sent away that afternoon, by sir Peter Kilicgrew : "May it please your majesty; The lords and commons assembled in the parliament of England, at Westminster, have received your ceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual, chiefly for want of power in those persons that treated, as likewise because those from whom their power was derived (not possibly having the particular informations of every several debate) could not give so clear a judgment as was requisite to so important a business: if therefore his inajesty may have the engagement of the two houses at Westminster, the commissioners of the parliament of Sontland, the mayor, aldermen, common-council, and militia of London; of the chief commanders in sir Tho. Fairfax's army, as also of those in the Scots army, for his majesty's free and safe coming to, and abode in, London, or West minster, (with such of his servants now attend iug him, and their followers, not exceeding in all the number of 300) for the space of 40 dap; and, after the said time, for his free and sale repair to any of his garrisons of Oxford, Worcester, or Newark, (which his majesty shall so minate at any time before his going from Landon or Westminster) his majesty propounds to have a Personal Treaty with the two houses of parliament at Westminster, and the comms sioners of the parliament of Scotland, upea matters which may conduce to the restoring of peace and happiness to these miserably dis tracted kingdoms; and to begin with the three Letters of the 5th and 15th of this instant Dec. and having, together with the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, taken the same into their serious consideration, do humbly return this Answer: They have, in all their actions, manifested to your majesty and the world, their sincere and earnest desires that a safe and well-grounded Peace might be settled in your three kingdoms; and for the obtaining so great a blessing, shall ever pray to God and use their utmost endeavours and beseech your majesty to believe, that their not sending a more speedy Answer hath not proceeded from any intention to retard the means of putting an end to these present calamities by a happy Peace; but hath been occasioned | by the considerations and debates necessary in a business of so great importance, wherein both kingdoms are so much concerned. As to your majesty's desire of a Safe-Conduct for the coming hither of the duke of Richmond, the earl of Southampton, John Ashburnham, and Jeffrey Palmer, esqrs. with Propositions to be the foundation of an happy and well-grounded Peace; they finding that former Treaties have been made use of for other ends, under 'pretence of Peace, and have proved dilatory and unsuccessful, cannot give way to a Safe-Conduct according to your majesty's desire: But both houses of the parliament of England hav-heads which were treated on at Uxbridge. And ing now under their consideration Propositions and Bills for the settling of a safe and wellgrounded Peace, which are speedily to be communicated to the commissioners of the kingdom of Scotland, do resolve, after mutual agrecment of both kingdoms, to present them with all speed to your majesty. GREY of Warke, Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore. W. LENTHALL, Speaker of the house of Commons. Westminster, Dec. 26, 1645." Another Message from the King of the 26th, for a Personal Treaty, sent before his Majesty's Receipt of the foregoing Answer.] But before this Answer was received by the King, another Message came from his majesty ushered in to the house of lords, in the usual man ner; For the SPEAKER of the house of PEERS pro Tempore, to be communicated to the two houses of parliament at Westminster, and the commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland. "C. R. Notwithstanding the strange and unexpected delays (which can be precedented by no former times) to his majesty's two former Alessages, his majesty will lay aside all expostulations, as rather serving to lose time than to contribute any remedy to the evils which, for the present, do afilict this distracted kingdom: Therefore, without further preamble, his majesty thinks it most necessary to send these Propositions this way, which he intended to do by the persons mentioned in his former Messages; though he well knows the great disadvantage which overtures of this kind have, by the want of being accompanied by well-instructed messengers.-His Majesty con for the better clearing of his majesty's earnest and sincere intentions of putting an end to these unnatural distractions, (knowing that poiut of security may prove the greatest obsta cle to this most blessed work) his ruajesty therefore declares, That he is willing to con mit the greatest trust of the militia of this kingdom, for such time and with such powers are expressed in the Paper delivered by b majesty's commissioners at Uxbridge, the 6th Feb. last, to these persons following, viz. the lord Privy-seal, duke of Richmond, marquis of Hertford, marquis of Dorchester, carl of Dorset,lord-chamberlain, earls of Northumberland, Essex, Southampton, Pembroke, Salisbury, Manchester, Warwick, Denbigh, Chichester, lords Say, Seymour, Lucas, Lexington, Mr. Denzil Hollis, Mr. Pierpoint, Mr. Henry Bellasis, Mr. Rd. Spencer, sir Tho. Fairfax, Mr. John Ashburnham, sir Gervase Clifton, Henry Vane, jun. Mr. Robert Wallop, Mr. Tho. Chicheley, Mr. Oliver Cromwell, and Mr. Philip Skippon; supposing that these are persons against whom there can be no just excep tion. But if this doth not satisfy, then his ma jesty offers to name the one half, and leave the election of the other to the two houses of perliament at Westminster, with the powers and limitations before-mentioned. Thus his majesty calls God and the world to be witness of his sincere intentions and real endeavours fr the composing and settling of these miserat distractions; which he doubts not but, by the blessing of God, will soon be put to an happy conclusion, if this his majesty's offer be accepted; otherwise, be leaves all the world to judge who are the continuers of this unnatural |