Page 482
After all these passages, the King's Commissioners delivered in this Paper, in further Answer to their Propositions concerning the Militia. 17. Feb.
[ CXXVIII] VVE had no purpose in our* 1.1 Answer delivered by us to your Lordships on the sixth day of February, to divide our Answers concerning the Militia of the two Kingdoms otherwise than in point of time, and till we might receive satisfaction from your Lordships concerning the Powers to be given to the Commissioners of both Kingdoms, and the other particulars mentioned in our Papers since delivered to your Lordships, wherein we are not as yet satisfied by any Papers delivered by your Lordships to us. Our further Answer to those Propositions concerning the Militia is, That we are willing and do agree, that the like course shall be taken and observed touching the Militia of the Kingdom of Scotland as is offered in our said Paper of the sixth of February, and as shall be hereafter agreed on for the Kingdom of England, which we conceive to be a full security for the performance and observation of all Arti∣cles which shall be agreed upon between us in order to a blessed Peace; which we are so desirous may be punctually and exactly observed, that we are willing that His Maje∣sty be desired to take a most solemn strict Oath for the full observation thereof; and likewise that all persons of any immediate trust by office or attendance on His Maje∣sty, and any other whom you shall think fit, shall take such Oath for the due obser∣vance of the same, with such reasonable Penalties, as shall be proposed by your Lord∣ships, and agreed to by us: in which we believe we shall not differ with your Lord∣ships, being willing that whosoever shall in the least degree infringe the Agreement which shall be made between us, may be looked upon and accounted as most pernici∣ous Enemies to King and Kingdoms. And if it shall be thought necessary to make any additional settlement of the Militia, with a general reference to the good of the Kingdoms respectively, we desire the same may be done, after the Peace established, by the joynt consent of His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament in England, and His Majesty and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, respectively. And as we shall desire and endeavour to remove all occasions that may interrupt the Peace and Tranquillity of that Kingdom, and a perfect Amity with them, and shall not desire any change of, or to intermeddle in their Laws or Government, or give them cause to apprehend any disturbance or violation of them from this Kingdom; so are we obliged with all tenderness to preserve the Honour, Dignity and Constitution of this Realm. And therefore as we are yet satisfied, we cannot consent that any Persons authorized by the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, or any advice from thence, shall have any in∣fluence upon the Militia of this Kingdom, or further interpose in the affairs of this Kingdom than is already provided by the Act of Pacification. And we offer to your Lordships considerations, whether unless there could be an union of the Laws of both Kingdoms, such a mixture of Power as is now proposed, and the influence thereof both upon Martial and Civil affairs, may not prove very inconvenient and prejudicial to both Kingdoms, and give cause of Jealousies to each other, to the disturbance of that mutual Amity so much desired. But if this intermingling of Power in both Kingdoms shall be further insisted on by your Lordships, we propound that the same may be settled as (after a Peace established) shall be agreed by the joynt consent of His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament of England, and of His Majesty and the Estates of the Par∣liament of Scotland: and if your Lordships shall insist on any thing further for neces∣sary Security, we shall apply our selves to the consideration thereof, if we shall have further time so to do, according to our desires grounded upon His Majesty's Letter.