Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

The King's Commissioners Paper. 22. Feb.

[ CXXXV] WE cannot rest satisfied with your Lordships Answer to our Paper delivered to you this day, concerning your Lordships the Commissioners of the Parlia∣ment of Scotland, it being indeed but a repetition of your Lordships Paper, and no Answer to ours thereupon; and it being very necessary for us to know, whether the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland have a negative voice, and whether they have not power to conclude without farther powers to be granted from the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland: Upon the Answer to which we must the rather insist, be∣cause your Lordships last Paper gives the reason of the distinct Paper delivered to us from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to be, because the limitation of Time

now offered differs from the Propositions agreed on by both Parliaments, in which the Time is indefinite; which seems to us to intimate, that your Lordships who are the Com∣missioners from the Parliament of Scotland, have not power to consent to any alteration from the said Proposition without first acquainting the Parliament of Scotland, although the other joynt Paper delivered upon that Subject be signed by both your Secretaries; and thereby it is evident, that it much concerns us to know whether the said Com∣missioners have a negative voice in this Treaty.

For the matter of your Lordships Paper concerning the limitation of time for the Militia to seven years, it is not possible, by reason of this shortness of time for the Trea∣ty (it being ten of the clock this night when your Paper was delivered) to give your Lordships a full Answer, it being necessary for us to receive satisfaction from your Lordships in writing, or by Conference, whether by the words, [and not otherwise] your Lordships intend that after the expiration of the time limited, His Majesty shall not exercise the Legal Power which He now hath over the Militia, before the same be agreed upon by His Majesty and the two Houses of the Parliament of England, and by His Majesty and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland, respectively: For which re∣solution and debate we heartily wish the time were sufficient, being very willing to give your Lordships all reasonable satisfaction. And therefore we do propose to your Lordships, that if the Treaty may not now continue, it may be adjourned for such time as you shall think fit, and not totally dissolved, but again resumed; which we propose as the best Expedient now left us for the procuring of a blessed Peace, and by it the pre∣servation of this now miserable Kingdom from utter Ruine and Desolation.