The annals of King James and King Charles the First ... containing a faithful history and impartial account of the great affairs of state, and transactions of parliaments in England from the tenth of King James MDCXII to the eighteenth of King Charles MDCXLII : wherein several material passages relating to the late civil wars (omitted in former histories) are made known.

Marquess Hamilton's Letter to the King, May 29.

Most Sacred Majesty,

EVery day may produce new Counsels, and if I alter in them, impute it not to fickleness, but to the re∣ality of my Intentions to your Majesties Service, that writes what I think.

Hearing for certain that the Covenanters have gi∣ven Obedience to your Majesties last Proclamation, and will not come within ten miles of the Borders, there is now no more doubt to be made, but that you will be so fast in your Leaguer, that it will not be in their Power to do the least affront to your Army. So as my farther Treaty in these Parts where I am is to no end, since that is effected which was only laboured for, your Majesty be∣ing in security. So I conceive it will now be time to speak other Language than hitherto hath been done, and they to be enjoyned a total Obedience to your just Commands. This will be best put in execution by your own immediate directions, you being now so near the Rebels; for if your Pleasure should be sent to me, the Winds being uncertain, and I more uncertain how to put the same in execution, (I mean, if they be Commands of Treaty) your Service might receive prejudice by de∣lays; and to deal really with your Majesty (which I humbly desire your Majesty to pardon me for expressing) I have no desire at all to be imployed in Treaty with this People, for many Reasons: Amongst which this is not one of the least, That as I hear the Earl of Traquaire and Southesk are desirous to have leave to come to me; which (whatsoever course your Majesty shall be pleased to take) I beseech you not to grant; for the effects of their coming to me, will produce no great good to your Service, and prove infinitely prejudical to me; for so unhappy am I still, that if by the Faults of others your Service miscarrieth, the Fault is still laid on me, by those whom I have not deserved it from.

Notwithstanding my aversenese of farther Treaty, I have not refused as yet to admit any that shall be sent with their Petitions; but this I only do till the return of Sir James, by whom I expect the signification of your Majesties Pleasure: In the interim, if any desires of theirs be sent me, my Answers shall be such as your Majesty shall be no ways ingaged by them.

I have writ of some other Particulars to Mr. Trea∣surer, so your Majesty shall be no more for the present troubled by

From aboard the Rain∣bow in Leith-Road, May 29. at 7 Morn∣ing, 1639.

Your Majesties Most Loyal Subject and humble Servant, Hamilton.

His Majesty willing to prevent as much as in him lay the effusion of his Subjects blood, caused the Marquess of Hamilton to cause to be published his Majesties Proclamation Royal, commanding the Scotch Army to disband, promising pardon to all who should peaceably depart and accept of this his Majesties Grace; but withal denouncing the pain of high Treason upon all those who should con∣tinue in Arms. This Proclamation the Marquess sent on shore (lying then in the Frith of Edinburgh) to the Magistrates thereof, commanding the pub∣lication thereof of those Magistrates in due form of Law, and that the Clerk of the Council be as∣sistant according to his place herein. The Magi∣strates desire a respite of some few days to return an Answer; and in the mean time the chief Lords and others engaged in their Covenant, wrote the following Letter to the Lord Marquess.

Please it your Grace,

BEing here conve••ned to attend the Parliament indicted by his Majesty, the Provost of E∣dinburgh presented unto us your Grace's Letter to him, and the Magistrates here to cause to be published his Majesties Proclamation, which we having perused, we find it doth contain divers points not only contrary to our National Oath to God, but also to the Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom, for it carries a denunciation of the high Crime of Treason, against all such as do not accept the offer therein contained; albeit it be only a Writing put in Print without the King∣dom, and not warranted by Act and Authority of the Councel, lawfully conveened within this Kingdom. And your Grace in your Wisdom may consider, whether it can stand with the Laws, Li∣berties, and Customs of this Kingdom, that a Pro∣clamation of so great and dangerous consequence, wanting the necessary Solemnities, should be pub∣lished at the Market-cross of this City. Where∣as your Grace knows well, that by the Laws of this Kingdom, Treason and Forfeiture of the Lands, Life, and Estate of the meanest Subject within the same, cannot be declared but either in Parliament, or in a Supream Justice Court, af∣ter Citation and lawful Probation; how much less of the whole Peers and Body of the Kingdom, without either Court proof or Trial. And albeit we do heartily and humbly acknowledge and profess all dutiful and civil Obedience to his Ma∣jesty, as our Dread and Gracious Sovereign; yet since this Proclamation does import in effect the renouncing of our Covenant made with God, and of the necessary means of our lawful Defence, we cannot give Obedience thereto, without bring∣ing a Curse upon this Kirk and Kingdom, and Ruin upon our selves and our Posterity; whereby we are perswaded, that it did never pro∣ceed from his Majesty, but that it is a deep Plot contrived by the Policy of the devillish Malice of the known and cursed Enemies of this Church

and State, by which they have intended so to dis∣joyn us from his Majesty, and among our selves, as the Rupture, Rent, and Confusion of both might be irreparable; wherein we hope the Lord (in whom we trust) shall disappoint them. And seeing we have left no means possible unessayed since his Majesties coming to York (as before) whereby his Majesties Ear might be made Patent to our just Informations, but have used the help (to our last Remonstrance) of the Lord Gray, the Justice Clerk, the Treasurer, and the Lord Da∣liel, as the Bearer can inform your Grace, and yet have never had the happiness to attain any hopes of our End, but have altogether been frustrate and disappointed; and now understanding, by the sight of your Grace's Letter, That your Grace, as his Majesties High Commissioner, is returned with full Power and Authority to ac∣commodate Affairs in a peaceable way, we will not cease to have recourse to your Grace, as one who hath chief Interest in this Kirk and King∣dom; desiring your Grace to consider, (as in our judgment we are perswaded) That there is no way so ready and assured to settle and com∣pose all Affairs, as by holding of the Parliament according to his Majesties Indiction, either by his Sacred Majesty in Person, (which is our chief∣est desire) or by your Grace, as his Majesties Commissioner, at the time appointed; wherein your Grace shall find our Carriage most humble, loyal, and dutiful to our Sovereign, or to your Grace, as representing his Majesties Person; and in the mean time, That your Grace would open a safe way, whereby our Supplications and In∣formations may have access to his Majesties Ears: And we are fully perswaded, that we shall be a∣ble to clear the lawfulness and integrity of our Intentions and Proceedings to his Majesty, and make it evident to his Majesty and to the World, that our Enemies are Traitors to the King, to the Church and State; and that we are, and ever have been, his Majesties Loyal and Obedient Subjects. So we Rest,

Edinburgh, May 9. 1639.

Your Graces Humble Servants,

• A. Lesley.
• Argile.
• Marr.
• Rothes.
• Eglinton.
• Cassils.
• Wigtown.
• Dalhousy.
• Lothian.
• Angus.
• Elcho.
• Lindsey.
• Balmerino.
• Montgomery.
• Forrester.
• Erskins.
• Boyd.
• Napier.
• Burghly.
• Kirkudbright.

And about thirty Commissioners for Shires and Burroughs.

To this Letter the Lord Marquess returned Answer, directing his Letter to the E. of Rothes.

My Lord,

I Received a Letter yesterday morning, signed by your Lordship, and divers Noblemen and others, wherein you alledge you are come to attend the Parlia∣ment; but considering your Preparation and Equipage, it appears rather to fight a Battel, than to hold a civil Convocation for the good of the Church and Common∣wealth. You may perceive by his Majesties Gracious Proclamation, That he intended, in his own Sacred Person, to be present at the Parliament, so soon as with honour and safety he might do it, and for that end exprest therein what was fit to be done. But these courses which you and your adherents take, and your disobedience to his just Commands, daily more and more shewed, will necessitate him to have them put in execu∣tion another way. It is true, That his Majesty sent me hither to accommodate these Affairs in a peaceable manner, if it were possible, which I have laboured to do, and accordingly my deportment hath been, which hath been met with that Retribution, as if I had been your greatest Enemy; but your refusing to publish his Majesties Grace to his People, signified in his Royal Proclamation, hath taken away that Power which o∣therwise I had, that being a Liberty taken to your selves, which never any loyal Subjects assumed in any Monarchy. You alledge many Reasons for your selves of the Illegality of that Proclamation: But you can∣not be ignorant that your Carriage hath forced many of these principal Councellers, for safeguard of their lives, to forsake the Kingdom, out of which they remain; yet for the same cause you have suppressed the printing of all Writings, but what is warranted by Mr. Alexander Henderson, and one Mr. Archibald Johnston. Neither was the Clerk of the Council, whom I sent for twice to give him Directions in this Business, permit∣ted to come aboard to me; upon conference with whom (for any thing you know) I might have resolved to come ashore and conveened a Council for the publica∣tion thereof in the ordinary way. But your extraor∣dinary proceedings in all things, must needs force from his Majesty some things which perhaps you may think not ordinary. Whereas you desire me to be a means that your Supplications may have free access to his Ma∣jesties Ears: It is a work of no difficulty, for his Ma∣jesty hath never stopt his Ears to the Supplications of a∣ny of his Subjects, when they have been presented to him in that humble and fitting way which became duti∣ful Subjects: Nor did I ever refuse any, all the time I was among you, or conceal any part of them from his Majesty; so that your Allegation of not being heard, is grounded upon the same false Foundations that your other Actions are, and serves only for a means to delude the simple People, that by making them believe what you have a mind to possess them with, they may become backers of your unwarranted Actions; which as it is generally lamented by all his Majesties good Subjects, so it is more particularly by me, who have had the honour to be imployed in this Business with so bad success.

May 10.

My Lord,

Your humble Servant, Hamilton.

To this Letter from the Lord Marquess, the Earl of Rothes, in behalf of himself and the rest of his Confederates, rejoyns as followeth.

May it please your Grace,

WE should have taken far more satisfacti∣on to have seen your Grace here in Par∣liament with his Majesty, then with your Navy and Army in the Frith, to constrain us be∣yond the limits of our Religion and lawful Obe∣dience, which we are always willing to perform to his Majesty. It was far by my expectation, and your Grace's oath and promise, that you should never come in any chief Command against your Native Country. Whereas your Grace

doth challenge our coming in such numbers to attend this Parliament, I hope you conceive that this Navy and Army upon the Borders, and the Invasion threatned in the West, do suff••ci∣ently warrant our preparations to defend these places, and divert such dangers. That Procla∣mation that is said to carry so much Grace and Goodness, is as destitute of that, as your Inva∣sion is of a good Warrant; which perswades me, That neither of the two proceeds from his Ma∣jesties own Gracious disposition. I cannot stand here to answer all these misconceived Particulars contained in your Grace's Letter; but if I had the honour to see your Grace, before any more mischief be done, I dare engage my Honour and my Life, to clear all these Imputations laid on our proceedings; and I can demonstrate how hardly we have been used, without any just rea∣son. I dare not be answerable to God Almighty, and to that Duty I owe my Prince and Country, if I do not shew your Grace, that your going a little further in this violent and unjust way, will put all from the hopes of Recovery; from which both a great deal of blame from Men, and Judg∣ment from Above shall attend you as the special Instrument, which I wish you labour to evite. If our destruction be intended, we are confident in that Majesty who owns this Cause, and is able to defend it; and if only Terrors to fright, and prepare us to accept of any Conditions, will be offered, that intention is already as far disap∣pointed, as any of these many former: But as we are ready to defend, so ever to insist in sup∣plicating, in using all humble and lawful means as becomes us.

Mr. Borthwick will deliver to your Grace our Supplication to his Majesty, and both his and my Mind, till I shall have the occasion to disburthen my self, surcharged with grief at your proceed∣ings, being most desirous (as I have been former∣ly) to have all these Occasions removed, that may divert me from being still

Your Grace's humble Servant, Rothes.

Some days following the Marquess returns his Answer to the foregoing of the Earl of Rothes.

My Lord,

I Have received your Lordships's Letter, signed by you, but I cannot conceive it of your Lordship's in∣dicting; for I believe you would not have sent such an one to me, if you had not had some malignant Spirits busied in the framing of it: For you cannot but re∣member that my words were never other, then that I would dye at my Master's feet; and that I would prove an Enemy, to the uttermost of my power, to this King∣dom, if my Country-men continue in their Obstinacy: And here I set it under my hand, That I will (by God's grace) make it good. It is true, knowing my own inability, I neither desired, nor indeed willingly did accept the Conduct of an Army against this Nati∣on; but my backwardness proceeded not out of a desire not to be imployed against such in this Country as were disobedient, but that his Majesty might have found many more able to have served him; but since he hath been pleased to trust me, I will not deceive him.

You pass by many Particulars in your Answer to my Letter untouched, saying, You cannot stand here to answer them. It is most true, they are not to be an∣swered, and so I take it.

As for your own Justification, it is the same which you have ever used, and so continue; but the best is, none that were ever truly informed of your Proceedings, doth or can give any approbation of them.

You say, If I go any further in a violent Course, it will be past all hope of Remedy. If I do, none can blame my Master; for that can never be called Violence, which is only to suppress Rebellion: And if I proceed to execute his Commands therein, you are the Causers of it. As Mr. Borthwick told me, I expected to have heard further from you before now; but nothing co∣ming, I would forbear no longer to give you this An∣swer under my hand, that both you and all the World may take notice what my Inclinations are: Which not∣withstanding I do infinitely desire they may be stopt, by your speedy and real submission to his Majesties just Commands. And this is the Prayer of him, that wisheth it may be still lawful for him to call himself

From on Board the Rainbow, May 17. 1639.

Your Lordship's Humble Servant, Hamilton.

Upon the 4th of June his Majesty mustered his own Guards, where was a gallant Appearance of the Nobility and Gentry, who were no sooner dis¦missed, but word was brought by Sir John B••••on that the whole Scots Army was on their March on this side Dunce-hill, which proved to be a mistake, for that they were then encamped, as his Majesty afterwards discovered, who as he had great cause was much offended with Mr. Widdrington the Scout-Master, for not giving notice of their advance, which it seems was caused by the Earl of Hollands march to Kelsey in Scotland, else (say the Scots) they had not come within 10 miles of the Borders, [you may believe them if you please.] And now the Armies were in view of each other, expecting action every moment, when comes the Earl of Dunfermling with a Trumpet from the Scotch Camp to the King's Pavilion, and brings with him a Petition from the Scots following;