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HIS MAJESTIES Most Gracious LETTER To the PARLIAMENT- of Scotland.
WILLIAM R.
My Lords and Gentlemen,
THe continuance of the War obliging Us to Call you together at this time, for your own Safety and Security, as well as for Our Ser∣vice, and hindering Us to be present in Person: We have ap∣pointed Our Right Trustee, and Right well Beloved Cousin and Counsellor, JOHN Earl of Tullibardine to be Our Commissioner, for Re∣presenting Our Person and Authority in this Session of Parliament. The knowledge We have of his Capacity, as well as of his zealous Affection, and firm Fidelity to Our Person and Government, will certainly render him Ac∣ceptable. We have fully Instructed him in all that may Concern the Good and Welfare of that our Antient Kingdom, and the Interest of Our Service; And therefore you are to give him entire Trust and Credit. He is to Ask nothing of you in Our Name, but what your own Safety makes necessary.
The Delivery that God Almighty lately gave Us, from that Imminent Dan∣ger to which both Our Person and Kingdoms were Exposed, by the Crafty and Bloody Designs of Our Enemies, is fresh in your Remembrance, and Calls for Our Joint Care and Providence for the future.
The Supplies Granted in the last Session of Parliament, are now almost ex∣pired; And you also know how much the Funds there to appointed, are sunk below Expectation.
The Continuing of the Forces, the Buying of Arms and Ammunition, the Repairing of Forts and Garisons, and the Provisions for your Frigats, being all for your own Defence, with the other Charges and Contingencies of the Government, will readily perswade you to give what is Needful, for those Ends. And that in the most effectual and easy manner, Recruits during the War must also be had; which We hope you will provide in such ways as may best prevent Abuses.
We have Impowered Our Commissioner, to Give Our Royal Assent, to such Laws as shall be judged necessary, for the better Securing to Our Subjects their Rights and Properties.
It hath been, and shall still be Our Royal Care, to Preserve you in Peace and Safety, and to Promove your Welfare and Prosperity: And therefore We expect you will Treat and Conclude all Matters, with that Prudence, Calm∣ness and concord, as will be most to Our Satisfaction, and no less to your own Honour and Advantage; And so We bid you heartily Farewell.
Given at Our Court at Loo the 28 August 1696. And of Our Reign the Eighth year.