A Letter Sent to Thomas Glemham, Letter 1
A LETTER FROM THE MARQVES of ARGILE and Sir WILLIAM ARMYN, In the name of themselves and their Confederates, to Sir Thomas Glemham, Dated at Barwicke, Ianuary, 20. WITH THE ANSWER OF SIR THOMAS GLEMHAM And the Commanders and Gentry of Northumberland, Dated at Newcastle, Ianuary, 23.
Printed at York by Stephen Bulkley. 1643.
Gentlemen,
ALthough we justly presume, that the solemne mutuall Covenant entred into by both Kingdomes, hath long since come to your hands, & likewise that you have had notice of the raising of this Army desired by the Parliament of England, for the prosecution of those Ends therein expressed, (viz.) The preservation and Reformation of Religion, he true Honour and happinesse of the King, And the the publique Peace and Liberty of His Dominions. Yet that it may appeare both to you and all the world, how unwilling we are to make a forcible use of those Armes, we have been constrained (by the disappointment of all other means of safety) to take up: We the Commissioners and Committees of both Kingdomes, have thought sit beside that Declaration, (a Coppie whereof wee herewith send) lately emitted in the name of the Kingdome of Scotland, for the satisfaction of the people concerning the Entrance of this their Army; To take more perticular notice of you the Chiefe Gentlemen and Commanders, hoping likewise that things of so great and considerable consequence, will find with you such an entertainment, as will answer the weight and importance of them.
We will not so much wrong the Cause we have undrtaken, as to goe about after so many Demonstrations of the necessity of our present Posture, to dispute it with you, but rather instead of Arguments, we thinke it reasonable to acquaint you with our well weighed resolutions which are through the assistance of that God in whose cause we are ingaged, and whose strength alone we trust in, with our utmost industrie and hazard, to endeavour the prevention of that imminent danger, not onelyonly of Corruption, but of Ruine, which we see evidently intended to the true Protestant Religion, by the Popish and Prelaticall Faction, who…ever wanted Will, but now thinke they want not strength and opportunity to accomplish it, as also the Rescuing of his Majesties Person and Honour, so deeply and unhappily intangled in the Councels and Practice of them whose actions speake their ends, to be …ittle better then Poperie and Tyrannie, and the redeeming the Peace and Libertie of his Dominions, in which the Irish Rebellion, and the sad and unnaturall Divisions in England have made so great a breach.
To the accomplishment of those so just and Honourable Designes we have reason to expect the concurrance of all men, who either owe, or pretend a due love to their Religion, King, and Countrey, and shall be very sorry to want yours; but if mis-information or any other unhappy grounds shall so farre prevaile with you, as to reckon us in the number of your enemies, which certainly we are not, if you be friends to those ends mentioned in our Covenant: And in stead of that concurrance with us, which we with and hope to deserve we find from you opposition, and Acts of Hostilitie, the Law of nature and your owne reason will tell you what you are to expect.
We onelyonly adde, that though it will not a little trouble us, to see men withstanding not onelyonly us but their owne good and happinesse; yet it doth in good measure satisfie us, that we have not neglected this, or any other meanes to the best of our power, or understanding, to prevent those inconveniencies and mischiefes that may arise from those Acts of force which we shall be necessitated unto.
Subscribed at Barwick the 20. of Ianuary, 1643. by the Warrant, and in the name of the Committee of both Kingdoms.
By us your friends,
W. Armyn.
M. Argyll.