Speech to a Grand Committee of both Houses of Parliament, Part 2 – Part 4
The Paper wherein the Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scotland consent to the Propositions of PEACE.
IT is above a twelve monethmonth sithence we did earnestly presse the sending of Propositions to the King for a safe and well grounded Peace. In answer whereunto, the Honorable Houses were pleased to acquaint us, That they had resolved Propositions should be sent to His Majesty, but did intend to make some alterations, in the former Propositions, and after eight or nine Moneths deliberation we received from the Honorable Houses some of those Propositions: And though we did finde therein very material Additions, Alterations and Omissions, which for their great importance, and the interest of the Kingdom of Scotland therein, might very well have required the delay of an Answer until the Estates of that Kingdom had been consulted; yet so unwilling were we to retard the means of Peace, that in a Fortnights time we returned an Answer upon the whole Propositions; And the Houses of Parliament not resting satisfied therewith, in less then ten dayes we prepared a further Answer, wherein we did very much comply with the Desires of the Honorable Houses, especially in the matter of the setling of the Militia of England & Ireland, and in other things did shew our readinesse to hear or propose such Expedients as might determine our Differences: So that in a whole years time the Propositions have not remained in our hands the space of four weeks (which we only mention to clear our proceedings frō mistakes & aspersions) And the Househaving now after two months further deliberation delivered unto us upon the 23. of this instant June, all the Propositions they intend to send to the King at this time; We do without any delay return such an Answer & Resolution thereupon, as will be to the present and future Generations one undenyable Testimony (besides many others) of the Integrity & Faithfulnesse of the Kingdom of Scotland in their Solemn League and Covenant, of their love to Peace, and earnest desire to satisfie their Brethren of England, in those things which concern the good and Government of this Kingdom: Being further Resolved, touching the Kingdom of Scotland, That as nothing of single or sole concernment to that Nation did engage them in this War, so nothing of that nature shall continue the same. Although these Propositions now to be sent, do much differ from the Propositions formerly agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms, and the most material Additions, Omissions and Alterations, are in such particulars as concern the joynt Interest & mutual Confidence & Conjunction of both Kingdoms, which were, as we conceive, much better provided for, and strengthned by the former Propositions then by these; although the particular Propositions presented by us concerning the Kingdom of Scotland, are not yet agreed unto by the houses of Parliament, as was offered in their Paper of the 10. of April; although divers Propositions of joynt concernment be now superseded, and the sending of them delayed to a more convenient time, as is expressed in the Votes of both Houses the 26. of March; and although (which is to us more then all the rest) those Ordinances of Parliament, unto which the fifth and sixth Propositions do relate (and were therefore cōmunicated unto us upon our desire to see what the Houses had already agreed upon concerning Religion) do not contain the establishment of such a Reformation of Religion, and Uniformity as was expected and was the chief end of our Engagement in this War. And as all these Ordinances put together come short of what we wished, so there are some particulars which we conceive to be inconsistent with the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches, and therefore cannot in our consciences consent unto them; which particulars were expressed to both Houses in the Remonstrance of the Commissioners of the Church of Scotland, of the date March 26. 1646. Yet neverthelesse, we do so earnestly desire, and so highly value the easing of the heavie pressures under which both Kingdoms groan, and the bringing of this bloody lasting War to a speedy and happy end; considering withal, that not onelyonly the Book of Common-Prayer, and the Prelatical Government are abolished, and a common Directory of Worship established in both Kingdoms, but that likewise the Ordinances aforementioned do contain divers parts of a positive Reformation & Uniformity in ChurchGovernment, unto which we formerly gave our consent in our Answer upon the whole Propositions of Peace of the 20. of April, and for so happy beginnings, and so good a foundation laid for the future, we heartily thank God, and do acknowledge the Zeal, Piety, and Wisdom of the Honorable Houses therein, remembring also, that these Ordinances do not contain the whole Model of Church-Government, and that the Houses have been pleased to expresse, [That it cannot be expected, that a perfect Rule in every particular should be setled all at once, but that there will be need of Supplements and Additions, and happily of Alterations in some things, as experience shall bring to light the necessity thereof.
Upon these considerations, as we doe cheerfully consent to many materiall parts of these propositions, so we resolve to make no let, but to give way to the sending of such other particulars therein contained, with which we are unsatisfied in the matter, for the reasons formerly represented to both Houses, of which some still stand in force; though others of them be taken away by the new expedients. It being alwayes understood, that our not dissenting from, nor opposing of the sending of the propositions, as they now stand, shall be no prejudice nor impediment to all, or any one of the Articles of the solemne League and Covenant, especially to the first Articles, concerning the preservation of the reformed Religion in the Church of Scotland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline, and Government, against our common Enemies; the Reformation of Religion, in the Kingdom of England and Ireland, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, according to the word of God, and example of the best reformed Churches, and the bringing of the Churches of God in the three Kingdoms to the neerest conjunction and uniformity in Religion, confession of Faith Forme of Church, government, directory for worship, and Catechising, which things both Kingdoms are by Covenant obliged sincerely and really to endevour, and that not for a time, but constantly; so that neither of the Kingdoms can be loosed or acquitted from the most strict and solemne obligation of their continued and constant endevouring these good ends, so farre as any of them is not yet obtained: It being also understood, that our concurrence to the sending of the propositions, shall be without prejudice to any agreement or Treaty betweene the Kingdoms, and shall not infringe any engagement made to the Kingdom of Scotland, nor be any hind… rance to our insisting upon the other propositions already made known to the Houses: and it being understood that it is not our Judgement, that every particular and circumstance of these propositions is of so great importance to these Kingdomes, as Peace and Warre should depend thereupon. Upon these grounds (which we make knowne onelyonly for clearing our consciences and for discharging our selves in the trust, put upon us, without the least thought, of retarding the so much longed for Peace) we condescend and agree that the propositions as they are now resolved upon be in the name of both Kingdoms presented to the King, whose heart we beseech the Lord wholly to incline to the Councells of Truth and Peace.
25. Iune, 1646. By the command of the Commissioners, for the Kingdom of Scotland. Iohn Cheisley
Another Paper, wherein the Commissioners for the Kingdome of Scotland desire their Armies in England and Ireland to be supplied, the Accounts to be perfected, and all Armies disbanded, &c.
HAving so often represented by Papers, and now by word to the Honourable Houses, the extreame necessities of our Armies in England and Ireland, We shall not trouble them with unnecessary repetition, but onelyonly mention those desires which require their very speedy consideration.
1 We desire, that for easing the Countrey of their great pressures, and preventing many dangerous inconveniences, the quarters of the Scottish Army in the North of this Kingdome may be enlarged, and a considrable supply of money dispatched unto them.
2 That money, Provisions, and ammunition may be sent to the Scottish army in Ireland, and the same care taken in providing for them as for other forces imployed in that kingdome.
3 That the 5000 Armes long since promised, and in an Ordinance of both Houses of the 26 of August 1645, referred to the care of the Committee sitting at Habberdashers-hall, may be speedily provided; and that the honourable Houses will be pleased to grant power to that Committee, to contract and make payment as well as to treat for furnishing of these Armes, by reason of which defect in the Ordinance, the sending of these Armes hath been hitherto retarded.
4 That to prevent the further invasion of the Kingdome of Scotland by the Irish Rebels, ships may be presently sent to attend the coasts betwixt Scotland and Ireland, and the Commanders of these ships authorised with such instructions as are agreeable to the Treaties between the Kingdomes.
5 That the Honourable Houses will be pleased to send Commissioners to joyne with the Committee of Estates, residing with the Scottish Army, who may be witnesses as of their other proceedings, so of their earnest desires and reall endeavours with the King, for giving speedy and full satisfaction to both Kingdoms. And it is also our earnest request, that these Commissioners may have power to Treat and agree with the Committee of Estates, concerning the stating of the accompts, and setling any differences that may arise thereupon. And further to Treat and agree upon Overtures, estimated Mediums, or expedients for the speedy setling therereof (which we are confident may be done in a very few dayes) and either finally to conclude them, or represent them to both Houses; whereby withall possible expedition upon the setling of the Propositions and accompts, such course may be taken as all Armes may be disbanded, the Kingdoms eased of their heavy pressures and insupportable burthens, that so all things being setled in a brotherly way, we and our posterity may after so unhappy and troublesome a War, enjoy a quiet and blessed Peace.
25. Iune, 1646. By Command of the Commissioners, for the Kingdom of Scotland. Iohn Cheisly.
His Majesties Letter to the Marquesse of Ormond.
CHARLES R.
RIght trusty, &c. Having long with much griefe looked upon the sad condition our Kingdome of Ireland hath been in these divers yeeres through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there, and the bloody effects have ensued thereupon; for the setling whereof we would have wholly applied our selves, if the difference betwixt Us and Our Subjects here had not diver…d and withdrawn Us; and not having been able by force (for that respect) to reduce them, we were necessitated for the present safety of Our Protestant Subjects there, to give you power and authority to treat with them, upon such pious, honourable, and safe grounds as the good of that Our Kingdome did then require. But for many reasons too long for a Letter, We thinke fit to require you to proceed no further in Treaty with the Rebels, nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof. And having formerly found such reall proofes of your ready obedience to our commands, We doubt not of your care in this, wherein Our service and the good of Our Protestant Subjects in Ireland, is so much concerned:
From Newcastle the 11 of June 1646.