Two Speeches, Speech 1
TWO SPEECHES SPOKEN AT A COMMON HALL Octob. 27. 1643.
1. By Sir Henry Vane.
2. By Master Marshall.
Wherein is shew'd the readynesse of the Scots to assist the Kingdome and Parliament of England to the vtmost of their power.
LONDON Printed for Peter Cole, and are to be sould at his shop near the Royall Exchang. Anno 1643.
Sir Henry Vane his Speech.
MY Lord Major, and worthy Aldermen, and the rest of the Gentlemen of the Citie, In obedience to the Commands of both Houses, we that are lately come out of Scotland, and have been eye witnesses (from the first time of our going over thither) of the affection of that Nation to this cause and of the deep sence they have of the present state of Affaires here in this Kingdome, are willing at this time to make the same report, and give the same accompt to you of it, as hath been done to the Parliament, that you may take a right measure of the trueth of those things, and not be caried away with misapprehensions, and misinformations from those that disaffect the cause, and would willingly abuse your thoughts, and beleife herein; and therefore as shortly as I am able, I shall be willing to give you the accompt of those things which I know, and which I have seen there, and which this other Gentleman, a rever…nd Minister, of your owne acquaintance, and of knowne integritie, hath been privie to, that I doe not doubt, what he likewise shall deliver in this businesse you will very readily give credit too, it being nothing but what will be found to be the trueth.
For the affection of that Nation, we have had many experiences of it, and of their readie and cheerefull compliance with the desires of this Kingdome, even when they were in their greatest distresses and calamities: When we first came over there, the affaires then of this Nation, were in a much lower condition, then now (by the blessing of God) we find them to be; yet notwithstanding though that Nation had many invitations from those, who as they were forward to promise, so were they able to have bestowed great matters vponupon them, and though there were many secret practises among themselves to make them set loose from the cause of this Kingdome, yet so sensible they were, of the danger of Religion here of the near relation that they had to their breethren of England, and of that common calamitie threatned to overrun both Kingdomes, that they were readie to breake through all difficulties, and to expose themselves to all dangers, to take us by the hand, and to joyne cordially with us in the maintaining of this cause; they did not only expresse this in their words, and outward professions, but we have seen since from time to time, and by severall steps, how they have put it into Action: As soone as ever the the Covenant which was taken here, and solemnly sworne by the Parliament, was come to their knowledge, and sent over unto them, the Committee of Estates there, and the Commissioners of the Genreall Assembly resolved presently for to take that Covenant▪ with an vnanimous and chearefull consent, as a meanes which under God, they thought would vnite both Nations, in this common cause, and make them a bulwarke against the Common Enemie: They did not only resolve to take it themselves, but enjoyned it throughout the whole Kinghome, and by this time we doe beleive, that it hath been vniversally taken by the whole Nation. They did enjoyne it in such a manner, as that the greatest and powerfullest Enemies of it amongst them durst not shew their heads to oppose it, that is, they enjoyned it upon the penalties, that those that should not take it, or should deferre it, should be esteemed Enemies to Religion, to his Majesties honour, and to the good of the two Kingdomes, that they should have all their Rents and profits confiscate, that they should brooke, nor enjoy any Office, or benefit in that Kingdome, that they should be cited to the next Parliament, to answer the not taking of it, and to be proceeded with there as enemies to the Estate, and to Relegion, and to receive such further punishement, as by the King and Parliament …uld be put upon them, by which meanes they have so vnited the affection of that whole Kingdome▪ that as one man they are readie to come forth to defend the Religion, the Liberties of both Nations, and to dye in this Common Cause. They have not only proceeded thus farre, which is a happy Foundation to so great an enterprize as is now in hand, but they have formed their Armie, all their Officers from first to last they have setled, they have likewise prepared their Artillerie, and have it in readinesse, at the Rendevouze at Leith: They likewise have all the men that are to be of the Armie designed out throughout the whole Shires, the persons are knowne, and at 48. houres, they are ready for to march, they are as sensible as your selves of the great burthens and extremities that this Nation doth at this time groan under: They know as well too, what vast expenses you have been at to maintaine your owne Armies, and yet they are not ashamed, that you should know also that their Nation hath not been without troubles, as you have been, and that they are not yet without great wants and difficulties, for this storme did begin with them: They have not been without great charges and burthens that hath layen vponupon them and particularly even for the advantage of the affaires of this Kingdome, of late they have been at very vast expenses for the maintenance of their Scotch Armie in Ireland, which was set out by them for the service of this Kingdom at the request and desire of the Parliament, by which meanes they are very much disinabled to doe that, which otherwise they would be very willing to doe for our present assistance.
They have made it apparent by severall particulars, that before this Armie intended for the present service wilbe brought to the Rendevouze upon English ground, one way or other, it will stand them in very neare a hundred thousand pound, which must be at their owne charge and expence, over and above what they desire from us: They likewise have let us know, that they desire not to presse vsus beyond our strength in matter of monies, but only so much as may render the service in them feasible which we expect from them: They know very well if they have not monies at the beginning, to encourage and strenghen the hand of the Souldier, in the businesse they undertake, it wil be very disadvantagious to our affaires, therefore they expect we should send them a considerable summe of monie, to make their Armie march, which they have in readinesse for that purpose, as soone as we shall send it to them, and doubt not in a very short time to advance very farre in those Northern parts even this winter, it is that therefore which is expected from us, and that which will (through Gods mercy) be a Foundation of releife and recoverie of this Kingdome, from the oppression and tyranny with which it is ready to be overwhelmed, that we should apply our selves to send them some considerable summe of mony, for a speedy marching of this Armie.
Upon our comming hither, we find there hath beene a great deale of paines taken in it. And we likewise discerne that much is to be atributed to the cheerefull affections of this famous City, which under God hath been the meanes that hath not only supplied our affaires at home, but hath likewise contributed to those that are abroad; not-with-standing that which hath hither-to come in, is not as yet so much as will fully doe this worke; if we could within some few daies be able but to Compasse one twenty Thousand Pound more? we doe not doubt but we should be able (with what we have already) to put the affaires of Scotland in such a Posture, as you shall not only quickly heare a very good account of them, but see the fruit of them, to your greate Comfort and Encouragement.
And therfore it is that, that now is recommended to you, that you would be pleased from the knowledge that things are in this readinesse that they are, and that Nation so willing in themselves to come to our assistance (as this I might have added) that if any thing lay in their power, either by the morgaging of their owne private Estates, or if there were Money sufficient in Scotland that they could render themselves Masters of, they would be willng to contribute any thing of their owne for the necessities of this Kingdome, so much they are affected with this cause: Therfore seeing they are so sensible themselves of our Condition, it becomes us to be so too, and to put to our helping hand that since so small a summe as this (for the present) is that that will be able (through Gods blessing) to carry on this worke, that we may with cheerefulnes apply our selves to the compassing of the same: Those that have been willing hitherto, we are to acknowledg thankes to them, and the Houses have thought of an Ordinacce that the burthen shall not lie upon them, but those that are unwilling and disaffected, are by that Ordinance compell'd to that which others out of their good affections are ready to doe; so as it is recommended to you, that since the Houses have thought fit by an Ordinance to compell others to doe it, that those that are willing would take an incouragement from thence, and goe on readily in their contributions to this worke, that if it were possible we might be masters of this summe within few dayes; it is that which upon this occasion is thought fit to be offered to you: And because there is an other Gentleman to speake, Mr. Marshall who what ever I have omitted wilbe able to make vp, whose words I doubt not, but will take farre deeper impression with you, and all of greater weight then any thing I can say, and I shall give place to him to impart unto you what he shall thinke fit and esteeme worthy of your farther knowledge.
FINIS.