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At Edinburgh, the 16 day of Aprile 1644
The estats of this kingdom, taking into their consideration the manie threatnings of invasion frome abrod and intestine plotts of malignants within, to the subverting of religioun and disturbing the peace of the kingdom, have thought it necessar that this kingdom be putt in a posture of defence and some forces leveyed within the same for defending the countrie and pursuing the enemies therof, and that some able and qualified person be made choice of to have cheefe command within the [king]dome†, and, having sufficient prooff of the fidelitie, affectioun and abiliteis for James, earle of Calander for that charge, they doe therefore nominat the said earle to be commander in cheefe of all the forces that now ar or sall be raised within this kingdome, both hors and foot; excepting the remainder of the severall regiments raised of the fourth man belonging to the armie already in England when they sall be required and all such men as sall be necessarie to recrute the particular regiments of that armie. And gives unto the said earle the place foresaid with all the dues, priviledges, prerogatives and immuniteis belonging thereto, and for that effect to take up a list of all the men and armes in everie shire and burgh within the kingdome, the names of their colonells, lieutenent colonells, majors, captans and officers, over whom and everie one of them he sall have full power and command in all militarie affaires of whatsomever estat or degree they be of. And, with consent of the committee of estats†, to give directions at all occasions necessarie, to draw out to the feilds or putt in garisoun such number of men out of anie shire or burgh at such times as they sall think fitt, and with power to him to appoint secretareis and others neidfull for his service, whois allowance sall be payed by the publict, and to doe everie other thing that to a commander in cheefe of hors and foot doeth rightlie apperteane. And, for the better performance heirof, the estats doeth promise to caus all duetifull obedience be givin to the said earle in everie thing concerns his charge of all the hors and foot within the kingdome, conforme to the articles of militarie discipline, the said earle being alwayes answerable and comptable for his discharge thereof to the parliament and convention of estats or their committees residing within this kingdom during the abode of the foresaids forces within the same, and when they sall goe in to England and joyne with the armie on foot there alreadie, to receave orders from the generall of the armie there and to be comptable in maner foresaid. This commissioun to endure whill it be recalled be the parliament, [convention of] estats or either of their committees.
Loudoun, cancellarius, I.P.D. convention