[1645/11/234]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The estates of parliament, haveing upon consideration of the continweing troubles of this kingdome and of the condition of thair armies bothe at home and in England bethought themselfis of the duetie whiche in the present conjuncture of affaires they owe unto God in defence of his treuth against all oppositioune and to this kingdome (whome they represent) in the mantenance of its lawis and liberties according to the covenant, have thocht it necessarie that the armies within this kingdome and in England be recruted, strenthened and enabled so to prosequute the warre this ensweing sommer, as by the blissing of God upon thair endeavouris the long lasting troubles of this kingdome may end in ane happie and safe peace, whiche being so muche desired by all good Christianes and countrey men the estates of parliament have reasone to be confident of thair readie and careful† concurrance with thair persones and fortunes in the way and meane for attaineing the same, wherunto also (albeit religion wer not in hazard) the kingdomes honor so muche interessed wer of it selfe a motive strong enoughe to prevaill with everie trew Scotis heart, and thairfore have statut and ordained that anie leavies formarlie appointed by warrand of the parliament, convention of estates or anie committies from them respective, or run-awayis from anie regimentis who have returned bak to thair shires and ar now lurking in the same, be with all expedition put out and delyvered to these regimentis unto whiche they ar assigned by anie actis of parliament, convention or committie frome whiche they ar run-awayis, and that there be no neglect in the due execution heirof, the saidis estates ordaines the committies of warre in eache shyre respective to be carefull heirin as ane of the most necessar and speciall pointis of the trust committed to them. And becaus the number of the saidis deficientis and runawayis will not be sufficient to mak up the ten thousand foote appointed to be interteaned within and for the service of this kingdome and also to strenthen and recrute the armie in England, they have thairfore statute and ordaned a new leavie of foote to be layed on and raised out of the severall shyres and burghes of this kingdome, according to suche proportions and for the recrues of suche regimentis as salbe conteaned in the list to be made up be the committie of estates. And becaus upon the speedie and effectuall executioune of this ordinance (as the onlie probable humane meanes) so muche dependeth all the honor and happines of this kingdome, the saidis estates of parliament have thocht fitting seriouslie to recommend to the committies of warre of the severall shyres heartilie and with publict spiritis over all difficulties to add unto thair formar this new testimonie of thair resolutions to pursue the endis exprest in thair covenant with thair lyves, fortunes and estates, and speidilie to delyver thair severall proportions of men to suche officers of the foresaidis regimentis respective as salbe appointed for ressaving of the same from them. And further statutis and ordanes that the saidis memberis†of men appointed to be raised out of the severall shyres and burghes be in readines and delyvered betuixt and the tent day of March nixt to suche officers as salbe appointed by the collonells respective foresaidis for receaveing the same, and that betuixt and the tent day of March nixt the committies of warre of the severall shyres sall send some of thair awne number fullie instructed to give a particular accompt of thair diligence bothe in putting out this new leavey and thair formar deficientis unto the committie of estates.