[A1641/8/89]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Messieurs,
Ayant été obligé de donner congé à bon nombre d'officiers Escossais, afin d'aller cet hiver se pourvoir de recrues en Escosse pour le renforcement de leurs régiments, qui se trouvent grandement déchus et diminués, il m'a semblé nécessaire de les accompagner de ce mot d'adresse, et vous supplier par celui-ci, comme je fais bien humblement, de vouloir favoriser lesdits officiers en ces devoirs de l'honneur de votre bienveillance, à ce qu'ils puissent amener chacun le nombre d'hommes dont ils feront paraître avoir charge et besoin; et que par ce moyen lesdits régiments puissent être remis en état de pouvoir servir la prochaine campagne. C'est de quoi, Messieurs, tout l'état de ces provinces vous aura une obligation très expresse, et dans laquelle je prendrai tant de part, que je ne cesserai de recercher les occasions où je puisse avoir sujet de vous témoigner par mes services combien je m'en ressens, et avec combien de vérité je me dis
Messieurs, votre très humble serviteur, F. H. de Nassau, A Bergues sur le Zoom, le 15me d'octobre 1641
Messieurs du conseil privé du roi en Escosse.
20 October 1641
Produced by his majesty and read in audience of his majesty and estates of parliament, who appointed the same to be translated into the Scots language and a copy thereof delivered to every estate.†
[A1641/8/90]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Letter from the Prince of Orange to the privy council of Scotland, with the copy thereof
Sirs,
Being obliged to give leave to a good number of Scots officers to go this winter to provide themselves of recruits in Scotland for reinforcing their regiments, which are greatly decayed and diminished, it seemed necessary to me to accompany them with this word of address and thereby to request you, as I do very humbly, to favour the said officers in these duties with the honour of your good will; that they may bring everyone the number of men whereof they shall make appear to have charge and need, and that by this means the said regiments may be remitted in estate to be able to serve at the next going to fields†. It is for this, sirs, that the whole estate of these provinces shall owe you an obligation very express, and wherein I shall take such part that I shall not omit to search the occasions whereby I may have subject to witness to you by my services how much I resent the same† and with how much truth I call myself,
Your very humble servant, Bergen op Zoom, 15 October 1641
[A1641/8/91]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Regarding the peace of the borders†
It is the opinion of us who were appointed to meet and consider of some way for the regulating of the disorders within the middle shires, we conceive that it is most necessary that there be a joint commission between the two kingdoms given and ratified by both parliaments.
And for the present until this commission be perfected, it is our opinions that some persons of quality that have power in the borders be authorised with a commission from the parliament of Scotland to take, apprehend and imprison such malefactors as are disturbers of the peace within this kingdom of Scotland, especially fugitives who formerly fled the kingdom and upon the disturbance between the two kingdoms being returned. And this commission to endure until the other be perfected, and these men undermentioned we think the fittest for the present.
And for the better furthering of this service Sir Richard Graham, who lies nearest upon the borders adjoining and has a part of his estate in the kingdom of Scotland and is naturalised a Scotsman, we conceive it most convenient that he be joined in this commission.
[Sir John Charteris of] Amisfield; [Sir Robert Grierson of] Lag; William Scott
20 October 1641
Read in audience of his majesty and estates of parliament, who appointed a copy thereof to be given to every estate, that they may advise on the same until tomorrow.†
[A1641/8/92]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Questions sent by the noblemen to the commissioners of the general assembly and answer thereto
20 October 1641
The question following was sent from the noblemen sitting in parliament to the commissioners of the general assembly:
It is queried if the passing from opposing and endeavouring to bring to exact trial all such as either by force, practice, counsel, plots, conspiracies or otherwise have done or shall do anything in prejudice of the purity of religion, the laws, liberties and peace of the kingdom may be compatible with our oath, if we shall think in our conscience that passing from may conduce to the glory of God, the good and peace of the church and state of this kingdom.
Answer: Although we have no commission to answer questions of this kind, yet before we can give our private opinion concerning the question pretended, it is our humble desire that your lords, comparing your resolutions at the time of the taking of the oath with your present thoughts, would declare whether your lords be clear in your own consciences that the passing from opposing and endeavouring to bring to exact trial all such as are designed in the oath does conduce to the glory of God, the good and peace of the kirk and state of this kingdom. And moreover that your lords would be pleased to make known to us for our better information the reasons moving your honours hereto.
The question following was likewise sent with the other above-written from [James Stewart], duke of Lennox, but the commissioners refused to give answer thereto or to meddle therewith.
It is queried if any member of the parliament knows anything against any man who is not cited; whether the last words of the oath to bring to exact trial etc. does oblige him to produce and reveal his knowledge be it more or less.