[1643/6/77]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forasmuch as the estates of this kingdom presently convened, taking into their most serious consideration the great and imminent danger of the true Protestant reformed religion and of the peace of the kingdom from the treacherous and bloody plots, conspiracies, attempts and practices of papists, prelates, malignants and their adherents, have after mature deliberation thought expedient to enter into a solemn and mutual covenant with the kingdom of England for the defence of the true Protestant reformed religion in the kirk of Scotland and the reformation of religion in the kirk of England according to the word of God, the example of the best reformed kirks, and as may bring the kirk of God in both kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in religion and kirk government, and in the same manner to preserve and defend the rights and privileges of parliament and liberties of the kingdoms respectively, and to preserve and defend the king's majesty's person and authority in the preservation of the said true religion and liberties of the said kingdoms, and to preserve the articles of the late treaty and peace between the two nations, and to assist and defend all that enter into this covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof, as the same more fully purports, which as it will be a comfort and encouragement to all Christians who fear God and love religion, to all good and loyal subjects who truly honour the king and to all true patriots who tender the liberty of their country, so doubtless it will exasperate and enrage the said papists, prelates, malignants and their adherents to practice and execute all the mischief and cruelty they can against this church and kingdom, as they have done in England and Ireland. For preventing whereof, the said estates, according to the practice of the council, convention of estates and acts of parliament in former times of necessity, have resolved to put this kingdom with all possible speed in a present posture of defence, and for the better security and safety thereof, have statute and ordained, likewise by this proclamation they statute and ordain that immediately after the publication hereof all the fencible persons within this kingdom between 60 and 16 of whatsoever quality, rank or degree shall provide themselves with 40 days' provision, with ammunition, arms and other warlike provision of all sort in the most substantial manner for horse and foot, with tents and all other equipment requisite, and that the horsemen be armed with pistols, broadswords and steel caps; and where their arms cannot be had, that they provide jacks or secreites†, lances and steel bonnets and swords, and that the footmen be armed with musket and sword or pike and sword; and where these cannot be had, that they be furnished with halberd, Lochaber axes† or Jedburgh staffs† and swords; and therefore ordain letters to be directed charging heralds, pursuivants and messengers of arms to pass to the market cross of Edinburgh and the several burgh and parish kirks of this kingdom, and there by open proclamation to make publication of this present act and ordinance, through which none pretend ignorance of the same, and to command and charge all and sundry of his majesty's subjects (being fencible persons between 60 and 16) to provide themselves in manner aforesaid, and to be in readiness to make their rendezvous thus armed at the places to be appointed by the said estates or committees having power from them within 48 hours after they shall be lawfully warned by order from them to that effect, as they will testify their affection to the true Protestant religion, the liberties of the kingdom, his majesty's honour and the peace and safety of this their native country, under the pains to be esteemed and punished as enemies to religion, the king and country, and their whole goods to be confiscated to the use of the public.
[1643/6/78]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forasmuch as it is necessary that present monies be had for equipping three troop of horse and five companies of foot that are to be presently raised, and that the sums appointed for maintaining of these forces are not payable until Candlemas [2 February] next, therefore the estates recommend to the general collector to borrow upon private surety or otherwise, and for payment of annualrent from the borrowing, the sum of £40,000 Scots for that effect, and which is to be paid out of the first of the sums to be lifted in this kingdom; and failing thereof, the estates declare that the same shall remain as a public debt upon the kingdom.
[1643/6/79]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forasmuch as Robert, earl of Carnwath is orderly denounced rebel and put to the horn for not making payment to John Jossie, in name of the estates of this kingdom, of the sum of £10,000 as a fine imposed upon him for his not entering his person in ward, according to the charge given to him for that effect, at the process of which horning he yet remains unrelaxed, taking no regard thereof, but has the whole benefit of his land and rents as if neither law nor justice were able to overtake him, in high and proud contempt of his majesty's authority. For remedy thereof, the estates have hereby ordained and ordain that the first troops of horse or foot soldiers that shall be levied within this kingdom do proceed forthwith after the first rendezvous to the said earl's dwelling houses and lands, take possession thereof, intromit with the mail and duties of the same, take their own maintenance thereof, being employed for the use of the public, until he makes payment of the said fine; and the estates declare that whatsoever sums of money or victual shall be taken from or paid by the tenants or others dwelling on the lands to and for the use of the said soldiers, that the same is hereby allowed in part payment of the said earl's rent, and do free the tenants and others aforesaid of the same and all further payment thereof. And it is further declared that whatsoever shall be taken up by this way is without prejudice of the payment of the £10,000 aforesaid.
[1643/6/80]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The which day [John Lindsay], earl of Lindsay presented and exhibited to the estates a demand from the commissioners of both houses of the parliament of England, whereof the tenor follows:
We, the commissioners from the two houses of the parliament of England, having on 12 August delivered in to the honourable convention of estates a paper expressing the desires of the parliament of England for assistance from their brethren of Scotland for their security of religion and liberty against the popish and prelatical party with their adherents now in arms in the kingdom of England, and understanding the pressing necessities of that kingdom, desire that we may receive an answer therein from this honourable convention with all possible and convenient speed.
The estates declare that before they take into their consideration the paper given in to them this day from the English commissioners, they desire to know the particular demands that are to be given in thereupon, and recommend to the committee to call for them.
[1643/6/81]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Anent the supplication presented to the convention of estates by John Forrest, bowmaker, burgess of Edinburgh, making mention that where, by order from the committee appointed for equipping ships for securing of the coast, he has made 15 dozen half pikes for the use of the said ships, and he has also 1,000 pikes, which, by warrant, he also made for the use of the public and all are lying on his hand to his great prejudice; and whereas he is but a mean servant and has been very serviceable to the country the time of the troubles, humbly therefore desiring that order may be given for taking of these pikes off his hands and ready payment thereof, likewise as at more length is contained in the said supplication. Which being read and considered by the said estates, and they finding the desire thereof to be reasonable, the estates ordain the supplicant's pikes and half pikes above-written to be taken off his hands and put in the public magazine by the general of the artillery, and recommend to the commissioners for the common burdens to see him timely paid for the same as shall be agreed by the general of the artillery.
[1643/6/82]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Anent the supplication presented to the convention of the estates by John Shaw of Greenock, making mention whereas there is a loan of £800,000 and a taxation of £120,000 granted in this present convention to be uplifted out of the several shires and burghs within this kingdom, according to their several proportions thereof; and in respect his majesty's late dearest father of worthy memory, by his letters patent granted to the late John Shaw of Greenock, the supplicant's grandfather, his heirs and successors and their tenants, under the privy seal, of the date 16 November 1589, and ratified in parliament on 5 June 1592, exempting the said supplicant, his late father and their tenants of the lands of Greenock, Finnart and Spango from all payment of any impositions, taxations, stents or subsidies ordinary or extraordinary within this kingdom in all time thereof for whatsoever cause or occasion, and that for encouragement and recompense to the supplicant, his said late grandfather and his aforesaids for the building of the kirk of Greenock and erecting the same in one separate parish kirk and parish on his own proper charges and expenses, building of a manse to the minister and designing of a yard thereto of his own proper heritage, as the said letters patent ratified as said is more fully purports; and so in equity the supplicant ought to be declared free of this present loan and taxation, humbly therefore desiring the said lords to declare him to be free and exempt thereof, which being done, the supplicant is content out of the sense of his interest in the common cause, both for religion and suppressing of the rebellion in Ireland, to contribute his best assistance in advancing in lending as much (if not more) to such as are in present action for suppressing the said rebellion as his proportion of the said loan or taxation will amount to, and shall instruct the same to the collector general between now and the time of payment of the said loan; otherwise I shall plead no immunity; without prejudice always of his execution† in time coming, likewise as at more length is contained in the said supplication. Which being read, heard and considered by the said estates, and they being thereupon and with the instructions of the said petition and the supplicant's voluntary offer well advised, the said estates exempt him now as of before from paying any part of the said loan and taxation above-written and recommend him to the general collector for that effect.