[1644/1/50]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The convention of estates, considering the hard condition and straits the Scottish army in Ireland has been put to this whole year bygone through want of victual and clothes even to sustain their nature and save them from the violence of the weather, and how at last, after all the possible supplies sent to them from this kingdom, to the great burden thereof, and many desires and remonstrances made to the houses of parliament of England (who stand engaged for their pay and maintenance) it was agreed by the English commissioners in November last that they should forthwith provide and send to Ireland for the use of that army the sum of £10,000 sterling, and also that between now and 1 February now approaching there should be delivered to them the sum of £50,000 sterling in part payment of their bygone arrears, all which they had formerly promised to send to them. And the estates of this kingdom, fearing that troubles in England might somewhat retard the timely sending of this money, and knowing the extreme necessity of that army could admit no delay, they have been careful in providing clothes and also 10,000 bolls of meal which are now on their way there; and being willing according to their interest and duty to provide some means and monies in the interim for keeping so many Protestant subjects fighting for religion from starving and utter ruin, there occurred such unexpected rubs and interruptions that the intended supply could not at this time be effectuated. Yet least the said army (being disappointed of supply from both hands) should be necessitated after 1 February to take some unorderly way for their own subsistence, the convention have thought fit that ships, barks and vessels be provided for transporting them to this kingdom, and, for that effect, give full power and commission to General Major Munro and other officers of that army to deal and bargain with all ships, barks and boats they can find for transporting the said army, horse and foot, and declare that whatever shall be due to the owners, masters and skippers of the said ships, barks or boats for transporting them as said is shall be thankfully and completely paid by the estates of this kingdom, who do hereby become debtors for the same; and if any shall refuse to hire their boats or barks as said is, with power to the said general major and officers to force and compel them and to press their ships or boats upon the conditions aforesaid. And for the better effectuating hereof, the estates give full power and commission to [William Cunningham], earl of Glencairn, the lairds [Sir John Crawford of] Kilbirnie, [Sir John Shaw of] Greenock and [Sir James Arnott of] Fernie and magistrates of Ayr and Irvine, or such others whom the said officers shall from time to time require assistance, to concur and assist in providing and pressing of ships, barks and boats for the use and in manner above-written; and declare that whatever shall be the expenses of the officers or others in transporting of this army, the same shall be paid to them out of the first of any supplies that shall come from England or shall be provided in this kingdom for that army, and that the estates do become debtors thereof, and also will be careful that when that army shall be transported they shall be maintained in the same way as the army now lifted in this kingdom. Likewise the convention recommend to their committee of estates to be careful in providing for them accordingly.