[A1625/10/7]¹

Letter: king's letter to the estates

The which day, Sir George Hay of Kinfauns, knight, lord high chancellor of this kingdom, produced and exhibited to the estates presently convened his majesty's missive letter underwritten, of the which the tenor follows:

Charles Rex. Right trusty and right well-beloved cousins, right reverend and reverend fathers in God, right trusty and well-beloved and others our trusty and well-beloved subjects presently assembled in convention, we greet you all and every one of you most heartily well. As the love and special respect which from our infancy we have ever carried to that our kingdom of Scotland has been exceedingly great, so during this short time of our reign our care for the flourishing estate and welfare thereof has been no less. And whereas now you are met together in council (as we hope) for the general good of the same, we have thought good by this letter to certify you that our calling you together proceeded as much from our said care of the estate and good government thereof as for the advancement of our own affairs. For proof whereof, we have set down certain articles to be imparted to you by our chancellor, expecting (and most earnestly requiring you as you will give testimony of your due obedience to us and of your love to your native country) that you will take such course for putting the same to due execution as they may be observed in all time coming as on our part nothing shall be omitted either for reformation of whatsoever is amiss, or for removing of any grievance which either has lain, does or shall lie heavy upon you and that without respect either to our own commodity or to the particular benefit of any person whatsoever; a taste whereof we have given in this distinction of our privy council and session wherein we have not spared those whose great and faithful services have deserved at our hand whatsoever could have been demanded if without the hindrance of a general good it could have been granted. And therefore, if at this time you shall express your affection to us as subjects aware of our present condition and of our love to you, you may be assured and we faithfully promise that at our coming to you to receive our crown (which by the grace of God shall be this next year) your ears shall not be troubled with the hearing of any such word as subsidy or taxation to be granted. Thus willing you to take the premises to your special consideration, we bid you all and every one of you farewell. Given at Sarisbury, 22 October 1625.

Which letter being read, heard and considered by the estates, they all to their unspeakable comfort and contentment did with most submissive and humble thanks acknowledge his majesty's singular care of this his native and ancient kingdom; and for the which, they were very instant with their prayers to God for his majesty's long and happy reign.