[A1630/7/63]¹

Missives regarding the fishing

The which day William [Graham], earl of Menteith, president of his majesty's privy council, produced to the estates presently convened the two missive letters underwritten, the one whereof is directed from his majesty to the said estates and the other to the lords of privy council, of the which missives the tenor follows:

Charles Rex, right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor, right trusty and well-beloved cousins and councillors, right trusty and trusty and well-beloved councillors, right trusty and trusty and well-beloved, we greet you well. We have found by report of such as were present at your last meeting and by effects of your affection to our service, with which we rest well satisfied and do give you most hearty thanks for the same, assuring you that we will not be wanting in anything that we can contribute to the good of that our ancient kingdom, for which effect some propositions were sent by us to be considered of by you concerning the improving of the fishings there, whereupon you sent (as we required) commissioners hither to treat in that purpose. We have caused them and such as were appointed by us here for that effect to meet and confer together, therein having ourselves heard at length the reasons and grounds for prosecuting of that business, which (as we conceive), if it be providently followed, may prove a work of great consequence for the general good of our whole kingdoms, and more particularly for the benefit of that our ancient kingdom, by the daily improving of trade and shipping therein; and seeing it is not hereby intended that any of your ancient privileges nor benefits formerly enjoyed be in any way hindered but, on the contrary, that your trade, shipping and consequently the strength and glory of the kingdom be increased, these are, therefore, seriously to recommend to you the said purpose as it shall be delivered to you by them who were commissioners to us, that you may consider how this work may be best and speedily done and what towns or plantations are fit to be erected to that purpose. And to the intent you on your part should give that contribution, help and furtherance which is requisite for so good and glorious a work, that you condescend amongst yourselves what help and supply may be expected from thence. And having well considered what is fit to be done upon your parts for advancement of this great work, that commissioners may be sent back with absolute power to conclude therein without any restriction but of our approbation. Which specially recommending to your care, we bid you farewell. Hampton Court, 12 October 1630.

Follows the postscript written with his majesty's hand:

This is a work of so great good to both my kingdoms that I have thought good by these few lines of my own hand seriously to recommend it to you, the furthering or hindering of which will either oblige or disoblige me more than any one business that has happened in my time.

Charles Rex

[A1630/7/64]²

Charles Rex, right trusty and well-beloved cousin and councillor, right trusty and well-beloved cousins and councillors, right trusty and well-beloved councillors and trusty and well-beloved councillors, we greet you well. We have found your affection to our service at this last convention of the estates, for which we give you hearty thanks, as touching the propositions sent by us to you concerning the improving of the fishings there. We have caused the commissioners sent thither to treat in that purpose to meet and confer with such as were appointed by us here for that effect, having ourselves heard at length the reasons and grounds for prosecuting of that business, wherein after they have delivered to you what has been debated here at this time. We will you to insist as you have begun to give your best advice and furtherance for bringing a work of so great consequence to the intended perfection, which amongst other good services done by you for the public good of that our ancient kingdom we will account this one of the greatest; and after you have heard the opinion of such of the estates as are to convene for that purpose, we desire you to return commissioners with instructions to treat herein with an absolute power to conclude for avoiding of all delays because the work, for diverse considerations, requires haste. Which, specially recommending to your care, we bid you farewell. From our honour of Hampton Court, 12 October 1630.