The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 19 April 2024

[C1639/8/18]1

[Supplication read and James Gordon cited before the justice; acts regarding the constitution of parliament ordered to be drawn up separately; reservation subjoined to article ratifying the covenant deleted]

The supplication presented by [James Crichton of] Frendraught, craving that the caution found for presenting James Gordon before [Sir William Elphinstone], justice, may be under a great pain, seeing he is apprehended and incarcerated for murder, burning of barnyards and treason; [John Stewart, earl of Traquair], lord commissioner general, with consent of the articles, modifies 2,000 merks and appoints 6 November for the day of compearance.

It is agreed that the act regarding the establishing of this parliament to be a perfect judicatory, the act abolishing episcopacy and the civil power of churchmen and the act regarding constitution of parliaments in all time coming be drawn up in three separate acts.2

The reservation subjoined to the article ratifying the covenant, whereby it is reserved to the commissioner general whatsoever he shall declare in face of parliament, is appointed to be deleted, and accordingly was publicly deleted in presence of the articles, and that in respect it was acknowledged by the whole number that his general, present at the voting of articles, could not make any explanation.

  1. NAS, PA6/3, 'August 31-October 22 1639', f.7(b) r.
  2. A draft of this minute has been written above this clause and deleted, as follows: 'It is agreed that the act of estates of this parliament and the [illegible] in all time coming and the act of abolition of episcopacy shall be drawn up in three acts, but all the frames shall be considered and agreed upon before any of them be voted.'