[A1641/7/8]¹

[Draft proposals to be contained in a letter from the parliament to the king]

Heads whereupon to draw up a letter from the parliament to his majesty

1. To give his majesty humble thanks for his royal favour in agreeing to the treaty and resolution to come into Scotland for ratifying the same.

2. To represent the conclusion of the parliament for their necessary sitting still and abiding together, and that after the voting thereof [Charles Seton], earl of Dunfermline and [John Campbell, lord] Loudoun show that his majesty had commanded them to intimate his royal assent thereto in case it should be found necessary, but desired that their sitting should only be for preparation and accommodation of business but not to determine conclusively or prejudice any man of his just defences before his majesty's own presence. And therefore the parliament, for respect of his royal pleasure notified by his letter and the relation of the said commissioners, and for giving satisfaction to the parliament of England, and for the desire they have of the happiness of his royal presence, concluded only to sit still for preparation and accommodation of business, and not for concluding or determining matters in acts of parliament or sentences definitive (except the parliament shall find an urgent necessity for the peace and good of the country to require the same) to 17 August next, which they conceive to be a competent time that his majesty's weighty affairs and the parliament of England may be in that posture as may permit his majesty's coming to this kingdom for settling the peace thereof, which this parliament does humbly desire.

3. That the particulars proposed and demanded by the Earl of Dunfermline and Lord Loudoun are not yet advised nor answered by the parliament, except regarding the acceptation of [John Stewart], earl of Traquair's submission, which for weighty and great grounds is refused. But the parliament shall advise thereupon with all convenient diligence and accordingly acquaint his majesty with their conclusion.

4. That it may be written to his majesty and the commissioners that Traquair may be sent home to the parliament.

To remember in the first that the expression of the thanks does not import our acknowledgement of the agreement to the treaty.

To remember in the second that the draft may be so contrived as that the necessity of our affairs might suffer no delay but required greatest expedition, but for respect to the parliament of England etc. continued our concluding to 17 [August] as the longest time which our necessity could admit.