[A1641/7/9]¹

[Copy of parliament's letter to the king]

Copy of the estates' letter to the king's majesty, 20 July 1641

Your majesty's resolution to settle what shall be agreed in the treaty and to honour this parliament with your royal presence for ratifying the same, signified to us in your majesty's letter by [Charles Seton], earl of Dunfermline and [John Campbell], lord Loudoun, has given us very great content, the performance whereof will increase our joy in establishing a hearty union and right understanding between your majesty and this your ancient native kingdom, wherein our best endeavours shall never be wanting. And although our condition urging speedy and present remedies made us resolve to sit still, yet when the Earl of Dunfermline and Lord Loudoun showed after voting that your majesty commanded them to intimate your royal assent thereto (in case we should find the exigence of our affairs to require the same), and did represent that it was your majesty's desire that matters should only be prepared and not concluded until your majesty should be present in your royal person, we did against all difficulties condescend that our sitting should only be for preparation and accommodation of business but not to conclude or determine matters in acts of parliament or sentences definitive (unless we found an urgent necessity for the peace and good of the country to require the same) to 17 August next; which, as it is the longest delay that our affairs can admit, so we resolve until then to adventure the sufferance of all extremities from our earnest design to hail the honour and happiness of your royal presence and to give satisfaction to the parliament of England. And do in the meantime humbly crave the allowance of some few days for considering the articles of the treaty and other particulars proposed by the Earl of Dunfermline and Lord Loudoun which we shall hasten in the shortest time can be for deliberation about matters of so great importance, for we have not yet gone about any particulars except the Earl of Traquair's submission, which upon good and weighty reasons we have refused to accept, and do persist in the desire made by our commissioners for remanding him to abide his trial, which we confidently expect from your majesty's justice. So we (who for avoiding multitude of subscriptions are appointed to sign these in name of all the estate of parliament) shall heartily join in the fervent prayers which from the whole body of this kingdom are sent up to God for your majesty's long and happy reign over us.