[A1641/7/19]¹

[Instructions from the parliament to their commissioners at London]

Instructions from the parliament of Scotland to their commissioners at London, 30 July 1641

1. You are to represent to the parliament of England or English commissioners that it is impossible that our army can remove from Newcastle until they be paid of bygones 1. Because of our many solemn promises made upon oath to pay all our debts in the counties before our removing 2. Because our officers and soldiers are due great sums upon their private score, which they must pay themselves, but cannot do unless they receive the same from us 3. The same was a ground to cause the army mutiny 4. The same would cause them ravage in England and so might occasion a national quarrel 5. At their coming into Scotland they might make the country loose, which all might ensue thereupon, with many other inconveniences which may occur in a discontented army.

2. You are to represent that the bygone arrears will be far short of payment of the army, and that the £80,000 will not complete the same, but must both absolutely be paid before our removing.

3. You are to represent that the debts owing by our army in the counties, either for billeting or damages, are properly owing by officers and soldiers, who must fit and make their accounts before their remove. That a particular rest may be agreed and notified to the parliament of England before our removal, that so no ground may be left to after challenge, which may exhaust the brotherly assistance or any part thereof resting after payment of the £80,000.

4. You are to remember that in the articles of cessation the days of the march to Scotland are therein comprehended and, therefore you are to demand that these days may be agreed, which we desire may be eight or ten days at least, and accordingly their pay advanced before our removal.

5. You are likewise to represent that so soon as the bygone arrears and £80,000 is really paid at Newcastle, [Alexander Leslie of Balgonie], general, and the army shall remove within as many days as you can obtain, which at least must be five free days after receipt of the monies, which days will be as few as can be allotted for payment of debts and bringing our army to a rendezvous and providing bread, drink and other necessaries before we lift; and giving order that the like may be in readiness upon the way where we are to quarter.

6. You are also to represent that the counties of Durham and Northumberland and town of Newcastle must provide horses, carts and other necessaries for transporting to the River Tweed and no further canon, ammunition and all baggage of the army, according to their many promises and custom of other countries, and that the same be done in due time and be no hindrance to the army in their march.

7. You are likewise to remember that for preventing destruction of houses or woods which may be occasioned in the retreat of the army for building of huts, that some course may be taken by the English for providing lodging or shelter to the army in their retreat.

8. That we may show our desire to stretch our ability to the utmost for giving the English all reasonable content, therefore if they do still press the impossibility or great difficulty of paying all bygone arrears and £80,000, and that they think the present payment of the arrears and some delay of the £80,000 may give them any case or contentment, in that case you shall make offer that you shall pay all the army with the said arrears and disband them, except 7,000 or 8,000 foot and 1,000 horses, with a proportionable train of canon and artillery, who must stay until the £80,000 come down to complete them also, which we wish may be as few days as is possible. And during the non-payment thereof, these 7,000 or 8,000 foot and 1,000 horses must be paid by the English according to the pay due to our army, both officers and soldiers, and that as well during their stay as in their retreat in manner foresaid.

9. And if the English please for their further ease of their present burdens to remove the garrisons of Berwick and Carlisle presently, we shall cause disband the regiments upon the borders of this country, which will be a benefit to both nations.

30 July 1641

Read and approved in parliament and ordained to be subscribed.²