[1641/8/66]¹

Act of exoneration and approbation in favour of [Charles Seton], earl of Dunfermline

The which day the king's majesty and estates of parliament, having taken to their consideration the petition of Charles [Seton], earl of Dunfermline, making mention of the trust put upon his lordship, first by the parliament in November 1639 for clearing to his majesty the proceedings of the said parliament and for rendering the reasons of their demands, as is at length expressed in the commission and instructions given to his lordship and the other commissioners jointly trusted and authorised with him, and thereafter in [...] 1640 when his lordship with some other commissioners of each estate were sent from the committee of parliament to the treaty of peace between the king's majesty and his subjects of Scotland and between the kingdoms of Scotland and England, which was begun at Ripon and thereafter translated to London, according to the commission and instructions respectively given to his lordship with the other commissioners; and having returned in July 1641 with the whole proceedings and conclusions of the treaty to the estates of parliament, after due trial and public approbation thereof, his lordship was sent back to London where the articles of the treaty of peace were finally concluded and subscribed by the commissioners of both kingdoms, and thereafter ratified by the king's majesty and both parliaments. And therefore, humbly desiring the king's majesty and the estates of parliament to examine his whole actions and carriage in the foresaid public negotiation and weighty employments, and if he has in every point walked faithfully, according to his commission and instructions, that he may be exonerated of so great a charge, and have the public approbation of the king's majesty and estates of parliament, as the said supplication at more length bears. His majesty and estates, finding the said petition most equitable, and having compared the petitioner, his whole actions and deportments in all the parts of the foresaid public negotiation with his commission and instructions, his majesty and estates [do find]² and declare that the said Charles, earl of Dunfermline has in all integrity, diligence and wisdom above his years, from the first beginning of the pacification to the closing thereof, walked worthy of so great trust; and therefore his majesty and estates of parliament not only do liberate and exonerate him of the said charge and commissions, but also for his own encouragement and example to others do add to that testimony, which true worth and the conscience of well doing has in itself their public approbation, and do honour him with this their national testimony: that he has deserved well of the public as a loyal subject to the king, a faithful servant to the estates of parliament and a true patriot to his country.