[A1641/8/153]¹

[Supplication of Lord Sinclair for exoneration of his carriage]

Supplication of [John Sinclair], lord Sinclair, remitted to the commission for the common burdens²

To the king's most excellent majesty and honourable house of parliament,

The humble petition of John, lord Sinclair

Showing,

That where in the beginning of these last troubles nothing was thought more conducible to the public than that the whole kingdom should be rightly informed of the causes of these commotions and brought in the way of unity to join their hands and hearts for redress, in which consideration the most remote and northern parts of the kingdom were judged most obnoxious to misinformation by reason of their distance and the inclination of some great men having power in these places, whereupon it was thought expedient that some man should be sent thither to prevent all opposition which might come from thence by giving them true information of the grounds and reasons of our proceedings; as likewise to bring from thence (if possibly it could be had) a regiment to assist the public in the common cause. This employment I was commanded to undergo, and albeit I might have been deterred by the consideration of the length, pain, danger and expenses of the voyage, both by sea and land, yet such was my affection to the good cause that I did undertake the same; and by the assistance of God, having overcome all the difficulties which might flow from the powerful opposition of some evil affected great persons living there, or the natural rudeness of the people hardened against me, I passed through most part of that division committed to my charge with such train and expenses as was necessary for the public end and my security, and not only brought the people by true information to that conformity which has ever since contained them in quietness and duty, but did levy and bring from thence a complete regiment, which has still and yet does attend in the north for very good use and has relieved the public of the greater expenses of a greater regiment formerly employed in these places. Herein if my pains have been profitable and my travels successful, I shall the more easily dispense with my great charges and with the many dangers I did encounter, being in the middle of a country commanded by powerful enemies, seeking frequently occasions to overthrow me and my intentions. But now seeing by the blessing of God upon the wisdom and fatherly care of our dread sovereign all our bygone troubles are now happily quieted, I thought it incumbent for me to represent these things to the view of your gracious majesty and this honourable house of parliament.

May it therefore please your majesty and this high court of parliament to take the premises to consideration, and that I may have exoneration and approbation of my service, and that such notice and course may be taken herein as shall seem expedient. And I as in duty bound shall heartily pray etc.

16 November 1641

Read in audience of the king's majesty and parliament, and remitted to the committee for the common burdens.

[John Elphinstone, lord] Balmerino, in presence of the lords of parliament