The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 29 March 2024
[A1625/10/7]1
Letter: king's letter to the estates
The whilk day, Sir George Hay of Kinfawnis, knight, lord heigh chancellor of this kingdome, producit and exhibite to the estaittis presentlie convenit his majesties missive letter underwrittin, of the whilk the tennour followis:
Charles R[ex]. Right trustie and right welbeloved cosens, right reverend and reverend fatheris in God, right trustie and welbeloved and otheris or trustie and welbeloved subjectis presentlie assmbled in conventioun, we greete you all and everie ane of you most hairtilie weele. As the love and speciall respect whiche from oure infancie we haif ever caried to that oure kingdome of Scotland hathe bene exceiding grite, so dureing this short tyme of oure reigne oure care for the floorisheing estate and welfare thairof hathe bene no lesse. And whairas now you ar mett togither in counsaill (as we hoip) for the generall goode of the same, we haif thoght goode by these presentis to certifie you that or calling you togither proceidit asmuche from oure said care of the estate and goode governament thairof as for the advancement of oure awne affairis. For proofe whairof, we haif sett downe certane articles to be imparted to you by oure chancellor, exspecting (and most earnestlie requireing you as you will gif testimonie of your dew obedience to ws and of youre love to your native cuntrey) that you will tak suche course for putting the same to dew executioun as thay may be observed in all tyme comeing as on oure pairt nothing salbe omitted either for reformatioun of whatsoever is amisse, or for removeing of ony grevance whiche ather hathe lyne, doeth or sall ly hevie upoun you and that without respect ather to oure awne commoditie or to the particulair benefite of ony persone whatsoever; a taste whairof we haif gevin in this distinctioun of oure privie counsell and sessioun whairin we haif not spared those whose grite and faithfull serviceis haif deserved at oure hand whatsoever could haif bene demandit if without the hinderance of a generall goode it could haif bene granted. And thairfore, if at this tyme you sall expresse your affectioun to ws as subjectis sensible of oure present conditioun and of oure love to you, yee may be assured and we faithfullie promise that at oure comeing to you to ressave oure crowne (whiche by the grace of God salbe this nixt yeir) youre eares sall not be troubled with the heiring of ony suche word as subsidie or taxatioun to be granted. Thus willing you to tak the premises to your speciall consideratioun, we bid you all and everie one of you farewell. Gevin at Sarusberie, the 22 of October 1625.
Whilk letter being red, hard and considderit be the estaittis, thay all to thair unspeakable comfort and contentmnent did with most submissive and humble thankis acknawledge his majesties singular care of this his native and ancient kingdome; and for the whilk, thay wer verie instant with thair prayeris unto God for his majesties long and happie reigne.
- NAS, PC1/31, f.69r-70r.