Letter: from the queen
Her majesty's letter in answer to the address relating to the African Company and concerning the union etc.

Signed above thus: Anne Regina,

My lords and gentlemen,

The address you made in the last session of parliament to our deceased royal brother King William, of ever blessed memory, was presented to him by our right trusty and right entirely beloved cousin and councillor James [Douglas], duke of Queensberry, our commissioner, and our two secretaries of state for that our ancient kingdom, and his majesty designed to have returned an answer thereto at your first meeting, in which no doubt he would have fully signified his good intentions for that our kingdom and for the encouragement and satisfaction of the Company Trading to Africa and the Indies; but he, being prevented by death, our commissioner and secretaries have presented your address to us, which we have had fully under our consideration.

It is our firm purpose and resolution to maintain the sovereignty and independency of that our ancient kingdom against all invasions or encroachments whatsoever, and we shall be ever equally tender of the rights, prerogatives and liberties of the crown and kingdom of Scotland as of these of the crown and kingdom of England. And we shall make it the chief design of our reign to govern both according to their respective laws and liberties and to avoid all occasions of misunderstanding or differences between them. And for this end, we shall think it our happiness to establish an entire union between the two kingdoms upon an equal and just foundation, and the parliament of our kingdom of England, having shown so good inclinations towards this union, we expect that you will do nothing in your part that can obstruct a design so useful for the security and happiness of both.

Orders were given by the late king that none of our subjects of Scotland should be impressed from on board Scots ships by the English for the sea service, and we have taken effectual methods and shall give such orders as shall be necessary for the full protection of our subjects of that our kingdom in this matter, and for the encouragement of commerce between the two nations.

We do heartily regret the great losses and disappointment which the Company Trading to Africa and the Indies have sustained in the carrying on and prosecuting their designs in settling of a colony in America, which has been also a great prejudice and loss to the whole kingdom. And therefore, we shall cheerfully concur in anything that can reasonably be proposed for their reparation and assistance, nor shall they want our countenance and protection in all their just designs and concerns. And we shall ever endeavour to promote the trade not only of that company but of the whole nation and shall do every thing that is in our power for the welfare and prosperity of our people. So we bid you heartily farewell. Given at our court at St James's, 21 April 1702 and of our reign the first year.

By her majesty's command, signed thus: [John Carmichael, earl of] Hyndford.

Directed thus: to the lords temporal, and to the commissioners for shires and burghs assembled in parliament in our ancient kingdom of Scotland.

  1. NAS. PA2/38, f.45-45v.