of Religion and Peace setled the fruits of our endeavours much wished and longed for by Nottingham 12 June 1645. Your Lordships most humble Servants LEVEN CALENDAR HAMILTON WE have heard how the Parliament of England sent Commissioners into Scotland to call in the Scots unto its help and to capitulate with them concerning their in-coming We have heard also how that Commissioners were sent from Scotland hither to be at the drawing up of the Covenant betwixt the two Nations who ever since have constantly assisted the Synod in the discussion of Church-affaires more according to agreement betwixt the Nations thereafter there was other Commissioners sent hither to share with the Parliament in the managing of State-businesses of Peace and War wherein now both Kingdoms are jointly ingaged To this effect the Houses of Parliament chuseth a certain number of Lords and Commons to treat of all things concerning Peace and War jointly with the Scots and so together they make up the Committee of both Kingdoms wherein the Scots have a negative voice and nothing is done or at least ought to be done without their knowledge and consent concerning Peace or War directly or indirectly all play under boord and clandestine dealing being forbidden to both equally upon the reason of the common interest of both Those who had been adverse unto the in-coming of the Scots to help the Parl. were much against the setting up of this Committee but at last after some debate the thing is done in spite of opposition So the Committee is set afoot for a certain time of some few Moneths by Ordinance of both Houses The time prefixed for the sitting of the Committee is no sooner expired but those same men with the aid of others whom they had stirred up to that purpose cast in difficulties and will by no means give consent for the continuance of this Committee so for some dayes it is broken up then earnest work there was to get it restablished again but all to small purpose till in the end there is found one Clause in the Ordinance for the setting it up at first which did serve for the restablishing of it maugre those who did oppose it Since that time it hath continued constantly to this day although not without vexation to some namely because the Committee could not sit without the Scots being present Now the Scots called and joined with the English to manage the affaires of the publike Service for the Common Cause of Church and State at first they did think that they were to have nothing or at least little ado but to put forward the publike Service with earnestnesse and vigour against the Common Enemy without any let here by any of their own party and so they resolve with themselves to be very modest and tender with all warinesse in their proceedings with their Brethren of England who had called them hither upon such assurance and were so kinde unto them in their expressions yea so carefull of them that they would have them to lodge neerer for their own convenience and that of their Friends going to visit them and so the Scots remove from the City where they had lodged in former time and are placed in Worcester-house where now they lodge Those who pretend to know more of the Mysteries of the World then other men tell us that the removing of the Scots from the City to Worcester-house was not so much the convenience of the Scots or of their Friends which was intended although so given out as their weaning from their old Friends in the City who formerly had been so usefull and so respective to them by a cunning forcasting of some men to wear them out of acquaintance and intimacie with the City being afraid not to carry on things so easily according to their intent if the Scots were constantly intime and familiar with the City Whatever the end of removing the Scots from the City was it is fallen out so that the Scots being at such a distance have not been able to cherish and nourish their former intimacie and old Friendship with the City as they are bound in gratitude carefully to do and as the publike Service requireth joint with their own advantage Thereafter the Scots finde a harder task then they had promised unto themselves in the beginning for besides the great and main work against the Common Enemy they find some few men here in the party whereunto they are joyned for the Service of the Common Cause of Religion and Liberty in all the three Kingdoms who do not onely shew them but small favour but also as far as can be without open breach crosse and oppose them and in them the publike Service First those who from the beginning did not approve of their in-coming for fear they should eclipse their lustre and diminish their power was cold and adverse to them Next some others of those who had most bestirred themselves and most appeared in the calling in of the Scots to help having done the work of their in-bringing lay down a new ground for the reparing the breach of their own credit which by the miscarriage of things namely in the West as we have said before had been much diminushed and by degrees make up their credit upon the decline of the others whereunto their earnestnesse for the Scots did much serve and the Scots intimacy with them for many gave willingly way unto them when they did see them so intime with the Scots whom they knew to have no by-ends and those men on the other side did endear themselves unto the Scots by sundry good offices for a time which they did unto them in things concerning their Forces in England Ireland employed in the Common Service and by their constant and frequent courting of the Scots they did so take them up that they alone almost were admitted to any privacy then some did laugh in their sleeve to see a few not so considerable before bear such a sway and the Scots led thus by the nose and others did complain saying Why should this be It was expected the Scots Commissioners should have been open and free to all honest men namely to those of worth yea they ought to have been so for the good of the publike Service and for their own credit not captiving themselves as it were to some few ones Further it was said that they should have pressed home businesses more stoutly and more freely then they did as they had done in former times in their own particular affaires when they had not so many professed and powerfull Friends letting nothing passe of that was clearly for the good of the publike By this complying complaisance the Scots Commissioners have given such advantage to those who for a time courted them most for their own ends as it seems for if it had been altogether for the publike the Scots remaining constant to their point and principles although with lesse vigour I confesse then I could
King of Danemark would fain have had his hand in the businesse but he hath found other things to do Yet after all this since we constantly pray for our King both in publike and in private if it were Gods will to reclaim him unto himself and then that we might have godly sober and quiet life under him I see no reason why we should not try upon all occasion to regain him leaving the event and successe to God as the favourable hearing of our prayers for the King to God his sacred will which not being declared unto us upon the point we demand it upon the condition of his good will and pleasure and not absolutely as the salvation of our souls concerning which he hath manifested his will in his word unto us Now in this place and at this time I know it will be expected to have somewhat said of the present condition of Scotland So to discharge this duty in some measure I give you this Discourse in few words and as neer the truth as I can being at such a distance not having so full intelligence which I pray you to take thus The Common Enemy seeing himself disappointed of effectuating to his mind his wicked designe by his enterprises of War and his failing Plots in Scotland then the Scots refusing in England to serve him in this designe as thereafter their helping the Protestants in Ireland and last of all their aiding England when they were very low against his bloody Agents finds if it had not been for the Scots he had not had such rubs and obstacles and so had gone more freely on with his work Wherefore since the Scots were the onely in a kinde hinderers of his compassing of his designe he thinks how to be revenged of them and to make them leave off this active opposing of him and his designe After many things proposed and tryed to small purpose at last it is resolved by the Court to send home the Malignant Lords to see what they can do whom according to orders go home submit to the State and take the Covenant Divers other Malignants who had been lurking in and about the Countrey do the same and so they make all their peace More there were other double minded Lords who hitherto had carried themselves so warily albeit they were known to be disaffected yet the Laws of the Land could not lay hold on them receiving a favourable interpretation by the help of their kinred Friends and Allies At this time a good part of the best affected men were employed abroad either in England or in Ireland what in action in the Field and what in Counsell and the military men who had been most stirring in their own last troubles were employed in either of these two places and some were gone to France to serve that King in his Wars The Countrey being thus emptied of men of Counsell and of businesse as also of men of War the Agents for the Common Enemy bethink themselves that they have fair occasion to do somewhat for the designe they in their heart affect and follow but to go more smoothly to work they must be employed in the service of the Countrey which being emptied as is said of honest and able men did admit them and was in a manner of necessity constrained to make use of them in the Counsell of State and in divers others Assemblies and in all Committees almost This point being gained resolution is taken to make a party of some stirring men to go into Scotland and the West Islands are designed to be the only fit place the chance being tryed so often before to no purpose because they were negligently kept the Lords and chief men of those parts being in England with divers of the prime men of the Countrey they pitch upon an Alexander Macdoneld nicnamed Kilkitterch that is to say Little theef an Epithet fit for a man who lives on spoile and prey This man as an outlaw had left Scotland and gone over to Ireland where he joyned with the Rebels and fought for them against the Protestants for a time and after some dislike he leaves them and joyns with the Scots and bringeth some few hundereds of such men as himself with him The Generall receives him and he serves the Scots against the Rebels for a while he tells the Generall that he had a great mind to have pardon for his former errors and make his peace with his native Countrey the Generall undertakes it but finds not the thing so easie to be done and so soon as he expected by reason as is given out of the naughtinesse of the man others say more truely there was a particular spleen that stopped it At this Macdoneld frets and goe's back again to the Irish Rebels who received him kindly partly by reason of his activity partly in regard of his new kinred with the Earl of Antrim To be short resolution being taken to send over into Scotland and that into the Isles choice is made of him who having chosen out from among the Rebels some few hundreds of desperate fellows what native Irish what Scots habituated in Ireland what Islanders and highlanders of his own humour and Friends goe's for Scotland and lands in the West among the Isles and hills where he finds but little if any opposition At his thus arrivall without any rub divers of his old acquaintance and outlawes with him repair unto him so he increaseth his number at the first the businesse was laught at But seeing the number did increase by those men it is thought fit to look after them He that had most interest was in England for the time who upon the news goe's home and takes Commission with divers other Noble Gentlemen to pursue the Enemy but the pursuit was with such slacknesse that the Enemy gains daily ground and his number increaseth By this time Montrosse who had secret correspondence with Macdoneld upon advice goe's privatly from the North of England where he had bestirred himself as in the South of Scotland but he had been repulsed by the English and Scots forces in those parts with few men incognito and joyns with Macdonald The two being joyned Montrosse declares himself Generall of the party and sheweth his Commission with many fair pretences to stand for the Covenant and to continue the Government of the Church as it is now setled and also to ease the people of the burthens laid upon them by some factious men This he promiseth assisted with Papists Atheists forsworn men and outlaws which he performeth much at the rate of him who set him a work spoiling burning and slaying men women and children in a word using all kinde of barbarous dealing where he could be Master yea divers were not spared upon their beds Then those Nobles and Gentlemen who had Commission from the States of Scotland go against the despicable Enemy and the first rencounter was about the bridge of Jerne where some betraying the Commission they
Fruits In these they are so crossed that it seems to be done expresly for the disenabling them so far as may be to do the publike Service answerable to their own desire and readinesse and to the expectation of the Kingdom As for the disorders said to be done in the Army as it is acknowledged that they are not Angels of Light without feeding being but poor infirme men they cannot but fall and do amisse in many and many a thing so they are not Cameleons to live upon the air but are of such constitutions that they must have more solid food of necessity for their subsistance which now and then they cannot come by so orderly as should be Yet I dare be bold to say that the Scots Army is as well regulated as most Armies are without vanity be it said and that exorbitancy or scandall is no sooner known but it is censured punished according to its degree by Ecclesiasticall and Military Law and that no complaint is made but it is heard and answered according to equity and reason Yea Proclamations are made to incite every one that hath any complaint to repaire unto the Prime-Officers or Counsell of War Yet let the Leaders do what they can some slips will fall out among the Souldiers that are not allowable and indeed the Commanders cannot be altogether so exact as otherways they would be with the Souldiers since the pay is so slow and so little of it at a time and provisions so scarce and so hardly had for when the bellie is thus extreamly pinched it were hard measure to beat the back When the Scots Army came to Nottingham the Generall sent a Letter subscribed by himself and two more unto the Committee of both Kingdoms whereby in few words he tels how that the Scots employed in this Service of the Common Cause have had and have to this day very harsh usage and hard measure in divers fashions even from these who not onely by the Common Interest of both Nations are bound to be then Friends and Brethren but also from these who formerly made a particular shew of Friendship unto them Yet notwithstanding all this he declareth how that with hearty earnestnesse they are in readinesse to go on faithfully and resolutely with the Work But judging that a view of the Letter it self would give satisfaction to many I have thought fit to set down here a true Copy of it furnished unto me by a Friend A Letter of the Scots Generall at Nottingham to the Committees of both Kingdoms My Lords and Gentlemen THe continuance of a firme Union and good correspondance betwixt the Kingdoms is so much in our thoughts and wishes as that without it we can expect no better then the weakning yea the undoing of this Common Cause and the strengthening of the Common Enemies and although there be neither few nor small occasions and discouragements from the misrepresentation of our Actions and misapprehension of our intentions from the cooling if not changing of that affection formerly expressed both towards our selves and towards divers of our Countrey-men who have deserved well for their abilities and faithfulnesse in the publike and from the usage and entertainment of this Army which is neither to that which other Armies in this Kingdom do receive nor according to the Treaty between the Kingdoms nor at all certain such as can avoid the hatred and discontent of the people whose affections and good will we desire to carry along with us yet notwithstanding all these and the like discouragements our Actions have been are and shall be reall testimonies of our constant resolution to pursue actively the ends expressed in the Covenant and to adventure our selves and whatsoever is dearest to us in this Cause and that as we had great reason to march into Westmerland in regard of the Intelligence both then and since confirmed to us so we have been as ready and willing to come South-ward as we were desired by the honourable Houses of Parliament and by your Lordships and we have marched with more speed and lesse interruption then is usuall in such cases yea our march had been more speedy if we had not been stayed in some places for want of draughts and provisions and now we are with the assistance of God Almighty to undertake any Action which may be fittest for the Cause and safety of both Kingdoms But if which God forbid for want of the conjunction and assistance promised or for want of necessary provisions the publike work be retarded or disappointed we shall be blamelesse And therefore we do recommand to your Lordships most serious deliberation that some more effectuall and speedy course may be taken for necessary provisions to this Army that both Officers and Souldiers may have in all orderly and constant way not onely a part of their pay in Victuals but a part in money for their other necessary uses and in case of our conjunction with any other Forces of this Kingdom that then the provisions of this Army be no worse then of those other Forces which things as they are just in themselves so they are the rather desired that this Army be not burthensome nor hatefull to the Counties where we come and that we may not be redacted to the unhappy necessity of not punishments wrongs and disorders strictly which as we have not onely forbidden by the strictest Edicts but have exemplarly and severely punished so shall we ever be ready upon complaint and proof of the fact either to punish the same by death or other condigne punishment according to the quality of the offence We further intreat and expect that this War might be managed according to the Treaty by the Committees of both Kingdoms upon the place and for that end that a Quorum of the Commissioners from the honourable Houses of Parliament may be constantly with this Army and that your Lordships may entertain charitable thoughts of our proceedings confident that according to the knowledge which God hath given us in the matters of our profession we shall improve all opportunities to the best advantage We shall not need to put your Lordships in remembrance how necessary it is that before the Armies of either or of both Kingdoms undertake the besieging of any Town they first endeavour a totall dissipation of all the Forces which the Enemy hath in the Fields and so much the rather because by the blessing of God the dissipation shall be more easie if the Armies of both Kingdoms be continually aiding and assisting each one to other and that each act their part and attend the Enemies motions What we have written to your Lordships we desire it may be made known to both Houses of Parliament and City of London And above all that your Lordships would with all earnestnesse presse the expediting of the Reformation of Religion and uniformity in Church-government together with the speedy prosecuting and ending of this War that we may return home with the comfort