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that is, for Reparations, in its final expanded form, in an attractive upright hand, with, in another hand, the English Commissioners' Answer, dated 7th January 1640 (1641 modern reckoning), and the Scottish Reply, all with transcriptions. (On 8th September 1640, after invading Northumberland and Durham, the Scots wrote to Charles I at York repeating their demands in Seven Articles, drawn up by their recent Parliament. Negotiations were begun at Ripon and were transferred to London after the Long Parliament opened on 3rd November). Henderson recalls the Scots' "distresses in our religion and liberties", saying "our. supplications for redress were answered. with the terrors of an army" (in June 1639), and that "after a Pacification" (at Berwick), "greater preparations were made for a war, whereby many acts of hostility were done against us both by sea and land, the kingdom wanted administration of justice, and we constrained to take arms for our defence", being forced also "to maintain so many thousands as were spoiled of their ships and goods. and many others who lived by fishing, and whose callings are upholden from hand to mouth by sea trade". The Scots' only hope other than "perfect slavery. in our souls, lives & means" has been "to come into England. Since therefore the war on our part. is defensive", and "in common equity, the defendant should not be suffered to perish in his just and necessary defence. it is not against reason. to demand some reparation of this kind". The Scots attribute all their "losses and wrongs" to "that prevalent faction of Prelates & Papists", meaning in particular Archbishop Laud, (there were also great rumours in London of a plot to restore Roman Catholicism), acting through "their councils, subsidies and forces" and "their Kirk, canons, & prayers", indeed "the estates of the kingdom of Scotland" had endeavoured to forewarn the English "of the mischief intended against both kingdoms". Accordingly, the reparation should be "at the cost of that faction", who, "except they repent will find sorrow recompense for our grief, torments for our toil, and an infinitely greater loss", namely "a whole kingdom which was dwelling by them in Peace". The desire of "our common enemies" was to use Scotland as "a precedent for the like misery in England, or by their invasion of our kingdom, to compel us. to break into. England", so that fishing "in our troubled waters" they might "catch their desired prey". Thus the Scots came "as amongst our brethren", never doubting that "Parliament. will provide that a proportionable part of the cost. of a work. comfortable to both nations, be borne by the delinquents here, that with the better conscience the good people of England may sit under their own vines & fig trees. Had a foreign enemy (intending to reduce the whole island to Popery) made the first assault. the kingdom of England. would have found the way to bear with us the expense of our resistance". While the Scots "will not allege" the help given by them "to other Reformed Kirks, and what the kingdom of England of old & of late hath done to Germany France & Holland", yet this is not "a matter of our covetousness" but of English "justice in respect of our adversaries" and "kindness. in the supply of our wants. That by this equality and mutual respect both nations may be. the more serviceable to his Majesty". In reply the English Commissioners ask whether "the Sum. proposed by the Scots Commissioners for Charges. be a positive demand or only an intimation. thereby to induce the Kingdom of England. to afford you some friendly assistance". The Scots answer that "We would be no less willing to bear the loss. than we have been ready to undergo the hazard, but because the burden of the whole charge doth far exceed our strength", they have "represented. such a proportionable part" as will be judged "a matter not of our covetousness, but of the justice & kindness of the kingdom of England". Copy signature 'Adam Blair', 4 sid. Seller Inventory # 55796
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