We could not be so farre wanting in that duty we owe to this Kingdom, and the
care and regard which in justice and honour we ought to have of the safety and freedom
of those employed in so publike a trust, as not to take speciall notice of their condition
and hard usage: And have therefore resolv'd and thought sit to signifie to you,
that we doe own that paper given in by our Commissioners, as agreeable to the Instructions,
which they had from us, wherein we, and they in our names could not but
give a testimony against those things which we conceive to be contrary to the
grounds and bands so often declared and acknowledged by both Kingdoms, left our
silence be esteem'd a compliance, or we thought any wayes accessary to those great alterations,
and the dangerous consequences may ensure thereupon.
And as for the last Protestation in the last Sessions of Parliament, against the last
unlawfull engagement, Our Act of this Parliament declining and repealing the same,
and every thing done in pursuance thereof; And our whole proceedings before and
since, are sufficient and reall evidences of our sincere desires and constant resolutions
to continue Union and Peace between the Kingdoms according to the Covenant and
Treaties. So it is very farre from our Intensions to assume any power over the Lawes
and Government of that Kingdom, or any way to raise Sedition, or lay the grounds
of a new War, or doe any thing in the late unlawfull engagement, which can no waies
be inferr'd from the said paper, containing onely our adherence to our former principles
acknowledged by both Kingdoms, And it being given to you to be nominated
in the Ordinary way. We are so tender of the Union between the Nations, that we
thinke the remonstrating of the breach of peace, the craving of just reparations, and
using of all amicable and faire meanes should be first assaied before any engagement
in a Warre, which even then, cannot be done by either Kingdoms, without a breach
of the large Treaties, unlesse it be upon three moneths warning preceding; upon
which amongst other grounds and reasons, we did protest and declare against the
late Engagement: And doe confidently expect the like from England, according
to the papers given in by their. Commissioners to the preceding Session of Parliament:
And however any prevalent Party in either Kingdome hath infri
nged, or
may breake these bonds, yet we doe not conceive it either agreeable to Gods will,
or conducible to the welfare of these Nations, to lay these sacred tyes aside as dissolved
and cancelled, but rather that they should be preserved for the good of both
Kingdoms, and benefit to those who have no accession to such breaches, and of succeeding
Generations; who are innocent there of, and may sustaine manifold inconveniences
by dissolution of the same.
Having thus declared our intentions and resolutions, we hope none can justly blame
this Nation, to continue constant to their former engagement and principles, which the
honourable houses of the Parliament of England professed also to be these, when they
induced this Kingdom to enter into solemn League and covenant with them, far lesse
can it be any ground at all for the restraining our commissioners contrary to the publike
Faith, & law of Nations, by which the freedom of Embassadors and comissioners is
sacred and inviolable, not only betwixt christians, but even amongst Heathen Kingdoms
and States. And therefore we desire that our commissioners may be free from all
[unr], that they may without any stop or molestation return in what way they think