Cannot so well receive a particular answer : But if by these generall expressions the late unlawfull
Engagement against England be understood, they desire that their protestation against
the same in Parliaments, and the apposition made thereunto by them afterward in Armes
(which they never laid down untill the Garisons of Berwick and Calist were restored unto
the Kingdom of England) may be remembred, together with the Letter of the House of
Commons to the Generall Assembly of this Kirk, of the third of August 1648. And that
Lieutenant Generall Cromwell, authorized from both Houses of Parliament, did upon the
5 of October last, represent to the Committee of Estates of this Kingdom, the wrongs and
injuries committed against the Kingdom of England in that Engagement; and thereupon
did demand that they would give assurance in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland, not to
admit or suffer any who have been active in, or consenting to that Engagement, to be imployed
in any publick place or Trust whatsoever; which was not onely granted, and afterward confirmed
in Parliament, but all Acts for prosecution thereof have been repealed, and all proceeding
relating thereunto publickly disclaimed. And if any order wrongs shall be made known
unto us we shall be ready to return such an Answer as may give just satisfaction.
If the Bonds of Religion, Loyalty to the King and mutuall amity and friendship betwixt
the Kingdoms be impartially considered, according to the solemne League and Covenant, and
the professions and Declarations of both Kingdoms, The Estates of Parliament think that they
have just cause to complain of the late proceedings in England in reference to Religion, the
taking away of the Kings life, and the changing the fundamentall Government of that Kingdom;
against which this Kirk and Kingdom and their Commissioners, have protested and
given Testimony whereunto they do still adhere.
And since it is apparent there bath been of late in England a backsliding and departure from
the grounds and principles wherein the two Kingdoms were engaged, the Parliament of this
Kingdom doth propound, that the late proceedings there against Covenant and Treaties may be
disclaimed & disavowed as the prosecution of the late unlawfull engagement against England
hath been disclaimed & disavowed here, and that such as have departed from these principles,
and their former professions, may return to the some: Upon which grounds they are content to
authorize Commissioners on behalf of this Kingdom, to Treat with Commissioners from both
Houses of the Parliament of England, sitting in freedom concerning all matters of just Complaint
which either Nation may have against the other, and for redresse and reparation thereof,
and to do every thing that may further canduce for continuing the happy peace and union betwixt
the Kingdoms, which can never be setled upon so sure a foundation as the former Treaties,
and the solemn League and Covenant; From which, as no alteration or revolution of
affairs can absolve either kingdom; so, we trust in God that no success, whether good or bad,
shall be able to divert us; but as it hath been our care in the time past, it shall be still our reall
indeavour for the future to keep our selves free of all compliance with, or inclining to the Popish
Prelaticall and Malignant party upon the one hand; or to those that are enemies to the fundamentall
Government by King and Parliament, and countenance and maintain Errour. Heresie,
and Schism, upon the other. I have no other thing in command from the Parliament of
this kingdom, but to take notice that there is no Answer returned to their Letter of the fifth of
M[unr] last. And so rests
For the Honourable Will. Lenthall Enquire,
Speaker of the H use of Commons.
Edenburgh 26 Junlie 1649.
Your humble Servant,
London Cancellations,
Places Parliamenti.