His
Majesties
most
Gracious
Letter
to
the
Parliament
of
Scotland
.
WILLIAM
R.
My
Lords
and
Gentlemen
,
THE
Continuation
of
the
War
still
hinders
Us
from
Pursuing
Our
Resolution
of
being
amongst
you
in
Person
;
And
so
Obliges
Us
to
Call
you
together
once
more
in
Our
Absence
.
Therefore
We
have
appointed
Our
Right
Trusty
and
Right
Intirely
Beloved
Cousin
and
Counsellor
,
John
Marquiss
of
Tweeddale
,
to
be
Our
Commissioner
,
and
to
Represent
Our
Person
and
Authority
amongst
you
.
The
Proofs
he
hath
given
of
his
Capacity
and
Experience
in
Business
,
as
well
as
of
his
Fidelity
and
Zeal
,
by
his
many
and
long
Services
to
the
Crown
and
Nation
,
and
particularly
to
Us
,
since
We
made
him
Our
Chancellor
,
will
Render
Him
very
Acceptable
to
you
.
We
Desire
you
to
give
him
Intire
Trust
and
Credit
;
for
We
have
fully
Instructed
Him
with
Our
Mind
.
He
has
Powers
to
pass
all
such
Laws
for
the
Good
of
that
Our
Antient
Kingdom
,
as
have
been
proposed
to
Us
at
this
Time
.
He
is
to
Ask
nothing
of
you
in
Our
Name
,
but
that
which
the
Interest
of
the
Countrey
makes
necessary
to
be
Done
;
And
therefore
We
need
not
Mention
to
you
,
that
the
Subsidies
for
Paying
the
Forces
are
now
Expired
,
and
that
your
Peace
and
Safety
Requires
the
Renewing
of
them
during
the
War
.
You
will
be
also
Sensible
,
that
there
is
a
Necessity
to
have
the
Coast
and
Trade
secured
from
Privateers
.
We
are
glad
of
any
Appearances
of
a
Disposition
to
Moderation
and
Union
,
about
Church-Matters
;
We
Hope
you
will
Encourage
it
,
and
Promote
it
,
by
removing
the
Subjects
of
Differences
as
much
as
you
can
.
We
are
not
unmindful
of
your
Letter
to
Us
in
the
close
of
the
last
Session
.
The
known
Interruptions
We
have
had
in
Business
this
Winter
,
have
been
a
great
Hinderance
to
Us
,
but
We
are
resolved
to
Do
whatsoever
may
be
for
the
security
of
the
Government
,
and
the
Satisfaction
of
Our
good
Subjects
.
We
Recommend
to
you
Calmnes●
and
Unanimity
in
your
Proceedings
;
and
Doubt
not
,
but
that
you
'll
Act
sutably
to
the
Confidence
We
have
put
in
you
,
in
Calling
you
again
in
Our
Absence
:
And
that
as
you
have
done
upon
other
Occasions
so
you
will
upon
this
,
Give
Us
such
Signal
Testimonies
of
your
Duty
and
affection
,
as
will
convince
all
Men
of
the
perfect
Union
and
Understanding
,
that
is
betwixt
Us
and
that
Our
Ancient
Kingdom
.
Given
at
Our
Court
at
Kensignton
,
the
17th
Day
of
April
,
1695.
And
of
Our
Reign
the
Seventh
Year
.
By
His
Majesties
Command
,
Directed
thus
,
J.
Johnstoun
.
To
the
Lords
Temporal
,
and
the
Commissioners
of
Shires
and
Burghs
,
Assembled
in
Parliament
of
Our
Antient
Kingdom
of
Scotland
.
The
Speech
of
John
Marquis
of
Tweeddale
,
His
Majesties
High
Commissioner
to
the
Parliament
of
Scotland
;
on
Thursday
the
ninth
of
May
,
1695.
My
Lords
and
Gentlemen
,
THE
great
Confidence
the
King
hath
in
your
Affection
and
Faithfulness
to
his
Government
,
and
the
Trust
he
reposes
in
you
,
doth
evidently
appear
in
His
calling
you
so
frequently
together
,
during
his
own
necessary
Absence
beyond
Sea
,
as
well
as
His
tender
Care
and
Concern
for
your
Safety
and
Welfare
,
in
minding
every
thing
which
may
contribute
thereto
.
Particularly
as
to
the
Concerns
of
the
Church
,
that
all
Differences
about
Church-Matters
,
and
amongst
Church-Men
may
be
composed
;
it
being
His
Majesties
Purpose
to
maintain
Presbyterean-Government
in
the
Church
of
Scotland
.
And
that
the
Peace
and
Security
of
the
Kingdom
against
Foreign
Invasion
and
Intestine
Commotion
be
provided
for
,
by
renewing
the
former
or
granting
other
Supplies
for
maintaining
the
Land
Forces
,
and
providing
and
entertaining
a
competent
Naval
Force
for
the
Defense
of
the
Coast
,
and
securing
of
Trade
.
And
if
you
find
it
will
tend
to
the
Advancement
of
Trade
,
that
an
Act
be
passed
for
the
Encouragement
of
such
as
shall
Acquire
and
Establish
a
Plantation
in
Africa
or
America
,
or
any
other
part
of
the
World
,
where
Plantations
may
be
lawfully
acquired
;
His
Majesty
is
willing
to
Declare
,
That
He
will
grant
to
the
Subjects
of
this
Kingdom
,
in
Favours
of
those
Plantations
,
such
Rights
and
Priviledges
as
he
doth
grant
in
like
Cases
to
the
Subjects
of
His
other
Dominions
.
And
that
the
Judicatories
Higher
and
Subaltern
be
so
Regulated
in
their
Proceedings
,
as
Justice
may
be
Administred
with
the
greatest
Dispatch
,
and
least
Charge
to
the
People
.
These
things
have
taken
up
some
part
of
His
Majesties
Time
and
Thoughts
these
Months
past
,
that
I
have
had
the
Honour
to
wait
upon
Him
,
and
have
been
frequently
Discoursed
by
Him
,
and
then
put
in
the
Method
of
Instructions
,
and
Directions
for
my
Behaviour
on
the
Station
he
hath
Honoured
me
with
.
So
that
I
can
say
without
Flattery
,
there
is
nothing
that
can
Contribute
to
promote
the
Honour
and
Jnterest
,
the
Safety
and
Security
of
this
His
Antient
Kingdom
,
which
His
Majesty
will
not
concur
with
you
to
provide
for
,
and
hath
not
Impowered
me
to
Consent
to
.
It
remains
then
,
My
Lords
and
Gentlemen
,
for
you
to
take
these
weighty
Affairs
under
Consideration
,
and
to
Consult
of
the
best
Ways
and
Means
to
enable
His
Majesty
to
perfect
so
good
Designs
.
By
granting
Him
Supplies
for
maintaining
the
present
Land-Forces
.
And
for
providing
and
Entertaining
a
Competent
Naval-force
,
for
the
Defence
of
the
Coast
,
and
Securing
of
Trade
:
In
Order
to
which
,
His
Majesty
hath
granted
a
Commission
of
Admiralty
for
Managing
the
Affairs
thereof
.
Not
omitting
to
take
Care
for
the
other
unavoidable
Contingencies
of
the
Government
,
wherein
the
Civil
List
comes
short
.
Your
Dispatch
of
these
Great
Affairs
with
Chearfullness
and
Alacrity
,
will
perfect
a
good
Understanding
,
and
perpetuat
a
Confidence
betwixt
the
King
and
you
.
The
Speech
of
William
Earl
of
Annandale
,
Lord
President
of
the
Parliament
of
Scotland
,
on
Thursday
the
Ninth
of
May
,
1695.
My
Lords
and
Gentlemen
,
I
Am
very
sensible
it
is
a
great
and
undeserved
Honour
,
that
I
have
His
Majesties
Commands
to
preside
in
this
Session
of
Parliament
;
for
I
know
well
my
insufficiency
and
unfitness
,
to
Discharge
so
important
a
Trust
,
but
Duty
calls
,
and
I
must
obey
.
I
do
therefore
rely
upon
His
Majesties
Goodness
,
who
I
know
,
has
those
Allowances
to
give
,
which
the
accidental
Failings
and
Escapes
of
His
Servants
may
require
;
And
I
am
convinced
,
that
the
same
Zeal
and
Forwardness
which
has
formerly
appeared
in
all
the
Proceedings
of
this
Parliament
,
for
His
Majesties
true
Interest
,
the
Support
and
Honour
of
His
Government
,
will
yet
show
it self
amongst
Us
;
and
it
is
You
I
hope
,
will
make
this
Station
easie
to
me
.
Here
lies
my
great
Encouragement
and
Confidence
,
that
my
Defects
and
Wants
shall
be
covered
and
supplied
,
by
a
cheerful
and
ready
Complyance
from
this
Honourable
and
Great
Meeting
,
with
all
His
Majesties
so
just
and
reasonable
Demands
.
And
now
,
My
Lords
and
Gentlemen
,
it
may
be
expected
that
I
should
enlarge
upon
every
Particular
,
which
His
Majesty
by
His
Gracious
Letter
,
and
his
Grace
My
Lord
Commissioner
in
his
Speech
,
has
recommended
to
you
,
whereby
you
may
see
His
Majesty
asks
not
for
himself
,
He
only
prevents
Our
necessary
Cares
,
for
it
is
Our
own
safety
and
security
that
requires
the
dispatch
of
all
of
them
;
but
his
Grace
has
so
fully
and
distinctly
spoke
upon
all
the
several
Heads
,
and
they
do
so
effectually
speak
and
recommend
themselves
,
that
I
am
perswaded
,
there
remains
a
Conviction
upon
Us
all
;
and
I
shall
but
touch
some
few
of
them
.
The
first
makes
way
for
it self
,
a
Supply
for
subsisting
of
the
Forces
which
are
now
on
foot
,
or
what
more
may
be
judged
necessary
for
preserving
and
securing
the
Peace
and
Quiet
of
this
Kingdom
.
For
let
Us
consider
,
His
Majesty
engaged
in
Forreign
Wars
against
the
Enemies
of
our
Religion
and
Liberties
,
and
that
we
bear
no
share
of
the
Expense
.
Or
if
we
reflect
on
His
exposing
His
Sacred
Person
(
I
may
say
too
liberally
)
to
all
the
Dangers
and
Accidents
of
War
,
upon
whose
Safety
depends
,
God
knows
,
not
only
Our
happiness
,
but
the
happiness
of
Europe
,
we
must
all
as
good
Protestants
,
and
good
Countrey-Men
,
esteem
it
Our
Honour
and
Credit
,
as
well
as
Our
Interest
,
to
give
now
cheerfully
,
what
the
Honour
and
Security
of
His
Majesties
Government
calls
for
.
And
since
We
are
Happy
and
Easie
under
it
,
let
Us
use
our
outmost
Endeavours
that
this
Inestimable
Blessing
may
not
only
be
continued
with
Us
,
but
handed
down
to
Our
Posterity
.
I
Think
I
need
scarce
Mind
you
,
how
much
the
Honour
of
the
Nation
,
and
Our
Trade
has
suffered
,
by
the
Want
of
some
Ships
of
War
,
for
the
Guard
of
Our
Coasts
,
and
Convoys
;
This
is
not
only
our
Loss
in
general
,
but
I
believe
many
who
hear
Me
,
may
be
now
Sensibly
Touched
with
their
own
particular
Losses
;
so
that
I
need
not
Use
Arguments
to
Enforce
this
,
nor
can
I
Doubt
your
Forwardness
to
Provide
against
It
in
time
coming
;
and
it
is
no
small
Encouragement
that
Our
King
proposes
only
those
Things
to
Us
,
which
are
Our
own
Advantage
to
Grant
.
I
shall
but
shortly
take
Notice
of
the
Fresh
Assurances
We
have
of
His
Majesties
Gracious
and
Firm
Resolutions
to
Maintain
the
Presbyterian-Government
of
this
Church
,
as
now
by
Law
Established
;
And
I
Hope
the
Moderation
and
Calmness
that
shall
at
this
Time
Appear
in
all
Our
Proceedings
in
Church
Matters
,
will
Satisfie
the
World
that
this
is
the
Government
most
Agreeable
to
the
Temper
and
Inclination
of
this
People
,
and
most
Sutable
for
the
Interest
and
Support
of
Our
King
,
the
Civil
Government
,
and
Peace
of
this
Kingdom
.
I
Fear
to
Spend
too
much
of
your
Time
,
and
am
sensible
,
You
cannot
Bestow
it
worse
;
but
I
Hope
You
'l
Allow
me
to
Wish
,
there
may
be
Unanimity
b●nd
C●●mness
in
all
Our
Proceedings
,
and
that
We
Abstain
from
all
Hea●s
and
Animosities
,
laying
aside
Privat
Ends
and
Designs
,
that
so
We
may
with
all
Expedition
Finish
the
Work
We
have
before
Us
;
and
thus
We
shall
not
only
raise
Our
Reputation
Abroad
,
but
Satisfie
His
Majestie
,
We
Deserve
the
Trust
,
He
hath
Reposed
in
Us
,
when
He
himself
is
out
of
Britain
.
And
can
there
be
a
greater
Inducement
,
or
a
stronger
Argument
to
Encourage
Us
,
then
that
We
have
a
King
;
who
is
not
only
careful
to
Govern
Us
by
Our
standing
Law
,
but
as
We
may
see
,
has
now
Instructed
His
Grace
,
My
Lord
Commissioner
,
that
such
New
Laws
may
be
Made
,
and
Old
Ones
so
Rectified
;
as
may
be
Judged
most
for
the
Interest
,
Safety
,
and
Ease
of
His
Subjects
.
There
is
yet
One
Thing
,
which
I
shall
but
Name
,
that
does
justly
Challenge
a
more
than
ordinarie
Zeal
and
Fervour
in
our
Duty
at
this
Time
,
and
it
is
the
Sad
and
Irreparable
Loss
We
have
Sustained
of
the
Best
of
Queens
,
I
insist
not
upon
it
,
for
it
were
to
Renew
Your
Grief
,
and
I
shall
only
Wish
(
My
Lords
and
Gentlemen
)
We
may
All
of
Us
make
this
Use
of
it
,
that
as
now
the
Whole
Soveraignty
is
Lodged
in
His
Majesty
,
it
may
appear
by
Our
Actings
,
that
We
have
Doubled
our
Forwardness
and
Endeavours
to
serve
Him
,
which
is
the
only
way
now
left
Us
,
to
Show
Our
Just
Sense
of
this
inexpressible
Loss
,
and
to
make
it
in
some
Measure
,
more
Supportable
by
His
Majesty
.
And
as
We
Ought
to
Give
Him
all
the
Assurances
Imaginable
,
that
We
will
Effectually
Maintain
and
Support
His
Interest
and
Government
,
against
All
His
Enemies
;
So
when
We
put
a
Just
Value
upon
so
great
a
Blessing
,
it
may
be
a
prevailing
Mean
with
GOD
to
Continue
Him
long
and
Prosperously
with
Us.