Two Remarkable LETTERS Concerning the KINGS Correspondence with the Irish REBELS. The first by Digby in the KINGS Name to the Irish Commissioners. The second from the Lord Muskery one of those Commissioners in Answer to Digby. Also a full state of the Irish Negotiation at Oxford now treated, set forth in the Rebels Propositions, and the Kings particular Concessions.
Published according to Order.
LONDON: Printed by F. Neile, dwelling in Aldersgate-street. 1645.
HIs Majesty having long expected a conclusion of a happie peace within your Kingdom, and his Affairs having highly suffered by the failing of his Expectations from thence, cannot choose but wonder what the cause is of it: calling to mind those fair professions and promises which you made unto him, when you were imployed here as Agents. And knowing well what power and Instructions he hath long since given my Lord Lieutenant to comply with you for your satisfaction (as farre forth, as with Reason or Honor his Majesty could in civill things, or with Prudence, or Conscience in matters of Religion) and in the latter, as to the utmost of what, for any wordly consideration, he will ever be induced to) so did he conceive nothing lesse, then (what you declared unto him) you were perswaded the Catholicks would be satisfied withall: Nay ought not in their own Interest to seek more in the present condition, his Majesty was in, lest further concessions might (by confirming former scandals cast upon his Majesty in matters of Religion) so [...] to the hearts of his faithfull and loyal adherents, to make them abandon him: which as it would draw inevitable ruine, so were you rightly apprehensive that when the ( [...]) should by that means have prevailed here, that must soon after bring a certain destruction upon your selves. What the change of Principles or Resolutions are, his Majesty knows not: but he finds by the not concluding of a Peace, there, that your party (it seems) is not, satisfied with the utmost that his Majesty can grant in Matters of Religion, that is, the taking away of the penall Laws against Roman-Catholicks [Page 2] within that Kingdom. And his Majestie here hears that you insist upon the demands of Churches, for the publick exercise of Religion, which is the occasion that His Majesty hath commanded me to write thus frankly unto you, and to tell you, that he cannot beleeve it possible, that Rational and prudent men (had there been no Propositions made to the contrary) can insist upon that which must needs be so destructive to his Majesty at present, and to your selves in the consequences of his ruine (that is) inevitably to be made a prey to the ( [...]) of these Kingdoms, or to a forraigne Nation. Wherfore my Lords, and Gentlemen, to disabuse you, I am commanded by his Majestie to declare unto you, that were the Conditions of his Affairs much more desperate, then they are, he would never redeem them by any concession of so much wrong both to his Honor, and Conscience. It is for the defence of his Religion principally, that he hath undergone the extremities of war here. And he would never Redeem his Crown by ratifying that there. So that to deal clearly with you, as you may be happie yourselves, and be happie Instruments of his Majesties restoring, if you would be contented with Reason, and give him that speedie assistance, which you well may: so if nothing will content you but what must wound his Honor and Conscience, you must expect, howsoever his Condition is, and how detestable soever the ( [...]) of his Kingdom are to him, he will in that point joyn with them, the Scots, or with any of the Protestant Religion, rather then do the least Act, that may hazard that Religion, in which, and for which, he will live, and die. Having said thus much by his Majesties command I have no more to adde, but that I shall think my self very happy if this take any such effect, as may tend to the peace of that Kingdom, and make me
VVE have here received your last of this July instant, wherby we understand the Kings utmost resolution concerning the free use of our Religion in this Kingdom. What publick Answer will be returned to it, I cannot tell as yet: but I in the meantime hold it my dutie to pre-acquaint your Lordship with the inclinations of the people, and the very first motions, which are likely to sway the judgements, and resolutions of our wisest Patriots. This I hope your Lordship will accept of as an argument of my affection to your self, and make use of as a point of zeal to his Majesties service. My Lord, tis great matter of amazement to the vulgar amongst us, to hear, That His Majestie does principally undergo these extremities of warre for defence of the Protestant Profession: and that He will rather forfeit His Crown, then ratifie the Catholick Faith in Ireland, or do any the least act that might hazard that Religion, in which, and for which, He is prepared to live, and die. If His Majestie had insisted onely upon maximes of Honor, or publick utility (though they do not hold either of them really valid in this case) things would have been far more easily digested: but when Pleas of Conscience are so much pressed, divers that pretend to much reason here seem to be exceedingly scandaliz'd. For as for matter of utilitie, His Majestie (it should seem) has waighd strictly in the scoles, as well all his Catholicks in Ireland and elsewhere, as that part of Protestants which adheres to Him in England, and Scotland: and that party of Protestants in value (as He distinguishes) overpoizes the Catholicks: This is a thing that makes them wonder at his scoles, or suspect his eyes, and senses. For tis suppos'd here to be out of all question, that if the King did not declare himself so pendulous, and equilibrious betwixt Catholicks, and Protestants, those supplies which He would receive from Catholicks would far out-vie all those of the Protestants, and put the difference beyond all further dispute. Next, they take to heart matter of Honor, and how (say they) can He expect more Honor in the eyes of a poore part of Protestants by being soyled and kept in miserie, as He now is; then in [Page 4] the eyes of all the chief Countreys of Europe by prevailing, and over-bearing those wretched Round-heads which He now so much professes to detest? You will say, his faith is more strongly ingaged in Honor to those Protestants which now follow Him to protect them, then to the Queen to defend those of her profession: If this be so, we have not been kindly dealt withall, for either the King has profest more to the Queen, or the Queen (which has some influence upon his Honor) has profest more to us then was just for her to do in the Kings name. But the last, and chiefest consideration is the consideration of Conscience: and this as was said before perplexes most of all, and begets the most untoward Interpretations. For (say the people) these pretences of conscience are either feined, or unfeined in His Majestie: if they be unfeined, then how shall our side ever trust him? If Conscience will not permit Him to grant us Churches now in his greatest conflictations though to redeem his Crown, what will He grant us when he has no further use of us at all? And if for State reasons, not known to all the world, He can now so treat millions of that Religion, which is so precious to Him; How can He want the like pretexts to oppresse us, whom He esteems hereticall in so high a degree, when the face of things shall change?
Again, if these Pleas of Conscience be feined: what side can ever trust him at all? Tis safer for us to live under a King that is of any Religion which may limit and bind his conscience with some certain Laws, whatsoever they be, then to serve a Master that either has no Religion, or no such Religion as can hold his conscience in any subjection: Tis probable the Protestants themselves will agree to this, as well as Papists.
My Lord, the Irish have hitherto generally beleeved the King to be a Roman-Catholick in his heart, and only constrained to dissemble the same, and so the main current of his actions here have assured them: but now these professions made so sanctimoniously at such a time of exigence, as this, give stronger assurance of the contrarie: and yet neither so can they be freed from all doubts and fluctuations. For (say they) can that conscience, which checks not at the granting of a toleration without Churches by taking away all penall Laws, and allowing other great immunities, suffer such shipwrack at our demands of Churches for the free exercise [Page 5] of our Religion? we should deal unfaithfully with ourselves if we should not acknowledge that the King in his Concessions already by granting us such a share in the Legislative, Military, and Judiciall power, and by taking away former penalties has condiscended to as much, as can truly conduce to the propagation of our Religion: that which we request further is but for the more ease, or pomp, or better accommodation of such as professe our Religion. This therfore creates the more intricacy in the case; and makes the matter more irreconcileable, when we behold that the complemental or ornamental part is abjured so solemnly as repugnant to conscience, and yet the more substantiall, virtuall part is agreed to without reluctance. Thus as our doubts, so our fears multiply, for we well know, that if the King bona fide have so high an esteem of his own Religion, He must have as low a one of ours; and the consequence will be, when the tye of a promise shall hereafter come into competition with such an esteem, when it shall be disputed whether the Kings ingagement to us do in some degree empeach, or hazard the Protestant Profession, or no; and if it do, then whether such an ingagement be rescindible, or no: a Protestant Casuist will easily unloose his Conscience.
But the King threatens to joyn with the Scots, &c. how odious soever, if we accept not of his Propositions without further debate. Surely (my Lord) if the King does joyn with the Scots, &c. this Kingdom hopes to be otherwise protected; and if it were wholly exposed to the mercy of the Protestants, yet it sees not how it has merited to be cut off from all reconciliation, more then the King and his Oxford party has: nay it presumes very far, that it shall give a better account for its pursuing its naturall interests, then such, as have been more unnaturall, can.
In the last place (my Lord) wheras you seem to wonder at the Irish, as changed from their former aimes, and us that were Commissioners, as transported beyond our former promises, and expressions. The Answer will be very ready. For had we received lesse satisfaction in due season, before we had expended so much blood, time, and treasure in this warre, it had been equivalent to a greater proportion now given us: or had that been of grace given which the Sword has by its own dint gained, a charge of ingratitude might have been laid upon us, if we had further extended [Page 6] our demands. But I shall not need to inlarge upon this Subject, or to represent things otherwise to your Lordship then a Letter will permit; if I should, I should seem to out-run your Lordships nimbler apprehension, or to utter my own conceits instead of the speeches of the people. I am more afraid of prolixity, and therfore heartily wishing your Lordship may make good use of these Avisoes, for the better mollifying of his Majestie, I kisse your hands, and assume the honour to list my self,
To a Friend in the Countrey.
SIR, I have gotten Copies of two Letters, not yet divulged, which I here send you, as worthy of your perusall. The first from Digby to the Rebels is true, and authentick; the other I suspect to be counterfeited, but so as it comes very neer to truth. Out of both you will find what distance there is, and what has caused it, betwixt the King and his good Catholick Subjects of Ireland. They, as well as we of England, and Scotland, are liable to vicissitudes in the Kings favour, according to turns of his endlesse designes; They were monstrous, prodigious, unparalell'd Traytors; They are now loving, loyall, good Subjects: but if they make not haste to cut throats here, as well as they have done in Ireland, they may probably ere-long change their style again for that which we have now, and perhaps we may be restored to that which they have now. There's nothing impossible to a Proclamation dated at Oxford, if Montrosse, do not hinder it. Neither of these Letters discover any thing to me: I alwayes apprehended what I here find: this onely I wonder at: The King still takes no notice of that which is the Rebels true End, and Intent: nor do the Rebels of that which the King shoots at. Yet tis impossible that the King should think the Irish cordially devoted either to the defending of Protestantisme, or inlarging of Prerogative: and tis improbable now, they should think the King to be in Arms for introducing of Popery, or establishing their old Tanistry, and other barbarous [Page 7] customes. Both having contrary intentions, the King thinks to out wit the Irish, and this the Irish cannot be ignorant of; the Irish think as far to overreach the King, and the King cannot but suspect the same: yet still in debates both proceed, and alledge other matter, whilest in the mayn, they seem to make a [...] both in deceiving, and in being voluntarily deceived. This it is to forsake the beaten road of policie, and to wander in the blind mazes of subtilty, or rather perfidie: after all that sea of Protestant blood which it has cost the King to comply with Papists, now he is driven to a new consultation, whether it be safer for him to comply any longer with them, or to joyn again with their opposites. The condition of the Irish Papists also is but little better: for they to ingratiate with the King, have committed most execrable massacre upon the Irish Protestants, yet now at last they begin to find, that they have no more assurance of the King then we had. The Lord help us, and disabuse all that erre, and recall every one into the right path; further I will not forestall your judgment.
SIR, I have since thought good to send you also copies of the Rebels late Propositions, and the Kings condiscentions thereunto. Onely understand, they were intercepted about six months since, and I beleive the King hath since condiscended to much more, for it hath been his fortune alwayes hitherto to be as humble a suitor to the Rebels for good tearms, as we have been to him.
The Propositions of the Roman-Catholicks of Ireland, humbly presented to his Sacred MAJESTIE, in pursuance of their Remonstrance of grievances, and to be annexed to the said REMONSTRANCE.
1. THat all Acts made against the professors of the Roman Catholike faith, whereby any restraint, penalty, or incapacity may be laid upon any Roman Catholick within the Kingdom of Ireland may be repealed, and the said Catholiques to be allowed the freedome of the Roman Catholike Religion.
2. That your Majesty be pleased to call a free Parliament in the said Kingdome, to be held and continued as in the said Remonstrance is expressed. And the Statute of the tenth year of King Henry the seventh, called [Page 8] Poynings Act, and all Acts explaining or inlarging the same be suspended during that Parliament, for the speedy settlement of the present affairs, and the repeal thereof to be all are further considered of.
3. That all Acts and Ordinances made and passed in the now pre [...]ended Parliament in that Kingdom, since the seventh day of August, 1641. be clearly annulled and declared void, and taken off the [...]les.
4. That all Indictments; Attainders, Outlawries in the Kings [...] or elsewhere, since the seventh day of August 1641. and all [...]rents, Grants, Leases, Custodims [...], Bonds, Recogni [...], and all [...] Records, Act or Acts depending thereupon, or in prejudice of the said Catholikes, or any of them, be taken off the fyles, annulled and declared voyd; First by your Majesties Proclamation, and after by Act to be passed in the said free Parliament.
5. That in asmuch as under colour of such Outlawries, and Attainders, debts due unto the said Catholiques, have been granted, levyed, and disposed of, and of the other side, that debts due upon the said Catholicks, to those of the adverse partie, have been levyed and disposed to publike use, that therefore all debts be by Act of Parliament mutually released, notwithstanding any Grant or disposition.
6. That the late Offices taken or found upon feigned or old titles since the yeare 1634. to intitle your Majesty to several Counties in Connaught, [...]homond, and in the Counties of Jipperary, Lymmerick, Kilkenny, and Wickloe, be vacated, and taken off the fyle, and the Professor setled and secured in their ancient estates by Act of Parliament. And that the like Act of limitation of your Majesties title, for the security of the estates of your subjects of that Kingdom, be passed in the said Parliament; as was enacted in the 21 year of his late Majesties [...] Kingdom.
7. That all marks of incapacity imposed upon the Natives of that Kingdom, to purchase on acquire Lands, Leases, Offices or Hereditaments be taken away by Act of Parliament, and the same to extend to the securing of Purchase, or Leases, or Grants already made, and that for the edution of youth, an Act be passed in the next Parliament, for the erecting of one or more Innes of Court, Universities Free and common schools.
8. That the offices and places of Command, Honour, Profit, and [...], within that Kingdome, be conferred upon Roman Catho [...] in equality and indifferencie with your Majesties other subjects.
9. That the insupportable oppression of your subjects, by reason of the Court of Wards, and respit of Homage, be taken away; and a certain [...] venew, in lieu thereof setled upon your Majesty, without diminution of your Majesties profit.
[Page 9]10. That no Lord not estated in that Kingdom, or estated and not resident, shall have note in the said Parliament, by proxie or otherwise, and none admitted to the House of Commons but such as shall be estated and resident in the Kingdome.
11. That an Act be passed in the next Parliament declaratory, That the Parliament of Ireland is a free Parliament of it self; independant of and not subordinate to the Parliament of England, and that the subjects, of Ireland are immediately subject to your Majesty, as in night of your Crown. And that the Members of the said Parliament of Ireland, and all other the subjects of Ireland are independant, and no way to be ordered or concluded by the Parliament of England, and are onely to be ordered and governed within that Kingdome by your Majesty, and such Governours as are or shall be there appointed; and by the Parliament of that Kingdome, according to the lawes of the land.
12. That the assumed power or jurisdiction in the Councell-Board of determining all manner of causes be limited to matter of State, and all Patents, estates, and Grants, illegally and extrajudicially avoyded there or elsewhere, be left in state as before and the parties grieved their heirs or assignes till legall eviction.
13. That the statutes of the eleventh twelfth, or thirteenth year of Q. Elizabeth concerning staple commodities be repealed reserving unto his Majesty lawfull and just pound age, and a book of rates to be setled by an indifferent Committee of both Houses for all commodities.
14. That inasmuch as the long continuance of the chief Governor or Governors of that Kingdom in that place of so great eminence & power, hath been a principall occasion that much tyranny and oppression hath been exercised upon the subjects of that Kingdom; That your Majesty will be pleased to continue such Governours hereafter but for three years. And that none once imployed therein, be appointed for the same again, untill the expiration of 6 years next after the end of the said [...] yeers. And that an Act passe to disma [...]ble such Governour or G [...] during their government, directly, or indirectly; in use, trust, or other wise make any manner of purchase, or acquisition of any Mannors, Lands, Tenements, or Hereditaments within that Kingdom, other then from your Majesty; your Heirs or Successors.
15. That an Act may be passed in the next Parliament for the raising and [...]ing of Trained-Bands within the severall Counties of that Kingdome, aswell to prevent forrain invasions, as to render them the more serviceable and ready for your Majesties occasions, as shall require.
[Page 8]16. That an Act of oblivion be passed in the next free Parliament, to extend to all your Majesties said Catholick subjects, and their adherent [...] for all manner of offences capitall, criminall, and personall: and the said Act extend to all Goods and Chattels, customes, maisne profits, prizes, arrears of Rent, taken, received, or incurred since this trouble.
17 Forasmuch as your Majesties said Catholick subjects have been taxed with many inhumane cruelties which they never committed, your Majesties said subjects therfore for their vindication, and to manifest to all the world their desire to have such heynous offences punished, and the offenders brought to justice; do desire that in the next Parliament, all notorious murders, breaches of quarter, and inhumane cruelties committed of either side, may be questioned in the said Parliament, if your Majesty so think fit: and such shall appear to be guilty to be excepted out of the said Act of Oblivion, and punished according to their deserts.
Forasmuch Dread Soveraign, as the wayes of our addresses unto your Majesty, for apt remedies unto our grievances were hitherto debarred us, but now at length through your benigne grace and favour laid open: We do humbly present these in pursuance of the said Remonstrance; which granted, your said subjects are ready to contribute, the ten thousand men as in their Remonstrance is specified towards the suppressing of the unnaturall rebellion now in this Kingdom, and will further expose their lives and fortunes to serve your Majesty, as occasion shall require.
Additionall Propositions.
1. THat an Act be passed this next parliament, prohibiting that neither the Lord Deputy, Lord Chancellor, Lord High Treasurer, Vice-Treasurer, Chancellor, or any of the Barons of the Exchequer, Privy-Councell, or Judges of the foure Courts, be Farmours of your Majesties customes.
2. That an Act of Parliament may passe in Ireland against all Monopolies, such as was enacted in England 21. year of King James, with a further clause for repealing of all Grants of Monopolies in Ireland.
3. That the Court of Castle-Chamber in Ireland having been an oppression to the subjects, and there being other remedies for the offences questioned in that Court by the common Law, and Statutes of th [...]r Realm, be taken away; or otherwise limited, as both Houses▪ shall thin [...].
4. That two Acts lately passed in Ireland, one prohibiting the plowing with horses by the tayle, and the other prohibiting the burning of Oates in straw, may be repealed.
[Page 11]5. That it may please your Majesty to give order, that upon presenting the names of three persons of quality in each County by your suppliants, to your chief Governor or Governors, their Patents be passed to such of those, so to be presented respectively to be Sheriffes in each County, as to be chief Governor or Governors, shall seem meet to make choice of for that purpose.
6. That one or more Agents from that Kingdom may be admitted still to attend his Majesty for his Information of the Affairs of that Kingdom. And that as a testimony of his Majesties favour, some of the Nobles and others of quality of that Kingdom, may be imployed about your Majesties person.
7. Forasmuch as divers of the Scotch Nation, and others in Ireland, do not obey the present Cessation, and many of them having of late taken the Covenant proposed by the Members of the Parliament at Westminster, now in Arms against your Majesty, it is therfore humbly desired, that such as disobey the said Cessation, or have taken the said Covenant, be by his Majesties appointment proclaimed Traitors in Ireland, and prosecuted accordingly by your Majesties authority. And that such Counties or Corporations as have not submitted to the now Cessation of Arms in that Kingdom, according to your Majesties Commission, be not admitted to make any return to the Parliament.
8. Forasmuch as since the late Commotion in that Kingdom, some persons of quality of his Majesties Romane Catholick subjects dyed, or were killed, and their estates by means thereof became wast, and uselesse. That therfore for the better enabling of that partie to serve your Majesty. It is humbly desired, that the Wardship of their heires, and the management of their estates, be granted to such as shal be accountable to the said heires for the profit of those lands, whereby their lands may be of some use to the common-wealth, in their contributions to his Majesties service.
9. Forasmuch as sundrie persons estated in that Kingdom have either actually raised Armes in this Kingdom against your Majestie, or have otherwise adhered to the malignant party now in Arms against your Majestie, that therfore it may please your Majestie to give way to the impeachment, and Attainder of those, and of such Officers whose names we shall here represent to your Majestie by way of Bill in Parliament, wherby they may receive condigne punishment for their offences, and your Majestie take advantage of the forfeiture of their estates, And in the interim those possessions to remain in the hands wherein they are at present.
10. Forasmuch as upon application of Agents from that Kingdom to [Page 12] your Majestie in the fourth yeer of your Reign, and lately upon humble suit made to your Majestie by a Committee of both Houses of the Parliament of that Kingdom, Order was given by your Majestie for redresses of severall grievances: It is therfore humblie desired that for so many of those as are not expressed in the now Propositions presented to your Majestie (whereof both Houses in the next ensuing Parliament shall desire the benefit of your Majesties said former directions for redresses) that the same be afforded them.
11. That the Office of Admirall in that Kingdom be setled, independant of none but your Majestie, whereby Maritine Causes may be determined there without driving Merchants or others to appeal, or seek Justice elsewhere in those Causes.
Concerning any thing in Religion, His Majesties Answer is,
1. THat as the Laws against those of the Romish Religion within that His Kingdom of Ireland, have never been executed with any rigor or severity; So if such his Subjects shall by their returning to their dutie and loyaltie, merit His Majesties favour, and protection, they shall not for the future have cause to complain, that lesse moderation is used towards them, then hath been in the most favourable of Queen E: and King James his times. Provided, that under pretence of Conscience, they do not stir up Sedition, but live quietly and peaceably according to their Allegiance.
2. Touching the calling a free Parliament (by which His Majestie supposes the Proposers intend a new Parliament) His Majestie saies that he could wish that all the particulars might be fully agreed on, and ratified this Parliament; His Majestie well understanding, That his Protestant Subjects may be in far greater danger in a new Parliament, then the Proposers and their partie can be in this; His Majestie being willing to give them any securitie that can be desired against their apprehensions. Howsoever since some objections and doubts are raised of the legall continuance of this Parliament since the death of the Lord Deputie Wansford, and by the late arrivall of his Majesties Commission after the day of meeting, upon the Prorogation (though those doubts may be easily solved) his Majestie is content to call a new Parliament, upon Condition that all particulars be first agreed on, and the Acts to be passed be first transmitted, according to custome (for his Majestie will by no means consent to the suspension of Poynings Act) and the Proposers giving his Majestie security, that there shall be no attempt in that Parliament to passe any other Act then what is agreed on and first transmitted, or to bring any other prejudice [Page 13] to any of His Majesties Protestant Subjects there.
3. His Majestie neither can nor will declare Acts in themselves lawfull to be void, but is well content that neither the Proposers nor their partie, shall suffer any prejudice by any Acts or Ordinances passed since the time in that Proposition mentioned by reason of this commotion, and for that end, shall give his full concurrence.
4. The matters of the fourth and fifth, and sixteenth Propositions are to be disgested into an Act of Oblivion, in which his Majesty will admit any clauses to inlarge his mercy, but will not by declaring indictments legally taken, and regularly prosecuted to be void, give any countenance to, or make any excuses for the present Rebellion, which would be a great prejudice to truth, and the future security of that Kingdome. And therefore his Majesty is contented to grant a full and generall Pardon to all persons whatsoever, within that his Kingdom: (Except) For all Trea [...]ons, Rebellions, or other crimes whatsoever, growing and arising from, or by reason of the said Rebellion: And will likewise give his consent to such an Act of Oblivion, as shall be prepared and transmitted to him by the advice of his Lord Lievtenant, and Councell of Ireland, who are fittest to consider in what state debts are to be left, and particular Actions and Remedies to be waved. In which his Majesty for the peace of the Kingdome, will be content to release what concernes himselfe.
6. When all other things shall be agreed on, and faithfully executed on the parts of the Proposers, his Majesty (excepting a just acknowledgement of his bounty, as well knowing that he parts with very much, to which he hath a legall and undoubted title) Is content to release and acquit his right to all such lands in the Counties mentioned (except in the Counties of Kilkenny and Wiekloe, upon the termes formerly assented to by his Majesty, in his answer to the grievances in the 17 year of his raign, and will consent to such an Act of Limitations as is desired.
7. When all other things shal be concluded, his Majesty will consent to an Act for the taking away any incapacity, as Natives either to Lands or Offices, if any such there be And will willingly consent to the erecting an Inne of Court, Vniversity, or Free-schooles; provided that they be governed by such Statutes, Rules, and Orders, as his Majesty shall approve, and agreeable to the custome of this Kingdome.
8. Such of his Majesties subjects of the Romish Religion within that Kingdome, as shall manifest their duty and affection to his Majesty, shall receive such marks of his Majesties favour in Offices and places of trust, as shall manifest his Majesties good acceptance and regard of them.
[Page]9. His Majesty will take care that his good subjects of that Kingdom shall not be oppressed by his Court of Wards; And if oppression [...] kind have been upon good and due information, His Majesty [...] Justice to be done for the time past, and for the future will prevent [...] by instructions; But for the taking away of that Court, his Majesty [...] make no answer, till the particulars for his satisfaction, be set down and presented to him.
10. His Majesty consented as farre as is fit for him in this point [...] his answer to the 25th grievance in the 17th yeare of his Raign, the [...] he is still willing shall be enacted, looking forward still to five yeares, [...] begin after the peace, concluded.
11. His Majesty conceives the substance of this Proposition (which concernes the fundamentall rights of both Kingdomes) fit to be referred to the free debate and expostulation of the two Parliaments, when it sh [...] please God that they may freely and safely sit. His Majesty being so equally concerned in the prviledges of either, that he will take care to the utmost of his power that they shall both contain themselves within t [...] proper limits, His Majesty being the Head, and equally interressed in [...] Rights of both Parliaments.
12. This is sufficiently provided for in his Majesties Answer to the tenth grievance, which he is content shall passe.
13. Since it appeares by long experience, that their Lawes have not produced that good effect, for which they were made: His Majesty [...] graciously pleased by his late Graces, that those Statutes should be [...] led, save onely for Wools, and Wool-fells; and will observe the same [...] lution. And a book of Rates shall be setled by indifferent Commiss [...]
14. His Majesty doth not admit that the long continuance of th [...] Governours of the Kingdome in that place, hath been an occ [...] much tyranny and oppression, or that any tyranny and oppression [...] been exercised upon his subjects of that Kingdome: However his Majesty will take care that such Governours shall not continue longer in th [...] places, then he shall find for the good of his people there. And is c [...] that they shall be inhibited to make any purchase (other then by [...] for the provision of their houses) during the time of their govern [...] such manner as is desired.
15. This Proposition is to be explained, and some particular wa [...] be proposed to his Majesty, for the doing hereof. And this his Majest [...] on due consideration of the safety and security of his Protestant su [...] will return his Answer.
16. Answered the 4th and 5th. Such persons who shall be excepted out of the act of oblivion, shall be tryed by the known lawes of the land.