THE PROCLAMATION OF THE KING Of SCOTS
At Paris in France: Read and published at the French Kings Palacc, on the 12. of this instant November, 1651.
Together with his Letter to the English Merchants; And his Desires, Promise, and propositions: Sent and dispiersed by the Lord HOPTON.
With other remarkable Occurrences, concerning the Scots, and the Duke of York's taking the field with his Forces.
Published by Authority. ⟨Novemb. 24⟩
London, Printed for G. HORTON, 1651.
A Message from the King of Scots to the English Marchants; And his Desires, Promise, and Proposals: published and dispersed by the Lord Hopton; Together with his Proclamation thereupon; printed at Paris, the 12. day of this instant Novemb. 1651.
ON the twelfth of this instant, there was several papers dispersed throughout this City, containing matters of great concernment; and amongst the rest, a Proclamation of the King of Scots was affixed and set up at the Gates of the Royall Palace; Wherein he strictly required and commanded all English Marchants, Gentlemen, and others, of the said Nation, forthwith to repair unto the Loure, there to debate and consult upon such things as should tend to the [Page 2]honour of his Majesty, and preservation of all the Lawes, Liberties, and good Customes of England; further demonstrating, That he doth love and honour all those her just boundaries, that supports Magistracy, and teaches subjection her due bounds, and that most equally dispenseth justice unto all; declaring likewise, That he doth hate and abhor all subverting and levelling of the just Lawes, Liberties, and Freedoms of the People, &c.
Divers papers (to this effect) were posted up in several places of the City; but little notice was taken of them by the English: Insomuch that the K. hath sent a Letter (by the Lord Hopton) to certain English Merchants resident at the Hague and Amsterdam, Desiring a timely supply of monies for his present Necessities, which indeed are very great. This Letter hath bin presented unto divers of them, who answer'd his desires, contrary to the expectation of many.
Since which time, Madaimoselle (daughter to the Duke of Orleans) hath presented him with a great Present, and hath furnished him with some French Crowns. The Queen intends a Marriage very speedily. But the Duke (as yet) proffers no considerable sum of monies. The Duke of York hath taken the field for the King against the Prince of Conde; and [Page 3]its said, that the King will immediately follow; but many conjecture, that his Madaimoselle will retard that design, The Kings Subjects begin to be very much discontented; and have agreed upon a Petition or Remonstrance, to present to the Parliament, wherein they represent the intolerable oppressions and burdens, that they now lie under: as also, the heavy Yoake imposed upon them by the King. And in order thereunto, they have printed several papers, and dispersed them throughout the City; desiring all Gentlemen and Citizens whatsoever: namely, the whole Company & society of the Merchants, and all other Trades-men, to repair to the Parliament, and to assist them in so weighty a business, tending to the liberty and freedom of the people, the redusing of all impositions and Taxe [...] whatsoever, to their former condition, as they stood enacted and established in the Kaign of King Henry the 4th. and so unanimously resolved to adhere together with one mind, and one heart, for the shaking off all Regal Tyranny, the recovering of their just Rights and Priviledges, and no longer to live like Vassels and slaves. This was accordingly put in execution the 14. of this instant November: for above 5000. Merchants, Citizens and others, went to the Parliament, presented their Petition, and immediately received a satisfactory answer in relation thereunto; viz. That the Parliament had read their Petition, and that on the day following, their grievances should be taken into consideration, and a means used for the restoring of them to their former condition of liberty and freedom. The Prince of Conde we hear, is very potent, and divers Gentlemen and others come into him daily; for so far as he hath already conquered, all impositions are taken off, which is a great motive and encouragement to the people, to induce them to stand firm and adhere to him.
Paris 19. November 1651.
From scotland we hear, that the Lord Belcarris, and Col. Monro, endeavours to infest the English Quarters, and to keep them in play this Winter; and talk high of another invasion at the Spring; but as yet they cannot agree at whose Girdle to hang the Keyes of the Kirks supremacy: In the mean time, I shall here present these prophetick lines, in case they should ever gather an Head to make an attempt for England.
We hear further from France, That there hath been a great Engagement between the 2. Armies, and that after a sharp dispute, the Kings Army was routed; in which action the Duke of York deported himself with an undanted spirit, and charged 3. times in the head of the Army; but afterwards was forced to retreat.
Since which fight, the Prince of Conde hath again declared to the people, That he desires nothing more then to approve himself the true patron of publick liberty: Even so did Pompey the Great, that famous Roman General; he approved himself the grand patron of freedom and liberty, and that his and the peoples liberties both stood and fell together: yet though he fell, he retained the name of Pompey the Great, and still retains it to this day; to shew that it is not fortune, but a just and notable Cause, that makes men truly great, even after the greatest miseries and misfortunes.
This Pompey was the support of the State against the ambition of the great ones, the hope of the people while he lived, and the sorrow when he died. This is the true portion of the worth and greatness of the Right Honourable, most truly noble, and victorious, his Excellency the Lord Gen. Cromwel, who is become Englands Honour, the Enemies terror, and Europes Wonder.