A Declaration of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, concerning the Settlement of Scotland.

THe Parliament of the Commonwealth of England eſteeming it a neceſſary care and obligation that lies upon them, to improve the Power which God hath now given them, for the Advancement of the Glory of God, and the good and welfare of the whole Iſland, Have thought fit to nominate and appoint Commiſſioners forthwith to repair into Scotland, for effecting the ſame; And do hereby Declare,

Firſt, As to what concerns the Advancement of the Glory of God, That their conſtant Endeavors ſhall be, To promote the Preaching of the Goſpel there, and to advance the Power of true Religion and Holineſs; and, That God may be ſerved and worſhipped according to his minde revealed in his Word, with Protection and all due Countenance and Encouragement therein to the People of that Nation, from thoſe in Authority under the Parliament.

Secondly, They do Declare, As to what concerns the Freedom to be eſtabliſhed to the People there, and the Security to this Commonwealth to be had for time to come, That Scotland ſhall and may be Incorporated into, and become one Commonwealth with this of England; whereby the ſame Government that is eſtabliſhed here, and enjoyed by the good People of this Nation, under the Free State and Commonwealth of England, as now ſetled without King or Houſe of Lords, may be derived and communicated unto them, with ſuch convenient ſpeed, as the ſame can be made practicable amongſt them.

Thirdly, They do Declare, As to Satisfaction and Repairation, that they intend and expect, for the vaſt Expences and Damages which this Commonwealth hath already undergone, by reaſon of the Invaſion in the year One thouſand ſix hundred forty eight, by the Scots Army under the then Duke Hamilton: The War which they neceſſitated England to, for their own Defence; and, The late Invaſion by the Army under Charls Stuart; and, For and towards the leſſening the future charge of this Commonwealth, All the Lands, Houſes, Goods and Revenue whatſoever belonging to the ſaid Charls Stuart, pretended King of the Scots, or to the Crown or State of Scotland; and, All the Eſtates whatſoever, Real or Perſonal, of thoſe who did Invade England, under Duke Hamilton, in the year One thouſand ſix hundred forty eight, or were adviſing, contriving or promoting thereof, or in any way ayding, abetting or aſsiſting thereunto; or, Who were in Arms under the ſaid Charls Stuart, or were any way ayding, abetting or aſsiſting to him in Scotland: or, Who did with the ſaid Charls Stuart lately invade England, or were ayding, abetting or aſsiſting thereunto; or ſince the ſame have raiſed Arms, or been Promoters, Abettors or Aſsiſters thereof, in Proſecution of the ſaid Invaſion; or in Oppoſition to the Forces of the Parliament of England remaining there, Shall be Confiſcated and Forfeited to the uſe and benefit of the Commonwealth of England; Except ſuch who have, ſince the Battel of Dunbar, on the Third of September, One thouſand ſix hundred and fifty, deſerted the ſaid Charls Stuart, and not born Arms ſince againſt the Parliament; As alſo ſuch, whoſe Merits and Services to this Commonwealth, have, or ſhall render them capable of being taken into a more favorable conſideration by the Parliament.

Fourthly, The Parliament do Declare, That all ſuch perſons of the Scotiſh Nation, as are not comprehended within the former Qualifications, but have kept themſelves free from the guilt of thoſe things which have compelled this War; and ſhall now, upon the Diſcovery of their own true Intereſt, be diſpoſed to concur with, and promote the Ends formerly and now Declared by the Parliament, Shall be taken into the Protection of the Parliament, and enjoy their Liberties and Eſtates, as other the Free People of the Commonwealth of England.

ANd foraſmuch as the Parliament are ſatisfied, That many of the People of Scotland, who are Vaſſals or Tenants to, and had dependency upon the Noblemen and Gentry, (The chief Actors in theſe Invaſions and Wars againſt England) were by their Influence drawn into, and have been involved with them in the ſame Evils; It is hereby Declared, That all thoſe who are already, or ſhall within Thirty days after the publication hereof on this ſide the River Tay, and within thirty days after publication hereof beyond the River Tay, and within thirty days after the publication hereof beyond the River Spey, put themſelves under the Protection of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, and conform themſelves to their Government and Regulation, Shall not onely be pardoned for all Acts paſt, but be ſet free from their former Dependencies and Bondage-ſervices; and, Shall be admitted as Tenants, Freeholders and Heritors, to Farm, hold, inherit and enjoy from and under this Commonwealth, proportions of the ſaid Confiſcated and Forfeited Lands, under ſuch eaſie Rents and reaſonable conditions, as may enable them, their Heirs and Poſterity, to live with a more comfortable Subſiſtence then formerly, and like a Free People, delivered (through Gods goodneſs) from their former Slaveries, Vaſſalage and Oppreſſions.

Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti.

By the Commiſsioners of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, for Ordering and Managing Affairs in Scotland.

THe Parliament of the Commonwealth of England having Declared their Intentions concerning the Settlement of Scotland, and appointed Us their Commiſsioners to publiſh and make known the ſame to the people of this Nation, and to uſe our Endeavor, whereby the ſaid Settlement may with moſt ſatisfaction and ſpeed be effected, and the whole Iſland, through the goodneſs of God, brought to an happy and laſting Peace: We do therefore by vertue of the power on that behalf given Us, Authorize and require you, to meet in ſome convenient place within your Shire, and there to nominate and elect _____ Perſons of integrity and good affection to the welfare and peace of this Iſland; which ſaid perſons ſo elected, with full power on your behalf, for effecting the premiſes, are to be with us at Dalkieth upon the _____ day of _____ Given under our Hands at Dalkieth _____ this _____ day of 1651.

To the Heretors and Rentallers of the Sheriffdom of _____

By the Commiſsioners of he Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, for Ordering and Managing Affairs in Scotland.

ALthough the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, in their Declaration concerning the ſettlement of Scotland, Have in the Article that concerns Religion, and the Advancement of the power of Godlineſs held forth, That the Uniontendred by them to Scotland, for making it one Commonwealth with England, ſhall be (through the aſſiſtance of God) ſo managed, as may conduce to the real good and encouragement of all thoſe that fear God in both Nations; and that the People throughout the whole Iſland may become ſuch, as amongſt whom the Lord may delight to dwell.

And have likewiſe, together with what they publiſh concerning Forfeiture and Confiſcation of Eſtates, held forth in their ſaid Declaration, favor to ſeveral ſorts of perſons according to their reſpective Qualifications, expreſſed and contained therein: Yet to the end the good Intentions of the Parliament may be more fully underſtood by all, and brought to happy effect, according to the truſt and power committed to us: We Declare,

That for promoting of Holineſs, and advancing the power of Godlineſs, all poſſible care ſhall be uſed for publiſhing the Goſpel of Chriſt, in all parts of this Land, and proviſion of maintenance made and allowed to the faithful Diſpenſers thereof; together with ſuch other encouragements as the Magiſtrate may give, and may be expected by them, who demean themſelves peaceably and becomingly, to the Government and Authority by which they receive the ſame. As alſo, that care ſhall be taken for removing of ſcandalous Perſons, who have intruded into the Work of the Miniſtry, and placing of others fitly qualified with gifts, for the inſtructing of the people in their ſtead. And that ſuch Miniſters whoſe Conſciences oblige them to wait upon God in the adminiſtration of ſpiritual Ordinances, according to the order of the Scotiſh Churches, with any that ſhall voluntarily joyn in the practice thereof, ſhall receive protection and encouragement from all in Authority, in their peaceable and inoffenſive exerciſe of the ſame; as alſo ſhall others, who not being ſatisfied in Conſcience to uſe that Form, ſhall ſerve and worſhip God in other Goſpel-way, and behave themſelves peaceably and inoffenſively therein.

We ſhall likewiſe take care as much as in us lies, that in places of Truſt throughout this Nation, Magiſtrates and Officers fearing God may be ſet up, who according to the duty of their place, may be a terror to all evil-doers, and even to them whoſe licentious practices (though under pretence of Liberty and Conſcience) ſhall manifeſt not to walk according to godlineſs and honeſty. And by vertue of the power on that behalf given us, We do further Declare, That all perſons within the Qualifications of Favor, expreſſed in the Parliaments Declaration, being Inhabitants within the Borough of _____ that ſhall in purſuance thereof live peaceably under, and yield obedience unto the Authority of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England exerciſed in Scotland, are capable of, and ſhall enjoy the reſpective Benefits and Favors held forth in the ſaid Declaration, and ſhall have ſuch further Grants and Confirmations for the compleating thereof, as ſhall be found requiſite. And we do laſtly Declare, That all Merchants, Tradeſmen and Handy-Crafts men within the ſaid Borough, not having in Lands and Goods above the clear value of Five hundred pounds ſterling, (not being Priſoners at Wars, or Soldiers of Fortune in Commiſſion) who ſhall alſo in purſuance of the ſaid Declaration, live peaceably under, and yield obedience unto the Authority of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England exerciſed in Scotland, ſhall not onely be freed and diſcharged from all Forfeitures and Confiſcations of their Eſtates, for any thing formerly done by them in reference to the Wars, but be received into the Protection of Parliament, and enjoy ſuch Liberties and Immunities, as alſo ſuch Leaſes and Grants of Confiſcated and Forfeited Lands, as upon conſideration of their reſpective qualities and deſerts ſhall be thought fit. Provided the favor held forth in this Declaration, extend not unto any perſons, commonly known by the Name of Moſs-Troopers, or any other who have murthered or kill'd any Soldiers contrary to the Laws and Cuſtom of War; or any Engliſh people contrary to the Laws of Scotland.

Given under our Hands at Dalkieth, the _____ day of February, in the year of our Lord, 165 _

By the Commiſsioners of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, for ordering and managing Affairs in Scotland.

THe Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, having taken the ſettlement of Scotland into their ſerious conſideration, and thoſe things which in the eſtabliſhing of the Government there, may be acceptable to God, and for the good and welfare of the People. And foraſmuch as the due Adminiſtration of Juſtice and Right, doth effectually conduce thereunto: And the Parliament having in purſuance thereof, Authorized and Commanded us to uſe our utmoſt Endeavors, that Juſtice be done to all the People of Scotland, Equally and Impartially without reſpect of perſons, and as may be moſt for their eaſe and relief. And finding it neceſſary ſince our coming hither, that for thoſe ends Judicatories be ſpeedily erected, to the effecting whereof in a ſetled and orderly way, more time will be required then the preſent condition of Scotland, by reaſon of the long want of Adminiſtration of Juſtice will permit; we have thought fit to make the ſame known unto the People of Scotland. And likewiſe, That in conſideration of the preſent Exigency, we ſhall by vertue of the Power unto us given in that behalf, by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, forthwith appoint and authorize perſons to the Adminiſtration of Juſtice unto the People of Scotland, who are to be continued for ſome ſhort time, until the Judicatories and Courts of Juſtice may in a more ſolemn and laſting way be eſtabliſhed.

And we do further, for and in the name of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, Declare, That no Power, Juriſdiction or Authority, derived from, by or under Charls Stuart, who pretendeth himſelf King of Scotland, or any of his Predeceſſors, or any otherwiſe then from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, be uſed, exerciſed or enjoyed within Scotland, the Iſles, or any the Territories thereof; and do hereby forbid, adnul and make void the uſe or exerciſe of any Power Juriſdiction or Authority whatſoever within Scotland, the Iſles, or any the Territories thereof, other then ſuch as is or ſhall be derived from the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, whereof all perſons of whatſoever condition or quality are to take notice, and required not to do to the contrary thereof in any ways, upon the Pains and Penalties that may thereupon enſue. And, that none may pretend ignorance hereof, We have commanded this Declaration to be Printed and Proclaimed at the Market-croſs of Edenburgh, and the other Burghs within Scotland, where Proclamations have uſually been made.

Given under our Hands at Dalkieth, the 31th of January, in the year of our Lord, 1651. Ol. St. John. G. Fenwick. H. Vane. Rob. Titchborn. J. Lambert. Rich. Salwey. R. Dean. Geo. Monck.

A Declaration of the Parliament of Enggland, in order to the Ʋniting of Scotland into one Commonwealth with England.

WHereas the ſeveral Shires and Burroughs of Scotland hereafter mentioned, have by their Deputies aſſented unto the Tender of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, That Scotland ſhall and may be Incorporated into, and become one Commonwealth with England; whereby the ſame Government that is Eſtabliſhed here, and enjoyed by the Good People of this Nation, under the Free State and Commonwealth of England, as now ſetled without King or Houſe of Lords, may be derived and communicated unto them, with ſuch convenient ſpeed as the ſame can be made practicable amongſt them; That is to ſay, The Shires of Barwick, Haddington, Roxborough, Linlithgo, Dunbarton, Dumfreeze, Witon, Forfar, Aberdeen, Bamf, Bute, Lanerk, Kinkardine, Nearn, Sterling, Clackmannon, Edinburgſhire, Fife, Pebles, Selkirk, Orkney and Zetland, and Pearth; And the Burroughs of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, St Andrews, Pearth, Rothſea, Dundee, Aberbothick, Lauther, Haddington, Dunbar, North Berwick, Linlithgo, Queens-Ferry, Sterling, Rugland, Witon, Forfar, Montroſs, Bamf, Breichin, Brunt-Iſland; Crayl, Jedborough, Dunbarton, Cullein, Amſtroder-Weſt, Pittenweyn, Elgin, Cowper, Kinghorn, Innerkething, Kooleroſs, Kilrenny, Amſtrother-Eaſt, Selkirk, Diſert, Glaſgow, Innerneſs and Kircaldy; as by the ſeveral and reſpective Declarations, ſigned under the Hands of the ſaid Deputies of Shires and Burroughs, and preſented to the Parliament, and there now remaining, doth appear.

Upon conſideration whereof the Parliament have Reſolved, That a Bill be brought in for making the ſaid Union accordingly; and do Declare, That the People of this whole Iſland ſhall be repreſented in One Parliament, and be Governed by their ſucceſſive Repreſentatives therein; and that the People of Scotland ſhall ſend Members to ſerve in the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, in ſuch proportion and at ſuch time, as ſhall be hereafter declared.

And as to the particulars for the effecting hereof, and ſetling of the Laws and Government in Scotland, and other things neceſſary for compleating the ſaid Union, the Parliament do think fit, That a certain number of Deputies, to be Choſen and Commiſſionated in maner hereafter expreſſed, do attend the Parliament, or ſuch perſons, and at ſuch places as the Parliament ſhall appoint, on the behalf of the Shires and Burroughs of Scotland conſenting to the ſaid Union, with full power to effect the premiſes: And for-this purpoſe the Parliament doth Declare, That the reſpective Shires and Burroughs of Scotland, unto whom Warrants for Electing Deputies to meet with the Commiſſioners of Parliament at Dalkieth, have been formerly ſent by the ſaid Commiſſioners; and who in purſuance thereof have by their Deputies or otherwiſe, declared their Conſent unto the ſaid Union, which hath been received and allowed by the ſaid Commiſſioners of Parliament; or ſuch Shires and Burroughs as ſhall, after the publiſhing of this Declaration, and before the time herein appointed for the new Election of Deputies, declare their Conſent unto the ſaid Union, to the effect of what hath been already declared by the reſt of the Shires and Burroughs, and ſuch Declaration of theirs be accepted and allowed of by the Commiſſioners of the Parliament, or the Commander in chief for the time being in Scotland, ſhall be capable of chooſing and ſending Deputies for the intent aforeſaid: And all ſuch Shires and Burroughs as aforeſaid, that is to ſay, The Heritors and Rentallers of the ſaid Shires, and the Neighbors and Burgeſſes of the ſaid Burroughs reſpectively, are hereby authoriſed and required to meet at ſome convenient place within their reſpective Shires and Burroughs, at ſome time before the end of the Moneth of July next, and then and there to Elect and Chooſe for their Deputies reſpectively, perſons of known Integrity, and ſuch as have declared their Conſent to the ſaid Union, in like Numbers as formerly they were authoriſed to do by the Commiſſioners of Parliament reſiding at Dalkieth in Scotland, which perſons ſo Elected, are to be commiſſionated by their reſpective Shires and Burroughs, according to the Tenor following:

VVE Underwriters _____ _____ being authoriſed and required by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, to Elect _____ perſons of known Integrity, and who have declared their Conſent, That Scotland be Incorporated into, and made One Commonwealth with England; with power on our behalf, to meet with the reſt of the Deputies of Shires and Burroughs at Edinburgh, at or before the Twentieth day of Auguſt, One thouſand ſix hundred fifty two; and there by Vote of the major part of Deputies preſent, to Elect Fourteen perſons to repreſent all the Shires of Scotland conſenting to the Union as aforeſaid; and Seven perſons to repreſent all the Burroughs conſenting as aforeſaid, to attend the Parliament of England, or ſuch as they ſhall appoint, as is directed by their Declaration bearing Date the Five and twentieth day of March, One thouſand ſix hundred fifty two; and to have full power for effecting the matters expreſſed in the ſaid Declaration, Do give and grant for us and in our Name, and in the Name and behalf of _____ _____ unto _____ _____ full power to attend the Parliament of England, or ſuch perſons as they ſhall appoint, for effecting the matters expreſſed in the ſaid Declaration, and to do all things requiſite for the perfecting the ſaid Union; holding firm and ſtable what ſhall be ſo done by our ſaid Deputies, to all intents and purpoſes, as if we our ſelves had been in perſon preſent and done the ſame.

And are to meet at Edinburgh at or before the Twentieth of Auguſt next, and out of themſelves to Elect Fourteen perſons to repreſent all the ſaid Shires, and ſeven perſons to repreſent all the ſaid Burroughs; which One and twenty perſons are to make their repair to the Parliament of England, or to ſuch places in England as the Parliament ſhall appoint, upon the Firſt day of October, One thouſand ſix hundred fifty two, with Commiſſions to them or any Eleven of them, from the reſt of the ſaid Deputies of Shires and Burroughs, according to the Tenor hereafter expreſſed:

VVE Underwriters, Deputies for the ſeveral Shires and Burroughs hereafter named, That is to ſay, _____ _____ being thereunto authoriſed by our ſaid Shires and Burroughs, in purſuance of the Declaration of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England in that behalf, Dated the Five and twentieth day of March, One thouſand ſix hundred fifty two, have nominated and elected of our Number _____ _____ to repreſent our ſaid Shires, and _____ _____ to repreſent our ſaid Burroughs; which ſaid One and twenty perſons are to attend the Parliament of England, or ſuch perſons as the Parliament ſhall appoint, in purſuance of and for the ends expreſſed in their ſaid Declaration: And we do hereby give and grant, for us and in our Name, and in the Name and behalf of the ſaid Shires and Burroughs, unto the ſaid One and twenty perſons or any Eleven of them, full power to bring to effect the matters expreſſed in the ſaid Declaration, and to do all things requiſite for the perfecting the ſaid Union; holding firm and ſtable, what ſhall be ſo done by our Commiſsioners, to all intents and purpoſes, as if we our ſelves had been in perſon preſent and done the ſame.

And before the ſaid Deputies do proceed to the Election of perſons at their ſaid meeting at Edinburgh to attend the Parliament as aforeſaid, they are in the preſence of ſuch as for that purpoſe ſhall be thereunto appointed by the ſaid Commiſſioners, or by the Commander in chief of the Forces for the time being in Scotland, by writing under their Hands to declare their Conſent to the Union in maner following:

I A. B. being choſen and deputed by _____ _____ do declare my willing Conſent unto the Tender of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, That Scotland be Incorporated into, and made One Commonwealth with England, whereby the ſame Government that is eſtabliſhed in England without King or Houſe of Lords, may be derived to the People of Scotland; and that I will be True and Faithful unto the ſaid Government, and live peaceably under, and yield obedience unto the Authority thereof exerciſed in Scotland.

And for defraying the Expences of the ſaid Deputies appointed as aforeſaid to attend the Parliament upon this Service, it is thought ſit, and hereby declared, That twenty ſhillings Sterlin by the day be allowed unto each of the ſaid Deputies during this ſervice, from the time of their ſetting forth for England; and that according to the ſaid proportion of Twenty ſhillings Sterlin by the day there be advanced unto each of the ſaid Deputies, three Moneths allowance, which is to be paid them upon the place by the Commiſſioners at Leeth out of the Publique Revenue there, who are hereby authoriſed and required to iſſue the ſame accordingly.

And the Commiſſioners of Parliament for Managing the Affairs of Scotland, or ſuch as they ſhall appoint, are hereby authoriſed and required to cauſe this Declaration, by ſuch perſons as they ſhall appoint, to be publiſhed and made known unto the reſpective Shires and Burroughs as aforeſaid, in ſuch maner, as they may not pretend Ignorance thereof; and ſuch Publication ſhall to all intents and purpoſes be as effectual, for the authoriſing the ſaid Shires and Burroughs to proceed to this Election of Deputies as aforeſaid, as if particular Summons for that purpoſe had been granted unto each of them.

Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti. FINIS.