THE grand Committee of the Estates of Scot­land met (and sate downe) on Tuesday Feb. 15. 1647 And the Lord Chancellor Loudonne (with the rest of the Commissioners) went on in making their reports to them, declaring what they offered to the King, what answer they had from him at Hamp­ton-Court, and what Papers they had dilivered into the Parliament of England: Something concerning the City of London; and severall passages about all of them, The grand Committee of the Kirke sat that day also.

Wednesday Feb. 16. The Scots Commissioners went on in their reports of the English negotiation. And a Committee was appointed to draw up Instructions for the Lord Chancellour to receive, and report the addresses of the English Commissioners, which was the lesse hastened because all the English Commissio­ners were not come to Edenburgh. The Lord Chan­ellor protested to the Committee of Estates that he had and would (to his uttermost) labour to make good [Page 2] the interest of the Kingdome of Scotland, in what trust hee was reposed by them. The Grand Com­mittee of the Kirke appointed the next Lords day to be a publique Humiliation in all the Churches in E­denburgh, and parts adjacent, and appointed a Com­mittee to draw up a Declaration of the causes thereof.

Thursday Feb. 17. The Commissioners of the King­dome of Scotland gave account to the Estates con­cerning the businesse of the Kings going to the Island of Weight, as also the addresses to Him there, and some overtures between the Parliament and them a­bout it. Divers English Malignants here (for here are good store of them in this City) were very mery that day; some of them were foxed before night, and ma­ny healths were drunke to King Charles (by them) but they did not meet (altogether) with their expectation, (Sir Marmaduke Langdale, and Colonell Layton, and divers others that were Officers under the King, are here, but not very flush of money, and not many friends, their meetings are most among themselves, and though fauned on by a few, yet laughed and jear­ed at by most: They would faine stirre up the minds of the people to rise against England for the King, but have no great influence. Here is like to bee a great contest (because of many factions) and when the end will be God knowes.

The Grand Committee of Estates were moved that the English Commissioners might be sent to, and (for that purpose) the Lord Chancellours Instructions brought in and passed, The Estates being advertised that there were foure of the English Commissioners then come, viz. the Earle of Nottingam, Mr. Ashurst, Colonell Birch, and Mr. Robert Goodwin, whereupon [Page 3] the Committee were appointed to bring in the In­structions the next day.

Friday, Feb. 18. The Lord Chancellour Londone was dispatched, and had his Instructions for going to the English Commissioners to receive their addres­ses the next day. The substance of Instructions were, To repaire to the Earle of Nottingam (and the rest) the next day from the Estates and to receive such ad­dresses as they wer authorized unto from both Houses of the Parliament of England, to communicate to the Committee of Estates of the Kingdome of Scotland.

The Marquis of Arguile made an excellent speech before the Estates moving to peace and amity, de­claring how the Lord hath blessed the two King­domes, joyning in his cause, and moving that all may labour to strengthen that unity between both Kingdomes.

Instructions were given from the Commissioners of the Kirke, to the members of the City of Edenburgh, and parts adjacent, concerning the publique humili­ation to bee on the Lords day following, That the Lord should be pleased to stay the Plague lately bro­ken forth in and about the City, that the Lord would direct the Estats and enable them to maintain the Co­venant: That the Lord would purge out all Secta­ries out of the Kingdome of Scotland: And that the Lord will settle them in peace, &c.

On Saturday Feb. 19. The Lord Chancellour came to the English Commissioners, The Earle of Notting­ham, Mr. Robert Goodwin, Mr. Ashurst, and Colonell Birch being at their Quarters in an Inne (for no house is yet assigned to them nor I do not know whether a­ny will at all) And his Lordship made aspeech (after a [Page 4] short (complement of salute to them).

The English Commissioners told them that they had addresses to make to them from the Parliament of England.

The Lord Chancellour demanded by what autho­rity they came.

The English Commissioners shewed him what gave satisfaction in that particular also.

For ought I finde, the English Commissioners are not heartily welcome to Scotland, but they carry them­selves faire in outward civilities, onely they doe not provide a place sutable to their receptions at Worce­ster House in the Strand when they alwayes come to London.

The Lordsday Feb. 20. Was a day of publique hu­miliation at Edenburgh, and the parts adjacent Mr. Marshall (when he was here before was intreated to preach by many of the Scots Clergie, but now hee) is not desired to come into any of their Pulpits, hee askes not, nor doe they offer, only he Preacheth be­fore the English Commissioners, and many come to heare him. The Scots Ministers thundred in their [Page 5] Pulpits against Sectaries and Covenant-breakers &c. But I doe not heare that any of them speake any thing about the King either one way or other

Malignants interpret them to include the King as being one branch of the Covenant, but this is sub-in­telligitur.

I pray God compose all our differences; that wee may be cordiall and love sincerely.

The City is very full (it is said) seldome hath been seen the like, But (me thinkes) I could not find the Churches so full, Many honest men were much displeased, at the carriages of some English travellers that are here, that might finde better imployment at home.

Yester day the Committee of Estates chose Com­mittees who are to consider of the Papers, according to Instructions, so that ther cannot be much expected from hence untill the Parliament sit about March the sixt next.

Our Commissioners are not received in that capa­sity by the Estates) as was expected.

When the Parliament sits here the great question will be, whether they will condescend for an Army to passe into the Kingdome of England.

The Scots are yet quiet and there is no appearance of any considerable visible force acting or levying, only what the imaginations of the Cavaliers doth produce, who are somewhat high in the South part of Scotland, and speake broad words.

The cheifest matters which have passed betweene the Committee of Estates of Scotland, and the Com­missioners from the Parliament of England are to this effect.

The English Commissioners, communicated Pa­pers to the Scots, advertizing that they were sent from the Parliament of England to cleare them of labours and indeavours for continuance of peace betweene the Nations, and to take off misrepresentations, de­siring that they may be heard in such things as shall be objected against their proceedings, that so there may be continued a right understanding between the Nations.

They received a Paper backe from the Scots, of their order for the Chancellor to receive what they had to present.

The Commissioners shewed their letters of cre­dence from the Houses of Parliament to the Parlia­ment of Scotland, a Paper was sent them backe that the Parliament was (since the date of the said letters of credence) risen,

The Commissioners then sent in another Paper, concerning their Instructions from both houses of Parliament to treate with the Committee of the Estates of Scotland, which having passed both Houses is of power equivalent as an Ordinance:

This Answer is now under debate by the Grand Committee of Estates, where it was declared (by divers of the Members,) that it would be a breach both of the Covenant and Treaty to refuse a Treaty with the English Commissioners, seeing that they are appoint­ed by authority of both Houses.

You in England may suppose delay, but need to feare no breach from hence, to ingage new warres. God send an happy peace, So prays,