31 December 1616.
Letter from the king as to convention of estates.
JAMES R. Trustie and welbeloued we greete you well. Haueing
resolued, by Gods grace, to satisfie the hopes and wishes of our goode
and loueing subiects by our repayreing to that our ancient kingdom this
next approacheing somer, wherevnto our earnest desire and the necessarie
affaires of that our estate doe likewise invite ws, soe we haue not bene
careles and forgetfull of that which may impoirte the honour and credite
of our said kingdome, but haue spente our whole rente theirof and
bestowed other greate sowmes, farr exceadeing the reuenues of the same,
in repayring and inouabling of our houses, and prouyding of other
necessarie preparations fitte for our receipte there, whereby the noblemen, strangers, and vthers whoe will accompanie vs, maye neither see
markes of inciuilitie nor appearance of scarcetie and want dureing our
abode amongst yow; and although for these necessarie preparations there
is as much alreddie vndertaken by our officers as our coffers may conuenientlie affoorde, yet vpon examination of particulars wee finde many
things vnprouided which the rents of that our crowne are not hable to
furneishe, the consideration whereof hathe moued us to appoint a conuention of the estates of that our realme to be at Edinburgh vpon the
fyfth day of Marche next to aduise and resolue vpon the best meanes
whereby, with leaste hurte to our goode subiects, all defectes may be
supplied and the honour and reputation of that our kingdome preserved;
and therefore these are to will and reqvire you to send your commissioners
to the said convention instructed with full and ample power accoirding to
the ordour. And lookeing that your commissioners will preciselie keepe
the said diet and be in Edinburgh the fourthe of the said moneth at night,
that they may be reddie on the morrow therefter to meete with the rest
of the estates, as yee respect our obedience and seruice, wee bid yow
farewell. Geuin at our Pallace of Whitehall, the last of December 1616.
(L.S.) [Addressed:] To our trustie and welbeloued the Proueste,
Bayliffes, and Councell of Glascow.