Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/405

LETTER LXXIII

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF LOUDON, CHANCELLOR OF THE KINGDOM OF SCOTLAND:

TO BE COMMUNICATED TO THE NOBLEMEN, GENTLEMEN, AND BURGESSES NOW IN ARMS^[1], WHO DISSENTED IN PARLIAMENT FROM THE LATE ENGAGEMENT AGAINST THE KINGDOM OF ENGLAND

Cheswick^[2], 18th Sept. 1648.

Right Honourable,—We received yours from Falkirk of the 15th September instant. We have had also a sight of your Instructions given to the Laird of Greenhead and Major Strahan; as also other two Papers concerning the Treaty between your Lordships and the Enemy; wherein your care of the interest of the Kingdom of England, for the delivery of the Towns^[3] unjustly taken from them, and “your” desire to preserve the unity of both Nations, appears. By which also we understand the posture you are in to oppose the Enemies of the welfare and the peace of both Kingdoms; for which we bless God for His goodness to you; and rejoice to see the power of the Kingdom of Scotland in a hopeful way to be invested in the hands of those who, we trust, are taught of God to seek His honour, and the comfort of His people.

And give us leave to say, as before the Lord, who knows the secrets of all hearts, That, as we think one especial end of Providence in permitting the enemies of God and Goodness in both Kingdoms to rise to that height, and exercise such tyranny over His people, was to show the necessity of Unity amongst

1. ‘The Whiggamore Raid,‘ as Turner calls it, now making a Treaty with Lanark, Monro, and the other Assignees of the bankrupt Hamilton concern. Expressly addressed, in the next Letter, as ‘Committee of Estates,‘ they now.
2. Cheswick, still a Manorhouse ‘of the Family of Strangeways,‘ lies three or four miles south of Berwick, on the great road to Newcastle and London.
3. Berwick and Carlisle, which by agreement in 1646-7 were not to be garrisoned except by consent of both Kingdoms.