* * * * * 1638.—May 16. 37. _Queries by Hamilton, and Answers by the King._[61] Queries whereunto Your Majesties Direction and Resolution is humbly prayed, that accordingly I may govern my self, and be warranted for my Proceedings. 1. If, before the publishing of the Declaration some of the chiefest of the Petitioners may not be prepared, and laboured to conceive aright of the same, and in general acquainted with Your Majesties gracious Intentions? _They may._ 2. Where the first meeting of the Council shall be? _Where you shall find most convenient, the City of Edinburgh only excepted._ 3. If your Majesty will not permit the Council to sit, where, and in such places as is conceived may tend most for the advancement of your Service? _Yes._ 4. If the Declaration shall not be read to the Council, and they required to sign the same? _By all means._ 5. If we shall not all swear to give our best assistance for the putting the same in due execution? _Yes._ 6. If any Councellour refuse to doe it, what course shall be taken with him? _Dismiss him the Council._ 7. If Acts of Council are not to be made, finding that this Declaration ought to free us of the fears of Innovations either of Religion or Laws? 8. If all Councellours are not to be warned to give their attendance till the business be settled? _Yes._ 9. If upon the publication of this Declaration there be Protestations made, what course shall be taken? _The Protesters must be proclaimed Rebels._ 10. If no Protestations but Petitions of new be presented, either demanding further satisfaction, or adhering to their former, what Answer shall be made, or what course taken? _Ut supra._ 11. If they remain still in a Body at Edinburgh or elsewhere, after the Declaration, what course shall be taken? _You must raise what Force you may to treat them as Rebels._ 12. If they should petition against the High Commission itself, as not to be introduced without an Act of Parliament, what Answer shall be given? _That they must be content with My Declaration in that point._ 13. If against the matter contained therein, it is then desired that those particulars may be expressed that will not be yielded to? _The settling thereof according to My Declaration will answer this._ 14. If it be pressed that what is now concluded, concerning the High Commission be ratified in the next Parliament, what Answer shall be given? _If I may be sure that a Parliament will doe it, I shall be content._ 15. If they Petition for a Convention, what Answer shall be given? _No Petition must be admitted till the Bond_[62] _be broken; if after, you may grant it, leaving the time to Me._ 16. If they petition for a General Assembly, that it may be once in the year, what Answer shall be given? _I will not be tied, but as I shall find cause._