182 A DRAUGHT OF A PROCLAMATION 



birth and the passing of the first part of our age hath 

 been in the one nation, and our principal seat and 

 mansion, and the passing of the latter part of our 

 days is like to be in the other. Which our equal 

 and upright holding of the balance between both 

 nations, being the highest point of all others in our 

 distributive justice, we give the world to know, that 

 we are constantly resolved to preserve inviolate 

 against all emulations and partialities, not making 

 any difference at all between the subjects of either 

 nation, in affection, honours, favours, gifts, employ 

 ments, confidences, or the like ; but only such as the 

 true distinctions of the persons, being capable or not 

 capable, fit or not fit, acquainted with affairs or not 

 acquainted with affairs, needing our princely bounty 

 or not needing the same, approved to us by our ex 

 perience or not approved, meriting or not meriting, 

 and the several degrees of these and the like condi 

 tions, shall in right reason tie us unto, without any 

 manner of regard to the country in itself; to the 

 end that they may well perceive, that in our mind 

 and apprehension they are all one and the same 

 nation : and that our heart is truly placed in the 

 centre of government, from whence all lines to the 

 circumference are equal and of one space and distance. 

 But for the further advancing and perfecting of 

 this work, we have taken into our princely care and 

 cogitations, what it is that may appertain to our 

 own imperial power, right, and authority : and what 

 requireth votes and assents of our parliaments or 

 estates ; and again, what may presently be done, 



