evidently known by good tokens of the Earl of Seaford and others As for Huntley Aboine they did not only professe themselves open enemies to Montrose but also threatned to fall upon him by force of armes if he did not immedaitely submit to the Kings authority And Antrim being newly arrived out of Ireland in the HighlaÌ„ds without either men or arms busied himself to draw away all the Highlanders as his kindred and allies to himself from Montroses Army whom in scorn he call'd the Governour of the Low-lands making by this means an unseasonable fraction and apernicious one to his friends in those parts All which Montrose having well considered he was forced according to the Kings Command to disband his Army And truly that was amost sad day in which having solemnly prais'd and encourag'd his souldies as well as the occasion permitted he took his leave of them For although he bid theÌ„ to be of good comfort however and told them he saw some day-light of a blessed peace and that he did as much service to the King by his present submission as he had done before by his Martiall atchievements Yet notwithstanding they all conceiv'd that that was the last day of the Kings Authority in Scotland and all of theÌ„ beleeved for certaine that those Commands from the King were wrested from him upon the apprehension of greater dangers to his person if he had not given them And although some provision had been made by Articles in writing for their Indempnity yet they had rather have undergone the worst that could fall then survive idle unserviceable spectators of the miserable condition of their dearest King And it was no little vexation to those generous spirits to think what an unworthy opinion forraign Nations and their own posterity must needs have of them as if all the Scottish Nation had been unanimously guilty of Rebellion desertion of so good a King Besides their sorrow was much augmented with the consideration that their Generall who was most valiant most successefull and therefore most beloved should be taken off so unhappily from the King from his Country from themselves and all good men So that his souldiers falling down at his feet entreated him with tears in their eyes that seeing the safety of the Kings person depended so much upon it and he must of necessity depart the Kingdom he would be pleased to take them along with him into what part of the world soever he went Professing their readinesse to live and fight any where under his command and if God would have it so to die too And truly many of them were resolved though to the certain hazard of their lives and estates to follow him even against his will and knowledge and to offer him that service in an unknown land that they were able to afford him no longer in their miserable Country By the Articles to which the King had consented according to the desires of the Covenanters it was especially provided that Montrose should depart Scotland before the first of September and that they should finde him shipping vvith provision and all things necessary vvhen he went These things were transacted the first of August and a Port in Angus designed for Montrose whither they were to send shipping from whence he vvas to imbark And Montrose to prevent and remove all occasions of exception or suspition being accompanied only with his own servants a very few frieÌ„ds betook himself thither and waited for the shipping About this time his most implacable Enemies set abroad crafty feigned reports by their fit instruments wherein they confidently averred that the States of the Kingdome as they call'd themselves would by no means suffer that so gallant a Subject should be banished the Country For they knew not how great need they might have of a man of his worth especially if the King who had cast himself freely upon the affections of the Scots could not get any right of the English but should be put to seek it by force and armes and if it came to that no age had afforded a better Generall then Montrose And truly that was the earnest desire and expectation of most men who were not able to dive into the bottom of the Rebels plots but they had farre other designes in hand and another game to play For what their thoughts were tovvards the King the sad event made too manifest and for Montrose they laid very unconscionable unworthy traps to catch him For they did this that if they could flatter him up with such vain hopes entice him to stay in the Kingdome beyond his time appointed they might take hold of him upon the Articles cut him of with more credit August vvas almost spent and no news at all vvas to be had about the shipping or safe conduct therefore Montrose although he was resolved to be gone by the day the King had limited that he might the more fully grope the intentions of the Covenanters gave leave to some of his friends to deale with them for further time But when they brought him nought but uncertain doubtfull answers he had reason to think they intended nothing but to delude intrap him Besides vvhich made his suspition so much the greater there came a ship upon the very last day allowed for his stay to wit on the last of August into the haven of Montrose The Master of it was not only a stranger to him but a most rude and violent abettor of the Rebels the Sea-men and Souldiers men of the same temper malicious dogged ill-condition'd the ship it self neither victualled nor fit to goe to Sea So that vvhen Montrose shew'd himself ready to depart and bad them hoise their Sailes assoon as they could the Master of the ship told him that he must have some dayes allowed him to pitch and rigge his ship before he durst aduenture himself to the winde and vvaves And then making great brags of himself and his ship he drew forth a Commission vvhich the Covenanters had given him vvherein he vvas required to transport the passengers to certain places assigned by themselves and to carry no body else Moreover there lay great English ships and men of war every day in sight about the month of the River of Eâ—k vvhich makes the haven of Montrose attending there in favour of the Rebels for their much desired booty that by no means he might escape their hands But Montrose had sufficient notice of these treacheries and wanted not some friends of the Covenanters themselves who informed him by frequent messages that the Sea was sore pester'd with the English Navy and he could not escape safely either into France or the Low-Countries that the haven was upon the matter block't up in which he was to take shipping and therefore it was very perillous for him to go to Sea that his Enemies look't for nothing else then that either by making too long stay in his own Country he should fall into the hands of the Scottish Covenanters or by going he should be surprised unarm'd unawares by the English Rebells Montroses friends that were with him were of opinion that it was best for him in so apparant a danger to return into the Highlands draw his men together again conceiving that he had better trust the fortune of war then so perfidious a peace But be forbore to take that course especially because of his most ardent affection to the King For he was assured if the war brake forth again it would be laid upon the King though undeservedly and so he should bring his Person into present danger perhaps as much as his life was worth Therefore being straightned on every side one vvay vvith treachery plotted against his ovvne another against the Kings anointed head he determined with an unalterable resolution to bearall the burden upon his own shoulders And therefore he vvithdrevv himself not out of rashnesse as if he despair'd of safety at the worst but out of sage discreet deliberation For when he had smelt out the plots of the Rebels before-hand he had sent some a good while agoe to search diligently the Havens in the North and if they chanced to finde any outlandish-vessell to agree with the Master for the fraught and to appoint him to be ready to put to Sea at such a day and to transport the passengers which should be ready with him by the help of God into Norway By good fortune there was found in the haven of Stanhyve a small bark of Bergen in Norway and the Master was soon agreed with for he was very glad of the opportunity having hopes for getting Thither Montrose sent away Sir Iohn Hurrey Iohn Drummond of Ball Henry Graham his brother Iohn Spotswoad nephew to that great Sir Robert Iohn Lily a Captain of approved skill and courage Patrick Melvin such another George Wischeart Docter of Divinity David Guttherey a stout young Gentleman Pardus Lasound a French-man once a servant to the noble Lord Gordon after wards entertained for his Masters sake by Montrose himself one Rodolph a German an honest trusty young man a few servants more And these he had pick't out to carty a long with him whithersoever he vvent for this reason especially because he knevv the Rebels to be so maliciously bent against most of them then they could not be safe for never so little a vvhile in that Country And they on the third of September having a good vvinde put forth to sea for Norway And the same evening Montrose himself accompanied only with one Iames Wood a worthy Preacher by a small cock-boat got into a Bark which lay at anchot without the Haven of Montrose and being clad in a course suit the Lord and Patron passed for his Chaplains servant This was in the year of our Lord 1646. the 34. year of his age FINIS
appearing beares his name to this day and by the neighbouring inhabitants is called Graemsdijke And this same founder of that Noble race after the death of his Sonne in Law King Ferguse being declared Administrator of the Kingdome and appointed Governour to the young King his grandchilde was no lesse famous for his peaceable Government then exploits of warre For having recalled and brought home againe the Doctors and Professors of the Christian faith banished by late persecution warre to their native Countrey settled aswel the Church as Kingdome with wholesome Laws of his own free accord gave up the Government to his Grand-child now grown to some ripenes oâ— yeares He lived in the dayes of Honorius and Arcadius Emperours about the yeare of our Lord 400. from whose loynes sprang a long flowrishinâ— stemme of sons and nephewes who inheriting still that theâ— greate Grandfathers Vertues grew famous in the following generations Among these that valiant Graeme was eminent who with Dunbarre brought timous aide to his Countrey then in greate danger by the Dones who having overpowered England from thence with greate Armies often but in vaine invaded Scotland And after that most Noble Iohn Graeme came short for vertue just renowne of none of all his auncestors who after the fatall end of Alexander the third of that name King of Scots in the time of the interraigne Bruce and Baliol then disputing which of them two had the iuster right and title to the Succession with that so justly admired William VVallace Governour of the Kingdome played the most valiant Champion for defence and recoverie of his Countreys libertie from the unjust usurpation of Edward the first King of England In the which quarrell after manie gallant acts atcheived by him like a worthie Patriotte he died nobly fighting in the Field The sepulchre of this renowned Knight is yet exstant in a Church called Fallkirk for Wallkirk from the foresaid Wall of Severus or Graems dijke neare to which it is built about the which wall also the Lord Marques of Montrose enjoyeth divers large fruitfull farmes or feilds by right of inheritance from that first Graeme through so manie hands ages transmitted unto him Yet least we may seeme only to deduce this most famous worthie the splendour of his noble Pedegree from the obscure trace of so remote antiquitie we shal descend to later better known times And so cannot passe his Grandfather Earle of Montrose in silence who almost in our own memorie was raised to places of greatest honour and trust in that Kingdome which he most faithfully and worthly discharged For being Lord High Chauncelour of Scotland at what time Iames the sixt of that name of ever blessed memorie went to possesse the crowne of England he was by the same King created and left behind him Viceroy of Scotland in which highest place and degree of dignitie he died aequally beloved and deare to King and people And then the Father of this man singularly endowed with all eminentest graces of mind and body so as few living in his time could equall him and no lesse famous in forragne nations then at home For when he hade performed many honourable Embassages for King Iames was by King Charles declared Lord high President of the Supreme counsell and being snatched away in his prime by an untimly deathe from his King countrey and all good men he died much lamented and highly estemed in every mans affections And now what men should think of and hope from this present man Grandchild to the Viceroy and Lord high Presidents Sonne let every one that pleaseth judge by the things he hath already atcheived when now it is a yeare and an halfe since he left that Kingdome and yet hath not attained to the thirty and sixth yeare of his age One thing only more will I adde in thy favour Courteous Reader from the auntient Monuments of that Kingdome That three almost fatall periods have threatned heretofore the Scots Nation first from the Romans whose yoke our farefathers did shake of under the conduct of that first Graeme who was lineally descended out of that auntient noble Brittish family of the Fulgentij The second from the Danes who that they never gotte the Masterie and Lordship over vs we owe it especially to the greatest valour of that second Graeme The third from the English Normans whom that thrid Graeme ofâ—ner then once did beate and drive out of Scotland and in many bitter conflicts did them much mischeiffe So that as they were wont to say of the Scipions in Afrik we may say of our Graems that that name by a luckie destinie hath been appointed for the succour of their native covntrey in greatest dangers distresses that in these the worst times that ever was this man was not raised but by speciall divine providence to preserve the Kings just rights to restore to his fellow subjects their wonted peace libertie safetie and infinitly to encrease the auncient splendour and glory of his own Family And this is all that I thought fitt to have briefly praemised of my Lord Marquis of Montrose Now of the Authour himself conceive this much That he is a man not very conversant in these Studies nor ambitious to be praised for excellency of wit which he acknowledges to have but small or none nor covetous of reward or gaine which are the sharpest spurres that in this age doe push men to it to putte hand to the Pen. But that he did put hand to this worke only being enflamed with and ardent zeale of propagating truthe to after ages forraigners For how many are ready to patronise and magnifie even greatest villanies when they prosper and how few to advance and defend truth once afflicted cast downe he had learned by too late and sad experienc ein a cauâ—e very neare of Kinn to this When the conjured Rebells of both Kingdomes by their ordinary tricks of lying and slandering had overthrown the Church that with the revenues thereof purchased by hellish sacriledge they might sacrifice to their own greedie avarice and enrich their children with the heavie curse of God yet wanted they not those who extolled them to the skies as well deservers of their Countrey yea of the verie Church it self which they have pillaged and even of all mankind in generall when on the contrarie they proscribed defamed rent and tore a peeces with al manner of blasphemies and curses all those most holy men of God Confessors Martyrs for so they were indeed who constantly and couragiously opposed and withstood their rapines And therefore he thought it was no wayes to be doubted that those same men who by the same wicked practises weÌ„t about to pul under feete the Majestie of so good a King to swell high with his honours prerogatives and patrimony which they had gained by perfidious trecheries rebellions treasons would find too to many such sycophants whereof the world is full who by
observed all his behaviour words and deeds After this marching over the river of Tine fourâ— miles above Newcastle by the treachery of the Englisâ— Commanders who had retreated to York with a potenâ— Army of the Kings the Scots possesse themselves oâ— that Towne and thereupon Commissioners being appointed on either side to treat of a Peacâ— a Trucâ— was presently made In the time of this Truce Monâ— trose had sent letters unto the King professin ghis fideâ—lity and most dutifull and ready obediency to hiâ— Majesty nor did the Letters contain any thing else These being stoln away in the night and coppied ouâ— by the Kings own Bed-chambermen men most endeaâ—red to the King of all the world were sent back by theâ— to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashioâ— with those very men to communicate unto the Coâ—venanters from day to day the Kings most secret counâ—sels of which they themselves onely were either auâ—thors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort oâ— the Rebels were not ashamed to taxe Montrosse bitterly enough with those letters and all though they durst not make an open quarrell of it or call him publiquely to account because he was so powerfull and welbeloved in the Army yet they loaded him with back bitings slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers through out the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to winde and turn the mindes of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor do yet then this to have those doughty Oratours in their popular preachments to raile bitterly against the King and all his loyall Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speake being themselves the while the very shame and scandall of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majesty from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joynes many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himselfe in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his royall priviledges and ancient and lawfull Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as foraign unto the last breath in their bodies And truly it came to that passe that there had been an open division in the Army which was his aim had not some for fear levity or cowardise which are bad keepers of counsell betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Heare arose no small stirres and braules but were pacified againe in a while for neyther yet durst they offer any open violence to Montrose But afterward the confederates having given a new oath made sure the Army at their devotion and joyning themselves to the Parliament of England in a strict Covenant although they saw themselves secure enough from the subtlest designes of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose Heroick spirit being fixt on high honourable howsoever difficult atchievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts promises they had corrupted they understood that the King had written letters to Montrose and that they were quilted in the saddle of the bearer one Stuart belonging to the Earle of Traquair The beater was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehend him rip his saddle finde the letters There was nothing at all written in them which did not become the best of Kings to command the best of Subjects to obey Neverthelesse those most exact crafts-masters in the arts of Lying and Slandering set about horrible and tragicall reports by their apt Ministers that at last all the Kings plots with Montrose for the overthrow of Religion the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publique tryall but on a suddain when he suspected nothing thrust him with Napier Lord of Marchiston and Sir Sterling Keer Knight two both of his neer kindred and intimate familiars into the castle of Edinburgh At length a Pacification being made between the people of both Kingdomes between whom there had been no war onely they laid their heads together against their most just and gracious King a Parliament was called at Edinburgh where the King in person was present Montrose desires most earnestly to be tryed before the King and that solemne Assembly but to no purpose for the Covenanters being conscious enough of his innocency and their own guilt applyed their speciall endeavours to detain the Gentleman in prison unheard untill such time as the King was got out of Scotland and they had concluded all things with the King in Parliament according to their hearts desire And certainly they were much afraid lest by his wisdome and courage and the esteem he was in as well with his Peers of the Nobility as with the people he should have fetch 't off the greatest number of either sort to his own resolution for the preservation of his Majesties Power and Authority At last the King returning into England Montrose and his friends are set at liberty and because it was ordered in Parliament that he should not come into conference with the King he sat still a while at his own house This was towards the end of the year 1641. CHAP. II. IN the year 1642. the Covenanters of both Kingdomes began to unmask themselves let us see more plainly what they meant to do The Rebells in Eng-England began to vexe the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malitious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurâ—ilous songs and Ballads villifie him in infamous Libells Pasquiâ—ls or Pamphlets raise Tumults arme great numbers of the scumme and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings palace in a word threaten all extremity to him his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to reser them to the Parliament that he might the more oblige it unto himself But it was to no end for so gracious a King to gratifie that many things more to so ungracious so ingrateful men who were the very authors and abettors of these villanies For he had already granted more and greater Graces to his Subjects for the ease of their grievances which they pretended and the security of their persons and estates then all his ancestors the Kings of England together from William the conquerour downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself his family from present danger he is forced sore against his mind to depart London He sends the Queen out of the way into Holland for the safety of her life betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith before the King take up armes
men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was uncertaine And truly they being doubtfull and solicitous what might be the successe of so great warlike preparations they knew were in providing did deferre the execution of the prisoners Montrose upon his journey found the Lord Areskin very sick but his clients whose fidelity and valour hee had had sundry experiences of even in the absence of their Lord all in a readinesse if Aboine did but doe his part for they depended much upon his example and authority And now the Marquesse of Huntley after he had plaid least in sight for a year and some moneths it is hard to say whether awaken'd with the newes of so many victories obtain'd by Montrose and the reducing of the Kingdome or by the deceitfull influence of some bad starre was returned home An unfortunate man unadvised who howsoever hee would seem most affectionate unto the Kings Cause perhaps was so yet he endeavoured by a close and dishonourable envy rather to extenuate Montroses glory then to out-vie it Which seeing it was not for his credit openly to professe even before his own men who were sufficient witnesses of Montrose's admirable virtues lest by that he should discover some symptomes of a heart alienated from the King yet he gave out that for the time to come he would take upon himself the conduct of that War against the Rebells therefore he commanded his Tenants and advised his friends and neighbours scarce without threats to fight under no command but his own And when they replyed What shall wee then answer to the Commands of the Marquesse of Montrose whom the King hath declared Generall Governour of the Kingdome and Generall of the Army He made ansvver That he himself would not be wanting to the Kings service but however it concerned much both his and their honour that the King and all men should knovv vvhat assistance they had given him which could not otherwise be done then by serving in a body by thē selves Moreover he fell to magnifie his own povver and to undervalue Montrose's to extoll unto the skies the noble Acts of his Ancestors men indeed vvorthy of all honour to tell them That the Gordons power had been formidable to their neighbours for many Ages by gone and was so yet That it was most unjust that the atchievements gotten with their bloud and prowesse should be accounted upon another mans meaning Montrose's score but for the future he would take a course that neither the King should be defrauded of the service of the Gordons nor the Gordons of their deserved honour favour and reward All these things the simpler sort tooke to bee spoken upon all the grounds of equity honour in the world but as many as were understanding men and knew better the disposition of the person saw through those expressions a minde too rancorous altogether indispos'd towards Montrose and that his aime was to fetch off as many as he could from him not only to the utter ruine of the King and Kingdome but even to his own destruction which God knowes the sad event made too manifest Nor were there wanting amongst them desperate men and of good fore-sight who condemned this counsell of his as unwise unseasonable and pernicious even to himself For they considered with themselves that he never had any designe that did not miscarry either by bad play or bad luck That businesses were better carried by Montrose and it was ill to make a faction◠upon the poore pretence of his carrying away the honour of it For if Huntley joyned his Forces and communicated his counsels unto Montrose he should not be onely able to defend himself but subdue his enemies and gaine unto himself the everlasting honour of being one of the Kings Champions but if he should make a breach in that manner it would prove not onely dishonourable but destructive to him That Montrose it could not be denyed had got many and eminent victories with the assistance of the Huntleys but they had done nothing of note without him Therefore they earnestly desired him constantly to adhere unto the Kings Lieutenant which as it would be both acceptable and advantageous to the King so it would be well taken with good men and honourable to himself Nor did some of them fear to professe openly that they would yeeld their duty and service to Montrose if Huntley should stand out in his humour and they were as good as their words But he refusing the advice of his friends resolved what ever came on 't to run counter too Montrose nor did Montrose ever propose any thing though never so just or honourable or advantageous which he would not crosse or reject And if at any time Montrose condescended to his opinion which he did often of purpose he would presently change his minde seeming to comply with him sometimes before his face but alwayes averse unto him behinde his backe and indeed scarce wel agreeing with his own self For all this Aboine being at that time solicited by many expresses from Montrose and the importunity of his own friends that he might be some way as good as his word met him with a considerable party at Druminore a Castle of the Lord Forbeses He brought with him fifteen hundred Foot and three hundred Horse all chearfull and ready to undergoe any hazard under the command of Montrose And truly assoon as ever they met Aboine freely protested hee would carry those men that hee had whithersoever the Lord Governour should lead him but there were many more behinde which for his scantnesse of time he had not got together which his brother Lewis would bring after him Montrose extolling highly his fidelity and pains turned back again almost the same way he came that taking up the Lord Areskins and the Marre Forces by the way and climbing over Gransbaine hee might fall dovvn into Athole and Angus not doubting vvithin a fortnight to be able to passe over the Forth with a great Army The first dayes journey Aboine and his men marched with a good will but the next night his brother Lewis whom Montrose had placed under the command of the Earl of Crawford conveighed himself homewards with a strong party of Horse making as if he meant to encounter some Troops of the Enemy and carried along with him as many Souldiers as he could get upon pretence of a guard Crawford returning brought word that Lewis was gone home but would be back again next day for so he had made him beleeve though he intended nothing lesse then to come back A youth liable to sensure for more feats then that But when upon the third day they came to Alford it was observed that Aboines men were slow to stand to their colours that they loytered in their march that their ranks were thin and disorder'd and that they ran away by whole Companies almost every night and at last their
Aberdene he was taken prisoner by the Enemy was condemned unto death which he had not escaped except for fear of death he had harkened nto Argâ—yle who most unworthily set a price upoâ— Montroses head and promised great rewards honours and preferments to whomsoever should bring it in and had taken upon himself to commit that treason which he abhorred with all his soule By which shift having his life liberty giveÌ„ him he returned straight to Montrose and discovered all unto him beseeching him to be more carefull of himself for not he onely vvho heartily detested so high a villany but many more had been offered great matters most of whom would use their best endeavours to dispatch him The next was Alexander Ogleby of whom we also spake before eldest son to Sir Iohn Ogleby of Innercarit descended of an ancient family and much renowned in the Scottish Chronicles He was but yet a youth scarce twenty but valiant above his age and of a present and daring spirit Nor can I hear or so much as conjecture what they had to lay to his charge but that new and unheard of Treason to wit his bounded duty and loyalty to his King But there vvas no help for 't but Argâ—yle must needs sacrifice that hopeful youth if it had been for nothing but his names sake for he bare an implacable fewd to the Oglebyes The third vvas Sir Philip Nesbit of an ancient family also and Chief of it next his Father who had done honourable service in the Kings Army in England and had the command of a Regiment there Nor can I discover any reason they had to put him to death neither besides that which is used when they have nothing else to say that mad charge of the new high Treason except it was that their guilty consciences suggested unto them that that courageous and viglant man might take occasion sometime hereafter to be even with theÌ„ for the horrid injuries they had done his Father his Family However these men suffer'd a noble death with patience and constancy as became honest men and good Christians And unto these there are two brave Irish Gentlemen that deserve to be joyned Colonell O-Cahen Colonel Laghlin odious unto the Rebels only for this impardonable crime that they had had many experiments of their courage and gallantry These Irish Gentlemen were murthered indeed at Edinburgh but many more were doom'd to the like executioÌ„ at Glascow had not MoÌ„troses unexpected approach within a few miles of the City had so much influence that it repriev'd them till another time The Lord Governour was very much perplexed with the newes of these mens death it was a question whether he was more vex't at the cruelâ—y of the Rebells or the negligeÌ„ce if not treachety of his friends For besides Huntley whose Forces he had so long in vaine expected to come with his son Aboine Mac-donell also himself of whoÌ„ he entertained an exceeding good opinion being ofteÌ„ sent unto invited also by the nearnesse of the place although the time appointed by himself was already past gone made no appearance of his approach Six weeks had now passed since Aboine had engaged himself for the Northern Forces the winter then which our age never saw sharper was already deeply entred Besides the aids that the King had sent under the commaÌ„d of the Lord Digâ—y were defeated al which might easily have been salv'd and the Kingdome reduced againe if those great Professors of loyalty had not plaid loose in that good Cause Therefore at last on the 20. of November Montrose departing from Levin and passing over the Mountains of Taich now covered with deep snow through woods and bogges whose names I do not at this time well remember crossing also through Strath-Erne over the Tay returned into Athole There he met Captain Ogleby and Captain Nesbit whom he had formerly sent with the Kings instructions unto Huntley And they bring word the man was obstinate and inflexible who would beleeve nothing that they said when they unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings businesse better then they or the Gouvernour himself and neither he nor any of his Children should have any thing to doe with him Moreover he sharply threatningly reproved his friends clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them then with Rebells Neverthelesse the Lord Governour thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them whiles he treats with the Athole men for the setling of the Militia of that Countrey he sends again unto Huntley by Sir Iohn Dalyell as a more fit mediator of friendship Who was To informe him of the danger the King and Kingdome was in and so of the present misery that hung over his all faithfull Subjects heads and to make it appear unto him that it was no ones but his and his sons fault both that they had not brought in the supplies into Scotland which the King had sent and that the prisoners who were gallant and faithfull men had been so cruelly butchered and that yet there were many more remaining that had near relations to Huntley himself some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebels would cut of after the same fashion unlesse they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least he would grant the Kings Governor the favour of a friendly conference promising he would give him abundant satisfaction Huntley although he answered Dalyel in all things according to his wonted peevishnesse yet he was most of all averse to a Conference as fearing seeing he should have nothing to answer to his arguments and reasons the presence the confidence and the wisdome of so excellent a man But Montrose assoon as things were setled in Athole that he might leave nothing unattempted that might possibly bring him to better thoughts resolved dissembling all injuries and obliging him by all good offices to surprise him and be friends with him whether he would or no and to treat with him concerning all things that concern'd his Majesties service Therefore in the moneth of December he forced his way very hardly through rivers and brooks that were frozen indeed but not so hard as to bear mens waight over the tops of hills and craggy rocks in a deep snow and passing through Angus and over Gransbaine drew his Forces into the North and almost before he was discover'd marched with a few men into Strathbogy where Huntley then liv'd But he being struck with his unexpected approach upon the first newes he heard of him lest he should be forced to a Conference against his will immediately fled to Bogie a Castle of his situated upon the mouth of the Spey as if he intended to ferry over the river and to wage war against the Rebelles in Murray And now it comes into my minde briefly to enquire what night be
the same libertie of calumniating and reproaching would backbite this most excellent worthie and his Heroicall actions And what men say of the waspes that they sucke the juice from most fragrant wholesome flowers which by their own stings or tongues they empoyson so would these Harpyes strive to deâ—ile his most noble exploits convert them to poyson and gall by their venimous tongues pens and as such offer and present them to the ignorant and unwarie world Against this Mischiefe the Author thought good to offer this short plaine discourse as a timely antidote to all that love sinceritie and truth whose so faithful constant a maintainer he professeth and avoucheth himself that though he did well foresee that he should derive upon himself no small hatred and envy of many mightie men yet he resolved neither servilly to flatter them nor to envolue the truthe in obscure doubtfull or ambiguous termes For as he was borne and bred a freeman so hath he vowed never to forsake his libertie but with his life And though he be ambitious of no other commendation of a good Historian either of wit or art or eloquence yet this he thinks he may boldly challenge as his due that he hath sette down the simple and naked truth which to assert and publish to the world he hath foresaken undervalued all those things which this world holds dearest thrice robd and ploundered of all his goods thrice cast in vilest and ugliest dungeons or prisons and now the third time banished for the same yet is he cheerfull and gladd in heart that being guiltie of no crime before men the Lord hath counpted him worthie to suffer these things for truth and righteousnes sake Love him then at least for his truths sake Courteous Reader of what rests make the best you can by a faire and candid interpretation Farwell Courteous Reader Be pleased to Correct these Faults which by reason of the compositors not understanding the English Language is committed with some few more in the live nature Page 2. Line 18. for firname read surname Page 4. L 20. for professin ghis read professing his Page 32. L 28. for wat read what Page 64. L 6. for know read known Page 70. L 21. for Cordon read Gordon Page 79. L 20. for march read match Page 109. L 20. for Lodg'g read Lodg'd Page 171. L 14. for hig read high The Affaires of the King in SCOTLAND under the Conduct of the most Honourable Iames Marquesse of Montrose Earle of Kinkardin c. and Generall Gouvernour for his Majesty in that KINGDOME In the years 1644 1645 1646. IAmes Marques of Montrosse having at first sided with the Covenanters in Scotland very actiuely bestowed his too too Succesful endeavors in their behalfe For at that time they Pretended to nothing else but the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignity of the King the Lawes of the Land and the freedome of that ancient Realme so happily so valiantly defended in time of yore from such powerful enemies as the Romans Saxons Danes Normans by the sweat and bloud with the lives and estates of their Ancestours And the tales they made they never wanted fitting instruments to tell and spread among the people It was given out that there was nothing more in the aime of the Court of England then that that free people being reduced to a kind of Province should be eternally enslaved unâ—der the power of their old enemies Yet all thiâ— while they engaged themselves by their publique atâ—testationes and even a solemne Oath that they woulâ— never goe to worke by force and armes nor solliâ—cite the King any other way then by Petition Thaâ— he would be pleased graciously to accept the supplications of his humblest Subjects and to take ordeâ— that his dearest Countrey should suffer nothing iâ— matter of Religion or the liberty of the Subject But at last in the yeare 1639. Montrose found ouâ— that these faire tales were coyn'd of purpose to steale the hearts of the silly and supperstitious multitude and to alienate them from the King as an enemy to Religion and Liberty For the Covenanters did noâ— dissemble to him but spoke out that Scotland had been too long governed by Kings nor could it ever bâ— well with them as long as one Stuart that 's the firname of the Kings family in Scotland was alive and in the extirpation of them they were first to strike at the head so that Montrose easily perceived the Kings Majesty and Person was levelled at Therefore vehemently detesting so horrible a crime hee resolved to desert the Conspirators side to frustrate their counsels to impoverish their store to weaken their strength and with all his might to preserve His Majesty and his Authority entire and inviolate But because betweene force and craft the Covenanters had drawâ— in almost all the kingdome to their side he saw himselfe alone to weak to check their power and thereforee thought not good to open himself too suddenly or rashly Amongst them he had many friends men very considerable as well in regard of their numerous retinues and clients as of their wealth and authority these he had a minde to draw off from them and bring them with him to the Kings and by this meanes conceived he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safety and his owne Meane time the Covenanters raise a strong army against the King and in a solemne Convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montrose was absent then Which resolution of theirs the chiefe of the Covenanters had taken up in their cabinet counsels more then six weeks before and to that purpose had been busie in divulging through al Great Britain their Apologeticall Pamphlets whereby they laboured to set a good gloosse upon the reasons of their Expedition This resolution of theirs Montrose being returned seeing he could not hinder would not seem to disaprove Montrosse commanded in this army two thousand foot and five hundred horse his friends who were most obliged unto him and had religiously promised their best endeavouâ—s in the Kings service had the command of five thousand more And truly if a great part of them had not beene worse then their words they had either brought the whol Army along with them to the King or at least had broken the neck of the Covenanters designes When the army came to the river of Tweed which 〈◊〉 the border of the two Kingdomes dice were cast aâ—mongst the Noblemen and Commanders and it waâ— Montrose's his chance to passe first over the river which he cheerfully performed on his feet his own foot soulâ—diers following him that he might more easily conâ—ceale his own resolution and take off all occasion oâ— suspition For as well his authority in the Army aâ— the integrity of his noble spirit began to be looked oâ— with a jealous eye by the guilty-conscienced Rebells so that they diligently