MONTROSE REDIVIVUS OR THE Portraicture of James late Marquess of Montrose Earl of Kincardin c. 1. In his Actions in the years 1644. 1645. and 1646. for Charles the First 2. In his Passions in the years 1649. 1650. for Charles the Second K. of Scots LONDON Printed for Jo. Ridley at the Castle in Fleet-street neer Ram-alley 1652. Jaques Marquis de Montrose Counte de Kingcairne Seigneir de Graeme Baron du Mount dieue etc A Paris P Pontius sculpsit To the Reader THere are a few things courteous Reader of which I would not have them ignorant who shall chance to peruse this short Historie whereof some concern the Lord Marquesse of Montrose whose Actions in his Country for two years space are here published and others have relation to the Author of this work And first of all I desire thee to take notice that Montrose is the Chief of that antient and famous Family of the Grahams and is called in old Scotish Graham more the great Graham He derives his Pedegree from that famous Graham in the Histories of Scotland who was son-in-law to Fergus the second King of the Scots and was the first that with the assistance of his father-in-law cast down that Trench which Severus had made and set out for the utmost limit of the Roman Empire between the Scotish Frith and the River of Cluid at such a place where Great Britain was narrowest and by that means cut the power of the Romans shorter Whence it happens that some evident remains of that Trench retain his name amongst the Inhabitants to this day who call it Gremesdike The same Graham from whom this noble Family took its rise surviving his father-in-law Forgus and being a man as able for Civill as Military employment was made Protector unto his Nephew and Regent of the Kingdome and after he had fetched back the Doctors of the Christian Faith who had been vanished by the late wars and setled as well the Church as State with excellent Laws freely resigned the Government into the hands of his Nephew when he came to age He flourished in the time of the Emperours Arcadius and Honorius about the year of our Lord CCCC From whom hath descended in a fair and straight line a long and noble row of Posterity who imitating the vertue of their Ancestors have been famous in the succeeding generations Amongst whom that valiant Graham was eminent who with the help of Dumbarre so seasonably rescued his Country from the Danes who were then Masters of England and had frequently but with little successe invaded Scotland with mighty Armies And in after-times that noble John Graham came nothing behind his Ancestors in vertue and honour who after the death of Alexander the Third in that vacation of the Kingdome while Bruce and Bailiol disputed their titles was with that renowned Vice-roy William Walley a stout maintainer of his Countries Liberty against the unjust oppression and tyranny of Edward King of England and after many heroicall exploits fighting valiantly for his Nation dyed in the bed of Honour His Tomb is yet to be seen in a Chappell which hath the name of Folkirk from the aforesaid Gremesdike by which it stands Adjoyning unto which the Marquesse of Montrose hath large and plentifull possessions descended by inheritance unto him from that first Graham But lest I should seem to derive the Nobility of so illustrious a worthies extraxion only out of the rubbish of dusty and obscure Antiquity I must not omit that his Grandfather the Earl of Montrose was advanced unto places of the greatest honour in that Kingdome and discharged them most happily For being Lord Chancellour of Scotland at such time as King James the Sixth of blessed memory came to the Crown of England he was created by him Vice-roy of Scotland and enjoyed that highest Honour which a Subject is capable of with the love and good affection both of King and People to the day of his death And his Father was a man of singular indowments both of body and mind and so known to be both in Forraign Countries and at home who after he had performed many most honourable Embassages for King James was called to be Lord President of the Session by King Charles and being snatched away from his Countrey and all good men by an untimely death was extremely lamented and missed And what we may think or hope of the grandchild I leave unto thee to judge by what he hath done already seeing he is yet now a year and a half after his employment in his Country scarce entred upon the 36. year of year of his age One thing more I must adde for thy sake good Reader three Periods already have been very dangerous and almost fatall to the Kingdome of Scotland the first by the oppression of the Romans whose yoke our Ancestors cast off by the Conduct of that first Graham descended of the noble British Family of the Fulgentii The second by the Danes therepulse of whom is owing especially to the the prowesse of the second Graham aforesaid And the third by the English and Normans whom the third Graham twice expelled out of Scotland and gave them many and great defeats So that as it was of old spoken of the Scipioes in Africk it seems the name of Graham is something fatall to their enemies and lucky to their country at a dead lift and that it was not without the speciall providence of God Almighty that in these worst times One stood up who did his best endeavours to maintain the Kings just Rights and Authority the Peace Safety and Liberty of the Subjects and the Honour and antient splendour of his House And this is all I thought good at this time to premise concerning the Lord Marquesse of Montrose And for the Author of the Book take it briefly thus Hee professeth himself to have been but little conversant in these sort of studies and expecteth neither credit or commendation for the strength of his wit which he acknowledgeth to be little or none nor reward or profit for his Pains which two things are the chiefest incentives to most to Wet their pen but that he undertook the businesse meerly out of a desire to propagate the truth to other Nations and to posterity For hee saw by late and lamentable experience in such a Cause as this that prosperous Villany can find more Advocates than down-cast Truth and goodnesse For when the same Confederates in both Kingdomes had by their own arts that is by lying and slandering ruined the Church to fill their bags with its Revenues so sacrilegiously purloyned and enrich their posterity with plentifull Anathema's and accursed things there wanted no store of men that extolled them for it to the skies as men deserving highly from their Country from the Church it self and from all man-kind and reviled with all sort of reproaches and contumelies the most religious servants of God holy Martyrs and Confessors for withstanding them And therefore he
might well imagine that these men who by the same devises laboured to render his Majestie himself odious and so to destroy Him to enjoy his Honours and Revenues so traiterously and perfidiously purloyned would easily find men who should out of the like rayling humour bespatter as much as in them lay this most excellent man and all his honourable atchievements and as it is said of Wasps poyson with their tongues or pens the juice of most sweet and wholsome flowers and leave the lesse knowing or lesse wary to suck it up He was therefore pleased to offer this short and faithfull Narrative as a seasonable antidote against that evill to all that loved truth and plain dealing of which he would needs be so obstinate a maintainer that although he saw well enough how much envie and hatred it would derive upon himself hee resolved he would neither basely slatter any one nor lap up that truth which they would not like to bear in obscure and doubtfull Expressions For hee professes that as he is a Free-man born and bred so he will never part with his Freedome till with his life And although he be ambitious of no other commendable quality of a good Historian neither of wit nor art nor eloquence yet he seems to challenge in his own right the honour of sincere and exact truth for the defence and propagation whereof he hath set at nought all that was dear in this world having been thrice plundered of all that he had thrice imprisoned in a nasty and filthy Jail and now the third time lives in banishment for the Truths sake Yet he is merry and chearfull that being conscious to himself of no wrong as towards men he is counted worthy of the Lord to suffer these things for truths and righteousnesse sake And thou good Reader make much of him at least for his truths sake excuse him for other things and farewell The Affairs of the King in Scotland under the Conduct of the most Honourable James Marquesse of Montrose Earl of Kinkardin c. And Generall Governour for his Majesty in that Kingdome In the Years 1644 1645 1646. 49 50. SOmetime James Marquesse of Montrose sided with the Covenanters in Scotland and very forwardiy bestowed his unhappily happy endeavours in their behoof They pretended to nothing then lesse than the preservation of Religion the Honour and Dignitie of the King the Lawes of the Land and the freedome of that antient Realm so happily so valiantly defended in time of yore from such powerfull enemies as the Romans Saxons Danes Normans by the sweat and blood with the lives and estates of their Ancestors 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 aim of the Court of England than that that free people being reduced to a kind of Province should be eternally enslaved under the power of their old enemies Yet all this while they engaged themselves by their publike attestations and even a solemn Oath that they would never goe to work by force and arms nor sollicite the King any other way than by Petition That he would be pleased graciously to accept the supplications of his humblest Subjects and to take order that his dearest Country should suffer nothing in matter of Religion or the Liberty of the Subject But at last in the year 1639. Montrose found out that these fair tales were coyn'd of purpose to steal the hearts of the silly and superstitious multitude and to alienate them from the King as an enemie to Religion and Libertie For the Covenanters did not dissemble to him but spoke out that Scotland had been too long governed by Kings nor could it ever be well with them as long as one Stuart that 's the sirname 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 Majestie and Person was levelled at Therefore vehemently detesting so horrible a crime he resolved to desert the Conspirators side to frustrate their counsells 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 between force and craft the Covenanters had drawn in almost all the Kingdome to their side he saw himself alone too weak to check their power and therefore 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 authoritie these he had a mind to draw oft from them and bring them with him to the King and by this means conceived he should be able to gather no small power which would conduce much both to the Kings safetie and his own Mean time the Covenanters raise a strong Army against the King and in a solemn Convention at Duns they determine to invade England Montrose was absent then Which resolution of theirs the chief of the Covenanters had taken up in their cabinet counsels more than six weeks before and to that purpose had been busie in divulging through all Great Britain their Apologeticall Pamphlets whereby they laboured to set a good glosse upon the reasons of their Expedition This resolution of theirs Montrose being returned seeing hee could hinder would not seem to disapprove Montrose 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 endeavours in the Kings service had the command of five thousand more And truly if a great part of them had not been worse than their words they had either brought the whole Army along with them to the King or at least had broken the neck of the Covenanters designs When the Army came to the river of Tweed which is the border of the two Kingdomes dice were cast amongst the Noblemen and Commanders and it was Montrose's chance to passe first over the river which he cheerfully performed on his feer his own foot Souldiers following him that he might more easily conceal his own resolution and take off all occasion of suspition For as well his authority in the Army as the integrity of his noble spirit began to be looked on with a jealous eie by the guilty-conscienced Rebells so that they diligently observed all his behaviour words and deeds After this marching over the river of Tine four miles above Newcastle by the treacherie of the English Commanders who had retreated to York with a potent Army of the Kings the Scors possesse themselves of that Town and thereupon Commissioners being appointed on either side to treat of a Peace a Truce was presently made In the time of this Truce Montrose had sent Letters unto the King professing his fidelity and most dutifull and ready obedience to his Majesty nor did the Letters contain
which also they have recorded among their publique Acts neverthelesse they provide thmselves for a march into England Now that they might the better secure their affairs at home they labour tooth and nail to draw Montrose of whom almost only they were afraid again to their side They offer him of their own accord the office of Lieutenant-Generall in the Army and what ever else he could desire and they bestow He seeing a mighty storm hovering over the Kings head that he might give him an account of it whereby it might be timely prevented undertakes a journey into England taking the Lord Ogleby into his counsell and company At Newcastle he receives news that the Queen being newly returned out of Holland was landed at Birdlington in York-shire thither he makes haste and relates unto the Queen all things in order She having had a rough passage and being not well recovered from the distempers at Sea told him she would advise further with him about that businesse after they came to York Thither being come the Queen of her own accord calls for Montrose he opens the whole story over again and makes it appear that there was no lesse danger from the Scotch than from the English Covenanters if they were not timely suppressed And being asked his opinion what was best to be done answered To resist force with force told her the King wanted not Subjects in Scotland faithfull men and stout nor did they want hearts or wealth or power to oppose against the covenanters if they durst enterprise any thing against the King all that they wanted was the Kings Commission without which they durst doe nothing with which any thing and all the danger that was was in delay That the Covenanters when they had once got their Army one foot would be able to grind any one to pieces that should offer to stir therefore the beginnings of so great an evill were to be withstood and the Cockatrice bruised in the egge that physick being too late that comes when the disease hath over-run the whole body Wholsome counsell it was and seasonable which doubtlesse the most prudent Queen had approved of But while things were going on in so good a posture all things were quash'd by the comming of the Duke Hamilton out of Scotland upon pretence of kissing the Queens hand and gratulating her happy return but in very deed that he might overthrow Montrose his counsells for he had posted thither with the knowledge and consent of the Covenanters Nor did hee himself dissemble that there was some danger from the Scotish Covenanters but he laboured to extenuate it and condemned the counsell of Montrose as rash unadvised and unseasonable That stout and warlike Nation was not to be reduced with force and arms but with gentlenesse and courtesies Warre especially Civill War should be the last remedy and used many times to be repented of even by the Conquerours The fortune of Warre was uncertain if the King should get the best it would be but a sorry triumph he could enjoy over his own Subjects but if he had the worst on 't he must expect what his soul good man abhorred to speak All means were to be tryed to preserve peace with that Nation nor were things yet come to that passe that the King should despair of amity and reconciliation with them Hee would bee ready to take the whole businesse upon himselfe if the King pleased to commit it to his pains and trust and to authorise him sufficiently thereunto Montrose replyed nothing would come of that but the delay of time untill the Traitors having raised an Army should prevent the King of any means to deliver himself and his party from their tyranny The sad event proved all this to be too true but in this debate Montrose was fain to suffer himself to be overborn being not so great a Courtier as the other nor were those vertues which the world now admires discovered then unto the Queen Hamilton returning into Scotland seemed to be as Active for the King aâ— was possible The Covenanters mean-while by their own authority contrary to the known Lawes of the Kingdome summon a Parliament at Edinburgh which all understanding men that wished well unto the King foresaw would be of very dangerous consequence to his affairs and therefore abhorred it so much that they intended not to honour it with their presence But Hamilton interposing the name and authority of the King invited them by his Letters that they would not fail to be all there and that they should not doubt but they would be able to out-vote the Covenanters if at this time they were not wanting to the Kings cause And if it should happen otherwise hee would be ready with his friends to protest against the Covenanters and immediatly to leave them Abundance of the Nobility incited by the name of the King and those hopes were present at that Parliament only Montrose and a few of his adherents staid away And with Montrose too the Duke had dealt by his friends that as he loved and honoured the King he would joyn himself unto them But he who bad reason to suspect all motions that came that way answered that he was ready to grapple with any difficulty especially under his command who had so great as honour as to be the Kings supream Commissioner only on this condition that the Duke should engage his honour that if they could not bring up that Parliament to righteous things he would endeavour to enforce them by the dint of the sword He answered he would protest he would not fight Which passage considered Montrose to preserve his integrity expecting the issue betook himself to his own home In that Parliament the Covenanters out-voted the Loyall party by seventy voyces or thereabouts trampled upon the Royall authority arrogated unto themselves the power of calling of Parliaments pressing Souldiers sending Embassadours and other things hitherto unattempted without the Kings knowledge or consent And to make up the measure of their presumption and treason ordain that a powerfull Army shall be raised against the King and in the aid of their confederates of England To which purpose they tax the people with new Subsidies and Levies much heavier then if all the Impositions which upon never so much necessity for two thousand years space by one hundred and nine Kings have been charged upon them were put together Montrose therefore who saw the King was like to be ruined by his own authority and saâ—â— too that he was too weak to oppose hmself both against the strength of the Covenanters and the Kings abused Commission in a melancholy mood made as if he took no notice of any thing And the Covenanters supposing that he had received some distaste from the King by reason of the affront he received at York and Hamilton's over-powring him they set upon him yet again privately and by friends to see if by intreaty or interest they could draw him to their side
their accusers and judges both to condemn the innocent men who were destitute of all patronage and protection But Ogleby who was not onely the most eminent of them for Nobilâ—ty and power but also was a Hamilton by his mothers side and cousen-german to Lindsey pretending himself sick with much adoe got so much favour as to have his mother wife and sisters suffered to visit him in prison Which when he had obtain'd whilst his keepers in reverence to the honourable Ladies withdrew out of his chamber he immediatly puts on his sisters gown which she had put off and was dressed in all her attire She also put on his cap in which he used to lie sick in bed and lay down instead of her brother At last many salutations and some tears passing on both sides at eight of the clock in the night in the habite and likeness of his sister hee deceived his keepers who lighted him out with candles and torches And immediately departing the City he took horse which he had laid for him with two of his followers and before morning was got out of danger But when the next day his observant keepers hand found out their mistake Argyle was so unable to contain his wrath and revenge that he would needs have the noble Ladies and the more noble for this their compassion and adventure brought in question for it But he could not effect it for by reason of the equity of their cause they found much stronger friends than he could of the Hamiltons and Lindsey by whose connivence it is conceived by many that all this Comedy was acted but in a thing that is uncertain I shall determine nothing This cleanly conveyance of Ogleby out of their hands vext the Rebells exceedingly and made them almost wilde whence it happened that they made a quick dispatch of the rest And the first that suffered was Collonel Nathaniel Gordon a man of excellent endowments both of body and mind Who being neer unto his death bitterly lamented with many tears that the carriage of his youth had been much otherwise than it ought to have been And when being ready to die they offered him an Instrument to signe wherein he was to testifie his repentance he subscribed it without any more adoe and withall call'd God and his Angels and the men there present to witnesse that if any thing was contained in that paper which was contrary to the King his Crown or authority he utterly disavowed it Then being absolved from the sentence of Excommunication under which he lay for adultery long since committed to the great grief of the beholders he laid down his neck upon the block A man subject indeed to that fault but famous for his valour and souldiership both in forein Countries and at home The next that was brought upon the Scaffold yet reeking with the bloud of Collonel Gordon was a man worthy of everlasting memory Sir Robert Spotswood one rais'd by the favour of King James and King Charles unto great honours as his singular vertues did merit King James made him a Knight and a privy Counsellour King Charles advanced him to be Lord President of the Session and now but of late Principall Secretary of Scotland This excellent man although his very enemies had nothing to lay to his charge through all his life they found guilty of high Treason which is yet the more to be lamented because he never bore arms against them for his eminency lay in the way of peace not knowing what belong'd to drawing of a sword This was therefore the onely charge that they laid against him That by the Kings command he brought his Letters Patents unto Montrose whereby he was made Vice-roy of the Kingdome and generall of the Army Neverthelesse he proved at large that he had done nothing in that but according to the custome of their Ancestors and the Laws of the Land And truly he seemed in his most elegant Defence to have given satisfaction to all men except his judges whom the Rebells had pick'd out from amongst his most malicious enemies that sought his death so that questionlesse they would never have pronounc'd that dolefull sentence if they had but the least tincture of justice or honesty But to speak the truth a more powerfull envy than his Innocency was able to struggle with undid the good man For the Earl of Lanerick having been heretofore Principall Secretary of the Kingdome of Scotland by his revolt unto the Rebells forced the most gracious and bountifull King to the whole family of the Hamiltons to take that Office from so unthankfull a man and bestow it on another nor was there any one found more worthy than Spotswood to be advanced to so high an honour And hence happened that great weight of envy and revenge to be thrown upon him which seeing he was not able to bear out he was forced to fall under And now Spotswood being about to die abating nothing of his wonted constancy and gravity according to the custome of the country made a Speech unto the people But that Sacrilegious thief Blair who stood by him upon the Scaffold against his will fearing the eloquence and undauntednesse of so gallant a man lest the mysteries of Rebellion should be discovered by one of his gravity and authority unto the people who use most attentively to hear and tenaciously to remember the words of dying men procured the Provost of the City who had been once a servant to Spotswoods father to stop his mouth Which insolem and more than ordinary discourtesie he took no notice of but letting his Speech unto the people alone he wholly bestowed himself in devotions and prayers to Almighty God Being interrupted again and that very importunatly by that busie and troublesome fellow Blair and asked Whether he would not have him and the people to pray for the salvation of his soul He made answer That he desired the Prayers of the people but for his impious Prayers which were abominable unto God he desir'd not to trouble him And added moreover That of all the plagues with which the offended Majesty of God hath scourged that Nation this was much the greatest greater then the Sword or Fire or Pestilence that for the sins of the people God hath sent a lying spirit into the mouth of the Prophets With which free and undeniable saying Blaire finding himself galled grew so extremely in passion that he could not hold from scurrilous and contumelious language against his father who had been long dead and against himself who was now a dying approving himself a fine Preacher of Christian patience and Longanimity the while But all these things Spotswood having his mind fixed upon higher matters passed by with silence and unmoved At last being undaunted and shewing no alteration neither in his voyce nor countenance when he laid down his neck to the fat all stroke these were his last words Mercifull Jesu gather my soul unto thy Saints and Martyrs who have run
indeed not so proper for our intention in this brief narration which is to satisfie the curiosity of all in the manner of his last entrie his defeat death and buriall if it may be so call'd Things for ought I know as yet set down in no certain relation Wee shall therefore setting aside his forreign endeavours bring him upon that same stage where his Tragedie had both its beginning and ending Only that you may have a more lively representation of his personall vertues we shall give you to understand in what high estimation the Marquesse was with forreign Princes as well as with those of England and Scotland and point at these honours which did seem to court his magnanimitie beyond the Seas In France with the generall consent of the Princes of the blood and the rest of the Nobilitie he was design'd Captain Generall of all the strangers in that kingdome A trust which those know that are acquainted with the warres of France of very high consequence for in them consists the whole strength of the kingdome But this advancement of the Marquesses was by Cardinall Mazarini crossed or delayd who was alwayes a professed enemie to Scots in that kingdome From thence he took his journey to Holland where the Prince then was in pursuit of his former intentions but here he met with as great crosses and impediments as he had done in the bowels of his own Country Duke Hamilton who was his irreconcilable enemie was now his competitor and being then at the Hague labour'd by all means possible to undermine or prevent the Marquesses designs With him were the Earl of Lautherdale and the Earl of Calender men both of eminent parts whom the Duke by severall engagements had made firm to his purposes They were both very earnest for a Commission The Duke having interest in the Prince by blood could not think that any in that trust could justly be preferrd before him alleging likewise that he might be more able to perform any design in that kingdome his kindred and allies and those of his Name being very powerfull and in the very heart of the kingdome Whereas Montroses souldiers whom he trusted most and employed in his former action were either kill'd or dispersed And those whom he had left so terrified and squeezed in their estates that they were utterly unable to help him On the other part the Marquesses fidelitie pleaded much for him his notable achievements his poor and slender beginnings which made him so much the more capable for that undertaking it being requisite the Prince should employ such an instrument as the case then stood being destitute of all means to help him The Prince who knew how needfull it was to reconcile two such eminent Persons who being joyn'd might draw the greatest part of that kingdome after them fayling of which either of them was sure to oppose the other that should be employ'd made it it his main drift to unite them Severall meetings were appointed to this purpose but all in vain neither could any industrie prevail to make an agreement so inveterate was their malice each to other so jealous were they one of anothers proceedings This variance made a long demur in that expedition which was farre sooner intended The causes of which were partly set down in the beginning of the Historie and partly hatched by the Duke himself who looking as he was a man very ambitious of honour upon all the Marquesses actions with a squint eye fretted much that there was any within the same kingdome who so farre surpass'd him in gallantrie and esteem nor could he brook that any one should possesse the Kings ear so much as he and for these reasons he employd his utmost endeavours in defeating all Montrose's enterprises But his Brothers known disservices and bad successe together with his own neglect or ill managing of businesse at Strivling bridge much retarded and obscured his claym to the Kings favour in the particular he sought for And to speak impartially the Marquesses worth and experience was such that it did easily sway the ballance in any indifferent mans judgement even though the other two had been thrown in to make up the weight The Marquesse having against his will spent a great deal of time in these disputes departed at last from Holland and travell'd up into Germanie and so to Austria The Emperour who in his late warres against the Swede hath been very unsuccessfull hearing of his arrivall invited him to his Court and amongst many other honours conferr'd upon him freely proferr'd him the Command of ten thousand men which should be a standing Army constantly to be recruited With free power to engage at his own discretion without receiving orders from any but the Emperour himself Which charge the marquesse being willing to accept and about to receive yet rather that he might if it were possible advance that cause which he had in hand than for any desire of honour he was prevented by that happy peace concluded betwixt the Emperour and the Swedes which all who love the Common good of Christendome wish to be lasting and perpetuall Being from thence very honourably dismiss'd he addresses himself to the Dukes of Brandeburg and Holsteyn from the last of which he receiv'd those ships which were kept a great while at Amsterdam to no purpose being three or four very fair Vessels and well mann'd Which Prince would have willingly contributed more to that service but that he perceiv'd that which he had before given to be so misemployed wherein both he and the Marquesse were grossly abus'd as in the ensuing relation shall appear Great were the promises which had been made to the Marquesse by many other Princes but they proved very slack in the performance so that the assistance which was so generally expected proved nothing else but a meer formalitie and complement But the season of the year being now fit for Action he resolves with what speed he can to call together those which he could get and to that purpose removes to Hamburgh from whence he might have a convenient passage to the Northern Isles of Scotland But ere we further proceed it will not be imperrinent to our purpose to take a slender view of that kingdom whither this expedition was intended and of the condition wherein it then was Scotland was then in a reasonable posture of quiet for the old grudges by taking away the heads of factions whereof some had suffer'd after Philip Haugh and others were detain'd Prisoners in England were rak'd up for a while And a certain number of Horse and Foot modell'd into an Armie was muster'd and dispos'd of in severall places of the kingdome to prevent any forreign invasion or any homebred insurrection which might happen These were commanded by David Lesley Collonel Mountgomerie Col. Straughan c. being in all fifteen hundred Horse and three thousand Foot commanded by Lieut. Generall Holborn This handfull did at that time over-awe and keep under the discontented
partie though farre more powerfull For besides those which had been disbanded by the Earl of Lanerick and Major Generall Munroe at the bridge of Striveling there flock'd daily out of England great companies of those who had escaped out of Prison who finding their estates Sequestred and seiz'd upon and withall most tyrannically proceeded against by the hot-spirited Ministerie desired nothing more than an opportunitie of revenge Besides these he had a considerable number of his own name and faction in the North. The Gordons the Athole-men who if he had not been crush'd at his first entrie would certainly have assisted him This conditiun of the kingdome made the Marquesse appear like a prodigious Mereor hanging over their heads which awak'd those who sate at the helm of the State whom it did indeed most concern to endeavour the defeating of his attempts both at home and abroad For this purpose was there a folemn Message dispatch'd to the Prince then Resident at the Hague whom presently upon the News of his Fathers death they had proclam'd King inviting him home upon certain conditions which were publish'd in this kingdome and need not therefore be inferted In the mean time the Marquesse who had now gathered together a companie of gallant Gentlemen aswell English as Scots makes all possible hast Dispatches Collonel John Oglebie to Amsterdam to entertain such strangers as might be for his purpose But he forgeting his Commission bestowed both moneys and pains in entertaining himself suffering those who upon any termes would have engaged to shift for themselves There being a great number who had fled out of England and more who had lately deserted the French or been cashier'd from the Hollanders service Thus were these goodly Vessells sufficiently provided for service lost by his neglect and a limb of the design broken There happen'd about this time another businesse which did much retard the Marquesses affairs Collonel Cochran who had been dispatch'd Commissioner into Poland to the Scotish Merchants there to require their assistance having procur'd very considerable summs of money upon that score and other provision for the furthering of that expedition dispos'd of the money for his own uses made sale of the corn and provision together with the vessell which was provided for the transportation of it and did himself turn tayl to the quarrell This was another disappointment Generall King likewise whom the Marquesse expected out of Sweden with a considerable party of Horse either could not be ready so soon as was expected or else delayd the time of purpose But the Marquesse as is supposed fearing lest he should have an expresse command to desist from his purpose because the Treaty betwixt the Prince and the Scotish Commissioners was now very neer a conclusion did precipitate himself and those that were with him into most inevitable ruine Now all those great leavies and aydes Those mighty preparations for the invasion of a kingdome settled in a posture of warre and well forwarn'd of his intentions amounted not above the number of six or seven hundred at the most strangers and all The common souldiers which adventur'd over with him most of them Holsteyners or Hamburgers He had sent him by the Queen of Sweden for the arming of such Gentlemen as should upon his arrivall betake themselves to his partie fifteen hundred arms compleat for Horse back brest head-piece Carrabines Pistolls and Swords all which after his defeat in Cathanes were taken untouch'd With this small preparation it was a desperate action to attempt so mightie a businesse And although his touching first upon the Islands did encrease his number and gave him almost the beginning of an Armie Yet were those barbarous people so raw and unacquainted with discipline that they prov'd in a manner uselesse and unserviceable 'T is true the Inhabitants of those Isles were a people in former times very fierce and warlike and have under their own Captains made many great Impressions into the very heart of the kingdome But whether it was the Policie of the late Kings to leave them untrain'd of purpose to break their naturall fiercenesse or because their own Captains being quell'd or cut off they cared not much to engage under any another certain it is That kingdome for two hundred years last past hath not made lesse use of any they had under their jurisdiction nor have they at this present lesse opinion of any Scots for Military courage and valour And this may be alleged as a great cause of their remissnesse and unwieldinesse whilst they were in the Marquesses service I told you a little before of Montrose's whole Strength which did accompany him from Germanie whereof two ships with neer upon a third part were sent before but by storm of weather which is both frequent and dangerous amongst those Northern Islands they were lost with all the men and arms nothing sav'd This was another check and as it were a warning a fore-runner of the sad event which followed But the businesse being fatall he must needs contribute his own endeavours towards that destruction which his cruell fortune had provided for him For he nothing terrified with this successe sends out a second partie which making a more prosperous voyage landed at Orkney and enter'd the Island without any resistance There being at that time no Garrison or defence placed in any of those Islands by the States of Scotland Together with these he sent severall Commissions for levying of Horse and Foot Immediatly there were severall dispatch'd to Scotland and the Islands adjacent for that purpose The people of the Countrie being in no condition to resist these officers endeavoured in hopes of favour as much as they could to further the design And those who were not so earnest were by their own neighbours favourers of the cause and these violent Commissioners forc'd to take up Arms. Not long after landed the Marquesse himself with the rest of his companie together with those Gentlemen which resolv'd to partake of his fortune Amongst whom were severall persons of note Collonel Hurry was there a man who had engaged in all quarrells but never prosper'd in any The Lord Frenderick for his kinsman the Lord Napier was left in Holland Collonel Jonson a resolute man and an old souldier Coll. Gray a German souldier Harry Grahame his own naturall brother Coll. James Hay of Naughton Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie George Drummond of Ballach For he had employed as was thought Collonel Sibbalds his companion heretofore as his Agent in Scotland But he was apprehended at Musselburgh and did accompanie his Generall in death upon the same Scaffold The Marquesse continued a considerable time in Orkney raising of Forces and strenghning himself with such recruits as the place would afford Neither was there any preparation at all made in Scotland to dispossesse him of these Islands either because it might be thought a difficult businesse to assail him within those places naturally guarded with a rough and
any thing else These being stoln away in the night and copied out by the Kings own Bed-chamber-men men most endeared to the King of all the world were sent back by them to the Covenanters at Newcastle and it was the fashion with those very men to communicate unto the Covenanters from day to day the Kings most secret Counsels of which they themselves only were either authors or partakers And some of the forwarder sort of the Rebels were not ashamed to tax Montrose bitterly enough with those Letters and although 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 backbitings and slanders among the people For they had obliged unto themselves most of the Preachers throughout the Kingdome whose mercenary tongues they made use of to wind and turn the minds of the people which way they would Nor did they promote their Rebellion more effectually any other way nor doe yet than this to have those doughty Oratours in their popular preachments to rail bitterly against the King and all his Loyall Subjects as the enemies of Christ as they love to speak being themselves the while the very shame and scandall of Christianity Montrose returning into Scotland and thinking of nothing but how to preserve his Majestie from that storm of Rebellion hanging over his head at last resolved of this course He joyns many of the prime men for Nobility and Power in a League with himself in which they vowed to defend the Kings Majesty and all his Royall Privileges and antient and lawfull Prerogatives with the hazard of their lives and estates against all his enemies as well home-bred as forraign 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 cowardife which are bad keepers of counsell betrayed the whole businesse to the Covenanters Hence arose no small stirs and brauls but were pacified again in a while for neither 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 designs of any private man yet they seriously consult how they should take Montrose out of the way whose heroick spirit being fixt on high and honourable howsoever difficult at chievements they could not endure To make their way therefore unto so villanous an act by the assistance of some Courtiers whom with gifts and 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 Earl of Traquair The bearer was scarce entered the borders of Scotland but they apprehend him rip his saddle and find 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 and the ruine of the Kingdome were found out and discovered Nor yet neither durst they afford him a publike tryall but on a sudden 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 only 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 solemn 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 Gentlemen in prison unheard untill such time as the King was gone 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'd 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 awhile at hâ—s 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 and let us see more plainly what they meant to doe The Rebels in England began to vex the King with unjust unreasonable unseasonable Petitions and Complaints bespatter him with malicious slanders prophane his sacred Name in scurrilous songs and Ballads vilifie him in infamous Libells Pasquills or Pamphlets raise Tumults arm great numbers of the scum and rascally sort of the people and engage them upon the Kings Palace in a word threaten all extremity to him and his whom although he might have justly punished himself yet he chose rather to refer 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 and many things more to so ungracious so ingratefull 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 than all his Ancestors the Kings of England together from William the Conquerour downward Therefore at last that he might withdraw himself and 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 and betakes himself to York The States of Parliament as they call themselves forthwith and before the King take up arms and divert those very Forces which the King had appointed for Ireland which were then in a readiness and whose Officers had been of the Parliaments choosing hoping by them to overthrow the King himself The Rebells in Scotland who knew well enough the King would have strength sufficient to deal with the English Rebells resolved upon no termes to be wanting to their confederates in so apparent danger as they were And although our most gracious King had given them satisfaction as much as ever they could desirâ— in that Parliament at Edinburgh aforesaid
offering him authority and wealth even the greatest Honour Civill and Military Which offers he did not seem much to slight that by that means he might have an easier way to dive into their counsels The Covenanters that this growing friendship might be the better cemented and sanctified God blesse us send unto him that great Apostle of their Covenant Alexander Henderson who should give him full satisfaction in all his scruples Montrose heartily desired to speak with that fellow out of whom he doubted not to pump all the secrets of the Covenanters and lest a private meeting with such a man should give a scandall to the Kings friends he took the Lords Napier and Ogleby and Sir Sterling Keere to be witnesses of the discourse and on the bank of the river Forth not far from Sterling they met Montrose made as though he accounted himself very happy and much honoured in the visit of so worthy a man upon whose faith honesty and judgement he so much relyed Told him That to give the ill opinion of his enemies leave to breath it self after some late mistakes he was content to stay at home that he knew nothing of what was done in Parliament that he was almost at losse how to behave himself in that ticklish Condition the Common wealth stood and therefore beseeched him for old acquaintance sake to let him freely know what they intended Henderson taking it for granted by these expressions that he was wheeling about towards the Covenanters that he might the more oblige the Marquesse unto him answered him flatly and without more adoe That it was resolved to send as strong an Army as they could raise in aid of their brethren of England against the Kings forces that the Covenanters of both Kingdomes had unanimously agreed upon this either to dye or bring the King to their lure that nothing could fall out more happily than that he should renew his friendship with his Peers of the Nobility and the rest of the Kingdome that so doing he would give great content to all men besides the honour and profit that would redound to himself that by his example others if others there were that idolized the empty shadow of the Kings name would joyn themselves unto the Covenanters and for his own part he would give most bearty thanks unto his Lord God that he had vouchsafed to make use of him as the Minister and ever Mediatour of so great a work and at last entreated him to speak out his mind and commit all such things to his care and industrie as he should desire from the Parliament either in relation to his honour or profit assuring him he should be satisfied to his hearts desire Montrose having gotten out the knowledge of those things which he eagerly sought for now bethought himself how he should keep Henderson and his party in suspence awhile that they should not yet get within him For what answer could he give them If he should professe himself to be against their courses that would do the King no good and might bring a great deal of danger upon himself and on the other side to put them in greater hopes of him by promising those things he never meant to perform he scorned as being a stain unto his honour Therefore he takes this course there was present at that conference with Henderson one Sir James Rollock Chief of a very antient and flourishing Family his former wife had been Montrose his Sister after whose death he married the Sister of the Marquesse of Argyle the ring-leader of the Covenanters in Scotland thus being allied unto them both he seemed to be a very fit mediatour of friendship between them Montrose asks him whether those things which had passed between them proceeded from the direction of the Parliament or out of their own good wills He answered he conceived that Master Henderson had received Commission from the Parliament to that purpose but Henderson said no but he made no question but the Parliament would make good any thing that he promised Montrose told them he could resolve upon nothing except he had the Publique faith to build upon especially the messengers disagreeing between themselves Whereupon as the fashion is on such occasions one of them layes the blame upon the other when both of them ought rather to have condemned their own carelesness and negligence The conference being thus ended Montrose having obtained his ends and they being no wiser than they came thither every one went his own way Chap. III. MOntrose being returned from this Conference related all things as they had passed unto some select friends whom he could safely trust and withall entreated them that for the greater confirmation of the businesse they would all goe along with him to the King that his Majesty receiving a full account of all things might lend hâ—s ear to sound counsell and yet if it was possible provide a remedy against so threatning evills Most of them were of opinion That the King and his authority were utterly ruined and irrecoverable that it was a thing pussing the power of man to reduce that Kingdome to obedience that for their parts they had acquitted themselves before God and the world and their own consciences that hitherto with the disgrace of their persons the losse of their estates and the hazard of their lives they had continued in their allegiance hereafter they would be only lookers on and petitioners unto Almighty God for better times Montrose who câ—uld by no means be removed from so honest a resolution communicating his counsell to the Lord Ogleby whom of all men he especially loyed â—oes straight to Oxford The King was absent thence being gone to the siege of Glocester he imparts unto the Queen what designes the Scotish Covenanters had against his Majesty but he had as good have said nothing for she had determined not to believe a word by reason of the far greater confidence she reposed in Hamilton and his brother Montrose seeing no good was to be done with the Qeen goes to Glocester and declares all things to the King himself How there was a powerâ—ull Army to be raised in Scâ—tland and a day appointed on which it should be brought into England how their Counsels were manifestly known unto him and how to fetch him over to their side they had offered him very honourable commands in the Army but that he heartily detesting so horrid an employment had fled to his Majesty that he having notice thereof if he were not able to provide so timely and powerfull a remedy as could be wished at least might cast some blocks and rubs in their way untill such time as he had setled his affairs in England that the enemies of either Kingdome might be easily dealt withall by themselves but if they came once to joyn their forces they would be hardly supprest that there were very many in Scotland who would sacrifice themselves and all that they had for their dearest King whose good will
would â—e of no use unto his Majesty after the Covenanters had raised their Army but destractive unto themselves that the baughty spirits of the enemie were to be sneap't in time and their strength broken before it grew too big lest the beginnings being neglected repentance should prove the only opposition that could be made afterward These things and to this effect did Montrose continually presse unto the Kâ—ng but in vain for â—e had not only the strong and deepâ—y rooted confidence his Majesty had of the Hamiltons to struggle with but â—he devices of a set of desperate Courtiers beside who daily buzzed in the Kings ears Montrose's youth his rashnesse his ambition the envy and hatâ—ed he bâ—re unto the Hamiltons and what not and on the oâ—her siâ—â— the Hamiltons fidelity their honesty their discretion their power Thus Montrose nothing prevâ—â—ls and the King returns to his Winter quarters at Oâ—ford And although his Majesty saw very well reports coâ—ming thick and thâ—eefold of the Scotish Army that all was true that Montrose had told him yet the most religious King determined upon no termes to give any occasion of quarrell to the Scots till fiâ—st they entred England resolving that he for â—is part would perfectly observe the articles of Pacification he had made with them which if they should violate he doubted not but they should highly answer it both to God and him While these things were discussed at Oxford the Covenanters in Scotland bring their businesse about according to their desires no one opposing them They raise as big an Army as they can which consisted of eighteen thousand Foot and two thousand Horse and at last when they had marched unto the very borders the Hamiltons were not ashamed to give the King notice by Letters of the approach of that formidable Army making this their excuse that according to their engagement they had prevented an invasion the Summer before but now that Winter was come on they were able to keep them out no longer but they would come in immediatly with a powerfull Army The King when he saw himself thus grosly abused sends for Montrose shews him the Hamiltons Letters and at last when it was even too late asks his advice what was best to be done Montrose tells him that his Majesty might now see that what he had before given him notice of had neither proceeded from ambition nor malice nor any self-endâ— but from his bounden duty and allegeance that for above a twelve-moneth he had been continually pressiâ—g both their Majesties to prevent this that he accounted himself very unhappy that all that while so faithfull a servant could not be credited by so good a Master that the case seemed now desperate but if the King had a mind he might trust them again who by pretence of his authority had bound some of his friends hands that they could not assist him and drawn in others who intended nothing lesse under colour of Loyalty to fight against him and given up unto the Rebells now that they had got an Army all that they had without striking a stroke The King complaining that he was most abominably betrayed by them with whom he had entrusted his Crown his honour his Secrets his Life earnestly demanded his advice He repeating again the lamentablenesse of the condition in which things now stood nevertheless offered that if his Majesty so thought good he would either lose his life which if he did he would be sure it should seem rather sold then lost or else which he did not despair of he would reduce his Country-men and bring the Rebells there into subjection The King being no little pleased with the confidence undauntednesse and gallantrie of the man that he might more advisedly contrive his design desired him to take two or three dayes to consider of it and so dismist him Montrose returning at the time appointed shews his Majesty how desperate an adventure he was undertaking that all Scotland was under the Covenanters command that they had Garrisoned all places of strength that they were plentifully provided both of men and mony and arms and ammunition and victuall and all things necessary for a War that the English Rebells were joyned with them in a most strict Covenant to defend one another against all the world But for his own part he had nothing to set up with neither men nor arms or pay yet he would not distrust Gods assistance in a righteous cause and if the King would lay his Commands upon him he would undertake to doe his best The King should be in no worse câ—se than he was He himself would take what malice envy or danger should fall upon himself so that his Majesty were graciously pleased to condescend to a few reasonable requests And first that the businesse might go on more successefully it seemed to him very necessary that the King should send some Souldiers out of Ireland into the West of Scotland Next that he should give order to the Marquesse of Newcastle who was the Generall of the Kings forces towards Scotland that he should assist Montrose with a party of Horse to enter the South of Scotland by which means he might convey himself into the heart of the Kingdome Then that he should dâ—al with the King of Denmark for some troops of Germane horse And lastly that his Majesty should take some course to procure and transport some arms out of some forreign country into Scotland nothing needed more but humane industry the success was Gods part and to 〈…〉 e referred to his providence The King commending his counsel and giving him thanks that he appâ—ehended some life in the businesse encourageth him to â—iâ— himselâ— cheerfully for so great a work and wished hâ—m to leave the care of those things he had requested unto him And truly for the matter of aid out of Ireland the King sends for the Earl of Antrim and acquaâ—nts him with Montrose's design This Antrim is of Scotish extraction descended of the noble and antient Family of the Mac-Donalds a man of great â—stâ—te and power in Ireland and allyed to the prime Nobility of England by matching with the Dutchesse of Buckingham He being driven out of his own country lived at Oxford and cheerfully undertook the negotiation with the â—â—â—sh upon himself and engaged himself also voluntarily unto Montrose that he would be in Argyle a part of Scotland bordering upon Ireland with ten thousand men by the first of April 1644. thâ—s passed in December 1643. And as for forreign aids and arms the King sent Sir John Cockeram his Embassadour about it with his Commission and Instructions And directions unto the Marquesse of Newcastle were carried by some of Montrose's own company Who receiving the Kings Letters and Commission to be Governour of Scotland and Generall of the Army there made himself ready for his journey In the interim news comes on a sudden that Duke Hamilton with his brother the Earl of Lannerick were posting up
journey he selected only two men for his companions and guides one was Sir William Rollock a Gentleman of most known honesty and an able man both of his head and hands The other was one Sibbald whom for the report of his valour and gallantry Montrose did equally love and honour but the latter afterwards deserted him in his greatest need Montrose passing as Sibbalds man and being disguised in the habit of a Groom rode along upon a lean jade and led another horse in his hand And so he came to the borders where he found all ordinary and safe passes guarded by the enemy There was a chance happened which put them in a greater fright than all that and it was this not farre from the borders they hit by chance upon a servant of Sir Richard Grahams who taking them for Covenanters and to be of Lesley's Army who used to range about those parts told them freely and confidently that his Master had made his peace with the Covenanters and had undertaken as if he were their Centinell to discover unto them all such as came that way whom he suspected to favour the King An unworthy act it was of a shameless villain of whom not only Montrose had a very high esteem but his Majesty also whose mistaken bounty had raised him out of the dunghill to say no worse unto the honour of Knighthood and an estate even to the envy of his neighbours Having not passed much further they met a Souldier a Scotchman but one that had served under the Marquesse of Newcastle in England who taking no notice of the other two Gentlemen came to Montrose and saluted him by his name Montrose giving no heed unto him as if he were no such man the â—oo officious souldier would not be so put off but with a voyce and countenance full of humility and duty began to cry out What Doe not I know my Lord Marquesse of Montrose well enough Goe your way and God be with you whithersoever you goe When he saw it was in vain to conceal himself from the man he gave him a few crowns and sent him away nor did he discover him afterwards But Montrose conceiving himself much concerned in these speeches thought it the best course to make all the haste he could and to run faster than the news of him could flie nor did he spare any horse-flesh or scarce draw a bridle till after four dayes travell he came to the house of his cosen Patrick Graham of Innisbrake not far from the river of Tay on that side of the Sherifdome of Perth which is next the mountains This Patrick being descended of the noble family of Montrose and not unworthy of so noble parentage was deservedly in very great esteem with the Marquesse who sojourned besides him for a little while in the day time in a mean cottage and passed the nights alone in the neighbouring mountains For he had sent away his companions unto his friends that they might inform themselves exactly of the whole state of the Kingdome and bring him word in what condition they found it After a few dayes having examined the matter with all the industry they could use they return with nothing but sad and tragicall newes That all the Subjects that were honest and loyall lay under the tyranny of the Rebells and of such as had been so hardy as to endeavour to recover their freedome with their swords some were put to death others fined others being yet in prison daily expected the worst their enemies could doe That the Marquesse of Huntley had laid down the arms which too unadvisedly he had taken up at the first summons of the enemy that indeed he had had no contemptible number of men but the men wanted agood Commander that his friends and dependants were exposed to the implacable malice and revenge of their enemies and that he himself had fled to the uttermost corner of the Iland and sculked upon another mans land Montrose was very much troubled as he had reason at this news especially at Huntley's errour and the ruine of the Gordons who were men of singular loyalty and valour and expert souldiers therefore much lamented by him that for no fault of theirs they should come to so great misfortune And now he began to cast about how he might draw them to himself that they might try again the fortune of War under another Generall in the behalf of his most excellent Majesty Chap. V. IN the mean time there were some uncertain reports spread abroad among the Shepheards who kept their flocks in the mountains of certain Irish who were landed in the North of Scotland and ranged about the mountains Montrose conceived it not unlikely that these might be part of those Auxiliaries which the Earl of Antrim had promised should have been there four moneths before but he had no certainly what they were till at last some Letters came from some intimate friends of his Highlanders and from Alexander Mac-donell a Scotchman also to whom Aâ—â—â—im had given the Command in chief of those few Irish directed to Montrose These they had taken care to send to a certain friend of his a sure man that he might convey them if it were possible to Carlisle where Montrose was beleeved still to remain He who never dreamed of Montrose's return into Scotland though he sojourned by him by chance acquainted Master Patrick Graham with the businesse he promiseth to take charge of them and undertaketh to see them safely delivered to Montrose though he made a journey as far as Carlisle of purpose and so by the good providence of God they came into his hands much sooner than could be expected And he writes back as from Carlisle that they should be of good comfort for they should not stay long either for sufficient assistance to joyn with them or a Generall to command them and withall requires them forthwith to come down into Athole The people of Athole were engaged unto Montrose by many obligations men whom he valued most of all the Highlanders both for their Loyalty Piety Constancy and singular Valour and truly they made good his opinion of them to the very end of the War The Irish with a very few Highlanders who were almost all of Badenoth receiving Montrose's commands marched straight into Athole He who was not above twenty miles from them comes to them immediatly and ere ever they looked for him on foot in the habit of a Mountainer without any man along with him save the abovesaid Patrick Graham his guide and companion And indeed the Irish would hardly be perswaded that that was Montrose but when they saw him so saluted and only not adored like some great Deity by the men of Athole and others that knew him well they were overjoyed for his comming to them was in exceeding good time they being then in extreme danger to be cut off For Argyle was in their rear with a strong and well ordered Army the champain countrey were
them Their Horse who expected Foot to come and line them seeing them all run away ran faster than they whom the Conquerours were not able to follow much lesse to overtake so they sâ—ap'd scot-free but the Foot paid for all few of which escaped the Vâ—ctors hands For having no other place to fly unto but into the City Montrose's men came in thronging amonst them through the gates and posterns and laid them on heaps all over the streets They fought four hours upon such equall tetmes that it was an even lay whether had the odds At this Battell Montrose had some great Guns but they were unserviceable because all advantages of ground were possessed by the enemy but the enemies Guns made no small havock of his men Among others there was an Irishman that had his legge shot off with a Cannon bullet only it hung by a little skin he seeing his fellow-souldiers something sad at his mischance with a loud and cheerfull voyce cryes out Come on my Comerades this is but the fortune of Warre and neither you nor I have reason to be sorry for it Doe you stand to it as becomes you and as for me I am sure my Lord marquesse seeing I can no longer serve on foot will mount me on horse-back So drawing out his knife being nothing altered nor troubled he cut asunder the skin with his own hand and gave his legge to one of his fellow-souldiers to bury And truly when he was well again and made a Trooper he often did very faithfull and gallant service This battell was fought at Aberdene on the twelfth day of September 1644. Then Montrose calling his souldiers back to their Colours entered the City and allowed them two dayes rest Chap. VII IN the mean time news is brought that Argyle was hard by with much greater forces than those they dealt with last the Earl of Lothian accompanying him with fifteen hundred Horse Therefore Montrose removes from Aberdene to Kintor a village ten miles off that he might make an easier accesse unto him for the Gordons the friends and dependants of the Marquesse of Huntley and others that were supposed much to favour the Kings cause From thence he sends Sir William Rollock to Oxford to acquaint his Majesty with the good successe he had hitherto obtained and to desire supplies out or England and some place else That hee had sought twice indeed very prosperously but it could not â—e expected that seeing he was so beset on all sides with â—â—eat and numerous Armies he should be able to hold out â—â—waies without timely relief Still nothing troubled Montrose more than that none of the Gordons of whom he conceived great hopes came in unto him And there wanted not some of them who testified their great affection to the service but that Huntley the chief of the Family being a back-friend to Montrose had with-held them all either by his own example or private directions and that himself being forced to sculk in the utmost border of the Kingdome envied that honour to another of which he had missed himself and had forbidden even with threats all those with whom he had any power to have any thing to doe with Mentrose or to assist him either with their power or counsell Which when he understood he resolved to withdraw his Forces into the Mountains and Fastnessesses where he knew the enemies Horse wherein their great strength consisted could do them little service and of their Foot if they were never so many relying upon the justice of his cause and the valour of his souldiers be made but little reckoning Therefore he hid his Ordnance in a bogge and quitted all his troublesome and heavy carriages And comming to the side of the river of Spey not far from an old Câ—stle called Rothmurke he incamped there with an Army if one respect the number but very small but it was an expert and cheerfull one and now also something acquainted with victory On the other side of the Spey he finds the men of Cathnes and Sunderland and Rosse and Murray and others to the number of five thousand up in arms to hinder his passage over the swiftest River in all Scotland till such time as Argyle who marched after him was upon his back Being oppressed and as it were besieged with so many enemies on every side that at least he might save himself from their Horse he turned into Badenoth a rocky and mountainous Countrey and scaâ—ce passable for Horse There for certain dayes he was very sick which occasioned so immoderate joy to the Covenanters that they doubted not to give out he was quite dead and to ordain a day of publike Thanksgiving to Almighty God for that great deliverance Nor were their Levites you may be sure backward in that employment in their Pulpits for as if they had been of counsell at the Decree and stood by at the execution they assured the people that it was as true as Gospell that the Lord of Hostes had slain Montrose with his own hands But this joy did not last them long for he recovered in a short space and as if he had been risen from the dead he frighted his enemies much more than he had done before For assoon as his disease would give him leave he returned into Athole and sent away Mac-donell with a party unto the Highlanders to invite them to take up arms with him and if they would not be invited to force them He himself goes into Angus hoping it might happen that he should either force Argyle with his tyred Horse unto his Winter quarters or at least leave him far enough behind him For Argyle had pursued him so slowly and at such distance that it was apparent he thought of nothing lesse than of giving him battell Therefore going through Angus and getting over the Grainsbaine which going along with a perpetuall ridge from East to West divideth Scotland into two equall parts he returned into the North of the Kingdome And now that he had left Argyle so farre hehind him that he might safely take some time to recruit he went to Strathbogy that he might meet with the Gordons and perswade them to engage with him But he lost his labour for they were forestalled by Huntley and after his example plaid least in sight For such as were generous and daring spirits though they were loath to provoke the indignation of their Chief yet they could not but be ashamed that at a time when there might be so much use of them they did nothing Besides the Lord Gordon Huntley's eldest Son a man of singular worth and accomplishment was detained by Argyle his Uncle by the Mothers side the Earl of Aboine the second Son was inclosed within the siege of Carlisle and Lewis anot her Son was of the enemies side so that there was no one of Huntley's family under whose authority they should take up Arms. Notwithstanding Montrose quartered there a great while in which time almost every other
on of those in the Rear The first that made way for themselves and their men by a great flaughter of their enemies were the two Gordons the Lord and the Collonel and Collonel Nathaniel called out unto those expert Firelocks who now lin'd the Horse as they were wont Come on my fellow souldiers throw down your now uselesse guns draw your swords and sheath them in the Rebells Horse or hamstring them They instantly took the word of command and at the same time Montrose drawes up Napier with his Reserve which lay out of sight on the other side of the hill at whose sudden and unexpected comming the enemy afrighted betook himself to his heels Aboine with the left wing kept off nor did he attempt the enemy but by light skirmishes in small parties who when they saw their own men on their left wing routed and put to flight made their retreat with little losse Their Foot being deserted by their Horse after they had desperately stood out a while and refused quarter were almost all cut off The fall â—f the Lord Gordon was no little advantage to the escape of their Horse who after the battell was won rushing fiercely into the thickest of them received a shot through his body by the conquered and flying enemy and fell down dead Whom also Aboine did not hotly pursue being much troubled with the losse of his brother In this battell Montrose did not lose so much as one common souldier and of Gentlemen one Culchol and one Meâ—â—on whose names and families I should most willingly have inserted had I been so happy as to have knowledge of them because they died gallantly in the bed of Honour fighting for their King their Liberty and the Laws Nor are some Pedees as well Scotch as Irish to be forgotten boyes scarce fourteen years of age apiece who throwing down their masters luggage and mounting upon their nags and sumpter horses did not only make a fair appearance of a body of Horse but as if they had been Corrivalls in valour with their masters beyond what might be expected from their years and strength fell in among the thickest of their enemies Of whom some but very few were slain nor did they sell their lives for nothing and by that they gave an ample testimony of their towardnesse and of so manly a spirit in children as might prescribe to riper years But the losse of the Lord Gordon had so deep an impressiâ—n upon all mens affections that they had the face rather of a defeated than victorious Army The first seene of their sorrow was acted in a dull silence in the next the floud-gates were broke open and the Army was full of sighes and sobs and wailing and lamentation and then with bedewed cheeks assoon as their grief could get a tongue they blam'd Heaven and Earth and Fortune and every thing for depriving the King the Kingdome the Age themselves and their posterity of such a man Thus forgetting their victory and the spoil they fixt their eyes upon the lifelesse body kissed his face and hands commended the singular beauty of the corps compared the Nobilitie of his descent and the plentifulnesse of his fortune with the hopefulnesse of his pâ—rts and counted that an unfortunate victory that had stood them in so much And truly it was like to have happened that their excessive sorrow for the losse of this noble Gentleman had conquer'd the Conquerors had they not comforted themselves with the presence and safety of Montrose Nor could hee himself refrain himself from bewailing with salt tears the sad and bitter fate of his most dear and only friend but lamented much that the honour of his Nation the ornament of the Scotish Nobility the ablest assertor of the Royall Authority in the North and so intimate a friend unto himself should be thus cut ofâ— in the flowre of his age In the mean time hoping that reason and time between them would asswage that grief he commands Physicians to embalm his noble corps which afterwards being removed to Aberdene he saw brought forth with a sumptuous and Souldier-like Funerall and interâ—'d in the Monument of his Ancestors in the Cathedrall Church This battell was fought at Alford on the 2. of July 1645. Chap. XII MOntrose that same afternoon that hee had got this victory at Alsord marching to Clunie Castle allowed only two or three hours to his souldiers for their refreshment And going from thence to the bank of the river Dee sent away the Earl of Aboine who succeeded his deceased brother into Buchanshire and the places adjacent for recruits for many of them who were at the fight being Highlanders and not far from their own habitations had dropt home with their pillage And because Mac-donell was not yet returned hee kept his quarters at Cragston expecting both him and Aboine But when he perceived those Auxiliaries were dispatched unto him with lesse speed than he hoped and finding his expectation deluded impatient of so long and disadvantagious delay after he had got over the Dee and Gransbaine fell down into Merne and lay at Ferdon Chappell once famous for the See and Scpulchre of St. Palladius Thence he sends to the Earl of Aboine who was now come to Aberdene to hasten unto him into Merne with such Forces as he heard he had raised Aboine came indeed but brought no great store of Forces along with him therefore he sends him back into the North to raise as many men as he could possibly and bring them with all speed unto the Camp Hee himself going through Angus met his Cosen Patrick Graham with his Athole-men ready to live and die under his command and Mac-donell with a great power of Highlanders with him was Macklen the chief of his sept a valiant man and singularly loyall who brought some seven hundred choise Foot of his friends and clients Also the Chief of the Mac-ranolds a great man in the Highlands and one that entirely lov'd the King who had above five hundred men at his heels The Mac-gregories also and the Mac-nabies men inferiour to none in valour and hardinesse after the fashion of the Country followed their Commanders and Chiefs of their Families whose certain number I cannot easily assign And Glengar a man never sufficiently to be commended for his valour and loyaltie to the King and serviceablenesse and affection to Montrose seeing he in person almost from the Expedition into Argyle had never departed from him by his Uncles and others whom he employed brought in about five hundred more Besides out of the plains of Marre came a great number of the Ferkbarsons gallant men and of approved valour And some too out of Badenoin not many indeed but stout and able men of their hands Montrose being reinforced with such an Army resolves to make his way into the heart of the Kingdome as well to spoil the enemies levying of men in Fifeshire and the Country on this side the Forth as also to break up the
by how much they had lesse felt the miseries of Warre Which things being well considered Montrose thought it best to fight with those Forces which Baily had at present For although they were more numerous than his own yet the danger was like to be greater of his side if he should be put to engage with them when Lanericks and other parties were come up But moreover he was either obliged to take this course or do nothing and return back into the Highlands with the blemish of that Honour which by so many victories he had atchiev'd The enemy on the other side being arrogant and confiding in the multitude of their men beleev'd that Montrose had but made a running march the dayes before and had passed the Forth more out of fear than designe so that they counted it nothing to assault him in that ground and entrenchment which he had chosen to his bâ—st advantage And above all their proud hopes were most carefull of this to block up all wayes of his escape and to prevent his return into the Mountains But there are some that say Baily himself thought it not best to give him battell but was over-sway'd by the authority and votes of the Earl of Linsey especially and some other of the Nobility that were present in the Army which forc't him much against stomack to draw up his men and order the battell as he could However it was early in the morning they led their men straight upon Montrose which when he saw he told the standers by that that was happen'd which he most desired for now he could supply his want of men by the advantage of the ground and therefore he made haste to possesse himself of the fastnesses before them Moreover he commands all his men as well Horse as Foot to throw off their doublets and to affront the enemy all in white being naked unto the waste all but their shirts which when they had chearfully performed they stood there provided and ready to fight resolved certainly either to conquer or die In the field where they intended to fight there were some Cottages and Country-gardens where Montrose had conveniently lodg'd some few men and the first designe of the enemy was to dislodge them But it took not for making a fierce assault and being as stoutly receiv'd assoon as they were observ'd to cool something of their first heat those that mann'd the places beat them off drave them away and slew them without resistance The Highlanders being animated with this happy successe those that were next those places not expecting the word of Command ran rashly up the hill which lay open to the whole strength of the enemy Montrose although he was something troubled at the unseasonable boldnesse of his men yet thought it not good to leave them engaged nor was it easie to say whether the quicknesse of his relief or the cowardlinesse of the enemy conduc'd more to their safety Montrose had in all four thousand four hundred Foot and five hundred Horse a thousand of his Foot or more had now by their own fault so engaged themselves with the enemy that they could not come off or the enemy encounter'd them with six thousand Foot and eight hundred Horse But the enemies Rear came up but slowly and while the Van made a stand expecting their advance Montrose had opportunity to bring timely aid to his engaged men But at last they send out three troops of Horse and after them two thousand Foot against those rash and almost lost men of Montrose's Which when Montrose saw after others had too dishonourably shifted off that service he thus bespeaks the Earle of Airley You see my noble Lord how yonder men of ours by their unadvisednesse have brought themselves into a most desperate hazard and will presently be trampled to dirt by the enemies Horse except we relieve them with all speed Now all mens eyes and hearts are fixt upon your Lordship they think you only worthy so great an honour as to repell the enemy and bring off our fellow souldiers Besides it seemes most proper for you that the errour which hath been committed by the fool hardinesse of youth may be corrected by your Lordships grave and disercet valour And he undertook the service as dangerous as it was with all his heart and being guarded with a troop of Horse in which rode Iohn Ogleby of Baldeby who had formerly been a Collonel in Swethland a stout man and a skilfull souldier led them on straight upon the enemy And they giving the charge upon the Ogleby's disputed it sharply with them for a while but at last being no longer able to withstand their courage fac'd about whom the Ogleby's pursued so hotly that they made them fall foul upon their own Foot and charging them furiously thorough and thorough routed them and trode them under foot By this gallant example of Airley and the Ogleby's Montrose's souldiers being enrag'd more and more could no longer be kept back from raising a great shout as if they had already got the day and falling on upon the enemy Nor would the Rebells Horse long abide their charge but deserting their Foot fell a running as fast as ever they could Nor did their Foot after they were so deserted stand it out long but throwing down their arms sought to save their lives by flight Which proved unserviceable for the victorious pursuers had the killing of them for fourteen miles So that of all the enemies foot that were present at that battell it is thought there did not an hundred come off Nor did their Horse escape very well of whom some were killed some taken the rest disperst Their Ordinance their Arms their Spoils came clearly to the Conquerours who lost only six of their side whereof three were Oglebyes valiant Gentlemen who fighting like themselves scald the victory with their own bloud The rebellious sort of the Nobility of whom many were in the fight some of them by their timous running and swiftnesse of their Horses got to the Town and strong Castle of Sterling others escaping to the Scotish Fyrth shipt themselves in some vessels that lay at anchor near the shore amongst whom Argyle having now this third time been fortunate to a boat escaped into a ship and thought himself scarce safe enough so till weighing anchor he got into the main Of prisoners the chief were Sir William Murray of Blebe James Arnot brother to the Lord Burghley one Collonel Dice and Collonel Wallies besides many more whom Montrose after quarter given used courteously and upon the engagement of their Honours set at liberty And this is that famous victory of Kilsythe obtained on the 15 day of September 1645. in which it is beleev'd no fewer than six thousand Rebells were slain Chap. XIV THere was a great alteration all the Kingdome over after this battell at Kilsythe those of the Rebell-Nobility were all of them sore affrighted some of them fled to Barwicke some to Carâ—â—le some
restrain the unrulinesse of the souldier lest they should wrong the poor inhabitants and in their sury reduce that cursed City which had been the cause and somenter of all the Rebellion into ashes which Montrose gave them especially in charge by all means to prevent as also to preserve the Army safe from the plague which was hot in the City and places adjacent and whereof very many dyed every day Assoon as ever the news of their approach was brought unto the Town they all began to tremble and despair of their lives and to raise a cry as if the swords were already at their throats or their houses in a flame Not a few of them being pricked in their guilty constiences freely and openly accus'd themselves for the most ungratefull traiterous sactilegious and perjured persons in the world and unworthy of any mercy Then applying themselves unto the prisoners they had both calling unto them a far off and sending private messengers they implored their assistance and besought them in compassiou of the poore silly people who were almost wasted with a great mortality to pacifie the anger of the conquerous whom they had most justly incensed told them all their hopes lay in them and they were utterly undone without their help Protested moreover that if they found mercy but that one time they would redeeme their former revolt with more religious fidelity and constant Allegiance ever after The prisoners whom but the other day the basest of the people bitterly abused and reviled cursing and bequeathing them to the gallowes and worse for getting all injuries receiv'd and more troubled with the sense than revenge of their sufferings first rendred hearty thanks to Almighty God who of his mercy shewed unto them that liberty and safety which they little expected and then turning unto their deadly enemies bad them be of good chear for the most gracious King and his Lieutenant Montrose desired the safetp and happinesse of his repenting Subjects and not their extirpation and ruine Therefore they advised them immediately to send some delegates to Montrose humbly to beg his pardon for nothing could better appease the rage of a Conquerour than a speedy submission For their parts they would not be backward to mediate with him for their safety and doubted not but his high and noble spirit which could not be vanquished with their armes would yet suffer it self to be overcome with the prayers and lamentations of men in misery The Edinburgians being comforted with these hopes and assisted with this good advice immediately call a Hall to consult of sending Delegates There were among the prisoners of those that were most high in birth and favour with Montrose Lodowick Earl of Crawford Chief of the most antient and noble family of the Lindseys a man famous for Military service in forraign Nations amongst the Swedes Imperialists and Spaniards This man by the power and cunning of his cosen the Earl of Lindsey who because he was greedy of the honour and title of the Earl of Crawford was greedy also of his life was designed by the Covenanters to be put to death Nor was it for any other crime but for being a Souldier and an expert man and one that had done faithfull service for his Master the King and it was feared he would doe so again if he should be suffered to live There was also James Lord Ogleby Son to the Earl of Airley one singularly beloved by Montrose who was formidable both for his fathers and his own vertue and authority He also being an enemy to Argyle both upon old fewds and some fresher wrongs was just as deep in sin and danger as Crawford These therefore the Common Councell of Edinburgh chose out of the rest of the prisoners and immediately setting them at liberty they earnestly pray and beseech them to assist their Delegates to the uttermost of the power they had with the Lord Governour and to labour to hold his hands off that miserable City upon which the hand of God himself lay so heavy already And they curse themselves and their posterity to the pit of hell if they should ever prove unmindfull of so great a favour or unthankfull to them that did it They were not backward to undertake a business which was so universally desired but taking the Delegates along with them went forth to Napier He having by the way delivered his dear father his wife his brother-in-Law Sir Sterling Keer and his sisters out of the prison at Limnuch whither the Covenanters had removed them from Edinburgh Castle marched back unto his Uncle with his Forces and those prisoners now at libety and the Delegates of the City as having done his businesse Montrose embracing Crawford and Ogleby his dearest friends whom he had long longed for and rejoycing to see them safe and sound used them with all honour and accommodation after their long restraint and they on the other side magnified their deliveter and avenger with high praises and thanks as became them to doe on both sides affording a spectacle of great joy to the beholders Afterwards the Delegates of Edinburgh were admitted to audience and delivered their Message from the Provost and City The sum was They would freely surrender the Town unto the Governour humbly desired his pardon promised to be more dutifull and loyall for the time to come committed themselves and all that they had to his patronage and protection for which they earnestly besongbt him Moreover they undertook forthwith to set the rest of the prisoners at liberty according to his appointment and to doe any thing else that he should enjoyn them And although the City was so wasted with a grievous contagion that no men could be raised out of it yet they were ready as far as their share came to pay contribution to such as should be raised in other places And above all things they humbly begged at his hands that he would labour to mitigate the anger of their most gracious Lord the King that he might not be too severe with that City which by the cunning authority and example of a seditions and prevailing party had been engaged in Rebellion Montrose bad them be confident of the rest and required no more at their hands than to be hereafter more observant of their loyalty to the King and faithfully to renounce all correspondence with the Rebells in armes against him either without or within the Kingdome To restore the Castle of Edinburgh which it was evident was in their custody at that time unto the King and his Officers Lastly assoon as the Delegates came home to set the prisoners at liberty and send them to him And truly as for the prisoners they sent them away upon their return but as to other Articles they were perfidious and perjured and if they doe not repent must one day give an account unto God the assertor of truth and justice for their high ingratitude and reiterated disloyalty Whiles these things passed concerning
and themselves ignorant of the way they became a prey to the Country people Whom they forgeting all the benefits and protection they had but newly received from Montrose to do the Covenanters a favour delivered up unto their cruell enemies to be made by them acceptable sacrifices unto Baal-Berith the God of the Covenant For all that the rebell conquerours missed of the Kings Standards The one of them which was carried before the Foot was preserved by an Irish souldier a stout man and of a present spirit when others were almost beside themselves who when he saw that the enemy had got the day stript it off the staffe and wrapped it about his body and being otherwise naked made his way with his drawn sword through the thickest of the enemie and brought it to Montrose at night Whom he received into his life-guard and gave it him to cary intoken of his valour loyalty And the other of them William Hie brother to the Earle of Kinoule a hopefull young Gentleman who succeeded his uncle by the mothers side Douglasse son to the Earle of Morton who having received many and grievous wounds at the battell of Alford was render'd unable for that burden stript from of the staff too and carried it away with him and conveighing himself into the borders of England skulked there a while till the coast was a little clearer about Tweed and then through by-waies and night-journies for the most part being accompanied and conducted by his faithfull friend Robert Toures a stout man and a good souldier who had bin a Captian in France a good while ago returned into the North and presented that same Royall Standard unto the Generall And now at last Montrose when he saw his men totally routed and put to flight which he never saw before thought of nothing more for a good space than to die honourably and not unrevenged therefore rallying about thirty Horse whom he had gatherred up in that confusion he resolved by fair and honourable death to prevent his falling alive into the enemies hands And seeing he was not able to break through the enemies Troops who stood thick round about him he gall'd them on the Front and Reare and Flanks and of such as were so hardy as to adventure out of their Ranks many he slew others he beat back But when all that he could do would not doe his busines as God would have it this consideration posessed his resolute and noble spirit That the loss of that day was but small and easily regayned because bâ— an inconsiderable part of his Forces were there That the Highlanders were the very Nerves and Sinewes of the Kingdom and all the North was sound and untouchte That many of the prime Nobility and men of power many Knights too and cheifs of their Septs had entered into anâ— Association with him who if he should miscarry would be suddenly ruin'd or corrupted and by that means the Kings party in Scotland utterly subdned Therefore he thought himself bound never to despair of a good Cause and the rather lest the King his Master should apprehend the loss of him to be greater than the loss of the battell And while these thoughts were in his head by good haâ— came in the Marquesse Douglas and Sir John Dalyell with some other friends not many but faithfull and gallant men who with teares in their eyes out of the abundance of their assections beseech intreat implore him for the honour of his former atchievements for his friends sakes for his Ancestors for his sweet wife and childrens sakes nay for his KINGS his Countries and the Churches Peace and Safties sake that hee would look to the preservation of his Person considering that all their Hopes depended on him alone under God and that their lives were so bound up with his that they must all live or dye together At last Montrose overcome with their intreaties charging thorough the enemy who were by this time more taken up with ransacking the Carriages than following the chase made his escape of those that were so hardy as to pursue him some he slew others among whom was one Bruce a Captain of Horse and two Corners with their Standards he carried away prisoners Whom he entertained curteously and after a few daies dismist them upon their Paâ—ole that they should exchange as many Officers of his of the like quality which Parole they did not over-punctually perform Montrose was gotten scarce three miles from Selkirk when he having overtaken a great number of his own men that went that way he made a pretty considerable party so that being now secured from being fallen upon by the Country people he marcht away by leisure And as he went by the Earl of Trequaires Castle by whose dishonesty he did not yet know that he had bin betrayed he sent one before him to call forth him and his son that he might speak with them but his servants bring word that they are both from home Notwithstanding there are Gentlemen of credit that testify they were both within nor did that gallant Courtier only bid the Rebells joy of their victory but was not ashamed to tell abroad not without profuse and ill becoming laughter that Montrose and the Kings Forces in Scotland were at last totally routed his own daughter the Countesse of Queensborough as far as modestly the might blaming him for it Montrose after he had made a hault a while neer a town called Peblis untill the Souldiers had refresht themselves and were fit to march many flocking to them from every side at Sun-set they all stoutly entered the town and by break of day next morning by the conduct of Sir John Dalyel especially passed over Cluid at a Ford. Where the Earls of Crawford and Airley having escaped an other way met with him making nothing of the loss of Battell as soon as they saw him out of danger Nor was he less joyfull at the safty of his friends than that he had sav'd and pickt up by the way almost two hundred Horse But although he was already secure enough from the pursuit of the enemy nevertheles he resolved to make what hast he could into Athole that taking his rise there he might draw what forces he could raise of the Highlanders and other friends into the North. Therefore passing first over the Forth and then the Erne having marched thorough the Sherifdom of Perth by the foot of the Mountains he came thither As he was on his way he had sent before him Douglasse and Airley with a party of Horse into Angus and the Lord Areskin into Marre that they might speedily raise their friends and dependants in those parts and had also sent Sir John Dalyel unto the Lord Carnegy with whom he had lately contracted affinity with Commissions to that purpose Moreover he sent letters to Mac-donell to require him according to his promise to retuurn with the Highlanders by the day appointed But above all he solicited Aboine both by
Letters and speciall messengers that he would bring back his Friends and Clients who were willing enough of themselves and wanted no other encouragement than his authority and example Chap. XVII IT was towards the latter end of harvest nor was the corn reapt in that cold Country nor their houses and cottages which the enemy had burnt repaired against the approching winter which is for the most part very sharp thereabouts which made the Athole men to abate somthing of their wonted forwardnesse Yet Montrose prevailed so far with them that they furnisht him with foure hundred good Foot to wait upon him into the North where there was lesse danger and faithfully promised upon his return when he was to march South-ward he should command the power of the whole Country Mean time frequent expresses came from Aboine that he would wait upon him immediatly with his Forces and Mac-donnell promised no lesse for himself and some other Highlanders Areskin signified also unto him that his men were in a readines and waited for nothing but either Aboine's company who was not far off or Montrose's commands About this time there were very hot but uncertain Reports of a strong party of Horse that were sent him from the King whom many conceived not to be far from the South-borders But other newes they had which was too certain to wit that there was a most cruell butchery of what prisoners the Rebells had without any distinction of Sex or age some falling into the hands of the Country people were basely murthered by them others who escap't them and found some pity in them that had so little being gathered together were by order from the rebell Lords thrown head-long from off a high Bridge and the men together with their wives and sucking children drown'd in the River beneath and if any chanced to swim towards the side they were beaten off with pikes and staves and thrust down again into the water The Noblemen and Knights were kept up in nasty prisons to be exposed to the scorn of the vulgar and certainly doom'd at last to lose their heads Montrose was never so much troubled as at this sad news Therefore to the end he might some way relieve his distressed friends being impatient of all delay with wonderfull speed he climbs over Gransbaine and passing through the plains of Marre and Strathdone maketh unto the Lord of Aboine that he might encourage him by his presence to make more hast into the South For his design was assoon as he had joyned his forces with Areskins and Airleys and sent for Mac-donell and other Highlanders and taken up the Athole-men by the way to march in a great body straight over the Forth and so both to meet the Kings Horse and to fright the enemy upon their apprehension of an imminent danger to themselves from putting the prisoners to death For he conceived they durst not be so bold as to execute their malice upon men of Nobility and Eminency as long as they had an enemy in the Field and the victory was uncertain And truly they being doubtfull and solicitous what might be the successe of so great warlike preparations as 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 he 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 Marquesle of Huntley after he had plaid least in sight for a year and some months it is hard to say whether awaken'd with the news 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 and unadvised who howsoever he would seem most affectionate unto the Kings Cause and perhaps was so yet he endeavoured by a close dishonourable envy rather to extenuate Montroses glory than to our-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 vertues 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 sight under no command but his own And when they replyed What shall we then answer to the Commands of the Marquesse of Montrose whom the King hath declared Generall Governour of the Kingdom and Generall of the Army He made answer 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 know what assistance they had given him which could not otherwise be done than by serving in a body by themselves Moreover he fell to magnifie his own power and undervalue Montrose's to extoll unto the skies the noble Acts of his Ancestors men indeed worthy 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 took to be spoken upon all the grounds of equity and honour in the world but as many as were understanding men and knew better the disposition of the person saw through those expressions a mind too rancorous and altogether indispos'd towards Montrose and that his aim 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 unfeasonable and pernicious unto himself For they considerd with themselves that he never had any design that did not miscarry either by bad play or bad luck That busineses were better carried by Montrose and it was ill to make a faction upon the poor pretence of his carrying away the honour of it For if Huntley joyned his Forces and communicated his Counseils unto Montrose he should not be only able to defend himself but subdue his enemies and gain unto himself the everlasting honour of being one of the Kings Champions but if he should make a breach in that manner it would proove not only dishonourable but destructive to him That Montrose it could not be denied bad got many and eminent victories with the assistance of
unfolded unto him the Kings Commands answered scornfully That he understood all the Kings businesse better than they or the Governour himself and neither he nor any of his children should have any thing to doe with him Moreover he sharply and threatningly reproved his friends and clients who had willingly assisted Montrose and dealt worse with them than with Rebels Neverthelesse the Lord Governour thought best to take no notice of any of these things but bear with them and whiles he treats with the Athole men for the setling of the Militia of that Country he sends again unto Huntley by Sir John Dalyel as a more fit mediator of friendship Who was to inform him of the danger the King and Kingdome was in and so of the present misery that hung over his and 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 supplyes 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 remained that had neer relations to Huntley himself and some also of the prime Nobility whom the Rebells would cut off after the same fashion unlesse they were now at last relieved And lastly to pray and beseech him that at least hee would grant the Kings Governour the favour of a friendly conference promising hee would give him abnndant 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 immediatly fled to Bogie a Castle of his situate upon the mouth of the Spey as if he intended to ferry over the river and to wage warre against the Rebells in Murray And now it comes into my mind briefly to enquire what might be the reason why Huntley bore such a spleen against Montrose who had never given him any distaste but had obliged him with courtesies many times undeserved Nor could I ever hear nor so much as ghesse at any other cause but a weak and impotent emulation I cannot call it but envy of his surpassing worth and honour For I should be loath to say that his mind was ever alienated from the King but onely averse unto Montrose with the unjust hatred of whom he was so possest that he precipitated himself into many unexcusable mistakes insomuch as he desired rather all things were lost than that Montrose should have the honour of saving them And now being already puffed up with an unbeseeming conceit of himself he was the more exceedingly enraged against him upon the remembrance of those injuries and disgraces he had heretofore thrown upon him and that was the chief reason as I take it that he so often avoyded the sight of him For besides what we have occasionally delivered both the father and the sons had put neither few nor smâ—ll affronts upon the Kings Vicegerent some few of which it will not be out of our way to relate The great guns which we told you Montrose had hid in the ground the last year they digging them up without his knowledge carried away in a kind of triumph and disposed of them in their own Castles as if they had been spoils taken from the enemy and would not restore them upon demand But those Montrose had got in the sights at Saint Johns-town and at Aberdene in the former of which there was never a man present of that Family and in the other Lewis Gordon and his men fought on the enemies side Besides they so converted unto their own use the Gunpowder and Arms and other necessaries of War which were gained from the enemy and only deposited in their Castles as in safe and convenient store-houses that they would never make any restitution of the least part of them when they were desired Moreover Abome upon his return home after the victory of Kilsythe set at liberty the Earl of Keith Lord Marshall of Scotland the Lord Viscount Arbuthnot and other men of quality of the enemies side who were within his custody without acquainting the Governour of the Kingdome and his brother-in-law young Drumme who by chance was present earnestly declaring his dislike of it Upon what termes he did it it is uncertain but this is evident that besides the affront done to the Lord Governour and the losse of Dunotter Castle which was of great strength and concernment in that War and other Military advantages they got by it the Rebells would never have had the boldness to fall so cruelly upon the Prisoners if he had but kept them in safe custody Yet more by his own private authority he exacted Tributes and Customes and Taxes which the Governour himself had never done upon pretence indeed of maintaining the War but in truth to far other uses and to the grievous prejudice of the Kings Cause Last of all which is most to be lamented either at the intreaty of the enemy or for small sums of money they had enlarged the prisoners that had been taken in the former battells in the North and committed to custody in their Castles Nor would they permit them to Montrose's disposall though being prisoners of Warre he had reserved them for that only purpose by exchanging them to save the lives of gallant and deserving men Huntley being pricked in his conscience about all these things was alwayes as afraid of Montrose's presence as of a Pest-house But Montrose for all that passing by injuries and laying aside all other matters bestowed his whole endeavours in the promoting of the Kings service And to that end he was resolved to intrude himself into his company though never so unwelcome to insinuate into his friendship upon any conditions to yeeld unto him in all things and to deny nothing so that hee might qualifie Huntley's imbitter'd spirit Therefore leaving his Forces in their quarters
before me in this race And certainly seeing Martyrdome may be undergone not only for the Confession of our faith but for any vertue by which holy men make their faith manifest there is no doubt but he hath received that Crown Sir Robert Spotswoods Speech intended at his Execution but then not suffered to be spoken now published according to the then dispersed Copies thereof YOu will expect to hear from me somewhat of the cause for which I am brought hither at this time to suffer in this kind which I am bound to doe for cleering the integritie of mine own proceedings vindicating his Majesties just and pious intentions and withall to undeceive you that are muzled in ignorance and made to believe that you are tyed in conscience to set forward this unnaturall Rebellion masked under the cover and pretext of propagating Religion and maintaining of the publick Libertie You have perceived by the fact which hath gone before viz. tearing of my Arms c. that I stand here adjudged to die by this pretended Parliament as a Traytor to the States and enemy to my native Country This is a Treason unheard of before in this Kingdome against the States a thing of a new Creation which I believe there be some would have erected in opposition to the just and lawfull Authoritie of the King under which we and our Predecessors have been so many hundreds of years governed To come to the particulars of my Treasonable demeanour as they esteem it the main one is that I did bring down a Commission of Lieutenancie from his Majestie to the Lord Marquesse of Montrose with a Proclamation for indicting a Parliament by the Kings Authority wherein the Lord Marquesse was the Commissioner Not to excuse my self upon the necessitie layd upon me to obey his Majesties Command in a businesse of that nature in regard of the Charge I had about him I cannot so farre betray mine own conscience as to keep up from you my judgement of the thing it self seeing it may both tend to the justifying of the Kings part and your better information for lack whereof I know many are intangled in this Rebellion unwittingly and who knoweth but God in his mercifull providence hath brought us hither to be the instruments of freeing you from the manifold delusions that are made use of to insnare you I say then it was just and necessary to his Majestie to grant such Commissions and by consequence an act of duty in me to perform what he was pleased to command me It is known well enough what contentment his Majestie gave to the Kingdome at his last being here both in the affaires of Church and Policie Notwithstanding whereof the world seeth what meating he hath got from us When this Rebellion first burst out in England all that he desired of us was only to stand Neutralls and not to meddle between him and his Subjects there Of which moderate desire of his little reckoning was made but on the contrary at the request of those Rebells by the power of their Faction amongst us an Armie was raised and sent into England to assist them against their own native Ring His Majesty being reduced to this extremitie what expedient could he find so fair and easie as to make use of the help of such of his loyall Subjects as he knew had such an unparallel'd disloyaltie in horrour and detestation amongst whom that matchlesse mirrour of all true worth and Nobility the Lord Marquesse of Montrose having offered himself it pleased his Majestie to give him a subaltern Commission first which he having executed with such unheard-of successe that his memorie shall be had in honour for it in all ages His Majestie for the better furthering of his own service and to countenance and encourage him the more in it gave an absolute one and independent thereafter which is that I delivered into his hands by his Majesties Command Herewithall his Majesties pitying the miseries of this poor Kingdome occasioned by the rebellious stubbornnesse of a few factious spirits thought fit to give power to the sayd Lord Marquesse to call a Parliament in his own Name to trie if by that means a remedie might be found against the present evills And in all this I see not what can be justly charged upon his Majestie or upon me his Servant who have done nothing against any authorized Law of the Kingdome but have served him faithfully unto whom by trust and naturall Allegiance I owe so much Whereas I am declared an enemie to my native Country God be so propitious to me as my thoughts towards it have been alwayes publike and tending to the good and honour thereof I professe since I had the honour of that noble Marquesse's acquaintance I have been a favourer of his designes knowing them to be both loyall and honourable Besides that I know his affection to his Country to be eminent in this especially that he did ever shew himself passionate to vindicate the honour of this Kingdome which suffereth every where by the strange combination of this with the Rebells of another Country and Kingdome against their own Prince Wherein I concurred in judgement with him and thought there was no other way to doe it but by setting up a party of true and loyall-hearted Scotch-men for his Majestie whereby it might be seen that it is not a Nationall defection but only stirred up by a Faction there which for their own ends have dishonoured their native Kingdome and disturbed the peace thereof in enterprising and pursuing of which Heroicall designe God hath so favoured that noble Lord that he hath righted our Country in the opinion of all the world and discovered where the rottenness lieth Thus farre I am contented to be counted a Traytor in their opinion that have condemned me being fully assured that God the righteous Judge of all who knoweth the uprightnesse and integritie of my intentions will impute no fault to me in this kind since to my knowledge I have carried my self according to the direction of his word and the practice of all good Chrstians before these miserable times we are fallen into My Exhortation therefore which comming from me at the point I am at will I hope have some waight shall be this unto you that you will break off your sins by Repentance and above all free your selves of that master-sin of Rebellion that reigneth in this Land whereinto most part are either forced or drawn unawares especially at the instigation of those who should have directed them in the way of truth It cannot be but a great judgement upon a Land when Gods singular mercies towards it are so little valued hee hath not given us a King in his wrath but one who for piety bounty and all vertues both Christian and Morall may be a Pattern to all Princes but how little thankfull we are to God for so great a blessing our respecte towards him doe manifest Yet I fear there is a greater
instruments wherein they confidently averred that the States of the Kingdom 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 Ring 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 than Montrose And truly that was the earnest desire and expectation of most men who were not able to dive into the bottom of the Rebells Plots but they had far other designes in hand and another game to play For what their thoughts were towards the King the sad event made too manifest And for Montrose they laid very unconscionable and unworthy Traps to catch him For they did this that if they could flatter him up with such vain hopes and entice him to stay in the Kingdome beyond his time appointed they might take hold of him upon the Articles and cut him off with more credit August was almost spent and no newes at all was 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 for some of his friends to deal with them for further time But when they brought him nought but doubtfull and uncertain answers he had reason to think they intended nothing but to delude and intrap him Besides which 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 Souldiors men of the same temper malicious dogged and ill-condition'd the ship it self neither victualed nor fit to goe to Sea So that when Montrose shew'd himself ready to depart and bad them horse their sails 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 adventure himself to the wind and waves And then making great brags of himself and his ship he drew forth a Commission which the Covenanters had given him wherein hee was 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 Warre every day in sight about the mouth of the river of Eske which 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 goe to Sea that his enemies look'd for nothing else than that either by making too long stay in his own Country he should fall into the hands of the Scotish Covenanters or by going he should be surprised unarm'd and unawares by the English Rebells Montrose's friends that were with him were of opinion that it was best for him in so apparent a danger to return into the Highlands and draw his men together again conceiving that he had better trust the fortune of Warre than so perfidious a peace But he forbore to take that course especially because of his most ardent affection to the King For he was assured if the Warre 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 way with treachery plotted against his own another against the Kings anointed head he determined with an unalterable resolution to bear all the burden upon his own shoulders And therefore he withdrew himself not out of rashnesse as if he despair'd of safety at the worst but out of sage and 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 find 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 of getting Thither Montrose sent away Sir John Hurrey John Drummond of Ball Henry Graham his brother John Spotswood nephew to that great Sir Robert John Lily a Captain of approved skill and courage Patrick Melvin such another George Wischeart Doctor of Divinity David Guthercy a stout young Gentleman Pardus Lasound a French-man once a servant to the noble Lord Gordon afterwards entertained for his Masters sake by Montrose himself one Rodolph a German an honest and trusty young man and a few servants more And these he had pick'd out to carry along with him whithersoever he went for this reason especially because he knew the Rebels to be so maliciously bent against most of them that they could not be safe for never so little a while in that Country And they on the third of September having a good wind put forth to Sea for Norway and the same evening Montrose himself accompanied only with one James Wood a worthy Preacher by a small cock-boat got into a bark which lay at anchor 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. and the 34. year of his age The Continuation of Montrose's Historie IT is not our purpose in this addition to the Historie of the famous Marquesse to deliver his severall Negotiations with forreign Princes further than in the Generall For hosoever they were in order to the Cause he had in hand and did adde a great deal of lustre and splendour to his worth in the eyes of strangers who were indifferent in the case As likewise it must be confessed that no subject of that Kingdome ever received higher favours abroad or procur'd greater respect to the addresses made in his Masters name Yet these things being but obscurely known in the Tenour of them except only to those who were employed and
dangerous Sea Oâ— because they knowing his strength expected a better opportunitie of him as they found indeed within the Countrie After this poor rabble of silly creatures was amaz'd He resolves at last to embarque and to that purpose gathers all the boats he could find ships his men and in a short space lands them all upon the point of Cathanes which is the farthest land to the Northwest of Scotland The people having some experience of the carriage of his former Souldierie and now farre more dreading the name of Forreigners partly by the terrible reports which were constantly given out of him fled away in heaps many of them not stopping till they came to the chief City Edinburgh and there gave the terrible Alarm to the Parliament then sitting The Commanders were immediatly summond and charg'd with all possible hast to get the standing Forces in readiness and a rendezvous in order to the States command was hereupon presently enjoyn'd at Breithen Northward Collonel Straughan who was then in high esteem with the great ones for his valour lately expressed in the English service and his zeal to the Presbyterian cause much extoll'd at that time had an ample and a particular Commission granted to him by the Parliament to command a â—hoyce party of Horse which should not be subject to David Lesleys orders but might engage and fight with the enemy at his best advantage With these being not above three hundred he advanced before the Armie David Leslie with the rest of the Horse and Holborn with the Foot marching after him In the mean time the Marquesse advanc'd but very slowly and that he might not be mistaken since all the world was much astonish'd at this Invasion now whilst the King was upon a Treatie he published a Declaration Wherein he labour'd to clear himself of any aspersion of sinister ends That his intention was only against some particular persons who had against the Laws of the kingdome rais'd and maintain'd a warre against the Kings Father and did now by their subtile practices endeavour to destroy the Son also That he intended nothing against the Generalitie of the Kingdome Lastly exhorting all subjects of that Nation to endeavour to free themselves from the Tyrannie of those who for the present ruled the State and the oppression of the Ministrie But the Country for severall causes did not come to second him as hee expected For the Earl of Sunderland a potent man in those parts his lands being next to the place where the Marquesse then was rais'd a great power of his Tenants and friends and did his best to terrifie and hinder all that were willing to joyn with him And though he found himself unable to deal with the Marquesses forces yet did he stop all entercourse betwixt him and his friends And those Gentlemen who had heretofore followed him and yet enclined to assist him knowing the danger of the enterprise considering the fewnesse of his number and that his souldiers were much undisciplin'd and unlike to the former with whom he had done so great things began to be averse and have a suspition of the event Yet have I heard some say which knew well enough the situation of that Country That if he had not been oppressed in the nick he might have gain'd such strengths amongst the hills as might have given him leisure enough to have strengthned his own partie and tyred out the enemy Howsoever he was not altogether unmindfull of a retreat There is in that Country a Castle call'd Dumbath the Lord or Laird thereof is the head of a very ancient Familie but no friend of the Marquesses This Gentleman having left his house in the keeping of his Lady and some servants fled to Edinburgh The Lady though the place were naturally fortified yet upon summons delivered it to Collonel Hurry who was sent thither by the Marquesse with a partie of Foot to reduce it Upon condition her goods and estate might be secur'd and she with her servants suffor'd to march away Hurry having plac'd a Governour and a Garrison as hee thought sufficient for the defence of the place return'd to the Marquesse who was now advanc'd to the place or neer it where he was to lose at one throw both his life and fortune The Marquesse hearing of the enemies approach made his whole Forces march at a great trot to recover a passe which they were not very farre from when he himself in the vanguard discover'd the first partie which was Straughans Forlorn hope advancing very fast upon him So that these with their hast and the souldiers running found them both out of breath and order The second Partie was commanded by Straughan himself and the â—ereguard as I remember by Collonel Ker for he had divided them in three bodies But now the first party being very neer there was a Forlorn hope of a hundred Foot drawn out to meet them who giving fire upon them put them to a disorderly retreat but being immediatly seconded by Straughans partie they made good their charge and so terrified the Islanders with that breach that most of them threw down their Arms and call'd for quarter Only the Dutch Companies after they had bestowed a volley or two amongst the Horse retreated into some shrubbs hard by and there very valiantly defended themselves awhile but were all taken at last There were kill'd in this businesse to the number of two hundred twelve hundred taken very few escaped For the whole Countrie being in Arms especially Sunderlands men who came not to the fight but to the execution they kill'd or took Prisoners all such aâ— fled In that skirmish was taken the Standard which he had caus'd to be made of purpose to move the affections of the people with this Motto Judge and revenge my cause O Lord and the portraict of the late King beheaded exactly well done The Standard-bearer a very gallant young Gentleman was kill'd after he had severall times refus'd quarter There was Collonel Hurrey taken the Lord Frenderick Sir Francis Hay of Dalgetie Collonel Hay of Naughton Collonel Gray and most of the Officers and two Ministers The Marquesse after he saw the day was absolutely lost threw away his cloak which had the Starre on it having receiv'd the order of the Garter a little while before his Sword was likewise found and not very farre off his horse which he had forsaken For so soon as he had gâ—t clear off that ground where the skirmish was he betook himself to foot and lighting upon one of that Country or one of his own souldâ—ers I know not whether took his Highland apparell from him and so in that habite conveighed himself away But such narrow search being made for him he could not long escape yet he continued in the open fields three or four dayes without any notice gotten of him At last the Lord of Aston being in Arms with some of his Tenants and aboard in that search happened on him He had been one
he was much solicited to discover the Conspiratours in the overthrow of that Army but that took no effect nor is that yet since he left it undiscover'd known to any Scotish man alive whether there were any connivance in 't or no. He was very frequent in his devotions whilst he was in prison and exprest much more cheerfulnesse than he had done at any time before since his being taken prisoner After he had endur'd these private batteries and assaults with a great deal of constancie he was at last brought before a publike auditorie to be sifted The Parliament had a little while before been call'd for proclaming the King and ordering the affairs of the kingdome whither he was brought and did appear with a very undismayd countenance in a rich Mantle layd over with massie lace His chief adversaries were the Marquesse of Argyle his known and inveterate enemie Earl of Lowdon the Chancellour of Scotland of the same name and faction Lowdon Ker a violent and a high-spirited man Cassells another of his adversaries was gone in Commission to the King These of the Nobilitie were most against him Of the Gentrie the Laird of Swinton a potent man in that Parliament Sir James Stuart Provost of the Citie of Edinburgh a man likewise in great esteem The Lord Hopton a Lord of the Session and President of the Committee for Examinations and severall others But the whole Assembly was violent against him neither could he be admitted to any place there that was not publikely invective against him But amongst them all the Ministers of Edinburgh in this strife carried the honour and of them Mr. Robert Trayle and Mr. Mungo Law two such venemous Preachers as no man that knows them can mention their names without detest The first of the two had been Chaplain before to the Marquesse of Argyle and was his companion in his flight from the battell of Ennerlochie and now Prisoner to the States of England Many and grievous were the accusations layd to his charge First that he had by his pernicious insinuation diverted the King from the Counsells of his well-wishing Subjects The introducing the Irish into the bowells of the Kingdome The murther of some particular persons the utter spoyl and devastation of the Marquesse of Argyles lands and the Killing and destroying of divers well-affected people there and that in cold blood The cruell usage of some ministers at his last landing The Complainers were there present but could allege nothing save only that he had restrayn'd them from rayling His transacting with Forreign States for the invasion of his Native Country and bringing in of Forreigners now the second time and that without any known Commission His obstinate persecution of all Covenanters against his own oath and engagement and his Apostacie from his first principles The Marquesse knowing how much his defences would avail him did not much labour to clear himself but answer'd all in generall For his Invasion they knew partly what authoritie he had for the rest he was sufficiently perswaded in his conscience that he had done nothing which he might not be answerable to God for as being in order to his Masters Commands and to men too so he might have but an even and an unprejudic'd judicatorie Thus having been call'd once or twice before that high Court of judgement where he answer'd so vigorously as was admirable to all he did at last receive his dolefull Sentence which was accordingly executed upon him two dayes after with all the severitie and bitternesse that could be devised There was erected in the middle of the Market-place a large Scaffold brest-high in the midst of which was planted a Gibbet of extraordinary height The Marquesse having taken his rest very kindly that night next morning recommending himself to God once or twice took his breakfast very chearfully The Bayliffs waited on him to the Scaffold where the whole people of the City attended his comming at least two houres before He came uncovered all the way betwixt the Scaffold and the Toll-booth and in the same rich Mantle he had worn before Being come thither he was much detayn'd with a great many frivolous questions of which partly the Ministers partly those whom the States suffer'd to be about him desir'd to be satisfied Hee made a short Speech in which he was often interrupted the Tenour of which was That he was satisfied in his conscience for ought he had done in relation to warre That for his own particular sins which were infinite he had begg'd pardon earnestly of God and had an inward hope to obtaâ—n it Hee freely forgave all those who had sought his overthrow and intreated the Charitie of all the people to pray both for him and them The Ministers because he was under the sentence of Excommunication refus'd to pray for him and even on the very Scaffold were very bitter against him After he had about a quarter of an hour prayed with his hat before his eyes he was ready to goe to his suffering when his Book and Declaration and all other Papers which he had publish'd in his life being tyed in a string together were hang'd about his neck He was very earnest that he might have the liberty to keep on his hat it was denyed He requested he might have the priviledge to keep his cloak about him neither could that be granted Then with a most undaunted courage he went up to the top of that prodigious gibbet where having freely pardon'd the Executioner he gave him three or four pieces of gold and enquir'd of him how long he should hang there he told him three hours then commanding him at the uplifting of his hands to tumble him over he was accordingly thrust off by the weeping Executioner The whole people gave a generall groan and it was very observable that even those who at his first appearance had bitterly inveigh'd against him could not now abstain from tears 'T is said that Argyles expressions had something of grief in them and did likewise weep at the rehearsall of his death for he was not present at the execution Howsoever they were by many call'd Crocodiles tears how worthily I leave to others judgement But I am sure there did in his son the Lord of Lorne appear no such sign who neither had so much tendernesse of heart to be sorry nor so much paternall wit as to dissemble who entertaining his new Bride the Earl of Murrays Daughter with this spectacle mock'd and laugh'd in the midst of that weeping Assemblie And staying afterwards to see him hewen in pieces triumph'd at every stroak which was bestow'd upon his mangled body Thus ended the life of the Renowned Marquesse though not his punishment if that can properly be call'd a punishment which mens bodies suffer after death For being cut down without so much as any to receive his falling corps His head was smitten off his arms by the shoulders and his leggs by the knees and so put into severall
stood with the King his Royall Master Which being reported unto the Parliament they ceased proceeding against him untill Monday and allowed their Commissioners to tell him that the King and they were agreed He desired to be at rest for he was weary with a long journey and he said The Complement they had put upon him that day was somewhat tedious The next day being Sunday he was constantly attended by Ministers and Parliament-men who still persued him with threatnings but they got no advantage of him he told them They thought they had afronted him the day before by carrying him in a cart but they were much mistaken For he thought it the most Honourable and joyful'st journey that ever he made God having all the while most comfortably manifested his presence to him and furnishing him with resolution to ever-look the reproches of men and to behold him for whose cause he suffered Upon Monday in the forenoon he was brought before the Parliament and after the deliverie of a long penned discourse by the Chancellour wherein he was pleased to take notice of his miscarriages against the first Covenant the League and Covenant his Invasion and joyning with the Irish Rebells and blood-guiltiness and that now how God had brought him to just punishment Hee desired to know if he might be allowed to speak for himself which being granted he said Since you have declared unto me that you have agreed with the King I look upon you as if his Majestie were sitting amongst you and in that Relation I appear with this reverence bareheaded My care hath been alwaies to walk as became a good Christian and a loyall Subject I engaged in the first Covenant and was faithfull to it untill I perceived some private persons under colour of Religion intended to wring the Authoritie from the King and to seize on it for themselves and when it was thought fit for the clearing of honest men that a bond should be subscribed wherein the securitie of Religion was sufficiently provided for I subscribed For the League and Covenant I thank God I was never in it and so could not break it but how farre Religion hath been advanced by it and the sad consequences that have followed on it these poore distressed Kingdomes can witness for when his late Majestie had by the blessing of God almost subdued those enemies that rose against him in England and that a faction of this Kingdome went in to the assistance of them His Majesty gave Commission to me to come into this Kingdome and to make a diversion of those forces that were going from hence against Him I acknowledged the command most just and I conceiv'd my self bound in conscience and duty to obey it what my carriage was in this Countrey many of you may bear witnesse Disorders in any Army cannot be prevented but they were no sooner known then punished never was any mans blood spilt but in Battell and even then many thousand lives have I preserved and as I came in upon his Majesties Warrant so upon his Letters did I lay aside all interest and retreat And for my comming in at this time it was by his Majesties commands in order to the accelerating of the Treaty betwixt him and you His Majestie knowing that when ever he had ended with you I was ready to retire upon his call I may justly say that never subject acted upon more Honourable grounds nor by so lawfull a power as I did in this service and therefore I desire you to lay aside prejudice and consider me as a Christian in relation to the justice of the quarrell as a Subject in relation to my Royal Masters commands and as your Neighbour in relation to the many of your lives I have preserved in battell and be not too rash but let me be judged by the Lawes of God the Lawes of Nature and Nations and the Lawes of this Land if you doe otherwise I do hear appeal from you to the Righteous judge of the world who one day must be both your Judge and mine and who alwayes gives Righteous Judgement This he delivered with such Gravitie and without Passion as was much admired even of his enemies After which the Chancellour commanded the Sentence to be read which he heard with a setled and an unmoved countenance and desiring to be futher heard was presently stopt by the Chancellour who commanded he should be presently removed back again to prison where being no sooner come but the Ministers assault him afresh agravating the terrour of the Sentence thereby to affright him he acknowledged himself much beholding to the Parliament for the Honour they put upon him saying Hee took it for a greater honour to have his head stand upon the prison Gate for this quarrell than to have his picture in the Kings Bed-chamber And lest his Loyaltie should be forgotten they had highly honoured him in designing lasting monuments to four of the chiefest Cities to bear up his memoriall to all posteritie wishing he had had flesh enough to have sent a piece to every city in Christendome to witnesse his loyalty to his King and Countrie His Friends were not suffered to come neer him but a guard was alwayes in the Chamber with him insomuch as he had neither time nor place for his Private devotion but in their hearing The next day being the 21. Cloathed in a Scarlet cloak richly laced with Gold lace he was brought to the Scaffold He came along the streets with so great state and there appeared in his countenance so much Beautie Majestie and Gravitie as amazed the beholders and many even of his Enemies did acknowledge him to be the gallentest subject in the world but because all his Friends and well-willers were debar'd from comming neer him there was a boy designed for that purpose on the Scaffold who took his Last speech Which was to this Effect I am sorry if this manner of my End be scandalous to any good Christian Doth it not often happen to the righteous according to the waies of the wicked and to the wicked according to the waies of the righteous doth not sometime a just man perish in his righteousness and a wicked man prosper in his malice They who know me should not disesteem me for this many greater then I have been dealt with in this kind yet I must not say but that all Gods Judgements are Just For my private sins I acknowledge this to be Just with God I submit my self to him but in regard of man I may say they are but instruments God forgive them I forgive them they have oppressed the poor and violently perverted Judgement and Justice but he that is higher then they will reward them What I did in this Kingdome was in obedience to the most just Commands of my Soveraign For his defence in the day of his distresse against those that rose up against him I acknowledge nothing but fear God and Honour the King according to the commandements of God
either fear or wit But beyond all these in my opinion was that device of the Marquesses who at Alderne being in a great strait one wing of his Armie being routed and the other in a very staâ—gering condition he did so incense that which was yet whole with the feigned success of the other that valiantly charged the enemie and put the business again in an even ballance And very like was it to that device of Tullas Postilius who being deserted by Metius King of the Albans told his souldiers he had don 't of purpose to try them and by that means turn'd their fear into indignation he was exceeding constant and affable to those that did adhere to him and to those he knew very affable though his carriage which indeed was not ordinarie did make him seem proud Nor can his enemies lay any greater fault to his charge than this insatiable desire of honour which he did pursue with as handsome and heroick action as ever any did and such as had neither admiration of avarice or self ends though he was therewith by some most unworthily branded For these and the like vertues of which he was the rich possessour he was lamented all Christendome over by all sorts of men and since his death too by those who had the greatest hand in 't though their success at that time did animate their cruelty Nescia mens hominum fati sortisque futurae Et servere modum rebus sublata secundi The Speech of Collonel William Sybbald intended by him to have been spoken on the Scaffold at time of his Execution at Edenborough Jan. 7. 1650. but hearing that libertie would not be given him to speak so freely he gave a Copie of it to a speciall friend GEntlemen I am brought this day to this place to pay a debt to Nature before it be due and by the malice and crueltie of my mercilesse enemies I am sentenced to die as a Traytor to my Country for endeavouring to doe service for my King on whose happiness and well-fare does depend the welfare of these Kingdoms to whom I am bound both by the Law of God and man to perform all faithfull and loyall service And as the Cause for which I suffer proclames my loyaltie so their Sentence does declare to all the world their disloyaltie and their intentions against their King Their self-guiltiness makes cowardly spirits cruell and such was their proceedings against me as that I could not obtain an Advocate to plead for me nor any man skilfull in the Laws either to advise with me or to write my Defence though they knew me to be ignorant of the Laws Thus is my innocencie and integritie betrayed partly by their malice and my own ignorance The truth is they did proffer to doe me any courtesie or favour if I would make an ingenuous confession that is accuse some Noblemen and gentlemen of keeping correspondencie with his Majestie or with the Marquesse of Montrose which if I had done I deserved to have been branded with perpetuall infamie for I never knew any man in this Kingdome that did keep correspondencie with them neither had I Commission from his Majestie or the Marquesse of Montrose to treat with any I did indeed speak with some Noblemen and Gentlemen because I was formerly oblieged unto them for their love to me and did expect from them some small assistance to furnish me in my journey but I never spake with them concerning the publike Affairs no further than the weekly Gazets made known to all the world if these great Fish could have been taken in our Statesmens Nets it might have been that such a Minim as I should have escaped the Bayliffe of the Fish-markets hand this day I have been from my youth a Souldier and though that Calling in it self be honourable yet men in that Calling have greater occasions and provocations to sinne than in any private Calling Besides naturally my youth led me to some abominable sins and custome in them did for many years detain me captive unto them so that I cannot but confesse that to me appertaineth shame and confusion in this life and damnation of soul and body eternally in hell fire if God should deal with me according to my desert my comfort is that the blood of my Saviour cries lowder in his ears for mercy than my sins doe for vengeance and that he who hath promised a free pardon and remission unto all penitent sinners through faith in â—esus Christ will purge cleanse my soul from all uncleanness and deliver me from all blood guiltiness by the blood of his Son our Saviour The true sorrow that I find in my soul for my former sins and that godly resolution and stedfast purpose I have to lead a new life if it please God to continue it together with the joy the patience the courage I have to suffer gives me some assurance of this blessed hope that through faith in Christ Iesus my Saviour my penitent soul though sinfull shall be saved And as for my religion I die as I lived a true Protestant this Religion I thank God as it preserved me from popish Superstition so it kept me from being seduced by the Novelties of the times and from being deluded with the wicked doctrine which is now taught by the Reformers of the Kirk It was this Religion which did keep my hand from your Covenant of which in the space of some five years you gave two interpretations quite contradictorie for in the year 1639. the Assemblie did affirm as appears by our Acts of Parliament and Assemblie that in all Causes whatsoever you were to defend and maintain the Person and dignitie of your King but in the year 1644. you limit your abedience to your King to your Religion Laws and Libertie and make your selves in all differences between the King and you both Judge and Partie the Religion in which I was bred taught me to give both to God and my King their due it taught me to honour and worship God and to expect Salvation through Christ and to live soberly and to deal justly with all men I ever hated that Religion which made Saints or Angels sharers with God his worship or men partakers with my Redeemer in the work of my Redemption or that made our Christian libertie a cloak of maliciousnesse and though naturally I inclined to evill and wicked companie drew me to most hainous and filthy sins yet I thank God I hated that Religion that taught impietie and wickedness Rebellion murther and injustice or that approved the killing of Kings and their loyall Subjects for their loyaltie as having its originall rather from the Devill who was a murtherer from the beginning than from God and I did ever esteem it more agreeable to mans sinfull and corrupted nature than to Gods holy Word I have heard a learned man say that it were better to denie God to be than to believe him to be such an one who delights in the bloody sacrifices of men and women or to think that he is such an one who delights in crueltie and murther the God whom we serve and worship is the Saviour of the world the preserver of man the Redeemer of Man-kind the avenger of his blood I have been taught from Gods word that he hath no pleasure in wickedness neither shall any evill dwell with him undoubtedly such bloody Sacrifices cannot be pleasing or acceptable to him for they are repugnant to his nature and contradictorie to the justice and equitie of his holy Law It is my greatest grief at this time that I did not walk according to the puritie of my Religion and the holiness of God who hath called us to the knowledge of his truth Therefore let me entreat you to pray unto God with me and for me that he would be pleased to pardon my many and great sins that he would purge my soul with the blood of his Son from the guilt and pollution of all my sins that I may be presented unto my heavenly Father without spot or wrinkle holy without blemish that he would receive me thorough the merits of my Saviour into everlasting peace and into the glorious estate of his chosen Saints in heaven O Lord into thy hands I commend my soul Lord Jesu receive my spirit O mercifull Father forgive my Enemies and lay not this sin to their charge Amen FINIS
to Newcastle others into Ireland And such as before only privately wisht well unto the King now did no longer fear to shew themselves to expresse their loyalty to pray openly for his prosperity and to offer their service But those that before had sided with the Covenanters began to ask forgivenesse to plead they were constrain'd to take up armes by the violence and tyranny of the Rebells to submit their persons and estates to the Conquerour humbly to beseech his protection and implore his wonted clemency And Cities and Countries that were furthest off began to dispatch their Commissioners to professe in their names their Allegiance to their King their duty and service to his Vicegerent and freely to offer him men arms provision and other necessaries of War The Nobility of the Realm and the Chiefs of Septs came in thick unto the Lord Governour welcomed him tendred their service unto him extoll'd his high and honourable atchievements and thank't him for them All whom he pardoned for what was past receiv'd them with liberty and indempnity into his protection and encouraged them to be of good chear Nor did he lay any greater burden upon them than to change that covetous and cruell slavery which they were manacled with by the Rebels for the sweet and gentle government and protection of a most gracious Prince and by laying aside all former grudges and fewds hereafter more religiously to observe their duty and loyalty to the good King and thence forward never more to have to doe with the counsells of seditious men who by endeavouring to satisfie their own lusts had engaged King and Subject one against the other and upon the matter ruin'd both For his part he never had any other intention than to restore their Religion their King their Liberty his Peers and Countrymen by Armes when no other means was left out of the tyranny of Rebels unto their antient peace happinesse and glory Which if he should effect he would give Almighty God the authour of all good things everlasting praise but if he failed however he should by these his honest endeavours acquit himself before God and Gods Vicegerent his Majesty before all good men and his posterity his honour and his conscience At this time the whole Kingdom sounded nothing but Montrose's praise Men of all sorts every where extolling the ingenuity of his disposition in which he out went all his Equalls the gallantry of his person in Warre his patience in travels his evennesse of spirit in dangers his wisdome in counsels his faithfulnesse to such as submitted his quicknesse in dispatches his courtesie to such as he took prisoners in a word his truly heroick vertue in all things and towards all men And this honour most men gave him in good carnest and out of a sincere affection but some in craft and dissimulation and as every one had wit or skil they set forth his Encomiums or Panegyricks in Vetse or Prose Yea such is the volubility or humane things and the inconstancy of the whirling multitude that they were not affraid openly to curse and rail at the ringleaders and prime men of the Covenanters Faction such as Argyle Lindsey Loudon and other whom a while agoe they honoured and adored for Saints as authors of all the mischiefs that had befaln them All things going on thus happily the Northern parts of the Kingdome being secured on his back the way being opened unto him into the South the power of the Rebells every where quash'd their chief leaders who in conscience of their guilt despaired of mercy driven out of the Kingdome and no considerable party remaining in armes yet in the West there were some stirres For the Earls of Cassils and Eglington and some other promoters of the Covenanters Cause laboured to engage the Countries in a new War and were said to have rais'd in a tumultuary way the number of four thousand men Therefore Montrose the next day after the battell of Kilsythe drew his men into Cluidsdale from whence the Earle of Lancrick being struck with the news of their late overthrow disbanding those men that he had rais'd was fled Montrose chose that quarter as lying most commodiously for his affaires in the South and West and matched to Glascow which is the principall city of that Countrey He receiv'd the Town into his protection and entring into it with the joyfull acclamations of the people first of all he restrained his souldiers from plunder and then being severe against the delinquents for the terrour of others he put some of the chiefest incendiaries of them to death After that in favour of the Citizens the next day after he came he departed the Town and quartered at Bothwell Where because it was but six miles from the City lest the Citizens should be prejudiced by the insolence of the souldiers he gave them leave to stand upon their guard and defend the City with a Garrison of the inhabitants Hoping with such acts of clemency to engage not only the men of Glascow unto himself but the inhabitants of other Cities also by good offices more than by force and armes At Boihwell he stand many dayes where he received the personall addresses of some of the Nobility and of others by their Trustees Friends and Messengers and setled the peace of Towns and Countries thereabouts who all willingly submitted themselves The chief of the inhabitants of those parts who came to wellcome him and offer their service were the Marquesse of Douglasse a man of a most noble family and chief of the Douglasses the Earls of Limmuck Annandale and Hortfield the Lord Barons of Seton Drummond Fleming Maderty Carnegy and Jonston Hamelton of Orbeston Charter of Hempssield Toures of Innerleigh a most deserving man who afterwards lost his life gallantly in battell Stuart of Resyth Dalyel a brother of the Earle of carnwarth Knights and many more whose names I can either not rightly call to mind or else think sit to forbear at present lest by giving them an unseasonable and thanklesse commendation now whiles they lie under intolerable tyranny I should doc them more harm than honour After the victory of Kilsythe no thoughts had higher place in Montrose's noble breast than the enlargement of such prisoners as for no other fault but the sin of Loyalty had been most basely used and still expected death in the grievous and filthy gaole of Edinburgh Therefore he sends his nephew Napier with Collonel Nathaniel Gordon and a commanded party of Horse to Edinburgh to summon the City and receive it upon surrender to sot the prisoners at liberty and to settle the Town in peace and loyalty but in case they stood out and refused to submit to threaten them with fire and sword They assoon as they came within four miles of the Town made a stand and intended to come no nearer unlesse they chanced to be forced unto it by the obstinacy of the Citizens as well that at that distance they might the more easily
Edinburgh Montrose sent away Alexander Mac-donel to whom he joyned Iohn Drummond of Ball a stout Gentleman into the Western coasts to allay the tumults there and to spoil the designes of Cassils and Eglington But they receiving the alarm of Mac-donells approach were immediately disperst in a great fright Some of the Earls and other Nobles made straight into Ireland others plaid least in sight in I know not what lurking places All the Western Countries the Towns of Aire Irwin and others strove which should first submit freely offering their fidelity and service Neither which was more than he expected did Montrose ever find men better assected to the King than in those Western parts For most of the Gentry Knights and Chiefs of Families and some also of the prime Nobility came off chearfully to his side Whose names which otherwise ought to have been registred with honour at the present I shall passe by if not in an acceptable perhaps yet certainly in an advantageous silence for I should be loath so honest and loyall souls should be questioned by their cruel enemies for their good affections upon my information Chap. XV. MOntrose had now taken into his thoughts the setling of the South-borders and sent unto the Earls of Hume Rosburough and Trequair to invite them to associate with him for matter of Peace and War and all things that were to be done in the name and by the authority of the King These were not only the powerfullest men in those parts by reason of the multitude of their friends and their great retinue but also made as though they were most cordiall assertors of the Kings authority For besides the bond of Allegeance which was common to them with others they were engaged unto him by extraordinary benefits Nor were they only advanced unto great Honours by him as being raised from the order of Knighthood to a high pitch of Nobility but were made Governours of the most gainfull Countries and by that means being enriched above their equalls and their own condition heaped up wealth indeed unto themselves but envy and hatred upon the King They again dispatch some of their friends of the best quality to assure him That they were ready to undergoe any hazard under his conduct and command in the behalf of their most bountifull King They promise moreover to raise a world of men and nothing bindred their coming up unto the Camp if he would but be pleased to draw that way with never so small a party of his forces And so it would come to passe that not only their friends and clients but the whole Country being animated with his presence and authority would cheerfully take up armes as oreman and if they stood out they might be compelled or a course taken with them Therefore they earnestly besought him to asford them his assistance in this and in all the rest he should find them his most faithfull and ready servants These were fair words and at first healing seem'd to carry an honest meaning along with them but were promised with that kind of faith that the Creatures and Favourites of the too indulgent King are used to keep And perhaps upon that score the Earl of Lancrick Duke Hamiltons brother is more to be commended whom Montrose having earnestly follicited by friends to come off to the Kings side although that way he might very likely expect his pardon for what was past and the releasement of his brother yet without any dissimulation he gave this peremptory answer That he would have nothing to doe with that side and that he would never pretend that friendship which he intended not to preserve And I would to God all they on whom the good King has too much relied had delivered themselves with the same candor and plain dealing ever since the beginning of these troubles About the same time Montrose sent the Marquesse of Douglasse and the Lord Ogilby over into Anandale and Niddisdale that there with the assistance of the Earls of Anandale and Hartfield they might list as many souldiers Horse especially as they could And gives them orders withall to march with such as they should so raise towards Trequaire Roxborough and Hume that they might engage them without any further put-offs in an association with them For Montrose understood a little what Court-holy-water meant and therefore was something suspitious of the delayes which they fram'd the rather having had some experience of their cunning and slipperinesse especially of Trequaires And truly Doughlasse by the chearfull endeavours of the Earls of Anandale and Hartfield had quickly raised a considerable party if one count them by the head but they were new men taken from their plowes and flocks and but raw souldiers forward enough at the first charge but by and by their hearts fail them and they can by no means be kept to their colours When Douglasse and the rest of the Commanders considered this they write again and again to Montrose that he would make haste after them with his old souldiers towards Tweed for by his presence and authority and the company and example of the old souldiers they might be brought either willingly or whether they would or no to know their duties In the mean time according to his command they goe on to Strathgale freely offering an opportunity and their service if it needed to Roxborough and Trequaire to draw out their men the more easily timely But they good men who well enough understood the secretest counsels of the Covenanters and knew that all their Horse would be there immediately out of England under the command of David Lesley intended nothing more than to over-reach the King with their old tricks and to deliver Montrose whose glory they envied into the hands of his enemies though not by armes for that they could not yet by treachery To that end they insinuate again and again not only unto Douglasse and his party but to Montrose himself by their friends and frequent messengers that for their parts they were ready to expose their persons to the utmost hazard but they could never be able to draw together their friends clients and Trained bands except they were animated and encouraged with Montrose his presence And that they might be the better beleeved they curse themselves to the pit of hell if they did not stand stifly and unalterably to their promise Montrose notwithstanding was not taken with all this but staid still at Bothwel conceiving that if there were any truth of honesty in their words Douglasse and his party who still say in the Country adjacent would be sufficient for the raising and encouraging of their friends and dependents At length when Montrose had quartered a great while at Bothwel most of the Highlanders being loaden with spoil ran privisy away from their colours and returned home Presently after their very Commanders desired Furloghs for a little while pretending that the enemy had not an Army in the field within the borders of
that Kingdome and therefore their service for the present might well be spâ—â—ed besides they complained that their houses and corn in and with which their parents wives and children were to be sustained that winter were fired by the enemy and no provision made for them so that they humbly desired to be excused for a few weeks in which they might take care to secure their families from hunger and cold Also they solemnly and voluntarily engaged their words that they would return many more than they went and much refreshed within forty dayes These Montrose seeing he could not hold them as being Voluntiers and fighting without pay that he might the more engage them thought fit to dismisse them not only with Licences but Commissions And giving publick commendations to the souldiers and thankes in his Majestics name to the Commanders exhorting them to follow their businesse closely and vigorously he appoints Alexander Mac-donell their Countryman and Kinsman who was but too ambitious of that employment to be their companion and guide who should bring them back to the Camp by the day appointed Who in a set speech gave thanks in all their names to the Lord Governour for his so noble favour and as if he had been their Bail or surety with a solemn oath undertook for their sudden return yet he never saw Montrose after Not was he contented to carry away with him the whole Forces of the Highlanders who were more than three thousand stout men but he privily drew away sixscore of the best 〈…〉 ish as if forsooth he had pick't them out for his Life-guard About this very time many messengers came severall ways to Bothwell from the King at Oxford Amongst whom one was Andrew Sandiland a Scotch-man but bred in England and entred into holy Orders there a very upright man faithfull to the King and much respected by Montrose who continued constantly with him unto the end of the War Another was Sir Robert Spotswood once the most deserving President of the highest Court in Scotland and now his Majestâ—es Secretary for that Kingdome who passed from Oxford through Wales into Anglesey and thence getting a passage into Loghaber came into Athole and was conducted by the men of Athole unto Montrose Almost all the Agents that came brought this Instruction amongst the rest That it was his Majesties pleasure that he should joyn unto himself the Earls of Roxburough and Trequair and confide in their advice and endeavours of whose sidelity and industry no question was to be made Moreover that hee should make haste towards the Tweed where he should meet a party of Horse which the King would instantly dispatch out of England to be commanded by him with whom he might safely give battell to David Lesly if as was suspected he marched that way with the Covenanters Horse All this the respective bearers unanimously delivered and his most excellent Majesty being over-credulous signified by his Expresses And Montrose being now over-born with the Kings absolute Commands takes up his resolution to march to the side of Tweed But the day before he went the souldiers being drawn up to a Rendezvouz before that Mac-donell and the Highlanders were gone Sir Robert Spotswood making an humble obeysance under the Kings Standard delivered his Majesties Commission under the Great Seale unto Montrose which he again gave unto Archibald Primrose Clerk of the Supreme Councell to be read aloud That being ended in a short but stately Oration he commended the Valour and Loyalty of the Souldiers and the great affection he bore them And for Mac-donell he not only extoll'd his gallantry in the head of the Army but by vertue of that authority that he had received from the King gave him the honour of Knighthood For not only Montrose but all the Kings friends were confident of the integrity of the man whose good opinion he deceiv'd not only to the undoing of the Kings cause but the utter ruine of himself and his friend Montrose following his intended journey came the second night to Calder Castle at which time the Earl of Aboine whether the Lord Governour would or no carried away with him not only his own men but all the rest of the Northern Forces whom he had inveighled to desert the service Nor would he be perswaded either by reason or the intreaty of his friends who heartily detested that shamefull act to stay but so much as one week and then he might depart not only with the Generalls license but with honour and the good esteem of honest men Seeing it would be no better Montrose passing by Edinburgh led his small Army through Lothainshire and in Strathgale joyned with Douglasse and the other Commanders whose Forces being much diminished were daily mouldring more and more In that coast Trequaire himself came unto him more chearfull and merry than he used to be who pretended himself to be a most faithfull servant not only to his Majesty but also to Montrose and the next day sent him his Son the Lord Linton with a gallant party of Horse as if they were to be under his command that by so likely a pledge he might make Montrose more secure and so more easily ruine him For this was not the first time that Trequaire plaid the Covenanters Scout-Master that ungratefullest piece of mankind intending to betray unto them Montrose and in him the King himself Now when he was not above twelve miles from the Lords Hume and Roxborough and they sent not so much as a Messenger to him nor offered him the smallest courtesie Montrose being much troubled at it resolved to march into their Territories and to bring them in either by fair means or soul But they prevented him by a singular device They sent unto David Lesley whom they well knew by that time was come to Berwicke with all the Scotch Horse and many English Voluntiers for they were privy to all their counsells and entreated him to send a party and carry them away in the condition of prisoners which he did the day before Montrose came thither For by this means that crasty old fox Roxborough who had Hume under his girdle conceiv'd that they might both ingratiate themselves with the Covenanters as freely committing themselves into their protection and yet keep in the Kings favour whiles they made as if they fell into Lestey's hands sore against their wills And this being Lesley's first noble exploit he passed over Tweed and marched into the Eastside of Lothian Montrose assoon as he perceived the King and himself betray'd by these men and saw no hopes of that party of Horse which was come from the King and that the too powerfull enemy would block up his passage into the North and Highlands resolved to march with those few men he had into Niddisdale and Annandale and the Countrey of Ayre that he might there raise what Horse he could For although he had no certain intelligence concerning the strength of the enemy yet he conjectured that it