"That the paying of money to the rebels, or complying with any of their orders or demands, will infer high treason against such as do the same, as being aiders, comforters, and abettors of the rebels; and discharging all his majesty's good subjects within Scotland to give, or furnish the rebels with money, provisions, or any other aid or assistance whatsoever, directly or indirectly, under the highest pains and punishments of the law." This order or edict he appointed to be intimated at every parish church door after divine service, and before the dissolution of the congregation, the first sabbath after it came to hand. This was immediately followed by a counter edict by the earl of Marr, " prohibiting any person from enlisting in the duke's service, under the pain of high treason, &c., or any magistrate, justice of the peace, minister of the gospel, or any other person, from publishing or executing any orders. issued by his grace, under the same pains.†

* Patten's History of the Rebellion, p. 171. + Life of John, duke of Argyle, p. 173.

THE

HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.

Book IV.

1715-1716.

Party of Rebels cross the Forth-Take possession of Leith-Attempt Edinburgh in vain-Retreat from Leith-March for England-Rebellion in England-Viscount Kenmure commissioned by the Earl of Marr to head the Scotish insurrection in the South-Attempts on Dumfries-Lord Lovat apprehended at Dumfries-The Chevalier proclaimed at Lochmaben, &c. &c.-Kenmure joins Forster and the English at Rothbury-March back to Scotland-Sermon at Kelso-Proclamation of the Chevalier at Kelso-Council of War-Array of the Rebel army-March apparently without knowing to what end-Are pursued by General Carpenter-Dumfries again alarmed—Rebels march for England—Are deserted by five hundred HighlandersReach Longtown-Brampton-Penrith-The Posse Commitatus-Appleby-Kendal -Kirby Lonsdale-Lancaster-Colonel Charteris-Dumfries-Preston-Besieged by General Wills-Forster surrenders-Preparations that had been made for assisting the Rebels in England-Reflections-Duke of Argyle-Earl of Marr-Difficulties attending both-Marr breaks up from Perth-Battle of Sherriffmuir-Operations in the North-Inverness taken from the Rebels-Arrival of the Chevalier-Publishes his Declaration-Receives addresses from the clergy and magistrates of Aberdeen-Creates Knights, Lords, and Bishops-Makes his entry into Perth-His bigotry-Pusillanimity-Melancholy state of his affairs-Issues an order for burning the country to prevent the advance of the king's troops-General Cadogan is sent to the assistance of the Duke of Argyle-Argyle proceeds towards Perth-The Chevalier retreats— Takes ship at Montrose for France, with his principal officers-The royal army proceeds to Inverness-Argyle returns to Edinburgh-Cadogan proceeds to disarm the Highlanders-The rebellion is extinguished.

IN the midst of this war of manifestoes, which could be little profitable to either party, the army of Marr, by the zeal of the clans, was increasing to a number truly formidable. On the fifth of October, he was joined by the M'Intoshes, under the command of brigadier M'Intosh, the laird of Borlam, to the number of five hundred, the very best appointed of any in the rebel army. Borlam too, who commanded them, had served in the army abroad, and had the reputation of a bold and experienced officer. On the sixth, he was joined by the marquis of Huntly, with five hundred horse, and two thousand foot, and on the seventh, by the earl Marischal,

with three hundred horse, and five hundred foot. General Gordon, reputed to be an excellent officer, was also at no great distance, beating up for followers in the county of Argyle, with one hundred horse, and four thousand foot, whence he threatened to pour down upon Dumbarton and Glasgow, which obliged the duke of Argyle to cause the three regiments he received from Ireland, to halt at the latter city, till it was seen which way Gordon should direct his march, which he did very soon into Marr's camp at Perth. Seaforth was yet a little behind, being incommoded in his manœuvres, by the earl of Sutherland; but he was on his way with eight hundred horse, and three thousand foot. With this accumulation of force, had there been among the rebels, any thing like military skill or experience, there could have been no difficulty in forcing the passage of the Forth; but Marr had no experience in war, and Argyle, though his talents in that way, did not rise above mediocrity, had acquired so much reputation under the duke of Marlborough, as in the present instance, evidently supplied the place of half an army. Marr was well aware, that he had numerous coadjutors in the south, with whom, it was one of his great objects to get into contact; but the friends of the government had exerted themselves with so much diligence, that he was in complete ignorance of the movements of these his friends, and in place of pushing boldly forward to join them with his whole force, fell upon the feeble expedient of bringing them forward, by sending to their aid, a detachment from his army, across the Forth below Edinburgh.*

For this expedition six regiments were selected, M'Intosh's, Marr's, Strathmore's, Nairn's, Drummond's, and lord Charles Murray's, amounting in all, to two thousand five hundred of the best troops in the army. The command was intrusted to Borlam, and they were covered on their march to the sea coast by some troops of horse, commanded by Sir John Erskine of Alva, the master of Sinclair, and Sir James Sharp, a grandson of the famous Sharp, archbishop of St. Andrews, who was put to death

• Patten's History of the Rebellion, pp. 8, 9, &c. Campbell's Life of John Duke of Argyle, p. 185.

by a party of covenanters, at Magus Moor, in the year 1679. On their arrival on the coast, every boat along the shore was put in requisition, but the ships of war in the Frith, having been apprized of the design by the duke of Argyle, who had in vain given orders for all the boats on the coast of Fife to be brought away or destroyed, weighed their anchors and prepared to intercept them. A great deal of marching and countermarching was practised through the day on the part of the rebels, and a party sent by Marr for the purpose, openly embarking at Bruntisland with the avowed purpose of crossing over to the southern shore, drew the whole naval force to that point, when the Highlanders immediately relanded, apparently in great trepidation, and threw up, in a hurried manner, some batteries, whence they commenced firing upon the ships. The ships were not slack in returning the fire, though the effects were of little consequence. The manœuvre on the part of the rebels, however, was completely successful; while the ships were thus engaged, Borlam came down to the shore, and during the night embarked at Ely, Pittenweem, Crail, &c. and before the ships perceived their mistake, the main body had reached the middle of the channel. From the state of the tide, and the dead calm that prevailed, it was impossible for the ships to give chase. They manned all their boats, however, and rowing after them, captured one boat with forty men, whom they carried prisoners to Leith. Some they forced back to the coast of Fife-among whom was lord Strathmore, and his lieutenant colonel, Walkinshaw of Barrowfield-others they forced to take shelter in the Isle of May, who, after waiting till next tide, were glad to get back to the Fife side of the water. Of the whole detachment, which consisted of two thousand five hundred men, about one thousand six hundred landed between Tantallon, North Berwick, and Aberlady, and the first night were quartered at Haddington.*

The main purpose to be served by this daring attempt, was to aid the rebels of Northumberland, and to animate such as had promised to join them out of the southern counties of Scotland; but next morning, October the thirteenth, they pro

* Patten's History of the Rebellion, p. 11.

ceeded directly towards Edinburgh, which was, by this movement, thrown into the utmost consternation. Numbers in the place, it was well known, waited only for an opportunity to declare openly for the rebels; and, if the earl of Marr made a motion to face the duke of Argyle, it did not appear possible to save the city by any force the constituted authorities could at present command. That the brigadier was secretly invited to visit the city is extremely probable, and he, no doubt, expected with the aid of the mob, to make himself master of it. The good conduct of the magistrates, and the unanimity of the better class of citizens, however, disappointed his hopes, and prevented any fatal consequences, though the panic was very general and very great. An express was sent off instantly to Stirling, to request regular troops for the defence of the city, and two hundred foot, mounted upon country horses, and three hundred cavalry, arrived at the West Port, by ten o'clock the same evening. Borlam and his little army, when they arrived at Jock's Lodge, finding none of the citizens of Edinburgh come out to meet them as they had expected, learning also, that all the authorities were active in their stations, and every disposition made for defence, resolved to march upon Leith, which they entered without opposition. Had their temerity carried them to Edinburgh, it is not at all unlikely they had met with the same success. Their conscious inability to seize upon the castle, and the dread of Argyle, who, they knew was almost hourly expected, probably prevented them from attempting this nobler achievement, which would have reflected far higher honour upon their reckless daring, and rewarded it with a richer spoil.

On entering Leith, their first business was to liberate their forty companions who had been captured in crossing the Firth. They next seized upon the custom-house, where they found (a most acceptable booty) a considerable quantity of brandy, meal, beef, and other provisions. They then took possession of the citadel, an old fortress raised for the protection of the port in the time of Oliver Cromwell, and going on board the ships in the harbour, they seized upon several pieces of cannon, with a quantity of powder and ball. The cannon they placed upon the ramparts, and all the more accessible places, they