[Scottish National Memorials Contents]
LETTER, from James the Seventh to the Earl of Breadalbane, urging him to raise forces for his cause. ‘Now that God appeares soe signallie to bless our endeavours everiewhere, and that such of our enemies as durst not encounter the justice of our cause. He has by want and distemper destroyed, wee expect that you and everie brave and lionnest man will with your freinds and followers rise and lay hold of soe greate a Providence.’ Hopes he will not decline the charge nor refuse to undergo the difficulties, although the expense may be far beyond what he is provided for, since all things at home and abroad ‘seem to conspire to putt us soone into such a condition’ as will not only enable us to satisfy the debts incurred by friends, but to distinguish them by special marks of favour. Has resolved to send immediately the Earl of Seaforth to head his friends and followers, and, as soon as the weather will permit the shipping of horse, ‘our right trustie and intirely beloved naturall son the Duke of Berwick,’ with considerable succours. The success hoped for ‘shall be acceptable to us for nothing more then that thereby wee shall shew you our gratitude, not only by protecting you in your religion, laws, and liberties, as wee have alreaddy promissed,’ but by rewarding you and each man’s merit out of the forfeitures of the unnatural rebels. Recommends unity, and obedience to superior officers. Given at our Court at Dublin Castle, the last day of November 1689. The seal has Scotland in the first and fourth quarters.
(363) Lent by the MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE.
LETTER, from King William, ‘suprascribitur William R.,’ and ‘sic subscribitur, Jo. Dalrymple.’ It begins:- ‘Right trustie &c. – wee greet yow weel,’ but is addressed to no one by name. In all probability it was sent to the Privy Council of Scotland.1 Hearty thanks are given for calling out a great part of the militia on apprehending an invasion; but it states that most of those surmises were dispersed to amuse and affright our subjects, and that at the time when it was given out that the Duke of Berwick was embarked for Scotland, it was understood that he was then in the French Army in the Low Countries. Being desirous to prevent trouble and expense to good subjects, ‘and haveing lykwayes compassione towards the highlanders and uthers, who hitherto have not rendered themselves by a dutifull submissione and obedience to our government,’ we require you to stop the calling out of the militia; but keep them in readiness until our further order, or that you see an appearance of invasion, and that you give orders to Sir Thomas Livingstone to encamp our troops in some convenient place towards the border of the highlands, without entering into any act of hostility till further orders; ‘haveing resolved to allow these highlanders for some short tyme to reflect how much they have been deluded and imposed upon, to make their native countrie the seat of warr and to joyne with French or Irish Papists to subvert the Protestant religione and destroy ther owne properties and liberties;’ and that they may be convinced that, we having frigates on the water and an army in their view, it is neither want of force, nor opportunity to reduce them, but ‘the tendernes of our affectione towards all our subjects,’ that moves us rather to accept their dutiful submission. Seaforth had given his parole, Hume had refused, and Struan had escaped after he was taken. ‘We think fitt to acquaint yow that, upon good informatione against the late Archblshop of Glasgow, somtyme agoe, we did order him to be made prisoner.’ Dated at the camp at Opprebaix 15⁄25 June 1691.
(364) Lent by the MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE.
KING WILLIAMS APPROBATION OF BREADALBANE’S CONDUCT. It runs thus:-
‘William R.
‘Whereas we did imploy Iohn Earl of Bredalbin to meet with the Highlanders & others in armes in order to the reducing them to our obedience, and he having met & Communed with them, and offered a representation to us in their names, we are well satisfied with his diligence & doe approve his procedure therein and doe accept it as good & faithfull .service done to us. Given under our Royall hand att our Camp att St Gerard August the 20⁄30 1691 and of our reign the third year.’ (See Fig. 88.)
(365) Lent by the MARQUIS OF BREADALBANE.
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1 Compare with Dalrymples Letter to Livingstone printed in Papers Illustrative of the Political Condition of the Highlands, Maitland Club, pp. 22, 23.
