from the profession of the truth; and in all events I pray God may provide for the security of his church, and that antichrist nor the gates of hell may never prevail against it." When he had ended his prayer, he turned to the south side of the scaffold, and said, "Gentlemen, I pray you do not misconstruct my behaviour this day; I truly forgive all men their wrongs and injuries done against me, as I desire to be forgiven of God." Mr. Annan, the episcopalian minister, repeated these words louder that they might be heard by the crowd. The earl then went to the north side of the scaffold, and spoke in similar terms, which were again repeated by Mr. Annan, who added, "this nobleman dies a protestant," upon which Argyle, fearful apparently that this remark coming from an episcopalian clergyman might occasion some doubt as to his own religious principles, stepped forward and said, "I die not only a protestant, but with a heart-hatred of popery, prelacy, and all superstition whatsomever." He now returned to the middle of the scaffold, and took leave affectionately of his friends, giving to his son-in-law, lord Maitland, some tokens of remembrance for his daughter and her children. Then, stripping himself of part of his apparel, he gave it in presents to his attendants. When he knelt to the block, he kissed the instrument of his execution, known by the name of "the maiden," observing with a smile that "it was the sweetest maiden he had ever kissed." Thus died Archibald Campbell, earl of Argyle; whose fate met with perhaps more universal commiseration than that of any of the many victims of those times, and it no doubt helped to cement the spirit of resistance which was now growing up. The number of persons taken in arms in this insurrection were few, and perhaps this was partly the reason that the number of victims was so small. Rumbold, as we have said, was only captured when he was disabled from further resistance by the severity of his Wounds; and as he was not expected to survive, his trial was hurried on with indecent haste, that the executioner might not be disappointed. He was accused of being an accomplice in the Rye-house plot, and to aggravate the charge against him on his trial, the lord-advocate inserted in his indictment that he had been guilty of a design to murder the late king and his sacred majesty; but as Rumbold solemnly denied this, the accuser restricted himself to the charge of participating in Argyle's rebellion. This Rumbold avowed frankly, and declared that he gloried in what he had done; and he was convicted on his own confession, and ordered for execution the same afternoon. He was so weak that, on the scaffold, he was obliged to be held up by two officers while he addressed the spectators. "Gentlemen and brethren," he said, "it is appointed for all men once to die, and after death the judgment; and since death is a debt all of us must pay, it is a matter of small moment and consequence what way it be done; but seeing the Lord is pleased to take me to himself in this manner, as it is somewhat terrible to flesh and blood, yet, glory to him, it is not terrible to me in anywise." He would have proceeded to explain his principles, and justify his actions, but he was immediately interrupted by the beating of drums; upon which, shaking his head, he said, "Will they not suffer a dying man to speak his last words to the people?" Still he persisted in declaring his opinion of the justice of his cause, and his firm belief that it would ultimately triumph. He then prayed for the extirpation of popery, prelacy, and all superstition; but his words were again drowned by the beating of the drums. Rumbold's head was exhibited on an iron spike at the west port of Edinburgh, and then carried to London, where it was considered that, being better known, it would produce more effect. Ayloffe, another of the captives, who was nearly connected with the royal family, was sent to London, where he was examined by the king in person, who hoped to induce him to make a declaration that would implicate another person whose death he desired. Ayloffe was offered his pardon on condition of making this declaration, which he refused, and his bitter reply on this occasion will long be remembered. "Mr. Ayloffe," said James, "you know it is in my power to pardon you, say, therefore, that which may deserve it." "Though it be in your power," replied Ayloffe, "it is not in your nature." Ayloffe was handed over to the executioner. Sir John Cochrane, having, as before stated, been betrayed by a woman's revenge, was carried to Edinburgh with every circumstance of ignominy. He was brought forward as a witress on the trials of three persons who were forfeited, Gilbert Elliot, Mr. Spence, and Stuart the younger of Coltness. He was subsequently sent to London, and, like Ayloffe, examined by the king in private, and eventually his father purchased his pardon for a very large sum of money. This was about the sum total of the execuAnother of the captives, a young minister tions which followed Argyle's unfortunate much respected for his learning and other expedition; but the earl's estates suffered qualities, named Thomas Archer, had been from the private animosity of Athol and mortally wounded in the affair at Muirdyke, Breadalbane, who overrun his lands, and but, as death was not immediate, he was put many of the name of Campbell to death. carried to Edinburgh, and there, in spite of His second son, Charles, the companion of great exertions in his favour, he was con- his expedition from Holland, had fallen into demned to be hung. His friends had pre- the hands of the earl of Athol, who would pared the means of his escape, but, believing have hanged him at the gates of the castle that he must die of his wounds, he had of Inverary, but he was saved by the interrefused to take advantage of the opportunity position of several ladies with the privy which was offered him. council. CHAPTER VII. PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT; OPPOSITION TO THE BILL FOR TOLERATION TO PAPISTS; THE KING'S INDULGENCES; EXECUTION OF JAMES RENWICK; THE REVOLUTION. THE defeat of Argyle, and the still more their rivals. But the contest for power disastrous termination of Monmouth's de- was soon decided by a stroke of court scent in England, raised the confidence of policy of the earl of Perth, who, professing James to such a degree, that he believed all to have been convinced by certain papers further attempt at resistance was impossible, pretended to have been found in the cabinet and he proceeded in his own designs with a of the late king, suddenly embraced the precipitancy which alarmed all parties. He catholic faith. Others of the council folnow began to assume a dispensing power lowed Perth's example, and shared in the which was to overrule even acts of parlia- royal favour; and Queensberry was deprived ment, and he made no secret of his inten- of his office of treasurer, which was placed tion to employ a standing army in both in commission. Large pensions were now kingdoms, and place it under popish officers. bestowed on the converts, who engrossed The dispensing power was first exercised in entirely the patronage of government, which Scotland, where, by a royal mandate of the they acknowledged by the zeal with which 7th of November, 1685, the Roman catho- they laboured to overcome the scruples lics were exempted from these tests and of others. All the offices of state which oaths which affected their consciences. gave much power or emolument were now Dissensions, meanwhile, had broken out gradually placed in the hands of known among the ministers in Scotland which, papists. The duke of Gordon was made while for a time they gave the king the captain of Edinburgh castle, the most imoccasion for stretching further and further portant fortress in the kingdom. The earl the prerogative, laid the foundation of a of Murray, one of the new converts, was wider coalition against him. Among men appointed the king's commissioner for the whose only principle had been the plunder next meeting of parliament. Others were of the country, mutual jealousy was easily bribed or flattered, to secure their concurkindled, and the lucrative offices of Queens- rence in, or prevent their opposition to, the berry and Tarbet are said to have excited measures of the court, which tended evithe cupidity of the earl of Perth and lord dently to the re-establishment of popery. Melfort, who, towards the end of the year The duke of Hamilton, sir George Lock1685, began to form a party against them. hart (who was now president of the court They, however, soon became acquainted of session), general Drummond, and the with the designs, and, in self-defence, archbishop of St. Andrews and the bishop they entered into a counter-plot against of Edinburgh, were invited to court and rewarded or caressed. Of the two prelates, were required to hang lights out of their the first was made a member of the secret houses; and next day a woman and two committee, and the other a member of the men, accused of taking an active part in the privy council, and one at least received a riot, were publicly whipped through the pension. With a further view to increase Canongate, escorted by a party of musthe influence of the court in parliament, the keteers and pikemen. This, however, was royal burghs were informed that, as the not enough, for it seems to have been parliament of England had shown an indis- thought that such an example of striking position to grant them a free trade with terror ought not to be lost by the governthat country, the king intended to give it ment, and a report was sent to the king in them by virtue of his royal prerogative. which this paltry tumult was exaggerated In the midst of all these significant pro- into a treasonable insurrection. James ceedings, there were not wanting symptoms seems to have entered fully into the views of of popular discontent. The mass of those his Scottish councillors, and he wrote to the who had willingly joined in persecuting the privy council urging them to proceed with presbyterians, were by no means so ready to the utmost rigour against all who were imsacrifice protestantism altogether, and the plicated in the disturbance. The king, in episcopal clergy themselves began to be the following remarkable terms, told the seriously alarmed, when they found them- privy council that he could not "imagine selves inhibited from touching upon con- that any has been or will be remiss in this, troversial subjects or making any reflections except those who have been favourers of that upon popery, under pain of being considered rebellious design. But above all, it is our enemies of royalty, and when they saw that express pleasure that you try into the bottom the popish ecclesiastical furniture was bought of this matter, to find out those that have, and imported into Scotland and the mass either by money, insinuation, or otherwise, celebrated openly. But, if the clergy were set on this rabble to that villainous attempt, becoming secretly discontented, the effect or encouraged them in it; and therefore, produced upon the middle classes of society, that for the finding of this out, you spare no and especially upon the mob, was still legal trial, by torture or otherwise; this greater, and was more openly, and even at being of so great importance, that nothing times boisterously expressed. An outburst more displeasing to us, or more dangerous of this feeling occurred in the beginning of to our government, could possibly have been the year 1686. On the 31st of January, contrived, and we shall spare no expenses to which was sabbath-day, a multitude of ap- know the rise of it." This mandate reprentices and of people of the lower orders ceived willing obedience from the ministers, assembled outside the catholic chapel, and who brought several persons to trial and waited the conclusion of service, for the execution as partakers in this "treasonable" purpose of giving expression to their dislike attempt; and in their extraordinary zeal ou of those who attended it. The countess of this occasion, even words spoken against Perth was an especial object of their hos- the catholics were punished with death. A tility, and she and her company were drummer was shot upon Leith sands, on saluted not only with opprobious language, the charge of having, probably in a fit of but with a shower of dirt. The authorities drunkenness, said that he could find it in interfered, and some of the ringleaders were his heart to run his sword through the apprehended and carried before the privy council, which met immediately. One of the prisoner's, a baker's lad, was ordered to be whipped through the Canongate next day; but when he was brought forth to undergo his sentence, the mob reassembled and rescued him. This success emboldened them, and they became so riotous that they were only dispersed by the military, who, being, as it was said, drunk, fired among the crowd with ball and killed a woman and two lads. To hinder a renewal of the tumult at night, all people were ordered to keep within doors, and all householders papists. Government spies were employed everywhere, not only to report people's words, but to betray them into dangerous expressions. Three of these were drinking with a man named Keith, who exercised the profession of a fencing-master, and they went immediately and accused him of having drunk confusion to the papists. It was proved, on examination, that Keith had drunk the king's health, and that the other toast had been proposed by the witnesses, and that he had only assented to it; but, though great intercession was made for his life, it was in vain, and on the 5th of March he was hanged at the high-cross. These cases appeared the more iniquitous, because both the victims were offered their lives, the one if he would become a convert to popery, and the other if he would bring a false accusation against the earl of Queensberry. Both refused the conditions. Everything now showed a resolution on the part of the court to carry its measures in favour of the Roman catholics. Preparatory to the opening of parliament, on the 13th of April, a convention of the royal burghs and a diocesan synod met in Edinburgh, at which, especially among the burghs, the prevailing feeling was decidedly protestant. The ecclesiastics showed more willingness to yield, the archbishop of St. Andrews and the bishop of Edinburgh urging strongly the expedience of complying with the king's wishes, which, if they refused, he could carry into effect by virtue of his own prerogative, and informing the clergy that they had full commission for suspending or depriving, wherever reflections were made on those professing the catholic faith or on their religion. The earl of Murray, as commissioner, opened the parliament on the 28th of April, with a letter from the king, setting forth, as usual, his great love for his Scottish subjects, his satisfaction with their conduct, and his desire for their prosperity, and recounting the many favours he had conferred upon them, especially in opening to them a free trade with England. After stating that he had sent down a full indemnity to all who were concerned in Argyle's rebellion, the king went on to say, "Whilst we show these acts of mercy to the enemies of our person, crown, and royal dignity, we cannot be unmindful of others, our innocent subjects, those of the Roman catholic religion, who have, with the hazard of their lives and fortunes, been always assistant to the crown in the worst of rebellions and usurpations, though they lay under discouragements hardly to be named; them we do heartily recommend to your care, to the end that, as they have given good experience of their true loyalty and peaceable behaviour, so by your assistance they may have the protection of our laws, and that security under our government which others of our subjects have, not suffering them to lie under obligations their religion cannot admit of. This love we expect you will show to your brethren, as you see we are an indulgent father to you all." The commissioner, in his speech, dilated on a'l the points contained in the king's letter, with more than the usual quantity of flattery of the king and praise of his heroic character and paternal government. The estates, in their address, were as humble and submissive as ever, except in the article relating to the papists, on which they showed an inclination to make a resolute stand, though what they said was very cautiously worded. It is even said that they only yielded the point of speaking of popery as "the Roman catholic religion" at the urgent request of the bishops, who represented that it would be considered as a compliment to the king. This paragraph in the address stood as follows: "As to that part of your majesty's letter relating to your subjects of the Roman catholic religion, we shall, in obedience to your majesty's commands, and with tenderness to their persons, take the same into our serious and dutiful consideration, and go as great lengths therein as our conscience will allow, not doubting that your majesty will be careful to secure the protestant religion established by law." This behaviour in the parliament embarrassed the court, and the king's anger fell upon all the public officers who had sided with the protestant party. Lord Pitmedden, the only one of the lords of session who voted against the court, was deprived of his judicial position; three bishops, who would not act with their brethren on this occasion, were displaced; and a number of other persons were removed from the privy council. Sir George Mackenzie, who saw the perilous course the king was running, and made a stand for the established religion, was turned out of the office of king's advocate, which was given to John Dalrymple, afterwards earl of Stair. As the temper of the parliament, however, was evidently against a toleration act, the ministers did not press that measure at once, but brought forward acts of various kinds tending, as they thought, to conciliate the commissioners for counties and burghs, from whom they anticipated the strongest opposition. Meanwhile, consultations were held among the leading men, in the hope of coming to some arrangement, whereby, seeing there was no chance of obtaining an open and public toleration of popery, they might obtain such an introductory measure as would lead to the other. The court, in these conferences, used precisely the same arguments as had been urged in favour of the presbyterians; but conscious how little attention they had paid to these arguments themselves, they added others, which they conceived would be of greater weight, namely, "that by refusing to consent to this moderate ease to papists, a most dangerous and almost incurable blow and wound might be occasioned to the protestant church and religion; for if the king chose, he might, without violating any law, at one stroke remove all protestant officers and judges from the government of the state, and all protestant ministers and bishops from the government of the church, and might, if provoked, fill all their places with papists; which, if he should, they must submit, and are tied down by their principles and religion not to resist, it being a chief and essential position in our holy religion to render active, or where that cannot be done, passive obedience to the chief magistrate." These arguments, however, failed also, and it was found impossible to agree upon any plan which the one party was willing to give and the other to accept. The duke of Hamilton proposed that, as the agreements for toleration equally affected all parties, if an act were passed, it should include the presbyterians as well as the papists; but this proposal was instantly rejected by the archbishop of St. Andrews. The president of the court of sessions, sir George Lockhart, suggested a limited toleration, whereby the practice of the catholic religion might be allowed, while its professors were not to be admitted to places of trust. But such an arrangement, as far as the king was concerned, was quite inadmissible. After agitating the question for some time, without arriving at any satisfactory result, the ministers of state thought it advisable to drop it altogether, and after a protracted session, finding the protestant spirit gaining ground within the parliament, and a strong sensation rising without, they prorogued the parliament on the 15th of June. The failure on this occasion was so unexpected, that the members of the government, apprehensive of the king's displeasure, endeavoured to throw the blame upon one another, and hastened to London to prefer their mutual recriminations. They ended, however, by throwing the whole blame upon the bishops; and persons who had hitherto been the blindest supporters of the court faction, were thrown into prison under ridiculous pretexts, in order to strike terror into others. To fill up the vacancies made by the expulsion of those who had not supported the court on this question, the duke of Gordon, the earl of Traquair, and other Roman catholics on whom the court coula depend, were placed in the privy council. Having thus prepared the way for displaying the extent of his arbitrary will, the king showed his contempt for his parliament by doing that by his prerogative for which a legislative act had been refused. A royal letter came to the privy council, dated on the 21st of August, announcing "that it was not from any doubt he entertained of his power in putting a stop to the unreasonable severities of the acts of parliament against those of the Roman catholic religion, that made him communicate his intention to the estates, but only to give his subjects a new opportunity of showing their duty to their king, their justice to the innocent, and their charity towards their neighbours. As, however, some scruples of well-meaning men about the test, prevented them from consenting to what they thought so reasonable, that they wished him to do it by his own authority, he therefore thought fit to let them know that he had resolved to protect his catholic subjects against all the insults of their enemies and the severities of the laws made against them heretofore; and he, by his letter royal, allowed them the free private exercise of their religion in houses, and full protection from any pursuit, civil or criminal, for the exercise of the Roman catholic religion, using any of the rites or ceremonies of that church, or doing what by law is called trafficking." The king further stated that, in order "that the catholic worship might be exercised with more decency and security, he established the chapel of Holyrood-house, and appointed a number of chapters and others, whom he required them (the privy council) to maintain in their just rights and privileges under the royal protection. He likewise ordered them to take care that no preachers or others were suffered to insinuate to the people fears, or that any violent alteration was intended, as he was resolved to maintain the bishops, inferior clergy, and the protestant religion, and to hinder all fanatical encroachments upon them; and for all this goodness and condescension he expected from his people all the returns of duty and loyalty, as well as compliance and concurrence in these things, so just in him, and reasonable in all his good subjects, from whom he did also expect that mutual love and charity one to another that becomes compatriots, subjects, and christians." The answer of the council to this letter was as |