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their friends, who delivered up their arms without scruple, while their opponents parted with none worthy of being kept, and thus, while all their other dangerous claims and prerogatives remained untouched, they acquired by the very operations of this act, a real superiority, as we shall see more fully as we proceed. It closed, however, a rebellion which originated in want of principle, was prosecuted chiefly from personal pique and selfishness, and may be said to have failed, not so much from the opposition made to it, as from the want of a little common sense to support it.

Every thing being thus quieted, Cadogan having garrisoned Inverlochy with Grant's regiment, and Inverness with the Scots Fuzileers, proceeded by Aberdeen to Edinburgh, where he arrived on the first of May. The command of the army he left to general Sabine, and shortly after proceeded to London. The Dutch auxiliaries were marched back to England, where they were embarked for their native country.

THE

HISTORY OF SCOTLAND.

Book V.

1716-1722.

Parliamentary Proceedings-Impeachment and trial of the rebel Lords taken at Preston -Carnwath and Nairn reprieved—Escape of Nithsdale-Execution and character of Derwentwater and Kenmure-Escape of the Earl of Winton-Commission of Oyer and Terminer, tries and condemns a great number of the Rebels-Act of Parliament passed, and a new commission appointed for trying more of the Rebels-Proceedings of this commission- General Assembly-Attainder passed against the Scotish Lords who had been in the Rebellion-Bill of Indemnity-Bill for disarming the High landers-Bill respecting the forfeited estates—Bill for Septenial Parliaments-Promotions in Scotland-King goes to Hanover-Execution of state criminals—Liberation of state prisoners-Court of Oyer and Terminer at Carlisle-Chevalier ejected out of France, turns to Sweden-Triple Alliance-King returns to England-Swedish minister apprehended-Meeting of Parliament-Invasion threatened—Jacobites unsuccessful in their applications to the north-Oxford acquitted-Act of graceForfeited estates-General Assembly-Currency regulated-James Shepherd-Quadruple Alliance-General Assembly-War declared against Spain-Chevalier visits Madrid-Dutch troops landed for the defence of the kingdom-Spanish Fleet dispersed-Spaniards land at Glensheil-Peerage Bill-King goes again to HanoverTreaty with Sweden-British Fleet in the Baltic-Meeting of Parliament- General Assembly-Trustees for managing the affairs of the Chevalier-Jacobites attempt to gain the Duke of Argyle-Bishop Fullarton and the Scotish Episcopalians—Address to the Chevalier-South Sea scheme-General Assembly-Chevalier's Letter announcing the birth of a son-Plan for uniting the Scotish Jacobites and English Tories-Chevalier encouraged with favourable reports of the Dukes of Argyle and Hamilton-Tenth of June at Edinburgh-Earl of Sunderland-Patriotism of the Jacobites-Address of the Edinburghshire Electors-Scotish Peers-Money collected for the Chevalier-Alarm of invasion-Atterbury and others apprehended-Meeting of Parliament-General Assembly and its commission.

WHILE the rebels were thus making their last feeble efforts in the north, measures had already been fallen upon for bringing their friends, who had been taken at Preston, before the tribunal of justice, there to abide the fiat of the outraged laws of their country. Having this in view as one of its principal objects, the British parliament, after several prorogations, was, on the ninth of January, 1716, assembled for the despatch of business. His majesty, in a speech of

principal topics Adverting to the

great length and vigour, went over the that were to occupy their deliberations. pretender, who, he said, he had reason to believe was now landed in Scotland, and, to the rebellion, he made the following observations" Among the many unavoidable ill consequences of this rebellion, none is more sensibly affecting than that extraordinary burden which it has and must create to my faithful subjects. To ease them as far as lies in my power, I take this first opportunity of declaring that I will freely give up all the estates that shall become forfeited to the crown by this rebellion, to be applied towards defraying the extraor dinary expense incurred on this occasion. Let those whose fatal counsels laid the foundation of all these mischiefs, and those whose private discontents and disappointments, disguised under false pretences, have betrayed great numbers of deluded people into their own destruction, answer for the miseries in which they have involved their fellow-subjects. I question not, but that, with the continuance of God's blessing, who alone is able to form good out of evil, and with the cheerful assistance of my parliament, we shall, in a short time, see this rebellion end, not only in restoring the tranquillity of my government, but in procuring a firm and lasting establishment of that excellent constitution in church and state, which it was manifestly designed to subvert, and that this open and flagrant attempt in favour of popery, will abolish all other distinctions among us; but of such as are zealous assertors of the liberties of their country, the present establishment, and the protestant religion, and of such as are endeavouring to subject the nation to the revenge and tyranny of a popish pretender." This speech had a powerful effect upon both houses, by each of which a loyal address was voted in return. these addresses, they "congratulate his majesty upon the success that had attended his arms, and, with the greatest satisfaction, observe that the officers and soldiers of the army have, by a brave and faithful discharge of their duty, deserved his majesty's approbation." They also "declare their grati tude to his majesty, for his gracious and unparalleled resolution,

Rae's History of the Rebellion, p. 356.

In

to give up all the estates that shall become forfeited by the rebellion, to the use of the public, and that this rebellion, for which not the least colour of provocation has been given, as it ought very justly to be the object of his majesty's contempt, so it raises in them the highest resentment and indignation against these ungrateful and desperate rebels, whose pernicious principles, private discontents and disappointments, have engaged them to involve their country in blood and confusion." Of the pretender's landing in Scotland, they observe, “that it will only serve to animate zeal for his majesty," and they doubt not but "that it will prove his last effort for disturbing the peace of his majesty's reign. That they detest and will do their utmost to confound the devices of those, who, professing an unlimited obedience, have stirred up a rebellion against his majesty, and under the disguise of the danger of the church, are endeavouring to introduce popery. They likewise offer their lives and fortunes in defence of his majesty's undoubted title to the crown, in support of the protestant religion, and in maintenance of the liberty and property of the subject, and do most readily promise to grant such early and effectual supplies as may enable his majesty to put an end to this unnatural rebellion, to confound and extinguish for ever all hopes of the pretender, his open and secret abettors, and secure the future peace and tranquillity of his majesty's kingdoms."

The commons had no sooner voted their address, and appointed a committee for drawing it up, than they proceeded to the subject of the prisoners taken in the rebellion at Preston. Mr. Forster, the rebel general, being a member of the house, was unanimously expelled. Mr. Lechmere stated to the house, that he had something to offer to them of the utmost importance both to the king and kingdoms, in which, the lords being concerned also, he requested that a message might be sent to acquaint them, that this house having matters of great consequence to communicate to them, desired that their lordships would continue sitting for some time. The house instantly named Mr. Lechmere to carry up the said message, which he did, and upon his return, in an eloquent speech, laid open the rise, depth, extent, and progress of the present conspiracy,

elucidating as he went along many difficult points relating to our excellent constitution, which made a deep impression on the majority of the house, who were already sufficiently disposed to exert themselves in vindication of the injured rights of the country.

It was then resolved nem. con. that this house impeach James, earl of Derwentwater, of high treason, and, upon motions severally made by Mr. Pulteney, Mr. Boscawen, Mr. Hampden, lord Finch, the earl of Hertford, and Mr. Wortley, it was also severally resolved nem. con. to impeach William, lord Widdrington, William, earl of Nithsdale, Robert, earl of Carnwath, George, earl of Winton, William, viscount Kenmure, and William, lord Nairn, of high treason. Mr. Lechmere, and other six members, were ordered to carry up the impeachment to the lords in the usual form, which was done accordingly.

The same evening, a committee was appointed to draw up articles of impeachment, and prepare evidence against the impeached lords, of which committee Mr. Lechmere was appointed chairman. This committee was no sooner chosen, though it was a late hour, than they immediately withdrew, and, in less than two hours, made up their report, and delivered in the articles of impeachment against the seven rebel lords, which were twice read, with some few amendments agreed to by the house, and ordered, with the usual saving clause, to be engrossed. While the bill was engrossing, another message was sent to the lords requesting them to continue their sitting, the engrossed articles were brought in, read a third time, passed, and carried up to the lords by Mr. Lechmere the same night before ten o'clock.*

The impeached lords were brought to the bar of the house next day, Tuesday, January the tenth, when articles of impeachment against them were read, and copies delivered to each of them, answers to which they were ordered to put in on the Monday following. That august assembly, at the same time, manifesting all possible tenderness for persons of their own rank placed in circumstances so very humiliating,

• Rae's History of the Rebellion, pp. 357, 358.

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