1640-1642 Volume 2

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1882 Excerpt: ... and that he had never heard anything to the contrary; but that he thought' his' brother had been very active in his own preservation.' Hamilton, in fact, had escaped the danger of being prosecuted as an incendiary by his new intimacy with Argyle. The nth brought a third letter from Montrose. This time he averred his readiness to prove Hamilton a traitor.2 After some hesitation Charles resolved to lay this letter before certain lords, amongst whom were Argyle and Loudoun, in order that they might advise him on the matter.3 So far, at least, Charles had taken the straightforward course. It was not a course which was likely to commend itself to the wrathful noblemen who thronged around him at Holyrood. In Scotland the traditions of private war had not yet wholly died out. A great nobleman depended somewhat on the arguments of his advocates before the Court of Ses sion, and somewhat on his personal influence with the Feeling of Argylc's 1 Depositions of W. Murray and the Earl of Almond, Hist. MS&. Com. Report, iv. 167,168. a Hamilton's name was not mentioned, but there can be no doubt that he was the person in question. Murray's deposition, Hist. MSS. Com. Report, iv. 167. THE INCIDENT. 261 Judges, but still more upon the sharp swords of his CvAp' retainers. It was rumoured that Argyle and Hamil-'--7--' ton had 5,000 armed followers in Edinburgh.1 Those Oct. a. who wished to put an end to the influence of Argyle arresting and Hamilton thought far more of the means of Hmuion carrying the charge against them to a practical issue than of the accumulation of legal proofs. Behind the veil which still hangs over their proceedings may be dimly discerned efforts to win over such of the soldiery as still remained under arms, and to secure the services of Leslie, th...