The first movement was intended to be made in Edinburgh, London, and Dublin; while every town throughout the kingdoms were in readiness to act, according to the plan, on the very first notice, which was to be given by couriers dispatched by express.
The nature of the plan was this—A body of men, to the number of four or five thousand, were to be assembled in a place to be fixed on. These were to be armed with Pikes, Guns, Grenades—to be properly divided, with proper leaders. In regard to Edinburgh, these were to be placed at the Gælic Chapel, head of the West Bow, Tolbooth, or head of the High Street,—that when the Castle soldiers came out, they might be surrounded. In order to prevent bloodshed, means were to be used to gain as many of the soldiers as possible over to their side. The Regiment was to be enticed out by companies. But, previous to this, the Magistrates, Lords of Justiciary, Commander in Chief, and many others in town to be selected, were to be apprehended; but to be treated, in every respect, becoming their station in life, and detained till the mind of the ensuing Convention, or rather Parliament, was known. There was no intention whatever to put any to death; but if found guilty of oppression and injustice to the Patriots, to share a similar fate with them, viz. transportation.
The manner in which the soldiers were to be induced to leave the Castle was by means of a letter, either signed by the Lord Provost or Commander in Chief, previously in custody, ordering the Commandant to send a company, without any ammunition, to a fire that was to be kindled in St Andrew’s Square, under the pretence of its being a house on fire; and the said company to be secured and disarmed in the meantime. The most of the remainder to be drawn out in the same manner, by means of fires kindled in succession in other quarters of the City.
But in case they either could not be drawn out of the Castle, or had obtained information of what was a-doing, they were to be compelled to surrender, by being deprived of victuals;—the incarceration of the Commander in Chief, and the influence of party among themselves favouring the plan.
The Public-offices and the Banks were to be secured, by placing proper persons as centinels over them, till the proprietors and managers appeared next morning. The same were to be consulted with by qualified persons, to be previously chosen. The property of such persons, either residing in town or country, deemed inimical to liberty, in the hands of Bankers, was to be sealed up, but what was necessary for their maintenance, till their fate was known.
The Post-office was to be taken possession of; as thereby all intercourse would be cut off between such as were hostile to the Patriots, while the channel of communication was left open for them.
After these things were effected in Edinburgh, London, and Dublin, in one and the same night; and which was expected to be accomplished about six or seven o’clock in the morning,—couriers were immediately to be dispatched throughout the whole nation, to the leaders in other parts; while troops were to be marched from places to be fixed on, that could spare them to the assistance of such as would be deemed necessary. No sooner was the plan executed in the three Metropolisses, than proclamations, previously prepared, were to be issued to the landholders, and officers under government, as did not cordially unite with the Patriots in their views and designs, not to go above three miles beyond their dwelling-places, under pain of death;—to farmers, not to conceal or export any grain;—to ship-masters, not to carry any person coast-ways, without giving intimation of the same; place come from, and where going to, of such person or persons, within a reasonable time after such intimation was given, to the nearest Justice of Peace, that the same might be called to an examination, under a similar penalty;—to such persons as were authorised to levy men, to deliver up their commissions and men to persons to be nominated, under the same penalty.
There was preparing an Address to be made to the King at the same time, consisting of a long catalogue of abuses, both in the Legislative and Executive branches of Government; and requesting of him the dismissal of his present servants, and a dissolution of Parliament, the same to be replaced by men in whom the people could confide.
With regard to the Pikes, I got them made both for sale and distribution. I do not at present recollect what instructions I might have given at the making of them. Whatever these instructions were, I am certain that none I had were ever distributed[2].
[2] The Pikes were found in my house, when the Sheriff’s Officers were in search of the goods of a bankrupt in Musselburgh, sent to my house, about an eight days before, under the pretence of their being to be forwarded to Glasgow.