“We, Lord James Murray, Patrick Stewart of Ballechan, Sir John M’Lean, Sir Donald M’Donald, Sir Ewen Cameron, Glengarie, Benbecula, Sir Alexander M’Lean, Appin, Enveray, Keppoch, Glencoe, Strowan, Calochele, Lieut.-Col. M’Gregor, Bara, Large, M’Naughten, do hereby bind and oblige ourselves, for his Majesty’s service and our own safeties, to meet at _____________ the __________ day of September next, and bring along with us _______ fencible men. That is to say, Lord James Murray and Ballechan _______, Sir John M’Lean 200, Sir Donald M’Donald 200, Sir Ewen Cameron 200, Glengarie 200, Benbecula 200, Sir Alexander M’Lean 100, Appin 100, Enveray 100, Keppoch 100, Lieut.-Col. M’Gregor 100, Calochele 50, Strowan 60, Bara 50, Glencoe 50, M’Naughten 50, Large 50; but in case any of the rebels shall assault or attack any of the above-named persons betwixt the date hereof and the said day of rendezvous, we do all solemnly promise to assist one another to the utmost of our power, as witness these presents, signed by us at the castle of Blair, the 24th of August, 1689 years.—Al. Robertson, D. M’Neil, Alex. M’Donald, Do. M’Gregor, Alex. M’Donell, D. M’Donald, D. M’D. of Benbecula, Al. M’Donald, Tho. Farqrson, Jo. M’Leane, E. Cameron of Lochiel, Al. Stuart.”—Records of Parliament.
Seven days before the date of this bond, these associates, and other friends, sent the following characteristic letter to Mackay, in answer to a friendly invitation from him to lay down their arms:—
“Birse, 17th August, 1689.
“Sir,
“We received your letter from Strathbogy, and we saw that you wrote to Brigadier Cannan from St Johnstoun, to which we gave a civil return, for by telling that you support yourselves by fictions and stories (a thing known all the world over), is no railing. The Christian means (as you say in your last) you make use of to advance the good cause by, is evident to all the world, and the argument you use to move us to address your government, is consequential to the whole; for instead of telling us what good Christians, men of honour, good subjects, and good neighbours, ought to do, you tell us in both your letters, that his Majesty has hot wars in Ireland, and cannot in haste come to us, which, though it were as true as we know it is not, is only an argument from safety and interest. And that you may know the sentiments of men of honour, we declare to you and all the world, we scorn your usurper, and the indemnities of his government; and to save you farther trouble by your frequent invitations, we assure you that we are satisfied our king will take his own time and way to manage his dominions and punish his rebels; and although he should send no assistance to us at all, we will die with our swords in our hands before we fail in our loyalty and sworn allegiance to our sovereign. Judge, then, what effect Duke Hamilton’s letter has upon us; but you have got an honourable father for this story from Ireland, and although we can better tell you how matters go in Ireland, and that we pity those on whom such stories have influence, yet we have no orders to offer conditions to any rebels; we allow them and his grace to believe on and take your measures by your success, till his Majesty’s farther orders. Sir, We thank you for the good meaning of your invitation, (though we are confident you had no hope of success.) And we will shortly endeavour to give you a requital—and those of us who live in islands have already seen and defied the Prince of Orange his frigates. We are, Sir, your affectionate and humble servants. Jo. MacLeane, E. Cameron of Lochiel, C. M’Kenzie, D. Mackdonald, John Grant of Balnadaloch, Pa. Steuart, J. M’Nachtane, Alexr. M’Donald, A. M’Nachtan, Jo. Cameron, Tho. Farqrson, H. M’Lean of Lochbuye, Alexr. M’Donell, D. M’D. of Benbecula, B. MacNeill of Bara, D. M’Neill, Ra. M’Donald, J. M’Donald, Alexr. Maclaine. We have returned your letter from Duke Hamilton, because you have more use for it than we.”—Parliamentary Records.
[618] Memoirs, p. 72.
[619] Memoirs, p. 77.
[620] Mackay’s Memoirs, p. 85.
[621] Idem, page 86.
[622] Balcarras.