Historical memoir of the family of Eglinton and Winton

EGLINTON JlND "WINTOK. 27
the Committee of Estates to have the above forty men
allowed as part of the Eglinton contingent. And
ere the close of the same month — September, 1651,
Lady Montgomerie, having received intelligence of
the disaster at Worcester, writes a long imploring
letter to Argyll, in which she says, — " I could be
at no quyet till I despatched this bearer with those
[tidings] back to your lordship ; humbly and
earnestly intreating your lordship to let me have
your ful and fre advice quhat you think fitting for
me to doe : first in reference to my lord, for his
relief or supply in such straits as he by his im-
prisonment wil undoubtedly be in , next concerning
myself and childrens saftie and subsistence, and
this place, quhich my lord by his care and charges
lies made a considerable strength ; and in regard of
the situation of it might prove very useful, as weil
for the publict as my particular owne (and other
friends) good, and hes by Gods blessing been so
this tyme past, But now I am affrayed, for many
reasons, not fit to trouble your lordship with at this
tyme, that without other helps than I, in my lords
absence, can afford, I shall not be able to maintaine
it in such a posture as is necessary to oppose a
enemy ; and my fears ar that less than that may
rather invite than keep of an enemy," &c. As
regards the Castle of Cumbrae, the Marquis thus
replies : —
" For your fort in the Cnmray, I fear the cost
of it will outgo the profit ; for in my judgment your
ladyship must not now in the condition that [your]