History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

220
History of the Clan MacLban.
his hands. He nevei' forgot they were his countrymen ; the duke forgot they
were human beings. In the massacre whicli followed the battle of CuUoden,
the MacLeans, as well as other clans, suffered severely.
President Forbes of Culloden, who did more to preserve the throne of
George the II. during this revolution than even the army of the duke of Cum-
berland, exerted all his influence and ingenuity to save the lives of those who
had fallen into the hands of Cumberland, but his efforts were not always suc-
cessful. Again and again he raised his voice against the massacre, and en-
treated the victor to spare the lives of his victims, but the work of vengeance
went on. Even near his own house of Culloden eighteen wounded ofiScers
. L/^ ^ojisjV^ ffAX'ii.e fi'Lo
Battle Field of Culloden.
were captured, then tortured for two days, and on the third huddled into
carts, carried into the court-yard, ranged in a row against the wall, and all
shot to death. He went to the duke and firmly declared that the wholesale
slaughter that was going on was not only inhuman, but also contrary to the
law of the land and against the laws of God. " The laws of the country, my
lord," answered the duke, with a sneer, " I '11 make a brigade give laws, by
God!" It must be remembered that this duke of Cumberland was the sec-
ond son of the reigning monarch. Shortly afterward, President Forbes visited
London, and being asked by the king if the reports of the atrocities follow-
ing the battle of Culloden were true, he replied, " I wish to God I could con-
sistently with truth assure your majesty that such reports are destitute of