Historical and genealogical account of the Clan Maclean

168 HISTORICAL NOTICES.
claim. In the meantime the insidious Campbell,
fertile in villany, set his mind to work, and
rinding that the late chief had contracted some
debts during the late campaign, in preparing
his clan for his sovereign's service, he with wiles
and cunning prevailed upon the creditors to
dispose of their demands. Having got possession
of these debts, Argyle considerably augmented
his iniquitous claim against the house of Mac-
lean ; but the avaricious slave finding by the
final downfall of the royal power after the battle
of Worcester there was a likelihood of a " pecu-
niary reward " being the result of an adhesion to
the usurper of England's government, left his
persecution of the chief of Maclean to be pur-
sued at some future time, and turned his atten-
tion to a source (Cromwell's coffers) which
promised a more immediate fount of gratification.
Alas, for Scotland ! her prostrate state must
indeed have been deplorable, when the trem-
bling coward of Argyle could be thought worthy
a purchase. Yet so it was ; and Cromwell at
length entered into negociations with Argyle to
bring about the submission of that kingdom.
£12,000 was the sum paid by the English to
the Scotch traitor, the latter promising for that
consideration to do all his pusillanimous soul
could effect for the final subjugation of his
native country.
This is the last occasion upon which it is