Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

52 The Earls of Middleton.
To enforce the king's orders, the Committee of
Estates sent General Leslie northwards with a force
of horse and foot.
Middleton, who was then in Forfar, sent, on
hearing of his approach, a copy of the declaration
which he had signed, stating at the same time that
the only aim of himself and his friends was to unite
Scotchmen in the defence of their common rights.
This, he believed, was the same wish professed by
Leslie himself. Such being the case, he (Middleton)
proposed to join Leslie and put himself under his
command, only expressing a hope that Leslie would
not, if possible, shed the blood of his countrymen,
or force them to shed the blood of their brethren
in self-defence. A negotiation was finally concluded
between Leslie and Middleton at Strathbogie. The
latter laid down his arms on condition that the king
should be forthwith crowned, and the Estates and
Kirk ordered him to take his command again. 1
The king was crowned, by order of the Parlia-
ment, January ist, 165 1.
On January 12th, Middleton was released from
his excommunication, and did his penance in sack-
cloth in Dundee Church. On the same day Colonel
Archibald Strachan (who had gone over to Cromwell's
army) was excommunicated, and " delivered to the
1 Balfour ; Whitelocke.