Three Celtic earldoms

ANCIENT EARLDOM OF ATHOLL 35
preservation of religion, our liberties, estates and
lives, from perpetual slavery and ruin." 1
Atholl joined Glencairn's insurrection in 1653 in
behalf of the king against Cromwell. For this he
suffered great hardships. In a letter of General
Monck of 4th May 1654 a reward of ^200 each was
offered for the heads of Atholl and other noblemen,
because they were rebels against Cromwell. In 1679
Atholl, with the Duke of Hamilton and others, went
to London to put his grievance before the king,
when they were refused an audience, but ultimately
were heard in presence of the Cabinet. In 1684 he
was appointed Lieutenant of Argyllshire, with power
of intromission over the forfeited Argyll estates. In
June 1685 Atholl, with other nobles, marched success-
fully against Argyll. It was on this occasion that
Argyll was caught as he was wading across the river
Cart at Inshinnan, and afterwards taken to Edinburgh
and executed.
The unsuccessful attempts of Argyll to vindicate
the liberties of his country were followed by dis-
graceful cruelties against his defenceless retainers.
Upwards of twenty of the leading chiefs of his clan
were put to death by Atholl, while many of humbler
rank were hanged without trial. Atholl laid waste
the whole district with fire and sword, burnt the
houses, destroyed the nets and fishing boats, and
did other damage. More than 300 persons of both
sexes were transported to the colonies and sold for
slaves. Many of them were deprived of their ears
and branded on the cheek with a hot iron. In 1689,
shortly before the battle of Killicrankie, Claverhouse
and Mackay were engaged in mustering their forces.
Atholl was in great straits as to the course he should
follow, as he had already deserted both parties. His
1 Atholl Collection.