Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

cxx GEORGE FIRST VISCOUNT OF TAR BAT. [1630-
duty. But notwithstanding this, they were animated more with blind zeal
than courage. They marched on, and Captain Wallace, finding that they
resolved to insult him, ordered his men to fire upon them, and about a
dozen of them were killed, and thrice as many wounded. After this they
ran through the town like distracted people, spreading everywhere, as they
came, that Captain Wallace had massacred all the boys, and there was no
family of any consideration in the city but were said to have had their
children killed. Upon this all the inhabitants armed, and nothing was talked
of amongst them but of the Papists' joining of Wallace to make an universal
massacre. But as they were going down again to the Abbey, one of them
suggested that what they were going about might some time or other be chal-
lenged, and therefore he was of opinion that a warrant should be had from
the Council, and the magistrates required to assist them ; and one of the then
councillors gives the following account of their proceedings : —
" The advice," says he, " was thought very reasonable, and deputies were sent
to the Marquis of Athole, who immediately sent for the Earl of Breadalbane, the
Viscount of Tarbat, and Sir John Dalrymple. These four signed a warrant to the
Magistrates of Edinburgh that they should go down in their robes, and, with the
help of their trained bands, militia regiment, and town company, should assist the
rabble against Captain Wallace, and force him to deliver up the house ; and like-
wise that they should carry down the King's heralds, and trumpeters in their coats,
to summon Captain Wallace in the King's name to give up the house.
"The Provost of Edinburgh, a timorous poor man, though very honest, obeyed
their order, and went down so soon as their affairs could be in readiness. First
marched the town company, commanded by Captain Graham, who, a day before
this was turned out of his employment, but, on his offer of service on that occa-
sion, he was restored ; next, the discontented gentlemen. The chief of these
were Sir James Montgomerie of Skelmorlie, the Laird of Houstoun, the Laird of
Greenock, the Laird of Mochrum, Mr. William Lockhart, the Laird of Riccarton
Drummond, William Drummond, clerk to the artillery ; Lord Mersington, the
fanatic judge, with a halbert in his hand, as drunk as ale or brandy could make him ;