Earls of Cromartie > [NSLBLANK]

38 THE C ROM ARTIE CORRESPONDENCE.
intelligence. The magistrats of Stirlin are ordered to have posts ready to
come and goe, but spare not expresses. The Lord Commissioner and Com-
mittee hath nothing to say, and so yee will excuse not writting. Spare
your meall weell. Adieu.
For my Lord Marquis of Athole, Lord Leivtenant of
Argyle and Tarbatt.
26. [From George, Viscount of Taebat].
Edinburgh, 27 May 1685.
My Lord, — Since the publick letter caries all the good news from Eng-
land, I shall not repeat what was there exprest. I writt this to tell your
Lordship that the least mischance to your party would be of prejudice. I
writt not this for your sake only, but for the King's interest. What your
strength is or the enimies I know not, but contemn no enimy, especially if
they be numerous and weell armed. On the other hand, if ye withdraw, the
rebels may fall downe on Stirlin, or passe thorough to the western shyre,
where he may lurk and hover amongst the mosses, till the rebels convocat
in multitudes to him : so if yee fight him and beat him, that is best of all ;
and next to that is, if yee manadge so as to draw out the rebels from the
coast, so as the army from Glasgow may move towards and after him, without
the hazard of Argyl's beeing in case to ship over to the west coast ; then put
him once betwixt yow, I will think him in a bad state. But if he fortify in
Tarbat or any other strong place, I know not how untrained men will at first
attack forts. Yett yee can keep him in if yee have but meat. But the L.
General! dare not divide any of the standing force untill they be out of
hazard of Argyl's goeing over to the west ; but if once the ships were in the
seas about Kintyre, especially were cruising within veiw of Kintyre and the