Bannatyne Club > Life of Lieut. General Hugh Mackay of Scoury, Commander in Chief of the forces in Scotland, 1689 and 1690

174 APPENDIX.
then expected to oppose the attempts of the ill-affected, if, as God forbid
it should fall out cross for us, in as formidable a posture as I can ; and
that the rather, because I am certain that, without more succours for them,
as we can well apprehend, they must, within three or four months, heg
the peace. Surely their obstinacy deserves a severe treatment, for, hitherto,
though this be the fifth day I am in this country, none of them hath made
any cordial application as yet ; but, though I am not ignorant how such
fantasques, whose country is now in my remembrance, should be used, I
will rather refer it to the government ; because all that I can do to a dis-
persed lurking enemy, the governor of Inderlochy can do it much more
effectually within three months, that is, to burn their houses, and destroy
their corns. This government may be of great use, if it be speedily sup-
plied with necessaries, otherwise it will turn to nothing, whatever be done
to the rest of the forces, it must, at least, and ought to be paid some
months by advance, and the governor supplied with some fund of money,
whereby he may be always stored ; certainly both officers and soldiers
which are left here ought to be encouraged, by providing liberally for
them, for the country is not very tempting. I would willingly take my
way out of this country, by the head of Lochness, to garrison Glengary's
house, if your Grace and Lordship's order for my speedy repairing south-
ward doth not determine otherwise, which would be more to force him to
obedience and submission than for communication, which I judge more ef-
fectual and ready from the western parts of the kingdom, so long as those
rebels are not brought under entire subjection, as I have no commission
from the King or your Grace and Lordships to treat with those obstinate
rebels ; and, knowing that my Lord Argyle, who is solely engaged in their
Majesties' service and interest, is more concerned in such treaties than I
am well informed, I willingly waive it, referring the matter to such as know
better his Majesty's intentions, and his Lordship's concern to do the rest ;
resting satisfied to put things in that posture, with God's assistance, that
this enemy shall not trouble us much, whatever may fall out more in any
other part of the kingdom.