Series 4 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society

LETTERS OF ANDREW FLETCHER
151
of the auctions. I wrot to you by my last not to direct any more by the
way I bid you at parting: but now you may direct by the same way
till I give a new on. Send me all the Italian discourses that are in the
truncks: you know they are stiched in painted paper: let them be sent
by land: with the little book Mr Johnson1 is to send me. All things here
are inconvenient and dear beyond imagination. My service to Mr
Cuningam. Let me know if he be gone for e. Adieu.
Henry Fletcher to his son
29th Nov, 1715
... I find my Brother intends you should make a tour to Paris befor
youretumhome, whenyouhavefinishedyour studysinHolland. I shal
agree to it, the more you spare now you will have the more to bestow
then but you must stil continue your application to the Law else you
shal soon forget all.... You have heard no doubt various reports of
the battle near Dumblean,2 but it is certain the Rebels were defeat
tho’ there was no entire victory; yet Argyle had the honour of the day
for he rooted entirely their left wing, remained Master of the field of
Battle, took 5 of their Canon and some waggons with ammunition,
and 14 standards of Colours, and being but one to three he killed three
to one The gallant E. of Forfar3 who was on our left was shot in the
knee, and not able to retire with the rest, and left in the field when all
were gone. Some straglers of the enemy came up to him, he offered to
one his purse desiring him to make him his prisoner and carry him off,
but he took the purse and gave him some slaps with his sword and left
him, another to whom he offered his watch did the same, and a third
to whom he gave his wig had the same inhumanity, at last one Mr
Caddel came to him and regrated extremely his condition, put him
on his Horse, and carryed him to Stirling with all care possible, and
when he had done, he desired of my L. Argyle liberty to return, who
offered him the best conditions he could desire, but he answered
that he had joyned the contrair party out of a principle and that
he would not be a deserter, so he had his conge much regrated and
esteemed.
1 Probably Thomas Johnson, the well-known Scottish bookseller and publisher in
the Hague.
2 The indecisive battle at SherifTmuir, near Dunblane, 13 November 1715.
3 Archibald Douglas, and Earl of Forfar, who died at Stirling, 3 December 1715.