Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

WITH PRINCE CHARLES
193
who was left Lieutenant Colonel by the Prince, and one
Mr. Maxwell,1 who made their escape over the wall while
the Articles of Capitulation were signing. These gentle¬
men acquainted us, that, after Cumberland had lain six
or seven weeks before the town, and heralds had been
frequently sent in to summons it to surrender, Mr. Hamil¬
ton, Governor of the Castle had at last resolved to obey
them but whether with a true fear or promise of his life,
is disputed. Certain however it is, that he employed that
villainous Wier, whom I have mentioned before (being
left a prisoner at Carlisle) with secret Messages to and
from the enemy; and instead of hanging him, invited
him daily to his own table. How far this conduct was
good, I leave the world to judge.
Mr. Townley, Governor of the Town, being informed
that the resolution to capitulate was taken, endeavoured,
seconded by his whole corps, officers and soldiers, to oppose
him : but finding no means effective to hinder the place
from being given up, he was obliged to send, by Hamilton’s
direction, articles of Capitulation to Cumberland, who
returned for answer That the Town and Castle should be
surrendered at discretion, and that the Officers and Soldiers
should be at his Father’s Mercy, with whom he promised
to intercede for their safety. How sincerely he behaved
in this, is sufficiently known :2 and when I reflect upon
this, I think I may say I have good fortune, in leaving
that unhappy town and regiment, that I was not on some
gallows or other made a partaker also of his clemency !
This news was at first hard to be believed amongst us :
but it appearing but too true, the Prince was exceedingly
troubled, and lamented much the loss of his subjects,
returned to Scotland in March in the Hazard sloop, which was driven ashore
by four men-of-war at Tongue in Sutherland, when the passengers and crew
were captured by Lord Reay and his militia.
1 Probably William Maxwell of Carruchan, Kirkcudbrightshire, who acted
as chief engineer in the defence of Carlisle against the Duke of Cumberland.
2 See ante, pp. 173, 187. Whatever may have been expected or mentioned
verbally, Cumberland’s written conditions were: ‘All the terms H.R.H. will
or can grant to the rebel garrison at Carlisle are that they shall not be put to the
sword, but be reserved for the king’s pleasure.’
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