Series 1 > Letters and papers illustrating the relations between Charles the Second and Scotland in 1650

SCOTTISH PARTIES
53
ture, would soone spoyle the treaty with these Commissioners ;
for as I have told you ’tis the Prince’s naturall inclination to
goe that way, and those who have his eare most are altogether
for those resolutions, as being much more conducible to his
ultimate ends, whereby he shall come in free and honourably,
and as a conqueror, and not be imprisoned in those shackles
which these Presbyterians would lay upon him, whom, and all
their ways he perfectly hates ; but if there comes not some¬
thing from Montrosse, that he may rationally promise a suc-
cesse, then he must, in obedience to necessity, close with them,
as well as he can, and expect what time may bring forth to
deliver him of his bonds.
Here are also severall discourses of both parties, what to doe
with Montrosse, in case he should grow considerable there
in Scotland. The Argylians say, that though he be an ex¬
ecrable excommunicate, and anathematized rebell and traytor,
yet he may be employed with his forces against the wicked
sectaries in Ireland, which they will needs have to be in a condi¬
tion (especially in the north, where they give out the Parlia¬
ment forces have been all beaten) very possible to be recovered
by his meanes, and that he will be able to give a check to
Cromwel’s proceedings.
But the Montrossians laugh at this, as if he were to be
caught with this chaffe. They give Ireland for perfectly lost,
and say that if the King be necessitated to agree with the
Argylians, and goe himselfe into Scotland, yet Montrosse may
be able to doe his worke for him and he never appeare in it.
If he be commanded to lay downe armes and disband, he shall
refuse it, and plead want of power to command his men, in
respect of want of moneys, and of meanes to transport his
strangers back, and require sums of money for it, which they
are no way able to supply; meane time to offer all compliance to
the King’s commands when he shall be inabled, and so keep
the hills and high lands, whither all the Kings freinds, that
are his upon his owne interest, may flock unto him, and have
secret intimation so to doe, and soone make him numerous
enough to be looked upon as very considerable; and he having
the reall favour of the Court, and the other but a dissembled
one, will give a turne to the Government, and put it into other