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

164 CHARLES II. AND SCOTLAND IN 1650
they would mantaine the sd house for the Laird of Assint to
the last drope of ther blood, and that they cared not a plack
for the King; and after fourtein dayes seidge made be the sd
Earle and his forces, the said John Mcean vie corckell, governor,
and the other officers of the said house, finding that they wer
not able to endure any longer seidge, did deal with the said
Earle of Seaforth for libertie to acquaint the sd Neill, who
being in the montains near the said house, accompanied with
three hundred men in armes, and the said Neill understanding
that they were not able any longer to defend the sd house,
yealdit to and ordered the rendering of it, requyring ane
barrell of powder which the sds Rebells hade not spent, and
the said house of Ardbrack being rendered, the said Earle and
the other persons contained in the Commission, did persew the
sd Neill, and did dissipat the partie of three hundred men which
the said Neill hade raised in armes in maner forsd; and the
said Neill being forced to flie to Caithnes and Orkney, he wes
taken prisoner by Sir Wm Sinclair of May, and sent prisoner to
the tobuith of Edinburgh by the Counsills order, wher he now
lyes. Of the whilk hynous and treasonable crymes of lese
Majestie and raising band of men without his Majesties licence,
and mantaining them, and also of imposing heavie and greivous
taxans upon the subjects of this kingdome, and upon straingers
trading and traffecking within the same, as also the treasonable
putting violent hands upon the person of Captain John Keir,
taking and apprehending of him as captive and prisoner, keep¬
ing and detaining of him in his and his accomplices companie
as captive and prisoner in montaines and caves, tanquam in
privatis carceriius, in maner and be the space ford, and of
stuffing treasonablie his house of Ardbrack with twentie Neil-
sons alias Cleicheanabricks and others, his Majestie’s declaired
rebells, and in fortifieing and mantaining the same ag* his
Majestie and his autie., and of treasonable rysing in fear of
weir ag* his Majestie, in convocating 400 brocken men, and in
appoynting Captaines, Leivtennents, ensignes, and other officers
over them, and mustering and drewling them for several weeks
togither under displayed banners, and treasonable swearing of
them to ther collors, and of treasonable vilipending and dis¬
obeying his Majesties order commanding the said house of