Series 1 > Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687

JOHN ERSKINE OF CARNOCK
121
i68S]
into the Lowlands, as that which was our great interest now,
and not to skulk through the Highland hills upon the interest of
any man in prejudice of the cause for which we were venturing
our all; and my Lord had condescended in a meeting of about
14 of those who came from Holland, where I was present, to
send with us the ship called the Sophia, with two thousand
stand of arms for foot and dragoons, and two hundred stand
for horse, with as much ammunition as was needfull, and that
the ship was presently to be put in order that we might be
ready to sail the next day. After this was concluded my
Lord was called on, but returned not, and when he was desired
to order the execution of what was agreed, his answer was, he
knew not if that was now fit, without satisfying any or giving
a reason why it was not convenient. He pretended next when
he was desired to meet anent that, that he was to deliver out
arms to the Highlanders that were there, and yet he gave none
that night. The division was like to come to some height,
many being ready to take their own way of leaving him, per¬
ceiving his design of lingering here, and that he acted all
things immediately of himself, without regarding that council
which was framed at Amsterdam.
To another resolution of our going into the Lowlands, with
my Lord and all the forces that were gathered, Sir Duncan
Campbell and all the highland gentlemen that were present
did willingly and frankly assent, declaring that they were for
the Protestant Interest, which they acknowledged might be
more advanced by their going into the Lowlands with us, than
their staying here to defend their cows (which they valued
not) against Athol’s force. I lay in the fields all night, at a
burial place, with severall other gentlemen.
—We could scarcely get bread and drink in this place.
Afternoon I went aboard the David, with Sir Patrick Home;
the men and the horse were put aboard in boats, leaving a few
men and horse for want of boats. We designed to go toward
Carrick, as had been concluded on, but to stay at Co wall and
Bute untill they raised what men they could get, expecting
two hundred, and to halt there a day or so. We had 25 boats
with us, some of them holding 100 men, beside one bark.
30fA.—This morning about 60 men were sent off to the Isle