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

JOHN ERSKINE OF CARNOCK
123
1685]
guns had sailed from Leith a fortnight ago, designing to follow
us into those seas, which we might now daily expect to be
upon us.
Polwarth was desired by many to speak to my Lord,
which he did, anent our going away; but was answered
roughly, and challenged for his meddling with that; my Lord
asking him what he could or would do, he replyed, as he was
answered, roughly, that he would let him know what he was
able to do. Sir John did too much comply with my Lord in
some things, and crusht proposals that might be profitable, altho
at other times he was far otherways, and I believe he has a
very honest heart for the cause, and likeways his son John,
who was very active in promoting of it. Mr. Thomas Archer,
who was sent from Holland to advertise our friends in Ireland,
came to us with James Lisk and nine other men; some
hundreds would have come with him, if with safety he might
have staid a few days upon them. I went through the Castle
of Rosay, which has been of considerable strength.
2d.—I went aboard of the David with Sir Patrick, and the
ship being loosed, we went towards the shore of Cowall. We
got intelligence that a party of Athol’s men had surprized Mr.
Charles with about a hundred men, in their quarters, and
apprehended two or three of Mr. Charles’ men in their retreat.
3d.—We went up Clyde, and anchored before the town of
Greenock, with the Sophia or Francis, there being about two
hundred land men in both the ships. Before we could have a
boat ashore we perceived a troop of horse, and soon understood
them to be the gentlemen of Renfrew commanded by my Lord
Cochran and young Houstoun, Lieutenant. They drew
presently up within the sea-mark, under the cover of our
guns, then one of our great guns was fired, which made them
presently retire to the hill at the back of the town; after that,
upon the shooting more guns, they retired again a little
further; then twelve of our men went ashore under John
Fullerton, and presently about as many came down the hill
with young Houston, and drew up near our people at the
west end of the town; then Fullerton called that they might
come near, and fired a musket, which made them retire ; next
he sent an old man that was on the shore to try what they