Series 1 > Loyall dissuasive

INTRODUCTION
Ivii
6th March 1690 to 8th June of same year, all of them urging,
persuading, threatening. The early letters got Buchan two
hundred men of the Macphersons who fought under him at
Cromdale, 1st May 1690. Yet the following letters from Sir
John Hill, the Governor of Fort William (afterwards of ill
fame in connection with Glencoe), show that Cluny had not
parted with his friends on the other side:—
‘Inverness, 12th May 1690.
f SE,—The kinde acquaintance I had wth yor predecessors and
some with yourselfe as well as with all the rest of the Gent of
Badenougli dois oblige me to all the kindnes and service for yow
and them yts possibly in my power. And having now a power in
my hands from the king I would gladly extend it to ye uttermost
for the good of my freinds, and if yow please to give me the
favor of a visit (because I cannot come to yow) yow shall finde I
will not only be glad to see you, but very ready to serve yow. I
would (because I know more of matters then most others doe)
sett yow right by a true information of things by wch you will
know the better how to governe yourselfe to ye best advantage.
You know or at Least may have heard of my former Conversation
in the highlands, and wth how much truth and honesty I mannaged
myself towards them and that I never deceived or broke with ony
man. You may come safe to me either into this town or neire it.
You have here my hand for itt. I am concerned for ye Posture
the highlands are now in being the highway to utter Ruin. I
would gladly save them it being (by my own intreaty) put into
my Power by ye King if they please to meet my proposalls of
peace and quietness, if not twill be Ruin and utter destruction.
For old freindship Let me see you and have some Discourse with
you who am,—Your true freind and humble servant,
‘Jo. Hill.’
‘Inverness, 17°* June 1690.
‘ Sir,—Out of my old kindnes to your countrey I have procured
an order for ye release of ye men yt are Prisoners in the castle
(whose names are after written) therefore desire yow to advertise
your freinds to come and set Cation for their peaceable demeanor
in tyme comeinge, and seeing I have undertaken for the peacable
carryage of ye men of Badenoch, I desire yow and Dalraddy and
as many of the best of yr countrey (as conveniently can) may goe