(V.) The Laird of McGregours DECLARATIOUN, producit the tyme of Conviction.1 I, ALLESTER MAGRIGOUR of Glenftra, CONFESSE heir before God, that I have bein perfuadit, movit and intyfit, as I am now prefentlie accufit and trublit for; alse, gif I had ufit counfall or command of the man that hes Intyfit me,' I wald have done and committit findrie heich Murthouris mair; ffor trewlie, fen I was firft his Majefteis man,3 I culd never be at ane eife, by my Lord of Argylls falfhete and inventiones; for he caufit M.Claine and Glenchamrowne committ herfchip and flauchter in my roum of Rennoche, the quhilk caufit my pure men therefter to bege and fteill: Alfo, therefter, he moweit my brother and fum of my freindis to commit baith herschip and flauchter upone the Laird of Lufs: Alfo, he perfuadit myselfe, with meffage, to weir5 aganis the Laird of Boquhanene, quhilk I did refuife; for the quhilk I was contenowalie boftit that he sould be my unfreind; and quhen I did refuise his defire in that point, then he intyfit me with uther meffingeris, as be the Laird of Mcknachtane and utheris of my freindis, to weir and truble the Laird of Lufs; quhilk I behuffit to do for his fals boutgaittis: Then, quhen he saw I was at ane ftrait, he cawfit me trow he was my guid freind ; bot I did perfave that he was flaw' therin: Then I made my moyan 10 to pleis his Majeftie and Lords of Counfall, baith of fervice and obedience, to puneische faultouris and to faif innofent men;" and quhen Argyll was maid forefein1 thereof, he intyfit me to ftay and ftart fra thay conditiouns, caufing me to understand, that I was diffavit; bot with fair wordis, to put me in ane fnair, that he mycht gett the lands of Kintyre in feyell13 fra his Majestie, begane to putt at me and my kin :14 The quhilk Argyll inventit, maift fchamfullie, and perfuadit the Laird of Ardkinlaiss to diffave me, quha was the man I did maift treft into; bot God did releif me in the mean tyme to libertie, maist narrowlie.15 Neuerthelefs, Argyll maid the oppin brutt,16 that Ardkinlass did all that falfheid by17 his knawlege; quhilk he did intyfe me, with oft and findrie meffages, that he wald mak my peace and faif my lyfe and landis, only to puneis certane faltouris of my kin, and my innosent freindis1s to renunce thair furname, and to leif peafeablie. Vpone the quhilk conditiouns, he was fuorne be ane ayth to his freindis; and they fuorne to me; and als, I haif his warrand and handvrytt therevpon. The quhilk promeis, gif they be honestlie keipit, I let God be Juge! And at our meting, in oure awin chalmer, he vas fuorne to me, in witnes of his awin freind. Attour,19 I Confefs, befor God, that he did all his craftie diligence to intyse me to flay and destroy the Laird Ardinkaippill, Mckallay,20 for ony ganes kyndness or freindfchip that he mycht do or gif me.21 The quhilk I did refuis, in respect of my faithfull promeis maid to Mckallay ofbefor.22 Alfo, he did all the diligence he culd, to mowe me to flay the Laird of Ardkyndlas, in lyk 1 THE Original of the very interesting and important Paper now given, is preserved in the General Register House, and is in the hand of the then Clerk of Secret Council, James Primrose. It is marked as PRESENTIT BE MR WILLIAME HAIRT,' (of Levilands) as an article of evidence of his guilt, at his Trial. It will be recollected that this person officiated as Justice Depute on the occasion. Glenstray had surrendered to Argyll, on condition of his being permitted to go to England; by which the former meant that he should visit the English Court, and have, if possible, access to the King. It was obviously Argyll's policy to prevent this; but, that he might fulfill his promise, he sent him, under a strong escort of troops, to beyond the river Tweed, at Berwick, where the soldiers, wheeling to the right about, made MacGregor retrace his steps. He was two days only in Edinburgh, after his return from England, when he was executed.-See Sir James Balfour's Annals, and Nos. II. and IV. of these illustrative documents. 2 The Earl of Argyll, King's Lieutenant in the Bounds of the Clan-Gregor, since July, 1596.-Records of Secret Council. 3 He had taken the usual oath to be his Majesty's househald-man,' 27th July 1596, as appears from the Record of Secret Council. 1 Clan-Cameron. 5 Wage war. 6 Threatened. 7 Deceitful courses; literally, 9 Slow, slack. 10 Did my endeavour, moyen. 11 This point 8 Believe. 13 Fee, feufarm. 'round-about ways.' is illustrated by an Original Paper, preserved in the General Register House, of date Jul. 24, 1599. 12 Advertised, informed. 14 This refers to the Royal promise of reward to Argyll, after Feb. 7, 1603, for apprehending Glenstray; which reward, as he had earned it, he afterwards received; and it was confirmed to him by the Parliament, 1607. 15 This refers to that escape from Campbell of Ardkinglass, hereditary Sheriff of Argyllshire, mentioned by Sir James Balfour and by Birrel. 16 Report. French, bruit. 17 Without, contrary to his knowledge. 18 Such of them as were innocent of the crimes charged against the Clan generally. 19 Moreover. 20 Awlay Mac Awlay. 21 In the Lord Treasurer's Books of Scotland. Nov. 1602, is the following entry: Item, to Patrik McOmeis, messinger, passand of Edinburghe, wt Lettres to charge Ard Earle of Argyle to compeir personallie befoir the Counsall, the xvj day of December nixt, to ansuer to sic thingis as salbe inquirit at him, tuiching his lying at await for the Laird of Ardincapill, vpone set purpois to have slane him, xvj li.' 22 GLENSTRAY and MACAULAY had entered into a Bond of Clanship, May 27, 1591, in which the latter owns his ་ 2 maner; bot I neuer grantit therto; Throw the quhilk he did invy me grettumly. And now, feing God and man feis it is greidenes of warldlie geir quhilk caufis him to putt at me and my kin, and not the weill of the realme, nor to pacifie the famyn, nor to his Majefteis honour, bot to putt down innofent men, to cause pure bairnes and infanttis bege, and pure wemen to perisch for hunger, quhen they ar bereit of thair geir: The quhilk, I pray God, that thais faltis lycht not upon his Majestie heirefter, nor upon his fucceffione. Quherfor, I wald befeik God that his Majestie knew the weratie, that at this hour I wald be content to tak Baneifment, with all my kin that was at the Laird of Luffis flauchter, and all utheris of thame that ony falt can be laid to thair charge: And his Majeftie, of his mercie, to lat pure innofent men and young bairnes pas to libertie, and lerne to leiff as innocent men; The quhilk I wald fulfill, but ony kynd of faill; quhilk wald be mair to the will of God and his Majefteis honour, nor the greidie, cruell forme that is devyfit, only for leuf of geir, haueing nether refpect to God nor honeftie! Field of Glenfrune - Murder - Fire-raising, &c. Feb. 17.-JOHNNE Dow MEWIN M'GREGOUR, Patrik Mcilvarnoch, his man, Duncan M'enham M'gregour, Duncan M'Allefter Vrek, Allefter McEwin V'condochie, Johnne Mean V'gregour, Ewin M'condochie clerich, Johnne Ammonoche M'gregour, Duncan Beg M'gregour V'coull chere, Gregour McNicoll in Dalveich, Johnne Dow M'condochie Viewin. 5 Dilatit of certane crymes of Murthour, Thift, Soirning; and for being at the ffeild of Glenfrune, in companie with vmqle Allafter Mcgregour of Glenftra, his kyn and freindis; and of the Slauchteris, ffyre-raifing, Reif and Herschippis committit in the moneth of ffebruare 1603 yeiris, aganis the Laird of Lufe, his freindis and pairtakeris, viz. (1.) Johnne Dow Mewin Mcgregour, for his intercowmoning with vmq' Allafter Mcgregour of Glenftra, vmqle Patrik Aulauch Mcgregour and vtheris thair complices, quha war at the treffonabill burning of Robert Wattersones barne of Kallechoit, and at the fteilling of the Laird of Merchinftounes oxin; committit in September laft. ITEM, of airt and pairt of the thiftious fteilling, furth of Andro Allanes house in Kipine, of fyve ky; committit in October laft. ITEM, for airt and pairt of the flauchter of vmqle Johnne Drummond in Drony of Cowgafk; committit in Auguft laft. ITEM, for airt and pairt of the fteilling of ane milk 30w" fra Patrik M'boricht, furth of his duelling-hous of Glenmawak; committit in September laft. AND ficlyk, of cowmone Thift and cowmone reffet of thift.-(2.) Patrik Mkilvarnoch, fervand to the faid Johnne Dow, of airt and pairt of the haill crymes aboue writtin; as being in companie with his faid maifter thairat.-(3.) Duncan Mcinham Vegregour, ffor airt and pairt of the thiftious fteilling fra Eduard Reidoche of being a Cadet of the House of the former, and promises to pay him' THE CALP.'-Paper in the General Register House. This instrument had, as would seem, been discovered by the Government, and led to the suspicion, alluded to in a former part of this work (See May 17, 1603), that MacAulay had aided Glenstray in the feud of Glenfruin. MacAulay seems to have escaped death, by being under the protection of the Duke of Lennox, and forming one of his train or Tail,' in the King's journey to England, to take possession of the English Throne. 1 Ardkinglass, as appears from the Book of Taymouth, was Glenstray's near kinsman. 2 Bore a great or mortal grudge at me. 4 Than. 6 Ewe. 3 Without failure or evasion. 19 5 See Jan. 20, 1601. fyve horse and meiris; committit in the moneth of . . . . . Im.Vc. fourfcoir and fourtene yeiris. ITEM, of airt and pairt of the thiftious fteilling fra Allaster M'condochie Vic James Robiefone, in Callewin, of ten horfis and meiris; committit in the moneth of . yeiris.-(4.) Duncane Mc Allafter Vrek in Farne, ffor airt and pairt of the thiftious fteilling furth of the landis of Airliewicht of fourtie ky, pertening to the Laird of Bandrane; committit ten yeir fyne or thairby. ITEM, for the thiftious fteilling furth of the Laird of Strowanes crandoche' of his haill inficht, worth Im. lib.2 ITEM, for airt and pairt of the flauchter of vmqle Donald Dereif. ITEM, for airt and pairt of the thiftious fteilling furth of the landis of Downance in Menteith, of fourtie ky, tuelf horfis; committit in the yeir of God I".Ve. fourfcoir aucht: And for intercowmoning with the Laird of M'gregour: And for cowmone Thift and cowmone reffet of thift.-(5.) Ewin M.condochie Clerich, ffor his treffonabill intercowmoning with the Laird of M'gregour, and fchawing of fauour and supplie to him: And for cowmone thift, and cowmone reffett of thift.-(6.) Johnne Dow Mccondochie Veewin, ffor treffonabill intercowmoning with vmqle the Laird of Mcgregour, and geving him supplie and conforte.-(7.) Johnne Ammonache Mcgregour in Kingart, ffor airt and pairt of the thiftious fteilling of fax fcheip furth of Schandballie; committit aucht yeir fyne or thairby. ITEM, for cowmone Thift and cowmone reffett of thift.-(8.) Allafter. M'ewin Vicondochie, in Couldar, ffor airt and pairt of the heirfchip of the Downance in Menteith; and of the flauchteris than committit; and fpeciallie of the flauchter of vmqle Andro Grahame.-(9.) Gregour M'neill alias Cowanache, ffor airt and pairt of the crewall Murthour and Slauchter of vmqle the ffidler Mckillope, within his awin hous in Dalvey; committit at Andersmes,3 Im. fax hundreth and tua yeiris. ITEM, ffor the thiftious reffetting and treffonabill intercowmoning (of vmqle the Laird of M'gregour?) eftir he wes discharget be proclamatioune.—(10.) Joḥnne Mckean Vegregour, in Glenogill vnder Tawie-barne, ffor the crewall Murthour, flauchter and drowning of M'killopis wyfe, that duellt in Glenartnay, being in company with vmql Patrik Aulach; committit in harveft laft. ITEM, for reffet of the brokin men of the Mcgregouris, within his duelling-hous, and treffonabill intercowmoning with thame, aganis his hienes Proclamatioun.-(11.) Duncan Beg Mgregour V'coull Chere, ffor airt and pairt of the crewall Murthour and flauchter of fevin fcoir perfones flane at Glenfrwne; and heirschip than committit thairin, in the moneth of ffebruare 1603. ITEM, for cowmoun thift and cowmoun reffett of thift; And for the treffonabill intercowmoning with vmqle the Laird of M'gregour, eftir he was discharget be proclamatioune. 3 St Andrew's day, 'Or craudoche, a Highland gentleman's dwelling-house, Andrew's-mass, the 30th day of November. ? £1000. ASSISA. Mr Moreis Drummond of Cul- Mungo Buchannane in Tullie- Jacobi1 Edmestoun of Newtoun, Dauid Drummond in Drymmen, cherie, chewin, James Dennyftoune of Cowgrane, Johnne Naper of Kilmahew, Thomas Fallafdaill in Ardoche, Johnne Mufchet at the mylne of Harrie Mitchell in Darra. James Spreull ffiear of Cowden, Colene Campbell of Aberuchill, Mungo Lyndfay of Ballull, Robert Naper of Blakzairdis, The Aduocat afkit inftrumentis of the fweiring of the Affyfe; of Johnne Dowis Declaratioune, that Patrik Milvarnoch his man hes bene with him this tua yeir bygane, and is pairtaker of all his factis. The Aduocat, for verifeing the poyntis of Dittay, producet the Kingis Proclamatioune, Actis of Secreit Counfall, contenit in the buik of Secreit Counfall producet, and afkit inftrumentis thairvpoune: And proteftit for Wilfull Errour aganis the Affyfe, in caife thai acquit. VERDICT. The Affyis, be the mouth of Dauid Drummond, chanceller, ffand, pronuncet and declairit the faidis perfones to be ffylet, culpable and convict of the perticuler poyntis of Dittay aboue writtin. SENTENCE. The Justice-depute decernit and adjudget the faid John Dow, &c. to be tane to the mercait-croce of Edinburgh, and thair to be hangit vpoun ane gibbet quhill thai be deid; and all thair moveabill guidis to be efcheit and inbrocht to our fouerane lordis vfe, as convict of the faidis crymes. 'Field of Glenfrune' — Slaughter of the Colquhouns, &c. Dilatit, accufet and perfewit for being in company with vmqle Allafter M'gregour of Glenftra and his complices, at the ffeild of Glenfrwne,3 and of airt and pairt of the flauchter of fevin fcoir perfones, being all freindis, fervandis, affifteris and pairtakeris with the Laird of Lufe at the faid ffeild, and of the heirfchipis thair committit be the faid Laird of M'gregour and his complices: And of the treffonabill raising of ffyre and burning of dyuerfe houffis, within the boundis foirfaid; committit in the moneth of Februare, the yeir of God I".Vj°. and thre yeiris: And ficlyk, for intercowmoning with the faid Laird of M'gregour and perfones foirfaidis, his complices, that war at the faid flauchter and heirschip, fen the committing thairof.-AND als, the faid Patrik Gair Mcgregor being indyttit and accufet for the hounding out of his thre fones to the faid ffeild, and murthouris and flauchteris than committit vpone the faid Laird of Luffis freindis : And of airt and pairt, red, counfall, foirknawledge, affistance and ratihabitioune This person is so named in various places of the Record. 2 The 18th of Februar, 9 of the See Jan. 20, 1604. name of MacGregor hangit, quho had lain lang in the Tolbuith.'-Birrel. of the faid murthouris and heirschippis: And ficlyke, for the reffett and intercowmoning with the Laird of M'gregour and his complices that war at Glenfrune, and reffetting of thame with the bludie hand, sen the tyme foirfaid of the faid heirschip and flauchteris. Mungo Lyndfay of Ballull, George Buchannane in Ladrifch, ASSISA. VERDICT. The faid Affyfe, all in ane voce, be the mouth of the faid Robert Buchannane Walterfoune, ffand, pronuncet and declairit the saidis fyve perfones to be ffylet, culpable and convict of the haill crymes aboue fpecifeit. SENTENCE. And thairfoir, the Justice-depute, be the mouth of Robert Scott, dempftar of Court, decernit and ordanit the faidis perfones to be tane to the galloufe of the Burrow-mure of Edinburghe, and thairupoune to be hangit quhill thay be deid; and thair haill moveable guidis to be escheit and inbrocht to his hienes vfe, as convict of the faidis crymes. Theft- Reset of Laird of MacGregor —' Field of Glenfrune,' &c. Mar. 2.-MALCOLME M'COULL CLERICH (M'cherich,) in Innerlochlarg; Duncan Mcfadrik V'coull Chere, in Innerlochlarg, vnder the Laird of Tulliebardin; Johnne M'coull Chere, in the Bray of Balquhidder, and Neill McWilliame V'Neill. Dilaitit of certane poyntis of Thift; and for Intercowmoning with vmqle the Laird of M'gregour, fen the Raid of Glenfrune, viz. (1.) Malcolme Mccoull Cleriche (Cheriche,) ffor airt and pairt, and being on the grundis at the crewall Slauchter of vmqle Hew Stewart, ferveand to my Lord Athole; committit threttie yeir fyne, or thairby. ITEM, for airt and pairt of the flauchter of vmqle Patrik Mcgregour, in Glenbokie; committit in the moneth of September, the yeir of God Im.Vc. threfcoir faxtene yeiris. ITEM, for geving of counfall to vmqle the Laird of Makgregour, his kyn and freindis, to pas fordward aganis the Laird of Lufe to Glenfrune;' and for convoying the faid Laird of M'gregour agaitwart3 to the fyd of Lochloun, afoir the ffeild : And for airt and pairt of the flauchteris and heirfchipis committit at Glenfrune be the faid Laird of M'gregour and his complices, in the moneth of Februare 1603 yeiris. ITEM, for the treffonable Intercowmoning with the faid Laird of M'gregour, and Reffett of him and his freindis and pairtakeris that war at the ffeild of Glenfrune, and geving of thame herbrie, help and supplie, in meit, drink and bedding, wittinglie and willinglie, 1 See Jan. 20, 1604. 2 Escorting. 5 On the way or gait. 2 |