the propriety of intrusting the defence of the city to a force so feeble, and, as the reports of the progress and strength of the rebels were every day becoming more alarming, about twenty gentlemen met on Monday, the second of September, and agreed to apply to the lord provost, "that he would give orders for putting the town into as good a state of defence as possible with all expedition." At this meeting it was complained of, "that an application, which had been made the week before to his lordship, had not met with due encouragement, but that the persons who waited on his lordship and their zeal had been ridiculed, and made the subject of insipid jokes. The company, however, resolved, that whatever discouragements they might meet with from those whose duty it was to have animated them, they should meet frequently, and promote, to the utmost of their power, whatever may tend to the defence of the town."* In the meantime they appointed two of their number, a gentleman who had lately been in the magistracy, and Mr. MacLaurin, to wait on the lord provost," with a general instruction to beg he would see to the defence of the town, and to offer him their assistance." They were also instructed to request that he would order moulds to be made for bullets, "it having been found, on trial, that all in the shops had been bought up by cadies, or link boys, who had been sent for them;"-that the sluice of the North Loch, by which the water issues from it, should be shut and secured, that it might fill up; and that his lordship should make a distinction, when he came to intrust them with arms, betwixt the inhabitants of known good affection, and such as were suspected; taking, at the same time, proper measures that the city should not be in danger from within, as it had been in 1715.

To the two first of these requests, his lordship gave answers which satisfied the deputation, "but as to the third, he did not give the satisfaction desired." After a good deal of reasoning, however, he came so far as to say, that if the town came to be attacked, he would so far make a distinction as to intrust the town's arms with the most substantial burghers; but, he added, "that if a thousand men had a mind to get into the

• Trial of Archibald Stuart, Esq. &c. p. 35.

town, he did not see how he could hinder them. In answer to this, the number of trades lads in Edinburgh—of the gentlemen that would associate to save the town-the unskilfulness the Highlanders had always shown in attacking stone walls—their want of artillery, and being ill armed, with the assistance that in all probability would be got from the dragoons, was urged; and it was added, that something was requisite to save the reputation of the town, to divert the enemy from coming this way, and to raise the spirit of the country. To this he answered, that to pretend to do when we could do little, was to expose ourselves to ridicule, with other discouraging expressions, though in the end he said he would be glad of advice from sensible burghers, and have regard to it."

Little farther passed till the fifth of the month, two days later, when the danger appearing still more imminent, the same company, with the addition of some other gentlemen, again met, and entered into an association, as volunteers, to serve for the defence of the city, at the hazard of their lives and fortunes, under the direction of the lord provost. This agreement was signed by all present, and by one hundred before twelve next day. They appointed some of their number to present the agreement to the lord provost, to request that they might be allowed to choose their own officers, and that he would apply to general Guest for arms to them. They were likewise instructed to entreat that the parapet of the town wall might be cleared, which in many places had been stopped up with stone and lime to prevent smuggling; that stairs for getting up to it might be erected, and that cannon should be got from the ships at Leith, to be placed on the flanks and gates.*

So generally prevalent was the spirit of resistance at this time, even among the least warlike part of the inhabitants, that, of this date, a representation to the lord provost, magistrates, and council, was signed by the principal and professor of divinity, and twelve more of the ministers of the city of Edinburgh, of whom, at that time, the total number was sixteen, so that three only were absent or wanting-setting forth, that having "seen and considered a petition to their lordship and

* Trial of Archibald Stuart, Esq. &c. pp. 36, 37.

honours, subscribed by a considerable number of the inhabitants of this city, well affected to his majesty's person and government, praying that the city may be put in a proper posture of defence against the common enemy, they, the ministers of Edinburgh, judged it their duty to testify their hearty approbation of such design, and their firm resolution to promote the same in their sphere and station, and thereby engage cheerfully with their fellow-citizens to contribute for defraying the necessary expense." And they were as good as their word, for, out of their moderate stipends, they joined in subscribing for the pay of one hundred men out of the thousand proposed to be raised.

Far from seconding this zeal on the part of the citizens, the lord provost found difficulties with regard to the legality of raising volunteers, and would by no means give way to it, till he had the written opinion of his majesty's advocate and solicitor, "That it was lawful for the magistrates to authorize the subscribers, and other well-affected inhabitants, to take up arms in defence of the city, and support of the government;" and, "That it was lawful, and not treasonable, for the magistrates to comply with the desire of the said petition of the volunteers."

At the same time that he was thus cold with regard to any thing like military array, or attempting any thing like a defence of the city, the lord provost now, and on all occasions afterward, declared that he would insist on the privileges of his office, and did not leave to the volunteers the nomination of their own officers, but he allowed them to make out a list of thirty or forty persons, from which he agreed to make a selection. He also, with some of the magistrates and volunteers, walked around part of the town wall, when he remarked, "that if two thousand men had a mind to get into the town, he could not see but they must succeed." After having examined part of the city wall, he requested professor MacLaurin one of the volunteers who accompanied him, to take the trouble of drawing out a plan of it, which the professor readily undertook to do,

To encourage others to join this association, and to rouse the lethargic spirit of the country, a spirited Article respecting it was drawn up by one of the members, to be inserted in the

newspapers, but, before inserting it, as a mark of dutiful respect, it was shown to the lord provost, who, as if he had been afraid to state himself in actual opposition to the rebels, when he came to the words," this proposal was accepted by the lord provost," struck them out, substituting," the lord provost acquiesced in this proposal," which was deeply regretted by all who were zealously engaged in the cause; being sensible that more than acquiescing was requisite in the magistrates, and foreseeing, as it happened, that the trades would not be warm when the magistrates were so cool. The volunteers, however, soon rose to four hundred; but the expenses of the works proposed for the defence of the city, were much talked and complained of, at this time and afterwards.*

Next day, September the seventh, the lord provost moved in council an humble address to his majesty, who had just arrived from Germany, which was unanimously agreed to as follows:"Most gracious sovereign. We, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the lord provost, magistrates, and town council of the city of Edinburgh, want words to express the satisfaction we felt upon receiving the news of your majesty's happy arrival to these your dominions, so long and ardently wished for by all your majesty's faithful and dutiful subjects, at a time when the enemies to your person and government were daring enough to take up arms, with a wicked intention, to deprive us of our religion, liberty, and laws; blessings we have so long possessed, derived down to us from the revolution, and happily enjoyed under your majesty's and royal father's auspi cious reigns.

"This city has always distinguished herself by a firm and steady attachment to revolution and whig principles, and a hearty abhorrence of all popish and arbitrary governments. And in the year 1715, when a most unnatural rebellion was kindled up against your royal father, our zeal for his person and government was equalled by few-surpassed by none. Since that time we have opposed, as far as was in our power, every measure that might flatter the pretender's hopes. "We beg leave at this time to assure your majesty, that we

* Trial of Archibald Stuart, Esq. &c. pp. 38, 39.

will stand by you and your royal family, with our lives and fortunes; employ every power we are possessed of, and all the means you shall put in our hands, to disappoint the views of France, and baffle the vain hopes of this rash adventurer, who has been audacious enough to attempt to darken and disturb. the tranquillity of your majesty's happy government. Signed, by order of the council; Archibald Stuart, provost."*

After voting the above address, it was resolved, in council, to authorize the magistrates and convener to employ persons, with all possible speed, to put the city in a posture of defence, and particularly the walls thereof. The plan of the wall by professor MacLaurin, in which the weak places were pointed out,. and the necessary remedies proposed, was made ready, and presented to the council at six o'clock the same day. An estimate; of the expense was desired by the lord provost, but that could not be done without more time. It was proposed that the flanks should be first taken care of, as the time which the rebels might take to come to Edinburgh could not be exactly calculated; and, as inducements to proceed with despatch, it was remarked, that doing what they could was to be no barrier in the way of capitulating, if capitulation should at last become necessary; besides, there was, a double chance for relief, from Sir John Cope, and at the same time from the Dutch, so that holding out but for a day or two might save the town.+

On Sunday the eighth, the workmen cleared a part of the parapet; but their number was very small for this day, and indeed for the whole week. Of this complaints were made every night, but to little or no purpose; sometimes there were only two dozen, when there ought to have been as many hundreds, for the rebels were now at Perth, little more than one good day's march from Edinburgh. After clearing the parapet, it was found too narrow in several places, and it was necessary to add to it by scaffolding; but, from the want of workmen, it was but in a few places that it was executed.

Monday, September the ninth, his majesty's sign manuel was produced in council, stating, “That it had been represented to

• Scots Magazine for September, 1745. + Trial of Archibald Stuart, Esq. p. 40.