Page "Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll" Paragraph 5

In May 1654 Cromwell published his ‘ Ordinance of Pardon and Greace to the Peopell of Scotland ;’ Lorne was among the numerous exceptions.

On 10 June he was reported as being reconciled with his father, and as helping him to raise men for the English.

This, however, is clearly erroneous.

In September he managed to capture a vessel loaded with provisions for Argyll's men.

There seems little doubt that he joined Middleton's expedition of this year, Glencairn having been ‘ slighted ’ upon his letters.

In November we find him sweeping his father's lands of cattle, and Argyll was compelled to ask for an English garrison to protect him from his son's insolence.

In the beginning of December, however, he was in such distress that he had to retire to a small island with but four or five men, and on 16 Dec. Monck informed Cromwell that Lorne was to meet his father, and would probably come over to the Protector if admitted.

Lorne, however, informed Argyll that he could not capitulate without the full concurrence of Middleton.

He was suspected of having an agent with the king and of intriguing in England as well, and on 30 Dec. 1654 Charles wrote from Cologne, thanking him for his constancy to Middleton in all his distresses, acknowledging his good service upon the rebels, and promising future rewards.

So obnoxious were he and his family to Cromwell that even Lady Lorne was on 18 Jan. 1654 – 5 driven out of Argyll by the English, since her presence there caused the rebels to collect.

It has been stated, indeed, that Lorne refused to make any engagements with the usurpers until he received the king's orders to capitulate, dated 31 Dec. 1655.

This, however, is erroneous, and the error has arisen from a mistake in date.

The instructions received through Middleton are dated Dunveaggan, 31 March.

Lorne is urged to lose no time in taking such a course, by capitulation or otherwise, as he shall judge ‘ most fit and expedient to save his person, family, and estate .’ He is spoken of as having been ‘ principallie engaged in the enlyvening of the war, and one of the chief movers ;’ and his ‘ deportments in relation to the enemy and the last war are beyond all paralell ’.

Another letter to the same effect from Middleton reached him in April, dated from Paris, in which he is similarly praised.

Both of these letters were produced in his favour at his trial in 1681.

The next evidence that Lorne was treating for surrender is a letter in which he requests the Laird of Weem to be one of his sureties for 5, 000l.

This is dated 6 June 1655.

The conditions, which appear to have been drawn up in May, and to have received Cromwell's approval in August, were ( 1 ) that Lorne and the heads of clans serving him should come in within three weeks ; ( 2 ) that he should give good lowland security for 5, 000l., his officers and vassals giving proportional security ; ( 3 ) that Lorne should have liberty to march with his horses and arms — the horses to be sold in three weeks ; ( 4 ) that he and his party should enjoy their estates without molestation, and should be freed from all fines or forfeiture.

By 8 Nov. Monck had ‘ bound Lorne in 5, 000l.

as good security as could be had in Scotland, Lorne promising to live peaceably ; and garrisons were admitted at Lochaber and Dunstaffnage to see that his promises were kept ’.