Page:History of the Scottish rebellion, 1745.pdf/5

 set on his head. Cope having collected all his forces, and armed the militia, marched for the Highlands along the east coast in quest of the Prince, who, not choosing to risk a battle in his infant state of affairs, crossed the mountains by Blair of Athole, and entered Perth without resistance. Here he immediately proclaimed his father, James III King of Great Britain. On the 7th September he sent a detachment to Dundee to proclaim his father as king.

The Prince set out from Perth on the 11th, and crossed the Forth on the 13th at the ford of the Frew, about four miles from Stirling, where he found no opposition to prevent him from taking this decisive and intrepid step. Charles spent the night at Bannockburn House, from whence he sent a message to the Magistrates of Stirling, who submitted to him, and sent the provisions he demanded. On the 15th Charles proceeded to Falkirk, where his army lay all night among some broom to the east of Callander House. Here the Earl of Kilmarnock informed Charles, that Gardiner's dragoons intended to dispute the passage of Linlithgow Bridge. He dispatched 900 well armed Highlanders to attack them, but the dragoons did not wait to come to blows — they retired to Kirkliston, and the Highlanders entered Linlithgow without disturbance. On the morning of the 17th, the rebel army proceeded to Edinburgh, and on reaching the village of Corstorphine, deputies arrived from the city to treat about a capitulation. To whom the Prince replied, that he could not treat with his subjects. However, matters were soon arranged, and next morning the Prince was conducted to Holyrood House, the palace of his ancestors, amidst the exclamations of an immense crowd, whom curiosity had brought