Page:Massacre of Glenco (1).pdf/3

 kinlis, Sheriff of that shire, and craved of him the benefit of the Indemnity, according to the proclamation, he being willing to perform all the conditions required. Sir Colin at first scrupled to admit him to the oaths, the time which the proclamation did appoint being clapsed by one day, alledging it would be of no use to him then to take them: but Mackian represented that it was not his fault, he having come in time enough to Colonel Hill, not doubting but he could have administered the oaths to him, and that upon his refuſal he had made such haſte to Inverary, that he might have come in time enough, had not the extremity of the weather hindered him; and even as it was, he was but one day after the time appointed; and that it would be very unbecoming the Government to take the advantage of a man's coming late by one day, eſpecially when he had done his utmost to have come in time. Upon this and his threatening to protest against the Sheriff for the severity of this usage, he administered to him and his attendants the oaths, Mackian depending upon the Indemnity granted to thoſe who should take them; he having so done he went home and lived quietly and peaceable under the government till the day of his untimely death.

In January laſt, a party of the Earl of Argyle's Regiment came to that country; the deſign of their coming was then suſpected to be, to take courſe with thoſe who ſhould ſtand out, and not submit, and take the oaths. The Garriſon of Glenco being thronged, and Glenco being commodious for quartering, as being near that Garrison, those soldiers were sent thither to quarter, they pretended they came to exact arrears of Ceſs and Hearth Money (a tax never known in Scotland until laid on by the parliament 1690, after the parliament of England had eased themſelves of it.) Before they entered Glenco, the Laird or ſons came out to meet them, and asked them if they came as friends or enemies? The officers anſwered, As friends, and gave their parole of honour that they would do neither him nor his concerns any harm; upon which he welcom'd them, promiſing them the beſt entertainment the place could afford. This he really performed, as all the ſoldiers confeſs. He and