Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/408

 English side of Tweed. Part of his forces crossed the River, I find, next day; a stray regiment had without order gone across the day before.—The ‘Laird of Greenhead,‘ Sir Andrew Ker, is known in the old Scotch Books; still better, Major Strahan, who makes a figure on his own footing by and by. The Anti-Hamilton or Whiggamore Party are all inclined to Cromwell; inclined, and yet averse: wishing to say ‘Yes and No’ if that were possible!—

The answer to this Letter immediately follows in Thurloe; but it is not worth giving. The intricate longwindedness of mere Loudons, Argyles and the like, on such subjects, at this time of day is not tolerable to either gods or men. ‘We, Loudon, Argyle and Company, are very sensible how righteously “God who judgeth the Earth” has dealt with Hamilton and his followers; an intolerable, unconscionable race of men, tending towards mere ruin of religion, and “grievously oppressive” to us. We hope all things from you, respectable Lieutenant-General. We have sent influential persons to order the giving-up of Berwick and Carlisle instantly; and hope these Garrisons will obey them. We rest,—Humbly Devoted,—Argyle, Loudon and Company.‘

Influential Persons: ‘Friday last, the 22d September, the Marquis of Argyle, the Lord Elcho, Sir John Scot and others came as Commissioners from the Honest Party in Scotland to the Laird of Mordington’s House at Mordington, to the Lieutenant-General’s quarters, two miles within Scotland. That night the Marquis of Argyle sent a trumpet to Berwick,‘ —Berwick made delays, needed to send to the Earl of Lanark first. Lanark, it is to be hoped, will consent. Meanwhile the Lieutenant-General opens his parallels, diligently prepares to besiege, if necessary. Among these influential Persons, a quick reader notices ‘Sir John Scot,‘—and rejoices to recognise him, in that dim transient way, for the ‘Director of the Chancery,‘ and Laird of Scotstarvet in