The Glencoe Massacre- The annexed cutting from the Guardian of Sept. 19, 1855, seems worth preserving in "N. & Q.:" "A copy of the warrant authorising the Glencoe massacre by King William III., was stolen some time back. from the archives of the Eglington family. It has been recently restored, and is now printed by the Scottish Press, which informs us that the paper is merely a copy of the warrant, though thought at first to be the original document. It does not bear the sign-manual of King William; but it is written in an antique style of penmanship, and the spelling is peculiar: "For Their Majesties Service To Captain Robert Campbell of Glensgow. "You are hierby ordered to fall upon the Rebels the McKdonalds of Glenco and put all to the sword under 70. You are to have a speciall care that the old fox and ! his sones doe upon no account escape your hands. You are to secure all the avenues, that no man escape. This you are to put in execution at five of the clooke precisly and by that time, or very shortly after it, I'll strive to be at you with a stronger pairtie. If I do not come to you at five you are not to tarrie for me, but to fall on. This is by the kings command for the good and saftie of the Countrie that thes miscreants be cut off root and branch, so that he put to execution without fend or favour, else! you may expect to be dealt with as one not true to king or government, nor a man fit to carrie commission in the kings service. Expecting you will not faile in the fulfilling heirof as you love your selfe, I subscrive this with my hand. Baideresis, Feb. 12, 1692. "sic subscribitor." " "ROBERT DUNCANSON. In connection with this, perhaps some of your correspondents would give me the authority for what I have seen somewhere stated, viz. that William of Holland had determined to carry out against the Frasers, and some other clan, the same murderous measures which were put in execution against the MacDonalds of Glencoe. Alton, Staffordshire. WILLIAM FRASER, B.C.L. |