"And the said matters, sir? Of which your masters are wary?"
"Scarcely our masters! But the proposals, in general terms, are these. Annual payments - pensions, if you like - to chiefs, chieftains and great lairds, to keep and enforce the King's peace. Proper representation in Parliament - which has never been established in the Highlands. Burgh status, with its trading and other privileges, for suitable communities. More Highland representation on the Privy Council. Indemnity for all Jacobite prisoners. Other benefits and improvements also, but these for a start."
"And the new Darien project to offer much encouragement for Highland settlers in the colony. And to employ troops of Highlanders in its defence," Johnnie put in.
"Well, well, my goodness - all that!" the MacGregor exclaimed, with exaggerated approval. "As Royal's my Race -the government must be loving us all greatly, of a sudden, to woo poor Highlandmen this way! Or else, be much afraid of its ability to be controlling a rising for King James!"
"M'mm. Put it this way, Captain. We are making a new start in Scotland. We have got rid of much that has plagued our nation for long — misgovernment from London, the rule of favourites and their military, religious oppression, Parliament ignored or gagged. There is much more to be done. I myself have worked for this end for near twenty years. But if the Highlands remain outside it all, fertile soil for uprising and foreign intervention, then the rest is ever at risk. Scotland should be one polity, not two. There will always be Highland and Lowland - but they could and should work together for the benefit of the nation as a whole."
"A noble prospect, Mr. Fletcher, whatever. But something sudden, is it not? Myself, I have seen no signs of this new love for the Highlands, this vision of brotherhood - before yourselves, gentlemen! Auspicium melioris aevi, perhaps? But sudden. The Highlandman is still treated as dirt, in the streets of Edinburgh. My own father was held in Edinburgh's Tolbooth for five years like a common felon, Highland gentleman as he was. The Highland cattle-drovers are cheated at every tryst by Lowland dealers - as I should know! You, sir, may be strong for this splendid new start - but how many others are? What has changed? Is it sudden love - or fear, just?"
"The new Secretary of State, Lord Murray, is a Highlander, I would remind you. Heir to the Marquis of Atholl," Johnnie mentioned "He supports this enterprise."
"John Murray would support this today and the opposite tomorrow, whatever! I know him, as I know his father – I - who have had to collect mail from them these four years!"
Andrew blinked. "You mean ... he pays you? To protect his cattle? The Secretary of State himself!"
"When he remembers! I have to be after reminding him, now and again. Like Colin Campbell."
"Aberuchill, you mean? Does he, too . . . ? Surely not? The Lord Justice Clerk!"
"Why not, at all? Their cattle need protecting just like other folk's, Mr. Fletcher, do they not? A kyloe is a kyloe, whosoever owns it. And costs siller. And there are some terrible thieving scoundrels about these days - are there not, Mac-an-Leister?"
That man nodded, grimly.
Again Andrew's wits went birling. If all they heard was true, Rob Roy MacGregor's methods of ensuring that his clients paid their mail, as he called it, for the protection of their flocks and herds, was to raid and drive them off himself if they omitted to do so, using his Highland Watch for the task — blackmail, the process was being called. If even the Secretary of State and the Lord Justice Clerk were prepared to give into to this, how could normal conditions of honest dealing ever be established north of the Highland Line?
But this was neither the place nor the time to argue that aspect. "That all may be so. But what we have told you represents betterment, a hand outstretched on the government's part, a move in the right direction. Do you not agree, Captain?"
"It could be that, whatever. Or it could mean but more cream on the milk of some and no benefit at all for the rest. As before."
"Before . . . ?"
"To be sure. This is not the first time your masters have tried to buy peace in the Highlands. I am told that £12,000 was sent north for the chiefs, to set up the Watches. But three Watches were raised - and my Glengyle one got only a few hundreds of pounds. We have to be making up our expenses. . . otherwise! Surprised I'd be if more than £2,000 of it all ever got beyond a certain lordly pocket!"
"You think so? I ... that is unfortunate. And must not occur again. Better arrangements must be made this time."
"Then you will have to be after watching your Campbells, whatever, Mr. Fletcher! What do you want from myself, then?"
"We want you to sound out opinion, quietly. Amongst the chiefs and landed men. You, we understand, are in a good position to do this, as captain of the Watch and as, h'mm, cattle-dealer. Also your father's son. You will remember the main proposals?"
"Och yes, fine. And the money? How much, at all?"
"No actual amounts were given us. But we are assured that they would be substantial."
"Substantial? Just that - substantial. Och yes, well. And it will not be into John of Breadalbane's hands?"
"No, sir. That, I think, I can promise you."
"Aye. And what else can you promise me, Mr. Fletcher?"
"The gratitude of the King's government, shall we say? Which can take many forms."
"Gratitude, Mac-an-Leister - do you hear? Och, King William's gratitude to Clan Alpin and Sheep Robbie! Well, well! For spreading the good word. Och, I think there might be something more you are wanting, no?"
Belhaven cleared his throat. "It would be of advantage, sir, if we knew the state of the Jacobite threat. How strong for James are the chiefs? Is money coming from France - Louis' money? Such information would help this initiative."
"I was thinking it would come to this, in the end, my lord! And I told you, did I not - I would not play the spy?"
"We do not ask you to, Captain MacGregor," Andrew put in hurriedly. "We ask you for no details, no names. Only the general position which, you will agree, we need to know if we are to proceed with this Highland project. And which, surely, we are entitled to ask the captain of one of King William's Watches?"
"Is it King William's Watch, then? And here's me after thinking it was Clan Alpin's Watch! Och well, we're learning things this night. Hominis est errare! How say you, Mac-an-Leister - have we any gossip that we can spare for good King William in Holland?"
"He is nearer to King James, his own good-father, there than are we, I'm thinking," the other said. "But och, no harm in a word or two for the gentlemen to be taking back to show that their journey into the wild Highlands was not wasted, just!"
"My own feeling, entirely. A pity to disappoint, whatever. We could tell them that it would not be very difficult to outbid the French louis-d'ors that have come so far - and most of which have stuck to the fingers of the Skye and Island chiefs, whatever! They could be after asking King William's friends there! And we could tell them that there is more bickering amongst the chiefs over who failed who at Cromdale fight, and who might become King James's Earl of this or Marquis of that, than plans for a rising."
"Is that so?" Andrew's glance at Johnnie, although brief, was eloquent. How seriously to take this character was doubtful; but if what he said was reliable, then they had what they had come for. "We take it, then, that there is little danger of any rising meantime - to interfere with this better understanding which is to be promoted, sir?"
"Och, you must take what you think best out of what is no more than common gossip just. Which is all that we are after repeating, mind. Myself, now - and Mac-an-Leister, I am sure - would not ever act the informer! But - we would not wish King William's government to be discouraged at all from good works - late as they are! And we would be happy to receive some small token thereof!"
"I see. Then we are much obliged to you, Captain. And to you, Mac-an-Leister. It has been an interesting and valuable meeting."
"Just that, indeed. But it might be, och, inadvisable to speak of our meeting tonight, gentlemen, wit
h the other Campbells here, see you. My lord and cousin of Breadalbane in particular. Not all are so discreet, shall we say, as Colin of Aberuchill. Verbum sapienti sat est! Now, if you will excuse us, we have some hours of riding ahead of us . .."
Back in their upper room the two Lowlanders considered the problems and agilities of dealing with Highlanders; but decided that it probably had been a worthwhile exercise as well as an edification. And in the morning, when Breadalbane weighed in with £1,000 for the Darien project, and some did even better, they set off for the South with fair satisfaction.
The only question at the back of Andrew's mind was - did they in fact speak the same language as these people, even when they were not speaking in the incomprehensible Gaelic? Or in Latin?
18
It would be safe to say that never before had the Port of Leith experienced anything to compare with the scenes of 26th July 1698; not even in 1561 when the cream of Scotland assembled there to greet Mary Queen of Scots on her return from France, nor in 1590 when her son James the Sixth brought back his bride from Denmark. On both these occasions it had been representatives of the ruling hierarchy, together with the provost and magistrates of Edinburgh, with such citizens as felt sufficiently enthusiastic for the two-mile walk down to the port-plus, of course, the good folk of Leith itself. But this fine summer's day all Scotland seemed to have converged on the harbour-area in vast numbers and in high spirits - and for once all Scotland meant just that, Highlanders as well as Lowlanders being quite strongly represented, something unknown hitherto and not altogether approved of by some. However, there had been little or no trouble so far, and a holiday mood prevailed, despite the problems caused by overcrowding in narrow streets, wynds and quaysides.
Andrew Fletcher had difficulty in pushing and working a way for his party, through the excited and cheerful throng, to the dockside from the Tolbooth Wynd where they had to leave the horses, despite the fact that his company included the prime mover and instigator of it all, William Paterson himself. None was more excited than Andrew's eight-year-old nephew and namesake, to whom he clung with one hand whilst he thrust people aside with the other, and Margaret clutched his coat-tails, Henry's arm around her, with Paterson helping Johnnie to steer Margaret Belhaven in their wake. They had been much delayed, unprepared for the huge crowds which had packed the route down Leith Walk all the way from the city.
At least they had no problem as to direction, for the tall masts and rigging of the great ships thrust up high ahead for all to see, their blue-and-white St. Andrew's Cross flags flapping bravely in the breeze. They were moored, five of them, in a line along the principal town quay, known as The Shore, where the Water of Leith river entered the Firth of Forth estuary .and provided deep-water berthing, three large three-decked vessels to carry the first twelve hundred settlers and militia and their gear; and two cargo-ships to transport the livestock, stores, provisions, trade-goods and the like. The large craft were suitably named - Caledonia, St. Andrew, Unicorn, and the others Dolphin and Endeavour; and all represented a mighty investment of capital.
Andrew's pushing, and natural air of authority and bearing, won them through to the quayside at length, itself of course equally crowded, between the tall warehouses and the water-But at least here there was some order in the busy scene, with militiamen keeping lanes open through the throng, shepherding important folk hither and thither. Edinburgh's Lord Provost, himself a major shareholder in the Company, was very much in charge here, bustling about importantly, and at present in some agitation, faced with an unexpected problem -namely the discovery on board each of the ships of innumerable stowaways, some even of gentle blood, who had to be put ashore and dealt with somehow, with everybody far too busy and in no mood to cope with them. Places on the voyage had been over-subscribed five or six times and, with twelve-hundred, the vessels were already overfull.
"Thank God you have arrived!' Patrick Home greeted the newcomers. He was now an earl no less, advanced from being Baron Polwarth to Earl of Marchmont on his appointment as Lord Chancellor of Scotland, a man who made better use of his opportunities than did his friend. "Everybody has been calling for you, Paterson. We were afraid that there must have been some trouble. The shipmasters say that if they are to catch the tide, they must sail within the hour."
"No need for alarm, my lord," Paterson said. "I have only to go aboard, and say goodbye to these my friends. I was here until late last night, putting all matters in order. Everything is ready. We had no notion that there would be so many people."
"Aye, it is extraordinary. I have never seen anything like it. There are folk come from every airt. You have done your work almost too well, Andrew. The land is all but run mad! There are scores, hundreds, still beseeching us to let them sail. As colonists. And not only gangrels, tranters, vagrants, cadgers and the like. Or Hielantmen! But laird's sons, merchanters, men of some substance . . ."
"These stowaways, Mr. Paterson, sir - what are we to do with them?" the Provost interrupted. He had to shout, they all had to shout, for pipers were blowing lustily at the gangways up to every ship and the noise was appalling, with the stowaways yelling, women screeching, militiamen bellowing orders and the vast crowd in full cry.
"We cannot allow any to stay aboard. We are over-loaded already," Paterson declared. "We have many weeks of sailing. Conditions will be bad enough as it is . .."
"Well, Saltoun - are you satisfied?" The new Lord Stair came up. Old James Dalrymple had died and John, the man who had planned Glencoe, was now the viscount and nowise inhibited from taking fullest part in the affairs of the nation, despite unpopularity. "I will say this for you - you and Belhaven and Marchmont have managed your business to some effect. Quite set the heather on fire, it seems - our Scots heather! Whether whatever they have for heather in this Darien will burn so well, we shall discover! Let us hope that it will prove all that you foretell - or Scotland is going to be a sorry, not to say an angry, land."
"I have every confidence, my lord - or I would not have laboured as I have done," Andrew said stiffly. "William Pater-son's dream is about to become a reality. The first part of it. And if we cannot make the second part come true thereafter, we are not the folk I have believed we are. But - I had scarce expected to see you here!"
"Why not, man? After all, I am now a shareholder, to the tune of my late father's perhaps rash investment of one thousand pounds. I hope that I shall see some fruits of it!"
Paterson led them up the gangway and aboard the largest ship, Caledonia, young Andrew dragging his mother after him eagerly, for a tour of the vessel. Most of the notables followed her, to cheers from the colonists-to-be already crowding the decks. Paterson took them below, to dispense wine in his own cabin to all who could squeeze inside amongst the crates and baggage, and success and a speedy voyage were toasted. But with shipmasters concerned with time and tides, there was pressure to get the formalities over, and the Lord Provost soon had them all hustled up to the high poop-deck at the stern, where he had the city trumpeter blow a flourish. He had to blow loud and long, to overcome the combined efforts of pipers, street-vendors, barking dogs, screaming gulls and the thousands of excited voices. But eventually an approximate hush was achieved, at least nearby.
The Provost then made a speech, rather lengthy. Just what he said after the first minute or two was unclear, even to those around him, as the chatter began again to drown him out - but undoubtedly it was in congratulatory and well-wishing vein. Then he called upon the Lord Belhaven and Stenton, as chairman of the Company for Trading with Africa and the Indies. Johnnie was as brief as the other had been fulsome - but went equally unheard by most. All he said, in fact, was Godspeed to the great venture, thanks for all the wonderful support - and to introduce William Paterson, the begetter of it all.
Paterson did not so much as move forward to the Provost's side, mumbled a few words, raised his hand to wave, and was done. Few there probably knew who he was or what he said.
Then there was a change. The
minister of the High Kirk of St. Giles, recently restored to that status after being for a while the cathedral of the unpopular Bishops of Edinburgh, stepped forward and raised both arms high. Quickly the level of noise subsided, tribute to the godly respect for the Kirk amongst the Scots folk at large, the black Geneva gown and white linen bands at throat clearly distinguishing its representative. So he had a better start than the others; but even so he would probably have been heard, for he had a rich and sonorous voice, trained to fill great echoing spaces and to project itself to far corners. Everywhere folk fell silent, save for the far-distant. Eloquently, vehemently, he addressed the Almighty, informing Him of the situation, declaring the essential Tightness and worth of their enterprise, the need for it to prosper, the great sacrifice of goods and gear the Lord's faithful Scots people had made to launch it, against the malice of ill-wishers from elsewhere; and beseeching God's most strenuous and comprehensive blessing upon the entire project and His incessant vigilance on their behalf. Amen. They would now sing to God's praise, in the Psalms of David, number One Hundred.
So, led by the powerful, resonant tenor, the people that on earth do dwell sang to the Lord with cheerful voice, somewhat doubtfully at first and then, as embarrassment gave place to fervour, in growing power and volume until the summer air rang and quivered with the ages-old affirmation and dedication, bringing a kind of wonder to the materialists and moisture to many an eye, if cynical comment from one or two.
Surely seldom had a trading, commercial and colonial endeavour been launched in quite this fashion.
Somebody, after a moment or two of peculiar hush at the psalm's end, started to cheer, and everywhere it was taken up in wild acclaim. On and on the vociferation went, the crowds surged this way and that, some impromptu dancing began, where there was room, on quayside and street, and clearly that was the end of all formalities. Relieved, the shipmen commenced the difficult task of ushering the important visitors off the vessels, and crews were ordered to get busy with ropes and canvas.
The Patriot Page 31
