adequate to subdue the
insurgents in the field; while it was expected that his mild temper, and the
favourable disposition which he showed to Presbyterians in general, might soften
men's minds, and tend to reconcile them to the Government. The Duke was
therefore invested with a commission containing high powers for settling the
distracted affairs of Scotland, and despatched from London with strong succours
to take the principal military command in that country.
 
                        DUKE OF MONMOUTH'S CERTIFICATE.
 
 Referred to in the Case of Lord Melville. - See Acts of the Scots Parliament,
                             vol. viii. pp. 57, 59.
 
These are to certify that, in the time I had command of His Majesty's Forces in
Scotland against the Rebells that were then in armes, I did direct and authorize
the Lord Melvill to send propositions to the Rebells, and receive some from, in
order to laying downe their armes and submitting to the King's mercy. In
wittness whereof I have sett my hand and seale att London, this 10th day of June
1680.
                                                                       MONMOUTH.
 

                              Chapter Twenty-Sixth

 -- I am bound to Bothwell Hill,
 Where I maun either do or die.
                                                                     Old Ballad.
 
There was now a pause in the military movements on both sides. The Government
seemed contented to prevent the rebels advancing towards the capital, while the
insurgents were intent upon augmenting and strengthening their forces. For this
purpose they established a sort of encampment in the park belonging to the ducal
residence at Hamilton, a central situation for receiving their recruits, and
where they were secured from any sudden attack by having the Clyde, a deep and
rapid river, in front of their position, which is only passable by a long and
narrow bridge near the castle and village of Bothwell.
    Morton remained here for about a fortnight after the attack on Glasgow,
actively engaged in his military duties. He had received more than one
communication from Burley, but they only stated, in general, that the Castle of
Tillietudlem continued to hold out. Impatient of suspense upon this most
interesting subject, he at length intimated to his colleagues in command his
desire, or rather his intention - for he saw no reason why he should not assume
a license which was taken by every one else in this disorderly army - to go to
Milnwood for a day or two to arrange some private affairs of consequence. The
proposal was by no means approved of; for the military council of the insurgents
were sufficiently sensible of the value of his services to fear to lose them,
and felt somewhat conscious of their own inability to supply his place. They
could not,