A further ACCOUNT OF THE PROCEED Against the Rebels in Scotland, Since the Arrival of his Grace THE Duke of Monmouth. Communicated In a LETTER to a Person of Quality From EDINBURGHâ–ª Dated the 19th of this instant June, 1679. With the Substance of a New Declaration, Published by the Rebels. SIR, HIs Grace the Duke of Monmouth arrived at Edinburgh on the 18th instant, and was very honourably entertained, his presence giving much assurance and satisfaction to all his Majesty's good Subjects in these parts, who expressed their joys in loud Shouts and Acclamations all the way as he passed in the City. He was immediately received into the Privy Council; and having seriously inquired into the present posture of Affairs, and consulted thereupon, being resolved vigorously to enter into Action, he neglected no time, but this day hastened to the King's Host, who were marched away before on Tuesday, and lay encamped at Black-burn, where he is now at the head of them Commander in chief. They are very near Fourteen thousand strong, all well appointed, and full of Resolution and Zeal to serve his Majesty, and within a day or two will be much Increased in number, if there shall be occasion for the same: for these Forces are only those which come from the South, the West having never been employed, and those of the North are not yet come up; though from thence we may be confident of considerable Strength: For those parts are entirely dutiful to the King, not one place in all the Northern Shires having ever been infected with Fanaticism of any sort. The Rebels are about Hambletoun, but we have no exact Account of their Numbers; only we have advice, That Welsh, the eminent, turbulent, and seditious Preacher, has lately joined their Main body, with Three hundred men brought in by him; and that one Spreul a quondam Clerk of the Council under Cromwell, is Precedent of their Committee, and a great Oracle amongst them. This man having for his Ill behaviour formerly been taken into custody, was suffered by the Council, not long since, to return home, upon his Parol, and solemn Engagement to live peaceaby: And yet was scarce any sooner at home, but he began to foment Sedition, and is now thus become a prime Ringleader amongst the Rebels. And indeed we have little reason to expect any sincerity in the Promises of such men as make no Conscience of the Obligations of Loyalty. And by such their Indulgence to him, it appears how little severe the Council was in their Proceed, and how ready to trust any persons that would peaceably demean themselves; they having never punished any man for his Opinion, but suffered every thing which these men could call Religion, except going to the Field-Conventicles in Arms, and suchlike insufferable Insolences. Nor hath there been Fifty pounds Sterling exacted in Fines for House-Conventicles these three years; so false are all Reports of that nature suggested abroad, and only coined to make the Government odious, and colour Religion. 'Tis plain, this design has for some time been hatching: for Cameron, one of the Rebels, was privately employed to go over into Holland to buy Arms, and from thence they were furnished; during his being there, he preached at Rotterdam, and declared that it was a pious thing to kill the Prelates, and highly pleasing to God. They commit strange Insolences and Barbarities, wherever they come. At Glascow, a Butcher when they first attempted that City, & were beat off, having shot one of them, they have since taken him, and by a Court-Martial of their own, Condemned and shot him to Death for the same, though what he did was fairly, as he was a Soldier under command. They have likewise taken down the heads of the Rebels who were Justly Executed for the Rebellion in the year 1666, and have buried them in great State within the Cathedral-Church of Glascow. And very lately they have emitted an impudent Declaration, wherein they publish their demands, the chief of of which are these, viz. That they would have a Parliament wherein there should not be any Nobleman; and a General Assembly wherein no Bishop or indulged Minister should be admitted. By which extravagant Devices, you may guests at the Quality of the men, and their Principles: for in truth there is not a man Five pounds Sterling per annum appears as for them; but they freely entertain Bankrupts and Malefactors, and yet pretend highly to Religion, though much divided in their own notions. They have not of late increased their numbers, but rather moulder away; and the Gentry in general throughout the Land, appear very vigorous for the King's Service. We are now ready to advance towards them, and do not doubt, by God's Blessing, to give a good account of them very shortly, though the common opinion is, they will scatter themselves before we can get up to them. As soon as any Account happens, be assured, you shall have it; in the mean time accept my service, and continue me in your prayers, etc. FINIS.