A LETTER Sent from the Marquess of ARGYLE TO THE KING of SCOTS;  
Concerning the raising of a new Army against the English; And his Desires and Proposals touching the same.  
Also, his Declaration to the People, and his Summons to the Gentry in the North; with the Rising of the Highlanders and Redshanks; their falling upon the Parliaments forces, and the event and success thereof.  
Likewise, the manner how they fortify the Hills and Mountains; and the strange Engines of War which they have planted.  
Imprinted at London, for George Horton, 1652.   

A DECLARATION Of the Marq. of ARGYLE Concerning the Parliament of England; and his Resolution and Summons to the Gentry: With the Rising of the Highlanders.  
SIR,  
THe Marquess of Argyle is returned to the Highlands, being possessed with sundry jealousies and fears touching the present Government of the Commonwealth of England; for, indeed, he hath declared, That he cannot give his assent for the incorporating the Kingdom of Scotland, with the Commonwealth of England; but holds himself bound in duty, whilst he hath any power) to preserve the interest of the Kirk, and to include a Toleration for the Discipline of that Nation, as it was concluded, enacted, and agreed upon by the General Assembly of Divines; And upon that account he was resolved to stand or fall: In pursuance whereof, he hath sent a Summons to the Lords and Gentry in those parts (a Copy whereof, I have sent you here enclosed) for them immediately to make their personal appearance at Candress, to consult and determine upon the weighty and emergent affairs of that Nation; for the defence and preservation of their Religion, Laws, and Liberties.  
And accondingly on the fourth of this instant April, divers of the Gentry met at the aforesaid place, where the Marquess presented▪ 19 Propositions, touching their fundamental Laws and Government, the Presbyterian Pro●ession, and the ●●iviledges of the People; and after mature deliberatio● thereupon their consultation produced these Results▪ That they found them to be consonant to the Word of God (yet the Voters Aliens to Religion) and according to the solemn League and Covenant, and therefore thought themselves bound in Conscience, and Duty to adhere thereunto, and to give their condescensions for promoting thereof.  
Whereupon the Marquess desired their subscriptions, and unanimously they assented thereunto; so that there is a new League and Confederacy against the English; by which means, an Highland War is expected this Summer; in order whereunto, about 1000 Redshanks are levied, bei●g armed with Bows and Arrows, Long skeins, crossbows, Darts, and other strange Engines of War, (yet nothing so sure, but that they are instruments for their own destruction) and have made a spacious Line along the River near Andress, with several halfmoons, Flankers, and Sconces; but want great Canon exceedingly to plant: however, they are very active and busy in making of Lether-Guns of several sorts both great and small; and are raising divers Bulworks and Fortifications at sundry Passes, Rivers, and fords, and are as busy, as so many Rats in a Barley-mow.  
They talk high, and say they will level us with the Valleys, by stoning us from the Rocks; & think themselves as safe as so many Thieves in a Mill, because of their Mountainous Fortifications, having upon each Rock, where there is any possibility to attempt a pa●●age, placed great heaps of stones and flints, to tumble down upon their heads, in case they should attempt to storm.  
These Highlanders have lately made an attempt upon the Low-Lands, where they fell upon some of our Out-quarters; but the alarm being given, our men very opportunely came in, and soon expelled them; killing twenty two, and took thirty four prisoners.  
We could not embrace the pursuit, by reason of the advantagiousness of the grounds for the Enemy, yet notwithstanding upon the securing of the prisoners, we demanded what their principles were they fought for; they answered. For God▪ their dear Lord Marquess, and their good King; but seemed to be very passionate; and truly I must ingenuously confess, they are a stout (but Heathenish) Generation.  
For their Ministers are as crossgrained as ever, and throw so many Fire-balls at the Government, that (if possible, and permitted) they will set all again in flames; and great is their spleen against those of their own Nation, that are satisfied in acting by Commission, under the Authority of England, or appear any ways inclinable to an Incorporation with it.  
So much, for their own Ends, are they enemies to the good of their domineering Hierarchy. If the yoke of the Lords, Lairds, and Priests be once taken off, than they will be deprived of that wicked compliance, which was wont to be maintained betwixt themselves, as cruel Taskmasters, both in Spirituals and Civils, for enslaving of the poor people.  
But now (praised be God) things work pretty well; for, the Scales begin to fall off from men's eyes, to a loathing of former Vanities, insomuch that several Kirks about Aberdeen are fallen off, and have deserted that Presbytery, which gives a strong alarm to the rest of the Clergy. It's reported, That the aforesaid marquess of Argyle hath fent a Letter to the pretended King Charles Stuart, for a supply of Arms and Ammunition, wherein he assures him that he will be both loyal and faithful to the last minute, and that he hath now a new Game to play, &c. Indeed, we may probably conjecture, That he hath some notable Design in hand, by reason of his Confederacy and Combination with the adverse Party; a clear demonstration whereof, is apparently made evident by the ensuing Summons.  THese are strictly to charge and require all Lords and Gentlemen whatsoever, that they forthwith make their appearance at Candress, there to consult and determine upon such things as may tend to the honour of Religion, the peace and welfare of this Nation, the preservation of our Liberties and Freedoms, and the due observing of our ancient Laws and customs, in Kirk and State, against all those who shall endeavour the extirpation thereof. 
Dalkeith April 9 1652.  
FINIS.