_Holyroodhous, 8 June, 1689._
Yesternight I received your lordship's of the 4th instant, with one to
General Major Mackay; I did the same night send one to the west to
dispatch some to Ireland for intelligence, and write two several ways to
the captains of our ships to go to the coast of Ireland to cruise there,
and give the best account they could if there was any appearance of an
invasion from thence, which, I am confident, there is little fears of,
if it be not by the French fleet, and it's very strange if they can be
able to come to our coasts and land men, if there be an English and
Dutch fleet at sea as you write, but if they should be able to land any
considerable force we should be in an ill condition, considering how
disaffected all the north is, and if we should absolutely with all his
forces recall Mackay before he dissipates or beats Dundee, all that
country generally, lowlands as well as highlands, would be in arms with
him; so, upon communicating your letter to the Council this morning,
they thought it not fit absolutely to recall him, but leave it much to
himself, and desired him to send any of the English horse that is with
him to the west country, where they can be best provided with horse
meat, and most of our own new levied horse we intend should go there
also, and some regiments of our foot lays there and about Stirling, the
rest being in St. Johnston,[1] Dundie, and about this place, beside what
is with Mackay, from whom we have not heard since what I sent you.