Copy of CAPTAIN O'NEILLE'S Journal, taken from a copy attested by
his name subscribed with his own hand.[386]
[386] Printed in _Jacobite Memoirs_, pp. 348-362.
[Sidenote: _fol._ 670.] Having heard and seen many scandalous libels
given out in my name of the conduct and retreat of the Prince since
the battle of Culloden, I have thought myself obliged in duty and
honour to give an impartial and true account of the same during
[the][387] time that I had the honour to be near his person. This I
don't pretend in justification of that great Prince, whose inimitable
virtues and qualifications as well render him the darling of his
friends as the astonishing surprize of his greatest enemies, and
whose valour and calm intrepidity in heretofore unheard of dangers
will usher down his fame to the latest posterity; but to convince and
assure the world that all accounts as yet given, either under any
name or otherwise, have [Sidenote: _fol._ 671.] been as spurious[388]
as defective and infamously false. I moreover assure this to be the
first and only account that I have given or will give, and affirm the
contents to be true upon my honour.
[387] Thus the attested copy had it, without the word 'the.'
[388] If this be so, how then came I by the copy in vol. i. p. 181?
For I can declare I was master of that copy upon July 14th, 1747,
_i.e._ exactly a month and a half before the date of the Captain's
letter, along with the attested copy, to the Countess of Dundonald.
[See ff. 692-700 _postea_.]
[Sidenote: 1746 15 April]
[Sidenote: 16 April]
April 15th, O.S.--Prince Charles marched his army in three columns
from Culloden Muir in hopes to surprize the Duke of Cumberland in
his camp at Nairn, ordering at the same time two thousand men to
pass the river Nairn and post themselves between Elgin and the camp
of the enemy. To deceive the ships that were in Inverness Road he
ordered several fires to be made on the mountain where he drew up
in battle. At eight at night he began his march, and about two next
morning, being the 16th of April, within a mile[389] of the enemy,
our van halted. The Prince, who marched in the centre, dispatched an
aid-de-camp to know the motive of the halt. Colonel[390] [Sidenote:
_fol._ 672.] O'Sullivan (who marched in the van) immediately hasted
to the Prince and told him Lord George Murray and some other of
the chieftains, as they wanted some of their men, did not think
themselves sufficiently strong to attack the enemy, and upon a
strong belief the Duke of Cumberland was apprized of their design,
refused to advance, maugre the instances he (Colonel O'Sullivan)
made use of to engage them to the contrary. Upon this the Prince
advanced to the head of the column, where, assembling the chiefs, in
the most pathetic and strong terms demonstrated to them the visible
and real advantages they had of an enemy who thought themselves
secure of any such attempt, and descending his horse,[391] drew his
sword, and told them he would lead them to an enemy they had as
often defeated as seen. But, deaf to his example and intreaties,
the [Sidenote: _fol._ 673.] major part declin'd, which so sensibly
shocked the Prince, that, remounting his horse, he told them with
the greatest concern[392] he did not so much regret his own loss as
their inevitable ruin. He immediately marched back to the former
camp at Culloden, where he arrived at five in the morning. At ten he
was informed the Duke of Cumberland was in full march towards him.
Whereupon the Prince gave the necessary orders for the attack, riding
from rank to rank encouraging his troops and exhorting them [with his
usual sprightliness][393] to behave as they had done at Prestonpans
and Falkirk. Between twelve and one the Prince engag'd the enemy,
commanding himself in the centre. The right wing immediately broke
the left of the enemy, but their flank being exposed to seven[394]
squadrons of horse, who attack'd them while they were in pursuit
of the [Sidenote: _fol._ 674.] enemy's foot, was put into so much
confusion that it was dispers'd. The Prince gallop'd to the right,
and endeavouring to rally them[395] had his horse shot under
him.[396] The left followed the example of the right, which drew on
an entire deroute in spite of all the Prince could do to animate
or rally them. Notwithstanding which he remained upon the field of
battle untill there were no more hopes left, and then could scarce be
persuaded to retire, ordering the Irish piquets and FitzJames's horse
to make a stand and favour the retreat of the Highlanders, which was
as gallantly executed. Previous to the battle the Prince had ordered
the chieftains that (in case of a defeat) as the Highlanders could
not retreat as regular troops, they should assemble their men near
Fort Augustus. In consequence of this, immediately after the battle
the Prince dispatched me to Inverness to repeat his orders to such
of his [Sidenote: _fol._ 675.] troops as were there. That night the
Prince retir'd six miles from the field of battle[397] and went next
day as far, and in three days more arrived at Fort Augustus, where he
remained a whole day in expectation his troops would have join'd him.
But seeing no appearance of it, he went to the house of Invergary and
ordered me to remain there to direct such as pass'd that way the road
he took. I remained there two days and announc'd the Prince's orders
to such as I met, but to no effect, every one taking his own road.
[389] Three or four miles, say other accounts, and justly too, as
must be confessed by those who know anything of the country about
Nairn, where the attack was to have been made. See ff. 158, 448,
661.--F.
[390] This page contains several particulars not so much as mentioned
in any of the accounts given by others, as may be seen by making a
comparison.--F.
[391] The Prince marched all that night on foot, says Ker of Gradyne,
f. 662.--F.
[392] With tears in his eyes, says the other copy, f. 181.--F.
[393] These words are wanting in the foresaid copy. See f. 182.--F.
[394] Nine squadrons, says the foresaid copy, f. 182.--F.
[395] Here in the foresaid copy these following words, 'but to no
purpose.' See f. 182.--F.
[396] Not true. See f. 1161.--F.
[397] The foresaid copy says here, 'And next day arrived at Fort
Augustus.'--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[Sidenote: 28 April]
I then followed the Prince, who was so far from making a precipitate
retreat [as has been maliciously reported][398] that he
retired by six and six miles and arrived the 28th of
April[399] O.S. at Knoidart, where I join'd him next day and gave him
an [Sidenote: _fol._ 676.] account of the little or no appearance
there was of assembling his troops, upon which he wrote circular
letters to all the chiftains, enjoining them, by the obedience they
owed him, to join him immediately with such of their clans as they
could gather; at the same time representing to them the imminent
danger they were in if they neglected it. After remaining some days
there in hopes his orders would have been obeyed, and seeing not one
person repair to him, the extreme danger his person was in, being
within seven miles[400] of Lord Loudon, Sir Alexander MacDonald
and the MacLeods, it was proposed to evade it by retreating to one
of the islands near the continent. After repeated instances of the
like nature he reluctantly assented, leaving Mr. John Hay behind to
transmit [Sidenote: _fol._ 677.] him the answers of his letters, with
an account of what should pass, and parted for the Isles in an open
fishing boat at eight at night, attended by Colonel O'Sullivan and me
only.[401] About an hour after we parted a violent hurricane arose,
which drove us ninety miles[402] from our designed port; and next day
running for shelter into the Island of North Uist,[403] we struck
upon a rock and staved to pieces,[404] and with great difficulty
saved our lives. At our landing we were in the most melancholy
situation, knowing nobody and wanting the common necessaries of life.
After much search we found a little hut uninhabited, and took shelter
there, and with a great deal of pains made a fire to dry our cloaths.
Here the Prince remained two days, [Sidenote: _fol._ 678.] having
no other provisions but a few biskets we had saved out of the boat,
which were entirely spoiled with the salt water.
[398] These words are not in the other copy, f. 183.--F.
[399] The 26th of April, says the foresaid copy, which day Donald
MacLeod fixes upon for their departure from the continent to the
Isles. See ff. 273, 281, 316. Ned Burk says much the same. [See p.
329.]--F.
[400] Says Donald MacLeod, 'ten or twelve miles by sea, but a much
greater distance by land.' See f. 278.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[401] Honest Donald MacLeod, the pilot, and Allan MacDonald,
Clanranald's relation might have had a place here, to say nothing of
the poor rowers. See f. 281.--F.
[402] This must be a mistake, tho' it be so in the other copy too,
for none of the lochs has so much bounds as to allow of such a drive
from an intended harbour. I remember Donald MacLeod called this
'nonsense,' for he makes the whole course but only 96 miles. [See f.
284.]--F.
[403] This should be Benbecula, but I think not so much of his
mistaking names, being a stranger. See f. 284.--F.
[404] This is altogether an error, as plainly appears, not only
from the words of Donald MacLeod and Ned Burk [see ff. 270, 343],
but likewise from a remarkable token given me by Captain Alexander
MacDonald, which puts this point beyond all doubt. See f. 581.--F.
[Sidenote: 1 May.]
[Sidenote: 6 May]
As this island belonged to Sir Alexander MacDonald, and not judging
ourselves safe, we determined going elsewhere, and by the greatest
good fortune, one of our boatmen discovered a boat[405] stranded on
the coast, and, having with great difficulty launched it into the
water, we imbarked for the Harris. In our passage we unfortunately
met with another storm which obliged us to put into an island near
Stornoway. Next day the Prince dispatched me[406] for Stornoway to
look for a ship, ordering me to imbark on board the first I could
get, and to make the most diligent haste after my landing on the
Continent to the Court of France, ordering me to give an exact
account to [Sidenote: _fol._ 679.] his most Christian Majesty of his
disasters and of his resolution never to abandon the country untill
he knew the final result of France, and if it was not[407] possible
once more to assemble his faithful Highlanders. Unluckily the person
that the Prince sent with me[408] getting drunk, told the master of
the ship somewhat that induced him to refuse taking me on board,
and immediately alarmed the country, which obliged me to return and
join the Prince, who upon what I told him resolved for the continent
by way of Seaforth's country. But the boatmen absolutely refused to
comply, which made us take the road we came. And meeting with three
ships of war we were constrained [Sidenote: _fol._ 680.] to put into
a desert island where we remained eight days[409] in the greatest
misery, having no sustenance but some dried fish that Providence
threw in our way in this island. When the ships disappeared we put to
sea again, and next morning met with another ship of war just coming
out of one of the lochs, who pursued us for near an hour; but the
wind rising we made our escape. In the afternoon we arrived at the
Island of Benbecula, and one of the boatmen, being acquainted with a
herd of the island, led us to his house, where, passing for friends
of the boatman, we remained four days, and then the Prince sent the
boat to the continent with a Highland gentleman whom he charged with
letters to the chiefs, Secretary [Sidenote: _fol._ 681.] Murray and
John Hay, requiring an exact account how affairs stood.
[405] One error never fails to prove the foundation of another, if
not of many.--F.
[406] This whole affair is represented in quite a different manner by
Donald MacLeod, who caused me remark more than once that O'Neille did
not accompany him to Stornoway (See ff. 270, 287), and I have heard
Ned Burk affirm the same thing.--F.
[407] Here either 'not' should be wanting, or the next word
immediately following should be 'impossible' to make sense of the
words which were precisely as above in the attested copy, but in the
other copy they happen to be right. See f. 184.--F.
[408] One error must be the foundation of another at least. See this
whole affair cleared up by Donald MacLeod himself (See f. 289), and
that, too, according to the expressions of Captain John Hay upon the
head who could have no interest or by-view in what he spoke. See f.
479.--F.
[409] Four days and four nights, says Donald MacLeod, and not in so
very great misery as Captain O'Neille represents them to have been
in, though indeed their case was bad enough (See ff. 291-297). And
Ned Burk's account of this matter agrees with that of Donald MacLeod
(See f. 331). One day I read this particular of the desert island to
Ned Burk when he used this remarkable expression, 'What deel needs a
man mack mair wonders than we had. Faith we had anew o' them.' Words
tho' coarse, yet very significant.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
Not thinking ourselves secure in the cottage, by the advice of a
friend we retired to the mountain of Coradale to wait the return
of the gentleman, where we remained two-and-twenty days, when the
gentleman returned with a letter from Secretary Murray importing that
the clans had almost all delivered up their arms, and, consequently,
were no more to be depended on. He likewise acquainted the Prince
of two French ships who had arrived at the continent with money
and arms, and in which the Duke of Perth, his brother, Sir Thomas
Sheridan, and John Hay had imbarked for France.
[Sidenote: June.]
Here we remained some days longer, till the Duke of Cumberland
having intelligence that the Prince was concealed in the Long Isle,
ordered the militia of the Isle of Sky and the Independent Companies
to go in search of him. As soon [Sidenote: _fol._ 682.] as we had
notice of their landing we retreated to an island about twelve
miles distance, called Ouya, where we remained till we found they
had followed us, and then we went for Loch Boisdale, and stayed
there eight days, when Captain Carolina Scott landed within a mile
of us, which obliged us to separate, the Prince taking me to the
mountains, and O'Sullivan remaining with the boatmen. At nightfall
we marched towards Benbecula, being informed Scott had ordered the
militia to come and join him. At midnight we came to a hut, where
by good fortune we met with Miss Flora MacDonald, whom I formerly
knew. I quitted the Prince at some distance from the hut, and went
with a design to inform myself if the Independent Companies were
to pass that way next day, as we had been informed. The young lady
answered me--Not--and said that they would not pass till the day
after. Then I told her I brought a friend to see her, and she, with
some emotion, [Sidenote: _fol._ 683.] asked me if it was the Prince.
I answered her it was, and instantly brought him in.[410] We then
consulted on the imminent danger the Prince was in, and could think
of a no more proper and safe expedient than to propose to Miss Flora
to convey him to the Isle of Sky, where her mother lived. This
seemed the more feasible, as the young lady's father being captain
of an Independent Company would accord her a pass for herself and a
servant to go visit her mother. The Prince assented, and immediately
propos'd it to the young lady, to which she answered with the
greatest respect and loyalty; but declined it, saying Sir Alexander
MacDonald was too much her friend to be the instrument of his ruin.
I endeavoured to obviate this by assuring her Sir Alexander was not
in the country, and that she could with the greatest facility convey
the Prince to her mother's, as she lived close by the waterside.
I then [Sidenote: _fol._ 684.] remonstrated to her the honour and
immortality that would redound to her by such a glorious action, and
she at length acquiesc'd, after the Prince had told her the sense
he would always retain of so conspicuous a service. She promised
to acquaint us next day when things were ripe for execution, and
we parted for the mountains of Coradale. Next day at four in the
afternoon we received a message from our protectress, telling us ALL
WAS WELL. We determined joining her immediately, but the messenger
informed us we could not pass either of the fords that separated
the island we were in from Benbecula, as they were both guarded. In
this dreadful situation a man of the country tendered us his boat,
which we readily accepted, and next day landed at Benbecula, and
immediately marched for Rossinish, the place of rendezvous, where
we arrived at midnight, and instead of our protectress, [Sidenote:
_fol._ 685.] found [ourselves within fifty yards of][411] a guard
of the enemy. We were constrained to retreat four miles, having eat
nothing for thirty hours[412] before. The Prince ordered me to go to
the lady and know the reason she did not keep her appointment. She
told me she had engaged a cousin of hers in North Uist to receive
him in his house, where she was sure he would be more safe than in
the Isle of Sky.[413] I immediately dispatched a boy with this news
to the Prince, and mentioned him the place of appointment, whither
he came. But the gentleman absolutely refused receiving us, alleging
for a motive that he was vassal to Sir Alexander MacDonald. In this
unexpected exigence, being within a small half mile of a captain
and fifty men, we hastened for Rossinish, being apprized the enemy
had just [Sidenote: _fol._ 686.] abandoned it. The Prince sent me
to acquaint Miss Flora of our disappointment and to intreat her to
keep to her promise, as there was no time to lose. She faithfully
promised for next day, and I remained with her that night, the
Prince remaining at Rossinish attended by a little herd. Next day
I accompanied Miss Flora to the rendezvous, where we had not long
been when we had an account[414] that General Campbell was just
landed with 1500 men.[415] We were now apprehensive that we were
betrayed, and instantly got to our boat and put to another place,
where we arrived at daybreak. We dispatched to Clanranald's house to
learn what news, who brought us word that General Campbell was there
with Captain Ferguson, and that he saw Captain Scott's detachment
coming to join [Sidenote: _fol._ 687.] them, and that they amounted
in all to 2300 men. The Prince intreated the young lady I should
accompany him, but she absolutely refused it, having a pass but for
one servant. The Prince was so generous as to decline going unless
I attended, untill I told him, if he made the least demur, I would
instantly go about my business, as I was extremely indifferent what
became of me so that his person was safe. [With much difficulty and
after many intreaties][416] he at length imbarked, attended only by
Miss Flora MacDonald.[417]
[410] In all this Captain O'Neille is exactly right, for I have
heard Miss MacDonald declare more than once that the Captain came
to her (bringing the Prince along with him) when she happened to be
in a shealling belonging to her brother; that the Captain was the
contriver of the scheme, and that she herself was very backward to
engage in it; and indeed no wonder (whatever some may say), when
one seriously considers the important trust, and the many dangers
attending it. Something of all this may be gathered from her own
Journal. See f. 524.
[411] In the other copy these words are wanting. See f. 187.--F.
[412] In the other copy thirty-four hours.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[413] See ff. 526, 589.
[414] It is truly a matter of much wonder that the Prince should
escape the clutches of so many in such narrow bounds, especially when
the coast was swarming with ships, sloops, etc.--F.
[415] See ff. 485, 526.
[416] These words are not in the other copy. See f. 189.--F.
[417] The faithful MacKechan might have been named here.--F.
[Sidenote: July.]
Here my hard fate and the Prince's safety, which was my only object,
obliged me to share no longer the misfortunes of that illustrious
hero, whose grandeur of soul and intrepidity, with a calmness of
spirit particular to himself in such dangers, [Sidenote: _fol._
688.] increased in these moments when the general part of mankind
abandon themselves to their fate. I now could only recommend him to
God and his good fortune, and made my way amidst the enemy to South
Uist, where we had left Colonel O'Sullivan.[418] Next day I joined
O'Sullivan, and found (four days after the Prince parted) a French
cutter, commanded by one Dumont, and who had on board two captains
of the Irish brigade with a number of volunteers. Here Colonel
O'Sullivan and I concerted what were the properest measures to be
taken. We agreed that he should go on board the cutter, as he was so
reduced by the long fatigues that he had undergone in the mountains,
as not to be able to walk, and that he should bring the cutter to
Loch Seaforth, nigh the Isle of Rasay, where the Prince ordered me
to join him by a billet he had sent me the day before by one of the
boatmen who had rowed [Sidenote: _fol._ 689.] him to the Isle of
Sky. After having seen my friend on board, and after innumerable
difficulties, I got a boat and went round the Isle of Sky to the Isle
of Rasay, place of rendezvous; but at my landing had intelligence
that the Prince was returned to the Isle of Sky, whereupon I hasted
to said Isle of Sky again, and there too had the grief to learn
that he had departed that island, but for what place nobody could
inform me in the least. I then repaired to Loch Nammaddy in North
Uist, where by our agreement Colonel O'Sullivan was to come to me in
case that in eight days I did not join him at Loch Scaforth; but not
meeting my friend there, after a delay of four days I returned to the
Island of Benbecula, where I promised [Sidenote: _fol._ 690.] myself
greater safety than any where else; but I met with a quite different
usage. For the very person[419] in whom I had entirely confided,
and under whose care I was, betrayed me to Captain MacNeal (induced
thereto by a great sum of money offered for me), who was in that
country under the command of Captain Ferguson of the _Furnace-Bomb_.
I was taken by this Captain MacNeal in a rock over a loch, where I
had skulked for four days, and brought to Captain Ferguson,[420] who
used me with all the barbarity of a pirate, stripped me, and had
ordered me to be put into a rack and whipped by his hangman, because
I would not confess where I thought the Prince was. As I was just
going to be whipped, being already stripped, Lieutenant MacCaghan of
the Scotch Fusileers, who commanded a party under Captain [Sidenote:
_fol._ 691.] Ferguson, very generously opposed this barbarous usage,
and coming out with his drawn sword threatened Captain Ferguson that
he'd sacrifice himself and his detachment rather than to see an
officer used after such an infamous manner.
[418] Captain O'Neille speaks more respectfully, and is more
favourable in his accounts of Colonel O'Sullivan than some other
hints that are given in this Collection. (See ff. 496, 519,
528.)--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
[419] See the person named and the whole affair cleared up in this
vol. f. 644.--F.
[420] A man remarkable for his cruelties. See ff. 192, 216, 257, 309,
etc. Even in his younger years he was remarkable for a cruel turn of
mind among his school-fellows and companions, and therefore he is the
fitter tool for William the Cruel. He was born at Old Meldrum in the
shire of Aberdeen.--ROBERT FORBES, A.M.
I can't avoid acquainting the public that four days after I was
taken[421] General Campbell sent me word upon his parole of honour
that if I had money, or other effects in the country, in sending them
to him they should be safe. Upon which (always imagining that the
word of honour was as sacredly kept in the English army as 'tis in
others) I went with a detachment for my money and gold watch which I
had hid in the rock when I perceived the party searching for me, and
sent to General Campbell by Captain Skipness Campbell 450 guineas,
with my gold watch, broadsword, and pistols, all which he has thought
[Sidenote: _fol._ 692.] proper (to be sure consistent with his
honour) to keep from me upon diverse applications made to him to that
purpose.
[421] See ff. 191, 645.
I hope the public will excuse this long digression, that I have made
since my separation from the Prince, the more so that I have only
made it to show that I did everything in my power as well to fulfil
my duty as to endeavour to deserve the confidence with which the
Prince was graciously pleased to honour me.
(_Sic subscribitur_)
F. O'NEILLE.
A coppy.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: 1747 8 Dec.]
_N.B._--After getting notice that Captain Felix O'Neille, after his
being removed from the Castle of Edinburgh to some part in England,
had transmitted an attested copy of his Journal to one of his friends
in Edinburgh, I was at no small pains to find it out. At last I
discovered that it was in the hands of the Countess of Dundonald.
Upon Tuesday, December 8th, 1747, I did myself the honour of paying
my respects to lady Mary Cochran in Edinburgh. I begged to know of
her ladyship if [Sidenote: _fol._ 693.] it was true that the Countess
had any such Journal and if I could have the favour of seeing it.
Lady Mary said it was very true that her mamma had the Journal with
O'Neille's own subscription at it, and that it was transmitted to
her from O'Neille himself, and that she would endeavour to procure
it for me from her mamma and send it down to me as soon as possible.
But, then, her ladyship was pleased to observe that the Countess
would not allow any copy to be taken of it, as Captain O'Neille had
desired that no copy should be given of it, till he should send a
letter to the Countess from France, wherein he would give allowance
for copies to be taken of it at a proper time. And therefore Lady
Mary added that all the favour I could obtain was only the reading of
it. To this I answered that I had heard the Journal was made a great
secret, and seeing it was so, I did not chuse to have the trust of
it; for that if copies should happen to appear from other quarters
it might be said that I had taken a copy without any allowance,
[Sidenote: _fol._ 694.] and thereby had become the occasion of
spreading it. And therefore I would much rather chuse to read it in
her ladyship's presence and return it directly into her hands, if her
ladyship would take the trouble of procuring me a sight of it while
I had the honour of being with her. Lady Mary was so good as to say
that though my Lady Dundonald was confined to her apartment with a
severe cold, she would step to her and ask a reading of the Journal.
Accordingly, in a very short time, Lady Mary returned and gave me the
Journal. After reading of it I could not help declaring my surprize
that the Journal should be made a matter of so much nicety when I
could assure her ladyship that I had been master of a copy of it (the
preface and conclusion only excepted) for about six months past,
and that several such copies as mine were in Edinburgh and other
places of Scotland. Lady Mary said that certainly Captain O'Neille's
touching so severely upon General Campbell behoved to be the reason
why he made his Journal an affair of such secrecy. To this I answered
that the reason [Sidenote: _fol._ 695.] was good so long as Captain
O'Neille remained in any part of Scotland or England, because the
making such a particular the subject of common conversation might
have brought rough enough treatment upon Captain O'Neille. But now
that he was safe in France, I could not help looking upon it as a
point of justice to make that particular part of the Journal known
to the world, that so General Campbell might have an opportunity of
vindicating himself, if there was any mistake in the case, and that
if the charge was a fact, the truth might be fixed. Then I added that
if my Lady Dundonald could be prevailed upon to allow me the use of
the attested copy to compare it with my own, and to take transcripts
of the preface and conclusion, I would promise to give her ladyship
in return for that favour a copy of Ker of Gradyne's account; and
withal I said I should not give copies of the preface and conclusion
or have any hand in making them common. Lady Mary was so good as
to assure me that she would faithfully report _that_ to [Sidenote:
_fol._ 696.] my Lady Dundonald, and would employ her interest to
procure that favour for me upon the conditions I had mentioned. I
then took leave, and said I would do myself the honour of waiting
upon her ladyship some day next week.
[Sidenote: 17 Dec.]
Upon Thursday, December 17th, I again made my court to Lady Mary,
who had most faithfully performed her promise, and had procured what
I so much desired. Upon receiving the attested Journal at Lady Mary's
hands, I repeated the conditions and assured her ladyship I would
observe them.
I had been promised the use of Ker of Gradyne's account from the
right reverend Bishop Keith in the Canongate, who at that time had
the only copy of it in Scotland. Lady Mary informed me that the
Countess was very much surprized to hear that I should have a copy
of O'Neille's Journal, the preface and conclusion excepted, for
that her ladyship had firmly believed that there was no such thing
in all Scotland as the copy of a single sentence of it. Upon this
I informed Lady Mary that Mr. William MacDougal, Wine merchant,
[Sidenote: _fol._ 697.] was master of a transcript of O'Neille's
attested Journal, which he had got when taking a jaunt with his lady
in England for her health sometime in the month of September, from
one of the French officers then prisoners upon parole at Berwick,
but that Mr. MacDougal had given his promise not to communicate it
by giving a copy to any one whatsoever, even though O'Neille had
before that time set out for France, the officers that were left
behind being much afraid that they themselves might feel the effects
of resentment, should the animadversion upon General Campbell be
publickly known before they should be exchanged and set free. Upon
comparing the attested copy with the one I had formerly transcribed
[vol. i. f. 181] I found no other difference betwixt them than
what might proceed from a multiplicity of copies and from the
unskilfulness and inattention of transcribers. And therefore at first
I intended only to remark the differences of the two copies and to
take transcripts of the preface and conclusion. But, upon second
thoughts, I [Sidenote: _fol._ 698.] judged it more eligible to take
an exact and faithful transcript of the whole of the attested copy,
that so I might have it all as it had come from the hands of Captain
O'Neille, who had sent it to my Lady Dundonald wrapped up in a cover
with two seals upon it, and with an address in the following words
precisely:--
'To the right honble. the Countess of Dondanold, Edinburgh.'
The remarks I have made[422] still hold good even as to the attested
copy: for (to omit other particulars) considering the long time that
Captain O'Neille was with the Prince after the battle of Culloden
(about ten or eleven weeks), and the great variety of difficulties
and dangers they had to struggle with during all that time, certainly
the Captain behoved to have much more to say than what he has given
an account of in his Journal, had he only been at the trouble of
taking time and leisure to recollect himself with that accuracy and
exactness [Sidenote: _fol._ 699.] which the importance of the subject
justly calls for. In such an uncommon and interesting scene of life
the minutest occurrence that has the smallest tendency to illustrate
the character of the _suffering hero_ should not be omitted. Let
this piece of history be cooly and impartially considered only from
April 16th to September 20th, and I dare venture to say one will not
find a parallel to it in any history whatsoever. For a prince to be
a-skulking five long months exposed to the hardships of hunger and
cold, thirst and nakedness, and surrounded on all hands by a numerous
army of blood-thirsty men, both by sea and land, eagerly hunting
after the price of blood, and yet that they should miss the much
coveted aim, is an event of life far surpassing the power of words
to paint. In a word, I presume it may be asserted with great truth
that the Prince (all circumstances considered) could not have been
safe in any other place of the three kingdoms but in the Highlands of
Scotland. Let any one compare O'Neille's Journal [Sidenote: _fol._
700.] with Donald MacLeod's,[423] and I am persuaded he will find
the Captain's account of things dull and wanting when put into the
balance with that of the old honest Palinurus, whose simple unadorn'd
sayings have a peculiar energy and beauty in them.