A HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND 



former were always complaining of ill usage ; and all of them thought 

 they were not treated as they ought to be by the corporation ; and that 

 Pattinson was only seeking his own gain, which indeed was very plain, 

 and his insolence to be dispensed with by nothing but real and hearty 

 zeal for the publick and for his Majesty's service, which made it 

 necessary to avoid all disputes at this time.' As soon as the news spread 

 that Marshal Wade was unable to come to their relief, the militia threw 

 down their arms and deserted their posts. In spite of the remonstrance 

 of Colonel Durand, the officers, amid ' such a general distraction and 

 confusion as no tongue can describe,' drew up a statement on 1 4 Novem- 

 ber, the fifth day of the siege, that ' the militia of the countys of 

 Cumberland and Westmoreland, having come voluntarily into the city 

 of Carlisle, for the defence of the said citty, and having for six days and 

 six nights successively been upon duty, in expectation of relief from his 

 Majesty's forces, but it appearing y* no such relief is now to be had, and 

 ourselves not able to do duty or hold out any longer, are determined to 

 capitulate, and do certify that Colonel Durand, Captain Gilpin, and the 

 rest of the officers have well and faithfully done their duty.' The 

 inhabitants of the town soon followed the example of the militia. The 

 officers of the permanent garrison, deserted on all sides, had nobody on 

 whom to rely but two companies of invalids, many of whom were ex- 

 tremely infirm and unable to man the walls or work the guns. In this 

 desperate predicament they determined to hold the castle alone. Mean- 

 while the mayor and militia officers sent messengers to treat with the 

 rebels, but the capitulation of the city was refused unless the castle was 

 also surrendered. Protesting against such an infamous and dishonour- 

 able capitulation, as Colonel Durand described it, the little garrison of 

 the castle was forced to bow to the inevitable or turn their guns on the 

 inhabitants of the town. The mayor and corporation went to Brampton, 

 and on bended knees delivered the keys to the prince, apparently 

 oblivious that but a month before they had presented an effusive address 

 of loyalty to George II., expressing their indignation that an abjured 

 and popish pretender should be fomenting a rebellion in Scotland. 1 



It is idle with the documents before us to plead that it was dis- 

 content with the reigning dynasty that led to the mutiny of the militia 

 and the lukewarmness of the citizens. Political sympathy with the 

 Stuarts does not appear to have influenced the conduct of anybody. 

 When the preparations for the defence were in progress, the militia and 

 citizens were valiant and confident, but in a few days, when the city was 

 encircled with the enemy, the proud boasts of the defenders were no 

 longer heard. The capitulation of the city before a single battery was 

 raised against it filled the county with shame and dismay. There can 



* It is pleasant to chronicle what is known of the conduct of the Highlanders while they sojourned in 

 Cumberland. ' I must do the rebels the justice to say,' wrote George Smith, ' that they never used so much 

 as a single woman in the whole country with the least indecency, notwithstanding the crimes of that nature 

 laid to their charge. 'Tis said that the Prince had given strict orders to the contrary, and declared that 

 every officer should suffer as the criminal for actions of that nature committed by any of the ruffians under 

 him ; whether true or not I cannot say' (Gentleman's Magazine [1746], xvi. 233-4). 



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