342 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



of the war between England and Holland, and the 

 departure of Monck from Scotland to co-operate with 

 Blake in the command of the English fleet, encouraged 

 the spirit of insurrection in the Highlands. The oppor- 

 tunity of driving the English from the country was too 

 favourable to be neglected. Early in 1653, negotiations 

 were opened with the exiled King, with the object of 

 utilising in the Royal service the differences between the 

 Commonwealth and Holland. Lord Balcarres, who had 

 submitted to the English, took an active part in these 

 secret plans. On 23rd February, he wrote Charles con- 

 cerning a proposed cession of the Hebrides, or some of 

 them, to the Dutch. Here is his proposal with reference 

 to Lewis. " As to the offer of the islands contained in 

 the instructions, I think it may be of some use as to the 

 engaging of the Hollanders to own your Majesty's 

 interest; and besides, I conceive that the island of Lewis, 

 which was most considerable and of greatest use to them 

 of all the islands in Scotland, may be had, if the offer of 

 it shall be more acceptable to them; so I am persuaded 

 that my Lord Seaforth and his friends, out of their 

 affection to your Majesty's service, shall be easily induced, 

 upon your Majesty's command, to give them possession 

 of the chief harbour in it."* Balcarres, who was married 

 to Seaforth's cousin, no doubt relied upon his influence 

 over his young relative to persuade him to hand over 

 Lewis to the Dutch. Balcarres and the King were both 

 apparently unaware of the fact that Stornovvay Harbour 

 (as well as the town of Stornoway) was, in point of fact, 

 the property of the Crown, and as such, was at the King's 

 absolute disposal. However, Lewis was not ceded to 

 the Dutchmen, whose support was purchased by other 

 means. 



Whether with the special object of negotiating with 

 Seaforth for the cession of the island, or in pursuance of 

 his plans for fomenting a general rising in the Highlands, 



* Fragments Relative to Scotish Affairs, p. 53. 



