354 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



would reward the Earl " as soone as wee shall be able." 

 He encouraged Seaforth to proceed in his good work 

 against the enemies, not only of his Royal person, " but 

 of the nobility and auncient gentry of the Kingdom whom 

 they intend to extirpate if they can." The King con- 

 cluded his letter by hoping that Middleton would soon 

 be with Seaforth, bringing him arms, ammunition, and 

 good officers.* The attempt to show that the war resolved 

 itself into a struggle between the classes and the masses 

 will not, of course, hold water. Otherwise, it might have 

 occurred to the Royal writer that the common people in 

 the Highlands would, not unreasonably, be tempted to 

 throw in their lot with the democracy of England, not- 

 withstanding the ties of clanship which bound them to 

 their chiefs. But Charles II. was as artful in winning 

 the support of his friends by appealing to their personal 

 interests, as he was forgetful in fulfilling his promises after 

 their services had been secured. 



A curious episode occurred in connexion with Glengarry 

 and the Earldom of Ross, which may here be mentioned. 

 Glengarry laid claim to the Earldom as the chief, according 

 to his showing, of Clan Donald. In February, 1653, Lord 

 Balcarres recommended the King, by letter, to create Glen- 

 garry Earl of Ross ; and at the same time, by his agent, 

 verbally advised Charles to do no such thing ! t The King 

 stoutly denied having ever promised the Earldom to Glen- 

 garry, but in a letter to the chief himself on the subject, 

 evaded the difficulty by pretending that the lack of an 

 official to prepare the necessary patent, was the reason of 

 his non-compliance with Glengarry's wish. He would not 

 be forgotten when the King came to his own ; and so forth. 

 The sequel to the story is not without interest. Charles 

 actually granted Glengarry several warrants for the 

 Earldom, but they never took effect. After the Restora- 

 tion, Glengarry petitioned for the execution of these 



Scott. Hist. Soc., Vol. XVIII., pp. 201-2. 



f Fragments Relative to Scottish Affairs, p. 53. Clarendon Papers, Vol. 

 II., p. 205. 



