CHAPTER IX.

FROM CROMWELL'S SECOND EXPEDITION TO SCOTLAND, TO HIS DISSOLUTION OF THE LONG PARLIAMENT.

Cromwell marches for Scotland-His Moderation and Generosity on crossing the Frontier-Harassing Policy of the Scots -Imminent Danger of the English Army-Victory at Dunbar-Correspondence with the Governor of Edinburgh Castle-Surrender of that Fortress-Cromwell attacked by an Ague-Charles II. joins the Scotch Army-Cromwell cuts off his Supplies-Charles marches for England-Cromwell overtakes him near Worcester-Gains a complete Vietory— Destruction of the Scots-The Parliament's Compliments to Cromwell-His Triumphant Entry into London-Moderation under his new Honours-Procures an Act of Oblivion -Confers with the Chief Members of the House, and Principal Officers, relative to a "Settlement of the Nation"Private Conference with Whitelock upon the same Subject ---Unpopularity of the Parliament-Cromwell DISSOLVES that Body-Notice of the Event in a Newspaper of the Day-Consideration of Cromwell's Conduct-And of the Merits of the Long Parliament.

On the first July, 1650, information reached London, that the young King had landed in Scotland; and that the Scots were making farther additions to their forces, with the view of conducting them immediately over their

southern frontier. But Cromwell had already set forward from the capital with his Army; having published a declaration in its name, with the approbation of the Parliament, setting forth the grounds of his hostile march, and addressed, singularly enough, as it would be thought in our times,To all that are saints, and partakers of the faith of God's elect, in Scotland.'* On his arrival at Berwick-upon-Tweed, the General published a second declaration to the people of Scotland, recapitulating the arguments of the former; and, after taking notice of some aspersions unjustly cast upon his intentions, and the character of his troops, assuring both the gentry and commonalty, that he would not offer the least violence or injury to their persons, goods, or possessions, they being innocent in his opinion; and inviting them to stay and abide in their habitations, where, he tells them, they might and should enjoy what they had in peace. The most absurd reports,

* This declaration appears to have been in answer to one, professing to be that of Major-general Massey, and eighty other English officers and commanders, engaged with the kingdom of Scotland, in behalf of their Presbyterian brethren in England, Ireland, and the principalitie of Wales.' The schism created in the Army, as well as the Parliament, by the distinctions of Presbyterian and Independent, is thus seen to have had important consequences.

it appears, which this latter declaration was meant to counteract, had been spread among the Scots to the effect, that the English intended to cut the throats of all between sixty and sixteen years of age; cut off the right hands of the youths under sixteen, and above six years old; burn the womens' breasts with hot irons; and destroy all before them.' But so contrary was Cromwell's conduct, that, as upon a former occasion, he treated the unoffending inhabitants with all possible kindness; supplied even their wants, and most severely punished all who injured them.-Did he then use harshness toward none, but the catholic and rebellious natives of every way unfortunate Ireland?

On passing the frontier, the strong impression produced by the injurious calumnies on the English Army that had been so industriously circulated, in spite of all Cromwell's efforts to remove that impression, became singularly apparent. Scarcely a Scotchman was to be seen under sixty years of age, and but very few women and children. In the whole march from Berwick to Edinburgh, the Army did not meet with ten men: an effect partly created, it is true, by an order of the States of Scotland themselves; which declared, that all who did not remove, should have their goods sequestered, and be declared enemies.' For, tutored by their re

collections of the past, which seem to have convinced them of their small chance of success in a general engagement with the English leader, the Scots had resolved upon this system of defence; a system, that involved him in difficulties, greater than any to which, as a military commander, he had ever yet been exposed. Impregnably posted and intrenched in a situation between Edinburgh and Leith, their superior knowledge of the country enabled them continually to harass him, by wasting skirmishes with detached bodies of his troops, that led to no result; by always avoiding his offered battle; and frequently by cutting off his supplies. In vain did he exhaust his every art to provoke them to a general contest. Their object was, without risk to themselves, to detain him before them, (calculating upon his supposed ambition once more to give the law in their capital,) until winter should entirely cut off the means of provisioning his troops: when they calculated upon his returning to England as from a bootless errand, if indeed he should escape their vengeance before he could regain the frontier.

It might be little instructive to detail the minor operations of this campaign; which, in truth, were of no importance, otherwise than as they led to the grand result. It will suffice to say, that, ever as cautious as he was enter

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prising, Cromwell, finding his marches and countermarches, between his sources of supply and the Scottish capital, had subjected his Army to immense losses,-in bloody though partial conflicts, by privations of the severest kind, and at length also by the ravages of sickness-determined upon retreat, while retreat was yet in his power.* He therefore drew off his remaining forces, scarcely numbering 12,000 men, toward Dunbar; where he shipped his heavy baggage, and the sick the Scots army, increased to 27,000, and in all the elation of anticipated triumph, closely following him. The Scots now thought they had Cromwell wholly in their power; and were determined

Previously to resolving upon this step, being stung by the pertinacity of the Scots, he himself on one occasion headed a 'forlorn' against 2 or 3000 of their horse, who were drawn out on the west side of the city, hoping to bring them to a conflict; but they retreated immediately upon his appearance. One of them, however, fired a carbine at him as he went before' his men: upon which Cromwell hallooed to the Scotchman, that if he had been one of his soldiers, he would have cashiered him for firing at such a distance'! The man, having formerly served in England under Leslie, knew the General, and coming over to him, told him he was 'Cromwell himself,' and that he had seen him in Yorkshire with his master:' (Leslie.)" True Relation of the Transactions of the Army in Scotland, &c. published by authority." Lond. 1650.