The Council had
naturally enough expected that the descent of these plaided barbarians
would be the signal for a general insurrection, which would relieve them
of their troubles as certainly and much more conveniently than Dalziel's
dragoons and Perth's thumbkins. While Highlander and Lowlander were
cutting each other's throats, Lauderdale and his colleagues would have
ample leisure to decide on the apportionment of the booty.[13] In this,
however, they were disappointed. No armed resistance was offered. During
the two months these marauders lived at free quarters, without any
distinction between friend and foe, on a land which, compared with their
own barren moors and mountains, was a paradise flowing with milk and
honey, only one life was lost, and that the life of a Highlander. At
length the scandal became too great even for Lauderdale. Hamilton, who,
like his brother before him, had always stood by the Crown, went up to
London with several gentlemen of rank to protest against a tyranny which
they vowed was that of Turks rather than Christians. According to one
account, the King would not see them: according to another, he admitted
Hamilton to an interview, and, after hearing his protest, owned that
many bad things had been done in Scotland, but none, so far as he could
see, contrary to his interests.
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