He
marched them to Watford, and while there, it is said, received a letter
from William, who had now advanced to Hungerford, bidding him stay where
he was and none should harm him.[75] According to Balcarres, Dundee made
at once for London on the news of the King's flight, and was still there
on his return. But the fact is that few of these contemporary writers
descend to dates, and it is almost impossible therefore to track any one
man's movements through those troubled days. It is, however, certain
that a meeting of the Scottish Council was summoned in London by
Hamilton at some period between James's first flight and his return, and
that Dundee attended it. That Hamilton meditated declaring for William
is certain, and that he would have taken all his colleagues with him,
except Dundee and Balcarres, is probable; but the King's sudden return
to Whitehall postponed matters for a time.
James reached London from Rochester on the afternoon of Sunday, December
16th. William was then at Windsor, and James expressed a wish to meet
him in London, offering St. James's Palace for his quarters. William
sent an answer that he could not come to London while there were any
troops there not under his command. On the 17th a council was held at
Windsor, with Halifax in the chair, to determine what should be done
with James.
Pages:
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186