The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

94 THE HIGHLANDERS [part i
Montrose or Duiulee there could not be a moment's doubt as to
the immediate result of a demonstration so powerful as this ; but
what either of these great leaders could with half the numbers
have effected, the military incapacity and indecision of their
self-constituted commander prevented them from achieving. In
this ill-fated attempt we see how unavoidably the mismanagement
and obstinacy of one individual may disarm the otherwise
resistless energy of such a band, and prevent its success, even
where no appearance of opposition existed adequate to resist its
progress. A brave, and in this instance misguided people,
became exposed to the vengeance of a vindictive government,
too seriously alarmed to be much disposed to exercise forbearance.
towards them. Prompt measures accordingly were immediately
taken, effectually to subdue the Highlanders. An Act
was passed to strip them of their arms an officer of skill and
;
experience was sent to examine the state of the country, and in
consequence of his report, means were taken to open up the
Highland districts, and render them more accessible to English
troops, by means of military roads carried principal
through all the
districts. The estates of those engaged in the insurrection
were forfeited ; independent companies of Highlanders,
favourable to the established government, were raised to secure
the peace of the country, and garrisons of English soldiers were
stationed in the different Highland forts. But before any
permanent effect could result from these measures, another
opportunity had presented itself for the warlike and loyal spirit
of the clans again to burst forth into open insurrection ; and on
this occasion they certainly had not to complain of having to
range themselves under the banner of an unenterprising leader.
It seemed, indeed, as if the Highland clans, which were now
rapidly approaching the termination of their independence, and
that royal family whose unhappy fate had so repeatedly called
forth their devoted exertions in its favour, were not to fall
without exhibiting together one more splendid effort, the
brilliancy of w^hich, and the near approach which they made to
success, should create universal astonishment.
It was in the month of July, 1745, that the son
Insurrection
^^ james. Styling himself Third of England, Prince
Charles Edward, made his unexpected appearance