oops only increased the quarrelling and
confusion in the insurgent camp, which was pitched now at Hamilton. Some
friends at Edinburgh had sent word to them that Monmouth might be found
not indisposed to treat; and that it would be best for them to stand off
for a while, and not on any account be drawn into fighting. But the idea
of treating only inflamed the more violent. On the 21st a council was
called which began in mutual recrimination and abuse, and ended in a
furious quarrel. Hamilton drew his sword, vociferating that it was drawn
as much against the King's curates and the minions of the Indulgence as
against the English dragoons, and left the meeting followed by Cargill,
Douglas and the more violent of his party. Disgusted with the scene, and
convinced of the hopelessness of a cause supported by such men, many
left the camp and returned to their own homes. Welsh and the moderate
leaders resolved to take matters into their own hands. On the morning of
the 22nd Monmouth had reached Bothwell. His advance guard held the
little town about a quarter of a mile distant from the river: his main
body was encamped on the moor. Shortly after daybreak he was surprised
by a visit from Welsh, Hume and another of their party, Fergusson of
Caitloch. Monmouth received them courteously, and heard them with
patience while they read to him a paper (known in Covenanting annals as
the Hamilton Declaration) they had drawn up detailing their grievances
and their demands. The first were indisputable: the second were, as has
been said, moderate. Monmouth was, however, forced to answer that he
could not treat with armed rebels. If they would lay down their arms and
surrender at discretion, he promised to do all he could to gain them not
only present pardon but tolerance in the future. Meanwhile, he said,
they had best return to their camp, report his message, and bring him
back an answer within half an hour's time. They returned, only to find
confusion worse confounded, and their own lives even in some danger from
the furious Hamilton.

The half-hour passed, and no further sign of submission was made.
Monmouth bid the advance be sounded, and the Foot Guards, commanded by
young Livingstone, Linlithgow's eldest son, moved down to the bridge.
Just at that spot the Clyde is deep and narrow, running swiftly between
steep banks fringed on the western side with bushes of alder and hazel.
The bridge itself was only twelve feet wide, and guarded in t