mblain, the thirteenth of this
moneth. Our left behav'd scandalously and ran away, but our right
routed the enimies left and most of their body.

"Their right follow'd and pursued our left, which made me not
adventure to prosecute and push our advantage on our right so far as
otherwayes wee might have done, however wee keept the field of
battle, and the enimie retir'd to Dumblain.

"The armie had lyen without cover the night before, and wee had no
provisions there, which oblidg'd me to march the armie back two
milles that night, which was the nearest place where I could get any
quarters. Next day I found the armie reduced to a small number, more
by the Highlanders going home than by any loss wee sustained, which
was but very small. So that and want of provisions oblidg'd me yet
to retire, first to Auchterarder, and then here to Perth. I have
been doing all I can ever since to get the armie together again, and
I hope considerable numbers may come in a little time; but now that
our friends in England are defeated, there will be troops sent down
from thence to reinforce the Duke of Argyle, which will make him so
strong, that wee shall not be able to face him, and I am affraid wee
shall have much difficultie in makeing a stand any where, save in
the Highlands, where wee shall not be able to subsist.

"This Sir, is a melancholy account, but what in duty I was oblidg'd
to let you know, if possibly I can, before you land; and for that
end I have endeavour'd to send boats out about those places where I
judg'd it most probable you would come.

"Ther's another copie of this upon the West Coast, and I wish to God
one or other of them may find you if your Majesty be upon the coast.

"By the strength you have with you, your Majesty will be best able
to judge if you will be in a condition, when join'd with us, to make
a stand against the enimie. I cannot say what our numbers will be
against that time, or where wee shall be, for that will depend on
the enimie, and the motions they make; but unless your Majesty have
troops with you, which I'm affraid you have not, I see not how wee
can oppose them even for this winter, when they have got the Dutch
troops to England, and will power in more troops from thence upon us
every day.

"Your Majestie's coming would certainly give new life to your