ursion to Perth, where he
reviewed his forces. Then he formed a regular council; and published
six proclamations: one for a general thanksgiving on account of his
safe arrival; another enjoining the ministers to pray for him in the
churches; a third establishing the currency of foreign coins; a fourth
summoning the meeting of the convention of estates; a fifth ordering
all sensible men to repair to his standard; and a sixth, fixing the
twenty-third day of January for his coronation. He made a pathetic
speech in a grand council, at which all the chiefs of his party
assisted. They determined, however, to abandon the enterprise, as the
king's army was reinforced by the Dutch auxiliaries, and they themselves
were not only reduced to a small number, but likewise destitute of
money, arms, ammunition, forage, and provision; for the duke of Argyle
had taken possession of Burntisland, and transported a detachment to
Fife, so as to cut off Mar's communication with that fertile country.

Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, and a prodigious fall
of snow which rendered the roads almost impassable, the duke, on the
twenty-ninth of January began his march for Dumblane, and next day
reached Tullibardine, where he received intelligence that the pretender
and his forces had, on the preceding day, retired towards Dundee.
He forthwith took possession of Perth; and then began his march to
Aberbrothick, in pursuit of the enemy. The chevalier de St. George being
thus hotly pursued, was prevailed upon to embark on board a small French
ship that lay in the harbour of Montrose. He was accompanied by the
earls of Mar and Melfort, the lord Drummond, lieutenant-general Bulkley,
and other persons of distinction, to the number of seventeen. In order
to avoid the English cruisers, they stretched over to Norway, and
coasting along the German and Dutch shores, arrived in five days
at Grave-line. General Gordon, whom the pretender had left
commander-in-chief of the forces, assisted by the earl Marischal,
proceeded with them to Aberdeen, where he secured three vessels to sail
northward, and take on board the persons who intended to make their
escape to the continent. Then they continued their march through
Strathspey and Strathdown, to the hills of Badenoch, where the
common people were quietly dismissed. This retreat was made with such
expedition, that the duke of Argyle, with all his activity, could never
overtake their rear-guard, which consis