the
French at Sea..... Other Naval Transactions..... Congress at
Aix-la-Chapelle..... Compliant Temper of the new
Parliament..... Preliminaries signed..... Preparations for
the Campaign in the Netherlands..... Siege of
Maestrieht..... Cessation of Arms..... Transactions in the
East and West Indies..... Conclusion of the Definitive
Treaty at Aix-la-Chapelle_

THE REBELS ARE TOTALLY DEFEATED.

In the beginning of April, the duke of Cumberland began his march from
Aberdeen, and on the twelfth passed the deep and rapid river Spey,
without opposition from the rebels, though a detachment of them appeared
on the opposite side. Why they did not dispute the passage is not easy
to be conceived; But, indeed, from this instance of neglect, and their
subsequent conduct, we may conclude they were under a total infatuation.
His royal highness proceeded to Nairn, where he received intelligence
that the enemy had advanced from Inverness to Culloden, about the
distance of nine miles from the royal army, with intention to give him
battle. The design of Charles was to march in the night from Culloden,
and surprise the duke's army at day-break; for this purpose the English
camp had been reconnoitred; and on the night of the fifteenth the
highland army began to march in two columns. Their design was to
surround the enemy, and attack them at once on all quarters; but the
length of the columns embarrassed the march, so that the army was
obliged to make many halts: the men had been under arms during the whole
preceding night, were faint with hunger and fatigue, and many of them
overpowered with sleep. Some were unable to proceed; others dropped off
unperceived in the dark; and the march was retarded in such a manner,
that it would have been impossible to reach the duke's camp before
sun-rise. The design being thus frustrated, the prince-pretender was
with great reluctance prevailed upon by his general officers to measure
back his way to Culloden; at which place he had no sooner arrived, than
great numbers of his followers dispersed in quest of provisions; and
many, overcome with weariness and sleep, threw themselves down on
the heath and along the park walls. Their repose, however, was soon
interrupted in a very disagreeable manner. Their prince receiving
intelligence that his enemies were in full march to attack him, resolved
to hazard an engagement, and ordered his troops to be formed for that
purpos