A first hand account of the siege of Edinburgh Castle Bonnie Prince Charlie 1745
A Contemporary account of the siege of Edinburgh Castle by Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite Rebellion in October 1745.
SMYTHE, David, 9th of Braco, 3rd of Methven (1711-1764). Autograph letter signed to his mother, Lady Cochrane, concerning the Jacobite occupation of Edinburgh and the siege conditions around Edinburgh Castle during the uprising. Dated 7 October 1745.
8 pp., two folded sheets. Laid paper with contemporary watermarks and chain lines visible. Folded as sent, docketed on final page in a later hand: "Letter from Lord Methven’s Father to his Mother Lady ... Cochrane - 1745". Minor age toning and creasing, but overall, exceptionally well preserved for a manuscript of the period. Very good.
A contemporary account written during the Jacobite occupation of Edinburgh in October 1745, only weeks after the capture of the city by Prince Charles Edward Stuart. Smythe, the owner of Methven Castle, around 50 miles north of Edinburgh, describes the tense standoff between the Jacobite forces controlling the town and the government garrison under Generals Preston and Guest holding Edinburgh Castle. The manuscript contains extended contemporary references to artillery fire from the castle, Highland batteries raised around Castlehill, attempts to blockade provisions, threats to "lay the town to ashes", firing cannon through the streets and widespread anguish amongst the inhabitants.
Smythe received his information from contacts in the neighbouring town of Kinghorn. Particularly notable are Smythe's references to identifiable Edinburgh locations including Castlehill, the Luckenbooths, Heriot's Hospital, the weigh house, and batteries near the foundry. He records fears that "the miseries of this poor country are but beginning" and remarks grimly that "Gain or lose who will, Scotland must suffer greatly". He also acutely describes the stand-off, between Prince Charles referenced in the letter as “PC” and what he refers to as “German Power” in the castle.
Beyond the immediate siege conditions, Smythe also relays to his mother intelligence concerning troop movements and rumours circulating in Scotland in October 1745, including reports of Dutch troops landing at Newcastle and Berwick, British regiments arriving at Gravesend and Blackwall, expectations of further reinforcements by sea, and the financial contribution levied upon Glasgow.
An unusually detailed Jacobite Rebellion manuscript letter, rich in military, political, and topographical content, and closely tied to the occupation of Edinburgh by Prince Charles Stuart during the uprising in 1745. A full transcript is available on request.