IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. m %^/ ^ .^. ^."SS ^ 4^0 ill 1.0 I.I |io ^^" iH ■^ lii 12.2 £ 1^ 12.0 u 11^ 11^ lii^ 'I FhotogFaphJc Sciences Corporation 33 WIST MAIN STREIT WIBSTIR.N.Y. MSSO (716) 172-4503 .*• TlB1Itl>. laca i^'y .'S '««* «r# fnA. 4a ^4» *--t» i»i *5, . t«. ■ -.-- ' ■■ , , \% "' r I :* •*». r. . t***V /% ,:; *•♦,"» s • ^^.^t'lfe *:_'p«>. tw^jte-'j*.-; ;»«r^. , ^r , f'-.;**^ ■*!• t^. ^ ,. ■*, .■. M'iif' • 'v '■• ^^■":i r r i J « r ' '- " '■■'•A • *;;"•• ■"■ •^ .4l*»J*-»J'W,4»»rjj^-i*, i*'! ,■»'♦.>•■'..■ J T f • » ♦ THE STUART i:)YNASTY. Address delivered on the Eve of the Anniver* sary of the Kev. Angus McDoneli., V, G. of Kingston, by Archibald MacKinnon, at Regiopolis College^ tw 1861- • Ladies AKD Gentlemen: It is not without a giateful sense of tho pleasing duty that has devolved upon mo that I rise on this occasion. , ,i , ,, » To acknowledge •qne's gpatitiid^- to^hi^' Ijehefac- tor, is (jer>:ain1y in'i5iason.w,it'hihe,fef5iVg^'(>f the individuul beiiefftted/ But, wiien in addition to this, there is questions of evincing our apprecia- tion of worth, of paying a tribute of respect to merit, it is with no orvlinary pleasure I appear before you to take a part in ihc celebration of this eve. There are many subjects, of which it would be interesting to treaj ; but considering the oc- casion, considering whose feast we celebrate, it will not I trust, be uninteresting to offer a fevr remarks on what is known in history as the Stuart Dynasty. To those whose pride it is to be of the same race, to the sons of old Scotland, the very name is endeared by many a social tie, by many a pleasing recollection of the past — Tbat it conveys to othei^^ a similar gratiiicatiQ]^ ininp;Ted "witli many like reminiscences, I cannot but feel conscious ; for I kmw that if to-night I appear not before Scotchmen, I yet appear before ihoso who claim a common origin, before those in "whose veins flow nought but icliic blood, and whose sires fought, bled and died on many a gory Held in defence of their rights. . But before proceeding to trace their history, it may be well to take a retrospec-ive view of the country up to the time when the Stuart Qrst as* cended the Scottish throne. Of Scotland, previous to the Roman invasion, we know little or nothing, with real certainty.— "in- first peopled from Gaul is now no longer a sub- ject of dispute. But when or at what period can only be conjectured. Some suppose it to have been colonized a thousand years before the Christian Era ; others at a later period. Ci rtaiii it is, however, that when Caesar landed on the chores of Britain he found the country thickly populated, and everything indicative of an early colonization. Its internal condition at this period was like that of all early nations, when an enemy is to be repelled, or national liberty to be defen^ ded. But it was not until the Romans had aban- doned the Island, that it became susceptible of a general form of government. Justly proud of having repelled the invader, of having protected their dominions against the conquerors of the ^ i r \ ' . f world, the Vinions clans of which the populati' n >va3 composed, begun g»adually lo unite and t) become known by the common name of Scots — The Picts and Scots, liowovor, the two most pow- erful tribes, Avcre not properly organized into one people until Kenneth the Second asccr.ded the Pictish throne in ^542. Uy wise and prudontial measures, by an hnncot; policy and impartial attention to the affairs of both parties, ho succeeded in obtaiiunj: a recon- ciliation of their interests, and in laying the politi- cal foundation of a kingdom, v.hich, while its sons have bee'i contesting the palm of pre-eminence, thro' vnrious vicissitudes of fortune, has withstood the withering blasts^ of. time, survived; t>he' lighten- ing infiuonce;-?. of diKii cornxmyum *arid''»tl^ujiiphed over the" intrigues dt fcr.lgii, cr'aity aiid iiiiibitious princes. ' " i • From this pariod, down to the year 1284:, the throne was occupied by a line of Kings, remark- able for pradence, energy and skill in the admin- istration of justice. Their wise and salutary laws tend'd greatly to ameliorate ihr condition of the country, in directing the attentiui. Tits nobles from war to the more congenial pursuits of liter- ature, in fiicilitatino; cosum; rce and promoting the geneial welfare and happiness of their subjects. - But, amidst this general prosperity, unforse3n calamities were impending. For shortly after the demise of Alexander III, the throne became vacant in consequence of the death of his only daughter, commouly styled the Maid of Norway, 6 i 's I i V hence atose tlie fiimdlts clis])nto of Baliol and Hvv.ce for the crown ; and licitce tO' that niigh'y yiiu^rglc between ihcm and tLoEdwjMd.s, 1 eiHocn the 8coUish and English natioi s. aftmgglo lin- preccdenlcd in the annjils of a> ar, a sti ugL'lo >\hich the vvoild hehehl with aslorM«hnilitical and reli- gious changes were eifucied, whi« h continue to act upon the social, moral and political condition of both countries down to the preseni day. But in tracing their history this evening wo can only dwell on a few of the most leniarkabb events that characterize their respective reigns. Robert, on his ascension to the throne, directed h's attention to the better administration of the of the government of the country. For though he,ft)i>nd jx.in A stajQ of comparative tranquillity, prijd(?ntf6»i{ cn^rg^tiQ mc5>5pres*[were**j/jL neots- sary to*reJ)V6S5 •crthib, *to2 pi*oraot© inUufetry and ] r s rve peace. His endeavors, however, did not m.jet with all the success he wished being partly thwarted by the contentions ot the noblility.— The reign of Robert the Third was in like manner unproductive of any important event ; for from the moment he ascended the throne till his death, vhidi occurred in 1401, his whole lifie was so em- bi tered by the intri;:iues of the nobility, as to leave him little or no time to give to the consider- ation of his Kingdom's more immediate interests. With the Jameses, however, things began to alter. From the accession cf the first James, to the dea'ih of Jami s the Fifth, many important inno- vations werj made in civil diiciplin '. They were sovereigns posse}?sed of many virtues, an I en- dowed with great mental qualities, especially ., 9 Jnmes tho First, wlio was not cnl}' one of the Nvisest sovereigns tliat ever swajod tho k^cottislx Bceptro, but one possessetl of all tli*' accom{)lish- monts and acquirements tl'nt remlerod liim tho greatest scholar and intillectual genius of hi«? a/c. Under them literature was patronisci], commereo extended, aid inanufactmes improved. But war, war tho great curst* of mankind, wni4 tho bane of their country's happiness, and at ii - tervals not only retarded her prosperity, but delu- ged her with blood. It was thus with the Jnmeses, many of wliom in their wars with England met ^Yith an untimely end — a fjite reculiar to their dynasty. And thus too were added to other evils, that of their being succeded by mere infants, during whose minority the greatest disorders prevailed in the state. It "Vvt/S so at the death of James the Fifth, who was succeeded by the young, tno heai tiful, the virtu- ous and heroic Mary Stuart, whose trials and sufferings, whose impiisonment and death by Elizabeth awaken in the hearts of all honest men, jadmiration f r her virtues, sympathy for her mis- fortunes, and a well-merited contempt for the blood-stained ruffians and insatiable monsters, who with moro than fiendish cruelty, deprived her of her rights and her life. The internal troubles of the kingdom at this period were not only increased but prolonged by the followers of Presbyierianism, which fiist be- gan to dawn in the reign of James the Fifth, introduced by the notorious John Knox, hs 10 €Stabli>hinont was marked by all the rapacity, oj ail the bloodshed, the robberies and murders es- Btntially attendant on the introduction and estab- Jishraent of all erroneous doctrines. It not on!}' ^i the time blighted the happiness of the inhabi- tants, ret rded their advancement, socially and morally, but brutalized its votaries, goaded them on to acts of violence and deluged the countr;y with innocent Mood. With the reign of James the Sixth troubles began to subside and peace to resume her wanted sway. Bein<)j a prince en- dowidwith many eminent qualities, averse to war, and naturally inclined to peace, he took ad- vantage of the means at his disposal to allay str*^.', to reconcile differences and preserve tranquillity. His efforts met with considerable success, and were strengtiiened by his accession to the English throne in 16' 3, an event which not only Unded to calm internal discord, but to gratify am ng his countrymen that old, that ancestral pride hich seemed to slumber in their bosoms during civil contentions. The glory of their country wj j in- crejised. They now ,L'ave Kings to their a' nent enemy. Their inveierate foe they ruled, i hat foe against which they stood for ages in open hostility ; that foe against which they contended on many a crimsoned field ; that foe on which they avenged the lail of their sires, and drenched the remembrance of their wrongs in the blood of its sons. With that foe they v\ere now at peace, and their interests imperceptibly became identical. A new era seemed to dawn. Tranquillity every wliere prevaikd, and the minds of ih« \ al tv it pdople so long distracted by religious fanaticism began gradually to calm, until James, conceiving the idea of u liting the legislatures of the two kingdoms, attempted to overthrow Presbyterian- iem and to establish Episcopacy in its room. Enraged at these proceedings, they immediately assumed an attitude of self-defense and of opposi- tion to every invasion of their rights. This pre- mature design of i ffecting a union, however desi* rable in itself, kindled the flame of a civil war, which with little intermission continued to ruin, more or less, both countries down to the leign of Queen Ann. But the efforts of James proving ineffectual, were continued with unabated vigor by his son and successor, Charles the First, who by being too desirous of carrying into execution the designs of his predecessor, too intent on unifor- mity in religious matters, and kept ignorant by ' liis ministers till too late of the real temper of his subjects, caused his own destruction. His execution presents a sad, a gloomy specta- cle to our view, rendered more melancholy by his own pleadings and aspirations for justice at th© hands of his merciless murderers. Bnt they were all too late, all in vain. And Covenanters, bran* ded as they have been for resistance against regal encroachments in the religious domain, have been unceasingly reproached by modern lip loyalists with his lamentable fate. Their opposition, it is true, may have been carried too far. They may have been guilty of ungenerositjr in the excitement of the moment ; but the caadid historian and 12 impartial ctltic \vill mat^C allowance for tlieii' re* ligioas fervor, will j istify their proceedings so long as confiuecl within legitimate limits, and ex- tol their manly, their strenuous opposition to the arrogant assumptions of monarchical prescription. At this time arose the famous Oliver Cromwell, who by hastening the King's death in Englant'i succeeded in obtaining command of the Govern- ment. . , His wars against Charles the First, his treach- ery, and the cruelties he inflicted on the 1 )yal inhabitants of Ireland, who ever proved true to the cause of the Stuart, have only a parallel in the bloody career of the notorious Prince Billy, the butchercr of Glencoe. The troubles in both kingdoms at this period affords but too true an exemplification of the evils, the misery, and wretchedness which every- where obtain pre-eminence during civil conten* tions. And if on the one hand the mind may be de- lighted in beholding the chivalry, the bravery of a Montrose, and the great, the manly sentiments that actuated the followers of the Royal cause, it has on the other hand to shudder at the contem- plation of the evils and the misery which every where prevailed, the cruelties, the barbarity evinced by Cromwell and his crew, and the aU inost complete destructipu of the elements of all i|09Jal.law aiid order. ^a' . - ; ." ; - j* li'V I ■^ I '«. 13 The reign of Charles the Second placed a temporary check on existing ills. But no sooner had James the Seventh evinced a desire to annul the tyranical restrictions which circumstances compelled some of his predecessors to sanction, than the flame of civil war and bigotry were again kindled, which was carefully fanned by the friends of William, Prince of Orange, who finally dispo- sessed him of his throne, and blasted his hopes forever in the fatal battle of the Boyne. The policy of the usurper, characterized though it was by all that was worthy of the holy, the immacu- late patron of Orangism, served little to tran- qualize the public spirit in either coiihtry. W hile his fiendish cruelties to the inhabitants of Ireland, his treachery and violation of all law and honor, enkindled in their bosoms that indignation which Afterwards so steeled the Irish heart, and nerved the Irish arm' on thecrin&soned plains of Fontenoy. His power in Britain itself was more than threat- ened by the followers of James, styled Jacobites, on account of their firm adhesio^' to his cause. But it ceased in 1702. And on his death Anne, the only surviving daughter of James was hailed Sovereign^ Her reign forms a glorious era in the historj of both counti^ies, and contrasts favorably with th^ a|blest of her sucges^prs in intellectual develope- ment, commercial enterprise and successful feats of arms . For the genius of Pope, Swift) Addison. Steele and others, by converting the prolemical style of preceding ages into a more sweet aii^ 14 harmonious cadence, gave to literature many of its most delightful charms. And notwithstand- ing the troubles of preceeding reigns, commerce had generally attracted the attention of the in- Jiabitants, especially of Scotland, which chiefly resulted from the establishment of African and Indian Companies in 1695. While the threat- ened invasion of former years coifpled with com- mercial activity, and the progressive spirit of in- dustry, caused both nations to ascend in the scale of maratime importance. But the event which of all others was the most important, the most beneficial in its results, was the union of the legislatures of the two kingdoms ; thus con- stittiting our great, our glorious British Constitu- tion, which, notwithstanding all its faults, has ever been the irarsery of freedom, the champion of civil liberty throughout every portion of the civili^d globe. ;v iTes, gentlemen, and though it was unpopular at ihe time, especially that it vested the succes- Bion in Princess Sophia and her heirs, though it met with considerable opposition from the followers of James, ani may still have its secret foes, yet when we take into account the many blessings which have resulted from it, how beneficial it has proved to both nations, how it Becured to each its rights^ its liberty and a com- munity of priviliges ; but above all, when we con- eider the relative condition of both kingdoms at the time, every candid mind must conclude that it was neither inconsistent with their honor, de- 15 structlve of their 4111016111 glory, or prejudicial to their respective intereists and prosperity. f.'U After thus seeing peace restored, industry re* yived, and the liberty of both countries resting on a sure, a common foundation, that liberty which they had recieved without stain from their ances- tors, and which by their valour they bad T>resery- ed intire and intact. After seeing this, and their many bloody but glorious struggles at an end, to be enshrined in the historian's page with their now more congenial contests in the fields of science, ^he terminated her long and glorious reign i^ 1714, deservedly loved and notwithstand- ing her faults, lamented by all. With her the old, the venerable dynasty of the ^tuart^ ceased. Departed to appear no more. Many attempts were made, especially in the Highlands to depose their Panpverariai^ descen- dants, and to restore the son and grandson of James to the throne of his ancestors ; not only in the reign of George the First, when £100,000 were offered for his head, but also during the reign of George the Second, when becoming less liberal, £30,000 were deemed sufficient. Their efforts, however, bold and magnanimous though they were, from their want of arms and the delay of the French, on whose promises and assistance they relied, met with only a temporary success, till in the end the last hopes of the brave, the gallant, and chivalrous Prince Charles were blighted forever on the gory field of CuUoden. ' I ! I ! i '- i t it The subsequent trials he underwent, the dan- gers he encountered and the sufferings he endur- ed> cannot fail to excite to-day, even in the hearts of his enemies, sympathy and sorrow. Hunted like the bounding roe of his native land, o'er hill and dale ; persued relentlessly by h[s insatiable enemies from rock to cavern ; chased fropi shore to shore ; were we tp trace the incidents of his life during his w^u^eringgi \iq would have p[iany a sorrowful tale to 'relate ; maj}y ^ gloomy situa- tion to depict, n^any aa Ijeroic exploit to recount, while the great, the manly sentjments, that actUr ated the sons of the mountaii^s in his cause, who scorned the bribe to reveal to his enemies his last lurking abode, would no less command our admi- ration, thi^n the disastrous termination bf their noble, their high-souled daring in his behalf awak- en our deepest sentiments of sorrow. • But to return to their career. If we trace the history of the dynasties who swayed the destinies of the various kingdoms of Europe, we Will find none perhaps whose members were more unfortu- nate, whose trials and sufferings more excite our sympathy, whose virtues in general more com- mand our respect, and whose talents £ttid literary acquirements so elicit our admiration. ij;, Descended of those who contended for free- dom with Bruce, they naturally looked back with Sride to their ancient origin, and to the last up- eld through all their viscissitudes of fortune, and the revolutions of succeeding ages, the dig- nity, the glory of their ancestry and the honor, It dan- ndur- learts unted r hill liable shore )f his lany a situa- count, actur e, who lis last admi- : their awaW- ce the istinies ill find nfortu- ite our 5 com- iterary T free- ck with ast up- ibrtune, le dig- honor, the independance ot the country that gave them birth. Few Princes were ever placed in more embarassing difficulties, whilst none had to coi^- tend against such adverse fortune- Nevertheless, to them Scotland owes much of her present great- ness. To their strenuous efforts and wise regu- lations are due the foundation of the social hap- I)iness of her sons, and the origin of her present aws and litet'kry itistitutions. , It IS not without pride then we can revert to those dayfjthat are past, past long before modern revolu^tions had disorganized civu society, pr religious qjij^riges with their, attendant train of evils were effected, to . cpn template the virtuous dispositions of the ^Bqberts,^ the intelluctual eur dowments, tlie politicat Energy and military (jualifications of the Jai][i03^s, and the pure virtues, the mildn,ess, the fottitiid.e of t^e lovely but ill* fated Mary Stuart, whos^ liJQ was the true type of piety, of innocence^ wh,o?e mind was always superior to selfish interest and ambition, and whose conduct was ever regulated by the princi- ples of uniform irectitude and integrity. > -^ The historian may perhaps find much to cen- sure during this long perijDcl in civil discijrlinCi But he invariably finds the progress of improv-r, ment, the march of civilization and refinement to be in accordance with the spirit of the times, and if occasionally retdrded by National disasters, or internal discords to be speedily revived and facil^ ta ted by their fostering care. 18 ^ Neither is the remainder of their dynasty less worthy our attention. For though few Princes have ever been made so much the favorite subjects of vituperation and abuse, their very many virtues and accomplishments scarcely less challenge our respect than those of their predecessors. While the momentous events connected with their res- pective reigns, afford ample scope for the investi- gation of the historian, sufficient range for the poet's wing, and sad and glaring truths for the de- ductions of the moralist. Yes, though petty scrib- bliers and self-conceited lecturers, with the assumed wisdom of grave philosophers, may denounce them, may tell us that despotism was inherent in their very natures, that they were opposed to all reform, to whatever was calculated to ameliorate the con- dition of the respective countries over which they ruled, and to promote the general welfare and happiriiBsS ot their subjects, the student of his- tory vie\^ing their career through the plain, the iitifiiagnified medium of facts, and not through thij concentrated vision of bigotry, finds nothing to justify the rash assumption, nothing to cor- roborate the silly accusation. ' ' ' " * True, the restrictions of James the Sixth against a portion of his subjects were despotic in the extreme. True the proceedings of Charles the First were impolitic. True the political con- dition of both countries, down to the reign of Queen Ann, was neither prosperous nor happy. True tyrany and bloodshed, anarchy and confu- sion, were partially in the ascendant. True the f " 19 spirit of industry was checked, and the middle classes rose not to opulence. *», 'ft «i. But, gentlemen, -what was the cause. Did the laws of James the Sixth, the acts of Charles the First produce the sad effect. Tyranical though they were, they were too fleeting to leave serious impression on the great commercial body. Did the proceedings of Charles the Second, the prin- ciples of James the Seventh exercise an influence destructive of industry and peace. History de- nies the charge. It was by being too liberal, too desirous of giving liberty of conscience that the latter lost his Crown, that his descendants were disposessed of their rights, and forced to wander as fugatives on the land of their ancestors. Whence then did it arise. From religious changes, religious frenzy and ambitious adven- turers. These were the true, the real, the only causes of all the then social and political ills which no government could subdue, no conces- sions alleviate. -'^ : ■•-i! u^-:'iti i.^;^ .- :n-i,-\ In few countries in Europe was the introduc- tion of the Reformation attended with such dis- astrous results, and in none was its establish- ment so destructive of national harmony, so sub- versive of all law and order, especially in Scot- land. « .^»** .dl