Notes and Queries, Number 187, May 28, 1853 | Page 4

soon to fly, by which means we gote possession of
their artillery, and so drove them before us for three miles of way. The
cavalry gave them closs chase to the town of Inverness: {520} upon
which the French ambassador (who is not well) sent out an officer, and
a drum with him, offering to surrender at discretion; to which the duke
made answer, that the French officers should be allowed to go about on
their parole, and nothing taken from them. Brigadier Stapleton is
among them, and God knows how many more officers; for we have not
gote home to count them yet. Its thought the rebels have between four
and five hundred killed, and as many taken prisoners already: many
more we expect this night, parties having been sent out after them. Lord
Kilmarnock I saw prisoner, and Major Stewart, with many more.
Secretary Murray is very bad: a party is just now sent for him,
intelligence being brought where he is. I don't think we have lost thirty
men, and not above five officers killed, amongst which are Lord Robert
Ker, Captain Grosset: the rest their names I have forgote. We are now
in full possession of this place. Some say the Pretender was in the battle,
and wounded; but others say he was not. Such of them as are left are
gone to Fort Augustus. The duke, God be praised, is in good health,
and all the generalls. His Royal Highness behaved as if he had been
inspired, riding up and down giveing orders himself.
I am, Gentlemen, Your most obedt. servant, DAVID BRUCE.
After writing y^e above, y^e lists of y^e killed and wounded are as
follows, so far as is yet known:--
We have of y^e prisoners 700 Killed and wounded on y^e field 1800
Of y^e duke's army:--
Killed, wounded, and amissing 220
* * * * *

Gentlemen,
I hope you'l pardon y^e confusedness of y^e foregoing line, as I have
been in y^e utmost confusion since I came here. 'Tis said, but not quite
certain, y^t y^e following rebells are killed, viz.:--Lochiel, Capuch
(Keppach), Lord Nairn, Lord Lewis Drummond, D. of Perth, Glengarry,
&c. The French have all surrendered prisoners of war.
DAVID BRUCE.
Addressed to The Governors of The Town of Aberdeen.
X. Y. Z.
* * * * *
OLIVER ST. JOHN.
In giving the lives of the Commonwealth chief justices, Lord Campbell
observes (Lives of Chief Justices, vol. i. p. 447.), "in completing the list
with the name of Oliver St. John, I am well pleased with an opportunity
of tracing his career and pourtraying his character." Then follows a
biography of thirty pages. The subject seems to be a favourite one with
his lordship, and he accordingly produces a striking picture, laying on
his colours in the approved historical style of the day, so as to make the
painting an effective one, whether the resemblance be faithful or not.
But how is it that the noble biographer appears to be quite unaware of
what really is the only document we have relating to Oliver St. John of
his own composition, which does give us much light as to his career or
character? I refer to The Case of Oliver St. John, Esq, concerning his
Actions during the late Troubles, pp. 14., 4to., n.d. It is a privately
printed tract, emanating from St. John himself, and was no doubt
circulated amongst persons in power at the Restoration, with a view to
obtaining indemnity and pardon. My copy is signed by himself, and has
some corrections in his autograph. His Defence is full of interesting
particulars, some of which are very inconsistent with Lord Campbell's
speculations and statements. It would, however, occupy too much of
your space were I to go through the various articles objected to by him,

and to which he gives his replies and explanations. My object in
noticing this tract at present, is to prevent any future biographer of this
Commonwealth worthy, whose life may well be an historical study,
from neglecting an important source of information. I observe Lord
Campbell (p. 473.) doubts whether he favoured the measure of making
Cromwell king. But if we are to believe the title-page of Monarchy
asserted, 1660, 12mo., he was one of the speakers at the conference
with Cromwell on the 11th April, 1657, in favour of his assuming the
title of king. On the list of the committee which follows, the "Lord
Chief Justice" only is mentioned, but in the speeches a difference seems
to be made between "Lord Chief Justice" (pp. 6. 7. 15.) and "Lord
Chief Justice Glynne" (p. 44.), and they would seem to be two different
speakers. The title-page states distinctly, "the arguments of Oliver St.
John, Lord Chief Justice, Lord Chief Justice Glyn,