CAMPBELL, Archibald, Marquis of Argyll / CHARLES I / MONRO, Robert. The Lord Marques of Argyle’s speech to a Grand Committee of both Houses of Parliament, the 25th of this instant June 1646....

CAMPBELL, Archibald, Marquis of Argyll / CHARLES I / MONRO, Robert. The Lord Marques of Argyle’s speech to a Grand Committee of both Houses of Parliament, the 25th of this instant June 1646. Together with some papers of the Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scotland, wherein they do give their consent to the sending of the propositions of peace to His Majesty - London: June 27 1646. 4to. pp. 16. A very good copy in modern quarter morocco. Wing A 3666. The eighth holder of the earldom of Argyll, Campbell was now at the high point of his influence, his arch rival, James Graham, Duke of Montrose, having fled to the Continent after his defeat at Philiphaugh in the Autumn of 1645. From an Irish view point though, the key sections of this pamphlet follow on: Firstly the printing of Charles I’s letter to Ormond, dated Newcastle June 11th, requiring him “for many reasons too long for a letter .... to proceed no further in Treaty with the Rebels, nor to engage us upon any conditions with them after sight hereof.” Of similar historical value is the final communication, a letter from General Major Robert Monro, dated Carrick-Fergus the 11th of June, in which he provides his explanation for the celebrated victory of Owen Roe O’Neill celebrated victory at Benburb. He put the blame for his defeat upon what he saw as treachery by the Lisnegarvey horsemen reporting as follows: “I perceived the enemy making ready for a generall assault, first with his foot and his horse coming up behind his foot to second them. I had given order to a squadron of our horse to break through them before they should advance to our foot, that squadron of horse consisting for the most part of Irish riders, although under the English command, did not charge but retreated disorderly through our foot, making the enemies horse for to follow them at least one squadron, notwithstanding thereof our foot stood to it, and received the enemies batalions body to body with push of pike, till at last our second squadron of horse charged the enemies horse and fell pell mell amongst our foot, who being carried in disorder, had no way of retreat but to wade the Blackwater where it was scarce foordable”. He estimates his losses “off the foote at the nearest conjecture five or six hundred, and twenty officers were taken prisoners, the Lord of Ardes being one.” Sweeney 836.

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