Balimenagh 15 June 1685. Sir .

LAst Night arrived here a son of Mr. Rowans from Scotland , and brings an account that this For might past , he has been at Air , and was a board the Fisher ; Commanded by Captain Hamilton near Argile , and went with 10 men in a small Boat to Loghead last week , and returned very soon to Air . Argyle has 26 Birlings at Sea , together with the Vessells he brought from Holland with him : which he has man'd with about 3000 men ; that the Kings Shipping have surrounded him , betwixt Boot Cowell and Island Magery .

That on Friday last there were many Guns heard , and 't is thought they have engaged at Sea : Charles Cambell , Argyle's Son is in Kintyre with 5000 men , Athol is in Jnerera with 6000 men , the late Marquels of Huntly now Duke of Gordon , was to joyn him last week with a thousand men , and the Mac Lanes with Four thousand , there are about Five hundred Whiggs got together in Galaway , and other Rebellious parts there abouts : headed by two gentlmen Capt . Stranger , and Capt . Welcome ; against whom , there are Fourteen hundred of the Kings Forces gone ; it is though those in Scotlantd , will not require any of the Army from hence , for they have now m●n and horse more then they can finde provision for .

Sir , John Coghran went last week to Grenock , dined there , and took thence forty or fifty Bowes of meal ; it seems two Troops of the Militia commanded by two Nephews of Sr , John Coghrans being informed that Argyles men were taking away Meal &c. Repaired to the shore , but were soon beaten off with the Guns from aboard .

Mr. Rowan saw Sir John Edgworth last Thursday night at Air , from whence he parted next day to Edinborough , since the writing of this , I hear there is an Express come from Scotland that Argyle was surprised in his Fort , by Capt . Hamilton in the Fisher , that most of his men were killed , and taken prisoners , himself escaped narrowly , disguised in a livery Coat , that Atholl &c. are now pursuing his remaining Forces .

Sea Coast June 16th . 1685. My Lord ,

Yesterday looking on Scotland , and thinking of the unhapiness , Argiles fate had hurryed himself into ; I received the account I now send you , that intending to the main from Boot at the mouth of the River Clyde , he struck of into an Arm of the Sea , which ran some few miles into the Country , thinking from those places there abouts , to raise more men , but , before he could get back he was surrounded with Twelve thousand of the Kings Army , and in his passage out into the Sea , being very narrow , was blockt up by Capt . Tho : Hamilton , in the Kings Fisher riding about that Coast , ( which I my self saw on Sunday last ) Argile finding himself beset , fortified himself in a strong Castle that is within a smal Island , in an Arm of the Sea , where he now is , and his Four Ships were with him , the Channel was too narrow for any of our Ships to enter in , being thus secured the Kings Army sent to the Privy Counsell of Scotland to know , if they should immediately proceed to batter down the place where he was , which by taking down some Gunns from the Kings Ships , they could easily do from the main Land ; his mad son Charles is with him , his Forces do not consist of above Three thousand men , many having lest him , his Son burnt the Bishops house in Boot , and had set Fire to the Castle , which his Father quenched and chid him for his violent Temper .

Tho many preparations are making here for the wafting over of our Irish Army thither : yet I do not believe ( tho the Fox were not yet in the toile ) we should go for I know that those Country men are too proud , to admit of any Aid from abroad ; having a great way to fend to the post . I conclude ,

Your Lordships Faihfull J. B.

Sea coast June the 18th . 1685. My Lord ,

IMmediately after my last to you was dispatcht , I received this following Account , that yesterday morning , Capt . Tho : Hamilton that Commanded the Kings Fisher , Attacqued Argiles Fortification , and that the Cannon plaid so strongly that his men were force to quit it after having left matches and traines of powder to blow up the Castle , which Capt . Hamilton prevented by sending men on shore in the very nick of time , he has taken in the Castle Four hundred Barrells of Powder , and several Peices of Cannon he has besides taken all his Ships , and Capt , Hamilton is actually in possession of the Castle , the Marquiss of Atholl is now in pursuit of Argile , and Capt . Hamiltons Letter sayes that he Questions not but his next news wil be of Argiles utter destruction .

Your Lordships Faithfull , J. B.