14
for a little time, which favoured the retreat of the
rest to Falkirk, whence they retired in confusion
to Edinburgh.
It was now judged necessary by the King's Mini-
sters that the army in Scotland should be com-
manded by a General in whom the soldiers could
confide; and the Duke of Cumberland was chos-
en for this purpose. Besides being universally
beloved by the troops, it was suggested that the
appearance of a prince of the Blood in Scotland,
might have a favourable effect on the minds of the
people in that kingdom: he therefore began to
make preparations for his northern expedition.
In the mean while, the French Minister at the
Hague having represented to the States General
that the auxiliaries they had sent into Britain
were part of the garrisons of Tournay and Den-
dermoude, and restricted by the capitulation from
bearing arms against France for a certain period,
the States thought proper to recal them, rather
than come to an open rupture with his Most
Christian Majesty. In the room of these troops,
six thousand Hessians were transported from
Flanders to Leith, where they arrived in the be-
ginning of February, under the command of
their Prince Frederick of Hesse, son-in law to
his Britannic Majesty. By this time the Duke
of Cumberland had put himself at the head of
