ainst their old friends; and, in a fit of
romantic generosity, overturn what, with so much expense of blood
and treasure, they had, during the course of so many years, been so
carefully erecting?

But though all these reflections occurred to the Scottish commissioners,
they resolved to prolong the dispute, and to keep the king as a pledge
for those arrears which they claimed from England, and which they were
not likely, in the present disposition of that nation, to obtain by
any other expedient. The sum, by their account, amounted to near two
millions: for they had received little regular pay since they had
entered England. And though the contributions which they had levied, as
well as the price of their living at free quarters, must be deducted,
yet still the sum which they insisted on was very considerable. After
many discussions, it was at last agreed, that, in lieu of all demands,
they should accept of four hundred thousand pounds, one half to be paid
instantly, another in two subsequent payments.[*]

* Rush, vol. vii. p. 326. Parl. Hist. vol. xv. p. 236

Great pains were taken by the Scots (and the English complied with
their pretended delicacy) to make this estimation and payment of arrears
appear a quite different transaction from that for the delivery of the
king's person: but common sense requires that they should be regarded
as one and the same. The English, it is evident, had they not been
previously assured of receiving the king, would never have parted with
so considerable a sum; and, while they weakened themselves, by the same
measure, have strengthened a people with whom they must afterwards have
so material an interest to discuss.

Thus the Scottish nation underwent, and still undergo, (for such
grievous stains are not easily wiped off,) the reproach of selling their
king and betraying their prince for money. In vain did they maintain,
that this money was, on account of former services, undoubtedly their
due; that in their present situation, no other measure, without the
utmost, indiscretion, or even their apparent ruin, could be embraced;
and that, though they delivered their king into the hands of his open
enemies they were themselves as much his open enemies as those to whom
they surrendered him; and their common hatred against him had long
united the two parties in strict alliance with each other. They were
still answered, that they made use of this scandalous expedient
for obtaining their w