The University and the '45

The Jacobite Army of Charles Edward Stuart ('Bonnie Prince Charlie') occupied Edinburgh between 16 September and 1 November 1745. In anticipation of their arrival, University classes were suspended, a pro-Government company of University volunteers was formed (including William Robertson (1721-1793), the future Principal), and Colin Maclaurin (1698-1746), Professor of Mathematics, was employed as a military engineer to fortify the city.

Colin MacLaurin Fortifies the City

Colin MacLaurin had held the Chair of Mathematics since 1745.

At the time of the city's surrender, he was 'loading the cannon'

Regretted that the Volunteers neither let their arms fall into enemy hands rather than delivering to General Guest's garrison at Edinburgh Castle which held out throughout the Jacobite occupation. MacLaurin wrote that, during the occupation:

we have neither Law nor Gospel at Edinburgh; no Courts are kept; no Churches assemble; nor have we Colleges. Tho' their Officers from a Political Goodness endeavour to prevent disorders, the Cloven Foot appeard [sic] early, and they pilfer and rob in and about the Town

Charles Edward Stuart issued a proclamation, promising an indemnity to all Volunteers who submitted to his Government within twenty days. 'Determined to make no submission', MacLaurin 'endeavour'd to settle my family at Dalkeith as well as I could and crost the border of England on the 19th day of those allow'd' (letter to Rev. John Hill, 20 October 1745). He would rather entrust his family to the 'Protection of Providence' than have 'communication with the Rebels'. From the safety of Newcastle he wrote, that:

I have never yet entertain'd any Fear of the Conclusion of this Affair, tho' deeply concerned for the dishonour and distress it brings on some parts of the Country, and particularly on Edinburgh' (ibid.).

In England, he accepted an invitation to lodge with Herring, Archbishop of York. In his absence, no fewer than eight Jacobite soldiers were quartered on his house in Dalkeith. His wife, 'tho' indisposed' had entertained them well and endeavoured to extract information from them as to the strength of the Jacobite army.

MacLaurin had proposed to re-enter Edinburgh with General Wade's enemny, but in fact, made his way back safely, but at great cost to his health.

On 21 November, he wrote to the Rev. John Hill that he was endeavouring to raise a new body of Volunteers but was hampered by a 'bad cold'. According to MacLaurin, university classes resumed on 21 November but 'promise poorly'. Certainly no graduations are recorded for the academic year 1745-1746.

Sources

• A Catalogue of the Graduates in the Faculties of Arts, Divinity, and Law, of the University of Edinburgh since its Foundation (Edinburgh: Printed by Neill and Company, 1858)
• Colin MacLaurin, The Collected Letters of Colin MacLaurin, ed. Stella Mills (Nantwich: Shiva, 1982)