Battle of Prestonpans Speech

Battle of Prestonpans Speech (1745)
by John Cope

The speech given by Sir John Cope, commander of the Hanoverian government forces at the Battle of Prestonpans, Scotland, just before his defeat in that battle. Given during the Jacobite Rebellion on 21 September 1745.

Gentlemen, You are just now to Engage with a parcel of Rable; a Parcel of Brutes, Being a small number of Scots Highlands, You can expect no Booty from such a poor despicable Pack. I have Authority to Declare, That you shall have Eight Full Hour's liberty to Plunder and Pillage the City of Edinburgh, Leith, and Suburbs, - the Place's which harbour'd and succour'd Them - at your Discretion, with Impunity.

This work was published before January 1, 1928, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

Battle of Prestonpans Speech

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