History of the Stewarts | Battles and Historic Events
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The Disarming Act of 1716
"An act for the more effectual securing the peace of the highlands in Scotland" was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, coming into effect on November 1, 1716 which outlawed anyone in defined parts of Scotland (the Highlands essentially) from having "in his or their custody, use, or bear, broad sword or target, poignard, whinger, or durk, side pistol, gun, or other warlike weapon" unless authorised.
This act proved ineffectual and in 1725 an act for the more effectual disarming the highlands in that part of Great Britain called Scotland; and for the better securing the peace and quiet of that part of the kingdom was passed and more effectively enforced by Major-General George Wade. Wade succeeded in confiscating a significant number of useful weapons, though the Highlanders still managed to hide many weapons for future use.
The Marquis of Tweeddale who was Secretary of State for Scotland in 1745 wrote " This act has been found by Experience to work the quite contrary effect from what was intended by it, and in reality proves a mean for more effectually disturbing, the peace of the Highlands, and of the rest of the Kingdom, & his Majestys Government by and through those highlands, and the cause of this operation is now plainly visible. For all the disaffected clans retain their arms, and either concealed them at the fact of disarming, or have provided themselves since, at the same time that the dutyfull and well affected clans have truely submitted to this measure of the Government and Act of the Legislature and are still disarmed or have no quantity of Fire arms amongst them.
The Fatall effects of this difference at the time of a Rebellious Insurrection must be very obvious, & but too clearly seen, and by us in this Country felt at this Hour, I pray God they be felt no further South."
Although some evidence of Wade´s efforts could be seen by the rough assortment of weapons used by the Highlanders when Charles Edward Stuart raised the Jacobite Rising but the Jacobites´ overwhelming victory at the Battle of Prestonpans provided them with a good supply of government firelocks and bayonets left by the fleeing Government Army and subsequently by weapons smuggled from the French and Spanish through the north-east ports. After that Jacobite Rising had been defeated the provisions of the Disarming Act were strengthened in the new Act of Proscription in 1747.