forfeiture of their estates would eat up the estates, and call forth the sympathy of the people with the unfortunate. A Bill should be passed for compounding with the rebels or their heirs.

There is a copy [undated] of a Petition addressed to the House of Lords by "James Radcliffe, late Earl of Der"wentwater, and others," who were under sentence of death to be executed on the Friday following, praying the intercession of the Lords with His Majesty for mercy towards them "in such manner as to your Lordships' great "wisdom and goodness shall seem most proper."

There are two letters from "F. Loumeau Du Pont, "Ministre," (dated at Edinburgh, May 8th and July 21st, 1715), in name of the French Refugees, thanking His Grace the Duke of Montrose for his kindly attentions, who, notwithstanding the "haut employ auquel le Seigneur vous a élevé," shows himself "le père nourrissier des poures "Protestants Réfugiés."

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E.

Lord Eglintoune, in a letter dated at Eglintoune, 10th Augt. 1715, states that a meeting "most frequent " of Ayrshire gentlemen had been held at Ayr the day before, when an Address to His Majesty was signed, offering that they would march "with their whole fencible men," but that they were in need of arms and ammunition.

Eglintoune, Janry. 27, [1] 716.-Recommends a young man, than whom he has known none "of a suitter disposition and better understanding, the Earl of Carnwath, now impeached by the House of Commons."

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The Provost of Edinburgh (McClellen) writes on the 2nd December, 1707, that a Convention of the Royal Burghs had for several days discussed various methods for promoting trade, the result of which was certain overtures to be transmitted to Parliament.

F.

This

There is amongst the Montrose letters a copy of an important letter from Duncan Forbes of Culloden to the Earl of Islay, dated at Inverness, 2nd December, 1715. letter states that on Culloden's approach all things in that quarter were under the, rebels. Inverness and its castle were garrisoned by the Mackenzies, so that he had to remain at Culloden, harrassing the enemy and fruitlessly attacking the town, till he was aided by Lord Lovat, who, putting himself at the head of 200 Frazers, whom Frazerdale had been unable to force into rebellion, threw himself between Keppoch (who was marching to Inverness with 300 men), and the garrison of 250 which occupied the town, successfully repelling Keppoch, and straitening the town on the west; stirred by his example, Grant, Kilraick, and Forbes' brother, with their men, pressed so hard upon the besieged that they were forced to flee. Lovat was extremely active, and on the rumour of his approach, his kinsmen retired from their association with Frazerdale.

Inverness was entered on the 12th, after which they occupied themselves with fortifying the castle and town. Captain Bryce, commander of a merchant ship at Cromarty, offered them 12 new cannon and ammunition out of his ship's

stores.

Forbes complains of his ignorance of all matters in the South district, but guesses serious defeat to the rebels from the home-coming of the clans. Inverness was important, and the rebels were making preparations for re-taking it, of which, however, there was no danger, so long as the forces in Moray kept together.

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Mr. Fall writes from "Dunebar, Sunday, at 5 in ye morning, March 14th, 1708," that, on the 12th, at about 6 o'clock at night, twenty-four men-of-war anchored at Craill, and were the next morning accosted by a Craill boat. The Admiral, who was on board a ship of 70 guns, did not conceal that his fleet was French, and that they had intended to land in the Firth, steering northward only from fear of the English squadron. Two hours after this colloquy, sure enough the English came near, when the English Admiral despatched, by way of Eyemouth, a light frigate with news to Her Majesty. Much firing was heard between four and seven of the 13th. The English ships were 24 in number, and all large; those of the French, equal in number, were all of them very small, except

seven,

Lord Forrester writes from Preston, Novembr. 16th, [1715], that all the officers along with him, except two, were either killed or wounded, with nearly 100 of his best men, but that himself had escaped with a wound in the jaw and right hand. Wills had given the Scotch prisoners, 950 in number, to his charge. Lord F. sends the Duke of Montrose, a list of their names, requesting the separation of the from of quality and people of distinction the other prisoners. Owing to the attempted escape of Lord Charles Murray, Major Nairn, and Ensign Dalzell, the whole of the prisoners had been placed under unusually close confinement.

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G.

Letters from the Earl of Glasgow.

In a letter dated Edinr., 28 June 1702, the Earl of Glasgow states that the Commissioner had, as he declared, from regard to the Duke of Montrose, with whom he had had a conference in the morning, urged the Chancellor and others to move that affair of the abjuration; which sure enough the Chancellor did very fiercely, and to the perplexity of the Commissioner. The Earl of Glasgow urges the Duke of Montrose to come up and "ward off this fatal blow "that is designed this nation by this confounded Abjuration," as he would "have more weight and interest "with the Commissioner to divert and put off this designed "blow to the nation then twenty of us members of the "House."

that

In another letter, dated Edinr., 3 June 1707, he says things were pretty quiet as regards the Excise, except that some idle women had thrown a stone or two one day at the Supervisors of the Excise. However, the excisemen got town officers for company, and the brewers themselves treated them very courteously on the whole.

In another letter dated Edinr., 10th March 1715, the Earl of Glasgow would like a pension of 5007. settled on him.-As ground for this, he sketches his political relations thus:-"I have served the Government from the Conven"tion of Estates in eighty-nyne to this day, constantly ad"hering to the Revolution Settlement and the Protestant Succession, having expended of my own money the tyme "of the Union Parliament a thousand pound sterling, "which my Lord Godolphin promised frequently to refound " to me," &c.

A letter written from "Air," 20 Augt. 1715, refers to a meeting of all the Ayrshire heritors held the day before, when a unanimous vote would have been given for the maintenance of 4,000 men for six weeks, had not a few strenuously opposed this on the ground of illegality. (Cf. Eglinton's letter.)

Writing from Kelburn, 1st Sept. 1715, he states that great alarm existed in Ayrshire, but the disaffected there wouldn't "risque a sixpence." On Monday was sevennight, "a rendevous of fencible men had been held at

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Irvine, where about 6,000 had met. Glasgow himself "offered to support 500 men for 40 days, and induced "others to promise a similar effort according to their "ability."

The Magistrates of Glasgow write (19 March 1708), to affirm the general loyalty of the west country, and state that orders had been given for apprehending several individuals, and that one man had been seized with suspicious papers. Constant correspondence was kept up with the principal places in the west, their guards had been doubled and all strangers were examined.

They write again from Glasgow, Aug. 11, 1714, that on the day of King George's proclamation, all had been quiet, except that a mob wait round the streets at night (doing no damage however); on the previous evening Cockburn's meeting-house had been entered, had had all its seats and windows thrown into the street in three-quarters of an hour-an action due probably to the Jacobites themselves, with the hopelessness of their cause as motive.

The Earl of Glencairn writes from Finlastoun, Octr. 6th, 1714, that Dumbarton Castle (to the command of which he had been lately appointed) was in a very bad condition, and the letter encloses for Marlborough a list of the various requisites. In a subsequent letter (of the 25th) he states that he had nothing "but some olde russty "bulletts and matchs." Up to the year 1716 he complains that his castle was unheeded, although next in importance to that of Edinburgh, and that he was unjustly accused of having turned off some of Islay's soldiers, and of having paid with meal instead of money.

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had been sent South the week before for advice; that ONTROSE. Wm. Drummond, the younger of Buchadie, was expected from France, and that a son of Sir Andrew Foster, under the name of Fisher, was frequenting the houses of Breadalbane and Drummond. In a letter of Feb. 12, Gordon had informed His Grace of the arrival of Bahn alias Fraser and Fisher, from the Pretender, who had appointed Lord Drummond to command the Highlands, entrusting him with money for raising forces. An address to the King, almost fully signed, from the Highland Chiefs had been stopped on the reception of this news, by Lochiel, Appin, and others, who had held a meeting at Ardemurchy.

In a letter from Fortwilliam, April 5th, 1715, he writes that frequent meetings had been held at Appin, Glengarry, Achnacarry and Capoch, during the past two months, and that correspondence was regular between Lords Breadalbane and Drummond. Lochiel had gone South by way of Appin, and Gordon had sent a trusty man on his track.

In a letter from Fortwilliam, April 13th, 1716, he states that Colonel Brooks had been sent from Inverness to reduce Seaforth's district, Col. Cholmley to take possession of the house of Glengarry who had surrendered to General Cadogan. Men were detached from the Fortwilliam force to scour the country of Clanronald and the Isles.

In a letter from Fortwilliam, 1st June 1716, he says the order ran that heritors and officers were not to be admitted to mercy; but as Commoners were, and many Camerons-while officers-were nothing more, and were so poor as to maintain themselves in prison, Sir William begs their release.

Graeme, of Drenny, writes on the 30 Janry. 1716, complaining that the Mackenzies had five times robbed him, taken away most of his "coins," "striped ye poor bernis "naked when asleep, and took my wife shoons of hir feet "with hir body cloots."

From John Graeme, of Killearn, there are several letters ranging from 1707 to 1714, in two of which mention is made of his dealings with Rob Roy. In one he states that he had got 50l. from Rob Roy, which "was all he had at "the tyme, but promises the rest in a fortnight or twenty days." This payment was probably for rent of land leased by Rob Roy from the Duke of Montrose.

A letter dated Killearn, 18th April 1715, says that ten days before the Laird of McKennan and some others from Skye had met with Rob Roy, Glengyle, &c., on the north side of Loch Katrine. Lord Drummond had appointed the Highland Chiefs to let him know on the previous Saturday how many men each could raise.

A letter from Buchanan, 14th June 1715, gives account of the travels of Wm. Graham who had on political purposes been sent into the Highlands. The Highlanders were active; 10,000 targets were prepared, broad swords and belts having been procured from Glasgow, Dumblane, &c.; the Captain of Clan Ronald had been communing with Lord Antrim and had 100 guineas from him. Rob Roy had to live close at home, he and the Laird of Lochbuy being distrusted for sending intelligence to Argyle and Islay.

A letter from Stirling (28 July 1715), gives news of the Highlanders. The Pretender was to land about the first of August, that declaration having been sent to all the Clans. Athole and Breadalbane had summoned their vassals and tenants on a pretence of some agricultural concern, but really to concert against the Pretender.

Writing from the Kirk of Aberfoyle 28th Septr. 1715, he states that on the night of the 27th a party of Macgregors under Glengyle and Marchfield, had attacked the Duke's tenants a little above Aberfoyle, and seized 20 or 30 guns. The Earl of Mar had written to Killearn that he expected one of his name and family" would enter the King's Service (Pretender's), and engage the Duke's men "assist his restoration." (See under Mar.)

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A large bundle of letters from Mungo Graham, Laird of Gorthie, is for the most part occupied with the private affairs of the Duke of Montrose; and although during the year 1715 regular accounts were transmitted by him to the Duke of Montrose of the progress of the Rebellion in Scotland, his statements are to not be reckoned so accurate as those of many others included in this report, and, indeed, contain little beyond what we have given elsewhere.

A letter from Gorthie, of date Octr. 25th, 1715, and written from Edinburgh, gives a summary of the position of the Rebel troops in Scotland. There were four divisions, the first, Mar's force, which was then lying at Perth, and composed with more regard to quantity than quality (a detached party of this force was, on the Monday previous, defeated on its way to Dunfermline by 150 dragoons under Colonel Cathcart); the second, that of Seaforth, whose numbers, composed of Macdonalds and Mackenzies, had, frightened from an engagement the Earl of Sutherland, who had been marching with that end in

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view; the third, made up of the Clans of Glengarry, Clanranald, &c., which, after a fortnight's encampment at MONTROSE. Strafillan had marched up against Inverary where the Earl of Islay had entrenched himself, and was sure of repelling the rebels; the fourth, which lay at Kelso, was formed of 1,400 foot and 800 horse, and with whom were Borlum, Lord Nairn and his son, James Urquhart, and others. This force had marched from Dunse. It had "Mass and "Church of England set up " for the accommodation of

the troops. Four hundred men of this force were from Atholl, but a great number had deserted and been captured, some of them even by a clergyman and his parishioners.

Several of Gorthie's letters give details of the battle of Sheriffmuir near Dumblane, but these are somewhat contradictory, as he allows, from the multitude of reports which reached him. A clear statement is given of this struggle in a letter dated Glasgow, 16 Novr. 1715. The volunteers had been joined by Argyle to his regular troops, in order to complete his line, having altogether, including these volunteers, only 3,300 men to meet the rebel force of between eight and nine thousand. The battle took place a mile to the East of Dumblane towards the hill, at a little distance from Kippendavie. The left of the royal troops was not yet formed, when the rebels, who had been drawn up at some distance, ran on in good order till within halfshot of the King's troops, when they halted; then firing one round, they threw down their guns and rushed upon the enemy, whose yet unformed left wing retreated under General Whitham to Stirling, who supposed that all was over. The right wing of the royal troops received the enemy in a different way; this-consisting of Evans's dragoons, the Greys, and Volunteers-cut through the opposite line, and pursued the discomfited force to the River Allan.

Another letter, of the 18th of this same month, which gives another account of the battle with little variation from that above drawn, states the dissatisfaction in Scotland on account of the feeling of contempt for the Highlanders entertained by the English Ministry and of the ill-will there nursed against the Duke of Argyle, the result of which was the insufficient supply of troops that rendered necessary the action of volunteers formed of the noblest of Scotch

men.

H.

Lord Halifax, in a letter of date Octr. 26, 1708, urges the necessity of the Duke of Montrose's presence in Parliament, at least during the discussion of Scotch affairs. Letters from the Earl of Haddington.

A letter of Dec. 15, 1707, mentions that the Scotch Court had hopes that the clergy would create some excitement against the Union, as, through the deprivation of the Privy Council, they imagined they would have no Court of Appeal. They complain that the militia will be expensive, and indeed declare all the actions of the " squadronie wrong.

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In another letter dated Edinburgh, Nov. 18, 1707, he wishes some "understanding man were down to see the "noble appearance we make with our government; I am sure it would give a disgust at them to all eternity." "Our folks hath no mind to quit with there beloved salarys," and they were devising "twenty different "schemes of government."

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A letter dated Edinburgh, October 21, 1715 [probably from Lord Binning], states that on the 20th, the anniversary of the robing of the Peers, they had marched with General Whitman at their head to the Cross with feathers in their caps, where they drunk all the healths suitable for such an occasion.

Letters from Colonel John Hope.

Dundee, 3 Feb. 1716.-No wonder the Rebels left Perth as there was no proper defence. The royal troops entered on Wednesday morning at two, finding only some little iron guns and wheeled carriages, the 3 brass guns having been thrown into the river. The Duke and Cadogan marched on Thursday with the English foot, 3 regiments of dragoons, and 950 detached foreigners. The Pretender's troops were marching much faster than theirs; he expected they would ship off the Pretender and separate; two ships had landed at Montrose and Aberdeen with officers and ammunition.

Montrose, 6 Feb. 1716.—The Pretender, Mar, &c. (Marischal was thought to be left behind) embarked at Montrose on the 4th at 9 at night, as many as two ships could hold, the one of 90 the other of 30 tons; urging the upward march of the clans by the report that the enemy were but four miles off. Great consternation arose on discovery of the Pretender's departure, and some made for Aberdeen in little boats. Finab, with 300 Highlanders, was before the rest of the (loyal) troops a day's march,

plundering heartily, and Argyle with his dragoons led the van for the purpose of retarding the march.

Aberdeen, 8 Feb. 1716.-The rebels left Aberdeen on the 7th, the clans having retired to the hills. About 250 gentlemen had made for Peterhead in order to take ship, pursued at 24 hours' interval by Evans; fired on by a manof-war, they marched on from Peterhead.

Mar had deluded the rebels at Montrose by affirming three or four British men-of-war' that were seen, to be the van of the French fleet with 8,000 men, and had even sent out the pilots of that place. After the Pretender "had given the clan the slip," he returned with Marischal to his lodgings for a trunk, and in disguise carried it off to the ship. Marischal would not go on board but remained with the horsemen.

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Kinross, 18 Feb. 1716.-The French had gone up Strathspey with some Highlanders. The Earl of Huntly had sent for Col. Grant to take possession of Castle Gordon.

"Blair in Athole," 1 April 1716.-The troops were marching from the various districts to assemble at Rivan, in Badenoch. Glengarry, Keppoch, Clanranald, &c. were to have a meeting, as was reported by one of Lovat's spies.

Inverness, 6 April 1716.—An officer of Cadogan's had been captured and taken to Glengarry, whence he was dismissed after two days' detention. Glengarry affirmed it was not King George he feared, but King Townshend, King Stanhope, &c. Macdonald of Garway Moor, when summoned by a serjeant of Brodie to surrender, gathered 150 men by the fiery cross, with whom he retired, leaving only two old women. Col. Zoutland, who had been sent against Macdonald, set fire to the country and seized the cattle. Lochiel's house was occupied by Clayton with 750 men ; Appin had surrendered. The Highland commoners were only in arms now through fear. Cadogan, whose wound was yet very troublesome, was proceeding to Glengarry by way of Loch Ness.

Letters of these days notice the surrender of Keppoch, Glengarry, and Lady Seaforth. Glengarry had actually intended to carry on the war, had he been joined by the other chiefs, indeed a vast many" of the clans were in arms.

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Inverness, 19th April 1716.-The Highlanders were laying down their arms more frankly than Colonel Hope had expected, or the French Court had apprehended, for two ships had arrived at Skye with 1,500 arms, &c.; likely the rebels would escape to France by these. Cadogan despatched 300 men on board a man-of-war, and 700 foot of Clayton's regiment to march by land.

Haldane, of Gleneagles, writes from Glasgow, 1st Nov. 1714, that Rob Roy a few evenings before had appeared at the Cross of Crieff, drunk the Pretender's health, and departed unscathed, notwithstanding the presence in the town of a party of soldiers.

In another letter dated Gleneagles, 5th Febry. 1715, he writes that Rob Roy, at his last appearance at Crieff drank a health "to those honest and brave felous cutt out "the Gadger's ear."

L.

James Lindsay (Captain in Edinr. Castle) writes from Edin. S[eptember 15, 1715, that on the Thursday previous between eleven and twelve at night, a party of rebels had come to the wall at the postern gate, and that the anchor to which the rope ladder was attached was being pulled up by three of the garrison, when Lindsay coming to see if the sentry were on duty, found out the stratagem, called the guard and fired at the party. The castle having been taken, five hundred men had been secured to enter the town, seize the bank, and proclaim the Pretender. The leader in the plot was shortly before an ensign of the Castle, Thomas Arthur, as was confessed by three "rogues" who were taken prisoners. Four of the outside party were taken.

A letter from the Earl of Loudoun, dated Whitehall, July 22nd [1707], displays the earnestness of Loudoun and the Government officials to favour Scotch interests (regarding merchandise), and gives the report of a proposed meeting of armed men at Atholl's Highland Hunting, and of a plot to seize the Equivalent, which, however, he thinks sufficiently well guarded.

A letter from the Earl of Leven, dated at Edinr., 14 February 1717, gives a denial of the accusations laid against him by James Fraser, that Leven, after his Majesty's arrival in England, had corresponded with the Earl of Perth and had through Fraser received some medals from Bar-le-duc.

Letters from the Earl of Lauderdale.

A letter dated Hatton, Apr. 23rd, 1715, urges on His Grace to favour Mr. Montgomerie's proposed memorial to the Lords of the Treasury in favour of a copper coinage for Scotland, necessary for the traders and poor people, there having been none for twenty years.

Another letter dated Edinr., June 14, 1715, says that a

enjoy his own again," which took the fancy of some ladies and Jacobites. General Whitman ordered an officer of Forfar's regiment to give them a drubbing," which was done "very heartily."

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A letter from the Countess of Lauderdale (Edinburgh, 14th Janry. 1716), says that the Pretender had lost all his baggage; but the Laird of Gairntillie had presented him with his gold and silver, and Lady Panmure arranged his household affairs, so that Scoon House (where he was to live) was now well "mounted." He was said to be "a tall "lean blak man, loukes half dead alredy, very thine, long faced, and very ill cullored, and melancholy;" but the Jacobites declared him to be " the hansomest man in the "world and the most metled; dos busenes to a wonder, and "understands every thing without being told."

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There is a number of papers containing evidence on the authorship and dispersion of the libellous Memoirs" reputed to be by Lockhart. They also contain extracts of the libellous passages.

John Law, the famous financier, writes from Paris, 29 Sep., 1712, stating that the Duke of Argyle, the Marquis of Annandale, and the Earl of Ilay had been pleased to give him their assurances that they would intercede with the King for his pardon, and asking the same favour of His Grace. He had written to the Duke of Roxburgh and to the Earl of Stair and hoped they would also do him the honour to appear for him.

M.

A letter from Charles Mortland, dated Edinburgh, Novr. 8th 1715, states that all was quiet on his way from London to Newcastle, but that the latter place was so little so that he marched on to Morpeth. On the previous Sunday Carpenter had marched from Newcastle to meet the rebels at Barnard Castle on the night of the 7th.

Another letter dated Gl[asgow], Nov. 30, 1715, gives information that the militia in most parts had been dismissed, some being retained in Linlithgowshire, and a good many in Glasgow. Much excitement had been caused by Laurence's arrival at Stirling from Mar, and by the Countess of Murray's arrival on the 29th.

A third letter dated Glasgow], Decr. 9th, 1715, states that on Wednesday morning between 1 and 2 o'clock, Rob Roy had arrived with 100 men at Drunmon, marching through Buchanan to Craigrostin without attempting anything upon the garrison of Drummakill, and having done "little at Drunmon, but proclaimed the pretender and tore "the gaudger's books." The trenches at Glasgow were nearly finished, and included the house of the Duke of Montrose there. Many of the west would qualify, now that they could do so without going to Edinburgh.

Sir Donald Mackdonald writes (21st Septr. 1714) to the Duke of Montrose and the Earl of Mar, complaining of his confinement in Edinburgh Castle without proper reason. He, as he avers, though a Chief of the Isles, had long lived under the Duke's eye in Glasgow, was holding no correspondence with any of his people in the Isles, and had taken a little estate of 4,000l. near Bo'ness, from whose Castle of Blair-when he had stayed there but three nights -he had been carried off prisoner by public order.

The Laird of Mackintosh writes from Fleet Prison where he was confined (20th Feb. 1716) of the desirability of banishing the prisoners for the sake of saving the Govern ment from so many trials, and for the sake of the criminals' families, and that a petition was being prepared in the Fleet for the banishment of its prisoners.

In several letters of the year 1715, James Earl of Morton complains of the disaffected Justices and Custom Officers in Orkney as having formed an Association, and recom mends new appointments.

Letters from John Earl of Mar, between the years 1706 and 1715.

Whitehall, March 16th, 1706.-Urges on the Duke of Montrose to act with the Lord Advocate in the seizure of an Aberdeen vessel whose master was Peter Forbes, and which, with a French passport, carried letters and persons between Scotland and France.

Whitehall, May 27th 1706.-This contains news of the victory at Ramillies, notice of which was to be given to the Council by the Advocate; the guns of Edinburgh Castle also to be fired. There is enclosed a printed sheet (published by authority) containing an account of the battle. [It was printed by Mr. Jones in the Savoy, 1706.]

Whitehall, July 4th, 1706.-Concerning the reduction of

the forces at Blackness Castle.

Whitehall, July 9th, 1707.-This letter is altogether on the Equivalent, from which we give one characteristic Extract: The Equivalent is at least gone from this, and

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we have met with more trouble about it than any thing

we were concern'd in a long while. I wish to God it were 66 over and that we were out of the affair."

July 22nd, 1707.-Thanks the Duke of Montrose for the paines" he took in the affair of the Equivalent. July 29th, 1707.-Circular letter from the Earl of Mar, by the Queen's order, appointing the Duke of Montrose and a few other lords to reside in Edinburgh, for the purpose of "stilling the tempest there, and of giving right "notions to people there of anything which concerns the "publick."

Whitehall, August 9th 1707.-The Merchants have had their matters satisfactorily settled. Mar is glad that the Equivalent has safely arrived.

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Writing from Whitehall, Augt. 1st 1714. Sunday night 12 o'clock. He says:- This flying pacquet is sent to "Scotland with orders for proclaiming the King, and it " also carys a letter to yr Grace acquenting you of y' being "one of the Lord's Justices, of wch I wish y1 Grace joie, " and I hope we shall have the pleasur very quickly of "seeing you here. When you have done with this parte "of Kingshipe, I conclud you will succeed me in the em

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ploiment I now hold, wch I assure y Grace I very sincearly wish you may, before any man of Scotland, as well upon y own account as that of our Country. I know y Grace has full accounts from others of all that has past here, so I need not give you the trouble of repeating "it; allow me only to say that it is a great happiness all has "been done here with so much unanimity and quietness. "It will, I hope, make our Country follow the same example, and keep any from makeing disturbance. This " is all I shall now trouble y' Grace with, but to wish you a good and quick jurnie, and I am, with all truth and respect, My Lord, y' Grace's most faithfull most obedient " and most humble servant. MAR."

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Whitehall, Octr. 1, 1714.-He requests the Duke of Montrose to inform the King that he had received the letters of the Highland Chiefs with assurances of fidelity to the King. They are impatient for an answer.

Twickenham, Octr. 10, 1714.—The answer has been received and despatched to the Highlands.

Whitehall, January 17, 1715.-This states at great length the relationship of the Mars to the Government of Stirling Castle, and argues against the ousting of Col. Erskine, Deputy-governor of it, as being a loyal Whig. Mar requests this somewhat important letter to be read to the King, and to be “booked" in the "books of your office." We give a copy of the second letter on this matter :'My Lord,

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"You have nou ane opportunitie in your hand of not only doing service to your king and countrie, but also a very remarkable one to yourself; I cannot doubt of your good wishes to your rightfull king, and your opprest country, and I know the interest you have with my Lord Montrose's men, friends, and following; and now, in his absence, what can you doe better for the "service of all then being instrumentall in getting them "to joyn the King's forces when wee come into your neighbourhead, which I hope will be ere long: I have already sent ane order to most of them in his majestie's name for this effect, but your hearty concurrence and joyning with them uill, I know, very much forward it, "and uill be doing what is expected of one of your name "and familee. This is all I need trouble you with now "for sure ther needs not many arguments to persuade any "belonging to or having interest in the familee of Montrose " to joyn heartilie in that cause which has made the name soe famous, and epeciallie nou when all that's dear to "mankind is joyned with it, and if lost at this tyme most "be soe for ever. I am,

Walter McFarlane of Arrochar, or Macfarlane, a famous Scottish Antiquary in the middle of last century, in a letter addressed to Mungo Græme of Gorthie, Chamberlain to the Duke of Montrose, dated Glasgow, July 5, 1729, says: "I think myself under no small obligations to you for the news you have been pleased to communicate unto me "from the Republic of Learning, particularly concerning "the publication of Mr. Innes' Critical Essay on the "ancient inhabitants of Scotland, wherein you acquaint me that he endeavours to substract upwards of 800 years from the commonly received Epocha of our "antiquities, and fix our settlement in Brittain no higher "than the year 503, by which he takes away no less than "fourtie of our Kings, and he does all this, you say, in "order to elide the arguments us'd by our modern Re

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publicans drawn from instances of some of these Kings "tryalls before the people. I must own that in the main "his design is very good, but I could heartily wish there was some other method fallen of confuting these people " than by detracting from the antiquity of our Royal Line; "if it was treason and rebellion (as no doubt it was) in our "late Republicans to behead one of our modern Kings it "must be much more so in anybody who pretends to con"fute them, to cut off no less than fourtie of our ancient Kings but least you should accuse me of being too hasty "in my censure before I've seen the book, I shall forbear "saying any more att present untill I have the pleasure "of perusing it alongst with you upon your return to the "Country. As for the other Curiosity you mention'd in your letter, viz., Simon Lord Lovit's Memorial, together "with the answer that will be made to it, I shall reckon myself infinitely obliged to you, if you can by any means procure me a copy of each, both because the subject is very curious in itself, and will be extremely entertaining "to all Lovers of Antiquity," &c.

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In another letter, without address, but probably also to the Laird of Gorthie, and dated at Edinburgh, 24th April 1739, the Laird of Macfarlane writes :-" I have met with none of your Clansmen of late worth your notice, save "Johannes de Grahame, pater, dominus de Newlands in "Tweeddale, who gives the patronage of the Church of "Newlands to the Abbacy of Dunfermling, anno 1317, and "in the confirmation thereof by the Chapter of Glasgow, anno 1328, he is designed vir nobilis, but I've had no "leisure to consider whether he, or his son rather mayn't "be that Johannes de Graham who married the Countess "of Menteith, which you may divert yourself with enquiring "into at your leisure."

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N.

In a letter dated Edinr., 11 Nov. 1707, David Earl of Northesk notices that the troops were complaining heavily of not been duly paid.

In another letter dated Edinr., 11 Feb. 1716, he states that on his retreat from Dundee, the Pretender spent a night at Ethie, a seat of Lord Northesk.

Lord Nairn writes from the Tower (Feb. 21, 1726) supplicating for banishment, and for a few days' release, to

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give his "last blessing" to his daughters who had come MONTROSE. from Scotland to see him.

The Letters from Sir David Nairne, Secretary of State, to the first Duke of Montrose form a bundle of more than sixty, which, written between March 1706 and Septemr. 1707, contain interesting communications on the chief topics then in discussion, principally on the Union Treaty and on the affair of the merchants.

A letter dated Whitehall, 23 Oct. 1706, was sent to enclose a complimentary letter to the Duke of Montrose from Queen Anne. By direction of Her Majesty's officers of State, Sir David had frequenely laid before Her Majesty an account of the good services rendered by the Duke of Montrose in the interest of the Union.

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In a letter dated Whitehall, 9 Nov. 1706, Sir David says the Union "will be of infinit advantage to both Kingdoms, yet I must say, writing to your Lordship and "not to an Englishman, I think Scotland gets the odds, "for I look upon the nation undone without it."

In a letter dated Whitehall, 13 March 1707, Sir David says: "I find great inclinations in all people here to gratify Scotland as much as possible."

A letter of the 29 March 1707, states that the Queen had appointed the first of May to be kept as a day of public thanksgiving for the Union, but had given no orders for Scotland, leaving it to the prudence of the Scotch to do soa politic stroke against the enemies of her cause.

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Sir David for some time had written constantly to the Duke of Montrose of the dealings with the Scotch merchants, and in a letter, of date 16 Aug. 1707, he says, with very evident sadness: " Indeed in all the affairs I have "been concerned in I never met with any more discourageing than that concerning the Merchants, for when we seem to agree to a tryfle, a humour of dissatisfaction "appears," &c. Not till the 21st of August can Sir David write that he thinks the Merchants' affair was over by an agreement made on the 20th, and still in the last of the series of letters (11 Septr.) he mentions the Merchants as having only then finally agreed to the proposed methods for taking their goods.

P.

Letters from Sir Robert Pollok, of that Ilk, Governor of Fortwilliam.

Fortwilliam, 17 June, 1715.-The officers here should have barracks built, as the soldiers were much incommoded, sixteen of them having to lie in one small room, bed above bed. One of the regiments was reported to be on the eve of marching out.

Fortwilliam, 14 July 1715.—The people in great expectation of a "Restoration." Glengarry, Lochiel, Kep

poch, &c., met ten days before at a place six iniles above the garrison, but without arms.

Fortwilliam, July 23, 1715.-Pollok is sending a man to Atholl's hunting, but is not suspicious of him. He encloses a letter from him, and also notes from spies at Appin and Inverness, giving account of the meetings of Highland Chiefs.

Fortwilliam, August 30th, 1715.-An attempt was made to capture Lords Drummond and Nairn, who lay in a wood with Sir Wm. Robison that night, and afterwards passed over to Badenoch. Lochiel and Glengarry had left home, where, indeed, like many other chiefs, they had not slept for two months.

Fortwilliam, 11th Septr. 1715.-Mar had ordered, in name of the Pretender, the Chiefs to be ready to march by the 15th, and so Glengarry, Clanronald, and Lochiel were raising their men. They were to march toward the Glasgow district. Nine companies of Hill's regiment had left Fortwilliam.

Fortwilliam, 24 Septr. 1715.-The Laird of Glengarry had marched this morning with 500 men from Invergarry, where he had surprised and carried off, as prisoners, Lieut. Lauder, one sergeant, and 15 men. Clanronald had captured at Tyreholm Castle (his own house) a sergeant and 12 men of this same (Lord Irwin's) regiment. Glencoe, Clanronald, Sir D. Macdonald were already on the march.

Fortwilliam, 28th Septr. 1715.-Clanronald and Lochiel were intending to attack this garrison, which was in bad condition, and defended only by 300 effectives, for whose covering the turf collected for firing the garrison had to be used. Rob Roy had marched to Mar's camp with Breadalbane's men, whither Appin and Glencoe were to march immediately.

Fortwilliam, 28th Octr. 1715.-Pollok is "mortified ” at those "ungrate and unnatural" rebels passing "under "his nose," Maclean and Lochiel having gone by with their 500 men each, while he was quite unable to offend their country in the least during their absence.

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Fortwilliam, 28th Novr. 1715.-Some boats were lurking near the current of Argour to harrass his posts, and MOSTEOSE Pollok had captured two of these, sinking a third. Lochiel's brother had returned to gather up the men who had deserted after the battle.

Fortwilliam, 11th Decr. 1715.-Mar had ordered Huntly, Seaforth, Lochiel, Glengarry, Clanronald, and Keppoch, to march north, and assemble their deserters within twentyfive miles of Fortwilliam and Inverness, on the braes of Badenoch. Sir Robert had been bringing limestone from a distance of 20 miles to heal a breach in the fort.

Fortwilliam, 28th Decr. 1715.-Pollok is much dissatisfied with the garrison; he had to provide for it himself. The rebels were to march back to Perth.

Fortwilliam, 31st Decr. [1715].-Pollok sends out 100 men to harrass the enemy, a good number of whom they pursue in the lands of Huntly and Lochiel.

Fortwilliam, Jany. 4, 1716.-All the clans are in_arms and marching, now that the Pretender had landed at Peterhead. Huntly, who was marching toward Forres, had halted and returned.

Fortwilliam, Jany. 21st, 1716.-Contains copy of an agreement between Lovat and Seaforth, that the latter should disperse his men and not serve against King George. The Earl of Sutherland, &c. had received bail of 5,000l. from the "Old Lady" Seaforth, that her house should not be garrisoned by rebels.

Fortwilliam, 19th Febry. 1716.-The Earls of Marshal, Linlithgow, Southesk, Viscount Kilsyth, Lord Tynemouth (Berwick's son), and other Lowlanders, had lain on the night of the 18th at Lochiel's residence at Achinarick, 9 miles from Fortwilliam. The Pretender was expected back, having left 9 weeks' pay.

Fortwilliam, 1st March 1716.-These noblemen abovementioned, with the Lairds of Bannockburn, Brisbane, &c., had retired to Skye and Uist; for dislodgment of whom Pollok proposes the old Revolution method, viz., of sending 600 men or so in small boats accompanied by a frigate, who might penetrate the lochs and force a surrender.

Fortwilliam, 18th March 1716.-Pollok had sent out a detachment against Macdonell of Keppoch, whose men had however retired, after showing signs of resistance. He thinks the only sufficient course would be not only to disarm all the country, but also to burn the houses and destroy the cattle.

Fortwilliam, 30th March 1716.-Glengarry, Keppoch, Clanronald, and Lochiel's men were gathering to Glengarry to meet Cadogan.

A letter of Mr. Robert Pringle, Secretary of State, dated Whitehall, Nov. 27, 1716, states that of the prisoners at Carlisle, all against whom there was evidence were to be tried, but that of those condemned not more than three would suffer, this choice being left to the Judges. One very likely to suffer was Urquhart (for whom, as we learn from other letters, so much pleading was made by his cousin, the Duke of Montrose).

R.

Letters of John, Earl of Rothes.

In a letter from Stirling, Octr. 25 [1715], Lord Rothes states that, on the previous Sunday, Charles Cathcart had been despatched to Fife with 150 dragoons, and had, on the 24th, encountered and defeated at Dunfermline 200 foot and 100 horse, the horse under "Old Tom Graham," and the foot posted in the Abbey. [Unsigned.]

In a letter dated Leslie, Decr. 21st, 1714, the Earl blames the Rev. Messrs. Hart and Linnen, for mischievous effects of letters sent by them to Scotland from London, and complains of Col. Erskine's letter, but thinks there are great folk" behind him. Rothes himself is badly spoken of, but he says "it is not a good shoe, it will goe "down in the heel."

In a letter of 25th Decr. 1714, Rothes says he had been in Fife, and had found many, even of the Clergymen, in favour of addressing against the Union, but these were being quietly converted by Sir Peter Halkett. The Jacobites had been arguing rather fast, that to dissolve the Union was to overthrow the King; and he hopes their projects are MAR'D, a piece of wit at the expense of the Earl of Mar.

A letter from Les[lie], June 9th, 1715, states that many people employed in the Public Revenue were people put in by the late Ministry, having nothing to recommend them but their disaffection to the Protestant Succession. The Addresses had started again, but were not much encouraged by the Presbyterians.

In a letter from Stirling, Septr. 9th, 1715, Rothes says he had gone thence from Fife. Argyle had sent men to spoil the fords of the Forth, and intended to dispute their passage. There was a very small army at Stirling.