My Lord, No. CCCXCV. The Lord President to the Marquis of Tweeddale. I AM very glad that the various enquiries and observations I have made since you first acquainted me with the advices his Majesty had of the impudent undertaking of France, have not hitherto furnished me any thing worth troubling your Lordship with. All the accounts I have from the Highlands agree, that there is no appearance of stirring there, nor any such caballing as used formerly to be, upon the least rumour of any attempt from abroad; and it falls within my own observation, as well as within that of all those whom I converse with here, that those who formerly were counted very zealous Jacobites (and, I am afraid, wish that way still) shew not in their countenance or conversation the least symptom of expectation, from what is now going forwards; which is a behaviour so very different from that of former times, that it disposes me to believe they really know nothing; and yet this is perfectly consistent with the reality of the undertaking of France; since preparing a Party here before-hand might have contributed to a discovery, which would have prevented the intended surprise; and France may have depended on the zeal of the Jacobites for an immediate insurrection so soon as any considerable force from abroad appeared. To give an opinion whether this expectation is well or ill-founded, is a matter of some delicacy; as it would be of very dangerous consequence to neglect to provide against what France may expect, whatever Government's opinion may be of the probability of that expectation. But I must confess to your Lordship, it is my poor opinion, that France will be in a great measure disappointed if this is her expectation; for the condition of the Highlands of Scotland is at present very different from what it was when the last great push was made for the Pretender. At that time, the Clans, who for some years had been listed by the Queen's ministry in Scotland for the service of the Pretender, were by much the majority of the Highlands; in so much, that it was dangerous for any of their neighbours who were well affected to the Protestant succession to shew their zeal, and seemed safe for the disaffected to risque a Rebellion; as their numbers presented hopes of impunity, and the difficult access to their country made it unlikely that regular forces would reach them to put forfeiting laws in execution; besides that, many noble families who had large dependences in the low country, but are now extinguished, were to be sharers of the same fate; whereas at present, not to mention the extinction of those families, with their influence, in the low country, the many lucky accidents that have brought over several noble and very considerable families in the Highlands, if not from an adversary, at least from a very dubious state, have left those who may be supposed inclined to the Pretender the minority of the Highlanders; in so much, that laying treason and the regal authority out of the question, if a private feud were to be determined by force, as frequently heretofore has been the case, between the clans and families that at this day profess duty and zeal for his Majesty, and those that are suspected of favouring the Pretender, the odds would be greatly against those who are supposed to favour confusion; for this reason, besides that in my apprehension several of the families supposed disaffected, that have had no immediate favours from the Crown, have severely smarted under the folly of their ancestors, and have been sensible of the indulgence of the present clement Government; I fairly confess I think, and the opinion gives me much satisfaction, that his Majesty is not to expect any unnatural disturbance from this corner of the country, unless a superior force appear, and unless there there is an unreasonable remissness in those who espouse his Majesty's interest in exerting themselves; which I cannot so much as suspect will be the case. Yesterday I had the honour to see the Duke of Gordon, who told me he had heard from your Lordship, and that when the business that brought him hither was over, or sooner if the King's occasions required it, he would (departing from his purpose when he left home) return to his country, and exert the utmost of his power, if the malice of the King's enemies gave him occasion, to maintain his rights and the peace of the country. Your Lordship will readily believe I commended his purpose; but you will also bear with me when I tell you, that I am a little surprised that this young Lord's unexpected and fixed determination to serve his Majesty, is not distinguished in another manner than it seems to be. The influence of that family, whilst Popish and disaffected, was smartly felt. It is now happily otherwise; and the young Duke has rather courted occasions to shew his zeal for his Majesty. Nevertheless, and though his genius disposes him for the army, he has had no mark of his Majesty's favour, that should make. him approve of the step he has taken, or dispose him to risque every thing in defence of the just sentiments he has entered into; neither is he enabled, by any encouragement given him, to invite other people, who are generally guided by expectation, to follow his example, or to depend on him. This (if it is not wrong) I am sure your Lordship will think is unfortunate, and that it ought as soon as possible to be set to rights. It is of infinite consequence to the strength of the United Kingdom, as well as to the security of his Majesty's Government, that the enemies to both should have no expectation from assistance in the Highlands of this part of the island; and I am confident, cherishing the good dispositions that now are, will banish with a little time all apprehensions. of I am not certain, that by entering into an argument of this kind I do not go somewhat beyond my line; but if I do, the King knows my presumption on former occasions has led me to do so with himself; and therefore I am confident he, should he hear of it, will forgive me. And as my hand is in, I will venture to say more, by way asking a question or two. What can the Duke of Gordon, who is not so much as a Lord or Deputy Lieu' in the county where his Highland force is, legally do? What influence can he have on the side of the Crown, when he cannot put arms in the hands of his vassals (now disarmed)? And what should hinder the putting him in the way of following his natural bias, by giving him a regiment when there are so many in being, and an authority such as we this day see for levying more. My Lord, if the zeal which this letter shews for his Majesty's service make not my excuse, I will offer none. Your Lordship may make what use of it of it you think fit. I am, with perfect esteem, Your Lordship's most faithful and most obed' humble servant, Stoniehill, 1st March 1744. DUN. FORBES. P. S. Tho' the consideration with which I have hitherto troubled your Lordship is uppermost, yet I must confess I cannot be quiet untill I hear somewhat from your Lop about the project concerning our revenues on which our manufactures depend. No. CCCXCVI. My Lord, No. CCCXCVI. The Marquis of Tweeddale to the Lord President. Whitehall, 20th March 1743-4 I HAVE been favoured with your Lordship's of the first current; the receipt of which I would have acknowledged sooner, but took it for granted that the contents of the Letters I have lately wrote to the Justice Clerk & Solicitor were communicated to your Lordship. I had the honour to read to His Majesty your Lordship's Letter; who was very well pleased with the account you gave of the present state of the Highlands, and which I had the satisfaction to find was perfectly agreeable to what I had before represented to the King as my own opinion. As to what you mention about the Duke of Gordon, I entirely agree with you; and my endeavours shall not be wanting to procure him soon some mark of His Majesty's favor; tho' some of the things your Lordship points at are not so easily to be accomplished as possibly is imagined. No courier is yet arrived from Admiral Matthews. The French still continue the embargo at Dunkirk; and give out, that, notwithstanding of their late losses and disappointments, they are resolved to make a second and a more vigorous attempt; but since the Dutch troops are landed, I rather believe that they will think no more of this, whatever they may think proper to attempt elsewhere. I have transmitted to Scotland by this post the Warrant from the Treasury to the Barons of Exchequer for paying the sum of £2,770: 4:3, the surplus of the malt duty to Midsummer 1738, to the trustees of the fisheries and manufactures; which I hope will be of more real service for their encouragement, than some schemes that have been lately pushed with more zeal than knowledge. I am, with great truth and regard, Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant, No. CCCXCVII. My Lord, The Lord President to the Marquis of Tweeddale. 31st March 1744. I OUGHT sooner to have acknowledged the receit of your Lop's of the 20th ins', and to have returned you thanks, in the name of this poor country as well as in my own, for the trouble you have taken in procuring the Wart for the surplus of the malt; a favour which I looked upon as not very easy to be obtained, and which comes exceeding seasonably, because, without it, I do not know what we should have done. But I cannot omit putting your Lop in mind of what you already full well know, that this remedy is palliating only; it saves us from destruction one year, and unless the evil-I mean the disease-that affects the revenue is removed, we shall be the next year just where we were the last-and I do this the rather, that the care your Lop has already taken of the manufactures, is to me an earnest that you will leave nothing untryed that may support them. I am glad the opinion I presumed to give, of the present situation and disposition of the Highlands, is agreeable to your Lop's, and has been confirmed by all the observations that I have hitherto been able to make on the behaviour of the persons most liable to suspicion, on acct of their own former, and of their ancestors' sentiments; and I heartily wish, that as this critical juncture has brought the condition of that part of the country under consideration, it may be duly weighed, and proper measures may be fallen upon to improve the disposition that now is, so as to prevent future apprehensione. I am far from thinking this impossible; nay, I am sanguine enough to imagine, that the Highlanders, at a very small expence, may be brought not only to be harmless, but to be useful. As the weather has remitted pretty much of its rigour, I think in a week or two to take a trip northward, whither my little affairs call me. If any thing worthy of your Lop's notice occur, you shall hear from me; or if your Lop has any commands for that part of the world, I shall receive them with pleasure. Stoneyhill, 31 March 1744. My Lord, I am, with perfect esteem, M. L. Y' Lop's M. O. & M. h. S. No. CCCXCVIII. Sir John Cope to the Lord President. Clarges Street, 16th Oct 1744• I HAVE the honour of your Lordship's letter of the 22 Sept". The inactivity of the British troops in Flanders is universally believed to be owing to the contrivances of Duke d'Aremburg. A battle proposed, he was for a seige; a seige mentioned, he raised difficulties; and the opportunity lost, he was for a battle. I cannot doubt the truth of this, as it comes from every party (if parties there are) in our British army. M' Wade, Honeywood, and Campbell, are coming home. Ligonier commands during the winter; it is difficult to guess who will have that charge in the spring. M' Wade wore out in body and mind; Lord Orford having accepted a pension of £4,000 per annum this year causes great murmuring, which, and the inactivity of the last campaign, will make that at Westminster sufficiently active. The great men draw together for mutual safety. No other account of the battle in Italy but from France. We still hope Coni is safe. The King of Sardinia acts a noble and steady part; the first mail will probably bring us an account of a battle between the King of Prussia and Prince Charles; I really wish success to the latter for the good of the common cause. People begin to allow, that the King of Prussia has parts and spirit; his prudence not great in playing so deep a game. The Dutch go on as they did, and so do we, by sea and land. Balchen, in the Victory, supposed to be lost. I'll say nothing of the Mediterranean. Lord Harrington has charged me with his compliments and thanks to your Lordship for civility shewed me in Scotland; he is in universal esteem with mankind, well with both courts, consulted by all; and the moderate and blessed peace-maker, where temper is wanting, and ambition causes disagreements. Two Lord Presidents in this isle, without a precedent. I think it likely that another attempt may be made in the spring, towards an alarm at least, which they may think will cause our sending for some troops home from Flanders; probably I shall see your Lordship sooner than I did last year. I have great reason to speak of Scotland with satisfaction and gratitude. And, from the civilities I met with, I flatter 3 B flatter myself that my behaviour hitherto has given no offence; it will be my study to conduct myself so as not to deserve an alteration to the kindness shewed me. If your Lordp has any commands for me, I shall take it as a favour to have an opportunity of paying, by degrees, that debt I owe of civilities, by my utmost endeavours for your service. I am, with great respect and truth, My Lord, Your most obedient & obliged humble servant, No. CCCXCIX. JNO. COPE. My Lord,. Sir John Cope to the Lord President. Edinb' 13th Aug 1745, at night. I HAD last night a letter from the Duke of Argyll. I hope there is a sloop of 16 guns, and another of 12, by this time gone from Greenock to the northwest coast, to visit that one ship, if there is no more, or get true intelligence of what there is. As yet, the acc vary so much, we can't tell where the storm is most likely to break out first. I have reinforced Fort William by Inveraw's Comp', as well as others marching thither. The troops we can spare from this capital encamp this day at Perth & Stirling. Bread and biscuit will be very soon ready; we shall then be able to march at an hour's warning. I dare say, by the information I shall send to the Duke of Argyll, he will immediately repair hither, where I want advice and assistance extreamly. I am glad your Lordp is in the North, where your known military abilities, & great weight and influence over all mankind, will be of more public service than any other man; as I know. I hope the arms, &c. have got safe to Inverness, and that your Lordp will give directions for the employing of them as you see best for the King's service at this critical juncture. The intelligence received from Inverness y' Lordp is acquainted with; that from the northwest tallies pretty much with it; so that, upon the whole, we may conclude the design is deeply laid, and will be try'd. Whatever your Lordp approves of in your parts, I dare say the military persons there will make no dispute in complying with. I am ready to join the troops myself at an hour's warning; but wish much to see the Duke of Argyll before I set out, who I think by this time must be upon the road hither. I hope you will be able to form a body from Lord Loudown's recruiters, which you will employ as the emergency requires. I am, my Lord, Your most obed' humble serv*, JNO. COPE. P. S. Hearsay from Perth tells, that the Duke of Perth was seen Thursday last near Crief in disguise; & that Aberkarny is gone to the Ifle of Sky. No. CCCC. My Lord, The Lord President to the Duke of Gordon.. Culloden, 14th August 1745YESTERDAY I arrived at this place from Edin'; & as my Lord Lyon, who came hither to-day, acquaints me, that you have had severall rumors stirring with you about the landing of the Pretender's eldest Son on the west coast, & that your Grace is justly |