Town and Shire of Aberdeen would, as the late provost acquainted me, have amounted to about £13,000. Sterl. The force we had to act with, was the same that I mention'd in my last, with the Addition of a Company of 100 Highlanders, raised in the Town of Ins, the command of which is given to Cap" W Macintosh, who raised it; & another Comp of the like number raised by Capt" Mac Leod of Genzies, of the Mac Leods of Assint, who had been in vain sollicited by Mac Donald of Barisdale to join in the Rebellion, as I hinted to your Lop in my last. Of this force E. Loudoun took 600; & with them, in the severest frost I ever remember to have seen, march'd thro' Strathherrick, part of Ld Lovat's Estate on the South side of Lochness, to the relief of Fort Augustus. He met with no opposition, supply'd the place with what was wanting, & return'd to Ins the 8th inst.; after letting the inhabitants of Strathherick know what they were to expect to meet with, if they should leave their houses to join the Rebells.

This detachment haveing been allow'd one Day's rest, a disposition was made for relieveing Banf & Aberdeen Shires; & at the same time for keeping the Frasers quiet, if possible. For this end, the 2 Comp of Mackenzies, who had been posted near Brahan, as I mention'd in my last, were call'd in to Ins, on Munday the 9th; & on Tuesday the 10th Ld Loudoun, with 800 men, marched out to Lord Lovat's house of Castle Dounie, to obtain the best satisfaction that he could for the peaceable behaviour of the Frasers; and at the same time the Laird of Mac Leod was detached with 500, composed of 400 of his own Kindred, & 100 of the Mac Leods of Assint befor mentioned, towards Elgin, in their way to Bamf & Aberdeenshire, to prevent the Rebells. recruiting there; and they were to be follow'd by as many as could be spared from Ins after settleing matters with my Lord Lovat, &c. by Lord Loudoun.

E. Loudoun prevail'd with Lord Lovat on Wednesday the 11th to come into Ins alongst with him, & to live there under his eye, untill he should bring in all the Arms which the Clan were possest of; which he promised to do against Saturday's Night, excuseing himself from answering for his Son, & some of the mad young men of his name, who he said he could not govern ; & some of which, he inform'd us, had already gone to Perth; which we knew to be true, to the number of between 2 & 300, in different small parties. The surrender of the Arms was all that could well be expected from him. As there was no direct evidence of his accession to his Son's treason, of which he was perpetually complaining; & as committing, on suspition, a man so aged, & seemingly so infirm, would have had the appearance of cruelty, there for Lord Loudoun determined to await the delivery of the Arms; & in the mean time, on Fryday the 13th, detach'd 200 men more, under Cap Munro of Culcairn, to follow Mac Leod to Elgin & Aberdeen; & these were to be followed successively by other small bodys, & by Loudoun himself, when the matter with Lovat was finished. But instead of delivering the Arms at the time prefixed, excuses were made, & fresh promises; which continued from day to day till last Thursday; when Lord Loudoun, finding himself deluded, clap'd sentries on the gate of the house where he resided, resolveing to committ him next morning to the Castle; but in the night time Lovat found means to get out at a back passage, which was not suspected (as, indeed, his attempting ane escape, in his state of health, was what no one dream'd of), & to be conveyed away, probably on Men's shoulders; but whither, we have not as yet learn'd.

This unforseen accident has made it improper for Loudoun to detach any more Men after those that have march'd towards Aberdeen, or to follow them himself, untill we see what turn Lovat, now at liberty, takes with his Clan; or until some more force,.

which we expect, join us at Inverness. In the mean time, the Laird of Mac Leod march'd towards Elgin ; & from thence, hearing that 200 Rebells had taken possession of the boats of Spey at Fochabers, & pretended to dispute the passage with him, he on Sunday the 15th advanced to the banks of that river, which the Rebells on his approach quitted, leaving him a quiet passage. From thence he advanced on the 16th & 17th to Cullen & Bamf; whilst Capt Munro of Calcairn, with his 200, on the 17th & 18th advanced by Keith to Strathbogie; & the Rebells who were in possession of these places retired towards Aberdeen. What very much facilitated Culcairn's march was, that Mr. Grant, of Grant, hearing of the oppression of the Shire of Bamf by the Rebells, brought together about 500 of his Clan, & march'd them to Keith, & from thence alongst with Culcairn to Strathbogie, with ane intention to proceed alongst with Mac Leod & Capt Munro to Aberdeen; to which place the Rebells had drawn together about 500 Men, by our latest information, & talk'd of bringing more from Perth & Dundee.

On the 19th it was resolved, by Mac Leod & Capt" Munro, to march forward the next morning; the first from Bamf to Old Meldrum, which is within 12 miles of Aberdeen; & the last from Strathbogie to Inverary, which is at the like distance from Aberdeen; & it was part of the plan, that Mr Grant should march alongst with Capt. Monro; but we have had just now information, that Mr. Grant has alter'd his intentions, upon a surmise that some of the Highlanders, returning from Perth, were likely to harass his Country; but whether this information is true or not, & whether Mac Leod & Capt Munro have advanced without him, is more than I at present know with any certainty. If I learn more before the Packet is shut up, or before the Sloop sail, I shall acquaint your Lop.

The reinforcements we look for at Inverness are 2 Comp" of Mac Donalds from the Isle of Sky, which have been posted there ever since my last, but were sent for 12 days ago; another Comp' from the McKenzies from the Lewis Island; another Comp of the Mackays, in their way from Strathnavern ; & a Company of Rosses, now assembling under the Master of Ross, who was landed at Ins from the Hound Sloop of War.

When the Comp", which are of 100 each, arrive, we shall be in condition to support the Detach' sent to Aberdeen, & to perform such other service as circumstances shall discover to be most requisite. Since my last, the Rebells at Perth have had no accession of strength from this Country, except the Frasers to the number of between 2 & 300 already mentioned, & some Mac Donalds of Clanranald's People from Moidart, who marched through Atholl 6 days ago, escorting some Spanish Money that was put ashore in the island of Barray, as in my former I acquainted your Lop. The quantity I do not know; but, as it escaped the vigilance of his Majestie's ships cruiseing in that station, tho' notice was sent to them by Mac Leod, it has been in open boats transported to Moidart, and from thence, on Horses (for wheel Carriage is impossible), to Atholl. The numbers that escorted it from Moidart to Perth were said to be 180; but the Inverness Post, who met them, and who show'd me two peices of Spanish Silver Money which he had on the road, one for sixpence and another for a shilling, says, they do not exceed 60.

From Edin' your Lop has been acquainted with La J. Drummond's stile in the Messages his drum carry'd to Stirling. At Aberdeen he caused print a Declaration, which he had caused publish at Montrose; & has published also a letter, supposed to have been written to him, at Dunkirk, by the late E. Marischall, which I suspect to be spurious. I send your Lop a printed copy of the first, & a written copy of the other. He has wrote in much the same stile to L Fortrose and others, with a proper mixture

of

of threatning; & L Loudoun has had such another letter from him as he sent to Stirling.

By severall persons come from Perth we learn, that the Highlanders there, by the directions of some French engineers, are forceing in the Country, to fling up intrenchments on both the Inches, to repair in some sort Oliver's fort, & to fetch in the Water of Almond, to fill their ditches. Whether this project is their own att Perth, or if they do it by direction of their Commander in England, I cannot tell.

The Advices we have from Edin', of the precipitant retreat of the Rebells from Derby, must necessarily affect our resolutions in this Country; & their fate and purposes must influence our measures. Should they meet with any considerable blow befor they get back to Scotland, I imagine they will think of little, but to get cross the Forth as quick as they can; & if they are warmly pursued I should immagine their leaders will find it difficult to keep them all together; in which case we shall be at greater freedom to act, & to march whithersoever the service may require; but if they shall escape out of England without being overtaken, as it would seem to be the most extream folly to shut themselves up at Fd', even if they could get into it, on the supposall of their being closely follow'd, I immagine they will press forward to Perth, where probably they will attempt to make some stand; of which designs the beginning to fortify that place carrys some appearance.

Should this be their plan, we may be of some service, not only by preventing their recruiting from the North, but by straitning them towards the East; whilst the Army advances to them from the South; but if they shall be so press'd at Perth by his Majestie's Army, as not to find it practicable to make a stand there, & they at the same time shall be determined to keep together, in order either to give occupation to his Majestie's forces, & wait for invasions from abroad, or to facilitate the escape of their principall men, I doubt their course will be, to come directly through Atholl to this country; & if they march in a body, & bring any Artillery, we in our present condition, without Arms and without Money, shall not be able to withstand them; & they will be able to make themselves Masters of the 3 Forts in a trifle of time; as the regular troops cannot possibly follow them Northwards through the Mountains at this season of the year for lack of forage and provisions; which will give them time sufficient, not only to possess themselves of these forts, but to distress those in this part of the world who have opposed them; & to gather to their assistance all those that wish well to their cause, but who have by our neighbourhood been kept at home.. This, my Lord, is a circumstance that well deserves attention. I have frequently acquainted your Lop, that if we had Arms to put in the hands of such of the Clans as have on this occasion show'd their fidelity, & thereby infinitly provoked the Rebells, and Money to subsist them, we could bring great numbers to the field on any emergence, with their Chiefs at their head; & particularly in my last, by the Saltash, I earnestly press'd your Lop for a speedy remittance of money, which now is very low with us, as well as a supply of Arms. I am hopefull both are directed before this time, or at least will be sent immediately after the receit of this. If they come in due time, we shall be able to put Arms into the hands of 2 or 3000 Highlanders, to resist ane impression which otherwise may be not only fatall to Gentlemen who have at this juncture deserved signally well of his Majestie, but may tend to lengthen out our confusions till the spring, &, by weakening the hands of Brittain, give infinite advantage to France & Spain, to the very great danger of the libertys of Europe. I ask your Lop pardon for the earnestness of this expostulation, which I do assure you proceeds, not so much from concern for my person or fortune, as it does from a warm regard for the Interest of his Majesty & the publick..

The

The length of this letter your Lop will forgive, because the occasions by which one can write come so seldom. I will tire your Lop no further, by saying any more,

but that

I am, with perfect respect,
My Lord,

Your Lop's most ob' and most humble Serv*, &c.

No. DXX.

My Lord,

Part of a Letter from the Lord President to the E. of Stair.

Dec 22, 1745 The last letter I did myself the honour to write to your Lop was by the Saltash, of the 14th of Nov'; which I accidentally know you received; as I doubt not you have seen & considered mine, by the same conveyance, to the Marquis of Tweedale, to which it referred. This goes by the Hound Sloop of War, which brought me yours of the 18th Nov' with my Son, who, in Company with the Master of Ross, arrived ten days ago. By this conveyance, I have wrote a very particular letter to the Marquis of Tweedale, stateing the condition we are in; what we have been doing; what we intend to do, provisionally; what we want, & what we apprehend. I will not give your Lop the trouble of repeteing it, because you will see it ; &, if I am not much mistaken, will think it deserves serious attention.

It is a little discourageing, my Lord, that endeavours so sincere, &, if you will give me leave to say it, so successful, for the support of the Gov. & the security of England, as ours have been, should be treated with such neglect. And though there might be some excuse for not minding us whilst an enemy was so near London; yet if, when that danger is happily removed, care is not taken to supply our wants, when without such supply we shall be in no condition to defend ourselves from the warm resentments of the Rebels, or to do any further service to the Govt; the danger, dishonour, & expence, that may ensue, on the continuation of a Rebellion in this corner of the Country till the Spring, cannot be chargeable on us; nor can any honest man, who lyes at such a distance, be blamed for the future, if they sit still with their arms across, should any other disturbance emerge, which I pray God may forbid.

You see, my Lord, I write with some emotion; & it is no wonder; for I must look upon myself as the cause of all the sufferings of those who I have prevail'd with to risk every thing in defence of the Govt, should the Rebells prevaill over them; & that for the want of those supplys which I perswaded them they should have, & which had they received, or if they yet shall receive in time, every thing must be safe. Your Lop, I am persuaded, will feel the Justice of my complaint; and I am confident there is never a man in England but must, if the case is fairly stated to him.

As to the dispositions of the Commissions for the Independant Comp", & the caution which your Lop has been so good as to give me, in yours of the 18th of Nov', against giveing them, when the danger seems to be over, to such as might not be willing to take them whilst it subsisted, it is impossible, in the hurry which I at present groan under, to give you the particulars in detail, which one time or another you shall have, not a little to your entertainment.

What I shall trouble your Lop briefly with is, that there are 18 Comp of roo each actually a-foot; whereof seven with Mac Leod, endeavouring to support the Gov' in Bamf & Aberdeen shires; six with E. Loudoun at Invers, & five more in their way to it. The Mac Donalds, raised by Sir Alex', which compose 2 of these 5 Comp, I

look for at Inverness the 24th or 25th, & the rest soon after; & there is not one of the Companys given, but to such as undertook the service when in this Country it seemed the most desperate. And if the remaining Comp shall be disposed of, they shall be given in the same way.

I know, my Lord, I have enemys (I hope not many amongst those that love their King & their Country); & I doubt not I shall meet with severall criticks of my Conduct; but the censures of such as durst have put themselves in my place will be few, & the faults flowing from my heart will be none; for such as may have been oweing to my head, I have no other excuse, but that I acted according to the best of my understanding; & as to who shall have the thanks or the merite of what may have been done in support of the Gov', I am very indifferent. I have done what I think every honest Man ought to have done ; & upon this single principle, that I thought it was my duty. If any man will take to himself the merite of my endeavours to serve the King, or, to raise the value of his own, he will depreciate mine, let him; I scorn to contend for such trifles, & can with great tranquillity despise the creature that has them for the object of his pursuite. But these reflections have carried me out of my way. From Loudon's letter you will be informed of any thing that may be omitted in mine to the Marquis, or in this.

D' Sir,

No. DXXI.

The Lord President to Sir Andrew Mitchell. Same Date.

I HAVE had your packet by the Hound Sloop deliver'd to me by Mr. Gordon; & I have had since his arrivall a letter from you, & another from his Brother, recommending him to my care; together with one letter more of the 7th inst, acknowledging the receipt of my dispatches by the Saltash. For your goodness in transmitting to me the Magazines, &c. I thank you. As to Mr. Gordon, who seems to be a pretty young Man, he may be sure of my best offices; tho' upon the Plan which the necessity of the service obliged me to pursue in raising the Independant Comp", which was to give the nomination of the officers to the well-affected Chiefs who could instantly produce the Company, it was not possible to give him a Commission. I have, however, recommended him in the strongest manner to E. Loudoun, whom he will attend in the remainder of this ill-favour'd Campaign ; & what service I can do him shall not be wanting. I am obliged to you for yours of the 7th, which came to me by a Sloop from Leith, dispatch'd by the Solicitor, because it gives me notice, that what I wrote by the Saltash is come to hand; & hope that some time or another the supplys sought may come under Consideration & be ordered; tho' give me leave to tell you, my dear Andrew, it is somewhat mortifying, that when men are exposeing themselves, as we are doing in this Country, & thereby doing what we know to be very essentiall service to the Gov', our safety, if no more were in the question, is so slightly treated, & this country left unguarded, to be possibly the seat, for some Months, of a War, that may cost Brittain immense sums & very great danger; when small attention, & the timely supply of a few thousand stand of arms and a few thousand pounds, would in all human appearance prevent such fatal consequences. It surprised me, I own, to find in neither of the Packets to me any letter from my Lord Marquis, tho' there was one to the Mod' of the Synod of Murray, in answer to a letter with ane address, which was transmitted alongst with my last dispatch this must have been owing to some accidental mistake, in mislaying the letter, if any such was written; or, more probably, to the hurry the ministers may have been in, which