‘It has been said That the French Officer Cameron came to Mrs. Jean Cameron’s, but I am certain he has not come, else I would have got Intelligence of him, for I have had a sharp look out for him and all others of that Kind. And I think he would not probably venture so near the Command and specially after hearing of Barrisdale’s fate’ (taken in March 1749).
‘It is said That his Two Brothers and Cluny have differed about the money, and therefore Cluny would not see this French Officer nor trust him wth anything and some say He is gone back again, but how far This is true I can’t positively determine.
‘The above is all that I have been able to learn wth regard to that money from first to last, and I am much convinced that the Substance of it is true.’
[Unsigned.]
Even before the probable date of this intelligence, Government knew that Cluny’s fidelity to his trust had embittered his relations with the Camerons of Glenevis and Glengarry’s people. There is a curious anonymous note of January 26, 1748,[77] written by a man who could spell, and was something of a scholar. ‘Scyphax,’ he says, ‘is still in the country and there are disturbances between him and the Dorians and Ætolians over the goods left by the Young Mogul.’ Scyphax is Cluny, the Dorians are the Camerons, the Ætolians are the Glengarrys; the Young Mogul is Prince Charles: ‘Nothing but stealing and plundering prevails in all quarters here.’ The writer may have been a Presbyterian minister.
The author of the long letter of intelligence is unknown, but he can hardly have been an English officer, like Ensign Small, who did much secret service in the Highlands. His name is always signed to his Reports, as when he tried to catch Lochgarry on shipboard, in 1753. The information, however obtained, is accurate, and, so far, entirely exculpates Cluny from the various unpleasant accusations brought by his enemies.[78] Major Kennedy really went from France to Newcastle, and received 6,000l. for Charles, a sum conveyed to him, at what peril we may imagine, by Macpherson of Breakachy.[79]
We now consider the various accounts given of embezzlement by Dr. Cameron and Cluny. It is certain that, in November or December, 1749, Young Glengarry, Lochgarry, and Dr. Cameron were in Cluny’s country, that they handled the treasure, that they quarrelled, and that they carried their dispute before the exiled James in Rome. Dr. Cameron accused Young Glengarry of obtaining the money by a forged order from James; while Glengarry charged Cluny and the Doctor with ‘embezzlement’ and ‘villainy.’ Cameron, he said, declared that the Royal Family had given up all hopes of a restoration, and told the Highlanders that they must now shift for themselves. He also took 6,000 louis d’or of the Prince’s money, ‘and I am credibly informed,’ says Glengarry, ‘that he designs to lay this money in the hands of a merchant in Dunkirk, and enter partners with him.’[80] Again, in an undated letter to Charles, of about March 1751, Glengarry denounces the embezzlement and ‘villainy’ of Cluny and Dr. Cameron.[81] He acknowledges having taken ‘a trifle’ himself. Another account, clearly from a Macdonnell source, occurs in old Gask’s hand, among his papers.[82] Dr. Cameron is here, as by Glengarry, credited with absorbing 6,000l., while Cameron of Glenevis is said to have ‘intercepted’ 3,000l., and Cluny, ‘for his estate’ gets 10,000l. This reads like a variant of Young Glengarry’s tale told to Bishop Forbes in April 1752. According to that version, Cluny and Lochiel took security from Charles for the full value of their estates before they joined the Royal Standard. This full value is the 10,000l. which Cluny is said to have ‘embezzled.’
Walker & Boutall, ph. sc.
Prince Charles