To the seven common points between Pickle and Glengarry, in 1752-53, we now add an eighth: both have been disappointed by Henry Pelham’s promises, broken after his death. Such coincidences cannot be fortuitous, and Glengarry’s friends must explain why he, a known Jacobite agent, was so endeared to Henry Pelham.
At this time, the autumn of 1753, James Mohr Macgregor made his absurd ‘revelations,’ about an Irish plot to invade Scotland. He, his chief, Balhaldie, and a Mr. Trant, were particularly concerned. Government had also news, from Pickle, Count Kaunitz, and other sources, of Frederick’s tampering with the Jacobites, through the Earl Marischal, the friend both of Pickle and of Glengarry. It would have been natural to arrest and examine Glengarry, who, as Government knew, was a familiar friend of the Earl Marischal. In place of doing that—they consulted Pickle! The Duke of Newcastle wrote a paper of Memoranda, proving his agitation, and making a note that Henry Pelham should collogue with ‘the person from whom he sometimes receives information.’[147] That person was Pickle.
Here are Pickle’s answers!
(Private intelligences concerning some particular persons.)
‘He says Mr. Trent told him there was a Collection already made for the Pretender of about £40,000, and that his friends here said he should [not] want for money, tho’ it were £200,000.
‘Mr. Trent and he were very familiar formerly, but as he is here grown a great man, he does not see so much of him. Trent is not gone, but is expected to go every day. This Mr. Trent is son of Olive Trent [once mistress of the Regent d’Orléans, and complained of by Bolingbroke].
‘He does not know, nor believe, any one has come from Lord Marshal hither lately with authority. He is sure no Arms have come to Scotland this year, if there had, he must have known it. [James Mohr said arms had come.] He says Sullivan’s Brother has been twice at Rome lately, but does not know his errand.
‘Bohaldie [James Mohr’s Chief] was an Agent of the Pretender with the late Lord Temple (Sempil?), but the Irish got him turnd off, and he is sure Lord Marshal would never trust him, because he will never believe him. [James Mohr had alleged that the Earl was engaged with Balhaldie.]
‘MacGregor was a Spy of both sides, and will never be trusted.