[511] Robert Craigie of Glendoick, Perthshire; b. 1685; advocate 1710; Lord Advocate 1742-46; Lord President 1754; d. 1760.
[512] App. 1. Printed in Chiefs of Grant, ii. 144. From Edinburgh, telling of rumours of the Pretender’s eldest son who had sailed from France. Requesting intelligence for government and expressing his belief that Grant will do all in his power to support government.
[513] App. 2. C. of G., ii. 146. Of Grant’s zeal for H. M. and the government he never doubted. First intelligence ridiculously exaggerated, and had delayed military advance, but now Cope will be soon in your neighbourhood which ‘with the assistance of H. M. friends it’s hoped will restore quiet to the country.’
[514] Near Aberfeldy; Cope reached it when marching to the Highlands from Stirling on 23rd Aug. He reached Trinifuir the 24th; Dalnacardoch 25th; Dalwhinny 26th.
[515] App. 3. Mr. Grant to Sir John Cope, dated 25th Aug.—Upon the first Information I had of the Pretender’s son landing in the north west Highlands I came to this part of the Country, and conveened all the Gentlemen of my name, and gave them Directions to prepare as well as they could to keep the Peace of the Country. I and my Friends have had great vengeance denounced against us by those Clans, who are in arms, for the appearance we made for the Government at the Revolution, and in the year 1715. We have been preparing to defend ourselves the best we could; But now all my Fears are dissipate, as I am informed you are marching to attack those Rebells, when I think of your abilitys and experience, no doubt can remain with me, but that the Highlanders will run before you. I wish you from my heart all Success. I have sent the Bearer a cousin of mine who has served several years in the army, to give you all the Information he can, and to assure you of my zeal for the Support of his Majestys Service and Government, I am with esteem, Sir, etc.
[516] This date is wrong; Cope reached Ruthven 27th August; Dalrachny’s (Carrbridge) 28th August; Inverness 29th August. (See Itinerary and authorities there quoted.)
[517] All this is disingenuous and quite anachronic. The Duke of Perth, it is true, had fled from Drummond Castle on 24th July, and taken refuge in Braemar, but he had left long before this, for he was back at Machany in Perthshire on 9th August. (Jac. Lairds of Gask, pp. 103, 104.) Cluny Macpherson at this time had declared openly for government, had accepted a commission as captain in Lord Loudoun’s Highland regiment, and was now actually raising his men for King George. He was seized by Lochiel on 28th August, carried prisoner to Perth, and not released until the 9th or 10th September, when he undertook to join the Prince. He returned to Badenoch, and not until then raised his men for the Stuart Cause. The Mackintoshes at this time were arming for King George, under their chief, who was a captain in the Highland regiment (Black Watch); it was not until considerably later that they deserted their chief to join Prince Charles under Lady Mackintosh.
[518] Alexander Brodie of Brodie, Morayshire; M.P. Inverness Burghs; appointed Lyon-King-of-Arms 1727; d. 1754. His daughter married John, eldest son of Macleod of the ’45.
[519] App. 4. C. of G., ii. 149. A letter of indignant remonstrance. Cope cannot attack highlanders in their passes or strongholds without highlanders to flank the regular troops. If the king’s highland friends fail him we are undone, and all of us must be at the mercy of the rebels. The writer is told that Grant’s people refuse to join him (Grant) if he joins Cope or marches out of his own country. Let him beware of counsels that will lead to his ruin. Grant should not give himself the airs of having a clan that can support and serve the government if when it comes to the push they tell him they won’t go along with him. Grant had written to Cope expressing his readiness to join and assist him, but he would neither join him nor assist him with one man, nor go near him, although Cope stopped at Aviemore and spent the night at Dalrachny’s (Carrbridge) within ten miles of Grant. Rose of Kilravock, Lord Moray, General Cope and President Forbes are all disappointed with him. Grant’s uncle, the major (governor of Fort George, Inverness Castle) is very angry. It would have been far better if Grant had given no assurances if he were not sure he could fulfil them. The writer is distressed about what people are saying of Grant at Inverness. How glorious it would have been if he had been the first man in the country to join the king’s forces. The President has got two hundred stand of arms for the laird of Mackintosh, who is to join Cope with two hundred men. Munro, Mackays, Sutherland, Seaforth and others are raising their men for government. The writer is to meet Cope and President Forbes on Tuesday (3rd September), what is he to say of or for Grant at that interview?
A separate piece of paper contains this rider, ‘I would not have been so strong if it had not been with a design, that you might show it to those of your own people that I am told are not for leaving your own countrey; so hope you’ll forgive any strong expressions, as my meaning is to serve you.’