[550] Bog, the local name for the site of Gordon Castle, built on the Bog o’ Gight (windy bog). The ferry there was known as the Boat o’ Bog; it is now superseded by Fochabers Bridge.
[551] App. 32. Mr. Grant to M‘Leod, dated 15th Dec.—I have just now the Pleasure of yours by our Friend Sir Harry Innes. I shall as soon as I get my Men conveened march to Fochabers and endeavour to get Possession of the Boats, and shall do all in my Power to secure the passage for the Men under your Command. I am hopefull the Rebells wont be able to give much disturbance.
[552] App. 33. Lord Lewis Gordon to Mr. Grant, dated Fyvie, 16th Dec.—I was a little surprised this morning to hear that you had marched a body of your Men to the low Country so far as Mulben. Your Reason for such Proceedings I cant find out, as you have not got the least disturbance from the Prince, or any of his Friends, since his Royal Highness arrival in Scotland. And for my part I have not given you the least disturbance, since my coming to the North. So far from it, that I have given positive orders to the Gentlemen employed by me to raise the Levies, not to meddle with any of your Estate no not so much as to raise a man from a little Place called Delnaboe, which holds of the Duke of Gordon, to the men of which last place, I had a natural Title. I now desire to know, if you are to take any Concern in protecting the Estates of any but your own. If that is the case, I must take my Measures accordingly, and as the Consequence must be fatal you have none to blame but yourself. I am this minute writing to Lord John Drummond that he may march his Troops directly to this Country to join the men I have already raised; but if you withdraw your men, and give no further disturbance, it may move me to alter my Resolutions with respect to you. I wrote you a Letter from Strathdoune but was not favoured with any Return, but must insist on an answer to this in writing or by some Gentleman of Character. Offer my Complements to Lady Margaret and your young Family.—I am with much Respect, etc.
Copy Printed Declaration of Lord John Drummond, Commander-in-Chief of his Most Christian Majesty’s Forces in Scotland.—We, Lord John Drummond, Commander-in-Chief of his most Christian Majesty’s Forces in Scotland, do hereby declare, that we are come to this kingdom with written orders to make war against the King of England, Elector of Hannover, and all his adherents, and that the positive orders we have from his most Christian Majesty are to attack all his ennemys in this Kingdom, whom he has declared to be those, who will not immediately join or assist as far as will ly in their power, the Prince of Wales, Regent of Scotland his Ally, and whom he is resolved with the concurrence of the King of Spain to support in the taking possession of Scotland, England and Ireland, if necessary at the expence of all the men and money he is master of, to which three Kingdoms the Family of Stewart have so just and indisputable a title. And his most Christian Majesty’s positive orders are, that his ennemys should be used in this Kingdom in proportion to the harm they do, or intend to his Royal Highness’s cause. Given at Montrose, the 2nd day of December 1745 years.
J. Drummond.
Copy Printed Letter from Earl Marshall to Lord John Drummond, dated Paris, 1st Nov.—My Lord,—As I am now obliged to attend the Duke of York to England, with a body of French Troops, I desire that you will be so good as to see if possible, or send word to the people that depend on me or have any regard for me in Aberdeenshire, or the Mearns, that are not with the Prince, that I expect they will immediately rise in arms, and make the best figure they can in this affair, which cannot now fail to succeed, and that they will take from you, my Cousin German directions, as to the manner they are to behave on this occasion.
I am sorry that just now it is not in my power to head them myself; but as soon as this affair will be over, I intend to go down to my native country and they may depend of my being always ready to do them what service will ly in my power.
Marshal.[664]
Directed to Lord John Drummond, Brigadier of the King’s Army and Colonel of the Royal Scots at Dunkirk.
Copy Printed Letter from Lord John Drummond to William Moir of Loanmay, Esquire, Aberdeen 11th Dec.—Sir,—You will be pleased to communicate the contents of this letter to such gentlemen of your country as are well affected to the Prince Regent, and who retain regard for the Earl Marshall, and assure them that what may be necessary for effectuating the ends proposed shall be heartily supplied by me, and I am, Sir, your most humble servant,