J. Drummond.
Addressed to Willm. Moir of Loanmay, Esq., Deputy Governor of Aberdeen.
[553] App. 34. C. of G., ii. 199. (From Cullen.) Grant’s letter gives him vast joy; Culcairn will be with Grant to-morrow, while Macleod will go to Banff and thence to Turriff and Old Meldrum.
Culcairn to Mr. Grant, dated 17th Dec.—I came here this day with Captain William Macintoshes Company and mine, and have written to the Laird of M‘Leod telling my coming here and Resolution of going tomorrow to Cullen etc. and therefore pray acquaint me how affaires are with you. I wrote also to the Laird of M‘Leod to acquaint me how affaires are with him.—I am, Dr Sir, yours etc.
The following note was inclosed—
All the Information that is known here about the Rebells, who fled Out of Fochabers, is that they all marched to Huntly, and about 6 men as computed abode in Newmilns Sunday night and on Monday followed to Huntly. There is no word yet from Lord Loudon.
[554] App. 35. Declaration published at Strathbogie by Mr. Grant, dated 18th Dec.—Whereas many of his Majesty Subjects have been compelled by Force and Threats to enlist in the Service of the Pretender, whilst there was no Force sufficient to protect them. If any such shall resort to me, and deliver up their arms, I shall signify their dutiful Behaviour in this point, to the end that it may be a motive to obtain their pardon from his Majestys Grace and will endeavour to free all of illegal and treasonable Levies of men and money; but such as presumes to persist in their treasonable Practices and to resist will be treated as Traitors.
[555] App. 36. C. of G., ii. 194. (From Inverness.) Loudoun’s letter after applauding Grant’s zeal is very much the same as Lord Deskford’s letter which follows.
[556] App. 37. Lord Deskfoord to Mr. Grant, dated 14th Dec.—I am now with Lord Loudon and in a conversation with him, I find that he is Sorry he has not Sufficient authority as yet from the Government either to give Pay to any Clan, except when an immediate necessity which cannot be answered by the Troops upon the establishment requires it, nor has he any arms to dispose of to the Friends of the Government, scarcely having sufficient arms here for the independent companies and his own Regiment. This being the Case and the Service in the Countrys of Banff and Aberdeenshire being sufficiently provided for by the 700 men already sent to that Country, it is impossible for him to take your men into Pay, and as your arms are certainly not extremely good, and he cannot give you others, I believe he would be as well pleased, that your People should go back to Strathspey; but he does not care to take it upon him to order them back, as the thing was undertaken without his Commands. If you carry your People home, he wishes you gave M‘Leod Information of it because he must regulate his motions accordingly with the independent Companys. He says he wont fail to represent your Zeal and that of your People, and wishes for the future nothing may be undertaken but in concert with those who have the Direction of the Kings affaires in this Country. Pray let us hear what you do. Loudon who is much your Friend assures me of another Thing which is that the first opportunity that offers of employing any People in a way to make them make a figure he will most certainly throw it into your hands. I hear there are more Troops to march eastward tomorrow. When Lord Loudon sets out himself is not certain.—I am, Dear Sir, etc.
As the Governor commands here in Lord Loudons absence My Lord says he will chuse to leave the Grants here with him, that he may have one Company that he may entirely depend upon.