Some Clatters say they wont disturb Strathspey, and others that it is their formed Plan to march through and disarm it, and join the rest in Murray. The Truth is not yet known. There are some Rumours from the South that part of the Duke’s Army are following briskly by the Coast, and that upon the Rebells leaving Stirling, two Regiments were ordered to embark for Inverness. Mr. Grant and all his Friends have been alert as desired. Many spyes are employed and what is material shall be communicated.
The Bearer will explain Mr. Grants numbers and present distribution of them, with the various Instructions given for the different occurences that may happen. In the general it may be depended upon, that Mr. Grant will act zealously with his whole Power in every shape that shall be judged best, suitable to the hearty Professions he hath all along made, and upon a closer scrutiny finds he could bring furth 5 or 600 more good and trusty men if he had arms, than he can in the present condition. If there are arms to be given the Bearer will concert their Conveyance.
Sunday 8 at night. This moment fresh Intelligence arrived from Rothemurkus as follows. It confirms most of what is above.
They are ignorant in Badenoch of the present root of the army, and conceal their Losses as much as possible, but acknowledge they lost considerably before Stirling, and obliged to leave behind them seven heavy cannon of their own, and part of their Ammunition and Baggage, with all the Cannon and Ammunition taken from the King’s army.
That they have brought north all their Prisoners. The Duke was advanced as far as Perth. Their Prince is to be at Ruthven tomorrow where his Fieldpieces and five, and some say 9 battering Cannon is arrived. Tho they conceal their designs with great secrecy the Prisoner officers conjecture their design is against Inverness. All the men of Strathern are gone home and to meet the Army in its way to Inverness, which is to go through Strathspey, and the Division coming by the Coast to march through Murray. They call these in Badenoch seven Regiments, made up of the people above mentioned.
That many the writer conversed with declared they were sick of the present Business, and wish for a sufficient Force to protect them at home.
One man says he heard their Prince declare he would quarter next Tuesday in the house of Rothemurkus.
Some means are employed to endeavour to increase the desertion and to create some dissention. If they prove effectual the Conclusion will be quicker and easier.
[570] App. 49. C. of G., ii. 225. (From Castle Grant.) A long letter of various items of intelligence.
[571] App. 50. C. of G., ii. 224. (From Inverness.) Though a supply of arms has come it is impossible to send them and men must come for them. He will be glad to consult and co-operate with Grant. He has brought back troops from Forres and needs money: will Grant send him the cess he has collected.