"Sunday, 17th of August, 1746.
"As it would be a vain attempt in me to speak distinctly to that
great concourse of people, who will probably be present at my
execution, I chose to leave this behind me, as my last solemn
declaration, appealing for my integrity to God, who knows my heart.
"I bless God I have little fear of temporal death, though attended
with many outward circumstances of terror; the greatest sting I feel
in death is that I have deserved it.
"Lord Balmerino, my fellow-sufferer, to do justice, dies in a
professed adherence to the mistaken principles he had imbibed from
his cradle. But I engaged in the Rebellion in opposition to my own
principles, and to those of my family; in contradiction to the whole
tenour of my conduct, till within these few months that I was
wickedly induced to renounce my allegiance, which ever before I had
preserved and held inviolable. I am in little pain for the
reflection which the inconsiderate or prejudiced part of my
countrymen (if there are any such, whom my suffering the just
sentence of the law has not mollified,) may cast upon me for this
confession.
"The wiser, or more ingenious, will, I hope, approve my conduct, and
allow with me that, next to doing right, is to have the courage and
integrity to own that I have done wrong.
"Groundless accusations of cruelty have been raised and propagated
concerning me; and charges spread among the people of my having
solicited for, nay, even actually signed orders of general savage
destruction, seldom issued among the most barbarous nations, and
which my soul abhors. And that the general temper of my mind was
ever averse from, and shocked at gross instances of inhumanity, I
appeal to all my friends and acquaintance who have known me most
intimately, and even to those prisoners of the King's troops to whom
I had access, and whom I ever had it in my power to relieve; I
appeal, in particular, for my justification as to this justly
detested and horrid crime of cruelty, to Captain Master, of Ross,
Captain-Lieutenant Luon, and Lieutenant George Cuming of Alter.
"These gentlemen will, I am persuaded, as far as relates to
themselves, and as far as has fallen within their knowledge as
credible information, do me justice; and then, surely my countrymen
will not load a person, already too guilty and unfortunate, with
undeserved infamy, which may not only fix itself on his own
character, but reflect dishonour on his family.
"I have no more to say, but that I am persuaded, if reasons of
state, and the demands of public justice had permitted his Majesty
to follow the dictates of his own royal heart, my sentence might
have been mitigated. Had it pleased God to prolong my life, the
remainder of it should have been faithfully employed in the service
of my justly offended sovereign, and in constant endeavours to wipe
away the very remembrance of my crime.
"I now, with my dying breath, beseech Almighty God to bless my
rightful sovereign, King George, and preserve him from the attacks
of public and private enemies.
"May his Majesty, and his illustrious descendants, be so guided by
the Divine Providence as ever to govern with that wisdom, and that
care for the public good, as will preserve to them the love of their
subjects, and secure their right to reign over a free and happy
people to the latest posterity."
That Lord Boyd reciprocated the affection of his father appears from the
following letter, which he addressed, a few days after the execution of
Lord Kilmarnock, to Colonel Walkinshaw Craufurd, who was then at
Scarborough.
"My Dear John,
"I had yours last post, and I don't know in what words to express
how much I am obliged to you for doing the last duties to my
unfortunate father; you can be a judge what a loss I have suffered;
you knew him perfectly well, that he was the best of friends, the
most affectionate husband, and the tenderest parent. Poor Lady
Kilmarnock bears her loss much better than I could have imagined;
but it was entirely owing to her being prepared several days before
she got the melancholy accounts of it. I shall be here for some
time, as I have a good deal of business to do in this country; so I
shall be extremely glad to see you as soon as possible. I am, my
dear John, your most sincere friend and obedient humble servant,