The first advice that Mr. Grant got that any invasion or insurrection
was intended was by a letter from Mr. Craigie, at that time his
Majesty’s Advocate,[511] of date 5th August 1745 (Appen. No. 1st),[512]
which came to his hands at his House of Grange-Hill in the low Country
of Murray on Saturday 10th, and next day he had an account, that the
young Pretender with some forces had actually landed and heard various
and different Reports of their numbers.
Thereupon Sir James Grant and Mr. Grant went Monday the 12th to Castle
Grant. Their country was all the time disarmed by authority of an Act
of Parliament, nor durst they appear in arms otherwise than as Directed
by the Statute, without Rendering themselves obnoxious to the Law, and
att the Mercy of the proper officers, to whom the Execution of it was
Committed. And they could not but observe, that his Majesty’s Advocate,
however well satisfied he was of their zeal, yet makes no insinuation
of their raising their Friends and Clan in arms: on the contrary says
in Generall that at London they have no good opinion of this Country,
and Desires no more of Mr. Grant, than to have a sharp look out, and
send him Intelligence how matters go. For these Reasons Mr. Grant
contented himself with calling together the Gentlemen in that country
and causing enquire what arms could be found, should there be occasion
for using them--
And he was the more confirmed in this opinion by advices he had that
Lord President was returned to Culloden and had had Interviews with
Severalls of his Friends, Chiefs and other Clans, yet he sent no
message, nor made any insinuation to Mr. Grant that it was proper for
him to appear in arms.
August 24th Mr. Grant Received another Letter from Lord Advocate, dated
the 20th (App. No. 2)[513] in answer to one that Mr. Grant wrote the
15th with such Intelligence as he had then got of the Rebells. In that
Letter he acquaints Mr. Grant that the Troops were in full march from
Stirling which he hoped would be soon in Mr. Grant’s Neighbourhood;
but he gives no authority nor advice to Mr. Grant to arm his Father’s
clan unless that was intended by the Dark and ambiguous words that
follow, viz. Which with the Assistance of His Majesty’s Friends it is
hoped will restore quiet to the Country. But Mr. Grant was and still is
persuaded that had such been my Lord Advocates meaning his Lordship who
well knew the Law, and had reason to know in fact that the country was
not half armed, would have expressed it in very different and plainer
Terms.
Next Day after the Receipt of this letter Mr. Grant having got advice
that Sir John Cope with the army under his Command were already past
Tay Bridge[514] wrote to Sir John The Letter (App. No. 3),[515] which
he sent by one of his friends Robert Grant, now Ensign and Adjutant
in Loudouns Regiment, whom he also Informed what number of arms were,
according to the Reports made to Mr. Grant, found in the Country, and
what number of men could be raised on short warning to the end that if
Sir John should Demand any Assistance, that Gentleman might be able to
inform him what he could expect.
This Gentleman instead of finding Sir John about Delnacardoch or to the
southward of it, as Mr. Grant hoped he should, found him at Ruthven
of Badenoch,[516] and Returned to Mr. Grant Monday the 26th at night
without any other answer to his Letter than a verball message that Sir
John thanked him for it. He further Informed Mr. Grant that Sir John,
instead of going in quest of the Rebells, was marching to Inverness
to avoid them and that next night he was to encamp in the head of
Strathspey.
About this time Mr. Grant had advice that the Person called Duke of
Perth was in Braemar raising the Highlanders in that country, that the
Mackintoshes and M‘Phersons were all in concert with the Rebells[517]
that their plan was that they, and even the Pretender and the
Highlanders with him, were to march down through Strathspey, and join
Perth, and march through Strathaven, Glenlivet, and into Aberdeenshire
and so Southward before Sir John Cope, raising all the men in the
Country through which they marched. This obliged Mr. Grant to set about
raising his Friends as fast as possible for Defence of his own country,
which upon Sir John’s marching to Inverness behoved to be quite naked
and exposed to them, and Deprived him of the Honour of waiting on Sir
John as he intended to have done, when he was encamped in the head of
Strathspey; However as Sir John was quite a stranger to the country,
and there were some Dangerous passes in it he sent three of the
Gentlemen of the country to wait on him and with orders to raise 40 or
50 of the men nearest to these grounds to serve him as Guides and give
him Intelligence and with them to patrole in the Neighbouring Hills,
not only all Nights but till the Army was quite clear of these Passes,
and out of any kind of Danger from the Rebells; While Mr. Grant at the
same time was gathering his Friends and cantoning them in the proper
passes, to prevent if possible the Rebells entering his country, they
having the very next day or second day after Sir John past made a march
with six or seven hundred men, that pointed as if that had been their
Design.
Mr. Grant therefore could not help being greatly surprised with
accounts he had a few days after from Lord Lyon[518] by his letter
without date (App. No. 4),[519] ‘that Sir John Cope complained that
tho’ Mr. Grant in his letter wrote him, that he and his people were
ready to join and assist him, yet by some fatall advice, he woud
neither join him with one man, nor go near him, and that if he had been
joined but with one hundred or two from each of the Highland Chiftains,
that he was told by the ministry would join him, he would have done
their Business; but instead of that not one man has joined him of which
he has acquainted the Ministry.’
Lord Lyon must undoubtedly have misunderstood Sir John. A Coppy of Mr.
Grants Letter to him is subjoined (App. No. 3). He had no call nor the
least Insinuation from Sir John to join him, nor did he know that the
Ministry expected, or had authorised either him or any other Chiftain
of a Clan to raise men in arms to join him.
But it seemed still more surprising that tho’ Sir John had not called
for any assistance from Mr. Grant when he was on his march north,
yet after the Army was at Inverness, and out of all Danger from
the Rebells, Lord Lyon still prest Mr. Grants marching his men to
join Sir John at Inverness, and which advice was enforced by Major
Grant,[520] Governour of Fort George, who came on purpose on that
account to Castle Grant: But as the M‘Phersons and M‘Intoshes were
then Rising and Glenbucket was in Strathaven and Glenlivet committing
the Greatest outrages, even burning Houses to force out the Men, such
a measure must, without doing the smallest service to the Government,
have Involved his own Country of Strathspey in absolute ruin. Yet Mr.
Grant agreed with Major Grant, that if Sir John was to march directly
in quest of the Rebells, he would join him with all the men he could
possibly raise, tho’ he could not agree to leave his own Country
Exposed, to join Sir John if he was to march where there were no
Rebells to be attacked.
Upon the Intelligence that Mr. Grant had of Glenbucket levying men in
Strathaven, and the outrages committed there, particularly a letter
from his sister Mrs. Grant of Ballindalloch, dated September 5 (App.
No. 5),[521] He sent about two or three hundred men to Strathaven and
upon their approach Glenbucket retired from that country whereof Mr.
Grant acquainted Sir John Cope, then on his way to Aberdeen by a letter
about the 10th September (App. No. 6).[522]
Mr. Grant got a Message from Lord President, Sept. 14th, Desiring an
Interview, and as neither of them in the then situation of the Country
could be absent a night from his own House, Mr. Grant met him Monday
17th at a place apointed, when the Lord President acquainted him, that
he the Lord President was impowered by the Government to raise some
Company’s, That therefore he made offer of the first of them to him,
and that he Mr. Grant should have the naming of all the Oficiers of
that Company. Mr. Grant answered, that since he the Lord President
proposed it, he would take the Company but could not name the Officers
till he returned home, least by naming some, he might Disoblige others,
but at the same time, gave his opinion that the raising some Companys
would not do the service, and that it would be necessary to raise the
whole of the Clans, that were Friends to the Government.
Upon Mr. Grants return to his own House, He and all the Gentlemen
in the Country had got Information that the Lord President got the
Disposall of Twenty Companys, he found them greatly Disobliged that
only one of them was to be given to their Clan, which they thought very
far short of the proportion they bore to the other Northern Clans,
that were the avowed and constant Friends of his Majestys Government,
and looked on it as a slight intended to them and that either it was
intended, that no more of them but that company should be employed in
the service, or if they were that it must be att their own expense
while the other Favourite Clanns were to be payed by the Government.
And for these Reasons Mr. Grant found greater Difficulty in naming
the officers than he could foresee before he knew the number of the
Companys to be raised. That if the measure of raising Companys were
still insisted on that Mr. Grant rather than hurt the service would
accept of four or even of three of them; But a smaller number would
not employ the principal Gentlemen of the Clan nor satisfy any of them
where so many companys were to be Disposed of.
Lord Deskfoord[523] was therefore prevailed with to go to Culloden to
explain these things to Lord President and at the same time to assure
him, that the whole Clan should on all occasions be ready to act in
the Governments service, only that it would be necessary to give them
pay during the Time that they should be employed, because Mr. Grant’s
private Fortune could not bear so great an expence.
Lord Deskfoord at his return reported the Lord President’s answer, That
he was trusted with the Disposal of Twenty Companys, yet at the same
time all possible economy was enjoined, That he could not therefore at
first exceed one Company to any one Clan, That he knew the value and
Importance in that country of the Family of Grant, and had for that
reason offered the first to Mr. Grant, and should he refuse it others
might follow his Example, and thereby the whole sceme miscarry. And
whether it was the best measure that might have been proposed yet it
being the only one that the Government had yet proposed for employing
their friends in the north, a miscarriage might be of bade consequence.
That he therefore hoped that where so much was at stake Mr. Grant would
come over small Difficultys, and if in the future Distribution of these
Companys due regard was not had to the Family of Grant That Mr. Grant
would have reason to Complain.
Upon Consideration of this answer Mr. Grant satisfied his Friends,
and with their approbation accepted of the Company offered, whereof
he acquainted Lord President by his letter September 22d (App. No.
7),[524] and therein named the officers. And Lord President by his
answer, Sept 24th, (App. No. 8),[525] Confirmed what Lord Deskfoord had
reported of the Communing Between them, Approved the nomination Mr.
Grant had made of Officers, and desired that the men might be ready at
a call, because he Daily expected arms and money.
September 28th Lord President wrote to Mr. Grant, (App. No. 9),[526]
the Different accounts he had got of the Battle of Preston, and after
Expressing his apprehension of the effects it might have in that
country ‘Suggests That Mr. Grant should have all his people Alert that
they might be able to do such service as the exegence might require,
which would help to cause their Neighbours Consider.’
This was the first letter that Mr. Grant received from any Person
intrusted by the Government that Directly proposed the raising his Men,
other than the Company already mentioned and having received advices
about the same time that the Farquharsons in Aberdeenshire were rising,
and that the M‘Phersons were to march through Strathspey to join them,
he furthwith rised all the men that he could Find any Kind of Arms for,
and got together about seven hundred. The M‘Phersons did accordingly
about two days after march near the Borders between Badenoch and
Strathspey; but upon Mr. Grants marching up to meet them, they retired
to Ruthven, and from thence to Cluny M‘Phersons house. But Mr. Grant
having got Intelligence, that the M‘Intoshes were in Motion, he keeped
his Men together for eight Days ’till he had certain notice that they
had not moved.[527]
Mr. Grant had sent him by his Baillie in Urquhart Twelve miles
benorth Inverness a Letter to the Baillie from Angus M‘Donald son to
Glengarry,[528] Dated September the 30th, ordering the Tenants in that
Country to Join his Standart (as he called it) and threatening in case
of Disobedience to burn the Country, and was afterwards advised by the
Baillie by a letter of October 8th that he had been prevented by the
said Angus M‘Donald from Marching into Strathspey as Mr. Grant had
ordered him with such of the Tenants as were willing to follow him, and
that the Country would be ruined in ten Days. These Letters Mr. Grant
answered October 6th and 10th, exhorting them to continue stadefast to
the Government, ordering the Baillie to bring the Men to Strathspey,
and engaging himself to repair all the Damage the Rebells should do
them if they complyed with his order (App. No. 10, 11, 12, 13).[529]
Mr. Grant received a Letter from Lord Loudoun, October 11th (App.
No. 14th),[530] acquainting him of his arival to command the Troops
with one from Lord President, October 12th, Desiring him to bring the
Company together, and to have them ready to march at a Call, and as
many men as Mr. Grant could arm to have them ready on any Exigency if
they were called out and adds ‘Ways and Means shall be fallen on to
subsist them’ (App. No. 15),[531] and October 16th (App. No. 16),[532]
Mr. Grant assures Lord Loudoun that he would exert himself to do
everything in his power for his Majestys service under his Lordships
Direction and Advice, acquaints him of his having sent a party to
Banffshire to stop levying cess for the Pretender (which effectually
did at that time), and gives him notice that the Company was ready at a
Call.
October 22d and 23d Mr. Grant received from John Grant his Chamberlain
or Steward in Urquhart Two letters, Dated 21st and 22d October (App.
No. 17 and 18),[533] Aquainting him that Glengarry’s son, M‘Donald of
Barrisdale, Glenmoriston and the Master of Lovat, were come to force
out his Tenents in Urquhart, and threatned to carrie away their whole
Cattle, if they did not Join. That upon the Chamberlains assuring them,
that Mr. Grant would make good all their Damages The Tenants absolutely
refused to Join and resolved to oppose the M‘Donalds, should they
attempt to carry off their Cattle, tho they were not able to resist
both them and the Frasers, and aquainting him also of a Dispute between
the Master of Lovat and Barrisdale which of them had the best title to
these Tenents. The Master insisting that he had the best right to them
except such of them as were of the name of M‘Donald whom he willingly
yielded to Barrisdale, and that this Dispute had superseded the
execution of their Threatnings Till it should be decided by Lord Lovat.
That Mr. Grant looked upon this as of the utmost immportance to the
Government, that the King’s Faithfull subjects who were Determined even
at the hazard of their lives and the whole of their little Fortunes to
persevere in their Loyalty, should not suffer to be Dragged against
their wills into the Rebellion and that too within Twelve miles of
Inverness. He was at the same time aware, That Lord Loudoun who
had then got no more than one of the new Companys the Monroes, not
having yet called for the Grants, had not a force sufficient to leave
Inverness, and to march against such Numbers as might be brought to
oppose him, and as Urquhart is Distant about fourty miles from Castle
Grant, There was no time to Deliberate, or to receive Lord Loudon’s
Directions. Mr. Grant therefore forthwith assembled his friends to
the number of betwixt six and seven Hundred tho many of them were
ill armed, and Marched for Inverness in his way to Urquhart having
Recommended to Lord Deskfoord to give notice of his March and the
Design of it by Express to the Earl of Loudoun and Lord President, and
to begg that Lord Loudoun would order Quarters to be provided for the
men at Inverness. But upon Saturday the 26th James Grant of Dell one of
the Tenants in Urquhart met Mr. Grant upon his march with Accounts that
the Rebells had Left Urquhart, and marched Northward to the country of
Assint, and Mr. Grant thought himself Lucky that they had done so; for
about the same Time The answer to Lord Deskfoords Letter signed by both
Lord Loudoun and Lord President Dated October 26th (App. No. 19)[534]
was brought him by Express ‘Wishing that Mr. Grant had Communicated to
them his Design, before he set out with such numbers, which might have
the effect to begin Horseplay before they were sufficiently prepared.’
And upon Receipt of this Letter Mr. Grant Dismissed his men except
about 100 that he constantly Keept partly about his House and partly in
some proper passes or Inlets to his Country.
November 3d Mr. Grant got a Letter from Lord Lewis Gordon in the
Pretender’s name (App. No. 20),[535] Desiring Mr. Grants allowance
at least his connivance to raise men. Mr. Grant would not see the
Messenger and ordered such a verbal answer to be given him as his
Message Deserved, but being at the same Time Informed of Lord Lewis’s
practices in Strathavin and of his Designs on Kincardine,[536] an
Estate upon Speyside belonging to the Duke of Gordon, Mr. Grant
raised about 200 men more and marched them to Abernethy lying betwixt
Strathaven and Kincardine, and thereby not only prevented Lord Lewis
from forcing out any men in Kincardine, but also obliged him to retreat
from Strathavin, and give over for that time his recruiting there.
November 7th Mr. Grant Received a Letter from Lord Loudoun, Dated Nov.
5 (App. No. 21),[537] commending the Company of Grants that had been
sent to him, and if Mr. Grant should need any assistance against Lord
Lewis Gordon, promising all he could give him and at the same time
got a letter from the President of the same Date, (App. No. 22),[538]
and to the same effect. And in this Letter he for the first time made
an offer to Mr. Grant of another Company and desired him to name the
officers.
By this Time the Gentlemen in Strathspey heard it Reported that the
Laird of M‘Leod was to have no less than four companys, and began to
complain that Mr. Grant had accepted of even one Company; Therefore
instead of giving an answer in writing Mr. Grant chose to go to
Inverness about November 10th and found that about 400 M‘Leods were
already come to the neighbourhood of Inverness tho’ it was then said
that 200 were to be employed and the rest to return Home.
Mr. Grant told Lord Loudoun and Lord President, that all his Friends
were in perfect good Humour, and readie to venture their Lives and
Fortunes in the service, and that it was of the outmost consequence to
him to preserve that good spirit among them. That he found great Danger
of Creating Jealousys and Animositys among them by raising the first
Company, tho’ there would have been no Danger nor Difficulty in raising
four or five. But as the Country was now in Great Ferment the Danger
of Disobligeing many Gentlemen of his name would now be much greater
should he accept of another Company, and thereby have the naming of
the officers and no more. However upon their continuing to urge it
Mr. Grant agreed to take it to consideration till he should return to
Strathspey, and converse with the Gentlemen of the Country about it.
After Returning to Strathspey the Gentlemen had got certain accounts
that M‘Leod had got four Companys, besides another to be given to his
cousin M‘Leod of Genzies, and therefore cou’d not be persuaded to agree
to Mr. Grants accepting of only one which they thought a very partial
Distribution, and Mr. Grant by his Letter 29th November, whereof
(_vide_ the Coppy App. No. 23d),[539] aquainting the Lord Loudoun of
their Resolutions; ‘but at the same time asured his Lordship that the
whole body of the clan should be ready upon a few days notice to go
upon any Duty under his Lordships eye or Command, that his Lordship
should think for his Majesty’s service.’
In the same letter Mr. Grant after aquainting Lord Loudoun of the
Great outrages the Rebells were committing in the shires of Banff
and Aberdeen and noticing of what Importance it would be to relieve
these Countys, and especially the Town of Aberdeen, from so grievous
oppression, beggs to have his Lordships commands and promises in five
Days after Receiving his Lordships Orders to march with five or Six
Hundred men to Aberdeen to restore the peace of those parts. Mr. Grant
now felt the disadvantage of having accepted even of one Company; the
want of 100 good men and of 100 broadswords and Pistols that he had at
Lord Loudouns desire furnished them must have been a considerable loss
in such an Expedition, however he thought himself strong enough without
them for any body of the Rebells that he heard was in Aberdeenshire
but as he could not forsee whether they might not be reinforced from
Perth, therefore in that letter he also suggests that in case of any
Reinforcements being sent from Perth to Aberdeen, it might be proper to
send Captain Grants Company to his assistance, and hoped that in his
absence Lord Loudoun would Protect his Country.
Lord Loudoun however did not think proper to give Mr. Grant these
orders (and very likely he Judged better than Mr. Grant) for by his
answer, December 2d (App. No. 24),[540] he aquaints Mr. Grant of an
Expedition he was going upon, which would take him a few days. After
which he proposed to march along the Coast for the Relief of that
country, where, if it should prove necessary, he would expect and begg
Mr. Grant’s assistance.
Earl of Findlater and Mr. Grant had repeated advices from Banffshire,
particularly from the Earl of Findlaters Chamberlain and Mr. Grant of
Auchynanie[541] of the oppressive demands made on the people of that
country of men and Money, and Military Execution threatned, in case of
Refusal and that December 10th was fixed for commencing such military
Execution att Keith. Lord Findlater had thereupon, December 9th, wrote
to Lord Loudoun and in his absence to Lord President begging relief and
Mr. Grant had given assurance to Auchynanie of Assistance how soon
such violences should be begun, and December 11th at night he had a
letter from Auchynanie of that days date, that they were already begun,
and Lord Findater had one from his Chamberlain[542] much to the same
purpose (_vid._ App. No. 25, 26, 27).[543] No Return was come from
Lord Loudoun or the President, and there was ground from their former
Letters to presume, that Lord Loudoun was then upon another Expedition,
and immediate relief seemed to be absolutely necessary. Mr. Grant
thought therefore that he might be justly blamed by the Government as
well as by his Friends in that Country should he stay tamely at home,
waiting for orders from Lord Loudoun, and suffer them in the meantime
to be ruined. Therefore he brought together 5 or 600 men and with them
marched, December 12th, from Castle Grant, whereof he then acquainted
Lord Loudoun by Express (App. No. 28th),[544] ‘That he proposed to be
next night at Keith and endeavour to come up with Lord Lewis Gordons
party, wherever they were, and that he would continue in that country
with a force sufficient to keep the peace until he should receive his
Lordships further Directions.’
The weather was so excessive bad and rainy that Mr. Grant by Mid Day
of Saturday, the 14th, had got no further than Auflunkart within four
miles of Keith, where he got Intelligence that upon notice of his March
the Rebells had left Keith and gone to Fochabers. Mr. Grant therefore
halted there that day to refresh his men and clean their arms, and
there he received a Letter from Lord Findlater of December 13th (App.
No. 29),[545] covering Lord Presidents answer to his Lordship, Dated
December 11th (App. No. 30),[546] which came to Castle Grant only the
13th. In that Letter he Informs Lord Findlater that on the 10th five or
six hundred men had marched from Inverness towards Aberdeen by Elgin
for the Relief of these Countys. That they were quickly to be followed
by Lord Loudoun with as many more if needfull, and by a further force
if it shall be wanted.
At the same time he had some accounts that Lord Loudoun was come to
Murray, and that the Rebells had brought the boats on Spey to the East
or Fochabers side of the River; Wherefore Mr. Grant sent a party of an
hundred men who secured the boat of Bridge[547] which is two miles
further up the River and by Express aquainted Sir Harry Innes[548]
at Elgin of what he had done, and Desired him to ask whether Lord
Loudoun had any Commands for him, and that night he cantoned his men at
Auflunkart Mulbain and adjacent villages.
Next morning Sir Harrie Innes came to him with a Letter from M‘Leod
(App. No. 31),[549] Expressing ‘his joy at the news of the Grants being
there, and aquainting him that he was at Elgin to attempt to pass Spey
to assist in Protecting that country. That he heard the passage was
to be Disputed, and that the Rebells had gathered all the boats at
Bogg[550] to the East side, and that he was perswaded that Mr. Grants
moving that way would Disperse them, and open that passage, which
otherwise might be hazardous.’ (_Vide_ Mr. Grants answer, App. No.
32.)[551]
Upon Receipt of this letter Mr. Grant marched towards Fochabers, but
when he came within Two Miles of it, accounts were brought him, that on
his approach the Rebells retired from it through the Enzie. Mr. Grant
apprehending that they might have gone to Cullen, and taken Possession
of Lord Findlaters House Detached a Party thither who took possession
of it and the Town and prevented a party of the Rebells that had been
sent thither for that purpose, and sent some gentlemen to wait of
M‘Leod who passed the River without any opposition, and Mr. Grant again
that night billetted his men, much in the same place they were the
night before.
The Gentlemen sent to M‘Leod Brought Mr. Grant word, that he was to
remain that night at Fochabers, and to march the next day the 16th
to Cullen, wherefore Mr. Grant marched next day to Keith, and after
Quartering his men and placing advance Guards some miles further
towards Strathboggie, where he heard the main body of the Rebells was,
he went himself to Cullen to assist the Deputy Sheriffs in accomodating
M‘Leod and his men. For which purpose Mr. Grant had got a Commission of
Sheriff Depute from Lord Findlater, and on the 17th returned back to
Keith.
Mr. Grant aquainted M‘Leod of the Letter he had wrote to Lord Loudoun,
and of his purpose to remain at Keith till further orders; but M‘Leod
was very earnest with him to go forward, and was of opinion that he
would receive orders to do so.
Upon Mr. Grants Return to Keith a Messenger brought him a Letter from
Lord Lewis Gordon with a printed Declaration by Lord John Drummond
and a printed Letter signed Marshall (App. No. 33).[552] These papers
joined with what M‘Leod had said Determined Mr. Grant to go at
least to Strathboggie, and therefore returned a verbal answer by the
Messenger who brought the Letter, ‘That if Lord Lewis with his men
would be at Strathbogie, next Day at 12 o’clock Mr. Grant and his men
should there give them the answer, which he was Determined should
be proclaimed over the Cross and affixed upon it.’ He immediately
aquainted M‘Leod by Express of his Design and that night got his
answer (App. No. 34),[553] with a letter from Captain Monro of
Culcairne from Fochabers.
December 18th Mr. Grant marched to Strathboggie and upon his approach
the Rebells fled, and there he made the Proclamation (App. No. 35)[554]
and affixed it upon the most publick places and provided quarters for
the Two Companys that Culcairn was bringing, fully Determined if he
was not countermanded to proceed forward in Aberdeenshire as far as
he could do any service to the Government, or give any assistance to
M‘Leod, when on the 19th he received a letter from Lord Loudoun and
another from Lord Deskfoord, both dated at Inverness December 14th
(App. No. 36, 37),[555][556] which pretty plainly apeared to Mr. Grant
to be a Rebuke tho’ in very modest and polite terms for his undertaking
that Expedition without orders and that Lord Loudoun, as he thought
he had provided sufficiently for that service without Mr. Grant, he
wished him rather to return than to proceed further, tho’ he wou’d give
him no orders because he had given him none to go there. He therefore
Resolved to return to Keith of which he aquainted Culcairne then at
Strathboggie, as he did also M‘Leod by express, _vid._ his Letter with
M‘Leods answer--(App. No. 38, 39).[557][558]
Mr. Grant therefore Immediately returned to Strathspey but that as he
apprehended that when M‘Leod was gone forward some small partys of
the Rebells (whereof he had heard of severalls that could be formed
in one Days time) might give Disturbance to the Country, he ventured
even without orders to leave a party of 60 men at his house in Mulbain
within Two miles of Fochabers, of which however he acquainted Lord
Loudoun after his return to Castle Grant by a Letter, December 24th
(App. No. 40),[559] wherein he renewed his offer of Employing his whole
Clan, wherever Lord Loudoun should think they could be of any service
to the Government, and that small party happened afterwards to be of
good use after the Unlucky Disaster that happened to M‘Leods party at
Inverury by securing the boats upon Spey to make good their Retreat.
December 25th Mr. Grant received a letter from Sir Harrie Innes dated
24th December (App. No. 41),[560] with an Account of the Disaster at
Inverury,[561] and that M‘Leod was come to Elgin and by his orders
Desiring Mr. Grant to have his men ready to oppose Lord Lewis Gordon,
and at least to secure the boats upon Spey, and Sir Harry presses
Mr. Grant to march his men the length of Rothes to the Protection
of Murray, and December 29th he received Two letters one from the
Magistrates of Elgin and another from Sir Harrie Innes, Dated December
28th, aquainting him that M‘Leod had marched to Forres and that by
their Intelligence they Expected Lord Lewis Gordon with 500 men, and
therefore begging Mr. Grant to come to protect them. Mr. Grant so far
comply’d as to secure the Boats; but after the two reproofs he already
got he did not think that he could be Justified if he should march his
men a third time, without orders from Lord Loudoun, who surely could
best judge when it was proper to employ his men. Therefore he wrote to
the Magistrates his opinion, that Lord Lewis would not venture to Cross
Spey while Lord Loudoun was so near him and he Mr. Grant above him, but
that he could not promise to march any body of men but in concert with
and by the Direction of Lord Loudoun (App. 42),[562] and he could not
help being pleased that he had given such an answer when afterwards he
Received another letter from Sir Harry Innes wrote that same night,
December 28th (App. No. 43),[563] and Lord Loudouns Letter, December
30th (App. No. 44),[564] in answer to Mr. Grants to him of the 24,
wherein he writes Mr. Grant, that he could not yet undertake any new
operation; But that how soon he should find it proper to undertake any
thing of moment towards the East, he should aquaint Mr. Grant in order
to Concert together the most effectual way of Doing it.
January 9th, 1746, Mr. Grant wrote to my Lord Loudoun by James Grant
his Chamberlain of Strathspey (App. No. 45),[565] concerning some new
attempts that were made to force his Tenents of Urquhart into the
Rebellion. The reason of sending his Chamberlain was that he might
explain to my Lord the particulars and receive his Lordships orders
which he was directed to obey, and in that Letter after giving him some
further Intelligence Mr. Grant writes as follows:--
‘I think it my Duty to take nottice to your Lordship that the Rebells
are exerting themselves in every corner of the North to encrease their
army. I therefore think it absolutely necessary that all the Friends
of the Government should use their utmost efforts to Disconcert and
Disperse them. I had a meeting yesterday with all the Gentlemen of this
Country and I can assure your Lordship we wait only your Lordships
order and Directions, and there is nothing in our power but we will do
upon this Important occasion for the service of our King and Country. I
wish it were possible to Assist us with some arms; and money to be sure
would be also necessary; But give me leave to assure your Lordship,
that the last Farthing I or any of my Friends have, or that our credit
can procure us, shall be employed in supporting of our men upon any
expedition your Lordship shall Direct us to undertake for this glorious
Cause we are all Ingaged in. I wish to God your Lordship and the Lord
President would think of some measure of conveening the whole body of
the Kings Friends in the North, and I would gladely hope we would form
such a body as would in a Great Measure disconcert, and strike a Damp
upon the army of the Rebells in the South and effectually put a stop
to any further Junctions they may Expect benorth Stirling. And at the
same time surely we might prevent their being Masters of so much of
this North Coast as also hinder many of the Kings Subjects from being
opprest by the exorbitant sums of Money the Rebells are at present
Levying.’
January 17th Mr. Grant received Lord Loudouns Answer, Dated Jany 16
(App. No. 46),[566] approving indeed Mr. Grants sceme, but that he
could not in the present Situation undertake it, till he had got a
return to Letters he had sent for Instructions, and a little more
certainty of the motions of the Rebells, and that how soon Instructions
should arive, he should aquaint Mr. Grant and consult with him.
After this nothing Material happened in the North till the Retreat of
the Rebells from Stirling and upon the first Intelligence of their
coming to Blair[567] Mr. Grant again conveened his men to the number
of above Six Hundred tho’ very ill armed whom he stationed in the
properest manner he could either for Joining Lord Loudon (who he
supposed would probably come to his assistance) to attack the Rebells
at the passes in the entrance into the Country, or if Lord Loudoun
should not come to his Assistance, and that the Rebells should be too
numerous for him to engage alone, so as to retire but keep in a body
and prevent as far as possible their Destroying the Country or forcing
away any of his men.
About February 8th Mr. Grant received a letter from Lord Loudoun,
dated 7th (App. No. 47),[568] with what accounts he had of the Rebells
motions, and of their Designs on that Country, which he did not seem
to think they would soon attempt, and recommends to Mr. Grant first to
employ people to get Intelligence, ‘And in the next place I hope you
will have your people alert that we may Act by Concert and support one
another which I asure you I will to the outmost.’
Mr. Grant obeyed both these Orders with all the Exactness that he
was Capable of. Sunday, 19th February, he sent by his Chamberlain of
Strathspey the Intelligence (App. No. 48),[569] wherein he begged
some arms if any could be spared, and Tuesday, February 11th, sent
two Expresses with Intelligence (_vide_ App. No. 49),[570] that the
Rebells were come the length of Ruthven.
February 12th Mr. Grant received Letters from Lord Loudoun and the
President of the 11th with accounts that the arms were landed, That Mr.
Grants Clan was well armed, yet in the Distribution Lord Loudoun would
reserve as many as he could for him.
They seemed to think Mr. Grant in no Danger of being Disturbed by the
Rebells, and mention their Readiness to receive the Rebells and support
Mr. Grant (App. No. 50, 51).[571]
February 13th, Mr. Grant sent Lord Loudoun further Intelligence of
the Rebells Motions and numbers, beggs to have if possible 400 guns,
for that his people were extremely ill armed, tho’ to Deceive the
Rebells he behoved to give out the contrary. And the 14th he sent more
Intelligence to the Governor of Fort George to be communicated to
Lord Loudoun and still Demanding Arms (App. No. 52),[572] and still
further on the 15th (App. No. 53),[573] when the Rebells were come
into Strath Spey, the length of Avymore, and were that night to be at
Inverlaidnan.[574] Lord Loudouns Letter of February 15th (App. No.
54),[575] which was the last he had from him while att Inverness came
to hand Monday, 16th, telling that if the Rebells should come he hoped
to give them a Warm Reception. That as he was threatened with being
attacked he could not spare a party to carry arms to Mr. Grant, but
that if Mr. Grant would send Down 300 men he would provide them as well
as he could.
After the 15th Mr. Grant durst not send any Letters to Lord Loudoun,
but both the 16th and Munday the 17th (the Day that Inverness was
taken)[576] he sent two Expresses each day with accounts of the Rebells
motions. And even after Lord Loudoun was gone to Ross, Mr. Grant found
means of conveying to him an account of His Royal Highness the Duke
marching Northward from Perth, and by the same Conveyance got a Return
signed by Lord Loudoun and the President, which he transmitted to Sir
Everard Falconer.[577]
Mr. Grant was made to believe that his Royall Highness was Immediately
following in Pursuit of the Highlanders, and therefore kept his men
together in order to join the army till Sunday 23rd February that he
received a letter from Mr. Murray, secretary to the Pretender (which
at present is fallen by hand), Reproaching him for assisting the
Government, and for the further offers of assistance made by his Father
Sir James Grant which the Rebells had Discovered by Letters sent Mr.
Grant by Express by Lord Justice Clerk whom they had Intercepted, and
therefore ordering him Betwixt a Day limited to send to Inverness all
the arms in the Country with hostages who were named in the Letter for
the peaceable Behaviour of the Clan.
Mr. Grant at this time had Intelligence, that the Macphersons, some
of the Athol men and the Menzies were in a body in Badenoch above him
that Glenbucket with about 300 men were in Strathaven and Glenlivet and
that another party was Marching by Murray to enter Strathspey by the
Lower end of it; He was Informed that the Duke was still at Perth. He
was not an equal Match for all these partys alone, and could not hope
for assistance from any Quarter. Therefore he had no Choice but that
of either being Besieged in his own House or making good his retreat
to the army. The House could not hold out long, and therefore the
other was resolved on, and he chose rather to force his way against
Glenbucket, than to venture by Ruthven where the M‘Donalds by Joining
the M‘Phersons had it in their power to intercept them.
Monday 24th Feby. Lord Findlater and Mr. Grant and their Ladys set out
for Strathaven escorted by between 5 and 600 men, and the Better to
encourage them to leave their Houses, he proposed to give them his Bond
to repair all the Dammage that the Rebells should do them; But the men
said that they relied upon his word without any Bond.
Upon Mr. Grants marching his men Glenbucket retired from Strathaven
into the low Country, and at Strathaven an Express sent by Lord Justice
Clark (but who had been taken prisoner by Glenbucket and set at liberty
on his retiring) came to him and brought him the news that the Duke
was come to Aberdeen.[578] Mr. Grant thereupon directed his course
thither, and when he came to Newe, three miles from the house of Forbes
of Skellater one of the Rebells, finding himself out of Danger of any
Great body of Rebells sent home his men to take care of their Cattle
and houses, taking with him only 150 for an escort to Aberdeen, and
ordered that all the men in the Country should be ready on the first
call to come to Join him.
These 150 Mr. Grant marched to Kintore and left them there and March
1st went himself to attend His Royall Highness to Aberdeen; and
remained there till the 9th that he was ordered to Inverury, where
his men then were, and from thence to proceed slowly to Strathspey,
so as to serve as an advanced Guard to the Troops in their march to
Strathbogg, and in that March before he reached Castle Forbes[579]
had the Disagreeable news of a Ridiculous and Scandalous Treaty
of Neutrality (as it was called) that five Gentlemen of his name
had signed to the Rebells which he transmitted to Aberdeen to be
communicated to his Royall Highness. As this was done in his Absence
and was in his opinion the greatest affront that could have been done
him, none living can look upon it with Greater Indignation than he
does, notwithstanding of what all these gentlemen say to alleviate
it, which is, That finding their country threatened to be Burnt,
and no appearance of Immediate Relief, They consulted together on
the properest measure to Divert their Ruin, and it was agreed on as
the most prudent measure to endeavour to gain Time by treating with
the Rebells untill the Army would come up, and for that end to send
three of them as Deputys for the Rest, that when these three came to
Inverness they were forthwith made prisoners and keept there upon their
paroles, and the Rebells insisted that other two gentlemen should
likewise come before concluding any Treaty. That by these means they
got the matter Delayed for some Days, and when at last a written paper
was presented to them to sign promising upon their Honours that neither
they nor their Dependents should bear arms against them, They all
absolutely refused to sign it, until they were Threatened to be thrown
into Dungeons, and Lord George Murray with a party of Two Thousand men
and some Cannon ordered to Strathspey to burn and Destroy the Country
and then they signed it, believing that in the Strictest Honour, they
could not be Bound to perform a promise Extorted from them in such
circumstances. That it was Twelve days after their first confinement
before this parole was signed and some time Before the dukes passing
Spey.[580] Three of the five were allowed to return home, and how
soon Mr. Grant got home to Castle Grant, which was before the Battle
of Culloden, These three joined him and were very active in bringing
together the men.
This is a plain and genuine narrative of Mr. Grants conduct from the
beginning of the late wicked Rebellion until he went to Aberdeen. The
part he acted afterwards is already sufficiently known to His Royall
Highness the Duke, and Mr. Grant wants not any other Justification,
whereas the former part being acted in a corner of the Highlands could
not be so generally Known.
The naked Facts are stated without any observations upon them, which
will naturally enough arise to any Person into whose hands this may
come. And no Facts are stated but such as are either sufficiently
proved by the writings in the Appendix or can be proved beyond
Contradiction and no part of another persons conduct mentioned except
in so far as it was necessarly Connected with his.
And it is hoped it does appear that nothing was ommitted on Mr. Grants
part that he could Devise for supporting the Government or Distressing
the Rebells. He did not indeed know what were Lord Loudouns or Lord
Presidents Instructions or powers, nor was it fit that he should know
them; But by that means perhaps it was that sometimes he undertook
Expeditions and projected scemes that these Gentlemen possibly, yea
probably, for good Reasons Judged not to be expedient or seasonable,
but however that may be an argument of his want of skill, or of his too
great forwardness, but surely it can be none of his want of Zeal to his
Most Gracious Sovereign and our present Happy Constitution.
THE CASE OF THE REV. JOHN GRANT, MINISTER OF URQUHART; AND OF ALEXANDER
GRANT OF SHEUGLY IN URQUHART, AND JAMES GRANT, HIS SON