Volume II Part 3 (1/2)
LETTER FROM LORD NITHISDALE TO MR CRAIK
”Dear Sir,
”I have both yours, giving your opinion on the present affairs, without assigning your reasons, and as I take it, urging an answer from me, whether I am determined to take a share in the present enterprise, which you seem to think I should not I shall answer the last first, by telling you that I have not yet fully digestedrashly--that's only for desperados As to the other, I'ree in opinion with reatly the interest of Scotland to wish success to the undertaking; and that nothing but the improbability of success should hinder every Scotsreat reason to fear that either, unless vast nun forces are poured into the country for support of the party in possession
”The Militia of England are little to be feared, nor do I believe they'll be trusted with arms, as there's a chance ay they may be used, particularly by that part of the country who only kno to handle thereater reason to believe they'll be recalled, and it may be some time before others are sent in their place, if at all I do believe the United States, if they dare, will give all the support they can; but if France shall really prove in earnest, I in forces reat iet aid, and here there's asse a very numerous resolute army The prospect of the situation of the country for some time to come, must affect every isher to it, and the consequences to this part, if the undertaking shall ive, appear to me terrible; if it succeed, what have we to fear? You'll answer, the introduction of Popery and arbitrary govern the success and fate of his grandfather and uncle, that will be attempted; and as to any fear that we iving aid to the present adventure, that I'ine it would be in his power to accomplish, tho' inclinable to it I shall say noan evil than re, and that may be applyed to both sides; only this one further I observe, that I think it's the interest of the nation to have a sovereign settled whose title is unquestionable: we see the inconveniencys attending the other You'll perhaps answer, there will still be a Pretender; but I reply, not so dangerous an one, if at all You write, in your letter, that people uments I assure you I'm none of these--what I have said now, is on a Sunday forenoon However, I should wish you communicate my mind to nobody
If any h, you shall have them; and to-ive with respect to your nursery, &c, which I hope you're still carrying on, and that your garden-wall is now completed If you had soainst an ar it's at a sufficient distance fro of any castle? Were it not for fear of your horses, I should wish you came in here and saw the fortifications ainst which they were intended; the last is worth your while
No Court in Europe is filled with such a set of well-look'd brave fellows
”I hopeyou'll acquaint the tenants to have the rents ready, in regard I'm to be soon in the country, and won't make any stay above a day or two; this to you, but to yourself I can yet fix no tih till I see how matters turn, and it's also necessary to stay and take care of my house, furniture, papers, &c
I believe I shall eat land, which I would incline for sake of a jaunt, if I thought it safe and had a right set with me I ever am, dear Sir,
”Your's &c”
Another letter from a kinsman of Lord Nithisdale's shews that he was not alone in his inclination to join in the Insurrection of 1745
LETTER FROM MR MAXWELL OF CARRUCHAN
”October 13th
”Dr Willie,
”By accounts this day fro with the stream, so that a short delay wou'd lose all theso suddenly, that I have not tio off, which is impossible I depend upon your protection for those I leave behind What gives reatest concern is least some such creditors as have still my father's security, should molest him in my absence I recommend particularly to you, that if you can hear of any, you'll endeavour to make them sensible that they are as safe as before, and tell the comissary that I expect the same piece of friendshi+p fro what passes of that kind I believe there are three or four thousand French or Irish landed in Wales, with Lord John Dru of the week Farewell dear Willie God bless you! Ever your's
(Signed) Ja Maxwell”
”Saturday--I set out before daylight to-morrow”
Froland
Since Lord Nithisdale's na Chevalier's officers, we must conclude that he did not persevere in his resolutions There is no date to Mr Craik's second letter, but it must have been written after Carlisle had surrendered to the Duke of cumberland,--an event which took place on the thirtieth of December, 1745
The Earl of Nithisdale, as he was styled, lived until the year 1776, and possibly in peace and prosperity, since the family estates were spared to hihter of the Earl of Traquhair by Lady Mary Maxwell, and left an only daughter
This lady, narandmother Winifred, was also, by courtesy, endoith the honours of the forfeited rank, and styled Lady Winifred Maxwell Her Ladyshi+p would have inherited the Barony of Herries, of Terregles, but for the attainder of her grandfather The estates of Lord Nithisdale were inherited by her son, Marham Park, in the county of York; who, on the death of his mother, assumed, by royal licence, the surname of Maxwell
The title of Nithisdale, except for the attainder, would have descended upon the next heir, Mr Maxwell of Carruchan[36]
FOOTNOTES:
[1] There is no statement of the date of Lord Nithisdale's birth in any of the usual authorities, neither can his descendant, Williales, supply the deficient inforotiations, by himself, p 175
London, 1740
[3] Patten's History of the Rebellion, of 1715, p 234
[4] Service of the Earl of Eglintoun, as heir male of the Earl of Wintoun Printed for the fae Law by Riddell,”