or Patterson (for now his name may be which one pleases), instantly surrendered the town, and agreed to pay two thousand pounds to save it from pillage.  Well! then we were assured that the citadel could hold out seven or eight days; but did not so many hours.  On mustering the militia, there were not found above four men in a company; and for two companies, which the ministry, on a report of Lord Albemarle, who said they were to be sent from Wade’s army, thought were there, and did not know were not there, there was nothing but two of invalids.  Colonel Durand, the governor, fled, because he would not sign the capitulation, by which the garrison, it is said, has sworn never to bear arms against the house of Stuart.  The Colonel sent two expresses, one to Wade, and another to Ligonier at Preston; but the latter was playing at whist with Lord Harrington at Petersham.  Such is our diligence and attention!  All my hopes are in Wade, who was so sensible of the ignorance of our governors, that he refused to accept the command, till they consented that he should be subject to no kind of orders from hence.  The rebels are reckoned up at thirteen thousand; Wade marches with about twelve; but if they come southward, the other army will probably be to fight them; the Duke is to command it, and sets out next week with another brigade of Guards, the Ligonier under him.  There are great apprehensions for Chester from the Flintshire-men, who are ready to rise.  A quartermaster, first sent to Carlisle, was seized and carried to Wade; he behaved most insolently; and being asked by the general, how many the rebels were, replied, “Enough to beat any army you have in England.”  A Mackintosh has been taken, who reduces their formidability, by being sent to raise two clans, and with orders, if they would not rise, at least to give out they had risen, for that three clans would leave the Pretender, unless joined by those two.  Five hundred new rebels are arrived at Perth, where our prisoners are kept.

I had this morning a subscription-book brought me for our parish; Lord Granville had refused to subscribe.  This is in the style of his friend Lord Bath, who has absented himself whenever any act of authority was to be executed against the rebels.

Five Scotch lords are going to raise regiments a l’Angloise! resident in London, while the rebels were in Scotland; they are to receive military emoluments for their neutrality!

The Fox man-of-war of 20 guns is lost off Dunbar.  One Beavor, the captain, has done us notable service:  the Pretender sent to commend his zeal and activity, and to tell him, that if he would return to his allegiance, he should soon have a flag.  Beavor replied, “He never treated with any but principals; that if the Pretender would come on board him, he would talk with him.”  I must now tell you of our great Vernon:  without once complaining to the Ministry, he has written to Sir John Philipps, a distinguished