“My Lord, I have given the King, in general, account of things here; but to you I will be more particular.  As to myself, I have sent you it at large.  You may by it understand a little of the state of the country.[84] You will see there, when I had a sure advantage I endeavoured to profit on it; but on the other hand, shunned to hazard anything for fear of a ruffle.  For the least of that would have discouraged all.  I thought if I could gain time, and keep up a figure of a party without loss, it was my best till we got assistance, which the enemy got from England every day.  I have told the King I had neither commission, money, nor ammunition.  My brother-in-law and my wife found ways to get credit.[85] For my own nobody durst pay to a traitor.  I was extremely surprised when I saw Mr. Drummond, the advocate, in Highland habit, come up to Lochaber to me, and gave account that the Queen had sent 2,000_l._ sterling to London, to be paid to me for the King’s service, and that two more was a-coming.  I did not know the Queen had known anything of our affairs.  I received a very obliging letter from her with Mr. Crane, but I know no way to make a return.  However, when the money comes, I shall keep count of it and employ it right.  But I am feared it will be hard to bring it from Edinburgh.

“When we came first out I had but fifty pounds of powder.  More I could not get.  All the great towns and seaports were in rebellion, and had seized the powder, and would sell none.  But I had one advantage—­the Highlanders will not fire above once, and then take to the broadsword.

“But I wonder, above all things, that in three months I never heard from you, seeing by Mr. Hay I had so earnestly recommended it to you, and told of this way by Inverlochy as sure.  If you could not have sent expresses, we thought you would at least have hastened the dispatch of those we sent.  McSwyne has now been away near two months, and we know not if the coast be clear or not.  However, I have ventured to advise Mr. Hay to return straight, and not go further in the country.  He came not here until the 22nd, and they surrendered on the 13th.[86] It was not Mr. Hay’s fault he was so long of coming, for there has been two English men-of-war and the Glasgow frigates amongst the islands till of late.  For the rest of the letters I undertook to get them delivered.  Most of the persons to whom they are directed are either put in bond, or in prisons, or gone out of the kingdom.  The Advocate is gone to England, a very honest man, firm beyond belief,[87] and Athole is gone too, who did not know what to do.  Earl Hume, who is very frank, is taken prisoner to Edinburgh, but will be let out on security.  Earl Breadalbane keeps close in a strong house he has, and pretends the gout.  Earl Errol stays at home.  So does Aberdeen.  Earl Marischal is at Edinburgh, but does not meddle.  Earl Lauderdale is right, and at home.  The Bishops?  I