Ossian Collection > History of the Highlands and of the Highland clans > Volume 3

438 HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDS.
transport ships with 1"2,000 men, and tlie tiling seemed to be in a fair way ; biii
doubts and difficulties were started from time to time, and the minister of the
sia still fears the transportation will be impossible, because the secret is al-
ready, or will be too publicly known. However, there are no more objections
against the execution, but the difficulty of transportation, and since the Due
de Richelieu has obtained the command, he does all he can to hasten it. I
advised Lord John to ask some heavy cannon and some engineers, because it
was evident they were extremely wanted ; but I made no proposal in writing
save that of sending tlie regiment of Horse, which I first consulted Cardinal
Tencin upon, and had also Mr O'Bryen's approbation. But notwithstanding all
my caution, I find my stay near the French Court has been matter of jealousy
to Lord Marisehal, who has got Mr Kelly to represent what he pleased to the
Duke against it. My comfort is, that they did not meet to do it sooner, and
that I was allowed to remain at Court as long as I could do any service there.
They blame me for saying the Prince's followers were more numerous than they
say they really are, whereas, tho' I gave the e-^itract of a letter from London,
which mentioned that 30,000 men were in motion, or willing to join His Royal
Highness, yet I said I did not think he could have arms for above one-half of
them. Instead of representing the Prince's situation to be such, as with proper
support gives ground to hope for a glorious issue, they are for moving the com-
passion of our friends, — a method which may succeed with some private men
of great humanity, but will hardly determine any State to assist us.
From the Same.
2?jd Smember, 1745.
fj that minister (Marquis D'Argenson) were as wise, as J took him to be
honest and zealous for your cause, we should not at this time have any
remaining apprehensions about the success of the Prince's enterprize. But
tho'' his weakness made </(e French Court lose the opportunity of restoring
your Majesty without hazard or difficulty, before the Elector recalled the troops
from the Low Countries ; yet I hope, and firmly believe, the result will not be
the less happy, since it must prove more glorious to the Prince, and more deci-
sive in favor of your Majesty's faithful subjects. The French Court is using
all the diligence his present circumstances permit, to get a body of troops trans-
ported into England, that will do the ivork with a high hand. Mr Maurcpas
hopes to have the vessels ready about the end of this month, and Lord Clan-
carty and Mr Walsh make little doubt of getting safely over. . . . Lord
Tyreconnel is returned from the army by the permission of the Court. There
is a very advantageous marriage proposed to him j but he assures me nothing
siiall retard his going, where he can be of any use to your Majesty's service.
The minister of the war intends to employ him in the English expedition.
. . . I had the day before yesterday a visit from Mr Kelly, who told me the
Prince had done me the great honor to write to me, but that he had burnt that
letter with all the rest.
From the Same.
29M .\ovcmbcr, 1745.
He says that the Duke had prohibited him and Balhaldy in the most percnip-
Icry manner, from giving any information to the French Court, till he, wiih