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

444
HISTORY OF THE HIGHLANDS.
shall be seut to both countries as soon as possible, and from time to time sup
plied, if occasion required. This I had from the mouths of lioth tlie Argensons,
and from Noailles, wlio told me it was by order of the King. Lord Sempill was
present. The Spanisli ambassador with whom 1 dined gave me a letter to the
Prince, the strongest I ever heard, for he read it to Lord S. and me. Tiie
Duke of Bouillon gave me the prettiest and most tender letter 1 ever saw to
the Prince. For God's sake let that wortliy man be thanked IB a particular
manner. There are not words strong enougli to express his good lieart towards
the cause. He went on liis knees to the King, with tears in his eyes, to beg
his assistance to the Prince, and the King most graciously desired him to assure
the Prince of it. He gave me a hundred kisses at parting, and melted in tears,
as I could not resist doing too : he desired me to tell liis dear Prince tliat he
would sacrifice all his fortune, all his family, and all his blood for him. I'll
love him as long as I live, for the force of love he so lively expresses for my
King and Prince. I was two hours with M. of Sax, who desired me say the
strongest things from him to the Prince, and really told certain dispositions he
is to make to favor the thing. In short, all the world express themselves in
favor of it. God Almighty give it grace ; I am sure it will succeed. I have not
time to be so particular as I could wisli ; but no doul)t you will be well in-
formed by others, and if they do nie justice they will say 1 have not been idle,
nor wanting in my duty ; every moment since 1 receivid the Prince's letter I
gave them little rest, and when it pleases God I arrive in Scotland with the
commissions I have from here, and the credit and influence I know I have there, I
hope I shall be able to do good service. God grant I may, if 1 should not live one
hour after ; there are some of my relations, officers of tlie English army, prison-
ers here, upon hearing the departure of the Prince, have offered me 700 men,
for his service, of their prisoners. I applied to M. D' Argcnson by Colles Lally
for leave, and he has promised not only leave but many arms and ships to trans-
port them. I leave the care of that to Mr Lally, and 14 officers that will fol-
low me anywhere ; but whether they can bring them or not, I shall make a
good regiment in the country to serve my King, and I hope do better service
there that I hope in God there will be an invitation to the King soon to come
to this country upon good grounds. I have been always pressing that ; I know
his presence would be more than all his subjects put together. I hope poor
Scotland will once more prove their loyalty, by asserting their King's cause like
true Scotsmen. 1 die every moment till I join my Prince, and then 1 leave my
poor wife and little family at Boulogne. I hope my gracious master will order
Mr Waters to pay my pension to her, till we see what turn affairs will take.
If I die in the good cause, 1 beg His Majesty's protection for her and my little
child, &c.
No. X.
The Chrrnlier ile Si George to the Duke nf OrmoniL
noi/i Aiiamt, 174a.
I FIND the resolution he (the Prince) lias taken is luuili applauded by the
French Court, as it is univei-saily by the publick at large. The King and the
ministers seem inclined to assist and support him; but they will do nothing till
they know of his arrival and recejition in Scotland, and then 1 think myself