Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

5S The Earls of Middleton.
Middleton's wife and family probably soon joined
him in France, as his son is said to have been bred up
in the Court of Charles II. 1
" A little Scottish vicar," one Mr. Knox, who was
known to the king, accompanied Middleton to Paris.
He brought with him letters of credit to his Majesty,
some propositions from his friends in Scotland, and
despatches from the lords in the Tower. The severe
proceedings of General Monk, 2 who had been com-
missioned by Cromwell to subdue Scotland, had,
he said, struck terror into the very heart of the
nation. Many complaints were also made of the
Marquis of Argyle, who persecuted the king's friends
with the utmost malice.
The most considerable Royalists, who had retired
into the Highlands, sent assurances by him to his
Majesty, "that they would never swerve from their
duty, and that they would be able during the winter
to infest the enemy by incursions into their quarters ;
and that, if Middleton might be sent to them with
some supply of arms, they would have an army ready
against the spring strong enough to meet with
Monk."
The lords in the Tower, who did not know of
1 A contemporary of the second Earl of Middleton.
- George Monk, afterwards Duke of Albemarle, born 1608, died
1670.