Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

yohn Middleton, First Earl of Middleton. 69
to Lord Duffus, 1 was garrisoned, to secure the stores
and a neighbouring pass. 2
One of Middleton's first acts after landing was to
send letters to Glencairn, announcing his arrival with
the king's commission appointing him generalissimo
over all the forces, ordering him, at the same time, to
march immediately northwards to meet him.
This intelligence was not received with the satis-
faction that might have been expected, after the many-
pressing invitations which Middleton had received.
When it came to the point, Glencairn seems to have
been reluctant to resign the command to another of
troops which had been wholly raised by himself ; nor
were the other lords better pleased. Although they
had so often pressed the king to send Middleton with
reinforcements, it does not seem that they had
imagined that Charles would dream of giving an
untitled person, whatever his talents, supreme com-
mand over so many feudal sovereigns. Still, reflection
told them that to resist the royal command at this
conjuncture would be utter madness ; therefore, most
reluctantly, Glencairn prepared to obey. 3
Lord Reay having raised his men, Middleton
marched into Caithness, near Wick, where the Parlia-
1 Sir Alexander Sutherland, first Baron Duffus, elevated to the
peerage December 8th, 1650, died 1674.
2 Captain M.'s letter. 3 Graham.