Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

John Middleton, First Earl of Middleton. 93
misfortunes, which he does not truly believe. But
these do not make any impression in comparison of
the trouble caused by the jealousies between Middle-
ton and Glencairn, whose firm and entire conjunction
he looked upon as his greatest security. Does not
conclude Middleton to be in fault, because he knows
his discretion and temper, and his great value of
Glencairn ; on the other hand, he knows Glencairn's
esteem for Middleton, and that he is contented to
take the command only to prepare for the latter's
coming ; therefore there must be some third unhappy
cause which has produced the distemper, which he
trusts to Middleton to discover and cure. Sends a
copy of what he wrote to Glencairn, and is using all
possible means to send arms and ammunition. He
himself has not changed his purpose of coming, what-
ever the victories of the rebels may be."
October 4th, 1654, Middleton to Hyde explains
the causes of his failure : —
" Has heard little from him, people not daring to
receive or deliver letters, so that he conceives most
have miscarried.
" People having engaged in the service with great
expectations from the war between Holland and the
rebels, the peace struck all dead ; though, had men
done their duties, they were in a fair way to have
done great services. The bearer has been an eye-