Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

126 The Earls of Middleton.
Lord Middleton received the appointment of
Governor of Tangiers, April 15th, 1667. 1 This
fortress in Africa had been given up to the English
by the Portuguese, January 30th, 1662, as part
of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza, on her
marriage with Charles II. The greatest pains were
taken to preserve the fortress, and a fine mole to
improve the harbour was constructed at an enormous
expense. Pepys was one of the commissioners, and
the treasurer. He had ever a poor opinion of the
benefit its possession would prove to the king, speak-
ing of it. as " a great expense and no profit, likely
only to be used as a job to do some kindness to
some lord or other." The appointment of governor
of the place was indeed looked upon as a species of
honorary banishment. 2 Lord Middleton was the
fourth nominated in little more than five years. One
of his predecessors, Lord Teviot, had been killed by
the Moors. He did not leave England until two
years afterwards.
On May 5th, Sir W. Coventry, 3 while discussing
1 It is believed that this appointment was conferred on him at the
suggestion of the Earl of Lauderdale, who feared lest the king's
affections might return to him, unless he was removed to a distance.
(Statistical Account of Scotland.)
2 Wright.
3 Sir William Coventry, fourth son of the first Lord Coventry. He
was Secretary to the Admiralty, and afterwards one of the Commis-
sioners of the Treasury. Died 1686.