Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

CHAPTER I.
His character — Early life — Appointed Envoy Extraordinary at the
Court of Vienna — Shipwrecked with the Duke of York — Made
Secretary of State for Scotland, afterwards for England — James II.
entrusts to him the management of the House of Commons — Dis-
approves of James's system of Government, but supports the
Court party — Expostulates with the king — Resists all James's
attempts to convert him to Popery — Directed by the king to dis-
claim any secret alliance with Louis XIV. — Proves faithful to his
sovereign in adversity — Present at Council — James's first attempt
at flight — Middleton refuses to obey the summons of the peers —
The king detained at Feversham — Middleton and others hasten to
him, and entreat him to return to London — Middleton present at
his last act of government — James compelled to go to Rochester —
Determines on flight — Writes down his reasons for withdrawing,
and directs Middleton to get them printed — Queen's ladies obtain
permission to join her — Middleton remains in England — Warrant
issued by Queen Mary for his apprehension — Escapes to France,
but returns to England — Induces James to issue a more conciliatory
declaration after the battle of La Hogue — Middleton heads the
compounders — Calumnies of his enemies — Succeeds Lord Melfort
at St. Germains.
CHARLES, the second Earl of Middleton, is described
by a contemporary 1 as being, in personal appearance,
" a black man, of moderate stature, and a sanguine
complexion." In the swarthiness of his skin, and in
1 Quoted in Douglas's Peerage of Scotland.