Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

172 The Earls of Middleton.
the Church of Rome. He was seldom called to
council, and had no concern in the management of
affairs between Versailles and St. Germains, that
being entrusted to Father Innes, 1 a Scotch Jesuit.
The French Court also never depended upon his cor-
respondence.
Middleton's letters, from this time until his resig-
nation of the Seals in 171 3, have been preserved by
Nairne, his under secretary, who kept copies of all
letters sent from the office. He usually gives those of
his principal entire, but often only enters the contents
of his own. 2 From this time, therefore, I will leave
Lord Middleton to speak for himself as much as
possible. His letters show him to have been true to
his motto — " Fortis in Arduis."
The Earl of Middleton to the Earl of Mountcashcl,
Lieut. -General in the French king's army.
"St. Germains, 15 th June, 1693.
" My Lord,
" I should have thanked your lordship sooner
for the honour you did me if I had not waited till I
could return you some good news for yours. The
king was pleased to declare yesterday that his Declar-
1 Lewis Innes, almoner to the royal family, and the queen's confessor.
3 Macpherson's Original Documents.