Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

Charles, Second Eaid of Middleton. 277
on all occasions a veracity and firmness which cannot
be sufficiently commended ; and that he has resisted
the persecution, not only of the public, but also of his
own family, without being staggered by imprisonment
or poverty."
To the Marquis de Torcy, about sending a ship and
the pilot Carm to Scotland.
[Translation.]
" April 28th, 1704.
* Sir,
" I could not have answered sooner the letter
you did me the honour to write me concerning the
little vessel designed for Scotland, because I have just
now learnt the name of the man who must neces-
sarily be employed. He is a native of Scotland, and
pilot of the king's frigate, called the Ludlow, an
English prize now at Dunkirk. He knows the place
where he ought to land, which is called the Castle of
Bownes, the residence of the Earl of Errol, in the
county of Buchan. It will be sufficient if the vessel
can be ready on the 10th of the next month, with
orders to sail as soon as they receive their despatches,
and to return immediately after they arrive at the
place of their destination. To keep this secret it is
necessary to give him his orders sealed, with a prohi-
bition to open them till he is at sea, or to carry