Douglas book > Angus memoirs

468 ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, DUKE OF DOUGLAS.
Charles was at Douglas Castle he was on his way north from England, and
either with him, or about the same time, a party of Highlanders remained, it
is said, two days in the town of Douglas. They conducted themselves so as
to be a trouble to the inhabitants, and according to tradition were erot rid of
by a ruse. They carried off from the castle the famous sword described in
the memoir of the Good Sir James Douglas, in the previous volume of this
work, but the weapon was recovered by the Duke after the battle of Culloden. 1
It was in reference to this visit of Prince Charles and his followers — among
whom apparently was Lord George Murray — that the Duke of Douglas received
a letter from the Duke of Athole, expressing concern for the treatment given
to the Douglas property by the rebels. The arrival in Scotland of the Duke
of Cumberland is also announced. 2 To another correspondent the Duke of
Douglas, writing in March 1746, desires his compliments to be presented to
His Eoyal Highness, and expresses the hope that he may be able to kiss hands
when the Royal Duke returned to Edinburgh. 3
The incidents of the marriage of Lady Jane Douglas in 1747, and the sub-
sequent conduct towards her of her brother the Duke, will be found narrated
in her memoir. During the years which followed 1753, the Duke made
1 Upper "Ward of Lanarkshire, vol. iii. great deal of planting ; pillaged and robbed all
p. 1S4. Vol. i. of this work, pp. 183, 1S4. sorts of eatables and drinkables, and ruined all
In a Memorial for the Duke of Douglas to be the Duke's corn and hay ; and made the Duke's
given to Lord Mark Ker in the year 1746, the house worse than a hog's sty. In special
Duke sets forth the number of guns, broad- Sir William Gordon of Park took from the
swords, one of them " the black Douglas Duke two hundred and thirty-one pounds,
sword," and pistols, which were taken away ten shillings sterling, and they also took from
from the Castle as he believes by the orders his butler clothes to the value of twenty-four
of Secretary Murray, who also pulled down a pounds. The Duke imputed the whole to
very good drum with his own hands, and Mr. Murray as the principal incendiary,
broke up closets and presses of books and [Memorial in Douglas Charter-chest.]
cabinets ; took his Grace's sheep, horses, etc., 2 Vol. iv. of this work, p. 290.
silver jugs and silver spoons ; broke down the 3 Letter dated at Douglas Castle 8th March
park dykes about the Castle, and destroyed a 1746, in Salton Charter-chest.