Douglas book > Angus memoirs

ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE DUKE OF DOUGLAS, 1759. 525
Gunning, who is described as recently married and who gave offence to the
older duchess, but this tradition is contradicted by actual events, and the
motives which inspired the Duchess of Douglas were probably of a more
noble character. 1
The Duchess used all her influence to disabuse the mind of the Duke of
the suspicions which possessed him regarding his sister and her children.
It is said she importuned him so strongly on the subject that it led to their
separation. This separation took place in March 1759, but, contrary to
expectation, it was the means of accomplishing the desire of the Duchess.
With much good sense and disinterestedness she accepted from her husband
at their separation, a deed settling upon her much less than she was entitled
to, which produced upon him so strong an impression in her favour, that he
became convinced that she had been equally disinterested in her solicitations
on behalf of Archibald Steuart. Her persuasions induced him to make
inquiries as to the truth, and discovering that he had been imposed upon,
he seemed satisfied that the children, who had been represented as
spurious, were in reality his sister's. The effect produced upon the Duke's
mind by the true account of his sister's history and sufferings has already
been narrated in her memoir.
A few months after their separation the Duke sought a reconciliation
with the Duchess. At the time of their marriage no formal contract appears
to have been made. A post-nuptial contract of marriage between the Duke
and Duchess was now entered into, whereby, failing issue of his own body,
and heirs appointed or to be appointed by himself, he left his whole Douglas
estates to his own nearest heirs and assignees, without excepting the son of his
sister Lady Jane. 2 In January 1760 the Duke revoked and cancelled the
1 Elizabeth Gunning, Duchess of Hamilton, marriage of the Duchess of Douglas,
was married in 1752, and she became a widow 2 Contract of marriage, dated 6th August
in January 175S, a month or more before the 1759. Old Inventory in Douglas Charter-chest.