Chiefs of Grant > Correspondence

342 IT. — LETTERS FROM SIMON LORD LOVAT. [1736.
labouring under a very bad and dangerous fever, which the physicians have not been yet
able to remove. As I never thought myself in so much danger, my apprehensions, and those
of my friends and kinsmen, were very great since ever I fell ill ; yet I freely submitted
myself with a perfect resignation to the will of God, as I still do. My life is in his hand,
and let him do in it as he pleases. You know, my dear Sir James, that I alwayes liv'd with
you as a kind brother, a zealous friend, a faithfully ally, and a very affectionate comerad. It
is by those uncommon tyes that I beg of you to support my children and family. My boys
and girls are your own neveus and nieces, and grandchildren of the family of Grant, as well
as of the family of Lovat ; so that I need not use any other argument with you to engage you
to do them all the service in your power. I leave them a great and good estate, and if it is
but tolerably well managed, my son will have it free several years before he is of age ; and I
assur'd myself that you and your eldest son, after doing all the good you can to your own
family, you will make it an essential part of your life to take care of my children and family.
I wish you and yours all manner of health and happyness, and may your offspring govern
the countrys now in your possession, and as much more as God pleases, to future genera-
tions, as long as any family subsists in this country ; and I am; while I have breath in me,
with unalterable zeal and all due respect, my dear Sir James,
Your most affectionate brother, your most obedient, most faithfull, and most constant
humble servant,
Lovat.
440. To Ludovick Grant, younger of Grant — Lord Lovat's recovery — Foyers' refusal
of his commission.
Beaufort, 16th July 1736.
My dear Laird of Grant, — I hope this will find you in perfect health ; and I beg leave to
assure you of my sincere thanks and gratitude for the great concern you had about me in
my dangerous illness. I was indeed for five weeks that I had no manner of hopes of my
own recovery. It is certain that I never was so near death by sickness as at this time.
However, I bless God I am now recovering, and my dear oracle, Doctor Clerk, who is the
greatest man on earth, assures me that I will recover my perfect health and strength again ;
and if that happens, the Laird of Grant will have a stedfast friend wherever I am. Sir
James Grant, the Laird of Luss, the Marquis of Lethen, Captain Gumlye, and Evan Baillie,
came here on Tuesday, and stay'd till yesterday morning, that they went to Scatwel's. I
rode out with Sir James in my chariot and on horseback above three or four miles, and I got
not so good rest since my sickness as I got last night. I sent for the Laird of Foyers as
soon as Sir James came here, that I might deliver his commission to him before Sir James
and Evan Baillie. He came here, but to our great surprise he would not accept of his com-