Chiefs of Grant > Correspondence

1737.] TO SIR JAMES GRANT OF GRANT. 351
But let this calumnious villain say what he will, I know the Earle lies too much good sense
and too much experience of my fidelity to him, that he will not really belive him or any-
body els till he first examin myself upon the head. In the meantyme, as you love me, my dear
Craigelahy, I beg you consider my two last letters, and take occasion to speake of it to the
Earle as modestly as you please, and as far as you think proper. You know what you would
expect from me if any was attacking you, and I expject that you will show yourself my friend,
to vindicat me against the lyes of a rodomontade ruffian. Pardon this freedom ; and belive
that I ever am, with unalterable zeal and respect, my dear Sir James,
Your most affectionat brother, etc. etc.,
Lovat.
To the Honourable Sir James Grant of Grant, Baronet, Member of Parliament, at his
house in Conduit Street, near Hanover Square, London.
448. To The Same — The same subject.
Beaufort, 13th May 1737.
My dear Sir James, — . . . The infamous, unatural, and most ungratefull knight of the post
is come home in great pomp, by the money that he has got as a false spy and informer, and
particularly against his chief and great benefactor. He is really fitter for Bedlum than for
the commerce of reasonable men. He blusters out openly and says he has done my business,
and swears that a single letter under his hand to the Peer can break me at any time he
pleases, and take my commission, etc., from me. When his brother Belloan and his neveu
Culduthell heard this proven against him, they were almost mad, and curs' d the hour that
ever he was born, and swore they would drag him to the gallows with their own hands ; and
I am very sure if I conveen'd my kindred and gave them an account of his treachery against
me, it would not be in my power to save him from being cut in a 1 00 pieces ; but since I never
suffer'd a drop of Frasers' blood to be shed in my quarrel, I will not now begin, when God
has miraclously sav'd my family. In the meantime, I cannot comprehend how the Peer,
the great man on earth that I trusted most to, could believe any man of the race of Adam
that would tell him an ill thing of me ; but that he should give ear to a known lyar and an
impudent rhodomontad, that no street boy in Inverness that knows him would believe a
word he said, surpasses all immagination. However, I will hold my tongue, and referr to
my good friends, Sir James Grant and Sir Robert Munro, to represent that hardship to the
Peer, and have patience. When I told a little of this to our friend my Lord Elches, he
told me that any that would believe such ridiculous storys of me must be mad, or believe
me stark mad ; and truly that is the justest thing can be said of it. I doubt not but you
will push this affair with Sir Robert Munro, as you ought to do for a man that loves and
honours you as you know I do.