Chiefs of Grant > Correspondence

360 IV. — LETTERS FROM SIMON LORD LOVAT. [1737.
nothing may devert you from makeing a handsome appearance for the body of the people of
Inverness, who most certainly abhorr and detest the present worthless magistracy, etc. etc.
I am now inform'd by Beloan and others, the near relations of that ungratfull ruffian
Major Cracks, that he is certainly gone up to London to do me all the misschief he can.
They told me that this young Phopahy, and a brother that he hes at London, an apohecary,
are the greatest fomenters of his going to London to do me hurt at Court, because of the
several just processes I have against Phopahy. All Castleladder's nearest relations have
order'd his son to writ to him to return imediatly to this countery, and to let him know
that if he is so mad and unatural as to say or do anything to hurt me, his brother and
his neveu Culdithel, and his other near relations, will be the first to chestise him with their
own hands. I hope the Peer, who hes been allways my support, will give no maner off
countenance to this ruffian, who is a known lyar and madman, and whose very nearest
relations wishes that he had never been born. As this villain hes impudence enough to
attempt to hurt me and my childeren, I hope you will act as a true friend and an affectionat
brother and uncle, to prevent the bad effects of that ruffian's malice against me and your
neveus, for what hurts me must hurt them. I hope you belive that I allways acted in your
quarell as if it was my own, and will still do so. I offer you my humble duty and that of
all my family ; and I am, with unalterable attachment and respect, my dear Sir James,
Your most affectionat brother and most obedient humble servant,
Lovat.
45 2. To Ludovick Grant of Grant — Duel between John Grant, bailie of Urquhart,
and Baillie, younger of Dochfour.
Beaufort, 15th December 1737.
My dear Laird of Grant, — ... I am just now very much astonished to hear by good
information, that a duel was fought early on yesterday's morning betwixt John Grant, your
chamberlain of Urqhuart, and Mr. Baillie, younger of Dochfour, your tennent in that country,
within three miles of my gate. I shall tell you faithfully what I heard of their quarrel this
day and formerly, from a very exact hand, and whom I caution'd at his perril to tell me
nothing but truth, and I leave it to you to form a judgement of it.
About two or three weeks ago, James Baillie, Dochfour's younger brother, another of
your tennents in that country, going to pay his rent to the chamberlain, met his brother,
and desir'd of him to witness the payment, as he was to insist for a deduction of twenty
shillings, or some such sum, that your chamberlain and Sheuglie, in company in a lime work,
promis'd to give him for a great part of his best grass that their carriages had spoil'd in
driving the limestone. Dochfour answer'd that he was not the litest to mediate in that,
but as his brother insisted he went alongs. They came to Belmacaan, where they found