Chiefs of Grant > Correspondence

1738.] TO LUDOVICK GRANT, YOUNGER OF GRANT. 363
lie may have for bringing in your rents, I humbly think he makes but a very indifferent
judge, for by the daily accounts I have from that country, Urqhuart is a scene of oppression
and tyranny, etc, I think I would fail grossly in the duty I ow to you as your uncle, and
as a man that ahvayes lov'd you as I did any of my own children, if I did not acquaint you
of what I know that regards so essentialy your honour and interest. All that I have said
above is by very good information. I must now add from proper knowledge that this
young gentleman Dochfour, and all his father's children, who are my relations, and whom I
know all personaly, are not turbulent or offensive in their tempers ; and I cannot answer to
the sincere love and attachment I have for your person and family, without leting you know
that all those in thir countrys that know you and Evan Baillie (who have seen him as zealous,
as faithfull, as diligent and as violent a partisan for your person and interest as ever any
Laird of Grant had) are now astonished at the little regard you have for him and his family,
by your allowing their malicious enemys (who are naturaly under your command) to vex and
insult him. I know Evan would be mad angry at me if he knew that I did write or speak
to you of this ; and by the living God I use this freedom with you more upon your own
account than upon Evan's, tho' I have a sincere esteem and regard for Evan. . . .
I intreat you may forgive this long letter, which is a sort of punishment to you for
your not coming to see me; and believe that I am, with as much zeal, attachment and
respect as any man alive, my dear Laird of Grant,
Your most affectionate uncle and most faithfull slave, etc. etc.,
Lovat.
453. To The Same — Accusation of treason by Castleleathers — Sickness of Lord Lovat.
Beaufort, 10th January 1738.
My dear Laird of Grant, — . . . I give you much joy of your pollice. I think it is a singular
mark of the Earl's affection towards you ; and tho' it be less than what the Laird of Grant
deserves, yet as it comes merely from himself, without any body's asking, I humbly think it
should be received with more thankfulness than if twice as much had been obtain'd by the
strong solicitations of your friends, and I am very sure the Earl will not stand there, but
continue to do greater favours for you and for your family. His Lordship has given of late
new proofs of his stedfast friendship for me. There are four or five rogues in this country
that I have charg'd before the Lords of the Session, for having rob'd me of the rents of my
estate and of the furniture of my house, and they being conscious to themselves that I can
prove all my libel against them, the villanous refuge that they have thought of to save
themselves was to invent lyes and storys of me, and to inform the Court that I am a
Jacobite and an enemy to the Government. They did chuse for the instrument of their
malice James Fraser of Castleleathers, alias Major Cracks, and a brother of Phoppachys,