Chiefs of Grant > Correspondence

1727.] SIR HEW DALRYMPLE, LORD PRESIDENT. 423
for me as I have. I informed Craigends what you wrote to me, and doubt not but it will
be satisfying. I long earnestly for your answer, for I know not what I 'm doeing, as you '11
observe by the confusidness of my last letter, and shall be in a strange perturbation untill
a happy period be put to this affair. I shall allways continue, dear sir,
Your most affectionate and obedient Son,
Lewis Colquhoun.
505. Sir Hew Dalrymple of North Berwick to Sir James Grant — Clandestine marriage
between Lewis Colquhoun and Miss Dalrymple.
Edinburgh, July 26th, 1727.
Sir, — Your son and my daughter's clandestine marriage, without the knowledge or consent
of any of the parents on either side, was a very undutifull return to the tender care and
affection of their said parents. I will not presume to offer any advice or request with respect
to your son — you are the best judge what is fitt for you to do or with whom you please to
advise — but I think it my duty to lett you know what my conduct has been hitherto, and
what my future inclinations and intentions are, which I would willingly regulate in the waj r
that may be most agreeable to you. It is, sir, since the first of June that I knew anything,
less or more, about Mr. Colloquhoun. He was introduced to me as a young gentleman of a
family who intended to follow the study of the law, and about the twentie of the said month,
or some days after, Colonell Cathcart, by comission from Mr. Colloquhoun, offered his service
to my daughter. He had been but a night or two in town, and being that minute going to
take his horse for London, he said he would have no opportunity to see the gentleman, but
that Mr. Colloquhoun would wait on me and receive my answer.
My answer both to the Collonell and him was that tho' I was well satisfied that the
match was equal and honourable for my daughter and me, yet I could not intertain it, as it
came from a son in family with his father without his concurrence or knowledge, but that if
it should come to me from his father, I would treat it with due respect, and that there should
be no notice taken of anything he had said till his father's mind was known, and that in the
mean time it was not fitt that he should visit her in my house, or have opportunity to speak
or converse with her any where, to which he appeared to me to have acquiesced. I told him
also that all my children, especialy my daughters, had been obsequious to me in their
marriages, and that when friends were satisfied with the match and terms of a contract, I
would undertake for my daughter's concurrence. I told him also I would acquaint my
daughter with what was past, which was the method I used with my other daughters. I
did so, and laid my positive commands upon her that she would strictly observe these rules,
and to dispose herself to comply with what was thought fitt by friends, and not to suffer
herself to be engaged further or sooner than they should think fitt ; and upon my word it