Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

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GRANT OF GRANT S CONDUCT
Aquainting him that Glengarry’s son, McDonald of Barris-
dale, Glenmoriston and the Master of Lovat, were come
to force out his Tenents in Urquhart, and threatned to
carrie away their whole Cattle, if they did not Join. That
upon the Chamberlains assuring them, that Mr. Grant
would make good all their Damages The Tenants absolutely
refused to Join and resolved to oppose the M‘Donalds,
should they attempt to carry off their Cattle, tho they
were not able to resist both them and the Frasers, and
aquainting him also of a Dispute between the Master of
Lovat and Barrisdale which of them had the best title
to these Tenents. The Master insisting that he had the
best right to them except such of them as were of the
name of M‘Donald whom he willingly yielded to Barris¬
dale, and that this Dispute had superseded the execution
of their Threatnings Till it should be decided by Lord Lovat.
That Mr. Grant looked upon this as of the utmost
immportance to the Government, that the King’s Faith-
full subjects who were Determined even at the hazard
of their lives and the whole of their little Fortunes
to persevere in their Loyalty, should not suffer to be
Dragged against their wills into the Rebellion and that
too within Twelve miles of Inverness. He was at the
same time aware, That Lord Loudoun who had then got
no more than one of the new Companys the Monroes,
not having yet called for the Grants, had not a force
sufficient to leave Inverness, and to march against such
Numbers as might be brought to oppose him, and as
Urquhart is Distant about fourty miles from Castle
Grant, There was no time to Deliberate, or to receive
Lord Loudon’s Directions. Mr. Grant therefore forth¬
with assembled his friends to the number of betwixt six
and seven Hundred tho many of them were ill armed,
and Marched for Inverness in his way to Urquhart having
the above terms, Barrisdale went with the Master to Castle Downie to
know my Lord’s sentiments, and act accordingly. As this happens to
be the case we are as yet uncertain of our Fate, hut shall to the outmost
of our Power, resist the MacDonalds if not assisted by the Frasers Is
all hut that I remain as becometh, Honourable Sir, Your most obed4
humble serv*.