Series 2 > Seafield correspondence from 1685 to 1708

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1708] FIRST EARL OF SEAFIELD
For MR. WILLIAM LORIMER, Chamberlane to MY LORD
SEAFIELD, at Cullen, Banffshire
London, March 8th, 1708.
Dear Cousine,—Wee have now certain information that
the ffrench designe ane invasion upon Scotland. They
have brought eleven men of warr from Brest to joyn those
at Dunkirk, and the pretended Prince of Wales is there to
come with them with 10000 men and a considerable
quantities of amunition and arms. The ffrench ffleett
will be near 32 men of warr besides transports and priva¬
teers, but I hope in God the English and Dutch ffleet, qch
are above 40 men of warr, will stop there project, and if they
cannot block them up in there harbours will beat them off
the seas ; and if the wind shall favour them to gett landed,
the Queen is to bring from fflanders 20,000 men, qch cannot
miss effectually to defeat there projects. It’s reported they
designe to land in fforth or at Aberdeen, but whatever
* happen you may have my Lord Seafields papers in such a
readines that they may be secured in some safe place, if
there be any hazard in that part of the countrey, for where
they land first they will doe damnage to the countrey and
lands of those who are not affected to there interest before
any releef come up. Our officers are ordered to there
severall posts. The Parliat. and City of London have
addressed the Queen, that they will stand by her with there
lives and ffortunes against the common enemy, and it’s
certain, though these preparations may amuse us a litle, the
bad consequences will be soon remedied and the danger
easily prevented. Give my humble duty to Castlefield,
i and tell him what’s above, and that his sone getts his
commission in my [Lord] Strathnavers regiment, and will
i come to Scotland very soon. My Lord Deskfoord, blessed
I be God, is much better. We will be all at Edinr about the
3 1 end of next moneth. Give my humble duty to my mother
i| and sisters to yor wife and children. Give the enclosed to
1 * my mother, qch comes from my wife.—I am, D. C., your
3 most affectionat cousine and humble servant,
John Philip.