LETTER VII
I begin to be impatient to hear from my Dear Life. This is the fourth letter I have writ, and I have got but one. If you are well I am very happy, but I have many melancholy dreams about you which is occasioned by anxious concern to have you easy in your mind, and satisfied with your present state, which indeed is a great tryal but such as God in His providence thinks fit to send us, and it is no small mercy in so general a calamity that you are preserved and will have what may make us live comfortably together. I must own it is not easy for me to be at so great a distance from you, nor can I have any prospect yet how soon I can be with you, until some settlements be made in affairs here, which will take a considerable time. I am doing in the meantime what is for your interest.
As for old W.’s work I am obligt to give it up yesterday, until we be in a state of more freedom than we are at present, and people began to suspect that there was something in it more than ordinary that I continued it so long. My counsel determined me in doing so, and they have some projects in vein to secure all. I hope they will not all fail ... it’s lucky for us P.C. is at London, and will be there for a great while. His wife is gone home to lye, and designs to take her two eldest children to London with her against June.
Your mother is here and is very concerned about you, and is very thankful you got so early off. In short, that supports her in all the difficulties that occur, as it does me, for the violence cannot always last, tho’ in the meantime it’s very hard upon those that are in their hands. I am in great fear for J. Paterson, for I am told that base wretch, Jock Muir, says his house was the place of their meeting which makes his friends afraid. I pity my poor sister, and when I think of her I think my own sufferings easy. In short I am not to be pityed for anything but being absent from you, for your friends have a particular regard and concern for me, and Charls omits nothing that can be for your interest, and I believe your sister Nell will make her spouse (Mr. Haldane) do all that’s possible for you att Court, and I hear he is much in favour at present. But that family distinguish themselves in violence at present, tho’ as to your particular (case) I believe they will do all that’s possible. Your nephew, James, was here the other day, and procured a protection for my house and all things I am concerned in, which makes me easy. In the meantime I believe there is some care taken to hinder your being denounct, but I fear it will not doe, but if it could be done it would be an advantage; but be it as it will there shall none of your stockin’ be lost.
If your brother Robin come to Holland with his master, Charls has some thoughts of coming there, and desiring you to meet them if you can do it with safety. Some people here think it would be easy for Robin’s master to procure your pardon, which I think should be done if possible; tho’ you did not return to Britain for some time the interest of your family and the present circumstances of your affairs require it, but when your brothers and you meet you can talk freely of that and other things.
Andrew (Argyle) has lost the command of the troops here, and Mr. Beggar (Cadogan) has got it. I wish Andrew had known it sooner for it’s talkt Beggar had it seven weeks before Andrew left this Country, and yesterday Mr. Beggar went northwards. Perth, Aberdeen, and Inverness are to be fortified. If the common people who are still under arms will now come to surrender they are to be allowed to go home, and I hear some of the Clans have done so. In that case their Heads will doe well to take care of themselves.... Colonel Pary, and Mr. Balfour have given up themselves, my Lord Rollo and several others of like degree, which is very surprising. There came an order to the common prisoners either to choose to stand their tryal or be sold to the plantations. I hear that most have chosen rather to stand their tryal than live slaves. Your fellow-travellers came south and were taken care of. I doubt not you will hear of them soon. All our neighbours are safe. Your boys are well and nothing shall be wanting that’s fit for them; for their education I hop, one way or other, you shall doe it to your own mind.
I am in great grief for Kid (the King) and your freind Mill (Mar), tho’ I think he is the only cause for all my sufferings, but I find he is blamed by all sides. How far it’s just I know not, but I shall never blame him, tho’ in my heart I cannot but think he should not have taken such an affair upon him without positive orders from Kid. However, in the meantime, I could wish for your own sake you wold not be near Kid or Mill, because that may be a hindrance to some projects which we have in view; and since you may doe yourself and family prejudice and can do them no service, it is but common prudence to do so.
I long to hear from my Dearest Life. May you be happy always, and remember the only way to be kind to me is to take care of yourself. I got a proposal from my father to come to keep house to him, and bring my boys with me, or he will come and board with me; but he wants me to manage his estate in his son’s absence, both which proposals I have rejected; and he says he will goe abroad. Where it will end I know not.
Charles salutes you and Betty, and your sons offer their humble duty to you, and
I am ever yours,
my Dearest Soul.