Transactions. 1 27 



returned the 25th about eleven at night, and found most of the 

 house worse than I could possibly imagine before I saw it. I 

 got as much time on the 21st as to secure all papers in 

 my custody, and the best of the bed and table linen, and some 

 other things of value which escaped undiscovered. I directed 

 the servants to conceal as much wine as possible upon the 22nd, 

 after I went off, which they managed so well as to save, I think 

 about two hogsheads. The charter-room was not broken open, 

 the servants having assured them the key was not in my custody, 

 and that nothing was in it except papers, but not having patience 

 till tlie servants brought the keys of every other place they broke 

 up many of the doors. They would have done much more 

 m-'schief, as the servants tell me — at least plundered the whole 

 house — had not the Duke of Perth stayed till most of them were 

 gone. He took sheets and blankets from several who were 

 carrying them off, and returned them to the servants ; and Mr 

 Riddell above-mentioned directed the servants to go through the 

 house all night to prevent tire. May God grant there may never 

 again be any such guests here. By the nearest computation I 

 can make, at least 2000 were lodged in this house and stables." 

 At this point some words are interlined in the draft which are 

 very difficult to decipher, but they seem to me to be " Drink 

 money, 10 guineas ; " probably this refers to the " tips " given to 

 the servants, and is mentioned as affording a criterion for 

 estimating the number of the unwelcome guests. The letter then 

 proceeds : — " Upon the 25th, in the evening before I came here, 

 upon hearing His Royal Highness the D. of Cnd. was come to 

 Carlisle. I wrote him in case he intended to march any part of 

 his army this way, I waited his commands to do all the service 

 in my power for forwarding it. This, I told H.R.H., I looked 

 upon to be my duty as a faithful subject to His Majesty Kino- 

 George, and as knowing it would be perfectly agreeable to your 

 Grace, the care of whose affairs I had in this place. Upon the 

 26th eight men and five women who had straggled from the rear 

 of the Highland army were brought here prisoners. The after- 

 noon before they were plundering near Durisdeer, and were 

 attacked by fourteen country people, seven of whom only were 

 armed. They fired upon the people, but did no execution, upon 

 which those who had guns returned their fire, and wounded most 

 of the Highlanders, and before they had time to draw their 

 swords ran upon them and knocked them down. I have sent a 



