Transactions. 127 
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 the 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 fire. 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 King 
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, ands before they had time to draw their 
swords ran upon them and knocked them down. I have sent a 
