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XIII.

majorities in both Houses. The funds also, which CHAP. on the apprehension of war had fallen 12 or 14 per cent*, gradually recovered from their depres

- sion.

See Mr. Barnard's Speech, Feb. 9. 1726. (Parl. Hist. vol. viii. p. 502.)

1725.

1725.

CHAP. XIV.

CHAP. WHILE such engagements were concluded at XIV. Hanover, and confirmed in London, the little Court of the Pretender was full of expectation and scheming. "I have had for some time reason "to hope," writes James to one of his Scotch adherents," that the Emperor will soon espouse my "restoration in a very particular manner. You "will allow it is no easy matter to persuade a foreign prince of the facilities he would find in such an

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attempt. Therefore I proposed to the Emperor, "to send a minister privately to England, to take "information there of the good disposition of my

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subjects, and I have reason to believe that he will "send one soon.' 99* A secret mission of this kind would, however, have been so liable to suspicion and discovery, that the inquiry was relinquished, or rather left to be the private object of a public embassy. But James, on his own part, sent over one of his most trusty followers, Allan Cameron, to visit the Highlands, and prepare them for a rising. This

*To Mr. Lockhart, Feb. 2. 1726. Lockhart Papers.

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XIV.

1725.

agent found there a curious combination of zeal and CHAP. caution; for example, among the Gordons it was already arranged, that the Duke should stay at home in the next insurrection and secure the estates, while the Earl of Aboyne, as next man of the family, should head the clan.* The principles of the Highlanders were still unchanged, and their spirit unbroken. In vain had the Act for the encouragement of Loyalty in Scotland, brought in by Stanhope in 1715, and commonly called the Clan Act, endeavoured to dissolve their bond of feudal union, by providing, that whenever a vassal took arms in any rebellion, his property was to devolve upon his liege lord if he remained quiet; and on the other hand, that a loyal vassal was to receive the freehold of his lands from a rebellious lord. In vain, also, had there passed in the very last Session, an Act for disarming the Highlanders. There was indeed a simulated surrender of arms to General Wade; but in fact none but old rusty firelocks, and other unserviceable weapons, were yielded by the disaffected clans, while the few well-disposed gave all, so that in 1745, the latter were found defenceless, and the first prepared.† General Wade, who had been sent into Scotland with very full powers, seems to have been a judicious and conciliatory man, insomuch that he became personally popular, even whilst faithfully obeying most distasteful

Mr. Lockhart to James, July 7.1726.

+ See an article ascribed to Sir Walter Scott. Quart. Rev. No. xxviii. p. 322, &c.

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CHAP. orders. He employed himself more usefully in XIV. making military roads across the Highlands, but 1725. these (such is the capriciousness of fame!) are perhaps less remembered for the solid advantage, than for the silly panegyric they produced.*

From the North, Allan Cameron proceeded to Edinburgh, to confer with the Duke of Hamilton, Mr. Lockhart, and the other managers or "trustees" of James in the south of Scotland; for it is very remarkable how slight and casual were then the communications between the Highlands and Lowlands, and how little the Chiefs in one quarter knew what was passing in the other. Though attainted, Cameron remained for some time at Edinburgh, and ventured to frequent the most public taverns, observing only a new and convivial plan for his security. "All his caution," writes Lockhart, "consisted in outsitting all other "companies at the same tavern, so that he was safe "going home!"+ Cameron was assured, that James's party had not fallen off in numbers or in zeal, and that the people at large were ripe for another attempt. But it was added, that this attempt could never promise success unless made with a foreign force; that such a force ought to land in England, and the nearer London the better; and that nothing should, or need be expected from Scotland,

* I allude to the well known couplet:

"Had you but seen these roads, before they were made,
"You'd have lifted up your eyes, and blessed General Wade!"
+ To Lord Inverness, June 9. 1726.

XIV.

1725.

except a diversion, to prevent the troops stationed CHAP. there from being called to England, or to intercept them if they marched. With this view a smaller division of foreign troops would be useful in Scotland; and it was recommended, that if sufficiently strong to stand against the regular forces, they should land to the south of the Forth; but if too weak, they should be set on shore in the Highlands, so as to be quickly joined by the clans. The "aversion to the Union," it was also said,

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daily increases, and that is the handle by which "Scotsmen will be incited to make a general and "zealous appearance."*

Almost every Court in Europe now became the scene of negotiations on the part of James. Bishop Atterbury was his ablest, and not his least active partisan on his first landing, he had gone to Brussels; but had afterwards proceeded to Paris, where he managed the Pretender's business, although so covertly, that his friends in England were still able to deny his Jacobite connections. In his own words to James, "I obey all your com"mands, as far as my sad state of health, and the "recluse and solitary life I am obliged to lead, have "enabled me. I do my best; and what is wanting "in abilities, endeavour to make up by my prayers "for your prosperity and happiness."+ There was' little to be done with the ruling French ministers, but a large field for intrigue with the statesmen

* Mr. Lockhart to James, December 18. 1725.

+ Bishop Atterbury to James, June 25, 1725. Appendix.

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