CHAP. orders. He employed himself more usefully in XIV. making military roads across the Highlands, but these (such is the capriciousness of fame!) are perhaps less remembered for the solid advantage, than for the silly panegyric they produced.* 1725. 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, 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, 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 commands, 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. XIV. 1725. CHAP. out of power, and the party attached to the maxims of Louis the Fourteenth. Lord Mar was also at Paris, but no longer in James's confidence. For some time after the return from Scotland, he had been James's sole favourite; all business passed through his hands, or was entrusted to his creatures; and those that would not truckle to him were represented as factious and humoursome, and opposing their Prince's just authority. Not a few faithful old servants consequently retired from James's Court in disgust. But in passing through Geneva in 1719, under a feigned name, Mar was suddenly arrested by that Republic, and detained a prisoner, out of complaisance to the English ministers; this led to some overtures with his personal friend Lord Stair, then ambassador at Paris; and finding the Jacobite cause baffled and declining, he was not unwilling to stoop for favours to the government of George. In my humble opinion," writes Stair, "the taking him off will be the 66 greatest blow that can be given to the Pre"tender's interest; and it may be made use of to "show to the world, that nobody but a Papist can 66 hope to continue in favour with him." * The government would not go the length that Stair desired; but Mar was allowed a pension out of his forfeited estates, and the estates, by a simulated sale were suffered to revert to his family. Such, however, was the crooked temper of this man, that he * To Secretary Craggs, May 29. 1719. XIV. 1725. endeavoured to seem equally a friend to each side; CHAP. he has been accused of revealing the secrets of his master; and at all events, it is certain, that, while professing his sorrow to King George, he wished still to be esteemed a Jacobite at Rome. He applied for and obtained James's permission to receive the indulgence of the English government; and when he found that he could gain no more favours from the latter, endeavoured again to conduct the business of the former. He caballed with Lord Lansdowne at Paris, and with some of his former friends from Scotland. But so far was he from recovering James's favour, that this Prince, like all weak men, ran into the opposite extreme, and looked with coldness and distrust on many of his most faithful followers, on account of their personal intimacy with Mar, even where that intimacy had been formed by his own direction, or resulted from his own partiality.* A feeble mind, however, can never stand alone; it requires a director as much as a creeping plant does a stake; and James immediately transferred his unbounded confidence to Colonel John Hay, brother of Lord Kinnoul, whom, in 1725, he declared his Secretary of State and Earl of Inverness. Next in favour came James Murray, son of Lord Stormont and brother of Hay's wife; he was at this time likewise made Governor of the Prince, and Earl * See the Hardwicke State Papers, vol. ii. pp. 561-600. Lockhart's Memoirs, vol. ii. pp. 178 201, &c. Atterbury's Letters to James. Appendix, &c. XIV. CHAP. of Dunbar. This triumvirate, then the two Hays and Murray-ruled every thing at the little Court of 1725. James, and raised much dissatisfaction amongst his partisans. Inverness, according to a most respectable authority, "was a cunning, false, avaricious crea"ture of very ordinary parts, cultivated by no sort "of literature, and altogether void of experience in "business; with insolence prevailing often over his little stock of prudence. The lady was a mere coquette, tolerably handsome, but withal prodigiously vain and arrogant.”* Of Dunbar it is admitted, that the character stood far higher; he was brother of William Murray, afterwards Earl of Mansfield, and like that brother had talents of the highest order, and well suited for public affairs, but he was injured at this time by his connection with the Hays. 66 The Pretender himself, though a mild, goodnatured, and well-meaning man, was still a Stuart, and not free from the especial curse of that race; when once prepossessed by any favourites, however worthless, he would see and hear nothing to their discredit, and considered all remonstrances against them as insults to himself. It was not long before his titular Queen, Clementina, a Princess of high spirit and blameless character, began to complain of the intolerable insolence with which she was treated by Inverness and his wife. Finding that she could obtain no belief or redress against them, she next applied to her husband's religious Lockhart's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 340. |