Chapter XXXVI: 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.