of the date of the 7th & 9th which is no ways confirmed
by any accounts I have: S[i]r John Cope will march
all his foot in a few days to the Forts in the Highlands,
which is certainly right if the Rebells are not got
together, but if they are, it will be very dangerous
for want of Highland militia. I have advised him to
keep his dragoons at Sterling & Edenburgh they being
of no manner of use in the Highlands; I hope when
the King comes over we shall have a Goverment, &
if this affair blows over, it will be a warning
to us to put this Country into such a state that
the Jacobites in the Highlands may be affraid of us instead
of our fearing them; it is a great mortification to me
to be obliged to run away from 300 French & 3 or
4 of my Tennants or Vassals, but I have said so much
of my self that I am quite sick of it. The Postmaster
here has been with me, & is so sensible that its
necessary to make the correspondence with the Highlands
more easy, that he says he will write to his Masters
for leave to send the letters more frequently than
hitherto they have done, which I hope you will take
care that his Masters may approve of, it is incredible
what flattery I meet with from some of my enemies
here now that are frightned out of their wits.
Capt[ain] Noel sailed from the Clyde as he & I concerted it,