Manuscripts and Special Collections
Ne C 1725 : Letter from Major-General Humphrey Bland, Fort Augustus [Inverness-shire, Scotland], to Henry Pelham; 9 Jun. 1746
Isle of Sky, where pleasure will not interrupt his Studies, if he is inclined to
follow them. When you see our Friend the Mareshal, Assure him of my
most Sincere Respects. The News papers say Lord Stour has got leave to
Retire from Bussiness and is coming down here to Spend the remainder of his
days. I think he is quite in the Right in doing so, as Age impairs the Mind as
well as the Body, and Renders us unfit either for the Field, or Cabinet. I have looked upon him in
this light, for some time past, and am glad his understanding is yet strong enough to convince
him of it. Lord George Sackville has been on Command with 800 Men Ranging over
all the Highlands on the Western Coast, in pursuit of the Rebells, from Bernara down to
Argyllshire. This expedition was for a Fortnight, and he returns to Morrow. Lord Loudoun
with the McDonalds and McCleods are doing the Same in Badenock; Brigad[ie]r Mordaunt
is sending Part[icu]lars from Perth thro' that County and M.[ajor] Gen.[eral] Campbell with the Argyllshire
Men is Employ'd in those Parts and in the Islands, in Short H.R.H. will so Effectually
Subdue this Country before he leaves it, that Rebellion will not in haste raise up its head
again. We hear Lord Lovat is taken somewhere in Argyllshire, Lord George having drove him
from these parts; and we are in hopes that Locheal, Mr Murray and Several others will
likewise fall into our hands, as it will be almost impossible for them to get of by Sea, as
our Ships and Sloops of War are very Active. One Sir James Stuart of the Orknies is taken
there. I will now release you, only make my compliments to your Lady, and believe
me with much Sincerity,
Dear Sir
Your much obliged and very
Affectionate Humble Servant
Hum. Bland
