"I have seen a letter from Mr. S----g, who had spoke with you on the
subject I formerly wrote to you of, concerning that fo--f--y of the
D----h to a gentleman with us, Mr. S----q's friend, and upon it our
master has thought fit to write the enclosed to him, and orders me
to tell you that you must cause give him an hundred guineas at the
delivery of the letter. The letter is left open for your perusal,
and I wish it may have effect, as perhaps it may. There's no time
to be lost in it, and I'll long to know what passes in it, and what
hopes you have of him. I sent you credit for five hundred pounds,
which I hope you got safe; but if by any accident it should not come
to your hands, Mr. S----q there, is a certain goldsmith that will
advance what there is occasion for this way. I send you enclosed a
letter, which may be of use in an affair I wrote of in my last.

"We have got severall deserters since the K. came and last night
nine came in with their clothes and arms, and says many more will
follow soon, which I wish we may see. They say, too, that the two
regiments of dragoons are marcht from Glasgow for England, and that
two are to go from Stirling to replace them. Were they designing to
march against Scoon, sure they would not do this, nor is it possible
they can do anything in this weather; but if they, notwithstanding,
attempt it, perhaps they may find frost in it.

"As I am writing I have received yours of the thirteenth. I read it
to the K----g, and delivered him the enclosed letter from Mr.
Holmes, which was very well taken, as you will see by the enclosed
return, which you'll take care to forward safely; and pray do me the
favour to make my compliments there.

"Perhaps you'll hear things of the two northern powers[135] that
will look odd to your other friends, as no wonder; but all will come
right again--the time they had taken being out in a few days.
There's one sent some days ago to assist them, so I hope things will
be soon right there, tho' they have done much to spoil them, and
each of them makes an excuse of one another as they have done from
the begining. The K----, you will see by all the enclosed, is not
spareing of his pains. You must fall on the right way of having them
all delivered.

"That to Seaforth he writes upon the great professions he made when
in Fra