Fraser had forged the
direction with a view to ruin the marquis, who had prosecuted him for
the injury done to his sister. He proposed a second journey to France,
where he should be able to discover other more material circumstances;
and the duke of Queensberry procured a pass for him to go to Holland
from the earl of Nottingham, though it was expedited tinder a borrowed
name. The duke had communicated his discovery to the queen without
disclosing his name, which he desired might be concealed: her majesty
believed the particulars, which were confirmed by her spies at Paris,
as well as by the evidence of sir John Maclean, who had lately been
convoyed from France to England in an open boat, and apprehended at
Feldstone. This gentleman pretended at first that his intention was to
go through England to his own country, in order to take the benefit of
the queen's pardon; and this in all probability was his real design;
but being given to understand that he would be treated in England as
a traitor, unless he should merit forgiveness by making important
discoveries, he related all he knew of the proposed insurrection. From
his informations the ministry gave directions for apprehending one
Keith, whose uncle had accompanied Fraser from France, and knew all the
intrigues of the court of St. Germain's. He declared that there was no
other design on foot, except that of paving the way for the pretender's
ascending the throne after the queen's decease. Ferguson, that veteran
conspirator, affirmed that Fraser had been employed by the duke of
Queensberry to decoy some persons whom he hated into a conspiracy, that
he might have an opportunity to effect their ruin; and by the discovery
establish his own credit, which began to totter. Perhaps there was too
much reason for this imputation. Among those who were seized at
this time was a gentleman of the name of Lindsay, who had been
under-secretary to the earl of Middleton. He had returned from France to
Scotland in order to take the benefit of the queen's pardon, under
the shelter of which he came to England, thinking himself secure from
prosecution. He protested he knew of no designs against the queen or her
government; and that he did not believe she would ever receive the least
injury or molestation from the court of St. Germain's. The house of
lords having received intimation of this conspiracy, resolved, that
a committee should be appointed to examine into the particulars; and
ordered