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THE relations and negotiations of the
rebel chiefs of the ’15 and the ’45 have properly received much
attention from a number of writers on Scottish History; those of the
loyalists are not less interesting and illustrative of the times.
The advent of the year 1745 found quarrels existing between the loyalist
lords of the extreme north of Scotland—the Earl of Sutherland and the
Lord Reay. The Lord Advocate of the day (Craigie of Glendoick)
attributed their dissensions principally to their differences at
parliamentary elections. It is possible that other influences were at
work. The Dowager Countess of Sutherland declared that Lord Reay was a
'very cuning man,’ and she certainly, and a number of the Earl's real or
affected friends were much vexed at the reconciliation between them
which followed. But whatever the causes of the dissensions were, the
Government was seriously concerned at the discord which existed between
two chiefs whose co-operation with each other in the service of King
George was so certain to be required, no one knew how soon.
The steps by which the reconciliation was attained were, according to
the late Sir William Fraser, initiated by the Earl he says, 'sent Major
Hugh Mackay to Tongue on a friendly mission to Lord Reay', The Major
reported to the Earl by letter that Lord Reay’s sentiments to him were
most friendly, ‘that he had the heartiest disposition to serve the Earl
and his family’s real interest on terms on terms equal, honest and
honourable on both sides; and that, while regretting they were hindered
from doing so for some time past, he was now well pleased that the Earl
was disposed to allow them to serve him.’ (Sutherland Book, i. 403,
citing Letter 15 July, 1745, Sutherland Charter Chest).
This letter accurately represents Lord Reay’s sentiments. Lord Reay,
however, had already taken the initial step by addressing a letter to
the Earl in the same strain; and had received from him a friendly reply.
Lord Reay’s letter, dated 1 July, 1745, ls printed in vol. ii. of the
Sutherland Book, p. 252. He explains that, considering his loyalty and
friendship with the Earl’s father and grandfather, he had expected to
have shared in their descendant's friendship and confidence as well. The
blame of their estrangement he throws on the Earl. He was ready and
anxious, however, to bury all differences in oblivion, and had gone so
far as to frame certain proposals which, he thought, were equal and
honourable to both parties, and which his son George would present
whenever the Earl pleased.
For a copy of the Earl’s reply, we are now indebted to Mr. P. W.
Campbell, W.S., Principal Clerk of Session.
LETTER—THE EARL OF
SUTHERLAND TO LORD REAY.
My Lord,
I have the Honour of your Lordship’s letter of date the first current,
setting forth the reasons why I have not for some years past shar’d in
your Lordship’s friendship, equallie with my Grandfather and Father, and
as I had done myself formerlie; And at the same time desireing an
oblivion of past differences and also acquainting me that your Lordship
had proposeals readie for my peruseal, as the basis of a reconciliation
and lasting friendship, and such as are equallie honourable, and for the
interest of both our Families. Your son Mr George who you tell me has
these Proposeals, shall be welcome here, and if I find the Terms cquall
and honourable for both of us, I shall agree that mutual confidence take
place of any Differences that might formerlie have subsisted, and I
shall have the pleasure of your Lordship’s friendship, which 1 shall
value and endeavour to cultivate by all suiteable returns in my power as
my Grandfather and Father did.
I am, My Lord,
Your Lordship’s most humble Servt.,
‘SUTHERLAND.’
It was nine days after this that Major Mackay wrote his report of his
visit to Tongue, above-mentioned.
The result of these negotiations was a contract of mutual friendship and
for mutual action between the Earl and Baron, dated before the expiry of
the month. For the terms of the Contract also we are indebted to Mr.
Campbell.
Contract of Mutual Friendship in the ’45
CONTRACT OF MUTUAL
FRIENDSHIP BETWIXT THE EARL OF SUTHERLAND AND LORD REAY,
At Tongue and Dunrobin the Eighteenth and
Twenty Sixth days of July Seventeen hundred and fotty five years, It is
mutually agreed and condescended upon berwixt rhe Parties following,
vizt., The Right Honourable William Earl of Sutherland on the one Part,
and the Right honourable George Lord Reay, on the other Part, As
follows, That is to say, Forasmuchas some differences and disputes have
arisen between us to our mutual lesion and prejudice, on occasion of the
late Election of Members to serve in Parliament for the Shire of
Sutherland, and for the District of Northern Burrows; And now seeing We
are on both parts very sensible that the honour and interest of both our
families will be better promoted and secured by our acting in concert
and mutual agreement, than by our pursuing opposite or separate
political courses, And considering especially how highly necessary it is
that there should be a firm union and confidence between our families in
the event of any public disturbance by an Invasion or Rebellion, either
or both of which calamities there are but too just grounds to apprehend
from the restless malice of foreign and domestic enemies in the present
critical conjucture of the affairs of Europe, Therefore and to secure
our acting with mutual harmony and uniting the whole strength of both
our families and adherents, so as to be able in any public danger to
render the more considerable and effectual service to his present
Majesty King George the Second, for supporting the succession in the
Protestant Line of his most illustrious house, and for securing the
present happy Establishment in Church and State, and for defeating the
designs of his Majesty’s enemies both open and secret, We do for these
and many other weighty-considerations Mutually agree and by the sacred
tie and pledge of our word and honour on both sides Bind and Oblige
ourselves and our families and friends and followers to each other in
manner and to the effect aftermentioned To Wit Primo, That from
henceforth we shall bury in everlasting oblivion all differences and
misunderstandings that may have unhappily taken place between us before
the date of these presents and we promise from and after this date to
cultivate a firm and inviolable friendship for the mutual support of the
honour and interest of both our families for the future in conjunction
with the defence of the present Government in Church and State, And in
order to perpetuate such mutual friendship we do agree and promise to
each other That in the event of any jealousies or differences arising
for the future betwixt us or our successors and families from whatever
cause or occasion, and on whatever points of honour or interest, that in
such case neither party shall act upon surmise and suspicion to the
prejudice of the other, but on the contrary that the party thinking
himself aggrieved shall communicate the whole matter of his jealousy to
the other, and that both parties sincerely endeavour to have all
suspicions of one another and all differences removed in the way of
friendly communing and correspondence, and if any difference shall
happen to subsist and that method of removing it is attempted in vain,
that then it shall be submitted to the arbitration of friends hinc inde.
Secundo Whereas by an Act of Parliament Anno Primo Regis Georgii primi
Entitulcd an Act for the more Effectual Securing the peace in the
Highlands of Scotland, We the said George Lord Reay are freed from all
services commonly called personal attendance, hosting, watching,
warding, etc., that were formerly due and prestable by us to the Family
of Sutherland by virtue of our Charters from them, Yet considering That
in the event of any public disturbance the said Noble Earl and We with
our vassals and tenants and adherents would be in condition to render
more considerable service to his present Majesty, as well as better
promote and secure the mutual interest of both our families, by acting
in concert and agreement with one another than by taking separate
measures in the prosecution of those ends as is above observed,
Therefore We, the said George Lord Reay do by these presents bind and
oblige ourselves and successors, that in the events above mentioned, we
shall raise all our vassals and tenants and others capable to hear arms
on our estate, and employ them in conjunction with the said Noble Earl,
and his successors and their other vassals and friends and tenants and
adherents for the defence of His Majesty, King George the Second and his
successors and the present Establishment in Church and State and for the
mutual defence and support of both the families of Sutherland and Reay,
and our several properties and legal interests, Tertio, It is mutually
agreed upon by us the said William Earl of Sutherland and George Lord
Reay, and we solemnly promise one to another for ourselves and for our
successors and our friends and adherents, that we shall employ' our
influence and use our best endeavours in all future elections of
Representatives in Parliament in the way of mutual concert and agreement
among ourselves so as best to answer the foresaid ends of promoting and
securing the mutual interest of both our families in conjunction with
our duty to His Majesty and successors and our subserviency to the
present Establishment in Church and State In Testimony whereof both
parties have subscribed these presents at the places and tunes after
written Before these witnesses rexive vizt., To the subscription of us
the said George Lord Reay at Tongue the said Eighteenth day of July and
year foresaid Major Hugh Mackay of General Ogilthorp’s Regiment, Master
George Mackay our second lawful son and Mr James Gilchrist Minister of
Thurso, writer hereof, witnesses also to the subscription to the
marginal note on page third: And to the subscription of us the said Earl
of Sutherland at Dunrobin the said Twenty sixth day of July and year
forcsaid the said Major Hugh Mackay and Mr James Gilchrist, witnesses
also to his Lordship’s subscribing the marginal note on the preceding
page.
Before the Contract was concluded, the Earl had a letter from the Lord
Advocate—‘I received with much pleasure the account you send me of the
thorow reconciliation between your Lordship and the Lord Rae ... at the
same time I hope you’l forgive me to observe that I do not think it was
quite proper that your aggreement touching the elections shou’d have
been reduced into writeing especially in the way of contract.’ (22 Aug.,
1745, Sutherland Book, ii. 253). It was possibly this same provision
which offended some of the Earl’s friends.
Lord Reay on 24 August writes again to him — I reckon the many letters
your lordship is pleased to acquaint me you get against your joining in
friendship with me a double tye on me to exert myself all in my power on
every occasion to make you as easy as I can, to convince you of my
sincerity and readyness to support your honour and interest, and thereby
to shew others how far they are mistaken, for your lordship will still
find me your fast friend ' (Sutherland Book, ii. 254).
J. H. Stevenson.
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