fol. 464. Copy of a Letter to me, ROBERT FORBES, containing a true and genuine account of the case of poor WILLIAM BAIRD.1

8 Sept.

REVD. SIR,—I am to address you at this time on behalf of 1747 William Baird, a very misfortunate man, and now lying prisoner under sentence of death in the jayl at Carlisle, and every moment expecting to be transported with others that are in the same situation with himself there. This poor man went up to Carlisle in September last as an exculpatory evidence for the late Revd. Mr. Lyon, who was execute at Penrith in October last; but he no sooner appeared in Carlisle in this capacity, than he was tried for high treason, and condemned to die with the other prisoners that were tried, though he produced in court a protection from an officer in Montrose, upon the delivering up of his arms in terms of the Duke of Cumberfol. 465. land's order. But the judges had no regard to this, as they wanted by all means to try and condemn this poor man, in order to debar him from being evidence for Mr. Lyon, whom they were to destroy at any rate. As this poor man is in great misery just now, so I wish you would use your interest in order to procure him some supplies of money from well-disposed persons, which would come in good stead to him, as he is just now in the most miserable condition imaginable, being destitute of cloaths, linen, and everything else that is necessary for him to have, and of bread too, of which he has but a scanty portion every day, and such as keeps in life, and that is all. If you can get any money collected for him, Mr. James Wright will direct you as to the way and manner you are to remit to him. This poor unlucky man has a just title to the regard of every well-disposed person, as he has resigned his own life to preserve Mr. Lyon's; and if he had not done so, he would not have fol. 466. been in so miserable a condition as he is just now. He is a married man, and has a wife and children here, which have no subsistence but from myself. I pity their case very much, as every good person must. May God raise up friends for all

1 See f. 29.

1747]

THE CASE OF WILLIAM BAIRD

271

that are in their situation.-I am, Reverend Sir, your most 8 Sept. humble servant, (Sic subscribitur) ARBUTHNOTT.

Arbuthnott, September 8th, 1747.

N.B.-The original of the above is to be found among my Papers.

ROBERT FORBES, A.M.

Copy of a Return to the above Letter, wherein a character of honest DONALD MACLEOD.

1747

MY LORD,-Your lordship may be justly surprized at me 21 Oct. having been honoured with yours of September 8th, without making any return to it before this time. But to tell the truth, as I had a view of this bearer, I delayed writing till I could do it with a good grace. And sure I am I could never do it with a better one than at present, when I gladly embrace fol, 467, the opportunity of affording your lordship the happiness to salute one of the first men in the world.

I know, my Lord, you feel a sensible pleasure beyond many in the world in conversing with worthies, men of rigid virtue and integrity, and such indeed this man is.

Know then, my Lord, that this will be put into your hands by the renowned SCOTS PALINURUS, Donald MacLeod, tenant at Gualtergill, in the Isle of Sky, that most faithfull and honest steersman of the eight-oar'd boat from the continent to the Isles of Benbicula, South Uist, Lewis, etc., etc., etc., and who had the Prince among his hands for about ten weeks after the battle of Culloden. While a prisoner on board a ship he went through an uninterrupted series of the greatest hardships and severities for several months together. In a word, he was reduced to the lowest ebb of misery, and had the mortification of fol, 468. seeing others dying about him like rotten sheep. But his gray hairs (by a remarkable blessing of Heaven) have survived the trials of adversity, while many younger and in appearance much stronger, submitted to the fate of a lingring death.

Although his history be most extraordinary in all the several instances of it, yet, my Lord, when he arrived here from London, he had not wherewith to bear his charges to Sky,

21 Oct. where he has a wife and children (under the Laird of Macleod) whom he has now been absent from for nineteen or twenty months. Something has been done for him in and about Edinburgh, but far from what his merit justly entitles him to, and what his circumstances really call for. So many and frequent are the demands that have been made, that I must frankly own I was turned quite bankrupt in applications before I had the honour of your Lordship's letter; so that it was altogether fol. 469. out of my power, though my inclination was great, to make anything for poor William Baird, whose affecting history and character were no strangers to me.

Take a view, my Lord, of this truly noble (though poor) worthy in this single point-that he had the courage and integrity of heart to despise the tempting bait of thirty thousand pounds sterling, and not only so, but that in spite of the infirmities attending the hoary head he struggled through as great fol. 470. dangers and difficulties of life for the preservation of etc., as it is in the power of the most fertil fancy to paint; and then I leave it to your lordship to draw the immortal character of this amiable instance of heroic virtue.

I dare venture to say that no man of bowels can hear honest Donald's interesting story without a mixture of joy and pain, and even without shedding tears. Well do I know all the several parts of it, and the more I think upon it, to the greater height is my admiration raised of the wondrous good

man.

He has a large silver snuff-box which serves as an excellent medal of his history, to which I refer your lordship after asking your forgiveness for this too long letter. But while I would fain flatter myself with the hopes I am giving you pleasure, I indulge a self-satisfaction, for I could dwell upon the subject. I shall be glad to know when this reaches your lordship's

1 Well may honest Donald in a literal sense use the words of the blessed Apostle, 2 Cor. xi. 26, 27: 'In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.' [See Donald's whole Journal, ff. 266-326.]-F.

1747]

THE PRINCE'S WAISTCOAT

273

hands, for I will be sorry if it should happen to be of an old 21 Oct. date before it is delivered.

That God Almighty may bless and reward your lordship with all happiness both here and hereafter, for the many seasonable instances of compassion and relief you have shewn to the necessitous and deserving, is the hearty and earnest prayer of, My Lord, Your lordship's very much obliged and most humble servant, ROBERT FORBES.

Citadel of Leith, October 21st, 1747.

Copy of a Letter to me, ROBERT FORBES.

fol. 471.

fol. 472.

1747

REVEREND DEAR SIR,-You'l received from the bearer all 13 Oct. that was to the for of the weast coat1 that the P. gave to me; because nobody could get it where I put it till I came home myself. Likwise tow of the buttons that war in it.

I cou'd not get that from Kingsburgh you desired me however he has it. I have more to tell you when I see

Writ to me by the bearer. Mind me most kindly to Lady Bruce and all acquantance, especiall Lady Balmirina and her sister. I'm your very humble servant,

(Sic subscribitur)

Rasay, October 13, 1747.

MAL. MACLEOD.

N.B.-The original of the above is to be found among my

papers.

R. F., A.M.

Copy of a return to the preceding Letter.

fol. 473.

1747

MY VERY DEAR SIR,-Your kind and obliging letter I 28 Oct. received yesterday, together with the present you sent me, upon which I put a very great value, and for which I most heartily thank you.

I have written to you and Kingsburgh at some length by

1 See ff. 263, 264, 265.

2 See f. 239 and footnote, f. 380.

S

28 Oct. Donald Macleod, who left Edinburgh upon Friday last, the 23d instant. But as this will come soonest to hand, I chuse to repeat some things.

It has been suggested to me by a very judicious person that it would be advisable in Kingsburgh to deliver up a certain original letter into some sure hand for the preservation of it But this must be altogether left to the judgment and discretion of Kingsburgh himself. However, at anyrate, I earnestly desire to have an exact copy of the letter, and I hereby engage that fol. 474. it shall be as great a secret as at this moment.

fol. 475.

I am exceedingly desirous to have the brave and the honest Armadale's account from his own mouth,1 which I hope he will chearfully give. Let it be as exact and circumstantial as possible. Is it possible to procure Boisdale's account in his own words? for I wish much to have that too. You see I am very greedy, and indeed no wonder; for these things would be of inexpressible use in future ages.

If you think of being soon in this country (as you seem to suggest in your letter), then you may bring along with you all the several accounts you can possibly collect, and remember to favour me with the happiness of the first visit. But if you resolve not to be soon here, then be so good as to embrace the first sure opportunity that comes in your way and transmit to me all that you have gathered together among good friends.

I make an offer of my best wishes to the worthy family of Raaza, to Kingsburgh and his lady, and to Armadale and his

concerns.

That all happiness may ever attend you and Mrs. Macleod is the hearty and earnest prayer of, My Dear Sir, Your most affectionate friend and very humble servant,

Citadel of Leith, October 28th, 1747.

ROBERT FORBES.

P.S.-Every letter from you or any of the honest worthies in Sky or Raaza will be a real cordial to me. My Lady Bruce is very glad to hear of your welfare and

1 See ff. 265, 321.