Note 519 — A SHORT NARRATIVE OF MR. GRANT’S CONDUCT DURING THE REBELLION
Reading edition
App. 4. C. of G., ii. 149. A letter of indignant remonstrance. Cope cannot attack highlanders in their passes or strongholds without highlanders to flank the regular troops. If the king’s highland friends fail him we are undone, and all of us must be at the mercy of the rebels. The writer is told that Grant’s people refuse to join him (Grant) if he joins Cope or marches out of his own country. Let him beware of counsels that will lead to his ruin. Grant should not give himself the airs of having a clan that can support and serve the government if when it comes to the push they tell him they won’t go along with him. Grant had written to Cope expressing his readiness to join and assist him, but he would neither join him nor assist him with one man, nor go near him, although Cope stopped at Aviemore and spent the night at Dalrachny’s (Carrbridge) within ten miles of Grant. Rose of Kilravock, Lord Moray, General Cope and President Forbes are all disappointed with him. Grant’s uncle, the major (governor of Fort George, Inverness Castle) is very angry. It would have been far better if Grant had given no assurances if he were not sure he could fulfil them. The writer is distressed about what people are saying of Grant at Inverness. How glorious it would have been if he had been the first man in the country to join the king’s forces. The President has got two hundred stand of arms for the laird of Mackintosh, who is to join Cope with two hundred men. Munro, Mackays, Sutherland, Seaforth and others are raising their men for government. The writer is to meet Cope and President Forbes on Tuesday (3rd September), what is he to say of or for Grant at that interview?
A separate piece of paper contains this rider, ‘I would not have been so strong if it had not been with a design, that you might show it to those of your own people that I am told are not for leaving your own countrey; so hope you’ll forgive any strong expressions, as my meaning is to serve you.’