Volume 1 — INTRODUCTORY. SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUNDONALD FAMILY.

Tradition has assigned to the Cochranes a derivation from one of the Scandinavian sea-rovers, who, in a remote age, settled on the lands of Renfrew and Ayr. There is reason to believe the tradition well founded; but to trace its authenticity would be foreign to the purpose of the present work.

In later times, incidents of historic interest connected with the family, justify allusion, as forming contributions not only to the national annals of Scotland, but to those of England also. The earliest authentic record of our house is contained in the subjoined extract from Crawfurd’s “Peerage of Scotland.”

“This family, which originally took its surname from the Barony of Cochran, in Renfrewshire^[5], is of great antiquity; 2and though none of the family arrived to the dignity of peerage till the reign of King Charles I., yet it is undeniable that they were barons of special account for many ages before, and endowed with large possessions in these parts and elsewhere.

“The first of whom I have found upon record is Waldenus de Coveran, i.e. Cochran, who, in 1262, is witness to the grant whichwhich Dungal, the son of Suayn, made to Walter Stewart Earl of Monteith of sundry lands in the county of Argyle, which came in aftertimes to be transmitted to Forrester of Carden. Another William de Coveran is mentioned by Pryn, as a person of account in this county, who makes his submission to King Edward I. Anno Dom. 1296, in the Ragman Roll; also John de Coveran is witness in the regular election of James, Abbot of Paisley, 17th of David II. Anno 1346.

“The next remarkable person of the family is Gosiline de Cochran, who flourished under King David Bruce; he is witness to several grants made by Robert II. when Earl of Strathern, to the religious of Paisley, an abbacy he assumed into his particular patronage, wherein his ancestors’ donations being made to the glory of God are particularly narrated. He left issue, William de Cochran, of that Ilk, his son, who obtained from King Robert II. a charter of the lands of Cochran, to be held in as ample a manner as any of his progenitors held the same of the Lord High Steward of Scotland, dated on the 22nd of September 1389. As he stood in special favour with this king, so was he in no less with Robert III. his son, to whom it seems he had been serviceable; for when he came to the crown he had so grateful a sense thereof, that in the second year of his reign, Anno 1392, he made him a grant of forty shillings sterling in annuity, arising out of the profits of the Burgh of Rutherglen. He 3was succeeded by Robert his son who, in 1456, resigned his estates in favour of Allan his son.”

This surrender of his estate appears to have been made for no other purpose than to devote himself to the study and practice of architecture, in which, as an art, Scotland was, at that time, behind other nations. In the exercise of his self-imposed profession, Robert Cochran is said to have displayed great skill in the erection of several edifices^[6], and when, by the favour of the King James III. he afterwards rose to power, his architectural eminence procured for him, amongst the host of enemies created by his elevation, the contemptuous appellation of the “mason chiel.”

It was not, however, his architectural skill alone which gave him a place in his sovereign’s estimation, but his good broadsword and powerful arm, the efficacy of which having been displayed in a combat in the king’s presence^[7] attracted his Majesty’s attention; so much so, that the king, finding him to be of good family, and possessed of great talent, placed him near his person; 4the result being that in a brief space of time he became his chief adviser, and the great opponent of the Scottish nobility, who sought to hold the king in their power.

In short, Robert Cochran appears to have become to James something like what Wolsey subsequently was to Henry VIII. not in power only, but also in ostentation. In the latter respect, Lindsay says of him, that “even his pavilions were of silk, and the fastening chains thereof richly gilt.” Pinkerton says he “became the fountain of royal favour, and was elevated to a giddy and invidious height of power—this being the earldom of Mar.”^[8]

This advancement to the earldom of Mar, says Buchanan, “was the chief source of the hatred of the nobility, who were disgusted with James, partly by 5reason of his familiarity with that rascally sort of people, but chiefly because he slighted the nobility, and chose mean persons to be his counsellors and advisers, the chief of these being Thomas Preston, one of a good family, and Robert Cochran, a man endued with great strength of body and equal audacity of mind.”

In classing Thomas Preston and Robert Cochran amongst “that rascally sort of people,” Buchanan contradicts himself, for he admits that Preston was of good family, and he must have known that Cochran’s family was still more ancient, so that the historian only gives evidence of his own tufthunting tendencies. What were the feelings of the nobility towards Robert Cochran, may be gathered from the titles to the chapters of a scurrilous book subsequently written in their interest for the purpose of denouncing his memory.

1. “This minister’s (Robert Cochran) raising himself, first by his impudence, and next by his alliance with a noble lord, whom he wormed out of power.”

2. “His poor condition when he first came to court.”

5. “His buildings and passion for hunting.”

7. “His working the disgrace of all the great men,” &c.

This last head, “working the disgrace of all the great men,” appears to form the key to their whole hatred, but it implies patriotism towards a monarch and a country whom the “great men” had previously oppressed. I am quite content to rest the reputation of my ancestor upon the libellous evidence of his adversaries, or the showing of the Scottish historians, that he attempted to abridge the power of the nobles, and succeeded to such an extent as to secure his own murder. 6To enter at length into such matters would, however, be to substitute my ancestor’s biography for my own, and therefore it will only be necessary to abridge from Pinkerton a few interesting extracts relative to this romance of Scottish history.

“The new Earl of Mar, unconscious that his extreme elevation was an infallible step to the deepest ruin, continued to abuse his power, and that of his sovereign. The nobles beheld the places, formerly given to their sons, now sold (?) to Mar’s followers. The prelates and other dignitaries of the church sighed at the increase of simony! &c. &c. In short, the whole honour and welfare of the king and kingdom were sacrificed on the domestic altar of this base and covetous minion!

“Some of the peers assembled, and consulted upon the means of delivering the realm from the disgrace and destruction inflicted by Cochran and the other royal favourites. A noble deputation had even been sent to the king, requesting that he would dismiss these pernicious councillors, and restore the confidence placed by his ancestors in the loyalty of the nobility. The answer of James was far from satisfactory, but the peers assented to delay, and dissembled till some decisive occasion should arise.

“The Scottish array, amounting to about fifty thousand, had crowded to the royal banner at Burrough-muir, near Edinburgh, whence they marched to Sontray and to Lauder, at which place they encamped between the church and the village. Cochran, Earl of Mar, conducted the artillery, and his presence and pomp were additional insults. On the morning after their arrival at Lauder, the peers assembled in a secret council, in the church, and deliberated upon their designs of revenge. The Earls of Angus, Argyle, Huntley, Orkney or Caithness, Crawford, the Lords Home, Fleming, Gray, Drummond, Hales, and Seton, are chiefly mentioned upon this occasion; and the discontent must have spread far 7when we find Evandale the chancellor, and some bishops united to the above names.

“In the course of the debate Gray took occasion to introduce an apologue: ‘The mice consulted upon the means of deliverance from their tyrannic enemy the cat, and agreed that a bell should be suspended about her neck, to notify her approach and their danger; but what mouse has courage sufficient to fasten the bell?’ ‘I shall bell the cat,’ exclaimed the impatience of Angus, in whom a current of the blood of Douglas flowed; and the homely times conferred upon him the appellation of Archibald Bell the Cat. It was concluded that the king should be put in a gentle imprisonment in the castle of Edinburgh, and that all his favourites should be instantly hanged over the bridge of Lauder.

“Cochran, ignorant of their designs, at length left the royal presence to proceed to the council. The earl was attended by three hundred men, armed with light battle-axes, and distinguished by his livery of white with black fillets. He was clothed in a riding cloak of black velvet, and wore a large chain of gold around his neck; his horn of the chase, or of battle, was adorned with gold and precious stones; and his helmet, overlaid with the same valuable metal, was borne before him. Approaching the door of the church, he commanded an attendant to knock with authority; and Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven, who guarded the passage, inquiring the name, was answered, ‘’Tis I, the Earl of Mar.’ Cochran and some of his friends were admitted. Angus advanced to him, and pulling the golden chain from his neck, said, ‘A rope will become thee better;’ while Douglas of Lochleven seized his hunting-horn, declaring that he had been too long a hunter of mischief. Rather astonished than alarmed, Cochran said: ‘My lords, is it jest or earnest?’ To which it was replied, ‘It is good earnest, and so thou shalt find it, for thou and thy accomplices have too long abused our prince’s favour; but no longer expect such advantage, for thou and thy followers shall now reap the deserved reward.’

8“Having secured Mar, the lords dispatched some men-at-arms to the king’s pavilion, conducted by two or three moderate leaders, who amused James while their followers seized the favourites. Sir William Roger, the English musician; Preston, a gentleman, Hommil, Torphichan, Leonard, and others, were instantly hanged over the bridge at Lauder. John Ramsay of Balmain having clasped the king’s person, was alone spared. Cochran was now brought out, his hands bound with a rope, and thus conducted to the bridge, and hanged above his companions.”

Even the privilege of being hanged with one of the silken cords of his pavilion was denied him; and his making such a request Pinkerton attributes to “weak pride,” though it certainly looked more like “cool pride,” which would not condescend to beg life, and only asked to die like a gentleman.

Much in the same spirit, but showing the abilities of the man, are the following extracts from “A Detection of the Falsehood, Abuse, and Misrepresentations in a late Libel, entitled, The Life of Sir Robert Cochrane, Prime Minister in Scotland to James the Third.”

“This Cochran, [Sir Robert] according to the greatest of the Scottish Writers, lived at a Time when a Faction in England made War on their lawful Sovereign, and imposed it on the King by Force of Arms, that he should bear the Name and Ensigns, or Badges of a King, but the Power of the Government should be in the heads of their Faction, against which Violence and Tyranny the Queen drew the Sword for her Husband’s (Henry the 6th) Deliverance with such Vigour and Success, as rescued him from his Enemies, slew their Chiefs in Battle, destroyed two Armies, gaining two compleat Victories; and even when Fortune deserted 9this masculine Princess, in her final Overthrow Six and thirty thousand men were slain before she lost the Field.

“These were the Times when Cochran became the Minion of the King of Scotland, who departing from the Counsels of his ancient Servants, and withdrawing Himself from the Nobility, chose mean and infamous Persons to be the Companions of his Pleasures, and the Advisers of his Reign.

“Of these one Preston was Chief, though born of a better Family than any of his Comrades, who abandoned himself to indulge the King’s Humour in all Things. And Cochran came next, who, of a Builder was instantly made Courtier! History describes Him as a Man of great Bodily Strength, and of equal Impudence! who, making Himself known to the King by a Duel which He fought, was admitted at Court with great Expectations of Advancement. Having been employ’d in Matters of small Concern, which He performed with great Application, and insinuating Himself into the King’s Favour by constant Assiduity, He became immediately advised with in the most important and the most intimate Councils of the Kingdom. Preston upon this made Him his Son, by giving him his Daughter in Marriage^[9]....”

To return to the descendants of the murdered minister:—

“This Allan (son of the murdered Robert), in 1452, is witness to the mortification which Robert Lord Lyle made to 10the abbot and conventual brethren of the monastery of Paisley, of the fishing on the river of Clyde, at the place called Crokatshot, for the help of their prayers to advance his spiritual estate, in which deed he is designated Allanus Cochran, Armiger, his father being then alive, and to whom he succeeded before the 1480. He married ..., daughter of ..., by whom he had Robert, a son, who was father of John Cochran of that Ilk, who immediately succeeded his grandfather upon his death.

“Which John, for some consideration I know not, obtained a licence from his sovereign Lord King James IV. under the Great Seal, impouring him to dispose of either his lands of Easter Cochran in Renfrewshire, or his lands of Pitfour in Perthshire. Accordingly, he alienated a part of his lands of Cochran to James Archbishop of Glasgow, Anno 1519; to which deed he appends his seal, the impression bearing three Boars’ Heads eraz’d, and circumscribed Sigillum Johannis de Cochran. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Simple of Fullwood, who bore him a son, John, who was served and retourned heir to his father on the 12th of May, 1539; he, dying in the 1557, left issue by Mary, his wife, daughter of Lindsay of Dunrod, in Vicecomitatu de Renfrew, a son,

“William, who succeeded him. In 1593, he erected from the foundation at Cochran, the ancient seat of his family, a very high tower of free-stone, and adorned it with large plantations; he marrying Margaret, daughter of Robert Montgomery of Skelmurly, in Vicecomitatu de Air, by Mary, his wife, daughter of Robert, Lord Semple, had a daughter Elizabeth, his sole heir.

“He wisely considering the proper way of supporting his family was to settle his daughter in his own time, and declining to marry her into a richer family than his son, he made a prudent and discreet match for her with Alexander Blair, a younger son of an ancient and genteel family in Airshire, whose ancestors had been seated in the country aforesaid for many ages before, so that beside a noble alliance, 11and a competent patrimony, he yielded to change his name to Cochran, which was almost the only condition the old gentleman required. This Alexander, so taking upon him the surname of Cochran, was a virtuous and frugal man, and studied as much the good of the family as if he himself had been born the heir thereof. In 1622, he acquired the lands of Cowdoun with an intention to unite them to the ancient patrimonial inheritance of Cochran; but he afterwards sold them to Sir William, his second son, as a fund to provide his younger children; for, besides Sir John, his eldest son, he had six other sons, and two daughters:

“Sir William Cochran of Cowdoun.

“Alexander, a colonel in the king’s service, in the wars of Ireland, which commenced in 1641, with the murder of upwards of fifty thousand Scots and English by the native Irish.

“Hugh, author of the branch of Fergusly; he was a colonel, first under the renoun’d Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, and afterward to King Charles I. in the time of the Civil War in Ireland.

“Bryse, a colonel in the time of the Civil War, who lost his life in the king’s service, Anno 1650.

“Captain Ochter Cochran.

“Gavin Cochran of Craigmure, was the seventh and youngest son.

“Elizabeth, married to John Lennox of Woodhead in Stirlingshire.

“Grisel, to Thomas Dunlop of Housle.

“Which Sir John, in the time of the unhappy Civil War in Britain, firmly adhered to the interest of King Charles I. and had a colonel’s commission in the army. In the year 1644, he was sent ambassador to several princes to solicit their assistance in his Majesty’s behalf, which he performed with such diligence and conduct, that in the treaty of peace which was set on foot betwixt the king and the Parliament of England and the Estates of Scotland, Anno 1646, he was, together with the Marquis of Huntly and Montrose, the Earls of Nithsdale, Crawfurd, Traquair, &c. proposed to be excepted 12from the king’s pardon, which his Majesty generously refused. Upon the murder of the king, he attended King Charles II. into foreign parts, and in the 1650 was sent into Poland to crave aid of the Scots merchants there; but before his return the king and the Scots army were defeated at Worcester; he continuing with the king during his exile, dyed about the time of the Restoration, without issue; so that his next brother, Sir William, became his heir.

“Which Sir William was very carefully educated in grammar learning in his youth, whence he was removed to the university; where having applied himself indefatigably to his studies, and highly improved his natural endowments with academical learning, he removed from thence after he had taken the degree of Master of Arts, and studied our laws; in which profession he attained to an uncommon perfection. Soon after his entering on the stage of business, he became much famed for his prudent management and conduct, by which he acquired a fair estate, both in the shires of Renfrew and Air, for the last of which he had the honour to serve as a member in the Parliament, 1647, wherein his abilities were soon discovered by the great and leading men of the House, and he showed himself, thro' the course of the sitting of that Parliament, a good and even patriot, wholly intent upon the honour and safety of the king, whose interest he did visibly advance, and the welfare and tranquillity of the nation then in no small ferment.”

On the visit of Charles I. to his Scottish dominions in 1641, for the purpose of allaying the hostile feelings which his arbitrary acts had there excited, Sir William Cochrane of Cowden had sufficient influence to be instrumental in reconciling the monarch and his angry subjects; together with sufficient substance and loyalty to minister to the necessities of his sovereign. For these and other services Sir William was at this time elevated to the peerage under the title of Lord 13Cochrane of Cowden; the gratitude of Charles, however, not being openly manifested until some years afterwards a prisoner in Carisbrook Castle.^[10]

As this circumstance is, to the best of my knowledge, unique, and is at variance with the statements of some Scottish genealogists, who give the date of the letters-patent as at Scarborough, Dec. 27, 1647, an extract from the “Acts” of the Privy Council in Edinburgh, confirming the original patent, may be gratifying to the historian.

“At Edinburgh, the 1st day of April, 1648.

“The which day and year of our Lord, at his Majesty’s Privy Council, John Earl of Crafurd and Lindsay produced a patent under his Majesty’s Great Seal, dated at Carisbrook, the 26th day of December, 1647—by which his Majesty, considering the faithfulness and good affection of Sir William Cochran of Cowden towards his Majesty’s service—and his Majesty being willing, for his further encouragement to continue therein, to bestow some token of his royal favor on him, hath given and granted to the said Sir William Cochrane and his heirs male lawfully begotten, the title and dignity of a Lord of Parliament within this kingdom, to be called in all time coming Lord Cochrane of Dundonald, and to have exercise, and enjoy all the privileges, liberties, and pre-eminences belonging thereto, &c. &c. In token whereof, Archibald Marquis of Argyll, President of the Council at 14this time deliberate—in the name of Lord Cochrane—received the same on his knees,” &c. &c.—Extractum de Libris Actorum.

It is not my intention to dilate upon the course pursued by Lord Cochrane, in promoting the reconciliation of Charles and his hereditary liegemen. Suffice it to say that, whilst his lordship’s predilections and services were in favour of the constitutional power of the king, he made a firm stand against his despotic tendencies, especially when meditating the subversion of the Scottish Church, under the guise of ecclesiastical reform.^[11]

In the national struggle which ensued after the death of Charles I. Lord Cochrane was amongst the most active in raising troops to assert the right of Charles II. to the throne. The subjoined letter from that monarch, divested of its antique orthography, will show the nature of the services rendered.

CHARLES R.

“Right trusty and well-beloved—we greet you well. We have seen your letter to the Duke of Hamilton, whom you give no encouragement; so hope that sometime you, with the horse raised upon the baronies of Ayr and Renfrew, shall soon be in arms.

“Having been engaged to give to General-Major Vandrosk the first regiment of horse raised within our kingdom of Scotland, we could not possibly break our promise to so deserving a person. But seeing your brother was appointed 15to have the command of one of the regiments of foot before they were converted into horse, he will now be disappointed, as likewise will Col. Cunninghame, of their expectations. We have, therefore, thought fit to desire you to shift your brother up to the army to us, and we do oblige ourselves to take him into our particular favor, and to give him the command of a regiment either of horse or foot.

“We likewise find you desire the removing of the garrison from Newark, but having advised twice with our Committee of Estate, we find it is not for the good of the service to remove the said garrison; but we are content that the strength be reduced to the number of threttie soldiers only.

“We shall desire that you would be assisted in hasting these levies, and continue in your barony all public despatch, so as you may be in continual receipt of our respects to you.

“So we bid you now heartily farewell, from our Camp Royal at Woodhend, the fifth of August, 1651.

“To our right trusty and well-beloved,

the Lord Cocorane.”

The preceding letter marks the dawn of that ingratitude towards his tried adherents of which Charles has been, not without reason, accused. Lord Cochrane’s reward for raising “the first regiment of horse in Scotland” was the displacement of his brother from the command, in favour of a Dutchman; notwithstanding that the whole expenditure had been borne by his lordship, whose fate it subsequently was that the Stuarts should draw largely upon resources which, to the injury of his descendants, his loyalty ungrudgingly supplied.

Passing over the defeat which followed, I select from others a letter addressed by Charles, when in exile, to Lord Cochrane, under the assumed name of “Lenos and Richmond;” its purport being to show that the unfortunate 16royal family depended upon Lord Cochrane’s management not only for advice, but, what was more to the purpose, for the means of subsistence.

“February 2nd, 1657.

“My Lord,—I find myself very much obliged to your lordship by your great care of my dear son’s interests and mine, and have seen your letter concerning the gentleman recommended for a commissioner, who, though a stranger to me—yet, since it is the opinion of your lordship that he be added to the number of the commissioners, I do in this, as in all other things, hearken to your lordship’s advice; relying on your lordship’s favour to me, and therefore do hereby invite him, if he will accept the trouble, with many thanks to your lordship and to him.

“I must further beseech of your lordship to intend the raising five thousand pounds upon Glasgow, and to labour the sale of Methuen and Killmorocate, both with all possible expedition.^[12]

“I hope to have the happiness of seeing your lordship in these parts ere long, that I may have a larger conveniency of making my acknowledgments to your lordship for your eminent favour to

“Your lordship’s most humble servant,

“C. R. Lenos and Richmond.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

Whether Lord Cochrane visited the exiled court or not, I have no documents to decide; nor is it at all material; these letters being adduced to show the nature of his connection with the Stuarts in their day of humiliation, which only appeared to add to his zeal for their welfare.

17The “son” alluded to in the preceding letter was the Duke of Monmouth^[13], for espousing whose cause, in the subsequent reign of James II., the Cochrane family suffered severely.

Soon after the Restoration in 1660, Lord Cochrane was sworn a privy councillor; and by his Majesty’s special choice was constituted one of the Commissioners of the Treasury and Exchequer, which great and weighty employment, says Crawfurd, “he discharged with admirable prudence and integrity, to the general satisfaction of the whole nation. Increasing still more in wealth and honour, he acquired the lordship of Paisley, where he fixed his seat, and lived with great splendour and hospitality for many years. After the barbarous murder of the late king, his lordship contributed his best and hearty endeavours towards bringing home Charles II. to inherit the rightful possession of the throne of these realms; which, no doubt, was the cause, when Oliver Cromwell came to be called protector, why he fined my Lord Cochrane, among other royalists, in 5000l. sterling, by special ordinance of the Commonwealth of England, dated April 12th, 1654.”

18The following letters from the Dukes of Lennox and Monmouth are still in my possession, and from historic interest alone require no apology for their introduction in this place.

“London, Dec. 27, 1662.

“My Lord,—I received a discharge from your lordship, which being ill-drawn, I have forborne to sign it; but shall readily perform it so soon as it comes to my hands corrected by Mr. Graham.

“I must intreat of your lordship’s endeavours to raise fifteen hundred pounds upon the two years’ rent of Jyla and my other lands for the year 1661; with which I would desire your lordship to discharge the six hundred pounds you borrowed for me when I was at Edinburgh, and the seven hundred pounds I borrowed of Sir James Stuart at the same time. The rest to be returned to me, who am

“Your lordship’s humble servant,

“Lenos and Richmond.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“P.S.—I desire your lordship to excuse my own writing, for nothing but illness should make me make use of another.”

“London, Feb. 26th, 1663.

“My Lord,—Give me leave to add this trouble to your lordship’s favours, in desiring that you will be pleased to send me a full account of all you know of the condition of my affairs in Scotland. And wherein and how you conceive any part of my estate proper or casual may be better improved to my advantage, with your lordship’s advice for the management thereof for the future. If you know of any grants made by me to any person in Scotland when I was there, which may be prejudicial to or on my estates, you will be pleased to acquaint me with it; for I am resolved to repose all my confidence upon your lordship’s directions, and to take measures of all the management of my affairs from them.

19“I shall wholly trust to your lordship, and therefore entreat you will not impart this to anybody, but conceal the request of

“Your lordship’s very humble servant,

“Lenos and Richmond.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“Whitehall, Aug. 25th, 1663.

“My Lord,—I must desire your lordship to give yourself the trouble of sending me word how my engagements stand to my estate mortgaged in Scotland, that I may know whether it be convenient that the several persons to whom it is mortgaged should receive the profits of the lands mortgaged to them till both principal and interest is satisfied. Or whether it be convenient if one person, in the name of the rest, should receive the whole profits of the estate, and engage to pay all the debts, both principal and interest, in so many years, and then to return the estate to me again. I must beg your lordship’s faithful advice in this, having found it so formerly. And, good my lord, let me know in how many years my estate will pay the debt upon it, both principal and interest. I cannot believe anybody will be so warm in my concerns as yourself, and therefore wholly repose this trust in you, desiring you to send me in writing a conveyance of my estate to yourself for the payment of the debt in the aforesaid years, with the return of the estate into my hands, who am, my lord,

“Your lordship’s most obliged servant,

“Lenos and Richmond.”

The following letter, written to Lord Cochrane after the removal of the Court to Oxford on account of the plague raging in London, will show the straits to which even the wealthiest of the Scottish nobility had been reduced.

20

“Oxford, November 11th, 1665.

“My Lord,—I had written to your lordship before this had I not an intention of coming to Scotland myself. But being now prevented by other affairs, I must desire your lordship to make all the possible speed that may be to return me five hundred pounds out of the thousand pounds that are due to me.

“My lord, I never was in a greater strait in my life, the plague having prevented my tenants’ payment. If you ever did intend to oblige me, I am sure you could never have a better opportunity than making me a present payment.

“Good, my lord, do not fail me, who am,

“Your most humble servant,

“Richmond and Lenos.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“P.S.—My uncle Aubigny is very sick at Paris, and we expect to hear he is dead by every post,—the last letters assuring that he was past recovery.”

“July 1666.

“My Lord,—I need not acquaint your lordship how great a confidence I have of your lordship’s friendship and assistance. Having now sent Boreman into Scotland to attend and follow your lordship’s directions, and my Lord Newburgh’s, for the completing and settling the whole affairs of the Admiralty. If my Lord Macdonnel goes on in his intended bargain, I shall expect 6000l. to be paid and returned to me by Michaelmas. Please to remember the 100l. you reserved till Boreman’s coming. I shall trouble your lordship with nothing more at present, but the assurance of being,

“Your lordship’s very humble servant,

“Richmond and Lenos.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“London, 18th Sept. 1666.

“My Lord,—Though I consider that 5000l. is too small a sum for so considerable and convenient an estate to my Lord 21Macdonald, yet I am satisfied to be ruled by the market and the exigency of my own affairs, but especially by your lordship’s judgment and kindness, of which I have had so good experience.

“My lord, the sad accident of fire which hath lately happened in London hath almost ruined us all. I must therefore earnestly entreat you to return me what money you have in your hands of mine, with all possible speed, not knowing which way to turn myself at present, there being no such thing as money here. Pray, likewise hasten Boreman in returning what money is due to me on the prizes, in doing all which, you will very much oblige

“Your lordship’s humble servant,

“Richmond and Lenos.

“For my Lord Cochrane, at Edinburgh.”

I have purposely refrained from comment on these letters, as being foreign to the purpose of this introductory chapter, which is not to dilate on immaterial subjects, but simply to point out the connection of the Cochrane family with the Stuarts, and their faithful adherents. The subjoined, from the Duke of Monmouth, is also curious, as alluding to the disaster of invasion, in addition to those of plague and fire.

“June 28th, 1667.

“My Lord,—So soon as I received your lordship’s of the 26th of May I was commanded by the king for Harwich, and have ever since been so hurried about in this confusion upon the arrival of the Dutch, that I have not had time to answer your lordship, to whom I do acknowledge myself very much obliged for your care of my affairs; and if it lies in my power to acknowledge it otherwise than in words, your lordship shall ever find me really to be, my lord,

“Your“Your lordship’s real friend and servant,

“Monmouth and Buccleuch.

“These for my Lord Cochrane.”

22On the 12th of May, 1669, Lord Cochrane was created Earl of Dundonald. The annexed is his Majesty’s order for the patent:—

“Our sovereign Lord, considering that it hath been always the ancient, constant, and worthy practice of all kings to confer titles and degrees of honour and dignity upon such of those subjects whose good services and worth have so deserved, and that his Majestie’s father of blessed memory did, in the year 1641, dignify and confer upon his right trusty and well-beloved William Lord Cochrane, the title of Lord Cochrane. And now his Majesty—in consideration of his faithful services, and for the better encouragement of him and his family to continue in their constant and affectionate adhering to his interest and service for the future—being graciously pleased to confer a further mark of his royal favour upon him, doth therefore, of his royal and princely power, ordain a letter patent to be made and decreed under the great seal of his ancient kingdom of Scotland, in due form, making, constituting, and creating the said William Lord Cochrane, and his heirs male, which failing, the oldest heirs female, without division, already procreate or to be procreate, of the body of the said William Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. &c., to be called and designed now and for ever hereafter Earl of Dundonald, Lord Cochrane of Paisley and Ochiltree, &c. &c. (Then follow the usual technical formalities.)

“May it please your Majesty.—This contains your Majesty’s warrant for a patent to be passed under the great seal of Scotland, for creating William Lord Cochrane Earl of Dundonald, Lord Cochrane of Paisley and Ochiltree, with power, &c. &c. &c. For subscription.

“Lauderdaill.”

“Sit supra scribitur,

“Charles R.”

The subjoined letters from the Duke and Duchess of 23Monmouth, the latter the heiress of Buccleuch^[14], are not without historical interest.

“Whitehall, May 2nd, 1671.

“My Lord,—This is expressly to beg your lordship’s pardon, that I writ not to you by the person that brought you my commission concerning my lands, in which I was confident to put your lordship’s and Lord Cochrane’s names; being assured that neither yourself nor any of your family would deny me the favour of your assistance in the management of my estate, which I have now taken into my own possession, and hope to see the good effects of it. I beseech your lordship to give my service and excuse to my Lord Cochrane, and tell him I hope he will be no worse a friend to me than you have been, who, I must acknowledge, have obliged me ever to be, my lord,

“Your very humble servant,

“Monmouth and Buccleuch.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

“Whitehall, May 25, 1671.

“My Lord,—I know not how to express my thanks to your lordship for the trouble I have put upon you in your journey to Branxholme, where your presence hath been of that advantage to my affairs, as could not, without you, have been expected. I thank your lordship most heartily for this and all other your kindnesses to me, and particularly your advice concerning Orkney, &c. and to refraine the signing of anything but what shall be most maturely advised by your lordship, and such other my friends to whose counsel and advice, 24as always faithful to me, I shall firmly adhere, and constantly remain, my lord,

“Your very affectionate friend and humble servant,

“Monmouth and Buccleuch.

“For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”

“Oct. 31, 1671.

“My Lord,—Being very sensible of your constant care and industry to promote and advance all our interests in Scotland, and receiving daily demonstrations of your particular kindness and friendship to us, we are the more confident on all occasions to depend wholly upon you, for resolution in doubtful, and assistance in difficult cases, and do entreat your lordship to take them seriously into your consideration, and weighing all circumstances deal freely and candidly with us, and declare truly to us your opinion what you do conceive fit for us to do to extricate ourselves out of those dangers both we and our estate lie under.

“We are now both of us so near the time of our majority, and are told that it is very necessary for us to undertake a journey to Scotland this next spring. If your lordship be of the same judgment, we must (if possible) find out some expedient to effect it.

“My lord, we are informed that many of our late chamberlains are resolved to stand trial with us for 3000l. yet remaining in their hands upon the balance of their accounts, unless they may have such discharge as they please.

“We do, therefore, very earnestly recommend it to your lordship’s care to proceed vigorously against them, not only for that, but also for the great waste and destruction they have made of the woods. A letter is also written to the Lord President Stair and the rest of the lords of the session’s favour for a speedy dispatch of our concerns before them. We shall have the satisfaction that in the place where we have received so great obligations from your lordship and the 25rest of our friends—even there we shall express with much sincerity that we are, my lord,

“Your lordship’s very affectionate and humble servants,

“Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“Anna Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”

“March 14th, 1674.

“My Lord,—The great assurance we have had of your affection and kindness to us, which upon all occasions you have given sufficient testimonies of in your adherence to and promoting our interest in Scotland, encourages us to entreat and, indeed, earnestlie to desire your continuance thereof, but especially at this time, when we find our tenants like to be ruined and undone by the severity of continued frost and snow. How mischievous the consequences thereof may be to us, we are not able at this distance to conjecture, only we have just reason to fear the worst.

“But we, depending very much if not solely upon your lordship’s wisdom and good conduct at this juncture, and very well knowing how prevalent your countenance and authority will be among our tenants, and what encouragement they will receive from your presence, must needs desire and entreat your lordship that you will not fail to be at the next land settling, for it is your discretion and prudence that shall be our guide and measure in the regulation of our own interests, or that of any of our tenants who shall be held fit objects of our consideration and favour in so general a calamity, if they be recommended by your lordship unto my lord,

“Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,

“Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“Anna Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

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“September 29th, 1674.

“My Lord,—Upon all occasions my wife and I do receive new testimonies and proofs of your continued kindness to us, and of your unwearied care and industry to do all good offices which may any wise conduce to our profit and advantage. And, in truth, the great pains you have taken about our affairs, and the trouble you took upon you of an inconvenient journey to be at our land settling, are sufficient assurances of your zeal and affection for our welfare and prosperity, for which we owe you a particular acknowledgment. And I do assure your lordship, I am so extremely sensible of these and all other the kindnesses which you have done for us, that it shall never be my fault if I do not make it appear how much I am, my lord,

“Your lordship’s most affectionate friend and servant,

“Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

“Whitehall, March 19th, 1676.

“My Lord,—We are truly sorry to understand by your letter that you are unable to ride by reason of your age and weakness, and that you cannot go all the way in your coach to our land settling. We know very well, and have had long and great experience, how useful you have been in that affair for many years together; and we may have just reason to fear that we may suffer very much by your absence from that service, so many of our lands lying at this time waste. The tenants will be apt to be discouraged, when they want your countenance to whom they are so well known. But, my lord, we do not think it reasonable to press you with arguments to undertake anything, how necessary soever it may be for our service, if it be in the least prejudicial to your health and safety.

“Therefore, if your infirmities cannot well dispense with your own going that journey, we do entreat your lordship to prevail with your son, my Lord Cochrane, to supply your place. For we are very sure that there is not one related 27to you, but will have a great influence on our tenants; and, next to yourself, we can desire none more considerable than your son.

“We need not tell you how much the present necessity of our affairs requires all the prudence, all the countenance and authority, and all the diligence of ourselves, and of my lords, our commissioners, to bring our estate out of that waste, ruinous, and scandalous condition under which it hath lain, and we do know that your lordship will contribute as much pains, and be as instrumental to bring this to pass as any person whatsoever. And in this assurance we do subscribe ourselves, as in truth we are, my lord,

“Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,

“Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“Anna Buccleuch and Monmouth.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

The Earl of Dundonald was subsequently appointed by James the Second one of the Privy Council of Scotland. As the place from which the patent was dated, viz. Hounslow Heath, is of historical significance, I shall give the document entire:—

“James R.

“Right trusty and right entirely-beloved cousin and councillor! Right trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor! Right trusty and entirely-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and right well-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and well-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and well-beloved councillors, and trusty and well-beloved councillors!

“We greet you well.

“Whereas we are fully satisfied of the loyalty, abilities, and dutiful affection to our service, of our right trusty and well-beloved Earl of Dundonald, we have therefore thought fit to add him to our Privy Council of that our ancient kingdom, 28and do authorise and require you to admit him accordingly.

“And we do hereby dispense with him from taking the test, oath of allegiance, or any other oath, except that of Privy Councillor only. For doing whereof this shall be your warrant, and to him a full and ample security.

“Given at our camp on Hounslow Heath, the 10th day of June 1686, and of our reign the second year.

“By His Majesty’s command,

“Melfort.”

In the subsequent rebellions of Argyle and Monmouth the Cochranes again suffered severely: John, the second son of the Earl of Dundonald, being deeply implicated therein, and only escaping with his life by the earl satisfying, first, the greed of James the Second’s popish priests, and secondly, that of James himself.

The annexed extracts from Burnet will show all that needs be said on this head:—

“Cochran, another of those who had been concerned in this treaty [as to an insurrection in Scotland], was complained of, as having talked very freely of the duke’s government of Scotland. Upon which the Scottish secretary sent a note to him, desiring him to come to him; for it was intended only to give him a reprimand, and to have ordered him to go to Scotland. But he knew his own secret; so he left his lodgings, and got beyond sea. This shewed the court had not yet got full evidence, otherwise he would have been taken up, as well as others were.”—Vol. i. folio, p. 548.

“The deliberations in Holland, among the English and Scotch that fled thither, came to ripen faster than was expected. Lord Argile had been quiet ever since the disappointment in the year eighty-three. He had lived for 29most part in Frizeland, but came oft to Amsterdam, and met with the rest of his countrymen that lay concealed there; the chief of whom were the Lord Melvill, Sir Patrick Hume, and Sir John Cochran. [The first of these (Melvill) was a fearful and mean-spirited man, a zealous presbyterian, but more zealous in preserving his person and estate. Hume was a hot and eager man, full of passion and resentment; and instead of minding the business then in hand, he was always forming schemes about the modelling of matters, when they should prevail, in which he was so earnest, that he fell into perpetual disputes and quarrels about it; Cochran was more tractable.^[15]] With these Lord Argile communicated all the advices that were sent to him.”—On margin, “Argile designed to invade Scotland.”—Vol. iii. 27; fol. vol. i. 632.

Argile landed in the Isle of Bute with his adherents. “He had left his arms in a castle, with such a guard as he could spare; but they were routed by a party of the king’s forces. And with this he lost both heart and hope. And then, apprehending that all was gone, he put himself in a disguise, and had almost escaped; but he was taken. A body of gentlemen that had followed him stood better to it, and forced their way through, so that the greater part of them escaped. Some of these were taken; the chief of them were Sir John Cochran, Ailoffe, and Rumbold. These last two were Englishmen; but I knew not upon what motive it was that they chose rather to run fortunes with Argile than with the Duke of Monmouth. Thus was this rebellion brought to a speedy end, with the effusion of very little blood.”—Vol. i. fol. p. 629.

“Cochran had a rich father, the Earl of Dundonald, and he offered the priests 5000l. to save his son. They wanted a stock of money for managing their designs, so they interposed so effectually that the bargain was made. But to 30cover it, Cochran petitioned the council that he might be sent to the king; for he had some secrets of great importance which were not fit to be communicated to any but to the king himself. He was upon that brought up to London; and after he had been for some time in private with the king, the matters he had discovered were said to be of such importance, that in consideration of that the king pardoned him. It was said he had discovered all their negotiations with the Elector of Brandenburg and the Prince of Orange. But this was a pretence only, given out to conceal the bargain; for the prince told me he had never once seen him. The secret of this came to be known soon after.”—Vol. i. fol. 634.

Lord Macaulay’s account of the same event as regarded my ancestor, for it is from this Sir John Cochrane that the present branch of our family is descended, will complete all which is necessary to be alluded to in this place.

“With Hume (Sir Patrick) was connected another Scottish exile of great note, Sir John Cochrane, second son of the Earl of Dundonald. The great question was, whether the Highlands or the Lowlands should be the seat of war. The Earl (Argyle) wished to establish his authority over his own domains, and to take possession of the ancient seat of his family, at Inverary. But Hume and Cochrane were impracticable, seeing that amongst his own mountains and lakes, and at the head of an army of his own tribe, he would be able to bear down their opposition, and to exercise the full authority of a general. They said that the Campbells took up arms neither for liberty nor for the Church of God, but for Mac Callum More alone. Cochrane declared he would go to Ayrshire, if he went by himself, and with nothing but a pitch-fork in his hand. Argyle, after long resistance, consented, and Cochrane and Hume were at the head of a force to invade the Lowlands.

31“Ayrshire was Cochrane’s object, and the coast was guarded by English frigates. A party of militia lay at Greenock, but Cochrane, who wanted provisions, was determined to land. Hume objected, but Cochrane was peremptory. Cochrane entered Greenock, and procured a supply of meal, but found no disposition to insurrection.

“Cochrane having found it impossible to raise the population on the south of the Clyde, rejoined Argyle in Bute. The Earl again proposed to make an attempt on Inverary, and again encountered pertinacious opposition. The seamen sided with Hume and Cochrane. The Highlanders were absolutely at the command of their chieftain.

* * * * * * * *

“Cochrane was taken and sent to London.... He held amongst the Scotch rebels the same rank which had been held by Grey in the West of England. That Cochrane should be forgiven by a prince vindictive beyond all example seemed incredible. But Cochrane was the younger son of a rich family; it was, therefore, only by sparing him that money could be made out of him. His father, Lord Dundonald, offered a bribe to the priests of the royal household, and a pardon was granted.”

The history of the succeeding Earls of Dundonald, down to the failure of issue in the first branch, is thus detailed by Crawfurd.

“William, first Earl of Dundonald, married Euphemie, daughter of Sir William Scot of Ardross, in comitatu de Fife, by whom he had two sons and a daughter.

“1. William Lord Cochran, who dyed in the flower of his Age, Anno 1680, leaving Issue by the Lady Catherine his Wife, Daughter of John Earl of Cassils, John who succeeded his Grand-father in the Honour, William Cochran, of Kilmaronock, a Member of Parliament for the Burgh of Wigtoun, and the other towns in that District and one of the Commissioners for keeping her Majesty’s Signet, Sir Alexander 32Erskin, Lord Lyon, and John Pringle, of Haining, being joined in Commission with him. He married Grisel, Daughter of James, second Marquis of Montrose, and has issue; Thomas Cochran of Polkely, third Son, dyed without children; Alexander Cochran, of Bonshaw, the youngest; also three Daughters; 1st. Margaret, married to Alexander Earl of Eglintoun. 2nd. Helen, to John Earl of Sutherland. 3rd. Jean, to John Viscount of Dundee, and afterward to William Viscount of Kilsyth.

“2nd. son, Sir John Cochran of Ochiltree, in Air-shire, Likewise a Daughter Grisel, married to George Lord Ross.

“This Earl gave way to Nature in the spring of the Year 1686, and was by his own Direction interr’d in the Paroch Church of Dundonald, without any Funeral Monument, but upon his Escutcheon I find the Arms of these noble and ancient Families.

“PATERNAL SIDE.

“Cochran of that Ilk.

“Lord Semple.

“Cunningham of Glengarnock.

“Lord Cairlyle of Torthorald.

“MATERNAL SIDE.

“Cochran of that Ilk.

“Montgomery of Skelmurly.

“Lindsay of Dunrod.

“Lord Semple.

“To William Earl of Dundonald succeeded John his Grandson and Heir, a nobleman of great Goodness and excellent Parts; he dyed in the prime of his Years, Anno 1691, regrated by all those who knew him, leaving Issue by the Lady Susanna his Wife, Daughter of William Duke of Hamilton, two Sons, William who succeeded in the Honours, but dyed unmarried the 19th of November 1705. And

“John married Anne Daughter of Charles Earl of Dunmore, 33a Lady who wanted no Vertue to make her an acceptable Wife; she dyed in 1711, universally lamented, whose Conduct in all Conditions of Life render’d her Loss a lasting Grief to her Relations, he had by her a Son and three Daughters.

“William Lord Cochran,

“Lady Anne,

“Lady Catherine,

“Lady Susanne.

“ARMS.

“Argent, a chiveron; Gules, betwixt three Boars Heads, Azure, supported by two Ratch Hounds of the first; Crest, a Horse, Argent, Motto, Virtute et Labore.”

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