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Country code |
GB |
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Repository code |
234 |
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Organisation |
NAS |
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Repository |
National Records of Scotland |
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Reference |
GD170/629 |
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Title |
Letter from Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, later 1st earl of Breadalbane, to Barcaldine, his chamberlain. |
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Dates |
1683-1712 |
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Access status |
Open |
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Description |
Deals mainly with estate matters, relations with neighbours and politics affecting Breadalbane's estates. They include the following:
1683, April 2. Baloch.
Lists charges of treason laid against sender - including a charge that on his invasion of Caithness he took a necromancer and warlock, John Aurich, with him; admits he might be a warlock, though he was no witch, and he was only kept by Breadalbane out of charity until he went to Holland.
1684, June 14. Finlarg.
Orders the cutting and hewing of thirty long fir trees in the woods of Glenurchay for the bridge of Glenlochay.
---- December 28. London.
Containing a detailed account of Breadalbane's terms for selling the woods of Glenorchy.
1685, January 30. London.
Regarding the payment of 4,000 merks he is to make to Lord Neil Campbell and Lochneall.
1688, March 16. Balloch.
"I doe resolve to look aftir the Breas and to that end I intend to bring my familie to Finlarig, and from thence I resolve to spend most of this summer in Glenurchay at the Castell and Ach chalader and to bring workmen there .... The iron of Lochaber is extraordinary good, therfor I bespoke a small quantitie thereof; yow are to consider how I shall gett it from Inerlochay ...."
1688, August 24. Finlarig.
Captain Straton has asked for four or five men to stay with him. Sender agrees "how unsaif single men can travell betwixt the Keppoch and Achchalder untill that pairtie be absolutly dissipat .... I hope the dilligence that I have done will please him and that he will say so to my Lord Chancellor .... I beseech yow to take care therefor that all things be done to obleidge him for much of it will lye in your hands till I come up."
With copy letter from Breadalbane to Captain Straton.
1688, August 27. Finlarig.
Discusses future plans. "I nather can nor will dispence with your absence from the Randevouze the fyfth of September, for if yow desert the King's service it will be both represented and ill takin ...."
1689, November 16.
".... The Garison of Finlarg has taken up the Graife Stons of the chapell of Finlarg and floor'd ther stable with them, heast doun 12 scor deals I pray yow, faill not in this that they lay not be the way as the last did ...."
This letter contains a key (difficult to interpret) to symbols used to signify individuals mentioned in other letters in this group.
1689, November 18. Balloch.
Estate matters, especially with regard to a proposed agreement with the Laird of Luss for supplying him with timber.
".... Send down your thoughts of this to me with remidies of all the deficulties quhich can be in it, for it is certain it may be advantageous if it can be but managed, and may eassily defray the expenses of repairing the Castle in the first place ...."
1689, November 22. Balloch.
Complains that too many demands are made on his men to serve in other districts. "therfor I requyre yow to be very circumspect in this affair and that yow be not absent out of that Countrie untill the present disordors be someways settled ..."
[1689]
"I hope this week hes been fair that yow will make up the peir again so strong and speedily that storms overtake it not befor it be fixed out of danger ...."
Discusses other estate matters. Mentions Mr. Clerk, "the factor at Edinburgh".
Political matters: "I will not divert my men except such who are on the coast of themselves incline to joyn with ther nighbours. Lochneall is at Perth with E. Argyll who is comendant of the forces ther untill M.G. McKay aryve who is not yet come ... I imagine if there be forces in Jura it is mor lykly they goe to Ila than any wher else (.) they expect to hear from [here a symbol is inserted] wherof advertise me frequently ...."
1689, December 6.
Discusses possibility that "the Castle" is to be taken over by a foot party sent by the Earl of Argyll. "It will be very destructiv to my interest to be dispossest of that place and I will first desyr to be heard at Edr. upon the subject ...."
Goes on to narrate how he (the sender) has discovered that Duncan [Campbell] deliberately falsified the rent returns for 1688. "This is so gross knavery ... I must mak him a publick example of cheating ... he knew not what to say but God is finding him out dayly ...."
[Not signed.]
[c.1689] "Mondayes night."
".... it hes been a greater wonder to me that the provocations given by Ardkinlas all this time to these Forces hes not sooner brought trouble upon him and all accissory then that it should now surpryse me if they be invading that shyre, I did officiously and without thanks expostulat by word and wreat the inco[n]siderat imprudent actings of that person, and if the shyr be distroyed by his procurment it will be great goodnes in them if he be not punishd for it, seing it can not but be acknowledged that he gav constantly the provocation .... the Government expects no service from me, nor thank me if I do any, therfor cause my men preserve themselvs leiv peacably and medle with nather side as they will be answerable ...."
[Not signed]
1689, November 22. Balloch.
Estate matters, especially with regard to Donald McIntyre in Inischonan, and action to be taken. Also discusses politics: "It is soe great nonsense to garrisone that ile this tyme of year and soe insignificant to any end whatsomever, that I doubt not when the Councell heres me on it they will not give any such order .... they may nou believe me that the highland garrisones will not coter nor protect the Lowlands much less can they protect my Estate."
n.d. Balloch.
'Carchan is in a most horid passion for your not accepting of his precept, blams me for it, and givs up all service if that money be not at him befor the end of this moneth ... therfor heast it to him and in the meantime tell him it will come to him otherwayes he will not care to do me ane ill turn; So much is money master of men.'
1690, June 1.
Has met Captain Meneizie and other highland officers, who profess themselves very willing to follow Breadalbane's advice, but thinks it difficult, now that the highlanders are in the field, to keep them from committing disorders; 'its sad to see Cristians and generally all protestans sheding others blood when it might be prevented'.
c1690
'I make no doubt but you have buried your father in my buriall place at Artchattan, although you have not signified to me that he is dead' (15 Dec.)
[1691,] September 15. London.
"I came here 4 days agoe been keept at sea longer than I expected with stormie weather .... I find it in the Gazet that non of the Highlanders hav taken the Indemnitie wherat many rejoyse, hoping they will persever in that hamour [humour], wherby they may hav opartunitie to ruine them and all who hav been doing for them. Advertise them that I shall hav with me what may please every man, if they com in the sooner the better wherby they will disapoynt their Enemies and exceedingly please their friends and oblidge all who hav tented [?] their livs credit and fortouns to preserv them from the ruine which was designed for them ...."
[Not signed]
[1691,] October 24. Balloch.
Discusses difficulties in negotiating with Keppoch and Lochzeall and others.
"I shall stay out my time if it be usfull, otherwayes I will not, they ar ruind and abused with lyes that children of 10 years age could not beleev and they talk as if they wer to giv terms and not to receav them but they will find that a great mistake in few weeks nothwithstanding of all my endevours to the contrarie ...."
[Not signed.]
[1691,] November 24. Achmor.
".... the K. is growing incenced against them for ther slighting his great offers when he is mor then [than] Master ..."
1691, December 10. Edinburgh.
Discusses Locheil's delay [in taking the oath of allegiance to William III and Mary]; ".... that unhappy man .... hes done all in his power to ruine and disgrace me who was setting up his familie ..." Explains steps to be taken if Locheil does "come in". Discusses complaint by Glengarry that "the money was not equaly destribut and that Lochzeals pairt was more than his proportion, who had less interest then on [than one] that can comand all the McDonalds .... It is insinuat to the King that if the money had been otherways dealt, some would hav com in who now keep out ...." Mentions that certain gentlemen and all the commons of Aberdeenshire are taking the indemnity this week "so that the ice is broak".
With a copy of above letter.
[c.1690-91]
".... I find the K. is highly incensed at them, the Armie is all stopt from flanders untill they be discussed, he hes justified me (.) Sir Tho. Liviston is gone up yesterday (.) My enemies hav made use of this disapoyntment to keep me out of the Government at this time as on [one] acting for K.J., and Major Forbes sayes that Glengary assurd him I was doing all this for K.J. ...."
[Not signed]
1692, January 5. London.
"I hav seen your letter of the 25th(.) My cusine is infatuat(,) he's ruind himself and all that trusted in him, non of these 3 articles will be keept to him or to his nighbour, and then they will tell who wer the mesengers employd to them and be whome(.) Who made them beleev such delusions(.) Now my comission is extinct and so is my medling .... all methods hav been orderd befor I came here for that end which will shortly be put in execution, I hav not medled in it, missurs wer aggreed on or [before] I came ....
[Not signed.]
1692, April 1. London.
Writer was the first man 'who heard from you of the Business of Glen-coa, so was I the first that exclaim'd against itt, besides what I said against the Legallity and the Justice of itt, I did expostulate with E.H. about it as design'd to employ his Men to be the Executioners, and that soon or sine some of his Innocent Freinds will pay for it, and when I expostulated with some others about it I was shown a letter from Collonel Hill, valueing himself upon that Service, and telling that if a Storm of Snow had not fallen on, none had escaped him and that he delay'd the doeing of itt sooner untill he gott the House of Innergary into his hands, I beleive he had the order with him befor I came here or about that time, although we never heard of itt nor that ever he made any objection against it but upon the Contraire he tells that an intire subjection of the Highlands immediately followed.
I think it not strange ... to be made beleive Innocent men accessory to itt, when they were so much abus'd as not to come near me to receive money and safety, but now I suppose their eyes are open to see who were their Freinds and who were not, which is very hard to make them understand untill it be too late'.
Sends copy of his agreement about the turpentine.
With copy articles of agreement, Westminster, 26 March 1692, between John, earl of Breadalbane, on one part, and Richard Frith and Elias Beake, on the other part, re piercing fir trees in Breadalbane's woods for extracting turpentine.
1692, June 21. Edinburgh.
"I hop be this tyme the unfortunat Glencoes mens eyes are opened, its best they make their aplicatione to all others their freinds, and they neid not doubt of myne as far as in justice I can, but ther afair will take tyme(.) its like it will be our wintters sessiones work ...."
Discusses estate matters involving Drumsynie's wife, the Lady Munyvard and the Baron McCorquidell.
1692, September 22. Newcastle.
'You would continow the work of the Castle and wreat to me what is don this sumer. I am for Andrew Christy's staying ther this winter but then he will be asking allowance which is unreasonable seing I am to hav no work for him but to eat his meat ther, therfor see how yow will get it done'.
[1693 ?], February 17.
Orders concerning payments to Andrew Chrystie, mason, for his "work in the Castle and at the Stable" in 1692; and similar matters.
1693, May 10. Edinburgh.
Letter to Alexander Campbell of Barcaltin from the Earl of Breadalbane, anent the provision of a croft for the gardener to keep a cow in. The gardener is to plant firs in places as the recipient has been formerly directed, "but all the ground most be first fenced, and the holls made a year befor the trees be sett".
1695, November 23. Edinburgh Castle.
Various matters: requests hasty despatch of £500 for "Mr. Archibald"; sender has had to delay a process because of inaccurate information supplied by recipient; requests a "more exact account, and what every toun payes of meall or money in any of my lands in Lorne, aither property or superioritie, to Ardchattan"; desires also to know "what conditione Andrew hes left the Castle in this winter", and gives brief instructions for its maintenance; discusses at length "the divydeing of all my meall in Nather Lorne" among the tenants; "yow would consider this affair seriously for it is of great importance to me and them hereafter".
1695, November 25. Edinburgh Castle.
Discusses at length "the management of a bussines wherein Earle of Argyles honour and mine is concerned in favours of his sister the Countess of Lauderdale ..." involving the rents of Glasrie.
1695, December 3. Edinburgh Castle.
"I doe daily expect ane order for my libertie ... I resolve upon my releiss imediatly to goe home and to make a progress your lenth that the poor wifes of Glenurchy may once sie me ..." Discusses general estate business and politics.
1696, June 6. Taymouth.
'I think best yow take up the draught mairts of Stronmillachan to be put tymeously in the park for the laidner's use, be provydeing other cows also in the chapest manner that can be, to be presently put in the park for the familie's use, for it is chaper than mutton, and its the only provisione we have now; be always sending doun salmon fresh and salt, advertise the tenents of Kilbryde to provyde good herin tymeously, and order the forrester of Corichiba to send doun some harts next month'.
1696, June 18. Taymouth.
'I doe not beleiv Andrew Chrysty in saying that yow keep the Glazier ther eating my meat for want of his money, it is dear annualrent and it must be payd at last'.
1696, August 25. Taymouth.
'Black Colin will now be returned from Edinburgh, his Master is gone to England to see a horse race. Ther ar strong solicitations to get me over, Tarbert and Stair ar also write for as I am, to which I hav ane utter aversion, I hav write my Excuse to D[uke] L[auderdale] who write to me ... if the forests afford not vanison this time of the year as others do to whom the weather is the same, I know not what they serv for'.
1696, September 1. Taymouth.
'I am very weill pleased that yow have provyded oak for a great Boat to this loch'.
1697, March 1.
Expresses regret that recipient is so ill. Discusses general estate matters, and includes reference to making "the Birlin and the yoll".
---- March ?4.
'Use all means possible to provyd me with good timber for making a boat this sumer on Lochtay, Finlarig is a charge without it ... I must adjust what Ill give them [the fishers] of the salmond for I am a greate eater altho I hav but an ill stomack'.
1697, March 19. Taymouth.
"I wryte to yow soe fully anent the meall of Nather Lorne already that my tenents of Glenurchy may be supplied that I am wearied with repetitions ... I doubt not but if yow will take pains yow may find as many responcable men in the country as may take up the rest [of the meal]... who will be good deputs to yow for collecting of it ... it only wants but a beginning, to make it usefull to Glenurchy and to itself, and I often told yow it was the greatest designed I had for it, which you ought to advance ..."
1697, March 22. Taymouth.
Discusses proposed division of meal among the tenants. "I desire that yow may imediatly convein all the tenents in the country, at least a man out of every merk land .... and propose to them a cast, how much every toun or every man will neid ... I hereby impower yow to give to such of the tenents in Glenurchy such proportiones of the meall as will be found at your meiting with them, that they are responsable to pay or find credit for it."
1697, March 29. Taymouth.
Concerns recruiting. "Send me a list of all such persons as are knowen to be notorious litle theives reseeding on any part of my estate .... as I wryte to yow befor I rather be above my quota nor under it ...."
1697, April 1. Taymouth.
'McConochy wryte to me for a rair request, for the lend of my boat to goe to Mull, because his own is not mended, I desire yow may imediatly tell him that I resolve never to lend her to any body ... ther for sie that no body medle with it, for I am very concerned for my boat, and my own service will but too soon destroy her without any help, and if the lending spoylt her I could not get amains, as I got of the last without a falling out'.
(?1697)
Assures Barcaldine he will be left in possession of his tack of Barcaldine Castle; the little house should be thatched as it is not ready for a slate roof.
'The Castell [? Finlarig or Kilchurne], is the warmest house I have in winter, and all the inconveniences of it in that seasone is to servants and not to Maisters, who sturrs but litle out of doors ... I can have a vew of provydeing every thing in the country for them, and with some money, To buy some spycerie and a litle wine at Glasgow, and flour, but how to provyde sufficient fyreing, without the scandalous expenss of cutting of wood is the question, wherof I desire yow may send me a scheme by these bearers, befor my sone goe up that I may airt him right in it, to have it made effectuall and not Castles in the Aire'.
1698, January 15. Taymouth.
'My son is pressing for mony he resolves to go to Perth as soon as he gets any and that the weather breaks. We are dayly more and more s[t]raitened in this place, the peats are all done and now we are burning the old fruit trees'.
1698, February 17. Taymouth.
Estate matters generally. "Andrew Christy and two wrights are to follow to work at the new house and at the Castale. I am very desirous to have that little house up, and if we get scleters [slaters] to the Castle this year, as we must get or els the roof will be lost, that house may be scleated before they returne ..."
1698, March 2. Taymouth.
'I am sorry for the account you give me of Benderloch's condition, desolation is universal in the Highlands, Lord help it ... I pray you explain to me your uncl Burnbank's quarrell to me [for] I preserved him when a cock to craw day would not be lefte to him'.
1698, March 7. Taymouth.
'I shall send up ... meal when it is got ready, there will be a great consumption of it at that place, do what I can, and there is none of it I grudge so much as what I bestow upon my grooms whereas neither my self nor my Family have a horse to ride on, but what they borrow and that with difficulty and grudge and I want their use, I resolve it shall not be so any more, to have them useless and chargeable which is ill thrift'.
Thinks the best way to prevent quarrells with Argyll would be to apprehend the thief, MacGrigor, and send him to Inveraray, securing his cows for Breadalbane's use, 'the Sheriff cannot have them until he be condemned, and if then the sherif ask them I know how to answer him'.
1698, March 23. Taymouth.
"The weather is so tempestuous that there is nather meall nor men can be sent up to yow till it setle(.) make what shift you can till then." Also discusses provision of wood for making a boat.
1698, April 4. Taymouth.
'Jame Stewart and James Campbell in Glenlednoig, are makeing sheets of papper of discoveries against on ane other, its whispered amongst them, that Appin imployed men to Burn Munzvard's house over his head and his families, I doe not beleive it, altho I consider him a man of no good moralls.'
1698, April 19.
Intimation of death this day of Lady Weem, the writer's sister.
1698, April 20. Taymouth.
Urges Barcaldine to get advice of Mr. Colin [Campbell of Achnaba,] about his health.
1698, April 25. Taymouth.
"The sad condition of the country is very lamentable and ought to be releived, the wather is as cold and stormie here as it is with yow, nothing but daily snow and frost. I pray God help it and releive the poor people .... I am much troubled with the account you give me of my horses, Wallace hes bein very negligent to want any thing that was good for them till they neided it. I have sent to Perth for diapents, if it comes it shall be hasted to yow ...."
[Note: "diapente" is defined in 1678 as "a composition consisting of five ingredients, viz. myrrh, gentian, birthwort, ivory and bay-berries ... it is given by Farriers to horses that want purging"]
1698, April 28. Taymouth.
"I have sent this bearer with the diapente, let me know quhat condition the horse are in ...." Discusses the arbiters' decreet in "Sinderlands bussines" which directs writer to pay to him "a Thousand pund, for quhich I have nothing"; and methods of meeting this payment.
1698, November 1. Taymouth.
Orders Barcaldine to provide sufficient timber out of the woods of Argyllshire "as will make a six oar boat for for [sic] bringing lymeston and timber for the hous of Barcaldine .... lett the ferrier of [Strome?] have the charge of her."
1698, November 8. Taymouth.
"I am much troubled with the account you give me of the rent quhich has been occationed by your absence, my sone Colin may be in great straits abroad by the delay quhich is no jeast [jest] nor lyke any thing at home. I am not to let his mother know of it .... if I had the least doubt of its not being payed a fortnight agoe I had not sent him abroad ...."
1698, November 12. Taymouth.
"I have directed Andrew Chrysty what he is to doe quhich he will show yow, he is to goe to Barcaltin instructed about that house .... The saw miln is to be soe ordered that it may be kept constantly goeing, for that house will neid a great many dealls, and the Castle most not be onfurnished for it, therefor sie how it will serve both...."
1698, November 17. Taymouth.
"I beseech yow be carfull that Andrew Christy be answerable to sie the house and windows and doors secured from the winter storme and the boats, Lochziell hes undertaken to furnish me timber for a great boat(.) wryte to him with all occationes untill the timber be brought home.
1698, November 30.
Discusses estate matters at length, especially "the deplorable account yow sent me of the country, which I am very greived for ...."; also, the unwillingness of the "fewers and substantiall men in Benderaloch" to pay their rents, and measures to be taken against them.
"I have indeid receaved a confounded account of that ruineous place of Barcaltin from Andrew Chrysty, and when his Bill is 4000 merks other four thousand marks will not put it under lock and key .... he sayes the roof is totally faill'd and the walls, except a peice in the backsyde, quhich in effect is to build a new house and to be at the expenses to pull doun the old and yet to be tyed to that foundation. I am convinced it is proper for us to have a house in that country, wherin I would not be exposed to future sencor [censure], and my posterity obleidged to make apologies, as we are for Sir Duncan's putting it there".
1698, December 12. Taymouth.
"Maltman is returned from Caithnes. Henpriggs has made no advance into new bargans, being out of humour with the ill harvest. The E. of Caithnes is bedfast therefor its high time to start to that affair(.) for all these reasons and many others I desire you to be reeadie to goe to that countrey with all diligence wherin no time is to be lost, nor is it ever to be done again, nor any journay so necessar .... the affair of E. Caithnes will not admitt of any delay, and if it should perish through it we can not ansuer to our selvs for it ...."
1699, June 13.
Note to Hew Campbell, "officer", from the Earl of Breadalbane, asking him to meet with Barcaldine to decide the best way of providing "40 Rones".
1699, June 16. Taymouth.
Relates to affairs in Caithnes. "I send yow these Caithnes letters to ansuer to be sent by Maltman at his return, yow see Stempster has signed the Minut and is on his way to Edinburgh to end ...."
[c. 1699]
Orders recipient to go to Caithness ".... all excuses layed aside".
1699, September 8.
Concerns the tack duties of the chantry and chancellory [of Lismore?]
1699, October 20. Barcaldine.
To Breadalbane from Barcaldine thanking him for financial assistance sent to help his (the writer's) sons. "I cannot butt render your Lordship many thanks ... for the care ye are pleased to have of thes poor boies .... I am now ane ald infirme man and this is all I have to live on, after all my disasters in the world ...."
1699 October 20.
Estate matters. "Lochzeals sone tells my boat timber is come out of Lochaber, but neither Dugal nor you writ any thing of it. I wish to be not embasled [embezzled?] in that too familiar countrey with what is myn. See to hav it brought to the Castle for its securitie."
n.d. On payment of the watch money, which is needful 'to preserv our friends and tennents from having ther throats cut or being herried ... Achaa and his mother must be helpt ... ye will giv all your help for old long syn and mak a barow man of one old mason ... Ther is no word of honest Jamie Dow but that he was at the west end of the countrey 6 dayes ago, did not I tell you he was playing some trick, he is playing the knav somewher with those he ought to accuse; I wish you had keept him and sent what he had to say for I'll never trust nor beleev him, and you desyr oaths, better hang him than send him to Hell.'
1701, August 26. Finlarig.
Concerns recruiting.
1701, November 21. Taymouth.
Financial matters, involving Ardsheall and Barbreck.
1707, July 7.
Concerning an estate matter.
"... to shou my willingness and good inclenatione to end all with you, that you may be to us and to the familie as you and your father and Grandfathere have been, which is much more comendable then the Worke you have been at of late, I have signed all the papers ...."
1708, January 26. Edinburgh.
Discusses Ardchattan's and his wife's refusal to accept meal for two years "of the same suficiency he was in use to receave, whereof the Chamerlane hes complained to me as he ought to have done...."
1712, October 29. Taymouth.
"Yow have not sent me these several years oysters or shell fish, fearing it would turne a few duty upon yow. I desyre you may send me now a horse load of all sorts, especially oysters...."
1712, November 21. Taymouth.
"I hear that you are to have a meeting of it at Soylicks next week, spare not your oun pains to come there too end it [sic] which will not be w'out you, there being foolls on both sydes and the Law upon the McGrigors syde which was not wont to be and if not ended it may have some fatall event, as ill as that of the drukne tryst at Killin...
n.d.
"Ther past an order of Councell last week for E[arl] Argyll to march to Lochaber with his own and other three regiments imediatly, he was then at Glasgou and on the report of it came to Edinburgh and absolutely refused the imployment, and the order is recalled".
158 letters to Barcaldine and 2 others. |
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159 letters |
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