Account of some Particulars, viz, a Search upon Sunday, September 28th, 1746, both in My Lady Bruce's House in Citadel of Leith, and in Mr Norwall's House of Boghall, for the Prince; a Search (December 20. 1746) for Ladies in Tartan throughout the Suburbs of Edinburgh; and My Lady Ogilvie's Escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh, her going to London, and her getting abroad
Metadata
Titles
Table of Contents
Account of some Particulars, viz, a Search
upon Sunday, Septr 28th, 1746, both in My
Lady Bruce's House in Citadel of Leith, &
in Mr Norwall's House of Boghall, for
ye Prince; a Search (Decr 20. 1746) for La-
dies in Tartan throughout ye Suburbs of
Edr; and My Lady Ogilvie's Escape out of the
Castle of Edr,
her going to London, & her
getting abroad
Forbes
Account of some particulars, videlicet a Search upon Sunday September 28. 1746, both in My Lady Bruce's house in Citadel of Leith, and in Mr. Norwall's house of Boghall for the Prince; a Search (December 20. 1746) for Ladies in Tartan throughout the Suburbs of Edinburgh, and My Lady Ogilvie's escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh her going to London & her getting abroad
Paton
Search of Lady Bruce's home, in Leith
Pages
Forbes
Vol. 5, 940—962Paton
Vol. 2, 106—114Credits
Encoder (metadata)
Transcriber
Proofreader
Proofreader
Encoder
Encoder
Status
Document
Metadata
Settings
| Date | 27 May 1748 |
| Person | Robert Forbes |
| Place | Citadel of Leith |
remediation
in Forbes
Related Documents
Active:
Journal from the Retreat from Stirling
to the Prince's Embarkation for France, being
particular and exact, by Mr John Cameron, etc. (v01.0155.01): Mentions in transcription
Copy of a long & particular Journal taken faithfully from the hand-writings of young Clanranald, Major MacDonald of Glenaladale & Captain Alexander MacDonald, Dalely's Brother (v03.0576.01): Mentions in transcription
Some few Remarks by Captain Alexander MacDonald upon Mr Æneas MacDonald's Journal (v04.0639.01): Mentions in transcription
Transcription
27th, 1748.
There are some Particulars
worth remarking, which hitherto
I have neglected to write an
Account of, being engaged
in such a Variety of Business
&and Thoughtfulness since the
first Time I began to enter-
tain a Thought of making ysthis
Collection; &and now here follows
an exact Account of those
Particulars.
SeptrSeptember. 28th (18th Sunday after Tri-
nity) 1746, a Party came to the Citadel
of Leith, commanded by Captain Han-
ley of Colonel Lees’sLee’s Regiment of
Foot, about 12 o’Clock, immediately
after Morning Prayer was ended.
After placing all the Sentries quite
round the House of My✝ Lady Bruce,
to prevent any Person’s going out or
coming in, Captain Hanley, attend-
ed by a Sheriff-Officer, entredentered the
House, &and searched it most strictly.
Not a Chink or a Corner did he pass
by, that he could discover, without peep-ing
ing into it. When he was in the Gar-
rets, he called for a Ladder, and, wtwith
a Candle in his own Hand, viewed
all the Corners about the Couples,
&and in the Roof, of the House. It was
afterwards found out, that all this
strict Search proceeded from an In-
formation that the Prince was con-
cealed in ^or about My Lady Bruce’s House,1
&and they certainly thought to have got
him. Mrs Mary Clerk happened to
step into the Garden with a suck-
ing Child [Peggie Rattray] in her Arms,
when the CentriesSentries, placed on the Mount
at the Back of the Garden, cried to
her, &and swore, if She made one Step
farther, they would shoot her dead.
The Out-houses, &and every Corner of
the Garden (under the Cabbages &and
the Goose-berry bushes not excepted)
were searched by the SerjeantsSergeants.
nity) 1746, a Party came to the Citadel
of Leith, commanded by Captain Han-
ley of Colonel Lees’sLee’s Regiment of
Foot, about 12 o’Clock, immediately
after Morning Prayer was ended.
After placing all the Sentries quite
round the House of My✝ Lady Bruce,
to prevent any Person’s going out or
coming in, Captain Hanley, attend-
ed by a Sheriff-Officer, entredentered the
House, &and searched it most strictly.
Not a Chink or a Corner did he pass
by, that he could discover, without peep-ing
✝
941(941)Dame Magdalen Scott, Relict of Sir
William Bruce of Kinross.
William Bruce of Kinross.
ing into it. When he was in the Gar-
rets, he called for a Ladder, and, wtwith
a Candle in his own Hand, viewed
all the Corners about the Couples,
&and in the Roof, of the House. It was
afterwards found out, that all this
strict Search proceeded from an In-
formation that the Prince was con-
cealed in ^or about My Lady Bruce’s House,1
&and they certainly thought to have got
him. Mrs Mary Clerk happened to
step into the Garden with a suck-
ing Child [Peggie Rattray] in her Arms,
when the CentriesSentries, placed on the Mount
at the Back of the Garden, cried to
her, &and swore, if She made one Step
farther, they would shoot her dead.
The Out-houses, &and every Corner of
the Garden (under the Cabbages &and
the Goose-berry bushes not excepted)
were searched by the SerjeantsSergeants.
After searching the House &and all a-
about it, the Captain told My La-
dy he had farther Orders, which
were to search all her Papers.
This Service was likewise done with
great Exactness, the Sheriff-Officer
standing close by the Captain all the 942 (942)
the Time, who, by the bye, had the
Appearance of being a Spy upon
the Captain’s Motions; for he at-
tended him in every Step he made
through the House, &and nicely view-
ed every Paper the Captain took
into his Hands. There was not a
single Discharge or Receipt in My
Lady’s Custody for more than thirty
Years, that escaped their Notice &and
Reading, which took up much Time.
Though the Captain was exceed-
tingly strict &and exact in doing his
Duty, yet he performed all with
great Civility &and Discretion.
about it, the Captain told My La-
dy he had farther Orders, which
were to search all her Papers.
This Service was likewise done with
great Exactness, the Sheriff-Officer
standing close by the Captain all the 942 (942)
the Time, who, by the bye, had the
Appearance of being a Spy upon
the Captain’s Motions; for he at-
tended him in every Step he made
through the House, &and nicely view-
ed every Paper the Captain took
into his Hands. There was not a
single Discharge or Receipt in My
Lady’s Custody for more than thirty
Years, that escaped their Notice &and
Reading, which took up much Time.
Though the Captain was exceed-
tingly strict &and exact in doing his
Duty, yet he performed all with
great Civility &and Discretion.
The Sogers had on their Spatter-
dashes &and their Knapsacks upon their
Backs, having been made to believe
before they left the Canongate, that
they were going upon a March, and
they knew Nothing of the real
Design, till they were fixed in
their several Posts round, &and in,
My Lady’s House; for Sentries were
placed not only at the outer &and
inner Entry to the House, but
likewise upon the Stair of the House. 943 (943)
House. They went off without
finding any Thinganything whatsomever.
dashes &and their Knapsacks upon their
Backs, having been made to believe
before they left the Canongate, that
they were going upon a March, and
they knew Nothing of the real
Design, till they were fixed in
their several Posts round, &and in,
My Lady’s House; for Sentries were
placed not only at the outer &and
inner Entry to the House, but
likewise upon the Stair of the House. 943 (943)
House. They went off without
finding any Thinganything whatsomever.
My Lady Bruce found out
afterwards, that She owed this
troublesome Visit to the indiscreet
&and intemperate Zeal of Mr George
Lindsay, Presbyterian Preacher
in North-Leith.
afterwards, that She owed this
troublesome Visit to the indiscreet
&and intemperate Zeal of Mr George
Lindsay, Presbyterian Preacher
in North-Leith.
It is to be remarked here, that
though the Presbyterian Preachers
(after the Battle of Culloden)
refused to give in Lists either of
the well-affected or of the dis-
affected, (see Scots Magazine for
June, 1746, pag:page 272, 273, 274); yet
they held a private Committee
once every Week in EdrEdinburgh, in order
to confer with one another as to
what Information every oneeveryone had
got about the Rebels &and their Con-
cerns. — A noted Instance of Je-
suitism! — In one of these Meet-
ings the said Mr George Lindsay
had lodged an Information (found-
ed altogether upon the Groundless Jealousy 944 (944)
Jealousy of his own Mind) anent
My Lady Bruce’s House, &and accor-
dingly one of the Mr Wisehearts
in EdrEdinburgh went to the Justice Clerk,
&and gave him the Information; upon
which the Search was ordered. My
Lady Bruce has often assured me
of the Truth of this Discovery she
had made, &and that She was very
certain the Thing had come about
in the Way above-mentioned; for
that an old Friend of hers had
waited on the Justice Clerk, to
whom he declared his being much
surprizedsurprised how it should come about
that My Lady had met with any
such Trouble, seeing her Ladyship
was an old Woman, much retired
from the World, &and very remarkable
for her polite &and neighbourly Beha-
viour throughout her whole Life.
The Justice Clerk answered, he
could not help it; for that one of
the Mr Wisehearts had come to
him with an Information, which
he had got from Mr Lindsay in North- 945 (945)
North-Leith, &and what could he
do after that? seeing he was o-
bliged, by his Office, to listen to
Informations, especially when they
proceeded from such remarkable
Friends to the Government. My
Lady has hitherto refused to name
the Gentleman, who went to the
Justice Clerk; but perhaps I may
yet find him out for the better
ascertaining the Fact.
though the Presbyterian Preachers
(after the Battle of Culloden)
refused to give in Lists either of
the well-affected or of the dis-
affected, (see Scots Magazine for
June, 1746, pag:page 272, 273, 274); yet
they held a private Committee
once every Week in EdrEdinburgh, in order
to confer with one another as to
what Information every oneeveryone had
got about the Rebels &and their Con-
cerns. — A noted Instance of Je-
suitism! — In one of these Meet-
ings the said Mr George Lindsay
had lodged an Information (found-
ed altogether upon the Groundless Jealousy 944 (944)
Jealousy of his own Mind) anent
My Lady Bruce’s House, &and accor-
dingly one of the Mr Wisehearts
in EdrEdinburgh went to the Justice Clerk,
&and gave him the Information; upon
which the Search was ordered. My
Lady Bruce has often assured me
of the Truth of this Discovery she
had made, &and that She was very
certain the Thing had come about
in the Way above-mentioned; for
that an old Friend of hers had
waited on the Justice Clerk, to
whom he declared his being much
surprizedsurprised how it should come about
that My Lady had met with any
such Trouble, seeing her Ladyship
was an old Woman, much retired
from the World, &and very remarkable
for her polite &and neighbourly Beha-
viour throughout her whole Life.
The Justice Clerk answered, he
could not help it; for that one of
the Mr Wisehearts had come to
him with an Information, which
he had got from Mr Lindsay in North- 945 (945)
North-Leith, &and what could he
do after that? seeing he was o-
bliged, by his Office, to listen to
Informations, especially when they
proceeded from such remarkable
Friends to the Government. My
Lady has hitherto refused to name
the Gentleman, who went to the
Justice Clerk; but perhaps I may
yet find him out for the better
ascertaining the Fact.
It is certain, that the Presbyteri-
an Preachers in Scotland were
the best recruiting SerjeantsSergeants (more
majorum Cromwellianorum) &and the
best Intelligencers, that Cumber-
land &and his Father ever had;
though, on the other Hand, it must
be acknowledged, that some of
them, both in the Highlands &and in
the North, behaved themselves in
quite a different Way, &and were re-
markable for their Compassion &and
seasonable Assistance to the distress-
ed skulking Gentlemen; all the se-veral946(946)
veral Instances of which I wish
I could pick up, &and have well vouch-
ed; for I would have much Plea-
sure in recording them. Perhaps
I may yet find them out, which in-
deed will be no easy Matter, seeing
these tender-hearted Gentlemen
must be careful to conceal the cha-
ritable &and well-timed Offices they
performed to the Distressed for fear
of their over-zealous Brethren, qowho
would be sure to prosecute them
for Jacobitism &and Disaffection before
the Kirk-judicatures, could they once
discover the Parts they had acted.
From such Doctrines as these fu-
rious Preachers vented in their
Pulpits, particularly after the
Battle of Culloden, Good Lord
deliver me! Instances of this
Kind are endless; but for one,
see the Substance of two Sermons,
preached by Mr AlexrAlexander Webster
in EdrEdinburgh, &and printed, in the Year 1746.
an Preachers in Scotland were
the best recruiting SerjeantsSergeants (more
majorum Cromwellianorum) &and the
best Intelligencers, that Cumber-
land &and his Father ever had;
though, on the other Hand, it must
be acknowledged, that some of
them, both in the Highlands &and in
the North, behaved themselves in
quite a different Way, &and were re-
markable for their Compassion &and
seasonable Assistance to the distress-
ed skulking Gentlemen; all the se-veral946(946)
veral Instances of which I wish
I could pick up, &and have well vouch-
ed; for I would have much Plea-
sure in recording them. Perhaps
I may yet find them out, which in-
deed will be no easy Matter, seeing
these tender-hearted Gentlemen
must be careful to conceal the cha-
ritable &and well-timed Offices they
performed to the Distressed for fear
of their over-zealous Brethren, qowho
would be sure to prosecute them
for Jacobitism &and Disaffection before
the Kirk-judicatures, could they once
discover the Parts they had acted.
From such Doctrine
rious Preachers vented in their
Pulpits, particularly after the
Battle of Culloden, Good Lord
deliver me! Instances of this
Kind are endless; but for one,
see the Substance of two Sermons,
preached by Mr AlexrAlexander Webster
in EdrEdinburgh, &and printed, in the Year 1746.
Upon the forementioned Day
(SeptrSeptember 28th, 1746) there was like-wise947(947)
wise a Search in the House of
Mr Norwall of Boghall in the
Parish of Bathgate near Linlith-
gow, by a large Party of Dragoons
under the Command of their Ma-
jor, who brought along with him
six or seven Horses to take off
the Plunder of Mr Norwall’s
House; for, after the Search was
over, the Major declared to Mr
Norwall, that, if there had been
found in or about his House a-
ny Rebel, or any Thinganything belong-
ing to the Rebels, he was to have
pillaged the whole House.
(SeptrSeptember 28th, 1746) there was like-wise947(947)
wise a Search in the House of
Mr Norwall of Boghall in the
Parish of Bathgate near Linlith-
gow, by a large Party of Dragoons
under the Command of their Ma-
jor, who brought along with him
six or seven Horses to take off
the Plunder of Mr Norwall’s
House; for, after the Search was
over, the Major declared to Mr
Norwall, that, if there had been
found in or about his House a-
ny Rebel, or any Thinganything belong-
ing to the Rebels, he was to have
pillaged the whole House.
The Major &and his Officers dined
wtwith Mr Norwall, and, in Time of
Dinner, one of yethe younger Offi-
cers complained, that they had
met with such wretched Dis-
appointment, for they were made
to think they would have got
Something worth their Pains. Mr
Norwall’s Sister asked that young Officer, 948 (948)
Officer, what he expected to
have got? "The young Pretender,
“Madam”, said he. The young
Lady spoke very cavalierly to
him, alledgingalleging, if the young Gen-
tleman had been there, she would
have fought for him, before she
would have suffered him to have
been taken. Some of the other
Officers made the Youngster seve-
ral broad Looks, when they found
he was like to discover the Rea-
son of the Search; but he took
no Notice of them at all, being
so full of the Thing, he went
on, &and spoke out his Mind; for he
was not a little chagrined at the
Disappointment.
wtwith Mr Norwall, and, in Time of
Dinner, one of yethe younger Offi-
cers complained, that they had
met with such wretched Dis-
appointment, for they were made
to think they would have got
Something worth their Pains. Mr
Norwall’s Sister asked that young Officer, 948 (948)
Officer, what he expected to
have got? "The young Pretender,
“Madam”, said he. The young
Lady spoke very cavalierly to
him, alledgingalleging, if the young Gen-
tleman had been there, she would
have fought for him, before she
would have suffered him to have
been taken. Some of the other
Officers made the Youngster seve-
ral broad Looks, when they found
he was like to discover the Rea-
son of the Search; but he took
no Notice of them at all, being
so full of the Thing, he went
on, &and spoke out his Mind; for he
was not a little chagrined at the
Disappointment.
Mr Norwall owed this Favour
to Mr George Blackwell, Presby-
terian Preacher at Bathgate, qchwhich
Settlement he had procured alto-
gether by the Interest &and Friend-
ship of Mr Norwall, whose Tutor
Charles Blackwell (Brother to
the said George) had been for some Time 949 (949)
Time. They are Sons of the late
Principal &and Professor Blackwell
at Aberdeen. They had a Bro-
ther, Alexander Blackwell,
who lately suffered Death in
Sweden. See Scots Magazine
for 1747, pag:pages 235, 338, 391.
to Mr George Blackwell, Presby-
terian Preacher at Bathgate, qchwhich
Settlement he had procured alto-
gether by the Interest &and Friend-
ship of Mr Norwall, whose Tutor
Charles Blackwell (Brother to
the said George) had been for some Time 949 (949)
Time. They are Sons of the late
Principal &and Professor Blackwell
at Aberdeen. They had a Bro-
ther, Alexander Blackwell,
who lately suffered Death in
Sweden. See Scots Magazine
for 1747, pag:pages 235, 338, 391.
Mr Norwall was carried
Prisoner by the Party to Linlithgow,
but in a Day or two was released
by an Order from the Justice Clerk.
Mr Norwall had a Brother out
with the Prince, which gave great
Ground of Suspicion agtagainst him.
Prisoner by the Party to Linlithgow,
but in a Day or two was released
by an Order from the Justice Clerk.
Mr Norwall had a Brother out
with the Prince, which gave great
Ground of Suspicion agtagainst him.
Information had been given,
that the Prince was moving South-
wards (see Scots Magazine for
1746, pag:pages 391, 392) which was yethe
Reason why these two strict
Searches happened upon one &and
the same Day; but then it is
worth observing, they were search-
ing forthem Him at the Time, qnwhen
he was either landed in France,
or upon the Coast of it. That he
was making his Way Southwards, as
speedily &and warily as possible, when the 950 (950)
the French Ships arrived to take
him off, is certain, &and he behoved
to be pretty far down the Country
towards EdrEdinburgh before the Arrival
of these Ships. See Vol:Volume 1. pag:page
180. Vol:Volume 4. pag:pages 635, 636, 637, 638,
639.
that the Prince was moving South-
wards (see Scots Magazine for
1746, pag:pages 391, 392) which was yethe
Reason why these two strict
Searches happened upon one &and
the same Day; but then it is
worth observing, they were search-
ing for
he was either landed in France,
or upon the Coast of it. That he
was making his Way Southwards, as
speedily &and warily as possible, when the 950 (950)
the French Ships arrived to take
him off, is certain, &and he behoved
to be pretty far down the Country
towards EdrEdinburgh before the Arrival
of these Ships. See Vol:Volume 1. pag:page
180. Vol:Volume 4. pag:pages 635, 636, 637, 638,
639.
Upon Saturday, DecrDecember 20th, 1746,
there was a strict Search made
throughout the Canongate, Leith, &and
the other Suburbs of EdrEdinburgh, for La-
dies &and other Women, dressed in Tar-
tan-Gowns &and white Ribbands, with
express Orders both from the Justice
Clerk, &and from Lord Albemarle, at
that Time Commander in Chief in
Scotland, if any such were found,
to seize them, &and make them Priso-
ners, &and to bring them before the
Justice Clerk &and Lord Albemarle,
that so they might be questioned
about that rebellious Dress.2
there was a strict Search made
throughout the Canongate, Leith, &and
the other Suburbs of EdrEdinburgh, for La-
dies &and other Women, dressed in Tar-
tan-Gowns &and white Ribbands, with
express Orders both from the Justice
Clerk, &and from Lord Albemarle, at
that Time Commander in Chief in
Scotland, if any such were found,
to seize them, &and make them Priso-
ners, &and to bring them before the
Justice Clerk &and Lord Albemarle,
that so they might be questioned
about that rebellious Dress.2
Upon the said Day Sentries were
posted at My Lady Bruce’s Gate by
seven o’ Clock at Night, but no
Search was made in her House
till about ten o’ Clock, when Lieu-
tenant John Morgan of Colonel Lees’sLee’s 951 (951)
Lees’sLee’s Regiment of Foot, entredentered
the House, &and behaved with very
great Discretion, making a Joke
of the Farce, as indeed it did not
deserve to be considered in any
other Light. He went into some
few Rooms, to see if he could
find any Tartan-Ladies, whom,
he said, he was obliged, by his
Orders, to take along with him as
Prisoners, if he should find any
of them. He was pleased to show
me the Orders both of the Justice
Clerk &and of Lord Albemarle, &and
to allow me to read them at
Leisure. — The Orders of the
Justice Clerk were in the fol-
lowing or the like Terms.
posted at My Lady Bruce’s Gate by
seven o’ Clock at Night, but no
Search was made in her House
till about ten o’ Clock, when Lieu-
tenant John Morgan of Colonel Lees’sLee’s 951 (951)
Lees’sLee’s Regiment of Foot, entredentered
the House, &and behaved with very
great Discretion, making a Joke
of the Farce, as indeed it did not
deserve to be considered in any
other Light. He went into some
few Rooms, to see if he could
find any Tartan-Ladies, whom,
he said, he was obliged, by his
Orders, to take along with him as
Prisoners, if he should find any
of them. He was pleased to show
me the Orders both of the Justice
Clerk &and of Lord Albemarle, &and
to allow me to read them at
Leisure. — The Orders of the
Justice Clerk were in the fol-
lowing or the like Terms.
“Whereas certain Information
“has been given from Time to
“Time, that several Persons,
“particularly of the Female
“Sex, disaffected to his Ma-
“jesty’s Person &and Government,
“have formed a Design, as an
“Insult upon the Government, to solemnize 952 (952)
“solemnize the twentieth Day
“of DecrDecember, as the Birth-dayBirthday of
“the young Pretender, &and for ytthat
“End are resolved to be dres-
“sed in Tartan-Gowns and
“white Ribbands, &and to have a
“Ball or Dancing in yethe House
“of widow✝ Morison (Xor the
“like Name) in Leith; There-
“fore these are ordering all
“Officers Civil &and Military to
“be upon their Duty to pre-
“vent any such riotous Meet-
“ings, or any such Insult u-
“pon the Government, and,
“for that Effect, to search all
“suspected Houses in the Ca-
“nongate, Leith, &and the other
“Suburbs of EdrEdinburgh, &and to seize yethe Persons
“Persons of such as they shall
“find dressed in Tartan-Gowns
“&and white Ribbands, &and the Per-
“sons of all such as they shall
“find attending such Meetings
“or Dancings, &and to make them
“Prisoners, &cetc. Given at EdrEdinburgh
“this twentieth Day of DecrDecember,
“In the Year, &cetc, &cetc, &cetc.
Sic subrsubscribitur And:Andrew Fletcher.”
“has been given from Time to
“Time, that several Persons,
“particularly of the Female
“Sex, disaffected to his Ma-
“jesty’s Person &and Government,
“have formed a Design, as an
“Insult upon the Government, to solemnize 952 (952)
“solemnize the twentieth Day
“of DecrDecember, as the Birth-dayBirthday of
“the young Pretender, &and for ytthat
“End are resolved to be dres-
“sed in Tartan-Gowns and
“white Ribbands, &and to have a
“Ball or Dancing in yethe House
“of widow✝ Morison (Xor the
“like Name) in Leith; There-
“fore these are ordering all
“Officers Civil &and Military to
“be upon their Duty to pre-
“vent any such riotous Meet-
“ings, or any such Insult u-
“pon the Government, and,
“for that Effect, to search all
“suspected Houses in the Ca-
“nongate, Leith, &and the other
“Suburbs of EdrEdinburgh, &and to seize yethe Persons
✝
There was not a Woman of this Name in
all Leith; &and therefore I suppose Widow
Norris was the Person pointed at, who
keeps an Inn upon the Shore of Leith,
&and is strongly suspected to be a Jacobite.
The Words [Widow Morison] were filled
up wtwith a different Hand from ytthat wtwith qchwhich yethe
Paper had been written.
all Leith; &and therefore I suppose Widow
Norris was the Person pointed at, who
keeps an Inn upon the Shore of Leith,
&and is strongly suspected to be a Jacobite.
The Words [Widow Morison] were filled
up wtwith a different Hand from ytthat wtwith qchwhich yethe
Paper had been written.
X
953
(953)
These Words
[or the like name] were upon the Mar-
gin of the Paper or Order.
[or the like name] were upon the Mar-
gin of the Paper or Order.
“Persons of such as they shall
“find dressed in Tartan-Gowns
“&and white Ribbands, &and the Per-
“sons of all such as they shall
“find attending such Meetings
“or Dancings, &and to make them
“Prisoners, &cetc. Given at EdrEdinburgh
“this twentieth Day of DecrDecember,
“In the Year, &cetc, &cetc, &cetc.
Sic subrsubscribitur And:Andrew Fletcher.”
When I had read this Order, I
could not help laughing, &and Mor-
gan said, it deserved no other
Treatment; for he believed, ne-
ver was an Officer sent upon
any such Duty before, as to en-
quire into the particular Dress
of Ladies, &and to hinder them to
take a Trip of dancing, &cetc.
could not help laughing, &and Mor-
gan said, it deserved no other
Treatment; for he believed, ne-
ver was an Officer sent upon
any such Duty before, as to en-
quire into the particular Dress
of Ladies, &and to hinder them to
take a Trip of dancing, &cetc.
The Order of Lord Albe-
marle was in few Words, refer-
ring to that of the Lord Justice
Clerk; but specifying the Article
of making Prisoners of all Tar-
tan-Gowns, White Ribbands, &cetc.
The Officers, put upon this odd
Piece of Duty, had Lists in their 954 (954)
their pockets of all Suspected Hous-
es. Mrs Jean Rollo, an old Mai-
den-Lady in the Canongate, &and
Sister of the present Lord Rol-
lo, was the only Prisoner according
to Order, &and was brought before
the Justice Clerk &and Lord Albe-
marle, and, after some very sil-
ly trifling Questions being ask-
ed about her Tartan-Gown,
She was dismissed.
marle was in few Words, refer-
ring to that of the Lord Justice
Clerk; but specifying the Article
of making Prisoners of all Tar-
tan-Gowns, White Ribbands, &cetc.
The Officers, put upon this odd
Piece of Duty, had Lists in their 954 (954)
their pockets of all Suspected Hous-
es. Mrs Jean Rollo, an old Mai-
den-Lady in the Canongate, &and
Sister of the present Lord Rol-
lo, was the only Prisoner according
to Order, &and was brought before
the Justice Clerk &and Lord Albe-
marle, and, after some very sil-
ly trifling Questions being ask-
ed about her Tartan-Gown,
She was dismissed.
A party of mounted Dragoons
continued patrolingpatrolling through some
of the Streets of Leith till near
twelve o’ Clock at Night, &and Sen-
tries were posted at the Water-
gate, Foot of Leith Wynd, &and
Head of the Walk of Leith, &and
other Avenues leading to EdrEdinburgh,
so that none could pass or re-
pass without being strictly exa-
mined, &and giving an Account of
themselves. At the Water-gate
some Gentlemen returning from
their Walk ^they had been taking into their Country,
were made Prisoners, &and detained
to next Day in the Canongate-Pri-son,955(955)
son, because they made a Joke
of the Thing, &and refused to an-
swer some of the silly Questi-
ons. Among these Gentlemen
was Mr David Kennedy, Bro-
ther to the present SrSir Thomas
Kennedy of CulleanCulzean, &and Cousin
to the Justice Clerk. One of
Lord Albemarle’s Servants, re-
turning from watering &and airing
the Horses, refused to answer
a CentinelSentinel, that called to him;
upon which the CentinelSentinel steptstepped
forwards, &and thrust his screwed
Bayonet into the Belly of Albe-
marle’s best Horse, so that the
fine managed Caperer died.
This became the Subject of much
Laughter, that the General should
be the only Person to suffer in
a search for the rebellious
Tartan.
continued patrolingpatrolling through some
of the Streets of Leith till near
twelve o’ Clock at Night, &and Sen-
tries were posted at the Water-
gate, Foot of Leith Wynd, &and
Head of the Walk of Leith, &and
other Avenues leading to EdrEdinburgh,
so that none could pass or re-
pass without being strictly exa-
mined, &and giving an Account of
themselves. At the Water-gate
some Gentlemen returning from
their Walk ^they had been taking into the
were made Prisoners, &and detained
to next Day in the Canongate-Pri-son,955(955)
son, because they made a Joke
of the Thing, &and refused to an-
swer some of the silly Questi-
ons. Among these Gentlemen
was Mr David Kennedy, Bro-
ther to the present SrSir Thomas
Kennedy of CulleanCulzean, &and Cousin
to the Justice Clerk. One of
Lord Albemarle’s Servants, re-
turning from watering &and airing
the Horses, refused to answer
a CentinelSentinel, that called to him;
upon which the CentinelSentinel steptstepped
forwards, &and thrust his screwed
Bayonet into the Belly of Albe-
marle’s best Horse, so that the
fine managed Caperer died.
This became the Subject of much
Laughter, that the General should
be the only Person to suffer in
a search for the rebellious
Tartan.
This Farce was said to be al-
together owing to the Folly &and
Madness of General Husk, who was 956 (956)
was at that Time in EdrEdinburgh.
together owing to the Folly &and
Madness of General Husk, who was 956 (956)
was at that Time in EdrEdinburgh.
There never was such a Thing de-
vised as a Ball or a Dancing; but
some People, knowing the Folly &and
Idleness of the Government-Folks,
had spread such a Report, to try
what they would do, &and indeed yethe
Farce afforded Diversion enough.
vised as a Ball or a Dancing; but
some People, knowing the Folly &and
Idleness of the Government-Folks,
had spread such a Report, to try
what they would do, &and indeed yethe
Farce afforded Diversion enough.
There was ^one Trapeau (an Irish-
man) a Lieutenant in Bligh’s Regi-
ment, who was much blamed for
this odd Farce. After the Bat-
tle of Culloden he became AidAide de
Camp to General Husk, to whom
he was sure to whisper every
idle silly Story he could pick
up, &and the credulous Husk was
ready to swallow every Thingeverything
down as Truth. This Trapeau
was the Officer, that posted the
Sentries at My Lady Bruce’s
Gate, &and though he had been se-
veral Times in My Lady’s House,
&and well entertained in it, yet
he had not the Discretion to
call for My Lady to let her know 957 (957)
know what was the Matter, or
to forbid her to be uneasy; so
that She was altogether in a
State of SuspenceSuspense, till Mor-
gan appeared at ten o’Clock
at Night. — This Trapeau was
among the Officers, that did Du-
ty upon the Prisoners in the Cas-
tle of EdrEdinburgh in the Month of
FebryFebruary, 1746, &and was at no small
Pains to get into Favour with
them, particularly the brave Ma-
jor Donald MacDonell &and Mrs
Jean Cameron. Bligh’s Regi-
ment being ordered to sail
from Leith to Aberdeen, where
Cumberland was then lying wtwith
his Army, the said Trapeau
took Care to have recommen-
datory Letters to Keppoch &and
Lochiel from Major MacDonell
&and Mrs Jean Cameron, for Fear
of the Worst, as both of them told
me &and others more than once; but after 958 (958)
after the Battle of Culloden,
he was a changed Man indeed,
being much for severe Measures
upon the Rebels, making Pa-
negyricksPanegyrics in Conversation upon
Cumberland, &and calling all the
Facts about the Cruelties &and
Barbarities Damn’dDamned Lies, &cetc,
saying, that the brave Duke
of Cumberland was not capa-
ble of entertaining a Thought
about such Doings, that he had
a Soul much above these Things,
&cetc, &cetc, &cetc, &cetc.
man) a Lieutenant in Bligh’s Regi-
ment, who was much blamed for
this odd Farce. After the Bat-
tle of Culloden he became AidAide de
Camp to General Husk, to whom
he was sure to whisper every
idle silly Story he could pick
up, &and the credulous Husk was
ready to swallow every Thingeverything
down as Truth. This Trapeau
was the Officer, that posted the
Sentries at My Lady Bruce’s
Gate, &and though he had been se-
veral Times in My Lady’s House,
&and well entertained in it, yet
he had not the Discretion to
call for My Lady to let her know 957 (957)
know what was the Matter, or
to forbid her to be uneasy; so
that She was altogether in a
State of SuspenceSuspense, till Mor-
gan appeared at ten o’Clock
at Night. — This Trapeau was
among the Officers, that did Du-
ty upon the Prisoners in the Cas-
tle of EdrEdinburgh in the Month of
FebryFebruary, 1746, &and was at no small
Pains to get into Favour with
them, particularly the brave Ma-
jor Donald MacDonell &and Mrs
Jean Cameron. Bligh’s Regi-
ment being ordered to sail
from Leith to Aberdeen, where
Cumberland was then lying wtwith
his Army, the said Trapeau
took Care to have recommen-
datory Letters to Keppoch &and
Lochiel from Major MacDonell
&and Mrs Jean Cameron, for Fear
of the Worst, as both of them told
me &and others more than once; but after 958 (958)
after the Battle of Culloden,
he was a changed Man indeed,
being much for severe Measures
upon the Rebels, making Pa-
negyricksPanegyrics in Conversation upon
Cumberland, &and calling all the
Facts about the Cruelties &and
Barbarities Damn’dDamned Lies, &cetc,
saying, that the brave Duke
of Cumberland was not capa-
ble of entertaining a Thought
about such Doings, that he had
a Soul much above these Things,
&cetc, &cetc, &cetc, &cetc.
About this Time a memorable E-
vent happened, which is as fol-
lows.
vent happened, which is as fol-
lows.
My Lady Ogilvie (who had made
her Escape out of the Castle of
EdrEdinburgh, in the Dress of a Servant-
Maid, upon Friday’s Evening,
NovrNovember 21st, 1746) &and about six-
teen skulking Gentlemen met
at a Fisher’s House (a very re-
tired Hut) on this Side of North- Berwick 959(959)
Berwick, in order to wait a
Dutch Ship, that was to sail fmfrom
Leith-Harbour, the Master of
which had agreed to take them
off to Holland, and that, when
he should fall down the FrithFirth
of Forth, he would make to-
wards the Bay of Prestonpans,
as a Signal for them to come
on Board. They accordingly had
a large Boat from Newhaven pro-
vided on Purpose, &and lying near
the Fisher’s Hut. When the
Dutchman set sail, such a hard
westerly Gale blew, that he could
not (with all his Art) look near
Prestonpans-bay; but behoved to
set out to Sea directly. This
was a sore Disappointment to
My Lady &and the distressed Gentle-
men; for they had Nothing else
for it but to make their Way
back again to EdrEdinburgh in as wary
a Way as possible. They were about 960 (960)
about two Days or so in the
Fisher’s Hut, where the Accom-
modation was bad enough, e-
specially for such a Number.
They all luckily got into EdrEdinburgh
again upon the Evening of
DecrDecember 19th; but had they delay-
ed their Return into EdrEdinburgh till
next Day, every one of them had
been seized by the Sentries post-
ed for the Tartan-farce.
3
her Escape out of the Castle of
EdrEdinburgh, in the Dress of a Servant-
Maid, upon Friday’s Evening,
NovrNovember 21st, 1746) &and about six-
teen skulking Gentlemen met
at a Fisher’s House (a very re-
tired Hut) on this Side of North- Berwick 959
Printers begin at 968
Berwick, in order to wait a
Dutch Ship, that was to sail fmfrom
Leith-Harbour, the Master of
which had agreed to take them
off to Holland, and that, when
he should fall down the FrithFirth
of Forth, he would make to-
wards the Bay of Prestonpans,
as a Signal for them to come
on Board. They accordingly had
a large Boat from Newhaven pro-
vided on Purpose, &and lying near
the Fisher’s Hut. When the
Dutchman set sail, such a hard
westerly Gale blew, that he could
not (with all his Art) look near
Prestonpans-bay; but behoved to
set out to Sea directly. This
was a sore Disappointment to
My Lady &and the distressed Gentle-
men; for they had Nothing else
for it but to make their Way
back again to EdrEdinburgh in as wary
a Way as possible. They were about 960 (960)
about two Days or so in the
Fisher’s Hut, where the Accom-
modation was bad enough, e-
specially for such a Number.
They all luckily got into EdrEdinburgh
again upon the Evening of
DecrDecember 19th; but had they delay-
ed their Return into EdrEdinburgh till
next Day, every one of them had
been seized by the Sentries post-
ed for the Tartan-farce.
Upon Christmas-Eve, My Lady
Ogilvie, dressed in mensmen’s CloathsClothes
as a sick Gentleman jaunting
for Health, set out in a Chaise
for London, attended only by
Archibald Hart, Merchant in
EdrEdinburgh, who brought Her Lady-
ship safe to London. Upon her
endeavouring to get over to Hol-
land from the English Coast,
she was seized upon, by an
Officer and his Party, for the young
Pretender. The Gentleman who
was with Her (I know not his Name) acted 961 (961)
acted his Part so well as to get
her free; for he assured the Of-
ficer, it was a Lady of Rank
in MensMen’s CloathsClothes, who had run
her selfherself so deep in Debt with
Gaming, that She behoved to
fall upon this Shift to get
abroad to save her selfherself the
Disgrace of being thrown into
JaylJail, &and he hoped, the Officer
was One of more Honour, &and had
a greater Regard for the Sex,
than to have a Hand in bring-
ing so much Misery upon a La-
dy. The Officer said, the young
Pretender was represented ^to him to
be a tall slender Young Man,
such as the Person he had now
seized; but if he could be cer-
tified, that the Prisoner was a
Woman, he wanted no more;
for he would not, upon any
Consideration, bring Distress upon a 962 (962)
a Lady. The Officer having
got some Women to examine
into the Case, &and to give their
Verdict, was satisfied it was
not the young Pretender, &and so
let My Lady pass without a-
ny further Trouble.
Ogilvie, dressed in mensmen’s CloathsClothes
as a sick Gentleman jaunting
for Health, set out in a Chaise
for London, attended only by
Archibald Hart, Merchant in
EdrEdinburgh, who brought Her Lady-
ship safe to London. Upon her
endeavouring to get over to Hol-
land from the English Coast,
she was seized upon, by an
Officer and his Party, for the young
Pretender. The Gentleman who
was with Her (I know not his Name) acted 961 (961)
acted his Part so well as to get
her free; for he assured the Of-
ficer, it was a Lady of Rank
in MensMen’s CloathsClothes, who had run
her selfherself so deep in Debt with
Gaming, that She behoved to
fall upon this Shift to get
abroad to save her selfherself the
Disgrace of being thrown into
JaylJail, &and he hoped, the Officer
was One of more Honour, &and had
a greater Regard for the Sex,
than to have a Hand in bring-
ing so much Misery upon a La-
dy. The Officer said, the young
Pretender was represented ^to him to
be a tall slender Young Man,
such as the Person he had now
seized; but if he could be cer-
tified, that the Prisoner was a
Woman, he wanted no more;
for he would not, upon any
Consideration, bring Distress upon a 962 (962)
a Lady. The Officer having
got some Women to examine
into the Case, &and to give their
Verdict, was satisfied it was
not the young Pretender, &and so
let My Lady pass without a-
ny further Trouble.
Robert Forbes, A: M:
Friday's
Citation
Forbes, Robert. “Account of some particulars, videlicet a Search upon Sunday September 28. 1746, both in My Lady Bruce's house in Citadel of Leith, and in Mr. Norwall's house of Boghall for the Prince; a Search (December 20. 1746) for Ladies in Tartan throughout the Suburbs of Edinburgh, and My Lady Ogilvie's escape out of the Castle of Edinburgh her going to London & her getting abroad.” The Lyon in Mourning,
vol. 5,
Adv.MS.32.6.20, fol. 38v–49v. The Lyon in Mourning Project,
edited by Leith Davis, https://lyoninmourning.dhil.lib.sfu.ca/
Appendix
See Albemarle Papers, pp. 267-68, 272). Donald MacDonald, of Forbes's acquaintance, was at least one source of the suspicion directed toward Lady Bruce.