I waited upon his Royal
Highness immediately on my arrival, and found him in no very good humour
for my purpose. Three or four Scotch gentlemen were just leaving his
levee. After he had expressed himself to me very courteously; "Would you
think it," he said, "Talbot, here have been half a dozen of the most
respectable gentlemen and best friends to government north of the Forth,
Major Melville of Cairnvreckan, Rubrick of Duchran, and others, who have
fairly wrung from me, by their downright importunity, a present
protection and the promise of a future pardon for that stubborn old rebel
whom they call Baron of Bradwardine. They allege that his high personal
character, and the clemency which he showed to such of our people as fell
into the rebels' hands, should weigh in his favour, especially as the
loss of his estate is likely to be a severe enough punishment. Rubrick
has undertaken to keep him at his own house till things are settled in
the country; but it's a little hard to be forced in a manner to pardon
such a mortal enemy to the House of Brunswick." This was no favourable
moment for opening my business; however, I said I was rejoiced to learn
that his Royal Highness was in the course of granting such requests, as
it emboldened me to present one of the like nature in my own name.
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