The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

1719.] COlUlESrOXlH'NCK ABOUT LADY LOVAT's MAltlUAGB. S')."?
Tins coiTCspondence had ho small influence on the Grant family
in favour of Lovat. Shortly after the date of Argyll's hrst letter, Init.
perhaps hefore it had been receixed, the Bri^'adier wrote to his hrutlier
Geori'v' on the. subject, pr.iliably in answer to one by Ium in faviur ^iak to me anent my sister I'oggie, and to tell you in. short, I did
give my consent, provideing they pleased each other ; he now has aue
independant company as Governor of Inverness, which is i';300 per annum,
and the gift of Fraserdale's escheat is passing in his fi'vour, which,] with
good nianadgement and the I
pivment
of the] debts he's already mastei'
of, will undoubtedly en;d)le him to make tlie I'amily esteat of Lovat his
own. These were the reasons, joyn'd to that of so considei'able allyance
that moved me to consent. So that untill thev see other. I cannot in
good manners give anv answer to Dnuauir's proposall, and I hope my
sister will shew that civility to me as not to determine herself untill she
sees Lord Lovat, and then lett liei' please her self, for 1 will not ])retend to
compell, tho', I must own, I rather she married Lovat." The Ih'igadier
adds: " Drumuire has not writ to me al)Out it, so its not projier I slinidd
to him. but you must give a civill answer to gett a litle delav ; and had
I not been thus far ingadged, you may ashure him that I should have
readily consented to Drumuir's proposall. wliich 1 take verv kindlv, and sliall
always retain a thaid-cfull sence of it."' lie asks the Captain to connnunicate
his sentiments on the subject to Colonel Grant and to his two sisters.
It will be seen from the foregoing letter that, Lord Lovat apart, i\lr.
Duft"s suit would not have been unacceptable to tlie ilimily of Grant. The
Brifradier savs he would have readilv consented to it, and his sister Janet,
Lady Mackenzie of Scatwell, subsequently exerted herself on Mr. Duff's
behalf. But Lord Lovat's claims soon eclipsed those of his rival, a'nd the
Brigadier finallv decided that he would reject ]Mr. Dufl"s propo.s'als, and
arraim'e without further delav for a ma.rriao-e Ijetween his sister and Lovat.
In his absence in h^ngland. the Brigadier intrusted to i\Irs. Grant of Ballin-
dalloch the providing of a proper trousseau, and the making of all
' Original Letter, dated 31st July 1710, at Castle Grant.
VOL. I. 2 Y