The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

374 .SIK JAMKS CiKANT OK CUtANT, IJAUONKT. [1719-
fainily of Grant is one of four Scotch faiiiilics avIio can actually boast of an
unbroken descent oi' seven generations in Parlianient.'
While in Parliament, Sir James Grant was on intimate terms with
Hir Ilobcj't Walpole. A few years after Sir James v..-:-; first returned,
tlie great A'inisti-r asked him :
favour, not of a. politir ,
l)utot';i
private
]< uure. 'Jhis aj^jiears iVom a 1; Itei', dated from Londc;., 12th June 1725,
written l)y Sir James to his sist-T Anne, to wliom and her husband, Colonel
William Grant of Ballindalloch, Sir James confided a great part of the
management of his estate previous to the year 1732. Mr. Walpole, he says,
had desired a favour of him :— " He is at jiresent buiJding a pai'k, ([uhich
he enclyns much to stock A\-ith roes, quhich is a rarity here, and not to
be had, ami he has begg'd of me to gett him some. Secretar Johnston
told him what diversion my father gave him there, soe I must entreat that
you give orders to search for them, and give what you please for everv on
that can be had." Sir James adds, after giving dii-ections as to the
shipping of the roes, "this will be ane unexpressable complement to him."-
The roe-deer were, however, not obtainable for that year at least, as the
request had been made too late in the season.
Like other gentlemen. Sir James Grant had an interest in the
South Sea Enterprise, a circumstance referred to in two letters from his
brothers Lewis and Geor^-e, who both refer to tlie closino- of the South
Sea Company's books, though the stock had risen, but could not be sold."
He also took an interest in Church aftairs. This is shown by a letter from
the Moderator of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, dated 7th October 1725,
thanking Sir James for his "iust and generous concern for the desolation
of the parish of Tarbat '" (now Arrochar), and his " ready disposition to
contribute good ofiices for a speedy settlement, and j^articidarly to allow
the vacant stipends yet undisposed to goe to such a natural use." The
Presbytery of Dumbarton were absent from the Synod, but were ordered
to make their own address to Sir James, that his views might be iully
carried out.^ This letter evidently refers to the building of a church for
' Mr. Forster's Members