The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

282 JAMES GRANT, SKVKXTII OF FREUCIIIE. [1G37-
In reply to his letter, the Committee of Estates thiinked tlic Laird for
his service in the apprehension of tlie Ilaukit Stirk and i-enewed his
commission, while the Chancellor himself wrote in terms of encoura'^ement.
and also ordered the Macdonalds to make restitution of certain c'oods stolen
by them from the Laird's territmy.'
At a later dale in the same year, another commissioner was despatched
by the Laird to Ediuburgh to make inquiry about the vae;iat stipends,
whether they fell to the Treasurer, or were in the power of the Cliurch.
If they were in the control of tlie Ti-easurer, he was to secure them for
the Laird to be employed " ad pios wsus." He was to discuss various
local matters with the Lord Advocate, and "to speak for the Ilailkit
Stirk to sie if he wllbe releasit wpon good securitie." lie was furnished
with a list of names to give to the Chancellor, who Avas to lie asked to
requu-e surety for the preservation of the peace from the people of Eindliorn-
side, Nairnslde, and Stratherrick, the names of vrhose "masters" are
supplied. The wrong sufi'ered in respect of ovcr-\-aluation for cess was
not to be forgotten, and the clerks of Parliament were to be secured,
so that nothing should proceed against the Laird unknown to his com-
missioner." A letter from his law-agent in lulinburgh informed the Laird
that the vacant stipends had been appropriated by the King fur "the
deposit feithfull ministrie of this kingdome,"^ and an Act of PiU'liament
was passed to this effect. "*
The state of matters between King Cliarles the Second and his sub-
jects in Scotland Avas one of gi-avity, and occasioned great uneasiness,
as no treaty of indemnity for the period of the Commonwealth had yet
been secured for Scotland, and very many landed projirietors were in
consequence virtually at the mercy of the Government. This accounts for
the Laird's apprehension expressed in the instructions to William Grant of
Cardells, and they soon proved to be well founded. On that gentleman's
return from Edinburgh in February IGGl, he was the bearer of a letter
from Lord Duffus and the Laird of Pluscardine, with the intelligence that
' Vol. ii. of this work, jip. 20-'2'2. ^ Original Letter, George Stcw.-irt to J.nmes Grant of
' Instructions for William Grant of Cardells, Freucbie, (late.l Itti I-'iliru.iry lOlJl. at Castle Grant.
at Castle Grant. ' Acts of the rarliamcnts of Scotland, vol. vii. p. IS.