The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

1773.] KEQUl'-STHD TO Fl.T.NISll 0X1-: IN niOl'KXDKNr COMl'ANV. 407
no more of tlicm but lluit conipany should ho cmjiloyoil in llu?, service, or if
tliey were, tliat it must lie at tlielr own exjience, AvhilL'. tlie oilier favourite
clairs weiv to lie jiaid by the Coverunient."' 'J'his inci-eased Mr. (Grant's
dillii-'ihy in iia.miii^' oiiioers, and al'ier consiileratioii of the ay tliem
while in employment, as Mr. Grant's private fortune was unec^ual to such
expense.
The Lord President's reply to these representations, through Lord
Ueskford, was to the effect that though he was trusted with the disposal
of twenty companies, yet all possible economy was enjoined, and that he
could not therefore at tirst exceed one company to any one clan. He knew
the importance in that country of tlie family of Grant, and had therefore
offered the first company to ^Ir. Grant, but should the latter refuse it,
others might follow his example, and the whole scheme would miscarry.
It might not be the best measure, yet it was the only one tliat the
Government had proposed for employing their friends in the north, and
a miscarriage would have serious consecpiences. He hoped therefore that
with so much at stake, Mr. Grant \\ould overlook small difUcidties, and if,
in the future distribution of companies, due regard was not liad to the
family of Grant, then Mr. Grant would have reason to complain."
After receiving this explanation, and consulting his friends, Mr. Grant
wrote, on 2l2d September 1745, to President I'orbes," referring to the
opinions expressed by his friends, and to Lord 1 )eskfbrd's mission, explaining
the cause for the latter. lie assured the President of his full belief in his
' MS. narratives, supra. * Jf/id. ^ Vol. ii. of tliis work, p. 100.