The manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of ... - Electric Scotland

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1644, or at the battle of Newberry in October of that year, or at the
fatal battle of Naseby in June 1645. But after the retirem(3nt of hisfather,
King Charles the first to Oxford, and the surrender of that city to
the army of the Parliament, Cromwell was the only officer who visited
the Duke. The great Oliver appeared to have been struck with the
gallant bearing of the yoimg Prince James. He kneeled before him and
kissed his hand.
After many trials endured by him and his brother Charles, after the
death of King Charles the first, the Duke of York obtained leave to serve
in the French King's army as a volunteer under Marshal Turenne. The
Duke gallantly went through all the dangers of the campaign. He Avas
the first to discover that the enemy was entrenching. In the years.
1653, 1654, and 1655, he served under Turenne in four campaigns and
wished to continue and serve in France, but in obedience to the wishes
of King Charles the Second he entered the Spanish service. The Duke's
fifth campaign and his first in the ;Spanish army was in 1657. He
became High Admiral in Spain and saw much service in the navy.
Bishop Burnet, referring to the high opinion that Marshal Turenne
had of the Duke, records " that the Marshal often referre*! to him as the
greatest prince and like to be the best gener.^1 of his time." The bishop
adds about him that '* this raised his characte«' so much that the
King was not i\ little eclipsed by him."
The Duke of York in his correspondence now reported, showed great
zeal, ability and punctuality, in mastering every subject. If he could no*,
overtake all his topics in replying to his correspondents, he deferred
certain of them to a future day, or arranged for a reference to the Kin^
for further instructions. In a letter from Colonel John Graham of
Claverhouse to Queensberry, he makes allusion to the Duke of York''^
decision on certain matters connected with the army, adding that these
belonged to the Duke's own province.
The Duke occasionally makes particular allusions to persons or
gubjects which he considered of interest to Queensberry. A few instances
of this may be noted. In a letter dated July 29, 1682 he writes.— " As
for newse. Lord Sunderland is come back to court, and all his by past
faults haue been forgiven him at the intersesion of the Dutchess of Portsmouth,
and his owning them, asking pardon, and giving all the
assurances of good behauiour for the tyme to come. Many honest men
are allnrmed at it, but not I."
In his letter of August 26, 1682, he notes in a very few words a
rumour then current.— " They say Duke Lauderdale isadying." Three
days later he wrote that he did not know when he wrote last '* of the Duke
of Lauderdales being dead, but I heard of it so sone as I came from
hunting." In the same letter he adds.— " As for the Garter I proposed
Duke Hamilton's hauing it, which would not only oblige him, but besids,
I thought that the whole nation would be glad to have one of their countrymen
have it.'' This is presumed to have been the garter which had been
worn by Lauderdale : and it was somewhat singular that it should be
awarded to Hamilton, who was in constant opposhion to Lauderdale in his
proceedings in Scotland. In the Duke's letter of November 2nd, he
writes to Queensberry, " You did very well to undeceve Duke Hamilton,*'
for the writer made no promise that the president's place of
the council
with a pension of £1000. was designed for him; and this the Duke had
told his Majesty as soon as Duke Lauderdale died. " As for newse, all
things go very well here. Lord Shaftsbury still absconds. Sir Thomas
Player has not been seen these five or six days, and one Witaker, that was
accused of treasonable words is fled, and has left his security to pay for
him ; and 'tis thought more of that tribe will take the same course."