cerning me; and charges spread among the people of my having
solicited for, nay, even actually signed orders of general savage
destruction, seldom issued among the most barbarous nations, and
which my soul abhors. And that the general temper of my mind was
ever averse from, and shocked at gross instances of inhumanity, I
appeal to all my friends and acquaintance who have known me most
intimately, and even to those prisoners of the King's troops to whom
I had access, and whom I ever had it in my power to relieve; I
appeal, in particular, for my justification as to this justly
detested and horrid crime of cruelty, to Captain Master, of Ross,
Captain-Lieutenant Luon, and Lieutenant George Cuming of Alter.

"These gentlemen will, I am persuaded, as far as relates to
themselves, and as far as has fallen within their knowledge as
credible information, do me justice; and then, surely my countrymen
will not load a person, already too guilty and unfortunate, with
undeserved infamy, which may not only fix itself on his own
character, but reflect dishonour on his family.

"I have no more to say, but that I am persuaded, if reasons of
state, and the demands of public justice had permitted his Majesty
to follow the dictates of his own royal heart, my sentence might
have been mitigated. Had it pleased God to prolong my life, the
remainder of it should have been faithfully employed in the service
of my justly offended sovereign, and in constant endeavours to wipe
away the very remembrance of my crime.

"I now, with my dying breath, beseech Almighty God to bless my
rightful sovereign, King George, and preserve him from the attacks
of public and private enemies.

"May his Majesty, and his illustrious descendants, be so guided by
the Divine Providence as ever to govern with that wisdom, and that
care for the public good, as will preserve to them the love of their
subjects, and secure their right to reign over a free and happy
people to the latest posterity."

That Lord Boyd reciprocated the affection of his father appears from the
following letter, which he addressed, a few days after the execution of
Lord Kilmarnock, to Colonel Walkinshaw Craufurd, who was then at
Scarborough.

"My Dear John,

"I had yours last post, and I don't know in what words to express
how much I am obliged to you for doin