as any of his adherents, if he might now advise his countrymen, it
should be never more to enter into rebellious measures, for, having
failed in the last attempt, every future one would be hopeless.[68]
The Marquis died in the fifty-eighth year of his age, and was buried in
the chapel in the Tower, which has received few more honest men, or
public characters more true to the principles which they have professed.
The following letter, written in March, 1746, during the siege of Blair
Castle, when it was commanded by a garrison under Sir Andrew Agnew, and
addressed to Lord George Murray, shows the strong sense which the
Marquis entertained of what was due to his country and his cause.
"Brother George,
"Since, contrary to the rules of right reason, you was pleased to
tell me a sham story about the expedition to Blair, without further
ceremony for me, you may now do what the gentlemen of the country
think fit with the castle: I am in no concern about it. Our
great-great-grandfather, grandfather, and father's pictures will be
an irreparable loss on blowing up the house; but there is no
comparison to be made with these faint images of our forefathers and
the more necessary publick service, which requires we should
sacrifice everything that can valuably contribute towards the
country's safety, as well as materially advancing the royal cause.
Pray give my kind service to all valuable friends, to which I can
add nothing but that, in all events, you may be assured I shall ever
be found with just regard, dear brother, your most affectionate
brother and humble servant."
"Inverness,
"March 26, 1746."
"PS. At the upper end of the door of the old stable, there was
formerly a gate which had a portcullis into the castle; it is half
built up and boarded over on the stable side, large enough to hold a
horse at hack and manger. People that don't know the place imagine
it may be much easier dug through than any other part of the wall,
so as to make a convenient passage into the vaulted room, which is
called the servants' hall."
Of the fate of this princely territory, and upon the fortunes of the
family of which the Marquis of Tullibardine was so respectable a member,
much remains to be related; but it appertains more properly to the life
of the warlike and ambitious brother of the Marquis, the celebrated Lord
George Murray.
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