, that you may
have it under your Lordship's consideration; I shall next take the
freedom to suggest what to me appears the safest and most prudent
part now left to you to act, and which I likeways submit to your
Lordship's own judgment, without taking upon me to decide. What I
mean is this, that your Lordship should, without loss of time,
surrender your person to the Governor of Carlisle, and acquaint him
you came to throw yourself upon the clemency of the Government; at
the same time, your Lordship would, by express, have some proper
friend at London advised of your intention, and one of some weight
and interest, and who was fitt to put your conduct in the most
favourable light. You will easily perceive that this confidence in
the Government, and voluntary surrender of your person, and your
preventing all others in an early repentance must distinguish you,
in the eyes of the Government, from every other person who has
embarked, and entitle you to its favour and protection: whereas, if
you wait till you are apprehended, or leave the kingdom, your case,
tho' quite different, will be ranked with those who have gone the
greatest lengths. If your Lordship approve of this, if you think
proper to lett me know by a line to-morrow, I shall not faill to be
in town on Tuesday; and as I have a friend at London who I know is
very capable and well disposed to serve you, if it be agreeable to
you, shall, with the Doctor, concert the letter proper to be sent."

The answer of Lord Nithisdale contains a curious summary of some of the
motives which actuated the Jacobites of 1745.

LETTER FROM LORD NITHISDALE TO MR. CRAIK.

"Dear Sir,

"I have both yours, giving your opinion on the present affairs,
without assigning your reasons, and as I take it, urging an answer
from me, whether I am determined to take a share in the present
enterprise, which you seem to think I should not. I shall answer the
last first, by telling you that I have not yet fully digested my
thoughts on that matter; only be assured I'll do nothing
rashly--that's only for desperados. As to the other, I'm ready to
believe you agree in opinion with me, that as matters are come this
length, it's now greatly the interest of Scotland to wish success
to the undertaking; and that nothing but the improbability of
success should hinder every