Copy of a letter from Lord Barrington the Secretary of War, the War Office, to Lord George Beauclerk, Edinburgh, endorsed with a letter from Lord George Beauclerk to David Scrimgeour relating to highly successful recruiting of troops in ‘North Britain.’
Letter of Lord Barrington to Lord George Beauclerk
War Office 22 Feb 1757
My Lord
It is with the greatest pleasure that I see the plan of Recruiting in North Britain which has been so happily carried on by your Lordship, in Concert with the gentlemen of that Country, so nearly Completed as it appears to be from your last letter, I have had the Honor more than once in the course of this affair, to transmit to your Lordship His Royal Highness approbation of your conduct and if the same justice has not been done to the other Noblemen and Gentlemen, who have so laudably exerted themselves on this occasion, they will impute it to the true and obvious reason that, where the Merit was so general, it was impossible to make separate acknowledgements to all, and improper to any less Number, However, as it is very fit that these gentlemen should be assured that their good services are known and properly accepted; I am Directed by His Royal Highness, to desire, that your Lordship, before the Commisioners lay down their office, will take some method of acquainting them at their several meetings, that His Royal Highness has had the satisfaction to see his expectations, however great, and even their own promises exceeded by their prudent and vigorous conduct; that he thanks them sincerely and particularly; and he will always remember this seasonable Exertion of their Influence & Authority as a signal Proof of their affection to His Majesty, and to the true Interests of the United Kingdom.
If it should not be thought unnecessary to add any thing from me, to this full and Satisfactory Declaration of the Sentiments of His Royal Highness, I would beg your Lordship to assure the gentlemen that as my Situation made me a principall Witness to this whole Transaction, I have not been wanting, nor ever shall be, in representing it to their Honor; and in my own particular, I profess a real obligation to them for their active assistance, which has enabled me to Discharge an important part of my office, with more ease to myself, and more advantage to the Publick, than could reasonably by expected. I have the Honour to be
My Lord
your Lordship's
Most Humble and
Most Obediant Serv.
[signed] Barrington
Rt. Honble Lord George Beauclerk
Letter of Lord George Beauclerk to David Scrimgeour
Edinburgh 1st March 1757
Sir
It gives me the greatest satisfaction to have it in my power to acquaint the Noblemen & Gentlemen, who have interested themselves in the execution of the recruiting Act, that the Zeal they have testified in this Occasion, has met with the approbation it so justly Merited. The sense His Royal Highness has of this proof of their affection, will best appear by the annexed copy of a letter to me from his Majesty's Secretary at War, which you will be pleased to communicate to the Commissioners of the Shire of Inverness, in the Manner you shall judge most proper.
As the approbation which my conduct has been honoured with in this affair, has been chiefly owing to the ready concurrence I met with from you and the Commissioners, I hope my best thanks will be acceptable with an assurance that it will always give me pleasure faithfully to represent whatever may redound to the Honor of this part of the United Kingdoms.
I am so glad to find by the latest returns from the attending officers in your Country, that the quota of men is so near being compleated; and flatter myself the gentlemen will continue their assiduous Endeavors till the whole are turned over, which for various reasons cannot be too soon accomplished. I am
Sir
your Most obedient
Humble Servant
[signed] GBeauclerk
David Scrimgeour Esqr.
Cover sheet:
Copies of Letters from
Lord George Beauclerk
and Lord Barrington 1757
Source:
TNA, GD137/3384.
© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2021.