The Earls of Middleton: Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn, and the ... - A. C. Biscoe - Google Libros

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The Scotch disapprove of the conduct of the English Parlia-

ment towards the king-Division into three parties-The Duke

of Hamilton raises forces for the defence of the king-

Middleton appointed his lieutenant-general-Defeats some

insurgents-Accompanies Hamilton to England-Made prisoner

after the battle of Preston-Obtains permission to go to Berwick

to see his wife-Sent for to London, but escapes on the way,

and returns to Scotland-Makes insurrection in favour of the

young king-Defeated by Leslie-The Covenanters resolve to

acknowledge Charles II. as their king-His arrival in Scotland

and their mortifying conduct towards him-Charles attempts to

escape, and Middleton and others prepare to rise-The Royalists

enter into a mutual agreement to defend the king, religion, and

their country-Charles persuaded to command them to lay

down their arms-Middleton appointed major-general of horse

-Makes the principal defence at the battle of Worcester, but is

made prisoner, and sent to the Tower-Cromwell wishes to get

him tried for his life; but he contrives to escape, and joins

Charles II. in Paris

The Royalists in Scotland entreat the king to send Middleton with

a force to their aid in the Highlands-Middleton endeavours to

raise troops in Holland, and has good hopes of succeeding,

should the proposed peace with England come to nothing-

Peace is, however, proclaimed, and he raises but a small force-

Lands in Scotland-Quarrels amongst the Royalists-Goes over

a second time to Holland-Has some small successes-General

Monk sets out for Scotland, and Middleton's troops grow dis-

contented - Sore pressed by Monk Attacked unexpectedly

at Loughghary, and his army routed—Has some hopes of re-

commencing the campaign afresh, but is obliged to relinquish

them and return to France-His letter from Dantzic-The king

confers on him the title of earl, which with the title of Lord of

Clermont and of Fettercairn are confirmed to him after the

Restoration by letters patent-Copy of the patent, with trans-

Middleton appointed High Commissioner to the Scotch Parlia-

ment-His state entry into the kingdom and regal reception-

Opens Parliament-His abuse of power and intemperate habits

-Annuls all Acts of Parliament passed since 1633-Proceed-

ings against, and execution of, Argyle and others-Establishes

Episcopacy in Scotland-The Act of Fines-Marriages of his

daughters-Act of Balloting-Lorne impeached for leasing

making—Lauderdale obtains his pardon from the king, and

draws up an accusation against Middleton-The Scotch people

displeased by Middleton's violent conduct towards the Presby-

terians-Summoned to London to defend himself-Powerful

friends intercede for him-Completes his own ruin by an act of

rash folly—The king deprives him of all his offices-Returns to

England, and receives a command at Rochester-Deaths of his

elder daughter and wife-Appointed Governor of Tangiers-

Marries a second time-Tries to obtain £1500 in advance of

his pay-Goes to Tangiers, and dies there in 1673, from the

effects of a fall down a staircase-Lady Middleton's epitaph-

Monument erected by the Earl of Middleton still standing at

Fettercairn-Description of it by Queen Victoria

CHARLES MIDDLETON, SECOND EARL

MIDDLETON. HIS LIFE AND LETTERS.

His character-Early life—Appointed Envoy Extraordinary at the

Court of Vienna-Shipwrecked with the Duke of York-Made

Secretary of State for Scotland, afterwards for England-

James II. entrusts to him the management of the House of

Commons-Disapproves of James's system of government, but

supports the Court party-Expostulates with the king-Resists

all James's attempts to convert him to Popery-Directed by the

king to disclaim any secret alliance with Louis XIV.-Proves

faithful to his sovereign in adversity-Present at Council-

James's first attempt at flight-Middleton refuses to obey the

summons of the peers-The king detained at Feversham-

Middleton and others hasten to him, and entreat him to return

to London-Middleton present at his last act of government-

James compelled to go to Rochester-Determines on flight-

Writes down his reasons for withdrawing, and directs Middle-

ton to get them printed--Queen's ladies obtain permission to

join her-Middleton remains in England-Warrant issued by

Queen Mary for his apprehension-Escapes to France, but

returns to England-Induces James to issue a more conciliatory

declaration after the battle of La Hogue-Middleton heads the

Compounders-Calumnies of his enemies-Succeeds Lord Mel-

fort at St. Germains

137

Description of the Chateau of St. Germains-James has some con-

fidence in Middleton-Proceedings against the latter in Scotland

for high treason-His letters from June 15th, 1693, until May

1st, 1696, chiefly concerning Queen Mary's death, and a pro-

posed invasion of England, which proves a failure

Letters from June 20th, 1696, until December 8th, 1700, concerning

some proposals to assassinate William III.—To correspondents

in England-The escape of one Birkenhead-The queen's

dowry-Some traitors-The King of Spain's will-A letter of

the Earl of Melfort intercepted by William, containing some

aspersions upon Middleton's character

Illness and death of James II.—Middleton one of the Council

appointed in his will to aid the queen-Letters concerning the

queen's manifesto to the English-The Scotch wish the young

king to go to Scotland-Middleton persuades the queen to

refuse her consent- -Falls under her Majesty's displeasure—

Turns Roman Catholic, and retires into a convent for a year-

Returns hastily to Court on learning of the promise extracted

by Lovat from the queen-Persuades her to appoint a trust-

worthy person to watch Lovat-Lovat's return to France, and

false account of his proceedings—Queen receives him favour-

ably, and distrusts Middleton-Hurt feelings of the latter-

Lovat's treachery discovered, and his imprisonment-Young

king attains his majority-Middleton praises his industry-Life

at St. Germains-Princess Louisa and her ladies-La belle

Middleton-Hamilton's songs upon her

Letters concerning Colonel Hooke's visit to Scotland - The

attempted invasion of 1708-The Salisbury captured by Sir

George Byng, and Middleton's two sons made prisoners—Queen

tries ineffectually to obtain their release—Renewed propositions

for peace-Chevalier offers to leave France-War continued ... 295

Another attempt to procure the liberation of the Middletons-Re-

leased on bail June, 1711-Queen, princess, and Lady Middle-

ton visit the king's remains-Marlborough's intrigues-Death of

the Princess Louisa-Her brocaded petticoat-Harley gives

hopes that the Protestant succession may be changed-Cheva-

lier leaves France-Middleton accompanies him as his principal

adviser-Peace of Utrecht-Louis XIV. agrees to acknowledge

Anne as Queen of Great Britain-Lady Middleton disapproves

of the queen's residence at Chaillot-Chevalier listens to the

insinuations of Middleton's enemies-He offers to resign his post

-Queen entreats him to remain with her son-Letters to

English correspondents

Peace of Utrecht signed-Rejoicings at Chaillot-Lady Middleton's

fears that the queen's prayers will injure her health-Endeavours

of her Majesty to amuse her ladies-Middleton resigns his office,

December 14th, 1713-Reports in consequence that the Cheva-

lier is about to change his religion-Denies the truth of these in

a letter to his mother-Anne's reason for not appointing her

brother her successor-Middleton returns to St. Germains, and

is appointed to the office of Great Chamberlain-Harley and

Marlborough make public proof of their perfidy towards the

exiled family-Lord Clermont made prisoner a second time

during the rebellion of 1715-Released probably in 1717-

Queen Mary Beatrice dies, 1718-Middleton's death in the

following year-His sons die without issue some time after-

Lady Middleton survives until 1745-The dates of her daugh-

ters' deaths ...

OF ALEXANDER MIDDLETON,

D.D., PRINCIPAL OF KING'S COLLEGE, Aberdeen,

AND BROTHER OF JOHN, FIRST EARL OF MIDDLE-

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