Chapter I: My Boyhood, and Entrance Into the Navy

Younger Branch succeeds to Earldom.—Alienation of Family
Estates.—My Father’s scientific Pursuits.—His ruinous
manufacturing Projects.—A neglected
Discovery.—Communicated to James Watt.—Lord Dundonald’s
Agricultural Works still held in Estimation.—Early
Reminiscences.—My first Visit to London.—My Father
destines me for the Army.—A Commission procured.—My
Aversion to the Military Profession.—Our Return to
Scotland.—I am permitted to enter the Navy Page 34

CHAP. II.
CRUISE OF THE _HIND_.

A Lieutenant of the Old School.—His Ideas on
Sea-chests.—Dockyards sixty Years ago.—Prize-money, the
leading Motive of Seamen.—Voyage to Norway.—Norwegian
Customs.—A Midshipman’s Grievances.—A Parrot turned
Boatswain.—Ineffective Armaments.—Men before
Dockyards.—Training of Officers 50

CHAP. III.
THE VOYAGE OF THE _THETIS_.

Voyage in the _Thetis_.—Icebergs.—I am made Acting
Lieutenant.—I am ordered to join the _Thetis_.—Pass
Examination for Lieutenant.—Captain Cochrane’s Capture of
French Store-ships.—My Appointment to the
_Resolution_.—Admiral winters in the Chesapeake.—An
undignified Encounter.—A Dinner ashore.—Harsh Treatment of
the Americans.—Their Complaints.—Return of the _Thetis_ to
England 62

CHAP. IV.
SERVICES IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

I join Lord Keith’s Ship.—An unpleasant Altercation, ending
in a Court-Martial.—The Blockade of Cadiz.—French Fleet in
the Offing.—Pursued by Lord Keith.—Enemy’s Vessels burnt
at Toulon.—Lord Keith recalled by Lord St. Vincent.—Lord
St. Vincent resigns the Command.—Lord Keith pursues the
French Fleet to Brest, and from thence to the
Mediterranean.—State of the French Marine.—Lord Keith
appoints me to the _Généreux_.—Burning of the _Queen
Charlotte_.—Action with Privateers off Cabritta
Point.—Recommended for Promotion 76

CHAP. V.
CRUISE OF THE _SPEEDY_.

My Appointment to the _Speedy_.—My first Prize.—Capitulation
of Genoa.—More Captures.—Join Lord Keith at
Leghorn.—Cruise on the Spanish Coast.—Nearly caught by a
Spanish Frigate.—How she was evaded.—Our Cruise
renewed.—We proceed to Malta.—Foolish Fracas in a
Ball-room.—A Duel.—Capture of a French Store-ship.—Chased
by another Spanish Frigate.—Cruise off Barcelona.—An
Attempt to entrap us.—Attack on the _El Gamo_
Frigate.—Carried by Boarding.—Trifling Loss of the
_Speedy_.—A Device practised during the Action.—We proceed
with our Prize to Mahon.—Postponement of my Post
Rank.—Official Despatch 93

CHAP. VI.
CRUISE OF THE _SPEEDY_ CONTINUED.

The _Speedy_ sent to Algiers.—Interview with the
Dey.—_Speedy_ returns to Minorca.—Attack on
Oropesa.—Enemy’s Vessels destroyed.—Letter of Thanks from
Lord Keith.—_Speedy_ sent in Convoy of a Packet.—Captured
by three French line-of-battle Ships, and taken to
Algesiras.—Attack by Sir J. Saumarez’s Squadron.—Loss of
the _Hannibal_.—Capture of Dockyard Artificers.—Gallantry
of Captain Keats 118

CHAP. VII.
ADMIRALTY RELUCTANCE TO PROMOTE ME.

Letter from Sir Alexander Cochrane.—Second Letter from Sir
Alexander.—Both written unknown to me.—Reluctance of Lord
St. Vincent to promote me.—Letter from my Father to Lord
St. Vincent, urging my right to Promotion.—Lord St.
Vincent’s Reply.—Its Fallacy.—His Lordship’s Reasoning a
Subterfuge.—Promotion of my First Lieutenant refused.—My
imprudent Remark to Lord St. Vincent, who becomes my
Enemy.—Further Effort to promote Lieutenant
Parker.—Admiralty Refusal also.—Lieutenant Parker’s
eventual Promotion, and subsequent shameful Treatment 135

CHAP. VIII.
NAVAL ADMINISTRATION SIXTY YEARS AGO.

Political Favouritism.—Refusal of further Employment.—Naval
Corruption.—Dockyard Practices.—Shameful Treatment of
Prisoners of War.—Economy the Remedy.—Results of Medical
Economy.—Empty Physic Bottles.—Seamen’s Aversion to the
Service.—A Post Captain at College 152

CHAP. IX.
EMPLOYMENT IN THE _ARAB_.

Appointment to the _Arab_.—Projected Invasion by
Napoleon.—The _Arab_ ordered to watch the French
Coast.—Then to cruise in the North Sea.—Retirement of Lord
St. Vincent 165

CHAP. X.
CRUISE OF THE _PALLAS_.

Orders of the _Pallas_ embargoed.—Capture of the
_Carolina_.—Arrival of the Prizes.—Capture of Papal
Bulls.—A Chase.—Admiral Young.—Election for Honiton.—Novel
Election Tactics.—Become a Reformer.—Painful Results 171

CHAP. XI.
SERVICES IN THE _PALLAS_ CONTINUED.

Services in the _Pallas_.—The _Pallas_ at Halifax.—Clamour
of Shipowners.—Sail from the Downs.—Capture a Vessel.—The
_Pomone_ sent to England.—Capture of the _Tapageuse_.—The
French run ashore.—Chase of the Corvettes.—Off
Chasseron.—Cold Approval of Lord St. Vincent.—Cruise of
the _Pallas_.—Sight the French Squadron.—French Signal
Houses.—The Isle of Aix.—Engage the French
Squadron.—Joined by the _Kingfisher_.—Details of the
Action.—Construction of Kites 183

CHAP. XII.
MY ENTRANCE INTO PARLIAMENT.

My Entrance into Parliament.—Enthusiastic Reception.—Seek
Promotion for Haswell.—Cutting out _Le Cæsar_.—Gross
Instance of Partiality.—Claret against Small Beer.—Story
of Mr. Croker.—Mr. Croker’s Revenge.—Command the
_Impérieuse_.—Drift towards Ushant.—Join the Squadron in
the Basque Roads.—Anchor off Cordovan.—Supply the
_Atalante_ 202

CHAP. XIII.
DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT.

Dissolution of Parliament.—Westminster Election.—Reply to
Mr. Sheridan.—I am elected.—Virulent
Recriminations.—Opening of the House.—Move for an Account
of Sinecures.—Opposition to the Motion.—Mr. Perceval’s
Proposition.—My Motion evaded.—Naval Abuses.—Details of
Abuses.—Naval Hospitals.—Speech in the Commons.—Join Lord
Collingwood’s fleet. 215

CHAP. XIV.
CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_.

Cruise of the _Impérieuse_.—Engagement with the _King
George_.—Off Toulon.—Fall in with Thirteen Merchantmen.—Am
recalled by Lord Collingwood.—Russian Declaration of
War.—Capture a Vessel from Corfu.—Run into Valencia.—Clear
for Action.—Death of Lieut. Caulfield.—Chase round Cape
Negretti.—Blow up a Tower at Minorca.—Capture of Spanish
Wine.—Fall in with the _Leonidas_.—Capture a Xebec.—Chase
three Ships.—Capture a Xebec.—Cape Palos.—Gale at
Sea.—Joseph proclaimed King of Spain.—Spain declares War
against France 234

CHAP. XV.
CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.

Assist the Spaniards.—Off Barcelona.—Spanish Kindness.—The
French in Mataro.—Cruise on the Spanish Coast.—Embark the
Enemies' Guns.—Give the Spaniards a Lesson.—Siege of
Gerona.—Contest at Mongat.—Irritation of the
Spaniards.—Excesses of the French.—Spirit of the
Catalans.—Anchor off San Felin.—Guerilla Troops.—Fortress
of Figueras.—Chase two Vessels.—Anchor in Gulf
Dumet.—Destroy a Signal Station.—Storming a Battery.—The
Tables turned. 255

CHAP. XVI.
CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.

The French Fleet.—The Mole of Ciotat.—The Gulf of Foz.—Take
Possession of the Battery.—Silence other Batteries.—Anchor
off Cette.—Despatch the Prizes.—How we obtained Fresh
Water.—Demolish a Telegraph.—Frigates to leeward.—Ordered
to Gibraltar.—Ingratitude of Government.—Letter of Lord
Collingwood.—Letter of Lord Cochrane 275

CHAP. XVII.
CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.

Capture a Settee.—Get under Sail.—Fight between the Patriots
and French.—Make sail for Rosas.—Fort Trinidad.—Gallantry
of Captain West.—Bravery of the Catalans.—Repulse of the
French.—Attack of the _Impérieuse_.—The French redouble
their Efforts.—Occupation of Catalonia.—The Castle of
Trinidad.—Nature of our Position.—Nature of our
Operations.—Manufacture of a Man-trap.—Lose my Nose.—The
French assault Rosas.—Practice of the
French.—Presentiment.—The French Attack.—The Attack
repulsed.—Bravery of a French Soldier.—Heavy Gale of
Wind.—Unfortunate Accident.—Evacuate the Fortress.—Stand
towards Scalla.—Letter from Lord Collingwood.—Despatch to
Lord Collingwood.—Letter to the Admiralty.—Testimony of
the Spaniards.—Sir Walter Scott.—Official Gratitude. 290

CHAP. XVIII.
CRUISE OF THE _IMPÉRIEUSE_ CONTINUED.

Defeat of the Spaniards.—Attack some French Vessels.—French
Operations.—Letter of Lord Cochrane.—Lord
Collingwood.—Operations of the Enemy.—Fall in with the
_Cyrene_.—Sail for Minorca.—Apply for leave.—Motives for
leaving.—Apathy of the Government.—Reproached for
Service.—Neglect of the Admiralty 323

CHAP. XIX.
APPOINTMENT TO COMMAND FIRESHIPS IN BASQUE ROADS.

Undertaking against Rochefort.—Hopes excited.—Present myself
at the Admiralty.—Am consulted by Lord Mulgrave.—Lord
Gardner’s Statement.—Anxiety of Government.—My Plan of
Action.—Decline the Command.—The Command pressed upon
me.—Return to the _Impérieuse_.—Preparations for
Attack.—Lord Gambier obtains the Laurels, but dissuades
the Attack.—The Isle d’Aix.—Lord Gambier’s Statement 338

CHAP. XX.

Sail for the Basque Roads.—My awkward Position.—Ill-humour
of the Fleet.—Admiral Harvey.—Imprudence of Admiral
Harvey.—Complains of Lord Gambier.—Inaccurate
Soundings.—Lord Gambier’s Tracts.—Cobbett’s Comments on
the Tracts.—Dissensions in the Fleet.—Letter to Lord
Mulgrave.—My Principles of Warfare.—Night-work.—My
Principles of Action.—The Isle d’Aix.—Explosion-vessels. 354

CHAP. XXI.

Press for an Attack.—Results of Delay.—The French
Preparations.—French Admiral’s Account.—Insult to the
English Fleet.—State of Preparations.—Start for the
Attack.—The Attack.—The Explosion.—Failure of the
Attack.—Terror of the French.—The French aground.—Apathy
of Lord Gambier.—The Aix Roads.—The French Fleet permitted
to escape.—Drift towards the Enemy.—Attack the French
Fleet.—The _Calcutta_ strikes.—The Attack.—Failure of
Fireships.—Singular Incident.—Signal of Recall.—Captain
Seymour.—Lord Gambier’s Evasiveness.—Am
recalled.—Remonstrate with Lord Gambier.—Am sent
Home.—Lord Gambier’s Despatch.—The French
Despatch.—Destruction of the Boom.—The _Mediator_ 370

CHAP. XXII.
ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND.

Intended Vote of Thanks to Lord Gambier.—Resolve to oppose
it.—Interview with Lord Mulgrave.—Lord Gambier demands a
Court-Martial.—He is directed to make a fresh Report of
the Action in Basque Roads.—Injustice of this second
Despatch.—Attempt to entrap me into the Position of
Prosecutor.—Composition and Proceedings of the
Court-Martial.—The Admiral’s Point of
Justification.—Disposed of by Captain Broughton’s
Evidence, and by that of Captains Malcolm, Newcombe, and
Seymour.—Sir Harry Neale’s Evidence stopped by Admiral
Young 403

CHAP. XXIII.
LORD GAMBIER’S DESPATCH.

Its Omissions and Suppressions.—Motive for Lord Gambier’s
Mis-statements.—Mr. Fairfax reports that the _Mediator_
went in fifth, not first.—Reason of the contrary
Assertion.—Napoleon attributes the Escape of his Fleet to
the Imbecility of Lord Gambier.—Mismanagement of the
Fireships.—Lord Gambier’s Delay and Misdirection.—His
Perversion of Fact.—His misplaced Praise.—The Despatch
fails to satisfy the Public.—Criticised by the
Press.—Admiral Gravière’s Account of the Termination of
the Action 416

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A SEAMAN.

————————

INTRODUCTORY.

SOME ACCOUNT OF THE DUNDONALD FAMILY.

Tradition has assigned to the Cochranes a derivation from one of the Scandinavian sea-rovers, who, in a remote age, settled on the lands of Renfrew and Ayr. There is reason to believe the tradition well founded; but to trace its authenticity would be foreign to the purpose of the present work.

In later times, incidents of historic interest connected with the family, justify allusion, as forming contributions not only to the national annals of Scotland, but to those of England also. The earliest authentic record of our house is contained in the subjoined extract from Crawfurd’s “Peerage of Scotland.”

“This family, which originally took its surname from the Barony of
Cochran, in Renfrewshire[5], is of great antiquity; and though none of
the family arrived to the dignity of peerage till the reign of King
Charles I., yet it is undeniable that they were barons of special
account for many ages before, and endowed with large possessions in
these parts and elsewhere.

“The first of whom I have found upon record is Waldenus de Coveran,
_i.e._ Cochran, who, in 1262, is witness to the grant which Dungal,
the son of Suayn, made to Walter Stewart Earl of Monteith of sundry
lands in the county of Argyle, which came in aftertimes to be
transmitted to Forrester of Carden. Another William de Coveran is
mentioned by Pryn, as a person of account in this county, who makes
his submission to King Edward I. Anno Dom. 1296, in the Ragman Roll;
also John de Coveran is witness in the regular election of James,
Abbot of Paisley, 17th of David II. Anno 1346.

“The next remarkable person of the family is Gosiline de Cochran, who
flourished under King David Bruce; he is witness to several grants
made by Robert II. when Earl of Strathern, to the religious of
Paisley, an abbacy he assumed into his particular patronage, wherein
his ancestors’ donations being made to the glory of God are
particularly narrated. He left issue, William de Cochran, of that Ilk,
his son, who obtained from King Robert II. a charter of the lands of
Cochran, to be held in as ample a manner as any of his progenitors
held the same of the Lord High Steward of Scotland, dated on the 22nd
of September 1389. As he stood in special favour with this king, so
was he in no less with Robert III. his son, to whom it seems he had
been serviceable; for when he came to the crown he had so grateful a
sense thereof, that in the second year of his reign, Anno 1392, he
made him a grant of forty shillings sterling in annuity, arising out
of the profits of the Burgh of Rutherglen. He was succeeded by Robert
his son who, in 1456, resigned his estates in favour of Allan his
son.”

This surrender of his estate appears to have been made for no other purpose than to devote himself to the study and practice of architecture, in which, as an art, Scotland was, at that time, behind other nations. In the exercise of his self-imposed profession, Robert Cochran is said to have displayed great skill in the erection of several edifices[6], and when, by the favour of the King James III. he afterwards rose to power, his architectural eminence procured for him, amongst the host of enemies created by his elevation, the contemptuous appellation of the “mason chiel.”

-----

Footnote 5:

“Opposite to Johnstoun, upon the east side of the river, lye the house
and barony of Cochran, the principal manour of the Cochrans, a family
of great antiquity in this shire, whose ancestors have possessed these
lands well nigh 500 years, and, without doubt, have taken appellation
from their hereditary lands, when fixed surnames came to be
used.”—_Crawfurd’s Description of Renfrew_, p. 82.

Footnote 6:

Pinkerton.

-----

It was not, however, his architectural skill alone which gave him a place in his sovereign’s estimation, but his good broadsword and powerful arm, the efficacy of which having been displayed in a combat in the king’s presence[7] attracted his Majesty’s attention; so much so, that the king, finding him to be of good family, and possessed of great talent, placed him near his person; the result being that in a brief space of time he became his chief adviser, and the great opponent of the Scottish nobility, who sought to hold the king in their power.

In short, Robert Cochran appears to have become to James something like what Wolsey subsequently was to Henry VIII. not in power only, but also in ostentation. In the latter respect, Lindsay says of him, that “even his pavilions were of silk, and the fastening chains thereof richly gilt.” Pinkerton says he “became the fountain of royal favour, and was elevated to a giddy and invidious height of power—this being the earldom of Mar.”[8]

-----

Footnote 7:

“He came to be known to the king by a duel which he fought with
another; and presently from an architect came to be made a courtier,
and was put in a fair way of rising to some greater advancement; for,
having performed some lighter matters, intrusted to him, with
diligence, and also accommodating himself to the king’s humour, he was
soon admitted to advise concerning the grand affairs of the kingdom;
insomuch that Preston chose him to be his son-in-law.”—_Buchanan_,
vol. ii. p. 301. “But that which made Cochran most envied was his
earldom of March; which country the king had either given to him, or
at least committed to his trust, upon the death of the king’s younger
brother.”—_Buchanan_, vol. ii. p. 309.

Footnote 8:

The following extract from Crawfurd shows that the title and revenues
of the earldom of Mar were in the hands of James at this time:—

“ERSKINE EARL OF MAR.

“Which Thomas [Erskine Earl of Mar,] did prosecute his father’s claim
to the earldom of Mar with all the vigour imaginable, but having a
powerful party, the king, to deal with, at length a final sentence was
given against him in parliament, on the 5th November 1457, which he
was obliged to acquiesce in; but notwithstanding the hard measure he
had undergone from the king, and which might have been thought would
have made him ready to have taken all occasions of being severe of it,
yet he was a person of so much honour and virtue that in the
succeeding reign of James III., when he had a very fair opportunity to
be revenged, yet he no sooner saw the ways of duty towards the king
decline, and his power _envied by a strong party of the nobility_,
than out of pure conscience to serve his Majesty when he was in
distress he fairly engaged in his quarrel, and when the war broke out
accepted a command in the army, in which he continued till the very
end that the king was miserably killed in the field of Stirling on the
11th of June 1488.”

-----

This advancement to the earldom of Mar, says Buchanan, “was the chief source of the hatred of the nobility, who were disgusted with James, partly by reason of his familiarity with that rascally sort of people, but chiefly because _he slighted the nobility_, and chose mean persons to be his counsellors and advisers, the chief of these being Thomas Preston, one of a good family, and Robert Cochran, a man endued with great strength of body and equal audacity of mind.”

In classing Thomas Preston and Robert Cochran amongst “that rascally sort of people,” Buchanan contradicts himself, for he admits that Preston was of good family, and he must have known that Cochran’s family was still more ancient, so that the historian only gives evidence of his own tufthunting tendencies. What were the feelings of the nobility towards Robert Cochran, may be gathered from the titles to the chapters of a scurrilous book subsequently written in their interest for the purpose of denouncing his memory.

1. “This minister’s (Robert Cochran) raising himself, first by his
impudence, and next by his alliance with a noble lord, whom he wormed
out of power.”

2. “His poor condition when he first came to court.”

5. “His buildings and passion for hunting.”

7. “_His working the disgrace of all the great men_,” &c.

This last head, “_working the disgrace of all the great men_,” appears to form the key to their whole hatred, but it implies patriotism towards a monarch and a country whom the “great men” had previously oppressed. I am quite content to rest the reputation of my ancestor upon the libellous evidence of his adversaries, or the showing of the Scottish historians, that he attempted to abridge the power of the nobles, _and succeeded_ to such an extent as to secure his own murder. To enter at length into such matters would, however, be to substitute my ancestor’s biography for my own, and therefore it will only be necessary to abridge from Pinkerton a few interesting extracts relative to this romance of Scottish history.

“The new Earl of Mar, unconscious that his extreme elevation was an
infallible step to the deepest ruin, continued to abuse his power, and
that of his sovereign. The nobles beheld the places, _formerly given
to their sons_, now sold (?) to Mar’s followers. The prelates and
other dignitaries of the church _sighed at the increase of simony_!
&c. &c. In short, the whole honour and welfare of the king and kingdom
were sacrificed on the domestic altar of this base and covetous
minion!

“Some of the peers assembled, and consulted upon the means of
delivering the realm from the disgrace and destruction inflicted by
Cochran and the other royal favourites. A noble deputation had even
been sent to the king, requesting that he would dismiss these
pernicious councillors, and restore the confidence placed by his
ancestors _in the loyalty of the nobility_. The answer of James was
far from satisfactory, but the peers assented to delay, and dissembled
till some decisive occasion should arise.

“The Scottish array, amounting to about fifty thousand, had crowded to
the royal banner at Burrough-muir, near Edinburgh, whence they marched
to Sontray and to Lauder, at which place they encamped between the
church and the village. Cochran, Earl of Mar, conducted the artillery,
and his presence and pomp were additional insults. On the morning
after their arrival at Lauder, the peers assembled in a secret
council, in the church, and deliberated upon their designs of revenge.
The Earls of Angus, Argyle, Huntley, Orkney or Caithness, Crawford,
the Lords Home, Fleming, Gray, Drummond, Hales, and Seton, are chiefly
mentioned upon this occasion; and the discontent must have spread far
when we find Evandale the chancellor, and some bishops united to the
above names.

“In the course of the debate Gray took occasion to introduce an
apologue: ‘The mice consulted upon the means of deliverance from their
tyrannic enemy the cat, and agreed that a bell should be suspended
about her neck, to notify her approach and their danger; but what
mouse has courage sufficient to fasten the bell?’ ‘I shall bell the
cat,’ exclaimed the impatience of Angus, in whom a current of the
blood of Douglas flowed; and the homely times conferred upon him the
appellation of Archibald Bell the Cat. It was concluded that the king
_should be put in a gentle imprisonment_ in the castle of Edinburgh,
and that all his favourites should be instantly hanged over the bridge
of Lauder.

“Cochran, ignorant of their designs, at length left the royal presence
to proceed to the council. The earl was attended by three hundred men,
armed with light battle-axes, and distinguished by his livery of white
with black fillets. He was clothed in a riding cloak of black velvet,
and wore a large chain of gold around his neck; his horn of the chase,
or of battle, was adorned with gold and precious stones; and his
helmet, overlaid with the same valuable metal, was borne before him.
Approaching the door of the church, he commanded an attendant to knock
with authority; and Sir Robert Douglas of Lochleven, who guarded the
passage, inquiring the name, was answered, ‘’Tis I, the Earl of Mar.’
Cochran and some of his friends were admitted. Angus advanced to him,
and pulling the golden chain from his neck, said, ‘A rope will become
thee better;’ while Douglas of Lochleven seized his hunting-horn,
declaring that he had been too long a hunter of mischief. Rather
astonished than alarmed, Cochran said: ‘My lords, is it jest or
earnest?’ To which it was replied, ‘It is good earnest, and so thou
shalt find it, for thou and thy accomplices have too long abused our
prince’s favour; but no longer expect such advantage, for thou and thy
followers shall now reap the deserved reward.’

“Having secured Mar, the lords dispatched some men-at-arms to the
king’s pavilion, conducted by two or three moderate leaders, who
amused James while their followers seized the favourites. Sir William
Roger, the English musician; Preston, a gentleman, Hommil, Torphichan,
Leonard, and others, were instantly hanged over the bridge at Lauder.
John Ramsay of Balmain having clasped the king’s person, was alone
spared. Cochran was now brought out, his hands bound with a rope, and
thus conducted to the bridge, and hanged above his companions.”

Even the privilege of being hanged with one of the silken cords of his pavilion was denied him; and his making such a request Pinkerton attributes to “weak pride,” though it certainly looked more like “cool pride,” which would not condescend to beg life, and only asked to die like a gentleman.

Much in the same spirit, but showing the abilities of the man, are the following extracts from “A Detection of the Falsehood, Abuse, and Misrepresentations in a late Libel, entitled, The Life of Sir Robert Cochrane, Prime Minister in Scotland to James the Third.”

“This COCHRAN, [Sir Robert] according to the greatest of the Scottish
Writers, lived at a Time when a Faction in England made War on their
lawful Sovereign, and imposed it on the King by Force of Arms, that he
should bear the Name and Ensigns, or Badges of a King, but the Power
of the Government should be in the heads of their Faction, against
which Violence and Tyranny the Queen drew the Sword for her Husband’s
(Henry the 6th) Deliverance with such Vigour and Success, as rescued
him from his Enemies, slew their Chiefs in Battle, destroyed two
Armies, gaining two compleat Victories; and even when Fortune deserted
this masculine Princess, in her final Overthrow Six and thirty
thousand men were slain before she lost the Field.

“These were the Times when Cochran became the Minion of the King of
Scotland, who departing from the Counsels of his ancient Servants, and
withdrawing Himself from the Nobility, chose mean and infamous Persons
to be the Companions of his Pleasures, and the Advisers of his Reign.

“Of these one _Preston_ was Chief, though born of a better Family than
any of his Comrades, who abandoned himself to indulge the King’s
Humour in all Things. And COCHRAN came next, who, of a Builder was
instantly made Courtier! History describes Him as a Man of great
Bodily Strength, and of equal Impudence! who, making Himself known to
the King by a Duel which He fought, was admitted at Court with great
Expectations of Advancement. Having been employ’d in Matters of small
Concern, which He performed with great Application, and insinuating
Himself into the King’s Favour by constant Assiduity, He became
immediately advised with in the most important and the most intimate
Councils of the Kingdom. Preston upon this made Him his Son, by giving
him his Daughter in Marriage[9]....”

-----

Footnote 9:

Buchanan speaks of Preston’s alliance with Cochran as “one solicited
to strengthen himself, which was not the cause but the effect of
Cochran’s power at Court.... Again, the immediate Acquisition of Crown
Lands which rendered Cochran most odious, is highly spoken of,
notwithstanding that he obtained a Grant of the Lands belonging to a
Prince of the Blood, even the Revenue of an Earl! and by such Grants
_outvied the Splendour of the ancient Nobility_! who beheld Persons of
the meanest extraction eclipse them in Lustre!”

-----

To return to the descendants of the murdered minister:—

“This Allan (son of the murdered Robert), in 1452, is witness to the
mortification which Robert Lord Lyle made to the abbot and conventual
brethren of the monastery of Paisley, of the fishing on the river of
Clyde, at the place called Crokatshot, for the help of their prayers
to advance his spiritual estate, in which deed he is designated
Allanus Cochran, Armiger, his father being then alive, and to whom he
succeeded before the 1480. He married ..., daughter of ..., by whom he
had Robert, a son, who was father of John Cochran of that Ilk, who
immediately succeeded his grandfather upon his death.

“Which John, for some consideration I know not, obtained a licence
from his sovereign Lord King James IV. under the Great Seal, impouring
him to dispose of either his lands of Easter Cochran in Renfrewshire,
or his lands of Pitfour in Perthshire. Accordingly, he alienated a
part of his lands of Cochran to James Archbishop of Glasgow, Anno
1519; to which deed he appends his seal, the impression bearing _three
Boars’ Heads eraz’d_, and circumscribed _Sigillum Johannis de
Cochran_. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Simple of Fullwood,
who bore him a son, John, who was served and retourned heir to his
father on the 12th of May, 1539; he, dying in the 1557, left issue by
Mary, his wife, daughter of Lindsay of Dunrod, _in Vicecomitatu de
Renfrew_, a son,

“William, who succeeded him. In 1593, he erected from the foundation
at Cochran, the ancient seat of his family, a very high tower of
free-stone, and adorned it with large plantations; he marrying
Margaret, daughter of Robert Montgomery of Skelmurly, _in Vicecomitatu
de Air_, by Mary, his wife, daughter of Robert, Lord Semple, had a
daughter Elizabeth, his sole heir.

“He wisely considering the proper way of supporting his family was to
settle his daughter in his own time, and declining to marry her into a
richer family than his son, he made a prudent and discreet match for
her with Alexander Blair, a younger son of an ancient and genteel
family in Airshire, whose ancestors had been seated in the country
aforesaid for many ages before, so that beside a noble alliance, and a
competent patrimony, he yielded to change his name to Cochran, which
was almost the only condition the old gentleman required. This
Alexander, so taking upon him the surname of Cochran, was a virtuous
and frugal man, and studied as much the good of the family as if he
himself had been born the heir thereof. In 1622, he acquired the lands
of Cowdoun with an intention to unite them to the ancient patrimonial
inheritance of Cochran; but he afterwards sold them to Sir William,
his second son, as a fund to provide his younger children; for,
besides Sir John, his eldest son, he had six other sons, and two
daughters:

“Sir William Cochran of Cowdoun.

“Alexander, a colonel in the king’s service, in the wars of Ireland,
which commenced in 1641, with the murder of upwards of fifty thousand
Scots and English by the native Irish.

“Hugh, author of the branch of Fergusly; he was a colonel, first under
the renoun’d Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden, and afterward to King
Charles I. in the time of the Civil War in Ireland.

“Bryse, a colonel in the time of the Civil War, who lost his life in
the king’s service, Anno 1650.

“Captain Ochter Cochran.

“Gavin Cochran of Craigmure, was the seventh and youngest son.

“Elizabeth, married to John Lennox of Woodhead in Stirlingshire.

“Grisel, to Thomas Dunlop of Housle.

“Which Sir John, in the time of the unhappy Civil War in Britain,
firmly adhered to the interest of King Charles I. and had a colonel’s
commission in the army. In the year 1644, he was sent ambassador to
several princes to solicit their assistance in his Majesty’s behalf,
which he performed with such diligence and conduct, that in the treaty
of peace which was set on foot betwixt the king and the Parliament of
England and the Estates of Scotland, Anno 1646, he was, together with
the Marquis of Huntly and Montrose, the Earls of Nithsdale, Crawfurd,
Traquair, &c. proposed to be excepted from the king’s pardon, which
his Majesty generously refused. Upon the murder of the king, he
attended King Charles II. into foreign parts, and in the 1650 was sent
into Poland to crave aid of the Scots merchants there; but before his
return the king and the Scots army were defeated at Worcester; he
continuing with the king during his exile, dyed about the time of the
Restoration, without issue; so that his next brother, Sir William,
became his heir.

“Which Sir William was very carefully educated in grammar learning in
his youth, whence he was removed to the university; where having
applied himself indefatigably to his studies, and highly improved his
natural endowments with academical learning, he removed from thence
after he had taken the degree of Master of Arts, and studied our laws;
in which profession he attained to an uncommon perfection. Soon after
his entering on the stage of business, he became much famed for his
prudent management and conduct, by which he acquired a fair estate,
both in the shires of Renfrew and Air, for the last of which he had
the honour to serve as a member in the Parliament, 1647, wherein his
abilities were soon discovered by the great and leading men of the
House, and he showed himself, thro' the course of the sitting of that
Parliament, a good and even patriot, wholly intent upon the honour and
safety of the king, whose interest he did visibly advance, and the
welfare and tranquillity of the nation then in no small ferment.”

On the visit of Charles I. to his Scottish dominions in 1641, for the purpose of allaying the hostile feelings which his arbitrary acts had there excited, Sir William Cochrane of Cowden had sufficient influence to be instrumental in reconciling the monarch and his angry subjects; together with sufficient substance and loyalty to minister to the necessities of his sovereign. For these and other services Sir William was at this time elevated to the peerage under the title of Lord Cochrane of Cowden; the gratitude of Charles, however, not being openly manifested until some years afterwards a prisoner in Carisbrook Castle.[10]

-----

Footnote 10:

That the peerage was considered to have been conferred in 1641,
appears from a subsequent order of Charles II. for the elevation of
Lord Cochrane to the Earldom of Dundonald (see p. 22); but for some
cause or other the making out of the patent had been neglected or
omitted till 1647. It would almost seem that Charles, whilst a
prisoner at Carisbrook had some presentiment of his approaching fate,
and had hastened to remedy the neglect before it was too late.

-----

As this circumstance is, to the best of my knowledge, unique, and is at variance with the statements of some Scottish genealogists, who give the date of the letters-patent as at Scarborough, Dec. 27, 1647, an extract from the “Acts” of the Privy Council in Edinburgh, confirming the original patent, may be gratifying to the historian.

“_At Edinburgh, the 1st day of April, 1648._

“The which day and year of our Lord, at his Majesty’s Privy Council,
John Earl of Crafurd and Lindsay produced a patent under his Majesty’s
Great Seal, dated at Carisbrook, the 26th day of December, 1647—by
which his Majesty, considering the faithfulness and good affection of
Sir William Cochran of Cowden towards his Majesty’s service—and his
Majesty being willing, for his further encouragement to continue
therein, to bestow some token of his royal favor on him, hath given
and granted to the said Sir William Cochrane and his heirs male
lawfully begotten, the title and dignity of a Lord of Parliament
within this kingdom, to be called in all time coming Lord Cochrane of
Dundonald, and to have exercise, and enjoy all the privileges,
liberties, and pre-eminences belonging thereto, &c. &c. In token
whereof, Archibald Marquis of Argyll, President of the Council at this
time deliberate—in the name of Lord Cochrane—received the same on his
knees,” &c. &c.—_Extractum de Libris Actorum._

It is not my intention to dilate upon the course pursued by Lord Cochrane, in promoting the reconciliation of Charles and his hereditary liegemen. Suffice it to say that, whilst his lordship’s predilections and services were in favour of the constitutional power of the king, he made a firm stand against his despotic tendencies, especially when meditating the subversion of the Scottish Church, under the guise of ecclesiastical reform.[11]

-----

Footnote 11:

“Charles and Laud determined to force on the Scots the English
Liturgy—or rather a liturgy which, whenever it differed from that of
England, differed, in the judgment of all rigid Protestants, for the
worse.”—_Lord Macaulay._

-----

In the national struggle which ensued after the death of Charles I. Lord Cochrane was amongst the most active in raising troops to assert the right of Charles II. to the throne. The subjoined letter from that monarch, divested of its antique orthography, will show the nature of the services rendered.

CHARLES R.

“Right trusty and well-beloved—we greet you well. We have seen your
letter to the Duke of Hamilton, whom you give no encouragement; so
hope that sometime you, with the horse raised upon the baronies of Ayr
and Renfrew, shall soon be in arms.

“Having been engaged to give to General-Major Vandrosk the first
regiment of horse raised within our kingdom of Scotland, we could not
possibly break our promise to so deserving a person. But seeing your
brother was appointed to have the command of one of the regiments of
foot before they were converted into horse, he will now be
disappointed, as likewise will Col. Cunninghame, of their
expectations. We have, therefore, thought fit to desire you to shift
your brother up to the army to us, and we do oblige ourselves to take
him into our particular favor, and to give him the command of a
regiment either of horse or foot.

“We likewise find you desire the removing of the garrison from Newark,
but having advised twice with our Committee of Estate, we find it is
not for the good of the service to remove the said garrison; but we
are content that the strength be reduced to the number of threttie
soldiers only.

“We shall desire that you would be assisted in hasting these levies,
and continue in your barony all public despatch, so as you may be in
continual receipt of our respects to you.

“So we bid you now heartily farewell, from our Camp Royal at Woodhend,
the fifth of August, 1651.

“To our right trusty and well-beloved,
the Lord Cocorane.”

The preceding letter marks the dawn of that ingratitude towards his tried adherents of which Charles has been, not without reason, accused. Lord Cochrane’s reward for raising “the first regiment of horse in Scotland” was the displacement of his brother from the command, in favour of a Dutchman; notwithstanding that the whole expenditure had been borne by his lordship, whose fate it subsequently was that the Stuarts should draw largely upon resources which, to the injury of his descendants, his loyalty ungrudgingly supplied.

Passing over the defeat which followed, I select from others a letter addressed by Charles, when in exile, to Lord Cochrane, under the assumed name of “Lenos and Richmond;” its purport being to show that the unfortunate royal family depended upon Lord Cochrane’s management not only for advice, but, what was more to the purpose, for the means of subsistence.

“February 2nd, 1657.

“MY LORD,—I find myself very much obliged to your lordship by your
great care of my dear son’s interests and mine, and have seen your
letter concerning the gentleman recommended for a commissioner, who,
though a stranger to me—yet, since it is the opinion of your lordship
that he be added to the number of the commissioners, I do in this, as
in all other things, hearken to your lordship’s advice; relying on
your lordship’s favour to me, and therefore do hereby invite him, if
he will accept the trouble, with many thanks to your lordship and to
him.

“I must further beseech of your lordship to intend the raising five
thousand pounds upon Glasgow, and to labour the sale of Methuen and
Killmorocate, both with all possible expedition.[12]

“I hope to have the happiness of seeing your lordship in these parts
ere long, that I may have a larger conveniency of making my
acknowledgments to your lordship for your eminent favour to

“Your lordship’s most humble servant,
“C. R. LENOS and RICHMOND.

-----

Footnote 12:

This letter appears to mix up the affairs of Charles and the Duke,
probably with a view to avert danger to Lord Cochrane, if
intercepted.

-----

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

Whether Lord Cochrane visited the exiled court or not, I have no documents to decide; nor is it at all material; these letters being adduced to show the nature of his connection with the Stuarts in their day of humiliation, which only appeared to add to his zeal for their welfare.

The “son” alluded to in the preceding letter was the Duke of Monmouth[13], for espousing whose cause, in the subsequent reign of James II., the Cochrane family suffered severely.

-----

Footnote 13:

“Charles, when a wanderer on the Continent, had fallen in at the Hague
with Lucy Walters, a Welsh girl of great beauty, but of weak
understanding. She became his mistress, and presented him with a son,
upon whom he poured forth such an overflowing fondness as seemed
hardly to belong to his cool and careless nature. Soon after the
Restoration the young favourite made his appearance at Whitehall,
where he was lodged in the palace and permitted to enjoy distinctions
till then confined to princes of the blood royal.” _Lord Macaulay._

-----

Soon after the Restoration in 1660, Lord Cochrane was sworn a privy councillor; and by his Majesty’s special choice was constituted one of the Commissioners of the Treasury and Exchequer, which great and weighty employment, says Crawfurd, “he discharged with admirable prudence and integrity, to the general satisfaction of the whole nation. Increasing still more in wealth and honour, he acquired the lordship of Paisley, where he fixed his seat, and lived with great splendour and hospitality for many years. After the barbarous murder of the late king, his lordship contributed his best and hearty endeavours towards bringing home Charles II. to inherit the rightful possession of the throne of these realms; which, no doubt, was the cause, when Oliver Cromwell came to be called protector, why he fined my Lord Cochrane, among other royalists, in 5000_l._ sterling, by special ordinance of the Commonwealth of England, dated April 12th, 1654.”

The following letters from the Dukes of Lennox and Monmouth are still in my possession, and from historic interest alone require no apology for their introduction in this place.

“London, Dec. 27, 1662.

“MY LORD,—I received a discharge from your lordship, which being
ill-drawn, I have forborne to sign it; but shall readily perform it so
soon as it comes to my hands corrected by Mr. Graham.

“I must intreat of your lordship’s endeavours to raise fifteen hundred
pounds upon the two years’ rent of Jyla and my other lands for the
year 1661; with which I would desire your lordship to discharge the
six hundred pounds you borrowed for me when I was at Edinburgh, and
the seven hundred pounds I borrowed of Sir James Stuart at the same
time. The rest to be returned to me, who am

“Your lordship’s humble servant,
“LENOS and RICHMOND.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“P.S.—I desire your lordship to excuse my own writing, for nothing but
illness should make me make use of another.”

“London, Feb. 26th, 1663.

“MY LORD,—Give me leave to add this trouble to your lordship’s
favours, in desiring that you will be pleased to send me a full
account of all you know of the condition of my affairs in Scotland.
And wherein and how you conceive any part of my estate proper or
casual may be better improved to my advantage, with your lordship’s
advice for the management thereof for the future. If you know of any
grants made by me to any person in Scotland when I was there, which
may be prejudicial to or on my estates, you will be pleased to
acquaint me with it; for I am resolved to repose all my confidence
upon your lordship’s directions, and to take measures of all the
management of my affairs from them.

“I shall wholly trust to your lordship, and therefore entreat you will
not impart this to anybody, but conceal the request of

“Your lordship’s very humble servant,
“LENOS and RICHMOND.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“Whitehall, Aug. 25th, 1663.

“MY LORD,—I must desire your lordship to give yourself the trouble of
sending me word how my engagements stand to my estate mortgaged in
Scotland, that I may know whether it be convenient that the several
persons to whom it is mortgaged should receive the profits of the
lands mortgaged to them till both principal and interest is satisfied.
Or whether it be convenient if one person, in the name of the rest,
should receive the whole profits of the estate, and engage to pay all
the debts, both principal and interest, in so many years, and then to
return the estate to me again. I must beg your lordship’s faithful
advice in this, having found it so formerly. And, good my lord, let me
know in how many years my estate will pay the debt upon it, both
principal and interest. I cannot believe anybody will be so warm in my
concerns as yourself, and therefore wholly repose this trust in you,
desiring you to send me in writing a conveyance of my estate to
yourself for the payment of the debt in the aforesaid years, with the
return of the estate into my hands, who am, my lord,

“Your lordship’s most obliged servant,
“LENOS and RICHMOND.”

The following letter, written to Lord Cochrane after the removal of the Court to Oxford on account of the plague raging in London, will show the straits to which even the wealthiest of the Scottish nobility had been reduced.

“Oxford, November 11th, 1665.

“MY LORD,—I had written to your lordship before this had I not an
intention of coming to Scotland myself. But being now prevented by
other affairs, I must desire your lordship to make all the possible
speed that may be to return me five hundred pounds out of the thousand
pounds that are due to me.

“My lord, _I never was in a greater strait in my life_, the plague
having prevented my tenants’ payment. If you ever did intend to oblige
me, I am sure you could never have a better opportunity than making me
a present payment.

“Good, my lord, do not fail me, who am,
“Your most humble servant,
“RICHMOND and LENOS.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“P.S.—My uncle Aubigny is very sick at Paris, and we expect to hear he
is dead by every post,—the last letters assuring that he was past
recovery.”

“July 1666.

“MY LORD,—I need not acquaint your lordship how great a confidence I
have of your lordship’s friendship and assistance. Having now sent
Boreman into Scotland to attend and follow your lordship’s directions,
and my Lord Newburgh’s, for the completing and settling the whole
affairs of the Admiralty. If my Lord Macdonnel goes on in his intended
bargain, I shall expect 6000_l._ to be paid and returned to me by
Michaelmas. Please to remember the 100_l._ you reserved till Boreman’s
coming. I shall trouble your lordship with nothing more at present,
but the assurance of being,

“Your lordship’s very humble servant,
“RICHMOND and LENOS.

“For my Lord Cochrane.”

“London, 18th Sept. 1666.

“MY LORD,—Though I consider that 5000_l._ is too small a sum for so
considerable and convenient an estate to my Lord Macdonald, yet I am
satisfied to be ruled by the market and the exigency of my own
affairs, but especially by your lordship’s judgment and kindness, of
which I have had so good experience.

“My lord, the sad accident of fire which hath lately happened in
London _hath almost ruined us all_. I must therefore earnestly entreat
you to return me what money you have in your hands of mine, with all
possible speed, not knowing which way to turn myself at present, there
being no such thing as money here. Pray, likewise hasten Boreman in
returning what money is due to me on the prizes, in doing all which,
you will very much oblige

“Your lordship’s humble servant,
“RICHMOND and LENOS.

“For my Lord Cochrane, at Edinburgh.”

I have purposely refrained from comment on these letters, as being foreign to the purpose of this introductory chapter, which is not to dilate on immaterial subjects, but simply to point out the connection of the Cochrane family with the Stuarts, and their faithful adherents. The subjoined, from the Duke of Monmouth, is also curious, as alluding to the disaster of invasion, in addition to those of plague and fire.

“June 28th, 1667.

“MY LORD,—So soon as I received your lordship’s of the 26th of May I
was commanded by the king for Harwich, and have ever since been so
hurried about in this confusion upon the arrival of the Dutch, that I
have not had time to answer your lordship, to whom I do acknowledge
myself very much obliged for your care of my affairs; and if it lies
in my power to acknowledge it otherwise than in words, your lordship
shall ever find me really to be, my lord,

“Your lordship’s real friend and servant,
“MONMOUTH and BUCCLEUCH.

“These for my Lord Cochrane.”

On the 12th of May, 1669, Lord Cochrane was created Earl of Dundonald. The annexed is his Majesty’s order for the patent:—

“Our sovereign Lord, considering that it hath been always the ancient,
constant, and worthy practice of all kings to confer titles and
degrees of honour and dignity upon such of those subjects whose good
services and worth have so deserved, and that his Majestie’s father of
blessed memory did, in the year 1641, dignify and confer upon his
right trusty and well-beloved William Lord Cochrane, the title of Lord
Cochrane. And now his Majesty—in consideration of his faithful
services, and for the better encouragement of him and his family to
continue in their constant and affectionate adhering to his interest
and service for the future—being graciously pleased to confer a
further mark of his royal favour upon him, doth therefore, of his
royal and princely power, ordain a letter patent to be made and
decreed under the great seal of his ancient kingdom of Scotland, in
due form, making, constituting, and creating the said William Lord
Cochrane, and his heirs male, which failing, the oldest heirs female,
without division, already procreate or to be procreate, of the body of
the said William Lord Cochrane, &c. &c. &c., to be called and designed
now and for ever hereafter Earl of Dundonald, Lord Cochrane of Paisley
and Ochiltree, &c. &c. (Then follow the usual technical formalities.)

“MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY.—This contains your Majesty’s warrant for
a patent to be passed under the great seal of Scotland, for creating
William Lord Cochrane Earl of Dundonald, Lord Cochrane of Paisley and
Ochiltree, with power, &c. &c. &c. For subscription.

“LAUDERDAILL.”

“Sit supra scribitur,
“CHARLES R.”

The subjoined letters from the Duke and Duchess of Monmouth, the latter the heiress of Buccleuch[14], are not without historical interest.

-----

Footnote 14:

“Monmouth was married, while still in tender youth, to Anna Scott,
heiress of the noble house of Buccleuch. He took her name, and
received with her hand possession of her ample domains. The estate
which he acquired by this match was popularly estimated at not less
than 10,000_l._ a-year.”—_Lord Macaulay._

-----

“Whitehall, May 2nd, 1671.

“MY LORD,—This is expressly to beg your lordship’s pardon, that I writ
not to you by the person that brought you my commission concerning my
lands, in which I was confident to put your lordship’s and Lord
Cochrane’s names; being assured that neither yourself nor any of your
family would deny me the favour of your assistance in the management
of my estate, which I have now taken into my own possession, and hope
to see the good effects of it. I beseech your lordship to give my
service and excuse to my Lord Cochrane, and tell him I hope he will be
no worse a friend to me than you have been, who, I must acknowledge,
have obliged me ever to be, my lord,

“Your very humble servant,
“MONMOUTH and BUCCLEUCH.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

“Whitehall, May 25, 1671.

“MY LORD,—I know not how to express my thanks to your lordship for the
trouble I have put upon you in your journey to Branxholme, where your
presence hath been of that advantage to my affairs, as could not,
without you, have been expected. I thank your lordship most heartily
for this and all other your kindnesses to me, and particularly your
advice concerning Orkney, &c. and to refraine the signing of anything
but what shall be most maturely advised by your lordship, and such
other my friends to whose counsel and advice, as always faithful to
me, I shall firmly adhere, and constantly remain, my lord,

“Your very affectionate friend and humble servant,
“MONMOUTH and BUCCLEUCH.

“For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”

“Oct. 31, 1671.

“MY LORD,—Being very sensible of your constant care and industry to
promote and advance all our interests in Scotland, and receiving daily
demonstrations of your particular kindness and friendship to us, we
are the more confident on all occasions to depend wholly upon you, for
resolution in doubtful, and assistance in difficult cases, and do
entreat your lordship to take them seriously into your consideration,
and weighing all circumstances deal freely and candidly with us, and
declare truly to us your opinion what you do conceive fit for us to do
to extricate ourselves out of those dangers both we and our estate lie
under.

“We are now both of us so near the time of our majority, and are told
that it is very necessary for us to undertake a journey to Scotland
this next spring. If your lordship be of the same judgment, we must
(if possible) find out some expedient to effect it.

“My lord, we are informed that many of our late chamberlains are
resolved to stand trial with us for 3000_l._ yet remaining in their
hands upon the balance of their accounts, unless they may have such
discharge as they please.

“We do, therefore, very earnestly recommend it to your lordship’s care
to proceed vigorously against them, not only for that, but also for
the great waste and destruction they have made of the woods. A letter
is also written to the Lord President Stair and the rest of the lords
of the session’s favour for a speedy dispatch of our concerns before
them. We shall have the satisfaction that in the place where we have
received so great obligations from your lordship and the rest of our
friends—even there we shall express with much sincerity that we are,
my lord,

“Your lordship’s very affectionate and humble servants,
“BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
“ANNA BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.

“For the Right Hon. the Earl of Dundonald.”

“March 14th, 1674.

“MY LORD,—The great assurance we have had of your affection and
kindness to us, which upon all occasions you have given sufficient
testimonies of in your adherence to and promoting our interest in
Scotland, encourages us to entreat and, indeed, earnestlie to desire
your continuance thereof, but especially at this time, when we find
our tenants like to be ruined and undone by the severity of continued
frost and snow. How mischievous the consequences thereof may be to us,
we are not able at this distance to conjecture, only we have just
reason to fear the worst.

“But we, depending very much if not solely upon your lordship’s wisdom
and good conduct at this juncture, and very well knowing how prevalent
your countenance and authority will be among our tenants, and what
encouragement they will receive from your presence, must needs desire
and entreat your lordship that you will not fail to be at the next
land settling, for it is your discretion and prudence that shall be
our guide and measure in the regulation of our own interests, or that
of any of our tenants who shall be held fit objects of our
consideration and favour in so general a calamity, if they be
recommended by your lordship unto my lord,

“Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,
“BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
“ANNA BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

“September 29th, 1674.

“MY LORD,—Upon all occasions my wife and I do receive new testimonies
and proofs of your continued kindness to us, and of your unwearied
care and industry to do all good offices which may any wise conduce to
our profit and advantage. And, in truth, the great pains you have
taken about our affairs, and the trouble you took upon you of an
inconvenient journey to be at our land settling, are sufficient
assurances of your zeal and affection for our welfare and prosperity,
for which we owe you a particular acknowledgment. And I do assure your
lordship, I am so extremely sensible of these and all other the
kindnesses which you have done for us, that it shall never be my fault
if I do not make it appear how much I am, my lord,

“Your lordship’s most affectionate friend and servant,
“BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

“Whitehall, March 19th, 1676.

“MY LORD,—We are truly sorry to understand by your letter that you are
unable to ride by reason of your age and weakness, and that you cannot
go all the way in your coach to our land settling. We know very well,
and have had long and great experience, how useful you have been in
that affair for many years together; and we may have just reason to
fear that we may suffer very much by your absence from that service,
so many of our lands lying at this time waste. The tenants will be apt
to be discouraged, when they want your countenance to whom they are so
well known. But, my lord, we do not think it reasonable to press you
with arguments to undertake anything, how necessary soever it may be
for our service, if it be in the least prejudicial to your health and
safety.

“Therefore, if your infirmities cannot well dispense with your own
going that journey, we do entreat your lordship to prevail with your
son, my Lord Cochrane, to supply your place. For we are very sure that
there is not one related to you, but will have a great influence on
our tenants; and, next to yourself, we can desire none more
considerable than your son.

“We need not tell you how much the present necessity of our affairs
requires all the prudence, all the countenance and authority, and all
the diligence of ourselves, and of my lords, our commissioners, to
bring our estate out of that waste, ruinous, and scandalous condition
under which it hath lain, and we do know that your lordship will
contribute as much pains, and be as instrumental to bring this to pass
as any person whatsoever. And in this assurance we do subscribe
ourselves, as in truth we are, my lord,

“Your lordship’s most affectionate friends and servants,
“BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.
“ANNA BUCCLEUCH and MONMOUTH.

“For Lord Dundonald.”

The Earl of Dundonald was subsequently appointed by James the Second one of the Privy Council of Scotland. As the place from which the patent was dated, viz. Hounslow Heath, is of historical significance, I shall give the document entire:—

“JAMES R.

“Right trusty and right entirely-beloved cousin and councillor! Right
trusty and right well-beloved cousin and councillor! Right trusty and
entirely-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and right
well-beloved cousins and councillors! Right trusty and well-beloved
cousins and councillors! Right trusty and well-beloved councillors,
and trusty and well-beloved councillors!

“We greet you well.

“Whereas we are fully satisfied of the loyalty, abilities, and dutiful
affection to our service, of our right trusty and well-beloved Earl of
Dundonald, we have therefore thought fit to add him to our Privy
Council of that our ancient kingdom, and do authorise and require you
to admit him accordingly.

“And we do hereby dispense with him from taking the test, oath of
allegiance, or any other oath, except that of Privy Councillor only.
For doing whereof this shall be your warrant, and to him a full and
ample security.

“Given at our camp on Hounslow Heath, the 10th day of June 1686, and
of our reign the second year.

“By His Majesty’s command,
“MELFORT.”

In the subsequent rebellions of Argyle and Monmouth the Cochranes again suffered severely: John, the second son of the Earl of Dundonald, being deeply implicated therein, and only escaping with his life by the earl satisfying, first, the greed of James the Second’s popish priests, and secondly, that of James himself.

The annexed extracts from Burnet will show all that needs be said on this head:—

“Cochran, another of those who had been concerned in this treaty [as
to an insurrection in Scotland], was complained of, as having talked
very freely of the duke’s government of Scotland. Upon which the
Scottish secretary sent a note to him, desiring him to come to him;
for it was intended only to give him a reprimand, and to have ordered
him to go to Scotland. But he knew his own secret; so he left his
lodgings, and got beyond sea. This shewed the court had not yet got
full evidence, otherwise he would have been taken up, as well as
others were.”—Vol. i. folio, p. 548.

“The deliberations in Holland, among the English and Scotch that fled
thither, came to ripen faster than was expected. Lord Argile had been
quiet ever since the disappointment in the year eighty-three. He had
lived for most part in Frizeland, but came oft to Amsterdam, and met
with the rest of his countrymen that lay concealed there; the chief of
whom were the Lord Melvill, Sir Patrick Hume, and Sir John Cochran.
[The first of these (Melvill) was a fearful and mean-spirited man, a
zealous presbyterian, but more zealous in preserving his person and
estate. Hume was a hot and eager man, full of passion and resentment;
and instead of minding the business then in hand, he was always
forming schemes about the modelling of matters, when they should
prevail, in which he was so earnest, that he fell into perpetual
disputes and quarrels about it; Cochran was more tractable.[15]] With
these Lord Argile communicated all the advices that were sent to
him.”—On margin, “Argile designed to invade Scotland.”—Vol. iii. 27;
fol. vol. i. 632.

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Footnote 15:

Original note.

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Argile landed in the Isle of Bute with his adherents. “He had left his
arms in a castle, with such a guard as he could spare; but they were
routed by a party of the king’s forces. And with this he lost both
heart and hope. And then, apprehending that all was gone, he put
himself in a disguise, and had almost escaped; but he was taken. A
body of gentlemen that had followed him stood better to it, and forced
their way through, so that the greater part of them escaped. Some of
these were taken; the chief of them were Sir John Cochran, Ailoffe,
and Rumbold. These last two were Englishmen; but I knew not upon what
motive it was that they chose rather to run fortunes with Argile than
with the Duke of Monmouth. Thus was this rebellion brought to a speedy
end, with the effusion of very little blood.”—Vol. i. fol. p. 629.

“Cochran had a rich father, the Earl of Dundonald, and he offered the
priests 5000_l._ to save his son. They wanted a stock of money for
managing their designs, so they interposed so effectually that the
bargain was made. But to cover it, Cochran petitioned the council that
he might be sent to the king; for he had some secrets of great
importance which were not fit to be communicated to any but to the
king himself. He was upon that brought up to London; and after he had
been for some time in private with the king, the matters he had
discovered were said to be of such importance, that in consideration
of that the king pardoned him. It was said he had discovered all their
negotiations with the Elector of Brandenburg and the Prince of Orange.
But this was a pretence only, given out to conceal the bargain; for
the prince told me he had never once seen him. The secret of this came
to be known soon after.”—Vol. i. fol. 634.

Lord Macaulay’s account of the same event as regarded my ancestor, for it is from this Sir John Cochrane that the present branch of our family is descended, will complete all which is necessary to be alluded to in this place.

“With Hume (Sir Patrick) was connected another Scottish exile of great
note, Sir John Cochrane, second son of the Earl of Dundonald. The
great question was, whether the Highlands or the Lowlands should be
the seat of war. The Earl (Argyle) wished to establish his authority
over his own domains, and to take possession of the ancient seat of
his family, at Inverary. But Hume and Cochrane were impracticable,
seeing that amongst his own mountains and lakes, and at the head of an
army of his own tribe, he would be able to bear down their opposition,
and to exercise the full authority of a general. They said that the
Campbells took up arms neither for liberty nor for the Church of God,
but for Mac Callum More alone. Cochrane declared he would go to
Ayrshire, if he went by himself, and with nothing but a pitch-fork in
his hand. Argyle, after long resistance, consented, and Cochrane and
Hume were at the head of a force to invade the Lowlands.

“Ayrshire was Cochrane’s object, and the coast was guarded by English
frigates. A party of militia lay at Greenock, but Cochrane, who wanted
provisions, was determined to land. Hume objected, but Cochrane was
peremptory. Cochrane entered Greenock, and procured a supply of meal,
but found no disposition to insurrection.

“Cochrane having found it impossible to raise the population on the
south of the Clyde, rejoined Argyle in Bute. The Earl again proposed
to make an attempt on Inverary, and again encountered pertinacious
opposition. The seamen sided with Hume and Cochrane. The Highlanders
were absolutely at the command of their chieftain.

* * * * * * * *

“Cochrane was taken and sent to London.... He held amongst the Scotch
rebels the same rank which had been held by Grey in the West of
England. That Cochrane should be forgiven by a prince vindictive
beyond all example seemed incredible. But Cochrane was the younger son
of a rich family; it was, therefore, only by sparing him _that money
could be made out of him_. His father, Lord Dundonald, offered a bribe
to the priests of the royal household, and a pardon was granted.”

The history of the succeeding Earls of Dundonald, down to the failure of issue in the first branch, is thus detailed by Crawfurd.

“William, first Earl of Dundonald, married Euphemie, daughter of Sir
William Scot of Ardross, _in comitatu de Fife_, by whom he had two
sons and a daughter.

“1. William Lord Cochran, who dyed in the flower of his Age, Anno
1680, leaving Issue by the Lady Catherine his Wife, Daughter of John
Earl of Cassils, John who succeeded his Grand-father in the Honour,
William Cochran, of Kilmaronock, a Member of Parliament for the Burgh
of Wigtoun, and the other towns in that District and one of the
Commissioners for keeping her Majesty’s Signet, Sir Alexander Erskin,
Lord Lyon, and John Pringle, of Haining, being joined in Commission
with him. He married Grisel, Daughter of James, second Marquis of
Montrose, and has issue; Thomas Cochran of Polkely, third Son, dyed
without children; Alexander Cochran, of Bonshaw, the youngest; also
three Daughters; 1st. Margaret, married to Alexander Earl of
Eglintoun. 2nd. Helen, to John Earl of Sutherland. 3rd. Jean, to John
Viscount of Dundee, and afterward to William Viscount of Kilsyth.

“2nd. son, Sir John Cochran of Ochiltree, in Air-shire, Likewise a
Daughter Grisel, married to George Lord Ross.

“This Earl gave way to Nature in the spring of the Year 1686, and was
by his own Direction interr’d in the Paroch Church of Dundonald,
without any Funeral Monument, but upon his Escutcheon I find the Arms
of these noble and ancient Families.

“PATERNAL SIDE.

“Cochran of that Ilk.
“Lord Semple.
“Cunningham of Glengarnock.
“Lord Cairlyle of Torthorald.

“MATERNAL SIDE.

“Cochran of that Ilk.
“Montgomery of Skelmurly.
“Lindsay of Dunrod.
“Lord Semple.

“To William Earl of Dundonald succeeded John his Grandson and Heir, a
nobleman of great Goodness and excellent Parts; he dyed in the prime
of his Years, Anno 1691, regrated by all those who knew him, leaving
Issue by the Lady Susanna his Wife, Daughter of William Duke of
Hamilton, two Sons, William who succeeded in the Honours, but dyed
unmarried the 19th of November 1705. And

“John married Anne Daughter of Charles Earl of Dunmore, a Lady who
wanted no Vertue to make her an acceptable Wife; she dyed in 1711,
universally lamented, whose Conduct in all Conditions of Life render’d
her Loss a lasting Grief to her Relations, he had by her a Son and
three Daughters.

“William Lord Cochran,
“Lady Anne,
“Lady Catherine,
“Lady Susanne.

“ARMS.

“Argent, a chiveron; Gules, betwixt three Boars Heads, Azure,
supported by two Ratch Hounds of the first; Crest, a Horse, Argent,
Motto, Virtute et Labore.”