The Duke knows what it is to have sons and
nephews that follow not advice. I have taken pains to know
the state of the country's guilt as to reset; and if I make
it not appear that my Lord Dundonald is one of the clearest
of all that country, and can hardly be reached in law, I am
content to pay his fine. I never pleaded for any, nor shall
I hereafter. But I must say I think it hard that no regard
is had to a man in so favourable circumstances--I mean
considering others--upon my account, and that nobody offered
to meddle with him till they heard I was likely to be
concerned in him.... Whatever come of this, let not my
enemies misrepresent me. They may abuse the Duke for a time,
and hardly. But, or long, I will, in despite of them, let
the world see that it is not in the power of love, nor any
other folly, to alter my loyalty."
And again on the same day:
"For my own part, I look upon myself as a cleanser. I may
cure people guilty of that plague of Presbytery by
conversing with them, but cannot be infected. And I see very
little of that amongst those persons but may be easily
rubbed off. And for the young lady herself, I shall answer
for her. Had she not been right principled, she would never,
in despite of her mother and relations, made choice of a
persecutor, as they call me.
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