Both in Scotland and England events were now moving fast to their
inevitable conclusion, but of Claverhouse's part in public affairs there
is for the next three years little record. Only two of his letters have
survived between May, 1685, and October, 1688, when the disastrous march
into England began. From one of these it is clear that his restoration
to favour at Whitehall had not improved his position at Edinburgh.
Gratitude was not then a common virtue among public men. Claverhouse had
done for his colleagues all that he had promised. The recollection of
their debt to him, and the unlikelihood of their being able to increase
it, did not serve to endear to them this successful soldier of fortune,
who had indeed helped them to their ambition, but who had thereby shown
a dangerous capacity for helping himself. At the head of these
malcontents was, of course, Queensberry, though, as the King had shown
himself determined not to lose the services of his brilliant captain, it
was necessary for the Treasurer to give his jealousy a guarded form. He
complained to Dumbarton (then commanding the forces in Scotland) that
Claverhouse had misused some of his tenants, though in what manner is
not clear. There is a letter from Claverhouse expressing in respectful
terms his regret at Queensberry's annoyance, which he declares to have
been founded on misapprehension of the facts.
Pages:
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174