History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

200 LETTERS TO AND FROM THE WESTERHALLS
" Dear Captn.,— I received with pain last Friday night by our friend Mr
Hoggan the first accounts of your having actually sailed for India where may
God protect you, and whence may you return with Health and Honour or
to borrow your own words with the plunder of many a Nabob. The unfortunate
Lad I did myself the honour to write to you about was absent when my letters
arrived at London so lost the recommendations you kindly gave him. As
he has been unsettled ever since the moment I heard you had sailed for India I
tried to find him, not doubting that if he proceeds to India and can be so happy
as to arrive where you are that you will consult his promotion as much as if any
friend were present to remind you. Your friends in this country are all well.
Hoggan had the pain to hear that his eldest son who by the death of the former
had become Captain of his ship has been carried into Martinico after a brave
resistance. I doubt not you will pay them measure for measure if the wishes or
prayers of any person for the safety of another avail, then will you be safe and
happy and return to the old Thorn-tree in all the splendour of triumph and
success. That this may happen whether I live to see it or not is again the
earnest prayer of Dear Capt. Johnstone your most affectionate and obliged
humble servant Edward Johnstone.
" P.S.— I have enclosed this letter to my brother Dr Jas. Johnstone desiring
him to ship Adam for the East Indies where I doubt not under your protection
he will do well."
James had already offered to take his brother and find a place for him,
and Edward replied that with his family (he had now five sons) it was too much
to expect; but before this letter could reach India Adam obtained a commission
in the Scots or North British Brigade.
For the first time since 1745 an order came to recruit 2000 men in Scotland
for the British Army. The Johnstones were anxious to show their loyalty, and
Edward, at Moffat, and his brother, Richard, spared no pains to induce suitable
persons to join. Adam was sent with a portion of these recruits to Aberdeen
to embark with his regiment for Bremen, under orders to serve with the
Hereditary Prince of Brunswick and the Hanoverian troops on the side of
Frederick the Great in the Seven Years' War. Adam's last letters to his father
and brothers only a few days before his fatal wound are rather touching, as he
seems conscious of the trouble he had caused his relatives. To James he wrote
from Brimar Lake, May 29, 1760:—
" Honoured Sir,— Perhaps it may not be disagreeable to you to hear from
me as I am now a great distance from you—we landed here a few days ago all
in good health and spirits and began our march for Munden immediately,
a place where our baggage is to be lodged in His Majesty's German dominions,
and then to proceed to the Grand Army. In my last I was a little confused
and now I am in haste and have only just time to correct my last concerning
the agent of the Regiment,—that is I did not tell you where he lived. It
is Channel Row I think. I hope you will be so good as to get the money
I wrote for and send it to John Calcraft Esq. in the above place, Westminster,