Appendices

[333 cont.]

XV. Two Rutherfurd Letters.

The following letters from John Rutherfurd to correspondents in Scotland were found in 1926 among the Loyalist Claims Papers in the Public Record Office, Audit Office, Class 13, Bundle 117, enclosed in a letter from John Burnside, a North Carolina claimant, to Lord North. Burnside had been private secretary to Governor Martin and in the spring of 1775 was despatched by Martin to obtain information regarding the disposition of the revolutionary forces. He was taken into custody by the Committee of Halifax in April but escaped in August, when he was entrusted with these letters by Rutherfurd, who was in Halifax at the time. Travelling into Virginia, Burnside got on board a vessel bound for Glasgow, which he reached the November following, but for reasons not given was unable to deliver the letters. Amongst Burnside’s papers, presented in support of his claim, is the deputation by Martin, dated February 21, 1775, authorizing him to act as deputy secretary of the land office of Earl Granville in North Carolina.

From these letters we obtain the following additional facts. First, that Rutherfurd was in Halifax in August, a statement supplementing what is said on page 206 and probably explaining the words “sometimes comes down” in line seven. Second, that the original intention had been for the boys to go back to Scotland and for Miss Schaw and Fanny to remain in North Carolina, but on account of the Revolution these intentions were “frustrated,” as Miss Schaw says on page 217. Third, that the boys were to be sent to complete their education under the inspection of Commissioner Menzies (page [334] 305), who afterwards married Fanny, thus showing that Menzies must have been an old friend of the Rutherfurds and the Schaws. As it happened, however, the boys were taken back to Scotland by Miss Schaw and sent to England to be educated under the care of Lord Townshend (pp. 254, 300). Fourth, that “little Billie” was probably given his middle name in honour of Lord Adam Gordon, who was his godfather and consequently an old friend of the Rutherfurds and the Schaws. That Lord Adam was also a correspondent of Governor Martin and had married the Duchess of Athol brings him into close relationship with some of the prominent personages mentioned in the narrative.

Halifax No Carolina 11th Augt 1775.             

Dear Sir:

I heard an Account of your Wellfare by Sandie Schaw, who with his Sister and my young family arrived in, Carolina last Spring. I purpose soon to send the boyes back under the Care of Commr Menzies. They had the Good fortune to have a good estate, a Carolina one, left them, very soon after their arrival. My daughter chuses to remain with me. Since I left Cape Fear about three Weekes ago, Sandie Schaw is gone off, quietly on board the Scorpion Man of War to Boston, thence as I am told he goes to London. I knew nothing of this, only have been told in Genl that it was by direction of our Govr Martin. I know not whether you’ll see him. This will be delivered by Mr. John Burnside, who was Govr Martin’s Secretary and has a Commission to be Secretary to Govr Martin as agent for the Affaires of Earl Granville in this province. Our Govr as I have been told has taken his departure suddenly on board of a Man of War for Boston, on acct, as ‘tis said, of some Commotions at Cape Fear. I dare say it would be very agreeable to the Honoble Mr. Thynne, joint Post Master Genl, who acts in all Earl Granville’s Affaires to know what passes at present in this Country. If you will please give him a letter to him, I dare say he will take it kind.

If you think proper to ask Mr. Burnside aney Questions relative to America, He well can inform you with regard to Virginia and this province.

I am Sir, Your most humble servt                              
JN. RUTHERFURD.                                                         

John Rutherfurd to Lord Adam Gordon, Member of Parliament for Kincardineshire.

Halifax No Carolina 11th Augt 1775.                         

My Lord:

As I know your Lordship to be a correspondent of Govr Martin’s; on accot of some Commotions since I left Cape Fear, I hear that He has gone off lately on board of a Man of War. I can give no particular accot of his [335] late Movements. The bearer, Mr. John Burnside, who was his private Secretary and has a Commission to be his Secretary for the affaires of Earl Granville under the direction of the Honoble Mr. Thynne Joint Post Master General, etc. I have desired of Mr. Burnside to wait of [on] your Lordship with what accots He can give of Virginia and No Carolina, etc. and to desire your favour to Write the Honoble Mr. Thynne by Mr. Burnside who no doubt will be thankfull to your Lordship for what information He may receive by him. Your Godson, now at my house at Cape Fear with his brother and sister, has had a good handsome Interest left them in Legacy since their arrival with me last Spring. I propose sending [him] back soon to compleat his Education under the inspection of Commr Menzies. He promises to be a very Stout fellow. I have not yet heard what family your Lordship has by Her Grace your Spouse.

Govr Martin has informed me that you are a great farmer upon your own fine Estate.
I know not how it is on your Side the water but strange doings on this side.
I am most respectfully, Your Lordships

Most Obt humble servt                    
JN RUTHERFURD.