| Description | Letters from family and friends of the Earl of Kintore in the Netherlands
Bundle of letters and other papers, all in Dutch, from Alexander Falconer, brother of the 5th Earl, and other members of his family and friends. Includes references to the American and French revolutionary wars.
1. From Wilhelm René de l'Homme, Seigneur de Courbière, Emden 1787, to unnamed recipient [presumable the Earl of Kintore]. Refers to his wife's letter (2 below) and says he has just heard that the king [Frederick the Great of Prussia] has appointed him to Inspector of the Magdeburg Light Infantry, so that the whole family will be moving and will be unable to carry out the addressee's commissions in Groningen.
2. From Mevrouw de l'Homme de Courbière, née Van Weiss, from Emden 30 June 1787, to an unnamed recipient [presumably the Earl of Kintore] and his wife, who is a good friend of hers, thanking them for a present. Discusses contact with Aberdeen through Dutch shipping; her husband and older sister send regards to "Mevrouw de Grafin" [presumably Christina Elizabetha Sighterman, Countess of Kintore].
3. From M. Wieringa, Greenock, 5 October 1800, to his uncle, unnamed [presumable the Earl of Kintore] asking for an allowance to be made payable to him at Edinburgh.
4. Extract certificate of baptism 1739 of Christina Elizabetha Sichterman [or Sighterman], born 26 November 1738, subsequently Countess of Kintore
5. From S. Gockinga to his brother [unnamed] from Groningen, 20 May 1779, promising him an annual allowance of 422 guilders
6. From Alexander Falconer in Groningen 1787 to his brother the Earl of Kintore, thanking him for his letter and present, congratulating him on Lord Inverurie's promotion to Cornet and discussing the young lord's future as a Scotsman and a Netherlander. Complains of his financial problems and the expenses of supporting his family. With attached note from his wife M[argareta] C[lementia] Falconer with regards to the Countess and family news.
7. From Alexander Falconer in Groningen 1789 to his brother the Earl of Kintore, hoping that he has not offended him in some way as he has not had a letter from the Earl for nearly two years. Falconer's father-in-law has not spoken to him since he named his second son Antoon Adriaan at the Earl's request, and has discontinued his annual allowance; he therefore requests financial assistance from the Earl.
8. From Alexander Falconer in Groningen, 17 April 1793 to his brother the Earl of Kintore; he has now not had a letter from the Earl for six years. His wife is expecting their seventh child, and their financial situation is very difficult. Speaks of the critical situation in which the Dutch Republic has been placed by the "unjustified war that has been made on it by France, or rather by the King's murderers" and discusses the situation after the capitulation; General Demourier [Dumouriez] himself has assumed the white cockade and is marching with his whole army on France. Reports attitudes to and rumours on the war.
9. From Alexander Falconer in Groningen, 17 April 1793 to his brother the Earl of Kintore 27 July 1793, thanking him for a letter and promised financial assistance, and reporting rumours of the progress of the war. "... according to the rumours from our allies' armies, everything is going to plan; we hope that the surrender of the town of Condé will have opened the way to further success". The town hall on the Botermarkt in Groningen was demolished and a new one is currently being built, so the town will be very splendid in future.
10. To Lord Haulkerton from P.H. Vandenvelden in Amsterdam, 25 April 1777, replying to a letter from Lord Haulkerton and confirming a shipment of Rhine wine to the value of 253 guilders 8 stuivers, sent via Mr Livingston in Rotterdam. Giving news of his family, and asking whether Lord Haulkerton will make a trip to Holland. Discusses the American war: "From the news we receive here, I cannot see that the Americans will be brought into line so quickly. It is truly a most unfortunate civil war, that will cost much innocent blood!"
11. Extract from the Register of Resolutions of the States General, 18 November 1782, setting out the terms and arrangements for the Scots Brigade in the army of the United Netherlands and giving the wording of the oath of allegiance to be taken by its members. |