Though in a humble rank of life, yet by much industry and patience, I have at length procured the most conclusive and satisfactory evidence of the legality of my claims to the honours and estates of Perth. Being, in consequence, encouraged by the approbation of gentlemen eminent in knowledge, and influential in station, to adopt the proper parliamentary measures for purifying my blood and serving myself heir to my noble ancestors, I have, as one of the preliminary steps, laid my case before the public in the following pages, hoping that it may attract the attention of many other gentlemen who are not indifferent to an act of justice.

My grandfather, as is proved in this statement, was the late General James Drummond, (of the rebel army,) who fought at the battle of Culloden in 1746 ; and who was commonly called the Duke of Perth, though the family titles were forfeited in 1715. He was of a pacific, studious disposition, and excelled in mathematical and agricultural knowledge, but was drawn into the rebellion by persuasions of the Earl of Mar and other Jacobine Peers, and the entreaties of his noble mother, who declared, "that if he did not fight, like the other brave chiefs of clans, for the royal House of Stuart, her curse would be his portion, and blight him and his posterity."

After the Stuart army was defeated at Culloden, he came to Biddick, on the river Wear, where he married, and where he died. My father was a quiet, unambitious and religious man, who was afraid to make known his claims : but at his death in 1822, I began to establish my pedigree, which I have effected with great labour and expence : and now, as before stated, I am adopting measures to have my blood purified, and to be restored (as has been done to several attainted peers involved in the same rebellion with my grandfather) to the forfeited titles of Earl of Perth, Lord Drummond, &c, : but, what is more use to me, such an act of the King would, according to law, and as a matter of course, entitle me to be served heir male and of line to my ancestors the Earls and Duke of Perth, by which necessary process of law I would ultimately come into possession of the valuable family estates, settled, as aforsaid, on the heirs male, by an entail in 1713, &c.

Many interesting facts in Scottish history are incidentally elucidated in the following pages, which, I hope, will be found both amusing and instructive to the general reader.

Thomas Drummond