The Sun.
London, England, 1822-03-19 00:00:00

FOR THE SUN.

Ma. EDITOR—A small pamphlet having lately
come under my eye, entitled 4' The Life of
" Thomas Coatis, Esq. with biographical and en-
" tertaining anecdotes of his first wife Betty
64 Starkie, by a Person of the first Respectability."
I feel myself called upon publicly to refute those
anecdotes which the Author states to have been
communicated to him by me, and,l shall,consider
myself as much indebted to you if you will insert
this in your paper.
The late Mr. THOMAS CotrT Ts's father came originally
from Dundee : so far his biographer is accurate, but his other
statements are incorrect. He was a Merchant (not a Banker),
and carried on business in Edinburgh. What is now termed
Banker, 'was not known in ihose days. He married a daughter
of Sir John Stuart, of Allan Bank, in Berwickshire, and Sir
John Stuart's mother was a daughter of 'Mr. Ker, of Morrison,
in the same county ; and Mr. Ker's mother was Miss Grizzle
Cochrane, daughter of Sir John Cochrane, second son of Wil-
liam, first Earl of Dundonald.

A singular circumstance attended this Lady, which may not
be generally known, but deserves to be recorded as an almost
unexampled instance of female heroism and filial affection. I
cannot exactly ascertain whether the fact I am about to relate
happened before or after her marriage with Mr. Ker, of Mor-
rison—l rather think it was previous to that event.
Sir John Cochrane, being engaged in Argyle's Rebellion
against James the Second., was taken prisoner after a desperate
resistance, and condemned to be hanged. His daughter hav-
ing notice that the death-warrant was expected from London,
attired herself in mens' clothes, and twice attacked and robbed
the mails (between Belford and Berwick), which conveyed the
death-warrants : thus, by delaying the execution, giving time
to Sir John Cochrane's father, the Earl of Dundonald, to make
interest with Father Peter (a Jesuit), King James's Confessor,
who, for the sum'of five thousand pounds, agreed to intercede
with his Royal Master in favour of Sir John Cochrane, and
to procure his pardon ; which was.effected.
Her great grand-daughter, Miss Stuart, of Allan Bank,
married the late Mr. Thomas Coutts's father', and brought him
four sons—Peter, John, James, and Thomas.
Peter followed the same line as his father, and died unmar-
ried, after a confinement of nearly thirty years in the Lunatic
Asylum at Hackney.
John also followed his father's business, and succeeded him
in the firm. He had very delicate health, and he also died un-
married, between thirty and forty years of age.
James, the third brother, likewise followed his father's busi-
ness, and was a partner in a house in London, in St. Maly-
'Axe, corresponding with the house of John Coutts and Co.,
Edinburgh.
In the year 1754, or 55, he married the only daughter of Mr.
Peagrim, who was a partner in the house of Middleton and
Campbell, afterwards Campbell and Peagrim : the shop the
same as at present occupied by Coutts and Company. '
Mr. James Coutts became a partner in that house, and, on
the death of Campbell, succeeded to the whole concern.
Mr. James Coutts had only one child, a daughter, who
afterwards married her cousin-german, Sir John Stuart, of
Allan Bank. -
Mr. James Coutts was for a short time Member of Parlia-
ment for the City of Edinburgh ; but in consequence of some
strange and incoherent language in the House of Commons, he
was inductd (at the suggestion of and by the persuasion of his
friends) to refrain from attending that House.
On his mental. faculties, as well as his bodily health, be-
coming much impaired, he was advised to visit a more favour-
able climate, and under the care of his uncle's wife, Lady
.Stuart, and her son, repaired to Italy, where a marriage was
soon formed between Mr. James Coutts's only daughter, and
her cousin, Mr. Stuart.
Miss Coutts's fortune was from seventy to eighty thousand
pounds.
I do not at present recollect whether Mr. James Cones died
abroad, or in his native country.
Mr. Thomas Coutts, the youngest of the four sons, was a
partner in the house at St. Mary-Axe, and afterwards admitted
as a
_partner into his brother's banking-house, in the Strand.
'Here he (Mr. Thomas) became acquainted with his first wife,
a most respectable, modest, handsome young woman, who had
the care of Mr. James Coutts's only daughter.
When in my youthful days I have-occasionally seen her in.
the nursery, washing some of her young lady's clothes, my boy-
ish tricks may have aggravated her to throw some of the soap-
suds at me ; but I deny the fact of ever having stated, " That
she laboured; on general washing-days, at the buck-tub, up to
her shoulders;" or of my ever having denominated her a Dry-
Washer.
When Mr. Thomas Coutts married, it was said that he had
thereby much offended his brother James ;. but still the brothers
continued their partnership.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Coutts resided in St. Martin's-lane,
in the house occupied by the late Dr. Garthshore.
There my brothers and myself have frequently called to visit
Mr. and Mrs. Coutts.
Her good sense, amiable disposition, and exemplary conduct,
endeared her to all her husband's family, and commanded the
respect of every one who knew her.
Since the year 178.5 or 1786, I have never seen Mrs. Coutts.
She was then in Scotland, with her husband and her three
daughters--at that period all unmarried.
They were on a visit at my cousin's Sir Charles Preston, of
Vallefield, by whose invitation I went to meet them at dinner.
Since then, to my recollection, Mrs. Coutts and I have never
met : nor did I ever in my life apply to' that Lady for pecuni-
ary relief, either for myself or any branch of my family.
With respect to Mr. Thomas Coutts's age, I rather think his
biographer has also stated that incorrectly.--
In former days' he was always reckoned to be seventeen years
older than mystlf, which would bring him to ninety-one at the
lAriod of his decease, instead of eighty-seven.
I cannot regret the chance which hits thrown in my way the
" Life of Thomas Coutts, Esq., by a Person of the first Respec-
tability,' as it has enabled roe-to refute the errors, and correct
the misstatements, which the Author has given to the public
as jt:ts communicated to him by mc.
I' am sorry to have taken up so much of your valuable paper.
and beg to subscribe myself, Sir, your very obedient servant
March 13, 1822. DUNDONA
*** The foregoing letter, which contains
some interesting particulars respeCting the late
Mr. COUTTS and his first wife, was sent to us by
the Earl of DUNDONALD. As there are many
erroneous accounts respecting the former Mrs.
COUTTS, it is gratifying to have them refuted by
so competent a testimony as that of the Noble
Writer, whose time and fortune have in a great
degree been devoted to scientific pursuits which
have been advantageous to the country. t The
mirrate .accuracy of recollection which the letter,
displays is an evident proof that the mental fa-
culties of the author are in an extraordinary state
of vigour, considering the advanced period of his
life.

DITEL.—A meeting took place early yesterday
morning, in a field at Heston, near Hounslow,
between F. It. M—o—y, Esq. and Captain
G—n—y. The misunderstanding arose on Sa-
turday night, respecting the cher amie of a Noble
Lord. Mr. M. was wounded in the hip in the
second fire, but not dangerously, is the /lan did
not lodge.

LADY STEWART.—Her Ladyshfp had nearly
met with a serious accident on Sunday. Her
Ladyship took, an airing in her carriage, and
went to Battersea-house, to pay a visit to Lady'
S. KERR (Lord STEWART'S sister). After alight-
ing from her carriage, and going up the steps to
the hall, her Ladyship slipped and cut her nose
and lip, and was so much frightened that she
fainted. Great apprehension was entertained
for her safety, her Ladyship being very near her
accouchement. We are happy- to add that her
Ladyship was as well as could be expected yes-
terday, and has not received any other injury.,
than what has been stated. An express was
immediately sent off to Lord STEWART, at the
Pavilion, Brighton, who arrived in town yester-
day morning.