John Murray of Broughton

Murray attended the University of Edinburgh from 1732 to 1735, before enrolling at the University of Leiden in the Dutch Republic. In 1737, he embarked on the 18th century cultural excursion known as the Grand Tour; this included Rome, one of whose attractions was the exiled James Stuart.[5] The Jacobite cause had been largely dormant since the 1719 Rising and when Murray met him, James was living quietly in Rome "having abandoned all hope of a restoration."[6]

James, Duke of Hamilton (1703-1743) who in 1741 approved Murray as the principal Jacobite agent in Scotland

Most visitors contented themselves with seeing the exiled court, but in August, Murray was admitted to the Masonic lodge in Rome, whose members included James Edgar, private secretary to James. The Lodge was later described by historian Andrew Lang as 'a nest of Jacobites', and this seems to be the origin of Murray's career as a Jacobite activist.[7]

Murray returned to Scotland in December 1738, where he married Margaret Ferguson, and repurchased the family estate of Broughton, later sold in 1764 to James Dickson, a wealthy merchant and Member of Parliament.[8] In 1741, the Duke of Hamilton approved his appointment as principal Jacobite agent in Scotland, following the death of Colonel James Urquhart.[9]

The outbreak of the War of the Austrian Succession in 1740 placed Britain and France on opposing sides and Murray made frequent visits to Paris, carrying messages between Scottish Jacobites and Lord Sempil, the Stuart agent in Paris. Defeat at Dettingen in June 1743 prompted Louis XV to look for ways to divert British resources, including a proposed invasion of England in early 1744 to restore the Stuarts. Charles secretly joined the invasion force in Dunkirk, but the expedition was cancelled in March after the French fleet was severely damaged by winter storms.[10]

In August, Charles travelled to Paris to persuade the French to support another attempt, where he met Murray, telling him he was "determined to come to Scotland, though with a single footman".[11] Back in Edinburgh, Murray shared this news with the pro-Jacobite Buck Club, whose members included James, later 6th Duke of Hamilton and Lord Elcho. Murray and other members wrote to Charles, urging him not to come unless he brought 6,000 French troops, money and weapons.[4] The letter was given to the 5th Earl of Traquair (1699-1764) for delivery, but he apparently failed to do so.[12]

Prince Charles, painted in Edinburgh, late 1745

In late June, Murray learned Charles was preparing to sail from France and waited in Western Scotland for three weeks, hoping to dissuade him from landing. He eventually gave up and was at home when news came of their arrival at Eriskay on 23 July; when Charles refused to return to France, Murray agreed to become Secretary. This made him responsible for civilian administration and finances, a major issue, as Charles had less than £50 in cash. One method was to collect taxes 'on behalf of the government'; many towns paid twice, as the state refused to recognise their validity, and in 1753, Paisley sued Murray for £500 levied in 1745.[13]

The Jacobite army marched on Edinburgh, reaching Perth on 3 September, where they were joined by Lord George Murray. After participating in the 1715 and 1719 Risings, he was pardoned in 1725 and settled down to life as a Scottish country gentleman; his elder brother Tullibardine accompanied Charles to Scotland but his son was a British army officer. His defection surprised both sides and many Jacobites viewed him with suspicion, not helped by his poorly concealed view of Charles as a 'reckless adventurer.'[14] Murray was later blamed for the frequent clashes between Charles and his senior Scottish commander, but even his admirers recorded Lord George's talents were offset by a quick temper, arrogance and inability to take advice.[15]

Lord George Murray, senior Scottish military commander; many of Charles' advisors regarded him with suspicion

Murray accompanied the army into England and helped negotiate the surrender of Carlisle in November. As he was not part of the Prince's War Council, he avoided responsibility for the decision to retreat at Derby; this marked a major deterioration in the relationship between Charles and the Scots, Murray being one of the few to retain his trust.[16] After abandoning the siege of Stirling in early February, the Jacobites retreated to Inverness; in March, Murray fell ill and was replaced by the far less capable Hay of Restalrig.[4]

Money and basic items like shoes were now so short soldiers were paid in oatmeal and supplies requisitioned from local shopkeepers.[17] When the campaign reopened in April, the leadership decided only a decisive victory could retrieve their position, but were defeated at the Battle of Culloden. Charles ordered his troops to disperse until he returned from France with additional support.[18]

In early May, two French privateers arrived in Loch nan Uamh, bringing 35,000 gold coins packed in seven barrels for the Jacobite war effort. With the Royal Navy close behind, the money was hastily landed and the French ships fought their way out, carrying a number of senior officers, including Lord John Drummond and the Duke of Perth.[19] Murray was in Leith seeking passage to Holland with Lochiel and his younger brother Archibald Cameron when they heard of the ships arrival. Hoping to use these funds to continue the war, the three travelled to Loch nan Uamh and took charge of the money, although one barrel was missing.[20]

What happened to the rest is unclear; Murray claimed some was distributed in back pay and the bulk consigned to Archibald Cameron for safekeeping, which agrees with the detailed account provided by Cameron in 1750.[21] In the recriminations that followed defeat, various people were accused of stealing it, including Cameron, executed in 1753 after returning to Scotland allegedly to dig it up, Alastair MacDonnell, aka Pickle the spy, who spent the Rising in the Tower of London and MacPherson of Cluny. Despite suggestions it remains hidden, modern-day treasure hunters have yet to find any trace of it.[22]

Loch Morar, where Murray and other Jacobite leaders met in late May, before dispersing

A few days later, Lochiel, Murray, Glenbucket, John Roy Stewart and others met near Loch Morar to discuss options. They were joined by Lord Lovat, who had avoided active participation himself, while ordering 300 clansmen led by his son Simon to take part. All agreed to reassemble a few days later, using the French money to pay their men, although Lovat asked for his share to be given to his 'steward'. Murray implies this was simply a ruse, and when they met up again a few days later, many did not attend at all, including the Frasers.[11]

Plans to continue the fight were abandoned and with government forces searching for them, the group split up. Still hoping to arrange passage from Leith and suffering from severe dysentery, Murray made his way to his sister's house at Polmood, where he was arrested on 27 June. In early July, he was transferred to the Tower of London, along with other senior Jacobites, including Lovat, who had been captured in early June.[23] Lochiel, Archibald Cameron, Glenbucket and others were picked up by a French ship in September.[24]

Lord Lovat, on his way to London; Murray's testimony was extensively used in his trial, largely to confirm other evidence

Prior to the 1774 invasion attempt, James had given Murray an officer's commission. At his trial, he claimed this allowed him to be treated as a prisoner of war, rather than a rebel, an argument rejected by the court. Francis Towneley, commander of the Manchester Regiment, was executed on 30 July despite being a major with eight years service in the French army.[25]

Most high-ranking Jacobite prisoners had been sentenced before Murray arrived in London but he agreed to provide information in return for a pardon. While some accounts claim Murray's testimony led to Lovat's execution, it was primarily used to confirm details of the evidence; Lovat's participation was not in dispute and many contemporaries felt his execution was long overdue. In October 1745, Lovat had attempted to kidnap his long-term associate Duncan Forbes, the chief legal officer in Scotland, who wrote that his motive was to 'ruin and subvert the government, because they (would not) gratify his...avaricious passions and desires.'[26]

Of far greater long-term significance was Murray's testimony against sympathisers who failed to support the Rising, although he avoided incriminating those he had not met, like the Duke of Beaufort, known to be "a most determined and unwavering Jacobite."[27] As with Lovat, he largely confirmed details already known, such as the meeting between Charles and Sir John Douglas, MP for Dumfriesshire at Stirling in January 1746. Two of his brothers served in the Jacobite army so Douglas' sympathies were hardly unknown, but Murray stated he was surprised to see him, 'never having suspected him to be in the Pretender's interest.'[28]

Although no action was taken against Douglas and others, this ended the practice whereby many British politicians could in theory support the overthrow of their own government with impunity.[29] The Tory Jacobite Williams-Wynn shows why this was considered necessary; on various occasions prior to 1745, he assured the Stuarts of his support for an invasion, then spent the Rising in London. Despite this, he wrote to Charles in late 1747 claiming his supporters wished for 'another happy opportunity wherein they may exert themselves more in deeds than in words, in the support of your Royal Highness's dignity and interest and the cause of liberty.'[30]

Released from the Tower after Lovat's execution, Murray was formally pardoned in June 1748 and disappeared into obscurity. He purchased a property in Cheshunt, outside London, where he was reportedly visited by Charles in 1763, remarried and had another six children. He was allegedly treated for alcoholism on a number of occasions; he succeeded his nephew David as Baronet of Stanhope in 1770 and died at home in December 1777.