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Thomas; in 1779; on payment of ?00;000。 Earl Kenneth died; as already stated; in 1781; and was succeeded by his cousin;
XX。 COLONEL THOMAS FREDERICK MACKENZIE…HUMBERSTON;
In all his estates; and in the command of the 78th Ross…shire Highland Regiment; but not in the titles and dignities; which terminated with his predecessor。 When the 78th was raised; in 1778; Thomas Frederick Mackenzie…Humberston was a captain in the 1st Regiment of Dragoon Guards; but he gave this up and accepted a captaincy in Seaforth's regiment of Ross…shire Highlanders。 He was afterwards quartered with the latter in Jersey; and took a prominent share in repelling the attack made on that island by the French。 On the 2nd of September; 1780; he was appointed from the 78th as Lieutenant…Colonel…Commandant of the 100th Foot。 In 1781 he embarked with this regiment to the East Indies; and was at Port Preya when the outward bound East India fleet under Commodore Johnston was attacked by the French He happened at the time to be ashore; but such was his ardour to share in the action that he swam to one of the ships engaged with the enemy。 Immediately on his arrival in India he obtained a separate command on the Malabar Coast; but in its exercise he met with every possible discouragement from the Council of Bombay。
This; however; only gave a man of his spirit greater opportunity of distinguishing himself; for; under all the disadvantages of having funds; stores; and reinforcements withheld from him; he undertook; with 1000 Europeans and 2500 Sepoys to wage an offensive war against Calicut。 He was conscious of great personal resources; and harmony; confidence; and attachment on the part of his officers and men。 He finally drove the enemy out of the country; defeated them in three different engagements; took the city of Calicut; and every other place of strength in the kingdom。
He concluded a treaty with the King of Travancore; who was reinforced by a body of 1200 men。 Tippoo then proceeded against him with an army of 30;000; more than one…third of them cavalry; Colonel Mackenzie…Humberston repelled their attack; and by a rapid march regained the Fort of Panami; which the enemy attempted to carry; but he defeated them with great loss。 He served under General Matthews against Hyder Ali in 1782; but during the operations of that campaign; Matthews gave such proofs of incapacity and injustice; that Colonels Macleod and Humberston carried their complaints to the Council of Bombay; where they arrived on the 26th of February; 1783。 The Council ordered General Matthews to be superseded; appointed Colonel Macleod to succeed him in command of the army; and desired Colonel Humberston to join him。 They both sailed from Bombay on the 5th of April; 1783; in the Ranger sloop of war; but; notwithstanding that peace had been concluded with the Mahrattas; their ship was attacked on the 8th of that month by the Mahratta fleet; and after a desperate resistance of four hours; captured。 All the officers on board were either killed or wounded; among them the young and gallant Colonel Mackenzie…Humberston; who was shot through the body with a four pound ball; and he died of the wound at Geriah; on the 30th April; 1783; in the 28th year of his age。 A fine monument is erected to his memory in Fortrose Cathedral。 He had only been Chief of the Clan for two years; and; dying unmarried; he was succeeded as head of the house and in the family estates by his next and only lawful brother; 'Douglas' Peerage。
He had a natural son; Captain Humberston Mackenzie; of the 78th; killed at the storming of Ahmadnugger; on the 8th of August; 1803。'
XXI。 FRANCIS HUMBERSTON MACKENZIE;
Raised to the peerage of the United Kingdom as Lord Seaforth and Baron Mackenzie of Kintail; in 1797。 This nobleman was in many respects an able and remarkable man; was born in 1754; in full possession of all his faculties but a severe attack of scarlet fever; from which he suffered when about twelve years of age; deprived him of hearing and almost of speech。
As he advanced in years he again nearly recovered the use of his tongue; but during the last two years of his life; grieving over the loss of his four promising sons; all of whom predeceased him; he became unable; or rather never made the attempt to articulate。 In his youth he was intended to follow the naval profession; but his physical misfortunes made such a career impossible。 Little or nothing is known of the history of his early life。 In 1784; and again in 1790; he was elected M。P。 for the County of Ross。 In 1787; in the thirty…third year of his age; he offered to raise a regiment on his own estates for the King's service; to be commanded by himself。 In the same year the 74th; 75th; 76th; and 77th Regiments were raised; and the Government declined his patriotic offer; but agreed to accept his services in procuring recruits for the 74th and 75th。 This did not satisify him; and he did not then come prominently to the front。 On the 19th of May 1790; he renewed his offer; but the Government informed him that the strength of the army had been finally fixed at 77 Regiments; and his services were again declined。 He was still anxious to be of service to his country; and when the war broke out in 1793; he for the third time renewed his offer; and placed his great influence at the service of the Crown。 On this occasion a letter of service is granted in his favour; dated the 7th of March; 1793; empowering him; as Lieutenant…Colonel…Commandant; to raise a Highland battalion; which; being the first embodied during the war; was to be numbered the 78th; the original Mackenzie regiment having had its number previously reduced to the 72d。 The battalion was to consist of one company of grenadiers; one of light infantry; and eight battalion companies。 The Mackenzie chief at once appointed as his Major his own brother…in…law; Alexander Mackenzie; at that time of Belmaduthy but afterwards of Inverallochy and Castle Fraser; fourth and younger son of Colin Mackenzie; VI。 of Kilcoy; then a captain in the 73d Regiment; and a man who proved himself on all future occasions well fitted for the post。 The following notice; headed by the Royal arms; was immediately posted throughout the counties of Ross and Cromarty; on the mainland; and in the Island of Lewis:
〃SEAFORTH'S HIGHLANDERS to be forthwith raised for the defence of his Glorious Majesty; King George the Third; and the preservation of our happy constitution in Church and State。 〃All lads of true Highland blood willing to show their loyalty and spirit; may repair to Seaforth; or the Major; Alexander Mackenzie of Belmaduthy or the other commanding officers at headquarters at ???; where they will receive high bounties and soldier…like entertainment。
〃The lads of this regiment will live and die together; as they cannot be draughted into other regiments; and must be reduced in a body; in their own country。
〃Now for a stroke at the Monsieurs; my boys! King George for ever! Huzza!〃
The machinery once set agoing; applications poured in upon Seaforth for commissions in the corps from among his more i