Hume's Residence with the Marquis of Annandale--His Predecessor Colonel Forrester--Correspondence with Sir James Johnstone and Mr. Sharp of Hoddam--Quarrel with Captain Vincent--Estimate of his Conduct, and Inquiry into the Circumstances in which he was placed--Appointed Secretary to General St. Clair--Accompanies the expedition against the Court of France as Judge-Advocate--Gives an Account of the Attack on Port L'Orient--A tragic Incident. Hume's history of his residence with the Marquis of Annandale, is given in the following brief terms, in his "own life." "In 1745, I received a letter from the Marquis of Annandale, inviting me to come and live with him in England: I found, also, that the friends and family of that young nobleman were desirous of putting him under my care and direction, for the state of his mind and health required it. I lived with him a twelvemonth. My appointments during that time made a considerable accession to my small fortune." It might have been favourable perhaps to the dignity of his position in the world of letters, that this episode in his history had never been more fully narrated; for a philosopher conducting a litigation for £75 of arrears of salary, is apt to experience that diminution of respect in the eyes of the public, which the prince of Condé discovered that a hero suffered in those of his valet. Since, however, many statements have been given to the world, connected with that part of Hume's life, and many charges and countercharges among the persons connected with it are preserved, it is necessary to give such a brief view of the whole affair, as may enable the reader to estimate the respective merits of the parties in the dispute. A collection of documents on the subject was lately published by a gentleman to whom the literary history of Scotland is indebted for many other services;[171:1] and from his book the following statement is compiled.