RICHARD COSWAY, R.A. (BRITISH, 1742-1821)

Major-General James Stuart (d. 1793) of White Craigs first saw active service at the siege of Louisbourg in Nova Scotia in 1756, rising swiftly through the ranks after battles at Belle île, Martinique and Havana. In 1763 he returned home to marry Lady Margaret Hume. She died two years later without children. In 1775 he arrived in Madras as Colonel in the service of the East India Company and, after witnessing disagreements between the governor, Lord Pigot, and the council of the Madras presidency, Stuart arrested Pigot in 1776, and allowed the dissident councillors to assume power in Madras. When news reached Britain, Pigot was released but recalled, and Stuart suspended. He was honorably acquitted in 1780. In 1781 he returned to Madras, distinguishing himself at the battle of Porto Novo, and losing a leg at the battle of Polilur. After being promoted to the rank of Major-General, he disobeyed orders from the governor Lord Macartney and was subsequently suspended, confined and shipped back to Britain. In response, Stuart challenged Macartney to a duel, in which he severely wounded him. In 1792, he was appointed Colonel of the 31st Foot. He died a year later on 2 February 1793 at Castlemilk, Scotland.