He held a commission in the French army from 1728 to 1736, which had been renewed in 1744, and the Jacobite cavalry officer Sir John MacDonald viewed him as having "the greatest intelligence and prudence" of those on Prince Charles' staff.
From 1728 to 1736, he held a commission in the French army, which was renewed in 1744. Sir John MacDonald, the Jacobite cavalry officer, considered him to have "the greatest intelligence and prudence" among those on Prince Charles' staff.