Can anyone tell me how popular it was for the Duke of Sutherland to buy commissions for people to go into the army..... ie. I have: The Duke of Sutherland, chief of the clan bought commissions in the Army for my father and Uncle Spencer, and one in the Navy for Robert Leslie, who was studying medicine. My grandmother would not hear of the boys going into the Army, so she would not accept of the Duke's favour, but Aunt Leslie accepted, and her son was a naval doctor for some years.....etc.... did this happen often, would they have to been a close relation, friends, etc? I have no idea what the protocol for such things were during this period. (circa 1780-1810ish) Scotland. theresa.