Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

JOHX JOHX.s'L'ONKj-FlKST ^VA Kbl'.X, 152-f-15G7.
ciiAi'iKi; Tiiiin).
Ai'poiiit'iil Ici divi.ic tbi* DflxiU'S'ilo Inii.l-lvjnl to liini by liis cliiiiKiiicn— JEembei- of
paiTuiiiionI 15G0— Adinonislu'd by ttio I'rivy Council 15GJ— Iniinisoiied in Ediubur;;li
—Dispute wiili ilic Mastti' of Miixwt'll.
Ill the mo'.illi of Deceiiibev 1 j.')2 tin.- cliii'l' uf tlio JolnisloiiOo, alcmg v.-illi
Sir ^lAlu !Miix\\ell ul' Tenoglcs, was apjjoiu'rd a co!iiiiiis:uoiier to exchange
vith the EiiLjlish eoniniissioiiei's llic conrirraalioiis of the treaty settling the
boundaries of the Debateahle h\iuL That lerritovy from its position was
a constant battlcfiehl, being chiiuied by Enghmd and Scolhuid in turn, and
also being neutral ground it gave a certain refugt; for the lawless of both
countiies. 'J'lie treaty in qucslion and i!io division of the territory Ij}' a
definite boundary line put an end to ihu main cause of stril'e on tlie borders,
but tire lawless and turbulent halnts of the jicojile contiur,cd for sevcra.l
geneirttiop.s. The chiefs of clans, especially those who were responsible fur
good governnienl, were stiil held liable for tlie misdeeds of thuir foUowei's,
if they failed to ]iunish these, or to present the offenders before a court of
justice. Such a failure caused Johnstone to Ije confiued for a time in the
castle of Edinburgh, whence he was liberated by order of the queen-regent
ill October loot, on condition of his surrendering certain of his clau who
were accused of theft. He was also to enforce restitution of all goods
stolen siuce the tenth day of tlie previous Api;il. To aid hini in this
act of justice, a royal proclamation was issueil leipiirin; Ids \n hole clan and
friends and their dependants to assist him, under pain of luss of life and
goods if they refu-cd.'
One result of his eflbrts on tliis and similar occasions was a bond granted
to the chief by his clansmen, who met at the chajK'l of Dinwoodie to sign it.
They complain that the cpieen-regent has thfir pledges or sureties confined
"in syndi'ie castellis for guid reule to be kepit in the cuntre, iprhilk is tedius
= 19Ui October ir