Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

• }ioxi) TO SKrroKT Tirr. (;ovI;'I;^MK^"^, 155C.- 'li
iiiii.l vera}' sunipUiwis to ws and nmyf' "luiclil guidlie s^usleiiie tlie oxpcnsc
lli(n\'r." They d.i'siiu ihai llinir cliief would find tliciu soirie remedy, and
some ready way by wliiudi to hijve tli'_'iv jilcdscs rcslorcd to liberty. In
return tlicy bind tliern>elves that if any dolnisfone belonging to theni while
they are pledged sliali commit tlieft, fire-raii;ing, or any other ciime, they
aliall immediately seareh for and seize tlic culprit, aud present liiui to their
eliief to be punished according to bis dc.M^rlw. If they were nnable to appre-
hen.d the ge.ilty parly nfier using all diligence, they bind themselves "to
birne, liery," aud expel liim from the district, and to give redress to the
]>erson aggvieved. Tin's document was signed in presence of Sir James
J^DUglas of Drunilanrig, then warden of the West ^lareb.es.i
In the following February 155G, Juhnstone himself entered into a bond to
the government. In this writ he refers to his release from confinement in
expectation of his good service in punishing offenders against the laws, and
states thai he has induced the principal men of his siu'name and clan to bind
themselves to assist. He therefore binds liimself " to stand and ab3'dc at thair
avyse and counsale in all thingis concernyng the cpenis grace and tranquil-
lite of the cnntre" in punishing trespassers, keci'ing good rule, and maintain-
ing his cla)i in their possessions, lie promises to assist in the pursuit of any
])owevl'ul maiauder, and where the execution of justice leads to deadly feud,
iic will tahe the side of the oj'presscd. He also binds himself to obey and
attend the warden on days of truce and other assen>blies when required.
These various mutual bonds do not, hovrever, appear to have given full satis-
faetion in the carrying them out, as at a later date the Scottish privy council
issued a proclamation requiring the principal men of the clan by name to aid
in enforcing respect for the laws."
Johnstone appears to have joined the Protestant party at the Tlcforma-
lion, and was a member of the parliament wdiieh, in August luGO, ratified
• rioiul, chUed 14tli Kovomher 155r>, pp. -J.j, '2G of tlils volimic.
- i'liiclaiiiiition, date.l 4th Septcmljcr JotiO, nairating the boiid ol Sth Fobniarv 1.5:1.5-0,
['[>. -j'jy of this voluuic.