Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

DEATH OF DOUGLAS, EAKL OF MOIITOX, 158]. Ixxxv
OS treasuicr to pnj' the waixK-u's wages, '\^'u li.nru ficiui tliis tliat he was
not only hehl entitle 1 to a fee, hut also to keep up a garrison of horsemen
for lliG service of his office at the expense of tlie government.' The order,
liowever, does not state \vh;it llie amount of fee \xa3. Anotlier act autho-
rised him as an oflieer of the crown to arrest and distrain the goods of
certain persons who had lieen sureties foi- a prisoner named John Eatie, who
liad hecu released from ward at Dumfiies under pledge for Ids returi!. This
jiledge he had violated and v.as causing trouble in the district, while his
f;\ireties v.-eie called npon to piay the penalty.^ Such pledges for persons
liberated on bail and two others were given to the warden aliout this lime.
Christy Armstrong of I'arngleis bound himself that certain pevsons of the
'.lAme of Little should be forthcoming when required to answer to the
complaints made against them on both sides of the border.^ A similar
bond was given for Thomas Johnstone of Fiugland, who was allowed to go
homo for five days, that; he M'ould enter liimself again in I.ochmaben,
his sons AViUiam and Simon remaining within the town till his return, in
addition to the caution given in the bond.* IJesides, there are various
occasions on which Johnstone himself was held responsible for ttie appear-
ance before the council of defaul!:ing members of his clan.-''
On the last day of the year 1580, James Douglas, Earl of iiorton,
formerly regent, was committed to ward on the charge of being accessory
to the murder of King Henry Uarnley, and, as is well known, this led to his
trial and execution six month? later. In Jiim Jolmstone lost a staunch
supporter, and one who liad befriended liim in all his quarrels with his
rival, Lord >.raxwell. "With the decline of Morton's influence Johnstone's
enemies began to make head against him, and in the early part of the
' E.ttract Act of CVuncil, 24th Sejitember ' lloml, dated Lockert'ie, Sih Kobiuary
1.JS0; PiCgistor of Privy Council, vol. iii. p. 1.'>S0-SI, in Aiinandale Cliaitii-clRit.
'ilC- ' lliii.l, dated Loelimal.eii, Hl^t Fi-liiuary
- Act in Aimatiaal..Cliartcr-cliest; Rciji.-^ter 1."i.>nO-S!, /'./>/.
1 I'rivy tVuiicil, vJ. iii. p. ol5. ' V^v^isl'ir oi Privy Cuuncil, vol. iii. j., .'jrr2.