Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

cxx SIR JAMKS JOITNSTOXK OF JOHNSTONE, KNIGHT, 1587-1608.
Kithsdale rallied to tlie support of JIaxwcll. The landlords, and others
who had sullerod, feariug remiisiiess in executing his commission on account
of the bonds of amity between him and Johnstone, agreed to assist Lord
i\raxwell in all his quarrels provided he would engage to deal out merited
pimishment to the guilty Johustoncs. Sir James Douglas of Drumlanrig,
Eobcrt Maxwell of Castlcmilk, the brother of Lord Maxwell, and Thomas
Kirkpatrick of Closeburn enlertd into a bond engaging to assist John, Lord
Maxwell, warden of the ^Yc3t jMarches, in terms of the royal commission, to
apprehend Sir James Johnstone of Dunskellie, his Majesty's rebel, for divers
odious crimes and for reset of the murderers of the men of Sanquhar and
sundry other fugitives in his house of Lochwood.^ It does not appear that
Sir James Johnstone had personally taken any part in the raid on
Sanquhar, but as chief of his clan and as a landlord, he was responsible in
law for the defaults of his tenants and vassals. It was in this v.ay, and also
for the reasons alleged in the bond just quoted, that the king's commission
to Maxwell was directed against him.
While the pireparatious v.-hich have been described were being zealously
prosecuted to secure the apprehension of Johnstone, a task whioli it was,
foreseen would not be an easy one, Sir James was no less active in devising
means for his own safety. Evidently with a view to strengthen his position,
he opened communications witli Francis, Earl of Bothwell, who had con-
siderable power and popularity at this time. To him he undertook, upon
his faith, honour and truth, to support wh.atever he should promise to the
Queen of England concerning the forthsetting of religion, the surely of the
king, and the preservation of the amity with England.^ Tliere is no e^•idence
that Johnstone received any support from Bothwell. From his maternal
kindred, the Scocts of Buccleuch in Eskdale and Teviotdale, he received 500
men, under the conduct of Sir Gideon Murray of Elibank, in place of the
' Original bond, dated Blackwodheid, 23d October l.")03, in Aiinandale CLartei-chest.
- Locliwood, 12th Novembf-r 159.3; Thnqie's Calendar of State Paper. s, Scotland, vol. ii. p. 639.