Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

LOUn i\rA.XWKT,L COXDKMNED TO HEATH, 1600. civ
to lake him alive or dead. The king wrote to the coinicil to make diligent
search for his resetters. Letters of horuing were raised against hira by
Margaret Scott, Lady Johnstone, cider, Sara Ma.wvell, Lady Johnstone,
younger, relict of Sir James, and James Johnstone the son. Agues and
Elizabeth Johnstone the daughters, and three other near relatives, and also
by the lord advocate for the king's interest. Proceedings were taken against
the town of Dumfiies and against certain persons for resetting him, and
in tlie case of the former, for demonstrating in his favour.'
Lord ]\laxwell baflled all the eftorts made to capture him, and escaped to
rrance.- It was then resolved to try hira in absence. On SGtli January of
the following year a summons of treason and forfeiture was issued against
him to appear before parb anient on 12th April to answer for his crimes.
HoTjiing was relaxed against him that he might be free to appear.^ I'arlio.-
meut met and adjourned. On the 17tb dune when it again met the summons
was read, Lord Maxwell was called three times at the tolbooth window by
the Lyon Herald and his colleagues, and upon his failure to appear the
execution of his summons was verified. On 24th June the trial was resumed,
and his lord&liip was again called three times as before without his appearing.
Whereupon, the summons was found relevant, witnesses were examined, and
his lite, goods, lands, tenements, dignities, offices, rights, and all other things
belonging to him, were confiscated. His lauds were afterwards parcelled out
among court favourites.
Wearied with ecile and finding that he was closely searched for in France,
Lord Maxwell returned to Scotland in March 1612 broken down in health
Avith his wanderung life. Here, however, he was more closely pursued than
abroad. A commission was appointed to effect his apprehension, and pro-
' Kegiater of the Privy Council, vol. viii. "Lord Maxwell's Good-night." Vi'h Book
pp. 70, 83, 8.5, SG, 90, 1G9, 500, 7G9-773, etc. of Cailaverock, vol. i. pp. 314-316.
•> Register of the Privy CouDcil, vol. viii.
» His lordship's flight is celebrated in a p. 781. Book of Cailaverock, vol. i. pp. 316,
b.-illad written about th;.t time entitled 317.