Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

clxxxiv JAMF.S JOnX.-^TOXE, FIIIST EAKL OF HAKTFF.LL, 1G08-1653
castle of Carlaverock, on tlic Solway, was the ouly stronghold wliich they
failed to get into their hands. The taking of tliis castle was intrusted to Lord
Johnstone, to v.-ho]n the task would be congenial, as it was the principal
dwelling of liis rival the Eaii of Xithsdale. Johnstone, who it ajipears had
promised some great exploit in the cccomplishing of his task, was not to
blame for the failure which attended his efforts. The castle was strong and
well kept, and the taking of it would have required cannon, with which
Johnstone was not provided, and which could not have been brought from
Edinburgh castle without the cost of too much time and cxpejise. Besides,
the forces under the command of Johnstone were not so numerous as those
employed in the defence of the castle. The truth was that the Covenanters
in resolving to take the castle of Carlaverock miscalculated its strength.'^
As is well known, the Scots Covenanters, in order to keep on good terms
with their English ftdlow-subjeets, and to repel the accusations of treason and
rebellion niade against ihcui by tlie king's advisers, printed their defence and
circulated it among the English in the form of a pamphlet. Lord Johnstone
forwarded copies of the pamphlet to the mayor of Carlisle, John Aglionby,
and also to the custuniar, for circulation ; but these they impounded. One of
Lord Johnstone's colporteurs, however, ventured as far as Penrith on what
the mayor designates " his saucy enterprise." ^
It is not clear whether Lord Johnstone and his men went with the Scot-
tish army which advauced to Puns, in the month of June, or remained to
guard the western road from England. 'While the army lay on tlie Borders,
efforts were made by certain Scottish nobles of the king's party to draw away
Lord Johnstone from the Covenanters. In a letter to the English secre-
tarj"-, Windebank, from his son, who vras with the king at Berwick, it is
stated that the Earls of Itoxburgh and Traquair, having been received
into great favour, had undertalcen to bring over to his Majesty's party Lord
» B.-iaiie'3 Letters, vol. i. [>. 19G.
' Stata Papers, Domestic, 1C3S-1639, pp. 511-513.