Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

clxxxvi JAMKS JOHNSTOXK, Fir.ST EAUL OF HAKTFKLL, 1608-1G53.
eight Imiidrc'd meu to Jedburgh ou July lotli. A fortnight later he was
at Hawick, but was obliged to return home, as were also the Earls of Loudoun
and Argyll, to take measures for protecting the country against a threatened
invasion of the Irish. Two weeks later, on August 12th, he is reported to
have come to Jedburgh witli five or six thousand meu, but whether foot or
cavalry the narrator could not say.
On the 17th of that month Lord Johnstone was at Loehwood, where he
made his will and settlement of his afiaus, being " now, God v.'illing, purpoisit
to go ou with the armie whithersoevir the samiu is boun," and that he might
be ready to " encounter death whensoevir at the pllesour of God it sail
hapen." He had then two sous and four daughters, whose names he
mentions, and for whom he says he has that day made provision .^ He made
a new will at Edinburgh on Soth Xovembcr following in the same terms,
only adding a reference to the portions tliat might fall to the younger
children in the event of the decease of their mother. Lady Margaret Douglas,
as well as of himself.^ In both these wills he appoints that, wherever he
might die, his burial shoidd take place within the kirk of Johnstone, his body
being transported thither. He also appoints tutors for his children.
In the same month of August, however. Lord Johnstone was at Cumber-
nauld with Montrose and some others, who there entered into a mutual
bond of defence, which was undoubtedly undertaken in the interests of King
Charles and against the Covenanters. Lord Johnstone signed the Cumber-
nauld Bond, as it was called ; ^ but as the transaction soon afterwards came
to light, and was dealt with as treasonable and publicly burnt by the parlia-
ment, the bonders were obliged in January ICil to sign a declaration that
* Annandale Peerage Miuutes of Kviilonce, tlie Covenanters," vol. i. pp. 325, 32G, au\
1SS1,I>. 1005. "Memoirs of the Marijuis ot Montrose," vol. i.
2 Original in Aunandale Charter-chest.
pp.
'^00 n., 270. Tlie other subseriblng
parties to the bond besides Lord Johnstone
'•• The CumbcrnauM Cumbernauld Bund is printed in full a.rc Montrose and seventeen other friends of
by Mark Xapier in his works " Montrose and Montrose.