Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

cciv JAMES JOHXSTOX£, FIRST EARL OF IIAUTFELL, 1C0S-1G53.
Jloiiie CListlos, where he s^icnt three nights, and then puviucd his way l>y
Gingillkirk (Chanuclkirk) to Edinburgh, arriving tlicre on tlie 27th. lie
returned to Annan by Linton on the 11th of May, but was again in Edin-
burgh on Cth June.
There is also an entry in tlie accounts of payments of pev." rents in the
Tron or south-east Cluircli of Edinburgh, ICuO being mentioned as the third
year in which the earl and liis countess liad sittings there. Another entry
of the purchase of twelve pistols "with hulsters and spaners " for £12, 12s.
each, in Edinburgh on tlie 2Gih of July is suggestive, as Cromwell was then
marching on Scotland, and within a few days afterwards had invested that
town. But whether the earl remained and took part in its defence, or
now left for his home in Anuaudale, is uncertain, a hiatus in the accormts
occurring at this interesting period.
AYhat took place in the country immediately afterwards is well know n
how that after a month's ineffectual siege of Edinburgh Cromwell was forced
to retire towards Berwick, and was pursued by the Scots to Dunbar, and how
by a false movement the Scots army put thonselves in Cromwell's hands
and were routed, Cromwell returning victorious to Edinburgh, and by degrees
making himself master of the entire south of Scotland. The Scottish court,
with King Charles tlie Second in their midst, retreated northwards and held
their parliaments at Perth, one in Xovember 1G50 and the next in March
1651. '\^'hether the Earl of Hartfell was present at these does not appear;
but at the latter he, or his eldest son. Lord Johnstone, in his place, was
appointed Colonel over Nithsdale.' When the chamberlain's accounts again
resuure in April 1651 they show the earl to be travelling sometimes with the
court and at other times on his own business. On the Gth April he crossed
the Eorth to ilenteith, and stayed a night at Dunblane, paying a visit to
Cromli.x, whence he obtained a guide to Drunifade, and travelled thence by
Boat of Earn to Berth. lie passed the night of the 7th there, and next day
' Acts of tlie Parliameuts of Scotland, vol. vi. part ii. p. C55.
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