Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

THE REDUCTION OF Ills FINE, 1054. ccxix
On 9th I\Iarcli 1G55, Colonel Joucs gave in the report of the committee to
whom tlie matter of the fines liad been referred, in five articles. By tlie first
article of the rejiort the fine of the Earl of Hartfell was reduced to £500.
This reduction was sanctioned by the council of stale.^ His lordship, who
was still dissatisfied, renewed his application and made considerable exertions
to have the whole amount of the fine remitted. He went to London that he
might personally attend to the business. In a letter which he wrote on the
subject to Hew Sinclair, his chamberlain, on 24th July, he states that he
had delivered a letter from Mr. Howard" with a new petition to Cronuvell,
and he was that night or next day to get his answer, which he feared would
be the same as he formerly apprehended. In support of his fears he states
that his countryman, who had shared deeply in his last fine, was obstructing
any favour promised or intended by the Protector, and he saw no prospect
of success unless Mr. llov.-ard was present in Loudon. He refers to the
English council as possessed of an opinion of his " abilitie to satisfye, and
deserved suffering," and adds, " For monay I cannot lay doirne a course for
it except freinds M'old lay ther heids togither and cverie one advance a shaire
in so greatt ane exigency." The earl wrote to Air. Howard to write to four
of the council on his behalf.^
A few weeks later, on 7th August, the Earl of Hartfell wrote to his
biirj;h was named Mosley. It was juo- vol. vi. part ii. ji. 845. Anuanilale Peerage
bably thiS judge, or a relative of his, -vvho Minutes of Evidence, 1879, p. 7CG.
was tbc clerk of the fines referred to in ^ Cliarles Howard of Naworlb, afterwards
the above excerpts. Tlic clerkship was a Earl of Carlisle, was at this time one ff tlie
lucrative office. It was a boast of the time nine persons composing the council of state
that Croliiwell's English judges gave satis- set up hj- Cromwell in Scotland for adminis-
faction to the people of Scotland, and were teriug all civil affairs there. The council
more just Lawyers than the .Scotch judges. had extensive powers given them in all
One of tiie latter being taunted with that matters affecting revenue, and therefore Mr.
fact, explained it by the uacomplimentarj' Howard had considerable influence in the
remark that Crouiwell's judges in Scotland matter then concerning tlie Earl of Hartfell,
were " o jiack of kithk.ii loons," and h.ad no and he used his influence on behalf of the
relatives to require judicial jobs. earl and others
' Acta of the Parliaments of Scotland,
" Vol. ii. of this work, p. .'iOS.