Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

CCXX JAMES, KAUL OF ANXANDALE AND IIARTFKLL, 1G53-1G72.
countess on the same siibjbct. In this letter he apologises for his prolonged
stay in Loudon by saying, " that if my bussines were not one of the ueirest
and highest of my concernmcutts, the pleisours of this place wold not have
allured me to stay one weikc, nather any companie I am withe." He had
used all moans and ways in the matter, but ineffectually, and he was now to
return home when he received an answer that afternoon to a petition, " the
last of a dozen since I came heire." ^ It docs not appear what the answer
was that was given to the petition of the Earl of Hartfell by the Protector
before his lordship left London. But his efforts were soon after this crowned
with success, as, on 6th Xovember, an act of remission was passed in his
favour. The book of the council of state for that date has the following
entry :— " Ordered by his Ilighnc&s the Lord Protector and the councell
that the fine imposed on the Earle of Ilartfield by the ordinance of pardon
and gi-ace to the people of Scotland be wholly remitted and discharged." -
In the record of Cromwell's second parliament of both nations, held at
Westminster 27th July 1054, " Col. James, Earl of Ilartfell," is named as a
member of parliajaent for tlie shire of Dumfries. Of the thiity members for
Scotland who were summoned to this parliament only twenty-one obeyed
the summons. The Earl of Ilartfell was one of those. As a peace-loving
subject he had no alternative but to recognise, to a prudent extent, the
Protector, whose authority was paramount for the time. The earl attended
several of the parliaments of the Protector. By an order and declaration, of
date December 21st, IGuo, the council of state named commissioners of the
shires, burghs, etc, in Scotland. Those named for the shire of Dumfries
included General C4eorge Mouck, one of his Highness' council in Scotland, and
the Earl of Ilartfell and others. On 17th September 1G56, and again on 26th
* Vol. ii. of tki-s work, p. 305. being made out subsequent to tbe year ICGl,
there is included tbe f.uc of " £500 sterling,
- Annaudale Peer-ij^e Minutes of Evidence, ^vbich fine was of loss and expcuce above
1879, p. 767. lu an account of tbe sufferings £900 sterling is £10200 ; 00 ; " Scots, [[li'l.
and Cues oi tbe earl, which bears evidence of 1S7S, p. 7.'J3.]