Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

PATENT OF EARLDOM OF AXNANDALE, IGGl. ccxxxiii
Aiinaudale and IlarLfell, Viscounts of Anna ud, Lords Johnstone of Lochwood,
Lochmabcu, Moflatdale and Evaudalc, and ordained tluit the eaii enjoy the
place granted to the deceased Eqrl of Harlfell in the year IG-fS.^
The patent of these peerages wliicli tlie Earl of Ilartfell now received,
shows that he was in great favour with the king. It sets fortli his services
and suficrings in very complimentary terms ; it expresses the king's gratitude
. for these ; it introduces the heirs-female in terms of his lordship's resigna-
tion, and it bestows upon him three additional peerages. The intention of
the king was manifestly to please and gratify the earl. Tlie patent was not
merely a grant of new peerages, with new and extended limitations to include
heirs-female; it was also a legraut of the old peerages of 1633 and 1G43,
of which the earl had denuded liimself by his resignation of 1657.
King diaries the Second added to the gift of a patent of peerages to the
Earl of Anuandale and Hartfell the grant of a crown charter dealing witii
the estates of the earl. IMeantime, while this charter was in course of pre-
paration, his lordship received several public appointments. He was appointed
one of a comprehensive mission for the plantation of kirks and valuation of
teiuds. He was also appointed one of the commissioners for raising the
annuity of £40,000 sterling to the hing.^ An act and commission being
passed by parliament in favour of James, Earl of Queensberry, and "William,
Lord Drumlanrig, his son, regarding their losses in 1G50 by the invasion and
destruction of their property, to the extent of £2000 sterling, the Earl of
Annandale and Hartfell was chosen one of the commiss'ouers to take trial
of the persons complained of, and to apportion the sum amongst them.^
In jjarliament on 1st May IGGl, Archibald, Marquis of Argyll, was tried
for treason. The records of parliament bear that the Earl of Annandale
and several other peers did not debate nor vote, because they were to be
' Annaiulale Petrage ilioutes of Evidence, ISCo, p. 7.
- Acts of tlio Parliaoieuts of Scotland, vol. vii. p. 91''.
3 lOhl. p. 90.
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