Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

CCxliv JAMES, EARL OF ANNAXDALE AN1> IIAUTFELL, 1C53-1G72.
by the privy coiuicil at KJiiiburgh on 7tii April 1670 regarding the "Disorders
in the AVeit." The commission was signed by Tiothes as chancellor, the
archbishop of St. Ajidrews, the Earl of Anuandalc, and many others. The
comrai.'^siou was accompanied by special instructions to the commissioners.^
On the same subject of conventicles there was a full meeting of council
Jield at Edinburgh on 11th August 1G70, at which a series of seven interro-
gatories were approved of to be put to persons suspected of attending con-
venticles, etc., with the view of suppressing them by flues, imprisonment,
and banishment when necessary.- In the sederunt of that meeting of council
the Earl of Annandale's name is entered. It was among the latest of liis
attendances in council, as he died in April 1G72.
"When the earl succeeded to the exten.^ive Annandale estates, he at the
same time inherited heavy pecuniary incumbrances, which often placed him
as the distinguished head of one of the oldest families of Annandale in
difficult circumstances. The Annandale estates being situated in Border
counties were peculiarly subject to Cjuarteiings of armies which were almost
ruinous to the owners. The difficulties experienced by the earl in collecting
his rents and other dues were often very embarrassing to him. He also
suffered from the large debt to which he succeeded with his estates, and
from the cautionary obligations wliich he undertook on behalf of the Earl
of Home and other Border friends. The earl, however, did not succumb to
his difficulties, but faced them with commendable courage. This was, no
doubt, often trying to him, especially when lie suffered for I he last ten years
of his life under indifferent health.
I
In the earl's indisposition, he found a great comfort in his excellent
countess. In a letter from his lordship to the countess, dated Edinburgh,
28th July 16G5, he writes her in a tender and affectionate strain. Though
portions of the letter have been mutilated by accidental injury, the part
which remains will show his great love for his countess :
• Wodrow's History, vol. i. pp. 325, .326. ^ Ibid, vol. i. p. 320.
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