The manuscripts of His Grace the Duke of ... - Electric Scotland

9
and it was his wish that he might '' be able to return such
services, as, at least, may not make me apear ungrate, for to be
able to requite them is mor then I can hope for." Drummond's
subsequent conduct to Queensberry two years later is an instructive
commentary upon these statements.
The year 1684 begins the period known in history as " the
Killing Time " in Scotland. Drummond took an active part in the
severe measures adopted against the Covenanters at this time.
As already indicated, he was during the most of this year in
Scotland. In October, he was one of the Judges on the Western
Circuit. This required his presence in Glasgow. He wrote from
there the series of letters in this Eeport giving an account of his
proceedings. His letters show how exceedingly zealous and active
he was in these. Letter No. 235 gives a journal of the " Justice
Eaid " in Lanarkshire. He writes "Duke Hamilton and I
haranged furiously and spock to all I uas aqueinted uith
to bring them to offer," mentioning their success. To enforce
their schemes, Drummond says, he was resolved ''to go the
leinthe of the Leache." Those who would not comply, he adds,
" shal repent it, or our instructions shal be deficient." His zeal
was such that he and his associates had been "in constant
business since 8 this morning, and nou it
12 at night."
uants but a quarter -of
Letter No. 240 furnishes further information of the doings of
the Western Circuit, and states the condition of affairs in the
district over which it had jurisdiction. The letter proceeds to
state that their minutes would shew if their example was followed
by the magistrates of the country, " ue shal see fanaticisme as
great a monster as the Einoceros."
The case of Porterfield of Douchal has been regarded as an outstanding
one in the Western Circuit. Porterfield came to be
known as " Melfort's Martyr." On this account, Drummond's
reference to it in letter No. 240, where he states his recommendations
regarding it, is of interest.
Subsequent letters in the Eeport continue to supply information
regarding the measures adopted against the " fanatics," and
the part Drummond had in them. In letter No. 242,
Drummond states the difficulties they found in dealing with the
heritors of Lanark and the uncomplimentary views he entertained
of them. He says, " This whole country consists of a sort
"
of mungrell currs, half heritor, half common and whole brute ;
and that hundreds that might have been judged on the spot must
be remitted to Edinburgh. The unsatisfactory " great heritors,"
" are innumerable as the rogues ue hav to deal uith," and he
adds " aither Scotland is in ane ill conditione, or ue hav
mor disorders then any tuo districts besides."
Towards the end of 1684, and in the early part of 1685,
Queensberry and Claverhouse were not in agreement. The
occasion of the breach was the part the latter took in favouring