Agnews of Lochnaw

x PREFACE.
inquiries was limited, I had at my command a mass of
family papers never before systematically examined, and
was kindly given access to the charter -chests of many of
my neighbours. General M'Dowall of Garthland cour-
teously placed at my disposal a variety of interesting
family documents, amongst which was a MS. folio volume,
written in Galloway, by Crawford the antiquary, early
m last century, containing a continuous history of the
Garthland family. A most interesting document was
also sent to me by the late Mr. Adair of Genoch, being
an account of the Adair family, copied by his grandfather
in 1760; compiled from original papers of Sir Eobert
Adair of Kilhilt, whose family played a prominent part
for the four previous centuries in Galloway history. I
have also gratefully to acknowledge valuable communi-
cations from many friends on matters in which their
authority is unimpeachable.
I have quoted freely from the Acts of the Scottish
Parliament, which not only very clearly define the duties
of the Sheriffs, but are highly .interesting as reflecting
the ideas held by our ancestors on political economy, as
well as affording glimpses of the state of society, the
disorders of which they were intended to regulate. These
extracts are usually made from the folio edition of Sir
John Murray of Glendook, the identical volume so used
having been the property of no less than three of the
hereditary Sheriffs ; and bearing unmistakeable evidence
of having been a well-used handbook.
I have only, in conclusion, to express an anxious hope
that the publication of any of the incidents now brought