Agnews of Lochnaw

1700.] THE TENTH HEREDITARY SHERIFF. 475
by the noblemen and others their coming in and remaining in the
room the time of the election.
" It was proposed by others, that the first thing to be con-
sidered should be the procedure of the Sheriff of Wigtown, in
fining one of the freeholders who was claiming his vote because
he would not remove, and in his assuming to be the preses of
the meeting. Which alledged encroachment of the Sheriff being
first in order, should be first considered ; and a debate having
arisen anent the state of the question, the same was adjourned
to the next meeting of Parliament."
The Estates appear now to have apprehended that the two
Lords impugned, as well as the Sheriff, would bring up their
various partizans, and that the matter would probably be de-
cided on grounds of private rather than of public interest ; and
considering that the true question before them was to decide
between Lord Basil Hamilton and Castle-Stewart — and not to
place Lords Galloway, Stair, and the young Sheriff upon their
trial — the leaders of Parliament resolved that none of these three
should be personally inculpated, and that the inquiry as to their
conduct should be only made use of for the purpose of laying
down the law definitely for the future ; hence at the date ap-
pointed — November 2 — we find the following report : —
" Former debate resumed.
" A motion made, ' That the enquiring into the encroach-
ments complained of in the election of the shire of Wigtown
is not for censuring any persons therein concerned, but only in
order to a regulation by law for the securing the freedom of
elections, and for annulling of those elections, or either of them
as accords.'
" Motion read, and voted, and approved ncm. con. ; and im-
mediately signed by the Lord Chancellor.
" Then the Parliament proceeded to the consideration of the
encroachments complained of.
And after no less than three adjourned debates, it was at
last, on the 20th of November, " moved that the Committee for
Controverted Elections be appointed to meet and examine the