Douglas book > Angus memoirs

332 ARCHIBALD DOUGLAS, EIGHTH EARL OF ANGUS, ETC.
That commission was no doubt duly executed, and it was followed by-
others. In May 1577, Angus was appointed warden of the West Marches,
as successor to John, Lord Maxwell, who delivered up the necessary books
and papers. 1 The Earl seems to have continued on the Borders until the
end of 1577, when the office of heritable Steward of Fife, and Keeper of the
palace of Falkland, was conferred upon him. 2
In the beginning of the following year the regent Morton had resigned
his office, as the result of a strong coalition of the nobles at Stirling, on 4th
March 1578. It would appear that Angus was either present or on his way
to Court when the meeting of nobles took place, but he could not interpose on
his uncle's behalf. 3 Morton, however, relied on the assistance of his nephew
at this juncture, and he received it in several ways. Though yielding to the
king's will and the general voice against him, Morton insisted on receiving a
full discharge and exoneration of his acts while regent. Angus was one of
those who signed this discharge, and he also presented in full Council certain
propositions made by Morton as to the new order of things, which were
accepted. Morton also desired that, ere he delivered up the castle of Edin-
burgh, an inventory should be taken of all the Crown property therein. To
this end he wrote earnestly to Angus, calling him " my lord and son," begged
him to remain with the king as long as possible, and press the subject of an
inventory, as, if the castle were rendered under a charge of treason, all the
public treasures in it might be lost. Angus had meditated a visit to Douglas,
but postponed it at his uncle's entreaty until this matter was arranged. 4
1 Vol. iii. of this work, p. 275 ; Register 3 Letters of Morton, 3d and 4th March
of Privy Council, vol. ii. pp. 613, 618. 1577-S ; Registrum Honoris de Morton, vol. i.
2 "Vol. iii. of this work, p. 276. He also pp. 90, 91.
received a gift of the marriage of George, Earl * Ibid. pp. 90-115 ; Acts of the Parliaments
of Huntly, who had lately succeeded to his of Scotland, vol. iii. pp. 115-11S; vol. iv. of
father, 6th December 1577. [Douglas Charter- this work, p. 175. Morton to Angus, 19th
chest.] March 1577-8.