Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

1698.] FAMILY AND DOMESTIC LETTERS. 347
cellour, Earl Anna[n]dale, and Lord Eaith met, I was with them, and they sone
agried to declare the tack void, and that from the first of November, but not
from the term preceeding the peace, as they might have done : but my Lord
Annandale was also for a neu and speedie roup within a fourtnight. My Lord
Chaneellour was for waiting to knou the King's pleasure ; at least that the day
of the neu roup might be so long as it might be knoun. But Earl Annandale
said it was to truble the King needlesly, and mar his profit, and only give
leasure to negotiators at London ; and the Lord Raith, who was not so earnest,
brought the day to the nintein, Fryday come a fourtnight. This will surprise
Duke Queinsberry and Earl Argile and both the Secretaries ; for they all think
the King's minde should be first knoun. But they say Andreu Mortoun, Wood-
side, Balgon, and some others, ar the pack that press dispach. You uill, I hope,
be in nixt weak, for you may see where you was wanted ; and I belive the
roup uill yet prorogat, though all I aime at is a good offer. I am heartiely sorrie
for my sister's affliction. The Lord comfort and ease her ! When you come in,
you uill bring Principall Dunlop with you, that the tuo letters about the Uni-
versity and Mr. Carstaires may be presented. I am yours most sincerely,
though much afflicted.
Hugh Maxwell of Dalswinton to Sir John Maxwell of Pollok,
20th June 1698.
350. Sir, I ame like to fall every day in more and more trouble with the Earl of
Nithsdale's tenants of Duncow. For having about a month ago caused cast
my kain peats in the moss properly belonging, and by the Lords of Session
declared to belong to me ; and being intended to have lead them this day, the
people of Duncow, (aftir many threatenings to lead them away, but quhich I
belived not they would evir have attempted aftir lawburrowes served against
them, and caution found for that effect,) they came early this day by the dawn-
ing, man, wife, lad, and lass, to the muire, with swords, corn-forks, pistols,
cudgells, and divided themselves in 2 companys, the men in one, and women
in another, and sat down and planted themselves in the midst of my peats ;
and I hearing of, and my son George being gone thither, to prevent evil, I