In the general division of spoil which this verdict gave signal
for, Claverhouse saw no reason why he should go empty away. Eleven years
previously, when the old statesman was at the height of his evil power,
his brother had been appointed Constable of Dundee and presented with
the estate of Dudhope, lying conveniently near to Claverhouse's few
paternal acres. A bargain, which would have seemed in those days no
disgraceful thing to any human being, was accordingly struck between
Claverhouse and the various claimants for the dead man's shoes.
Queensberry, though but lately advanced to a marquisate, had set his
heart upon a dukedom: the Chancellor was in want of money to support his
new honours. And there were other petitioners for the good offices of
the ambassador to Whitehall: Huntly and the Earl Marischal and Sir
George Mackenzie had each marked his share of the general prize. To one
and all Claverhouse promised his services; and they on their part were
to advance by all means in their power his designs on the fat acres of
Dudhope. All this, no doubt, sounds very contemptible to us now, who
manage these matters so much more circumspectly; but it must be
remembered that Lauderdale, though his offence was probably greatly
exaggerated, and though a large part of the fine in which he had been
originally cast was in fact remitted, had certainly been guilty of gross
carelessness, if not of actual malversation; while Claverhouse on his
pact offered to pay, and did pay, whatever sum might be legally fixed as
due for his share of the booty.
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