"I am convinced (he writes) your Grace is ill-informed; for,
after you have read what I wrote to you two days ago on that
subject, I daresay I may refer myself to your own censure.
That I had no desire to make great search there, anybody may
judge. I came not from Ayr till after eleven in the
forenoon, and went to Balagen with forty heritors again
night. The Sanquhar is just in the road; and I used these men
I met accidentally on the road better than ever I used any
in these circumstances. And I may safely say that, as I
shall answer to God, if they had been living on my ground I
could not have forborne drawing my sword and knocking them
down. However, I am glad I have received my Lord Dumbarton's
orders anent your Grace's tenants, which I shall most
punctually obey; though, I may say, they were safe as any in
Scotland before."[69]
The previous letter here referred to has been lost; but it is probable
that the complaint originated in Claverhouse's summons to these
heritors, or small proprietors, to take arms in the King's service, as
they were bound to do. Men will mostly follow their master's lead. The
Treasurer's tenants knew well, we may be sure, how little love their
master bore for the imperious soldier, and were no doubt somewhat saucy
in their remonstrances; and sauciness Claverhouse would not brook from
any man alive, whatever his quality.
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