[1585/12/46]¹

Act in favour of the town of Dumfries

²The king's majesty, with advice of the three estates of this present parliament, understanding that his trusty cousin and councillor John [Maxwell], earl of Morton, lord Maxwell, with his whole kin, friends and servants, during the time of the feud and late troubles between him and Sir John Johnston of Dunskellie, knight, made their special repair within the town of Dumfries, fortified and garnished the same with men of arms, victual and all other equipment needful for their defence, whereunto the inhabitants of the said burgh might not oppose themselves in consideration of the multitude of the said noble lord's friends dwelling round about and within the said burgh, notwithstanding whereof fault may be inputted by them and their successors to the said earl in any sort with men, money or victual and for resetting and communicating with them and assisting thereof, of his special favour, clemency and good will, has given, granted and conveyed and, by this act, gives, grants and conveys to his beloved provost, bailies, council and community of the said burgh the like benefit, favour and good will as is contained in the acts of abolition, general pacification and others granted and concluded in this present parliament in favour of John [Hamilton], lord Hamilton, Archibald [Douglas], earl of Angus, John [Maxwell], earl of Morton and remainder of their colleagues, as also the particular acts to John, earl of Morton, his kin, friends, party and partakers, and that the same shall be most largely extended and interpreted in their favour, with all passes, clauses and conditions contained therein, as if they and every each one of them were specially expressed and comprehended in the said acts so far as the same may serve for their best security, which his majesty holds as if they were expressed in this present act; and further, for his highness and his successors, presently abolishes all action, civil or criminal, and offences committed by the said persons or that may be laid to their charge either by his highness or any party for whatsoever cause or occasion bygone since April 1569, renouncing, discharging and abolishing all action, civil and criminal, which may either be pretended by his highness or the said parties alleging themselves aggrieved, declares expressly the same to be extinct and condemned in perpetual oblivion and the memory thereof never to be renewed in any sort; and discharges by this act the lords of session, justice general, justice clerk, advocate, treasurer and all other judges whatsoever to proceed against the said persons or any of them hereupon; and further, declares the elections of John Maxwell of Newlaw, as provost of the said burgh, to be good and sufficient in the self and to stand for him and his successors so long as the said John Maxwell shall be authorised by common election or consent of the inhabitants thereof, discharging whatsoever other rights and security made at any time bygone or to be made to any other person of the same in the contrary.