[1598/6/14]¹

Against [Sir James Johnstone], laird of Johnstone

Our sovereign lord and estates presently convened, having considered the complaint and supplication given in by the subjects inhabitants within the bounds of Nithsdale, Annandale and other parts of the west border bearing in effect that where it is not unknown to his majesty and lords of council what great, odious and detestable slaughters, murders, bloodsheds and enormities have been perpetrated and committed by the laird of Johnstone, his name, kin and friends, having first most cruelly and unmercifully slain and murdered the late John [Maxwell], lord Maxwell, his highness's lieutenant and officer for the time, with [Sir John Maxwell], laird of Nether Pollok and sundry other barons and gentlemen to the number of 30 or 40, next a great number of honest men of Sanquhar, with sundry gentlemen and others since then, to the great contempt of God, his majesty, all form of law and justice and the trouble of the quiet estate of the country; and how that the said laird continues still in prosecuting a most wild and bloody course without respect of assurance, oath or promise or reserving of any duty toward God, his majesty or mutual love and charity towards his neighbour, whose detestable misbehaviour and dishonest form of life the said subjects at this time of convention, having thought fit to complain of and aggravate to his majesty and estates presently convened for the better remembrance and manifestation thereof, and although his highness be sufficiently persuaded thereof and detests and abhors such cruelty, bloodshed and insolence as becomes a godly prince and sovereign would wish always the punishment thereof, yet some persons about his majesty and others not regarding his majesty's honour nor welfare ceases not to travail and intercede in favour of the said laird of Johnstone, being therewith as his majesty and estates knows declared by act of council lately perjured, defamed and unworthy of credit, honour or estimation for his foul and traitorous break of assurance. Therefore his majesty, with advice of the estates foresaid, has by this act expressly discharged and inhibits all his majesty's subjects to receive, supply, fortify, assist, intercommune, show favour, intercede, travail or intercommune with the said laird of Johnstone in any sort as they will be answerable to his majesty upon their obedience at their highest charge and peril, certifying those that contravene the same that they shall incur his highness's indignation and shall be punished with all rigour to the terrifying of others to do the same. It is thus subscribed, James Rex.