[A1641/8/56]¹

[Petition of Janet Corsbie for the trial of her husband and son]

To the king's most excellent majesty, the humble petition of Janet Corsbie, humbly showing that her husband John Black and Thomas Black, their son, were imprisoned by [Robert Maxwell], earl of Nithsdale almost two years since in Dumfries and have lain in irons for suspicion of the death of John Maxwell of Middlebie, of whose death (God knows) they are innocent, the said John Maxwell dyeing in a moss in the night as is well-known. And yet the said John and Thomas Black refuse no legal trial but they are starved in prison these two years almost and neither tried nor relieved.

Wherefore I earnestly pray that the widow of the said late John Maxwell be put to take out a commission to try the said John and Thomas Black and use them according to law rather than that they die for famine in prison, or otherwise if they refuse to pursue between now and an appointed day, that warrant be given for releasing the said John and Thomas Black. And I with my said husband and five children shall ever pray.

His majesty is graciously pleased to remit this petition to be answered in parliament.

James Galloway, at Holyroodhouse this 29 August 1641

24 September 1641

Read in audience of the king's majesty and parliament, who ordain the within two Blacks to be [...].²