for execution; and doubtless some of those who have meddled with his life, had they been aware of this circumstance in it, would have risked the conclusion that he did so.  Yet, strange as it may seem, he exerted himself to save the prisoners.  And he exerted himself so successfully that not only was the capital sentence reprieved to such milder punishment as he might order, but the same license was granted to him for dealing with all future criminals of the same class.[48]

FOOTNOTES: 

[35] “We have spoken to him about it,” runs the royal Order, “and he doth positively assert that while he was in Scotland he received not one farthing upon that account” (Napier, ii. 238).  The two Orders are dated respectively February 3rd and 26th, 1681.

[36] The Marquis of Queensberry was then Lord Treasurer, and practically, since Lauderdale’s disgrace, first Minister of Scotland.

[37] Claverhouse to Queensberry, April 1st, 1682.

[38] A copy of this report was printed in the Aberdeen Papers (1851) from the original in Claverhouse’s own hand:  Napier, ii. 276.

[39] “Here in the shire I find the lairds all following the example of a late great man, and still a considerable heritor here among them; which is, to live regularly themselves, but have their houses constant haunts of rebels and intercommuned persons, and have their children baptized by the same; and then lay all the blame on their wives; condemning them, and swearing they cannot help what is done in their absence.”  Claverhouse to Queensberry, March 5th, 1682.

[40] Napier, ii. 285-309.

[41] “I must beg your Lordship’s assistance in that business of the lands of Dudhope.  My Lord Chancellor designs nothing but to sell it, and buy lands in the north, seeing he is to get Stirling Castle to dwell in.  Wherefore I desire leave to ask the house of Dudhope, and the Constabulary, and other jurisdictions of Dundee belonging to my Lord Lauderdale; and I offer to buy forty chalders of victual from my Lord Chancellor lying about it [meaning the land bearing so much, at a valuation], though I should sell other lands to do it.  I have no house, and it lies within half-a-mile of my land; and all that business would be extremely convenient for me, and signify not much to my Lord Chancellor, especially seeing I am willing to buy the land.  I would take this for the greatest favour in the world, for I cannot have the patience to build and plant.”  Claverhouse to Queensberry, March 20th, 1683.

[42] “It is hard to get any business done here.  I walked but nine miles this morning with the King, besides cock-fighting and courses.”  Claverhouse to Queensberry, Newmarket, March 9th, 1683.

[43] Both these letters were written from Edinburgh, May 19th, 1684.

[44] William, twelfth Lord Ross, son of the one previously mentioned.