History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

2i 4
YOUNG JAMES IN SCOTLAND
He left Worcestershire in September, and stayed three nights in Birmingham
at the " Hen and Chickens," New Street, to buy a horse for his journey at
the Autumn Fair, and saw a bull baited in the Bull Ring. This much annoyed
his father, who had signed a petition to the Houses of Parliament some time
before to abolish bull-baiting and cock-fighting,—the Bill to that effect being
thrown out on the ground that they were manly, national sports ! The elder
James did not fail to let his son know his displeasure. The next letter, after
an apologetic one, was dated from Dumfries, Oct. 10:
" Hon. Sir,— I came to Dumfries this morning and delivered the deed to
Mr Bushby to be registered, and have this moment received the two copies, one
of which I send. He began to write out the settlements some time ago, and
discovered a mistake which will require a considerable alteration. The mistake
is that the houses are held not of the town of Annan but of Lord Hopetoun.
" I reached Annan about seven o'clock on Saturday night, and found my
grandparents quite well. Mrs Murray is gone to Dryden, and will remain there
some time.
"They intend to set the in-fields immediately, and the out-ones as soon
as they know your conditions, which they desire you to send as soon as
possible.
" Neither my grandfather, grandmother, nor John Irvin can tell me how
many acres the lands amount to. By Tate's account, he would not tell them,
but promised that he would send you the plan a long time ago. I shall call
on him and ask about it.
" I called at Mr Anderson's for the memorandum. He could not give it
me then, but has promised it before I go out of this country. I asked when
the common : was to be enclosed and divided. He said they would very likely
come to a conclusion next winter.
" This is all the answer I can give you at present to the articles you desired
me to enquire after. ... I shall not have an opportunity of looking at the
several parts of our property till next week, when John Irvin will finish his
harvest, which he cannot possibly leave now.
" Mr Bruce Johnstone has been confined to his bed for this week past with
a bad fever. He is now better, and desires his compliments to you. I am
afraid he will not recover in time for me to have his company to the Birns.
" Please to let me know whether you will have me do anything relating to
the stone intended to be put up to my uncle's memory at Moffat. My grandmother
seems very desirous of having it done as soon as possible.
" My horse performed his journey exceedingly well, but I am afraid will
not bring so good a price as we might have got for him in England. Several
persons who pretend to be judges have passed their judgment upon him, but
none of them set a higher value than four guineas.
1 The dispute about the Common led to the case of the Magistrates of the Burgh v. the
Curators of the Marquis of Annandale, Carruthers of Holmains, Johnstone of Galabank, etc.,
in 1 77 1, and these were ateo defendants in a fishing case brought by Lord Stormont in 1772.