RECORDS OF THE BURGH OF LOCHMABEN. 121 
authorised to lay a complete state of the burgh’s affairs before 
eminent counsel in Edinburgh, leaving no stone unturned, and to 
ascertain whether the Magistrates and Councillors, past or present, 
in office or dominant burgesses, are liable for the burgh’s debts. 
A meeting of the burgh’s creditors was held on 28rd January, 
1824, when a proposal was made that a trust deed should be 
granted by the Town Council, but the same was rejected by the 
meeting. The Council authorised an application to be made to 
the Court of Session for the appointment of a Judicial Factor, 
several summonses having been served upon the Provost for the 
debts of the burgh and arrestments used in the hands of the 
feuars. The debts of the burgh amounted at this date to the 
sum of £2300. Mr John Graham, tenant in Newbigging, was 
appointed Judicial Factor by the Court. 
At a meeting of the Council held on 3rd July, 1826, the 
following gentlemen were presented with the freedom of the 
burgh:—Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick of Closeburn, Baronet; Jas. 
M‘Alpine Leny, Esq. of Dalswinton; John D. Murray, Esq. of 
Murraythwaite; Captain William Hope Johnstone, R.N.; and 
John James Hope Johnstone, Esq. of Annandale. 
On 16th December, 1834, the following loyal address was 
presented to King William:—“ We, the Provost, Magistrates, 
and Town Council of the Royal Burgh of Lochmaben, in Council 
assembled, beg to approach your Majesty at the present crisis of 
public affairs to express our loyalty and allegiance to your 
Majesty’s person and our unshaken attachment to and veneration 
for the civil and religious establishments of our country. We 
humbly convey to your Majesty the expression of our thanks for 
the firmness evinced by your Majesty in the exercise of your Royal 
prerogative of choosing the Ministers of the Crown, and we 
deprecate every attempt at interference therewith, declaring your 
Majesty’s right to be one of the most effectual safeguards of our 
privileges and a fundamental principle of the Constitution. We 
humbly convey to your Majesty the assurance of our devoted 
support in the free and uncontrolled exercise of your Majesty’s 
prerogative, trusting that when the Ministerial arrangements are 
completed such salutory measures will be adopted as shall best 
promote the happiness and prosperity of all classes of your 
Majesty’s subjects,” 
