110 CLAVERHOUSE IN DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY. 
present.’’ On Ist March he was in New-Galloway. He, how- 
ever, felt the counteracting influences of the Dalrymples, who 
sympathised with the persecuted; and although he could write 
“This contry nou is in parfait peace,’’ referring to Kirkcud- 
bright in April, and also report from Moffat on 17th April, “I 
have examined every man in the Shyr, and almost all in the 
Steuartry of Galouy, and fixt such a guilt upon them that they 
are absolutely in the King’s reverence,’’ still, he continued 
his activity in Galloway in August and September, and soon 
found himself in open conflict with John Dalrymple, son of 
James, first Viscount Stair, hereditary Bailie of the Regality of 
Glenluce. It appears that Claverhouse had apprehended several 
suspects whose cases had been already dealt with by the Bailie, 
who considered that Claverhouse was overstepping his powers. 
Dalrymple accordingly raised an action against the Sheriff by 
presenting a Bill of Suspension, to answer which Claverhouse was. 
forced to appear before the Privy Council in December. Therein 
he had approvers and abettors, so that he was not only pro- 
nounced guiltless, but was praised for his wariness and legal 
procedure, while Dalrymple was fined and deprived of office. 
It was during this case that the peppery little soldier, who 
declared that there were as many crocodiles in Galloway as 
there were peaceable persons, rose up in Council and boxed 
Dalrymple’s ears. He himself got a more pleasant box at 
Christmas in a commission promoting him Colonel of “ His 
Majesty’s Regiment of Horse,’’ four troops in all, and a paid 
captaincy as well. While fortune favoured the Sheriff, the 
shrievalty was to receive more drastic treatment. Claverhouse 
was in touch with York. He was promoted Privy Councillor om 
llth May, and next day his brother David was appointed 
conjunct-Sheriff of Wigtown. 
Claverhouse’s connection with the Privy Council legislation 
is of the first importance, more especially since hitherto it has 
been the vogue of magnanimous literary men, magnanimous, 
however, in face of recorded fact, to view Claverhouse merely as 
the faithful soldier obedient to his superiors, and not respon- 
sible for the indefensible acts of his sanguineous masters. I 
have extreme satisfaction in laying bare the facts of the case. 
Claverhouse took his seat in the Council on 22d May, 1683, and 
attended its meetings three times that month. He attended 
