Transactions. 87 



the principles which have been attempted to be disseminated by 

 wicked and designing men tending to destroy all government and 

 introduce anarchy and confusion; that we will assist Government 

 in repelling all foreign invaders, and will assist the Civil Magis- 

 trate when called upon to do so for the purpose of repressing all 

 riots or tumults that may arise in the County of Dumfries." The 

 same declaration was doubtless read in the other parish churches 

 of Dumfriesshire ; but it would appear that at first it had not 

 the desired effect. In the Dumfries Weekh/ Journal of 12th 

 September. 1793, it is said that designing persons had spread a 

 report that the proposed enrolment of Volunteers was a plan to 

 kidnap men into the regular service without the payment of a 

 bounty, and an appeal is made to the people to discard these 

 unfounded rumours and sliow tliemselves willing as loyal citizens 

 to aid the Government. 



The first military force raised was the Dumfriesshire Fencible 

 Cavalry. On the 23rd April, 1794, the proprietors of Dumfries- 

 shire agreed to raise two troops of Fencible Cavalry, to be main- 

 tained partly by subscription and partly by Government. In the 

 Dumfries Weekly Journal of various dates subsequent to that of 

 the meeting there is this advertisement : — " Wanted, for the 

 Dumfriesshire Fencible Cavalry, a hundred to a hundred and 

 twenty horses. Those who are willing to contract for any 

 number of these may apply to David Staig, provost, who will 

 show a pattern horse. The horses are to be from 14| hands to 

 15 hands 4 inches. From five years complete to seven years off 

 — dark bays, browns, blacks, or chesnuts." In 1795 both troops 

 were augmented to consist of 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, and 71 

 privates. Michael Stewart Maxwell, yr. of Springkell, com- 

 manded one troop, and was Major-Commandant. The other 

 troop was commanded by Sir Robert Grierson. These troops 

 were stationed for a time in Dumfries and afterwards in York- 

 shire, and subsequently served in Ireland in suppressing the 

 rebellion. They were reduced in 1800, when the Commanding 

 Oflicer leceived a letter from the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 

 expressing approbation of their services. The Commissioners of 

 Supply, at a meeting held on 20th December, 1800, recorded 

 their thanks to Colonel Maxwell, the officers, non-commissioned 

 officers, and men of the Dumfries Fencible Cavalry for the 

 honour they had done to the County during the period of its 



