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thought all that is necessary. Wanlockhead is on the height of the 

 County, between the east and the west coast, 47 miles south-west of Edin 

 bui-gh, and about 30 miles north-east of Dumfries. — I have the honour to 

 remain, my lord, your Lordship's obedient servant, 



Gilbert L.\ijiG. 



The most memorable response to this appeal was a letter from 

 Mr Miller of Dalswinton, which was read at a meeting of the 

 Court of Lieutenancy held on the 24th August, 1803. 



Dalswinton, 24th August, 1803. 



Dear Sir, — Having expended in a long series of hazardous experiments 

 ten thousand guineas with a view to benefit mankind, I am now perhaps 

 not so rich as I was, but I am more careful of what I have, and am a great 

 economist. As such, I wish to insure my property, my share in the 

 British Constitution, my family, myself, and my religion against the 

 French invasion. As a premium, I offer to clothe and arm with pikes 100 

 men, to be raised in this and any of the neighbouring parishes, and to 

 furnish them with three light brass field pieces ready for service. This 

 way of arming I consider as superior for infantry either for attack or 

 defence to that now in use ; but as to this Government must determine. I 

 am too old and infirm to marcli with these men, but I will desire my eldest 

 son to do so. He was ten years a soldier in the foot and horse service. 

 In case of an invasion, I will be ready to furnish when requested 26 horses, 

 16 carts, and 16 drivers, and Government may command all my crops of 

 hay, straw, and grain, which I estimate at 16,700 stones of hay, 1400 

 bushels of peas, 3000 bushels of oats, and 3080 bushels of barley. You will 

 please to transmit'my offer to the Lord-Lieutenant of the County. If the 

 French are rash enough to land on our shores, they will find to their cost 

 that riches acquired by useful and honourable means have not the effect to 

 enervate a people. On the contrary, riches so obtained are a sure proof of 

 a happy constitution and a mild government, to whicli all wise, good men 

 must necessarily be attached.— I am, ever yours, &c., 



P. MlIXEB. 



To David Staig, Esq., 

 Deputy-Lieutenant, Dumfries. 



On the 31st August, the Deputy-Lieutenant proposed a scheme 

 for a ballot of 213 men, being the quota of the Army of Reserve 

 falling on the County of Dumfries. The total number liable to 

 serve was stated to be 4803. The penalty for failure to appear 

 in this levy was i/20. In every case either a substitute was 

 found, or the money was paid. On the 23i'd November, 1803, the 

 condition of this quota was reported as follows : — With the 26th 

 Regiment, 104 ; with the 5th Battalion of Reserve, 30 ; with 

 Captain Douglas at Dumfries, 3 ; volunteered for general service, 

 7; number still required to complete complement, 69 — total, 213. 



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