88 Transactions. 
service, and particularly for the gallantry shown in the suppres- 
sion of the late rebellion in Ireland, and for the very spiritec 
offer made by the regiment to extend their service to any part of 
the world where His Majesty may choose to send them. 
On the 13th December, 179+, a meeting of the freeholders, 
Justices of the Peace, and landowners of the County was held to 
consider what was necessary for the defence of the County. It 
was called by the Lord-Lieutenant and his deputies, to whom 
belonged the duty of superintending preparations of this kind. 
It was attended by 79 gentlemen, of whose dessendants, as far as 
I can ascertain, enly 14 now hold property in this County. 
Apologies for absence were sent by 20 gentlemen, of whose 
descendants there are now 6 in this County. 
In the absence of the Duke of Queensberry, the Lord- 
Lieutenant, the Duke of Buccleuch was called on to preside. 
The resolutions proposed were as follows :— 
1. That, in the present state of this country, it is highly expedient and 
proper for us to come forward and avow our loyalty and attachment to the 
person and Government of His Majesty, our abhorrence of all attempts to 
disturb the internal peace of the country, and our firm determination to 
support its law and constitution, as the sources of that genuine liberty and 
unexampled prosperity which all ranks of the people in it have so long 
enjoyed. 
2. That we will cheerfully unite in supporting the Civil Magistrate, and 
in making every loyal and constitutional exertion to suppress internal 
tumult or sedition, and to repel the invasion of our foreign enemies. 
3. And that, for the promotion and accomplishment of these important 
purposes, we will heartily co-operate with the Lord-Lieutenant of the 
County and his deputies in whatever measure may, according to circum- 
stances, be thought proper to adopt. 
A Committee of ten were afterwards appointed to assist the 
Deputy-Lieutenants. 
Early in 1795 the inhabitants of Dumfries raised a Volunteer 
corps. We transcribe below the principal portion of a curious 
document :-— 
Offer of Service, by certain Loyal Inhabitants of the Town of Dumfries, 
and Rules, Regulations, and Bye-Laws framed for their Government in 
a Military Capacity. 
We the subscribers, all inhabitants of the burgh and neighbourhood of 
Dumfries, within the county of Dumfries, do hereby declare our sincere 
attachment to the person and government of His Majesty King George the 
Third ; our respect for the happy constitution of Great Britain; and our 
