46 Craigmillar and its Environs. 



and was elected M.P. for Mid-Lothian to the Padia-' 

 ment that met ist Jan. 1661, and to all the subsequent 

 Parliaments until his death. In the year 1661 he was 

 made President of the College of Justice, which office 

 he resigned in 1670. Sir John was a thorough con- 

 stitutionalist, and distinguished himself by opposing 

 many of the arbitrary measures of his sovereign. 

 Through his instrumentality a clause was obtained in 

 the Militia Act, that the kingdom should not be 

 obliged to maintain any force levied by the king with- 

 out the consent of Parliament. Other memories 

 reflect imperishable lustre on his name. When the 

 Marquis of Argyll was brought to trial, Sir John 

 argued with his brother judges that he could find 

 no proof against him but what the greater part of 

 the house were as deeply involved in as he was. 

 The Earl of Middleton replied that what Sir John 

 said was true, but that " the king may pitch upon 

 whom he pleased to make an example of." As a 

 privy councillor. Sir John refused to vote for the 

 capital punishment of the Covenanters who had 

 surrendered themselves on the promise of quarter 



