142 Some Letters oF Patrick MILLER. 
12 Sir Samuel Hannay, a well-known man in the Stewartry of 
Kirkeudbright. Three brothers were: William, of Bargally; John, 
of Rusco; and Johnstone, of Torrs. 
13 Colonel William Stewart, of 3rd Foot, of Afton (New Cum- 
nock), M.P. for Kirkcudbright, 1786 till his death, March, 1795. 
Brothers were: Colonel James, of Lockins, and William, of Castle- 
stewart. He commanded the Ist Brigade of Infantry in the Penin- 
sular War, 1794. 
14 Mrs Miller to her son, 3rd April, 1790. 
14a John Johnstone of Denovan and Alva. 
15 John Maxwell of Munches and Terraughtie, born 7th Feb- 
ruary, 1720 (old style); died in 1814, aged 95. As a landed pro- 
prietor, factor, and public character, he was a man of great local 
influence. A letter of his, dated 8th February, 1811, to Mr Curwen, 
gives a vivid picture of agricultural conditions in the Stewartry in 
his early youth. 
16 Sir Robert must be Sir Robert Laurie of Maxwelton, unless it 
refers to Sir Robert Herries, banker, London [Dumfries County], 
re-elected for Dumfriesshire, 1790, against John Johnstone, who seems 
to have been immensely rich, a brother of Sir James Johnstone of 
Westerhall (member for the Burghs, 1784-90), whom young Patrick 
defeated in 1790. John Johnstone of Denovan had been M.P. for 
Kirkealdy, 1774-80. He commanded the artillery at Plassey, 1757, 
and bought Alva (Stirlingshire). 
17 Wife of John M‘ Murdo, friend of Burns and chamberlain at 
Drumlanrig for William, Duke of Queensberry, from 1780-97. For 
notes on the family of M‘ Murdo, see Ramage’s Drumlanrig, p. 394. 
18 Mrs Miller to her son, 3rd June, 1790. 
19 Alex. Blair of Dunrod, 1766-1844, W.S., admitted 1790. Only 
son of Hugh Blair of Dunrod (Kirkeudbrightshire). He became 
agent to Patrick Miller, senior, and so continued to act for his trustees 
after his death. The legal succession continued in direct line through 
Hugh Blair, his son (1806-1878), and Patrick, son of Hugh 
(1836- ). The agents of the Duke of Buccleuch are still, I think, 
the successors. 
20 Alex. Eirtwhistle, merchant, doing a good foreign trade at 
Kirkcudbright, and Provost of the burgh. See Burns (ed. Wallace). 
To end the wark, here’s Whistlebirk, 
Long may his whistle blaw, Jamie. 
—Hlection Ballad for Westerha’. 
£nd there’ll be roaring Birtwhistle, 
Yet luckily roars in the right. 
—Ballad Second. 
21 Sth December, 1790. 
21a 17th December, 1790. 
