We find Johnston sent to London, on the 4th of July, 1644, and it is probable that, before that time, he had managed to visit England without the ceremonial of a safe-guard from the falling monarch; and on the 9th of January,
1645, we find him along with Mr Robert Barclay, " tuo of our commissioners
lattlie returned from London," reporting the progress of their proceedings to
the house.[1] The proceedings of this commission, and of the assembly of divines
at Westminster, with which Warriston had a distinguished connexion, may be
passed over as matters of general history. Warned, probably, by the cautious
intimations of the letter we have just quoted, Johnston was the constant attendant of the English commissioners on their progress to Scotland, and was the person who moved their business in the house.[2] On the death of Sir Thomas Hope, in 1646, Johnston had the influence to succeed him as lord advocate, an
office for which he seems to have seasoned himself by his numerous motions
against malignants. With a firm adherence to his previous political conduct,
Johnston refused accession to the well-known engagement which the duke of
Hamilton conducted as a last effort in behalf of the unfortunate monarch.
On the 10th of January, 1649, the marquis of Argyle delivered a speech, "wich he called the brecking of the malignants' teith, and that he quho was to speake after him, (viz. Warriston) wolde brecke ther jawes." Argyle found the teeth to be five, which he smashed one by one: "His first was against the ingagers being statesmen, and intrusted with great places, quho had broken their trust. II. Against the engagers' committee-men, quho by ther tyranny had opprest the subjects. III. Against declared malignants, formerlye fyned in parliament, or remitted, and now agayne relapsed. IV. Against thesse that wer eager promoters of the laitt ingagement with England. V. Against suche as had petitioned for the advancement of the levey." After these were demolished, Johnston commenced his attack on the toothless jaws; he " read a speache two houres in lenthe, off his papers, being ane explanatione of Argyle's five heads, or teith, as he named them; with the anssuering of such objects he thought the pryme ingagers wolde make in their awen defence against the housse now convened, wich they did not acnouledge to be a lawfull parliament"[3]
On the 6th of January, the imminent danger of the king prompted the choosing a committee to act for his safety under instructions. The instructions were fourteen ; and the most remarkable and essential, was, that a protest should be taken against any sentence pronounced against the king. "That this kingdome may be free of all the dessolatione, misery, and bloodshed, that incertablie will follow thereupone, without offering in your ressone, that princes ar eximed from triall of justice."[4] This was by no means in opposition to the principles which Johnston had previously professed, but his mind appears to have been finally settled into a deep opposition to all monarchy. Along with Argyle he distinguished himself in opposing the instructions, by a method not honourable to their memory a proposition that the measure should be delayed for a few days, to permit a fast to be held in the interim. One of the last of his ministerial
- ↑ Balf. An", iii. 204, 248.
- ↑ Ibid, 262.
- ↑ Ibid, 377. 20
- ↑ Ibid, 384.
getting or covenant, ar grown to such a hight of mischeef and misery, as to make such a rent at home as to disable us to assist or freinds, and prosecute that cause which 1 am confident God will carrie one and perfyte against all oppositione; and in confidence thereof I shall encourage myselfe, and rejo}ce under hope, althoghe I should never sie the end of itt. I bescache you to haist back this bearer, and let me know with him the condition of aflairs in Scotland; how or good freinds are, and how soon we may expect yor returne hither, or if I must come to you befoir ye come to us. I referr the marquiss of Argyle and my lord Balmerinoch, and "other freinds to you for intelligence, to spair paines and supply the want ot leasure; and will say noe more at this tyme, bot that J am your most affectionate and faithful! friend, Loudoune."—Wodrow's MS. Collection, vol. lxvi. The letter is dated from Worcester house, January 6, 1644.
