in the wound, and the sore is being healed up only now. Is it too much to hope that the facts here presented from the manuscript Minute Book of the Royal Dumfries Volunteers, in the Ewart Library, Dumfries, and the deductions therefrom, will help somewhat towards healing the wound? WILLIAM WILL, President of the London Robert Burns Club. ADDITIONAL NOTES TAKEN FROM THE MANUSCRIPT MINUTE BOOK. Note A. ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL DUMFRIES VOLUNTEERS. List of Inhabitants of Dumfries who attended the Inaugural Meeting of the Royal Dumfries Volunteers, on 31st January, 1795. John Syme. John Harley. John Armstrong. Hugh M'Cornock, junior. Thomas Gordon. Thomas White. Robert Clugston. Andrew Smith. Rev. Dr Wm. Babington. David Williamson. James Mundell. John Aitken. Benjamin Bell. Henry Clint. James Stott. David Newall. Captain John Hamilton. John Hogg. Deacon Alexander Lookup. William Hyslop (2). William Johnston. John Ferguson. James Graham. William Richardson. Wellwood Maxwell. Convener Wm. Hayland. Deacon Robert Anderson. William Manderson. David Blount. William M'Cracken. John M'Cracken. Robert Burns. John Lawson, junior. William Hamilton, junior. List of those whose Names were added on 3rd February, 1795, to the above, and formed part of the Original Corps. John M'Murdo. Francis Shortt. Thomas Williamson. David Newall. Samuel Johnston. John W. Maxwell Edward Maxwell. John M'Vitie. Thomas Grierson. Note B. OFFER OF SERVICE AND CONDITIONS. At the meeting in the Court House, Dumfries, on 3rd February, 1795, at which Mr Staig presided, the Offer of Service and Rules and Regulations, passed unanimously, signed, and sent to the Lord-Lieutenant for the King's acceptance, are in the following terms : "Offer of Service by certain Loyal Inhabitants of the 2 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 firm resolution on every occasion to protect the lives and properties of ourselves and our fellow-subjects from every attempt of the ambitious and turbulent who threaten to overturn the laws of our country, and who, by anarchy, sedition, and bloodshed may endeavour to destroy the sacred bonds of society; and, as we are of opinion that the only way we can obtain a speedy and honourable peace is by the Government vigorously carrying on the present war, humbly submit the following proposals to His Majesty for the purpose of forming ourselves into a Volunteer Corps, in order to support the internal peace and good order of the town, as well as to give energy to the measures of Government, to wit ; "1. That we shall form ourselves into a Corps, consisting of two companies of infantry, not exceeding fifty men each, including commissioned and non-commissioned officers, to serve under the Lord-Lieutenant for the county of Dumfries, or his deputy for this district, during the present war, without pay, and find our own clothing. “2. That each person enrolling himself into the said Corps shall be approved of by the Lord-Lieutenant for the said county or his deputy, and shall take the oath of allegiance. "3. That each company shall have a Captain and two Subalterns and the whole commanded by a Major Commandant. "4. That the Officers shall have a temporary rank from the King. "5. That the Corps shall be allowed to choose their own officers, who are to be approved by the Lord-Lieutenant or his deputy. "6. That the Corps shall not be obliged to march more than five miles from the town of Dumfries. 66 66 7. That Government shall furnish arms, accoutrements, pipes and drums, and pay one fifer, one drummer, and one drill sergeant for each company, and the Corps shall return their arms and accoutrements when demanded. 8. That the members of the said Corps engage to serve as aforesaid only when within the burgh or neighbourhood of Dumfries, and called on in aid of a civil magistrate for the preventing or suppressing of riot, tumult or disorder. "9. That the Corps shall choose the Commissioned Officers as aforesaid by ballot; and the Non-Commissioned Officers shall be chosen in the same manner by their respective companies. "10. That the Corps shall turn out for the purpose of discipline as often as may appear necessary to the Commanding Officer; and shall, when drawn up under arms, observe the most profound silence, pay all due respect to their officers, and implicitly obey orders without reply. "11. That all persons wishing admission into this Corps shall make application to the Secretary, who shall mention such application before the Committees of Management, a majority of whom shall have power to admit; and upon any offence or impropriety of conduct committed by any of the members of this Association, and a complaint thereof made by any of the Committee, and a proof of such offence or impropriety brought, the said majority shall have it in their power to pass censure or even to expel from the Corps. "12. That the Corps request to be allowed to assume the name of 'The Royal Dumfries Volunteers'; and for their uniform to wear a blue coat half-lapelled with red cape and cuffs, and gilt buttons with the letters R.D.V. engraved on them; a plain white cassimere vest, with small gilt buttons; white trousers made of Russia tweeling, tied at the ankle; white stockings; a black velvet stock; hair to be worn short, or turned up behind; a round hat turned up on the left side with a gilt button, a cockade, and a black feather; their shoes to be tied with black ribbon ; and the only distinction between the officers and privates, in point of dress, is that the Major Commandant and two Captains are to wear two epaulets, and the other Commissioned Officers one." These proposals were sent to the Duke of Portland, then Home Secretary, who expressed his great pleasure with them, and said it would be more desirable that the gentlemen of the Corps should agree to accept a sum in lieu of arms and accoutrements than that they should be supplied by the Government. £1 12s 10d would be allowed for each firelock, and 3s 4d for each set of accoutrements. In this letter, which was read at a meeting in the Court House on 20th February, the Duke of Portland paid a great compliment to the Royal Dumfries Volunteers. "It is not customary," he said, "to allow daily pay in a Volunteer Corps, except to one sergeant per company, but as the Dumfries Volunteers have spiritedly stept forward with an offer of their services and agreed to serve without pay, daily pay will likewise be granted to one drummer and one fifer per company." The meeting accepted the sum allowed. "To fix on the shade and kind of blue cloath to be worn by the Volunteers," Colonel de Peyster, Messrs David Williamson, James Rae, Andrew Johnston, and Robert Grainger were appointed a committee; and directions were given to Messrs Williamson, Rae, and Johnston to purchase "what cloath, white cassimere, and white Russia tweel may be necessary for cloathing the Volunteers, who all promise to purchase their uniforms from one or other of these three gentlemen, and who are also ordered to purchase a sufficient number of hats at about 16s each." |