Gratitude was not then a common virtue among public men.  Claverhouse had done for his colleagues all that he had promised.  The recollection of their debt to him, and the unlikelihood of their being able to increase it, did not serve to endear to them this successful soldier of fortune, who had indeed helped them to their ambition, but who had thereby shown a dangerous capacity for helping himself.  At the head of these malcontents was, of course, Queensberry, though, as the King had shown himself determined not to lose the services of his brilliant captain, it was necessary for the Treasurer to give his jealousy a guarded form.  He complained to Dumbarton (then commanding the forces in Scotland) that Claverhouse had misused some of his tenants, though in what manner is not clear.  There is a letter from Claverhouse expressing in respectful terms his regret at Queensberry’s annoyance, which he declares to have been founded on misapprehension of the facts.

“I am convinced (he writes) your Grace is ill-informed; for, after you have read what I wrote to you two days ago on that subject, I daresay I may refer myself to your own censure.  That I had no desire to make great search there, anybody may judge.  I came not from Ayr till after eleven in the forenoon, and went to Balagen with forty heritors again night.  The Sanquhar is just in the road; and I used these men I met accidentally on the road better than ever I used any in these circumstances.  And I may safely say that, as I shall answer to God, if they had been living on my ground I could not have forborne drawing my sword and knocking them down.  However, I am glad I have received my Lord Dumbarton’s orders anent your Grace’s tenants, which I shall most punctually obey; though, I may say, they were safe as any in Scotland before."[69]

The previous letter here referred to has been lost; but it is probable that the complaint originated in Claverhouse’s summons to these heritors, or small proprietors, to take arms in the King’s service, as they were bound to do.  Men will mostly follow their master’s lead.  The Treasurer’s tenants knew well, we may be sure, how little love their master bore for the imperious soldier, and were no doubt somewhat saucy in their remonstrances; and sauciness Claverhouse would not brook from any man alive, whatever his quality.

But Queensberry and his crew had to nurse their grudge in secret.  Much as the knowledge may have chafed them, they knew well that Claverhouse was the one man on whom they could depend for wise counsel and prompt action in emergency.  A few weeks before this matter of the tenants he had received an urgent despatch from Edinburgh, signed by “his affectionate friends and servants” of the Council, authorising him to take what steps he thought best for disposing the troops.  Argyle was on the sea, and the Campbells were mustering fast to their chief’s call.  Measures had already been taken in the northern shires.