The chief interests in Dumfriesshire were those of the dukes of Queensberry, its hereditary sheriffs,and of the marquesses of Annandale. In 1715 Sir William Johnstone, a government supporter and a member of a junior branch of the Annandale family, was returned. He was succeeded in 1722 by Charles Areskine, on the joint Queensberry-Annandale interests.More Culloden Pprs. iii. 66-69. In 1734 Queensberry, who had gone into opposition, wrote ‘I have no doubt of carrying my point in the shire’, but Areskine succeeded in getting himself elected against the Duke’s candidate, who petitioned unsuccessfully.HMC Polwarth, v. 87; CJ, xxii. 373, 427. Queensberry regained control of the seat in 1741 and by 1747 was in sole control, the Annandale interest having lapsed through the insanity of the 3rd Marquess.
