As in Dumfriesshire, the chief interests in Dumfries Burghs were in the Douglases, dukes of Queensberry, and the Johnstones, marquesses of Annandale, who usually co-operated. In 1715, when the Duke was a minor, Alexander Fergusson was returned in succession to his uncle by marriage, Sir William Johnstone, of a junior branch of the Annandale family. From 1722 to 1734 the seat was filled by members of the Douglas family, with the support of Charles Areskine, who represented the shire on the joint Queensberry-Annandale interest. In 1732 Areskine was said to have ‘got into possession of some of the burghs, which he keeps for Mr. Douglas of Cavers, and thereby renders very acceptable service to the Duke of Queensberry’.1 But at the general election of 1734, when the Duke of Queensberry had gone into opposition, Areskine stood against the Duke’s candidates both in the Burghs and the shire. On 26 Apr. 1734 the Duke wrote:

I have no doubt of carrying my point in the shire but Mr. Areskine has improved my interest in the burghs (according to his phrase) so much that I have almost lost sight of it. However, I think, I have now a pretty fair chance. Basil Hamilton has Kirkcudbright in to a man and Sanquhar has also declared for us. I have reason to hope Annan will join us though they have not yet been quite explicit. As for Dumfries I do not know what to think of them. I have been drinking among them but could obtain no direct promise from them ... we depend upon one man who ... is under obligations to me and thinks himself under some to Mr. Areskine. Which will weigh most with him I cannot guess.2

Three weeks later Areskine was successful over Hamilton, who could not win a third burgh. Opting to sit for the shire, he was able to bring in William Kirkpatrick, his future son-in-law, whom he replaced by another son-in-law, Sir Robert Laurie, at a by-election in 1738. He lost his interest in 1741, when the seat was filled unopposed by Lord John Johnstone, the 3rd Marquess of Annandale’s brother. On Lord John’s death in 1742 he was succeeded by his uncle, Sir James Johnstone, who retained the seat on the Annandale interest without opposition till 1754.