Act, 26 March 1696 (pm), Edinburgh

Procedure: petition, 31 December 1696, Edinburgh

[26 March 1696] Eodem die postmeridiem

A1696/3/1711

Act

Liberatione James Lithgow

Anent the petitione given in to the Lords of his Majesties privie Councill by James Lithgow merchant in Edinburgh Shewing That being at the randivouze at the militia at Leith, and finding John Hamilton his servant with the petitioner’s cloaths on his back, William Mccrie and Andrew Philip his other servants and who were all under Indentours and had deserted his service and taken on as militiamen The petitioner was transported with passione and wished them to be exposed to the greatest dangers and so far as he remembers he did express rashly wished them to be carried to Flanders which some bystander not knoweing the offence given to the said petitioner or his interest in these men applyed the Expressione to the whole militia and so informed the Earle of Lauderdale who thereupon justly Caused incarcerat the petitioner whereas he was readdie to depone before the said Lords that he never had any injurious or discouradgeing thought in relatione to the militia or his Majesties interest but only against his owne apprentices who had deserted his service And therfore Humbly Craveing the said Lords to take noe offence at his rash expressione wherein he had noe evill designe and to Liberat him from prisone as the said petitione at lenth bears The Lords of his majesties privie Councill Haveing considered the foresaid petitione given in to them by the said James Lithgow They Hereby give ordor and warrant to the magistrats of Edinburgh and keeper of ther Tolbooth to set at Libertie furth thereof the said James Lithgow presently prisoner therein, for which this shall be a sufficient warrant.

[26 March 1696] Eodem die postmeridiem

A1696/3/1711

Act

Liberatione James Lithgow

Anent the petitione given in to the Lords of his Majesties privie Councill by James Lithgow merchant in Edinburgh Shewing That being at the randivouze at the militia at Leith, and finding John Hamilton his servant with the petitioner’s cloaths on his back, William Mccrie and Andrew Philip his other servants and who were all under Indentours and had deserted his service and taken on as militiamen The petitioner was transported with passione and wished them to be exposed to the greatest dangers and so far as he remembers he did express rashly wished them to be carried to Flanders which some bystander not knoweing the offence given to the said petitioner or his interest in these men applyed the Expressione to the whole militia and so informed the Earle of Lauderdale who thereupon justly Caused incarcerat the petitioner whereas he was readdie to depone before the said Lords that he never had any injurious or discouradgeing thought in relatione to the militia or his Majesties interest but only against his owne apprentices who had deserted his service And therfore Humbly Craveing the said Lords to take noe offence at his rash expressione wherein he had noe evill designe and to Liberat him from prisone as the said petitione at lenth bears The Lords of his majesties privie Councill Haveing considered the foresaid petitione given in to them by the said James Lithgow They Hereby give ordor and warrant to the magistrats of Edinburgh and keeper of ther Tolbooth to set at Libertie furth thereof the said James Lithgow presently prisoner therein, for which this shall be a sufficient warrant.

1. NRS, PC1/50, 434-5.

1. NRS, PC1/50, 434-5.