Att Edinburgh The Third day of Apryle Jaj vjc nyntie six years
A1696/4/12
A1696/4/121
Act
Act for open prisone to Captaine Bruce
Anent the petitione given in to the Lords of his Majesties privie Councell By Captain Alexander Bruce Sheuing That wheras the petitioner Having been detained in Long and closs Imprisonment for the space of four weeks which is a very hard tryall to one who hath no fortune in the wordle wherupon to Live But even when at Liberty Did subsist by the bounty and kyndnes of his freinds and relations wherof he is now depryved And he appealls to the whole wordle that thir severall years bypast He hath Lived quietly and peacably in the shire of Fife amongst his freinds uithout medling uith or giving any disturbance or offence to the government And Having only Come to Edinburgh about five weeks agoe about a particular affair uith designe Immediatly to returne if the samen had not been obstructed by Imprisonment And Having Likewise Contracted sicknes which may prove mortall by Long Continowance in prisone which if need beis can be attested And therfore Humblie Craving their Lordships uould seriously Consider the petitioners singular Circumstances with pity and Commiseratione And aither to ordaine present Liberatione out of prisone or else to allow the petitioner ane aliment during the Imprisonment since by being keeped up so closs He is depryved of all means of subsistance as the said petition bears The saids Lords of his Majesties privie Councell Having Considered this petitione given in to them by the said Captain Alexander Bruce They doe Heirby Give order and warrand to the Magistrats of Edinburgh and Keeper of their tolbooth To allow the petitioner the benefite of open prisone The saids Magistrats and Keeper Being alwayes answerable for his safe Custody
1. NRS, PC1/50, 450.
1. NRS, PC1/50, 450.