Act, 31 May 1692, Edinburgh

Act, 29 December 1692, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh Threttie one day of Maij Jaj vjc nyntie tuo years

A1692/5/1811

Act

Liberation Robert Rutherfoord

Anent the petitione given in to the Lords of there majestyes privie Councill be Robert Clerk Chirurgeon apothecarie and now prisoner in the tolbooth of Edinburgh Shewing That where being as apothecarie by Mr Pain then prisoner in the Castle of Edinburgh The petitioner wes upon the finding of a botle of aqua fortis and some other Corrosive drogges under his window made prisoner And being Examined Did with all Ingenuity Confess as he does now confess to there Lordships That he wes Induced in the maner he hes declared to procure and delyver the said Droges for Cutting off the Stanchells And helping him to make his escape which the petitioner does with all submissione acknowledge to have been a great transgressione But for any designe that he or any other might have hade to use these druges for poisoneing The petitioner does here solemnely protest befor God and there Lordships That he never heard any such thing or Entertained Such a thought And that he abhores and detests the very suspicione of it And sieing that the petitioner wes only ever taken in the said transgressione by his being Pain’s ordinary apothecary And the facility of the petitioners youth and other temptationes obvious enough in such a case without the Least designe againest the government And that the young Boy the petitioners prentice also prisoner on this Occasione, Did nothing but as the petitioners servant and by his directione And that the petitioner hes used all the Ingenuity in this matter And makes Intire submissione to there Lordships pleasure, And therefore Craveing that there Lordships would be pleased to ordaine the petitioner to be sett at Liberty And If there Lordships think fitt upon good and sufficient Cautione that he shall ansuer when called as Lykewayes that his said apprentice be sett at Libertie As the said petitione bears The Saids Lords of there Majestyes privie Councill Haveing Considered this petitione given in to them be the above Robert Clerk They Refuse the desyre thereof as to Robert Clerk And doe hereby give order and warrand to the magistrates of Edinburgh Bailzies of the Canongate and keeper of the tolbooth thereof to sett at Liberty Robert Rutherfoord apprentice to the said Robert Clerk furth of the said tolbooth where he is presently prisoner.

At Edinburgh 31 May 1692

A1692/5/1811

Act

Liberation for Robert Rutherford

Regarding the petition given in to the lords of their majesties’ privy council by Robert Clerk, surgeon apothecary and now prisoner in the tolbooth of Edinburgh, showing that where being apothecary by Mr [Henry Neville] Payne, then prisoner in the Castle of Edinburgh, the petitioner was, upon the finding of a bottle of nitric acid and some other corrosive chemicals under his window, imprisoned and being examined did with all honesty confess as he does now confess to their lordships that he was induced in the manner he has declared to procure and deliver the said chemicals for cutting off the bars and helping him to escape which the petitioner with all submission acknowledges to have been a great transgression, but regarding any plan he or any other might have had to use these chemicals for poisoning, the petitioner solemnly protested before God and their lordships that he never heard any such thing or entertained such a thought and that he abhors and detests the very suspicion of it, and seeing that the petitioner was only ever taken in the said transgression by his being Payne’s ordinary apothecary and the facility of the petitioner’s youth and other temptations obvious enough in such a case without the least design against the government and that the young boy, the petitioners apprentice, also a prisoner for this crime, did nothing but as the petitioner’s servant and by his direction and that the petitioner has used all the ingenuity in this matter and makes full submission to their lordships’ pleasure, and therefore craving that their lordships would be pleased to ordain the petitioner to be set at liberty, and if their lordships think fit upon good and sufficient caution that he shall answer when called, as likewise that his said apprentice be set at liberty, as the said petition bears. The said lords of their majesties’ privy council having considered this petition given in to them by the above Robert Clerk, they refuse the desire thereof as to Robert Clerk, and hereby give order and warrant to the magistrates of Edinburgh, bailies of the Canongate and keeper of the tolbooth thereof to set at liberty Robert Rutherford, apprentice to the said Robert Clerk, out of the said tolbooth where he is presently a prisoner.

1. PC1/48, 232-3.

1. PC1/48, 232-3.