Warrant, 31 December 1695, Edinburgh

Hollyruidhouse Tuesday 4th June 1695

D1695/6/5

D1695/6/5¹

Act

Act The Toune of Peetterhead

Anent a Petition given in to his majesties high Commissioner and Lords of privy Councill be the Baillies Toune Councill and other Inhabitants of the toune of Peetterhead Shewing That since the begining of the present War, The said Toune (In Respect of Its Cituatione and the aid and protectione affoorded by it and the petitioners to severall ships Chased by privateers) hath been very obnoxious and subject to the Furry and assaults of the French pirrats and the inhabitants almost every day in danger of Lossing their Lives and goods For which cause these Severall sumars past they have been necessitate for ther oune and others safties to keep most strict guards and watches every night, and to be at great expences in repairing their fortificationes and buying and furnishing power and Ball both for great and small shott all which has so Irritat and inraged these Crewell Tyrants against the petitioners That many of them have vowed to be avenged on the petitioners and particularly a Dunkirk privateer of thretie four guns who last sumar shott into the toune Twentie two great balls, Swore that when the petitioners fyred on him againe if the wind hade been ² favorable (as it wes not) he would doe his endeavour to sett the toune in a flame Which seing he Could not effectuat them he should doe it this sumar or some other time This is related by a Montross skiper who was the prisoner in the forsaid privateer, Wherthrow the petitioners are in very great straits being terrified with the threats of these unmercifull pirrats, and not able any longer to defray the Charges of furnishing ammunitione or to endure the fatigues of Keeping a nightly guard as they have hitherto done and they were yet Considering the Smallness of their number and their unskillfulnes in martiall affairs they are not able to resist the force of their enemies Ther being no place in the kingdome more subject and Lyable to the furry of pirrats then they nor any sea port more advantageous for the preservatione of ships when in danger then the said toune of Peetterhead would be if weell fortified severall good ships haveing been rescued by it from ther enemies of late, and particularly four English vessells bound from Virginia New England and other foraigne plantationes with rich Commodities who hade been inevitably taken and made prize if they hade not been sheltered and defended from ther pursuers by the fortificationes of the said toune and the resolutness of the petitioners And Therfore humbly Craveing the saids Lords would Seriously Consider the premisses and the great hazard and perrill the petitioners and others of his majesties Leidges and ther goods have been and may be in, And to give orders to that Company of foot in Collonell Robert Mckay his regiment Comanded by Captaine Alexander Waddall who knowes the Cituation of the Toune, and is acquainted with some of the Enemies assaults which were made dureing his aboad heir or any other Company of foot ther Lordships shall name, To quarter and keep Garisone in the said toune of Peetterhead this ensueing sumar and ay and whill the end of the present Warr, And in like maner to order and allow the petitioner such quantities of Powder and Ball out of his majesties magazines as ther Lordships should think fitt and as the security of the Toune and these who expect protectione and releeff from the petitioners when in distress does requyre That therby the petitioners and ther goods may be freed from the eminent and threatned dangers they may otherwayes be exposed unto as the petitione bears His Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of privy Councill Having Considered this petition given in to them be the above baillies and toune Councill of Peetterhead They heirby Recomend to Sir Thomas Livingstoune Comander in Cheiff of his majesties forces within this kingdome to send such a Company of his majesties foot as he shall think Fitt To quarter and keep Garison in the said toune of Peeterhead for what time of this sumar he shall Judge necessar And Recomends to the Lords Commissioners of his majesties thesaury to allow the petitioners such quantities of Powder and Ball out of his majesties Magizons as they shall find needfull.