Act, 6 October 1697, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh Eadem die post meridiem

A1697/8/20

A1697/8/20¹

Act

Act Menzies, Steuart and Grant advocats

Anent the Memoriall Given in to the Lords of his Majesties privie Councill By Mr John Menzies Mr James Steuart and Mr Frances Grant advocats Mentioning That In march Last their Lordships Having thought fitt that tryall should be made on severall persons in the shire of Renfrew etc alleadged guiltie of witchcraft And in order therto Having Granted Commission to severall noblemen and Gentlemen The saids Lords were pleased to nominat and appoint the saids Mr John Menzies Mr James Steuart and Mr Frances Grant to raise and prosecute the Indytments in their names for his Majesties Intrest In Complyance theruith And that the same might be exactly done they uent to the uest and stayed thier severall dayes taking tryall Anent the true matters of fact Forming the Lybells and Giving all necessary Directions In relation to the tryall And then Having returned Because the Indytments were ordered to be Given upon fifteen dayes They were of new obleidged against the said day of Compearance to Goe to that Countrey wher the Court satt for severall dayes And during all which space they were Imployed in the precognitione Which from what folloued appears to have had good effect The Commissioners did also then think fitt to adjurn the dyet till may which obleidged the Advocats againe to attend for severall dayes The tryall being both prolixt and perplext And which tyrall being manadged both uith prudence and discretion Conform to the knouen Laues and practice of the nation And wherupon severall persons guiltie uere Condemned and have Justly suffered sensyne And therfore Humbly desyring that these Advocats who were all the whyle upon their oun Charges and Imployed so much of their tyme in serving the Government at such ane extraordinary exigent may be recommended to the Lords of the Thesaurie for a suitable reuard and punctuall payment for the Incouradgment of others to Ingadge in the Lyke Imployment hereafter as the said memoriall bears The saids Lords of his Majesties privy Councill Having Considered this memoriall given in to them by Mr John Menzies Mr James Steuart and Mr Frances Grant advocats They heirby Recommend to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesties Thesaury to Cause make payment to the saids petitioners Imployed for attending the tryall of the witches in the uest Countrey And who have attended the same at Command of the privy Councill to each of the three Advocats of the soume of Tuenty five pounds sterling per piece And to Cause make payment to the saids Advocats their servants of the soume of Ten pounds sterling amongst them.