Procedure: petition, 31 December 1696, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Fourteenth day of Jullie J^aj vj^c nyntie Six years

A1696/7/25

A1696/7/25¹

Decreet

Certification The Lord Advocat Against Mr Meldrum

Anent the Lybell or Letters of Complaint raised and pursued before the Lords of his Majesties privie Councill at the instance of Sir James Steuart his Majesties advocat for his highnes Intrest in the mater underwryten Mentioning That wher by the Laus and acts of parliament all Ministers in kirks and meeting houses ought to observe the publick Fasts and Thanksgivings appointed by his Majesties authority under the pains contained in the saids acts As also by the same Acts all persons are prohibite to marrie and baptize pairties clandestinely and Irregularly And Lastly that none oune or acknouledge the Late King James in any sort Nevertheless It is of veritie that Mr Alexander Meldrum now Keeping a Meeting house att Kilmadock Hath not observed or Keeped the publick fasts and Thanksgivings appointed by his Majesties government And Farder He having been a Minister presumes to baptize and marry parties Irregularly and Clandestinely As for Instance of ane for many About ane year agoe He did marry Clandestinely and unlaufullie one Robert Harvie uith […] Winzet in Frew And Lately in ane or other of the dayes of May Last James Elder in Comisburne with […] As Lykeuays some months agoe He did marry […] Grhame with […] Ramsay in the open fields near to the Bridge of Doun As also He hath baptized privatly and Irregularly many children And to Instance one of many about a month agoe He baptized a Chyld of William Munteiths smith in Doun and did also baptize a Chyld to Androw Smith in Doun and another to John Thomsone in Doun Lykeas upon one or other of the days of the months of the years J^aj vj^c nyntie four and J^aj vj^c nyntie five or J^aj vj^c nyntie six years att a publick uedding table he presumed to Drink the health of the Late King James And this notuithstanding that he hath taken the oath of alleadgance and assurance to his Majestie King William off all which Crims and disorders He being guiltie airt and pairt ought and should be punished by banishment or otheruise in his persone and Goods To the Example and terror of others to Committ the Lyke in tyme coming And anent the charge Given to the said Defender To have Compeared personallie before the saids Lords of his Majesties privie Councill at ane Certain day bypast To have ansuered to the Grounds of the aboveuryten Complaint and to have heard and seen such order and Course taken theruith as the saids Lords of his Majesties privie Councill should think fitt under the paine of rebellion and putting of him to the horne with Certification etc as the said principall Lybell uith the executions therof more fullie proports Uhich Lybell Being this day Called in presence of the saids Lords of his majesties privie Councell And His Majesties Advocat Compearing personallie for his highnes Intrest And the said Mr Alexander Meldrum Being Laufullie Cited ofttymes Called and not Compearing The saids Lords Doe heirby Grant Certification against the said Mr Alexander Meldrum In respect of his absence and not Compearance And ordaines Letters of Denunciation to be direct to macers or messingers at arms To pass to the mercat Croce of […] and other places needfull And ther in his majesties name and authority Duely Laufullie and orderly denunce the said Mr Alexander Meldrum his Majesties Rebell and putt him to his Highnes horne Escheat and Inbring all his moveable goods and Gear to his majesties use for his Contempt and disobedience