Order, 2 June 1692, Edinburgh

Act, 29 December 1692, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Second day off Junij Jaj vjc and nyntie tuo years

A1692/6/111

Order

Order to process John Crighton and Liberat him upon baill

Anent the petition given in to the Lords of there majestyes privie Councill be John Crightoun Ensigne in the Castle of Edinburgh Shewing That the petitioner being about a moneth agoe putt in arreist as suspect accessory to ane designe of betrayeing the Castle into the Enemyes hands And the petitioner being Conscious to himself of his Innocencie did deall with the Earle of Leven his superior officer That he might be brought to ane tryall being confident that God Almighty who protects the Innocent That his Loyalty and honour (which he holds dearer then his Lyfe) Should be thereby vindicated And his Lordship being to represent the petitioners case to the saids Lords of there Majestyes mosst honourable privie Councill The petitioner Humbly beggs of there Lordships to consider his case and to putt him to a speedie tryall And craves pardone to represent to there Lordships That he takes God Almighty the searcher of hearts to witnes that he is altogether Innocent of any such designe of betraying the Castle or of any other designe whatsomever againest the present government or againest there majestyes King William and Queen Mary whom God Almightie preserve And the petitioners practice hitherto in all the stationes wherein he served both under the Late government and this present government is humbly represented to the saids Lords viz That after the petitioner hade served tuelve yeirs a serjeant in the said Castle Dureing which tyme he shewed all the kyndnes in his power to protestant prisoners whereof many were persones of quality who can testifie the same he did upon the proclamatione emitted be the Late Convention of Estates both desert the service himself Bringing out of the Castle his family with thretty nyne souldiers whereby he Lossed his wholl houshold plenishing and papers which were Imbaizled and destroyed dureing the siedge as wes proven befor the saids Lords And being therefter preferred to the place of a Leivetennent in the Earle of Levens regiment His Lordship can testifie how faithfully he served in that station Efter all which the petitioner hade this place of Ensigne in the Castle Conferred upon him wherein he hes to the outmost of his power behaved himself as a true protestant and Loyall subject and acted nothing contrarie to his duety And therefore humbly begging that there Lordships would order the petitioners speedie tryall As the said petitione bears The saids Lords of there majestyes privie Councill haveing Considered this petitione given in to them be the above John Crightoun They recomend to Sir William Lockhart there majestyes sollicitor to Informe himself what evidence and proofs may be hade againest the petitioner of his designe to surpryze the Castle of Edinburgh and raise a process against him betuixt and the tuenty fourth day of Junij instant If he can find probatione And in the mean tyme gives order and warrand to the Captain of the toun of Edinburghs company of guairds to remove the Centinells from the petitioner and take the restraint from off him and declares him free from his confynement and at Liberty to goe about his effairs He first Finding Cautione acted in the books of privie Councill that he shall Live peaceably and with all submission to the present government of there majesties King William and Queen Mary And that he shall not act Consult nor contryve any thing in prejudice thereof And that he shall not converse nor correspond with any of there saids majestyes rebells And that he shall appear befor the saids Lords when Called for under the penalty of Fiftie pounds sterling which Cautione the said John Crightoun did accordingly find

At Edinburgh 2 June 1692

A1692/6/111

Order

Order to process John Crichton and liberate him upon bail

Concerning the petition given in to the lords of their majesties’ privy council by John Crichton, ensign in the Castle of Edinburgh, showing that the petitioner being about a month ago put in arrest as suspect accessory to a design of betraying the castle into the enemy’s hands, and the petitioner being conscious to himself of his innocence did deal with the earl of Leven his superior officer that he might be brought to a trial, being confident that God almighty who protects the innocent that his loyalty and honour (which he holds dearer then his life) should be thereby vindicated, and his lordship being to represent the petitioner’s case to the said lords of their majesties’ most honourable privy council, the petitioner humbly begs of their lordships to consider his case and to put him to a speedy trial, and craves pardon to represent to their lordships that he takes God almighty the searcher of hearts to witness that he is altogether innocent of any such design of betraying the castle or of any other design whatsoever against the present government or against their majesties King William and Queen Mary, whom God almighty preserve, and the petitioner’s practice hitherto in all the stations wherein he served, both under the late government and this present government, is humbly represented to the said lords viz: That after the petitioner had served twelve years as a serjeant in the said castle during which time he showed all the kindness in his power to protestant prisoners, whereof many were persons of quality who can testify the same; he did upon the proclamation emitted be the late convention of estates both desert the service himself, bringing out of the castle his family with thirty-nine soldiers, whereby he lost his whole household contents and papers which were embezzled and destroyed during the siege, as was proved before the said lords; and being thereafter preferred to the place of a lieutenant in the earl of Leven’s regiment, his lordship can testify how faithfully he served in that station; after all which the petitioner had his place of ensign in the castle conferred upon him, wherein he has to the utmost of his power behaved himself as a true protestant and loyal subject and acted nothing contrary to his duty. And therefore humbly begging that their lordships would order the petitioner’s speedy trial as the said petition bears. The said lords of their majesties’ privy council, having considered this petition given in to them by the above John Crichton, they recommend to Sir William Lockhart their majesties’ solicitor to inform himself what evidence and proof may be had against the petitioner of his design to surprise the Castle of Edinburgh and raise a process against him between now and the twenty-fourth day of June instant, if he can find proof, and in the meantime they give order and warrant to the captain of the town of Edinburgh’s company of guards to remove the guards from the petitioner and take the restraint from him and they declare him free from his confinement and at liberty to go about his affairs, he first finding caution acted in the books of privy council that he shall live peaceably and with all submission to the present government of their majesties King William and Queen Mary, and that he shall not act, consult nor contrive anything in prejudice thereof and that he shall not converse or correspond with any of their said majesties’ rebels, and that he shall appear before the said lords when called for under the penalty of fifty pounds sterling, which caution the said John Crichton did accordingly find.

1. PC1/48, 240-41.

1. PC1/48, 240-41.