Act, 27 December 1694, Edinburgh

Edinburgh the Fifth Aprill J^aj vj^c nyntie four years

D1694/4/6

D1694/4/6¹

Order

Recomendation James Macbrea

Anent a Petition given in to the Lords of their Majesties privy Councill be James Mc²brea³ prisoner aboard the Elizabeth ⁴ of Borowstouness Robert Steidman master Shewing That quher the petitioner was seized upon at Drumlanrig to be ane Souldier in the present Levie upon his being presented at first the petitioner was dismist because of the petitioners profession of being one of the people Called Quakers But afterwards on a Suspitione that the petitioner was not one really but Desembled the petitioner was retaken and now pressed and put aboard, as to which the petitioner shall only say that he is not to debate his principalls but it is the knowen principle of the people now he Joyns with that they nether will nor can in Conscience fight with any of mankind, And that the petitioner is really of the forsaid profession is nottour and he is Content that it be tryed by any method possible And Therfore since the petitioners principalls and Conscience doe invincibly obstruct the petitioner that he cannot serve as a souldier But if sent away must be only useless and miserable he hoped the saids Lords would not refuse him the indulgance and Compassion given and allowed to the petitioners in England wher it is knowen that both as to swearing and Fighting they are exempted and it need not be apprehended that this may be a bad example for ther are but few of this mind in Scotland And if ⁵ ther⁶ were more it would be telling the world, And that even all mankind were of it since then warr and Fighting should be at ane end, But the only thing the petitioner conceaves to be adverted to is that no man make a pretence of this professione who is not reall, If this be prevented ther can be no ill Consequence in any favor the petitioner Craves But the saids Lords would shew themselves to be tender of what is Judged to Conscience and also Compassionat of a poor mans misery that cannot Otherwayes be helped And Therfore Humbly Craveing the saids Lords for Gods Saik whose Image he darr not offer to destroy and for Jesus Christs Saike whom he desyre sinceirly to Imitat That yee will hacken to this his request and order the petitioner to be set at Libertie And so the petitioner shall ever pray that the Lord might help yow in all your distresses as the petition bears The Lords of their Majesties privy Councill Haveing Considered this petition given in to them be the above James Mcbrea They heirby Recomend to the Lord high Chancelor to Speak or wryt to the duke of Queensberry for setting free the petitioner He furnishing another suficient man in his place, or what else the said Lord Chancelor shall think fitt to speak or wryte to the said Duke anent the petitioners releiff.
This was never Signed by my Lord Chancelor, In Respect it is a Recomendation to himself.