Procedure: report, 19 May 1692, Edinburgh

Act, 29 December 1692, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the nynteinth day off Maij Jaj vjc and nyntie tuo years

A1692/5/1261

Procedure: report

Report and approbation of the Comittee anent Doctor Mcghie and Robert2 Clerk

The Comittee of Councill who were appointed to take tryall anent things found at the foot of the wall of the Castle of Edinburgh Reported to the Councill That there hes been found under the window of the Chamber where Henrie Nevil pain is closs prisoner three Large new fyles with a botle of aqua fortis and a great quantity of Sumblimat mercury all wrapt in ane course servite And that they haveing caused seize Doctor Mcghie and Robert Clerk chirurgeon who are Constantly Imployed for Mr Pain And haveing examined them They Confidently deny they know any thing in the matter And that they semed to have putt on aresolutione to deny any thing which should be asked at them And that they find the servite does belong to the Doctors mother And that she and her daughters being examined They make shifting ansuers And that by strong presumptions and partiall probatione It seems the servite hes but Lately come from the Doctors mothers house The Comittee have Committed the Doctor and the Chirurgeon Closs prisoners in the tolbooth of Edinburgh till farder tryall be taken in this matter And have Comitted the Doctors mother prisoner in the said tolbooth but not closs, And have Lykewayes Committed three prentices of the Chirurgeons to be prisoners in the Canongate tolbooth all in one roume The Councill approves of what the Comittee hes done in this effair And ordaines the persones Comited ordered untill the Councills further pleasure And till further tryall be made in this matter

At Edinburgh 19 May 1692

A1692/5/1261

Procedure: report

Report and approval of the committee concerning Doctor McGhie and Robert Clerk

The committee of council who were appointed to investigate the things found at the foot of the wall of the Castle of Edinburgh, reported to the council that there has been found under the window of the chamber where Henry Neville Payne is a close prisoner, three large new files with a bottle of nitric acid and a great quantity of mercury(II) chloride all wrapped in a course cloth, and that they having caused seize Doctor McGhie and Robert Clerk, surgeon, who are constantly employed for Mr Payne, and having examined them, they confidently deny they know any thing in the matter and that they seemed to have put on a resolution to deny anything which should be asked of them, and that they find the cloth belongs to the doctor’s mother and that she and her daughters being examined, they make shifting answers, and that by strong presumptions and partial proof it seems the cloth has only recently come from the doctor’s mother’s house. The committee have committed the doctor and the surgeon as close prisoners in the tolbooth of Edinburgh till further trial is taken in this matter, and have committed the doctor’s mother as a prisoner in the said tolbooth, but not close, and have similarly committed three apprentices of the surgeon as prisoners in the Canongate tolbooth all in one room. The council approves of what the committee has done in this affair and ordains the persons committed held until the council’s further pleasure, and till further trial is made in this matter.

0. PC1/48, 206-7.

1. PC1/48, 206-7.

2. This word inserted above the line.

0. PC1/48, 206-7.

1. PC1/48, 206-7.