Proclamation, 1 February 1694, Edinburgh

Act, 27 December 1694, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the first day of February Jaj vic nyntie four years

A1694/2/41

Proclamation

proclamatione For Apprehending Fergus Templetoune

The Follouing proclamatione Being redd was approven and signed and appoynted to be recorded wherof the tenor folloues
William and Mary By the Grace of God King and Queen of great Brittaine France and Ireland defenders of the faith To […] Macers of our privie Councell messengers at armes our shirreffs in that part Conjunctlly and severally specially Constitut Greeting Forasmuchas we are well Informed of a Cruell murder Committed by Fergus Templetoune a Litle black curlie headed man souldier in Captaine Home his Company in the Lord Strathnaver his regiment upon James Dunlop in Kirkland uithin his oune house or barne wher he was Living peacably The murderer pretending that he was searching for deserters which Fergus Templetoune being apprehended and Committed prisoner in the guairds of Paslay did make his escape And we being desyrous that the Committers of so heynous a murder should be brought to Condigne punishment Therfore ue uith advyce of the Lords of our privy Councell Doe heirby Requyre and Command all our Magistrats officers souldiers and uthers our Leidges to doe their outmost Indeavour and dilligence to2 to apprehend the said Fergus Templetoune and delyver him prisoner to the magistrats of any of our Burghs To be by them keeped in safe custody untill he be brought to tryall and suffer condigne punishment for the said Cryme And ue out of our detestatione to such a horride Cryme and to the effect the same may not goe unpunished and for Encouradging persones to search for and apprehend the Murderer Doe Heirby make offer of the soume of Fyve hundreth merks to any persone or persones who shall apprehend the said Fergus Templetoune And delyver him prisoner to the Magistrats of any of our burghs which we Heirby promise shall be faithfully payed as a reuard to the said persone or persones for their apprehending of the said murderer Indemnifying heirby all persones from all hazard of slaughter mutilatione or any other Acts of violence which they may Committ against the said Fergus Templetoune uith any other persones uith him in apprehending the said murderer And ue uith advyce forsaid perremptarly Inhibite and discharge all and every our Leidges whatsomever to shelter harbour Conceall or any wayes assist or supplie the said Fergus Templetoune upon their highest perrill Our uill is Hierfore And ue Charge yow strictly and Command That Incontinent these our Letters seen ye pass to the mercat Cross of Edinburgh and mercat Crosses of the whole remanent head burghs in this kingdome and others needfull And ther in our name and authority make publicatione of the premisses That none may pretend Ignorance And ordains these presents to be printed Given under our signet att Edinburgh the first day of February and of our reigne the fifth year 1694 sic subscribitur Tueeddall cancell Southerland Linlithgow Leven Annandalle Forfar Kintoir Raith Ross Beilhaven Polluarth William Master of Forbess John Lauder W Anstruther Robert Sinclair Thomas Livingstoune

At Edinburgh 1 February 1694

A1694/2/41

Proclamation

Proclamation for apprehending Fergus Templeton

The following proclamation being read was approved and signed and appointed to be recorded, whereof the tenor follows:
William and Mary, by the grace of God king and queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defenders of the faith, to […] macers of our privy council, messengers at arms, our sheriffs in that part conjunctly and severally specially constituted, greeting. Forasmuch as we are well informed of a cruel murder committed by Fergus Templeton, a little black curly-headed man soldier in Captain Home his company in the Lord Strathnaver his regiment, upon James Dunlop in Kirkland within his own house or barn where he was living peaceably, the murderer pretending that he was searching for deserters, which Fergus Templeton being apprehended and committed prisoner in the guards of Paisley, did make his escape. And we being desirous that the committers of so heinous a murder should be brought to condign punishment, therefore we with advice of the lords of our privy council do hereby require and command all our magistrates, officers, soldiers, and others our lieges to do their utmost endeavour and diligence to apprehend the said Fergus Templeton and deliver him prisoner to the magistrates of any of our burghs, to be by them kept in safe custody until he be brought to trial and suffer condign punishment for the said crime. And we out of our detestation to such a horrid crime, and to the effect the same may not go unpunished, and for encouraging persons to search for and apprehend the murderer, do hereby make offer of the sum of five hundred merks to any person or persons who shall apprehend the said Fergus Templeton and deliver him prisoner to the magistrates of any of our burghs, which we hereby promise shall be faithfully paid as a reward to the said person or persons for their apprehending of the said murderer, indemnifying hereby all persons from all hazard of slaughter, mutilation, or any other acts of violence which they may commit against the said Fergus Templeton with any other persons with him in apprehending the said murderer. And we with advice foresaid peremptorily inhibit and discharge all and every our lieges whatsoever to shelter, harbour, conceal, or any way assist or supply the said Fergus Templeton upon their highest peril. Our will is therefore and we charge you strictly and command that immediately these our letters [are] seen you pass to the mercat cross of Edinburgh and mercat crosses of the whole remanent head burghs in this kingdom and others needful, and there in our name and authority make publication of the premisses that none may pretend ignorance, and ordain these present to be printed. Given under our signet at Edinburgh 5 February and of our reign the fifth year 1694. Sic subscribitur Tweeddale chancellor; Sutherland; Linlithgow; Leven; Annandale; Forfar; Kintore; Raith; Ross; Belhaven; Polwarth; William, master of Forbes; John Lauder; William Anstruther; Robert Sinclair; Thomas Livingstone.

1. NRS, PC1/49, 241-2.

2. The phrase ‘doe their outmost’ scored out here.

1. NRS, PC1/49, 241-2.