reflections On two late Letters concerning the Affairs of the City of Glasgow: By a Citizen thereof, In ANSWER to his Friend at Edinburgh, who desired an Impartial Account of that Matter.  
SIR,  
YOU writ, that you discommend, on the one Hand, the condescension in subjecting the Towns accounts to private Men: tho indeed it is the clearest evidence that the Magistracy thought the same Prooff against the nicest cavil: And on the other Hand, you tell me how it's obvious enough to yourself; that the Author who pretends to Animadvert on them, shifts the chief matter, and seems glad of the opportunity of diverting to the writing a satire against Dovehill; At the reading whereof you were quiter amazed, considering not only that Gentlemans Character amongst good Men in the Nation, but likewise, that in your converse here, you never found even those who would have the Government go in another channel then it has been since the Revolution, traduce him in such manner.  
You say, That for retriveing your Thoughts, you took a second survey of that Letter, and then soon perceived that it proved its self to be a very despicable Paper, which no man of Sense could credite: seing it hath manifold inconsistencies in its own bosom. Yet for your clearance in some matters of Fact, you asked Dovehill himself: but he, in a very generous and Christian temper, having  told that he would detract from none, but leave his Integrity to be vindicat by the success, which Truth obtains over Calumny, in Providence: Only, he was sure that the body of the Inhabitants of Glasgow knew the contrary of these Aspersions: and that he no ways charged them even on the Gentlemen who would have a change made of the Administrators: whence, you are necessitate to inquire at me the true state of the Case.  
In answer whereunto, you cannot expect that I should follow the confuse●… Ramble of that Letter; which would make mine too long. Nor are you to think that it contains the Sentiments of the City: for I assure you, the Writers assuming their Name, for gaining some countenance to his Imposture, is a mere Forgery. Neither are you to be amused with the Author's Cenfidence in what he vouches: for( besides what you have observed of his contradicting himself, and the many Falshoods of which I shall convict him hereafter) he is a Deist, if the person suspected be not mistaken; and consequently of that Gang whose Testimony against a Christian is no more to be received then that of the Devil; the inveterat enemy of all good men and goodness.  
This last leads me to point unto you the probable source of the desperate malice which is conspicuous in every Paragraph of this Letter. For you know that the Inhabitants of Glasgow, being left to a free Pole at the happy Revolution, while Dovehill was out of the Kingdom, yet such was his reputation both of sufficiency and integrity, that, tho he was thus absent, the Pole elected him unanimously Commissioner to the Convention of the Estates: and, thereafter the Town Council chosen by the Pole, did likewise, when he was absent, elect him to be Provost.  
According to expectation, tho he found the Towns Affairs in a desponden●… State, yet his conduct and diligence, in conjunction with others in the Government, have in good measure retrieved them: By procuring the Royal Gift for their free Election: by paying so great Sums of their Debts: by obtaining the Grant of Two Pennies in the Pint: by indefatigable Pains about setting their Business in order; particularly by keeping a Book of Charge and Discharge, extracted from the authentic Thesaurers accounts and Acts of Council of every Provost's time and mannadgement, and stating the balance each two year, which made them know whether they were Sinking or swimming, the want whereof was one great occasion of the Confusion before, &c. besides particular Services for the profit of the Inhabitants.  
As a further evidence, and that after trial, of the Cities consciousness of Dovehill's merit, the Council elected by the Pole, alleging former Precedents, and that they had no set to the contrary, pressed him to continue, by a Re-election, after the two first years of his being Provost: but he would not suffer himself so much as to be put in the Leet; whereupon Provost Peadie( a most deserving person) was prevailed with, tho struggling much against it,( for it can be no satisfaction and pleasure for any to engage himself in a place where he must constantly wrestle with a burden of Debts and other heavy Impositions) to accept: and after his two years were elapsed, he likewise declining to continue longer, Dovehill was urged to succeed. But Dovehill of new gave his Reasons for refusing, and when he could not prevail, he withdrew from the Council and went Home, protesting that he would not accept tho he were name; whereupon Provost Naper was chosen, a person of great Integrity and Ingenuity, who continued other two years: so that these four years interveend before Dovehill's last accession to the place. In all which it's to be observed, that the Council all this time is so far from being Dovehill's set,( as the Letter impudently calls them) that they are the same persons who were chosen by the Pole, for the Letter itself does not allege that there are any more changed then five, and as I have heard Dovehill commend these as very honest men, so of these five, there are but two of them which were elected by the Pole.  
You may see already from the quality of the Author of this defamatory Libel; from the thing itself, which is the best prooff; and from the sense of the Community, that Dovehill is unjustly arraigned. But in the fourth place, I shall now proceed to condescend on some of many particulars, wherein the Writer of the Letter makes down-right lies, or publishes to the World notorious Inconsistencies: whence you may conjecture how he is to be believed as to the rest, viz.  
1. ' He asserts that Dovehill keeps the Charter such a secret, as that to this Hour it has not been so much as entered in the Town-Records. Whereas it is verbatim insert therein, upon the 11th of August 1690: And the public Act of Parliament, ratifying and containing the tenor of it, which goes in Print through the Nation, makes it an odd kind of secret with a witness.  
2. In several places of this Libel, he avers that there is a set of the Burgh, for making men believe that plain Rules are contraveened. Whereas there never was, nor is any such set, as to the Election of magistrates, but the same is regulate merely by the Custom of the Burgh, which has been precisely observed ever since the Revolution by these persons who were elected by the whole Inhabitants in their Pole above-narrated.  
3. He affirms that the Town was Stented for the Money payed in to the african Company: being probably difficulted to find plausible Names for Stents, whereas this is a down-right untruth: For that Money was borrowed comform to the power allowed by the Act of Parliament, & lies yet as Debt upon the Town.  
4. He says p. 8. That Dove-hill wrote a Letter to Provost Peadie, declaring his being obnoxious to several eminent Persons, and that the Town had received prejudice on his account, &c. of design that another whom he might load, might be sent Commissioner to the Burrows 1699. Whereas there could not be a grosser misrepresentation: And it's so far against Sense, that the very telling of it does confute it.  
It's true indeed, Dove-hill did writ a Letter desiring not to be chosen, because he had been so long from home, attending his management at Edinburgh, in May and June: But it is strange how it could enter in the Writers Head to Forge such a Narrative, as may bring in Dove-hill acknowledging his own guilt: And forsooth it must be added that he traduced others, whom notwithstanding, he acknowledges to have done all that was possible for them to award the Towns further burden.  
5. The libeler pretends that there is 126700 lib. most disingenuously suppressed, or at least omitted, in Dove-hills Printed account; whereas all that is true in this List is fairly stated and counted for in the Books, and is virtually included in the Printed Account. But the alledgance is a plausible delusion.  
For clearing whereof, it is to be considered in the first place, that there is only Printed the several balances Extracted out of the foresaid Book of Charge and Discharge: But the particular Accounts of which, these balances are made up, comform to the several Acts of Council, and Thesauries Accounts warranting the same, are not mentioned in the Print: As indeed that would have made it Volumnious, the balances of every two years counts made up of these particulars being on●● Printed, as said is. And in the next place, as to particulars themselves; The first Article stated by him at 36700 lib. or thereby, if he means the Burrow-missive-dues, these extend only to 13200 lib. And as to deficiencies, notwithstanding all that has been laid on for making up other former deficient Stents, it has been, and can still be made appear, that the Town of Glasgow has lost above 500 lib. sterling, by what they have payed out for Cess and Missive deuce, more than they have got in by those Stents. As to the second, of 16000 lib. gained by the Excise, the same, with all the other Articles, are fairly counted for, and are a part of the 30000 lib. of Debt payed the first two years of Dove-hills management, it being well known that the Towns Revenue cannot pay a six pence of Debt, being insufficient to pay the Towns Annualrents; whence it tannot spare any thing even to support the Government. But as to the fourth Article of 6000 lib. on account of a Tack of Excise from Mr. John Cochran, it extends only to 3626 lib. Out of which was payed to the said Mr. John, as owing to him 2600 lib. So that there was only got of free Money 1026 lib. as the account Folio 32 does instruct; and the Revisers cannot but aclowledge that both this, and all the other true Articles are fairly counted for, and if they should refuse it,( as I 'm sure they will not) the counts themselves will make it appear, and if need be may be seen to any who desire it.  
Neither ought it to be objected that Dove-hill was Provost and Book-keeper. For, as the keeping a regular Book is a great service in the Towns business, that they may to purpose know the increase and decrease of their Debts, and can be only done by a person of judgement, and known in Business: So this is no more than a Copy, for orders sake, being founded upon the several Acts of Council, and several Thesaurers accounts cleared from time to time by the Town Council, to which the same relates, and which consequently Dove-hill could neither eik nor pare in one Article, nor change from one Provosts time to another.  
6. The Letter quiter misrepresents the state of the Revising of the Books.  
For, when Dove-hill was present; the Town Council having appointed the two Houses of Merchants and Trades to choice six of each to Revise the Books, and Report( tho there was never a former Precedent of such a condescension) all the Books, also well the general Records of the Town, and the Town Thesaurer's Books, and the particular Accounts to which these relate, as well as those Books keep●d by Dove-hill, were fairly exposed to their censure. Neither were any Records which they required keeped back, as all the Revisers must aclowledge. And after their first Meeting, they Adjourned themselves from time to time, and sat also long at each time as they thought fit; and made what remarks they pleased, being no ways stinted in any manner whatsomever. After conclusion whereof, it being desired that their remarks might ●… e exposed; one of the Revisers, who took observes, and having red all ●… he Articles, most narrowly inspected every one of them, answered, that he ●… nd the rest should meet amongst themselves; and having conserted their ob●… erves, make report to the two Houses. But to this hour they could never ●… e prevailed with to do it. The plain Reason whereof does thence appear to ●… e, that they found, contrary perhaps to their expectation, that all had been ●… aithfully managed:( as severals of them, of good note, have acknowledged ●… n all occasions, since that Inspection) and that if they had made a report, either in Writ, or viva voice, they could have quarreled nothing, but what ●… ight have been instantly removed, and the Article instructed. And those ●… ho obstruct it, can no ways justify themselves in their not making a report ●… the Houses, if not in Writ, yet by Word; for they are expressly obliged ●… it by their Commission from the Houses.  
7 The letter alleges, that Dove-hill made the payment of Debt to be during ●… his being Provost, particularly 1100 lib. whereas it was during the time of ' another. But this is not only false, but likewise impossible in Fact; for every Provost, having Thesaurers in his time, whose Accounts are cleared in face of magistrates and Town Council, their Accounts could not be altered from one Provost's time to another. And what Dove-hill affirms, is contained in Thesaurers Peter's, Buchannan, Muirhead, and Dickies Accounts, who were all Thesaurers during the time of his being provost. And the alledgance anent the 1100 lib. is utterly calumnious, as appears by the Books.  
But this derogats nothing from Provost Pead●e, or Provost Napier: For I know that Dove-hill is more ready than the Writer, to vindicate their integrity, and other good Services to the Town, as having better experience thereof. It having only so happened from circumstances, that this Debt was payed in Dove-hills time; whom I have heard solemnly offer, that if the Writer, or any other, could make appear, that ever he intrometted with a Six pence of the Towns Money, not counted for, he shall make every Penny a Pound Sterling.  
8. The Print proceeds to tell Non-sense; that Dove-hill does over-burburden the Town with Stents: Whereas, in the first place, this is impossible, it not being in his power, he having but a Vote, when he is Provost; and that only when it comes to it: which it never did in the matter of Stents. And, in the next place, I have heard Dove hill regrate more than any, that there should be so many Burdens on the Town, whereof the Magistracy, and particularly Dove-hill himself bear their full share.  
However, it is certain that whatever is imposed, is fairly and legally done by the magistrates and Town Council, remitting the same to Sworn Stent-masters, with instructions; who subdivide the same: And that also sparing as the necessities of their Affairs can possibly allow.  
9. The libeler draws in over-head, mention of mayor Menzies, that he might have occasion to allege, the mayor might have been taken alive. But as the Article of this expense was long since payed, and could not be contained in the Printed State, which contains only the la●ge balances: So it is an impudent Arraigning, not only the Town, but likewise the Assize and Justice-Court, who assoilzied Dove-hill and the rest: And it is certain that he was at a considerable distance by the door of the Garden, when that misfortune necessarily fell out; as appears by the extant Probation thereof.  
10. He charges Dovehill with singular Practices in relation to Elections, which are utterly falsc, or disguised, as appears by the Particulars following: The Town-Council then being meet to elect their magistrates, the first Tuesda●… after Michaelmass, to wit, their Provost and three bailies only; upon the Friday thereafter, the magistrates newly elected, with the magistrates of the two preceding years, making up in all Twelve,( and if any be dead or absent one is chosen of the Town-Council of the same quality to make the foresaid number of Twelve,) meet and do choose their new Council for the year following. There is in effect no Council or Counsellors, except the new elected magistrates, betwixt the Tuesday and the Friday, that a new Council for the ensuing Year is elected by the foresaid Twelve Electors. So that it's false that John Leckie could not be turned out, for there is no such set, and de facto, the Year immediately before, when he had been one Year Dean of gilled, he was turned off the Council, and was again brought on the second Year to be Dean of gilled, by virtue of which Office he came to be a counselor, by which means at the Election of the Council the Year thereafter there came to be One counselor more then by the Custom they ought to have, so that of necessity one behoved to be laid aside, and John Leckie & John Spreul being Listed together, the Electors laid by their Votes John Spreul aside. The Dean of gilled and other Officers are not elected till the Wednesday the next Week after; and the constant custom of Electing the magistrates, Counsellors, and other Officers, have been inviolably observed, without variation, ever since the happy Revolution, as the Town Council-Books will make appear.  
11. You may observe, that this Writer turns himself into such shapes, as serve his purpose: without any respect to truth.  
For instance, he, when it serves his turn, advances that Dove-hill can do all in the Town Council; and yet he would Artfully deny him the ●… onour of allowing inspection of the Accounts to the Committee of the two Houses: Tho' Dove-hill was present then, also well as at other occasions.  
12. I entreat you to observe how this libeler would load, and yet either wants the memory or wit, to do it without inconsistency: as yourself has ●… inted. Which I do mention only to clear further, that he Rambles, with●… ut regarding whether right or wrong?  
' page. 11. He asserts that had Dove-hill given full and free inspection of his Books, it were an easy matter to co●fute his shame Account, and demonstrat that it was calculat only for a new Trick, &c. Now, how is it possible for ●… e libeler to know that it's easy, he knows not what? And how is it possible ●… or him to know a demonstration, without knowledge of the matter by which ●… 's to be made?  
' So page. 13. He says, that many concealed particulars amount to a great Sun, and can easily be made appear, if Dove-hill could be prevailed with to allow the Inhabitants to inspect his Books more narrowly, &c. But how ●… n the scribbler know what is concealed? And how can he see with any certain●…, further than he is allowed?  
And to Crown, or rather make Feazible all that he does advance, so that ●… may be imputed allanerly to Dove-hill, He expressly asserts, p. 12. ' That ●… he Council were all of Dove-hill's own choosing. Which, as it is non-sense, Dove-hill having but one Vote, even when he happens to be an Elector: S●… it appears by what is premised, that the same persons( except a few) are Counsellors, who were chosen to be such by the Pole of the City.  
On the whole, what else is interspersed in this scurrilous Pamphlet, of Venom against Dove-hill, se●ves only to discover the Author by his reviling no●… to be a Christian, by his lies not to be a Gentleman, by his scolding not to be a person of breeding; and by his abusing a Magistracy in such an insolent Print to deserve( at least) the 〈◇〉 So that I shall not detain you any longer with particular Answers thereunto, especially considering that I a●… sure, tho' I have proceeded hitherto out of zeal to innocence, for the Public●… Interest of the City, and in obedience to your Request; yet Dove-hill, if h●… come to discover what I have done, will reprehend me for taking so muc●… notice of such Stuff. And as to the Author, I have heard him say plainly, h●… knew not who it was?  
I know Dove-hill to be a person of such Religion and Sense, that he con●…ders no more in this matter, than that the best Men have been most Traduced by Designers, who have no Principle to withhold them: and will 〈…〉 ready to conclude with David, They compassed me about with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause: For my love they are my adversaries; b●… I give myself unto Prayer, Psalm 109. vers. 3, 4. Yet this could not hinder m●… on your desire, to set the matter somewhat in its true light.  
I am with all possible Respect, Sir, Your most humble Servant.