M Vi / ANNALS A, OF -sa:. ABERDEEN, FROM THE REIGN OF KING WILLIAM THE LION, TO THE END OF THE TEAR 1818; WITH AN ACCOUNT OP THE CITY, CATHEDRAL, AND UNIVEESITY OF OXJO AEEEJDEEM vol.. I . ABERIDJEETI'. LONDON: PRINTED FOR A. BROWN AND CO. ABERDEEN J >• BLACKWOOD, SDINBURCHj AND tONGMAN, HURST, BEES, ORME, AND DROWN, LONDON". »^»»%^-V»^V^.»%V» 1818, 7 TO THE CITIZENS OF ABERDEEN, THE FOLLOWING WORK IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED, BY THEIR MOST OBEDIENT SERVANT AND FELLOW CITIZEN, THE AUTHOR. \ V. 7715Jji <■ NESCIO QUA NATALE SOLUM DULCEDINE CUNCTOS " DUCIT." Ovid. PREFACE. It is, perhaps, of little importance to the public to know the motives by which I have been induced to publish the Annals of New and Old Aberdeen. To this step I have not been led either by the so- licitations of numerous friends — by the expectation of emolument — or by the vain hope of acquiring literary fame. Of great intimacy with literary or scientific men I am not entitled to boast ; — of the profits of authorship I am altogether independent ; — and if vanity could prompt me to imagine that I possess any claim to genius or learning, I am well aware that a work of this nature is not the field in which either of these could be displayed to advantage. It is the mere offsi^ring of dry, patient, and laborious research. If, therefore, a candid and indulgent public shall consider it as possessing any merit — that merit must consist entirely in the strength of the evidence by which facts are supported — in the accuracy with which these are detailed — and in the perspicuity of the narrative, and of the general arrangement. Though, for the attainment of these ends, I can honestly affirm that I have exerted my utmost abilities, I have not the presumption to think that a reader of discernment may not discover in my work many defects which have escaped my own observation. If mistakes, errors, omissions, or redundancies, of any kind, shall be brought to view, I hope I shall not be excluded from common indulgence. Conscious that I possess no claim to bright or eminent talents for composition, whatever I might have written for my own amusement, I should not hgve obtruded upon the public the fruits of my labour ii PREFACE. if I had considered them as unworthy of their attention. The avi- dity with which the Statistical Histories of many counties, towns, corporations, and pubHc institutions, in the united kingdom, have been lately received by the British public, affords convincing evidence that the present age is well qualified to appreciate the importance of local narrative. Such narratives are evidently calculated to gratify the laudable cariosity of the Antiquary, and to furnish materials for the general Historian. They enable the latter to mark, with greater precision than he could otherwise do, the manners and customs of different ages ; the peculiar effects of civil, religious, and municipal institutions, upon the characters, the opulence, and happiness of the people ; to trace their influence in retarding or promoting the spirit of liberty and independence, the progress of the Uberal arts, and the general diffusion of knowledge. Without the light derived from such sources, it is not easy to conceive how he could refer the various changes and events which he records, to then- true causes, or exhibit them in their proper colours, and in their just combinations. If er- roneous or defective in these respects, history might serve to mis- lead rather than to guide the statesman, who, conceiving human nature to be the same in all ages, would regulate his political mea- sures, not by abstract and visionary theory, but by the actual expe- rience of former times. Among merely local narratives, none can be of more importance in this country than those which describe the various institutions which have existed in our royal boroughs, the changes which have occurred in them, the prosperous or adverse events that have befallen them, and the effects of their influence in the state. Those boroughs may justly be viewed as forming an integral part of the British con- stitution, and as possessing considerable power in the administration of national affairs. As incorporated bodies in general, they derive their origin from the bounty of the sovereigns, who, impelled by gra- PREFACE. Ill titude for some signal service, or actuated by political motives, first bestowed upon them their respective constitutions ; and afterwards confirmed, and, in many instances, extended their ancient rights and privileges. Depending entirely upon the will of the monarch for the security of the powers which they had thus acquired, and for a voice, by their representatives, in the general councils of the nation, they steadily supported, in their turn, the royal prerogative. Thus, in the more rude and barbarous ages, they became, in the hands of the crown, an useful and powerful counterpoise to the bold and ambi- tious usurpations of the restless Nobles and great Barons of the kingdom. Nor does their political importance in the earliest periods of their history arise only from their influence in enabling the sove- reign to preserve the internal peace of the country and the steady operation of the law, by checking the insolence of a turbulent aristo- cracy. It was to them that manufactures and commerce owed their origin and their increase ; — in them that literature, and the arts and sciences, were first cultivated and cherished ; — and from them that the spirit of freedom, the blessings of order, civilization, and opulence, were gradually diffiised among a servile, ignorant, and unruly people. By the accession of the Scottish kings to the throne of England, the regal power at last acquired that predominance in the state which enabled it effectually to overawe and controvil the haughty chieftains of the land, even though it had been deprived of the aid of the royal boroughs. Still, however, their rights and privileges depended chiefly upon the pleasure of the sovereign, and, of course, their in- fluence was still in no small degree subservient to his jjrerogative. By the union of the two kingdoms, in the year 1707, the sets or constitutions of the boroughs, and all the royal grants in their favour, were ratified, and declared inviolable, unless by legal forfeiture. This measure, whilst it served at once to diminish their dependence on the crown, and to engraft them more securely than ever into the %^ IV PREFACE. State, as a distinct branch of the British constitution, gave a new direction to their poHtical influence, and adapted it to the great changes which, with the progress of civihzation, were gradually taking i)lace in the circumstances of the nation. The agricultural interest still retains its proportional influence in the legislative body; but it is by the burgesses only that the manufacturing and commer- cial branches of the comnumity, the great sources of the influx of wealth into the kingdom, and consequently of its grandeur and power, are properly represented in our imperial senate. While ma- nufactures, navigation, and trade continue to flourish— and while they contribute by far the greatest share of the public revenue, the importance of these boroughs must be felt : their influence, with every wise administration, must be considerable ; and they must com- mand from government that protection and encouragement which are indispensable to their prosperity. If such be the importance of royal boroughs, surely the History of Aberdeen, which, in population, rank, and opulence, is the third in the ancient kingdom of Scotland, cannot fail, if well authenticated and distinctly stated, to attract its due share of the public attention. The task, however, of compiling a history of this borough, I should most willingly have left to any man of better abilities than mine, if peculiar circumstances had not occurred which incidentally brought under my view many facts of essential importance in that history — facts which none ever had an equal opportunity of investi- gating, and to the labour of investigating which, few, I believe, would be disposed to submit. About six years ago, I was employed, by the town council of Aberdeen, at the recommendation of their present clerk, to compile an alphabetical index of the very voluminous records of the borough, 1»REFACE. V which, by permission of the late town clerk, I had, many years be- fore, cursorily perused at a leisure hour. That work, which com- pelled me to read by far the greater part of these records, I com- pleted in the spring of the year 1815. While the details scattered through these registers were yet fresh in my memory, I formed the resolution of commencing the work which I now present to the pub- lic. It was then my intention to write on a very limited scale, and to state, as concisely as possible, in the form of Annals, the facts and circumstances only, which I had collected in the course of my re- searches into the antiquities of the town. These, 1 imagined, might be regarded by many as curious, and not unworthy of notice. But, in the progress of my labours, I found it impossible to make the nar- rativ^e distinct, interesting, or satisfactory to myself, without inter- mingling it, in some degree, with the general history of the country. This naturally induced me to undertake new investigations, in the course of which, I was led to the discovery of various materials which tended to illustrate the ancient state of the Borough, and to throw light upon tlie manners and customs of its inhabitants, and of the people of Scotland, in former times. These I have accordingly ar- ranged to the best of my judgment, carefully endeavouring to state no more of our national history than what seemed indispensably ne- cessary to bring into the form of a connected narrative, and to ren- der intelligible, the occurrences in which the town of Aberdeen bad a considerable share.* With regard to those political dissensions which have occurred in modern times, and which, I regret to say, are not yet extinguislied, • Many detached inridents of a domestic nature, imperfect accounts of which I found scattered through the records of the to^^'n, though they could not, witli propriety, be introduced in connected nan-ation, are jet of such importance that they could not be entirely overlooked. The short and incomplete notices of these which I Iiave been able to collect I have placed at the end of the dif- ferent sections, and arranged in chronological order. VI PREFACE. I have derived my information chiefly from the Scots Magazine, and the various pubhcations of the day. This part of the work I have been soUcitous to execute, with as much candour and impartiahty as a matter of so deep importance to the citizens in general required. Considering the close vicinity of New and Old Aberdeen, and the intimate connexion that subsisted between them with respect to their religious institutions, and also in many political transactions, I found that my work would be very incomplete, even as a local history, if it did not embrace whatever might deserve attention, in the an- cient and modern state of that city. It has thus ultimately as- sumed the form which induces me to entitle it Annals of New AND Old Aberdeen. Conceiving Mr. Arnot's History of Edinburgh to be an excellent model of local narrative, I have endeavoured, in this work, as far as circumstances will admit, to follow his arrangement ; and even when the similarity of incidents is striking, to adopt his manner of viewing them. Conscious of my inferiority to him in acuteness of remark, and in correctness, beauty, and elegance of style, I cannot pre- sume to be his equal ; but in the integrity of my intentions — in the impartiality of my narrations — and in the care with which I have at- tended to the evidence of facts, I will yield to none. Of that evi- dence every attentive reader may be fully competent to judge, be- cause I have correctly quoted my authorities in the margin, and inserted at large, in the Appendix, many of the charters, and most curious and important documents. Though, therefore, it may be thought that I have failed in my undertaking, my efforts cannot be entirely lost ; for they must serve at least to suggest abundant ma- terials to any future and more able historian of Aberdeen, to lead him to many excellent sources of information ; and, of course, to fa- cilitate and abridge his labour in investigating facts. As to the PREFACE. Vli credibility of what has been stated in this work relating to Aberdeen, in the more early periods of its history, it has been my endeavour, ac- cording to the best of my judgment, to reject whatever seemed to be fabulous, or liable to suspicion, and to collect only what appeared to be most authentic among the scanty gleanings which I was able to pick up, in the various writings and ancient authors which have fallen into my hands. To the sources from which these hints were taken I have not failed to refer. The candid reader, therefore, will, I trust, sustain this as a sufficient apology for the broken and interrupted narratives which unavoidably occur in the beginning of this work. From the commencement of regular records, in the year 1398, the registers of the town council are complete, and notice, more or less, every important event in which the town was con- cerned. Edward the I. of England, who, in the course of the years 129G and 1303, was, with his army, in Aberdeen, has indeed been severely censured by our national historians, for destroying all public records which he could lay hold of, while he was in possession of Scotland ; but either those of Aberdeen had been carefully concealed, or he had been pecidiarly favourable to that town ; for it does not appear that one public deed belonging to it has been lost. The charters from William the Lion, and from Alexander the II. and III. are extant to this day ; and what other deeds of the least importance could have existed, at that time, respecting the borough, it is impossible to conjecture. From William the Lion to Robert the Bruce, it pos- sesses as complete a progress of writings as could well be expected ; and from the reign of Robert to the present day not a single chasm is to be found. AVhat I have affirmed, on the authority of such re- cords, and of such deeds, cannot rationally admit of a doubt ; nor can I consider the information which I have taken from many other b Viii ~ PREFACE'. sources, to wliich I invariably refer through the work, as less au- tlientic than what I have derived from the archives of the town. In my search for information, I regret to say that I have not uni- formly obtained that cordial and liberal aid which, perhaps, I was entitled to expect. The motives on which it has been withheld are imknown to me ; they may be good, and it does not become me to complain. It affords me, however, peculiar satisfaction to acknowledge that many individuals, who hold respectable stations in the community, have, in the most handsome manner, and with the greatest cheerful- ness, favoured me in this undertaking with every encouragement in their power to give, and with ready access to every book or manu- script in their possession, which could throw light on the objects of my research. To mention the names of all, and the particular obli- gations wliich each of them has conferred, would swell this preface to an unpardonable length. But I should be altogether without ex- cuse, if I should omit the just tribute of my thanks to a few, to whose kind indulgence I am indebted for the free and unreserved use of many of the most important documents on which my narrative is founded. To Mr. William Carnegie, present town clerk of Aberdeen, and custodier of its records, and to his worthy father, Alexander Car- negie of Cookston, who, dviring a period of more than forty years, filled these offices with equal credit to himself and satisfaction to the community, I am under the highest obligations, for free and constant access to the archives and public deeds of the town, and for their unreserved permission to avail myself of all the information they contain. rREFACE. IX To Mr. William CorLA>?D, town clerk depute, who liberally com- municated to me every useful information in the line of his various departments, I owe ray warmest thanks; and no less so to Mr. William Gray, one of the clerks in the town house, who, witli permission, favoured me, when I wanted them, with the use of every book and paper subservient to my purpose. I have also to offer my best acknowledgments to Collector Campbell, for favouring me with information respecting the Excise ; and to Mr. Lyall, Comptroller of the Customs, for the handsome manner in which he commmiicated to me all the information I could desire relating to the trade and navigation of the place. Nor am I less indebted to his and the Collector's Clerks, for the readi- ness with which they aided my investigations ; and to Mr. Riddel, Clerk of the Shore, for the accurate account which he gave me of the number of ships belonging to the port of Aberdeen. I feel it incumbent upon me also to acknowledge, with gratitude;^ my obligations to Principal Jack, of King's College, for the very polite manner with which he received my application for an inspec- tion of the archives of the university, and for the unreserved use of the bulls, charters, and other valuable papers and manuscripts be- longing to it. Mr. Maclachlan, Librarian to the college, with his permission, favoured me, as often as I wanted them, with the use of many valuable and scarce books from the library of the university. From a manuscript in folio, which appears to have been written by an Episcopal Clergyman residing in Aberdeen, in the early part of the eighteenth century, and to have been compiled from various Books and MSS. then in the King's college, of which several are now anjissing, I have selected many interesting particulars. This MS. is b 2 X PREFACE. preserved in the Advocate's Library, in Edinburgh, and was pointed out to me by Thomas Thomson, Esq. Advocate, Deputy Clerk Re- gister, to whom I am also greatly indebted for his valuable publica- tion of the Chamberlain's Accounts of Scotland, which he kindly sent me in sheets from the press, and which greatly added to my stock of information with respect to the objects of ray enquiry. I have likewise availed myself not a little, in my account of reli- gious houses and other local matters, of a MS. written by Mr. James Mann, sometime Master of the Poor's Hospital in Aberdeen, and Author of the Notes of the Aberdeen edition of Buchannan's History of Scotland, which was published in the year 1762. It was once my intention to have embellished this work with a few engravings of the principal buildings in both towns ; but the diffi- culty, in this place, of procuring drawings suitable to an engraver — my great distance from eminent artists — and doubts respecting the reception which my labours may receive from the public, obliged me to relinquish this design. Well, indeed, am I aware, that in the place where an author has spent his days, and is universally known, his first literary production, Avhatever may be its merits, is not likely to be much esteemed. His fame, if he shall have the good fortune to obtain it, must come from afar, before his writings can be duly appreciated at home. If this be generally true, the contempt arising from familiarity will operate with double force, when its object is a local history, which states, without reserve, the proceedings of the political parties of the day. The abuse, therefore, with which I was repeatedly honoured, at the com- mencement of this midertaking, even before the first of these sheets was prepared for the press, could neither surprise nor appai PREFACE. XI me. The man who, conscious of the strictest impartiality in relating facts, established by the best authority, cannot view with compo- sure the anonymous productions of petty wits, who plume them- selves upon their talents for raillery and ridicule, or set his mind above being affected by the calumnies of faction, is unfit to dis- charge his duty to the public as an annalist. " Si qui sint in urbe sua hospites in patria sua peregrina et cogni- " tione semper pueri esse velint, sibi per me placeant, sibi dor- " meant, non ego illis haec conscripsi, non illis vigilavi." CAMBDEN. Aberdeen, gd November, 1818. CONTENTS OF VOL UME FIRST, BOOK I. CHAPTER I. The ancient Devana^-^Local situation of Aherdeen-^^Etymology-^^ Grants from King Gregory— Institution of Royal Boroughs— King William's Charters — Pla^e of Trade — Charters from King Alexan' der II. — Town destroyed by Fire — Charters from King Alexa7ider III. — Aticient Constitution of the Borough — Trading Town— -re- puted for cu?'ing Fish Page 1 CHAPTER 11. Affairs of Scotland on the death of Alexander III.— Edward I. takes the Castle of Aberdeen—Sir William Wallace— Robert Bruce- Battle of Barra — Storming of the Castle of Aberdeen by the Citizens —Origin of Bon-Accord — King Robert's Charters to Aberdeen— ^ Town burnt by the English — Origin of the name of New Aberdeen- King David II. — his Grants to the Town — Borough first repre- sented in Parliament — Occurrences — Scarcity of Corn — Municipal Laws — John Barbour, the Metrical Historian — Language of the place — Popidalion in the end of the fourteenth century — Coinage- Table of the customs and monies paid by the Town to Government during the fourteenth century p. 16 XIV CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. Sect. I. Battle of Harlaw — Sir Robert Davidson, provost, slain — Ransom of King James I. — Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum governor of the Town — fortified with Walls — King James II. and the Queen visit the Town — Supreme Court at Aberdeen — Bond of Manrent to the Earl of Huntly — King James III. encouraged foreign trade — Slain at Stirling — Propositions from Lord Forbes, arid other Lords, to revenue his death — Sir Andrew Wood's claim to the Castle-hill and Stocket set aside by the Lords of Council — King James IV. vi- sits the Town — the celebration of his marriage attended by the Ma- gistrates — Visit of the Queen — Battle of Flodden — Attack on the Citizens by Seton of Meldrum — King James V. visits the To?vn — his remission to the community — Licence for fortifying the Town with walls — Contest with Lord Forbes, Sj-c. — The Provost and twenty four Citi- zens tried before the Justiciary Court at Linlithgow, and acquitted — Visit of the King — Ships of War fitted out by Aberdeen— -John and George Faw, gipsies — Battle of Solway — the Earl of Huntly Pro- vost of Aberdeen — Battle of Pinkey, in which many of the Citizens were killed — the Earl of Arran and the Dowager Queen Mary visit the Town — Miscellaneous Occurre7ices p. 49 Sect. II. Civil government of the Borough — Ancient Elections of the Magistrates atid Town Council — Ancient Patrimony — Lands of Old Cruives annexed — Municipal Laws — Commerce — Coinage — Customs — Miracle Plnys — Secular amusements, conducted by the Abbot and Prior of Bon-Accord — Religious and Sectdar Plays, by the Artifi- cers — Religious Ceremonies — Minstrels — Games — Town's Clocks—- the Plague, and other Diseases — Weaponshaw — Dress, Armouj', and Furniture — Sirnames — Popidation — Tables of Contributions to the State — Rental of Latids, Sfc. — Prices of Provisiotis p. 79 CHAPTER IV. Sect. I. The Reformation, and its first indications at Aberdeen — proceedings of the Reformers there — M?\ Adam Heriot first Pro- CONTENTS. XV testant Minister — succeeded by Mr. John Craig — Queen Marxjs visit to the Town — Present made to her of trvo thousand mcrks — the Earl of Himtly and Sir John Gordon — Battle of Corrichie — Battle of Crabesto?ie, betwixt the Gordons and the Forbeses-^the Earl of Morton's oppressions, and attempts to disfranchise Aberdeen — his Grant of the Salmon Fishings of Don to Auchinleck of Balmanno — revoked by James VI. — he visits the Town, and three thousand merks voted for charges, Sfc. — his marriage with Anne of Denmark ••—Ship fitted out by Aberdeen to convoy them to Scotland — part of the Queen's Dowry lent to the Town — Birth of the you?ig Prince ce- lebrated — the Kifig's visit to the Town — Popish Lords threaten the Town with fire and sword — Presents made to the Earl of Hunthj — Visits of the King and Queen — Depredations of the Highlanders of Glentanner, SfC.—Gowrie's Co?ispiracy — Union of the two crowns — great rejoicitigs in the Town — King James visits Scotland — his at- tendants in Aberdeen — his letters to the Magistrates — alarm of the Spaiiish fleet — King Charles' coronation attended by the provost, SfC— Miscellaneous Occurrences p. 109 Sect. II. Proceedings of the Citizens at the annual visitation of the public lands, Sj-c. — Patrimony of the Borough given off in fee farm — Constitution of the several corporations of Artificers, S^c. — Struggle between them and the Burgesses of Guild — Comvioji Indenture — Proceedings between the Burgesses of Guild and the Administrators of the Town — tumultuous proceedings, S^-c. — Decree Arbitral of King James, and of the Convention of Boroughs, fixing the set of Aberdeen — Plague — Leprosy — Witchcraft, and Punishments — An- cient Games, Sfc. fall into disuse — Modern Plays — Prititing — Be- nevolent aids — Feasting — Disposition of the people — Church Session •—Ancient Customs contimied — Funerals, S^-c. — Municipal Laws — Commerce, and indication of Mamfactures — Coinage in circida- tion — Punishments — Dress, <^-c Population — Sir names — Tables of Births a)id Burials, ^-c. — of Contributions to the State, S^-c. — and of Prices of Provisions, <$-c p. 143 Xvi CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Sect. I. Commencement of the civil wars-proceedings of the Cove- nmiters at Aberdeen — Operations of their armies — Blontrose's Vic- tories — He sacks Aberdeen — the Marquis of Huntly — Distresses of the Citizens during the wai — Arrival of Charles II. — of the English army — Deputies sent to the English Commissioners at Dalkeith — James VII. — Revolution — Various other matters at Aberdeen — Mis- cellaneous Occurrences p. 193 Sect. II. Political affairs of the Borough — Public Debt contracted during the civil wars, S^c. — Opposition of the Burgesses to Assess- ments — Ecclesiastical authority — Quakers — Character atid habits of the people, S^c. — Trade, and jwogress of Manifactures, S^c. — Post- Office — Progress of Printing — George Jamieso?i, painter, S^-c. — Pes- tilence and Famine — Various domestic matters — Table of Mo7'tmains, for benevolent purposes — of Assessments, S^c. — of Births — and of Prices of Provisions, 8fC p. 2S9 CHAPTER VI. Accession of George I. to the throne of Britain — Rebellion 1715, and proceedings in Aberdeen — Fire in the Gallowgate — Rigour of the season 1740, with scarcity and dearth — Great Fire in the Broadgate Traffick of Kidnapping — Rebellioii 1745 — Rebels in possession of the Town, ^-c Military Riots — Scarcity 1782 — Borough Politics in 1752, 1783, and 1817 — and various other occurrences p. 281 BOOK II. **v*v»**% CHAPTER I. Of the ancient and present state of the Town of Aberdeen, Suburbs, ^•c. — Harbour— and progressive improvements, ^-c p. 375 CONTENTS. XVn CHAPTER 11. Of the Public Buildings in Aberdeen — the Town-house and Prison — the Cross — the Record Office — Town's Mills — Public Wells, Lamps, ^c. — Bridges of Dee and Don p. 403 CONTINUATION OF THE NARRATIVE. Proceedings of the Burgesses, Incorporated Trades, and Administra- tors of the Town, for the restoration of its elective franchise—" Proceedings before the Privy Council — Warrant granted to the Magistrates and Council elected at Michaelmas, 1816, to nominate New Council and Magistrates, S{c p. 425 APPENDIX. No. I. Mimites of the Meetings of the Lihabitanfs of Aberdeen, and Extracts of Acts of the Town Council respectiiig the New Streets, with copy of the Act of Parliament p. 437 No. II. Statement of the Magistrates and Council, of date 19th Sep- tember, 1817 p. 457 No. III. Volunteer Corps of Aberdeen during the late war p. 459 No. IV. Miscellaneous Occurrences in Aberdeen, from A.D. 1707 to A.D. 1818 p. 461 No. V. Table of the Fiars of the County of Aberdeen, from 1705 to 1816, inclusive p. 462 No. VI. Charter of the Lands of Ardlair p. 467 No. VII. Public Lnprovements of the County p. 469 No. VIII. Table of Cess and Public Taxes payable by the County, for the years 1808 and 1818 p. 470 No. IX. Poem composed by the Rector of the Grammar School, on the return of James VI. to Scotland, in the year 1617 p. 471 ANNALS or ABEKDEEN. FROM A.D. 84 TO A.D. 1290. BOOK I. CHAPTER I. The ancient Devana^— Etymology of Aberdeen — Institution of Royal Bo' roughs — Charters by King William the Lion, and by Alexander II. — Town destroyed by Fire — Castle of Aberdeen — Charters by Alexander III. — Political Constitution of the Borough — Controversy between ike Burgesses of Aberdeen and of Banff, and those of Mon- trose, before the Governors of the Kingdom — Trade of the Town — its original Inhabitafits. In the northern regions of Britain, towns and cities were, in ancient A.D. 84. times, few and inconsiderable. Their small communities were con- fined to the lowest order of the people ; and till they had acquired some wealth, and had made some progress in commerce, and in the knowledge of useful arts, they were neither enfranchised, nor was their political importance much regarded. On the rise and progress of royal boroughs, our national history throws very little light ; and the scanty records that have been preserved furnish but imperfect information, either relating to their ancient form of policy and laws, or concerning events that have befallen them. a B Though ' ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 81. Though it is not the object of this work to venture upon a deep inquiry into the antiquities of North Britain, it is necessary,for ovir pre- sent purpose, to premise, that Aberdeen, the capital of the county of the same name, was, according to the notices of the earliest geo- graphers, one of the original towns of ancient Caledonia. Situated in its north-eastern territory, it would seem to have been first discovered by the Komans, when they carried their arms into that region, in the seventh and last campaign of Julius Agricola, about the 84th year of the Christian sera. This information we owe to the industry and genius of Ptolemy, the philosopher of Alexandria, who flourished in the second century, and published a description of the terrestrial globe. In table, No. 1. of that work, we observe the position of the town, which is distinguished by the name of Devana, laid down on the left bank of the river Diva, or Dee, near its efflux, at the eastern extremity of the Grampian mountains.* We are also informed, that it was the chief town of the Ted-aloi, who were the inhabitants of that district of Cale- donia situated betwixt Dee and the northern promontory, which he denominates Taizalum promontoriwn. f In another work, which seems to have been compiled by Kichard of Cirencester, in the fourteenth century, descriptive of Romanized Britain, the town and the river are identified by the same names, and Devana is mentioned as the town of the TaixJili,:]: who inhabited the sea coast of that province of Cale- donia, which he distinguishes by the name of Vespasiana. § Towns * Ptolemeiis Geo. lib. 2. cap. 3. t. 1. fol. ed. + Id. 27. Ferrarius Plot, vog. Devana — Diva— TexaLoi-»-TaizaJui» Prgmontoriura, which is, perhaps, Buclian-ness, or more probably Kinnaird's-head. X The Taixali were one of the six warlike tribes, who, under Galgacus, the Caledonian chief- tain, fought Agricola, in the memorable battle at the Grampian hills. The other tribes were the Horestii of Fife; Vecturones, or Venriconea, beyond the Tay, or in Perth and Angus; Vacomagi, of Moray, and part pf Inverness ; and the D^mnii Albani, wid Atbwoti gf Argyle. Taciius Vit. Agricola;. cap. 29, 30. 35. 37 — Ptolemy— Rich»r(J, lit>. i. Q. 4?.-^ Ferrarius' Diet— Pioksrt«D, vol. ii. p. '210 Whilaker's Manchester, p. 410. 4)8 — Caledonia, Tol. i. p. 65. § The province of Vespasiana comprehended all the eastern and northern parts of Scotland, within a Hue drawn from that point, by Braemar and Blair of Athol, to the Roman Wall of Anto- ninus Pius, It was 80 called, in honour of the Emperor Veepasinn, and continued to be a Roniaa province for about ninety years; but w^s iQst to the liuiu^us about A- P. 170, by CaJphuroius, under Marcus AWAL& OP ABERDEEN. 3 Towns and cities, and their communities, as well as men, have a.d. mq. their infancy, and it is by slow degrees only that they advance to ma- turity. It would, therefore, be absurd to suppose, that Aberdeen, at the period of the Roman invasion, had the slightest resemblance to a modern town, or tliat it was a place of regular or general residence. The towns of the Caledonians, after the manner of uncivilized na- tions, were mostly situated on the bank of some river, having a southern exposure, with some local advantages for shelter and de- fence ; or on the border of some forest, for the convenience of hunt- ing and grazing, which, being the natural employments of man in the infancy of society^ were» in the northern regions of the island, the chief pursuits of the people. Accordingly, we find, that Aberdeen, m ancient times, consisted of rude and mean buildings, erected with wood, or stone and turf, and thatched with straw, without much at- tention to convenience or regularity ; and extended, on the river side, from the confluence of the Denburn,* eastward, towards the head of the Shipraw. Bovmded on two sides by the sea and by the river, it was almost environed, towards the west and north-west, by the extensive forest of Stocket, which covered tlie adjacent country, and ap- proached nearly to the siunmit of the hills on which the greater part of the town is now situated, f B 2 Such Marcus Antoninus. By the Itinerstry of Richard, and the remains of their encampments, the route of the Roman army, under Severus, can be traced to Burgh-head upon the Moray Frith, under the name of Ptoroton. According to the learned Whitaker, that Itinerary had been originally composed as early as the middle of the second century, at a period when the Romans were a* the height of their glory in Britain. * This stream, previous to the year 1 6i8, took an easterly direction along the Trinity friars place, from which it derived the name of the Trinity burn. On reaching the quay-head, which, at that time, extended no farther than the Weigh-house, it directed its course along the south side of the town, and discharged itself in the low grounds near the foot of the Castle-hill ; but, after the extension of the quay towards the village of Futtie, the course of the burn was diverted straight into the tideway. In 17^-7, a bridge of one arch was constructed over the burn, so as to form an entry to the town from the south. In the year 1758, the burn was straighted, and formed into cascades ; and, about the year 1776, the rising ground, which is now enclo^d, on the west, wa& planted with wood and shrubbery. + In digging the foundations of modern houses in the upper parts of the town, large trunks of fallen oak tmiber, and deep strata of peat, have frequently been found. 4 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 140. Such undoubtedly was the local situation of Aberdeen, (or the ancient Devana,*) in its primitive state, and such was the condition of the adjacent country. Its gradual extension, and progress in po- pulation, in the course of succeeding ages, till it attained its present degree of importance, shall be related in another part of this work. 1057. During the Scoto-Saxon period, the town became known by the name of Aberdeen, or Aberdon ; by both of which names it is distin- guished in several charters, which shall hereafter be noticed, granted to its burgesses by King William the Lion. In subsequent ages, its name was changed to Aberdene, or Aberdeen,-\ which it still retains. The etymology of this is neither doubtful nor uncertain, though, from the conjectures of fancy, some absurd definitions of the etymon have been given by several modern authors. The Gaelic name, which is Obairreadhain, pronounced Oberrayn, signifies the town situated on the bank or space of ground near the entrance of two rivers ; and is compounded of Abair, or Aber, a well known word, and Da-abhuimi, (Da-awin)f * The intelligent author of Caledonia has laid down the position of the ancient Devana at Nor- man Dykes, where vestiges of a Roman encampment have been discovered, about nine miles above the mouth of the river Dee. That Norman Dykes may have been the site of a Roman camp, we shall not presume to controvert ; but, if the Taixali occupied any place under the denomination of a town, Aberdeen was undoubtedly the spot. It must also be regarded as the principal itinerary station of the Romans ; which circumstance is supported by Mr. Whitaker, in his History of Man- chester, and by General Roy, in his Military Antiquities ; although, from the defect of local infor- mation, they have fallen into the common error of mistaking the Episcopal seat of Aberdeen for the ancient Devana. In tracing the progress of the Romans northward, the learned General has fi.xed upon the town as one of their stations, and conducts the ninth Iter of Richard along the coast to Ituna, or Ythan, as the next itinerary station. However much these learned authors may differ in their conjectures as to the Roman Itinerary, we shall only oI)serve, that Don was fordable near its mouth, which, in ancient times, was within fifteen hundred yards of the cross of Aberdeen ; and the distance from Ythan by the sands, being the nearest road, is nearly fourteen miles. On the entry to the town from the south, there was a pass of the river Dee, a little way below the present bridge, at a place distinguished by the name of the Fords ; and thence to Ythan it may be reckoned nearly sixteen English miles. These circumstances, we presume to think, tend to justify both Mr. Whitaker and General Roy in their positions of the itinerary stations of the Romans. t In ancient records, the name is found to be variously spelt — Aberdoen, Aberdon, Abirden Aberdene, Abyrdene; in modern times, invariably Aberdeen. On the coins of David H. the im- pression is Aberdon. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 5 (Da-anin), two rivers, namely Dee and Don.* This analysis is a. D. 1057, exactly descriptive of the local situation of Aberdeen, which, in for- mer ages, was almost at an equal distance from the mouths of both rivers ; although, about a century ago, the channel of Don, near the town, was altered, and the stream of the river diverted straight into the sea about a mile farther northward than its ancient efflux, f Previous to the time of King William the Lion, it would be vain to search for, or to expect, either from records or from national his- tory, any information of moment respecting the object of our enqui- ries. We must, therefore, confine the commencement of the nar- rative to this period, when, by means of records that have been 1165, preserved, the sources of information become more copious and authentic than in former ages. According to the tale of history and of tradition, it has, however, been asserted, that Aberdeen was erected into a royal borough as early as the time of Gregory the Great, king of Scotland, whose prin- cipal residence was at Dunodeer, J in the ancient lordship of Garioch, about * This information was communicated to the author by Mr. Maclachlan, Rector of the Grammar School of Old Aberdeen, whose acute researches and valuable information regarding the Celtic lan- guage, are well known. f Previous to the year 1727, the river Don took a southerly direction, and flowed in the hollow ground of the Links, till it reached the south end of the Cunningairehill : thence it directed its course easterly, almost at a right angle, into the sea, leaving a considerable portion of sandy hills betwixt its left bank and the beach. § About that time, the proprietors of the fishings altered its channel, and, by artificial means, under the direction of Dr. James Gregory, one of the professors of King's College, diverted the stream of the river, as it flows at present, straight into the sea. || Probably at some very remote period, Don had continued its former course still farther south- ward, down the hollow of the Links, till it united with Dee in the harbour, and both together would form one stream into the ocean. This conjecture is in some measure confirmed by the works of Ptolemy and Richard, there being no such river as Don delineated in their maps, or even men- tioned in their tables; while Diva, (Dee), and Ituna, (Ythan), in the district of the Tai.xali, are particiilarly noticed. In the earlier records of the borough, the river Don is distinguished solely by the name of Aqua Borealis. § Council Register, vol. xniii. p. 367. 461. vol. xxi». p. 307. — Revootion by King James VI. vol. i. p. 124. II Proof in the Case of FraserEeld against the Proprietors of the Salmon Fishings on the Nether Don. in the year 1795. J Part of the walls of the castle, said to have been erected by Gregory, and where he died, still remains, the materials being chiefly composed of vitrified matter. Its name, which is descriptive of 61 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. about twenty-five miles distant from the town ; but such authorities are not to be regarded, nor, indeed, do they merit much attentioa. It is, perhaps, probable, that as the town was situated witliin the royal domains, and under the king's immediate protection, he con- ferretl on the citizens privileges and immunities which were common at the time ; but, undoubtedly, no such erection as that of a royal borough could have taken place, in consequence of any writ from the crown, at so remote a period ; for the institution of boroughs, even under their ancient regimen, was not then known, nor was this the aera for written charters in North Britain. These institutions were probably not introduced earlier than the time of David I. who commenced his reign in the year 1124. Even in France, where more early advances in arts and civilization had been made than in Scotland or in England, the first corporation was instituted sixty years posterior to the Norman conquest. The erec- tion of such communities was an invention of Louis VI. in order to free the people from the yoke of feudal tyranny, and, by means of certain privileges, to afford them protection, and a separate juris- diction. * The earliest charters granted by any sovereign to boroughs in Scotland, or to their burgesses,, were by King William, who com- menced his reign in the year 1165 ; but these are to be considered rather as writs of protection, containing grants of peculiar privileges and immunities to the burgesses,f than as charters erecting them into communities, or bodies corporate, according to the present system of such institutions. In those cliarters, or writs of protec- tion, which have been preserved, reference is generally made to those privileges of its loc»l situation, i^ dwived from the ancieat Celtic word Ihrn-andfiridht signifying die tbrt on the ^clivjty of tiKj bilL • Hume, vol. ii. p. 118. t The first charter granted by William the Conqueror to the citizens of London, who are now so pre-eminently ilistijiguishcd by theii- wealtli and independence, was a mere protection, by which he declared tiiai they sliould be law-worthy, and that every child should be his father's heir after his denth.—lDalri/mple's EssaifS on the Feudal Lap.', p. SSJ ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 7 privileges which had been granted to certain boroughs, in the time a.d. ii65. of David, his grandfather. These were consequently denominated king's boroughs, and their inhabitants burgenses re 1 Xt^fcr Slliaa-^Hfe (S?%T-Mi^ S fi'«^y^V)cxtr i^«i-.-d^c;^rl>j«jrt5vr.-y„7^ S^\.J^ /^ y tf.fc-TI.H»nr« EiUnl>i \ Cl • ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 9 William, who early perceived the advantages which the nation a.d. 119C. derived from the traffic of his boroughs, zealously promoted their interests by granting them immunities and privileges in the way of trade ; and to his burgesses of Aberdeen he seems to have been pe- culiarly favourable. As an encouragement to prosecute commerce and useful arts, the king, at this time, granted them two special charters, in consequence of which they were entitled to enjoy exemption from certain petty taxes and impositions, to which their commodities were liable, when exposed to sale in the public mar- kets of the kingdom. These two charters, which bear date at Aber- deen, the 28th of August, are of the same tenor, and almost in the same words.* c From Ne q'f eos ind Vexet aut Difturbet Sup mea plenaria foriffactura Teft" • And? Epo de Ka- tepef Comit • Dunec Jiiftic • Gillefito Comit d St'dhern Comit G . d Aneg? • Ricardo de Ooreuitt ■ CoftaB • Walfo de Berket • Cam ■ G. d Oaleuitt Hugoe Giffard Q)alifio fre Co- initif • d St'h • Apd Pert. fSigitlo dilapso.J That charter was probably granted in the year 1 179, when King William and his brother David were advancing to Ross with an army, in order to quell some disorders in that quarter. This is confirmed by the circumstance of the witnesses, whose names are mentioned in the testing clause, holding public offices about the time. Those are — Andrew, Bishop of Caithness, who died in the year 1185; Dunecan, or Duncan, Earl of Fife, Justiciary of Scotland in llC5, who died in 1204; Gilbert, Earl of Strathern, ; Gilchrist, Earl of Angus, one of the hostages for King Wil- liam to Henry II. ; Rich.ird de Moreville, High Constable of Scotland in the reigns of King Malcolm IV. and King William ; Walter de Berkeley, Chamberlain of Scotland, who succeeded Nicolas in 1171 ; Galfred de Malevill, the chief of an ancient family that flourished in the reign of Malcolm IV. and was possessed of lands in Lothian ; Hugo Gifl"ard, son of Hugh Giffard, proprie- tor of lands in Lothian, and one of the hostages for King William to King Henry ; Malisius, the brother of the Earl of Strathern. Index to Anderson's Diplomata — Rymer's Fsdera, vol. i. 39 — Crawford's Officers of Sute — Ca- Udonia, book iv. chap. 1. * Infeodacto Tollonii de pp'is catatt W . di gra Rex Scott ■ Epif • Afetib!' • Com • Baron ■ Juftic ■ Vicec • ^poitis . a)inift"f ■ « Omib'' pbif hoinib' toe!" Pre fue cticif « laicif fait • Sciant ^fentef % fut'j me in ppetuu quie- tof clamafie oef burgenfef meof de Aberdon a tolneio de pp'if cataH fuif p totu regnu nieu p bono feruicio qd ide burgenfef mei m' fecerut • Et ido uolo ut nHui p regnu nieu dent tol- neiu de pp'if eatatt ■ fuif • * firmiP pcipio ut ubicuq^ in regno meo uenerit • ppetuo a tolneio q'etj fint de pp'if eatatt ■ fuif ■ Q'F= phibeo firniif ne quif in regno meo eof iniufte uexare jjfupmat in exigendo ab eif de pprijf eatatt eff-; tolneiu • fup meam plenaria foriffacturam • Test" • Ric • Epo . Morauie . Coin • Dunec Juftic • Gillex • Coiii . de a)ar • Witto 9£ WalP« 10 ANNALS OF AREUDEEN. A.D. 1196. From the period of these royal grants, we maybe allowed to date the institution of the guildry, or mercantile fraternity of Aberdeen. This, in the progress of time, became more numerous, and the bm-- gesses more "peculiarly commercial, not only from the influence of those privileges and immunities that emanated from the liberality of their sovereign, but from the natural consequence of trade and com- merce, which contributed to introduce regular government, police, and arts among them ; and by which additional inhabitants were im- perceptibly allured to the town.* William, during the course of his long reign, was distinguished not only for the patronage which he afforded to his boroughs, but, as a legislator, for many salutary sta- tutes which he enacted for the security of their privileges, and for the better government of their communities, f In CapHif meif • Philipp de Valon • Alan fit Holland. • conftaB • Witto de Haia • Wifto Giffard Vmfr de berkat • Henr Reuel • Thorn Thancard • Yuone de VePj ponte • Waif . fit Sibald • Apd Aberdon xxviii die Aug'ti. (Sigillo viridis ceroe inlegro.) King William probably granted these charters in the year 11 96, when in his progress north- ward to suppress the insurgents in Caitliness, headetl by Harold, Earl of Orkney and Caithness. The witnesses, whose names are mentioned in the testing clause, are — Richard, Bishop of Moray, who succeeded to the see in 1187, and died in 1203 ; Gilchrist, Earl of Mar; William, Chaplain to the King, IJishop of Glasgow in 1208; Walter, Chaplain to the King; Philip of Valoniis, Lord of I'anmure ; Allan, the Son of Rolland de Galloway, Constable of Scotland, from whom John Ba- liol was descended ; William de Hay, Pincerna or Cup-bearer to King William, and one of the hostages to Henry W. ; William Giffard, son of William, one of the hostages for King William in 1174' ; Umfred de Berkeley, who obtained from King William a grant of the manor of Conveth, now called Laurencekirk, Monbodach, Balfith, Glenfarquhar, &c. in the shire of Mearns, and Inver- keilor, in Angus ; Henry Rouel, a foreigner, who obtained from King William a grant of the Iraids of Cultrath, in Fife ; Thomas Thancard, son of Thancard, a Flemish leader, who obtained from Malcolm IV. a grant of lands in Clydesdale ; and Yvan de Veteri Ponte, bai-on of the manor of Gr«at Sorby and Little Sorby, obtained from the Lord of Galloway in the time of King WilHam. Chalmers' Caledonia, vol. i. book iv. cap. 1. — Index to Anderson's Diplomata — Crawford's Peerage. * In 1209, there were a great number of English inhabitants settled in the boroughs of Scotland. These had now made considerable progress in manufactures and trade, and consequently in opu- lence, which is evident from their contribution of 6OOO merks to the sum of 15000, given by King William as a marriage portion to his two daughters, who were contracted to the two sons of John, King of England. — ^Rymer, vol. i. p. 155.] + William, when at Aberdeen, in the year 1177j passed an assize, bearing date forty days after the coining of Vivian, the Pope's Legate into Scotland. This statute, which is entitled " De ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 11 In this age, it could scarcely be said that the monarch had any a.d. hoc. fixed place of residence : he was often obliged to make circuits through the kingdom, that he might be better able to exercise his regal authority in correcting those disorders, to which the nation, owing to the loose and unsteady administration of the government, was frequently exposed. King William, in the course of these cir- cuits, having honoured Aberdeen with his occasional visits, erected, for his personal residence, in the east end of the Green, an edifice, which, although distinguished by the name of his palace, consisted only of low detached buildings, neither magnificent for the age, nor remarkable for their construction. This property he afterwards be- 121 1. stowed on the monks of the holy Trinity, wiio, with a view to pro- mote the cultivation of piety, according to the rites of superstition that then prevailed, and for other religious purposes, had, at this time, been introduced into Scotland, and were established at Aber- deen.* The palace was tlius converted into a monastery for these monks; and remained in their occupation till the period of the Ee- formation. About this time, we are informed that King William instituted in Aberdeen an exchequer, with a mint, near the west end of Castlegate, for a new coinage of the money of Scotland, which had become scarce, in consequence of the great drain of payments made by him to Kichard of England, f Of the coins so issued, many specimens are to be found in the cabinets of the curious. This place afterwards became known by the name of the Exchequer-raw, J aiid by that name the street is still distinguished. c 2 King transeundo de noete," is to be found in the Leges Burgorum, and is there erroneously ascribed t« David I. — \_Caledonia, vol. i. p. 734. 759- — Leges Burgorum, cap. 118.] * Boecius Hist. lib. xiii. p. 279. s. 50. t Henrj-'s History of Britain, vol. v. p. ii63. i In this street, which enters from the south end of Castlegate, there is an ancient house, (sup- posed to have been erected in the time of King David II.) which, though it has since undergone many alterations, distinguishes the place where the Exchequer was situated. In that street the abbot and monks of Scone were possessed of a tenement, § whidi bad been granted to them by Alexander I. whose reign commenced in the year 11 07. $ Charter in Sir J. Calr^mple's Cull. ap. No. 2 Rotuli Scotic, p. 25, 12 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1214. King Alexander II. who now commenced his reign, was also a considerable benefactor to the town, and occasionally honoured it with his visits, in the course of his circuits through the kingdom. 1222. During the Christmas festival of this year, he visited the town, ac- companied by his sister, the Princess Isabella, and was honourably entertained, according to the custom of the age.* After the example of his father King William, and for the same religious purposes, he es- tablished at Aberdeen the Dominican or Black friars, and founded a monastery for them in the place which is now occupied as the site of Robert Gordon's hospital, on the north side of the School-hill. Although commerce and manufactures were still in their in- fancy, they had, by this time, made some progress in the town. Alexander, with a view to encourage the prosecution of those desir- able objects, soon after his accession to the throne granted to the borough and to his burgesses of Aberdeen, a charter, f which is dated at * Wyntoun's Chronykil, b. vii. c. 9. 298. t Carta Infeodacois Reg-= Alex^ p'mi filii Wittmi Reg^ Alex • dei Gra Rex Scott • Epis . Abbatib' • Comitib' • baroiiib'' • Juftic • Vicecomitib' ■ l^pofitif MiniftM" t oiSib' • probif H5inib' • Tociuf Terre fue . Clericif * laicif . Salut • Sciant ^fentef t fut'i ■ me Concel'fiffe • « Hac Carta mea eonfirmaffe • burgo meo * burgenfib*' meif de Aberden • iura t litjtatei' que pvedecefforef mei concefferut burgo * burgenfib' d Pert • Scitj iit habeant forum fuiim die Sabbati in q°libet Ebdomada • meam(^ firmam pacem dedi iufte oiiiib' pbii' Hoiriib' qui ad forum illd uenient • Et phibeo ne quif eif i ueniendo ad forum uel i redeundo liuriam • vel moleftiam . aut g'^uamen iniufte Iferat . fup meam plenariam foriffacturam phibeo % firmit ne q's iBchator ext'neuf infra vicecomitatu de Aberden • ext" burgum nieum de Aberden • aliq'd eraat uel uendat fup meam defenfionem • Set exf'nei raerchatoref deferant merchat'af fuaf ad burgum meu de Aberden ■ « eaf ibi uendant « denariof fuof implicent • Si quif uero mcrchator ext'neuf fup defenfionem mea inuent' fSit i vicecomitatu de Aberd . aliq'd emenf uel uendenf capiat" « detineat" donee uoluntate mea de eo pcepo phibeo * firmif • ne Q's mer- chator ext'neuf fecet pannum fuu ad uendendu in foro de Aberdeii nifi a die Afcenfionif dni . ufq^ ad vincula Sci Pet' infra q'f Pminof . nolo ut ipi fecent pannu fuu . ad uendendu in foro de Aberdeii . « ibi emant * uendant pannum * aliaf raerchat'af fuaf comuniP cum burgenfib' meif. ficut dnici burgenfes mei . faluif Rectitudinib' meif • Precipio "^ ut oinef qui manent in burgo de Aberd * cum b'genfib' meif ad foru comunicare uoluerit comunicent cum illis ad auxilia mea reddenda . cui'cuq, Iiomief Tint • phibeo % ne aliqua taberna habeat^ in aliq' uilla in vice- comitatu de Aberden . nifi ubi milef fit dnf uille . * in ea nianenf . « ibi nd habeat' n' una fola Taberna • Concedo % eifdem burgenfib' meif de Aberden ut habeant Gildam fua merchatricem . exceptis fullonib' ^ telariif |)hibeo % firmiP ne Q's manenf ext' burgu meu de Aberd I vice. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 13 at Alyth, the 2Tth of February, confirming to them the same laws a. D. 1222. and liberties which his royal predecessors had conferred on the bo- rough and burgesses of Perth ; with the privilege of holding within the town a weekly market on Sabbath, and of instituting a merchant- guild, or mercantile confraternity, conformable to the policy which had been already introduced in the kingdom ; but from this institu- tion fullers and weavers were expressly excluded.* By that charter, the king, according to the narrow maxims which prevailed in that age, prohibits merchant strangers within the shire, who did not be- long to the town, from carrying on traffic; and directs them to bring their merchandize to the market of the borough, where only they were to negotiate trade. He also prohibits them from making woollen cloth for sale in the town's market, unless between Ascen- sion day and Lammas ; during which period they were permitted to manufacture such cloth, but for the express pvirpose only of being sold in the public market of the town, where the owners were to carry on commercial intercourse with the king's burgesses. He like- wise prohibits every person dwelling in the county, and without the freedom comitatu de Aberden facial paiinum tiiictum uel tonfum in vicecomitatu de Aberd . uel facere facial prer b'genfes meof de Aberden . q^ sunt in Gilda merchatoria « qui comunicant ad auxilia mea reddenda cu b'genfib' meif de Aberden . exceptif illif qui de hac lifetate cartam fuam huc- ufq, habuei^t • CTre phibeo firmif . ne q'f i vicecomitatu de Aberd . facere jJfumat pannu tinctu uel tonfum . fup mea plenaiia forisfactura • Si uero alicui' pann' tinctuf uel tonfuf in- uent*' ffiit factuf fup liac defenfionem . precipio vicecomiti mo q'tin' capiat panum . * inde fa- cial fcdm qJ confuetudo fuit tpr Regif • DD • paui mei • phibeo 't firmiP ne q'f est'neuf extra burgum meum de Aberden . emal uel uendal Coria uel lanam n' i burgo iiio de Aberden • Haf aut oef libertatef * confuetudinef illif concedo * hac Carta mea Confirmo • &iluif lit>tatib' hibeo ne Q's pdcof burgenfef mof cont' |?diclaf Rationabilef legef « confue- tudies iniufte uexare ^fumal . fup mea plenariam foriffacturam Teft^ . WiH" ■ de Boscho CancH' mo . Comite Malcolm . de fif . Waltei' de Lindef . Johe de iMaccufwet • DD Marefcatt . Walter Cuiii . Jordaii Cumin Heruic Marefcatt ■ DD de Haftig' . Malcolm pincerna • RoB de Sco Claio • Apd Alicht xxvij die Februa^ (Sigillo avulso.J * Perhaps fullers and weavers enjoyed separate, and probably more ample, privileges, otherwise their exclusion from the guildry seems unreasonable and absurd. 14 AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1822. freedom of the borough, unless those who were burgesses of Aber- deen, and members of the merchant-guild, from manufacturing dyed or shorn cloth, in tlie shire, under the pain of forfeiture, according to the usage in the time of David, his great-grandfather. 1244. About tliis time, according to the accounts of Major and of For- dun, Aberdeen was destroyed by accidental fire ; at the same time, Haddington, Lanark, Stirling, Perth, Forfar, and Montrose experi- enced a similar calamity.* We are also informed by BoeciuSjf that twenty years afterwards Aberdeen again suffered by fire ; but in that age a circumstance of this kind was not uncommon in many other towns in Britain, where the hovises of the inhabitants were mostly built of wood, and thatched with straw or heath, which rendered them peculiarly liable to the ravages of fire. 1264. In the early part of the reign of Alexander III. a citadel:]: was built on elevated ground, at the eastern extremity of the town, where the military barracks are now situated. This had, perhaps, been rendered necessary for its defence, and as a place of security to the inhabitants and their property from the depredations of the numerous piratical cruizers^ which, at that time, infested the coast, and not unfrequently landed for the sake of pillage. It was one of the for- tresses which, after the death of Alexander, was surrendered to Ed- ward I. of England, at the commencement of the famous controversy respecting the succession to the crown of Scotland. || The boroughs of the kingdom having made gradual advance- ments in commerce and the useful arts, and their constitution being founded on the principles of exclusion and monopoly, their several communities were solicitous to obtain from the crown charters which entitled ■• Foidun, vol. ii. p. 75. f Boecius' His. lib. xii. f. S02. X Chanil)cilain's Accounts, temp. R. Alexandri III. p. *19. § In the ye.ir 1153, Esteyn, one of the joint Kings of Norway, in the course of a piratical cruise along the British coast, landed and pillaged Aberdeen, which, at that time, was known in >;orway as a trading town.— [Mac/j/ierjon'* Commerce, vol. i. p. 332.^ II Rotuli Scotia?, p. 1 ] . ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 15 entitled them to enjoy the exclusive privilege of trade in their own A.D. 126*. particular district. Accordingly, ..^e find, that the burgesses of Aberdeen had, during this period, been peculiarly distinguished by various grants of this description from their sovereign ; which, amidst the disorders of war, and the many civil commotions in which the nation was involved in after-times, have been carefully pre- served. At this time, King Alexander, by a charter,* bearing date at Kin- 1274. tore, granted and confirmed to them the privilege of instituting within the borough a yearly market, limited in its duration to four- teen days, subsequent to Trinity day, with all the rights, liberties, privileges, and customs pertaining to fairs. He also passed another charter,-]- dated at Kincaixline, by which he granted his royal protec- 1277. tion, not only to the burgesses themselves, but to their servants, their lands and property, moveable and immoveable, which were de- clared to be liable for their own proper debts and personal delicts only. * Conceffio Nundhia-v Alex di gra Rex Scotto"? Omibus probis Hominib3 Tociuf Terre Sue Saltm . NoSitis nof concelTiffe dedifie « ^fenti Carta nra confirmaffe Burgenfib3 iiffs de Abcrden dilctis t fidelib5 nris ut habeant Singulis Annis a Die See Tnnitatis Niindinas in Burgo ni^o de Aberden p duas feptimanas continue fequentes duraturas . cum omibus Juribus Libtatib3 . Rectitudinib5 . * ^fuetu- dinibj ad alias Nundinas nras In Burgis ni^is p Regnum nrm conftitutas iulte ptinentibus Testibus Wiilo Cumyn de Kylbryde ■ Thoma Ranulphi tunc . Caflurio • Reginaldo le Chen • RoBo de Cambruii • Wiito de Sco Claro • Pricio de Grah?in • « Wiito Byfet'i • Apud Kynto^ 5ci}o die Decembr . Anno regni ni^i . vicef imo q'nto : (Sigillo iniegro.J t Li^a ptectiois Reg^ Alex^ Alex del gra Rex Scott-* omnibj probis hominib3 toci' Pre fue ad quos prefentes littere puefiint • Saliii . Sciatis nos burgenl'es nros de Abirden Pras fuas homines fuos 'I vniSfas eoTjd polTeffiones ac oinia bona lua raobilia « imobilia sub Pma pace * ptectone ni^a iufte i'uf- cepiffe Q're firmir phibem' . ne quis eis malum . raoleftiam iniuriam feu g'uamen aliquod inferre ffumat iniufte fup nram plenariam foriffactura • Conceffim' "? eifdem vt nuUus namos fuos vel alicui' ipoi; leu hominu Suo:^ capiat p alicui' debito . plegiagio vel foriffacto . nil'i p fuo pp'o debito plegiagio vel foriffacto firmiP inhibentes ne quis eos vel alique ipoT; cent' banc con- ceffionem nfam vexare jJfumat iniufte fup nram plenaria foriiTacturam ■ Teff . \\'iHo Cumyn de Kelebrid . Witto de Sco Claro • Symone ffraf ■ Pat'cio de GraJiaiii ap Kyncardyu vicefimo Septimo die Januari Anno regni nfi vicefimo octauo, (Sigillo integro.) 16 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1277. only. In consequence of this last charter, the political condition of the citizens, and their families, was essentially improved, and their persons and property rendered more secure from oppressive and ar- bitrary exactions. The civil government of the town,* since the time of King Wil- liam, had gradually assumed a regular form, according to the genius of the feudal law, which then predominated ; a municipal jurisdic- tion was established, and a distinction of ranks observed. This government seems to have been a sort of oligarchy, vested in an al- derman and four baillies, with a common council, chosen annually from the burgesses who were members of the guildry. The alder- man, or provost, being the chief magistrate, appointed the times and places of the periodical meetings of the guild court, in which he pre- sided; but his powers were rather Umited than arbitrary, and his authority depended more on his personal qualities than on his sta- tion. In these courts, the alderman and baillies, f who, in consequence of their offices, were invested with jurisdiction, heard and deter- mined, in a summary manner, without much formality or delay, all controversies that occurred among the citizens. These magistrates also, by the exercise of their authority, maintained the public peace, and good order of the community ; and, besides having the power of embodying and training the citizens to arms on any emergency, they possessed the right of levying, for public purposes, taxes that were imposed by common consent of the inhabitants, assembled in an ordinary head court. In the year 1270, we find the municipal go- vernment of the town under the administration of a distinct set of magistrates, distinguished by the respective titles of alderman and of baillies ; from which period a regular succession of these offi- cers • The town's common seal, which was used in the time of David I. bore a temple. Saint Ni- cholas in the porch, mitred, with the legend — Sig'dlum de Communi Abirdonensi. t This office was first instituted in France, towards the end of the twelfth century. As the so- vereign could not decide every cause in person, where a separate jurisdiction was established he appointed baillis, with a right of jurisdiction in different districts of the kingdom, where they pos- sessed powers somewhat similar to those of the ancient comites. Hence the office of baillies in our royal boroughs. — [Roberlson's Charles V. note 28.] ANNALS OF ABERDKEN. 17 officers* can be traced, from the records and other authentic writings, a.d. 127: to the present time. During the long reigns of Alexander II. and Alexander III. Scot- land continued in a state of peace and prosperity, and enjoyed those blessings till the fatal invasion of Edward I. of England, in the end of the century, when the ravages of war which followed that event desolated the country, impoverished the nation, and ruined its pros- perity. At the close of the reign of Alexander III. we find that commerce and manufactures, which were chiefly confined to the bo- roughsf of the kingdom, were in a progressive state of improvement ; and that Aberdeen not only enjoyed the benefit of domestic traffic, but carried on foreign commerce correspondent with its means. Having the advantage of a sea port, it possessed small trading ves- sels, § with which merchants ventured to frequent the ports of the opposite continent, to barter their commodities ; and this sort of traffic being the only source from which the community could de- rive either opulence or power, they early experienced its advantages, and improved upon it. The town, besides, by means of its extensive privileges, had become the staple of the north ; and merchants from D other * In a charter by David II. (preserved in the archives of Marischal College,) confirming various grants made to the Carmelite friars, in the thirteenth century, the following sets of magis- trates occur, as witnesses, in the testing clauses of the deeds confirmed :— Baillies. BailUet. Baillies. 1270 Ricardus Cementar 1273 ft)ath de Gretheuid 12S5 Joli' de Annegos Walterus de COalemuk Rogerus de Ripun Wittm' Ct)arescallu9 Duncanus de Lasceles Thomas Erneach Thomas frater Laurencii Thomas filius Alicie Wittm' Spurnecurtoys Hugo Ruffo Alderman. 1285 (t)alcolm' de Pelgouenie. t In the Great Chamberlain's Accounts, for the year 1264, J we have an exact detail of the revenue of the crown at this period, and it amounts to £.5413 13s. Of this sum, there was re- ceived from the boroughs L.675 18s. 2d. or about one eighth part, which is equal to L.24,332 14s. in modem Scottish money. § The bishop of Aberdeen had a grant from King David I. of the tenth of the Can or customs of the ships trading to and from the port of Aberdeen, as a part of the revenue of his see. — \Chartulary of Aberdeen.'^ \ Chamberlain's Accounts, temp. Regis Aleiandri III. p. * 1 6. 18 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1277. other boroughs occasionally resorted to its periodical markets, for the purpose of commercial intercourse. Its external commerce was con- fined chiefly to the Xetherlands, whither it exported salmon, wool, hides, and woolfells : these being the basis of its traffic, were conse- quently exchanged for stuffs of Flanders, for salt, wine, iron, and other commodities of that region, adapted to domestic purposes. We also find, that a commercial intercourse was established with England, and that fish and wool were occasionally exported to that country.* 1287. Though, in this age, the royal boroughs were neither numerous nor considerable, some of them enjoyed the exclusive privilege of domestic traffic over extensive districts, and often strived to exclude other boroughs from that benefit. This circumstance excited a spirit of jealousy among the burgesses of towns that were not entitled to the same privileges, and frequently occasioned dissensions and disturbances in the public markets. There consequently arose, at this time, a serious contention between the burgesses of Montrose and those of Aberdeen, originating from a collision of interests re- garding the privilege of markets within their respective boroughs; and having become the subject of a controversy between them, be- fore the guardians of the kingdom, a commission was issued, under the great seal,f directed to the abbots of Couper and of Scone, and to • The salmon of Aberdeen, being its staple commoflity, was early celebrated for the superior mode in which it was cured and prepared foi market, and was not unfiequently exported to the capital fishing port of Yarmouth. In 1281, Ar x.n of Fulham wns commissioned by the sheriffs of Cumberland and Lancaster to purchase one hundred barrels of sturgeons, (salmon), of five cwt. each, five thousand salt fish, and a quantity of dried fish, of Aberdeen, to be exported to Chester. Four Imndred fish of Aberdeen, two hundred stock fish, one small barrel of sturgeons, (salmon), five dozen of lampreys, fifty pounds of whale, f balen,' ) and half a last of herrings, composed the fish part of the provisions on board a ship fitted out at Yarmouth, to bring over the infant Queen of .Scotland from the court of her father, the King of Norway. — ^Macpherson's Commerce, (NoleJ, vol. i. p. 436.] In the Wardrobe Accounts of Edward I. for the year l'-'£)9, published by the Society of Antiquaries of London, mention occurs, in the article of provisions to his army, of 18,500 red herrings, and 5496 stock fish of Aberdeen. — [^Page 118.] t W. * R. pmiffione diuina fci Andi^ et Glafguen Epi . Duncan' Coin de ffyf . .Wex Cumy Coin de buctin ^ft^ * Juft" Scoc Jolics Cuniy . « Jacobus feii fcoc cuftodes Regni fcot de «-omuni pfilio oftituti Omib3 pbis h6ib3 eiufde regni ad quos ^fentes li'e puenerint. Salt • Scia- ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 19 three burgesses of Perth, authorising them to hear and determine the a.d. i287. question, according to justice, and the assize of the land. But neverthe- less the burgesses of Montrose continued occasionally to disturb the markets of Aberdeen : a complaint was, therefore, preferred to the 1289. guardians, by the burgesses of Banff, against those of Montrose, for molesting them in the enjoyment of the benefit of the markets of Aberdeen ; but how that grievance was redressed, we have not been informed. The original complaint,* along with the commission, is preserved in the archives of the town. Among the most interesting topics of antiquarian research are, the people, their customs, and their language. Though, perhaps, it D 2 may tis q^ conftituim' loco nri . Religiofos vires Andrea « Hugone • de Cupir • « de Scon Abbates . Cristiiiu de Infula • Johem Ailbot « Joliem filiu Ricardi burgeii de pt^ vel eoT; t's aut duos apd Scon die Jouis px poft Afcenfione diii px futur ad audiendu * fminandu iufte « fcdm Af- fifam fre loquelam leu querelam mota inP burgen « Communa de Abirden ex vna pte . et burgeri et ^muna de COunros-" ex altera . Sup nudinis villa-? de Abirden * de Ct)unros^ Scdra tenore ■Carta-Jj fuai; q's inde lint . Q'^re voB mandam' « ^cipim' q'tin' dcis Andi~ * Hugoni Abbatibj . Cristino Jolii • « Jofei • burgenfibus vel eo-g t'bus aut duob3 taq' loco nri ^ftitutis fitis in ^miffis intendentes « refpondentes . In cui' rei testimoniu has Iras patentes figillo regimini regni Scoc deputato . fecim' f igillari . Dat apud Edinburg octauo die Cl)aii anno gre ff)^ CC° octog feptimo. , (The seal, in white max, remains entire.) * Lra ^is de Banf Viris puidis * difcretis cuftodibus regni fcoc • de c"©! ^filio conftitutis « cefis magnati- bus eiufde confilij refidentibiis ^pofiti ac ceti burgenfes comune de Banff- Salni « debitatn ad honoris obfequia reSenciam ■ VoB grauir conquerendo monft*mus qd cu diis Alex q"nda rex fcoc indite recordacbnis q'frlam nudinas in burgo de Aberdin tenendas « hndas ad utilitate nram % alioi/ burgo?; ex aquilonari pte monciu exiftenciu p cartam fuam conceffiffet t imppe- tuu confirmaffet • queq'de nudine p burgenfes de CDunrof inipediuntur « fingtis aiinis ptujban- tur in no modicu piudiciu * g'^uam pfati burgi de Atditi inimo tocius puincie ex aquilonari pte • Q're vre difcretor reSende humilit Supplicam' attencius petentes q'tinus tenore carte fupius nominate dco burgo de ABdin conceffe pp utilitate pupplicam ac neceffitate dcoT; bur- genfiu de ABdin illefu fi placet fcdm liBtates infra cartam fuam conteritas obluari faciatis • Ita ne occafione Inquietac'onis feu pturbaconis dco'j burgenfiu de Cpuriros" ulFius danipiui feu iactura noB inferatur n' inde mafia conquerendi p defcu iusticie nob tribuat'' • In cui' rei tes- timoniu figillu nrm comune hiif Iris patentibus est appenfu Dat' apd Banff* do'ca px ante cami pun • anno dni Mo CC° octog nono. (The seal is torn arvay.) go ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1289. may be more an object of curiosity than of any real moment to en- quire who were the progenitors of the people of the town, the history of which we have now commenced, yet, nevertheless, this deserves some degree of consideration. That the aborigines of Aberdeen were of a Celtic tribe will not, perhaps, be controverted ; but from the time of David I. a mixed people, consisting of Anglo-Saxons, Anglo- Normans, and Flemings, had imperceptibly collected in the principal towns on the north-east coast of Scotland,* particularly in Aberdeen. These strangers having settled, and intermixed with the inhabitants, in the progress of ages acquired, by the addition of their numbers, an ascendancy in the town, and dictated to the people their language, their laws, their manners, and their customs, f * Caledonia, vol. i. b. 4. ch. 1. f Charters to the Cannelite Friars, in 1270, 1273, and 1285, ia the Archives of Marischal College. CHAP. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 01 CHAPTER II. Affairs of Scotland after the death of Alexander III.— Sir William Wat- lace — Robert Bruce — Battle of Inverurif — Storming of the Citadel of Aberdeen by the Citizens — Origin of Bon Accord — Charters hj King Robert Bruce — Aberdeen erected into a royal borough — Town burnt by the English — Origin of the name of New Aberdeen — King David II.— His Charters to the borough — Appearance of Famine — Municipal Laws — Commerce — John Barbour — Language of the place — Popula- tion — Remarkable Occurrences — Table of the Customs and Monies paid by the town to Government. From A.D. 1290 to A.D. 1398. In tracing the rise and progress of Aberdeen, as a royal borough, a.d. 1290. it has been our object, in the preceding chapter, to present a distinct view of its ancient pohtical constitution ; to detail the privileges and immunities which its burgesses enjoyed, in consequence of the va- rious charters that emanated from the bounty of their sovereign ; and to introduce a few detached topics, which were deemed to be of importance to the narrative. The domestic events ; the political in- fluence of the borough, as connected with the state ; together with the manners and customs of the citizens, in diiferent ages, are the objects which will now require our consideration. Alexander III. having died, in 1286, by a fall from his horse, at Kinghorn, without leaving any male issue, and without any descen- dant, except Margaret of Norway, his infant grand-daughter, who did not long survive him, a controversy arose between two powerful com- petitors concerning the succession to the crown of Scotland. The result of that controversy, which is so famous in history, was not only disastrous to the nation, but had well nigh proved fatal to the inde- pendence of the kingdom. Edward I. of England, who was chosen umpire, having, by his definitive judgment in favour of John Eaiiol, placed 22 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. i£92. placed him on the throne of Scotland, and compelled the nobles to renounce the ancient liberties and independence of the country, it soon became manifest that he aimed at the absolute sovereignty and dominion of the kingdom. By the indignities which the English monarch offered to the Scottish nation, and by the arbitrary exercise of his usurped power, he exasperated the people ; and, finding every thing tending to a civil war, he made preparations for the commence- 1296. ment of hostilities against them. He invaded Scotland with a mighty army : he subdued the south ; and, in his progress northward, forced Baliol to resign the crown into his hands. Edward, having thus far accomplished the object of his views, proceeded with his army to 15th July. Aberdeen, which surrendered to his arms, without opposition. Henry Cheyne, bishop of the diocese, did homage to his new sovereign ; and 19th. the citizens, following his example, made their submission, as had been done by those of other towns in the south. 1298. Though Edward had in a manner conquered the country, he had not subdued the bold and fervid spirit of the nation ; but the people, being unable to struggle against the accumulated force of England, submitted with impatience to their humiliating yoke. At last. Sir William Wallace, whose exploits, heroic valour, and patriotism, have been the theme of history, appeared, as the defender of his country, and of its liberties. He inspired with national enthusiasm many of his countrymen, who crowded to his standard ; and, being fortunate in his enterprises, his associates in arms conferred on him the dignity of regent of the kingdom. Having attacked, with success, the dis- persed bodies of the English in the south, and stormed the castle of Dunnotter, he marched suddenly towards Aberdeen, in order to se- cure possession of that place. The Enghsh had, at this time, a con- siderable force in that district of the country, besides a numerous fleet stationed in the harbour ; but, on Wallace's approach, part of the garrison shut themselves up in the citadel, and the remainder, after having set fire to the town, retreated to their ships, trusting that they would be able, by these means, to effect their escape to sea. Wallace liaving made an effort to take the citadel by storm, failed in the attempt, and was repulsed. In his attack on their ships he was more successful, having burnt and destroyed the greatest part of them. After 1305 AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. 23 After achieving this exploit, and putting to death some of the inha- ad. 1298. bitants for assisting the Enghsh, he retreated into Angus.* It was the fate of this renowned leader and gallant defender of the liberties of his country, some years afterwards, to be betrayed, by Sir John Menteth, into the hands of Edward, who ordered him to be carried in chains to London, where the punishment of a traitor was inflicted upon him, although he had never made submission to England. His body being quartered, one of his limbs was sent to Aberdeen, and, according to the barbarous custom of the age, fixed to public view over one of the gates of the town.f But although Wallace had thus fallen a victim to the severity of Edward, another and more fortu- nate defender of the liberties of his country presented himself. '3^^- Eobert Bruce, grandson of that Robert who had been one of the competitors for the crown of Scotland, appeared, to assert his own rights, and to vindicate the legitimate cause of his country. He roused the genius of the nation from its present dejection; he excited his partisans to arm ; a"nd the nobles favouring his pretensions to the throne crowded to his standard. But, although he was crowned and inaugurated at Scone, and made his authority be acknowledged in most parts of the kingdom, he had the whole power of England to oppose. At the commencement of his reign, he experienced many privations and reverses of fortune ; and was, at last, forced to seek refuge, with many of his followers, in the castle of Kildrummy,:}: in the mountainous district of Aberdeenshire ; but in that place he did not long remain, having been driven from his strong-holds by the superior force of his enemies. Though he was, by these means, re- duced to adversity, and surrounded by dangers and difficulties, his gallant spirit was not subdued, nor did he continue long inactive. Edward I. having, in the meanwhile, died, and the exertions of his son and successor, Edward 11. becoming languid, Bruce sallied from his • Boecius Hist. lib. xiii. cap. 5. 306.— Fordun, lib. xi. cap. 29—" Wallace Achievements, by Blind Harry," b. vii. 1064. t Boecius Hist lib. xiii. cap. 5. 306. — Abercrombie, vol. i. p. r,ii. X Barbour, Edin. edition, 1 670, b. iii. line 270. 24 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. AD. 1306. his retreat : he put himself at the head of a respectable body of his party that had assembled in the neighbourhood of Inverury, in the district of Garioch, about fifteen miles north-we^t of Aberdeen, and soon found a favourable opportunity of leading them to victory and to glory. At this critical moment, the citizens of Aberdeen, who had been long under the influence of the English, and subjected to the usurpations and exertions of their authorities, found means to escape from the town, and hastened in a body to offer their services to Bruce ; they seasonably joined his army at Inverury, and distin- guished themselves no less by their patriotic conduct than by their bravery at that eventful crisis. The English, who retained possession of all the strong-holds in the north, collected expeditiously their scattered forces, and, under the command of John Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and John de Mowbray, one of their leaders, took up an advan- tageous position near the hill of Barra, not far distant from Inverury. The troops of Bruce were inferior in number to those of the enemy ; but his hopes of victory depended less on the numbers, than on the ardour and zeal of his faithful followers, and on the celerity of their motions. Trusting to valour and to fortune, he made his disposi- tions in person, and, animating his troops by his presence, he ad- vanced towards the enemv : he commenced the attack, drove them from their strong position, and defeated them with great slaughter.* Bruce, having thus by his military conduct secured the victory, which in its consequences was most important to him, pursued his advan- tage, and wasted with fire and sword the extensive territories of Comyn, in the fertile district of Buchan. In the meanwhile the citizens of Aberdeen, no less inflamed with resentment against the English than elated by the recent victory, hastened to the town, of which they took possession, without op- position. They attacked, with intrepidity, the citadel, which was still occupied by the enemy ; and having stormed it, put the garri- son to the sword, and razed the fortifications, f The English leaders, on * Boecius, p. 141. — Rotuli Scotia, p. 86. — Barbour, Edin. edition, b. vi. 1. 553. 760. t Boecius Hist, lib, xiv. fol. 312.— Leslie, p. 231. — Fordun, lib. xii. cap. l6.— Boecius de Vitis Epis. Aberdonen. f. 6. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 25 on intelligence of this disaster, collected their scattered forces, which a.d. i308. had, since their recent defeat at Inverury, been dispersed over the ^'^^' ^~' country, and advanced towards Aberdeen, that they might revenge the deaths of their countrymen. On their approach, tlie citizens and partisans of Bruce marched from the town, under the command of John Fraser, a Scottish commander, determined to give them battle. A severe conflict having ensued, in the precincts of the town, the English were thrown into disorder, and routed, with great slaughter. The triumph of the citizens on this victory was, however, sullied by their treatment of the prisoners, whom they put to an ignominious death. The canons of the church of St. Nicholas interceded for their lives ; but so violent was the spirit of national animosity to- wards the enemy, that the voice of religion and of humanity was disregarded : they could obtain only permission of the victorious leader and of the provost of the town to bury the bodies near the back porch of the church.* As an honourable testimony of the patriotism and zealous services of the citizens on these momentous occasions, and to peri3etuate the memory of their signal achievements at this important conjuncture, King Robert granted them his royal permission to change the ancient armorial bearings of the town, and to assume their present arms.f E with *• Boecius de Vitis Epis. Abred. f. G. + " To all and sundry wliom it effeirs. — I, Sir Charles Erskine of Cambo, Knight and Baronet, Lyon King of Arms, considering that by several Acts of Parliament, &c. I am empowered to visit the whole Arms and Bearings within this kingdom, and to distinguish them, and matriculate the same in my books and registers, and to give extracts of all Arms, expressing the blazoning thereof, under my hand and seal of office ; and which register is, b}' the said Act, ordained to be respected as the true and unrepealable rule of all Arms and Bearings in Scotland, to remain with tlie Lyon's Office as a public register of the kingdom : Therefore, conform to the power given mc by liis sacred Majesty, and according to the tenor of the said Acts of Parliament, I testify and make known, that the Arms of old belonging to the ro3'al burgh of Aberdeen, and now confirmed by me, are matri- culated in my said public register, upon the day and date of thir presents, and are thus blazoned, viz. : — ' The said royal burgh of Aberdene gives for Ensigns Armorial, Gules, three Toirers, triple totv'red within a double tressure, coutUcrJiotvred argent, supported by two Leopards, proper ; the motto in an escrol above, ' Bon- Accord,' (the word Bon- Accord was given them by t!-.e King Robert Bruce, for killing all the English, in one night, in their town, their word being that night Bon- Accord.) And upon the reverse of the seal of the said burgh is insculped, in a field azure, a temple 26 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1508. with tlie motto " Bon Accord" being their watcli-word on that me- morable day. According to local tradition, the pious canons im- posed, as a penance on the citizens, that they should repair every Sunday to the chapel dedicated to Saint Ninian, within the ramparts of the citadel, and expiate their offences by offering up their prayers for the souls of the prisoners whom they had so barbarously put to death. This religious ceremony was held in strict observance while the Roman Cathohc religion prevailed in the nation. During those transactions, Edward II. wdio, in compliance with the dying injunctions of his father, continued the prosecution of the war, retained possession of all the castles and strong-holds of Scot- land, except that of Aberdeen ; but he had neither the vigovir nor the military talents of his predecessor ; and his measures varied from day to day. The citadel of Aberdeen being the only strong-hold July 10. which he had hitherto lost, he appointed William le Betour captain of his fleet betwixt Hartlepool and Aberdeen, with special orders to proceed with succours for retaking it ;* but no attempt was made for that purpose : and being baffled in all his efforts to subdue Scotland, Edward retreated into England, where he disbanded his army. In consequence of those favourable events. King Eobert not only daily gained some new accession of territory, but reconciled the minds of the nobility to his dominion ; the great and decisive battle of Ban- 13H. nockburn, at length, fixed him on the throne of Scotland, and secured the independence of the kingdom. Nor was it in the field only that he displayed his wisdom and patriotic conduct. In his endeavours to restore his kingdom to its former grandeur and independence, he exhibited the same wise and beneficent policy in its civil administra- tion ; June 2 1. argent, St. Nicholas standing in the porch, mitred and vested, proper, with his dexter hand lifted up to heaven, praying over three children, in a boyling caldron of the first ; and holding in the sinister a ' Crosier Or ;' which Arras, above blazoned, I hereby declare to have been and to be the true and unrepealable signs armorial of the burgh royal above-named. In testimony whereof I have sub- scribed this extract with my hand, and have caused append my seal of office thereto. Given at Edinburgh, the 25th of February, and of our Sovereign Lord's reign the 2bth year, 1674. " Charles Areskin, Lyon." * Ilotuli Scotiw, p. 55. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 27 tion; and the country gradually recovered from the eftects of the a.d. i3m. devastations to which it had been so long exposed. Nor was he un- mindful of the meritorious services of the burgesses and community of Aberdeen, who, as soon as tranquillity had been restored to the nation, experienced his hberality and bounty. He passed a charter,* Oct. -'4. by which he granted and confirmed to them the charge of keeping and preserving the ancient royal forest of Stocket, to be held by them, their heirs and successors, for ever ; together with all the liberties and privileges that pertained to it, either by law or usage. This was a grant of considerable importance to the community in those times, when the diversion of hunting was so much the occupation of the nobility, and when the king's forests were governed by peculiar and arbitrary laws, which were considered to be a source of oppression to the people. By another charter, he also confirmed, to the burgesses and community, the privilege, which they had long enjoyed, of an annual fair in the borough, for fourteen days subsequent to Trinity Sunday. -j- In a general council of the nation assembled at Berwick, he passed isig. another charter,:}: by which he granted and confirmed, in fee farm, °^'^" ^°' E 2 to * Robertas del gra Rex Scottij omibus probis hominibj tocius Pre fue Saltm Sciatis nos dedilTe conceffiffe et hac ^fenti Carta nra confimiaffe Burgenfibus « comunitati burgi nri de Abir- den Curam * Cuftodiam tocius forefte nfe de le Sloket cum ptinenciis Tendeud * habend dco Burgo Burgenfibus % Comunitati eiufdm « eo?; heredibus « fuccei'foribj p omes Rectas metas fuas * diuifas cu omibus Libertatib3 • coinoditatibj t aifiaiiitis ad dcara foreftam fpectantibus feu de iure vel confuetudine in futurum Spectarc valentibus • ialuis nobis viridi * venacione tantu • Concedim' eciam eidm Burgo nro Burgenfibus « Comunitati eiufdm ■ « eot heredibus et Succefforibus • q^ nullus julticiari' forei'ta-? nra^ nee aliquis alius Regni nri cuiufcuq. con- dic"bnis fSit fiue ftatus fe int=mittat • feu cognisionem fieat fup defectibus dee forefte nre jJ^ pfonani nram * CaiSariu nrm qui p tpe fuit firmiP inhibentes ne quis cont' banc conceffionem nram ipos Burgenfes vt Comunitatem liedes fuos ut fucceffores vexare f?fumat iniufte fup nram plenariam foriffacturam • In cui' Rei teftiom ^fenti Carte nre figittm nrm ^cepira' apponi • Teftibus Edwardo de Bruis Comite de Carrilt « Dno Galwidie fratre nro ■ Dauid Coraite AtholJe Conftabulario ni^o Scocie Thoma Ranulphi Comite CDorauie nepote nro • Johne de (Deneteth • GilBto de Haia • Alexo de ffieyners • « Robto de Keth a)arefcallo nro Scocie flli- litibj • Apud Dunde vicefimo quarto die Octobr • Anno Regni ni'i Octauo. ("The seal, in white wax, remains entire. J t Charter entitled^ " Quasimodo genit^ de nudinis" — in the archives of the borough. % Robertuf dei gracia Rex Scotto^ Omnibj probis hominibj tocius terre fue Saltm : Sciatis 28 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1319. to his burgesses and to the community of Aberdeen, and to their heirs and successors, the borougli and the royal forest of Stoket, with the pertinents, to be held by them in perpetuity, of his jNIajesty and his royal successors, in free burgage, with the mills, river fishings, customs, tolls, courts, weights, and measures, and all other liberties and commodities, for payment of an yearly rent of L,213 6s. 8d. Scottish Nos dc confilio t ordinacoe pbo-^ Regni nolV cScefTiffe % ad feodofirma alTedaffe • ac pfenti carta nra confirmaffe burgeni'ib5 nris % coitati burgi nri de Atdene burgu nrm de ABdene ^dcm * fforeftam nram del Stoket cu ptineciis Tenend « habend ^dcis burgens' * coitati eo^ heredibj * fuccefibrib3 i:i ppetuu • de noB * heredibj ni=is in ffeodo % hereditate % in liBo burgage • p oines rectas metas « diuifas fuas • cu COoledinis • Aquis ■ pifcariis • aiinut Cuftumis • Tolloneis • Curiis • ponderibs foenfui" • « cu omib3 aliis Lifetatib3 • C6moditatib5 • Ayfiametis ConfuetudiB3 % iuftis ptineciis fuis ad Affedacbem dcoT; bur^ % fforefte • de iure « cofuetudle fp«tantib5 • vel fp'tare valentib3 in futur^ • Reddendo inde noB annuati • v} he- redib3 nris • dci burgn • eo? hedes « fucceffor* vt f'^dcm eft • Ducetas O O o H M D PJ < O g < O H en D H fa O CQ <; o > i ?fl ^ o o i ^ CO ^ i o S o u a. u bo o i/5 S u o > cd o O 0> o 1 f (SO l4 -* O O "^ to C; Ci t~- CO C5 >o >4 •1 c;-* -■^t oc ec O t- O cc 0! •o 1—4 o ;^ H^ >.-5 _4 (N «3 01 t- n CI ■* CI 00 >-4 00 CI CO C Ci o ■* ev >-'5 ci •* 1 r- "j< — 00 rH 5 01 01 01 iOi ° s I ^ .§ 01 ^ H i o ho o 00 Ci eo CO X t— 1 : o CO • > " X 01 Q 6 .S u u H e & u t- o •o C t~ C C ^ OJ O C C O CO CO OJ LO -< •<* O C «5 to ^ 'O 3 g a. g 172 01 -a < 01 -a .2 JO &. 01 -a o 01 tf ■a •« < »-12 01 S < -a '3 ^ 'i; , ;5 3 .ac Jo 2 :| i&u 01 01 a.'a -a -a O J 'J o CO •- § tjO'5 O !S 01 "a o CO CO o 13 3 .S 01 o n< o u I—' S •*" 1— CO X! k1 40 AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. -r- .^ c * o — Ot l-H § (N CO CO M 1 Oi C5 O t^ >0 O! o "O >o CO ■* 01 « •"S t^ «5 MM LT ei 00 Oi r-i to CO C5 •1 CO 01 O* Ol ■-■ o CO o CI Cl -« 'G o a* g g •^ o u o p. .2 c i g tn S o V u H e •3 IRl ■4-* IE! 13 3J t3 o o O" If' 10 i 0) '^ SI, i ■a .2 o 2 < o to to to ■td 2 t3 c o ._ a. 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Px ins C o ■c cs S -^ .2 8 <^ = X 0) V CU > o 46 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN, «■ ?o «i ^S W M ,; — t- >0 "t< 01 -^ o o o O C Q •H O O 00 O O O « o o o « >-1 O CO c c 0< -r" O " ^ ^ £>• ift C^ CO — 0< !;- ^ "O W k--5 !0 "^ ■* •-■i CI 4 00 to c-> : 5ti O ?H O o :a 13 !> ID '^ a. o c ^ .& u iO, ■go a 'S a ■< e ^ *= !3 C .3 g o » c o C3 .^ =° O ^ O l^ hi S 2 'be « 'H s ■^ u L3 ^ II - ^ -« 2 ^<^ Q W c£ •I o )3 IC a P* a >. w 01 V S o o a St w Ml V -3 >. g .2 C^ 3 c S 0) U 4) g P 3 a H s C-, ''^ Cl t^ C2 CO ><^ 00 Q CO ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 47 "3 "53 00 1 f 1 «i to 3»j 0« -« = o o 00 O M O 01 ■« eo CO T? o c o 00 o o ij o o o lO e-3 ^ ^-i - «c CO to « o o o to o o ^s o o 8 C! «3 O =4 o< t^ to FH o o o o O 3 £« a ?5 .fi Px ^S S 3 .3 3 bn u c o CA fcn » o CD 3 'a 5c > 2 -s o -a J3 o •a ',3 < o § -s o m u 'a ^ "B •c "i ^ 4> a» :* iC CJ 0^ j5 4-» <=a s ^ 0) 0} «; a (jj CQ ft. fS" o 'o o a 1. -a •a n 01 H IP X c -a 3 a> _2 - £ 5 3 iS tS "'^^ S w 2 ^ o-'So 2 c^"^ C 3 en jM »J (U J a m .■3 "a lO 5 f 4) 3 2 w -3 3 O 4C '^ -, es 3 ,= 3 3 i "' ^ ,t-, O a S '5 ^ X Uj •3 48 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. S 'S H Pi to ^ < M o ^ g o U in © « 1-4 IH 1-H 0? 00 >o Til o 00 to CO 01 to >--5 1-4 CO CO J>- PH I— i CO 00 CO r-4 >.o S M CO '-''■* C5 1.0 ■* >.o ^ta oO^JtOCi U5«5CO ^«5 .*C0r-ttO O-HOl Ol to «5 i4 '.SID'S ^ .a IS < .2 ;= '» 3 .2 13 2 cS ft. ;r CO w '3 <^ ..: .r. ^ 'i « < Z! ^ '•- f^ a " s ?-> OS'S ^■s&.^.S'? fe ^ 2 « E ~ S u -S < :5 -U ig,,- S ^ o 13 PM >r> ^ S ^ Jy^ ■c < [5 M c, : : o o S2 tJ "^ I-: "^ kj 00 2? S =? S 05 X CD CO »< CO ;> CO >< CO ><'-' X '^ >< " 1^ ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 49 CHxVPTER III. SECTJOy I. Bailie of Harlan — Sir Robert Davidson, Provost, slain — JRansom of Kbig James I. — Sir Alexander Irvine of Drinn Governor of the Town — fortified with Walls — King James II. and the Qiieen visit the Town — Supreme Court at Aberdeen — Bond of Man-7'ent to the Earl of Hunthj — King James III. encouraged foreign trade — Slain at Stirling — Propositions from Lord Forbes, and other Lords, to revenge his death — Sir Andrew Wood's Claim to the Castlehlll and Stocket set aside by the Lords of Council — King James IV. visits the Town — the celebration of his Marriage, attejided by the Magis- trates — Visit of the Queen — Battle of Flodden — Attack on the Citi- zens by Setoti of Meldrum — King James V. visits the Town — his Remission to the Community — Licence for fortifying the Town with Walls — Contest with Lord Forbes, ^-c. — The Provost and twenty- four Citizens tried before the Justiciary Court at Linlithgow, and acquitted — Visit of the King — Ships of war fitted out by Aberdeen — Johi and George Faw, Gipsies — Battle of Solway — the Earl of Huntly Provost of Aberdeen — Battle of Pink ey. In which many of the Citizens were killed — the Earl of Arran and the Dowager Queen Mary visit the Town — JMlscellaneous Occurrences. From A.D. 1398 to A.D. 1539. From this period, the sources of information with regard to local A.D. 1398. matters becoming more copious, our details will be more minute, and our narrative more connected, than in the i^receding chapters. The journals of the successive councils of the borough, and of the judi- cial proceedings in the different law courts, now commence. From these, incidents and transactions may be more copiously collected, and confidently stated ; their causes, progress, and effects, more clearly traced ; and the customs and manners of the people more H distinctly 50 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1398. distinctly delineated, than from our former vague, detached, and scanty sources of information. At the same time, it will be neces- sary, occasionallj^ to have recoin-se to national histories, for matters of a more general nature, connected with the object of the present inquiries. 1406. The reign of Robert* III. was of short duration ; but, during the greater part of it, tranquillity had prevailed between tlie two British nations. Being a prince of slender capacity, and infirm from his youth, he committed the administration of public affairs to his bro- ther Eobert, Duke of Albany, who seems to have entertained designs April 4. of acquiring the crown to his own family. After the demise of the king, a parliament, to which Aberdeen sent its commissioners,! as- June. sembled at Perth, and appointed Albany regent of the kingdom. On assuming the reins of government, he found the affairs of the nation in the greatest disorder, and anarchy every where prevailing. James, the onlv son of Robert, and his successor in the throne, had been seized by the English during the continuance of a truce, and was un- justly detained a captive in England, where he remained for many subsequent years. The nobility, who aspired to independence, had assumed the whole power of the state. Being divided by mvitual jealousies and inveterate animosities, they lived in a state of perpe- tual hostility with each other : and, the authority of the established government being little regarded, their quarrels were generally de- cided by the sword. Among the most turbulent and formidable of these chieftains was Donald, Lord of the Isles, who scorned all sub- jection to the delegated power of the regent. He had long con- sidered himself as an independent prince, and was united to Eng- land by treaties of alliance, 'J: which were not sanctioned by the lies, government of his country. About this time the Earldom of Ross having fallen into the hands of the Regent, on the death of the for- mer Earl, Donald of the Isles asserted his claim to it, in right of his wife, the presumptive heiress ; but motives, characteristic of the times. • His name wa8 John ; but, on liis accession to the tlironc, he changed it to that of Robert, by the advice of his Parliament. t Council Register, vol. i. p. 278. J Rymer's Faedera, vol. viii. p. 527. ANXALS OF ABERDEEN. ol times, induced the Eegcnt to deny this claim. Donald, incensed at A.D. iiii this refusal, speedily raised an army of 10,000 men, within his own territories, for the purpose of vindicating his pretensions. With this force he took possession of the earldom without the least opposition. Elated w^ith his success, he advanced southward, and invaded the fertile provinces of Moray, Strathbogie, and Garioch, committing many acts of plunder and devastation in the course of his progress. He now promised himself and his followers considerable advantages from the spoils of Aberdeen ; but, whatever objects he may have had in view, his further advances were prevented by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, the Regent's nephew, who had collected an army in the low country,* to oppose him. In this situation of af- fairs, the citizens of Aberdeen, ambitious to show their loyalty and their attachment to the established government, and dreading the approach of those hostile invaders, marched from the town, under the command of Sir Robert Davidson, their alderman ; and, along Avith several barons of the county, joined the army vmder the Earl of Mar. The army, thus reinforced, having encountered the invaders at the village of Harlaw, about eighteen miles north of the town, a bloody July 24. conflict ensued, which was uncertain in its issue ; and the night, ra- ther than victory, put an end to the battle. The loss on both sides was very considerable, and each of the contending armies retreated on the following day, having no inclination to renew the combat. In this action Sir Robert Davidson fell, with many of his friends and follow^erSjf who were long lamented by their fellow citizens. His body was brought to the town by his surviving companions in arms, and en- tombed in the north wall of Saint Nicholas Church, before the altar of Saint Ann,:j: which had been founded by his father, many years before, near the great arch of the steeple. § The place of his sepul- H 2 turc * Fordun, lib. xv. cap. 51. — Buchanan, lib. x. c. 18. t Among many other Barons, Sir Alex. Irvine of Driun was slain in this battle. His body was buried on the field, where, in ancient times, a cairn marked the place of his interment. It was long known by the name of Drum's cairn. — ^3f.5. Advocate's Library.'^ X Cartulary of St. Nicholas Church, fo. 6. § The event appears to have been recorded in the Cartulary of St. Nicholas Church some years afterw.-irds ;— " Potens vix Robertas filius Davidis, &c. Et erat vir in cunctis prospe agens, fortis ct 52 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. AD. 1111. ture was marked by the following inscription on the wall of the old church : — " SIR ROBERT DAVIDSON, SLAIN AT HARLAW. Eques Auratus." "When the nave of this fabric fell to ruins, about the year 1740, the remains of the body were discovered, with a small crimson cap coverino- the head.* The standard which the citizens carried to the field is preserved in the armoury of the town to the present day. After this event, tradition relates, that the chief magistrate of Aber- deen was interdicted, by an act of the town council, from leaving the city, in his public character, on any future occasion. uoj. In this year King James effected his release from captivity in England, having stipulated to pay L.40,000 sterling, for his mainte- nance and education, during the long period of his confinement in that country. For liquidating this debt, Aberdeen was one of the four royal boroughs associated in a bond to the King of England for the sum of 50,000 merks Scots.f In order to guarantee the payment of this money, hostages were selected from the barons of the king- dom, and from the wealthiest burgesses, to remain as prisoners in England, until the condition of the bond should be accomplished. David Menzies, burgess of Aberdeen, J whose estate was estimated at ^00 merks annually, being one of the hostages, was ordered, among others, aiulax et obiit in bello de Havelaw et cum eo plures burgenses laudabiles invariabiles honestatibuscjj radifati oninicj^ probitate inovati qiioru nomina propter tempis brevdtatem et memorie erracia expre- ini non possunt, ut deceret in detensione ville et pro patrie libertate sub vexillo dni Alexandri Se- nescalli comitis Marrie Et sepultus dictus Robertus ante altai-e Sancte Anne in eccia pai-ochiali prc« dicta cujus anime miseratiir Deus." — [^Fol. 6.] * The author acquired this information some years ago from a respectable inhabitant, who, •when a boy, had occasion to see the remains of the body among the ruins. f The boroughs were — Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Perth. Each of these granted a si- inilar bond for the sum. The common seal of Aberdeen was of red wax, suspended fi'om the bond, wliich was dated at Perth, 18th February, 1424. — [Rymer's Fmdcra, vol. x. p. 324, 325.] The sum was equal to L.640,332 10s. of modern Scottish money, in 1738 ; or L. 53,361 10s. sterling. X Abercromby, vol. ii. p. 266. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 53 Others, to repair to England, where he remained under restraint for a.d. u25. some time.* King James, on his arrival at Durham, on the 2Gth March, granted to these boroughs an ample indemnification from the consequences of this engagement, in the form of a bond, which is de- posited in the archives of Aberdeen, f After the barbarous murder of this prince,:}: the affairs of the 1437. kingdom being in a distracted state, the community of Aberdeen judged it expedient, for its defence and protection, to court the patronage of Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum, who was a baron of con- siderable influence in the county. His residence was a few miles from the town, and his family had long been attached to the interests of the citizens. He was invested with the highest civil and military 1440. authority in the town, by the imanimous consent of the burgesses, ^•^t*''^"- imder the title of captain and governor ; which office he continued to hold * Mr. Menzies' annual estate would have been equal to L.213 8s. lO^d. sterling money, in tlie year 1 738. In his capti\ity he was attended by Thomas of Tillcw, Priest ; John Hadyngton, John Makke, Walter Fresell, Andrew Dalowe, and Davy Johnnesson, servants ; who ol)tained pennission from the King of England for that purpose.— [^Rymer's Feed. vol. x. p. 3^S. SSS.] t " Jacobus del gra Rex Scottorum omibus hominib' Clericis et Laicis Regni nostri notura faci- mus nos auctate nostra Regia teneri et tenore pncium firmiter et fideliter obligai-i dilectis "t fidelib'' nois burgensTs videlicet ppoitis % balliuis et coinimitatib' quatuor burgorum regni nri predtis de Edinburgth, Perth, Dunde, t Abirden ac eorum Redib' t successorib3 adobsuand ipos t licdes suos t successores t eorum quemlib' indempne sen indempnes de siolucone quTquaginta millium marca^ pro qua suma soluenda serenissimo Principi lienrico Regi Anglie pro nra liberacone predti ppoiti T, coietates T, balliui quatuor biirgor nostrof ad mandatiun nostrimi sunt litteratorie obligati ad temii- nos inde concordatos, Et ad hoc faciendu ut premissum e sine exceptoe revocaconc aut impedimCto quibuscuq^ Obligamus nos auctoritate iire regie raajestatis heredes nros et successores reges Scocie firmiter 1 sine fraude pnciQ p tenoyem, insup promittim^ t curabem' nos facere omes et singulos ppoitos et baUiuos ac c5itates ceteroi^ burgos regni nostri se heredes suos et successores sub suis c5iBs sigillis obligare in fonna suflicienti prepoitis et balliuis dtor quatuor burgorum ad assis- tend "^ adherendum eisd insoluc'oe dte sume pecnie in casum et eventimi quib' pro ea distringantur sine eu solvat in toto \ in pte et ad participedu et contribuend ciun eisd juxta vires in oiSi onere ta occasione pncipat solucois prefate sume pecnie no soUite q^ suptuu et expensai" circa factum huioi obligacbis jam factor T; imposterum fiendor In cujus rei testimonium sigillum nrm pntib' jussimus apponi apud Dnelmia xxvi die Menf Marcii Anno Dni millesiiiio quadragitesimo \'icesimo quarto, el regni nostri xviii." } King James was murdered, February 20, 1437, in the Cartliusian Monastery of Perth, by WiUter, EarlofAthol, his uncle; and other conspirators. 54 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1440. hold two years.* This is the only instance of such an office having been created in the borough ; for it does not appear to have been revived, even in the time of the Earl of Huntly, in the middle of the subsequent century, his Lordship, who became chief magistrate, being distinguished only by the title of provost. 3 442. The anarchy and confusion which prevailed in the nation during the minority of James II. kept the community of Aberdeen in a state of constant alarm. Having no regular government to resort to for protection, it seemed to depend, in a great measure, upon its own in- ternal resources. While the disorders in the country subsisted, the magistrates and council found it requisite to adopt the most effectual measures for the defence of the town. The citizens were commanded to take arms, and support the magistrates in their authority. The town was ordered to be fortified with walls ; the ports were kept shut every night, and an armed patrole of thirty men w^as daily selected from the citizens, as a guard, to prevent surprise, f This alarm, how- ever, appears to have soon subsided, and the citizens were, of course, released from this military duty. 1448. In the month of July, this year, King James made his first visit to the town. He was received by the magistrates with every mark of distinction due to their sovereign ;:j: and the citizens were zealous in manifesting their joy on the occasion. A present, under the deno- mination of a propine, was made to him, of two tons of Gascony wine, six lights of three stones of wax, and twelve half pounds of scorchets.§ 1455. His queen, in the month of January, this year, made a similar visit, and was received with equal marks of respect. A propine was pre- sented to her, of 100 merks, || in money ; but such was the difficulty of procuring the means, that, to raise this sum, the magistrates de- vised the expedient of anticipating the revenues arising from the fishings, lands, and other property of the borough. These were or- dered to be let by leases for a certain term.^ The * Council Register, vol. iv. p. 211. 253. t Ibid vol. v. p. 660. 663. :[; Council Register, vol. v. p. 731. § Sweet-jneats, || Equal to L.64 lOs, sterling. ,11 Council Register, vol. v. 731. 790. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 55 The supreme court of law being at this time ambulatory, was oc- a.d. 1457 casionally held in different parts of the kingdom. The parliament, in which the nomination of the judges was vested, appointed the high court of judicature, called the session, consisting of three clergy- men, three barons, and three burgesses, without either salaries or perquisites, to sit, during the space of forty days, for the administra- tion of the law, at Aberdeen. The judges were — the Bishop of Ross, the Abbot of Deer, and Mr. Walter Idel, for the clergy ; the Earl of Errol, the Lord Glammis, and Lord Forbes, for the barons ; John Fyfe, provost of Aberdeen, and Andrew Menzies and Walter Thom- son, two of the burgesses, for the boroughs.* At this period, however, justice, in ordinary matters, was administered to the citizens by the provost and baillies, as judges in the courts of the borough ; and ap- peals to higher tribunals were rarely attempted by the inhabitants. The nobles and barons, with a view to balance the influence of the crown, combined with each other in leagues of mutual defence, cal- led bonds of man-rent. Associations of this kind were not uncommon ; they were often concerted in time of peace, and became formidable engines, in the hands of the nobles, even against the throne. The Earl of Huntly, the most powerful chieftain in the north, influenced the magistrates and the community of Aberdeen to unite with him in a bond of this nature, under their secret seal. " On the one hand, uoe. his Lordship covenanted to defend the freedom, liberties, and infeft- raents of the town : and, on the other, they engaged to be faithful and sincere in their advice, if he should ask it ; to keep his counsel, if he should desire it ; and on his Lordship repairing to the town, with his attendants, whether few or many, they were to be protected." The magistrates and the community, however, had the prudence to enter a saving article, by which they reserved their allegiance to their sovereign, and the freedom of the borough. This covenant was to endure for ten years, f Not long after the formation of this league, his * Abercrombie, vol. ii. p. 3*3. t Bond of Man-rent. " Be it made kend till all me be tliir pnt tres Us Aldraa, Baillieis, Cosale, and^uStc of ye burgh of Aberdene to be oblist till a noble and miclitie Lorde Alex. Erie of Huiitlie and Lordc of Baide- o6 AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 14CS. his Lordship had occasion to call for their services. Since the death of King James II. who had fallen at the unfortvniate siege of Rox- burgh castle,* John, Lord of the Isles, and Earl of Ross ; Donald Ballagh ; and John de Isle, son and heir of the same Donald, had thrown off their allegiance to the crown of Scotland, and entered into a treaty with Edward IV. of England, f By the first article of this treaty, the Earl and his people engaged to become the subjects of Edward, and to support the King of England in his wars in Scotland, or against the Scots in Ireland. On the other hand, certain subsidies were stipulated to be paid to the Earl, and his confederates.:]: Con- fiding in this treaty, they put themselves in arms, invaded the north of Scotland, surprised the castle of Inverness, and plundered the ad- jacent nach I manere & fouiine as eft folowis. — That Is to say, for samekle as ye forsaid Lorde is oblist till us i matenance and supplie to kepe us in oure fredomis and infeftmet? for certane termes as T ye forsaid Lords Ires at lynth made till us yapon mar fuUely is contenit, that we sal be lele and trew to ye forsaid Lorde Erie in counsale gif he asks us eft- oure wicP and knawlage, and kepe his coim- sale gif he charge us. And atour quhe it sal pless ye forsaid Lorde to ciun to oiu-e said bm-gh with few personis or mony, and to remai or pas quhen him liks, we sal at all oure gudely power ^f sve & kepe him and his company within our said burgh lely and treuly, but fraude or gile, and gif ony wald inwade him within oure said burgh, to tak sik part with him I his defens as we wald do for ye defens of oure aw3m persons ; kepand our aUegeans till oure soverane lorde ye king, and ye fredomis of oure said burgh, yir our Ires tiU endur for al ye termes of ten yeres, fra ye day and date of ye makmg of thaime. In witnes of ye quhilk thing our secrete sele to thir oure Ires is affixt at oiu-e burgh of Aberdene forsaid ye xx^ day of Januaie, ye yere of God Jin. CCCC. sexte and twa."— [Council Register, vol. 5. p. 46?.] * The King was killed by the bursting of a cannon, Aug. 3d, 1460. t Ryraer's Faedera, vol. ii. p. 484. t By this singular treaty, which was concluded at London, February 13th, 1462, Edward en- gaged to pay to the Eail of Ross a subsidy of 100 merks, in time of peace, and L.200 in time of war ; to Donald, L.20 in time of peace, and L.40 in time of war ; to John, the son of Donald, L.IO in time of peace, and L.20 in time of war : all sterling money, during their respective lives. It was further agi-eed, that, when the King of England, with the assistance of these allies, and of James, Earl of Douglas, had sulxliied the kingdom of Scotland, or the greatest part of it, he should grant all the countries beyond the Forth to the Earls of Ross and Douglas, and Donald Ballagli; to be equally divided among tliera, and held of the crown of England ; that the Earl of Douglas should he restored to all liis esUitcs to the south of the Forth ; and that if Edward made any peace or ti-ucc with the King of Scotland, his allies should be comprehended in it. The Earl of Douglas, as a re- ward for accomplishing this alliance, and for other services, was to receive from Edwai'd an annual pension of L.500 during his life.— IRj/merS Fxdera, vol. ii. p. 487.] ANNALS 01' ABERDEEN. oj jacent country.* The Earl of Huntly, with other great barons, hav- a.d. \i&3. ing determined to oppose them, required the provost and the citizens of Aberdeen, by a special letter, committed to the charge of their Lordship's squire, Alexander of Leslie, to join them, at the Cabrach, on the evening of Monday the 18th of July. The provost and his friends, feeling no inclination to embark in an undertaking at so great a distance, and, perhaps, reflecting upon the fatal disaster at Harlaw, returned to his Lordship an answer, excusing themselves for not at- tending him, " because they had neither horses nor men ; the king- had, moreover, ordered them to remain in the town, for he had cer- tain intelligence of the English fleet being on the coast, with an in- tention to destroy this and other towns of the realm." y This war- fare, however, seems to have terminated without bloodshed. The Earl of Ross and his confederates returned with their army to the isles, carrying along with them the spoils and plunder which they had taken at Inverness, and in other parts of the country. :|: The friendly intercourse which had subsisted for several years uso. between the two British nations, being now unhappily interrupted, there was every appearance of an invasion of Scotland by the English. The town was, therefore, put in a state of defence, with fosses, and other works ; and the ports were secured in the usual manner. The harbour was locked by a boom, thrown across its entrance ; and every I citizen * Buchanan, lib. xii. cap. li).— Rymer's Faed. vol. ii. p. 483, 484. t " Hee and mighty Lord, I recmnawnde me hiimly onto your Lordschijipis with all humylitc & f rvice pleyss j-oiu- Lordschippis to wit, yat I hafe ressavyt certa of yours be your Skwyar Alex. of Lessly, chargeande me and ye tone to be at j'ou yis Monuday at evine at ye Cabbrach / My Lord, I hafe caUit ye nichburs of our tone, and schawine yai yoiu- credens, ye quliilk nichburs ai-e wele set at all yair gudelj' power to ple3'ss your Lordscliippis with yair frviee in as fer as yai may bes- eking j'our Lordschippis ye will nocht be displeysit yat yai may noclit cu to yis hasty tryst eft his credens fonn, gude fathe we hafe na hors na man yet nane to cu becauss of ye warnying of ye cuntre of gentil me to cii to your Lordschippis at yis tryst. And forthir, my Lord, we are chwgit be our soiiane Lorde to kepe our tone, for he as sicku-ly infoiirmyt of a flot of Inglisme to cu for ye des- tructone of our tone, and of uthirs within j-is realme; for ye quhilk we beseke yow til hafe us ex« cusit, as our great traist is in your singular Lordschippis, ye quhilk all nn'clity Go'}, ^sine at 3'our hee and mychty nobill harte dessir Written und my signet at Abden yis last Monuday yc .win day of July."— (1463.)— [Coi/HCiV Register, vol. V. p. 485.] i Abercrorabie, vol. ii. p. 397. 58 ANNALS OF ABEKDF.EK. A.D. U80. citizen was put in arms, and prohibited from leaving the town, or re- moving his goods, under the penalty of banishment for a year and a day, besides the forfeiture of his property.* 148S. About this time the Earl of Arran, and others of the nobility, discontented with the conduct of King James III. who both feared and hated them, formed a combination against him, held secret in- trigues with England, and made every preparation for a civil war. The Duke of Albany, and John, Earl of IMarr, the king's brothers, incensed at the treatment which they had received from him, entered warmly into all their views. The nobles were provoked to arms ; and having prevailed upon the Duke of Rothesay, the king's eldest son, to put himself at their head, they openly avowed their intention of dethroning the king. In this posture of affairs James took the field, and encountered the malcontents near Bannockburn ; but his troops being defeated, and put to flight, he was slain, in the pursuit of his broken army, in the vicinity of Stirling. Previous to this ftital in- surrection, he had held courts for the administration of justice at Aberdeen, where he was attended by the Earl of Iluntly, Lord For- bes, and other great barons, who seemed greatly attached to his in- terest, and had determined to give him their firmest support, f James III. is reported by historians to have been a prince of little genius, and to have devoted his time to architecture, music, and other arts, which were not much esteemed in those fevidal times, when war was regarded as the most honourable, and the only useful occupation. It seems, however, that he was not insensible of the valine of commerce with foreign countries ; for he was the first sove- reign of Scotland who sent ambassadors to the continent, to negociate affairs of trade for the benefit of his kingdom. In the year 1478, an embassy was sent to the Duke and Duchess of Burgundy, for the ex- press purpose of a commercial negociation. When this was notified to the magistrates of Abei-deen, the provost and five burgesses were delegated, as connnissioners, to repair to the king, at Edinburgh, in order to concert the proper measures to be adopted in this important atfair. * Council Register; vol. vJ. p. CSO. 691. t Henry, vol. ix. p. 409. ANNALS OF ABERDEEX. o9 affair.* Soon after, George Parklc of Parkle having been appointed a.d. uss by the king conservator of the Scottish privileges in the territories of the Duke of Eurgundy, the magistrates and merchants of Aberdeen, ' at the request of the king, granted to the conservator tlicir commis- sion, upon 5th July, 1484, under the common seal, for the same pur- pose, f In the year 1485, the magistrates, council, and community granted their bond to his Majesty for ten lasts of salted salmon, to be delivered at St. Peter's day, to the king's factors in England, France, Flanders, Holland, or Zealand ; the charge of this commo- dity was defrayed by an assessment on the inhabitants:^, but for what purpose the adventure was intended, we have not been able to discover. In the month of September, this year, Alexander, Lord Forbes, 1189. and other noble Lords, rejiaired to Aberdeen, with a view to ascer- tain the sentiments of the community in regard to rescuing the yovmg king from the hands of those vrho had taken advantage of his youth, and betrayed him into the unnatural rebellion which had proved fatal to his father. In order to make a stronger impression on the minds of the people, they carried along with them, upon the point of a spear, the bloody shirt of the murdered king. § On this occasion, the citizens being assembled by the magistrates, readily ac- quiesced in certain resolutions which were proposed to them by these Lords, and to which they ordained the common seal of the borough to be affixed. These resolutions referred particularly " to the bring- ing to condign punishment the traitors who had put to death their late sovereign ; to the reformation of the government of the King's treasury ; and to the protection of his sacred person." || I 2 Mean- * Council Register, vol. vi. p. 528. t Ibid. voL vi. p. 808. J Council Register, vol. vi. p. 9*3. 980. § Buchanan, lib. xiii. c. I. II "The .\ii day of September, the yeai" 1489, the aldermii, ballieis, consale, and coiiiute ga- thireyt, grauntit ande consentit, be tliar aithes, to tliir artikilis and condionis und w^n subsCvit w- di^'ss Lords & barons hands ; In ye first quhur our sox'ane Lord was slane & naj' piinnican maid yfor apone ye tresonabill vile psonis that putt yar hands violentlie i his mast nobile psone, quliais saule God assolze to se for punicon of thay tresonabile psonis oomittar' of ye saidc slaucht. Se- condly, for ye reformacone of ye mysgofance of our sofane Lords tiesoiu: and disposicbne of his 60 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1489. Meanwhile an attempt had been made by Sir Andrew "Wood of Largo, admiral of Scotland under the late king, to deprive the community of a considerable portion of its patrimonial possessions, namely, the forest of Stocket, and the Castlehill, on pretence of his having obtained a right to them by a royal grant from King James III. This claim occasioned a considerable ferment in the commu- nity; and the citizens, on its first agitation, seem to have deter- mined to resist it by force of arms. But violent measures were for- tunately prevented, by the magistrates bringing the question before the king, and lords of the council, who were at this time the supreme judges in such matters. These speedily set Wood's claim to rest, by an award, finding, " that the alderman, baillies, and community, were entitled to enjoy the bm-gh of Aberdeen, with the pertinents, as they had formerly done ; in regard they had asserted their right, in con- sequence of the royal charter which had been granted to them by King Robert Bruce." This decree was confirmed by King James TV. on the 20th June, 1497, by a deed, under the great seal.*' King hetage mcncs and Iiis aiictote and croune. And also for ye rcmeid and scute of our soverane Lords niost nobile psone & of our Lords his broy, and in likwyss his tresoiir strintht and artelary, to be putt in souer & comptabile menyfl hands to ye utilite and pfit of our sofane Lord & his successour be yc avyss and cbnsal of the thre estats. Alsua y t al ransome tane be ony maS of mane of ony of ye king's liegs spuale or tempale be restorit & givin agans. And alsua yat his lawis & justice be Hiistif throw his realme to all his liegs equaly, according to j'e pleasure of God ^mon pfit of the reahne and liegs; and grantit thar comone sele yapone." — [Council Register, vol. vii. p. 137-] * " Jacobus di gracia Rex Scottorum omnibus probis hoinibus suis ad quos pntes he pervenint sa- lutem sciatis nos quodd actum sive decretum per dominos nri consilii inferius discriptos datum et promulgatimi utiq^ intellixisse sub hac fontia. — At Edinburgh, the xrx day of Junii, tlie yere of God Jm. iiiiC i.xxxiiii yeris. — Tlie Lordis of counsale underwrittin, that is to say, a maist reverend and reverend faderis in God, Robert, Archibischop of Glasgow; George, Bischopof Dunkeldin; nobilland niichty Lordis, Archibald, Erie of Angus, &c. Chancellare of Scotland ; Archibald, Erie of Ergile ; Williame, Erie Modioli; John, Lord GlaiSys; Anch'o, Lord Gray; Williame, Lord Borthuick ; I.aui-ence, Lord Oliphant ; Robert, LordLile; Johnne, Lord Drfimond; William, Lord of Sanct Johnnis; venerable faderis in God, George, Abbot of Dunferniling; Robert, Abbot of Kelso; George, Abbot of Puslay ; Maistcr Richai-d Murehede, Dene of Glasgw, and Secret^ to or soverane Lord ; Master Johnne Fresale, Dene of Lestah-ig, and Clerk of the Register ; Sir Duncane Forest of Skipinch, knight, Co)itrollare to oure soverane Lord ; Johnne of Ogilvy, son and appearand air to James, Lord Ogilvy, of Arly ; Sir James Allerdes, provost of our Lady kirk of the heuch ; and Maister Richard Lausonn : Anent ye terme assignit be a bill, to the alderman, balieis, and comite of Aberdene, to produce and schew sic richt as yai wald use aiicnt ye claiiic ol' the forest of Stokket, ye ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 61 King James IV, on frequent occasions visited the town, and ex- a.d. 1192. perienced the hberahty of the community, according to its abihty. On his first visit, about this time, he was presented with a propine in wine, wax, and spiceries, to the vahie of thirty crowns, equal to L.4 16s. Scots ; but such was the low state of the treasury funds, that the magistrates were obliged to borrow the money from two of the citi- zens. On the first negociation of James' marriage, a present was made to him of L.20* in money ; and when he visited the town this year, attended by the Earl of Bothwell, and other noble Lords, he was presented with a propine in Malmsey wine, wax, and sweet- meats, f In the course of his j^ilgrimage to the shrine of St. Du- hq-. thaCjJ in Ross-shire, during the Christmas festival, he made another visit to the town. On this occasion he was attended by his nobles : and the citizens, being ambitious to display their loyalty, made con- siderable preparations for the reception of the royal party. The propine presented to his JMajesty consisted of wine, wax, and spiceries, Castcllhill, and divers uyis places clarnyt, to pertene to oiir sovcranc Lord, cure soverane Lordis Ad- vocate, and Andro Wood, comperand for yare interesse, and ye parte of our soverane Lord; Alex. Rede, aldman of Aberdene, and ye jjrocuratour of ye said tounn, beand pnt. The charter and in- feftment mainii. p. 667. G4 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. ijji. now appear to be, it was not raised without considerable difficulty. The magistrates adopted the expedient usually resorted to in such cases, of granting leases in reversion of certain lands and salmon fish- ings belonging to the community, for payment of grassums, or fines, which enabled them to provide for the donation to the queen, and the cxpence of the preparations which had been made at this time for her reception. * King James himself visited the town on repeated occasions, and was presented with the customary joropines of wine, wax, spiceries, and sweet-meats, f 1313. About this time, the vuifortunate expedition against England being undertaken by King James, Aberdeen furnished twenty spear- men and six horses to the army, at the expence of L.200, raised by assessment upon the inhabitants, ij: The disastrous result of this en- terprise, in the fatal field of Flodden, so well known, was long re- membered in Scotland ; and Aberdeen participated in the general calamity of that unpropitious day. In this rash and fatal battle King James terminated his reign, having fallen, with many of his nobles and barons. 1525. A tumult at this time occurred in the town, which strongly cha- racterised the relaxed state of the government of the kingdom. Alexander Seton of Meldrum, John Leslie of Wardhouse, and Wil- liam Leslie of Balquhain, three potent barons of the Garioch, impa- tient of revenge for a supposed injury done to them, or to some of their friends, by the citizens, entered the town on Sunday the first of October, vmder silence of night, along with their confederates, to the number of four score men, armed with spears, and other warlike instrvmients. They wreaked their fury on the inhabitants, who flew to arms. A bloody conflict ensued, and the invaders were rejDulsed, by * Council Register, vol. viii. p. 1182. t In 1505 he was in the town, and received a propine of six pairs of torches, one dozen of piikats, thirty-six syfs of wax, twelve pounds of scorclieats, and as much wine as the master of the cellar inclined. In 1507 and 1509 he received siniilai- presents.^[[ Co««ci/ Regislcr, vol. viii. p. 508.811. 1001.] J Council Register, vol. ix. p. 255— etjual to about L.85 14s. 4d. sterling money. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. C.j by the bravery of the citizens, and driven out of the town ; but this a.d. m was not accomphshed without considerable slaughter on both sides. In the course of this fray, eighty of the inhabitants were either kil- led or wounded, among whom were several of the magistrates. The assailants having retreated homeward, the town was immediately put in a posture of defence : artillery was prepared, and the citizens, being completely armed, were determined to resist these turbulent and hostile barons, and their confederates, if they should attempt to make another attack. It appears on record, that this invasion was undertaken at the instigation of John Collison, who had formerly held the office of chief magistrate ; and that some of the people of the town, probably influenced by him, had taken an active concern with the aggressors.* This affair became the subject of a formal complaint to the king, and the lords of the council ; but no redress ap- pears to have been given. Some time afterwards it was terminated by an arbitration of certain bishops and noble lords, who had been mutually chosen as umpires, f What their award was, or whether the citizens or the assailants were most culpable in this tumultu- ous and disastrous commotion, cannot now be known. In the end of this year. King James V. having notified liis inten- 1517. tion of visiting the town, at the time of the Justice Eyre, great prepa- rations were made for his reception. He was received by the magis- trates with the usual ceremonies, and marks of attention ; and, as a mean of propitiation for his favour, a present was made to him of wine, wax, and spiceries. On this occasion it seemed that the citizens had gained his confidence ; for he was graciously pleased to grant to the ma- gistrates and community an ample remission of all past crimes and of- fences, in the form of a deed, under the great seal.:]: Not long after K. those * Council Register, vol. xi. p. 627. t The umpires were — Robert, Bishop of Moray; James, Bishop of Ross; James, Earl of Moray; WiUiam, Earl of Montrose. — ^Archives of the toivn.'\ X " Jacobus dei gracia Rex Scottorum, omnibus probis hominibus suis ad quos presentes Ire per- uenerint salutem sciatis quia cum auisamento et consensu nri thesaui-arii et dnorum Conipositorum Remissimus Preposito, balliuis comitati burgensibus le scot et lot soluentibus et eorum seruitoribus actiialiter remanentibus infira burgum urm de Abcrdene et iiUiabitantibus iiitra terras et limites siue GQ AXXALS OF ABERDEEN. \.D. 1529. those occurrences which have been now related, Seton of !Meldrum, the leader of the commotion, was killed by the master of Forbes, in the marcliias burgales eiusdem in genere et in specie Latoribus pncium Rancorera anirai nri sectam re- giam & omnc actione quem et quas erga Ipos concepimus liabemus scu quouismoilo in futurum ha- bere poteriinus pro eonmi proditoriis renianencia mora et absencia ab cxercitibus uris de Sulway & Werk ac aliis firis exercitibus quibuscunque firas contra proclamationes et mandata desuper direct. Et pro omnib\is actione et crimine que eis aut eonini aliciii quouismodo imputai'i potcrint Necnon pro omnibus aliis actionibus transgressionibus criminibus et offensis quibuscunq, per dictas personas aut earum aliquam aliquibus temporibus retroactis usq^ in diem date pncium coinissis seu quomodoli5 peqietratis proditoria traditione in nra persona regia Incendio murthuro mulierum raptu coiiii furto fabricatione finctione et importatione false monete in regnii nostrum dispositione eiusdem per importatores ac homicidiis per dictas personas aut earum aliquam post primii diem mensis Januarii, 1526, perpetratis tantumodo exceptis dufnodo partibus conquerentibus et dampna passis taliter satis- faciant q' nuUam super hoc decetero iustam querimoniam audiamus Et supradictos prepoitmn balliuos comitatem burgenses et eorum servitores actualiter infra dictum burgum firm de Aberdene remau- ctes et inhabitantes intra terras et limites eiusdem suprascripF in genere et in specie sub firma pace ct protcctione nra iuste suscipieu firmiter inhibemus ne quis eis aut eorum alicui occasione dicP pro- ditoriaru rcmanencie more et absencie aut aliarum actionii transgressionu criminii et offensai-um quarucuncj^ predicP malum molestiam Iniuriam seu grauamen aliquod inferre presumat Iniuste super nram plenariam forisfacturam aut mortem eis aut eorum alicui inferat sub pena amissionis vite et mebroriun. In cuius rei testimoniu has tras nras remissionis pro toto tempore vite prefaP prepoiti balliuoriun comitatis burgcnsiuni & eorum servitorum ac inhabitanciu terras et limites burgi nri antedicP et cuiuslibet Iporum duraturas sub nro magno sigillo sibi fieri fecimus patentes Apud Abirdene, scptimo die mensis Februaiii, anno 1527, et regni nri decimo quinto." — [^Archives of lliC boroughr\ In September, 1529, the king was also pleased to grant his royal pel-mission to the magistrates and council, to fortify the town with walls, and other works of defence, by the following licence:— " James, be the grace of God, King of Scottis, To all and sundry oiu-e Justices, Chainlains, SPreffis, Stewartis, Justice Clerkis, Crowneris, and yair Deputis, And all uyris om-e officiaris put & to cum, lieges and subditis quham it efferis, quhais knawlege thir our Ires sal cum greting. Wit ye us to have gevin and grantit, and be thir cure tres gevis and grantis, to ye provest, ballis, counsale, and coinunite- of our burgli of Abirdene, and yair successouris, full power, fredome, faculte, and special licence, to big, joiss, brouk, have, and hald wallis, of stane and lyme, or uyirwayis, as yai sail think maist expedient, with fortalicez, strengttiis, foussis, and municionis about ye said burgh and boundis yairofj as yai sail think maist expedient, perpetualie in tyme ciiing, but ony impedi- ment, molestationn, or truble to be maid to yame yairon be us or oure successom'is be ony maner of wuy in tyme to cuin Notwithstanding ony lawis, actis, or statutis maid, or to be maid, in the con- tra? anent ye qiihilkis we dis])enss with ye said provest, bailies, counsale, and coinite, and yair suc- cessouris, for evir, Disdiargeing you all and sundry oure Justices, Chainlains, Sfreffis, Stewartis, Bailies, Justice Clerkis, & uyis, oure officiaris pnt and to cum, and your Deputis, and all uyis oure lieges and subditis foresaids, of all accusationn, trubling, and intrometting with the saidis provest, bailies, counsale, and cofiiite, yair landis or gudis jairfbre, and of your offices in yat part be thir oure ANNALS OF ABEUDEEX. G? the house of Gilbert Menzies, the provost* of the town ; and the a.u. 1529. master of Forbes, who is reported to have been a factious subject, was convicted by a jury, before the justiciary court, for conspiring against the hfe of his sovereign, and suffered on the scaffold, f About this time another commotion occurred, similar in its cir- 1530. cumstances to what we have had occasion to relate ; but, though equally daring and oppressive, was attended with less fatal conse- quences to the citizens. Lord Forbes, the chief of that name, whose principal residence was at Castle Forbes, had long been attached to the community by ties of the strictest alliance. He had been in the use of receiving from the magistrates an annual present of a ton of wine, for preserving from depredation the salmon fishings of the rivers Dee and Don. For some years the present of wine had been withheld from him, in consequence of a qviarrel between his sons and some of the citizens, which had occasioned both parties to resort to the expedient of lawborrows. :j: This expedient, however, did not long preserve the peace ; for his Lordship thought proper to address the magistrates by a letter, in which he demanded his wine, and, at the same time, claimed a right to a half net's salmon fishing of the river Don. § The refusal of the magistrates to comply with these K 2 demands ires for evir. Geviii under oure prive sele, at Edinburgh, ye thrid day of Septeber, tlie yeir of God ane thousand five hundreth twenty nyne yens, and of oure reyne ye xvi yeir." " Per signaturam manu, S. D. N. " Regis subscriptam." * Church Register of Births and Burials, vol, ii. f Buchanan, b. iv. cap. 53. X The legal security which one man is obliged to give, that he will not do an injury to another in his person or property. Lawborrows are obtained by a writ from the High Court of Justiciary, or Court of Session ; they may also be obtained on an application to the Judge Ordinary. § " The answer to my Lord Forbes creddece and writing, 20th May, 1530 : — " My Lord, we comend us to your Lp w^ all hartlie f vice quhom pleis wit we have sene anc writin send be your Lp to our ^vest, to be schawin to us, w* certane creddence be your Lp fsvand Robert LumisdaiU, qlk writins and credence we have cosiderit and avisit w^. And to ye first, quhar your Lp desirs pamit of ane tun of w}Tie it is we pEfiest your Lp ye said tunn of wj-ne for ay^ causs yane your Lp credens bers, pleis your Lp gif us your band, und your Lp seill and subscrip- tionn, to causs ye blak fische be keipit in undew tyme, and to puneisye slaars y'of be justice be our soverane Lordis autie qlk your Lp hes and sail have again, gif iieid beis ; and, as was promest, your 68 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1530. demands kindled a resentment between them, Mbicli led to an oj^eu rupture. Hostilities, on the part of the indignant baron, were now expected ; and the citizens adopted the necessary measures of de- fence. Meanwhile his adherents, John Forbes of Pitsligo, Arthvir Forbes of Brux, and a great number of their confederates, invaded the town on the SOtli of July, this year. The citizens flew to arms, and a desperate conflict ensued between them. The assailants, after some bloodshed, being overpowered, were forced to seek refuge in the Grey Friars place, where they were, for some time, closely be- sieged ; but, being completely vanquished, they were afterwards al- lowed to depart. In this broil, one of the Forbeses and several of the citizens were killed, and many on both sides were severely wounded. Mutual lawborrows were now resorted to ; and the citi- zens, Lord Forbes, and his confederates, were bound over to keep the peace, vinder very heavy penalties. This, however, did not wholly terminate those barbarous disturbances : the parties mutually recri- minated : the magistrates complained to the king and the lords of the council ; and the Forbeses brought a criminal action before the jus- ticiary court, against the citizens. On the 17th of August subse- quent, the provost, four of his sons, and nineteen of the citizens, were arraigned, in the high court of justiciary, at Linlithgow, on an in- dictment " at the instance of Alexander, son and heir of the laird of I,p sail have our baml, qlk is Hand in o^^ clerk's hands, to j'e tyme your Lp band cum to yis effect, as was comond. That beand done, your Lp sail liave o^ said band, and thakfull paniet yeirlie, sa lang as yoiu- Lp keipis us your band to that effect. My Lord, quliar your Lp desirs yis wyne for ane titill ye have to ane half nets fisching of Done, my Lord, in guid fait we kene no^ yat ev^ your Lp had ony titill or ryt y^to, and as for us, we ar o^ small men to hald ony thing fra your Lp ye have ryt to; and for us, we wiU nev' gif your Lp ony thing forony tytill or ryt your Lp hes to ony watt"^ amang us. And quhar your Lp desirs us to be kind to your Lp, as ye have been to us in tymiss bigane, my Lord, we thank your I,p of kyndness begane, and prayis your Lp to pseve^ in tyme cuing, for we sail ever dessve ye sainy At your Lp be Goddis gi-ace, quhom have your Lp in keiping, at your maist nobil liarts desire. Gf Abiid, ye .\x day of May" — [^Council Register, vol. xii. 817.] In the year 1521, John, Lord Forbes, first commenced oflfensive operations against the town and community, by using every expedient to interrupt and destroy the salmon fishings of the rivers Dee and Don. I le, on one occasion, invaded the town with his confederates ; and the provost was obliged, for liis defence, to have recoiuse to fortifying liid house with ai-tUlery. — [_Cuuncil ifc^/i/cr, vol. X. p. uO' j.j ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 69 of Briix, for convocating the king's lieges, to the number of five hun- a.d. 1530. dred ; for driving him to the Friar's place, when he happened to be in the town, with only^vc persons ; for confining them there twenty- four hours ; for being art and part in slaying his servant, wounding some of his friends, and for robbery of his horses." This crimina- tion was neither correct, nor, indeed, very consistent with the fact ; and accordingly the result of the trial which ensued was favourable for the provost and his friends, the jury having returned a verdict of acquittal.* The spirit of revenge, however, was still predominant in these fierce barons. Indignant at their former defeat, and impatient of the issue of the present trial, they were incited more and more to seek an opportunity to wreak their vengeance upon the citizens, as well as upon Alexander Fraser of Philorth, who, it appears, had af- forded them his assistance. It, therefore, became necessary to put the town in a proper jDosture of defence, by planting artillery at the ports, and arming the citizens. At the same time, the magistrates having * " Robertus bartonne de ouir bartonne justiciarius ac thesaurarius Supmi Dni nostri reg' univ- sis et singulis ad qiioru noticias pntes tre pvenerint salutem noverit' q^ comparaS cora nobis in curia justiciarie supmi Dno nostri reg' tent et inchoat apud burgiim de Linlitligw die fficurie decirao scp- timo die mcfs Augusti, anno Dni m^ quigentesimo trigesimo Gilbertus Mczies, ppositus de Aber- dene, Thomas Mezies, Alexander Mczies, Andreas Mezies, David Mezies, filii dicti Gilbcrti IVIe- zies, Georgius Leslie, Johannes Cuninghame, Alex^ Birss, Alex' Nicholsonn, Johannes Wod, David Harot, junior, Alexander Mezies, frat"^ dicti Gilbert! Mezies, Wilhelmus Walcar, Johannes Andsonii, Jacobus Andsonn, fiUus David Andsoim, Alex' Andsonn, frat^ dicti David' Andsonn, Georgius Bissat, Robertus Edindiaucht, Johannes Webstar, alias Jamesonn, Johannes Crj-stisonn, Thomas Himtar, David Andsonn, W Kemp, et Alex' Bissat, indictati et p rotulos regis calumjmiati de arte et pte covocationis ligioru supmi Dni nostri reg' ad numeru quingentaru psonaru ex p cogita- ta felonia venien sup Alex' Forbes, (ilium et heredem apparentem Dili de Brux die Sabbati pe- nultimo die mefs Julii ul't elapfs in villara de Aberdene ubi dictus Alex' Forbes sol' cQ quiq^ psonis existabat et eum fugando ad lociun fratr Et ibidem ipni p spatiu xxiiii horaru obsidiando Item de arte et parte crudelis inffectionis quondam WiHiiii Mury fvitoi~ dicti Alexanchi Itemde arte et parte demembrationis WiHmi Forbes sui brachii Item de arte et parte demebrationis et nmtilationis dicti Alexandri Forbes sui digiti Item de arte et piirte demebrationis et mutilationis Wittini Forbes suo- ru duoru digitoru tempore sup ex pcogitata felonia coiSiss Item de arte et parte rapine equoru tlicti Alexandri Forbes Eodem tempe quasquid calmnpnias pfate psone in facie judicii omnino de- neganmt et p codignam assisam quieti facti fnerunt p nitus et iiTiunes Et hoc cibus quoru infest notu team' p pntes. In cujus rei tcstemoniu sigilliun officii justiciarii supmi Diii nostri regis pntibus est appensura auo mePe die et loco sup diet'." Cotuicil Register, vol. xii. p. 299. 801. 817. 858. 875. 877. vol. xiii. p. 46. 57- CO, 6I. 70 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1530. having- applied to the lords of the council for legal protection, law- borrows were issued against Lord Forbes, and his kinsmen. On the 12th of December, his Lordship put in, to the lords of the council, at Perth, his bond, by which he became bound, for himself and his sons, that the magistrates, the citizens, and Philorth, should be kept harmless at their hands, under the penalty of L.5000, to be forfeited and paid to the king. After this, tranquillity between the citizens and the Forbeses appears to have been established. Some years afterwards. Lord Forbes and the community came to a more friendly understanding, being mutually disposed to restore the relations of peace and amity, which had formerly subsisted between them. The magistrates and town council* agreed to allow him the usual present of wine, on condition of his preserving the salmon in the rivers from depredation, either witli nets, cobles, or spears, in " raid time."f His son, John, Lord Forbes, on his erecting a lodging in the town, was furnished with wood, to the value of 100 merks, by an order of the council, as a small recompense for the like good offices ; and after- wards he received a present of L. 100,:}: on the same account. 1537. King James himself had often experienced the exorbitant power of the nobles ; and, in imitation of his royal predecessors, he at- tempted to humble them by every means in his power. The re- peated checks which the citizens had given to these factious and turbulent barons were by no means displeasing to the king ; for, on the 30th of September, this year, he addressed the magis- trates, from Old Aberdeen, by a letter, § under his own signature, in * 20th December, 1547- + The time of spawning. J Equal to L.31 5s, sterling. § " Rex. " Trest freindis we greyt Zow hartly 'wej'll, for samekil as we haf gart oppin to Zou zisf'day yat we wald our burght of Aberdene was in quyete & rest, but oppressionn or misordour, and ye comound gud werteously spedit, and now is ye tyme of chesing of Zour officiars, quhai'for it is our wyll ye joyss & bruk siclik jjvalcgis & fredomis as udis our borrowis, and gewis Zew leyff to cheyss siclik psonis as are abill & c5venient, be Zoiur comon consent, as uss is And yat ar abiU to minist^ in ye officis be doyng of justice and wertewis using of Zour coinonn gud And as will asur y'for, for we wyll Ze leif in liberty & frcdome, like biu-ges men, but ourthrawing of outmen or gryt ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 71 in which he gave them permission to elect such persons as were qua- a.d. 1557. lided for the offices in the council, with common consent, as the practice had been : at the same time, concluding, " that he wished them to live in liberty and freedom, like burgesses, and to oppose landed men, or barons ;" and in so doing, they were to keep his let- ter for their authority. In this year he had met with a severe afflic- mo. tion, by the death of his two only sons, the Princes James and Ar- thur, in one day ; a calamity which so deeply affected him, that he never recovered his former cheerfulness ; and he sometimes sunk in- to dejection. In order to divert his melancholy, he made a pro- gress with the queen, into the north, attended by the court. They visited Aberdeen, where they remained for fifteen days ; and the magistrates, the clergy, and the professors of King's College, paid the greatest attention to their majesties, and nothing was neglected wliich could contribute towards their amusement.* In this age, few kingdoms possessed maritime power ; and in Scotland it was very little known. Ships for warfare were generally fitted out, on an emergency, by the royal boroughs on the sea coast, or were provided by individuals, for hire. In the year 1475 mention occurs of three shijos having been fitted out by Aberdeen, for the service of the king, at the expence of the community. In this year, about the time of the king's visit, the town fitted out a ship, which was furnished with guns, culverines, ammunition, and other warlike stores, at the expence of L.56o.-f She was manned with twenty-four young mariners belonging to the town, and proceeded to join the Scottish squadron in the Frith of Forth. The magistrates agreed to pay to the owners of the vessel the same rate of hire which the town of Dundee had engaged to pay for the ship fitted out by it, for the same purpose ;:j: but the quantum of hire is not mentioned, nor does it psonis, kepand zis for Zour warrand. Subscrywit be us at Aid ABdene, ye last day of September, and of our regine ye xxv Zeyris, t Zeir of God ane thousand fy\ hundre- threty and sewin Zeir." "James R." Council Ilegister, vol. rv. p. 415. » Leslie, p. 4-;i. t Equal to about L.17O' lis. 3d. sterling. i Council Register, vol. xvi. p. 508. 51^, 525. 72 AXNALS OF ABERDEEN'. A.D. 1540. it appear for wliat expedition this fleet was intended. There being at tliis time peace between the two nations, it is probable that tlie ship formed part of a squadron which was intended to convoy the King to England, for a proposed interview between him and King Henry VIII. his uncle, i-egarding the reformation of religion, which was now in agitation, and for some other matters of state. The interview, however, between the two sovereigns did not take place, having been prevented, on the part of James, by the interfer- ence of his clergy. * About this period a very singular race of people, who were distinct in character, customs, and language, from the other inhabitants, made its appearance at Aberdeen. They were called Gipsies, or Egyp- tians, and wandered through the country under the command of the famous John Faw, who was distinguished by the title of Lord or Earl of Little Egypt, and was recognised in this character by King James V. in the celebrated writ of privy seal, passed in the 28th year of his reign. The earliest notice which we have discovered of these people occurs in 1527, when a number of them, f under Eiken Jaks, as their leader, found their way to Aberdeen, probably soon after they had entered Scotland. They remained in the town for some time, but being impeached for stealing two silver spoons from one of the citi- zens, they took their departure. John Faw, his brother George, and their company, fixed their residence in the town for some conside- rable time. Their chief occupation was palmistry ; although they occasionally employed themselves in some rude handicraft, or as tinkers. They, however, became so audacious, and so very turbulent, that it was at length found necessary to banish them from the town : but the Earl, his wife, and sister, were excepted from this act of proscription, ij: In * Henry, vol. xi. p. 519. t Council Register, vol. xii. p. 257. X Trial of Baibara Dya Baptista and Helen Andree, for stealing 24 merks of money from An« drew Chalmers, in Wester Fintray :— " Curia baUivorii burgi de Abirdene tenP in pretorio eiusdem xxii die men£* JanuSrij, anno mille" quigenmo quadramo per honoles viros Thoma Mezies, prepo, David Andsone Ma^rm, Jone Gordonne, et Ale^Vm Ruyfurd, ballivos coiuctim et diuisim pro tribunal! sedeii. * "The ANXALS OF ARERDEEX. 73 In the course of this year the community was alarmed by tlie ru- a.d. mour of a war with Enghind, which rendered it necessary to adopt ^ measures " The said lUy, in ye actionn and cau^ nio\it be Andro Chalincr, in Westar Fintra, ujion Bar- bara Dya Baptista and Helen Andree, y complices to ye nouiil of ten psonis, frends and fvands to erle George callit of egipt, makand mctionn that in ye mony t of October last bj^past come to his hoiifs ill Westir Fintra, and yair thiftuisly staw and tuik fra liini out of his kyst, in his chalracr, ye sowm of twety four flks money of ye reahnc, and -will mak him na restitutionn y^of wy'out yai be copellit. Nola Assise. Patrick Forbes Walter Hay David Mezies Dunca Mar Ancho Crawfurd, yoiuig' Johnne Rattre Walter CuUa Andw Duitty Henry Collisone Maist^ Jon. Fref s^ Alex. Nicholsone Thomas Hay Gilbert FrePs" Alex. Forbes Willia Cai-nis « The sayd day Brnbara Bairtista and Helen Andree, egiptiaus, war accusit in jugmet be ye pro- west for ye wrangous wa} taking of xxini iSk money of Scotland fra Androw Chahner in WesP Fyn- tra, out of his kyst, quilk yai denyit be George Faw, yair capitane, and forspeikar & Maist Thoas Anand, y^ procuratour And yairefter, w^ cosent of bayt ye said partiis, ye said action was put to ye decisione & knawlege of ye assyss aboun wTytine, qlk was chosin & swome in jugment i pus of ptiis, & admyttit be yai fiirtht of coui-t remowit & at Ijmtht awysit wytht ye deponis of \-e wytnes producit be ye said Andro Chalm, entit in court, fand & deliuit, all in ane voce, 3'at ye said Andro Chalmer hed failit in his preyf twyching waytaking of ye forsaid money, & maid ye said Barbara & Helene, epiptians, forsaid, quyt of ye clame of ye same claunit at yai be ye said Andro And dys- chargit yai j-airof be ye hail assyss forsaid. And ye said egiptianis protestit for y expcf s an-ains ye said Ad Chalfi & desyrit cau^ of the said Ao to af s^ at y^ istans as law will qlk fand Jon Chalmer cau^ to Alex. Kay, officiar. " The said day Alex. ChalS, procurator for ye said Andro Chain?, protestit for ty & place to per- sew ye laif of ye egiptianis for ye said money, & tuk not y^ ye said Barbara and Helene allarily ar made quyt of ye said clani as he he alleg". " The said day Maisf Thomas Aiiand, pour for ye egiptianis, and George Faw, yair capitainc, requirit Androw Chal3 in jugmet to nayme or nott samony of yair company as he wes pleteus on for ye thiftouss waytaking of his money, quhilk accepit allauhe at yat tyme hot twa, 3-at is to say' Barbara Dya Baptista & Helen Andree, & ye forsaid p^ ptestit yt he said hef na place in ty cuing to psew nane of ye company, becaus yai war all pnt in jugmet." George and John Faws were tried before the baillies, 28th January, 1540, and convicted by a jui-y for wounding Alex. Barron to the effusion of his blood. They were ordered to pay the barber for leeching him, and fined a crown of the sun for tlie amends of blood. Katharine AutiU'ene was convicted, and ordered to be pilloried in the Goffis till six o'clock at night, for steaJuig two pecks of green bear, 6th March, 15iQ.^[jCouncil R^s'^lcr, vol. xvi. p. 699. 708. 736". 748. J These 74 ANNALS OF ABEKDEEN. A.D. :o«. measures for putting the town in a posture of defence. Guards of the citizens were placed on the ports ; and the entrance to the har- bour was secured by a boom, composed of masts and iron cliaius, thrown across the bar, to prevent an attack from the sea. Aberdeen •was, about the same time, required to furnish its quota of men for the expedition which was fitted out by King James V. for the invasion of England. One hundred citizens were accordingly selected, properly equipped, at the expence of the community, and marched to the bor- ders, where they joined the Scottish army, which met with a dis- graceful defeat, near Solway frith, from the English, under the com- mand of Lord Wharton, warden of the marches.* The shock of this disaster, and the disaffection of the nobility, so deeply affected the king, and preyed upon his mind, that he found himself imable to support the affliction. He took to his bed, and, after languishing for some days, expired on the ISth December, f 1311. In the summer of this year a fleet and an army had been sent, by tlic King of England, under the Earl of Hertford, to invade Scot- land. The troops disembarked near Leith, after some little opposi- tion, and Edinburgh was soon occupied by the English. This na- turally occasioned a considerable degree of alarm in the country; and, although every preparation had been made by the magistrates for the defence of the town, yet many of the inhabitants fled from it. The Earl of Huntly, who was at this time lord lieutenant of the north, was greatly incensed against the magistrates, for permitting the citizens to desert the place ; and imputed to them much blame for not providing due means for its defence, t He assumed the ma- ' nagement and direction of the civil and the military affairs of the town, and appointed four of the citizens to conduct them, under his authority. Tliese gipsies tlo not appear to have made their residence in the town, at any future period. But, li)r tiiue inunemorial, a horde of vagrants of the same description liad their oc- casioned residence in tlie ■west skirts of the town, where they continued till near the close of the 18th century. They were known by the sh-names of Gray and Young. Their winter occupation was principally manufacturing horn spoons ; and, in the summer time, they wandered thi-ough the country as tinkers and sorners. * Council Register, vol. xvii. p. 306. + Dr. Robertson's History, vol. i. p. 2~6, 277- J Council Register, vol. xviii. p. 180. 329- 533. 539. vol. xi.\. 2U. AXXALS OF ABERDEEX. "J -j authority. He acquired the complete ascendant over the cornmu- ad. i.'.i: nity ; but he did not exercise it with moderation. He required the town to furnish one hundred men, properly equipped, and provided with twenty days provisions, to join the army in the north, which was advancing to oppose Donald, Lord of the Isles, who, taking ad- vantage of the distressed situation of the country, was, at this time, threatening an invasion of the earldom of Eoss. The citizens remon- strated to the Eegent against this reqviisition ; * but whether they obtained any redress does not appear. In the following month of January the Earl of Huntly was elected provost, on the resignation of Thomas Menzies of Pitfoddels, who was nominated his deputy. At the subsequent Michaelmas, being re-elected provost, the power of nominating the town council for the ensuing year was, at the same time, conferred upon him ; and, in the following year, he was continued in the office. This is the only instance of a nobleman having been appointed chief magistrate of Aberdeen. In the month of September, this year, Scotland was invaded by 154.-. the English, under the command of the Duke of Somerset. Merce- nary troops and standing armies being yet unknown, Aberdeen was required to furnish its complement of men, from the citizens, for the Scottish army. A considerable number of them accordingly marched from the town, as volunteers, with a piece of artillery denominated the great falconne, procured from Irvine of Drum. They joined the queen's forces at Falamuir, under the command of the Regent, Earl of Arran ; but few of the citizens returned from the fatal battle of Pinkey, in which 10,000 of the Scots are said to have fallen, f After L 2 this ' Council Register^ vol. xviii. p. 351. t Tlie following citizens fell in the battle of Pinkey, 10th September^ 1547 :— Andrew Menzies* William Anderson William RoUand, younger Robert Cullen* Robert Arthur James Ardcss Walter Cullen John Lamb Gilbert Nicolson Alex. Gray* Alex. Fraser* Mr. James Torrie Thomas Sherar William Rolland, elder James Anderson Jolm * Menibeis of the Town Council. 76 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. i5i7. this calamitous event the greater part of the kingdom was in the oc- cupation of the Enghsh ; and by the victory which they had obtain- ed, the subjection of Scotland was threatened. It was, therefore, judged necessary to make some preparations for the defence of the town, in case of invasion from the sea. Four pieces of artillery, with two chambers, were purchased ; of which a Dutchman was appointed o-unner, and the provost, and David Anderson, baillie, were named masters of artillery. A blockhouse of earth was constructed on the Cunningairhills, which commanded the mouth of the river Don ; and the trenches and breast work, which had been formed many years be- fore, along the links, were again put in a defensible state.* Mean- while the citizens were armed, and prohibited from leaving the town without special permission. These operations were attended with considerable expence to the community ; and no sooner were they accomplished, than the town was called upon to contribute 1548. L.SOOf to government, in lieu of service in the army, now assembled at Gladsmuir. Sometime afterwards, eighty pioneers were required 1549. for the siege of Broughty Castle, with pay and provisions for one month. On the peace having taken place between the two nations, the magistrates and town council expressed their concurrence to the treatv, bv causing affix to it the town's common seal, which was trans- ijso. mitted to Edinburgh by Gilbert Menzies, younger, for that special pm'pose.J In the year 1543, James Hamilton, Earl of Arran, had been ap- pointed, by the nobles, Regent of the kingdom ; and their choice met with the entire approbation of the community of Aberdeen, which was communicated to the Regent by Thomas Menzies, at that time pro- vost Jolm Knowles Mr. John Gordon Duncan Gad John Mollison Henry Duthie James Preston Thomas Hay, elder Robert Rattrie James Fimllay John Setton Thomas Patou Alex. Forbes William Menzies Robert Wellis In all 29. Regisler of Births and Burials, SfC, vol. i. * Council Register, vol. xLx. p. 39I. 393. t About L.93 15s. sterling. J Guildry Accounts for 1550. ANNALS or ABERDEEN. 77 vost of the town, and compti-oller to the Queen. The citizens at the a.d. ]:.:>o. same time resolved, not only to support the Eogcnt in his authority, but to oppose all those who might attempt to conspire against him.* On the 24th of November, this year, he made his first visit to the town, and was received by the magistrates with the greatest marks of respect and attention. They presented to him a propine, in wine, wax, and spiceries, to the value of 100 merks.f In the month of May, this year, he made another visit, along with Mary, queen dow- 1552. ager, accompanied with many of the nobility, on the occasion of the justice court. They were received with the usual ceremonies, and had presented to them, by the magistrates, suitable propines.^: While they remained in the town, nothing was neglected, on the part of the citizens, which could contribute to their amusement, as was customary in these times. In the month of August, this year, 1556. the queen dowager, now Eegent of the kingdom, visited the town at the time of holding the justice court. She was accompanied by Monsieur D'Oysel, the commander of the French troops in Scotland ; and the magistrates, on this occasion, made them liberal presents in wine, wax, and spiceries. § These means of propitiation, however, did not prevent the queen from exacting 320 merks || from the com- munity, as a composition for by-past slight offences, for small oppres- sions, und in order to win her favour.^ In those times, compositions or mitigations from the people, for pretended offences, or to obtain acts of grace at the hands of the prince, were not uncommon ; and, under the terror of the justice court, the regular payment of such fines as the sovereign power, for the time, thought proper to impose, was rigorously enforced. * Council Register, vol. xvii. p. 516. + Ibid. vol. xx. p. 496. % The Regent's propine consisted of three tons of wine, and two lasts of beer, with spiceries. — The Queen received two tons of wine ; with wax and spiceries, to tlie value of 20 nierks. — Tlie Lords Componitors received a ton of wine, and half a last of beer. — [Cumicil Register, vol. xxi. p. 1 GO.'] § Slie received wine, spice, and was, to the value of 263 merks, about L.IS 10s. lOd. sterling; Monsieur D'Oysel, half a ton of wine, a dozen of torches, two dozens of hoists of scorchets ; the Lords Componitors, one ton of wine; and the Lord Justice Clerk, one puncheon of wine. — [_Council Register, vol. xxii. p. 325. "97.3 II About L.56 Cs. sterling money. IT Council Register, vol. xxii. p. 435. 78 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. MISCELLANEOUS OCCURREXCES, S^c. IN .WERDEEN, From the Year 1398 to the Year 1559- **% ** **-^* V* % 1401 The pestilence in Aberdeen. 140S Fifty pounds borrowed by the Baillies, for the use of the town, ftom five citizens; to be re- paid in five years, at the rate of 32 merks yeaily. 1433 The Aldei-man, or Chief Magistrate, assumed the title of Provost. 1439 The EiU-l of Mar admitted bm-gess of guild, on payment of Ss. in a white purse. 1441 Two hundred and twenty poiuids, dile by the town to the Eail of Huntly, ordered to be paid from tlie rents of the sahnon fishings. 1 442 A sliip belonging to Aberdeen, called the Holy Cross, taken by the English, and reprisals made by detaining an English ship in the harbour. _— Conti-ibution of L.SO made by the to\vn for King James I I.'s daughter, Elizabeth, in Brittany. 1477 Tlie Quire of St. Nicholas Church begun to be erected. 1479 Alex. Couts appointed public Scavenger, and allowed one penny annually from each fire house, for repairing tlie streets, and keeping them clean. 1484 The citizens march to the siege of Berwick. 1 -nr r Pestilence raged in the town dining these respective years. 1507 Commissioners sent from the town to the staple at Middlebui'gh. 1509 Oiie hundred and fifty-three common Brewers, at this time, in the to^vn. 1510 There being a great scarcity of corn in the country, the following quantities of grain were imported, by the magisti-ates, at the after-mentioned prices: — 83 bolls of rye, at 10s. per boll, L.41 10s.; 1 1 bolls of mashlaw, at L.6 ; one boll of rye meal, 12s. 1514 The pestilence raging in the town. 1518 The Earl of Huntly received from the town three pieces of the best artillery, with stores, lead, and ammunition, for the siege of Dunrobin Castle. 1513 The Provost and Sir John Rutherford repair, as Commissioners, to Parliament, with ten horses in their train, and allowed 40 merks for their expences. 1515 The town's public seal sent to Edinburgh, to seal the doom of forfeiture of Alex. Lord Home. 1 522 The Quire of Saint Nicholas consecrated by the Bishop of Aberdeen. 1529 The lodging belonging to Gilbert Menzies, provost, bm-nt to the ground by an accidental fire. 1530 The pestilence raging in the town. 1531 Thomas Menzies allowed to officiate as Provost, in absence of liis father, Gilbert Menzi^ Provost. 1538 The pestilence raged in the ioym. 1 539 The infection of the Botch broke out among the inliabitants. The artillery belonging to the town lent to Patrick, Earl of Bothwell. 1541 Ship belonging to Thomas Brechin lost at Scarborough, on the coast of England, with 28 persons on board, citizens of Aberdeen, all of whom perished. 1544 The artillery belonging to the to^vn, consisting of a falcon, kilis piece, bollis piece, and three serpentines, with ten chambers, and wheel carriages, lent to the Earl of Huntly, Lord Lieutenant of the North. 15461 154q f ^^^ pestilence raged in the towni during these respective years. 1557 The Magistrates purchased the following pieces of artillery for the defence of the town :— Two ringed dogs, two great yeatlings, the great falcon of the Laird of Drum, an English half slung, five cut-throats, for the sum of L.lOO ; six half shuigs, with twelve chambers, at L.120; foiu" half ilungs, and one keel piece, having two chambers. *' 1 ^ o CHAPTER ANNALS or ABEHDEEN. 70 CHAPTER III. SECTION II. Civil government of the Borough — Ancient Elections of the Magistrates and Town Council — Ancient Patrimony — Lands of Old Cruives an- nexed — Municipal Laws — Commerce — Coinage — Customs — Miracle Plays — Secidar Amusements, conducted by the Abbot a)id Prior of Bon-Accord — Bel/gious ami Secular Plays, by the Artijiccrs — Beligious Cercmo7iies — JMinstrels — Games — Town's Clocks tJie Plague, and other diseases — Weaponshaw — Dress, Armour, and Furniture — Sirnames — Population — Tables of Contributions to the State — Bcntal of Lands, &jc. — Prices of Provisions. From a. D. 1398 to A. D. 1552. Before proceeding further in the narrative of pubhc events, it may not be improper to make a pause, in order to trace the progress of the pohtical government of Aberdeen ; to take a retrospective view of tliose matters which are strictly local ; and to offer some sketches of the customs and manners of the people, during this aera, which may be regarded as not the least important parts of a work of this kind. ^Ve have already had occasion to observe, that the administration of the public affairs of the town had, from a remote period, been vested in a definite number of magistrates, namely the alderman, and four baillies, vAio were annually elected. Tlie earliest records of the pro- ceedings of the magistrates and town council commence in the year 1398. From these it appears, that on the first Monday posterior to Michaelmas, of this year, the election of the magistrates took })lace, in the court of the baillies, '' with the consent and assent of the whole community of the borough."* In the subsequent year a similar elec- tion • Council Register, vol. i. p. I . 80 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. tion was conducted on the same day ; and in the minutes of sede- runt, twenty citizens are mentioned as having been chosen members of tlie common council. On the same occasion certain committees were also appointed, for regulating the market of flesh, of wine, and of ale, and for the other municipal affairs of the town. The same day was annually appropriated for the election, and continued to be so until the latter end of the sixteenth century, when it was changed to Wednesday immediately preceding Michaelmas, which is the day observed at the present time. In the year 1469 an act of parliament was passed, ordaining the old council annually to choose the new, and both together to elect the alderman, baillies, dean of guild, and other office-bearers ; but, as fhe annual election continued still to be conducted with the consent and assent of the community, it does not appear that this statute was much regarded. At Michaelmas, 1479, however, in consequence of a letter from the king, addressed to the magistrates, the old council proceeded to the annual election, in con- formity to the statute, by nominating the new council, and both councils, jointly, elected the office-bearers, as had been enjoined by the king.* This form of rule continued to be strictly observed in all future elections, although there is nothing mentioned in the minutes of the subsequent elections to distinguish the latter mode from the former ; the strain of the minutes of sederunt being, in both cases, pretty much the same.f The provost and baillies had not only a minis- * Council Register, vol. vi. p. 603. + In the year 1783 a question began to be agitated by the biu-gesses of the royal boroughs of Scotland, concerning the administration of the funds of their respective corporations, and the mode of electing the magistrates and town councils. The burgesses complained loudly of the political constitution being corrupt, and requiring refoi-mation. The system was represented by tliem as a bad one, inconsistent with the hberty and the true interests of the community, in so far as it afforded a plenitude of power, which, in a small number, independent of the body of the people, was, from the nature of man, liable to abuse, j; This became the subject of a pai-liamentary enquiry, which depended for several years ; but as parliament in its wisdom did not see the propriety of changing or altering the system, matters were allowed to drop. In the course of this popular question, it appears to have been strongly urged, on the part of the burgesses, that the uniform practice of Aberdeen, from 1398 down to the year 1592, had been, that the provost, baillies, common Serjeants, and town coimcil, were elected annually by the suffrages of ^ Tlie letters of Civis and Zcno, on this topic, were wrote with much spirit (ind elegance. AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. 81 ministerial duty to perform, but they also sat and administered jus- tice in tlie courts of the borough. They heard and decided all con- M troversies all the burgesses, assembled in their head court In order to ascertain this point, which appears to have been the subject of much controversy between the burgesses and their adversaries, at the time, we have been at considerable pains, in the course of our researches, to investigate the records from the earliest period ; but we have been unable to discover any thing ha\-ing a resemblance to a po- pular election, or an election by the suffrages of the burgesses. It is not, however, our province to become a controvertist on either side. We shall merely state the facts and circumstances which oc- ciured in the course of our enquiry, leaving it to those more immediately interested to draw the inference. In a former part of this work we have already traced the origin of the constitution of the borough from a remote period. The earliest election of the magistrates and office-bearers occurs in the year 1398,* but it is not so complete as that in the subsequent year. In the year 1405 the • THE ACT OF ELECTION, 1393. " Processus curiarnm Ballivorum itti sunt qu! inclpiunt die lune proximo post festum beat! Micliaelis Arcliangell, anno 1398. Quo die Willielmus de Camera pater, cum consensu et assensu totius commun!tat!s dicti burgi, electus est in ofii- cium Aldermanni, Et Robcrtus filius Davidis, Simon de Benyn, Johannes Scherar, ac Magister Willielmus Dicson, electi sunt in officium Ballivorum. Ac Mauricius filius Robert!, Johannes filius Bricii, Walterus Rede, et Simon de Camera, electi sunt in officium Serjandorum. rjofaannes Sprout , ... r> • J Gilbertus Kyncude Appretiatores Camium ■< • , „ Tn, '^'^ I Adam Thome C Thomas Scherar Y' . 5 S'oio" I . 1400 *. of wheat ^ of malt m m - 1401 ■^ of wheat > p i^ of malt ... A stone of salt ... ^ of iron . ■ . 1405 A boll of wheat ■ • - Ancient Money, 1398 • 1113 . L.6 L.5 13 4 3 3 6 8 SO 2 21 36 6 8 55 IC 16 20 3 18 25 36 20 24 21 10 13 6 3 18 6 13 4 4 2 5 Ancient. Modern. L.O 4 L4 10 3 4 3 15 13 4 14 3 4 3 15 3 3 7 6 4 4 10 4 4 10 5 5 12 6 3 3 7 6 5 4 6 1 4 1 10 2 8 3 ANNALS OF ABERpEEK. 10? 1405 A boll of malt Admission fine of a Burgess to tirade to Dantzic 1413 A boll of wheat »» of malt A stone of salt - ■ ^ of iron - « 1417 »■> ofBuchanwool - » of Mar and Garioch wool 1433 A boll of wheat »» of malt - - »., of meal « ■ A gallon of ale - - ». Mutton Bonk > • 1439 »» boll of wheat - - 1444 Rye, imported from Stralsund^ per last A boll of wheat - > 1468 Red Gascony wine, per pint « Candle, per pound - ■ 1471 Admission fine of a Burgess of Guild A gallon of ale »» boll of wheat - - »-. loaf of flour, weighing 20 oz. « 1473 »^y/(Wcr of lead, 120 stones, (usually 128 stones) 1476 »» Hamburgh barrel of sahiion > 148^ .^ loaf of flom-, weighing 8 oz. • 1485 »» weighing 16 oz. ■ 1489 A gallon of ale Candle, per pound - a A loaf of flour, weighing 1 6 oz. * 1495 .^ weighing 18 oz. » 1498 •./. weighing 12 oz. » 1 500 A boll of oats, wilh the fodder »... Hamburgh barrel of salmon • 1501 »* gallon of ale »» loaf of flour, weighing I S oz. 1 508 ■.•> gallon of ale - « Candle, per pound » » A sheep bouk. • > »» boll of salt » » Mens' shoes, per pair • > A loaf of flour, weighing 12 oz. > 1510 »- boll of rye - «• »» boll of mashlaw >i - »» boll of rye meal >• 1516 ^ boll of wheat 1522 The best mutton bouk P 2 Ancient. Modern. L.0 2 L.2 5 3 6 S 75 3 4 3 15 3 3 7 G 5 4 600 2 2 5 2 2 5 6 2 16 3^ 7 6 14 5 4 3 16 10 3 8 3 10 5 8 12 10 8 2 11 1 9 8 12 10 7 10 144 1 6 7 6 14 5 6 3 8 S 1 10 4 SO 8 5 7 2 12 8 1 7 15 10 116 5 2 10 12 10 5 1 5 1 5 8 3 4. 3 13 1 5 1 5 1 5 5 1 5 8 2 15 14 2 10 8 3 5 1 5 8 3 5 3 1 4, 8 13 9 6 1 10 10 2 10 3 1 5 10 2 n 5 10 2 11 5 10 2 11 5 12 3 1 9 3 15 5 108 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 1522 1541 1543 1545 15i A gallon of ale » lamb bouk ... The adiTiission fine of a Burgess of Guild A loaf of floiir, weigliiiig 1 8 oz. -^ 20 oz. White wine, claret, mah'aise, and other wines, to be retailed per Scotcli pint, at - - A loaf of flour, weighing 13 oz. «» boll of wheat . _ . Ancient. Modern. ^.0 8 L.O 3 5 1 8 8 7 13 6 8 50 o 7 o 7 1 4 4 10 o 7 1 17 6 18 9 N. B. — In the preceding Tables the modem Scottish Money is calculated according to the man- ner of Ruddiman, in liis Tables, No. II. and III. in his Preface to Anderson's Diplomata. The principles will best appear from the anne.Ked Table, formed upon the same data. Fractions under 2ience have been purposely omitted. TABLE of Ancient, and proportion which it bears to Modern Scottish Money, adopted from Euddiman's Table, No. III. in his Preface to Anderson's Diplomata, page 82. ANNO REGNI. PURITAS. ALLAIA. Nummonim ex \i bra argenti elisor uii vaiur. Prop, ad hodi- ernam ScK>n, o!ie ban-el of butter, twenty-four barrels of baked oat bread, and four barrels of white biscuit ; the liquors on board were one puncheon of claret, six puncheons and nineteen barrels of ale. John CoUison, baillie, was appointed comman- der-in-chief, and David Endeaucht his deputy; and L.I60 were allowed them for contingent cliai^es. The whole expence to the community amounted to L.I6OO, (eqixal to L.200 sterling). — [Cottncil Register, vol. xxxiii. p. 598. 736.] 128 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1590. gages of their property. The money, however, does not appear to have remained long with the town. Four years afterwards L.7000 were called for, and repaid to the master of the mint ; and the re- maining L.IOOO were, in July, 1594, paid to Sir John Carmi- chael, for the purpose of defraying the expence incurred at the cele- bration of the baptism of the young Prince Frederic Henry, Prince of Scotland, which happened in the end of August that year. * When intelligence was brought to the town of the birth of the prince, there were great rejoicings among all ranks of the citizens. Sunday being the day appropriated to the celebration of the event, was ushered in with ringing of bells, and bonfires on the streets. After the sermon the magistrates and principal inhabitants formed a procession through the town, expressing their joy in psalmody on the happy occasion ; and, what may appear remarkable in this reli- gious sera, the remainder of the day was devoted to festivity, and to drinking wine at the cross, while a profusion of English beer was distributed among the people assembled, as usual on such occasions, f 1592. In the course of the king's progress to the north, this year, he arrived at Aberdeen on the 19th of February, and was received by the magistrates and by the principal citizens at the bridge of Dee, whither they had gone to meet him. On his arrival in the town, he was presented with an abundant supply of wine, sweetmeats, and spiceries, as was customary, J But, notwithstanding the liberality and attention which were shown to him by the citizens on this and previous occasions, his Majesty, being jealous of their attachment to the family of Huntly, and of their still entertaining a partiality for the ancient form of rehgion, was pleased to exact a singular bond from * Council Registerj vol. xxxiii. p. 736. 774. vol. xxxv. p. 357. vol. xxxvi. p. 7. t Council Register, vol. xxxv. p. 224. i One puncheon of old Bourdeaux wine, with spiceries, viz : four libs, of pepper, one half lib. «f mace, four ounces of safron, one half lib. cannd, fourteen libs of suckor, two dozen of buislis of coiifectis, one dozen hidstis of scorchettis, one dozen of bnisiis of suckor almomlix, one dozen of buistis of conj'ect'wnis, and a chalder of coals. The captain of his guard, at the same time, received L.200 for dispensing with the attendance of the citizens on his Majesty, in his progress north* ■ward. — \Council licgiski; vol. xxxiv. p. 0"(i5. 672.] ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 129 from the magistrates and the community, not only «• for their good a.d. 1592. behaviour, and for observing the true doctrines of rchgion, as now established ; but which also bound them not to confederate with the Earls of Huntly, Angus, Errol, Sir Patrick Gordon of Auchindown, and certain other barons of the north ; nor with Jesuits, priests, pa- pists, or declared rebels." Meanwhile these popish lords, who were the heads of a faction which openly favoured the views of Spain, had been discovered in a conspiracy against the king. They had, for some time, been carrying on a negociation with the king of Spain, to whom they had tendered their services. It had been concerted to land a body of his troops, either in Galloway, or at the mouth of the Clyde ; with which they in- tended, in the first place, to establish the Roman Catholic religion in Scotland, and then to make an attempt to invade England with the whole forces of the kingdom. For this and other acts of conspiracy and treason, and for their disobedience to the established church, for which they had been excommunicated, a parliament, which had been called for the purpose, declared them guilty of high treason, and their estates and honours forfeited. They now took arms against 1591. their sovereign, and speedily assembled a considerable body of men, which they had collected from their numerous vassals and depen- dents in the north. In this posture of affairs, the king gave a com- mission to the Earl of Argyle and Lord Forbes, two powerful chief- tains, at enmity with the conspirators, to invade their territories, and to endeavour to subdue them. The Earl of Argyle put himself at the head of an arzny of 7000 inen, and met the conspirators at Glen- livat, in Banffshire. The armies encountered each other, but the Oct. 3. king's forces being unable to resist the impression of the enemy's ca- valry, were unfortunately defeated, and put to flight. The king, on receiving intelligence of this disaster, accelerated his progress to Aberdeen, where he collected a small body of troops, and was joined by Lord Forbes and several barons of the county, who had remained steadily attached to his Majesty, and were at enmity with Huntly and Errol. The appearance of this force, and the de- fection of many of the former adherents of the conspirators, after the late battle, obliged them to seek refuge in the mountains. They e were ISO ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 159 k were at last reduced to extreme distress by the severity of the season, and obtained the king's permission to retire beyond seas. In tlie meantime their lands had been wasted, and some of their castles burnt and demolished;* while others, being taken, were garrisoned with the king's troops, to keej) the country under proper subjection. The Duke of Lennox was left at Aberdeen, as his Majesty's lieutenant in the north, and tranquillity was re-established in the country. As a mean of propitiation for his favour, the magistrates presented to him a purse of L.20G, and conferred upon him the freedom of the borough: in return for which he was pleased to grant a remission to the citi- zens, of all past offences, according to the practice of the times. Meanwhile the magistrates of Aberdeen had continued firmly to support the king, and to promote his views, particularly with regard to those who still persevered in favouring the popish religion. Three foreign priests, the friends and advisers of the conspirators, having about this time inade their appearance in the town, were seized, and committed to cvistody, till the king's pleasure should be known. This seems to have greatly incensed the popish lords, who not only, by violence, rescued the priests from the civil power, and set them at liberty, but denounced their heaviest vengeance against the town, threatening it with fire and sword, and other acts of hostility, which they thought proper to notify by a very singular writing, in the form of a letter, under their hands, addressed to the magistrates. This circumstance appears to have been taken up in a very alarming point of view by Queen Elizabeth's envoy in Scotland. The queen, at this time, was exceedingly watchful of the motions of King James, and entertained suspicions of his favouring the designs of these popish lords. This menacing letter was very early communicated to her ^lajesty,! and the matter was represented as a daring outrage against the * The town of Aberdeen furnished masons and pioneers, with utensils and gun powder, for de- molishing the castles of Strathbogie and Slains. — \_Guildry Accounts, from 1594 to 1595.] t Literse Minatoriac, per quosdam Dominos Scoticanos Papali Religioni addictos, ad Pracsidem et Ballivos de Abevdene missce. " Provest, BaiUies, Counsall, and Commimitic of Abirdenc. '< Considering that, agains the lawis of nations, and without any ordor or justice, ze, at the «/>e/^/e of sum of our eneinyes, or of indiscreet malice agains us, have taue and iinprissonit thro ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. lL)l the government, and the authority of the king. The battle of Glen- ad. i.^yi livat, however, having taken place soon after this occvn-rence, and the popish lords being completely subdued, the king acquired Ehza- beth's confidence, and the town was saved from the effects of their vengeance. On the 13th of October the king came to Aberdeen, where he held his court, and remained in the town for some days. In the meantime, he was graciously pleased to dispense with the per- sonal services of the citizens in his army, at this time in the north. s 2 The strangearis, gentlemen qiilia war cum in the cuntrie, (as we ar infoi-mit) from other Cljristiane Princes, to sute maist humblie at his Majestic our Maister sum ease of our distressed estaittis. " Thaii-for, as we have travellit with zow by all honest and faire nieanis thir dayes bypast, for yair releifis, swa now we certifie zow, by this present, tliat without thir gentilmen, with thair hail] aquipage, be put to libertie, renderit and delyverit unto us, we will not onelie esteame of zou as our enemyes, in all tymes cuming, but will instantlie persew zow, zour toun, gudis, and geir, baith with fyra and sworde, and all uther kynde of hostilitie, consisting in our possibiliteis and power ; and it sal be ane perpetuall querrell, to stand sa lange as our houses and posteriteis shall last. " Tlius, remitting the rest to zor jugementis and opinion, without we be instantlie satisfeit, We geve yir presentis for ane discharge of all assurances b3'past, and biddis zow be at zor advantage. Writtin the nineteenth of July, one thousand five hundred ninety four. " Zors as ze deserve, aiher presentUe peax or tveare. " Angus." " HUNTLIE." " Errol." " auchindoun." DORS.—" To the Provost, BaiUies, Counsall, and Communitie of New AUrdene." " Litera ad quendam Dominum de concilio Reginae super Uteris antedictis ad Abirdenenses missis. " Please it your Lordship, " For discharge of my promise, I send heir inclosed some notes of intelligence, and the copy of a letter writt3Ti be the Papist Lords to the Toivii of Abirdene ; which, as your Lordship has perused, it will please you lykewj'se to impart to her Majestic, and be a nieane and furtherance of my second audience : wherein, attending her Majestic's good pleasure, after I have craved pardon of this my empeshing of your Lordship, I take leave, committing your Lordship to God's blissid protection. " London, this mominge, the 8th of August, one thousand five hundred ninety four. " Your Lordship's alwayes assured to command, " R. COKBURN." Bt/mer's Foedera, vol. xvi. p. 256. 257. 132 A>;>rALs of Aberdeen. 1596. The Earl of Huntly and the other popish lords having found it necessary publicly to acknowledge their spiritual errors, and their transgressions against the king, and quietly to submit to the es- tablished authority both of the church and state, were received into the bosom of the former, and to the favour of his Majesty. It was not, however, till after a long and serious conference with the minis- ters of religion at Aberdeen, that Huntly was convinced of his spiri- tual errors. Having made an ample confession on the 22d March, he was absolved from the sentence of excommunication,* which had been passed against him ; and, in the end of May thereafter, he obtained a free pardon from his sovereign, who restored to him his estates and honours, and soon after advanced him to the dignity of INIarquis of Huntly, on the occasion of solemnizing the baptism of the Princess JNIargaret. This ancient and illustrious family had been held, for several ages, in great favour by the community of Aberdeen. In the middle of the fifteenth century, the Earl of Huntly and tlie citizens were united in a bond of man-rent, for their mutual support and defence. In the present century the Earl of Huntly filled the office of chief magistrate of the town, and was permitted to make choice of his own council, in opposition to the powerful influence of the Menzies', who, for many years, had directed the administration of its civil affairs. In the year 1568 the magistrates, in name of the community, pre- sented to George, late Earl of Huntly,! a purse of 500 merks, for his private services to the town. In the year 1572 he was presented with 600 merks, for similar services, and as a token of their sincere regard for the family.:}: In the year 1582 the freedom of the bo- rough had been conferred on the present Earl, his son, and also on forty of his friends, chiefly barons of the county : and, on the arrival J 398. of the Earl at Aberdeen, about this time, accompanied with the Duke * Spottiswood, p. 443. t He died upon the 20th October, 1576, and was succeeded by his son George, then 16 years of age.—[_Regisler of Baptisms and Burials, vul. i.j] i Council Register, vol. xxvi. p. 6 13. vol. xxvii. p. 765. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 133 Duke of Lennox, all former animosities between Huntly and the ci- a.d. 1595, tizens being now buried in perpetual oblivion, lie was received with the greatest marks of respect by the magistrates, and by the citizens; and presents of wines and sweet-meats were made, both to him and the Duke of Lennox, as tokens of their esteem.* In the month of April, this year, the king having paid a visit to icoa the town, attended by his court, the citizens voted to him a liberal present of 3000 merks, in money ; and also wine, spiceries, and sweetmeats, on the occasion, to the value of 550 merks more. In the subsequent month of May, the queen made a visit to the town, for the first time, and was received with every mark of attention and respect due to her. The expence incurred on this occasion, for pre- sents and entertainments to her Majesty, and her attendants, amounted to no less than L.1838 6s. 8d.,f which, with the charge of the king's visit, was raised by an assessment on the citizens, in the usual manner. :|: At the close of the sixteenth century, such was the unsettled state of the country, and the disregard which was shown to the laws, that the town and neighbourhood were often oppressed by the high- landers from Birse, Glentanner, and other parts of the country. Being strangers to industry, averse from labour, and unrestrained by law, they committed their depredations in bodies, carrying off cattle and other property as their spoil ; and not unfrequently, when they met with resistance, murdered men, women, and children, in the course of their predatory excursions. The inhabitants of the town were, therefore, kept constantly on the alert, and obliged to have re- course to arms, to defend their own and their neighbour's pro^ierty from these lawless freebooters. § The mysterious affair of the conspiracy against the life of King- James, by John Kuthven, Earl of Gowrie, and his brother Alexander, whicl) * The wines consisted o{ hillock and lent, &c. — Council Register, vol. xxxviii. p. 177- t Amounting together to L.SS* 4s. sterling money. t Council Register, vol. .\xxi.\. p. 502. 584. § Ibid. vol. s.'ixiv. p. 910. 134 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1600. which happened at this time, and is so well known in history, created no little sensation in the minds of the citizens of Aberdeen, whose loyalty and attachment to tlieir sovereign was particularly distin- 1601. guished. The event was commemorated this year by the magistrates and the citizens, on the 5th of August, which was appropriated as a day of thanksgiving. On this occasion they formed a procession through the streets, manifesting, in psalmody, their joy at the mira- culovis escape of the king from the hands of the treasonable conspi- rators. The cross was decorated with tapestry, and the remainder of the day was devoted to drinking wine profusely at the cross, as was customary. In order to express their abhorrence of the attempt which had been made on the life of their sovereign, the magistrates requested Thomas Cargill, rector of the grammar school, to compose an address in Latin, which was presented to his Majesty, and gra- ciously received. For this performance Mr. Cargill received from the magistrates a remuneration of L.20.*' 1603. While tranquillity prevailed at home among all ranks of men, this year was particularly distinguished by the union of the two crowns of Scotland and England, in the person of James VI. the last King of March 24. Scots. King James being now called to the throne of England, on the death of Queen Elizabeth, the last of the family of Tudor, the more considerate foresaw that important advantages were likely to result from an union betwixt the two nations, which, though they were se- parated only by an imaginary line, and destined to form one great monarchy, had been long at variance, and engaged in almost perpetual 30. hostilities. When intelligence of this event, so momentous to the country, was brought to the town, there were great rejoicings and gratulations among all ranks of the citizens. The magistrates as- sembled the inhabitants in the church-yard, by sound of trumpet and beat of drum, in order to receive the joyful tidings ; bonfires were made upon the streets by the people ; the cross, as usual, was deco- rated ; and the bells continued to ring, at intervals, during the covirse of the day. The younger citizens, able to bear arms, were exercised in * Council Register, vol. .\1. p. 106. 179. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 13 OH in firing vollies with their haghuls ; and the latter part of the day was A.D. i6o.i. celehratcd by the most respectable inhabitants with a profusion of Avine, which was consumed at the cross, the glasses being cast, as was customary on days of rejoicing. The magistrates took the earliest opportunity to express their congratulations to the king on his acces- sion to the English throne, and their unalterable attachment to his IMajesty, in the form of an address, which he graciously received ; and, in return, transmitted to them a letter, expressive of his affec- tion and regard for the town and the community. In the immediate subsequent year he honoured them with another letter to the same purport, which was communicated to the citizens, assembled in a head court, in the usual manner.* Although James had now been absent from Scotland for up- 1G17. wards of fourteen years, yet at no period of his eventful reign had his avithority been more regarded by his subjects in that kingdom, or peace and tranquillity more completely established, than since his accession to the throne of England. At the same time, the adminis- tration of public affairs had been conducted with an order and mo- deration to which the nation had been little accustomed in the for- mer part of his reign. This and the daily proofs which tlie king gave of his partiality and friendship towards the people, secured their du- tiful obedience both to him and his government. But, for some time past, James had entertained a design of making certain changes of ecclesiastical discipline and government, in Scotland, particularly with regard to the extending of episcopal authority, the introducing a few ceremonies into public worship, and the establishing a superio- rity in the civil above the ecclesiastical jurisdiction. "With this view, and in order to renew his ancient friendships and connections, the king had resolved to A^isit his native country in the summer of this year. Having repaired to Edinburgh, the magistrates of Aberdeen received early intelligence, by letter, from the lords of the privy councO, of his intentions to remain for sometime in Scotland for his *' sport and game " They were, at the same time, advised, that he projoosed * Council Register, vol. xli. p. 360, bOH. 136 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1617. proposetl to make a progress to the north, with his attendants, in the course of which he intended " to pay a visit to the chief borouglis of the kingdom, particularly Aberdeen ; which, being among the best, his Majesty was so much the more anxious that all things be so or- derly provided there, that there appear no marks of incivility, or token of penury and scant ; and, therefore, recommending that lodg- ings be prepared in the most handsome, civil, and courtly manner, with good bedding, well washed and well smelled nappeine, clear and clean vessels, of sufficient largeness, plenty of provisions and vivers ; the streets to be kept clear of beggars and middi?igs" This minute- ly detailed dispatch being communicated to the citizens, assembled in their head court, they most cheerfully promised the strictest ob- servance of the injunctions which had been given, and arranged mat- ters accordingly. However well prepared they may have been for the reception of the royal party, they were extremely mortified by the disappointment which they met with, in not being honoured with a visit from his Majesty on this occasion. The king, although he was in the neighbourhood, at a hunting excursion, did not gratify the citizens with his presence : but many of his attendants repaired to the town, where they were received with the greatest marks of at- tention and respect. Here they remained for sometime, and were hospitably entertained, at the expence of the community. The ma- gistrates conferred upon them the freedom of the town ;* and that nothing might be deficient, in the way of respect to the king, David Wedderburn, rector of the grammar school, was requested by the magistrates to compose a poetical address, in Latin, complimental of his Majesty for honouring the kingdom with his presence at this time, * The following attendants of the Khig were admitted bui-gesses of guild on this occasion :— Sir Thomas Gerard, Baronetj Gentleman of his Majesty's Privy Chamber ; Sir Thomas Piiiridok, one of his Majesty's Sellars ; Sir Edward Zutche, one of the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber ; Sir George Gorine, Lieutenant of his Majesty's Pensioners; Sir John Leid, Sir Theobald Gorges, Gen- tlemen Ushers of his Majesty's Privy Chamber ; Dr. Chalmers, Physician to his Majesty ; George Spence, Esq. one of his Carvers ; Francis Knightlie, one of his Cupbearers ; Thomas Stephaine, Cupbearer E.xtraordinary ; David Raj-, one of his Majesty's Body Guard ; James Auchmuty, Patrick Abercrombie, Richard Caulvele, Grooms of the Privy Chamber ; Adam Hill, Page to his Majesty's Privy Chamber; John Freyand, Serjeant at Arms; Duncan Primrose, Serjeant Surgeon; John Wolfrumla, Apothecary; and Arcliibald Ai-mstrong. — \Coumd Register, vol, xlviii. p. 11 O.J ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 137 time, and which appears to have been graciously received. For this a.d. 1617. work INIr. Wedderburn received a present of fifty nierks, in money, from the treasurer. Before James returned to England he granted a renovation of the ancient charters of the borough, by which he confirmed, in the most ample manner, all the former rights, privi- leges, and immunities of the citizens. The charter of confirmation is dated at Faulkland, 17th July.* This was the only visit which King James made to his native kingdom, and, having accomplished the objects which he had in view by his journey, he returned to England, where he died a few years afterwards, being succeeded by his unfortunate son Charles. This year Thomas Menzies of Durn, provost of the town, was 1620. delegated to repair to the court of England, on a mission concerning some civil affairs of the community. Being introduced to King James, he was graciously received, and had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him in his Majesty's privy chamber. On this occasion Sir Tho- mas presented to the king a pearl, which had been found in a muscle shell, in the brook of Kelly, which runs into the river Ythan. It was considered by the jewellers of Edinburgh as the most valuable that had been seen at that time ; and, according to tradition, it holds a place in the imperial crown of Britain, f In return, the king granted to him certain lands near Dunfermline, and the custom of merchant goods in Aberdeen, during his life. Sir Thomas, however, enjoyed these honours and property, which had been bestowed upon him by the king, for a very short time, having died at Wooler, on his return homeward, in the end of September, after he had been, in his ab- sence, re-elected provost for the ensuing year.:j: About this time the town was put under considerable alarm by 1626. the appearance of a Spanish fleet upon this coast, to the number of fourteen sail of the line. This fleet had probably been fitted out by Spain, in consequence of the attack which had been made upon Ca- T diz. * Council Register, vol. xlviii. p. 169. 1 7 7-— Archives of the Town, t History of Aberdeen, in 1685, by Pkilopolilcus, p. 238, 239. 1 Council Register, vol. xlLx. p. 737. 138 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1G26. diz by the English fleet, under Sir Edward Cecil, lately created A'isconnt "Wimblcton, and which had completely failed in its object, from the improper conduct of the army. The appearance of so nu- merous a fleet on the coast of Scotland being an unusual circum- stance, the magistrates put the town in a proper posture of de- fence, lest the enemy should attempt a landing. Six pieces of iron ordnance, weighing 3500 libs, each, were provided, with a proper svipply of ammunition, for the blockhouse ; and the citizens were mustered and trained to arms, under Captain Hurrie ; but the fleet having disappeared, and no hostile attacks being attempted upon any part of the coast, the alarm subsided, and a treaty of peace was soon after concluded between England and Spain. 1633. This year King Charles repaired to Scotland, attended by his court, in order to hold a parliament there, and to go throvigh the ce- remony of coronation. The nobility and gentry vied with each other in manifesting their attachment and regard to their sovereign on this occasion, not anticipating the many calamitous events which were so speedily to follow. The magistrates of Aberdeen did not neglect to contribute to the splendour of the solemnity, as far as in their power. They delegated Pavil IMenzies, their provost, and Patrick Leslie, one of the baillies, to represent the town, both in parliament and at the coronation.* For defraying their charges, the sum of 3000 merks was voted, to be paid to them from the treasury funds; and the dean of guild had been previously directed to advance 200 franks, for purchasing confectiom, to be tendered to his Majesty on his arri- val in Scotland. The provost, on his being presented to the king, had the honour of knighthood conferred upon him, as a mark of his Majesty's regard to the town, MiSCELLANEOrS " The provost's charger, at the coronation, was equipped with a silk mantle, ornamented with velvet, and fringed, small pcsmeiili, and pear buttons, the expense of which was L.121 fis. The i-harge of the saddle, harnessing, bridle-bit, and stirrup-irons, was L.SO Ss. 'Id. These appoint- ments are preserved in the town's armoury to this day. Drs. William Forbes and Robert Barron, two of the ministers of the town, attended tlie ceremony of the coronation, and preached before the king, by order of the Archbishop of St. Andrew's. — [Vouncil Register, vol. li. p. 204. 442-3 ANNALS OF ABEUDEEN. 139 MISCELLjyEOVS OCCVIiRESCES IN ABERDEEy, From the Year 1.>57 to 1633. 1557 Bridge over the Denbum, of two arches, was ordered to be built — Saint Nicholas Market was proclaimed, to be held within the town yearly, for fifteen days, posterior to the 1 5th of October i— .— Thomas Menzies, provost, and Da\nd Marr, baillie, were delegated to repair to Edinburgh, to treat and conclude concerning Queen Mary's marriage with Francis, Dauphin of France 1560 One half net of the Fishings of Don was leased, for one year, for seventeen barrels of salmon; one eighth part of the Cruives, for nine barrels ; one third pait for eleven barrels ; one half net of the Pot, for six barrels ; and one half net of the Raik, for twenty barrels 1565 Sir Patrick Lemiiond of Dersy, Andrew Wood of Largo, Andrew Wood, younger, Alexan- der Trail of Blabo, Andrew Murray of Baward, William Lunday, son and heir of Lunday of that ilk, surrendered themselves, in the lodgings of David MaiT, baillie, as prisoners, in terms of the King and Queen's letters — — The Town Serjeants were ordered to receive yearly 4s. from every burgess of guild, ajid 2s. from every artificer, for their Christmas fees - Twelve tons of Wine were demanded, for account of the King and Queen, from the mer- chants of the toivn, of an importation from Bourdeaux 1 568 The pestilence raged in Edinburgh and Montrose A ship belonging to Thomas Nicolson, merchant, was lost on the coast of Holland, and himself and seventeen other merchants of Aberdeen perished on board 1571 The Streets without the Ports were ordered to be paved and repaired 1574' John Ewyne, burgess of Aberdeen, was convicted of coining, and hanged and beheaded — Gilbert Knowles, elder burgess, and Gilbert Knowles, his son, were slain, near the Cruives, by James Gordon, brother to the Laird of Abergeldie, 1st December 1576 The first day of May being attended with a tempestuous storm of snow and rain, from the W. N. W. was now called evil May-day 1577 A Comet, or blazing Star, appeai-ed in the West on the 13th November, and continued to be seen every evening, for one month — ^ Adam Donaldson beheaded, 25tli May, for the slaughter of John Tawse, 30th April 1578 A tempestuous stoi-m, on Tuesday 25th March, from S.W. and N.N.W. occasioned much damage to the Church and to the houses in the town 1^— Patrick Johnston, son to Mr. George Johnston, baillie, was slain by Keith of Ludquliam The Town Serjeants ordered to carry daily their halberts on their shoulders, witli swords 1579 A contribution of 100 merks was made by the inhabitants, for the support and relief of pri- soners at Morocco, who had been taken by the Turks Thomas Wright, servant to Lord Forbes, was beheaded 28th May, for slaying a servant of the Laird of Gartly 1580 Alex. Innes, Laird of Crombie, was slain at Martin Howieson's house, by tlie Laird of In- vermarkie, in a private quarrel _— Alex. Menzies, son to Gilbert Menzies, provost, was slain by William Forbes of Portlethen, at the Loch of Lowerston T 2 140 AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. 1 5S2 Walter Inncs, servant to tlie Laird of Glenkindy, was slain in Aberdeen, by John Jack 1584 The pestilence raged in several towns and places in the ijoutli. For pre^•enting its infection among the inhabitants, they were prohibited from recei\'ing or lodging any strangers. A gibbet was ordered to be erected at tlie cross, another at the Bridge of Dee, and ano- ther at tlie harbour moiitii ; and if any infected persons arrived by sea or land, or if any inhabitant received or Iiarboured them, or gave them meat or di'ink, the men were adjudged to be hanged, and the women to be di-owned I Alex. Keith of Auquhorsk was slain by John Chalmers of Balbithan William Guild, son to Matthew Guild, ai-mom-er, was slain by John Leslie, son to James' Leslie, burgess Alex. Anderson, one of the poor hi St. Thomas' Hospital, was slain by Alex. Blyndcele, Sth February Alex. Blyndcele was convicted for tliis crime, and publicly cbowned at the Quay head, 18th Februaiy 1585 Mai'garet, Anne, and Marion Dnncan, con\icted of receiving and giving meat to strangers suspected of the pestilence, were adjudged to be punished with death; but pai-doned by the magistrates, on the solicitation of Sir William Ker and Sir Robert Maxwell, and or- dained to be banished during the pleasure of the Town Council lj86 John Greyne, and Ogilvie, his wife, Marion Lyon, spouse of Archibald Douglas, and Katharine Steven, were convicted of poisoning a child begotten in adultery. John Greyne was hanged and quartered, and his head fixed upon the Justice Port ; and the women were publicly di-o^vned 1587 Twenty-four Watchmen appointed for protecting the to^vn from depredations during the night, to continue from eight at night till five o'clock in the morning Elspeth Mychall, spouse to Patrick Mavor, burgess, was convicted of child murder, and publicly drowned at the Quayhead, 27th March John Keith of Clackriach was cruelly slain, at the Justice Port, by William Gordon of Gight 1588 John Wischart, Cordwainer, was slain by James Spaldeston, Hangman, who was hanged for the crime, and his head fixed on the Justice Port 1589 George Nasmith murdered in the town on 20th February Tempestuous storm, on the evening of Friday, l6th of January, from W.S.W. blew down the steeple of the Tolbooth, and the steeple of the Cathedral, Old Aberdeen 1590 Forty soldiers fm-nished by the town to the Earl of Hmitly's army, sent to subdue Lauchlan M'Intosh, and other highland rebels Forty hagbutters furnished by the town to the Earl M;u-ischal, to enable him to recover the House of Deer, taken possession of by Mr. Robert Keith Alex. Taylor appointed Public Post by the Magistrates, for carrying dispatches. He was clothed m blue, with the town's arms on the right sleeve of his coat 1591 Patrick Bisset, son to Mr. Gilbert Bisset, slain by Alexander Anderson 1592 John Johnston slain in the tumult, 27th September , The Dean of Guild was appointed Procurator Fiscal for the town • 1593 A Mm-ket was ordered to be held in the town, for Merchandize, for Horse, Nolt, Sheep, &c. to endure for eight days 1594. Douglas and Litster, two malefactors, were executed this year 1595 John Justice was appointed Executioner, by the Town Council, for executing the sentences of banishment, scourging, biiniing, lormeiiling, or otherwise punisliing malefactors - Meal Market ordered to be built, of wood, on the East end of the Tolbootli ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 141 1595 Back Wynd laid out, oil the West side of the Church-j'ai-d 1 596 Andrew Brown, Robert Laird, John Joluiston, and Robert Bruce, were executed at the Blockhouse, for piracy of a sliip of Bruntisland 159s A contribution was made by tlie citizens for the relief of the inliabitants of the town of Had- dington, which had been destroyed by accidental fire 1601 The Spring of this 3-ear was remarkable forstonny weather. On the 25th March the ground was neither laboured nor sown ; and the cattle died through want of provender 1603 A wai-rant was sent to the Magistrates, from the Lords of the Privy Council, to apprehend Sir Griffin Markham, William Watson, and William Clark, Priests, who had attempted to take the life of King James 1601 A quota of sixteen men ordered from the town, to join the King's forces in besieging Dum- breck House, by order of the Privy Council —^ Notice was sent by the Privy Council to the Magistrates of the pestilence raging in North Berwick, Prestonpans, and Edinburgh ; on which account the Court of Session had ad- journed on 24th June Patent for opening a Stone Quarry, within the freedom lands, granted to John Mason, for five years, for supplying the inhabitants with stones for doors and windows 1605 Alex. Rutherford, late Provost, was sent, as one of the four Commissioners from the bo- roughs, to England, concerning the Union proposed between the two kingdoms Intelligence of the Gunpowder Plot arrived in the town on the 13th of November, which was kept as a day of thanksgiving, &c. 1607 A watch of twelve persons appointed, for protecting the tovm during the night time Margaret Panton, convicted by a Jury of thirteen persons of blasphemy and fornication, and banished from the town for life 1608 A shock of an eai-thquake was felt in the town on Tuesday the 8th of November, about 9 o'clock in the evening . The pestilence which raged in Dundee, Perth, and other places in the Soutli, broke out and raged in Tome ; and the Ckangcr was ordered to burn the dead bodies 1613 Startonius, a Gennan, was executed abroad for an infamous libel against the whole Scottish nation. The expence of the prosecution, being L.60O sterling, was claimed from the boroughs of Scotland ; and Aberdeen was charged for its proportion, by order of the king — — Flesh-house ordered to be built on the North side of the Castlestreet 1615 Alexander Rutherford, Provost, having died in office, the new and old Councils resohed that no new election should take place till Michaehnas ; in the meantime, that the senior Baillie should act as Moderator or Chancellor — — The Town Serjeants, being five in number, ordered to be clothed in the town's livery, being a Juip, of red staiming, with the town's aims embroidered thereon 1616 The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland met at Aberdeen on the 13th August, the Earl of Montrose being the High Commissioner 1617 James Craighead, Flesher, was pilloried at the cross, crowned with a paper label, and ba- nished the town, for insulting one of the Baillies, by saying, " My midediction I give to "Baillie Gray, by all the BaiUies of Aberdeen: I am as honest and true as any of '•- his kin." 161 8 The great stone, called Knock Maitland, was removed from the harbour mouth by David Anderson 1619 Military muster of the inhabitants was made on the 9th of August, in the Links, when there appeared 550 fensible men. They were armed with two-handed swords; the 142 AXKALS OF ABERDEEN. pike mid spearancn in two separate divisions, and the lutghuUers in anotlier. Those who •were abseut being fined L.5 each 1619 The Duke of Lennox arrived in the town, and was received by the citizens with military ho- nours, 12th August 1620 Sir Thomas Menzies, Provost, having died in office, David Rutherford was elected in his place 1621 Two Com Mills were erected m the flood-mark, near the Quayhead — >— Patent for curing smoky Chimnies granted by the Town Coiuicil to Jolin Watson, for three years 162-1 The town of Dunfermline destroyed by accidental fire 25th May; 220 houses, occupied by 287 families, burnt to the ground, also 500 bolls of grain burnt in barns. — L.I6OO con- tributed by Aberdeen towards the relief of the sufferers 1626 Troops for Germany levied by Colonel M'Kay, in the town 1628 Ship of war, called the Thistle, under the command of James Auchmowtie, put into the hai-bom- by stress of weather, and 1300 merks advanced to him by tlie magistrates, for supplies to the ship and crew 1632 Bridge over Buxbm-n ordered to be built I Proposals for bringing fountain water into the town sanctioned by the Head Court ; and the Craftsmen agreed to contribute 1000 merks towards the expence 1633 Coronation of King Charles celebrated in the town with bonfires, firing of 12 pieces of ord- nance, and drinking two puncheons of wine at the Cross. Tliese Miscellaneous Occurrences, as well as those mentioned in the end of the preceding Chapter, have been collected from the Council Register, ike Registers of Baptisms and Burials for St. Nicholas Church, from the Journals of the Church Scssio}i, and other authentic documents. CHAPTER ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 143 CHAPTER IV. SECTION II. Proceedings of the Citizens at the annual visitation of the Public Lands ^c. — Patrimony of the Borough given off in fee farm — Constitution of the several Corjyorations of Artificers, ^-c. — Struggle between them and the Burgesses of Guild — Common Indenture — Proceedings betrveen the Burgesses of Guild and the Administrators of the Town — Tumultuous pi'oceedings, S^c. — Decree arbitral of King James— ^ Decree of the Convention of Boroughs, fixing the set of Aberdeen-— Plague — Leprosy — Witchcraft, and Punishments — Ancient Games, S^-c. fall into disuse — Modern Plays — Printing — Benevolent Aids — Feasting — Disposition of the people — Church Session — Ancient Cus- toms continued — Funerals, S^-c. — Municipal Laws — Commei'ce, and indication of Manufactures — Coinage in circulation — Punishments — Lh'ess, ^-c. — Population — Sirnames — Tables of Births and Burials, %c. — of Contnbutions to the State, ^-c. — and of Prices of Provi- sions, S)C. From A.D. 1559 to A.D. 1633. In conformity to our plan, we shall stop for a while in the naiTa- tive of public events, in order to revert to those local matters which occurred during the present asra. In reviewing these, we shall, at the same time, present a sketch of the manners and customs still in observance among the people. From an early period, the citizens would seem to have been ex- tremely tenacious of tliose ancient possessions, whidi we have already had occasion to enumerate, belonging to the community. At the same time, it would appear, that, for a long period of years, prudence and economy had directed the administrators in the management of the revenue arising from these, as far as circumstances would permit. The 144 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. The boundaries of the lands being very extensive, were generally surveyed, once every year, by the magistrates, accompanied with the younger citizens, who were able to ride.* They perambulated the line of marches, to see that the land-marks were duly preserved, and that no encroachments had been made by conterminous proprietors. On these occasions it was customary to remind the young citizens, on their first visit, of the occurrences of the day, in a peculiar manner, which is in recollection at the present time ; and the remainder of the day was devoted to mirth and festivity. This annual perambula- tion prevailed for ages, but is only now in observance probably once in every five years. These lands, with the salmon fishings of the rivers Dee and Don, previously to the Reformation, had generally been let, from time to time, by the magistrates and town council, with the approbation of the community, on short leases, to burgesses of guild only, at a small yearly rent. A grassum, or fine, however, was generally paid by the tenants, on the renewal of the leases, and ap- plied to the exigencies of the borough. On certain occasions the leases were bestowed on some individual, as a recompense or gratui- ty for services, either real or supposed, which had been performed to the community. This mode of management enabled the magis- trates to support the dignity of the town ; to gratify their sovereigns in the way of presents, on their frequent visits ; and to answer other objects, connected with their administration. In the year 1551, a project was devised, conducted with much dexterity, and carried into effect, which was the means of bereaving the community of every benefit that might arise to it, from these lands and fishings, in future ages. In furtherance of the scheme, certain individuals, who had obtained places in the administration of the town, influenced the ci- tizens to concur in an application which was made to the crown for a new charter, to enable the magistrates and community to alienate the property, in the way of feu, or fee hold. In this age, money was the sure means of accomplishing any thing of this nature that might have * Some of these boundaries are nearly seven miles from the cross. In the line of these there were, and probably still are, certain stones, against which the yoiuig citizens, on their fii'St visit, were forced, a posknori, to remind them of these occurrences. AXXALS OF ABERDEEN', Uo have been required from the crown : accordingly 2500 merks being raised by the magistrates, were paid to the executive government at the time, as a composition for a royal grant in the terms which were suggested. A new charter was then obtained, under the great seal, upon the 4th March, 1551, which enabled the magistrates, town council, and community, to give off the lands and fishings in the way of feu and in fee simple, by which means the designs of those who had projected the scheme were so far accomplished. As soon as this charter had been expedited, no time was ne- glected in parcelling out the whole of these salmon fishings and the greater part of the lands, among certain burgesses of guild, in fee simple, on payment of a small consideration in money, and for a sti- pidated annual feu duty, or quit rent ; but under this express condi- tion, that the vassals should always be " burgesses, actual indireUers of the town, frequenting and using exercise of merchandize," rroman- h'md bemg particularly excepted. * This restriction continued till of u late Tjlble, sho-wiag the Feu Duties and Compositions for the grants o? the Lands and Sahnon Fish- ings belonging to Aberdeen, as fised by the Head Court of the Citizens, 4th ilarch, 1551. S.U-MOX FISHINGS. The Fishings oa Dee, Raik, five and one half nets, Midchingle, five nets three thirds part Pot, six nets Fords, seven and one half nets The Fishings on Don, two nets - - three thirds part, 43 merks each Cruives, three sixths part, 44 merks each four eighths part, 23 merks each L.\NDS. The Garden .... The Lands of Shedocksley ... the Tulloch - . • the Kingswells - - « the Foresterhill . - the Cruives » . . AmkuoI Fe* . Ifvty. Cc-.r .liiiion* L.89 14 10 L.4S4 SI 10 266 13 4 53 6 9 49 26s o 25 2 6 165 172 5S 16 86 12 10 176 12 10 176 L.40 L27 oS 6 s 26 13 4 4 18 26 13 4 17 20 12 13 4 40 20 13 4 The 146 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. late years, when it was taken off, under certain conditions, in conse- (luence of an act of the town council ; and the property may now be lield by any person, as vassal. The project of alienating the pro- perty, in the manner which has been just mentioned, was not brought to maturity without considerable opposition from several of the citi- zens ; but a very great majority of tlie community having favoured the scheme, completely over-ruled this opposition, in a head court. The supreme civil court was afterwards resorted to by the few who opposed the measure, for reducing these transactions, which they conceived to be prejudicial to the community ; but the tardiness of law proceedings, the heavy expence attending them, with some un- due influence which seems to have been used, put an end to the con- test; and all further opposition was withdrawn.* By this inconsi- derate act, the borough and community were deprived of a most in- valuable branch of public revenue for ever, while individvial families have been enriched by reaping the fruits arising from the property, so alienated. But this is not the only grievance which attended these alienations ; it has often been a subject of extreme regret to the sub- sequent administrators of the town, who, when any attempts were made to improve the town or the harbour, invariably found their plans and designs thwarted by the jealousy of the vassals in posses- sion of the property : and, on pretence of the intended operations being pregnant Avith injury to their fishings, or other property, the improvements in view have often been retarded, and not unfre- quently abandoned altogether. These circumstances, however, were not anticipated at the time wlien the alienations were made ; and, therefore, no provision was introduced into the feu charters to guard against any contingencies of this nature. But, however mvich these transactions may, in the present age, be the subject of regret, the alienations The Lands of tlie Kingshill BogCnirly « . - Rubiblaw - « Hessilhead . ■ - Council Reghler, vol. xxi. p. IO9. 1 11. * Council Register, vol. .\xi. p. 109. 141. 728. 852. tnnual Feu Dull/. Composition. L.l 6 8 L.6 13 4 44 13 4 22 20 26 13 C 8 18 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 147 alienations had certainly the concurrence of a very great majority of the community. The situation of the times, the dawn of reforma- tion, and many other circumstances comhined, may have operated upon the minds of our ancestors, and influenced them to adopt this scheme, which they, perhaps, thought, would he equally advantageous to the community as to themselves. In the course of the sixteenth century, the political constitution of the several corporations of artificers in the town appears to have been recognised and sanctioned by the magistrates and town council, at different periods, in the form of acts of council and seals of cause. The Bakers were, from an early period, under the cognizance of the magistrates. In the year 1458, eleven of them in number were per- mitted to exercise their trade, and to impress upon their bread their distinguishing signatures, or peculiar marks ; but it was not till the year 1532 that they were fully recognised as a corporation. In this year they were enjoined by an act of council to choose their deacons, which order was complied with, by electing two of their number to that office, and reporting them to the magistrates for their approba- tion and sanction. The Cordwainers seem to have been of longer standing. In the year 1484, the magistrates and council passed an act which annulled the powers and privileges which had formerly been granted to their deacons ; and resolved to correct them in fu- ture, according to their faults.* In 1519, the Hammermen were in- corporated by the magistrates, council, and community, by a seal of cause, f which conferred upon them the power of electing their dea- con, with certain otiier privileges and immunities. The Tailors, sub- sequently to the year 1511, were in the practice of electing their dea- con ; but they were not gstablished as a corporation until the year 1532, when they obtained their seal of cause,:}: which gave tlieni powers and privileges similar to those which had been granted to the Hammermen. As early as the year 1449, we find tliat Eobert of Petit and William Hunter were chosen and sworn by the magistrates u 2 deacons * Council Register, vol. vi. p. 848. + Ibid. vol. x, p. 112. vol. xiv, p. 109. J Council Register, vol. xiv. p. 198. 148 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. deacons of the Weavers, and searchers of all the wchsler craft.* In the year 1527, the Wrights, Coopers, and Masons, obtained their seal of cause, f in the same terms with those which had been granted to the Hammermen and to the Tailors, The Fleshers, the only other corporation, appear to have been recognized in this character by the town council, in the year 1532. They elected Andrew Lawson their deacon, who was approved by the magistrates. J In the year 1537, the Barbers, or leechers, (surgeons) obtained their seal of cause, § which established them into a corporation, in the same manner as the artificers. By this grant it is declared, that the deacon shall be re- sponsible to the magistrates for the proper conduct of the whole members. But at no period do they seem to have had any concern in the election of the magistrates, or in the political affairs of the bo- rough. The Masons seem to have separated from the Wrights and Coopers at an early period, and do not now form part of that corpo- ration. All the corporations, with the exception of the Barbers, pre- viously to the year 1533, appear to have had some undefined direction in those public affairs. In this year an act of council was passed, de- claratory of the extent of the powers of the artificers. It was declared, that they were to have no vote in the ordinary administration of the borough, or in the elections ; and their deacons, in the town council, were to be chosen annually by the provost, baillies, and council. || These topics, however, we shall have occasion to review more fully afterwards, in another branch of this work. After the period of the reformation, the minds of men, in regard to civil government, were much changed by the doctrines which were daily preached and promulgated ; and the people, animated with more liberal and enlarged sentiments, began to assert their civil rights with a freedom and boldness to which they had formerly been unaccustomed. The members of the corporations, influenced, per- liaps, by these principles, conceived that their privileges embraced more extensive powers in the political constitution of the borough than * Council Register, vol. v. p. 749. t Ibitl. vol. xii. p. 208. % I'^i*^- ^°^- '""• P- ^^^' § Council Register, vol. xv. p. 352. 1| Ibid. \ol. .\iv. p. 28 i. vol. xv. p. 353. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 149 than what they did actually possess, or ^Yhat the magistrates and burgesses of guild were inchned to concede. Some years after the passing of the act of parhament, in the year 1555, concerning the privileges of craftsmen or artificers in the constitution of the several royal boroughs of the kingdom, the craftsmen of Aberdeen began to assume certain privileges which were denied them by the magistrates. In the vindication of these, they excited considerable commotions in the town, threw off all obedience to +heir authority, and were the means of occasioning much ferment and disorder in the community. In the year 1565, they first began to form combinations, and to as- semble, in hostile array, particularly on Sunday, under two captains, dignified with the ancient title of Bobin Hood and IJfl/e John, having determined to assume to themselves privileges which were not re- cognised by the legislature. In order to suppress these disorders, and to enforce due obedience to the administrators of the town, a writ from the queen was obtained, which approved of the conduct of the magistrates in enforcing the late act of parliament, and com- manded " all seditious craftsmen, such as cutlers, baxters, saddlers, sword slippers, cordwainers, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, coopers, barbers, and others, within the town, to submit to the authority of their ma- gistrates."* This had, for a time, the desired effect, and tranquillity appears to have been, for some years, established in the town. In the year 1579, however, these artificers thought proper again to sti- mulate popular disorders in the community ; and, with this view, to hold tumultuous assemblies, on the 25th Decembei-, which they de- voted to feasting and playing ; and declined their ordinary employ- ments on this day. They conceived that they had now a right to assume the privileges of burgesses of guild, and to exercise merchandize within the town. They even carried matters still farther, by applying di- rectly to the king and the lords of the privy council, and by some means or other obtained a sanction to their pretensions. TJiis was considered as an infringement of the ancient privileges of tlie bur- gesses of guild, which they could not well endure. It was, therefore, strenuously opposed by the magistrates, who punished the transgres- sors * Countil Register^ vol. xxv. p. 5S9. 150 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN'. sors by pecuniary fines, and by disfrancbisement, under the esta- blijbed laws of tbe borougb ; and tbe artificers, at lengtb, thought proper to depart from this assumption of privileges, which they con- fessed had been rash and inconsiderate. At the same time, they promised to restrict themselves to the exercise of their own respec- tive trades ; and to submit, with all due obedience, to the authority of the magistrates. Tranquillity was thus again restored in the com- munity, although the refractory deacons, on some occasions, de- clined to give their votes in the town council. * In the year 15S7 this important question was again agitated be- tween the craftsmen and burgesses of gviild, but without that rancour and animosity manifested on former occasions. They assembled to- gether in amity in St. Nicholas Church, with a view to conciliate matters between them ; an arbitration of mutual friends was proposed, and cordially acquiesced in by both parties, and those private enmi- ties and popular commotions which had subsisted so long in the town were now happily terminated. This arbitration gave rise to the decree arbitral, which is so well known, and distinguished by the title of the Commoti Indenture, and which distinctly defines the res- pective privileges of the guild brethren and artificers. By this award it is declared, that no craftsman can be allowed to exercise com- merce under the privileges of the town, except in particular circum- stances, unless he first renounce his craft, and be admitted a burgess of gviild in the usual manner, f A short time after these occurrences had happened, a schism broke out between the leading members of the town council and the burgesses of guild ; but, before we proceed to relate this event, and the causes which led to it, it may not be deemed improper to pre- mise some account of the leading men then in the administration, as well as of the political state of the borough at the time. For a period of more than a century, the administration of the civil affairs of the town had been under the direction of an opulent family, Council Register, vol. xxx. p. 74. 492. t Ibid. vol. xxxii. p. 233, ct eeq. ANNALS OF ABERDEEX. }ol family, of much consideration in the place, and distinguished by its ample domains in the county. The chiefs of this family h^d succes- sively enjoyed the office of provost, during that long period, almost without interruption, and apparently to the satisfaction of the com- munity ; while, at the same time, they possessed the confidence of their sovereigns. Many of their friends and connexions, of course, filled the other departments in the town council. The office of town clerk, which, even at this time, was considered to be of great impor- tance, had been hereditary in the family since the year 1502, when it was acquired, from the council and community, for the behoof of the eldest son of the provost then in office. It had been purchased for the small consideration of forty merks, a salary of twelve merks yearly being annexed to it.* The clerk who had been so ai^pointed was not in a situation that qualified him to execute the functions of this department ; but he was permitted to exercise the office by a deputy, who was named by himself, and approved by tlie magis- trates and council. In this manner it had been handed down from father to son, as a family inheritance, vmtil the period of the present narrative. One of the relatives of this family was also in possession of the town's public mills, of which he had obtained a grant, f in fee simple, for an annual feu duty, in the year 1575, subsequently to the alienation of the other property belonging to the community, as has been formerly related. Some of the same party in the council were also lessees of the bell and petty customs ; of the assize boll ; of the public mets and measures ; for which certain small rents were paid yearly: and the common hand bell was held in fee farm.;j: In the year 1588, the office of town clerk having become vacant by the death of the incumbent, the office reverted to the town coun- cil and community. The provost then in office put in liis claim to it * Council Register, voL viii. p. IJ*. 282. t The vassal paid 600 merks for the grant, (equal to L.71 13s. id. sterling money), nhich he had advanced for dijhicc of Ihe Ubcrtif of the borough.-~^Council Uegisler, vol. xxviii. p. 445. 59 1.] J As this was the aera of feuing, we find that tlic hand bell had been given off in fee farm, for a small yearly quit rent. It was redeemed in 1594 from Patrick Leslie, the vassal, by payment of 500 merks from the public funds. — [Council Register, vol. xxxv. p. 413. vol. xx.\vi. p. 41.|] 152 . ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. it as a matter of course, and a majority of the council, according to the ancient and laudable custom, voted him to the office of common clerk,* during hfe, in the same manner as his predecessors had en- joyed it. At the same time, permission was given to him to nomi- nate one or more deputies under him, to discharge the functions of the office. In order to render this act of greater validity, it became necessary, however, to have the sanction of the whole community, in tlie attainment of which greater difficulty occurred. In a head court, which was convened for the special purpose, a motion being made for sanctioning the appointment of the council, was keenly opposed by a certain number of the citizens, on the ground of its not being compatible to hold both the offices of provost and clerk con- jointly. It was, on the other hand, contended, that it was no more incompatible than for the clerk register to hold the office of chief jus- tice in the justiciary court, as he was both judge and clerk of court, although he appointed clerks to officiate under him ; besides, the he- ritable sheriffs possessed the power of nominating their own clerks. After a warm contest between those in power and the party in oppo- sition, the provost succeeded in accomplishing his object, the majo- rity of the citizens who were assembled having given their votes in favour of the motion. Matters being thus accommodated to his mind, the whole business was again brought under the review of the magistrates and council, who, with a view to extinguish the controver- sies on this occasion, thought it advisable to grant to the provost licence, tolerance, and power, only to present a qvialified person to be princi- pal clerk, and another to be deputy. The provost thereupon pre- sented Mr. John Kennedy and Mr. Thomas Mollison, whose appoint- ments of principal and depvity clerks respectively were accordingly sanctioned by the council, f This, however, was only the prelude to the attainment of more important objects in view, in the jDolitical affairs of the borough. Mr. John Cheyne of Fortrie, advocate in Aberdeen ; Alexander Ewen, burgess of guild ; and certain others of their party, having obtained Council Register, vol. xxiii. p. 444. 452. et seq. + Ibid. vol. xxxii. p. 444, 453. et seq. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 153 obtained places in the council, complained loudly of the waste of the patrimony of the borough, and of the mismanagement of the public funds, which they alleged had, for several years, been dissipated, and given away to the private advantage of certain individuals in the council. They commenced the spirit of reform, and steadily persevered, with indefatigable zeal, to accomplish a radical change in the mode of electing the magistrates and town council, which, at this period, was not strictly conformable to the established law. It would appear that, at this time, and for many years preceding, the mem- bers who composed the town council had been elected for life, or during good behaviour ; and that the election of magistrates and of- fice-bearers only took place annually. However much this system may have been in opposition to the statute of 1469, it certainly had the concurrence of King James, who not only expressed his entire approbation of the system which had been long observed, and his particular reasons for so doing, but allowed the magistrates and town council to continue the practice as heretofore, notwithstanding the act of parliament. This he confirmed, by a writ under the privy seal, upon 20th July, 1591,* which was transmitted to the magis- X trates * " James, be the Grace of God, King of Scottis, To our advocat, and all uyeris o^ liegis and subdittis quliome it efferis, Quhais knawlege yir o^ Ires sal cum greting, Wit ze us, considering tlie guid, trew, and thankfull service done to us and o^ predecessors be ye Provest, Baillies, and Coun- sall of o^ bur^ of Aberdene ; alssweill in ye wyiss and prudent governament of ye sami, according to ye ancient custome, libertie, and privileges yairof, inviolable obscrvit past niemorie of man, As in yair reddie and dewtifuU obedience, gevin pruif of from tyme to tyme, towai-ds us, be exponying of yair lands and lyifis in o^ service. And repressing of dyvers rebellionis and uproris, movit at sundrie tymes in ye north pairtis of yis o^ realme : And we, understanding yat ye cheif grund and caus of the laing flurishing of o'^ said bur^ in peace, tranquillitie, and guid service towards us, consistit in a guid and substantious Counsall, of ye gravest, loyif, and discreit inliabitantis of o^ said bur^, best disposit and effectit to our obedeince, qlkis has contenuit in ye same office sen yair first elcctionn, imalterit or changeit, be ye space of fourtie or fylftie zeiris, according to ye lovabill consuetude of o^ said bur^, inviolable observit be the space of a hundreth zeiris befoir ; qlk consuetude of ye con- tinwing of yair Counsall efter yair first lauchfull election unto ye tyme of yair deceis, except yai had bene tryit or fund giltie of sum cryme meriting deprivationn is ratefeit and ajjproven be dy veris actis and constitutionis of o' said bur^ ; and hes bcnemaist wyislie and prudentlie establishit be yair predecessors, for avoiding of greit dangeris and incovenientes, qlkis otherwyiss my' ha\e fallen out within o^ said burgh, be the zeirlie changeing and alterations of ye said Counsall, qlk is cheifly suttit be dy veris unquiet and ambitious perjx)nis ; To the effect that ye governament of o' said bur- sukl be devolvit in ye handis of outlandis men, of grit clanns and siurnaraes, qlkis compass and 154 AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. trates in the course of the present controversy. When we reflect upon the unsettled state of the nation during the former part of his reign, the changeable opinions of men subsequently to the Reforma- tion, and various other circumstances combined, perhaps this extension of royal prerogative may not appear to be a matter of much surprise. The momentous question between the burgesses and the adminis- trators- of the town was first agitated before the Convention of Bo- roughs, Avhich assembled at Aberdeen on the 8th June, 1590, The grievances of the citizens, and their complaints against the magis- trates dwellis round about o^ said bin', And hes, be all meanis, baith directlie and indii-ectlie, aspjTit to ye roule and govemament of ye samyn, express agains o^ actis of parliament, inliibiting and dis- charging ye electionn of outlandis men in Provest, Baiileis, or Auldermen w^in bui-gh. In ye qlk cais o^ said burgh suld rather becum a monople, thi-awit and astrictit to yat factionn and clan tjlk said happen to be preferrit to ye governament, nor a fre bnrgh, to the utter wrak and detriment vairof In consideration quhairof, and yat o- act of parliament made anent ye changing of ye zeirlie Counsall hes nevir zit tane effect vv'in o^ said bui-gh, bot ye personnis anes lauchfuUie chosin uponn Counsall hes contenuit yairon unto ye tpne of yair deceiss, alwyess subject to ye tryall of ye ijy-bouris of o^ said burgh. And, in cais of ony fait or cryrae, the same hes bene ordorlie tryit uponn ye gyld court day efter ye electionn of ye magistrates yairof ; and, being fund giltie, yai have bene rcmovit and depi-yvit, and uyeris placeit in yair rowmis, qruponn hes followit a gret tranquil- litie and concord w'in o^ said burgh : And in respect of mony ufer inconvenientes qlk ye zeirlie thangeing of ye said Counsall may carie w^ it, namelie, ye abrogationn of ye auld lawis and sta- tuteis of o^ said bui-gh. The disturbance of ye comon peace yairof, Tbe civil disorder and discention vat micht follow yairuponn, w^ ye infinite confusionn and perrell qlk coinonnlie accompanies all new changeis and mutationis in coinonn welthis ; We have allowit, and be yir o^ tres ailowis, of yat pnt electit Counsall of o' said bur^ and willis and declaris yat fe same Counsall sail remane and stand, efter ye ancient consuetude and custom yairof, in all tyme ciunying. And in cais of yair deceiss, or tryit unworthnis. That ye remanet of ye Counsall elect uferis in yair places ; it bemg alwyiss un- derstand yat ye same Counsall be zeirlie heirefler electit be voit of Counsall, and sic u]>er ceremo- iieis as ar accustomat in electionn of magistrates within burgli. Notwithstanding of o^ act of par- liament maid anent ye zeirlie change and electionn of magistrates with burgh, anent ye qlk we have dispensit, and be yir d^ Ires dispenss in yat part concerning ye changeing of ye Counsall alla- nerlie, Renuceand and dischargeand all actionn and persute, competent to us or o^ successo^ twich- ing ye contraventionn of o^ said act of parliament yairanent, discharging you o' said advocat of all persute, movit, or to be movit agains ye said Counsall for contraventionn of ye same act. And not fulfilling of ye same in yat point. And of yo^ office in yat part, be yir o^ tres, Gevin under o^ privie seill, at Falkland, the twentie day of July, The yeir of God Jm. Vc fourescoir elevin yeiris. And of o^ rignne the twenty fo^ yeir. " Per signatura manibus S. D. N. Regis ac Cancellar subscript." " Liiera Prepositi, Ballivonim, el '•' Consilium burgi de Aberdene." } ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 155 trates and common council being enumerated at great length, and placed in the strongest point of view, were submitted to that as- sembly on the part of INIr. Cheyne and his friends in very dis- passionate terms. On the other hand, they were answered by their adversaries with some degree of asperity and indignation ; v/hilc a great deal of discussion appears to have taken place before the con- vention, by the contending parties, for several successive days. Meanwhile the minds of the people were, as usual, much inflamed, and animosities among the citizens encreased daily more and more. The Convention of Boroughs being only a court of delegates, could afford no radical redress of the grievances of which the burgesses complained ; and little more appears to have been done on this oc- casion, than giving a patient hearing to both parties.* ;Mat- X 2 ters * This being the first attempt to change the constitution of a royal borough in Scotland, and to infringe the feudal goverranent on which it is founded, we shall present a detail of tlie proceedings which took place between the burgesses of guild and others of the community, and the magistrates, in the Convention of Royal Boroughs, wliich was held at Aberdeen, on this important question, from the 8th to the 1 5th June. On the 8th June, 1590, the Convention of Boroughs met at Aberdeen, when Mr. John Cheyne and Mr. Andrew King, for themselves, and in name of the community of the borough, protested against the election and admission of Mr. Thomas Menzies, provost, and Ales. Rutherford, com- missioners for the town, on the ground of the commission being defective, as not having, according to custom, the consent of the community, which was essentially necessarj-. It was stated in answer, " That, in respect of the said borough's old laws and constitutions, made anent the admission of commissioners at every their general and several conventions of the boroughs, the said Mr. Thomas and Alexander, coiTunissioners, are valid and effectual, and therefore ought to be admitted, conform to their act, abov§ expressed. Because the said commission is given under the seal of cause of the borough, and under the subscription of the conunon clerk thereof; and they chosen by the Provost, Baillies, and Coun- cil of the said borough, as all commissioners chosen to conventions, general and several of borouglis, according to the accustomed manner o£ other boroughs of this realm, are chosen." Thereafter the said Andrew King received up his procuration produced, dissenting to tlie commission of the said commissioners, and required " the reasons, presently produced, to be registrate and insert in this their general book of convention, in form as effeii-s, to be given and extracted, under tlieir general clerk's subscription, of the which reasons the tenor follows :— • " We, Andrew Sherar, David Endeaucht, Alex. Howison, Andrew King, William Gray, George Forbes, Mr. John Cheyne, George Laing, John Laing, George Gordon, Alexander Ewen, Robertson, George Elphinston, Lawrence Mercei-, John Saunders, Mathew Guild, Alexander Ste- ven, Alexander Peterson, Andrew Milne, Andrew Hcnrison, Andrew Leslie, William Hay, all persons of council, burgesses of Aberdeen, deacon and craftsmen of the same, respective, for our- selves, and in name and behalf of the remanent afflicted members of the pure common well of ther 156 AKXALS OF ABERDEEN. ters, however, still continued in the greatest disorder, and, for some time, much anarchy prevailed in the town. The supreme civil court was biu'gh, Desire your wisdom, for the tender mercys of God, your oivn honour, and as j'c ■will answer to his Majesty, and evert the great peril that may fall in your own common weil, by suffering the liberties of burgh to decay. That ye will take diligent head to our most humble and reasonable sup- plication, to the proposition w-hereof we are urged by plain necessitj', and nocht upon any light and inconsidered motions, having oft-times called for reparation, and altogether refused. Item, to the effect that we be not prejudged in the beginning of our most humble convention, we desired that an lawfid commissioner, chosen by the most ]iart of the worthier in the town, be received ; and that Mr. Thomas Menzies of Dome, and Alexander Rutherford, pretending themselves, or, at the best, are only chosen by a few number of their o^^^l friends, privately, without smiimons of bill or con- vention ofcommonaltie, for advisement of their own turns, thereanent question is to be debated before yo^ wisdoms, betwixt the community and them, especially for inhalding themselves, their own kind friends, and allenarlj', in the chief offices of the town, as it were their awin particidar heritages, continued in their persons, these diverse yeai-s begged by the acts of his Majesty's parliament, whereby this poor borough is already impoverished, and likly to incur liis Majesty's wrath and in- special punishment ; and for maintenance and appropriating of the common goods and common lands and casualties of this burgh, which is, and has been, these many years, m their and their friends' hands, unrouped, according to Hie custom of other burghs, to put on more profit or duty paid therefore. " Item, in speciall, Thomas Menzies of Dome can noways be commissioner, because he, as tu- tor to Gilbert Menzies, his brother, has withholden from the common weil of the said burgh the liaill small customs thereof; the size bolls ; the mets of coals, lyme, and salt ; the land tacks of the Said burgli, and diverse commodities of the same, without any payment of any duty, obscures the liaill evidents of the town, violently maintains himself as clerk of the town, without election. " Item, the said Mr. Thomas, being an landward barron, na merchant nor traffecker, only brought from landward, for the maintainance of his friends, and continuing of the office of provos- try, in their name, by the assistance of diverse landward barrons, has intruded liimself in the office of provost, and violently continued himself therein by the space of two years together, as his predecessors has done continually by the space of fifty years, and more ; thereby drawing the es- tates of his Majesty's free burgh to the similitude of an burgh of barony, not only against his Ma- jesty's laws, but also against the sworn oath of the whole town, publicly convened at the Michael- mas election of provost and magistrates, in 1587 years, as the act and ordinance of their own book will testify, to the vitter wreck of this haill town ; which act being inspecial the electors of magis- trates for more years than one together, shall tine their freedoms, and incur the pain of punire, and so cannot be commissioners ; And for the said Mr. Thomas, is second, third, fourd de- pendant with the most part of these, against whom the poor community of this town is to mean themselves before your worships, anent the wrongs sustained by the said commons, for reparation of the desert and wasted common good of the bm-gh. " Item, the said Alex. Rutherford is in the like condition of the said Mr. Tliomas own sister's son, and has married his daughter, against whom also the community lias actions of pitrprision, for usurping of an great part and quantity of the common lands of the said burgh ; and, therefore, Iw ANNALS OF ADKRDEEN. 157 was resorted to by the party in opposition, in order to accomplisli a reduction of all the elections of the magistrates and town council which can noway be commancled of the said burgh, for us and community foresaid ; and, therefore de- sires your wisdoms to give," &c. The commissions were sustained, in regard the commissioners were lawfully chosen by tlic town council, and the convention adjourned till to-morrow. On the gth of June, Mr. Chej-ne and Mr. King gave in their protestations against the proceed- ings ; and on the 10th, Mr. Cheyne gave in the following articles: " In the first place, it is to be remembered, that by the acts of his Majesty's parliament, and prede- cessors, of most noble and high renown, no man lawfully may bear office but for an year ; and that partiality and mischief, which is undoing of burrows, in the election thereof, ought to have no place. As also, that no man ought to trouble, or give fear and dread to his neighbour, in election of the magistrates ; and that no man leisomely may be chosen provost, baillies, or alderman to burgh, but that are honest and substantial bui-gesses, merchants, and indwellers in the said burgh. That the common good of burgh ought to be yearly rouped, at the most set for the space of tluree years ; and that, finallj', the evidents, common books, writes, artillery, and jewels of the town, ought to be put in sure and public custody ; and it is true that all these heads ai-e transgi-essed within the miserable bowels of this common wealth, and by so far as his Majesty's free burgh has been thralled to ser\e an race of people, as it were an burgh of barony, never having any provost or council changed by the space of fifty yeai-s together, except it were by death ; and, in that case, one of the same race, as it were an state of succeeding years. No person of burgh but tliey knowing any thing concerning the custody of the evidents or jewels of the town ; none but they having inlcres to the disposition of the rents thereof; no common good rouped for the space of thirty years by- gone : Wherefore we desne, seeing there is no coimcil chosen this year as yet, nor has been by lang space before, That we may have place, and choose fiu^h an unsuspected council, of tlie most worthy, substantial merchants of the hail body of our to^^•n, as use is in other well reformed towns, and in competent numbers. " Item, the leets for election of the provost not to be restrained to the name of Menzies, their friends and allies, but to be extended to an number of the most worthy of biu-gh, that knows the state thereof, and by the advice and vote of the haill town, ane tliereof to be cliosen ; and lie that is chosen only to bear office for one year. " Item, the Dean of Guild to be yearly chosen by the town, and have full jurisdiction, as he has in other towns. " Item, the town's seal to be put in the custody of two unsuspected persons' hands yeai-ly, at tlie election. The town's books, evidents, public sureties, sasines, and jewels pertaining to the town, to be put in the keeping house where they were before, in a chest, with four locks, and four un- suspected persons to be keepers thereof; and, in the meantime, the evidents to be sichtcd by such competent numbers of unsuspected persons as your wisdoms shall appoint. Item, your wisdoms act, made at St. Andrew's, anent the rouping of the common good, to be put to execution betwixt this and day of next." This was ordered to be answered ag;uust to-morrow. The following answer was then given in ;— " nth 158 A^^NALS OF ABERDEEN*. which had taken place for thirty years preceding ; and also to ob- tain redress of various other grievances, of which the burgesses com- plained. During the dependance of these law-suits, Mr. Cheyne had been expelled from the council, in rather an arbitrary manner, for opposing the powers, authority, and lawfulness of the town coun- cil, by maintaining that no lawful election had taken place for several years ; and by insisting that the craftsmen were eligible to offices in the council, in place of being named only auditors of the public accounts. " 11th June, 1590. — Tlie provost, baillies, and council of the burgh of Aberdeen, ancient citizens and burgesses thereof, with the greatest part of the community of the same, answering to certain !U-ticles given in, presented before you, my Lords Commissioners of Burghs, assembled at Aberdeen the 10th of June, 1590 years, craving reformation of the civil government of the said burgh, says. It is common to all persons, when provoked to bauld rashness, namely, to*********** the alterations, innovating and altering of the civil govermment, or of any burgh or commonwealth ■which so long has flourished in civil polished quietness and tranquillity, and so long has been go- verned, through the observing and keeping of lovable constitution, and good laws, set down of old. To all such we say, to cover their desires and enterprises, in under some honest pretence, de- siring, as it were, an better form of government to be introduced therein ; nor, at any time, since the erection of their burgh has been concredited and received, even so it is with the adherents to the said articles ; seeing that true it is, continually since the said burgh of Aberdeen was erected by his Majesty's most noble progenitors, of good memory, in an free regal burgh, dotting the same with diverse liberties, immunities, and privileges, and chiefly with the privilege of free election of pro- vost, baillies, and council, dean of guild, treasurer, clerk, and other ordinar officers within the same, which privileges altogether, by the said articles, are craved to be abrogated. " The settled form, long continued estate of government, foresaid, in no time heretofore, since tlie erection of the said bm-gh, has been altered or changed ; but the same, to this day and time, lias been followed out, and inviolably observed, according to the said privileges, allowed and ap- proved by his Highness and his Majesty's predecessors, from time to time, notwithstanding of his Grace's acts of parliament. The form of the election of the provost, baillies, and council, treasurer, and dean of guild, within the burgh, has been invariably the same for the space of fifty years ; and what is pretended to is nothing but an alteration of the fundamental govenunent of the said burgh ; for, by a decreet arbitral between the merchants and trades there, no tradesmen can bear office, nor be upon the council ; and all the royal burrows are not governed after one manner of government," &c. The convention continued their sederunts from day to day, until the 15th of June ; during which time there were a variety of protestations, hinc inde. A declaration, in name of the community, was then put in, expressing a " willingness absolutely to refer all the diff'erences to the boroughs; but the magistrates were inclined only to refer them conditionally. The convention at length fand y^ they would not medle w^ it, but remitted to the Judge competent ; and, in the meantime, de- claired y* the ptie breaker of the peace, and troubler of the otlier, sould incurr a great penalty." Journals of the Convention of Boroughs at Aberdeen, from 1552 lo 1596— Entracts of Journals, toI. i. p. 16. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 159 accounts.* This could not fail to irritate liis party to a great de- gree. It gave rise to another law-suit before the supreme court, in name of Mr. Cheyne, Mr. Ewen, and others, against the magistrates and council, on various grounds, particularly to enforce production of the registers of their proceedings, the rolls of taxation, and the books of their accounts. At Michaelmas, 1591, the magistrates and council, notwithstanding the writ which they had obtained from the king, au- thorising them to continue the former practice in the election, judged it expedient, with a view to conciliate the minds of the citizens, and to regain their confidence, to depart from this system, and to choose twelve new counsellors, who, with four only of the old members, were to form the town council for the ensuing year.f This measure, how- ever well intended it may have been, does not appear to have had the desired effect, or to have given much satisfaction ; for the burgesses still continued their discontents, and the prosecution of their law-suits. On the 29th December, the magistrates made another pacific at- tempt, in the hope of conciliating their fellow-citizens in these criti- cal times. They passed an act of council, by which they appear to have had in contemplation to make an application to the supreme court, in name of the old and new councils, for authority to establish a proper plan for conducting the election of the magistrates and council, not only for this year, but in time coming, which they con- ceived would tend to terminate the present controversy ; but whether such an application was made does not appear, nor docs any thing further occur in the record on that subject. On the 21st of the sub- sequent month of January, the lords of session, however, pronounced a judgment of acquittal, in the law-suits which had been brought before them, as far as they regarded the elections preceding the year 1591 iX ^^^' °^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^ of May thereafter, they pronounced another judgment, by which they also acquitted the magistrates and town council as to the election at Michaelmas, 1591, " because the pro- vost, baillies, and magistrates of the said borough were lawfully elected and chosen, conform to the acts of parliament made anent election » Council Register, vol. xxxiii. p. 898, et seq. + Ibid. vol. xxxiv, p. J. :}: Council Register, vol. xxxiv. p. 295. ICO ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. election of magistrates within borough, and under the authority of the king's special letters." The lords, at the same time, " decerned and declared, that, in all time thereafter, the officers, magistrates, provost, baillies, and council, shall be yearly elected, and chosen, ac- cording to the acts of parliament, in all i:)oints." The defendants were also found entitled to receive L,20 of expences from the prose- cutors, and L.5, which had been, according to order, consigned by them in the hands of the collector of court.* Meanwhile it would appear, that inspection had been given to the burgesses, in presence of David Cunningham, bishop of Aberdeen, who had been appointed commissioner for this purpose, of all the registers, both of the bo- rough court and covmcil, and of the ancient charters and writs be- longing to the town, in comphance with the injunctions of the lords of session, f After these judgments had been given in the supreme court, the spirit of opposition was again roused, and could not be easily re- strained. The discontented part of the citizens adopted an expe- dient, which characterised the times, to obtain redress of their grievances at their own hand, by having recourse to hostile measures. On the 27th September, 1592, being the day appointed for the an- nual election, they eqviipped themselves in arms, and assembled in the Gray Friars Church, and in other parts of the town, having formed a determination to vindicate, by these means, what they con- ceived to be their rights and privileges. X The people, whose minds were, perhaps, artfully inflamed, now burst forth into an excess of fury ; and the vain attempt which was made by the magistrates to quell the disturbance, was unhappily followed by bloodshed. § In this critical juncture, they deemed it expedient to open a nego- ciation for bringing matters to an accommodation with their fellow-citizens, by means of David Anderson, Alexander Forbes, and Thomas Leslie, three of the baillies ; and two other members of the council, * Council Register, vol. xxxiv. p. 510, et seq. t Ibid. vol. XKxiv. p. 172, et seq. J Council Register, vol. xxxiv. p. 517, et seq. § One person was killed, and fifteen were wounded, of whom tluee were magistrates. ANNALS OF ABEUDEEX. IGl council, whom they delegated for that special purpose. This pacific measure had the desired effect. Both parties would seem to have been wearied of the long struggle ; a reconciliation speedily took place, and the magistrates and whole community afterwards assembled at the Woolmanhill, on terms of amity and good will. Hence they proceeded to the church, where they heard sermon, and extinguished all their for- mer rancour and animosities. The day appears to have been con- cluded with a cheerful glass at the cross ; and the parties mutually forgave each other the bloodshed which had unfortunately been oc- casioned on both sides. Thus tranquillity was happily re-established among all ranks of the citizens. When the effervescence of party spirit had gradually settled, the election of the magistrates and council, which had taken place at this time, was abandoned,* and the whole matter in controversy between the magistrates and the burgesses became the subject of an arbitration of their sovereign, as oversman, and twelve persons as umpires, namely, four lords of session, four clergymen, and four burgesses of guild of the city of Edinburgh. King James and these umpires, after a solemn hearing of the parties, pronounced a decree arbitral, upon the 7th of the following month of December, by which they found, " that Thomas Menzies,-\ heir apparent of Durne, shall be pro- vost of the said borough of Aberdeen for this year ; IFilliam ]\Ien- zies,-\ Master Patrick Cheyne, George Forbes,^ and WUUam Grai/,1[. baillies ; Master Richard Irving, dean of guild ; and David Cargill, treasurer, of the said borough ; and that David Ferguson, Alexander Rutherford,-\ John Colhjson,-\ Alexander Cvlle?i,f William Jack, Alex- ander Ewen,^ James Setto7i,-\ Andrew Schei'ar,'^ Thomas Duvije, Robert Meyizies; James Robertson, goldsmith, and Alexander Stevin,'^ baxter, two of the craftsmen, shall be counsellors ; who were all elected, nomi- nated, and chosen, for the said year, by tliis decree arbitral. These were ordained to accept their offices respectively, to give their oaths, de Jideli administratione officii, judicially, before the commissary of Y Aberdeen ; * Council Register, vol. xxxiv. p. 557- t Those were of the defendants, in the several law-suits against tlie magistrates before the court of session ; and those marked f were of the prosecutors. iGti ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. Aberdeen ; and to remain in office until Wednesday immediately pre- ceding Michaelmas ensuing. His Majesty and tliosc umpires con- cluded with enjoining the acts of parliament concerning the elec- tions of magistrates, council, and office-men, within boroughs, to be jirec'isehj observed in all time coming." By these means this serious, but important affair to the community, which had been the source of so much ferment, disorder, and animosity, among the citizens, for seve- ral years, was at length terminated.* On the election of the new council and magistrates, at Michael- mas, 1593, under the authority of his Majesty's decree arbitral, INIr. John Cheyne, who had commenced the contest in 1588, was unani- mously elected provost ; and Mr. Ewen continued a counsellor : at the same time, several of Mv. Cheyne's professional friends obtained places in the new council. Mr. Cheyne and Mr. Ewen, being men of great respectability in the town, were afterwards delegated to represent the community before the king, then at Ard^s Cowie, in the course of one of his northern excursions ; and were enjoined to solicit his Majesty to dispense with the attendance of the magistrates Tipon him at that place, and for his permission to receive him at the Bridge of Dee, on his approach to the town.f Mr. Cheyne's professional avocations, however, appear to have been of more con- sideration to him than the honourable appointment of chief magis- trate ; for he often had occasion, while in office, to apply to the coun- cil to dispense with his attendance, on account of his other engage- ments. He enjoyed the office only one year; and represented the borough in parliament. The thanks of the community were pub- licly voted to him in a head court, which was assembled for the pur- pose ; and a few days after leaving the chair, as chief magistrate, the council granted to him an ample testimonial, under their privy seal, of his having dutifulhj, tipriglitli/, and fM^-ew//?/ discharged the office. J The elevation of Mr. Cheyne to the dignity of provost occasioned uo little jealousy in the minds of the commercial part of the commu- nity ; * Council Register, vol. xxxiv, p. 550, ct scq. t Ibid. vol. xxxvi. p. 658. i Council Register, vol. xxxv. p. 1—166. ANNALS OF ABEKDEEN. 163 nity ; but in none more than the adherents of the former leaders in the administration, who still retained a considerable influence in the politics of the borough. The services of men of law in the coun- cil were, therefore, in due time, dispensed with ; and those only who were concerned in commerce were allowed to enjoy the several oflices in the magistracy and council, and to direct the administration of the civil and political affairs of the town. Indeed, the subsequent acts of the convention of boroughs, and particularly the acts of par- liament, 20. King James VI.* rendered professional men and others, not merchants and actual traffickers, incapable of holding any office in the magistracy for the future. But although the decree arbitral of King James compromised matters as to the election for the year 1592, and fixed the num- ber of burgesses of guild and craftsmen, of which the council was to consist; yet it by no means defined the extent of the powers of the corporations of artificers in it, or settled the number of votes to which they were entitled : nor did it fix the number of members of which the old and new councils were to be composed at the annual election of magistrates, and office-bearers ; and, therefore, to ob- viate all questions on these topics, it was thought expedient to refer these points to the arbitration of the Convention of Koyal Boroughs, to which all the citizens cordially acceded. On the 5th July, 1596, the convention met at Aberdeen, and, after weighing the merits of the question between the magistrates and the burgesses of guild, pronounced an award, finding, " that two craftsmen of the old council, and two of the new, with the six dea- cons only, being ten persons, were to have votes in the election of provost, baillies, and other office-bearers ; and in case any of them happened to be absent on that day, it should be lawful for the re- maining members to elect another in his place. That the provost, baillies, and the other members of the old and new councils, who were burgesses of guild, should not exceed the number of tliirty persons ; and that, in case of the absence of any of these members, Y 2 other * Acts of Parliament, vol. iv. p. 435. 164 AXXALS OF ABERDEEN. Other burgesses of guild were to be chosen in tlieir place, to vote at the election, according to the number which might happen to be absent. The old and new councils were, therefore, ordained to con- sist of forty persons ; and, in the event of an equality of votes, it was expressly declared, that the provost or chief magistrate present should be entitled, not only to a deliberative, but also to a casting vote."* This is denominated the seif of the borough of Aberdeen. The decree arbitral of the Convention of Boroughs, wliich composed all differences between the parties, appears to have been received by the citizens with vniiversal satisfaction ; and, notwithstanding the changeable opinions of men, and the many vicissitudes which have since happened in the nation, has been regarded with the strictest observance, from that time to the present day.:j: In * Journals of the Convention of Boroughs at Aberdeen — Council Register, vol. xxxvi. p. 564, et scq. t The form which directs the mode of choosing the magistrates and town council. ;|: The Convention of Boroughs was too well aware of the extent of its powers in such cases, even at this period, to interfere in such matters in any other way than under the authority of a voluntary reference, by the administrators of the town, and an accession to it by all the citizens who were in- terested in its issue. In ancient times, recourse was frequently had to the convention, to alter or new-model the political constitution of boroughs ; but whatever was done proceeded upon voluntary submissions, or references by the parties, or a surrender of all their rights into the hands of the con- vention, for a new set to be returned to them. There were many instances of that assembly liaving declined its own jurisdiction, when the consent of all parties to the exercise of their authority waa wanting; and, particularly, at the commencement of the present struggle, 15th June, 1590.§ In a case of a borough, whose set was established by a decree arbitral, confirmed by immemorijJ practice, and ratified by an act of the king in privy council, one part of the citizens, in opposition to tlie other, voted a resolution to apply for the authority of the convention to alter the set of the borough. This resolution was interrupted by their political opponents, who presented a bill of suspension to the supreme court, alleging, among other matters, that the convention had no power to alter the set of the town ; and the court, after mature deliberation, found unanimously that no such powers were possessed by the convention. || This judgment of the court was founded upon tlie most ob- \ ious principles of law and expediency. The eminent lawyer, who wrote the History of Edinburgh, observes, with much propriety, that " when the constitution of a body corporate has been once fixed, the rights aiising^ therefrom are as inviolable as those of private property ; and, therefore, § Notes — page 158. II The Trades of Inverness against the Burgesses of Guild, 10th Pebriiary, 1724 ; the Hammermen, &e. of Glasgow .igainst the Weavers, 17tl) February, 1775; the Magistrates of Edinburgh against the Craftsmen, Aug. 7th, 1778. ^ Records of the Convention for 1590, 172J, 1748, 1769. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 16.5 In the course of this pohtical contest, no change or alteration took place in the ancient constitution of the borough ; neither did the judgments of the Court of Session, the decree arbitral of King James, nor the award of the Convention of Boroughs, make the least infringement on it ; and the two last proceeded entirely upon vo- luntary references by the administrators at the time, and by the citi- zens who were immediately interested. The only important advan- tages which were gained in this struggle for power, were, that the artificers were to be allowed to have two of their number as consti- tuent members of the council, in place of being only auditors of the pviblic accounts, as formerly ; * that they should be entitled to ten votes at the annual election of magistrates and office-bearers ; and that the election of the town council should be conducted agreeably to the established law. When these momentous affairs in the political government of the borough had been accomplished, the vassal in possession of the town's public mills, after some struggle with the magistrates, was in- duced to relinquish the grant which he had received, and to re-invest the community in the property ; but not without receiving a very high cannot be affected but by authority of parliament. The peace and security of the constitution at large depends upon the stability and harmony of the parts of which it is composed. If these parts are to be regulated by the will of that branch of the community to which they respectively belong, and not by the dictates of their charters, we have no such thing as law or a constitution ; we are no longer governed by law, but by the changeable caprice of men. Nothing but the immutability of the constitution can establish the harmony and security of a state. To this, any trifling ad\'antages to be reaped from a change ought to be sacrificed." — £Amot's History of Edinburgh, p. 46'6.J It may also be observed, that, as a sacred trust is reposed in the administrators of a royal bo- rough, neither they nor the citizens are by law or usage authorised to compromise an}* part of its constitution by mutual concessions, so as to make the least infringement of it. Indeed any advan- tage to be gained by a partial alteration of the system would, in many instances, be greatly overba- lanced by the bad consequences which might naturally result from the hasty and inconsiderate ex- ercise of such powers. Our ancestors were aware of this, and appear to have been extremely tena- cious of their ancient rights and pri\ ileges. We ought to be equally careful to preserve them, and to remember the old adage of our praetorium, " Senate tcrminos qiios palrcs vcstri posiicre." When the wisdom of parliament thinks proper to interfere in these matters, it will adopt the best means of accomplishing that alteration or amendment which will tend to improve the system, and not endanger either the safety of the constitution, or the security of the people. * Coimcil Register, vol. xxxiii. p. 3G7. IQQ ANNALS OF ABEUDEEK. hio-h recompense in money. The sum which was exacted for the re- demption of the original grant was no less than 5000 merks. This was raised partly by the price of the lands of Ardlair,* which had been sold by the master of church and bridge works,f some years previously, for the sum of 4000 merks ; and the balance was made up from the funds of the treasury. ^ During this zera, the pestilence, which had so frequently afflicted the citizens at former periods, and had often made its appearance in other parts of the kingdom, does not seem to have been prevalent in the town, although, in the year 1608, it broke out in Torrie, on the south side of the river Dee, where it raged for some time ; and, on repeated occasions, some symptoms of it had appeared among the inhabitants. The rigorous precautions which were adopted by the magistrates, on intelligence being brought to the town of its raging in other places, probably had been the means of preventing it from making much progress, or spreading in the town.§ But, towards the close of the sixteenth century, the leprosy, a disease frequent and common among the Jews, and the loathsomeness and severity of which are pathetically described in the scriptures, made its ap- pearance among some of the inhabitants ; and, although it was not attended with such fatal consequences to them, yet was equally dreaded as the pestilence. An hospital was founded on the croft, which was distinguished by the name of the leper's croft, near the Gallowhills, for the reception of persons who were afflicted with that disease. This institution was supported from the public funds, and, soon after being established, obtained from King James Yl. a grant, || for * These lands had been granted by Bishop Gavin Dunbar, in the year 1 529, by a dead of mort- main, to the council and community, for supporting the Bridge of Dee. — [Council Register, vol. xii. p. 734.] t The office-bearer in tlie town council who has the charge of the funds belonging to these works. :[ Council Register, vol. xxxiv. p. 736. vol. xxxvi. 708. § Miscellaneous Occurrences, p. 140. II " James, be the grace of God, King of Scottis, To all and sundrie our lieges, duelland within our fefdome of Abirdene, and to our louittis Messengeris our f-effis in that pairt, conjuctlie and seweralie specialie constitute greting, for sainekje as we being informit of the smal- ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. l(j| for supplying it with fuel, of one peat from each load brought to the markets of New and Old Aberdeen.* This grant, smalt as it may now appear to be, was serviceable, and perhaps very important at the time when fuel was a scarce and an expensive article among the necessaries of hfe. Such was the virulence and terror of this infectious disease,-)- that it not unfrequently occasioned the husband nes of the rent appointit for the leproiif personis in the hospital! and houP' betwixt new and auld Abcrdene, unable to sustene thame in meet and f\re, quJiairtlirow they leif verie miserablie spe- cialie in the Wynter seasonn, and ar constranit, that tyme of the yeir, for halding in of their Ij-ves to reteir tharaeselfis fiirth of thair said appointit residence to the said townis nixt adjacent, aniasis clene personis, throw the vehementis of tlie cauld, q^tlirow they perrell the estate and helth of niony clene folkis, be thair cupany and infectionn. And, thairfoir, we being wiell myndit to supplie thair indigence and necessitie, but ather the loiss of o'self, or you, our saidis lieges, have givin grantit, and disponit ; and be thir o- wting gevis, gi-antis, and disponis. To Robert Abell, and re- manent of the said pure leprous personis, and thair successor, ane peit of custome of ilk laid of peittis, puland the mercat to be sauld, into the saidis townis, in all tyme cuin". Coinandeinn- and chargeing you, all and sundrie o^ lieges and subdittis foirsaids. That ye, and ilk ane of you, redde- lie anPy, obey, and mak paraent & deliverance of the said custume of ane peit of ilk leid of peittis puland the mercat, to be sauld in ather of the saidis townis of Abirdene, to the saids Robert AbelJ and renianet leprous personis foirsaid, and thair successor and maister of^tlie said hospital, in thair names, and thir under ressauear in their names. As ye and ilk ane of you will anfy^ to us at yo-^ heichast chai-ge and prell ; and under the panis of cofiscation of all sick personis peittis as sail refuse to pay the said custome in all tj-me cuing to the said pure people, thair successouris, and maister of the said hospital, and this undir ressauears in thair names. Our will is heirfoir, &c. Given under our signet, and subscrivit with our hand, at Falkland, the xvi day of August, and of our rcignno the twentie-fyve yeir, 1591." " JAMES R." « Grame." " Robert Melvile." " Dorso.—Yse Regestrat Mr. Robert Young." ■* Peats were brought to the to>vns, in former times, on horseback, by cadgers, and sold in retail. t " It is a curious, yet neglected object of disquisition, ' how certain diseases spring up and die enai) in different ages. The frequency of the leprosy among the Jews is known to every one, and its loathsomeness and severity are pathetically described in the book of Job ; but our ancestors also Ti-ere much afflicted with it. It was, by no means, a disease peculiai- to the poor, but visited equally the cottage and the palace. King Robert Bruce, who was said himself to be afflicted with tlie leprosy, founded, near the town of Ayr, an hospital for persons labouring under that distemper. In the reign of James I. it was so general, as to be the subject of parliamentary regidation. " In A.D. 1591, an hospit;d was founded at Greenside bj' John Robei-tson, merchant in Edin- burgh, for persons afflicted with the leprosy, who were interdicted, by the magistrates of Edinburgh, from going witliout the liospital, or to have its door open after sun set, under pain of death. That this might not be deemed an empty threatening, a gallows was erected at the gabel of the hospital, for the inmicdiate execution of the offenders."— [//r/io/'i Jlislori/ of Edinburgh, p. 257-] 168 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. husband to forsake his wife, and the wife and children to abandon the husband and the father ; while the unhappy patient was inter- dicted from holding intercourse with the brewer, the baker, or the butcher. Happily for society, in process of time it abated its viru- lence, and at length entirely wore out, about the beginning of the eighteenth century. The leper house and croft were then sold, and the price which was received for them was appropriated to a fund for the establishment of an hospital for the reception of persons de- prived of their reason ;* which, however, never was erected. But while this infectious disease was common in the town, a new one, more contagious, broke out among the younger ranks of the community, about the year 1608.f It raged with imabated fury, carrying off many children, and baffled every medical art. This dis- temper was distinguished by the name of the plague of the pocl:, had been brought to Britain by our intercourse with Turkey, and conti- nued its ravages, not only in the town, but over the whole of the island, for nearly two centuries. The first remedy obtained for it was by means of Lady Mary Montague, who introduced inoculation from the country from which the disease was brought. This was so far a relief; but it remained for the celebrated Dr. Jenner, in the be- ginning of the nineteenth century, to discover the most eifectual preventive of the virulence and fatal effects of the small-pox, by means of inoculation with the cow-pock. This has disarmed the original distemper of all its terrors ; and, perhaps, in the course of time, like the plague and leprosy, it may disappear altogether. The fancied crime of witchcraft, which comprehended " sorcerie, inchantmentf and such devilish practices" was predominant in the town towards the close of the sixteenth century. It had engrossed the particular attention of the learned and enlightened men of the age ; but of none more than King James VI. Persons suspected of it were generally decrepit old women, of the most wretched jiart of the community. Courts of justice for the trial of supposed delinquents were speedily formed, and commissions were easily obtained from the * Council Register, vol. Iviii. 59 1. t Records of the Chiu'ch Session, vol. iii. for 1608. ANNALS OP ABERDEEN". 160 the sovereign to special judges, for taking cognizance of such crimes., in various parts of the kingdom. Suspicion was ahnost sufficient for conviction ; and they generally went hand in hand. In Aberdeen, some shocking examples had been made, in the course of the year 1594, by burning a few old women, who were convicted before the magistrates, as justice deputes;* but this was not considered an ade- quate expiation by offended fanaticism. There were yet found no fewer than twenty-four women and two men, who laboured under sus- picion of witchcraft, within the town, in the space of the two subse- quent years. These were seized, under the authoritv of the raaeis- trates, loaded with irons, and confined, some of them in the steeple, and others in the noisome vault of the church. After undergoing the usual probationary trial of burning with iron on the cheek, 6roc/i»n;j and other such refined means of torture, twenty-two of the women and one of the men, who survived, were brought before their fanatic judges, and a jury, consisting of twenty-one persons ;:j: and the whole z were * Council Register, vol. xxxvi. p. 759. t Pricking with a sharp-pointed instrument. $ As several commissions were obtained from the King, and the Duke of Lennox, as Lord Lieu- tenant of the North, authorising the magistrates to hold justice coui-ts on these unfortunate persons, Ave shall present the following, as a specimen of these commissions : — " James, be the grace of God, King of Scottis, To all and sundrie o^ liegeis and subdittis, quhome, or to quhais knawlege thir oure Ictteris sail cum, Greting ; For samekill as it is under- stand to us, and Lordis of o^ secreit counsall. That Jenett Wischert, spous to Johnne Leyis, sta- bulair in Aberdene ; Thomas Leyis, hir sone ; ——_ Le3us, her dochteris ; and Isobelle Cokie, in Kintor, are takin be the provest and bailleis of Aberdene, and connnittat to wai-de, as suspect and giltie of witchcraft, socerie, and utheris diuilishe and detestabill practizeis ; uponn quhome necesser it is. That iustice be ministrat, confomie to jie lawis of o- reahne. Quhairfoir, we have maid and constitute, and be yir f^ntis makis and constitutis, o^ louittis, the provest and bailleis of o^ burgh of Aberdene, oure iusticeis in that p', to the effect underwrittin, Gevand, grantand, and coffiittand to thaime oure fuU power and commissiorui, e.\pres bidding, and cliarge, courte or courtis to mak be callit, absentes to amerchiat, unlawis, amerchiamentis, and escheittis of the saidis coiutis, to ask, lift, and rais, and, for the same, giff neid beis, to poind and distrenzie ; And, in the same courte or courtis, the saidis personis, to call be dittay, to accuis, and tlianie to the knawlege of an assise to putt ; And, as yai sail happen to be fundin culpabill or innocent. To caus iustice be minis- trat uponn yame, confomie to the lawis of o^ realme ; assyiss neidfull to this effect of the personis that best knawis the verritie in the said mater, ilk persone under the pane of L.40. To sumond, wame theis, and caus be sworn, clarkis, f'iands, dempstaris, and all utheris officiaris and raeniberis of courte needful! ; To mak, creat, substitute, and ordane, for quhome yai sal be haldin to anC'^^ The escheit guidis and geir of pe saidis persojiis, in cais thay sal happin to be convict and iustileit to 170 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. were convicted, one of them of eighteen points of dittay. They were. of course, condemned to the flames ; and, in order to make a due im- pression on the minds of the people, their sufferings took place, at short intervals, at the Castlehill, in the course of the years 1596-7. But the prejudices of the people were so strong against this imagi- nary crime, that they beheld the shocking spectacle without sym- pathy, and with insensibility, while every spark of humanity would seem to have been extinguished. The bodies of the two women who had died by the torture which had been inflicted upon them, were drag- ged through the streets in a cart, and, being denied Christian bvn-ial, were thrown into the earth. John Crichton, the other of the men, was transported to the castle of Dunnotter, where he suffered in the flames. The dean of guild superintended this auto da fe, and, as a remune- ration for his services, he was allowed the sum of L.47 3s. 4d. which he retained in his accounts. Gilbert Barns, one of the town's Serjeants, received a gratuity of forty merks, for his attendance on the sufferers, while in confinement. The whole expence incurred by these executions, exclusive of the fees to the dean of guild and the officer, amounted to no less than L.178 17s. 4d.* which was advanced from the deid, for the said cryme. To ask, lift, and, for ye same, gif neid beis, to poind and distrenzie ; The ane half thairof to oui-e use, to inbring and delyverance of fe same to o^ thesaurar in o^ name to mak ; And the uther half to our saidis iusticeis awne use, for thair laboui-is to apply ; And ge- neralie all and sundrie ulheris thingis. To do.exerce and use quhilkis of law or consuetude of o^ realme ar knawine to appertene. — Charging, &c. Gevin under o^ signet, and subscryuit witli o^ Iiand, at Haliruid-hous, the second day of February, and of o' reign the SOtli year, 1596." '•- J. Lindsay, Seeretarius." " JAMES R." Hors. — " Coffiission to fe f vest and baillies to halde justice on Janet Wischart. — Sche is covick XVII Februarj', 1596, by xxi persons of assise, of xviii pytis of dittay, and as a common wesra" and ?ocerer, and ordint to be brunt q^ she be deid. Isobel Cokkie, in Kytor, be vertew of fis coinis- 5ion, covick and brunt, 19th February, 1696-" * It may not be incurious here to present an extract from the accounts of the dean of guild, for the year from September 159G to 1597, of tlie particular charges attending these extraordinaiy executions :— ' /,. s. d. 1 595 Item, for tar ban-els, fire, peats, tows, and stalce, use4 i» burning the witclies 3 O ... for eiVdJH^ Sapphock, who died in prison » ■ G a Janei ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 171 from the funds of the guildry. In the beginning of the subsequent century, fanaticism still influenced the people against sorcerers, and z 2 those L. s. d. 2 1 4 1 6 s 16 8 16 4 13 4 6 8 Janet WUchart and Isabel Cockle 1596 Item, for x:x load of peats .... a boll of coals .... iv tar barrels . > . . fire, and iron barrels » « , a stake, and for dressing it ... iv fathom of rope - . . carrying the peats, coals, and baiTels, to the hill Jolin Justice, for their execution ■ Item, for irailUng Monteitli through the streets in a cart, she having hanged her- self in prison ; cart hire, snA. etrdhig her . . 10 Thomas Lcyis Item, the xxiii of February, 1596, for peats, tar barrels, fire and coals, and exe- cutioner's fee, lit supra . - - -3134 Ckrislian MUcliel, Besi'ie Thorn, and Isobel Barron Item, for peats, tar barrels, &c, ut supra - - 10 8 Katharine Fergus, alias Scuddc, and Margaret Clerk, alias Bean Item, for peats, tar barrels, &c. ut supra ... ... Gilbert Bimie, for maintaining the witches Isobel Ritchie, Margaret Og, Helen Rodger, and Elspet Henderson Item, for xliiii loads of peats ... iiii tar barrels . ■ ■ - ii oil barrels . « • - vi loads of iir » • • . ii iron barrels » - . - viii fathoms of rope . ■ « . peats and coals, to try them in the library, two days before the exe- cution - « , . a stake, tlressing, and carriage « . - carriage of peats, coals, and barrels - - a spear, broken at the execution . « - John Justice, for his fee ... Katharine Gerard, Christian Reid, and Janet Grant Item, for coals, peats, and similar articles . - » 8 2 Helen Fraser, and Katharine Forres Item, for coals, peats, and similar articles - • 7 7 Helen Gray, and Agnes Webster Item, for coals, peats, and similar articles - - - 6 8 8 Janet Douglas, Agnes Smellie, and Katharine Elshioner Item, for coals, peats, and similar articles - - 12 8 4 ... for the hire of a horse, to carry John Crichton, who was apprehended as a witch, to Dunnotter • • « ,084 1597 Item, 13 16 6 20 4 7 1 10 18 10 8 6 8 8 6 8 16 8 13 4 4 1 172 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. those suspected of witchcraft. In the year 1630, several women, who were under suspicion of this imaginary crime, were seized, as proper objects of the cognizance of the magistrates. The privy council was apphed to for a commission to institvite a court of jus- tice ; and, in order that it might be obtained with the greater faci- lity, the declaration of Marion Hardy, an old woman, was taken upon oath, with great solemnity, in presence of the bishop of Aberdeen, the ministers, and the magistrates. By these means tlie commission was procured, and a justice court was immediately instituted. Seve- ral unhappy women were convicted, and suffered the punishment which was appointed for the crime ; while others, who had died from the exercise of cruelty upon them in confinement, were dragged through the streets in the visual manner, and committed to the earth.* Some years afterwards, the suspicion of witchcraft still pre- vailed in the town ; but the civil commotions in the nation soon di- verted the attention of the people to objects which involved the most serious consequences to themselves ; and sorcery, charmers, and niichcraft, are no more mentioned. In the former part of the sixteenth century, the ancient games and amusements of the citizens had gradually declined, and gone into L. s. d. 50 13 4, 1 12 1 10 1 6 8 2 6 8 1597 Item, to Gilbert Birnie, for maintaining the witches in prison, from iCth March May 27 to 23d May, 1596 to Alex. Reid, smitii, for two pair of shackles to the witches in the steeple ... to Thomas Dickson, for halbert broken at theii- execution ... to John Justice, for burning on the cheek foiu- persons suspected of witch- craft, who were banished . . - ... to Alex. Howie, for making joggis, stapples, and locks The sum of the whole charges and expences made on the witches extends to aucht score xviii lib. xvii sh. iiii d. heaid, considered, and audited by the auditors, subscribing at Aberdeen, the twentj'- second day of September, 1 597- Alexander Rutherfurd, f vost. Alex. Cullen. Mr. Patrick Cheyne, Bailzie. Alex. Cullen, Bailzie. Council Register, vol. xnvi. p. 759. — Annual Accounts of ihe Dean of Guild, from 1596 to 1597. * The cxpence of this milo da fe was no less tlian L.l 10, for searches, maintenance of the priso- ners, and the appai-atus for their sufieriwgs, — [Council Register, vol. li, p. b^ii.— 'Accounts of the Bean of Guild, for lG26. 1630. 1632.] AJJNALS OF ABERDEEN. 173 into disuse. The abbot and jirior of Bon-Accord, or, as they were sometimes denominated, Robin Hood and Little John, had often at- tempted the revival of the favourite sports and pastimes, at wliich they liad been wont to preside ; but they met with no encourage- ment, and, in their frequent attempts tore-establish them, they often experienced, from the lower classes of the people, every species of in- dignity and raillery, in opposition to the authority of the magistrates. In the aera of the Reformation, all these ancient pastimes and amuse- ments having been completely repressed by the legislature, the young citizens substituted, in their place, other topics of amuse- ment. They performed, for their occasional recreation, plays, fasts, histories, and antiques, which were composed of profane subjects. In the course of the frequent visits of King James to the town, they ge- nerally regaled him with exhibitions of this kind, which seem to have delighted his Majesty. These, however, were often anathematized by the clergy ; but the king compelled them, by his royal mandate, to drop their censures of theatrical representations. In the year 1601, James made an application to Queen Elizabeth for her com- pany of comedians to be sent down to Scotland, which was readily complied with ; and, after they had tired his IMajesty and the people of Edinburgh with their entertainments, the king ordered them to repair to Aberdeen, to amuse the citizens with the exhibition of their •' plays, comedies, and stage plays." They were recommended by his special letter, addressed to the magistrates, and wei-e under the management of Lawrence Fletcher, who, with the celebrated A\'illiam Shakespeare, and others of their company, obtained the first licence to perform plays in Britain. It was granted by King James, within two months after he had ascended the throne of England. The company of players who cam? to Aberdeen performed several times in the town, and were presented by the magistrates with thirty-two merks for their services ; besides being entertained with a supper on one of the nights of performance. At the same time, the freedom of the town was conferred upon Lawrence Fletcher, the manager, and each of liis company.* The Council Register, vol. xl. p. 210. 2','9.— Rjiuer's F«dera, vol. xvi. p. 505. 174 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. The art of printing, which has conduced so much to the advan- tage and improvement of literature, was discovered, on the continent, about the year 1440. The merit of this invention is generally al- lowed to John Guttemberg, a knight, and citizen of Strasburgh, who made the discovery from the following fortuitous circumstance. Having cut the letters of his name out of the bark of a tree, Avhich was green, and full of sap, he put them into a fine linen handker- chief; and, the letters having left the impression of their own cha- racters upon the linen, inspired him with the thought of making these of metal, with which an impression might be made on paper. He succeeded, and then made types or characters of tin, set them in frames, and brought the art to perfection. He exercised it afterwards in the city of Mentz, which claimed the honour of being the place where printing was invented. The art was introduced into Britain by Mr. William Caxton, mercer, and citizen of London, who had printed at Cologn, in the year 1471, a book, which he had translated from tlie French into the English language, called the Recide of the histories of Troy. On his return to England, he produced, from the press which he established there about the year 1474, a small book, translated from the French, called the Game at Chess, which is the first book known with certainty to have been printed in England. * Printing was first practised in Scotland about the middle of the six- teenth century ; the oldest specimen being a book entitled Scotland's Complmjnt, which was printed at St. Andrew's, in the year 1540. In the same year the acts of parliament were ordained to be printed ; but the art did not make much progress in Scotland for many yeai*s, and was chiefly confined to Edinburgh. Edward Eaban was the first established printer at Aberdeen, or in the north of Scotland. In the year 1621, a patent was obtained from King James, by Bishop Patrick Forbes, and Sir Paul Menzies of Kinmundie, provost of Aberdeen, for establishing printing at Aber- deen ; and ]\Ir. Eaban was accordingly appointed, soon after, by the magistrates and council, printer to the town and vmiversity ; f with the * Watson's History of Printing, p. 7, et seq. — Haileian Miscellany, vol. iii. p. 156.— Hejiry, vol. X. p. 201. t Council Register, vol. li. p. 20. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 175 the exclusive privilege of printing. He was allowed a salary of L 40 annually ; and, for his further encouragement to prosecute the art, a small emolument of 8d. quarterly from each scholar at the Grammar School, which was collected with the school fees. He had acqviired the reputation of being, at the time, a very eminent master ;* which, indeed, appears from the specimens of his works. Among these may be mentioned a pocket prayer-book, for the service of the church, printed in the year 1625, with the calendar, and the psalms, set to music, which, we believe, was amongst the first of his works. In the year 1633 Dr. Barron printed his book, On ihc Arrival of King Charles in Scotland, with poems on the coronation ; which was dedi- cated to the magistrates and council. In 1636, a volume Of the Fu- nerals of a right reverend Father in God, Patrick Forbes of Corse, bishop of Aberdeen, was published in Aberdeen : and the Canons and Constitution of the Chvirch, were printed there in the same year. Mr. Eaban carried on the printing business until the year 1649, when he died ; and was succeeded in his office of printer to the town and university by James Brown, son of William Brown, minister of Invernochty. Although the exigencies of the state, and various other public matters, frequently exposed the citizens to heavy impositions and contributions, which they could not avoid, yet these did not prevent them from exercising acts of benevolence for the relief of others who were in distress, whether at home or abroad. Among many instances of this sort, we have to mention a contribution made for the citizens of Haddington, when their town was burnt by an accidental fire in the year 1598. f On the 23d May, in the year 1624, tlie town of Dunfermline experienced a similar calamity, no fewer than 220 houses, occupied by 287 families, their whole household furniture, and 500 bolls of grain in barns, having been consumed by fire, on this dis- astrous occasion. On intelligence of this calamitous event, the citizens of Aberdeen immediately assembled in a head court, and ordered a voluntary contribution to be made in the town for tiie un- fortunate » Watson's History of Printing, Preface, p. 9- t Council fiegister, vol. 3L\xvii. p. TO'. 741- 176 A>fNALS OF ABERDEEN. fortunate sufferers. The sum of L.lGOO was speedily raised by a vo- luntary subscription, and paid to the commissioners who were de- puted by the magistrates of Dunfermline to receive this benevolent aid.* Some years afterwards, another voluntary contribution was made by the citizens, of 1000 merks, which were paid to the magis- trates of Ayr, to enable them to ransom several of the inhabitants of their town, who had been made captives by the Algerines ; f and, as early as the year 1579, we are informed that 100 merks had been col- lected for the relief of Scottish prisoners at IMorocco, taken by the Turks.:]: For all these, and other benevolent acts, the citizens of Aberdeen do not appear to have reaped any return, even at the close of the civil wars, when they were almost reduced to penury by the many distresses and calamities which they had suffered during these commotions. In the early part of the sixteenth century, extravagant feasting had made considerable progress in the town, particularly at marriages and baptisms ; and the citizens not unfrequently indulged them- selves in the luxuries of the table, and in the convivial glass, at their occasional meetings. The game laws being very little known, and not much regarded, they had abundance of venison and wild fowl on every occasion. While the sovereign, by his proclamation, forbade them to eat flesh, except at certain times, under severe penalties; the magistrates found it expedient to restrain superfluities of venison and wild meat, and also the use of confections, spiceries, and deserts, at en- tertainments. In the year 1623, a solemn act of the town council was passed, by which it was ordained that the citizens should invite no more than four gossops and four cummers to any of their children's . baptisms, six women to convoy the child to and from the church ; and no more than six men and six women to any dinner, or supper, or afternoon's drink at baptisms. § Two years afterwards it was enacted, by the same authority, that no person should, at any public or private meeting, presume to compel his neighbour at table with him to ^ Council Register, vol. li. p. 123. 133. + Ibid. vol. lii. p. 347. 373. + Council Register, vol. xxix. p. 69O. § Ibid. vol. li. p. 85. 303. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 177 to drink move wine or beer than what he pleased, under the penalty of L.40.* Eut these sumptuary laws did not restrain the citizens from occasionally indulging themselves whenever an opportunity offered. After the aera of the Reformation, the disposition of the people in general seems to have been gloomy and morose. Although not averse to social intercourse, they were violent and resentful in their tempers, and relaxed in their morals, f This appears from the nume- rous instances of murder and assassination,:]; which were perpe- trated, in the most audacious and barbarous manner, in the former part of the present aera ; and from the many delinquencies and im- moralities which were then the subjects of cognizance of the civil and ecclesiastical courts. In the exercise of the duties of religion, they appear to have been actuated by a bigotted and intolerant spirit ; for the least deviation from the ordinances of the church was considered as an unpardonable offence, and punished with severity. No sooner had they accomplished their freedom from the fetters of the Ko- mish church, than they displayed their exuberant fancy in the va- riety of punishments which they devised to rej^ress popery, and immoralities, of every denomination. Among the first operations of the reformed clergy, and their lay coadjutors, was the establishment of a general code of laws, for punishing those who adhered to the tenets of tlie catholic religion, or were guilty of carnal impurities. The church session of Aberdeen was duly constituted, in Novem- ber, 1562, by the appointment of fourteen lay elders and seven dea- cons, § with the chief magistrate of the town at their head, to enforce A a their * CouncU Register, vol. li. p. 304. + In 1570, no fewer than fifty persons were banished from tlie tovm, in one Jay, by a sentence of the magistrates, being deleted hy the privi/ inquest for their crimes and demerits; and seventy-four were bound over for their better behaviour in future. These were probably a fortieth part of the whole population of the town. — [Council Register, vol. xxvii. p. 453.J J Miscellaneous Occurrences, p. 139. § They were first nanu'd by the congregation, assembled in the church ; and, on the Sunday fol- lowing, their names being publicly proclaimed, they were confirmed, as elders and deacons, for the ensuing year. The nomination took place about the montJi of October annually,. — [Church SeS' sion Register, vol. i.] 178 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. their decrees by the exercise of his powers of jurisdiction, over unfor- tunate dehnquents, whether refractory or submissive. In order to sci'utinize the morals of the people, and to watch them in their vui- guarded moments, visitors were appointed for the markets, and other jiublic places of resort ; and offenders were arraigned by them before that tribunal for the sins of incontinence, and for every trespass of the tongue. From the many singular cases of misdemeanour which came under the cognizance of the church session, at their liebdomedal sederunts, these visitors appear to have labovn-ed most zealously in their vocation. The session possessed unbounded au- thority, being legislative, judicative, and executive. In the first in- stance, statutes were enacted against popery,* adultery, fornication, and blasphemy ; with gradations of punishment suited to the nature of the offence, f Under the authority of this tribunal, these punishments were * oil the 13th May, IGO*, John Melvill, painter, was accused before the kirk session for paint- ing a crucifix to the burial of the Lady Giglit. Having attended,' he produced an order in WTiting from her son, for executing the work, which was the means of freeing him from punishment. We shall anticipate a little, in point of chronology, by giving the following case : 28th June, JCIO. — The session having understood that some captains and gentlemen of the regiment quartered in the town had taken oifence arthe portrait of the deceased Alexander Reid of Pitfoddels, as sindUng somewhat of popen/, and standing above the session-house door, ordauied it to be taken down, and removed. N.B. — Mr. Reid had been provost of Aberdeen in the year liQS ; and this painting liad been placed there, as a mark of regard to his memory, by the citizens. t Among the many statutes enacted by the Chui'ch Session, in November, 1562, the following )nay be given as a specimen :— 1 . — " That any person who teaches, holds, or affirms, any creature in heav«n or in earth to be called upon, prayed to, (help or succour, sought at,) pardon or remission of sins to be obtained and gotten, but through and by the passion of Jesus Christ, his death and merits, shall be removed, cursed, and excommunicated from the society and company of this congregation, till such person shall ask forgiveness of God and the congregation openly on the Sabbath, in the church, in time of divine service. If the person be potent, he shall pay 20s. for the first fault ; 40s. for the second ; and, for the third, he is to suffer excommunication. Every person taking the name of God in vain, swearing by creatin-es, banning and cursing, to pay for each fault an hanJheadX to the poor. Swearing openly on the streets, if potent, to pay 12d. ; the poor to be put in the cuclcslool,^ or goffis- Open blasphemers to be put on the cuckstool, with a crown of paper on the licad, circum- scribed with the nature of the offence ; and, ai'tcr being so punished tlirice, to be banished from the town. All filthy talkers at the table to be punished ia tlie same manner, 3.—" Adultery, \ Equal to a farthing. § Pillory. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 179 were inflicted on delinquents, by imprisonment in the noisome dun- geon under tlie vestry of tlie church ; confinement in the steeple ; flogging at a stake, both before and after conviction ;* ducking; pil- lorying ; and carting through the streets of the town, with a crown of paper, circumscribed with the nature of the offence ; scourging, and banishing : the mildest of all these odious and multifarious punish- ments being exposure in sackcloth, on the stool of repentance, in the church. -f- Nay, the session exercised its jurisdiction in cases of do- A a 2 mestic 2.—" Adultery, whoredom, and fomication, which are all contrary to the law of Cod, having been negligently overseen, and not regarded, it is ordained, tliat all bordeleris, J notorious and mani- fest harlots, and ivhorcs, be removed and banislied from the town. Item, all panders, who are per- suaders of maidens, or men's wives, to commit whoredom, to be banished. All other fornicators to be forgiven the first fault, on asking forgiveness of God and the congregation ; for the second to be carted and ducked in the water ; and for the third to be banished. Manifest adulterers to be carted through the town, and banished, fin regard the session and viagislrates have no power to punish by death, which is the law. J Persons suspected of adultery to be first admonished ; and, if they do not forbear the company of those with whom they are suspected, to be punished as open adulterers."— [jChu7-ch Session Register, vol. i.J * Margaret Warrack was committed to the correction house, where she was ordered to remain, during the pleasure of the session, until she confessed her sin of fomication witli James Aberdeen. In the meantime, she was ordered to be whipped at the stake on the moiTow ! — ^Records of' Church Session, lith June, 1640.] t As specimens of the many cases of delinquency which occurred before the church session, and of the punishments awarded, we have selected the following:— 21st January, 1562.— Elspet Murray was ordered to be carted, and banislied from tlie town, it being sufficiently proven that she was a bordclier. William Christie, cordwainer, and Margaret Myrton, were ordered to suffer the same punishment, for being common adulterers. 31st March, 1568.— John Park, accused of incest with his daughter-in-law, which he denied, was ordered to be confined in the vault under the vestry of the church, for 48 hours, and fed on bread and water ! 2Sth November, l602.— Janet Sherar, who had been banished for harlotry, having retumetl, was ordered to be imprisoned in the vault, ducked at the cran,§ and again ordered to be banished. The ducking, however, to be dispensed with, on payment of 10 merks. 10th July, l603. — Alex. Bro- die, found guilty of double adultery, M-as ordered to be carted through the streets, with a crown of paper on his head, circumscribed with the nature of his ofiience, and banished. 24th July. — Janet Strachan, who had been previously banished as a notorious harlot, was ordered to be fastened to a cart, dra-wn through the streets, scourged, and publicly banislied ! 31st July. — Janet Knowles, having no money to pay her fine for fornication, was ordered to be pilloried in thejoggis, witli her head shaven, and to stand at the pillar of repentance on Sunday following. Isobel Coutts, accused of fomication and trelapse, was ordered to sit, three several Sundays, on the stool of re)>entaiice, to be imprisoned in the kirk vault, and fed on bread and water, till Saturday, when she waji ordered to be taken to the cross, put in the joggis, and to have her head shaved. f Keepeis of brothels. § Ducking was inflicted in the tide, by means of ihe crane on the quay. 180 AN>'ALS OF ABERDEKN. mestic strife betwixt husband and wife ;* and over refractory appren- tices, of every description. In order to fill up the measure of this combination of offences and punishments, it was enacted, 28tli No- vember, 1G02, that all persons guilty of antenuptial fornication shall make their repentance on the laigh stool,-\ on Sunday, besides being subject to a fine, at the discretion of the session, before they were entitled to the benefit of the marriage ceremony. Young men and women dancing togetlier at weddings, or at Christmas, in masks, and dressed in each others clothes, were liable to be punished by a fine for the first offence ; and, for the second, they were subjected to make a public repentance, in sackcloth, on Sunday, in the church. Even lighting fires on the streets on Midsummer-day, being considered as fostering superstition, was an offence, which was liable to be punished at the discretion of the session.:}: It appears from the records, that these laws were not made, and such severities attached to them, for speculation only ; they were, like those of the INIedes and Persians, declared unalterable, § and enforced, with the utmost rigour, for a period of iipwards of one hundred years. To attempt an appeal from the decrees of this tribunal, or to be an accessary or abettor in such case, was almost equal to the offence itself, and punished accord- ingly. * 14th November, 1562. — John Davidson, who was complained of by his wife for non-adlie« '•cnce, having declined to attend the second diet of appearance, was ordered to be committed to the steeple! — \_Church Session Register, vol. i. ii. iii.] + In the church, there was appropriated to ecclesiastical delinquents an elevated seat, near the pulpit, in whicli they underwent the acrimonious rebukes of the minister, after the sermon. This was called the pillar, or high stool of repentance. Under it was another, less conspicuous, for of- fenders, wlio were obhged to jirofess their contrition, and submit to admonition, which was called the laigh stool. t Alex. Rutherford, provost, Thomas Menzies, baillie, and twelve other citizens, were deleted before the session, 3d July, 1608, for setting a fire on the calseij, on Midsummer-even, against the laws of the country, fostering tliereby superstition. Their answer, which was that their children had done it, seems to have quashed the business, as nothing further appeaj-s to have been done. § 14th October, l604. — It is ordained, that no acts or ordinances, made, or to be made, by the session, be called in question, directly or indirectly, in time coming ! Neither the execution there- of, nor obedience thereto, come in voting, so long as it stands mireformed or annulled, by common consent of tlie session, by any other act ; but that all acts and statutes be keeped and observed, and receive execution, after the form and tenor thereof, in all points. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 181 ingly.* But, in reviewing this singular part of our history, however much we may reflect upon those rigid laws, and the severities which were used in the exercise of them, we are not to attribute these solely to the clergy. The whole proceeded from the people them- selves, or their representatives in the church session ; for the pastor was only one of twenty-two, who composed the legislative as- sembly, or formed the tribunal which applied these laws and en- forced their execution. In this asra, the capital punishments of Iianging, beheading, burn- ing, or drowning,-]- were very frequent ; and even torture before trial was not uncommon. For petty theft, returning from banishment, or for repeated transgressions — burning on the cheek, whipping, stand- ing in the branks, or in the pillory, crowned with paper, circumscribed with the nature of the offence, were the arbitrary punishments ge- nerally inflicted on delinquents. In the period previous to the Ke- formation, the punishment for misdemeanours was commonly of an ecclesiastical nature. The offender was ordered to appear in the clun-ch, on Sunday, in his shirt, bare-headed and bare-footed, with a wax candle in his hand, of dimensions suited to the offence, as an offering to the church ; at the same time, he was obliged to ask pardon of the magis- trates and the party offended, for the injury which he had committed. At the close of this aera, several ancient customs continued to pre- vail in the town. Young men and women, interchanging the dress of their sex, and disguising themselves with masks and bells, fre- quented marriage entertainments, where they carolled and danced ; and, * 18th December, 1 604.— Andrew Clark, advocate in Aberdeen, was accused for behaving irre- verently, on Sunday, towards Bishop Blackburn, when admonishing William Allan for non-adhe- rence to his wife, by making public opposition and contradiction to the Bishop's proceedings, and taking instruments in the hands of two notaries. Having confessed liis offence, and submitted him- self to the session, it was decreed, " that he should appear, on Sunday next, in the new church; and there, in the same place where he offended, to sit down on his knees, confess his offence, and crave God and the congregation, and particularly the minister whom he had offended, pardon and forgiveness, promising never to fall in the like gross misbehaviour in time coming." On Sunday, 23d December, he submitted to tliis degrading punishment ; and Arthur Watt, the notary, made the same atonement for his offence. — [^Register of Church Session, vol. ii.J t Register of Biiths and Biuials, vol. i. ii. iii. 182 ANXALS OF ABERDEEN. and, in the same ludicrous attire, intruded upon the inhabitants at Christmas and Xew-year*s day, carolhng and dancing, in expectation of some small gratuity ; the citizens resorted to Downiehill and Saint Fethac's well, in the parish of Nigg, on the nights of Saturdays, in the month of ^lay, and lighted fires on the streets on jNIidsummer eve ; and the children at school paraded through the town to the cross, wdth lights in their hands, on Candlemas day. These customs continued to be practised by the people, although they were prohi- bited by the civil magistrate, under severe penalties, and anathema- tised, as superstitious, by the ecclesiastical court. They j^revailed even towards tlie latter end of the eighteenth century, and some of them are not yet in disuse. The custom of attending funerals in black clothes began to prevail in Aberdeen towards the close of the sixteenth century. On the oc- casion of the funeral of Kennedy of Carmuck, constable of Aberdeen, who was buried in St. Nicholas church, in the year 1591, it was re- quisite to obtain permission from the magistrates and council to the attendants to wear black clothes and arms ; for which permission L.IO were paid to the master of the church and bridge works. The place of sepulture of the inhabitants, at this period, was generally in the interior of the church, or contiguous aisles : but the practice of using coffins, or chests, for the bodies, seems not to liave been uni- versal. On the funeral of any person of respectability in the town, there was a degree of pomp displayed whcli is unknown in the pre- sent times. It was the custom to fix on the walls of the church gumphions,* arms, and black cloth ; but this was, in time, prohibited, by an act of the town council, except on the funeral of a baron of consideration, or of one who had filled the office of chief magistrate of the town.f Mortcloths were first introduced about the begin- ning of the seventeenth century, one of black velvet, the other of black cloth ; and the fees established for these make part of the re- venue appropriated to the expence of supporting tlie church, ij: The company * Mortheadi. t Council Register^ voL xxxiii. 994.— .Church .ind Bridge Account?, 1591. % Council Register, vol. .\lvii. 508. ANNALS OF AB£KDKE>. 183 company attending funerals was generally invited by the common bellman, who passed through the town, and was frequently accompa- nied by the bellman of Old Aberdeen, to add to the solemnity. Cer- tain appropriate verses were recited by the bellman on the occasion ; and no grave was allowed to be opened until he had been previously employed. This custom prevailed for many subsequent years ; and was not completely in disuse till towards the middle of the eighteenth century. Among the many municipal laws established by the magistrates during this century, several regulations appear to have been intro- duced regarding the dress of both sexes. It was enacted, that no burgess of guild should appear in a plaid and blue bonnet. Married women were prohibited from wearing plaids, covering the head, either at church or market, or on the streets, except they were " har- lots and suspected persons {' and servant maids wei*e restrained from ap- pearing in ruffs, or curches of lawn or cambric, or red hoods, under the penalty of having them torn off, and trampled in the kennel. The dress, however, of a burgess of guild of any consideration ap- pears to have been costly, and even magnificent, in comparison to that of the present times. Among the articles of wearing apparel which occur in the year 1582, there may be mentioned, the cloak of fine silk, with black lining, and silver clasps ; a velvet bonnet, with a crans of gold, and tergat of gold ; brown staming breeks, pesmantit with gold; staming schanks; garters of grey tafFety, with pesmantis of gold ; a casakine of damask, with pesmantis of silver, and long buttons of the same ; a gown, of violet staming, lined in the breast with serge, arid hounden vvith velvet round about ; a French black cloak, lined with satin in the breasts, and bordered with six broad edgings of velvet round about : a doublet of Lyons canvas. * The dress of a lady was still the ruflT, curche, red hude, kirtle, and farthingal ; her ornaments of dress being of silver. The dress of the ordinary class of men was the sarJc, doublet, coat, hose, gown, cloak, * Couacil Register, vol. xxx. p. 180. 184 ANNALS OF ABEIlDEi:,N. cloak, shoes, and pantunis ; and of the women, the red Idrtill, and russet gown. Among the articles of furniture, we find sheets of linen, and head sheets, tied with black ribbons ; beds of fine downs, double blankets, lang sadel bed, danshijne chests, chairs, table, trests, and chandeliers. The sword and buckler, and murkonn, were part of the armour of a burgess of guild. In the course of this asra, the poverty of the princes, and the li- mited resources of the kingdom, still exposed the citizens to lieavy contributions for the exigencies of the state. The sums levied by assessment on the inhabitants, from time to time, for exemptions from military services, for municipal charges, and for the use of the sovereign, were very considerable, besides the value of the numerous presents made to the royal family, in wine, and other articles, under the denomination of propines. Commerce, therefore, must have been the only means of enabling the citizens to support the burden of such repeated exactions. The exports appear to have been nearly of the same description with those in the preceding aeras, although, perhaps, to a much o-reater extent. The imports were chiefly of the same nature with what have been previously mentioned ; but these also had probably been upon a larger scale. Since the Eeformation, the people had been more industrious, made greater exertions in trade, and be- come more affluent ; and their wants and luxuries had accordingly increased. Some indications of manufactures in the town appear in the end of this century. Michael Wandail, a Fleming, was permitted, by the magistrates and council, to exercise his occupation as a manu- facturer of grograms, worsets, and stamings, without any impedi- ment from the weaver corporation, on condition of taking into his employment an apprentice, and instructing him in weaving and dying these sorts of cloth.* In the year 1612, we find that Fabian Fanton Coxincil Register, vol, xxxvii. p. 106. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. ISo Fanton and Antonie Samboya, two foreigners, were permitted by the magistrates to exercise their trade of making heckles, and traps for taking rats and mice. The coinage in circulation was gold, silver, and billon, or copper coin ; the whole, except the last, being chiefly foreign. This will be best explained by the table in the note, with its corresponding value in ancient Scottish money,* as sanctioned by an act of the town council,! in confoi-mity to the estabhshed authority. The last years of the sixteenth century being remarkable for an uncommon scarcity and dearth in the country, owing to bad seasons, and other unfavourable circumstances, the inhabitants ex- perienced considerable privations and distresses, in common with those in other parts of the kingdom; and it would seem that, in many places, these distresses had approached to famine. In the year 1596, the magistrates imported a supply to the town of rye and rye- meal ; of the former three hundred eighteen and three-fourth bolls, at the rate of L.8 the boll ; of the latter, twenty-five lasts,:}; three bar- rels, at the price of L.7 the boll ; which amounted in value to the sum of L.5719. About the same time, they purchased, for the like B b purpose * Table of Coinage current in Aberdeen in A. D. 1590. GOLD SILVER. The Spanish Pistolet ■ £.3 4 8 The Spanish Ryal . £.2 5 French Crown 3 6 8 Cross Dollar 2 4 8 Hary Ducat 7 5 Prince Dollar 2 13 4 Cunlioil Angel 5 2 Fifteen Sous Piece 15 6 Angel Noble 5 5 French Festeen 15 Double Ducat 7 2 6 English Festeen - 10 Genlis Noble 7 17 4 Old 30s. Piece 2 13 4 Hary Noble 7 3 4 Two Part Piece thereof 1 1:, ()■ Old Rose Noble 8 Third Part thereof i- 9 Portugal Ducat 37 3 6 New 20s. Piece 2 Scottish Rose Noble 8 5 20s. Piece - 1 a 8 Hatt Piece - . 4 13 8 Old IDs. Piece 13 3 Lyon Piece - 5 4 4 New 10s. I'iece 10 8 Five Round Piece 5 6 8 Half Merk Piece - 7 t Council Register, vol. xxvii. p. 905, | A last of rye was 18, and sometimes 19 bolls. 186 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. purpose, four tliousand bolls of meal, at the rate of L.4 the boll ; * but from what places these supplies were obtained we have not been able to discover. Corn appears to have continued equally scarce and dear during several years ; for we find, that, in the year 1598, wheat was at the rate of L.IO the boll ; and, in the year 1600, meal at the price of L.8 the boll. In these times, the prices of all other provi- sions and necessaries were proportionally high. At the close of the present aera, the population of Aberdeen may be collected pretty nearly from the register of marriages, baptisms, and burials, which commences soon after the Reformation. This re- gister was established under the authority of the magistrates, and was kept with some degree of method and apparent correctness till the year 1592 ; but after this period we have to remark, that the same accuracy and attention have not been observed in bringing forward a record of so much importance, both in a public and private point of view. Had the system with which the register sets out been care- fully and strictly observed, down to the present period, it would have afforded most valuable information, not only to political writers, but to ourselves, regarding our ancestors, and their various connections and occupations in life. INIeagre as this record happens to be, it has contributed its ample share of information to our present work. Ey the annexed table, which has been made up from this regis- ter, it will appear, that, for the ten years previous to the year 1582, the annual average of marriages was 50.5 ; of births, 68.7 males, 69.9 females, and 25.2 illegitimate children — tlie total annual average of legitimate and illegitimate children being 163.8 ; and that the annual average of deaths was 74.8. Assuming, therefore, the average of births as the 35. part of the whole population, according to the principles laid down in Dr. Price's work, we may be allowed to esti- mate the whole, at the end of the year 1581, to have been 5833. For the subsequent decade, to the year 1592, the average of the whole births is 208.6, which, according to the same principles, would make the population then to have been 7301. From the year 1603 to * Council Register, vol. xxxvj, p. 567. 573. ANVALS OF ABERDEEX. 18? to the year 1615, both inclusive, the annual average of births is, of males, 122.07— of females, 100.923— and the total, 223.; which, by the same rule, would make the whole population to have been, at this last period, 7805. We may, therefore, estimate it, in the year 1633, to have been 8000 persons, of all ages. In confirmation of this, it may be mentioned, that, in the year 1619, when the citi- zens were mustered at the annual weaponshaw, there were 550* fit to bear arms, besides some who happened to be absent on that occasion. At the dawn of the Reformation, the popvilation has been ascer- tained to have been only about 4000 persons ; so that, in the space of seventy years, it would appear to have been doubled. This, in some measure, may be attributed to the circumstance of the pesti- lence having seldom, or perhaps never, infested the town during this period ; and to the long peace and tranquillity which prevailed in the nation after King James had ascended the throne of England. The prevailing sirnames in Aberdeen, during this aera, were : — Alexander, Anderson, Bannerman, Brebner, Buck, Burnett, Chalmers, Cheyne, Cochran, Colinson, Cruickshank, Cullen, Davidson, Dun, Duvy, Endiach, Ewen, Farquhar, Forbes, Gordon, Gray, Guild, How- ison, Irvine, JafFray, Johnston, Kennedy, King, Kintore, Knowles, Laing, Leslie, Lorimer, Lowson, Lumsden, INIarr, Menzies, Mercer, Meldrum, Middleton, Moir, Mollison, Morrison, Mortimer, Nicolson, Park, Petrie, Rolland, Eonaldson, Rutherford, Scherar, Seton, Skene, Strachan, Tullidef. * Council Register, vol. xlix. p. 333. B b 2 Tabli 188 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. TABLE OF MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, AND BURIALS, IN ABERDEEN, From the Year 1572 /o lCl5, inclusive. MARRIAGES. BIRTHS. ILLEGITIMATE DU RIALS. YEAR. Males. Females. Total. CHILDREN. 1572 37 35 45 80 35 72 1573 32 32 40 72 36 84 157-i 85 57 70 127 34 74 1575 58 42 64 106 10 107 157C 48 76 98 174 28 59 1577 52 99 81 180 23 62 1578 34 75 80 155 25 78 1579 55 90 72 162 12 40 1580 58 90 78 168 29 91 1581 40 91 71 162 20 78 505 687 699 1386 252 748 Average 50.5 67.7 69-9 138.6 25.2 74.8 YEAH. 1582 62 83 79 162 21 82 1583 43 111 75 186 25 69 1581 46 99 74 173 15 59 15S5 44 89 97 186 32 74 . 1586 58 SO 93 173 26 59 1587 50 97 96 193 28 82 1588 72 109 83 192 23 99 1589 53 89 86 175 23 125 1590 66 93 94 187 40 67 1591 59 102 86 188 38 80 553 952 863 1815 271 796 Average 55.3 95.2 86.3 181.5 27.1 79.6 YEAR. 1C03 104 93 197 1604. no 77 187 1605 105 84 189 IfiOO 95 104 199 1CU7 97 101 198 I6O8 130 94 224 1609 150 96 246 1610 120 125 243 1611 115 130 245 1612 150 102 252 1613 145 105 ■ 250 l6li 131 105 236 iGlo 135 90 231 1587 1312 2899 Average 122.07 100.923 223. 2666 13 4 5760 1000 2160 125 5 270 10 10 201 10 435 4 10 2000 3280 ANNALS OP ABERDEEN. 189 TABLE OF COXTBIBUTIOXS BY ABEBDEEX TO GOT'EBNMENT, From A.D, 1559 to A.D. 1633, SCOTTISH MON'EY. Ancient. Modern. 1562 To Queen Mary, propine presented to her Majesty - L.1333 6 8 L.3693 6 1565 ... the King and Queen, in lieu of service in the army as- sembled in Lorn, under John, Earl of Athol, to repress the rebels at Dumfries - - 300 831 1570 ... town's proportion of L. 12,000, raised from the whole kingdom - - . . igooO 380 1574 ... the Earl of Morton, contribution levied from the com- munity . ■ . — — ... charge for importing bullion 1579 For the towii's proportion of 10,000 merks, for the charge of repairing the Bridge of St. Johnston, ordered by Par- liament ... — — Do. of Charges of the Army at Peebles > 1580 To King James VL on visiting the town - 1583 For the town's proportion of L.200,000, granted' by Parlia- ment for the King's supplies, and payment of his debts 372 6 558 9 1585 ... the town's proportion of L.200,000, on the whole king- dom, for charges of the army against Lord Maxwell 1590 ... the chai'ge of a ship for convoy of the King and Queen from Denmai'k _ ■ - 1592 To the Captain of the King's Guard, for dispensing with the citizens' attendance on his Majesty, in his progress northward - 1594 For the town's proportion of L. 100,000, granted to his Ma- jesty by Parliament — — Do. of L.20,000, for two months assessment on the bo- roughs, for chaises of the Army in Aberdeen, against the rebels of the north - - , To the Duke of Lennox, Lieutenant of the north 1597 For the town's proportion of 200,000 merks, granted by Parliament to the King, for the charges of ambassadors to foreign countries - - 1777 15 4 2666 13 1600 To the King, on his being in town, and for charges attend- ing his visit . - ■ " " " For charges of entertaining the Queen, on her visit — — ... the town's proportion of 100,000 merks, granted by Parliament for the charges of ambassadors to foreign countries ... Carried forward . L.20422 6 8 L,34J91 15 10 372 6 558 9 1600 2400 200 300 1388 6 8 2082 10 1600 2400 206 309 2366 13 4 2840 1833 6 8 2200 888 17 8 1366 13 2 190 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. SCOTTISH MONEY. Brought forward - L.20422 6 8 1604' To the town's proportion of the charges of commissioners appointed to treat concerning the Union with England • - 866 18 10^ 1606 Do. of the sum of 400,000 merks, gi-anted by the Pai-liament to the King, for payment of his debts, and repairing his palaces, 1st part . 898 17 9 1607 Do. of charges of commissioners for the boroughs delegated to England 80 1613 To the King, in lieu of service in the army sent against the Isles - 373 6 8 -~— ... the town's proportion of the first moiety of L.240,000, gi-anted by Par- liament, for the charges attending the man'iage of the Princess Elizabeth 800 1617 Do. of 300,000 merks, granted by Pai'liament to his Majesty, for his house- hold expences during his residence iji Scotland - . 1333 13 4. 161s Do. of L.4000, imposed on the boroughs, for charges of commissioners for plantation of churches ... 500 1622 Do. of L.400,000, granted by Parliament, for obtaining relief to those suf- fering for the Gospel - - _ . 1333 13 u IG26 Do. the King, by order of the Lords of the Privy Council - 5800 L.32408 17 2f TABLE OF ASSESSMENTS ON THE CITIZENS, For the Stipends of the Ministers^ and for the support of the Poor of the Toun, htf order of Head Courts; From A.D. 1592 to A.D. 1629- £. s. d. 1592 To Mr. Robert Howie and Mr. Peter Blackburn, ministers of the town - 266 13 4 1594 ... Mr. Peter Blackbiu-n, minister - - « 100 ... For the support of the poor - - - 200 1611 ... Mr. John M'Bimie, one of the ministers of the town, for support of his family, after his death - - - 665 13 4 1616 ... Mr. William Forbes, one of the ministers of the town, yearly, by order of the head court ... 1621 For the support of the poor, assessed on the inhabitants by the head court 1625 ... the ministers' stipends - - « 1627 ... Dr. Forbes' stipend - - « ■ I ■ ... the poor - ■ « ■ 1628 ... the ministers of the town, by order of the head court >■ 1629 ... Dr. William Forbes, for stipend , ■ ■ ■— ... Mr, James Ross, minister, for stipend ■ ■ L.7232 6 8 TABLE 600 1000 500 800 466 13 4 1033 6 8 800 800 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 191 TABLE OF PRICES OF SUNDliY ARTICLES OF PROFISIONS, AND OTHER COMMODITIES, S^c. IN ABERDEES, At difiereot periods, from A.D. 1559 to A.D. 1635, in Ancient and Modern Scottish Money. SCOTTISH MONEY. A 1562 Loaf of flour, weighing 12 oiyices - Loaf of rye, weighing 16 ounces • > Pint of ale - ■ ■ Boll of meal > . . Boll of bear • . .1 Loaf of flour, weigliing 1 8 ounces • • Do. do. 12 ounces « Loaf of rye, weighing 1 6 ounces > > Pint of ale - . a 1563 Loaf of flour, weighing 18 ounces > Do. do. 9 ounces Pint of ale - . . Best double-soled shoes, for men ■ ■ Do. single-soled • t, ■ Women's double-soled do. • > • Do. single-soled do. - > Best mutton bouk « « . Second sort ... 1 570 Scottish pint of wine - > ■ 1576 Do. do. - 1580 Admission dues of a Burgess of Guild » • 1581 Boll of wheat, with one peck to the boll 1593 Gallon of beer . - - A gallon of ale - - - Loaf, weighing 8 ounces - ■ Stone of candle, - » - Stone of tallow, 16 lbs. - •• Admission dues of a Burgess of Guild > ■ 1596 Loaf of wheat flour, weigliing 12 ounces Boll of malt . • » Boll of rj-e - m m Boll of meal . . ■ Boll of oats ■ . > Price of boots . > > Shoes, ¥■ pair, singlc-soled ■ ■ Do. do. double-soled an » Boll of wheat . ■ ■ 800 12 00 Ancient. Modern. L.O 4 11 4 11 5 1 2 2 5 10 10 1 16 4 19 9 6 14 4 11 4 11 4 11 4 11 5 4 11 3 4 093 2 8 074 6 6 11 5 6 10 1 7 8 8 12 2 1 8 3 4 8 5 10 20 32 16 5 3 4 7 9 10 6 090 5 4 8 3 6 3 9 1 4 1 16 40 60 8 1 9 6 8 14 8 12 7 10 10 4 600 2 6 8 4 7 10 6 1 12 18 19ft ANNALS OP ABERDEEN, 1598 Boll of wheat, raw . Boll of wheat, diy BoU of bear, with a peck to the boll BoU of meal 1600 Boll of meal 1606 Boll of coals - Boiudeaux wine, the pint » I608 French wine, the pint - Boll of bear 1614, Boll of wheat > 1615 BoU of bear ■ BoU of wheat 1616 BoU of meal 1617 Admission dues of a Burgess of Guild 1629 Do. do. «%V»«^««%««%V%«'W% SCO TTIS! I MONEY. Ancient. Modern, L.9 10 8 10 12 6 13 4 8 6 13 4 8 8 9 12 1 4 9 8 10 8 5 6 8 9 8 10 8 66 13 4 133 6 8 N.B.'^In tJteyear 1601, Ancient and Modern ScolUsk Money were about equal in value. CHAPTER ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 19*> CHAPTER V. SECTIOX I. Commencement of the Civil Wars — Proceedings of the Covenanters at Aberdeen — Operations of their Armies — 3Iontrose' victories — He sacks Aberdeen — The Marqids of Hunthj — Distresses of the citizens during the ivar — Arrival of Charles II. — of the English Army — De- ptities sent to the English Commissioners at Dalkeith — James VII. — Revolution — Various other matters at Aberdeen — IMiscellaneous Occurrences. From A.D. 1G33 to A.D. 1707. After King Charles had returned to England, there sprung vip, A.D. 1633. among the people of Scotland, those discontents and commotions, which were chiefly occasioned by attempts to introduce certain forms and ceremonies into the church, under the royal authority. These, joined to the struggle betwixt episcopacy and presbytery, involved the nation in anarchy and disorder, which led to a civil wai-, to the destruction of the king, and to the subversion of the consti- tution. During the minority of King James, those lands and revenues which had belonged to the church were ajopropriated to certain powerfid barons, who had supported him in the early part of his reign. But, as this patrimony had originally flowed from tlie libera- lity of the crown, it ought, upon every principle of law and justice, to have reverted to the king, when it became vacant, at the aera of the Reformation. Accordingly, after King James had been firmly esta- blished upon the throne, and had attained the age of majority, these church lands, then possessed by the impropriators, or lords of erection, as they were denominated, were annexed to the crown ; and an act was passed, revoking all grants which had been made, in prejudice c c thereof, 194 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 1633. tliereof, during the king's minority. * This act, however, was never enforced ; and the nobles were allowed to retain the posses- sions which they had thus acquired. These impropriators exercised their rights over these lands and possessions in a manner which was considered as extremely oppres- sive to the vassals under them, particularly in the arbitrary way of collecting and gathering the tithes. They would not even allow a competent or fixed stipend to the clergy out of the tithes which they had appropriated to themselves ; but kept them in poverty, and de- pendent on their pleasure. In order to remedy these grievances, Charles passed an act, revoking all alienations, Avhich had been made by himself or his predecessors, of tlie lands or other pati-imonies of the crown, and particularly of impropriated tithes and benefices ; but he was not possessed of sufficient resolution to carry this act into execution. At the same time, however, a commission was passed, imder the great seal, appointing a certain number of noblemen and gentlemen, who were chiefly and immediately interested in these matters, as commissioners, for surrendering the feudal superiorities, and the impropriated tithes and benefices, to the king, on certain conditions ; for affording relief to the proprietors of the lands, and for settling a suitable and fixed provision upon the clergy. The proceedings which followed upon the commission, under the autho- rity of Charles,f were considered to be judicious, and the decrees arbitral which he pronounced met with considerable applavise, as being beneficial to the landholders, to the clergy, and even to the crown. The nobles, however, finding by these acts that their in- fluence was greatly diminished, were discontented, and repined at the power which had been acquired by the ecclesiastics, many of whom now enjoyed the favovir of the king, and the highest offices under the crown. Charles, naturally superstitious, was attached to the clergy ; but he had been able to acquire the confidence of only the higher ranks among * Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. p. 43 1. 439. t Acts of Parliament, Charles I. c. 9.— Submissions, &c. 498. et seq. ANNALS OF AUERDEIiN. 105 among them. The ministers, in general, were equally hostile with AD. i6s3. the nobility to the measures of the court, and to episcopal authority, which they considered as tyranny and an usurpation ; and regarded equality among ecclesiastics to be a divine privilege, which no human law could alter or infringe. The prelates had obtained great influ- ence in the state, and, by their means, the jurisdiction of presbyte- ries, synods, and other subordinate courts, had been, in a manner, abolished ; and the General Assembly * itself had not been summoned for several years. A new oath was arbitrarily imposed upon candidates for the ministerial office, by which they swore to observe the articles of Perth,! and to submit to the liturgy and canons of the church. The book of canons for establishing the ecclesiastical jurisdiction icsj. had now been confirmed by the king ; and the liturgy, which, with a few alterations, was almost a transcript from that of England, had been imposed on Scotland by royal authority. It had been intro- duced into some of the churches of Edinbvugh, and other places, particularly in Aberdeen, where it was observed in Saint Nicholas church, and regarded as a proper form of public worship, ij; In Edin- burgh, few indications of popular discontent appeared for some time, although the English service was well known in that place, and had been used for upwards of twenty years in the chapel royal of Holyroodhouse, which was then the parish church of the Canongate. c c 2 Commotions, * The General Assembly met at Aberdeen on the 13th August, I6l6, the Earl of Montrose being the Lord High Commissioner. It was chiefly occupied regarding the suppression of popery, and had been called by the king's letter. — [^Council Register, vol. xlvii. p. 659. C(>8.3 + The following is the substance of the articles proposed by King James, and established by the General Assembly, which met at Perth in August, l6l8 :— " 1. That the eucharist should be received in a kneeling posture. 2. That it should be adminis- tered in private, in extreme sickness, according to the order prescribed by the church. 3. That baptism should be administa-ed on the Sunday immediately following tlie birth ; in private, if ne- cessary. 4. That episcopal confirmation should be bestowed on youth. 5. That the descent of tlie Spirit, the birth, passion, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, and the mission of tlie Holy Spirit, should be commemorated, as annual festivals in the church." — \_Life of John Forbes of Corse, Pro- fessor of Divinity, King's College, preyed to his Works, p. 11.] J The book of canons was printed at Aberdeen, in tlie year 1636, by Edward Raban ; and, in 1625, he printed the form of prayer for the church, with the psabns, set to music, which continued to be used while episcopacy prevailed. 196 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1637. Commotions, however, among the people are easily excited by any alarm. Being under the influence of the nobility and the clergy, they were firmly persuaded that these religious innovations were prepara- tory to the introduction of popery ; and, a panic fear being raised, popular tumults and disorders broke out, in the most violent manner, among the lower ranks in Edinburgh, on an attempt being made to introduce the service into the cathedral church of St. Giles. 1638. Charles, being unacquainted with the genius of the people in Scot- land, continued inflexible in his intentions of imposing that form of wor- ship upon them : their prejudices, therefore, increased daily more and more, and a combination of almost the greater part of the kingdom was, in a short time, formed, to counteract his measures. To this com- bination the king had nothing to oppose but a proclamation, which was very little regarded, and wherever it was published it was encoun- tered with a public protestation. Meanwhile, men of all ranks united together ; and, that a regular system for their operations might be established, as well as to prevent irregularities, four tables, as they were called, were formed at Edinburgh. One of them consisted of the nobility, another of the gentry, and the other two of ministers and of burgesses respectively. From each of these tables, certain commissioners were appointed, who formed a general table, which re- vised their proceedings, and carried their acts and orders into exe- cution. Among the first productions of the tables, was the celebrated Covenant. * The * " The origin of the covenant may be traced to the beginning of the Reformation, when the Lords of the congregation, by their bond or covenant, first undertook the protection of the infant c-hurch. In the progress of the Reformation, it was twice renewed ; but, on its establishment, ne- glected. During the administration of Arran, a negative confession of faith, which enumerated and renounced the corruptions of the Romish see, was framed, to obviate the imputations of popery, and, from the example of their sovereign, subscribed by his household, and his whole subjects ; re- vived on the approach of the Spanish ambassador ; and confirmed by a bond for the preservation of religion, the protection of his person, and their own defence. The name was adopted from the fre- quent covenants of Israel with God : the nature of the obUgation was derived from the bonds of mutual defence and maintenance peculiju- to the nation. The covenant was remembered and revered by the people, as an obligation to which their ancestors had repeatedly sworn ; instituted during the purity, and renewed in the troubles, or on the triumph of the presbyterian faith. It was adopted by the English in the year 1643, and enforced by the civil and ecclesiastical authority of both kingdoms. — [^Knox,— Robertson's History of Scotland— -Lahig's Hislori/, vol. i. p. 135-2 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 197 The covenant consisted of a renunciation of popery, and was ex- a.d. i6cs. pressed in those virulent terms which were most calculated to inflame the minds of the people. It was followed hy a bond of union, that obliged the subscribers to resist all religious innovations, and to de- fend each other against every opposition whatever : and all this for the greater glory of God, and for the advantage of their king and covmtry. The people of all ranks and conditions, without distinction of age or sex, flocked to the subscription of this famous deed, which few disapproved, and still fewer could venture to condemn. The king could not fail to be greatly alarmed at this combination, and to be apprehensive of the consequences which would naturally arise from it. He, therefore, appointed the Marquis of Hamilton, a nobleman in whom he could confide, his high commissioner, with authority to treat with the covenanters ; but although he agreed, in name of the king, to suspend the canons and the liturgy, yet his pa- cific propositions were disregarded. He failed in the negociation, and returned to London. Hamilton, by order of the king, made another journey to Edinburgh, with new concessions ; but was equally unsuccessful in his attempts to accomjilish a reconcihation. Having returned to London, he was sent back by the king, with pro- posals to abohsh the canons, the liturgy, and the high commission, and to suspend the articles of Perth. At the same time, authority was given to him to summon an assembly, and afterwards a parlia- ment, where every grievance might be redressed. But, however ample and conciliating these concessions may have been considered, they were rejected by the covenanters, as being still short of their rising demands. Charles being now aware of the advantages which the people had obtained over him by the covenant, resolved to counteract it by ano- ther of a similar nature on his part. With this view, he ordered a band of union to be framed, containing a renunciation of popery, and expressed in pretty much the same terms with the former, to which were annexed the same professions of duty and loyalty of the sub- scribers to the king. He, at the same time, by a royal proclamation, discharged the use of the service book, the book of canons, and high 198 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. vD. i63S. high commission;* and rescinded all deeds whatever which had been made for establishing them. He also dispensed with the practice of the five articles of Perth, which had given so mvich offence, both to the presbyterian clergy, and to many of the people. While these matters had been transacting in the south, the citi- zens of Aberdeen, who were firm supporters of their sovereign, ap- pear to have viewed them with indifference, and to have acquiesced in all the measures which Charles had adopted. In these they were countenanced by the ministers of religion, who, from principles of loyalty and motives of prudence, were equally attached to the king. These circumstances were early communicated to his Majesty, who, in the warmest terms, expressed his thanks for the services which had been done to him, by a letter imder his hand, addressed to the magistrates, f But it was not long before their loyalty was put to a severe trial ; and they were u.ltimately compelled to submit to the violence of party. On the 20th of July, the Earl of Montrose ; Lord Coupar ; the master of Forbes ; Burnett of Leys ; Graham of Murphy ; Alexander Henderson, J minister at Leuchars ; David Dickson, minister at Ir- vine ; and Mr. Andrew Cant, minister at Pitsligo, made their ap- pearance '* The courts of high commission were erected at St. Andrew's and Glasgow, of such transcen- dent jurisdiction, that every ecclesiastical court was subordinate ; with such inquisitorial powers, that every individual might be cited, and examined on his conversation, conduct, and religious opi- nions ; excormnunicated, if impenitent ; outlawed, if contumacious ; imprisoned and fined, if obnox- ious or guilty. The Archbishop and four assistants composed a quorum, whose sentence admitted of no appeal.— QLaing'« History, vol. i. p. 58.] t " Charles R. — Trustie and weil beloved, we greet yow weiU. Hawing understood, frome the reverend Father in God the Bishop of Aberdeine, of the testimonie giwen by yow at this tyme of yor affectionn to our service, which is the more considerable in regard of the neglect of otheris, we give yow hearty thankis for the same, willing yow to continue as yow hawe begune ; and be as- sured we will not be unmindfuU theirof when any occasionn shall offer, whairby yow may find the effects of oure princely favor. Wee bid yow faiiweill, from cure Court, at Wliiteliall, the nynt of Aprile, 1638." I On the 25th of December, 1639, Mr. Henderson was solicited, by the magistrates, to accept the charge of one of the ministers of the town, on the death of Dr, Alexander Ross; but this he ap- pears to have declined. — ^Council Begisier, vol. lii. p. 5 17-] ANNALS OF ABEUDEEN. 199 pearance in the town, in the charactei- of commissioners from the a.d. iojs, tables, and called upon the inhabitants to subscribe the new cove- nant and oath. Dr. Kobert Barron, Dr. James Sibbald, and Dr. Alexander Eoss, three of the established ministers ; Dr. John Forbes, Professor of Divinity, and Dr. William Leslie, Principal, of the King's College ; and Dr. Alexander Scrogie, minister of Old Aberdeen ; had been fully prepared for their reception. " They demanded to know particularly of their reverend brethren by what authority they could require them, or their people, to subscribe this covenant, which had neither the authority of the king, the lords of the privy council, the national synod, nor of any other judicatory ; and how they could attempt to enforce upon them, or their people, who were nowise sub- ject to them, the interpretation of the articles of the negative confes- sion. Besides, the covenant was very different from what had been subscribed by the late king, and by the nation, in the years 1580 and 1581." The reverend commissioners appear to have been equally well prepared with an answer, for they speedily rejoined, " That tliey had not come hither to usurp the authority of any civil or spiritual tribunal, or to enforce upon their reverend brethren, and the people committed to their charge, the subscription of the covenant, or the interpretation of the articles of that confession which is called nega- tive ; but were sent to represent to them, in all humility, the present state and condition of the church and the kingdom, calling for help at their hands ; and, in brotherly love, to exhort and entreat that they would be pleased to contribute their best endeavours to extin- guish the common combustion; which, by uniting with almost the whole church and kingdom in the covenant, they trusted they might lawfully do, without prejudice to the King's Majesty, or to any law- ful judicatory, or to the negative confession of faith ; since the sound interpretation and application thereof to the errors of the times can make no substantial change ; and the bajid of mutual defence, by which they obliged themselves to defend the true religion and the King's iMajesty's person and authority against all persons whatever, is joined at first with the confession of faith. That his Majesty's commissioner, although he had objected to the covenant, as an unlaw- ful combination against authority, and being the main hindrance to their obtaining their desires, had accepted and was well pleased with their .coo ANXALS OF ABF.IIDEE>*. \.D. 1658. tlicir declaration, bearing, That they had solemnly sworn, to the ut- most of their power, with their means and lives, to stand to the de- fence of the King's Majesty, as God's vicegerent, set over them for the maintenance of religion, and the administration of justice." This was only the prelude to much learned argument which passed between these reverend gentlemen on this important subject ; and the whole was afterwards printed in a pamphlet at Aberdeen. * On the Sunday subsequent to their arrival in the town, the reverend commissioners expressed a wish to be allowed to enforce their doc- trines upon the people, by preaching in the church : but the esta- blished clergy were not inclined to indulge them. They were, there- fore, contented with being allowed to harangue, in three several ser- mons on that day, to pretty numerous congregations, which assembled in the court of the Earl Marischal's lodgings, in the Castlestreet. -j- These sermons, however, seem to have made very little impression upon the minds of the people ; and the endeavours of the learned commissioners to obtain their subscriptions to the covenant had as little effect. Meanwhile, a letter had been transmitted from the commissioners of the table of burgesses to the magistrates and town covmcil, re- questing them to subscribe the confession of faith and the new cove- nant, which were presented to them by the Lairds of Dun, Morphie, Ealmain, and Leys ; but this they had declined, for the same reasons which had been assigned by the ministers of the town;:]: and the greatest part of the citizens approved of their conduct, and followed their example. These proceedings having been commvmicated to the king, he addressed another letter to the magistrates, § expressive of the high sense * The general demands of the reverend Doctors of Divinity and Ministers of the Gospel in Aber- deen, concerning the late covenant, with answers, &c. were printed in 1638, and reprinted there in the year 1663. t Spalding, vol. i. p. 69. J Council Register, vol. lii. p. 385, 389, et seq. § " Charles R.— Trustie and well beloved, we greet yow well. Having understood how due- tufuUie yow hawe carried yourselfis at this tyme, in what concerned the good of oure service, and particularlie in liindring some stranger ministeris from preaching in any of your chiu-ches. Wee hawe taken notice thairof, and do give yow hai-tie thankis for the same, and do expect that, as your AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. QOL sense which he entertained of their loyalty and great zeal in his a.d. igjs. cause ; at the same time assuring them, that he should not be un- mindful of it when an opportunity offered. This letter was accom- panied with another, of the same purport, from the Marquis of Ha- milton. Indeed, Charles acted up to his promise ; for, in a few weeks after, he granted to the magistrates, council, and community, a new royal charter of the borough, confirming, in the most ample manner, all their ancient rights, privileges, and immunities. This may be regarded as the great charter of Aberdeen.* The commissioners of the tables, having failed in the object of their mission to Aberdeen, took their departure ; and matters conti- nued in a tranquil state for some time. On the 5th of October, the Marquis of Huntly, accompanied with Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum, sheriff of the county, arrived in the town, as a deputation from the Marquis of Hamilton, his Majesty's high commissioner, and were re- ceived by the magistrates with every degree of respect. They pre- sented to them, on behalf of the king, the confession of faith, and general band, marked by the clerk of the privy council, for maintain- ing the true religion, and for protecting the king's person. Tliese were immediately signed by the magistrates and council ; Dr. Robert Barron and Dr. James Sibbald, two of the ministers of the town ; and by the greater part of the inhabitants, who had been convened for the purpose, f In order, however, to remove any undue impres- sion that might have been made upon the minds of the people, the two ministers first signed these deeds under this qualification and protestation, " That they had agreed to the confession of faith, in as D d far carriage hitherto hath bene good, so yow will continew ; assuring yow that when any thing that may concerne your good shall occur, we will not be unmjnidfiiU of the same. Wee bid yow fair- weillj frome our court, at Oatlands, the last day of July, 1638." — [Council Register, vol. lii. p. SOo."} • This is a voluminous deed, and confirms all the ancient charters of the borough, from the time of King William the Lion. It is dated at Oatlands, Qth September, 1638 ; was confii-med in par- liament 17th November, 1641 ; and printed several years ago. t The king's declaration, discharging the service book, book of canons, and higli commission, and dispensing with the five articles of Perth, and indicting a General Assembly to be held at Glas- gow, and a Parliament at Edinburgh, had been presented to the magistrates by the Marquis of Huntly, and proclaimed at Aberdeen on the 3d October.— QC'o«//ciV Hcgistcr, vol. lii. p. 41 O.J 202 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1638. far as it condemned and abjured all popish errors, idolatry, and su- perstition, really and indeed repugnant to God's holy word ; but that they did not understand the articles of Perth, and episcopal govern- ment, or any doctrine, rite, or ceremony, not repugnant to scrip- ture, to the practice of the ancient or modern reformed and sound churches, or to the confession of the church of Scotland, as esta- blished by law, to be condemned or abjured by any thing which they had now done."* The citizens having become zealous supporters of the king, were trained to military exercise, and formed into a regular corps, under officers, who were appointed by the magistrates, for the defence of the town ; but, owing to some irregularities among them, they were soon disbanded, and forty-two constables were nominated, for pre- serving peace and good order among the inhabitants, f The General Assembly of the Church met at Glasgow on the 21st Xovember, in consequence of a royal proclamation ; that place being preferred to Aberdeen,:!; on account of the influence which the high commissioner possessed in this quarter. The assembly was at- tended by almost all the nobility and gentry of any consideration, cither as elders or assessors, and by a great concourse of spectators from all parts of the kingdom. After a good deal of irregular and disorderly proceedings in this meeting, all the acts of the assembly which had passed since the ascension of King James to the throne of England were rescinded, and declared null and invalid ; the whole bishops were degraded, or excommunicated ; and thus episcopacy, the high commission, the articles of Perth, the canons, and the litur- gy, were entirely abolished, as unlawful. At the same time, the covenant was ordered to be signed by every person, under the pain of excommunication. Although this work of reform had been accomplished, consonant -with the designs of the covenanters, yet they were fully sensible that these * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 413. t Ibid. vol. lii. p. 421, et seq. J No delegate was sent to tijis assembly from the town, in consequence of a representation from the citizens to tlie magistrates. — [Council Pcgiskr, vol. lii. p. 4^8.] ANKALS OF ABERDEEN. 20S these would, on no account, be admitted by the king, and that it would a.d. lOjy. be absolutely necessary to support their arbitrary measures by mili- tary force. Their only resource was in themselves, and in their own vigour, and they prepared accordingly. On the 20th of February, this year, a meeting of the different estates of parliament was held at Edinburgh, when it was unanimously resolved to commence a de- fensive war, in order to oppose the king. The covenanters having now acquired the ascendant in tlie na- tion, were zealously supported by the Earls of Argyle, JMarischal, Rothes, CassiUs, INIontrose, Lothian, and other noble lords, who had embraced the covenant ; and, a civil war being inevitable, they speedily raised an army, which was put under the command of Gene- ral Leslie, an officer of considerable experience and abilities. The whole country, except Aberdeen, and where the Marquis of Huntly, who still adhered to his sovereign, had any influence, was in the hands of the covenanters ; and, in a very short time, was put in a posture of defence. After this time, it was the misfortvine of Aberdeen to become the theatre of the war in the north, and to experience many of the dis- tresses and calamities incident to civil commotions. In tliis situation of affairs, the citizens in general still continued to support the mea- sures of the king, and to promote his views, until they were over- whelmed by a numerous force. In the beginning of the year, they commenced their operations of putting the town in a state of de- fence, with ditches, and other works, on the north-east and south-west sides, and by fortifying it otherwise in the best manner. They took arms, and inrolled themselves to serve, under captains, and other officers, for the protection of the town. The provost and sixteen of the citizens were named as a council of war. The town being di- vided into four quarters, a captain, lieutenant, ensign, and three Ser- jeants, were appointed, as officers of each quarter, and a military go- vernment was established.* But they soon found that their zeal had engaged them in a very hopeless undertaking. D d 2 The * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 445. 447. 450. The 204 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1639. The Marquis of Huntly, who had, about this time, been ap- pointed lord heutenant of tlie northern district, which extended from the river Dee to Caithness, received a supply of arms, and other warlike stores, for the loyalists in that quarter, by a yacht and trans- port, which had arrived in the harbour of Aberdeen, from England. From these stores the magistrates were supplied with two hundred muskets, one hundred pikes, for arming the citizens, with the ne- cessary ammunition ; but such was the low state of the resources of the king, that the dean of guild and the treasurer were obliged to unite in a bond to his Lordship for the value of these appointments, which amounted to L.S685 4s.'* About the same time, the Marquis called for the services of all the loyalists, from the age of sixteen to sixty, and required them to join him, on the 25th INIarch, properly armed, and furnished with fifteen days provisions. On the 22d, the inhabitants of Old Aberdeen and Spittal, to the number of 160 men, were mustered imder the bishop ; bvit they were, for the most part, unarmed, and unserviceable. Meanwhile, intelligence was brought to the town of the approach of the army of the covenanters, under the command of the Earl of INTontrose, which disconcerted all the mea- sures both of Huntly and of the magistrates. In this difficult junc- ture, the citizens found that their exertions, without any other means than their own internal resources, could be of very little ser- vice The following Rules were ordered to be observed in the defence of the town :— 1. That all the ports shall be shut and locked every night. 2. That a nightly watch of twenty-four persons shall be appointed ; each man to attend in per- son, under the penalty of L.5. 3. That the catbands of iron shall be provided, and fixed on every port, and other convenient places, where formerly fixed, and locks to be made for the same •1-. That the great ordnance shall be brought into the town, and placed in proper situations. 5. That no stranger shall be lodged witliin the town, till the magistrates be first acquainted. 6. That the baillies shall pass through the town, and see that every man, fit to bear arms, be provided with them, on his own expence. 7. That the whole expence shall be assessed on the inhabitants. Council Register, vol. lii. p. 445. * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 451. The price of each musket, bandelier, and rest, was L.12; each pike, L.2 8s.; each lib. of powder, 18s. j one cwt. of matches, L.IS; one cwt. of bullets, L.IO l6s. Scottish money. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 205 vice in the cause of their sov^ereign. They were unassisted by any ad. 1639. succours from the king ; they began to be divided among themselves ; and the alarm of the approach of this army having seized them, many threw down their arms, deserted their standards, and left the place. The town was thus left in a defenceless state, and exposed to any body of men who might be inclined to occupy it. * The Earls of Montrose, Marischal, and other noblemen, with Ge- neral Leslie, had, by this time, collected from the southern counties a considerable force, in order to overawe the north, and impose the covenant on the refractory inhabitants. They advanced to Aber- deen, and took possession of it on Saturday the SOth March, without meeting with any opposition, f Their army, consisting of GOOO horse and foot, was encamped in the links ; and the Earl of Kinghorn was appointed governor of the town, having under his command a garrison of 1800 foot. The main body of the army was now aug- mented, by the arrival of 2000 horse and foot, which had been col- lected in the north, under Lord Eraser, the master of Forbes, and other barons. It did not, however, remain long in this position, for, in the afternoon of the same day, it broke up its encampment in the links, and immediately marched to Kintore, with a train of artillery, consisting of two cartons, or quarter guns, and twelve other pieces of ordnance. After halting there for two days, it proceeded to Inver- wry, * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 454. On the 22d March, sixty young men of the town resolved to proceed, by sea, with their colours and anns, and join the king. They embarked on board a ship in the harbour on the 2Sth of the same month. Dr. Leslie, Principal of King's College ; Drs. Barron, Sibbald, Guild, and Ross, mini- sters of the town ; Sir Alexander Irvine of Drum ; Menzies of Pitfoddels ; and several others, accom- panied them in the same ship. — [^Spalding, vol. i. p. 12O.3 t Before the army entered the town, the magistrates sent a deputation to the Earl of Montrose, with the following proposals :— 1st. That no hostilities should be used against the town, as the citi- zens were disposed to give peaceable entry to the nobility and their amiy. 2d. That if any par- ticular person gave offence, that it should be repaired privately, without reflecting on the pubbc peace. 3. That the citizens should not be forced to receive more men than they could conveniently accommodate; and that such accommodation should be given to the nobility, while in the town, a-> in the power of the citizens. The inhabitants being assembled in a head court, were informed by the provost of the approach of the army and the nobility, in compliance with the orders of the late General Assembly ; but that no injury or violence would be done to them.— [Cohhci7 Register, vol. iii. p. 'io'J.J HOG ANNALS 01' ABERDEEN. AD. 1639- my, where it encamped, with a view to be ready, on an emergency, to retm-n to Aberdeen. The conductors of this army had, previously to their leaving the town, issued their orders to the citizens, enjoining them to fill up, without delay, the trenches, which had been formed for the defence of the town, under the penalty of its being plundered and razed ; but the execution of these orders they seem to have neglected. In a Aprils, few days after, however, they were convened in the Gray Friars church, by order of the Earl of Kinghorn, in name of Montrose, and commanded immediately to destroy the temporary works of fortifica- tion ; to dismount the cannon, which were to be delivered up to the Earl Marischal, along with the ammunition, for the service of the ar- my ; and to remove the catbatids of the ports, under the pain of plundering the town. At the same time, the citizens were required to provide lodging and entertainment to the garrison in the town, at the rate of 6s. 8d. for each man, per day, for the space of eight days ; and the magistrates were enjoined to pledge their assurance to the inhabitants that they should be fvilly indemnified. It was in vain for them to remonstrate ; and, therefore, they submitted with sullen re- luctance. * On the following day they were again assembled in the same, place, by an order of the nobility, and required to subscribe the co- venant, and articles annexed to it, as settled by the General Assem- bly which met at Glasgow, vmder the pain of being disarmed, and having their whole property confiscated, f At this they appear to have hesitated, and requested to be allowed a few days to consider the matter maturely, before they gave their answer. But an expe- dient was at hand to enforce the most speedy obedience to these in- junctions, and it was immediately adopted. April 6. The Earl of Montrose broke up his camp at Inverury, and marched directly to Aberdeen, where he arrived this day, and en- camped his army again in the links, in order to compel the refrac- tory * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 455. t Ibid. vol. lii. p. 456. ANNALS OF AJiKUDEEN. 207 tory citizens to submit to the measures of the covenanters. Being a.d. 1639. assembled on the 9th April, they were informed by the provost that the nobility had expressly commanded them immediately to fortify the blockhouse, for the defence of the town against foreign enemies ; had enjoined them to subscribe the covenant; and to contribute, with the rest of the kingdom, for the expence of the war : and, as the con- tumacy of the citizens had occasioned the army to be marched to the town, they had determined to exact from them a contribution of 100,000 merks, with the whole charges attending it since its arrival; but from this imposition those who had previously signed the cove- nant were to be exempted. Having in vain murmured against these arbitrary orders and heavy imposition, they at length expressed their willingness to fortify the blockhouse, and the greater part of them declared their readiness to subscribe the covenant, and to contri- bute proportionally, in time coming, with the other boroughs, for the support of the army : but if the nobility were determined to exact the contribution which had been imposed upon them, they requested time to be allowed for removing themselves, their families, and property, from the town. The following day being observed as a solemn ffist, there was preached in the church, by Mr. John Eow of Perth, a sermon, which seems to have had considerable influence over the re- fractory part of the citizens ; for, immediately after, almost the whole of them subscribed the covenant, that had occasioned so much dis- tress, and been attended with such serious consequences to them. Montrose now appointed four of the citizens, as commissioners April 10. from the town to the tables at Edinburgh, " to concur with them in such matters as might tend to the glory of God, the king's honour, and the maintenance of the true religion, laws, and liberties of the kingdom." They accordingly repaired to Edinburgh; but no sooner had they arrived, than a fine of 40,000 merks was imposed upon them by the nobility, who ordered them to be confined until they should either pay this money, or report an answer from the town, agreeing to pay it. The magistrates having declined to extricate them from this difficulty, they were committed to the prison of Edinburgh, by a warrant from the nobility and the commissioners of the other tables. ilOS ANNALS OF ABEKDEEN. A.D. 1639. tables, and only liberated at the end of five weeks, at the intercession of the provost and magistrates of that city, vxpon their granting bond, with security, and giving their oaths, that they should return, with- in a specified time, under the penalty of paying the fine which had been so imposed.* The Earl of Montrose having accomplished his military enter- l^rises in the north, without bloodshed, and brought the citizens of Aberdeen to due subjection, by obtaining their subscriptions to the covenant, prepared to march his army to the south. On the 12th April, General Leslie marched from Aberdeen, with the foot and the artillery ; and, next day, Montrose followed, with the remainder of the army, carrying along with them the Marquis of Huntly, whom they had, by some means or other, decoyed into their power. He was conducted to Edinburgh, as a hostage, and imprisoned in the castle, where he remained for some time. The seizure of Huntly, and his subsequent imprisonment, greatly disconcerted his adherents in the north. His second son, James, Viscount of Aboyne ; the laird of Banff; and other loyalists, chiefly of the Gordons, now took arms, and assembled a body of men, whom they had collected from their numerous vassals and dependents in the north ; and manifested hostile intentions towards the cove- nanters. Meanwhile the Earls Marischal and Seaforth, and other barons, who were zealous supporters of the covenanters, had, by the 25th April, collected, in Aberdeen, about SOOO men, with a view to watch the motions of the loyalists, under the Viscount of Aboyne. The Earl Marischal assumecl the title of governor of the town, and required the citizens to furnish a company of eighty men, com- pletely armed, and under oflftcers, for the detachment of the army which had been sent to Monymusk, mider the command of Lord Eraser and the master of Forbes, against the laird of Banff and his partisans ; but this request does not appear to have been readily complied * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 457- et seq. 4C7. ANNALS OF ABEUDEEN. JJ09 complied with. On the first of jNIay, an order was transmitted to the a.d. ifoy. magistrates from the table of the nobility, requiring them to furnish every fourth man, completely armed, to the bound rod, at Edinburid. vol, Ivi. p. 651. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 233 bounded demonstrations of joy, by all ranks of the people, at the ac- a.d. cession of King James. The day was ushered in by bonfires on the streets, and ringing the bells ; the cross was decorated with tapestry, and the citizens assembled in arms, and proceeded to the church, where they heard sermon, after which they accompanied the magis- trates in a procession through the streets, manifesting in psalmody their joy on the happy occasion. The proclamation being read at the cross, the healths of the king and queen, and of the queen dowager, were drank in wine by Sir George Skene, tlie provost ; on which all the people assembled cried " God save the King James VII." A con- cert of instrumental* music was performed on the cross, and the day was concluded with vollies of musketry, f Soon after, the magistrates presented a loyal address to his Majesty, which was graciously re- ceived. His birth-day was afterwards celebrated with unusual de- monstrations of joy ; the citizens were entertained with a concert of mvisic ; an abundance of wine was provided by the magistrates, and distributed among the people, according to the usual custom ; and three rounds were fired from the great guns upon the blockhouse and Castlehill, to add to the honour of the occasion. Although civil contentions in the nations had terminated, and tranquillity and good order been so far restored, yet the arbitrary measures of King James soon became manifest and intolerable to the people, had well nigh proved fatal to their civil and religious liberties, and gone far to overthrow the constitution. No sooner had James ascended the throne, than he openly avowed the tenets of popery, and favoured those who adhered to them. He sent his agents to the Pope, in order that he might make his concessions to the church of Kome ; and that popery, with all its tyranny and superstition, might be revived, as the established religion of the nation These, joined with his other arbitrary and ill-concerted measures, soon alienated the affections of the people, and paved the way for that necessary and important revolution in the government of the kingdom, which, II h happily * According to tradition, the modern favourite air of " Cod save the King" was first introduced, in the course of the concert, on this occasion. t Council Register, vol. Ivii. p. 1 57. SS4 ANNALS or ABERDEEN". \.D. less. liappily for "Britain, was fully accomplished. By those means James having forfeited his crown, William, Prince of Orange, who had some years previously espoused the Princess Mary, his eldest daughter, was invited by all ranks to take upon him the government of the kingdoms, and, soon after, gratified their most ardent wishes by landing at Torbay, with an army of Dutch. His cause was soon em- braced by the nobility and gentry ; and the army of England did not long hesitate to join his standard. James, having now lost the con- fidence of the nation, the state of his affairs became desperate. He made considerable exertions, for some time, to regain his crown; but was baffled in all his attempts to re-establish himself upon the throne, and ultimately withdrew to France, where he resided during the re- mainder of his days. The Prince of Orange found it no difficult matter to accomplish the great work which he had begun. The representatives of the people of England placed him in the administration of the king- doms ; the convention of estates of Scotland concurred in the mea- sure ; and the crown was settled upon him and his consort, now styled King William and Queen JNIary. The greater part of the citizens of Aberdeen had no objection to this change of government, although many of them, who supported episcopacy, still continued to adhere to the cause of King James, and to approve of his measures. On the news being brought to the town of the revolution being established, the magistrates and the greater part of the citizens did not neglect to manifest their joy. An address, congratulating the king and queen on their accession to the throne, being prepared by the magistrates. Dr. George Garden, one of the ministers, was deputed, by the council, to repair to Lon- don, for the purpose of presenting it to their Majesties, which he accordingly did, and was graciously received at court.* For some time after the revolution, the highlanders, under Major- General Puchan, who favoiu-ed the views of King James, infested the town * Council Register, vol. Ivii. p. .302. — In the year lC<}3 Dr. Garden was deprived ol'lu's minis- terial cJiarge, for not qualilying to the king and queen. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 23 OO town and neighbourhood in pretty numerous bodies. They wasted a.d. ifjsy. the lands and plundered the property of all those who supported the new government ; and, as many of the people were not thoroughly reconciled to it, a strong military force was now stationed in the town, for the purpose of suppressing the insurgents, and overawing those who were disaffected. The army under Major-General M'Kay, after the battle of Killiecrankie, occupied the town, and re- mained in it for some considerable time ; and, although the soldiers did not live at free quarters, yet they were supplied with provisions and necessaries by the inhabitants, for which little was received in re- turn ; while considerable damage was occasioned in the neighbour- hood, both by horse and foot of the army, for which no reparation was ever made. * On the demise of King William, who survived his consort a few 1702. years, the crown devolved, by the act of settlement, upon Queen ^^^^""^ ^' Anne, the only surviving daughter of King James, her accession to the throne having been proclaimed at Aberdeen, upon the 23d March. In the early part of her reign, the treaty of union betwixt England and Scotland, which had often been attempted, was again proposed by the parliaments of both kingdoms, and, after many ob- stacles and difficulties had been surmounted, was at length brought to a happy issue. By these means the people of Scotland were at once put in possession of rights and privileges more valuable to them than those which their ancestors had formerly enjoyed. By one of the articles of this treaty, it was settled, that Aberdeen nor. should, jointly with the boroughs of Arbroath, Montrose, Brechin, and Bervie, be entitled to send one representative to the parliament of the united kingdoms of Great Britain. Aberdeen being declared to be the first presiding borough, the election took place there in the month of October, 1708 ; and John Gordon, who had filled the office of provost of Aberdeen for the two preceding years, was unanimously elected member of parliament for that district of boroughs. This honourable appointment, however, does not appear to have been, at that period, H h 2 of Council Register, vol. Ivii, p. 324. 236 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN- A.D. 1707. of SO much consideration as in modern times ; for it was conferred upon him without sohcitation, and without his incurring any ex- pence : and, after his election, he was presented with L.50 sterhng by the treasurer, for the expense of his journey to London. He re- paired to Parhament with his charger, equipped, according to the manner of the time, with a velvet mantle, and other splendid fur- niture. He attended his duty in parhament for two years, and was allowed, by the town council, no less than L.425 7s. 2d. sterhng, in- cluding the L.50 which had been previously advanced, for defraying his personal expenses in two several parliaments.* '■ Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 127. 157. 208. MISCELLANEOUS ANNALS OF ABERDEEX. 237 MISCELLAXEOUS OCCVBJREyCES IN ABERDEEN. From the Year 1633 to 170i. 1033 A severe storm of wind and snow, on the 7th February, demolished the imperial crown of King's College, and injured many houses in the town 1634 Famine prevailed in Caitluiess and Orkney, and supplies given by the town to the inhabi- tants of these places 1635 The citizens prosecuted, at the instance of the Eai-1 of Kinnoul, for concealed money 1637 A ti'ansport, ha\ing on board ninety-two soldiers, was driven out of the hai-bour by an over- flowing of the river Dee, and wrecked, the whole persons on board having perished 1640 The General Assembly met at Aberdeen, and a guard of the citizens was appointed to at« tend it 1644 Alexander Irvine of Kingcausie was barbarously slain by William Forbes, natural son to John Forbes of Leslie, near the to^vn; for which the assassin received 2000 merks froni. the Conmiittee of Estates 1645 The pestilence broke out at Peterhead 1 647 -^— Ritchie de Kincai-dine crematus fuit ob venerem nefandam cum asqua The pestilence raged in the town, and carried off 160O of the inhabitants ^^— The town Serjeants ordered to be clothed in red coats 1649 Gold and silver work, made within the town, ordered, by the magistrates and council, to be assayed by \\411iam Anderson, goldsmith, and stamped with the town's mark 1654 Order from his Highness the Lord Protector, for the union of the two kingdoms, proclaimed at Aberdeen 1657 A great fire in the town extinguished by the English soldiers, for which they received twenty rix-doUars from the magisti'ates 1658 Richard Cromwell proclaimed, at Aberdeen, Protector, on the death of his father, Oliver Cromwell 1659 A watch of forty men appointed, for the protection of the town in the night time 1660 The prison broken by James, Viscoiont Frendraught, who was confined in it for debt Dr James Leslie was appointed physician to the poor of the town, with an annual salary of L.CO 1661 A plan of the town made by Mr. James Gordon, minister of Rothiemay, for which he re- ceived a sUver cup, weighing 20 oimces, and a silk gown to his wife. The plan ordered to be sent to Holland, to be engraved 1664 The pestilence raging in Holland, measures were adopted by the magistrates to prevent in- fection of the inhabitants 1665 An English frigate put into the harbour, to be repaired I6O6 Wainscott or oaken coffins prohibited to be used at interments, either in the church or church-yai'd 1667 Dr. Jolm Menzies, Professor of Divinity in Marischal College, held a public disputation with Wr. Dempster, alias Lagane, a Jesuit. The whole ordered to be printed, at the expense oftheDeanof Guild 238 ANNALS OF ABEHDEEN. 1669 An accidental fire broke out, in the head of the Shiprow, in the night of the October, by which several houses were burnt to the ground, and the inhabitants suffered consider- able loss 1670 Funerals in the town ordered to take place betwixt sun-rising and sun-setting, to prevent accidents. Two persons dangerously wounded at a funeral, betwixt 10 and 11 o'clock at night 1672 Thomas Mercer, late Dean of Guild, fined in L.500 Scots, for defaming the town's minis- ters, and unprisoned until he made a palinode iGl-t William Ogilvie permitted to set up a cooking shop in the town p-i~- Ales. Bruce, baker in Edinburgh, allowed to supply tlie inhabitants with bread, and ad- mitted burgess, on account of the bakers of the town being deficient in baking good bread I68I Two Students of Divinity, from Poland, supported at the expence of the town during their studies, for promoting the Protestant religion 1687 The funeral of the Laird oi Dnun, in Driun's Aisle, attended by the magistrates and the ci- tizens, under arms 1689 The Pope tried, condemned, and burnt in effigy, at the cross of Aberdeen, 11th January, by the Students of the Mai-isrhal Collpgp, in number 99 1698 Thi'ee of the town's serjeants deprived of their offices, imprisoned, put in the stocks, and fed on bread and water, for some time, and afterwards banished from the town, with their wives and families, for ever, for allowing James Gordon, brother of Arradmil, to escape from prison, he being committed for the murder of George Leith of Overhall —— A nunnery of six young women, four priests, and a Popish school, kept by two women, for young childi-en, established at Aberdeen 1703 The public bells of the town ordered to be rung at eight, in place of nine o'clock at night CHAPTER ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 2S9 CHAPTER V. SECTION II. Political affairs of the borough — Public debt contracted during the civil wars, SfC. — Opposition by the Burgesses to Assessments — Ecclesias- tical authority — Quakers — Character and habits of the people, Sfc. — Trade, and progress of Manufactures, SfC. — Post Office — Pro^ gi'ess of Printing — George Jamieson, painter, SfC. — Pestilence and famine — Variotis domestic matters — Table of 3Ioi'fmains for bene- volent purposes — of Assessments, SfC. — of Births — and of Prices of Provisions, S^c. From A.D, 1633 to A.D. 1707. In reviewing the public transactions during the former part of this aera, nothing has been discovered but the violence of party spi- rit, and the fury of civil contention, excited by religious bigotry ; a continual struggle maintained between the crown and the people ; and a total disregard to civil government. From these topics we shall turn, in order to give some account of those domestic matters which occurred ; to examine the progress of trade and manufac- tures, and useful arts ; and to offer some sketches of the manners and habits of the people. The constitution of Aberdeen having been completely established in the end of the sixteenth century, its political affairs continued to be conducted for several years, undisturbed by any dissensions among the leading men of the council, or by any struggles between them and the burgesses. In the year 1623, an act of council was passed, ordering the members to be dressed in gowns when they attended public meetijigs, and when they repaired to the church on Sundays and preaching 240 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. preaching days, as was the practice in other royal boroughs. In pu- ritanical times, it was ordained, that the council should commence and close its proceedings with prayer ; and the provost, or the chief magistrate present, was ordered to officiate in that religious ob- servance. * In the year 1634, there commenced one of those grievances of which the people had so much cause to complain, namely, the ex- tension of the royal jDrerogative, by Charles I. and his son .James VII. and their exercise of authority in the administration of the royal boroughs of Scotland. About that period, the civil affairs of the town were under the direction of Patrick LesHe of Eden, who filled the office of chief magistrate, and had represented the borough in parliament. At Michaelmas, this year, Mr. Leslie had been duly elected provost, in the usual manner ; but, having incurred the king's displeasure by his conduct in parliament, it was his Majesty's pleasure that he should be removed from the office, and Sir Paul JMenzies elected in his place, f This having been communicated to the baillies and council by a royal mandate, Mr. Leslie resigned, and Sir Paul Menzies was appointed chief magistrate. Their ready and obsequious compliance with the royal commands was very gratify- ing to the king ; and, in a subsequent letter, he was pleased to tes- tify his approbation, and signify his thanks to the council. J It would * Council Register, vol. li. p. 39. vol. liii. p. 129. + " Charles R. — Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well. Whereas we are informed of some seditious convocations practised amongst you, coming, as we hear, especially from the elec- tion you have lately made of one Patrick Leslie for your provost, whom we were infonned to have wronged your trust in his carriage at our late parliament, and, therefore, to have deserved no such charge. And, in regard we have always formerly found you forward for our service, and accord- ingly have dispensed our favour to you in what might concern your liberties and privileges ; now, being careful of that which may concern our service, and the peace and weal of that our city, in redressing of the abuses past, and preventing the like inconvenience, it is our pleasure, for that ef- fect, that you remove the said Patrick Leslie from being your provost, and, in his place, we wish you to make choice of Sir PauU Menzies, who was formerly in that charge. So, not doubting of the performance of this our pleasure, we bid you farewell, from oiu: Court at Whitehall, the 10th De- cember, iCS*." — [_Council Register, vol. lii. p. 198.] J " Charles R. — Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well. Understanding of your willing and ready obedience to our letter, in removing your late provost, and accepting Sir Paul! Menzies, ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 241 wovild appear, however, that this arbitrary measure had been ex- tremely displeasing to the party in the council who supported Mr. Leslie ; and perhaps he would have been chosen to the office of provost, at the subsequent election, had not the king adopted measures to prevent it. On the usual day fixed for the nomination of the new council, the bishop of Aberdeen and the sheriff of the county at- tended, and required that the election should be postponed till his Majesty's pleasure should be known. A motion for an adjournment having been made, was, however, negatived by a majority of nine to seven ; but the council, being thus overawed by the bishop, thought proper to suspend, at this time, all further proceedings.* Meanwhile, a mandate was transmitted from the Lord High Chancellor to the council, requiring them neither to elect Mr. Leslie to the office of provost, nor to suffer him to have a vote in the council. The king afterwards issued his letters, commanding them to meet on Wednes- day the 7th October, and to proceed to the election in the usual man- ner. At this meeting Mr. Leslie appeared in the character of a coun- sellor, and tendered his vote, which, according to the directions of the Lord Chancellor, was rejected. The majority being, by these means, unfavourable to Mr. Leslie, Eobert Johnston was chosen provost, f This election, however, does not appear to have coincided altoge- ther with the king's intentions, and, therefore, became the subject of a question before the lords of the privy council, at his command. On the 20th January, 1636, they found, " that the election had not been made in that fair and peaceable manner which became dutiful I i and knight, in that charge ; we do therein acknowledge your good affection to our service, and give you hearty thanks for the same, assuring you that hereafter we will be sparing to give any such fartlier order, unless there be some special occasion moving us thereunto. As for your signature sent unto us for ratifying your liberties, we have at this time returned the same to our advocate, to be confer- red with the last ratification of our late royal father, and if nothing be materially disconforni, or if any things be added by you of new, whereby we, nor none of our good subjects, are prejudiced, that he forthwith cause expede the same, under our cachet and seals ; otherwise, to return it, doc- keted by him, unto us, that it may pass our signature here, and be retui-ned back for that purpose. We bid you farewell, from our Court at Whythall, the twelfth day of Februaiy, 1635." — [^Council Register, vol. lii. p. 203.^ * Council Register, vol. 53. p. 217, et seq. t Ibid. vol. lii. p. 219, et seq. 24ii ANNALS OF ABEUDEKX. and good subjects ; and, as it had tended to foster factions and heart-burnings among the citizens, to tlie disturbance of the public peace and tranquillity of the town ;" they, according to his Majesty's letter, nominated and elected Alexander JafFray to be provost for the present year. At the same time, they continued the other members of council in their respective offices, they always being traffi-eking merchants, and actual inhabitants of the town ; but such persons as did not fall under this description were ordered to be removed. In due compliance Avith this injunction, the council elected another coun- sellor, in place of Gilbert JVIenzies of Pitfoddels, who was a baron, and representative in parliament for the county. * On the usual day of election, in September, 1638, there was presented to the council his Majesty's letter, testifying his approbation of their conduct in the ])resent situation of public affairs, and recommending to them a continuance of it. \ A motion was thereupon made, that no person should be voted into the council who had subscribed the Covenant, or been inimical to the measures of the king, but this does not ap- pear to have been regarded ; and the election having taken place, Mr. Leslie was named a counsellor. At Michaelmas, 1639, he was elected provost, and re-elected to the office in the years 1640, 1642, and 1643.:!: On the day appointed for the annual election, in the year 1646, Mr. Leslie, who had not been a member of council for the preceding year, ** Council Register, vol. lii. p. 235, et scq. •(■ '•■ Chahles R. — Trustie and well beloved, wee greet you weill. Whereas we have, at several t3nneH, understood, and now particularlie, by oure right trustie and well beloved cosen and coun- cillor tlie Marqui'is of" Hamilton, oure coniniissionar, how dutiefullie and cnirfullie you have caried yoursclffis, at this tyine, in what concerned die good of our service. Wee have thought fitt to tak notice of it unto you againe, and to give you hiu-tie thankis for the same ; and as we have now found your aflectionn in a singular way, so wee do assiu'e you that wc shall have a particulai' care of what shall concern you, being confident that you will still continue to carrye yo^selffis as you have done, for the furthering of oure service : and, so farre as you can, in a faire and peaceable way, wee aulliorise you heirby to hinder any othei- from taking any course that is deregatorie thereunto. And so wee bid you fairweil, from our Court at Bagshot, the 7th September, 1C38.— \JJouncU Reghier, vol. lii. p. 401.] t Council Register, vol. lii. p. S95. 493. 577- 753. 80(J. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 245 year, attended the meeting, along with Mr. John Row, one of the ministers of the town, and presented an ordinance of the committee of estates, directing the election to be deferred till next session of parliament, on account of a question being in dependence before the committee, concerning the previous election ; and ordering the pre- sent magistrates and office-bearers, in the meantime, to continue in the exercise of their several offices. The parliament, to which the committee had remitted that question, found, that, as certain excom- municated -persons, and others who were rebels and in arms within the town, had improperly interfered in the election in the year 164G, it was, therefore, null and invalid. The estates nominated and ap- pointed the whole members of council for the present year, and or- dained those whom they had so appointed, to meet upon the 24th February, 1647, and to elect the magistrates and office-bearers. This was accordingly done in the usual manner ; jNIr. Leslie was chosen provost, and at Michaelmas, that year, he was re-elected. After the election which had taken place at Michaelmas, in the year 1648, Lou- don, the Lord Chancellor, issued his mandate, enjoining tlie council to proceed to a new nomination, in case any person who was suspected of ihe crimes and yow/^i expressed in the acts of the committee of estates, of the 22d September and 4th October, had been chosen or continued counsellors ; and requiring j\Ir. Leslie, the late provost, to repair to Edinburgh, and attend the committee of estates. As neither he, nor the provost who had been elected, seemed inclined to convene the council, so as to comply with the injunctions of the chancellor's let- ter, a certain number of the counsellors deputed Alexander Jafiray, one of the baillies, to repair to Edinburgh, to state the matter to the committee. On his representation, an act was passed, declaring and adjudging the election which had taken place to be null and invalid, and nominating the usual number of counsellors for the present year. These were ordained to convene upon the 15th November, and to choose the magistrates and office-bearers for the ensuing year, to which due obedience was shown.* 1 i 2 No * Council Register, vol. liii. p. 86, 105. 186. et seq. 244 ANNALS OF ABEHDEEN". No new election appears to have taken place for the year 1652; and, in September, 1653, Colonel Kobert Lilburn, commander of the English forces in the town, by order of the council of estates, directed the former magistrates and council to continue in their respective offices until further orders. On the 3d of October, 1655, there was presented to the magistrates an ordinance from his Highness the Protector's covuicil, authorising the counsellors who had been for- merly chosen to proceed to the election of the new council, accord- ino- to their ancient laws and customs ; and, upon the lOtli of that month, the old council convened, and made choice of the new, and both together elected the magistrates and office-bearers for the en- suing year, conformable to the usual practice.* In this situation, the political affairs of the town continued, undisturbed by any interfer- ence of the sovereign, till the reign of King James. In the year 1684, a diffierence arose between Sir George Skene of Fintray, then provost, and Walter Kobertson, and certain other lead- ing men in the council, concerning the election for that year ; which led to a question at law before the lords of the privy council. Mr. Eobertson and his friends complained of some undue influence hav- ing been used by Sir George, at the time of his nomination ; but, as the town council declined to espouse the cause of either of the parties, it was referred to the arbitration of the Duke of Gordon, as their sole umpire. His Grace, after due consideration of the matter under reference, determined, that the election of Sir George, as provost, was legal on his part ; and ordained Mr. Eobertson to declare, in pre- sence of the council, that the information given in by him did not proceed from any personal prejudice, but from a desire to maintain the privileges of the borough. He, at the same time, recommended to the parties to cultivate their former friendship, and enjoined them both to enter into a bond, whereby they should engage not to inter- fere in the election of magistrates for three years ensuing, so as ani- mosities among the citizens might be prevented. Both parties acqui- esced in this award, and so the matter terminated, f King * Council Register, vol. liii. p. 398. 428. 46l. t His Grace, on tliis occasion, was received with the highest marks of distinction. On his ap« ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 245 King James VII. had no sooner ascended the throne, than he ma- nifested those arbitrary principles in tlie government of the kingdom which disgusted the people, alienated their affections from him, and ultimately led to his own overthrow. Among the first of his despo- tic acts, was an order to the Lord Chancellor, Melfort, concerning the election of the magistrates and town council of Aberdeen, for the year 1685. On the 15th of September, an intimation was made, by a letter from the chancellor, that the " king had in himself the power of naming the magistrates of all his royal borovighs, as often as this might be for the good of his service ;" and therefore, agreeably to his Majesty's pleasure, recommended to the town council to elect George Leslie, one of the baillies, to be provost for the ensuing year. This- recommendation was obsequiously complied with, and ]\Ir. Leslie was chosen provost. The king, during the remainder of his short reign, strictly adhered to this unconstitutional doctrine ; for, in the year 1686, the chancellor, by command of the king, prohibited any new election at the usual time ; and, immediately after, his JNIajesty him- self, by a letter addressed to the lords of the privy council, nomi- nated everyone of the counsellors — Mr. Leslie being appointed chief magistrate. At the same time, an order was transmitted to the Earl of Errol to attend the council, and to see his Majesty's injunctions implicitly obeyed. In the subsequent year, the election was ordered to be postponed, by a warrant from the privy council, till the king's pleasure should be known; and, in a few months afterwards, all the members of council were appointed, under the same authority. The election for 1688 was postponed, by royal command; but, on the 8th November, a letter was transmitted from the Earl of Perth, chancellor, addressed to the provost, ordering it to be proceeded to ; and the council found it necessary to yield immediate compliance with the injunction. This was among the last arbitrary acts of King James, as sovereign of Britain, for it was speedily followed by the forfeiture of his crown and dominions for ever. * In proach to the town, he was met by a great number of the burgesseSj on horseback, who accompa- nied him to liis lodging; and, on his entry, he was saluted by firing of cannon. — ^Council Register. vol. ivii. p. an.] • Council Register, vol. Ivii. p. 186. 336. 266. 271. 295. 297. i2i6 AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. In the year 1696, the election of the new council having taken place when nine members only were present, was brought under re- duction, and declared null and invalid, by a decree of the lords of the privy council ; and the new counsellors were ordained to be chosen by the magistrates and council, who had been elected in the years 1695 and 1696, jointly. Those so to be elected were appointed to continue in office till JNlichaelmas, 1698 ;* and, by an act of coun- cil, it was declared, that no person should remain in the situation of provost longer than two years successively, at any one period, j- In the beginning of the seventeenth century, many worthy per- sons, actuated by motives of benevolence, and by a regard which they entertained for the town and community, gave and devised, by deeds of mortmain, various svnns of inoney and property, which were vested in the magistrates and town council, as trustees and guardians, for charitable purposes, and for the support of the public works and in- stitutions of the place. These monies had been carefully stocked, and lent to individuals, on such secmity as could be obtained in the town and county ; so that a permanent annual revenue might be de- rived from these funds, and applied, agreeably to the injunctions of the benevolent donors, ij: At the commencement of the civil wars, the stock of the mortmains, although pretty considerable, was soou torn away from the trustees, and applied to relieve the inhabitants of the very heavy contributions that were imposed upon them by the leaders of contending armies. By these means, the funds being early exhausted, and the multiplied impositions upon the citizens having become intolerable, the administrators of the town found it necessary to adopt another expedient to relieve them of these grievous exac- tions, and to extricate them from many other difficulties in which they were involved. The magistrates borrowed money for these pur- poses, in name of the treasurer, from individuals who were inclined to advance it, and pledged the security of the treasury for its repay- ment. At the close of the civil commotions, in the year 1651, the whole accumulated debt, due by the public to the town and commu- nity, * Council Register^ vol. Ivii. p. 592. 604. + Ibid. vol. Ivii. p. COS. + Vide Table, at the end of this section. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. ^47 nity, was computed to be 927,120 merks,* which comprehended not only those sums of money which had been borrowed, in the name of the treasurer, for the above purposes, and for supporting the inhabi- tants during the time that the pestilence raged in the town, but also the funds under the administration of the magistrates and council, as trustees and guardians of the mortmains and public in- stitutions, which we have just mentioned. As soon as the govern- ment of the kingdoms had been confirmed under the protector and his council, the magistrates did not neglect to present to the parlia- ment of England a state of this debt, which appeared to be so well established, that there was no hesitation in passing an act, authoris- ing them to retain the public cess payable by the borough, for liqui- dating it in part ; and the money levied on that account was applied accordingly. But, at the time of the restoration, this had only ex- tinguished 18,000 merks of the principal sum, after payment of the annual interest. Soon after this epocha, it appears, that frequent as- sessments had been made annually upon the inhabitants, under the authority of head courts, for discharging a part of the interest of the treasury debt ; but these, and the sums which were, at the same time, levied, for payment of the stipends of the ministers of the town, and other municipal purposes, were grievous burdens upon the people, who had not yet recovered from the distresses of the civil war. It, there- fore, became necessary for the administrators to adopt a less bui'den- some and more eflfectual expedient for discharging the great load of treasury debt. In the year 1678, they applied to parliament, and ob- tained an act, authorising them to impose and levy the following in- ternal customs and duties ; namely, 4d. on the Scottish pint of ale and beer, and L.50 on every ton of wine ; 2s. on the pint of brandy, wine, and aqua vitae, vended or consumed within the town ; 13s. 4d. on the carcass of every ox, 1 2s. on every calf, and 6d. on every other ani- mal, brought to the market for sale ; f and that for and during the period of eleven years, to enable them to extinguish the debt, due to tlie town and community, amounting, at this period, to 927,000 merks. In * This sum was equal io L.51,50G sterling; and supposed to have been the amount of their losses during the civil wars. — [^Council Register, vol. liii. p. SSO.] t This impost was generally let on lease; and, in the year l6S7, the duty on wines, spirits, and sUe, M-as only L.2350, or L.igj l6s. 8d. sterling.— [;Cc»«/!C(7 Register, vol. Ivi. p. SGl, et scq.] 248 ANXALS OF ABERDEEN. In the year 1695, a similar act was passed, empowering them to levy 2d. on every pint of ale and beer, vended ; L.50 on every ton of wine; L.50 on every butt of sack, Spanish or Rhenish wine ; 2s. on every pint of brandy-wine imported, on strong waters or aqua vita?, distil- led or vended within the town, for thirteen years certain,* and until the balance of the public debt, which, at this period, was computed to be L. 120,000, should be completely extinguished. This term was pro- longed by another act of the parliament of Scotland, in the year 1707, to the further period of twenty-five years, chiefly for the pur- pose of defraying the charge of erecting a new pier on the north side of the harbour, repairing the church, and rebuilding the town- house. By these means the magistrates were enabled to discharge nearly the whole of the debt, which had been contracted in name of the treasurer. And it is no more than a tribute of respect which is due to the memories of the administrators of the town, and of the citizens, to mention, that the funds which had been appro- priated to charitable purposes and public institutions were, about the end of this sera, fully and completely replaced ; while subse- quent generations have amply experienced the benefits which have been derived from these funds. About the same period, the inhabi- tants were relieved from the burden of assessments for ministers' stipends, which were afterwards paid from the funds of the trea- sury. At Michaelmas, 1712, the whole public debt due by the treasurer amounted only to L.41,349 9s. 2d. of which the sum of L. 18,855 7s. 6d. had been recently contracted, for the expense of bringing spring water into the town for the use of the inhabitants, and for erecting jjublic cisterns. The permanent annual reve- nue of the treasury, at this time, was L.8S12 15s. lid.; and the annual charge upon it, for ministers' stipends, and mvmicipal pur- poses, was no less than L. 14,055 lis. 8d. : so that, although all the public funds under the administration of the magistrates and coun- cil had been replaced, either by means of the revenue arising from the * The impost on wines, unJer this act, for the year from September, I698, to September, 1 699, produced only .... L.2229 4 And on the ale, from March, 1699, to March, 1700 - - 2437 3 2 L.4666 7 2 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. O-ii) the impost, under the above acts of parliament, and hy the treasurer interposing his security for the deficiency ; yet he was subjecting himself and the ancient patrimony of the borough to an accumulat- ing debt of L.5742 14s. lid. annually, which, without an assessment upon the inhabitants, or some extraordinary means, never could be cliecked, or prevented ; for even the revenue arising from the im- post was inadequate to accomplish the reduction of it. Indeed, after the rebellion, in the year 1715, the treasury debt had, by these means, increased to the sum of L.50,214 4s. 6d. exclusive of the money due by the community at large for the expense of the pub- lic wells. These circumstances we shall elucidate by the subjoined state, which has been extracted from the annual public accounts, exhibited and read in the Michaelmas head court, previous to the elections.* K k On • State of the Treasurer's Annual Account, at Michaelmas, 1712, for the preceding year. John Middleton, Treasurer. ♦^^■^■v^'^'Vv**'*^^ Permanent Revenue. Scottish Money. 1711 To feu and teind duties received ... £.1422 IQ Q rents of the town's pubUc mills, of the bell and petty customs, &c. let on lease 4058 13 4 rents of shops under the tolbooth, and vault on the south side of the Castlegate > . feu duties receivable . . assessment on the inhabitants, for interest of the debt on the public wells, &c. interest of 1000 merks, due by WiUiam Gordon Taylor nett rent of Pettins and Bogfairly fees of mortcloths, received for the preceding year duplicando, for entering vassals Annual Expenditure. 1711 By ministers' stipends, and coals, and for the Ann, to the relict and children of Mr. James Osbom Equae dues - . . interest of monies due by the treasurer charges of the commissioners to the boroughs salaries to officers, &c. law charges ... the bibliothecar of the college . charges of transporting Mr. Melville, minister, to the town Carried forward ■ - 124 - 288 public wells, &c. 1335 16 - 36 13 4 . 777 1 6 m 250 19 12 £.8312 15 11 £.3568 2 237 4 8 3169 8 744 4 1048 244 5 8 177 8 6 513 15 XsjToa 6 250 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. On these topics we shall have occasion to enlarge more fully, in an- other branch of this work. Altliough Scollish Munci/. Brought forward - £.9702 6 £.8312 15 11 1711 By dean of guild, repaid him for certain municipal diarges, for which the treasury was liable, after applying the funds generally appropriated to these purposes ... petty disbursements this year ... town Serjeants, for attendance on tlie muscle scalp . ... town's advocate, and agent's salaries ... charge of collecting the cess and well money ... cess of Pcttins . - - ... proportion of the chamljerlain's salary - - 1971 14 4- 1717 4 4 289 6' 8 90 13 4 236 17 10 17 10 6 30 3 4 In sterling money 140J5 10 10 £.5742 U 11 £.478 11 2 « % «%i.'W«>%^ V The debt due by the treasurer, at Michaelmas, 1711 Of which there was paid by tlie revenue arising from the impost And there remained the sum of Of which there was due, by the community, for the well debt And there remained a balance of • Oi', in sterling money These sums were due tothe other public funds, under the adminis- tration of the magistrates, having been advanced, from time to time, to the treasurer, as the pubUc exigencies required. £.49068 4 5000 £.44068 1SS55 £.25212 17 £.2101 1 The debt due by the treasurer, at Michaelmas, I716, was as follows, viz. : — £.8641 16 1 12435 7 II 3386 19 9 fo the master of guild brethren's hospital . the master of kirk and bridge works . the dean of guild . the master of mortifications . Alex. Innes, merchant in Edinburgh . Mrs. Betty Uchiy Of which sum there was due by the community, for the debt eon- ti-acted by the treasurer, for the public wells, being So there remained a balance of - The debt due at Micliaelmas, 1711, was only So that it had increased, in 'five years • 38025 12 2 4000 O 2666 13 11 £.69156 9 10 18942 5 4 £.50214 4 6 25212 17 1 £.25001 7 5 ANNALS OF ABKKDEEN. 251 Although there had been no political dissensions, during this pe- riod, between the burgesses of guild and the administrators of the town, yet an attempt was made, in the year 1678, to inflame the minds of the citizens against the magistrates, concerning certain assess- ments, which had been authorised by the annual head courts, for de- fraying the municipal charges of the town, for answering the deficiency of the interest of the pviblic debt, which had been contracted during the war, and in the time of the pestilence ; and for other public pur- poses. John Innes, and some other burgesses who adhered to him, con- ceiving that they were entitled to annul this jiroceeding, commenced an opposition to the assessment ; and Mr. Innes" patriotic zeal unfor- tunately led him so far as to ofl^er indignity to the magistrates in the annual head court. In order to vindicate their authority, they not only imposed upon him a very heavy fine, but committed him to jjrison, shut up his shop, and disfranchised him. This very rigid exertion of power compelled him to present a complaint to the lords of the privy council, charging the magistrates with having com- mitted upon him an act of oppression. They, in return, recriminated, and accused him " of stirring up sedition and mutiny among the ci- tizens, by asserting that they had, since the restoration, uplifted up- wards of 20,000 merks from the town, by way of assessment, and applied the money to their own private use ; although it consisted with his knowledge that they had expressed their readiness to shew that it had been profitably applied to payment of the ministers' sti- pends, to the support of the public hospital, and to other municipal purposes." They, at the same time, represented to the privy coun- cil, that the common good of the borough was so inadequate to the charge upon it, that there was an urgent necessity for assessing the inhabitants yearly for the deficiency ; and they denied the assertion of Mr. Innes, that, in stenting, they had charged him for his importations, and then assessed him for the same goods, when he retailed them. In those arbitrary and despotic times, where justice was often pre- vented by faction and interest, Mr. Innes had very little chance of obtaining redress of his grievances, especially where public function- aries were concerned. The lords, after mature deliberation, ajDproved of the conduct of the magistrates, in every point, and, as he had been, in the meantime, liberated from confinement, ordained him, under a K k 2 penalty 25S ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. penalty of 2000 merks, to return to prison within ten days, where he was to remain, during the pleasure of the magistrates. He submit- ted accordingly, acknowledged his offence, and having, in a head court, which was assembled for the purpose, craved their pardon, his liberty and freedom were restored to him, and L.lOO of his fine re- mitted. * This circumstance seems to have checked, for many years, every opposition to the assessments upon the inhabitants ; for, dur- ing the remainder of this period, very heavy sums were continued to be assessed annually, for ministers' stipends and municipal charges, Sec. which will appear from the table annexed to the end of this chapter. "When episcopacy had been abolished in Scotland, the committees of religion, as they were called, assumed the whole ecclesiastical ju- risdiction. The Scottish presbyterian clergy claimed an absolute in- dependence of the civil magistrate, and ruled with rigour and unrelaxing austerity over their congregations. We have already had occasion to remark, that the church session of Aberdeen had, from its earliest establishment, possessed vmbounded authority, and exer- cised its jurisdiction with unrelenting severity. In the present age, this court did not abate its rigorous discipline over unfortunate transgressors, on whom absurd and extravagant punishments f con- tinued * Council Register, vol. Ivi. p. 338. 345. 351. et seq. — Fountainhall's Dec. vol. i. p. 16. f We have selected, from the records of the church session, the following, as specimens of the many cases which occurred before this ecclesiastical judicatory, in the course of this age : — 1st July, 1638. — Jeills Paterson, who confessed foinication with Adam Dow, servant to Alex- ander Sutherland of Forres, within his ship, at the quay, was ordained to be carted from the cross to the quayhead, where she was to be ducked at the cran ; thereafter, to be confined in the correc- tion-house till Whitsunday next, and to be whipped eceri/ Moiidat/ during that period. 30th August, 1640. — Elspet Taylor, spouse to Alex. Robertson, having confessed the sin of adultery with John Gordon, brother of Alexander Gordon of Birsemore, as she alleged, was ordained to be scourged at the cross to-morrow, to be carted through the town, with a paper crown on her head, and the bellman to go before, and proclaim her banishment from the town. The same day — Agnes Hay, guilty of fornication with William Ross, soldier, under promise of marriage, and hands proclaimed, was ordered to be carried to the correction-house, and, on Satur- day next, to be taken to the cross, and set in the branks, having her head clipped; and to make ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 253 tinued to be inflicted, for irregularities and deviations from the ordi- nances of the church ; the consequence of which was, that cliild murder was not unfrequentiy committed, and many unhappy per- sons suffered the utmost severity of the law. About the year 1641, Mr. Andrew Cant, who had been distinguished as an active promoter of the covenant, was appointed one of the luinisters of the town, and, for some time, had the whole ministerial charge. No sooner had he entered upon the duties of his office, than he began to exercise his ecclesiastical authority with much rigour, and even fulmi- nated his anathemas against the civil magistrate, for not complying with his dictates. His ecclesiastical tyranny at length became intole- rable to the people, and his congregation was compelled to complain to the magistrates, of his having introduced, under pretence of religious zeal, innovations and practices into the church, by which no person could be admitted to the communion, except those who presented themselves for trial of their religious faith, and were found duly qua- lified, as fit christians, to partake of that sacred ordinance. This complaint he appears to have disregarded ; and, in place of yielding to the remonstrance of the magistrates, against the impropriety of his conduct, declaimed against them from the pulpit for their interfer- ence in what he considered to be cognizable only in the church ses- sion. The matter was represented to the provincial synod, but re- dress was not to be expected from this court ; and both the magis- trates and the congregation were compelled to submit, with reluctance, to his decrees. In the year 1660, a complaint was presented to the magistrates, charging him with having published a seditious book, entitled Lex Rex, without authority, and for denouncing anathemas and imprecations against many of his congregation, in the course of performing her repentance on Sunday : and to be conveyed back to the coiTection-house, where she was to remain during the pleasure of the session. 17th December, I66O. — George Mill, who had been whipped tlirough the town for a trelapsc in fornication, having cursed the spectators, was found to have been heinously guilty, and remitted to the presbytery, as worthy of excommunication. ITOS.'.— Francis Shepherd being deleted before the presbytery, for having drank Satan's health, was ordained to appear in the churchy in sackcloth, to expiate his offence, but died in the mean- time. 254 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. performing his religious duties. A variety of proceedings took place on this question before the magistrates, but no judgment was given ; jMr. Cant, however, finding his situation rather unpleasant, amidst popular discontents, withdrew himself from his pastoral charge, re- moved from the town with his wife and family, and died about the year 1G64.* After the re-establishment of episcopal authority, the clergy and the church session did not relax in their severity and ty- ranny over the people ; nor were these reformed in their morals by the punishments which were inflicted upon them, but seem to have persevered in their irregularities, almost in defiance of the civil and ecclesiastical covirts. In this age, there were few religious sects in Aberdeen, the people being either presbyterians, or of the episcopal persuasion, although not a few continued to adhere to the doctrines of popery. In the year 1663, the religion of the quakers began to gain ground among some of the inhabitants. It had, by this time, made consi- derable progress in England, under the famous George Fox and James Naylor ; and its enthusiasm having spread to this place, occa- sioned no little disturbance, both to the magistrates and to the eccle- siastics. Mr. George Keith, William Nepper, shipmaster, and Wil- liam Stuart, three of the citizens, having broken off all connexion with the established church, and openly avowed the principles of the quakers, the magistrates considered that this religious innovation deserved their serious attention. They convened these people be- fore them, condemned them to be immediately conducted out of the town by the Serjeants, and prohibited the inhabitants from harbour- ing them in their houses, under heavy penalties. These severities they bore with their usual patience, persisting in holding occasional religious meetings in the town, and increasing the number of their proselytes. The magistrates, alarmed at their success in gaining converts and, perhaps, instigated by the clergy, f without further * Council Registei-j vol. lii. p. 624. vol. liii. p. 413. 437. et seq. vol. liv. p. 189. 200. et seq. t Thomas Milne, shoemaker, liaving become a convert to the quakers, was called before the church session, but having persevered in maintaining his principles, was remitted to the three mi- ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 255 further enquiiy, issued their orders to apprehend all male quakers at their next convention, to imprison them in the jail, and to shut up their meeting-house. Such, however, was their enthusiasm, that they were not to be intimidated by these rigorous measures. They persevered in the profession of their religious doctrines, and were sub- jected to every indignity, of imprisonment and disfranchisement. Having appropriated a piece of ground, on the east side of the Gal- lowgate, to the interment of their dead, they buried the bodies in it, without any religious ceremony ; but this having attracted the atten- tion of the magistrates, they ordered these to be raised, and buried in consecrated ground, and the walls of their biu'ial place to be demo- Ushed. To all these oppressions they submitted, without the least mur- mur. In the year 1674, Thomas Dochi-ay and William Gelly, two of these inoffensive people, were imprisoned, under a warrant from the magistrates, upon a charge which was brought against them for derid- ing the holiness of the k'u'k, by calling it a steeple-house, and for at- tending their conve^iticle. Those men remained in jail for some time ; but a representation being made to the lords of the privy council, they were ordered, by a letter from the Lord Chancellor, to be liberated. After this period, the quakers appear to have been al- lowed to practise their devotions and religious duties agreeably to the principles which they professed, and to bury their dead, accord- ing to their own custom, without molestation.* In this puritanical age, the people in general seem to have "been extremely bigotted ; while men in office assumed a grave and even sanctified demeanour. Theology appears to have been their favourite study, and the object of their thoughts and contemplations. Their literature was the sacred writings, and the more enthusiastic description of commentators on the bible. The publications of au- thors connected with Aberdeen demonstrate this in a very strong de- gree, and mark the ruling temper of their minds. That sanctity was religiously observed by those in the profession of the law, who would not [listers of tlie town, to use their influence with him, which seems to have had veiT little effect, and the luatter was dropped. — [^liccurih- of Church Session, 2j/A Nol. KJiJl.J * Council Register, vol. liv. p. 495. vol. Iv. p. 209. 352. 402, 561. 6"28. 256 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. not presume to use the name of the supreme being in the introduc- tory clause of a notarial instrument, lest they should incur the dis- })leasure of the church. Their writings and public papers were also iVamed and written in a loose and careless manner, which evinced that their speculations were generally engaged in something else than the object befoi-e them. On days appropriated to public re- joicing, the people expressed their exultations^ in psalmody on the streets, in imitation of their superiors ; and, although the former part of the day was devoted to i-eligious duty, yet the latter part was often spent in drinking wine, which not unfrequently engendered strife and disorder among the citizens. To restrain their licentious disposition, statutes were repeatedly enacted by the magistrates and council, denouncing blasphemers, profaners, and all those who committed breaches of the Sabbath, by walking on the streets, or in the fields, during the time of sermon ; prohibiting keepers of taverns from selling sjoirituous liquors to any person, after nine o'clock at night, under the penalty of L.IO; and interdicting the sale of flesh, fish, and green herbs, on Sunday. * During no part of this period have we discovered any games or pastimes in practice among the citizens, except bowling,-\ and golfing^ which last continues to be a favourite recreation at the present day. Bowling greens are said to have originated in England, and bowling was a popular amusement for many centuries. It was first intro- duced, by the citizens of Aberdeen, after the restoration, in the links, where a regular green was formed for their accommodation, about the beginning of the eighteenth century. When the garden of Robert Gordon's hospital was laid out, about the middle of that period, a bowling green was made in it for the use of the citizens ; but it is not now so generally frequented as it was wont to be in former times. Eioting, * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 10. vol. Iv. p. 139. t Two or more persons could engage in this pastime. A small bowl, or Jack, served as a mark for the direction of the bowls, and which was bowled at alternately by the players ; the successful candidate being he who could lay his bowl nearest to the mark. It was seldom practised by the juvenile part of the citizens. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 257 Rioting and meal-mobbing, in the town, appear to have com- menced in the year 1638, being incited by the exportation of meal from the port of Aberdeen. The artificers having taken the alarm, as- sembled, along with their servants, in hostile array, armed with swords and pistols, and seized and carried oif, in their passage to the quay, eighty sacks of meal, which they lodged in the Trinity hospital. The magistrates did not iTftglect speedily to suppress this insurrection, and to redress the outrage which had been committed. They summoned before them the convener and deacons of the incorporations, and im- posed a fine of L.80 upon the former, and L.40 upon each of the latter ; and ordained them to acknowledge the offence in the public court.* This summary exertion of authority seems to have checked tumultuous disorders of this kind for many years. The civil commotions, and distracted state of the nation, during the greatest part of the seventeenth century, proved a great obstruc- tion to trade and manufactures in Scotland; and the progress of these was necessarily very languid. In the year 1612, the magis- trates made an attempt to establish a herring fishery at Aberdeen, and, with that view, purchased, at Rotterdam, a vessel of fourteen lasts burden, completely fitted out with nets and lines, and en- gaged a Dutchman, as master and conductor of the business, to whom they promised an adequate remuneration for his services and attention ; but what progress they made in the undertaking we have not been informed. In the year 1636, they obtained from King Charles I. a patent for establishing a house of correction, chiefly with the view of reforming the morals, and of promoting good order and industry among a cer- tain description of the inhabitants, who were to be employed in ma- nufacturing broad cloths, kerseys, sei/s, and other coarse cloths. This being a new and important undertaking, Robert and Nicholas Beas- ton were brought from Edinburgh to superintend the work, and to direct the magistrates in the proper mode of conducting it. For this establishment, a property was purchased in that part of the L 1 town * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 380. §58 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. town which afterwards obtained the name of the Correction-wynd, at the expense of 2000 merks, raised, under the authority of a head court, by an assessment upon the citizens.* The manufacture of cloths was carried on, in the house of correction, for several years, by a joint stock company, to a pretty considerable extent ; but met with great obstruction, during the civil wai-s, from the contending armies, which, on repeated occasions, pillaged their wares. Afte* the disastrous battle of the Crabestone, the proprietor's loss was estimated at L,1863 16s. 8d. being the value of goods which had been plundered by the Irish soldiers, and carried off from the shops of those who had fallen ; be- sides 286 ells of broad cloth, and 185 of kerseys, that had been given to the leaders of the army, by order of the magistrates, for preventing the destruction of the merchants' books. Some years afterwards, in order to promote this undertaking, they purchased a fulling mill, on the river Don ; but, towards the close of the century, the trade seems to have languished, and the work was abandoned about the year 1711, when the properties were sold, and converted to other purposes. This establishment appears to have partaken of the nature of a mo- dern bridewell ; for all vagabonds and minor delinquents were or- dered, by a special act of the town council, to be confined, and em- ployed at work in the correction-house, which, not vmfrequently, was also appropriated as a prison for ecclesiastical offenders. From the account of customs of the port of Aberdeen, which were collected by the magistrates, under the authority of the execu- tive power, for the year from 1st November, 1650, to 1st Novem- ber, 1651, it appears, that 73,358 ells of plaidenf were manufac- tured, and exported to Campvere and Dantzic. This work may, therefore, be reckoned the parent of all the subsequent manufac- turing establishments of that kind in the town. About this pe- riod we may be allowed to date the origin of the manufacture of stockings, which, in the subsequent century, acquired so much repute abroad, * Council Register, vol. lii. p. 301. + Sir Patrick Drummond, at that time Conservator in HollancJ, often remarked, that Scotland was more obliged to the town of Aberdeen, for returns in money for its trade, than to all the other towns of the kingdom.-— \_P/tilojiuliUus' Hialurj uj Aberdeen, p. SiS.J ANNAI.S or ABCUDEEN. 259 abroad, and tended not only to enricli many of the citizens avIio em- barked in that branch of manufacture, but to atibrd constant cmplov- nient, both to the young and to the old, who were employed in spin- ning the raw material, and knitting the stockings. In the course of the last mentioned period, 415 dozens of pairs of these were exported to Campvere, Norway, and Dantzic. In the year 1640, Robert Johnston, Esq. of London, a native of Aberdeen, actuated by motives of benevolence, with a view to promote industry among the inhabitants, devised, by his last will, to the magistrates and council, the sum of L.600 sterling, which he or- dered to be applied in such a manner as to enable them to employ the poor people of the town in trade and manufactures. The yearly profit to be derived therefrom was directed to be appropriated to the relief of the aged blind, lame, and impotent people of the town. This money seems, on frequent occasions, to have been employed in purchasing materials for various branches of manufactures, and particularly in promoting those which we have just now had occa- sion to mention. Salmon and pork were, at this time, as they had been for many previous ages, the staple commodities of Aberdeen. These articles were exported to Holland, France, and Spain, on a pretty extensive scale, and made certain and prompt returns to the merchants. Salmon were caught, in great abundance, in the rivers Dee and Don, and produced, in favourable seasons, upwards of 1440 barrels.* The curing and preparing the salmon for the foreign market was particu- larly attended to by the magistrates, who appointed not only the coopers that were employed in salting and packing the fish, but also a person to mark the barrels with the letters abd, before they were ship- ped for exportation. By these means, improper practices were pre- vented, and the commodity, being known by that distinguishing mark, acquired a character in the foreign market. After the union of the two kingdoms, salmon caught in the early part of the season L 1 2 found * A barrel contained about 2o0 pounds ■weight of salmon. The season commences I2th De- cember, and ends 19th September. g60 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. found a ready market at London. The fish was boiled, and pre- served with vinegar, and exported to that city in small kits, from time to time, by swift sailing smacks, employed for the purpose. Some of these vessels were provided with wells, in which the fishes were preserved alive till they arrived at London ; but this did not al- ways answer the purpose intended, for a tedious or stormy passage often proved fatal to the cargo. Towards the end of the eighteenth century, a very important discovery was made, for preserving salmon in a fresh state, by means of ice, which tended very much to increase tlie demand of the London market, and greatly to enhance the value of this species of property. The pork of Aberdeen was long esteemed in the foreign market, not only on account of its intrinsic quality, but from the care and attention which was bestowed upon it by the coopers in curing and packing it. For centuries, the inhabitants were in the practice of rearing hogs ; and the farmers and millers in the county had gene- rally one or more of these to dispose of. They were purchased by the butchers of the town, killed at the age of fifteen or eighteen months, and sold to the coopers, who cured the pork for exportation. The magistrates, at an early period, established salutary regulations for this branch of trade ; and an officer was appointed, under their au- thority, to examine the quality and soundness of the pork, before it was delivered to the purchaser, or allowed to be removed from the market place. Besides these articles, there were considerable exports of wool- fells,* plaiden, fingrams, stuffs, serges, and stockings. The imports consisted principally of wines, brandy, sugar, tobacco, soap, iron, slates, warlike stores, and manufactured goods, from Holland, Flan- ders, and other parts of the continent ;f but the intercourse with England would seem to have been very inconsiderable. In * Thirty thousand lamb skins were said to have been exported, in one year, to Dantzic. t The return of customs and excise to the crown, by Aberdeen, after the restoration, was esfi- niatcd, in the 17th century, at L,30,000 Scots, or L.2,500 Sterling. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 261 The shipping belonging to the port of Aberdeen appears to have gradually decayed, in consequence of the civil wars ; and the destruction of the inhabitants, by the plague, proved fatal to com- merce, which did not revive for many years. In the year 1656, the only vessels belonging to the port were, one of 80 tons burden, one of 70, one of 60, three of 50 tons each, two of 30 tons each, and one of 20; in all, nine vessels, or 440 tons.* In the year 1692, there were only two galliots belonging to it, of 30 tons burden each. In the end of the seventeenth century, a company was established in Scotland, under the authority of an act of parliament, for trading to Africa and the East Indies, known by the name of the African Company^ which flattered the nation with unbounded prospects of extensive trade and dominion. Among other adventurers, the ma- gistrates of Aberdeen agreed to hold a share in it, to the extent of L.SOO sterling, for behoof of the community ; but the opposition made to this undertaking by the people of England, and the dis- couragement which it met with from King William, soon blasted all the sanguine expectations of the projDrietors. In a few j-ears, the company was dissolved, and the town of Aberdeen suffered, among others. On the passing of the treaty of union, in 1707, a part of the equivalent was voted for an indemnification to this company, for its heavy losses, and the magistrates received their proportion of the money which had been appropriated to that purpose, f In the end of this last mentioned year, the magistrates and some of the citizens appear to have been embarked in a more lucrative adventure. The Levant galley, of Amsterdam, having been driven on shore by a violent storm, in the month of December, was unfor- tunately wrecked, on the sands of Belhelvie, about five miles to the north of the town ; but the captain and crew were saved. The ship, it would seem, had been in the course of her outward passage to the East Indies, and had on board a cargo of broad cloths, and other va- luable goods. At this period, perhaps, the preservation of property, in this critical situation, for behoof of the owners, was not so much regarded * MS. in Advocates' Library. t Council Register, vol. Ivii. p. 524. vol. Iviii. p. 71. 7;'' OQ<2 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. regarded as at the present time ; and, therefore, the captain was in- duced, for a piece of money, to dispose of tlie ship and cargo to some of the merchants of the town. As soon as the bargain had been con- cluded, it was transferred by these merchants to the magistrates, for the beneiit of the community, in consideration of the sum of L.200 sterhng, which was paid to them for rehnquishing it. The Earl of Er- rol, as admiral of that part of the coast, claimed his salvage for the ship and cargo, and was paid by the magistrates L.300 sterling, on this ac- count ; but his Lordship was pleased to return L.50 sterling, to be applied towards erecting the pier at Torry. The dyers received L.105 lis. ^d. for washing and cleaning the cloth, which was sold at 7s. 6d. the yard. The profits arising from this adventure were or- dered, by the council, to be invested in landed projjerty ; * but what these profits were, or how they were applied, we have not been in- formed. The timber saved of the wreck was used in constructing the wooden head of the south pier, and in covering the platform of the Weigh-house. At the aera of the restoration, the post-office of Aberdeen does not appear to have been under the management of government. It had been established by the magistrates in the end of the sixteenth cen- tury, for conveying their dispatches to and from Edinburgh, and other places of royal residence. They appointed a person for conducting these dispatches, under the name of the council post, who was dres- sed in a garment of blue cloth, with the town's armorial bearings, in silver, upon the right sleeve. In the year 1667, they established a regular post, to run betwixt Aberdeen and Edinburgh, twice in the week ; to leave Edinburgh on Tuesday and Thursday, and Aberdeen on Wednesday and Friday. The rate of postage was 2s. for a single letter, 4s. for a double letter, and 5s. for a packet weighing one ounce, f But, at this period, epistolary correspondence not being so extensive as in modern times, the revenue derived from that source was very inconsiderable ; and the post-office not being considered as any object to government, Avas confirmed to the town by an act of the privy council. To this department there was annexed the addi- tional Council Register, vol, Iviii, p. 86, et seq. t Ibid. vol. liv. p. 725, 727- 733. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 263 tional privilege of letting horses for hire, which was generally farmed to a person who was visually employed in that line of business. After the magistrates had formed a proper establishment for the post, they were deprived of the office by government ; and the conveying of letters and dispatches was, in the year 1674, put under the direction of the postmaster-general of Scotland. * They were, however, still allowed to exercise the privilege of letting horses for hire within the town ; and were in the practice of farming it from year to year, till towards the middle of the eighteenth century, when it appears to have been drojDped. In the preceding chapter we had occasion to mark the dis- covery of the art of printing, its introduction into Scotland, and the establishment of a printing-office at Aberdeen. On the death of jMr. Kaban, the first printer, in the year 1649, Mr. James Brown was ap- pointed his successor, by the magistrates and town council, on the 9th of the subsequent month of January, with the same emoluments which his predecessor had been entitled to receive from the town. He printed the works of several authors who flourished at the time.f On his death, which happened in the year 1662, John Forbes, sta- tioner, purchased from Agnes Eutherford, his widow, the whole types, printing presses, and apparatus, which had belonged to her husband ; and, on the 23d April, that year, Mr. Forbes and his son, jointly, were appointed, by the magistrates and council, printers to the town and university,:}; with the exclusive privilege of printing. As an encouragement to prosecute the business, they were provided with a printing-office, on the north side of the Castlestreet, and a dwelling house, rent free ; § and, by an act of council, all merchants and chapmen were prohibited from importing into the town any pamphlets or small books, to their prejudice. Some years subse- quent * Council Register, vol. Iv. p. 56l, et seq. + In 1631, he printed " The form and order of the Coronation of Cliailes II. as it was acted and done at Scone, the 1st January, iGol." X Mr. Forbes had a salary of L.60 yeaily from the King's and Marischal CoUegc— |^Cw«a7 /?c'- gislei; vol. liv. p. 576.3 § Council Register, vol. liv. p. 365. 264 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. quent to this appointment, Andrew Anderson, formerly a printer in Glasgow, having commenced business at Edinburgh, prevailed on the printers in this city to apply for a patent, to be taken out in his name, by which they were to be jointly vested with the office of King's printer. Having succeeded in their application, they, in the ^'■ear 1C71, obtained a patent so extensive, that no one in the kingdom was at liberty to print any book, from a bible to a ballad, without a licence from Anderson.* They accordingly availed themselves of it, by commencing a law-suit against all the printers in Scotland for en- croaching upon their rights ; and Mr. Forbes, among others, experi- enced the weight of their action, having incurred very heavy charges in the defence of his privilege. The magistrates, however, conceiving that this was an infringement of their right, interposed, and main- tained his privilege, in opposition to the patent. On this Anderson, in February, 1672, wrote them upon the subject a very satisfactory letter,! in which he and the other printers most readily dispensed with * Watson's History of Printing, Preface, p. 11, et seq. t " My Lord Provost — Ther has been ane misrepresentanie of ane gift grantit by his Majes- tie to me and my partners, in qch I am allowed the priviledge of being printer for the kingdome, insinuating that I have ingrosed all printing and seUuig of books in my own hands, contrai' to the libertie of prenters and booksellers, if they had any, and to extorse the leidges with exorbitant l)ryces, and to discharge importing of books for public or privat use ; all which is false and anelis, for ther was never such thing intendit by me or my pai'tners, against any man who hes served to the ai-t of printing, or to any bookseller, they behaving themselves regularlie to the laws of the kingdome, and being frie of all impeachment upon his Majestie's honor or prerogatives. Thei-for, my Lord, wit ye me to dispens with my brother, Jolm Forbes, notwithstancUng of that gift, to pi-int all the coppies that sail occiu-r or come to his hands from your LordP, or any other particular per- sone within or without the citie of Aberdeen, being licentiate by your Lopf, my Lord Bishope, or inferior Clergie, excepting such books as I have prented besyde me, or, efter intuna", such as I am to prent; all these premifl" ar condescendit upon by your printer and me, with consent of my partners ; and for mor verifica"" of my consent y^unto, lett ther presents be insert in your toun's books, therein to stand, adfutiiram rei memoriam. Without doubt, it hes cost your printer much expenss in attending this business ; but tuo lyns from your Lopf might have saifit this travel!, whicli hes bien so pleged by him, that no rest could be allowed to me or my partners, till we hade fullie aggreid ; and this wes without prejudice to the priviledges of the city, coUadges, or printer of Aberdeen. I owe and desyre to be craved debitor to your Lopf, and toune of Aberdeen, for my service and respects. I am, my Lord, your most hiunble servant, " Andro Andersone. " Thomas Brown. " David French. " Geohge Suintoun." '• James Glen. Council Register, vol. Iv. p. SQi. ANNALS or ABERDEEN, 26o with their patent, so far as it interfered with JMr. Forbes' right, and allowed him, or any other printer, who might be licensed by tlie ma- gistrates, by the bishop, or the inferior clergy, to print any book what- evei-, except such works as had been executed, and were not dis- posed of, by the patentees. The law-suit being, therefore, aban- doned, My. Forbes continued to carry on the business upon a pretty extensive scale, without further molestation. He was among the first Scottish printers who Avere possessed of music types ; and printed, in the year 1666, a Collection of Cantos and Songs, set to music, with a brief introduction to the art, as taught by Thomas Davison, in the music school of Aberdeen ; which work he re-printed, in the year 1682.* Mr. Forbes, in the course of his business, unfortunately incurred the displeasure of his patrons, in the year 1683, by pubhshing a pamphlet on Medicine, in which there were re- flections thrown upon the conduct of some of the physicians and sur- geons of the town, and, for this offence, was subjected to the cen- sure of the magistrates.! He was the earliest publisher, in Scotland, of an almanack, commencing in the year 1 677, under the title of a " New Prognostication, calculated for North Britain j-'' \ which was embel- lished by the armorial bearings of Aberdeen on the title page. This work he continued to publish annually, until the year 1700; but it soon attracted the attention, not only of Mr. Anderson's widow, who, in the right of her husband's patent, was now the king's printer in Edinburgh, but also of certain other printers ; and became an object of their jealousy and rivalship. They reprinted it, without Mr. For- bes' permission, and counterfeited the arms of the town, which they also affixed to their publication. On this he was advised to present a complaint to the lords of the privy council, charging tliese prin- ters with having deprived him of his right, and suitable reparation was M m awarded * Mr. Forbes printed these small Latin Authors, Qiiwdam P. VirgUli Maronis Epigrammata, cum Moreto, Sfc.—Comparadones Lingucv Latince, in usum sludiosce juveiilulis, ul docentur in Scholis Grammaticis. + Council Register, vol. Ivii. p. 73. X Of this work Mr. Forbes generally published 50,000 copies annually ; for each of which he received a jfj/«cA, or one third of an English penny.— [Fo««^a/«/(a//'i Dec. vol. i. p. 373.] OQQ ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. awarded to him for the injury.* Some years afterwards, this httle work was attacked by James Paterson, weaver in DubUn, with scurri- lous observations and indecent caricaturas, whicli Mr. Forbes an- swered with this apposite proverb, " A?isn'er not a fool according to his folly, lest thou be like unto him."f He died about the year 1705, and was succeeded in the office of printer to the town and vmiversity, by ]\Iargaret Cuthbert, his widow. After the commencement of the civil wars, in the reign of Charles I. the art of printing made no progress in Scotland, and it cannot be supposed that, for many years, it was a lucrative business to those who were embarked in it. During those civil commotions, the party in power endeavoured to crush, by every means, the freedom of the press. In the year 16i8, the committee of estates passed an act, pro- hibiting the printing, vinder the pain of death, any book, declaration, or writing, until these were first submitted to their revisal. :j: Upon the restoration, the prohibition was renewed against printing, without li- cence ' Fountainhall's Dec. vol. i. p. 275. " Edinburgh, 2Sth of February, 1684. — The Lords of his Majesty's right honourable Privy Council having considered the lybel and complaint persued by John Forbes, printer in Aberdeen, against Agnes Campbell, his Majesty's printer, and Patrick Tailzie, now her spouse, for his in- terest ; and Robert Sanders, printer in Glasgow ; for an injury done him in reprinting tlie Almanack of Aberdeen, printed by hini ; and the said Robert Sanders, not only re-printing thereof, but coun- terfeiting and affixing the Anns of Aberdeen thereto ; witli the Defenders' answers to the complaint, and Report of a Committee of their number, to whom the consideration of that affair was remitted ; Do iind that the said John Forbes hath been in use and possession of printing yearly an Almanack, as printer to the town and university of Aberdeen : and, therefore, allows and authorises him to continue to print the said Aberdeen Abnanack, as he hath formerly been in use to do : and dis- charges the said Agnes Campbell, Robert Sanders, or any other printers in this kingdom, to reprint the same, at any time, or to affix the Town of Aberdeen's Aims thereto, in all time coming, as they will be answerable. Extracted by me, " Sic Sub. Will. Paterson, Cls. Sti. Consilii." t Prognostication for l685. i The liberty of the press had been put a stop to, several years before, by the following act : — '■' At Edinburgh, the 2(j»h June, 1648 yeires. — The Comittee of Estaits taking into their considera- tion the prejudices the publick service may suffer, throw the uncontrolled liberties that printers tak to thameselfes. To print anie books, declarations, or other paipers q-somevir, that ar presented to lliame. And fand it necessary, at this tyme, that some care war takin for ordering the course of printing. Doe, therefore, coiiiand, discharge, and inhibite all and q^um' printers, or others, having charge of printing irnes, or presses. That none presume, nor tak upone hand, to pint anie books. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 26? cence from the king, the parliament, or privy council ; and those who presumed to publish seditious books, or had them in their pos- session, were punished with the utmost rigour. Gazettes, or news- papers, were, in particular, prohibited from being pubhshed, till they had been revised by the bishop of Edinburgh. * In Scotland the arts and sciences were yet in their infancy, and artists were scarcely known. Aberdeen, however, could boast of having, at an early period, given birth to the only distinguished painter who flourished in the country at the time, and was deservedly called the Apelles of Scotland. George Jameson was born, at Aberdeen, about tlie latter end of the sixteenth century, the son of Andrew Jameson, burgess of guild, by Marjory Anderson, his spouse, who was the daughter of David Anderson, one of the magistrates of the town. He was endowed by nature with an uncommon genius for portrait painting, which he discovered at an early period of life. After passing through the usual course of education at the schools, and the college of the place, he went abroad, and studied at Antwerp, being fellow student with Vandyck, under the celebrated Rubens. Having made consider- able proficiency in the art, he returned to his native city about the year 1620,f where he prosecuted portrait painting, and married a lady of the name of Isobell Tosh, by whom he had several sons and daughters. Although he was chiefly eminent for portraits, which were generally about the size of life, yet he not unfrequently applied his talent to miniature, and also to history and landscape. Every subject that passed under his pencil had all the life, proportion, and M m 2 delicacy declarations, or other paipcrs q^sume^, untill first they present thame befoir the Comittec of Estaits, under the pane of death. And ord.ind publication to be maid heirof at the mercat croce of Edin- burgh, and other places neidfuU ; thairthrow nane pretend ignorance y^of. " Extractum Arch. Primerosse, Clk " * FountainbaU's Dec. voL i. p. 73. t His residence was on the west side of the town. In the )ear 1635, lie obtained, from the magistrates, a lease, during his life, of the ground called the Playfield, where tlie citizens, in an- cient times, performed comedies. This he inclosed, and planted with shrubbery, at his own ex- pence. It was afterwards given off, in feu, to John Alexander, his son-in-law.— QCouhcjV Regitter, vol. lii. p. 206. vol. lib", p. 36.3 Q68 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. delicacy, which are requisite to estabUsh the reputation of an artist. When King Charles visited Scotland, in the year 1633, the ma- gistrates of Edinburgh employed Jameson to make paintings of the Scottish monarchs, which pleased so much his Majesty's taste, that he sat to him for his portrait, and rewarded him with a diamond ring from his finger. It is remarkable, that Jameson always painted his own portrait with his hat upon his head, probably in imitation of his master Rubens ; or, perhaps, by his having been permitted to take that liberty when Charles sat to him for his portrait. His reputation as a painter being established, he painted many portraits of King Charles, and of King James VI. as well as of the most eminent men who flourished in the beginning of the seven- teenth century ; and many of his works are to be fovind in the pos- session of the principal families in Scotland, at the present time. The greatest collection of these works is at Taymouth, the seat of the Earl of Breadalbane, whose ancestor, Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy, had been the chief and earliest patron of Jameson, who liad accompanied him in his travels abroad. All Jameson's sons died in early life. One of his daughters, Marjorie, was married to INIr. John Alexander, advocate ; but we have not been informed of any thing which relates to their offspring. His daughter, Mary, whose numerous descendants are now living, was first married to INIr. Burnett of Elrick, in the county of Aberdeen ; afterwards to James Gregory, the celebrated mathematician ; and lastly to ]Mr. George TEdie, one of the magistrates of Aberdeen ; by all of whom she had children. Many of the descendants of the two first mar- riages have numerous families, in the most respectable^ ranks of life. Mary, who appears to have inherited a portion of her father's genius, displayed her taste in needle-work. Some specimens of her work, Jcphtha's rash vow, Susannah and the Elders, &c. done in compartments, now decorate the east end of St. Nicholas church, over the magistrates' gallery, where they have remained for many years. ]Mr. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 269 Mr. Jameson died in Edinburgh, in the year 1644, possessed of a moderate fortune, which he had acquired by his industry, and left to his three daughters. He was buried in tlie Grayfriar's church-yard, but no monument distinguishes the place of his interment. Among other eminent characters who were natives of Aberdeen, and flourished during this period, we have to mention James Gre- gory, who has been just noticed ; the son of Mr. John Gregory, minis- ter of Drumoak, by Janet Anderson, his spouse, who was the daughter of Mr. David Anderson* of Finzeauch. Mr. Gregory was born in November, 1638; and was endowed with a genius for mathematics, which he early discovered. He prosecuted his studies at Mariscbal College, where he made considerable proficiency in that science. At the age of twenty-four, he published the Optica Promofa, a work of great merit, in which he announced the invention of the reflect- ing telescope. This being one of the most valuable of modern dis- coveries, established his reputation in the scientific world. After the publication of this work, he visited Italy, and fixed his residence, for some years, at Padua, where he published, in 1667, Vera Circuit, et Hyperboles Quadratura, which contained another discovery of his own, namely, the invention of an infinitely converging series, for the areas of the circle and hyperbole. On his return to England, he was chosen a Fellow of the Koyal Society. In the year 1668, he was ap- pointed professor of mathematics in the university of St. Andrew's ; and, some years afterwards, was called to the mathematical chair in the university of Edinburgh. He had not filled the oflice above a year, when, in October, 1673, being employed in shewing some of his pupils the satellites of Jupiter through a telescope, he was suddenly struck with total blindness, and died, a few days after, at the age of thirty-seven. David * Mr. Anderson possessed an extraordinary genius for mechanical science. In the year 16I8 he removed an immense stone, called Knock Mailland, which lay in the middle of the entry to the har- bour of Aberdeen, and was a dangerous obstruction to shipping. The expense of tlie instruments and apparatus for the undertaking was 300 raerks, wliich were contributed by the shipmasters, by the burgesses of guild, and by the corporations of artificers of the town. He was also architect at constructing the steeple of St. Nicholas Church, and placed the wcather-cock upon it with his own hand.— £Co«HCi7 Register, vol. xlviii. p. 46y.3 i>70 ANNALS OF AEr.RDEEK. David Gregory, his nephew, also a native of Aberdeen, was born in the year 1661. He was eminently distinguished for his genius, and science in mathematics, and completed his education at the uni- versity of Edinburgh, where his promising merit was the means of promoting him to the mathematical chair. He published, in the same year, " Exercitutlo Geomelrica de Dhnensione Figurarum ; site Specimen Alethodi Generalis dimetendi quasvis Jiguras.'" In 1691, on the report of Dr. Bernard's intention of resigning the Savilian professor- ship of astronomy at Oxford, he went to London, and being patro- nized by Sir Isaac Newton, and warmly befriended by Mr. Flam- stead, the astronomer-royal, he obtained the vacant professorship, for which Dr. Halley was a competitor. This rivalship, however, in- stead of animosity, laid the foundation of friendship between these eminent men ; and Halley soon after became the colleague of Gre- gory, by obtaining the professorship of geometry in the same uni- versity. In 1693, Mr. Gregory published, in the Philosophical Transac- tions, a resolution of the Florentine problem, " De Testudme veli- formi qiiadribiU ;" and he continued to communicate to the public, from time to time, many ingenious mathematical papers, by the same channel. In 1695, he printed, at Oxford, " Catopiriccv et Diop- iricce Sphericce Elementa" In 1702, Mr. Gregory published, at Ox- ford, " Astronomice Physicce et Geometincce Elementa;" a work which is accounted his master-piece. He engaged, soon after, with his col- league Halley, in the publication of the Conies of Apollonius : but lie had proceeded only a little way in this vuidertaking, when he died, in the forty-ninth year of his age, at Maidenhead, in Berkshire, in the year 1710. While the citizens were suffering amidst the distresses occa- sioned by the civil war, they were visited by that grievous calamity the plague, which first made its appearance at Pitmuckstone, in the vicinity of the town, in the month of April, 1647. This contagious disease had been brought to that place by a woman who laboured under it, and had come from Brechin, where it was raging. By her intercourse with some of the inhabitants, the contagion was commu- nicated, ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 271 nicated, spread with rapidity over the town, and carried off daily* great numbers of the inhabitants. In the month of September, it had not abated its virulence, for the magistrates, probably seized with the dread of the infection, deemed it prudent to hold the meeting of the town council, for the annual election, at Gilcomstone ; and from that time till the subsequent month of January, there was no divine service performed in the church. INIeanwhile, those who were af- flicted with the disease were removed to huts, constructed of wood, as hospitals for their reception, in the links, and at the Woolmanhill; where they were confined, and restrained, by a military guard, from mixing with the other inhabitants, under pain of the severest punishment. That this might not be deemed an empty threaten- ing, a gibbet was erected, at the court de guard, for the immediate execution of offenders. In those hospitals, the patients were at- tended by several persons employed by the magistrates, imder the name of cleangers, who prescribed to them such remedies as were known at the time. But the contagious disease appears to have baffled all their skill ; no fewer than 1600 of the inhabitants of the town, and 140 in the villages of Futtie and Torrie, having fallen victims to its fury.* The bodies of those who died in the links were buried in trenches, on the east side of the present rope works, and many others in the grounds near the windmill, and at the east end of the Castlehill, as well as in the Grayfriar's croft. In the month of November, 1648, the disease had not entirely dis- appeared. During this distressful period, the magistrates were necessitated to provide means for the support of the indigent inha- bitants, who were under the infection ; and the public funds being exhausted, they were compelled to have recourse to the gentiy of the county for pecuniary assistance, f This is the last time the plague * Council Register, vol. liii. p. 130, et seq.— Cordon's History, vol. ii. p. 334. t Treasury and Guildry Accoiuits. Extracts from the Treasui-y and Guildry Accounts, of the expence incurred for the relief of the Inhabitants during the time of tlie pestilence. J 6 1-7— December il7'2 ' AXKALS OF ABERDEEN. plague raged in Aberdeen, after wliicli, it would seem that the le- prosy also had abated its virulence, and had gradually disappeared. But these were not the only calamities which the citizens had to endure in this age. Towards the close of the seventeenth century, Ihey were visited by famine, and experienced many of its horrors. The year 1695 was remarkable for stormy and rainy weather during the season of harvest. The crop was materially damaged, and scarcity and dearth were the natural consequences. The magis- trates, to alleviate the distresses of the citizens, made great exer- tions to procure corn from various quarters, and deputed two of their nvmiber to repair to the south country for that purpose ; but they could only obtain 500 bolls of wheat, which were but a tempo- rary relief. Many of the inhabitants perished by want of sustenance, and 300 common brewers were reduced to indigence. The three subsequent years were equally unfavourable, and the crops ex- tremely deficient, owing to storms and rain dviring the season of harvest. In the year 1698, the magistrates purchased, at the ex- pence of the community, considerable quantities of meal, in different places ; yet these did not supply the demands of the inhabitants, many 1647 Dec. 9. To James Graham, cleanger, for his services and attendance on the people ... James Campbell, ditto ditto ... John Barclay, ditto ditto ... George Watt, ditto ditto ... Expence of buiying the dead, and for 37,000 turfs to cover their gi-aves, and carriage . . . - ... Expence of wood, for huts, in the Links, Castlehill, &c. ... Expence of constructing a Court de Guard in the Links ■ ... Ditto, of a double tree for a gibbet, and for erecting it ... Ditto, of a pair of joggis upon it, and ten fathoms of ropes ... Captain John Duff, and the military, for guards . . Expence of rosin, vinegar, and medicines ... Ditto, for meal, and baking it into bread for the poor people ... Sir William Forbes of Craigievar, for 300 bolls of meal, at L,5 theboU ... Lady Marischal, for meal . ■ - £. s. d. 1086 10 121 6 26 13 4 80 153 6 s 378 10 2 4 2 15 2 9 4 820 11 125 2 4 181 6 4 1500 1366 16 6 £.5867 10 6 A>rNALS OF ABERDEEN. 273 many of whom died on the streets.* The price of a boll of bear was L.12, and of meal L.IO 13s. 4d. It is a remarkable circumstance, that the same scarcity and dearth prevailed in the country during the last years of the sixteenth century. Among other extraordinary occurrences in the town, in the course of this period, there may be mentioned, the deaths of two chief ma- gistrates, while in office. William Gray, who had been provost sub- sequently to Michaelmas, in the year 1661, having died, in the month of January, 1663, was buried with military honours. As a mark of respect for his memory, one hundred and fifty of the citizens as- sembled, under arms, and accompanied the funeral to the church- yard, where they fired three vollies over the grave, f Gilbert Gray, who had, on repeated occasions, filled the office of provost, having dled, in the month of August, 1667, two hundred of the citizens, to testify their regard for his memory, accompanied the funeral, un- der arms, to the grave, over which they fired three vollies. The great guns belonging to the town were also fired, both previous and sub- sequently to the interment. J In the time of peace, the good order and police of the town ap- pears to have been well regulated, as far as the authority of the ma- gistrates could be exercised. The wages of tradesmen, porters, and domestic servants, as well as the prices of provisions that were sold in the public markets, were fixed by acts of the town council, whicli were frequently renewed. For the protection and safety of the in- habitants during the night time, a number of the citizens were ap- pointed alternately, as a watch ; but they had no remuneration for their service, being obliged, when required by the magistrates, to watch and ward, on every occasion. The citizens were, by the mu- nicipal laws of the borough, ordained to give due attendance in the church, every Sunday, under the penalty of L.IO; and prohibited from harbouring strangers, or extraneous beggars, within their N n houses, * Council Register, vol. Ivii. p. 524. 544. 622. 6i5. 6S6. t Council Register, vol. liv. p. 410. X Ibid. vol. Jv. p. 33. 274 AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. houses, under tlic penalty of L.20 ; while cursers, sivearers, and those who took the name of God in vain, especially on the public streets, were subject to punishment, at the discretion of the magistrates. The streets within the ports, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, were, the Castlegate, Broadgate, Gallowgate, Upperkirkgate, Guestraw,* parts of the Ketherkirkgate,f and Shipraw. Without the ports, were the Green, Schoolhill, Dubbieraw, and parts of the Ne- therkirkgate, and Shipraw; the Correction-wynd, Back-wynd,:}: and Putachieside. These streets were not only kept clean by scaven- gers, who were appointed by the magistrates, but the dirt and fulzie removed from the town every morning. The population of Aberdeen, at different periods, during this age, may be ascertained, with tolerable precision, from the parish register of bapti'sms, to which we have already had occasion to resort for in- formation on this subject. From the annexed table of births, made up from that register, it maybe observed, that, for thirteen years preced- ing the year 1G44, the annual average of births was 127.62 males, and 120.84 females ; the total number being 248.46. Assuming, therefore, according to our former principles, the annual average of births as the 35th part of the population, we may be allowed to estimate the whole, at the end of the year 1643, to have been 8750. For the de- cade, from the year 1648 to 1657, both inclusive, the annual average of births was 242. From 1659 to 1668, both inclusive, the annual average of births w^as only 205.1. From the year 1661 to 1678, 220.1 ; from 1679 to 1688, 194.4 ; from the year 1689 to 1698, 182; and from 1699 to 1708, both inclusive, we find that the annual average * The houses on the west side of the Guestraw belonged to the more respectable inhabitants ; and having superior accommodation to those in the other parts of the town, were generally appro- priated to strangers of respectability, when they occasionally visited the town. Hence this street derived the name of Guestraw. t These streets were properly called gates, from the circumstance of there being a port, or gate, near the extremity of each, except the Broadgate, which was distinguished, in ancient times, as a con- tinuation of the Gallowgate. X The Back-wynd was laid out by the Magistrates, and opened in the year 1594; and the Cor- rection-wynd about the year 1636. A-NNALS OP ABERDEEN. «7o average was only 155.9; which would make the population, at this period, to have been only 5556.5. The inference to be drawn from these circumstances is, that the population of Aberdeen had been gradually increasing, previous to the commencement of the civil war; and that, subsequently to that event, it had decreased, in the same manner, towards the epoclia of the union of the two kingdoms. On the whole, the population of the town, in the year 1643, may be estimated to have been 9000 ; and, at the union, only 6000 persons, of all ages. We shall annex to this chapter, a table of the prices of provisions, and other commodities ; and also of the fiars of the county of Aber- deen, for certain years of this period, extracted from the records of the Sheriff Court ; with the other tables, to which we have had occa- sion to refer, in the course of this section of the chapter. N n 2 TABLE ,^76 a>:nals of aberdkex. TABLE OF THE PRINCIPAL FVXDS, DEVISED IN MOHTMAIN, BY BENEVOLENT INDIVIDUALS, FOR CHARITABLE PURPOSES, AND PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, IN THK COURSli OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY; Of nhich the Magistrates and Town Council are Trustees and Guardians. Merles Scottish. ]6'17 Dr. Duncan Liddel, for Professor of MathematicSj besides the Lands of Pit- meJden .... 12,000 Dr. James Cargil, for four Bursaries at the College - ■ 4,000 Mr. Patrick Copland, for the Professor of Divinity ditto • 4,000 David Clialmerlane ditto . - - 1,000 John Johnston, for one Bursarie ditto - - 1,000 Mr. Thomas Rcid, Secretary to King James VI. for Bibliothecar in the College .... 3,722 1622 Margaret Rolland, to the Poor of the Town • - 200 1 6-2S Provost Nicholson, for behoof of the Poor - - 600 1628 William Duncan, for the Poor and Church of Futtie - 200 1630 Mathew Anderson, to the Guild Brethren - - 500 1631 William Gray, to the Guild Brethren's Hospital, and Poor - 2,000 1632 William Johnston, M.D. for behoof of the Poor - - 1,000 l6'33 Marion Douglas, Lady Drum, for Widows, and aged Virgins - 3,000 1 63 1 Jean Guild, to poor Widows and Virgins - - - 500 Dr. Patrick Dun, his Lands of Ferryhill, for the Masters of the Graitunar School 1 635 James Troup, to Guild Brethren's Hospital - • 700 1636 Isobel Coutts, to the Poor and Church of Futtie - - 500 1637 William Gray, to the Church, and Guild Box - - 1,000 1640 George Davidson, to the Church of Futtie - - - 350 (Besides his Lands of Pettins, for the Ministers' Stipends, &c. &c.) 1642 Lady Rothiemay, for support of Schoolmistresses - - 1,000 1644 Sir Tliomas Crombie of Kemnay, for a Minister to Greyfriars Church, &c. 32,000 1645 Robert Johnston of Stain, for employing poor people in trade - ' 10,800 George Robertson, for Bursaries in the Grammar School, to the Fabric of St. Nicholas Kirk, Guild Brethren, &c. - - - 1,550 Williain Forbes, for the use of the Guild Box - - 1,000 1647 George Cochran, for decayed Brethren of Guild - 270 1649 Jean Guild, widow of David Anderson of Finzeauch, for ten poor Orphans, be- sides the Blackfriars Manse, &c. in the Sclioolhill - . 4,700 1656 Dr. Alex. Ross, for poor Scholars, at the Grammar School and College - 3,600 Carried forward - 91>192 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 277 Merks ScoUish. Brought forward - 91,192 lC58 Dr. William Guild, Minister, for poor Orphans ■ « 7,000 John Shand, of Rotterdam, for the Kirk, &c. - - 500 1659 George Morison, Provost, for behoof of the Poor - - 1,000 J66l Katharine RoUand, widow of Dr. Guild, the Lands of Milltown of Murthill, &c, for various purposes Robert Cruickshank, to the Guild Box ■ • - 2 500 Merhs 102,192 Or Sterling L.5677 6 8 TABLE OF ASSESSMENTS ON THE CITIZENS, For the Stipends of the Ministers, for the Support of the Poor of the Toitn^ and other Public Purposes, BY ORDER OF THE HEAD- COURTS, From A.D. i634 to A.D. 1707- 1634! For the ordinary Taxation of the Town, and the extraordinary, being two ScoUlsh Moneij. in ten, for three years, compounded with the Marquis of Hamilton vol. Ui. p. 166 1.86,666 13 4 1635 The Lords of Council and Session - - 205 888 l6 II 1636 Ditto ditto - - 243 444 8 10 1638 For the three Ministers' Stipends, and the common Poor - J, 466 13 4> 1639 ••• arms, pikes, and ammunition, from the Marquis of Huntly 451 3,079 4 ... charge of expedition agauist the Laird of Banff, by command of the Earl of Montrose, &c. - - 465 6,666 13 * To the army of the nobility, to prevent the town from being plundered 410. 484 4,666 13 4 1640 For 10 merks of every 100 merks of yearly rent, trade, &c. 1642 ... the three Ministers' Stipends, and the common Pow - 1361 4,400 1650 ... the town's proportion of 80,000 merks, assessed on the boroughs, in lieu of service of foot soldiers - vol. liii. p. 272 i.. deficiencies in raising men to Colonel George Keith 314 ... the town's proportion of 200,000 merks, for purchasing 1000 bolls of meal for the army - - - 314 ... half an year's Interest of the town's public debt of L.40,000 949 ... transportation of three Ministers to the town, and their yearly Stipends 950 1,000 . . . part of the loan money and taxation, for levying the army for the ex- pedition to England - . 1180 12,26613 4 ... the support of Major-Ceneral Urry's army - 1337 4,000 2,000 834 6 8 2,144 4,620 Carried forward L.85,H4 3 1 278 ANKALS OF ABERDEEN. 1661 1G67 1668 1669 1670 1671 1674 1675 1677 1678 1679 .. the King's Subsidy, &c. 1680 .. the same purpose . 1681 Ditto 1682 Ditto . 1683 Ditto 1685 Ditto, and for Ministers' 1686 Ditto ditto. 1688 Ditto ditto 1689 Ditto ditto 1690 Ditto ditto 1691 Ditto J ditto 1693 Ditto ditto 1694 Ditto ditto 1695 Ditto ditto 1696 Ditto ditto 1697 Ditto ditto 1698 Ditto ditto 1699 Ditto ditto 1701 Ditto ditto Ditto ditto 1702 Ditto ditto 1704, Ditto ditto 1707 Ditto ditto Brought forward - L.85^144 3 For the proportion of the cess, for two months, of L. 12,000, imposed on the boroughs, for the Lords of Session - vol. liv. p. 308 3,600 the montlily assessment imposed by Parliament - ;"< j 800 the taxation to the King - - ib, 1 ,4,66 1 3 the price of six iron cannon, purchased fi'om the Earl Marischal ib. 1,333 6 the deficiency of the town's proportion of the Excise - 16 1,333 6 the Interest on the Morlijicalions, and for Ministers' Stipends, for the same purpose - - -55. 58 6,666 13 4 Ditto ditto - - 163 6,666 13 4 Ditto ditto . . 248 6,666 13 4 Ditto ditto - 357 6,666 13 4 Ditto ditto - - 586 13,333 6 8 the re-payment of Monies due to the Mortifications, arrears of Excise, Ministers' Stipends, Town's Militia Company's Charge vol. Ivi. p. 66 1 0,000 the same puiiiose - - 208 16,000 the following pui-poses, namely— for Interest of Money due to the Guild Brethren's Hospital, Mortifications, &c. contracted in the time of the civU wai- ; for preserving the Town from being plundered and burnt ; and for the support of the people in the time of the plague, thirty-one yeai-s ago ; deficiency of the Excise ; and for supplies to the Town's Militia Company - > 322 vol. Ivii. .324 12,000 437 4,200 529 4,200 659 4,200 p. 50 4,200 108 4,200 204 6,666 13 4 249 6,666 13 4 277 6,666 13 4 308 6,666 13 4 342 6,666 13 4 360 10,000 422 14,000 456 8,000 494 8,000 538 11,000 610 1 1,000 674 11,000 722 13,000 782 12,000 813 12,500 842 10,000 893 8,000 .8. 82 9,000 L.S63,510 16 5 TABLE ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. ^79 TABLE OF BIRTHS IN ABERDEEN, For the several Periods afler-mcntioned YEAR. BIRTHS. TOTAL. YEAR. BIRTHS. Males. Females. Males. Females. 1631 1632 1633 1634 1635 1636 1637 1638 1639 1640 1641 1642 1643 126 135 123 128 105 114 139 131 138 149 126 139 116 99 119 117 109 124 125 119 127 109 147 120 131 135 225 254 240 237 229 239 258 258 247 296 246 270 251 1669 1670 1671 1672 1673 1674 1675 1676 1677 1678 93 122 110 102 131 116 III 122 125 100 125 113 109 103 107 103 105 93 105 106 218 235 219 205 238 219 216 215 230 206 Average 1132 113.2 IO69 106.9 2201 220.1 Average 1669 1581 127.62 120.84 3250 248.46 YEAR. 1679 168O 1681 1682 1683 1684 1685 1686 1687 1688 117 100 97 93 95 97 90 120 91 57 122 llO 103 106 102 126 82 93 92 51 239 210 200 199 197 223 172 213 183 108 YEAR. 1648 1649 1650 1651 1652 1653 1654 1655 1656 1657 123 123 110 133 129 126 133 127 119 100 115 135 117 124 111 112 120 128 110 125 238 258 227 257 • 240 238 253 255 229 225 Average 957 95.7 987 98.7 1944 194.4 Average 1223 122.3 1197 119.7 2420 242. YEAR. 1689 1690 1691 1692 1693 1694 1695 1696 1697 1698 108 99 95 99 115 115 90 .75 85 73 85 73 75 98 95 82 89 96 92 SI 193 172 170 197 2lO 197 179 171 177 154 YEAR. 1659 1660 1661 1662 1663 1664 1665 - 1666 1667 1668 100 111 97 80 89 96 110 lis 111 106 111 99 108 93 97 108 93 137 89 98 211 210 205 173 186 204 203 255 200 204 954 Average 1 95.4 866 8(5.6 1820 182. Average 1018 101.8 1033 103.3 2051 205.1 1 Tbe .-ivc 1 w rjige of Bir( 08, was Stl.J bolf, Ijj.i'. ti^, from tilt* niaifoy 7j.G \e,nrlG<;8 10 fcuwlcs— in SSO ANNALS or ABEEDEEN. TABLE OF PBICES OF SUNDRY ARTICLES OF PROVISIONS, AND OTHER COMMODITIES, &c. AT DIFFERENT PERIODS, FROM A.D, l633 TO A.D. 1707. 1634 Scottish pint of ale ... Loaf of flour, weighing nine ounces - - 1635 Scottish pint of ale . - • • 1638 Ditto - . - Loaf of flour, weighing eleven ounces ■ - Horse hire, the mile . « » 1 639 Scottish pint of ale . • « Loaf of flour, weighing fourteen ounces - Double-soled Mens' and Women's Shoes, the inch • Ditto, second sort, the inch . > 1640 Scottish pint of ale . . b Loaf of flour, weighing twelve ounces • • 1 64 1 Admission dues of a burgess of guild « 1 642 Pound weight of candle . « . ] 643 Loaf of rye, weighing sixteen oimces - ■ BoU of rye meal . » » Loaf of flour, weighing twelve ounces » ■ Scottish pint of ale - ■ « 1 648 Admission dues of a burgess of guild ■ > Wages of Wrights, without meat or drink, per day Daily servants, ditto - • Wages of best Women servants, half-yearly, and for shoes and bounties Second servants, L.2 of money, and L.2 for shoes, &c. 1 649 Pound weight of candle ... Scottish pint of ale ... Pair of double-soled shoes, of foreign leather, the inch • Ditto of Scottish leather, do, » 1656 Loaf of flour, weighing fourteen oimces « Scottish pint of ale . . ■ Stone of rough taUow ■ . • Stone of molten tallow . . ■ Pound weight of candle . . . Best Mutton bouk . - » Second soil do. ■> • . ■ Best Ox beef . . ■ Second sort . ■ ■ ■ Best Cow Beef ... Scotlisk Money. £. s. d. I 8 1 2 6 I 4 1 I 6 1 2 1 2 1 8 1 4 1 200 4 6 1 7 1 1 4 266 13 4 13 4 10 5 4 5 2 3 2 1 2 3 4 4 6 1 16 1 6 8 12 9 9 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 281 1656 Second sort . - . . Coopers, for the price, and packing each barrel of salmon Double girding - . - Blacksmiths, for each stone of iron, wrought . . Weavers, for each ell of plaiden, with a peck of meal to the score Master Slaters, each day - - . Servants - . . . Masons, weekly - - . Wages to best Women Servants, half-yearl}', and for shoes and bounties Second ditto - . . 1695 Loaf of flour, weighing twelve ounces - > A pound of candle ... Best Mutton bouk ... Second sort .... Best Ox beef ... Second sort .... Best Cow beef • ' - Second sort . . ■ ■ Best Ox hide - - . - Second sort - - - A pair of double soled shoes, of foreign leather, timber or leather heeb, ^ inch Ditto of Scottish leather, ditto - ■ - ■ Slaters' wages, each day, without meat - « Masons' ditto ditto J . Wrights' ditto ditto • » . Scollish Money. £. s. d. 6 3 6 S 1 8 8 1 12 •I 13 4. 5 4 1 4. 1 6 8 1 12 S 10 7 5 3 6 8 nch 3 2 16 13 4 15 6 o o Table 582 AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. TABLE OF THE FIARS OF THE COUNTY OF ABERDEEN, FOB THE YEARS UNDER-MENTIONED, IN STERLING MONEY. 1649. 1650. 1651. 1652. 1666. 1667. Great Oats, with fodder . ..L.O 13 4 L.O 11 8 L.O 11 1 L.O 11 8 L.O 7 2 L.O 9 I .. Oil . 15 8 10 13 10 10 13 10 11 13 1 4 6 7 1 2 3 4 Bear, with fodder 10 O without fodder . 13 4 13 4 12 1 11 10 6 S 8 10 White Meal . 13 4 13 4 13 4 11 8 6 8 9 Malt . 11 8 13 10 13 10 1 1 8 6 8 8 10 Pease . 13 4 12 9 12 1 17 1 6 S 8 10 Wlieat . 18 4 1 18 4 1 10 10 Rye . 12 1 11 1 0, 10 10 5 6 6 8 1668. 1669. 1670. 1692. 1693. 1694. Great Oats, with fodder .. .L.O 6 8 L.O 7 2 L.O 8 10 L.O 7 9 L.O 7 1 LO 11 4. .05 Q 6 1 8 10 6 6 6 8 6 10 Bear, with fodder . 8 4 8 4 9 5 7 9 7 1 9 5 —— without fodder .' 7 1 6 11 8 4 6 8 6 3 8 10 White Meal . 6 8 6 11 8 4 6 10 7 1 8 10 Malt . 6 8 6 11 8 4 6 8 6 8 8 4 Pease . 8 4 7 9 8 4 8 10 8 10 8 10 Wheat . 10 10 11 8 11 1 11 8 15 Rye . 8 5 6 6 4 6 8 6 8 6 8 169.5 >. 1696. 1697. 1698. 1699. 1700. Great Oats, with fodder .. .L.O 16 8 L.O 13 4 L.O 15 L.O 18 4 L.O 13 10 L.O 11 1 . 15 . 16 6 3 13 4 14 a 13 18 4 4 16 1 8 13 16 4 8 10 10 Oils Bear, with fodder ... — — without fodder , 15 6 14 5 16 8 11 8 15 6 oil 1 White Meal . 16 8 13 4 15 1 15 11 1 Malt . 15 6 14 5 16 8 IS 4 13 4 oil 1 Pease . 16 8 15 16 8 I 3 4 16 8 13 4 Wheat ■ . 1 5 6 15 6 1 3 4 1 5 6 1 5 6 18 4 Kye 13 4 10 13 4 16 8 12 9 8 10 N.B. Fractions under pence have been purposelij omitted. CHAPTEPv ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 283 CHAPTER VI. Accession of George I. to the throne of Britain — RchcUion, 1715, and proceedings in Aberdeen — Fire in the Gallongaie — Rigour of the season, 1740, 7vi(h scarcity and dearth — Great Fire in the Broad- gate — Traffich of Kidnapping — Rehellion, 1745 — Rebels in posses- sion of the Town, S^c. — Military riots — Scarcity, 1782 — Borough politics, in 1752, 1783, and 1817 — and various other occurrences. From A.D. 1710 to A.D. 1818. George, the eldest son of Ernest Augustus, Duke of Hanover, a.d. 1714. by the Princess Sophia, the only child of the King of Bohemia,* suc- ceeded to the crown of Great Britain, on the death of Queen Anne ; and was proclaimed, with the usual ceremonies, sov^ereign of tlie Bri- tish dominions. Although he ascended the throne without opjiosi- tion, or any indications of popular discontent, yet the dissensions in Scotland, produced by the union of the kingdoms, which was deemed by many a national grievance, had never been entirely done away ; and conspiracies had been forming, both in England and Scotland, against his succession. The house of Stuart had, in those kingdoms, many adherents, who were known by the name of Jacobites, and still entertained sanguine expectations of being able to restore that family to the throne. These had neglected no opportunity to form designs against the king, and to concert measures for open rebellion, wliich speedily broke out in Scotland. The Earl of INIar, who was, at this time, a powerful chieftain in the north, had continued his attachment to the exiled family of Stuart ; and his influence among his vassals and dependents enabled o o 2 him * The Princess Elizabeth, eldest daughter of James VI. was married to the Elector Palatine, af- terwards King of Bohemia; and the Princess Sophia was the only surviving child of that marriage. By the treaty of union, the succession was settled on lier and lier heirs, ai'tcr the death of Queen Anne, whose father, James VII. died at St. Germains, (itli Sept. 1701. 284 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1715. him to raise a small body of men, whom he assembled at Braemar, in the highland district of the county of Aberdeen. He there pro- claimed the Chevalier de St. George, the only son of the late King James, sovereign of Eritain, by the title of King James VIII. and, flattering himself with the hope of being joined by a nmnerous body of nobles and barons who w^ere inimical to the established govern- ment, determined to try his fortune in the field. Many of the Ja- cobites flocked to his standard, and his army was soon augmented to 10,000 men. Meanwhile, the adherents of the prince pretender, un- der the delusive expectation that his presence might produce an im- mediate revolution, pressed him to come to Britain, without delay. Mar assumed the title of Lieutenant-General of his forces, and made every preparation for the commencement of hostilities. While these things were transacting, the magistrates of Aber- deen, who were zealous supporters of the established government, having early intelligence of the designs of the Earl of Mar, adopted measures of precaution for the safety of the town, lest an attack upon it should be attempted by the insurgents. The citizens were armed, the ports secured, and cannon planted where it was most ex- posed. But these exertions do not seem to have met with any sup- port from government ; for an order was transmitted, by the Lord Justice Clerk, reqviiring them to deliver up, for the use of his Ma- jesty's troops, the whole gunpowder in the town, for which the mer- chants were to be paid at the rate of L.3 6s. 8d. sterling, each hun- dred weight.* The town being thus in a manner deprived of the jneans of defence, was exposed, not only to the insurgents, but to the disaffected part of the community. The Earl of Mar having advanced, with his clans, southward, formed a camp at Perth, where he was joined by many barons, and others, who adhered to the interest of the prince pretender ; and the greatest part of the north was under the influence of the Jacobites. Their partisans having now acquired the ascendency in the town, as- sumed its civil government, under pretence of authority from the Earl Marischal, * The quantity delivered up was 3681 J pounds weight.— []Coh«C(7 Register, vol. Iviii. p. 415.] ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 285 Marischal, who arrived upon the 28th September, with a squadron of a.D. 1715. horse, and proclaimed, with the usual ceremonies, the pretender, king of the British dominions. This being the ordinary day of the annual election, the magistrates and council thought proper to absent them- selves, without choosing the new counsellors for the ensuing year ; but such of the burgesses as were inimical to the established go- vernment, soon supplied this defect. They assembled, on the sub- sequent day, in the East church, in consequence of an order from Earl Marischal ; and, by a poll of those qualified to vote, formed an admi- nistration* suited to their own views. Among the first acts of the administrators, so elected, was an imposition, under the sanction of a head court, of a contribution of L.200 10s. 9d. sterling, upon the in- habitants, towards the charge of supplies for the pretender's army, pursuant to an order of the Earl of Mar. In a few days after, a si- milar contribution of L.2000 sterling, under the denomination of a loan, was imposed for the same purpose, of which L.500 were ordered to be immediately levied. About the same time, a requisition was made to supply Mar's army with 300 Lochaber axes, and to fur- nish him with a printing press, types, and apparatus, which were im- mediately transmitted to Perth, f The army of the pretender being joined by the northern clans, under the Earl of Seaforth, and others, their partisans, the Earl of IMar broke up his camp at Perth, and resolved to pass the Frith, to form a junction with the Jacobites in the south, and to march into England. He had proceeded as far as Auchterarder upon the 11th November, when, having received intelligence tliat the Duke of Ar- gyle, with the royal army under his command, had taken the field, and was advancing from Lothian to Stirling, he reviewed his army, and took up his position at that place. The Duke determined to give him battle in the neighbourhood of Dumblane, passed the Forth, at Stirling, on the 12th, and encamped, with his left at that village, and his right towards SheriflTmoor. The Earl having advanced * The magistrates elected, on this occasion, were, Patrick Bannennan, provost ; John Leslie,. John Burnett, William Simpson, and James Fyfe, haiUies.— [^Council Register, vol. hiii. p. 419.] + Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 413, et seq. 423. 428. 286 ANXALS OF ABKRDF.r.X. A.D. 1715. advanced within two miles of his position, remained there until the next morning, in order of battle. The armies met, and a severe con- flict ensued, in which there was great loss on both sides ; but the battle being indecisive, the rebels retreated to the Roman camp, at Ardoch, a few miles distant, and the Duke's army drew off' towards Dumblane ; both generals having claimed the victory. Such was the situation of affairs, when the pretender arrived at Peterhead, from France, on 22d December, accompanied by a re- tinue of six gentlemen. He passed through Aberdeen, incognito, to Fetteresso, where he was received with the highest marks of res- pect, by the Earl of Mar, the Earl Marischal, and about thirty other noblemen and gentlemen, who had zealously embraced his cause, and now testified to himself their sincerity. He afterwards pub- lished several proclamations and manifestos, on various topics ; and transmitted orders to the ministers of Aberdeen to pray for him, by the title of King James ; but these orders do not seem to have been regarded.* The professors of King's and Marischal Colleges, how- ever, under the common delusive impressions of the time, thought proper to attend him at Fetteresso, and to present a loyal address, which they had soon cause to regret ; for, after the suppression of the rebellion, they were, for this officious and inconsiderate display of their zeal, dismissed from their offices. The administration of the town being now in the hands of those who were attached to the pretender, the magistrates, with a view to convince him of their devotion to his person, and zeal for his service, resolved to raise a troop of horse, in number thirty, to be well pro- vided with arms and accoutrements, and to be attached to the Earl Marischal's squadron. The estimated charge of this undertaking, being L.333 6s. 8d. sterling, was ordered, under the authority of a head court, to be assessed upon the inhabitants. In order to entice young men to engage in this service, they were promised the freedom of the town on their return, f The troop, however, was never raised, although the usual complement of officers was appointed. About the same * Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 428. t Ibid. vol. Iviii. p. 44C. 449. ANNALS OF ABERDEEX. 28? same time, these magistrates delivered up to the Marquis of Iluntly a.d. 171 "' four of the cannon belonging to the town, with their carriages, for the service of the rebels ; but this nobleman soon abandoned their cause, and submitted to King George. The affairs of the pretender began soon to decline. While the royal army was receiving daily augmentations by Dutch auxi- liaries, his army was diminishing in numbers every day, by the clans and their chieftains dropping off. The pretender having, at length, found, that he had engaged izi a desperate undertaking, re- turned to France, and rebellion languished and expired. The re- mains of his army retreated northward, under the command of Gene- ral Gordon of Auchintoul, who had formerly been in tlie Russian service, passed tln-ougli Aberdeen, continued their route through Strathdon and Strathspey, and quietly dispersed among the hills of Badenoch. The Duke of Argyle, who pursued with the royal army, was un- 1716. able to overtake the rear guard of the rebels, under the Earl Marischal. Indeed, he does not appear to have made any extraordinary exer- tions to do so ; for his army halted at Aberdeen, and part of it re- mained there for some considerable time. The rebellion being sup- pressed, the guns and muskets belonging to the town were delivered up to the deputy lieutenants of the county, in consequence of an order from government. * When tranquillity had been re-established, the administration of the town was restored to legitimate magistrates and counsellors, un- der the authority of an ordinance of the king and council, by which the magistrates, who had served for the year previous to the rebel- lion, were empowered and required, on the 10th of April, this year, to proceed to the nomination of magistrates and counsellors, in sucli manner as they ought to have done, had they not been disturbed by the rebellion. By the same authority, it was directed, tliat those to be so chosen were to continue in office from that time until the or- dinary * Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 487. 504. i>S8 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1716. dinary day of election, in the month of September ; and, from thence forward, it was ordained, that the procedure in it should be continued, according to the ancient constitution, sets, and customs of the borough.* The election having been proceeded to, the magis- trates and counsellors were chosen, conformably to these injunc- tions. Immediately after the election, they granted authority to the several corporations of artificers to elect their deacons and other office-bearers, which was accordingly done in the usual manner, f A few years previous to the commencement of those public transactions, there happened, near Aberdeen, the following interest- ing and melancholy occurrence, which requires to be related. On the 19th August, 1710, David Bruce, son to Eobert Bruce, goldsmith in Edinburgh, and six other young men, students at the college of St. ■' " At Ike Court of St. James's, the 10th day of March, 1715. — Present, The King's most Ex- cellent Majesty in Councill.— Upon reading this day at the Board a Memoriall from the Right Hon. S^ David Dahymple of Hailes, Barr^ His Majesty's Advocate ; The Right Hon. Adam Cock- bunie, Esq. of Ormistoun, Lord Justice Clerk; and S^ James Steuart of Goodtrees, Barr^, His Majesty's Sollicitor in North Britain ; dated in Edinburgh, the 20th of February last, and directed to the Right Hon. the Lord Viscount Townshend, his Majesty's Principall Secretary of State, touching the most proper and effectuall method of resettling the Magistracy of severall Towns in North Britain, in such manner as may most contribute to the restoring of the peace of those Towns, and to the securing thereof ^or the future. And whereas it has been represented to his Majesty, that severall Burghs in North Britain were, at Michaehnas last, Qthe ordinarj' and legal time of their electing Magistrates] either entirely hindred fi-om making such elections, accordmg to then- several constitutions ; or that, where the formality of elections was observed, being then under the power and impression of the Rebells, the freedom of such elections was thereby restrained ; and the Burgh of Aberdeen, in particular, having lain under such or the like circumstances before-mentioned ; His Majesty in Councill, taking the same into consideration, does tliink fitt, for restoring the peace and good government of the said Burgh, to order, and it is hereby ordered, that the Magistrates, who served in the Burgh of Aberdeen for the year last past, shall, and they are hereby authorised and required, on the tenth day of April next, to proceed to the election of Magistrates and Coun- cills, to serve in the said Burgh, from the tenth day of April aforesaid, mitill the ordinary time of the annuall change of the Magistrates and Councill of the said Burgh, in the year I716, in such manner as they ought to have done, if they had not been disturbed by the late Rebellion ; and from thence forwjurd, that the procedure in the election of Magistrates be continued, according to the constitution, setts, and customs, of the said Burgh : Of which all persons concerned are to take no- tice, and to give due obedience to his Majesty's pleasure, herein signifyed. '•' William Blethwavt." t Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 47*. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN, 289 St. Andrew's, put to sea, for tlicir amusement, in an open boat, from a.d. 1710'. tlie harbour of that place. In their attempt to return, they unfortu- nately lost one of their oars, and, the wind being unfavourable, they were driven oif the coast, without a morsel of provisions, or any fresh water, on board. Their not returning in the evening created, in the city, a considerable degree of alarm for their safety, and early next morning several boats were dispatched in quest of them, but re- turned, without success. The unfortunate youths were tossed upon the waves for six days, at the mercy of the winds ; and, although they were every day in sight of land, were unable to gain the shore. "While in this lamentable situation, the wind shifted to the east, and a brisk gale drove them vipon the rocky coast about four miles to the south of Aberdeen, near a place called Hernheugh. Worn out with fatigue, and want of food, they were vmable to scramble up the rock, which was almost a precipice. Fortunately they were discovered by an old fisherman, who pointed out to them a place by which they could ascend ; and two of them, with difficulty, regained the land. By the assistance of the people who came to their relief, the other five were got out of the boat, and carried to the house of John Shep- herd, farmer in Findon, who treated them with much humanity, and contributed every thing in his power towards their comfort. Intelli- gence of this having been brought to Aberdeen, the magistrates im- mediately dispatched the dean of guild, along with a physician and surgeon, to prescribe to the vmfortunate sufferers what their deplo- rable condition required ; but, before they arrived, two of the young- men had died. The other five, by the kind and humane treatment which they experienced, speedily recovered, regained their strength, and were restored to their friends. Mr. Bruce, to testify his gratitude to providence for restoring to him his son, caused a painting of the scene to be executed by an artist, which was afterwards handsomely engraved on copper-plate.* A copy of the engraving, neatly glazed and framed, was presented by him to the magistrates, with a request that it might be hung up in the town-hall, in memory of the event. p p This * The engraving represented his son on the top of tlie rock, -with Iiis companions climbing up from the boat below, and the all-seeing eye of providence looking down upon them ; with this inscription, " Soli Deo gloria." It hung in the council-room till witliin these few years, when it 290 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. iTiCi. This engraving accordingly remained there for upwards of one hun- dred years. At this time, a fire broke out in a house at the head of the Gallow- gate, which rapidly spread to the adjoining houses ; and, before it could be extinguished, the whole were burnt to the ground. Tlic loss suffered by the owners and inhabitants was considerable ; and the citizens, sympathizing with their distresses, made a handsome A'oluntary contribution for their relief.* 173.9. After a long interval of peace, war was declared by the nation against Spain, and hostilities commenced both by sea and land. An invasion of the town being dreaded, the blockhouse was repaired, and mounted with four ten pounders, and two eight pounders, which were brought from London, at a very considerable charge to the community. The citizens were also armed, for internal defence, with 300 stand of muskets, which had been purchased, at the rate of 10s. 6d. each, by the magistrates, from the commanding officer of Colonel Discury's regiment, quartered in the town. In the end of this, and beginning of the subsequent year, the weather was remarkably severe. On the 29th December, a most in- tense frost had set in, accompanied with heavy falls of snow, which 1710. continued, almost daily, until the beginning of February, f The corn mills, both in the town and country, were stopped ; and, notwith- standing every exertion being made by the magistrates to procure a supply of meal, for the support of the inhabitants, it was with the utmost difficulty they could obtain 300 bolls, which they ordered to be retailed, at the rate of one shilling the peck.:}: The public socie- ties was removed, by order of one of the bailUes, to give place to a catch-penny engraving of one of the heroes in the late war. Mr. Bruce also presented to John Shepherd, as a token of his esteem, a piece of silver plate, in the form of a boat, which is still preserved by some of his descendants. * Council Register, vol. Iviii. p. 482. + The spirit of wine in the thermometer was nearly reduced below extreme cold. Hares, par- tridges, &c. perished, and several persons were frozen to death. The Thames was frozen over as far downward as Billingsgate, and shops were erected upon the ice. The Forth, above Alloa, was entirely irozen over ; and a crust of ice was upon tlie Queensferrj'. J The crop was so extremely deficient, that the grain did not yield one half of tlie usual quan- tity of meal. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 291 ties and individuals did not neglect to contribute liberally in money, a.D. 1740. to purchase meal for the poor, and to alleviate their distresses. In the beginning of February, the snow and ice began to dissolve gently, without rain ; but the spring set in with bleak and cold weather, which continued till the end of May. The whole summer was unfavourable, scarcity prevailed, and great numbers of cattle perished by want of food. For relieving the necessities of the inhabitants, the magistrates procui-ed, in the course of the summer, 3000 bolls* of meal, which, although it was selling for one shilling, and upwards, in many parts of the country, they directed to be retailed at the rate of nine-pence the peck. In the end of September, there being little progress made in the harvest, a storm of snow came on, which greatly damaged the crop ; and the weather having continued very unfavovn-able during the remainder of the season, the harvest was not finished in the be- ginning of December. Accordingly, the scantiness and deficiency of the crop, in most parts of the kingdom, occasioned a great scarcity and dearth ; and the people, ahnost every where, were seized by the dpead of famine. For averting this calamity, the gentlemen of the county, in conjunction with the magistrates, on the 18th of December, formed resolutions,! and agreed to p p 2 adopt * The weekly consumption by the inhabitants, was, at this time, 300 bolls. + Minutes of the General Meeting of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Countv. At Aberdeen, the \Slh datj of December, 17IO: The Meeting made choice of Alexander Robertson, Esq. present Provost of Aberdeen, to be their Preses, and unanimously agi'eed to the following resolutions, viz. : — That there shall be no transportation of victual from this shire, to any other place, either by land or water, except small quantities, which any person may buy, for his own use, in the public markets, or that heritors, re- siding in other places, may want, for the use of their own famihes, till the first Tuesday of April next : and recommended to the Justices of Peace to continue their quarter-sessions in March next till that time, because it is not kno^vn how much of the farms the tenants may pay, or what quan- tities may be necessary for supplying each heritor's own tenants. But it is understood, that when it is ascertained, at the meeting of the Justices, on the first Tuesday of April, or at anj' other posterior meeting, to be then appointed, in what manner the farms will be paid, and what will be necessary for supplying the county, and the towns thereof; the remainder may be disposed of to other pLices of the kingdom that stand in jieed thereof. That 292 ANNALS OF ABERDEEK. A.D. iTio. adopt measures which reflected the highest credit upon their'hber- ahty and humanity towards the suffering poor, and might be re- garded That letters be wrote upon this subject by the Preses, to the Duke of Gordon, the Duchess of Gordon, the Enrl of Findlater, Lord Braco, and to the Viscount of Arbuthnot, Lord Halkertowii, Sir Alexander Ramsa)', Sir Alexander Bannernian, Pitfoddels, Rothemaj', Sir William Gordon, and other noblemen and gentlemen, who have farms within the counties of Banff and Kincardine. The Meeting is of opinion, that the town of Aberdeen ought to be supplied with 6000 bolls of meal, for the use of the inhabitants, and those of the neighbouring part of the county, who are commonly served with victual, which they buy in the town of Aberdeen, and this quantity to be furnished by the nobility and gentry of the shire, out of their farms ; and recommend to the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Forbes, MeJdrum, Premnay, Pittodry, Pitmillan, Ranieshill, Loanmay, Buthlaw, TiUeray, Whitehaugh, Balmurell, Glenkindy, Auchmacoy, Shivas, Tarty, Kemnay, Alford, Over- hall, and any other gentlemen that please to attend, as a Committee of this Meeting, to meet, and gi\e their opinion how the said 6000 bolls of meal may be most equally furnished, and to report the same to the General Meeting, to-morrow, the 19th instant, at eleven o'clock before noon; and this C'onmiittee to meet at four o'clock, this afternoon, in the high council house, and also to report, to- morrow, their opinion, as to the price of the said 6000 bolls of meal, and for establishing a proper method for buying and retailing meal, for the benefit of the poor, in the different comers of the county. The Committee liaving met at four o'clock, this afternoon, and having considered the resolution of the General Meeting in the forenoon, are of opinion, that, for serving the town of Aberdeen, and neighbouring country, and as the whole shire is concerned, and may all equally contribute, that one fifth part of the whole free farm meal which shall be really paid to the heritors witliin the shire, after deduction only of what serves their own families, be delivered to the magistrates of Aberdeen, or any person they shall appoint to receive th-e same, for the service of the town of Aberdeen, and iieighbouimg country, at the price to be hereafter ascertained; and that, for the conveniency of those heritors who are in use to deliver their farms at Portsoy, Fraserburgh, Peterhead, and New- burgh, and cannot carry their fanns to Aberdeen, the magistrates of Aberdeen shall send ships to those ports to receive the quotas that fall to be delivered there ; and in case at the next, or any sub- seqiient Meeting, it shall appear that the said fifth shall not make up the 6000 bolls of meal so to be dtlivered, such deficiency is to be made up by the heritors at their next or subsequent Meeting, after the said deficiencj' shall appear. It is the opinion of the Committee, that the price of the said 6000 bolls of meal should not ex- ceed ten merks the boll, nor be under L.6 Scots ; that whatever shall be delivered thereof before the first of April, shall be payable at Whitsunday next, and such of the gentlemen who do not de- liver their farms at Aberdeen, if they send letters to the magistrates of Aberdeen, to be delivered to them before the first of April, declaiing the quantity they are to deli\er, and that the same sliall be ready to be delivered, on demand, at any of the said ports, such letters, declaring the quantities they are to deliver, and obliging themselves to deliver the same, on demand, at any of the said ports, shall entitle them to receive their payment at Wliitsunday next ; and the remauider, to be delivered before the first of June, is to be payable at Mai-tinmass next. The Committee submit to the consideration of the General Meeting, whether or not they will continue the restraint upon buying small quantities of victual to the next quarter-session ; or, if they ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 293 garded as an example worthy of imitation. These measures had, in a.d. 1740. so far, the desired effect, as considerably to alleviate the distresses of the inhabitants, both of the town and of the country. In the month of June, this year, the gentlemen of the county, notwithstanding the scarcity that prevailed, agreed, at their general meeting, vill allow any person to buy up small quantities, whether or not it ■will be proper that it be granted upon licences from the Justices of Peace for that purpose ; and that each buyer, getting such a li- cence, shall give security not to buy above a certain quantitj', to be expressed in tlie licence ; and that what he so buys he shall retail in small quantities, to those that want in the country, at a price not exceeding That it be recommended to each gentleman to keep such proportion of his farm unsold, as he may see necessary for the serving of his own tenants and subtenants, beside the above quantity, to be de- livered to the magistrates of Aberdeen : and that further directions be given as to the buyers of corn and bear, with the fodder, that it be bought for the buyers own use only. *^ v^ v^**v> w^-^v^^-v^^^^ w* * At Aberdeen, the \Qth December, 1740. — The General Meeting having again met, in consequence of their former adjournment, and the Report of the Committee being read over, the Meeting ap- proved of the opinion of the Committee, that a fifth part of the farms be delivered to the magis- trates of Abei-deen, for making up their quantity of 6000 bolls ; which resolution was signed im- mediately by all the noblemen and gentlemen present, as on a paper apart. The Meeting also re- solve, that the price of the said 6000 bolls of meal shall be L.6 8s. Scots, the boll, payable in man- ner before-mentioned. The Meeting is also of opinion, that the former advertisement of the Justices of Peace, restraining the buying up of meal in small quantities, or bear or corn, with the fodder, except only for the buyers own use, be further continued by the Justices, till the first Tuesday of April next ; and that an act be made by the Justices of Peace accordingly : but that the Justices should grant licenses to proper persons for bupng up a sufficient quantity of meal, for serving the inhabitants of the towns of Fraserburgh, Peterhead, Newburgh, Rosearty, and Chai'lestoun ol' Aboyne ; that the quantity should be mentioned in the licences ; and that the persons to whom the licenses are granted should enact themselves in the Justices Court Books, to retail and sell out the meal they buy up, in consequence of the said licences, at no higher price than eight-pence halfpenny per peck. The Meeting is fui-ther of opinion, that it should be recommended to all the other noblemen, gentlemen, and heritors of the county, who are nut present, that they keep a proportion of their farms unsold, besides what they deliver to the town of Aberdeen, for the supply of tlieir own ten- ants and subtenants ; and that the Preses write letters to the Moderators of each Presb}'tery within the county, desiring that the ministers who have stipend meal paid to them sliould concur with the nobility and gentry of the shire, and send in, to the magistrates of Aberdeen, tlie same proportion of their meal stipend, after supplying their own families, in order to make up a pajt of the 6000 bolls, deli\'erable to the town of Aberdeen. Ale.\axder Robeutson, Preses. 29i ANNALS or ABERDEEN. AD. I7i0. meeting, to supply the town with 4000 bolls of meal, for the support of the inhabitants, at the rate of I3s. 4d. sterling the boll ; and the magistrates engaged to I'etail it to the people, both in the town and in the country, at the rate of lOd. the peck. This, with an impor- tation of barley from Holland, afforded considerable relief, and pre- vented any serious want. But the inhabitants in the higher parts of the country experienced many privations and distresses, which ap- proached almost to famine. They came to the town in great num- bers, from the distance of forty miles, to supplicate, even at any price, a small supply of corn or meal, for the sustenance of their families. 3 741. On the 4tli of August, this year, a terrible fire broke out in a house on the west side of the Broadgate, which, at first, threatened destruction to that part of the town. The hovises being constructed of wood, with stake and rice chimnies, the fire rapidly spread itself on each side, and no efforts of the people could extinguish it until se- veral adjoining houses had been completely consumed. Although this was a severe calamity both to the owners and to the inhabitants of these buildings, yet it ultimately proved beneficial to the town. Af- ter this accident, an act of council was passed, ordaining the outside walls of houses to be constructed wholly of stone or brick, and the roofs to be covered with slate or tyle ; and prohibiting every person from building outside walls with wood, chimnies with lath and plais- ter, or covering houses with turf, heath, or straw. In consequence of this salutary regulation, the citizens began to rebuild their tene- ments in a more regular manner, with more durable and substantial materials than formerly, and to embellish the front walls of their houses with dressed and regular coursed granite, on which method of building improvements have continued to be made. 1742. In the course of this and the subsequent year, there appears to liave been carried on, by certain persons in Aberdeen, a very nefa- rious traffic with Virginia, being a species of the slave trade, which, in modern times, has been so justly reprobated, and is now hap- pily abolished by the legislature. It wordd seem, that young boys of the country, who had occasion to repair to the town, and were without AXXALS OF ABERDEEN. 295 without the protection of their friends, were enticed to enter into en- a.d. iri. AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 174:3. missive manner; to be imprisoned in the jail till he did so, and paid a fine of ten shillings ; and to be proscribed the town. At the same time, his transgression and punishment were ordered to be i^ublishcd in the newspapers. Williamson, having submitted to this degrading and rigorous con- demnation, repaired to Edinburgh, where his case was taken up by some friends of humanity, and became the subject of cognizance of the judges of the supreme court. The conduct of the adventurers in this abominable trade of kidnapping was developed, by production of their journals ; and the iniqviity and rigour of the magistrates' sen- tence appeared so manifest, that those judges did not hesitate to pro- nounce, in the month of February, 1762, an unanimous jvidgment in favour of Williamson, condemning the provost, fovir baillies, and dean of guild, jointly, in a fine of L.lOO sterling, to be paid to him, as a reparation for the injury which he had suffered by their means ; with the whole expence of the law-suit, being about L.80 sterling more. And the judges, to testify their disapprobation of the pro- ceedings of the magistrates in this instance, directed that they should be personally liable, not only to the fine, but to the expense. * 1745, After an interval of thirty years, the last attempt was made by the Chevalier de St. George to regain the crown and kingdoms which the bigotry and imprudence of his father had so justly for- feited. His son, Charles Edward Stuart, taking advantage of some reverses of fortune which Britain had lately experienced on the con- tinent, set sail, in a French frigate, from France, in the month of August, this year, accompanied by a few friends, for accomplishing the * The magistrates intended to have taken an appeal to the House of Peers, but tliey were dis- suaded by the Earl of Findlater, who had been, for many years, the patron of the town. His Lord- ship was of opinion, that, as Williamson was a poor man, an appeal, by the magistrates of a royal borough, would be taken up in a very unfavourable point of view. It was, therefore, abandoned. The Earl, however, being, at this time. Lord High Admiral of Scotland, had appointed the magis- trates his Admirals Depute on this part of the coast; and, although the salvages of wrecked vessels were generally accounted for by them, from time to time, to his Lordship, yet he never called for any money that might have been received by his deputies, but, with the greatest liberality, directed it to be applied to the common good of the town. On this occasion, he was pleased to order the money arising from such salvages to be appropriated to payment of the fine and expenses which liad been awarded to Williamson ; and it was, no doubt, applied accordingly — QjV.'S. penes me — Life of Peter Willi(imson~-Process, JVilliamson against the Magistrates of Aberdeen, in 17 61 and 1762.] ANNALS or ABERDEEN Ud7 the daring enterprise of dethroning the king, and subverting the go- A.D. 171''. vernraent of Britain. He flattered himself with sanguine hopes of meeting with a cordial support from the Jacobites, and disaffected chieftains, in Scotland, whose zeal for his father's cause was not yet extinguished. After encountering several difficulties, he landed upon the west coast of Scotland, where he was joined by a few of the highland clans, under their chiefs ; and, among the rest, by the Mar- quis of Tullibardine, who was the eldest son of the former Duke of Athol, and had forfeited his estates and honours by his accession to the previous rebellion. On the 18th of the same month, Tullibardine took the command of Prince Charles' army, and hostilities com- menced with the king's troops, in the neighbourhood of Fort "Wil- liam. Sir John Cope, commander-in-chief of the few regular troops in Scotland, immediately put in motion what forces he could collect, and marched in quest of the rebels. He left Stirling, with about 1500 foot, intending to take the road to Inverness, by the passage over the hills of Corriarach ; but, having received intelligence that the rebels meant to attack him in that intricate pass, he changed his route, proceeded by Ruthven, in Badenoch, and, by forced marches, arrived at Inverness, without meeting with any opposition, leaving the southern part of the kingdom exposed to the rebels. jNIeanwhile, Prince Charles, finding that his army was considerably augmented, advanced southward ; and, upon the 3d of September, took possession of the town of Perth, where he was joined by a no- bleman who had assumed the title of Duke of Perth, and by other disaffected barons. He marched from that place, passed the frith of Forth, and, his progress being uninterrupted, took possession of the city of Edinburgh, after some little resistance, on the 17th Septem- ber. He now found himself in the metropolis of Scotland, with a pretty numerous army, and held his levees in the king's palace of Holyrood. In this situation of public affairs, the magistrates of Aberdeen, who zealously supported the house of Brunswick, convened the citizens in the town-hall, for the purpose of concerting the measures proper to be adopted in this difficult juncture. After a variety of opinions among them, it was, at length, resolved, that a certain number of the inhabi- Q q tants 298 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1715. tants should be armed, and do duty alternately, by guards of seventy, for preserving peace and good order in the town ; and officers were accordingly appointed by the magistrates for taking the command. Sir John Cope having found no commotion at Inverness, returned southward, and arrived at Aberdeen on the 11th September, with 52100 foot, his army being augmented by the highlanders who had joined him in the north. He rested his army in the town till Sunday the loth, when he embarked on board of transports, and sailed for the south, under convoy of three sloops of war. He landed at Dunbar on the subsequent Tuesday, being the same day on which Prince Charles had entered the palace of Holyroodhouse. Previous to leaving Aberdeen, Cope dismounted, from the blockhouse, six fine twelve pounders, which he carried away, along with 250 stand of muskets, and ammunition, belonging to the town, that these artillery and arms might not fall into the hands of the rebels. Cope's army, on landing at Dunbar, was augmented by two regiments of dragoons, who had found it necessary to retire from Edinburgh, on the ap- proach of the rebels. Upon the 20th, Prince Charles marched from his camp, near Duddingston, in quest of Cope's army, which consisted of about SOOO horse and foot, well supported with artillery ; and encamped in the neighbourhood of Prestonpans, with the village of Tranent in his front, and the sea in his rear. Early next morning the prince com- menced the attack, at the head of abovit 2500 highlanders, ragged, lialf armed, and imdisciplined, who, with sword in hand, charged the king's troops with such impetuosity, that, in a very short time, they were broken, and totally routed. The dragoons fled with precipi- tancy at the first onset ; and the general officers, having ineffectually attempted to rally them, thought proper to consult their own safety by a rapid retreat tow^ards Coldstream. In this action, five officers of the king's army were killed, among whom was the gallant Colonel Gardener ; 84 officers were taken prisoners ; 400 rank and file killed, and 1200 taken prisoners. The whole artillery, camp equipage, and the military chest, fell into the hands of the victors, who returned, in triumph, to Edinburgh. Sir John Cope and the Earl of Loudon, witli some dragoons, fled to Dunbar : and the officers who had been taken AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. 299 taken prisoners were sent into Fife and Angus, where they were left a.d. iriS; at their liberty, on their parole, which many of them, in the sequel, thought proper to break. About this time, John Hamilton, chamberlain to the Duke of Gordon, and a zealous partizan of the prince, marched into Aberdeen, with about twenty-five horsemen, and seventy foot, on their way to join the rebel army. On his arrival, he assumed not a little authority in the town, and was joined by several disaffected inhabitants. He ordered all the prisoners in the jail to be set at liberty, proceeded to the cross, where he proclaimed a manifesto, announcing Prince Charles regent of the kingdom, and compelled the magistrates to at- tend him. These circumstances having occurred on the day ap- pointed for the annual election of the magistrates and town council, in which some progress had been made previous to the arrival of Hamilton, it was thought advisable to postpone, at this time, any further proceedings. On the 27th September, he and his followers , took their departure, and proceeded to Edinburgh, where they joined the rebel army. * The Jacobites, both in the town and county, were so much elated with the late successes of their chief in the south, that they could not be restrained within the bounds of moderation. After Hamilton liad left the town, several gentlemen from Buchan, and other parts of the country, arrived, with about thirty-four horse, and joined Lord Pitsligo ; but they soon departed, taking with them a company of foot, composed chiefly of some young men and apprentices, who had been enticed to engage in the service of the rebels. In the begin- ning of November, Lord Lewis Gordon, who had been appointed, by the prince, lord lieutenant of the counties of Aberdeen and Banff, made his appearance in the town, accompanied by WilHam INIoir of Lonmay, and James Moir of Stoney wood, and assumed the direction of public affairs. He summoned the magistrates, who had formerly been in office, and the counsellors, who had been nominated upon tlie 25th September, to meet him in the town-house, in order to com- Q q 2 plete * Council Register, vol. Isi. p. 21 6. SOO ANNALS OF ABERDEEN, A.D. 1745. plete the act of election, which had been postponed; and to put the town under proper civil government ; but none of the members were inclined to attend him. He, therefore, named a set of magistrates and counsellors, suited to his own views; but, notwithstanding his threats of imprisonment, they all declared their refusal to accept the offices to which they had been nominated. On this, he thought it proper to appoint Mr. Moir of Lonmay to be his deputy-lieutenant, and governor of the town. The first act of Mr. Moir's administra- tion was an order to levy the cess from the citizens for the preced- ing year, being L.487 6s. 4d. sterling, and to enforce payment by mi- litai-y execution. The rebels being in joossession of the town, lived at free quarters, and the lord lieutenant issued his directions to the landholders of the county, to furnish, for their army, one man, suffi- ciently clothed and armed, for every L.lOO Scots of the valued rent of their lands, or to pay L.5 sterling for each deficient man, in lieu of service ; and in this levy the town was included. About this time. Lord John Drummond,* having landed at Mon- trose, made his appearance in Aberdeen, under the assumed title of commander-in-chief of his most Christian Majesty's forces in Scot- land ; and published, at the cross, with great ceremony, a singular ma- ]iifesto, f which was, afterwards, printed, and dispersed. But, although it •' In the end of September tliere arrived at Stonehaven two ships from France, one with arm?, and another witli about 120 men, officers inchided ; at Peterhead, two ships, with about 150 French troops, and warlike stores ; at Aberdeen, an hospital ship, with about 40 Frenchmen ; and at Mon- trose, two ships, with troops and warlike stores, in one of which was Lord John Drummond. + " We, Lord John Drummond, Commander-in-chief of his most Christian Majesty's forces in Scotland, do hereby declare, that we are come to this kingdom with written orders to make war against the King of England, Elector of Hanover, and all his adherents ; and that the positive or- tlers we have from his most Christian Majesty are, to attack all his enemies in this kingdom, whom he has declared to be those who will not immediately join or assist, as far as will lie in their power, the Prince of Wales, Regent of Scotland, &c. his ally; and whom he is resolved, with concurrence of the King of Spain, to support, in the taking possession of Scotland, England, and Ireland, if ne- cessary, at the expense of all the men and money he is master of; to which three kingdoms the fa- mily of Stuart have so just and indisputable a title. And his most Christian Majesty's positive or- ders are, that his enemies should be used in this kingdom in proportion to the harm they do, or intend to do, his lloyal Highness's cause. — Given at Montrose, 2d December, 1745." " J. Drummond." ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 301 alarmed some of the loyal citizens, yet, in general, it made little im- A.D. 1745. pression, and was treated with the contempt which it really merited. In the meantime, the Earl of Loudon having heen appointed com- mander-in-chief of the king's forces in the north, liad collected a body of highlanders, composed of M'Leods, Monroes, Sutherlands, M'Kays, and Grants, and detached the Laird of M'Leod, with 500 men, having under him Captain Monro of Culcairn, and 200 of his clan, to deliver Aberdeen from the possession of the rebels. On the intelligence of their approach. Lord Lewis Gordon assem- bled all the forces that he could collect in the town and the neisrh- bourhood, to the number of about 1100 foot, consisting chiefly of French auxiliaries and Angus men. They marched from the town on JNIonday, 23d December, with all the insignia of warlike ar- ray, and five pieces of small artillery, which they had seized from a vessel in the harbour. Their route was to Inverury, by the Fintray road, on the left side of the river Don. About four o'clock in the afternoon, they passed the river Ury, near the church, and surprised this detachment of Lord Loudon's army, to the number of 1200 foot. A skirmish ensued, and, after some fighting, the clans were obliged to retreat, with the loss of five men killed, and about forty taken prisoners. Of the rebels, twenty were killed in the action, some few drowned or killed in passing the river, and a considerable number ■were wounded. Mr. Maitland of Pittrichie, Mr. Forbes of Edit, Mr. Chalmers, late principal of King's College, who happened to be with the king's troops, and Lieutenant Gordon, of the jMonros, were taken prisoners, conducted to the town, and confined in prison for some time, where they were harshly treated. Lord Lewis returned to the town, greatly elated by his success, which was too insignificant to be of any important advantage to the general cause. After the accom- plishment of this enterprise, the town continued to be infested with the rebels ; and the deputy-lieutenant and governor enforced pay- ment of a contribution of L.IOOO, which was imposed upon the citi- zens, towards the expense of supplies for the rebel army. In * Council Register, vol. xvi. p. 216. SOS ANNALS OF ABERDKEN. A.D. 1745. Meanwhile, Prince Charles had marched into England, with an army of about 6000 men. In the beginning of November, he laid siege to Carlisle, which, in three days, surrendered ; and, having taken the route to Manchester, he was joined by about two hundred men, and penetrated as far as Derby, where his army halted. The disap- pointments which he had met with in finding so few adherents in England, the distresses which his troops had endured from the in- clemency of the season, and a great force, under the king in person, which lay betwixt him and London, obliged him to retreat, without delay, into Scotland. He conducted his retreat in good order, be- fore a harassing enemy, with unparalleled celerity, neither plunder- ing the country, nor leaving the sick, the stragglers, nor artillery, behind. On his return to Scotland, he defeated the king's forces, under General Hawley, at Falkirk, and, elated with his sviccess, pro- ceeded to besiege Stirling Castle. Having failed in this enterprise, and the royal army, imder the Duke of Cumberland, closely pursuing liim, he precipitately retired into the north. 1746, In the beginning of the year, intelligence being brought to Aber- deen, that his Koyal Highness had arrived at Edinburgh with a strong army, and had driven the rebels across the Forth, such of them as had remained in the town were seized with consternation, and began to take their departure rather abruptly. On the 8th of February, one of the divisions of the rebel army, 2000 strong, marched into Aber- deen, in the course of their retreat to the north, and others of them followed ; but, on the 2Sd, it was evacuated by the rebels. The Duke made rapid progress to overtake the army under Prince Charles ; but, by their surprising retreats, and the rapidity of their movements, they eluded his vigilance. On Tuesday, 25tli February, one regiment of dragoons, and three regiments of foot, of the royal army, marched into the town ; and, in a few days afterwards, thirteen regiments of foot, and three regiments of dragoons, followed. The former were cantoned in the town, and the latter in Old Aberdeen, and in the villages in the neighbourhood. On the 27th, his Eoyal Highness arrived at Aberdeen, accompa- nied by a few general officers, and a detachment of dragoons. He was ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 303 was received in the Schoolhill, by a deputation of the magistrates a.d. 1746. who had served in office previous to the rebellion, and conducted to his lodgings in the Guestraw, through the streets, which were hned with the burgesses, and other inhabitants.* On the svxbsequent day, he was waited on by the same deputation, and by other respectable citizens, who congratulated him on his success, and welcomed him to the town. They met with a gracious reception. In order to testify his approbation of the good conduct of the ci- tizens, in the critical juncture of public affairs, he announced a ball, in the Marischal College, on Monday the 3d of March, which was at- tended by all the respectable people of the town ; and his Royal Highness was pleased to display sincere marks of respect both for the ladies and the gentlemen who were assembled on this occasion. The army remained in their cantonments until the beginning of April, when he began to put his troops in motion, that he might com- mence hostilities against the rebels. On the 8th of April, the Duke took his departure from Aberdeen, with the rear division of his army, the main body, which was advancing northward, having marched some days before him. Before leaving the town, he placed its civil government under the direction of James Morison of Elsick, who had formerly filled the office of chief magistrate, and of eleven other citizens, for the pur- pose of preserving the peace, until tranquillity should be restored. At the same time, the newly erected building of Robert Gordon's hospital was converted into a temporary fort, with a garrison of 200 men, who were put under the command of a captain. It was sur- rovmded by a trench, and earthen ramparts, faced with palisadoes, and called Fort Cumberland. The citizens, to the number of 400, enrolled themselves as volunteers, to serve as guards in the town, in the absence of the king's forces, and were regularly trained to armsf . The royal army, having passed th& river Spey without being- molested by the rebels, though a body of them hovered on the op- posite * Council Register, vol. Ixi. p. 217. t M.S. penes me. 304 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1746. posite bank, proceeded to Nairn, where his Eoyal Highness received intelligence that they had advanced, on their way to meet him, from Inverness to Culloden, about nine miles distant from his position. On the I6th, the Duke came up with the rebels, who were formed, in order of battle, on the moor of Culloden. They were found to be about 6000 strong ; but the king's forces outnumbered them, and were dis- posed in excellent order by their commander, who, during the whole of the engagement, distinguished himself by displaying the abilities of an experienced general. The royal army was supported with ten field pieces ; the artillery of the rebels was less numerous, badly served, and ill directed. The cannonading began about one in the afternoon, and the rebels, impatient of the galling fire of the royal artillery, rushed on, and charged the king's troops with their usual impetuo- sity ; but, although the left wing was staggered by the fuiy of their assavdt, yet on the right and centre they had made no impression. In a short time, the rebels were vanquished, and a total rout en- sued. What followed is so well known in history, that it is vmneces- sary to recapitulate it here. By this decisive victory, the rebellion was completely extin- guished, and tranquillity soon restored. Intelligence of this event being brought to the town, there were great rejoicings, which were continued by the citizens for two days. Addresses were transmitted from tlie twelve gentlemen who had been appointed governors, and from the citizens, both to the King, and to his Koyal Highness the Duke, congratulating them on the late success of his Majesty's arms, aiid the suppression of the rebellion. The government of the town was restored to legitimate magis- trates and a town council, under the authority of an ordinance of the king and council, which directed, that the same persons who might have elected the magistrates, counsellors, and other ofiice-bearers, at Michaelmas last, should meet, on the 9th of July, and proceed to complete the election, according to the ancient practice ; and those who were so elected were authorised to continue in their respective oflftces luitil the ordinary day of the annual change, in the month of September, After the election, the magistrates and council voted the freedom of the town, to be presented, in an elegant gold box, to the ANKALS OF ABLKDrEX. J30o the Duke of Cumberland, to whom they paid many high compli- a.d. i-,i6. ments, on his bravery and good conduct, in so sjDCcdily and effectu- ally extinguishing the rebellion. The box was presented to his Hoyal Highness by Mr. Maule, member of parUament for this district of boroughs, and graciously received. After the battle of Culloden, part of the royal army returned to Aberdeen, where the 36th (Fleming's) regiment remained in canton- ments during the summer. Some of the officers of that corps, per- haps elated by their late successes, could not be restrained from committing outrages upon the inhabitants. On the first of August, being the anniversary day of the accession of King George I. to the throne, they conceived that they had a right to order the windows of the houses in the town to be illuminated. This not having been so readily complied with as was expected, they gave directions to the soldiers to demolish the windows ; by which means considerable da- mage was occasioned to the inhabitants. The magistrates acted, on this occasion, with becoming spirit, for, next day, they issued a war- rant to apprehend one of the officers who had given directions to break the windows, and to order him to be committed to jail, till he should find security, \uider a high penalty, to stand trial for the of- fence. The officers, who were the abettors in this outrage, had cause to regret their imprudence ; for not only the crown lawyers, but the commander-in-chief, expressed, in decided terms, disapprobation of their conduct on this occasion ; and the magistrates had determined to sue them for reparation of the damages which had been suflTered by the citizens. At the intercession, however, of the Earl of Albemarle, commander-in-chief, and of the Lord Justice Clerk, the matter was re- erred to the arbitration of two gentlemen of the county, who pro- nounced an award, finding the officers liable to L.60 16s. 5d. being the loss which had been sustained by the poorer ranks of the inhabi- tants. The damages suffered by others in the town, which were very considerable, never were claimed. In the course of this rebellion, Aberdeen had not many grievances to complain of; for, although it had been in possession of the R r rebels * Decree Arbitral, dated 31st January, 1747. 306 ANNALS OF AEEllDDEN. A.D. i:4G. rebels for five or six montlis, yet few excesses were committed by them upon the inhabitants ; and the contributions which were im- posed by tlieir leaders were, upon the whole, very inconsiderable, and scarcely felt by those who were subjected to them. The money re- mitted to pay the royal army, and the gold which was sent over from France to assist the pretender, occasioned a considerable influx of wealth into the country ; and many persons in the town experienced the benefits arising from it, and from the furnishings and provisions to both armies. After this event, the people began to apply them- selves more to industry, and to make greater exertions, in the way of trade and manufactures, than they had formerly been accustomed to do ; so that, upon the whole, the result of the rebellion was, in maiiy respects, favourable to Scotland. After that period, the trade and j)opulation of Aberdeen would appear to have gradually increased. i7>3. At Michaelmas, this year, a difference arose among some of the leading members of the town council, concerning the politics of the borough. Alexander Livingston of Countesswells had been chosen provost at the preceding election, was zealous in promoting the trade and maimfactures of the place, where he had established seve- ral trading companies, and was supported by a pretty strong party in the council. He had, however, unfortunately incurred the displea- sure of some of the oldest members, who now formed a party to op- pose him,* in the event of his standing a candidate for re-election. The counsellors were equally divided, nine being against him, eight only in his interest, and one being absent. On the day of the an- nual election, the provost could only muster nine votes, when the old council met to choose the new ; all the other members having ab- sented tliemselves intentionally, although they were duly summoned to attend, at the hour appointed. The provost, notwithstanding, pro- ceeded to the nomination of the new counsellors, who were all his ad- herents ; and, in the evening, the election was completed, in the usual manner. * Mr. Livingston was a native of Aberdeen, and had, in the course of trade, acquired a consi- derable fortune in Rotterdam. The only charge against him was, that the price of meal had risen in the course of his mayoralty, a circumstance which he could not prevent, for it was well known, that he never had been concerned as a dealer in corn or meal. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 307 manner, he himself being elected provost, and his friends office- A.d. bearers and counsellors. The party of the old council who had ab- sented themselves now murmured loudly at the advantage which had been taken of their absence, and resolved to complain to the su- preme civil court ; bvit it appears their counsel at Edinburgh were of ojiinion, that, as they had intentionally absented themselves, it was not competent to them to prosecute a complaint in the present in- stance, but that other burgesses might complain of the illegality of the election. A summary complaint was accordingly presented to the court of session, in name of a number of the friends of the opposition, and the usvial warrant was issued upon it ; but some omission or informa- lity having taken place, which was fatal to the action, the parties cooled in their ardovn-, abandoned the law-suit, and acquiesced in a reference, which Avas proposed, to the Earl of Findlater, who not only reconciled them, but confirmed the election ; which put an end to jjolitical differences in the council for many years. About this time, a discord sprung up among the people, con- 1751- cerning the psalmody in the church. The music had been long complained of, as too slow and inharmonious to the refined taste of many of the congregation. An imj^rovement had been lately made in church music, in some of the neighbouring parishes, by a person of the name of Shannon, who professed to teach the musical art. To gratify many of the principal citizens, the magistrates engaged him to perform, along with his pupils, in the church, which he accord- ingly did, much to the satisfaction of a majority of the people. This religious innovation, however, alarmed Mr. John Bisset and Mr. James Ogilvie, two of the ministers, who represented it as no less than the introdviction of idolatry ; particularly, as Shannon had formerly been a soldier, and used a pitch j^ipe. In this they were supported by the members of the church session, Avho carried matters so far as to dictate to the congregation how they should sing, and what tunes they should practise in the church ; by which means a ferment was raised among the people, who, as usual, in such cases, were much divided. The matter having been carried before the presbytery by an appeal, that reverend body was of opinion, that the church session had done wrong, and that they Iiad no power to dic- R r 2 tate S08 A>'NALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. i75i. tate to the congregation how they should sing, nor to restrict them to any number of tunes. At the same time, they recommended to the people to learn and sing what pieces of music they thought proper. 1756. The ambitious schemes of the French in North America having now occasioned disputes between Great Britain and France, con- cerning the British settlements on that continent, a rupture ensued between the two nations, which involved Britain in a tedious and bloody war in almost every quarter of the globe. Hostilities com- menced in North America, afterwards in Germany, for the protection of his Majesty's electoral dominions of Hanover ; and formidable ar- maments, both by sea and land, were fitted out by the belligerent powers. Soon after the commencement of hostilities, an invasion of Britain was threatened by France, and various preparations were made for that purpose. The magistrates of Aberdeen thought it jjroper to adopt necessary measures of precaution for the safety of the town, in the event of a descent being attempted by the enemy. The blockhouse was repaired, and mounted with four twelve-pounders, for the protection of the harbour ; and the citizens were enrolled as vo- lunteers, to the number of 500, to serve as a corps for the defence of the town ; but no circumstance occurred to require their services. On one occasion, however, a considerable alarm was spread, by the appearance, on the coast, of six French frigates, with 1300 land forces on board, under the command of the noted adventurer Thurot ; but this squadron did not attempt any landing of troops, and soon dis- appeared. In the course of this war, the ship owners suffered severe losses, by having many of their vessels captured by French privateers ; which, although they allowed them to be ransomed, as was then the practice, carried off, on frequent occasions, more money from the owners than the real value of the ships that had been taken. 1-61. The 22d of September, this year, being fixed for the coronation of our gracious sovereign, King George III. and of his Queen, Char- lotte, who are both still in life, was celebrated in the town with every demonstration of joy. The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells, and by bonfires on the streets. In the course of the forenoon, a concert ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 309 concert of vocal and instrumental music was performed in the hall of A.D. i:6i. the Marischal College, to which many of the citizens were invited, by printed cards from the magistrates. The company was numerous, and the ladies were splendidly dressed for the occasion. After the concert, they repaired to the town-hall, where an elegant coDation was prepared for them ; and the gentlemen proceeded to an amphi- theatre, constructed in the Castle-street, on the east side of the cross, where they drank, in wine, the healths of the king and queen, and other patriotic toasts ; the military firing vollies in the intervals. In the evening, the houses were brilliantly illuminated, and the citizens were entertained by the magistrates in the town-hall. To add to the splendour of the day, the incorporated trades assembled, and ac- companied their convener and their deacons in a grand procession through the streets, with their respective colours and insignia dis- played. Afterwards, they sat down to a sumptuous entertainment, provided in their common hall, to which the magistrates and some of the principal citizens were invited. The latter part of this year was remarkable for a long continu- 1767- ance of unfavourable weather, which retarded the harvest. The alarm of scarcity occasioned a considerable rise in the price of corn ; and the populace, as usual, denounced their vengeance on the dealers in meal in the town. In the month of December, a mob of disorderly persons assembled on the street, broke open the cellar of one of those dealers, threatened to put himself to death, and car- ried off, in a very lawless manner, a considerable quantity of his stock. The magistrates and sheriff of the county being unable to restrain this ovitrage, were compelled to call out the military to their assistance. In vain did they attempt to quell the disturbance, and disperse the mob ; and every persuasive effort to appease the people having failed, the soldiers were ordered to fire upon them, and ac- cordingly one man was killed, and several persons wounded. The rioters now thought proper to take flight ; but a few of the most active of the ringleaders were apprehended, committed to prison, tried before the circuit court of justiciary in the subsequent spring, ixnd two of them being convicted of the outrage, one was banished from the kingdom, and the other suffered the punishment of trans- portation. About GIO ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1775. About this time, difFerences arose between Great Eiitain and her colonies in North America, with relation to the expense which had been incurred by Britain, in the prosecution of the former war with France, chiefly for their protection. The ministers considered, that the American colonies were, upon every principle of equity, respon- sible for a part of this expense ; and, on that account, imposed a tax, or stamp duty, on paper, used for various purposes, in the course of trade, within the colonial territories. This tax being resisted by the Americans, was abandoned, and another substituted in its place, being a duty on certain commodities exported from Britain to the colonies. This met with still greater opposition, and, ultimately, both countries were involved in a tedious and disastrous war, which terminated, at the end of seven years, by establishing the indepen- dence of the American states. Soon after the commencement of the war, the citizens of Aber- deen made an attemjot to establish a corps of volunteers, for the de- fence of the town, and about 500 of them were embodied and armed; but their plan of service not corresponding with what had been set- tled by government, they were soon disembodied. That nothing, however, might be deficient, on the part of the magistrates and of tlie citizens, to display their zeal in support of the constitvitional connexion between the mother country and her colonies, they, in Ja- 1778. nuary, this year, tendered an offer to raise a regiment, to be called the Aberdeen volunteers, to serve in the line ; and considerable sub- scriptions were made, in money, by the citizens, for defraying the charge of this undertaking But his Majesty's ministers declined to accept this patriotic offer, by a letter to the magistrates from the Earl of Suffolk, one of the principal secretaries of state. * 1781. In the spring of this year, three privateers were fitted out by three several associations of adventurers in Aberdeen, at a considerable ex- pense, to crviize against the Americans, and their allies ; but they did not meet with the desired success, having returned from their cruizes without making any captures. One of these privateers, called the Revenge, Council Register, vol. kiv. p. II G. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. SH Revenge, of 100 tons burthen, mounted twelve gwws, the crew con- sisting of forty men ; another, the Liberty, of the same burthen, with the same niunber of guns, and crew ; and the third, tlie Tartar, of 60 tons burthen, armed with four guns, having twenty men on board. On the 25th May, this year, two of these, the Liberty and Tartar, were cut out of the bay of Aberdeen, where they were rid- ing at anchor, and both destroyed, by the noted Captain Fall, under the guns of the newly erected battery. These circumstances seem to have put a stop to future adventures of that kind in this quarter. In the course of the war, the owners of shipping belonging to the port suffered very severe losses, by the enemies privateers, which captured, ransomed, and destroyed many of their vessels. This year was long remembered, for the inclemency of the weather us?. during the greatest part of it, and for scarcity and dearth. In the month of October, when very little progress had been made in the harvest, severe frosts, attended with heavy falls of snow, set in, which destroyed the standing corn, prevented it from ripening, and mate- rially injured, in many parts of the country, a great part of what had been cut down. The unceasing continuance of bad weather during the latter part of the year retarded the harvest so much, that, in the middle of December, it was not completely finished. These circum- stances naturally occasioned an alarming deficiency in the crop, and famine would have been the inevitable consequence, had not the ports been opened for the importation of corn, upon paying the low duties, and great exertions made, by government, and individuals, to procure supplies from foreign countries, for the necessities of the people. The magistrates of Aberdeen embraced the earliest opportunity of concerting the best means of alleviating the distresses of the inhabitants, and of preventing, among the indigent part of them, so severe a calamity as famine, which was much dreaded. In the end of October, it was found, on enquiry, that the stock of corn and meal, of all kinds, in the town, was inadequate to more than two weeks consumption ; and there being little prospect of any supply from the county, the magistrates judged it proper to sum- mon 312 AKN'ALS OF ABERDEEN". A.D. 1782. mon a meeting of the principal citizens, to advise with them in this distressing jmicture. At this meeting, a committee* of nine- teen gentlemen was appointed, to solicit pecuniary aid, by vo- luntary subscriptions, that a fund might be raised for purchasing corn, wherever it could be procured ; and for conducting tlie busi- ness, upon a proper system, for the benefit of the inhabitants. The contributions, from the public societies of the town, and from indivi- duals, were very liberal, the sum of L. 1719 17s. 6d. being speedily raised ; * The Gentlemen who were appointed of tliis Committee were :— William Yoimg, Esq. Lord Provost James Jopp, Esq. late Provost William Cruden, Esq. late Baillie Jolm Aukljo, Esq. late Baillie Francis Leys, Esq. late Baillie Alexander Allardyce, Esq. Thomas Bannerman, Esq. Merchant t Alexander Leslie, Esq. do. Alexander Black, Esq. do. Robert Turner, Esq. Sheriff Substitute John Gordon, Esq. Sheriff Clerk James Gibbon, from Society of Shipmasters Roderick M'Leod, Sub- Principal of King's College Rev. Dr. Gerrard, Professor of Divinity, do. Thomas Taylor, Convener of the Trades James Gordon, Master of the Trades' Hospital John Tower, late Convener J. Hackett, from the Incorporation of Shoemakers George Moir, Esq. of Seotstown. The Committee, on 28th December, 1784, fitted and settled the accounts of their management, which were deposited in the archives of the town. From these accounts it appears, that the Com- mittee imported into Aberdeen, from the continent, and from England, the following quantities of grain and meal, betwixt the beginning of January and the end of July, 1783, at the annexed cit- mulo prices :— Account of Oats, Bear, Barley, and Meal, imported. Sacks. Quarters, To Oats, without charges— average, per boll, 18s. 3d. — Oatmeal do do L.l 4s. ~- Bear >.- Bear meal ■— Barley — Pease meal — Flour — Meal, Wheat, &c — White pease 619 402 1190 99 514 2205 619 Bolls. Price. 4349 L.3,974 10 G 4493 4,564 7 6 100 125 18 140 139 13 925 3 552 1 9 2,443 13 165 15 843 s 9082 L.13,704 2 I Mr, Bannerman is now t)ie only surviving Member of tliis Committee. A>.'NALS OF ACEnDEEN. 313 raised ; and the Aberdeen Bank and the Bank of Scotland* agreed to a.d. i:s-2. advance ip.oney, for tweh-e montlis, free of interest. By these means, the Committee were enabled to purchase corn on the continent ; supplies of various kinds of grain were obtained from England ; and the poor people were prevented from feeling, in so great a degree, distresses, to which they would otherwise have been exposed by the failure of the crop. On the 24tli of December, a meeting of the gentlemen of landed property was also held at Aberdeen, for the purpose of enquiring into the state of the crop, and the probable quantity of corn that might be wanted to supply the inhabitants of the county. At this time it ap- peared, that great quantities of grain were remaining, luicut down, in many parts of the country ; and it was the general opinion, that it would require nearly three bolls of the best oats to yield one boll of meal. From these and other circumstances, it was computed, that to give the inhabitants their usual quantum of meal, there would be wanted no less than 220,000 bolls, f over and above what might be expected from the produce of the county. s s By * The town subscribed three hundred guineas, from the public funds ; and the remainder was subscribed by individuals of the town. The Aberdeen Bank and Bank of Scotland agreed to ad- vance L.3000 each, for twelve months, free of interest. t The following statement was made up, some time afterwards, by the late Dr. James Ander- son of Mounie, on the subject of the crop 178- : — " It was computed, that, in an ordinary year, the expenditure of 100 bolls of great oats might be thus allocated: 75 for meal, which would, on an average, yield 70 bolls of meal ; and 25 bolls for seed. Of the present crop, instead of 25 bolls for seed, it was supposed, that, on account of the badness of its quality, 30 bolls at least would be wanted ; but 30 bolls of the 75 being lost by waste, there would remain only 45 ; which, on an average, between one half and two thirds meal, would yield 18| bolls, (being little more than one fifth part of the usual quantity,) instead of 70, which were appropriated to that purpose in an ordinary yeai-. " To ascertain what would be the deficiency for the whole county ; assuming these facts as data, it was supposed, that the whole population of Aberdeenshire was nearly 131,000; and, allowing one peck of meal to each person per week, the consumption of the whole county would be upwaids of 300,000 bolls, for one year. " It was admitted, that the county used to supply its whole inhabitants with corn, in an ordinary year, and no more ; for it appeared, from the Custom-house books, that the expoits and imports, including transportation coast-wise, in both cases, were, on an average of yeai-s, nearly equal. " From 314 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1782. By the great exertions of the Committee of the citizens, and the steady measures which they pursued, for upwards of a year, an abun- dant supply of meal was obtained for the inhabitants, and the few- privations which they experienced during that period of scarcity were- " From the above data, it appeared, that, instead of 300,000 bolls of meal, the county would this year have no more than 79,000, say 80,000, so that, to give the inhabitants their usual supply, there woidd be wanted 220,000. " To make up this deficiency, the malting of bear was to be given up by all ranks, and it was supposed, that about one half of the usual quantity of bear raised in the county, estimated at 80,000 bolls nearly, viz. 40,000 bolls, would be made into meal ; which, at li bolls from a boll of bear, would yield, of meal, to be applied to food - - Bolls.. .60,000 " To make up the deficiency, it was computed, that there would be a saving in the quantity consumed by the lower ranks of people, which, if estimated at about one eighth part of the usual consumption, would amount to about - - 35,000 " By accelerating the harvest, by sowing early grain, and mealing it as soon as possi- ble, there might be saved the consumption of one month nearly, or - 25,000 " And as the harvest this yeai- was very late, and the foi-mer crop abundant, it was supposed, that, in case of a favourable season, and beginning very soon to early potatoes, ynother month's consumption might be saved, hide ■ - - 25,000 Total quantity that can be made up by the whole crop of the county, - 145,000 Which, deducted from the former deficiency of the county, being - 220,000 Would still leave to be provided for, - - 75,000 « This was considered to be the minimum quantity that would be wanted for the county ; but iliat probably it would require more. Had not the prices risen very early, and the people been put upon their guard, at an early period, to attend to every possible saving, there must have been at least 50,000 additional bolls wanted. " This estimate had been made with so much care, and the measures adopted were so steadily pursued throughout the whole year, that it afterwards appeai'ed, by the Custom-house books, that, between the 1st of November, 1782, and the 1st of November, 1783, there had been imported into the county, from various places, considerably above 80,000 bolls of grain, of all sorts ; which is 20,000 more than the whole quantity of bread corn, the produce of the crop of the county, tliat could be applied towards the sustenance of the people for that year, of which a considerable quan- tity was pease. But as the Custom-house limits of the port of Aberdeen include some part of the JNleams, there is reason to believe that the estimate was, in all its parts, very near the truth. This brought to light a series of facts, of a very uncommon nature : — 1. That a crop may be so deficient, through the extreme unfavourableness of the weather during a particular season, as not to leave one fourth part of the quantity of bread-corn produced, and consumed by the inhabitants, in an ordinary year; and 2d. That in the event of such a deficiency happening in a country, chieflj' depending on agriculture, it is possible, by means of deconomy and attention, and a spirit of sobriety, to overcome it, without experiencing the calamity of a famine." AI^XALS OF ABERDEEX. 31 a were soon forgotten. The Committee having finally settled the ac- a.d. i:sj counts of their management, it was found, that the voluntary contri- butions fully indemnified them of every loss upon their transactions, except a few pounds, which were paid by the treasurer of Aberdeen,* As an equivalent for this loss, the inhabitants had been provided with meal, at a moderate price, far under what could have been at first expected; and at no time were there any murmurs among the people, or any indications of popular tumult. Fortunately for the gentlemen of the Committee, as well as for the people them- selves, the practices of forestalling and monopoly, which, according to general opinion, tend to raise the price of corn,f were little known at the time ; and no undue speculations were attempted by any one, so as to inflame the minds of the people, or to occasion distur- bances in the town during this interesting period. Wlien the war with the American States was drawing to a close, many eminent statesmen began to direct their attention to the im- portant question of parliamentary reform, which had, for some time, agitated the public mind, and for the attainment of which object, as- sociations had become general and numerous in various parts of the kingdom. The subject was introduced into the Commons House of Parliament, this session, by that distinguished statesman Mr. William 1782. Pitt, who had recently obtained a seat for Appleby. His eloquence ^'^^ ^• was employed, for many days, in displaying the imperfections of the constitution, which, while it continued such as it had been formed by our ancestors, was, he said, " truly called a production of the most consummate wisdom. But a melancholy series of events, which had eclipsed the glory of Britain, had exliibited a reverse of fortune, which could be accounted for only upon this principle, that, during the last fifteen years, thei'e had been a deviation from the principles of that happy constitution, under which the people of England had B s 2 so * This loss arose from freight, insurance, bounties, milling, and incidental expenses, which never were made a charge upon the prime cost of the com and meal which were imported, so as to affect the poor. t By the fiars of the county for 1782, tlie price of a boll of oat-meal was only L.l ; and in the preceding year, when the harvest was abundant, it was 13s. 316 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 1783. SO long flourished." Mr. Pitt then submitted to the consideration of the house three resolutions ; one of which was, that measures ought to be adopted for preventing bribery and expenses at elec- tions ; another, for the total extinction of every borough, when the majority of it became notoriously incapable, by every species of bribery and corruption, of discharging its political functions ; and the third, for the addition of a certain number of representatives of the counties, the proportioning or apportioning of whom to each county he proposed to leave to be settled in the bill, for which he intended to move, if his resolutions should be adopted. These were ably supported by Sir George Saville, Mr. Fox, JNIr. Sheridan, and by other members ; but they were opposed by the ministerial party, on the ground that no defect in the constitution had been proved, and that to adopt them would be attended with dangerous consequences to the constitution. The majority was accordingly against INIr. Pitt's resolutions. He, however, persevered, with indefatigable zeal^ in the object of his views ; and, in the subsequent session of par- liament, brought forward a bill, for reform of the representation, under a new shape, and on a different plan, but it met with a similar fate, being lost by a great majority. Mr. Pitt being now called to fill the highest office in the administration, his talents were em- ployed in the more important matters of the state. Although he often expressed himself a decided friend to the cause of reform, yet he declared his conviction, that recent events, which had happened in a neighbouring kingdom, and the situation of the times, ren- dered innovation of every description unseasonable and dangerous ; and the cause of parliamentary reform was, therefore, abandoned by its most respectable patrons. These circumstances had, at an early period, aroused the minds of many creditable individuals in Scotland, who had united their eflbrts for a more defined, as well as an equally patriotic purpose. Their object was to ameliorate the decayed system of the royal boroughs of Scotland, which had become corrupt, and was incon- sistent with liberty, and the true interests of the community. They complained, not without cause, of infringements of their rights, and waste and dilapidation of the public funds and property, through ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 817 through the improper exercise of the authority of magistrates, wlio A.D. i-ss. were self-elected, and against whose usurpation of power no existing law had provided a remedy. Among the earliest to forward a plan for ohtaining, by constitu- tional means, a radical redress of these grievances, were several pa- triotic citizens of Aberdeen.* Mr. Pitt being, at this time, a zealous supporter of parliamentary reform, no one was better qualified than he to form a just conception of their complaints, or to pro- mote the objects they had in view. In the month of February, this year, a spirited letter, under the signature of Civis, was addressed to him on this important subject, in which the writer displayed a tho- rough knowledge of the ancient constitution of the royal boroughs of Scotland, and of the abuses and corruptions which had taken place in modern times, in the administration of their public affairs. He, at the same time, pointed out, with much energy, the bad consequences which had resulted to the community at large from the exercise of that system under which they were, at present, governed ; and urged, in the strongest terms, the necessity of an immediate reform, under the authority of parliament. This letter, and a continuation of others, from the same writer, f 1734. as well as from Zeno, of Edinburgh, on this question, made a deep impression on those who favoured reform, and speedily attracted the attention of many of the burgesses of the principal royal boroughs of the kingdom, particularly Aberdeen. In order to contribute to the attainment of this momentous and desirable object, an as- sociation was formed of the independent burgesses of the town, who delegated the necessary powers to a committee of their number, im- dcr * There had been, previous to this time, a meeting of the burgesses of Edinburgh, where reform in the system under which the royal boroughs were governed had been agitated ; but, as yet, no definite plan had been adopted, for conducting matters upon constitutional principles. + The author of these letters, we have no hesitation in saying, was Mr. Ewen, of Aberdeen, who took a very active part, both in the committee of tlie burgesses, and in the annual convention at Edinburgh, while the question of reform was in agitation ; and, if we are not greatly mistaken, lie wrote most of the pubhc papers which were publislicd, under the directions of the committee, at that period. iiXS ANNALS or ABERDEEN. A.D. 1784. der a president, secretary, and clerk. -^ These, for several years, con- ducted, with exemplary prudence and moderation, the business en- trusted to their charge, vuiaccompanied with any indication of popular disorder. The example of Aberdeen was soon followed by the bur- gesses of other towns, and a general convention, composed of delegates from the several royal boroughs, was afterwards appointed to meet an- nually at Edinburgh, to concert the measvu*es proper to be adopted for obtaining that necessary and important change in this branch of the civil government of the kingdom. Of this general convention, Ro- bert Graham, Esq. of Gartmore was nominated president, and John Ewen, Esq. of Aberdeen, secretary. The committee of burgesses of Aberdeen, although they disa- vowed every charge of a personal natvu*e against the magistrates and council, yet maintained that the expenditure of the public funds was not conducted with w isdom or oeconomy, or with due regard to the true interest of the community ; and that the bvirgesses, who contri- buted liberally to these funds, were deprived of the privilege of seeing the public accounts, so as to form a judgment upon the application of the money, or the propriety of the expenditure. They, therefore, in the course of this year, required the magistrates and council to exhibit to them the public accounts, under their administration, as well as the records of the borough, in order that they might examine them with due attention and deliberation, and point out what might be consi- dered as having been misapplied or exceptionable in these accounts. After some differences between them and the magistrates, concerning the mode of accomplishing this object, had been accommodated, the books and records appear to have undergone a strict scrutiny and ex- amination by that committee. Although, in the course of their in- vestigation, no specific charge of improper application of the public funds had been brought against the magistrates, or any of the office- bearers, yet many articles of the treasury accounts were severely animadverted upon, perhaps not without some cause. At the same time, * Of this committee, the late Patrick Barron, Esq. of Woodside, was President ; and the members who survive are — John Ewen, Esq. merchant, Secretary ; John Niven, Esq. of Peebles ; A\'illiam Forbes, Esq. of Echt j and Robert Gibbon, Esq. merchant. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 319 time, they complained loudly of want of oeconomy ; of the abuses of A.D. 178.1. levying and collecting sums of money from the citizens, above the extent which was warranted by law ; of the facility of borrowing- money, on the credit of the treasury, without the consent of the ci- tizens ; and of other grievances, arising, in general, from misma- nagement of the public funds. These circumstances were early communicated, by the committee, to their constituents, in their various reports and statements, which were published at the time.* In * In the course of the examination of the public accounts, and of the investigation of the affaii-s under tlie achiiinistration of the magistrates and council, the conmiittee of burgesses complained chiefly of the mode of assessing the inhabitants for the public cess, by chai-ging annually large sums of money over and above what was strictly necessary for the expense of levying and dischai-ging it. Their enquiries led them to discover, that, in the year 1 756, a report t had been made by a com- mittee of the town council, in relation to the affairs of the treasury, from which they discovered, that, at that time, the annual income of the treasurer, taking an average of several years, was — L.1102 36 And that the average of expenditure was - - .1 507 13 3 4 So that tlie treasury was then incurring an annual accumulating debt of > L.405 12 10 '" The committee of burgesses, in their statements to the public on this important matter, re- marked, that it had been the opinion of the committee of council, in the year 1 756', after seeing the above state, " That it was unnecessary to say any thing of the absolute necessity of immediately using all proper methods for increasing the town's revenue, and of retrenching public expense ; for it was easy to foresee, that, if the present system was continued, the treasurer, in a very few years, must prove insolvent, as he incurred a debt, every year, of no less than L.400 sterling." This com- mittee suggested a variety of expedients for recovery of debts due to the town, and for withdrawing certain articles which were in use to be charged to the trciisury. Their reijort was concluded in the following words :— " Although this be no immediate lessening of the expense, yet the council, who are well ac- qtiainted with the advantage of keeping regular accounts, will easily see that, in its consequences, it will have that effect. The committee arc very sensible, that the execution of some of the above pro- posals are far from being desirable, were the funds in a flourishing way ; but they are afraid, if some method.? for reducing Ihe great expense is not speedily taken, the council will, in a short time, be obliged to use remedies far less desirable; and, after all, supposing the whole of these methods for increasing the revenue, and reducing the expense, were made effectual, it will not nearly balance the gi-eat simi by which the yearly expenditure exceeds the income. The committee will, therefore, be excused for saying, that it is an incumbent duty on the council to frame effectual regulations for keeping the other incidental expenses, to which the town has of late been subjected, within some m"- t Council Register, toI. xlii. p. 107. leh et seij. S20 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1786. In the prosecution of the plan for accomphshing a reform in the pohtical system of the boroughs, the heads of a bill intended to be presented derate bounds. The great charge allending the making so many burghers, and other frequent meetings in the town-hall, do not a little contribute to this expense." The committee of burgesses then proceed to detail^ in their report, that, in the j-ear 1 75(5, the annual income of the treasiu-er was . - - L.1022 12 3* *' That large sums, such as the sink money of lands, which then brought not a penny to the community, have since been thrown into the treasury, and that its income, in 1785, amounted to ■ - - 1883 16 7 When tliese indisputable facts are taken into consideration, and it is had in view that the citizens have contributed so largely to bear the expense of every improve- ment ; and that the debt in that year was - - . 12,383147 Was there then any apology necessary for the citizens, in presenting proposals for retrenching the expenditure of the tieasurer ; or, let it be added, was there any excuse admissible, on the part of the council, for rejecting those proposals, in every view so essentially requisite, so consistent with the duty of good citizens, and radically involving the most important interests of the community ? " There appears to be something altogether inexplicable in the management of the funds of the treasury. With an ahnost miaccountable fatality, to which it seems to have been subjected, it has never been suflered to turn, either to its own benefit, or that of the public, any one of the for- tunate circumstances with which it has been eminently favoured. Nay, on the contrarj-, every fund with which it has connected itself has been materially injured by it ; for while it was the duty of tV council, as stewards of these funds, to improve their endowments to the best account, for the purposes for which they were instituted, their predilection for this favourite object has dis- posed them to draw into its vortex every advantage. While these establishments have been obliged to furnish it with money, at a reduced interest, often to purchase their own property, which they have been forced to buy back at an advanced price, the constant drain made upon them has been injurious to their interests, and has not, in any degree, been permitted to place the treasury in more easy circumstances, " Not many years previous to 1756, a period, in which it is seen, from the report of the commit- tee of council, that the treasury was in no very thriving condition, one very considerable effort was made in its favour. Tlie establishment of the Bridge of Dee held the lands of Gilcomston as part of its revenue. These had been originally purchased by the treasurer, from the family of Pitfoddels, and sold by him to the Bridge of Dee fund, under the management of the master of kirk and bridge works, about the year lG74, for L.1500 sterling. In 1750, the master of kirk and bridge works, by an order of council, sold these lands back again to the treasurer, for the original price of L.1500. As soon as the treasurer became proprietor, the lauds were divided in lots, and feued out, at a very advanced rent. Part of the feu duty was paid instantly into the hands of the treasurer, and the re- maining annual feu duties, neat, as they now stand, were L.197 10s. gd. In 1756, after this advan- tage, acquired from the money simk, by advance, in the treasurer's liands, that officer was appointed by the council to sell the feu duties and casualties, agreeably to the advanced rental, back again to the Bridge fund, from wliich these lands had been so recently purchased. Thus, by this transac- tion alone, singulai- as it may appear, the treasury derived a benefit, as we are assured, of upwaids ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 821 presented to Parliament, were this year drawn vip by the general con- a.d. 17 so. vention, at Edinburgh, and dispersed among the burgesses. The out- T t lines ©f two thousand pounds. Indeed it has, with very few exceptions, been an invariable rule, wlicn- ever feus have been granted, of lands, or coninions, the property of the coniniunity, to oblige the holders of these lands, on receiving their charters, to advance, sometimes a fourth, frequently a fifth, of the value, by which large siuns have been sunk in the treasury, of the particulars of which the citizens have had no information. These suras, amounting to more than would be easily credited by those who have not had access to be acquainted with them, have answered immediate purposes ; but they are now no more to be heard of, having been swallowed up in the oblivion of passing yeai's ; and while the citizens had reason to beheve that these large acquisitions, joined to a vast and increasmg revenue, had rendered rich and independent the public treasury, the late enqui- ries only have awakened them from the golden dream, and presented to their surprised imagination exhausted funds, and a very heavy load of debt, annually increasing, and without a prospect of its being freed from its incumbrances. " Those who will give but the slightest attention to the income of the treasury, in 1756, and the prodigious difference in its receipt in 1785, must be impressed with conviction and astonish- ment. In the first period, haixlly any of the community's common lands were feued out ; at least, such as were, bore but a very small proportion to the present fixed produce. The shore lands were a mere trifle. These together now amount to many hundreds a year. The annual feu duty of the ground on which two houses in the shore lands ai'e now built amount to as much as the then rental of the whole. It is now almost covered with houses ; and some e.irly purchasers, besides sitting rent-free, receive now a clear income of three times the sum they themselves paj'. Whatever portion of these lands, in the vicinity of the harboui-, ai-e yet to be let, the value is still advancing. Very lately, the ground upon which one house is to be built has been let at L.IO per annum. Tliese are parts only of the increasing advantages derived to the public funds of the city, from the industry and conmaerce of the community, in the last thirty years. " By almost every public improvement, the interest of the funds has been promoted ; yet we have seen, that, in this flourishing and distinguished period, taxes have been considerably raised upon the citizens, and yet the public debt, far from being diminished in proportion to the increas- ing income, has been marked by a progress directly the reverse. From the public institutions money is borrowed, for the use of the treasurer, at a reduced rate of interest, while in- dividuals are allowed the customary uiterest of 5 per cent. This will evidently appear from the state of the treasury debts annexed. When the mortification funds collectively were made to fur- nish what they could spare from their loans, to the treasury, to purchase the estate of Muchals, af- ter the lands were let in lease, the retui*n was barely 4 per cent. At this period, the annuitants upon the mortifications were reduced in their annual allowance, and have not since been advanced. An opportunity offering of purchasing back the lease from the tenant, who had considerabl)- im- proved the rental, it was natural to suppose that, as the transaction appeared advantageous, it would have been made for the mortification funds, that their income, which so much wanted it, and had been reduced by its connection with this estate, might thereby be improved. There was the greater reason for this supposition, as most part of these lands were the property of these funds. This, however, did not happen. The usual preference given to the treasury also predominated upon this 322 ANNALS OF ABERDEl.N. 1T8C. lines of the bill touched principally upon the mode of electing the successive councils, which were now proposed to be chosen by a poll of occasion, and, although it was obhged to borrow money from every quarter, the purchase was made solely on its account, to throw the advantage to be derived from the transaction into its funds. " The treasury accordingly purchased the remainder of the lease for L.IOOO, and the balance of the rental of the whole estate, in favour of the ti-easury, as it is stated in 1785, is L.155 IQs. per annimi. As it has been asserted, that the treasury has been affected by every public improvement^ it may not be improper briefly to take a view of these for the last twenty years, by which, we are inclined to believe, that it will appear the very reverse has happened. The funds of the treasury, indeed, are, properly speaking, the funds of the community, and, in their original endowment, were intended to be improved for the common benefit of the citizens. Their pi-imary destination is for '•' the uphalde of honestie, and sound policie, within the burrough" — and theii- produce appointed '•' to be waired upon the common warks of the town." Unfortimately the present system of bo- rough government has reversed the order of things, and has established a distinction, in fact, between the interests of the council and those of the community. That " the good of the town is the good of the treasury," although become altogether proverbial, and given as the principal aiticle in the creed of a thorough-paced counsellor, is a saying, in which there is fully more truth than wit, yet it conveys a very strong meaning, however absurd the position may be in the abstract. " Tlie treasury funds are unfortunately accessible upon every occasion, and motiey can be drawn from them for every possible occuiTence which can extend the power, or raise the political influence of those whose ambition or interest may dispose them to acquire, and enable them to hold, the di- rection of all public measures. Indeed, the greatest misfortime which could have happened to the interest of the citizens, is the facility with which the magistrates have been able to boiTow money from the other funds, under the administration of the council, for the ordinary purposes of the trea- sury, without consulting the citizens ; nay, even without their having the most distant knowledge of these transactions. To increase this misfortune, a practice has obtained, of mingling with the treasui-y funds every public money transaction, and, by some means or other, every other fund has been made to blend its transactions with them. To favour this design, the most fallacious language lias been employed, by asserting, that for the debts of every public fund, " the funds of the trea- sury were subsidiary liable." Although this phrase has acquired a currency, by being repeated al- most upon every occasion, by people in office, yet there cannot be a grosser solecism m language, nor u more direct insult upon the understancUng of those who have an opportunity of being better in- formed. To talk of the funds of the treasury being liable for the public debts of the comnmnity, when its destinations ai-e eithei- already fixed, or its funds secured for the interests of its own paj-ti- cular debts, and to which, and its specific destinations, it has not for a century past been equal, is to hold a language only fit for the ear of children or fools. Yet this language has been held in the most public manner, when the debt contracted, in consequence of the act of parliament, subjecting merchandize to considerable additional impositions for the improvement of the harbour, has been pleaded as a reason for laying upon trade restraints still heavier, and rendering the restrictive rights of corporations much more severe." The following is an Account of the Receipt and Expenditure of the Treasmy Funds, from Mi- chaelmas, 177s, to Michaelmas, 1779, and of the public debt, at Michaelmas, 1785, as published by the Committee of Burgesses. Absthact ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 323 of the burgesses of the respective royal boroughs; and the appointment AD. i:m. of seven auditors for examining the annual public accounts of the se- T t o veral Abstract Account of the Receipt and ExPENDiTunE of the Tkeasvky Funds CITY OF ABERDEEN, From Michaelvias, 1778, to Michaelmas, 1' 79. ««^w«' RECEIPT. 1. Feu, Teind, and Tack Duties of Lands and Fishings belonging to the town • 2. Rents of Shops and Lofts, the property of tlie town - 3. Tack Duties of Mills ... ^.187 Petty Customs - - . l66 13 4 Flesh Market » - 47 6 3 Weiffh-house « - - 100 4. Proportion of Seat-rents of Churches . » - 5. Grinding Wheat at Flour-mill ■ » » Mort-cloth - . » ■ ■ Taxation for Streets, Water, and Lamps » • Interest of Money due to the town Fimd for part payment of the Professor of Divinity's stipend, L.lOO Composition received for a vassal. Dean of Guild's Casualties, viz. : Fines - _ . - £.12 Entering Burgesses of Guild, this year • - 142 Trades Compositions » « - 4 Entering Apprentices - - -2 Ale Sellers . - ■ - 6 14 1 17 13 6 10 4 Sterling. £. s. d. 843 18 7 24 1 I 500 19 7 56 14 7 36 2 11 S55 4 2 81 1,5 79 8 1 168 6 10 Sum Receipt « EXPENDITURE. 1. Ministers' Stipends .... 2. Town's Eque - . . . . 3. Missive Dues to Boroughs - . - 4. Commissioners' (to Boroughs) Charges 5. Annual Rents of the Town's Debts ... 6. Public Salaries, viz. School-masters, Precentors, Jailors, Town Officers, &c. 7- Teind Duties, and Annuities for Town's Lands 8. Feu Duty of the Meal Market , . - 9- Reparations of Public Buildings - - ■ Carried forward £.2359 15 3 sic £ .420 2 7 19 5 6 50 15 2 39 6 8 490 11 7 478 7 9 10 10 S 10 266 19 7 £.1785 19 6 324 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1786. veral office-bearers ; but this bill, although it seemed to have met with the approbation of those who were immediately interested in it, £.1785 19 6 515 1 2 12 10 Brought forward 10. Supporting Public Streets, Wells, and Lamps 11. Paid, in part, the Well Debt, the annual sum of 12. Incidental expenses, including Premiums for Schools, Stationary Articles, and Acts of Parliament, Magistrates' expence at Brechin attending the election of a Member of Pai-liament, this year. Coal and Candle to the Town-house, Newspapers, alimenting poor Prisoners, &c. &c. sic 1.3. Law expenses - _ . . . 14. Tavern expenses, and for entertainments in the Town-house - 28 3 1. '5. Election Dinner and Supper at Michaelmas - - 10 9 10 Sum ordinary Expenditure - £.256/ 11 sic Ejctraordinari/ Expenditure, this year. For opening a Street to the Town's Churches and Mills, by Barnet's Close . . . £.11300 For new Roads ■ . . - 75 3 Bounty Money to Army and Navy - > S3 12 Associates for internal Defence - - . 61811 Admission for a Minister - - £.24 To a decayed Biu-gess - . ■ - 5 9 n^ 0/ 29 9 285 2 II Total Expenditure - £.2825 13 11 sic DEBT OF THE TREASURY OF ABERDEEN, As at Michaelmas, 1785. To the Master of Guikl Bretliren's Hospital To the Master of Kirk and Bridge Works To the Master of Mortifications - » To the Dean of Guild To Lady Durris' Mortification To Mr. Gerrard's ditto To the Treasurer of Gordon's Hospital To ditto of ditto - . . To Saint Paul's Chapel ... To the Kirk Session of Aberdeen To the Infirmary of Aberdeen To James Allardyce . - » To James Johnston Carried forward £.500 325 • 4 1622 2 9 1621 1300 190 7 10 1300 1000 500 900 2000 1100 500 £.12858 14 7. ANNALS OF ABEIIDEEN. 325 it, does not appear to have been presented to parliament, as some pre- a.d. irsfi. paratory matters were yet only in their progress to maturity. The committees, however, did not relax in their endeavours to ob- 1788. tain the necessary information and documents, for enabling them to accomplish their avowed object. In the course of this year, their grievances were fully stated, in petitions, which were presented to the Commons, in the month of July, by Mr. Sheridan, who intro- duced a bill for correcting the abuses and supplying the defects in the internal government of the royal boroughs of Scotland ; and also for establishing a proper responsibility of their magistrates for their intromissions with the property and annual revenues thereof. The bill being read a first time, it was ordered, that there be laid before the house notarial copies of the charters and sets of the several royal boroughs, which order was, in due time, complied with. In the subsequent session of parliament, a new bill, of the same usq. nature with the former, was presented, and read a first time, without opposition. In supporting it, on the second reading, the honourable member stated, that he had been actuated solely by public motives in this business, and by a wish that the inhabitants of North Britain might enjoy the blessings of civil liberty in their full force, equally with the English. He was convinced that various grievances existed in the administration of the Scottish boroughs, which loudly called for reformation. Of sixty-six royal boroughs, no fewer than fifty- two had concurred in the plan of reform held out by the present bill, and forty had sent delegates to Edinbvirgh, to form a general convention Brought forward - £M28J8 14 7 To James Thaiii - . . 400 To Miss Campbell ... 250 To Miss Wilson - . . 150 To Mrs. Gordon » • . .100 00 £.137 oS H. 7 By Rolit. Dyce, Wm. Littlejolin, and James Youngrknt 1250 By the Master of Mortifications^ paid in part - 125 -=. 1.'375 a £.12383 14 -*■ • The foregoing notes have been taken from the prefjce to tlie proceedings of the Burgesses, ia the years 1785, et sen. p. 42, et seq. 3*26 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN'. A.D. 17S9. convention for adopting the measures necessary for carrying it into ef- fect ; while a majority of the people of Scotland, exclusive of those who were interested in the preservation of the form of corporation govern- ment as it now stood, were friendly to the objects of this bill. These were, to render the magistrates and town councils responsible to the burgesses for the administration of the public revenues, and to put a stop to that self election which prevailed in the corporations. There was no judicature that could compel the magistrates to give any account of the application of the corporation funds. " The natural consequences of this want of responsibility," Mr. Sheridan said, " were a waste of the revenues ; tyranny, and oppression, of various kinds ; and the imposition of occasional taxes on the people that were not strictly conformable to law. The extravagance of expen- diture that prevailed in the corporations had produced, in many of them, a load of debt, which they were imable to discharge by any ordinary means. It was also highly absurd and derogatory to the fair maxims of government, that a set of magistrates of a borough should elect each other, instead of the election being in the hands of the burgesses at large. Persons who had no opportunity of knowing the affairs of Scotland would readily suppose that these principles, irresponsibility and self election, were productive of great abuses ; and this was really the case." On an examination of most of the charters of the royal boroughs, it appeared, that forty of these contained clauses in favour of that plan, which was the object of the bill, and only five sanctioned the present form of government. Hence it was evident, that the bill aimed at no annihilation of those rights, but sought only to restore the origi- nal established governments of the boroughs, and to prevent the abuses which were the consequence of a deviation from the spirit of their constitution. The case of the borough of Stirling was stated as an instance where an alteration of the original charter had been granted. That borough had, some years previously, been disfranchised, for de- linquency ; but, on being favoured with a restoration of its franchises and privileges, had received, under the auspices of the Lord Advo- cate of Scotland at the time, a charter, which granted almost the whole of what was desired by the present bill. Mr. Sheridan con- cluded ANXALS OF ABERDEEN. 327 eluded with requesting the huuse to weigh this subject in their minds a.d. nsg. with candour and impartiahty, the result of which would, he hoped, be favourable to the purposed reform ; — a reform which was essen- tially necessary to the prosperity and happiness of the community of Scotland; and was not only consistent with views of sound policy, but also a matter of common justice. The honourable member was ably supported by Sir George Saville, Sir Thomas Dundas, afterwards Lord Dundas, and several other eminent members, who had zealously espoused the cause, both of borough and parliamentary reform. Mr. Dundas, afterwards Lord j\Ielville, combated the bill, and rea- soned in an opposite manner. He said, that it would require a con- siderable time to discuss a proposition of such magnitude as the present, which went to the extent of annihilating the chartered con- stitution of a number of ancient boroughs, without proof of abuse or grievance, in compliance with the chimeras of an honourable gentle- man, who, without any local knowledge of the boroughs to which those charters belonged, aimed at a general reform in their constitu- tions. The petitions presented from the royal boroughs were said to be signed by about 9000 persons, but, if the grievances complained of really existed, the signatures would have been infinitely more nu- merous. The fact, indeed, was, that the abuses alleged were merely imaginary, and the Scottish nation did not feel them to exist. But even if there were some grievances in the government of tliese bo- roughs, it was not the business of the house to interfere, in any mea- sure, for the purpose of obtaining the abolition of charters granted by the crown, and not by parliament. But, independent of these considerations, Mr. Dundas maintained, that it would be an encroachment on the royal prerogative ; and that nothing ought to have been proposed without his Majesty's consent. Besides, the reform now suggested would not only overturn the pre- sent mode of election m the boroughs, but would also make a total change in their parliamentary representation ; and would be an in- fringement of the articles of union. The consequence of the pro- posed changes, such as the making the election of the magistrates and town council annual, the putting it in the hands of ail the bur- gesses, S28 ANNALS OF ABEUDEKV. A.D. 17S9. gesses, &c. would tend to create anarchy and confusion, and to in- troduce all the disorders which generally attended popular elections. With regard to the two leading points, stated by the mover of the bill, the honourable member observed, that the first was founded on misrepresentation ; for it was not a fact, that the magistrates were irresponsible for mal-administration of the public funds. On the contrary, it was in the power, either of the king's advocate, or of the convention of royal boroughs, to institute a complaint for any malver- sation. The burgesses had applied to the wrong court, for redress of their grievances ; and, being disappointed, some of them ridicu- lously complained, that there was no judicature competent to take cognizance of any misapplication of the funds under the manage- ment of magistrates. The other point was that of self election, a point which was not a grievance. It was rarely allowed to the public at large, in any regular government, to elect their own magistrates and justices. After various other remarks by Mr. Dundas, and some other members, who were inimical to the proposed reform, the bill was rejected, without a division. These inauspicious circumstances, although they had frustrated the exertions of the burgesses on the present occasion, did not damp their ardour for reform ; nor did the local committees, or the general convention at Edinburgh, abate their zeal in the arduous work which they had undertaken. The burgesses again assembled, by their de- legates, in their annual convention, at Edinburgh, in the month of 1790. August, this year, when they took under their consideration the report of the London committee, and the proceedings of the ge- neral convention, as well as the fate of the bill which had been presented to the House of Commons. Being still impressed with the firmest conviction both of the existence of enormous abuses in the administration of the boroughs, and of the high expediency and public utility of reform, they resolved to pursue, with inflexible per- severance, the most effectual constitutional measures for regu- lating the internal government of the boroughs, by destroying the present pernicious systems; and never to abandon what they regarded as essential to the attainment of objects of the highest advan- tage ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. Siid tage to the national spirit, and to the industry and prosperity of ad. i-yo. Scotland. "With these views, they determined to introduce the busi- ness again into parliament, by a new bill, for which they had already given the necessary instructions. In the present session, a new bill was accordingly presented, by Mi: 1792— May. Sheridan, in almost the same terms with the former ; but it encoun- tered the same opposition, and met with a similar fate, being rejected, on the second reading, without a division. These discouragements from parliament did not, however, abate the spirit of reform. The burgesses, with indefatigable zeal, perse- vered in their endeavours to accomplish, by legal and constitutional means, the object of their views ; and many distinguished statesmen having now joined their committees, afforded tliem their firmest sup- port. After the fate of the last bill, it was purposed to adopt a differ- ent plan of operation. The London Committee,* at their first meet- ing, in the last session of parliament, entirely approving of the spirit of the proceedings of the convention, and its committee, in July and December, adopted resolutions expressive of their confidence in the peaceable and moderate disposition which the burgesses of Scotland had connected witli a just sense of the necessity of that reform, to u u obtain * The Members of this Committee were :— Sir Thomas Dundas, Bart. M. P. Right Hon. Lord Saltoun Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Esq. M.P. Laurence Dundas, Esq. M.P. The Eai-1 of Selkirk William Gillies, Esq. Charles Grey, Esq. M. P. Andrew Stirling, Esq. of Drmmpellier William Henry Lambton, Esq. M. P. The Hon. John Douglas The Earl of Lauderdale Right Hon. Lord Sempill ■ John Courtenay, Esq. ^LP. James Mackintosh, Esq. Thomas Reid, Esq. The Hon. Major Maitland, M.P. Thomas Bell, Esq. Secretary Col. Norman Macleod of Macleod, M. P. John Wilson, Esq. Solicitor William Maxwell, Esq. of Can-iden The Hon. Thomas Erskine, M.P. Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. M.P. Sylvester Douglas, Esq. Earl \\'ycombe, ALP. Sir W. Augustus Cunnyngham, Bart. John Randal Burch, Esq. M.P. John Schaw Stewart, Esq. M.P. William Smith, Esq. M.P. Right Hon. Lord Daer John Cliristian Curwen, Esq. M.P. Francis H. Macken2ie, Esq. of Seaforth Michael Angelo Taylor, Esq. M.P. French Lawrence, LL.D. Joseph Richardson, Esq. WUliam Elliot of Wells, Esq. George Reid, Esq. S30 AN>'ALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1793. obtain which they had fairly and openly applied, by respectful peti- tions, to the legislature. On the 4th of January, Mr. Sheridan, in compliance with these resolutions, gave notice in the House of Com- mons, that, as soon as possible, after the recess, he would present the petitions, which were then expected from Scotland, and bring for- ward a motion, founded both on these, and on the various ac- counts and papers, which had been, at different times, submitted to the consideration of the house, respecting the proposed reform. Mr. Sheridan having, on the Uth March, presented all the petitions, noti- fied his intention of bringing forward the subject on Monday, the 25th ; and, accordingly, on that day, he made the following motion — " That the several petitions presented to this house, in this session of parliament, from the royal boroughs in Scotland, together with the several accounts and papers, relating to the internal government of the said royal boroughs, which were presented to this house in the last parliament, should be referred to the consideration of a com- mittee, to examine the matter thereof, and to report the same, as it shall appear to them, to the house." This motion, to the surprise of many, who were inimical to reform, was carried, by a majority. The committee* was thereupon named, alternately, by each side of the house ; and the question put, on the name of each member, in the usual manner. The design of moving for a select committee was in conformity to the direction of the London committee, in order to arrange and digest the very voluminous papers upon the table of the house, and to report the evidence arising from them. Although that commit- tee * The Committee consisted of the following Members : — Richard B. Sheridan, Esq. W. Henry Lambton, Esq. William Smith, Esq. The Hon. Henry Hobart William Willierforce, Esq. John Anstrutlier, Esq. Charles Chey, Esq. Samuel Whitbread, jun. Esq. J. C Curwen, Esq. The Lord Advocate of Scotland J. Sargent, Esq. Riffht Hon. Dudley Ryder Colonel Macleod Earl Wycombe William Adam, Esq. The Attorney General Right Hon. R. B. Jenkiuson Robert Barclay, Esq. Tile Hon. Major Maitland Laurence Dundas, Esq. M. A. Taylor, Esq. Tiie Solicitor CJeneral R. Burdon, Esq. Alex. Allai-dyce, Esq. The Hon. Thomas Erskine J. R. Burch, Esq. Right Hon. Lord Mornington Sir Elijali Impcy ANNALS OF ABKRDEEN. 331 tee was not invested with power to call for pai:)ers, persons, and re- ad. 1795. cords, yet this disadvantage, it was supposed, would be more than compensated by avoiding the delay which would necessarily have at- tended the examination of oral testimony, and by enabling the com- mittee to present their report to the house in such time, tliat Mr, Sheridan might, during the session of parliament, have an opportu- nity of bringing forward a bill for correcting the abuses complained of. The examination, however, of the very intricate and voluminous papers which were produced, was attended with a much greater de- gree of labour, and consumed much more time, than had at first been expected. Differences of opinion arose hi the committee res])ccting particular parts of the evidence, and more especially certain facts which appeared from the records of Aberdeen. These were consi- dered to be of so much importance, both by the burgesses, and by several members of the committee of convention, that they were re- solved to procure additional extracts from the records of that bo- rough, to be transmitted to London, without delay ; but these addi- tional extracts did not arrive in London till towards the middle of JMay. IVIeanwhile, the London committee was occupied in settling the terms of the report, and the import of the newly produced papers, which, upon a fresh motion, were also referred to the committee of the house. On the 17th June, Mr. Sheridan presented the report, which was ordered to be printed, for the consideration of the mem- bers, during the recess of parliament. Although this report was ne- cessarily confined to a simple statement of the facts which appeared fx-om the papers produced, without argument or deduction, yet it es- tablished the most imjDortant parts of the allegations in the petitions of the burgesses :=-I. The imiform right of election inherent in them, according to their most ancient laws, and to their charters- II. The destruction of that right by the present system of govern- ment, in the royal borovighs, wherein there appears nothing uniform, except the principle of self-election, by which men, once in posses- sion of power, may retain it for ever, in direct contradiction to those ancient laws, and to those charters, and even to the very acts of par- liament, by means of which that principle of self-election appears to u u 2 have SS2 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1793. have been introduced. III. The imposition of taxes, without the authority of parliament. IV. The amount of the annual revenues of the royal boroughs, and the power assumed and exercised by the magistracy, of contracting debts, disposing of the common revenues, and alienating the common property and common lands of royal bo- roughs, at their pleasvire ; although these lands and revenues appear to have been granted to the burgesses at large, by the express terms^ of their charters. On the 15th July, the London committee having met, and taken under their consideration the report of the select committee of the House of Commons, adopted several resolutions,* expressive of their sentiments * London, July 15, 179". " At a Meeting of the London Committee, for conducting the Reform in the Internal Government of the Roi/al Boroughs in Scotland : Andrew Stirling, Esq. of Dnimpellier, in the Chair : " This Committee having perused the Minutes of the Committee of the Convention of Delegates from the Burgesses of the royal boroughs, holden at Edinburgh, and the letters received from the Secretary and Members of that Conunittee, and from the Burgesses ; and having likewise carefully read the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons, to whom the petitions and papers presented from the royal boroughs were referred, " Resolved, That a very important advantage has been gained in favour of the refonn of the in- ternal government of the royal boroughs, by putting the Report of the Select Conrmittee on the journals of the House of Commons. " Resolved, That copies of the Report of the Select Committee, printed by order of the House of Commons, for the consideration of the Members, shall be transmitted, as soon as possible, to the Secretary of the Committee of Convention, at Edinburgh. " Resolved, That, as the Solicitor for the Burgesses expects, in a very few days, to receive a num- ber of copies of tliat Report, for which he has obtained an order, a Sub-Committee be appointed, to frame a Report of tlie proceedings in this business during the last sessions, and to submit the same to lliis Committee, at a full meeting, on Tuesday next, in order that such Report may be transmitted to Edinburgh, along with the printed Report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons. " Resolved, That, though the Report of the Select Committee, in conformity with the order of reference made by the House of Commons, is necessarily confined to a simple statement of the facts, which appear from the papers produced, without argument or deduction, yet that the Report esta- blishes the most important of the aUeg.itions in the petitions, viz.: — 1st. The uniform right of election inlierent in the Burgesses, according to their most ancient laws, and to tlieir charters. 2dly. The destniction of that right by the present system of government in the royal boroughs, ■wherein there appears nothing uniform, except the principle of self-election, by wliich men, once in ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. S33 sentiments upon the proceedings which had taken place in this im- a.d. 1793. portant question ; and, in conformity to their resolutions of the 24th December, they firmly determined, by all legal and constitutional means, to discharge the important trust committed to them by the bur- gesses possession of power, may retain it for ever, in direct contradiction to those ancient laws, and to those charters, and even to the very acts of parliament by means of which that principle of self-election appears to have been introduced. 3dly. The imposition of taxes, without the autliority of parlia- ment. 4thly. The amount of the annual revenues of the royal boroughs, and the power assumed and exercised by the magistracy, of contracting debts, disposing of the common revenues, and alienating the common property and coimnon lands of the royal boroughs, at their pleasure, although the lands and revenues appear to have been granted to the Burgesses at large, by the express terms of their charters. " Resolved, That other grievances are stated by the Burgesses, such as the particular instances of the misapplication and mismanagement of the common property and revenues ; the jobbing of the public works ; the amoimt of the debts contracted by the Magistrates, without the concurrence of the Burgesses, and for which the Burgesses, in one shape or another, are ultimatel}' liable ; the want of a jurisdiction of accounts; the neglect of police; partiality in quartering soldiers, and apportion- ing the cess ; the refusing the Burgesses access to the accounts and records of the boroughs ; and, above all, the establishment of juntos in the councils, and the numerous instances of certain indivi- duals or families having continued in the magistracy for a long tract of time. These grievances did not, in general, fall within the returns on the table of the House of Commons, and, consequently, could not form any part of the Report of the Select Committee. But they remain, as before, the subject of oral and other evidence ; and the Burgesses are, in no respect, precluded from bringing such evidence. " Resolved, That the want of a jurisdiction of accounts is admitted in the bill brought into the House of Commons by the Lord Advocate for Scotland, in May, 1792 ; and, independent of that admission, is established by the final judgments of the supreme courts of justice. That the esta- blishment of juntos in the councils, and the perpetuating the power of the magistracy in particular families, or individuals, by means of the present system of self-election, may easily be proved by the members of the town councils themselves, and their delegates to parliament, and by the town-clerks, and other persons, engaged in what is called the management of the royal boroughs. The same is the case as to the amount of the debts contracted by the magistracy. Facts of such complete noto- riety in Scotland cannot fail to be established by tlie evidence of any person whatever, who is inti- mately acquainted with the affairs of the royal boroughs. " Resolved, That this Committee, in conformity with the resolutions of the 24th December last, are firmly determined, by all legal and constitutional means, to discharge the important trust com- mitted to them by the Burgesses of Scotland. " Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted to the Committee of Convention, at Edinburgh. " Resolved, That tliis Committee do meet on Tuesday next, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Esq. M.P. in the Chair." SSi A^-^'ALs or abekdeek. AD. 1793. gesses of Scotland. The London committee afterwards presented to the committee of convention, at Edinburgh, their report* on the whole business, in a very full and distinct manner, which was after- wards published. In * In this Report, they, among other matters, stated, « that they thought it unnecessary to enter into any further consideration of that Report, than they Ivave done in their minute of the 15th July. In that minute, the particular allegations of the petitions, which appear to this Connnittee to be established by the Report, are distinctly stated, and the Burgesses, by examining the printed copies of the Report, will have an opportunity of judging how far the opinion of this Committee is well founded. The Committee have likewise stated the different allegations of the Burgesses, which the papers produced and referred to the Committee were insufficient to establish. They have pointed out what appears to be the most easy mode of proving those allegations, and of establishing pai-ticular facts stated by the Burgesses of individual boroughs. The Committee is persuaded, that the abstract of the setts annexed to the Report of the Select Conmiittee of the House of Commons is fairly made from the papers produced to the House ; but several Members of this Conunittee have opportunities of knowing, that the setts so produced are not all of them the setts according to ■which the elections ai'e, at present, conducted ; and, therefore, earnestly recommend this observa- tion to the attention of the Biu-gesses, in examining the setts of the particular boroughs. Several instances of this fact might be mentioned; but this Committee will confine themselves to one, in tlie borough of Wick. In the sett produced, it is said, that the magisti-ates were to be chosen by the advice of the Eai-1 of Caithness; " but now, the Earl of Caithness not concerning himself with the provostrie, the town has been in the use to choose their provost and baillies by the plurality of the poll, and the provost and baillies to nominate seven counsellors," &c. This CoiTunittee, however, know, both from the infonnation of the Burgesses of Wick, and otherwise, that the successor of the Earl actually exercises, and has even extended the power foniierly granted to the family of Caithness. " In addressing the Burgesses of the royal boroughs, at the end of the fifth year since the establish- ment of the London Committee, the Members of that Committee cannot but congratulate them- selves, and the people of Scotland in general, on the success which has attended the temperate but persevering efforts of the Burgesses, displayed in the measures they have adopted for obtaining a reform or regulation of tlie internal government of tlie royal boroughs, by destroying the present pernicious system of self-election, and restoring the rights and privileges conferred iipon the Bur- gesses by their most ancient laws, and by their charters — a reform which must be productive of the liighest public advantage to the national spirit, industry, and prosperity of Scotland. By the ap- pointment of the Select Committee, in the last session of pailiament, the Burgesses have gained a point that had been contested, with the utmost pertinacitj', by the enemies of reform, for years be- fore ; and by putting the Report of that Committee on tlie journals of the House of Commons, it appears to this Committee, that they have established the e.xistence of the most important of the grievances of which they complain, while they are in no respect precluded from bringing forward such additional evidence as tiiey may think proper. Whether Mr. Sheridan shall move for leave to bring in a bill for the remedy of those abuses, which are established by the Report of the Select Committee, or shall proceed to prove the other grievances stated by the Burgesses, at the beginnmg of the next session of parliament, will form a subject for the consideration of the Delegates, at the ANNALS OF ABERDEEN.. S35 In the meanwhile, certain political associations, under the deno- A,D. 1794. mination of the Corresponding Society, and the Scottish Convention, liad been instituted, for the avowed object of accomplishing a re- form- in parliamentary representation ; but to those societies far deeper and more dangerous designs were ascribed. Although the independent burgesses of Scotland were totally unconnected with these, yet the principles and the doctrines which they propagated among the people, joined with a series of events that had recently happened in a neighbouring kingdom, compelled the burgesses, and their respectable committees, to rehnquish what had been so long the object of their pursuits. Those who were most zealous in supporting and promoting the cause of reform in the administration of the boroughs, now judged it prudent and advisable to discontinue their exertions, until the disorders which perplexed the nation should be quieted, and peace and tranquillity re-established. From these domestic occurrences, the attention of the people was diverted, about this time, to the more serious and important affairs of the nation. The disorders in France consequent upon the revolu- tion in the government of that kingdom, had involved Britain in a war with the French nation, which continued, with a short cessation of hostilities, for the unparalleled period of upwards of twenty-two years. It spread its fury in almost every quarter of the globe, and was attended, not only with a profusion of bloodshed to every nation in Europe, but with an enormous expenditure, and an increasing load of debt to Britain. The period, however, at length, arrived, when the gigantic projects of the rulers of France were completely blasted, and the war terminated by the splendid and decisive \actory obtained, upon the ISth of June, 1815, over the French, by the British arms, under the illustrious general the Duke of Wellington, in the battle of Waterloo, which will ever be memorable in the annals of British history. In ensuing Convention ; and the Convention may be assured, that so long as they ai-e supported by the general voice of the Burgesses at large, this Committee are resolved, with inflexible perseverance, and to the utmost of their abilities, to discharge Uie trust committed to tlieir care." 336 ANXALS OF ABERDEEN. .\.D. 1794. In the beginning of this war, an invasion of Britain was often threatened bv the enemv ; but tlie whole countrs' was soon in arms, folly prepared to encounter any hostile attack that might have been attempted. The citizens of Aberdeen embraced the earliest oppor- tunity, in compliance with the recommendation of government, to form an association to serve as a corps of volunteers, for internal de- fence, to the number of 400, without any consideration for their ser- vices, or for clothing.* They were embodied, under the requisite number of officers, the provost of Aberdeen being colonel comman- dant, and Thomas Bamierman, Esq. Heutenant-colonel. They conti- nued to serve, with the greatest zeal, for several years, and were the means of preserWng tranquillity in the town. Government, after- wards, thought it proper to adopt a more efficient plan of calling into action the ser^nces of every indi\idual in the kingdom, capable of bearing arms, as well for the internal defence of the country, as to be in readiness for repel hng an invasion of the enemy, if that shoidd be attempted. Several volunteer corps j were accordingly raised in Aberdeen, composed of the inhabitants, of different ranks, who served for a small allowance of pay during the war. Two of these last mentioned cor^DS were, soon after being embodied, formed into a local militia. 1799- "While the burden of an expensive war was pressing severely upon the country, there was an alarming deficiency in the crop this year, arising from a bad harvest, which was unusually late. Although every expedient was adopted by the magistrates to provide the inha- bitants with a proper supply of meal, and to encourage the importa- tion of that article into the town, by giving liberal bounties, yet scarcity » Their dress was a blue coat, white facings, white vest and breeches, with black gaiters, round hat and feather. + One corps, about 800 strong, called the Aberdeen Light Infantry Volunteers, was raised and commanded by Alex. Dauney, LL.D. Professor of Civil Law, King's College, but disbanded in the year 1801 ; another, of the same number, was raised by Lieutenant-Colonel William Finlason; and a third by Alex. Tower of Logie, about 700 strong. ANNALS OF ABF.KDEEK. 337 scarcity prevailed till the subsequent harvest. The prices of cverv A.D. 1799. necessary of life were, by consequence, high;* and had it not been for considerable importations of corn from the continent, famine would have been inevitable. But, although the inhabitants endured many privations, and frequently murmured during the time of scarcity, yet they felt no serious want, and the subsequent crop was abundant. The beginning of the subsequent year was remarkable for heavy isoo. losses sustained by owners of shipping belonging to the port. Many vessels were destroyed vipon the coast, by a tempestuous storm, which commenced upon the second day of January, and continued for some time. No fewer than 100 seamen, belonging to the port, perished by shipwreck, in the course of that month ; an event long remembered by the citizens. In the celebration of the anniversary of the king's birth-day, in the 1802. usual manner, this year, a very distressing occurrence happened in the evening, which unhappily led to the loss of several lives. The officers of a highland regiment, called the Jioss and Cromarty Rangers, who were quartered in the barracks, and had lately returned from quelling the insurrection in Ireland, had been invited, by the magis- trates, to the town-hall, to drink his Majesty's health. The com- mander and several other officers attended, in consequence of the invitation, but, unfortunately, they indulged too freely in wine, and were soon intoxicated. On their return from the town-house to the barracks, they were observed in this state by some idle and disorderly boys, who, as usual, were assembled on the Castlegate, amusing them- selves with throwing squibs, dirt, and garbage at each other, but, in other respects, not inclined to mischief, nor much disposed to riot. These boys thought proper to throw some of the garbage at the offi- cers, and in that manner to treat them as they had done some of the citizens, in the course of the afternoon. The officers, irritated at this indignity, in place of applying to any resijectable citi- X X zen * The ordinary price of a boll of oat-meal was L.2 5s. ; a boll of beai", L.2 43. ; and a boll of potatoes, L.2 2s. 8d. 338 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.V. 1S03. zen for assistance, or making any attempt to conciliate the good will of the boys, immediately called out the regiment from the barracks, without the authority or the presence of a civil magistrate, with a view to resent the fancied insults which had been offered to them. The conseqvience of this was, that, in a very short time, a tumult and dis- order ensued, and the populace and the military became exasperated at each other. The soldiers, set free from discipline, and unre- strained by their officers, repeatedly fired, with ball cartridge, upon the people assembled in the Castlegate, four of whom were unfortu- nately killed, and many severely wounded. The magistrates having, after this accident, exerted their authority, and commanded the mi- litary to retire, the soldiers were prevented from committing further mischief, and returned to their barracks. As this atrocious act could not be justified by any provocation that may have been given by an unarmed populace, it naturally raised a considerable degree of ferment in the public mind. The people being now inflamed, by the unprovoked outrage of the mili- tary, denounced their vengeance on the regiment ; and, to avert fur- ther disorder, it was judged prudent to march it from the town, with- out delay. Meanwhile, some of the officers and soldiers, who v/ere most deeply implicated in this unfortunate affair, were apprehended, and detained in confinement, in consequence of a warrant which had been issued by the magistrates, on a charge of wilful murder. An inves- tigation having been made, in the usual manner, by examining the persons accused, as well as a number of witnesses, who were on the street at the time the melancholy catastrophe had happened, the pro- ceedings were reported, by the magistrates, to the crown agent at Edinburgh, for the purpose of being submitted to the consideration of the Lord Advocate of Scotland. But his Lordship, for reasons best known to himself, thought proper to direct the prisoners to be transmitted to Edinburgh, and, about two months afterwards, to sig- nify, by a letter, addressed to the sheriff of the county, that, after considering the precognition, he had determined not to prosecute any of the persons in custody, and had consented to their being li- berated, ANXALS OF AnERDEEX. 339 berated, on bail. They were accordingly restored to liberty, on A.D. iso^, finding security to stand trial, when called upon, at any time within six months. These circumstances could not fail to agitate the public mind, and to excite the discontent of the people, who, not without reason, thought, that, as the lives of so many citizens had been lost, by the culpable conduct of the military, a public trial was indispensibly ne- cessary for the sake of public justice, whatever might be its result. In this situation of matters, it was resolved, by many of the prin- cipal citizens, to bring the guilty persons before a court of jus- tice, and to carry on the prosecution, in the names of the parents of those who had been killed ; and to defray the necessary charges, at- tending the prosecution, by voluntary subscription. Accordingly, after the ordinary preparatory steps had been taken, the trial of three of the officers and two Serjeants, who appeared to have been most culpable, commenced, in the high court of justiciary, at Edinburgh, on the 6th January, and continued for several days ; the result was, isos. that the jury found two of the officers not guilt y, and the libel, so far as it concerned the two Serjeants, 7iot proven. Ensign John Lanigan, the other officer, having judged it prudent to abscond on the day of the trial, was out-lawed for non-appearance. This unexpected result was greatly displeasing to the citizens, nor could it fail to mortify them exceedingly. What added still more to their vexation, they found themselves involved in an enor- mous expense to lawyers, agents, and their retainers, at Edinburgh, to which the voluntary subscriptions were, by no means, adequate. This expense exceeded L.900 sterling, exclusive of the personal charges of many of the witnesses, who, on account of the peculiar circumstances of the case, declined to make any demand, although they were put to much inconvenience by the long journey, and se- veral of them suffered by the inclemency of the season. Notwithstanding the protracted war, the shipping of Aberdeen, isog. both in number and in tonnage, had greatly increased, and its com- merce and manufactures had become more extensive. These cir- X x 2 cumstances S46 ANNALS OF ABEIIDEEN. A.D. 1809. cumstances induced the magistrates and town council, about thi^ time, to direct tlieir attention to the improvement of the harbour, which was now found to be very incommodious. The obstructions of the bar were evidently detrimental to vessels resorting to the port. That it was unfit to receive vessels drawing any great depth of water was apparent ; and, being a tide harbour, vessels sheathed with cop- per could not lie in it Avith safety. To obviate these inconveni- ences, the magistrates had, some years previously, resolved to make considerable alterations upon it, and, with that view, thought it pru- dent, as a preparatory step, to apply to Mr. John Eennie, civil engi- neer, for his opinion upon the subject ; at the same time, requesting him to furnish them with a proper plan for ameliorating, in the best manner, the condition of the harbour. He accordingly made a minute survey of it, and proposed the construction of wet docks, at a distance from the tideway, and certain other improvements, which he delineated upon a plan, afterwards given in to the magistrates. But, owing to various circumstances, this plan was relinquished, and the proposed improvements were abandoned, for a time. About this period, however, the magistrates thought it proper to consult Mr. Thomas Telford, civil engineer, upon the propriety of constructing wet docks, and other matters regarding the harbour, and his opinion was to regulate their future operations. Mr. Telford, with the advice of Mr. Jessop, who was eminent for his knowledge in such matters, recommended the extension of the north pier, the con- struction of a tide lock near the village of Futtie, the formation of the whole area of the harbour, from the lock to the fish-market, into a ba« son, with graving docks at its extremity ; which works, it was sup- posed, could be accomplished without much difficulty, although they would necessarily be attended with considerable expense. This plan met with the approbation of the magistrates, who, in the beginning of isio. this year, prepared a bill to be presented to parliament, for obtaining an act authorising them to execute the works, and for enabling them to raise the ways and means to defray the expense of the undertak- ing. This project, however, excited considerable oj^position from many respectable citizens and ship-owners, who strongly remon- strated against it, as being pregnant with ruin and destruction to the harbour. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. tJ^l harbour. On the other hand, a great number of the citizens con- a.d. isio. curred with the magistrates in supporting a measvire which, they thought, would be attended with beneficial consequences to the town. The bill, when brought into parliament, was warmly opposed by those who disapproved of Mr. Telford's plan ; the press teemed, for some time, with publications, both for and against it ; and the com- munity continued to be nearly divided upon the subject. The bill, however, was passed, after a variety of opinions had been given upon it by scientific men, whose evidence, on both sides of this important question, was brought forward, before the committee of the House of Commons. When the act had been obtained, many of those who had given it their concurrence voluntarily came forward, and subscribed money, by way of loan, to enable the magistrates to carry the intended im- provements into execution, which circumstance some of them have since had cause to regret. The sums which were subscribed amounted to L. 50,000 sterling; great part of which was afterwards advanced. But this sum was far short of the expenditure upon the works of the har- bour ; and we lament to have occasion to state, that, however well these improvements may have been intended, subsequent events have, by no means, justified the design. The extension of the north pier, and the erection of the quays in the interior of the harbour, have, no doubt, been accomplished; some obstructions upon the bar, and in the tideway, have been removed ; a stone jetty, or breakwater, has been formed towards the sea ; and a good deal of property has been purchased in the village of Futtie ; but neither the tide lock, bason, nor graving- docks, which were considered to be the grand and primary objects of the plan, and most essential to the improvement of the harbour, have been executed, nor has any thing been done in these brandies of the work, although a period of seven years has elapsed. In the meantime, a debt of upwards of L. 120,000 sterling has been incur- red, which will not be liquidated for many years, even althougli the present duties which are leviable upon imports and exports should continue to be productive. On the first of April, this year, a melancholy calamity happened isis- at this place, which was attended with peculiar circumstances of dis- tress. 342 A>rXALS OF abeudkex. A.D. 1813. tress. After a continuance of mild weather, an unexpected and vio- lent tempest came on from the south-east, accompanied with a heavy- fall of snow, but soon afterwards shifted to the north-east. At this critical moment, five of the whale fishing ships belonging to the port, namely the Hercules, Latona, 3Iiddlcton, iSt. Andrew, and Oscar, Captain Innes, which had all sailed early in the morning, with a fair wind, and the sea perfectly calm, were riding at anchor in the bay, dreading no misfortune. The weather becoming unsettled, and having the appearance of an impending storm, the St. Andrew and Oscar, to avoid approaching danger, about five o'clock in the morning weighed anchor, and put to sea. A boat from the latter having gone ashore, for some of the crew, who were absent, that vessel put about, stood into the bay, and succeeded in getting the last of her hands on board. By this time she was far inshore, and a fatal calm, with a lieavy rolling sea, and strong flood tide coming on, rendered it imprac- ticable for her to clear the Girdle-ness, which lies a little to the south of the entry to the harbour. The ship continuing to fall to the lee- ward, was again necessitated to bring vip in the face of the rocky shore within the ness. Soon afterwards, by the violence of the gale which sprung up from north-east, with thick snow, her situation was become perilous in the extreme, and filled the minds of the people who were spectators on shore with the greatest consternation. About half past eleven o'clock, a.m. the ship, after dragging her anchor, was seen to drive ashore in the Greyhope, near the Short-ness. Many people now crowded to the shore, in order to render what as- sistance might be in their power to the unfortunate sufferers ; but the heart-rending scene which now presented itself made it too ap- parent that all human efforts for preservation of the ship, or any of the crew, must be unavailing. She lay on a large reef of rocks, and, from the tremendous sea, which overwhelmed the vessel, she now appeared to be breaking up. At this instant, an attempt was made by the crew to form a sort of bridge to the nearest rocks, by cutting away the main-mast, but it unfortunately fell alongside the ship, instead of towards the shore, as they had fondly expected. Many of the men who had clung to the rigging were now, by the falling of the fore and mizen masts, plunged into the deep, and disap- peared, to rise no more ; and most of the remainder of the crew, liaving ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 343 Iiaving nothing to lay hold of, were swept from the vessel, and suf- a.d. isis. fered a similar fate. Others, who attempted to regain the land by swimming, were carried off by the heavy surf, or borne down by the floating wreck, with which they were surrounded. The forecastle of the ship still remaining above water, five men were observed upon it, one of whom was Captain Innes, who was distinctly seen, making sig- nals for that assistance which it was impossible to afford him ; ai^d, after clinging for sometime to the wreck, and struggling hard for life, they all shared the fate of their unfortunate companions, the whole having gone to pieces. About the same time, the first mate and one of the seamen were, with difficulty, saved ; being, out of a crew of forty- four, the only sur\dvors of this sad catastrophe. The vessel having been thus destroyed, little of her wreck was saved ; and the loss sustained by the owners was estimated at L. 10,000 sterling. She had been recently repaired, and was completely equip- ped for the voyage. The bodies of Captain Innes, and thirty-seven of the crew, were, some days afterwards, cast on shore, and decently interred by their weeping relatives. The citizens of all ranks, not satisfied with unavailing expressions of sympathy, immediately opened a subscription, for pecuniary aid to alleviate the distresses of the wives and families of the sufferers in this calamity. The sum of L. 1200, and upwards, was speedily raised in this manner, and distributed among them, according to their re- spective situations. In this storm, the St. Andreir, which rode about a cable's length to the windward of the Oscar, cut from botli her anchors, in the face of the rocks which had proved so fatal, and fortunately got under weigh, weathered the tremendous storm, and gained the port, after she had been every moment expected to be driven on shore. The Hvrcides, in attempting to take the harbour, knocked off her rudder, to the northward of the pier, and was forced on shore upon the sandy bcacli. Fortunately none of the crew were lost, and the vessel, when the storm abated, was got off, without suflering any material damage, and i")roceeded on her intended voyage. In 344 ANNALS OF ABEUDliKK. AD. isi J. In the month of January, of the present year, several other melan- choly shipwrecks happened at this place, which were accompanied with circumstances of unparalleled distress. On Thursday, the 2Gth, after a continuance, for some time, of intense frost, a thaw commenced, with a gale from east-south-east, which, in the course of the night, and on Friday morning, increased to a tempest, and occasioned a tremendous sea. On Friday forenoon, the brig Caledonia, and schooner Provi- dence, both belonging to Aberdeen, appeared, standing to the south- ward, but, from the strong flood tide, w^ere carried near the Girdle- ness, when it became evident that their situation was critical and pe- rilous, in the extreme. The brig wore about, stood for the harbour, and, for some time, a hope was entertained of her being able to gain the port in safety ; but this w^as vnihappily frustrated by the awful catastrophe which soon followed, for, in a few minutes, the vessel, in holding to the northward, was struck, on the broadside, by a tremen- dous wave, which, breaking over her as high as the tops, threw her on her broadside, with the topsails in the water. After continuing in this deplorable situation for some time, the vessel again righted, when it was discovered that the sails were lacerated, and flying loose, owing to the sheets having given way. She was now no longer ma- nageable, and a succeeding wave completely overwhelmed her, and all on board perished, to the number of six or seven, who composed her crew. The schooner, having got to the southward of the ness, was, by a signal from the shore, directed to the bay of Nigg, as affording the only remaining chance of saving the crew ; but, in making for this place, the seamen betook themselves to the rigging, from which three of them were successively washed, and immediately perished. The vessel having struck. Captain Findlay, the master, with the utmost difficulty, reached the shore, by clinging to the main boom, and was conveyed, in a very exhausted state, to the manse of Nigg, where he experienced, from Dr. Cruden, the benevolent clergyman of the pa- rish, every attention and comfort which his vuifortunate condition required. Amidst these afflicting scenes, which filled the minds of the numerous spectators on shore with the most painful emotions, the IViames ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 345 Thames smack, of Aberdeen, from London, with a valuable cargo of A.D. jsk goods on board, appeared, under circumstances of distress similar to the former, and was making for the harbour, with a favourable prospect of gaining it, vmtil one of those tremendous seas with which she was surrounded laid her on her beam ends, and her mast nearly in the water. After remaining in this perilous situation for some time, slie righted, but lier sails and sheets being lacerated, she was now rendered unnavigable, left at the mercy of the waves, and her fate became inevitable. She struck among the rocks in the Grey- hope, near the fatal spot wdiere the Oscar had been destroyed. The crew, consisting of nine persons, with two passengers on board, perished; and the ship became a wreck. The gale continued, with unabated fury, during the whole of Friday, and the subsequent Saturday and Sunday. In the morning of the last of these days, the Thetis smack, from London, and a Danish galliot, from North Bergen, bound for Bilboa, with fish, oil, &c. were seen in the offing. The Thetis, by uncommon dexterity in navigating her, fortunately made the harbour in safety, through tremendous breakers ; but the galliot, although she followed the same course as directly as her exhausted crew could guide her, was unfortunately struck on the beam by a heavy sea, whereby she was dashed among the ruins of the north pier head, which had been partly thrown down by the recent gales. One of the crew, in at- tempting to gain the pier, was crushed to death by the vessel, which having soon after parted, was driven into the harbour in a shattered condition. Since the memorable storm, in the beginning of January, 1800, with the exception of the melancholy catastrophe of the Oscar, no calamity, so extensive and fatal to Aberdeen, either with respect to the number of lives that were lost, or to the value of property de- stroyed, had occurred at that place. The humanity and benevolence of the public in general, and the inhabitants of the town and vicinity in particular, never were, at any period, exerted so much as upon the present occasion, to alleviate the distresses of the widows and families of those who had unhappily Y y suffered. S46 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1S15. suffered. Upwards of L.2000 were raised by voluntary subscription, and placed in the hands of a committee of the citizens, as a fund for a jjermanent relief to those who were connected with the sufferers in these shipwrecks, as well as to others who might afterwards be in a similar situation of distress. 1816. On Tuesday the 13th of August, of the present year, a shock of an earthquake was distinctly felt in the various quarters of this town, and in the neighbourhood. This awful visitation took place at four minutes before eleven o'clock in the evening, and continued nearly six seconds. The undulation seemed to come from S.S.E, and was simultaneously felt, to the distance of some miles, in the direction of N.N. W, The houses, in many parts of the town, were shaken to their foundations, the heaviest articles of furniture in them were moved; and a rumbling noise was heard, as if some heavy body was rolling along their roofs. In many of them, the bells were set a ring- ing, and the agitation of the wires continued visible for some time after the cessation of the shock. In about three quarters of an horn- afterwards, another, but slighter shock, was distinctly felt. The air, during the remainder of the night, was mild and serene, with clear moonlight ; and the only extraordinary appearance, after the shocks, was that of a thin whitish vapour, settling on the surrovmding hills- Fortunately, although it created a considerable degree of alarm among the inhabitants, no damage was occasioned to any of the build- ings in the town. This is the only instance of any shock of an earth- quake having been felt in this quarter since the 8th of September, 1G08, when an incident of the same nature occurred, and seemed to have been attended with similar effects. 1817. We have now traced the main object of our inquiries from a re- mote period, through a series of successive ages, and through many vicissitudes of fortune, which spares neither man, nor any of his un- dertakings. During the course of several centuries, Aberdeen has been found to have supported a distinguished part in the great scale of political society, and to have experienced its full share of those ca- lamities and distresses, to which the country, in the times of anarchy and ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 347 and disorder, was frequently exposed; while its citizens have been a.d. isir. characterized by their independence, and distinguished for their zeal to promote the welfare of the town and community. It is, there- fore, with deep concern, that we are compelled, at this stage of our narrative, to announce an embarrassment of the affairs of the treasury of Aberdeen. In order to account for this unprecedented circum- stance, and to form a just conception of the various causes that have led to it, it behoves us to take a retrospective view of the public affairs of the town for some years previous to this unfortunate occurrence. While the nation was engaged in the late tedious war, Aberdeen enjoyed peace and tranquillity at home. Its shipping, commerce, and manufactures, had gradually increased, far beyond expectation ; and from these sources, as well as from the produce of the county, an influx of wealth soon became manifest, and elated the minds of the people. These circumstances naturally excited a spirit of exertion, not only in agricultural pursuits, but in every branch of business, and local im- provements began to be an object of general attention. The ap- proaches to the central parts of the town, both from the south and north, had long been a subject of complaint, as being narrow, indirect, and incommodious ; and the buildings were crowded, and confined. To obviate these inconveniences, it was suggested by Mr. Charles Abercrombie, a surveyor of eminence, who had planned the turnpike roads of the county, to open a street from the west end of the Castle- gate, through Saint Katharine's hill, over the Denburn, and, by means of a bridge, to form a communication with the extensive plain on the west of the town. This scheme, which was highly approved of by many citizens interested in the prosperity of Aberdeen, was first publicly introduced to a general meeting of the trustees of the turnpike roads of the county, held upon the SOtli of April, 1796, and recommended by them to the consideration of the magistrates. When Mr. Abercrombie's plan, and minutes of the county meeting, were laid before the town council, upon the 29tli of July, of the same year, they appear to have been averse to embark in so serious an un- dertaking ; for, although the scheme might possess advantages very desirable to be obtained, they thought that the great expense which would necessarily attend its execution, particularly the purchase of Y y 2 private 348 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. private property, was an insurmountable obstacle to it. At the same time, however, they expressed themselves ready to accede to any jilan which could be devised for obtaining, on reasonable terms, a commodious approach to the town. They accordingly passed an act, by which they recommended to the magistrates to meet and hold a conference with the gentlemen of the county upon the subject. Va- rious meetings were accordingly held, but some considerable time elapsed before any thing material was done. Meanwhile the projected improvement had engrossed the general attention of the citizens, and would seem to have been often under the consideration of the magistrates, who, in the view of such an un- dertaking being sooner or later accomplished, had authorised the purchase of some property in the line of the proposed street to the south. In the beginning of the year 1799, matters appear to have been so far brought to maturity, that the council had acquiesced in Mr. Abercrombie's plan being adopted and carried into execution, provided it should meet the approbation and concurrence of the citi- zens at large. The magistrates accordingly embraced the earliest opportunity of adopting proper measures to obtain this, in a consti- tutional manner. On the 26th of February, of the same year, a general meeting of the inhabitants, qualified to vote in the election of commissioners under the act for paving and lighting the public streets, &c. having assembled, for the purpose of determining upon the expediency of augmenting the rate of assessment, the late Thomas Leys, Esq. of Glasgoforest, attended, as chief magistrate of Aberdeen, and intro- duced to the meeting an overture regarding the proposed improve- ment, which had by this time become familiar to the public mind. The citizens assembled on this occasion not only approved the plan, but immediately nominated a numerous committee, for taking under their consideration " what roads and streets it might be requi- site to alter or enlarge, and what new ones it might be proper to open." At the same time, it was recommended to them to procure plans and estimates of the expense, and to report the proceedings to a subsequent meeting. This they accordingly did upon the first of July, ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 349 July, on which day a numerous body of the citizens attended. The ad. 1817. committee, in their report, expressed their opinion " that two new streets, one from the south, and another from the north, should be opened, according to Mr. Abercrombie's plan ; and that these streets would not only be most commodious for the public, but would be more adapted for extending, opening up, and beautifying the town, than any other line of road that had yet been suggested ; while there was every reason to expect that this improvement might be obtained without viltimately burdening the citizens with the expense." This report being approved, the meeting resolved that the same should be printed, and dispersed among the inhabitants ; and it was recom- mended to the committee, whose powers were continued, to proceed to carry into execution what had been thus cordially agreed to. As matters were now in the hands of the community, it was only incumbent on the chief magistrate to report the proceedings to his colleagues in the magistracy. This he accordingly did upon the 21st of the subsequent month of August; and the whole was sanc- tioned by an act of council. On the 17th of September, the committee, formerly noticed, pre- sented to another meeting of the citizens, assembled for the purpose, their second report, which stated, " that, in a work of this kind, where no tax whatever was proposed to be raised, a temporary ad- vance of a large sum of money would be necessary ; and, being satis- fied that the undertaking would ultimately answer its own purposes, and reimburse the advances, they were of opinion, that the most proper mode of raising the money would be for the council to inter- pose the credit of the community; and that it should be recom- mended to that body to do so, vinder the authority of an act of par- liament ;" a draught of a bill for that purpose, having been presented along with the report. The meeting approved not only of the re- port, but of the recommendation suggested, and of the draught of the bill ; and requested the lord provost, who was prescs of the meeting, to take the earliest opportunity of submitting the proceedings to the consideration of the council, " with the unanimous and earnest re- quest S50 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.u. 1817. quest of the meeting that they would take the proper measures for carrying the same forthwith into effect." In comphance with that request, the whole proceedings were re- ported to the council upon the 18th of September, and met their ap- l^rohation, in the same manner as the former resolutions had done. As the annual change of magistrates, however, was to take place in a few days, an act of council was passed, only recommending to their successors to take the matter under their consideration as early as possible. Such was the situation of this momentous affair, when John Ding- wall, Esq. of Ardo succeeded to the office of provost, at IMichaelmas, 1799. At the first meeting of the new council, subsequent to the election, an act was passed upon the 28th of September, by which they expressed their concurrence, with their predecessors in office, as to the expediency of the plan which had been adopted by the citi- zens. They also resolved to afford every assistance in their power to promote its execution, and particularly to interpose the credit of the community, for raising money for the purpose of defraying the ex- pense of the undertaking. At the same time, they appointed a com- mittee, invested with power to take such measures as they might deem expedient for accomplishing the object in view; and directed the proposed bill for an act of parliament, along with the minutes of the general meeting, to be printed, and dispersed among the citizens. The committee so appointed made such progress in the business, that, in the subsequent session of parliament, an act was obtained, authorising the town council, and certain other persons therein named, as trustees, to purchase properties in the lines of the intended streets, and to open them, according to the plan which had been adopted. As all these proceedings are fully detailed both in the re- solutions of the general meetings of the citizens, and in the minutes of the council, we shall refer to extracts of these in the Appendix, in which will also be found a copy of the act of parliament. When this act had been obtained, Mr. Dingwall, and his col- leagues in the council, who were the acting trustees, entered upon its execvition ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 351 execution with great zeal; and their exertions, having every pros- A.D. 1817. pect of success, met the applause of their fellow citizens. But, as commonly occurs in matters of this kind, the proprietors of houses and grounds in the lines of the intended streets availed themselves of the opportunity of enhancing the value of their properties far be- yond the original estimate. The consequence was, that the trus- tees were compelled to pay very high prices for almost every one of these properties. The treasurer, vmder the authority of acts of coun- cil, which had been passed subsequent to the act, made the neces- sary advances for those purposes ; and his credit being, at that time, undoubted, he found no difficulty in procuring money on loan, and speedily incurred a very heavy load of debt. But, to complete this great improvement, according to the original design, much more was necessary to be done than merely to purchase the properties through which the new streets were to pass. Union-street could not well be brought to a proper level without constructing a bridge over th.e Denburn, so as to form a proper connexion with the fields on the west, the main object of the design ; and, to render both streets neat and commodious, common sewers, paving, and other extensive works, were indispensably necessary. The expense of these operations, in Union-street alone, was upwards of L.20,000 sterling. This, however, was not the only public undertaking in which the corporation was, at that time, engaged. The turnpike road from Stonehaven to Aberdeen had been undertaken by the council, who were the trustees upon it under the statute, and deeply interested in its execution, on accovint of the extensive property in its line be- longing to several of the public institutions. The expense of this road was about I... 19,000. The building of Bridewell also engaged the attention of the magistrates, and towards the expense of this work the treasurer advanced upwards of L.IOOO. The improvements of the harbour, which commenced in the year 1810, required con- siderable advances ; and, to accelerate these improvements, it was deemed expedient to interpose the security of the treasury for raising- funds for defraying the expense of the works. The advances made on that account by the treasurer to the shoremaster have accumulated to upwards of L.43,000. All these sums, added to the cliarge of the new 352 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. new- streets, with the accumulation of interest, involved the treasury in an immense load of debt, before the successive councils were aware of its alarming amount. The treasurer, although he had sub- jected himself to that debt, had acquired property to a considerable extent, for account of the corporation, and had obtained security for his advances to other public works ; wliile the administrators of the town entertained sanguine hopes that the building areas in the lines of the new streets would, sooner or later, produce high prices or ground rents, equivalent to the interest of the debt contracted upon them. But, unfortunately, their expectations were not realized ; nor did they take into view the small number of citizens that were in a situation to make such purchases, or the remoteness of the period when all the building areas would be required by the population of the town. In the meanwhile, they were necessitated to sell, from time to time, part of the property belonging to some of the public institutions under their administration, for the purpose of discharg- ing the repeated demands upon the treasury, for interest of money, and otherwise, and for supporting its credit. In the beginning of February, this year, these demands pressing hard upon the treasurer, and the public sovirces being exhausted, the administrators of the town judged it necessary to declare the insol- vency of the treasury. Such are the principal causes and circumstances, which, by their combined operation, have contributed to involve the affairs of the corporation in their present unfortunate embarrassment. In this alarming juncture, and with a view to quiet the minds of a numerous body of creditors, as well as the community, the magis- trates thought it advisable to nominate a select committee of nine citizens, to investigate the affairs of the treasury, and to form a re- port thereupon, for the satisfaction of the public. A report* was * The Committee were, Hary Limisden, William Kennedy, Alexander Crombie, David Hutcheon, Alexander Webster, Duncan Davidson, Andrew Jopp, Thomas Burnett, and James Blaikie, advo- cates in Aberdeen. By their report, it appears— I. That ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. S53 was accordingly made up, printed, and dispersed, from which it ap- A.D. im; peared, that the whole public debt amounted to L.225,710 14s. 4d. z z sterling, I. That the prices paid for houses and ground, after deducting old materials, amounted to L.7 3,163 4 5 The expense of making the streets, bridges, sewers, retaining walls, &c. 34,422 1 1 1 The expense of the act, plans, &c. and management, since the commencement of the act - - - - 6,404 5 The amount of accumulated interest, after deduction of feu-duties and rents 57,290 8 10 Sum total - L.171,279 15 7 II. That for the property thus acquired, and the expense of making the streets and paying inte- rests, the treasurer had pledged his security. That the treasury debts, including those con- tracted on account of the new streets, with the loans to the master of shore works, and the expense of making the Stonehaven road, and other improvements, amounted to L.225,710 14 4 WTiich may be thus classed : 1. Debts due to the town's office-bearers, viz. dean of guild, master of mortifi- cations^ master of kirk and bridge works, and master of guild bretliren's hospital - - . . L.64,191 3 6 2. Debts due to charitable institutions - ■ 30,420 9 1 3. Debts of L. 100, and upwards, due to individuals - « 119,659 3 1 4. Debts imder L. 100, to ditto ... 11,439 18 G (Besides the current interest) - - L 225,710 14 4 III. That the actual revenue applicable to payment of the interest of the debt due by the treas\u-er, appears to be as under, viz. : 1. The feu duties of lands and fishings, and average casualties of superiority 2. The teind duties, ditto - - - ' 3. The rents of lands, houses, and ground, at Footdee, &c. 4. The town's mills, public weigh-house, and bell and petty customs 5. The interest of the debts due by the master of shore works, the trustees on the Stonehaven turnpike road, and the conmiissioners of the Bridewell - 2,720 12 3 The estimated proportion of casualties payable to the treasury by entering burgesses » ■ .- - 100 00 L.1,280 2 10 120 19 7 1,756 6 2 1,054 The feu duties arising from the areas in the new streets L. 1,867 12 3 The rents payable to the trustees of the new streets - 1,400 L.7,032 10 3,267 12 3 Total - L.10,299 13 1 354 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. sterling, besides the current interest ; that the gi'oss annual revenue, from every source, was L. 10,042 10s. and that the estimated value of the Brought fonvard L. 10,299 13 I From which there fall to be deducted, the feu duties, and other public biu-- dens, being . - - - 257 3 1 Amount, after the deduction of public burdens L. 10,0 42 10 IV. That the following, in the opinion of the Committee, is the fair worth and value of these subjects, viz. : 1 . Feu duties of lands and fishings, and of casualties of superiority - L.24,425 6 •2. The lands within the freedom, houses, and ground at Footdee, and other property, under lease , . - 3. The town's mills, the public weigh-house, and bell and petty customs - 4. The building areas in St. Nicholas street, and near the meal market .^. The debts due by the shoremaster, Stonehaven road, and the Bridewell 54,4-12 4 10 6. The arrears of feu duties and rents due to the treasury — supposed re- coverable . - - - 1,247 35,512 10 19,972 3,871 16 Treasury property, exclusive of new streets L.139,440 16 10 In this valuation, the Committee did not include the town-house, or shops un- der it, the public schools, or the funds belonging to George Davidson's mortifica- tion, which last are applicable for payment of ministers' stipends; nor did they put any value upon the treasurer's reversionary interest in the shore dues. New Streets. V. That the property belonging to the treasurer, for behoof of the new street trus- tees, may, in their opinion, be estimated as follows, viz. : — The feu duties receivable for builduig areas along Union street and King street, being L.l, 867 12s. 3d. at 18 years purchase - L.33,317 6 The value of building areas in Union street, from the Castle street to Broad street and Shiprow, not feued, with the materials of the houses at present on the ground, and a house in the Netherkirkgate - - 1 1,650 The value of building areas m this street, from Broad street, westward, to its extremity. Terrace, and buildings on the ground - - - 33,156110 • Ditto, in King street, from the Castle street to its extremity, including the materials and houses in Garden's close 28,727 8 These valuations comprehend the conunon sewers, &c. Value of the new streets - 106,351 5 O L.246,292 1 10 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 355 the whole property, of every description, was L.241,663 6s. 4d. ster- a.d. isi:. ling. By these means, there was an apparent reversion of L. 15,952 12s. sterling, but how far it may be reahzed depends upon so many events and circumstances, that, at present, it is extremely difficult to say what may be the ultimate result. Various schemes have been proposed by the magistrates to the citizens, for extricating the af- fairs of the treasury from this embarrassment ; these have been sub- mitted to the consideration of the burgesses of guild, but none of them have met with their approbation.* z z 2 In Brought forward L.2+6j292 1 10 From which there falls to be deducted, the estimated value of certain feu and teind duties, and public burdens, being L.257 as. lid. yearly - 4,628 15 G Total valuation, after deduction of public burdens L.241,663 6 4 Amount of the debts 225,7 10 1+ 4. Leaving a reversion of L.I 5,952 12 * The following are the outlines of the scheme which was proposed by the magistrates and town council, on the 19th of February, in an address to the citizens : — " By the books of the city chamberlain, it appears, that the debt due, as at Michaebnas last, by the treasury, was - - - - L.l 62,900 And that the sum due to the town's office-bearers, is . - 63,429 Total debt L.226,329 And that the gross amount of his yearly income is - . L. 1 0,300 The aimual permanent amount of municipal charges, &c. is about - 2,800 Balance to pay interest of debt L.7,500 " It is imderstood by the magistrates and council, that if a yearly interest of four per cent, is paid to the creditors, with the conviction that their principal sums are well secured, they would remain perfectly satisfied. " The interest on the treasury debt, to individuals, &c. at 4 per cent, per amium, is L.6,5l6 And to the office-bearers, at the same rate » . » 2,537 Total interest on debt L.9,053 Balance, as above, to pay interest 7,500 Yearly deficiency of interest L.l, 553 " There 356 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. In order to allay the ferment which had been occasioned by this alarming occurrence, and to quiet the minds of many who were deeply interested, a meeting of the creditors was convened, upon the 21st of that month, in the town-hall, when it was resolved, that the treasurer, magistrates, council, and the trustees under tlie act of par- liament which had passed for the new streets, should grant a dispo- sition and conveyance of the whole heritable and moveable public property " There will thus remain a deficiency in the yearly interest of L.i, 553; but, as a great part of the treasurer's property is let at a low rate, on leases of longer or shorter duration, and as some of it is not at present productive, it may be presumed, that his yearly revenue will, from time to time, in- crease. This increase may be assumed as equal to one half per cent, on his debt, in every succes- sive period of seven years ; and upon these grounds it is proposed, that the community shall agree to such an assessment as will enable him to pay the full interest of four per cent, until his own income shall be equal to it, or, eventually, five per cent, when he can realize it. " By this scheme it appears, that, in order to pay full four per cent, on the treasurer's debts, a yeai-ly assessment would be required of L.I 697 6s. 6d. for the period of seven years, and of L.5G5 1 3s. 6d. for a further period of seven years, when the treasurer would be fully able to pay four one- fourth per cent, and perhaps more. Indeed, it is highly probable, that, in a few years thereafter, he might be able to pay full five per cent, on the whole amount of his debts, which would be highly desirable, considering the large amount of charitable funds in his hands. Thus far an assessment is proposed, to pay interest, at the rate of four per cent, per annum. If the public spirit and liberality of the heritors, &c. within the burgh, and of those who will be affected by this measure, should in- duce them to submit to a further light assessment, for the purpose of liquidating Ihe debt, the ma- gistrates and council will clearly shew, that this object will be attained by a very easy rate of taxa- tion, and in a manner that will give great confidence to the public creditor. They shall suppose, that, at the expiration of the first period of seven years, viz. in the year 182.5, the assesment is to be continued at L.I 7 00 per annum, which is about one half more than the present police tax, but, owing to the mode of assessment, will be even less felt; — of this sum of L.I 7 00, there is required, I'or seven years, the simi of L.565 13s. 6d. to pay the balance of interest; — and the s>im remaining (in round numbers, L.I 200,) to be applied to the reduction of the debt. The whole to be placed under the management of trustees, to be named by an act of parliament." The address is followed by tables, and then proceeds to detail the operation of the scheme, and promises certain advantages to be derived by the community, in the event of its being adopted. The scheme appears to have met with the approbation of Dr. Robert Hamilton, professor of ma- thematics, in Marischal College, to whom it had been submitted. In return for such a pledge on the part of the community, the magistrates and council had no hesitation in declaring then- opinion, tliat a share in the election of the magistrates of the borough ought, in justice, to be conceded ; and they further openly avowed their mtention of sanctioning such a change in its constitution, and in the manner of exhibiting and auditing the public accounts, as should tend to promote and secure that mutual confidence which ought always to subsist between ma- ffistrates and their fellow citizens. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. S57 property vested in them, to twenty-one citizens, who were named, in a.d. 1817. trust, for the behoof of the creditors of the corporation. These re- sohitions having been acquiesced in by the meeting, the property was accordingly surrendered to the management of these trustees. Owing, however, to the stagnation of trade, and various other vni- favourable circumstances, very Httle progress has yet been made in converting this property into money ; but a small dividend has been paid to the creditors from the funds that have been realized. These unfortunate occurrences have been the prelude to serious and important designs respecting the administration of the bo- ' rough. The burgesses of guild, on the 15th February, having assem- bled, for the purpose of taking under their consideration the present situation of public affairs, adopted resolutions, expressive of their sentiments upon the events which had occurred. " They attri- buted the joresent disaster of the treasury to the bad system under which the borough had been governed, by the town council being self-elected ; and to its administration having become as it were the inheritance of a few individuals, who, forming a secret junto, con- sidered themselves irresponsible for their management to their fel- low citizens. They asserted, that the ample endowments in fishings, lands, and other heritages, granted by our sovereigns, for the com- mon good, to the provost, baillies, counsellors, burgesses, and their successors, have, during the course of years, been either dilapidated, or squandered upon improvident and ill-managed speculations. That, although they were most unwilling, at a moment like the pre- sent, to use expressions calculated to excite irritation, yet they would fail in duty to their successors, and to themselves, if they did not thus publicly disclaim every participation or concern in the system which had led to the present unhappy event. At the same time, as a circular letter had been sent by the magistrates to the several cre- ditors of the treasury, insinuating, that the community and the heri- tage of the town were responsible for the debts which had been con- tracted, in the name of the treasurer, they publicly declared, that they did not consider themselves, either as burgesses of guild, pro- prietors of heritage, or as citizens, liable to one farthing of this debt. That the magistrates, among many other acts of mismanage- ment, S58 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. ment, had deviated from the enactments of the statute ; and by a most unjustifiable course of concealment, had occasioned the un- happy consequences which have now burst forth, to the astonish- ment and deep concern of the public." The funds of the guildry, under the administration of the magis- trates and council, being very considerable, had, from time to time, been lent, under their authority, to the treasurer, to enable him to conduct the pernicious system to which he had been necessitated to resort, for supporting his credit, and for discharging the multifarious ' engagements to which he had been subjected. The burgesses, there- fore, conceiving that they had an unquestionable interest in these funds, deemed it requisite to appoint a select committee* of twenty of their number, as conservators of these funds, and of all matters where- in they were concerned. In the meanwhile, they delegated powers to this committee to attend the meetings of the creditors of the trea- surer, to investigate the present state of the guildry funds, to ascer- tain whether any sales of land or property had been lately made, in which their interests had been compromised, and to bring under view all circumstances connected with these affairs. During these transactions, some differences having arisen between the committee and the magistrates, with regard to the mode of in- specting the records, and examining the accounts of the guildry, another meeting of the burgesses was convened upon the 13th of March, when the committee submitted to their consideration a cor- respondence which had passed between them and the magistrates, on this subject. At that meeting, the burgesses unanimously approved of the * Forty-eight gentlemen having been nominated, the meeting proceeded to ballot for their com« mittee, when the following were retiu'ned by the scrutineers, viz. :— Robert Abercrombie James Forbes David Mihie Thomas Bannennan John Forbes Alexander Pirie Alexander Bannerman William Forbes of Echt William Pirie John Booth Robert Hiirvey John Rae Alexander Dingwall George Hogarth, jun. Alexander Rhijid John Ewen George Imies George Still Alexander Forbes George M'Keiizie ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 359 the proceedings of the gentlemen of the committee ; and, among A.D. isi?. other matters, resolved to insist upon obtaining access to all books and documents which they miglit deem essentially necessary for af- fording them information with relation to the state of the guildry funds, the uses to which these are strictly applicable, and to the ge- neral rights and interests of the burgesses of guild. They also agreed to open a subscription for raising funds to defray the charge of carrying their resolutions into eifect. At the same time, they ex- pressed their readiness to receive any commvinication, in writing, tliat the magistrates might think proper to make to them, through their committee ; and it being the opinion of the meeting that the set of the borough should be thrown open, it was directed that this should be communicated to the magistrates. In the course of this communication, the differences between the magistrates and the committee, with regard to the inspection of the records, having been accommodated, an act of the town council was passed, upon the 28th of March, by which it was resolved, that, al- tliough they were not aware of any right that entitled the burgesses at large to demand access to the records of the borough, yet, as a matter of courtesy and good will towards their fellow citizens, they were disposed to afford them that inspection, for the j^urpose of their obtaining the information which they required. The council having, at the same time, taken under their conside- ration that i^art of the resolutions of the general meeting of the bui-- gesses, of the IStli of March, which proposed the set of the borough being thrown open, unanimovisly resolved to accede to such a change both of it, and of the manner of auditing and exhibiting the public accounts, as should tend to promote and secure that mutual confi- dence which ought to subsist between magistrates and tlieir fellow- citizens. But they expressed their disapprobation of any change that sliould be founded upon the principle of poll election, or universal suffrage, as being calculated only to introduce anarchy and confusion, without effecting any real improvement in the mode of election, or in the internal government of the borough. These 360 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. These matters being thus far accommodated, the chairman and sub-committee of the burgesses proceeded to the examination of the records, and of the guildry accounts, in which they were occujiicd for several days. Having formed their report, it was presented to a ge- neral meeting of the burgesses, upon the 21st of April. In this re- port,* the sub-committee exhibited a detail of the particular funds belonging to the guildry, under the sole administration of the ma- gistrates, and expressed their sentiments to the meeting, upon the proposal * The committee, named at a general meeting of the burgesses of guild of Aberdeen, on the 15th February last, to a general meeting of their constituents^ on the 21st April, 1817, reported, " That, after the general meeting, on the 13th March, they lost no time in again applying to the magistrates and council for leave to inspect the records of the city. Having obtained this permis- sion, and having found the gentlemen of the magistracy, vrhom tliey had the pleasure to meet, ready to afford every information on the subject, it was their first object to endeavour to ascertain whether the burgesses of guild have now, or ever had, controul over the funds collected from their pockets, and designated " the guild box" — " the additional fund to ditto," applicable to charity — " the guild wine," to entertainments — and " the arms money," to cleaning the town's armour ; all which are termed guildry funds. Your committee found, what they had reason to expect, under a system of self-elected governors, tJiat the magistrates alone, under the existing law of the borough, have had, and now possess, sovereign controul, in raising, diminishing, and, at pleasure, appropriating, the admission dues. It appeared, therefore, unnecessary to enter into a detail of the documents and ' accounts laid before your committee, in regard to these funds, or to make any minute inquiry into the late sales of the lands of Skene, of which the biu'gesses may complain, but appear to have no right to challenge. The committee, however, cannot help remarking, the obvious imprudence of the dean of guild, in consenting to remove his funds from a quarter where they were so well seciu"ed, in order to lend them to the city treasm-er, of whose pecuniary embarrassments he, the dean, could not, or at least ought not, to have been ignorant. " It now only remains for the committee to submit to their constituents a brief abstract of the guildry funds, in so far as they have been able to ascertain them, " The treasurer of Aberdeen was due, at Michaelmas last, to the guild box, additional fund to ditto, and guild brethren's hospital ... - £.19,810 12 3 " N.B. Besides the above sum, these funds have right to 4-lOths of the re- venue of the remaining part of the lands of Skene, which 4-lOths at present yield about 125 boUs of meal, and about £.108 sterling, of yearly rent; but from these sums there falls to be deducted a proportion of public burdens. These funds have also right to a mortification of 400 merks Scots per annum, payable from the lands of Tipperty, and feu duties amounting to £.79 1 7s. 6d. with a proportion of tlie compositions from entering burgesses. " The number of annuitants on these funds from Michaelmas, 1815, to Michaelmas, 1816, was 152 ; and the sum paid them was > £.911 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. S6l proposal which had been made to them, in conseqnence of the act of a.d. isi; council, with regard to a change in the set of the borough. The re- 3 A port Brought forward £.911 X'.l!),810 12 3 " Besides the above sum, due to charitable funds, the treasurer was due to the guild wine fund, at Michaehnas, 1 8 1 G, . _ 5 623 11 1 " N.B. This fund has also right to 3-lOtlis of the revenue of the re- maining part of the lands of Skene, at the rate abo\e-mentioned, and to feu-duties, amounting to £A1, and a pn)portion of the compositions from entering burgesses. " And the expenditiu-e on this branch, from Michaelmas, 1815, to Mi- cliaelmas, I8I6, was - . - - 390 " The treasurer was also due to the arms money fund, at Michaelmas, 1816, - - - - . 561 1 8 " N.B. This fund has only right to a proportion of the compositions payable by entering burgesses. " And the expenditure on this branch, from Michaehiias, 1815, to Mi- chaehnas, I8I6, was .... 32 £.1332 £.2o,()g5 5 " The burgesses will, therefore, at once, see, that the only revenue applicable to charitable pur- poses, from the funds under the management of the dean of guild, and master of guild brethren's hospital, arises from the items above stated, and whatever annual iiiterest the estate of tlie treasurer may pay on L.19,810 12s. 3d. With regard to the guild wine fund, the expenditure last year was great, owing, as your committee understand, to a large stock of wine having been laid in, but which is still remaining on hand. To do the magistrates justice, the entertaining system, of late years, has been greatly diminished; and your committee would fain hojie they need but hint, that it only re- quires an act of council to appropriate, iu future, the interest that may be recovered on the sum due by the treasurer on tliis fund, to that of the charitable one. The arms money fund requires no remark." After some remarks concerning the admission dues of burgesses, the conmiittee conclude with observing, " that neither the opinion of a convention of burgesses, the sanction of the town coun- cil, nor the concession of the magistrates, will be retjuired ; but that, upon a proper representation, higher authority will re-model the government of a Scottish borough which has deservedly expired. The suffrage which that authority may grant, the dommittee had no doubt, would give universal sa- tisfaction to the citizens. They were also sensible, that the burgesses felt with the magistrates the difficulties by which the affairs of the city were, at present, surroimded. At the same time, they remarked, that these difficulties have arisen, not from the plans of improvement which, the magis- trates say, were originally sanctioned by the citizens, but from a most unjustifiable concealment on the part of a few individuals ; and that it was a matter of no importance to the community, whether these have been actuated by pure motives ; led off by wild, extravagant, and ill-managed specula- tions ; or whether they wanted understanding." S6S ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. AD. 1817. port having met with the approbation of the meeting, an adjourn- ment took ])lace till INIonday the 18th of the subsequent month of Auffust, when they intended to take under their consideration the propriety of petitioning the king, in council, to grant such change in the administration of the borough as might be deemed proper. In the meanwhile, as the proposal which had been made by the magistrates in the month of February, for extricating the treasury from its present difficulty, by an assessment upon the citizens, had not met with the approbation of the burgesses, nor had, indeed, been much attended to by the generality of those who were to be af- fected by its operation, the magistrates and council thought it ad- visable to bring forward the scheme of assessment, vmder a new shape, and, by every mean in their power, to attempt a conciliation with their fellow citizens. On the 30th of August, a meeting of the burgesses was convened in the town-hall, under the authority of Mr. Kead, the dean of guild, and numerously attended. In supporting the scheme which had been now digested by his colleagues in the magistracy, he took a comprehensive view of the circumstances which led to the insol- vency of the treasury, and of the subsequent proceedings, which were now become familiar to the public mind. He detailed, at great length, the outlines, and explained, in a very able and distinct man- ner, the objects of the plan. Those objects went to an application purposed to be made to parliament, for authority to assess the pro- perty and trade of the town, nearly in the manner which had been proposed in the address of tbe 19th of February, formerly submitted to the public. This assessment was intended to be 2s. on each L.lOO, Scottish money, of valued rents of houses, lands, fishings, &c. ; and the same rate on each L.lOO sterling, of trade. At the same time, the dean of guild stated, that, while the magistrates and council re- newed the pro])Osal of a general assessment, as the only means that could be effectual for obviating the present difficulties, and for restor- ing the credit of the treasury, in which every citizen must be more or less interested ; they were not immindful of the opinion which they had formerly expressed, that, in return for such a pledge on the part ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 363 part of the community, a share in the election of the town council A.D. ought, injustice, to be conceded. lie declared, however, that they were well aware, that, in discussing a measure of so deep importance as even a partial change of the constitution and laws, under which the royal boroughs had been so long governed, great circumspection and entire freedom from prejudice were requisite. They were also fully impressed with a conviction, that, as guardians, in part, of this constitution, and official conservators of the public privileges, they would depart from that duty which they owed to their fellow citi- zens, if they were to yield to the full tide of popular opinion. In these sentiments they were confirmed by declarations, which have been openly avowed, that nothing less would satisfy the burgesses than the election of all the members of the town council. Were this to be made the ground of any specific measure for the above purpose, they were convinced that it never would receive the sanction of the convention of royal boroughs, or of the British parliament. In proposing, therefore, and supporting such a change in the set of the borough, and in the manner of exhibiting and passing the public accounts, as may be sanctioned by the legislature, so as to afford the citizens a proper controul over the yearly expenditure, and a voice in the election of the town council, the magistrates and council presumed to think that they had done every thing which was incumbent on them for restoring the credit of the incorporation, and for redeeming the pledge which they had formerly made to their fel- low citizens. The dean of guild having then exhibited the outlines of the proposed plan* for changing the mode of electing the coun- 3 A 2 cil. * The following clauses ejchibit the views of the council on tliis subject :— " 1 . A head court of tlie burgesses of guild sliall be held annuallj', on the first Wednesday of September, to be called by tlie dean of guild, who sliall preside at the meeting. " 2. At this meeting, there shall be nominated and appointed, by signed lists, to be given in by the burgesses, thirteen persons, members of the guildry, who are to compose the guild court for the then ensuing year ; and to wliom shall be referred, all such matters as have been in use to be deter- mined by the guild court m time past. " 3. The dean of guild for the time, the sheriff-substitute of Aberdeensln're, tlie town clerk of Aberdeen, and one person to be named by the meeting, shall be appointed bcrutineers of the signed 364- ANNALS OF ABEKDEEX. cil, &c. concluded with suggesting, that, if the meeting were pleased to approve, generally, of the substance of the scheme which had been now submitted to them, the whole should be referred to a committee of their number, to meet with another committee of the magistrates and council, to consider and to report their opinion upon the expedi- ency and propriety of the plan which had been proposed, and the best means of carrying it, or such other measures as might be adopted, in- to lists or votes so given in. They shall be sworn to the due and faithful execution of this office ; and shall make a true return of the persons who have the greatest number of votes. " 4. The guild court, so chosen as aforesaid, shall be called by the dean of guild, to meet on the first Wednesday after their election, and shall proceed to nominate and appoint, by a majority of votes of its members, one of their number as dean ; the return of whose election, together with the names of the other twelve gentlemen composing tlie guild court, shall be intimated to the magis- trates of Aberdeen, by letter, addressed to the town clerk, at least eight days previous to the day of the annual election of magistrates and council. " 5. Upon the said day of election, the person who shall be so nominated by the guild court, sliall be admitted and chosen by the magistrates and council, as dean of guild of the burgh for the then ensuing year. " 6. Upon said day of election, the magistrates and council shall, from the list of the twelve burgesses composing the guild court, elect two, as members of the town council of the biu-gh for the ensuing year. " 7. Of the remaining ten members of the guild court, three shall, in like manner, be elected as auditors of the town's accounts, along with the two trades counsellors, and other four members of the town council ; three as conservators of the guild box and poor's funds, in conjunction with the provost and*nagistrates ; and four as commissioners under the jjroposed act for the liquidation of the public debt of the borough; along with the provost and eldest baillie of Aberdeen, president of the society of advocates, president of the society of shipmasters, and convener of the incorporated trades, all for the time being : and four others, to be chosen by the heritors, and those carrying on trade witliin the borough, not being burgesses of guild. " 8. Tlie town's accounts, after being audited, sliall lie open, at the office of the city chamber- lain, for the space of oiie month, after the yearly reading at the Michaelmas head court. " 9. The convener court of the incorporated trades sliall, in like manner, meet upon the first Wednesday of .September annually ; and shall nominate and appoint two of their number as trades counsellors ; whicli two may either be deacons of crafts, or the convener of the trades for the time, and one deacon. " 10. The nomination of the said deacons, or convener and deacon, shall be intimated to the ma- gistrates at least eight days previous to the day of the annual election of magistrates and council ; on which day, the said persons, so nominated by the convener court, shall be elected and chosen a& trades counsellors of the burgh for the then ensuing year." ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 365 to effect. On this scheme, however, no determinate resokitions were, A.D. isiT- at this time, formed; and the meeting adjourned to a future day. In the meanwhile, the proijositions from the magistrates were ordered to be printed, and dispersed among the burgesses at large. These expedients on the part of the magistrates do not seem to have been well calculated to promote a good understanding between them and the burgesses. From the proceedings which had taken place at this meeting, it was evident that all confidence was lost ; for the scheme which had been proposed by the dean of guild, on behalf of his colleagues, did not meet with general approbation, was eluded, and the committee which he had suggested was not appointed. However anxious the magistrates and council may have been to conciliate the good will of those who were most adverse to their mea- sures, so as to extricate the aflfairs of the corporation from their present embarrassment, and to restore the credit of the treasury, it was ma- nifest that a political animosity divided them, and that they had httle prospect of regaining that confidence which had been lost, or of accomplishing the object in view. Indeed, at no time are feeble and temporising measures of those who are in power, when united with rising demands upon the people, likely to contribute to any good purpose ; and when those assemble to deliberate, in a situation where they might be expected to act, the result will always be unfa- vourable. On the 1 3th of September, the burgesses again assembled, in con- sequence of the adjournment, and took under their consideration the statement of the dean of guild, and the address of the magistrates and council. Being fully aware of the principles on which it pro- ceeded, they adopted resolutions, expressing their decided opinion against the scheme which had been proposed. In these they ob- served, " that, although the statement and address might afterwards require animadversion, yet, at present, a detailed answer to it was in- expedient. They also remarked, " that, while it neither defended, nor ottered any satisfactory apology for the prosecution of measures which were unjustifiable, and highly reprehensible, it attempted to put a gloss on the conduct of the magistrates and council, and to dravr 366 ANNALS OF ABEKDEEN. A.D. 1817. draw an inference from the spirit of the new street act, in a manner and by a species of reasoning, which, so far from convincing, con- veyed an insult to the understanding of those to whom it was ad- dressed. That no apology could be well offered in justification of the conduct of those, who, under concealment, had contracted L. 230,000 of debt. That, although they were, many years ago, aware, that their income was inadequate to the payment of the in- terest of this debt, yet they had continued to add to it, by borrowing money to pay an accumulation of interest to the amount of L.57,000, Avithout the prospect or possibility of their being ever in a situation to pay the principal. That the burgesses have invariably entertained, and uniformly expressed, but one sentiment with regard to the im- propriety of this debt being contracted, by persons who did not re- present the community, without the knowledge or consent of the ci- tizens. That the money had been applied to the prosecution of measvircs, over which there was no controul ; and, therefore, tbat the citizens were not responsible for any part of it : nor did the act for the new streets confer any autbority upon the treasurer of Aberdeen to interpose his credit, on behalf of the trustees, so as to subject the community. " That, in reference to the proposal of tlie magistrates and coun- cil for an alteration of the set of the borough, the meeting are im- pressed with a firm persuasion, that, by divesting themselves of the whole patrimony of the community, and transferring it to trustees, they had incapacitated themselves from performing the duties in- cumbent on them by their charters. That they had virtually and in fact disfranchised the borough ; and the magistrates and council having now no power to grant, nor consequently the burgesses any right to receive from them an alteration in the set of the borough, it would become necessary for the burgesses, in due time, to ajjply to the king, in council, for such a change in it as would alone call forth the energies of the citizens, and restore public confidence. That, in the opinion of the meeting, this could be effected only by granting to the burgesses of guild, and the incorporated artificers, the elective Iranchise of the town council, and thereby effectually pre- venting the management of the affairs of the town from ever falling again ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 367 again into the hands of particular juntos.* That notice liaving un- a.D. isit. expectedly appeared in the newspaper, that a bill was to be brought into * Probably by this they had in view the case of the borough of Montrose, -which had been re- cently disfranchised, and had, about this time, obtained from the crown a new set, or constitution, on account of the following circumstance: — On the 7th June, 181", the borough of Montrose was disfranchised, by a judgment of the court of session, which found that the election for Michaelmas, 1816', having been conducted by balloting for each member, seriatim, in place of the fonncr practice of marking the vote by scores, was illegal, and, therefore, reduced and set it aside. Tlie burgesses, trades, householders, and other inhabitants, applied, by petition, to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, beseeching an alteration and amendment of the former set or constitu- tion of the borough. This j)etition having been referred to the consideration of his Majesty's Attor- ney-General, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, and his Majesty's Solicitor-GenerjJ, and also to a committee of the Lords of the Privy Council, who made their report thereupon ; tlie Pi'ince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, and by and with the advice of his privy council, was pleased to issue an act and warrant for a poll election ; and authorised and commanded the guild brethren, members of the incorporated trades, and inhabitants, buj-gesses, who resided in the said borough at and previous to Micliaehnas, 18l6, to assemble themselves at the town-hall, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, upon Monday the 15th day of October next, and then and there to elect fit persons, not exceeding nineteen in number, properh' qualified, in terms of the set and usage of the borough, to be magistrates and town counsellors ; the election to be made in manner specified in the act. " And, for the better order and good government of the said borough, in time to come, his Royal Highness is further pleased, in the name and on the behalf of his Majest)-, and by and with the advice of liis Majesty's privy council, to alter the former set, or constitution, of the said borough ; and to order and direct that the said set, or constitution, shall, in all time com- ing, be as follows. That the town council shidl, as formerl)-, consist of nineteen persons, including, in the said number, the provost, three baillies, the dean of guild, treasurer, and tlie master of the hospital, — of which nineteen, fifteen shall be resident guild brethren, and four shall he resident craftsmen, including the deacon convener, for the time. That, at the election to be made at the Michaelmas next ensuing the said poll election, and at all future elections, the six eldest counsellors for the time, from the guildi-y, who have not served in any of tlie offices after-mentioned, for tiie year preceding ; and the whole four counsellors from the craftsmen, shall go out, but shall, nevei- tlieless, be re-eligible, if their respective constituents shall think fit. That, upon tlie Monday of the week immediately preceding Michaelmas, in each year, the magistrates ami council shall meet and declare the names of tlie six guild counsellors, who go out in rotation ; and also what vacancies have arisen during the preceding year, l)y death, non-accejitancc, resignation, or otherwise, in the number of guild counsellors. That, on the following day, being Tuesday, tlie guildry incorpora- tion shall assemble at their ordinary place of meeting, and shall first elect their dean of guilds and six members of the guildry, as his council for tlie ensuing year ; and the person so chosen as dean of guild shall, in virtue of his office, be a magistrate and counsellor of the borough; and the said in- corporation shall then proceed to fill up the vacancies in the number of merchant counsellors, occai sioned by rotation, non-acceptance, resignation, death, or otherwise, during tlie preceding year. That the seven incorporated trades of Montrose shall also assemble togetlier in one place, on the said Tuesday, and sliall first elect their deacon convener, wlio shall, in virtue of his office, be a counsellor, to represent the trades, and they shall then proceed to elect other tJuee in the room of 368 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1817. into parliament next session, for imposing a heavy assessment on the trade and heritage of the town, and within its hberties, the meeting determined to oppose it by such legal ways and means as were in their power." These resolutions having passed, wdthout mvich opposition, a committee of twenty burgesses was chosen, for the purpose of carry- ing the essential parts of them into effect, for attending to the in- terests of the community in the present crisis, and for concerting measures necessary to be adopted in the affairs committed to their charge. * The day of the annual election of new counsellors, for the ensu- ing year, now approaching, the magistrates and other members of the town council, to the number of seventeen, thought it proper to adopt another expedient, with a view to conciliate matters with their fellow citizens, in the present situation of public affairs. On the 20th of September, being the day of the ordinary head court, previous to the election, they published an act, or declaration, in which they ex- pressed those -who retire from office ; and that two of the four trades counsellors, so to be elected, may be guild bretliren, being always operative craftsmen, and the persons electing them shall have no vote in the guild, in the same election ; but the other two trades counsellors shall be operative craftsmen and burgesses only. That the council shall meet on the \A'ednesday immediately preceding Mi- chaelmas, unless Michaelmas day shall happen to be upon Wednesday, in which case tliey shall meet on Michaelmas day, and conclude the annual election for the ensuing year, by continuing the ex qfficiis members, electing the two members of council who do not go out by rotation, and receiv- ing the new members from the guildry and trades ; and, after such election, and receiving the new counsellors, the members, both of the old and new council, shall, according to the former set of the borough, choose a provost, three baillies, a treasurer, and hospital master ; that the provost, baillies, treasurer, and hospital master, shall not be continued in their offices longer than two years together, but they, with the dean of guild, shall remain, ex qfficiis, members of the council, for the year im- mediately following that in which they shall have served in these offices respectively." * At this meeting about 500 attended, and the following gentlemen were voted as members of tliis committee : — Messrs. Robert Abercrombie Messrs. James Forbes Messrs. George M'Kenzie Alex. Bannerman John Forbes James Mellis Charles Bannennan William Forbes of Edit David Milne John Booth James Gordon John Rae Alex. Dingwall James Harthill Alex. Rhind John Ewcn Robert Harvey George Still .Mex. Forbes George Imies ANKALS OP ABERDEEK. 369 pressed their sincere and unqualified regret, that their endeavours A.D. isir. to Hghten and remove the public burdens had tailed of that success- ful result which they had so earnestly desired, and that they were compelled to leave the affairs of the borough in a state of embarrass- ment, which, as it had been a source of much vexation and distress to themselves, could not fail to be attended with considerable diffi- culty to those who might be destined to succeed them. They re- marked, that, in their efforts to restore public confidence, their mo- tives had been misconstrued and perverted ; and their proposals and plans had been received with a degree of prejudice and distrust. They again expressed their decided opinion, that the present mode of electing the town council, and conducting the management of the public affairs, is radically defective and improvident; that some change in it ought to be effected, and a controul given to the citi- zens over the expenditure of the public funds.* 3 B This * " Council Chamber, Aberdeek, Sept. 1 9, ISIT. " Looking to the present calamitous situation of the borough of Aberdeen, the members of the town council, who have affixed their signatures to this paper, cannot allow themselves to retire from office, without expressing their sincere and unqualified regret, that tlieir endeavours to lighten and remove the public burdens have failed of that successful result, whicli they so earnestly desired ; and that they are compelled to leave the affairs of the borough in a state of embarrassment, which, as it has been a source of much vexation and distress to themselves, must still prove one of consider- able difficulty to those who may be destined to succeed them, unless immediate steps are taken to redeem the credit of the corporation. Injustice to themselves, however, they are desirous to place upon record their sentiments and opinions, in reference to some of the various topics arising out of the embaiTassments of the city treasury. " This has become the more necessary, from their having discovered, that, in their efforts for the restoration of pubUc confidence, their motives have been misconstrued and perverted, and theu- pro- posals and plans received with a degree of prejudice and distrust, which, they will heboid enough to say, their personal and private characters are sufficient to invalidate and disprove. Be this as it ma}', they are aware, that tlie sincerity of their intentions can be known but by few, and may be doubted of by many ; and, therefore, they here reiterate their decided opinion, that the present mode of elec- tion of the town council, and management of the town's affairs, are radically defective and improvi- dent, tending to give to any individual or party, who may be so inclined, an excessive and unnatural preponderance ; and to foster and encourage a concealment, under which the most upright magis- trate, with the best intentions, may not be able to acquire that thorough knowledge of the situation of the borough, which is requisite for the due administration of its affijirs. The subscribers are, therefore, of opinion, that some change ought to be effected in the manner of electing the council, and an effectual controul given to the citizens over the expenditure of the town's office-bearers. " The extent of this change it is not for them to determine ; they would only, at this time, urge the necessity of it. In the history of every well regulated government, they recognize the happy S70 ANXALS OF ADERDEEN. A.D. 1S17. This declaration, however well intended it may have been, was but ill calculated to regain the confidence of the citizens. It was considered by many as inexpedient and imprudent. It was unre- quired ; and, in the present situation of public affairs, could answer no good purpose ; but rather tended to foster the political ani- mosity which still subsisted, and to intimidate those whom they had in view as their successors from accepting offices in the ma- gistracy. Indeed, the result of the subsequent election evinced this to have been the case ; for, of nineteen counsellors who were chosen on the 24th of September, thirteen positively refused to accept ; six only thought it proper to enter upon their administra- tion, four of whom were members of the old council. In this state of public affairs, there is, at the present time, a manifest defect in the executive government of the town. Under these peculiar circumstances, the three baillies, the master of shore works, and two counsellors, who accepted, entertaining a doubt of the powers and authority which had been conferred upon them, were advised to present a memorial and submission to the king in effects of those salutary checks, which can alone restrain public officers in the execution of their du- ties, whether holding political or local jiiriodiction; and to the absence of such checks, in the consti- tution of this borough, do the subscribing members of the town council ascribe the heavy calamity which has befallen it. To the system solely is it owing ; for, with regard to the individuals who liave preceded them in the administration of that system, they must aver, that they believe their hands to be clean, as their motives have been pure and disinterested. With these sentiments tlie sub- scribers liave long been impressed, and the experience of the last few months has too fatally con- firmed their truth and justice. The time approaches when they are to retire from this board, and tliey, therefore, feel, that they have but one other duty to perform— and that is, earnestly to recom- mend to their successors in office to direct their earliest attention to a renovation of the system of go- vernment of this borough, in all its various bearings ; satisfied that, if such a salutary and satisfactory change shall be effected therein as is indispensable to the restoration of public confidence, there will not be wanting, among the public-spirited inhabitants of this city, a disposition to go hand in hand with its municipal rulers, (whoever they may be) in carrying " Bon Accord" through all its diffi- culties."* (Signed) Ales. Fraser Charles Racket P. Taylor D. Chabners Alex. Duncan M'm. Read Alex. Simpson Jas. Cantly Alex. Brown Gavin Hadden Geo. Thomson Robt. Walker .Tames Milne Ja. Hadden Alex. Galen H. Gordon Wm. Lumsden • On ilie 23d of September, another statemeot was published by the magistrates and council, eiplanatory of Ibis decla- ration, and recorded in the Council Register. A coi>y of this paper irill be found ia the Appendix, No. II. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 371 in council, narrating the embarrassing situation in which tliey were a.d. isi; placed by the non-acceptance of so large a proportion of the council, and praying his Majesty, by and with the advice of the privy council, to interjiose such remedy as to his wisdom might seem fit. But, in the present situation of matters, it may be doubted how far the crown will interfere. In arbitrary times, previous to the revolution, the crown did not hesitate to interfere in such cases, and often ap- pointed, on an emergency, or at pleasure, magistrates and counsel- lors ; but this w^as one of the grievances of which the people had so much cause to complain at that eventful period. Since the revolu- tion, we believe no instance has occurred of the sovereign exercising his authority in an election, or altering the constitution of a royal borough, unless where it had been deprived of legitimate magistrates and counsellors, by reason of the disorders of the country during the rebellions in the years 1715 and 1745, or disfranchised by the supreme court, in consequence of some malversation in the admi- nistrators. Meanwhile, a complaint, in name of two burgesses, and of several members of the incorporations, has been preferred to the court of session, for setting aside the election of the magistrates and counsel- lors who were appointed at Michaelmas last, on the ground of certain irregularities having taken place on that occasion. At the same time, the burgesses have preferred, to the same court, a petition, stating the occurrences that have recently happened, and the manifest de- fect in the administration of the town, and prayed the court to ex- ercise its authority in the appointment of proper persons, ad interim, to discharge the functions of magistrates and of counsellors of the borough. These questions will, therefore, now fall to be determined by the court, ex nobili officio.* S B 2 In * Amidst these domestic dissensions, the minds of all ranks of the people have been greatly af- riicted by the premature and lamented death of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta, the only child of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, and consort of his Serene Highness the Prince Leopold of Saxe-Cobourg, after having given birth to a still-born male child. This melan- choly event, for some time, spread among the citizens an uncommon sensation of sorrow ; and, being considered as a severe calamity to the herediury monaichy of Britain, could not be contemplated 372 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1818. In the "beginning of this year, the important questions between the burgesses and others, and those who had been called as parties in their several actions, came to be agitated before the second division of the court of session ; and the causes were ably and keenly argued on both sides. In the petition and complaint for annulling the election, the complainers pleaded, that the six persons who pretended to describe themselves, some as magistrates, and others as counsellors, had no right whatever to assume these characters ; that, by the non-accep- tance of the other thirteen, the members of council had been re- duced below the number necessary for constituting a quorum, and that, therefore, the election was null and void. Independent of this objection, they stated, 1st. That the gentleman who had been chosen provost was not qualified for the office, being an honorary burgess only, and not an actual indweller, carrying on trade and traffic within the town. 2d. That, although it is provided by the set of the bo- rough that the meeting of the old and new councils, for the purpose of electing the magistrates and office bearers, shall consist of forty persons ; and that, if any of the proper members shall be absent on that occasion, an equal number of qualified persons shall be se- lected and chosen to vote in their places, under the denomination of assistants, yet that William Eae, one of these assistants at the late election, was not a burgess. For these reasons, the complainants prayed that the election might be annulled. On the part of the re- spondents, it was maintained, that the person who had been chosen provost, ■without feelings of deep concern. She died on the 6th of November, in the 22d year of her age, having been born on the 7th of January, 1796, and married on the 2d of May, 18 16. Her body ■was entombed, ■with the greatest mai-ks of solemnity, in the royal cemetery, at Windsor, on the 19th of November. This day being observed in Aberdeen as a solemn fast, all public business was sus- pended ; the churclies and chapels were hung with black, and open for divine service both morning and evening. Deep mourning was almost universally ■worn by all ranks of the citizens, ■who, by every exterior symptom, testified the sincerity of their grief on the melancholy occasion. The ships in the harbour displayed their flags hall" mast high, and the bells were tolled, at intervals, during the coui'se of the day. As this is the chronological order in -which this calamitous event occurred, and as we could not, without uijustice to the citizens of Aberdeen, totally omit to notice their expressions of loyalty, ■which were not inferior to those of any other part of the kingdom, we tliought it expedient to men- tion the circumstance in the form of a note, rather than break the coiuiexion of our narrative by mentioning it in the text. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 873 provost, although he had not accepted, was ehgible, as being an ho- a.d. i818. norary burgess. In support of this plea, they adduced an instance where one, in a similar situation, had filled the office of provost, for several years, without challenge ; and, with regard to the objection to Eae's vote, they contended, that it was not necessary, by the terms of the set of the borough, that the assistants at the election should be qualified as burgesses. On the 10th of March, the court proceeded to determine this im- portant case, which was taken up solely on the ground of the last ob- jection. The judges were unanimously of opinion, that Kae, not being a burgess, was disqualified from voting ; and that, by such dis- qualification, there was a defect in the number of forty votes, requi- site to constitute the meeting. The objection was accordingly sus- tained, and the election annulled as illegal.* On the subsequent day, the court, upon the petition of the burgesses, nominated and ap- pointed the three baillies who had been elected and accepted, to of- ficiate in that character, ad interim, for the special purpose of receiving resignations, or giving seizins in any lands held bvu*gage. They also appointed six other burgesses, f to take charge, in the meantime, of the * Edinburgh, March 10, 1S18. The Lords having advised this petition and complaint, with answers thereto, replies and duplie.^, in respect that William Rae, not being a burgess of Aberdeen, was ineligible to vote in the election, instead of one of the guild brethren, absent fi-om the same, and that thereby there -was a defect in the number of forty votes, required to be present thereat : Find, that the whole proceedings of the said Meetings on the twenty-fourth day of September last were illegal ; and that the election, pre- tended to have been then made, of Counsellors, Magistrates, and Office bearers of the city of Aber- deen, was illegal, void, and null, to all intents and purposes ; and reduce and set aside the same ac- cordingly, and decern: Find it unnecessaiy to decide on any of the other objections proposed : Find expences due, and remit to the auditor to report on the account thereof, when lodged : Supersede extract till the first box day in the ensuing vacation, and, in case a petition shall be then given in, supersede extract till the petition shall be disposed of by the court ; but in case no petition shall be given in on the first box day in the vacation, then allow an interim decree to be extracted, and to go out quoad the merits of the cause. (Signed) WILLIAM MILLER, J.P.D. t Edinbuugh, March II, 18 IS. The Lords having considered the said petition, with answers thereto, replies and duplies, and the practice of the court on similar occasions, with the judgment reducing and setting aside the election of Counsellors, Magistrates, and Office bearers, of the city of Aberdeen ; they nominate and appoint Robeit Garden, David Chalmers, and James Milne, Esqrs. and, failing their acceptance, Alex. Duu.- S74 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1818. the funds, or patrimonial interest of the city, and of the other funds under the management of the ordinary office bearers of the town. In concluding this narrative, we are perfectly aware that we have subjected ourselves to the imputatioii of blame, by having expatiated too much on topics which are ephemeral, and, perhaps, may be re- garded as vminteresting to many readers ; and by having introduced matters, respecting which there has been, and still is, a contrariety of opinions. The only apology that can be offered, is, that while we were engaged in preparing this branch of our work, there occurred, in the town, many events and circumstances of a momentous nature, which could not, in justice to our narrative, be entirely omitted. These necessarily led us to take a retrospective view of several past occurrences ; because these occurrences had, in some measure, pre- pared the way for some of the transactions of the present period, and are so intimately connected with them, that, without some at- tention to the former, the latter could not be correctly understood. If the political affairs of the corporation are finally settled before this work is published, we shall add some additional account in an Appendix. For Volunteers, Miscellaneous Articles, Fiars of the County, vide Appendix. ANNALS can and Charles Walker, Esqrs. to be Baillies of the said city, ad interim, until the magistracy may be restored, and that for the special pui-pose of receiving resignations, or giving sasine in any lands held burgage ; also, appoint Robert Abercrombie, Esq. merchant in Aberdeen, to take charge, in the meantime, of the funds or patrimonial interest of the city, in the same way as was, before the said election, competent to the Treasurer thereof, he finding caution, before extract, for his intro- mission with the funds ; also appoint Alexander Dingwall, Esq. ad interim. Master of Kirk and Bridge Works ; John Forbes, Esq. ad interim, Master of Mortifications ; Alexander Forbes, Esq. ad interim. Master of Guild Brethren's Hospital ; and William Johnston, Esq. and, failing his accep- tance, Alexander Rhind, Esq. ad interim. Master of Shore Works ; they severally finding caution, before extract, for their intromissions, in virtue of said appointment ; and, lastly, appoint Alexander Bannerman, Esq. ad interim. Dean of Guild of the said city ; superseding extract till the first box day in the ensuing vacation ; and also, in case a reclaiming petition shall then be presented, com- plaining of the judgment reducing the election, superseding extract further till tlie same shall be disposed of; and ordain the said petition, with this deliverance thereon, to be recorded in the books of sederunt. (Signed) WILLIAM MILLER, J. P. D. ANNALS OP AEEBBEEN, BOOK II. CHAPTER I. Of the undent and present state of the Town of Aberdeen, Suhurbs, SfC. — Harbour — and progressive improvements — Aberdeenshire Canal. JL HE town of Aberdeen is placed on an elevated situation, at the south-east extremity of that division of the county, formerly distin- guished by the name of Mar, and in 57 degrees 8. 59. of north lati- tude, and of longitude 2 degrees 8. 0. west from London. It is dis- tant about a mile from the efflux of the river Dee. The harbour and quays form its south boundary, and the Castlehill its termination upon the east. The ground ujDon which the older parts of the town liave been built is very irregular, being formed, in a great measure, of small hills, known by the names of Castlehill, Saint Katharine's hill, Schoolhill, Woolmanhill, and Porthill. In the course of ages, the surface of the ground has undergone many alterations, which have been occasioned chiefly by frequent accidental fires, when the build- ings were composed of wood, and other combustible materials ; and particularly by the conflagration in the reign of King David II. when the town was set on fire and completely destroyed by the English. In 376 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. In rebuilding houses after the calamity of fire, the owners seem to have made no great exertion in clearing away the ruins and rub- bish. By the accumulation of these, in the progress of time, many of the old streets have been raised above their ancient level, and hollow parts have been filled up. These circumstances become evi- dent at the present time, when the foundations of houses are digging in many parts of the town. The circumference of Aberdeen, in tlie seventeenth century, was calculated to be only 2141 double i^aces.* It is noAv about 4500 yards, without including Futtie, or any part of Gilcomston. The village of Futtie, which was formerly occupied chiefly by white-fishers, f is situated betwixt the town and the efflux of the river Dee, and forms its suburb on this quarter. On the west side of the Gallowgate there was formerly a considerable sheet of water, now much confined, and distinguished by the name of the Loch, which supplies the public mills with water for driving their machinery. It has already been remarked, that King James V. in the year 1529, had granted his royal licence to the magistrates to fortify the town with walls, and other works of defence ; but it does not appear, that it ever had been encompassed by a wall on any quarter : at least, no vestiges of any such are now remaining, or were to be seen within the memory of man. In ancient times, when the disorders of the kingdom reqviired that the citizens should confine themselves within the gates of the town, and adopt measures of precaution for its safety, the avenues or vennels leading to the fields were generally bviilt vip, or so secured as to prevent any sudden entrance of an enemy. This, joined with the contiguity of the buildings, and garden walls, answered every purpose of defence. The gates of the town, * History of Aberdeen, hy PhUopolkeus, p. 212. + In the year 1809, two courts of buildings were erected, by the treasurer of Aberdeen, for dwelling houses to the white fishers, on the north side of the new pier, where they now reside. Six fishing boats, besides several yawls, are employed, in favourable weather, for taking white fish, chiefly for supplying the inliabitants with that commodity ; and occasionally the fishers are engaged as pilots. AXNALS OF ABERDEEN. 377 town, leading to the suburbs, were six in number, substantially built, and secured with catbands and locks, in times of disorder in the coimtry. They were distinguished by the name of ports. THE GALLOVVGATE PORT Was situated near the extremity of the street known by that name, and on the south-west corner of the lane which leads towards the Porthill. As far back as the year 1518, it was regarded as hav- ing pretensions to antiqvuty. The royal arms, which were placed over it, having been defaced by time, were ordered to be renewed, and the fabric itself to be repaired, the expense being defrayed by the fines and forfeitures of the courts of the borough.* JUSTICE PORT Was constructed in the year 1439, on the north-east corner of the Castlegate, near the entry to the Gardener's lane ; and the expense, being five merks, was defrayed by the fine of admission of a burgess of guild. In the year 1587, it underwent considerable alterations and repairs, under the directions of the town clerk, and the expense, being forty merks, was paid by the dean of guild, f This fabric was, in ancient times, appropriated to the exposure of the heads and limbs of malefactors, who had sutFered the severest punishment of the law. Hence it obtained the name by which it was distinguished. FUTTIE'S PORT Stood on the south-east corner of the Castlesjate, and bein"- in the line of the ordinary commvmication with the suburbs, called Fut- tie, was known by that name ; but when it was erected we have not been informed. TRINITY, OR QUAY-HEAD PORT Was erected in the south end of the Shiprow, within a few yards of the Shorebrae, and was removed early in the eighteenth century. 3 c As * Council Register, vol. x. p. 140. t Ibid. vol. iv. p. 208. vol. xxxii. p. 272. S78 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. As it led to the Trinity Friars' place, as well as to the quay, it ob- tained these names. NETHERKIRKGATE PORT. "Wlieii this structure was erected cannot be discovered. It was situated close upon the entry to the lane, which leads from the street to the flour-mill. 1 PPERKIRKGATE PORT. This appears to have been an ancient structure, and was situated in the west end of the street, abovit sixty yards eastward of the pre- sent Tannery-street. Previous to the year 1585, a gallery had been erected over it, having apartments which communicated with the ad- joining house, on the north side. In that year, Patrick Davidson, the proprietor of the tenement, obtained permission from the magis- trates and council to repair the gallery. In the year 1793, it was pur- chased by the treasurer, in consequence of an act of council, at L.140 sterling of price ; and the whole structure was soon afterwards de- molished. * About the year 1768, when the number of wheel carriages had considerably increased, the gates were found to be extremely incon- venient, and a great obstruction to loaded carriages. An act of council was, therefore, passed, ordaining all the ports to be taken down ; in consequence of which they were, in the course of a few years after- wards, removed, as beuig altogether unnecessary, and, indeed, useless fabrics. The keys of the gates were, in ancient times, represented by three small silver keys, which were part of the insignia of the office of chief magistrate. Accordingly, at the annual election, they were delivered to the provost, who was custodier of them while in office ; and the ceremony of delivering them to the provost elect, is observed at the present dav. In Council Register, vol. xxxi. p. GlO. p. Ixvi. p. 24:6. ANNALS OF ABEHDEEX. 379 In the course of the few years that have elapsed of the nineteenth century, the town has undergone many important alterations and im- provements. The avenues leading to it, both from the south and north, were formerly narrow and indirect ; the public streets, in ge- neral, were very incommodious ; and the town itself was very much confined, having no proper accommodation, for building houses for its increasing population. To remedy these inconveniences, two new streets, from the south and north, communicating with the Castle-street, were opened, in the year 1801, under the authority of an act of parliament which Ave have already had occasion to men- tion. When the act was obtained, and sufficiency of ground ac- quired, advertisements were published by the magistrates, desiring plans to be given in, agreeably to which buildings might be erected, in the most regular and commodious manner, in the line of these streets. Several plans vere accordingly lodged, and that designed by Mr. Hamilton, architect in Glasgow, was approved of, and adopted. A spacious street was formed, from the west end of the Castlegate to the extremity of the town on that side. This street, which is seventy feet in breadth, opened up at once a consi- derable extent of building ground for enlarging the town. In the execution of this branch of the undertaking, many difficulties oc- curred, which it became necessary to obviate. Saint Katharine's hill being in the line, was speedily removed, although the work was at- tended with considerable expense. As it was necessary to carry the street over the Denburn, and over low ground near it, at a high eleva- tion, a magnificent bridge,* consisting of an arch of one hundred and thirty feet span, and forty-four in breadth, was constructed, of gra- nite, neatly finished, and ornamented with a cornice, stone parapet, and balustrade, of highly dressed granite ; the height of which, from the surface of the ground below, is fiity feet. The street, which is 3 c 2 called "* The bridge, of which the key-stone of the arch was driven, 25th August, 1803, is wholly built of Aberdeen granite, and furnishes an additional proof of the excellency of this stone, and of its solidity to sustain the inuiionse weight and pressure of an arch of such magnitude. It rises only twenty-nine feet above the spring ; the stones are from three and a half to five feet deep, and the whole materials are calculated at two thousand tons. There are three blind arches, one on tlie west end, and other two on the east of the great arch, for raising the street to its proper heighth. S8G ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. called Union-street, passes over Putachieside and Correction-wynd, upon stone arches, under which the largest carriages, when loaded, may freely pass. The other street, which is sixty feet wide, and is called King- street, was, at the same time, opened from the north into the Castle- gate, to form a communication with the coast road, which passes by Old Aberdeen. The buildings in both streets being constructed con- formably to the plan which had been adopted, have a beautiful ap- pearance, and a great superiority over those in the older parts of the town. Union-street is substantially paved, as far as the bridge, with regular coursed granite stones, in the carriage way; and on each side, the foot pavement, ten feet broad, is of dressed granite. In order to render the approaches to the central part of the town free and commodious, on all sides, a communication was, a few years afterwards, made, from the north, to Union-street, by St. Nicho- las-street, which was also opened by the magistrates. These im- provements, upon the whole, have contributed not only to the em- bellishment of the town, but to the health and comfort of the inhabi- tants, many of whom have erected handsome and spacious hovises in the lines of these streets. But, however important these may have been to the town and community, the enormous expense attending the undertaking has proved fatal to the treasury of Aberdeen. By these alterations and improvements the town has, in a manner, changed its local situation, and expanded in almost every direction. It has spread considerably westward, and what was formerly garden ground and corn fields is now occvxpied as sites of dwelling houses. In the same manner, grounds on the north and north-west sides have been appropriated to streets, and areas for building houses, in every direction. The length of the town, from east to west, reckoning from the barrack, on the Castlehill, to the extremity of Union-place, may be about 1800 yards; and, from south to north, in a straight line, from the quay to the extremity of Love-lane, about 1500 yards. But in these lines there are many pieces of ground, on which no houses have been erected ; and, in all probability, many years will elapse ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. S81 elapse before the population of the town requires all these grounds for dwelling houses. Aberdeen is divided into four wards, or districts, called the Even, Fidtic, Gi-cen, and Crooked Quarters, and, in former times, comprised the whole parish of Sai7if Nicholas, which is of very small extent. Of late years, the town has, by the extended imjirovements, em- braced a considerable portion of the parish of Old ]Machar, by which it is surrounded on every quarter, except on the east, and part of the south side. As early as the year 1595, it having been found that the population of the town had greatly increased, it was resolved by the citizens, in a head covu-t, to divide it into two parishes, one of which was to be formed of the Even and Futtie quarters, and the other of the Green and Crooked quarters ; that there should be four churches, four sessions, and four congregations,* with four clergy- men to be appointed for parochial duty ; but this plan never was carried into effect. These circumstances, however, tend to evince, that, at that time, the town was in a much more flourishing state, both with regard to population and otherwise, than at any subsequent period, previous to the union of the two kingdoms. The buildings of the town, and of the suburbs, occupy a very small portion of the royalty of the borough, which extends nearly seven miles, in a north-west direction, and embraces a considerable part of the parish of Old Macliar, and a portion of the adjoining parish of Newhills. The magistrates exercise their jurisdiction over the whole royalty, as well as over the town ; the properties within the boundaries of the former holding either burgage, or of the magis- trates and council, as immediate superiors of the lands and property comprehended within them. These boundaries will be best ex- plained by an instrument of perambulation of the marches, which are occasionally visited by the magistrates, and some of the younger burgesses, as recorded in the council register, f The * Council Register, vol. xxxvi. p. 3S0. 6ll. t Extract of the instrument, taken, on the Cth of August, 1698, at riding the mixrches of tlie freedom lands belonging to the borough of Aberdeen, comprehentUng, within its circuit, the hmdf 38.^ ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. The population of tlie town, and that of the royalty, are two dis- tinct objects of consideration. Within the latter, it may be sup- posed of Rubieslaw and Cruives, the forest of Stocket, and all the other freedom lands annexed to the boroiitjh. " The magisti-ates and council!, accompanied by certjiin of the bretheren of guild, and deacons of the craftmen of airt, skillful and expert in the town's utter merches, conform as they have been used to be ridden yeai'ly, past memory of man, being met at the Woman-hill, past, and perambulate the utter merches and borders of the common lands of Aberdeen, and freedom thereof, distinguishing the same from the out-lands, Lord's-lands, lying marched contigue together ; and first began and took up their first march, as the samen was wont to be taken up of old, at an march-stone on the south side of the Justice My hie burn, foment the nook of Coble's Croft, contigue to the east side of the King's gate, called the Wain Gate, on the south side of the new bridge, where there is ane great stone, marked with an sauser, at the north-west nook of the houses lately built by Fen-iehill ; and thereli-ae, i-yding in the Hardgate, to the house, called the Halfpennie house, where there is an march-stone, with an sauser, at the north-west side of the said house, on the brink of the burne; and therefrae, north-west, to the houses at Cowperstown, where there is an sausered stone, two ells, or thereby, from the south-east gavel of the westmost house ; and therefrae, south, a pair of butts, •where there is a stone with a sauser, in an dyke belonging to the lands of Pitmuckstown ; and therefrae, south-west, or thereby, to CoUielaw, where there is ane great stone on the east syde of several other stones; and therefrae, south south-west, or thereby, to an great craige stone, wherein there is an sauser and foifr witter hoUs, and ane came beside the same, above the lands of Ruthre- stown ; and therefrae wast, or tliereby, to Leslie's fourd, where there is a ston, on the east side of the fourd, marked with ane P for propertie, where there is a carne ; and past to the Cult gate, quhair, at the east end of the falds of Pitfoddells, there is an ston with a sauser, and therefrae, keepand the said gate wast, or thereby, quhair there is an other eard-fast ston with an carne, and keepand in the said gate quhair there is an march-stone anent Banchrie, with an sauser ; and keep- ing in the said gate, where there is ane great long eard-fiist stone, with ane sauser, anent Ardo, and frae that to the dam of Cults, otherways called the Mill-dam of Pitfoddells, where tliei-e is ane merch stone, with an sanser and four witter holls ; and therefrae to the north nook of the back hiU of Cults, where there is ane great stone, with four witter holes, and ane sauser ; and therefrae, to the head of the falds of Cults, where there is ane high march stone, with an sauser on the top thereof; and therefrae, south-west, to ane great ston beside Bells Wells, with three holes on the syde, and ane sauser on the tope ; and therefrae, keepan the Nether Wellheads south-west, or thereby, to ane great stone beneatli Craigiebog, in the east syde of the eastmost Grindlay Burne, marked with ane sauser ; and on the west syde of the said Grindly Burn ane other stone, with ane sauser ; and there- frae, keepand west to the den of Murthell, quhair there is ane uther sausered stone, with ane carne, on the edge of the road ; and therefrae to an march stone, at the head of the den of Murthell, on the south-west side of the myre betwixt the lands of Murthell and Westfield; and from that wast to- wards the Wedder Craig, quhair there is an other merch ston upon an knowheail, with an carne ; aud straight to the Wedder Craig, quhair is an other ston upon an other knowhead, marked with an sauser ; and from that to the Wedder Craigs, quhair there is ane great eard-fast ston, marked with an sauser ; and therefrae, north- wast, to ane march stone at Brunie's grave, marked with an sauser ; and frae that, north-wast, or thereby, where there is an great craig, witli an sauser on the Brunthill; and therefrae descending down the said Bruntliill, nortli, or thereby, to ane sink at the south side of ANXALS OF ABERDEEN. 383 posed to be about 32,000. The population of the parish of Saint Nicholas, which is now wholly occupied by the town, was in the year 1755, the Reisk to the Rottenford, betwixt Brotliorfield and the Lasts, and frae that to the Ringing Stone, and from that, keeping the burn to Brediach Foord, betwixt the lands of Kinmundie and Kini^s- walls ; and therefrae, keepand the bume to ane stonie fourd, betwixt the lands of Kinmundie be- longing to Craigmyll, and TuUoch, belonging to Crabston ; and from that, keeping the bume, •where there is an march stone in the east syde of the biirncj marked with an suuser, forgainst the room of Tulloch ; and from that to the Blackburn, where there is anc march stone at the Inver betwixt the Blackburn and the Blindbv;.n, marked with an sauser, forgainst ane Mother Swaill on the south side of the said Blackburnej and against the sai > . And expended - - - - Leaving, to be accounted for, a Balance of L.1022 18 64 992 1 2| L.30 17 i GENERAL ABSTRACT of the Total RECEIPT and EXPENDITURE during the period from June, 1795, the commencement of the Act, till 31st July, 1817, when it expired. RECEIPT. To Cash, Amount received 1 for Assessment H-2*,927 5 7 »•. received for Dung i664: i Ql- ^ due the Bank - 1372 14 10 Total Received L.30,964 5 2^ EXPENDITUEE. By Cash paid expense of obtaining the Act of Parliament - L.69O 2 6 »« sundries, paving and re- pairing the Streets - 5083 I9 10 »♦ expense on Street Lamps 12,489 17 5 «« expense of bringing into town an additional supply of water, by the new cast iron main on the high course 2144 9 3 ^ sundries. Interest - 2475 2 11 «« sundries. Salaries - 2749 8 7 ^ expense of building the Gun- powder Magazine, & Repairs 326 3 4 «« sundries for Ground taken to vriden Streets and Lanes 480 14 1 »» sundry Miscellaneous Ac- counts and petty Charges 1570 13 1 .« expense on Wells and Water Course - - 2922 16 10:J Total Expenditure L.30,933 7 lOA Balance in Treasurer's Hands 30 17 4 L.S0,964 5 2,^ The Floating Debt, (including L.1S72 14s. lOd. due to the Bank, as above, for which the Di- rectors consider the Commissioners, as Representatives of the Public, personally bound, and sundry Accounts unsettled, for Lamp Globes, &c. L.300 10s. 2d.) is, at this date, 31st July, 1817, L.1673 5s. OF THE BRIDGE OF DEE» This was among the earliest and most important works of public utility, reared by the hand of benevolence, for the advantage not only 416 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. only of the town of Aberdeen, but of the Avhole country, and is a lasting monument of the liberality of the original fovmders. At an early period, the inliabitants of Abei*deen seem to have experienced the inconvenience of passing the river Dee by the common ferry, which, in ancient times, was at the Craglug, distinguished, as well as the lands near it, by the name of Ferry hill. About the year 1448, the alderman and baillies designed a bridge over the river, a little above this ferry, and it would seem that some progress had been made in the undertaking. They entered into a contract with ]Mr. John Livingston, vicar of Inverugie, for superintending and directing it ; and the council and community voted L.20, to be paid annually, for ten years, from the public funds, for the purpose of defraying tlie ex- pense* of the building; but what progress was made in it we have not been informed. It is probable that the undertaking was relin- quished by the community, when it was found to be of too great a magnitude for their slender means. About the beginning of the sixteenth century, William Elphinston, bishop of Aberdeen, pro- jected the present bridge, of seven arches, over the river, distant about two miles from the town, and commenced the building, but died before the structure was far advanced. Bishop Gavin Dunbar, on succeeding to the episcopal see, recommenced the work, which had remained neglected from the time of the founder's death, and, in the space of a few years, completed the building, upon his own expense. Having accomplished this noble undertaking about the year 1527, he, some time afterwards, delivered over the bridge to the charge of the magistrates, council, and community, and, at the same time, pre- sented to them a grant of the lands of Ardlair,-)- in the parish of Clat, as a fund for supporting the fabric, and for rebuilding it at any future period, if that should become necessary. They accepted this munificent donation, and in return gave their obligation, | to the beneficent * Council Register, vol. v. p. 108. f These lands had been granted by Alexander Stuart, Earl of Mar, to the cathedral and the bishop of Aberdeen, by a charter, dated J 0th February, IWT, t " Curia balliuoru burgi de Abirden tenta in pretorio eiusd xvii^ die meni's Decembris, Anno Dui ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 41? beneficent prelate, to perform the condition upon wliich the grant had been made. In this age of superstition, according to the custom of the time, the bridge was provided with a chapel, dedicated to the Virgin Marv, erected on the north end, that travellers who passed and rcjiassed 3 H might 1529, p honorabiles viros Alexrm Ruyfurd, et Alcxrm Mczies, duos balliuorfl de Abirden, pro tbunali seden. " The said day, in ye bailze court of ye said burt, haldin in ye tolbuit of ye samy, be ye bailzeis aboun writin, in pns of ane part of ye counsall and nytbours of ye samy burght, coperit -vN-orschip- fuU clerk Maisf Robert Elphinstoun, psone of Kyncardin, and MaisP Alexr Galloway, psone of Kynkell, in name and behalf of ane reuerend fayir in God, Gawane, bischop of Abirdeu, and expo- nit and shew openlie in plane court how ye said reuerend fayr, one his grit exorbitant and sumptuuss expenss, had bigit of new ane nobill and substacius Brig, dotit and finsait wt all necessar, or ye watr and ry wer of Dee, rynand one ye sout syd of ye said burt, for ye comond weill, and specialie for ye Weill of ye burght of Abirden, qlk Brig and noble wark copletit and endit substatiuslie in all ne- cessar for ppetualite of ye samy, he, wt express cosent and assent of his deyne and chaptour of ye cathederall kyrk of Abirdene, all in ane voce and ;3sent he had gewin to ye provost, bailzeis, coun- saill, and coffiite of Abirden, togedd wt ye landes of Ardlar, wt ye ptinete, band in ye schire of Clat, lordschip of Garreaut, and sefdome of Abirden ; and infeft yame, ye said pvost, bailzeis, coun- saill, and comite, & y, sucrs in ye samyf landis, wt ye ptinete, be chartour and peept of sesing, in dew forme, under his L. autentik seill, and subscriptionn manuall of his hand, comond seill of his said chaptour, togidd wt ye subscriptionis manualis of ye maist part of ye chanonis of ye said ca- thederal kyrk of Abirdene, for ye ppetuall meteining, reparing, meding, uphalding, and, gif neid beis, biging of new of ye said Brig, als oft as it sail hapin it to faill ordecaid, in all or in part, in all tymis to cum, sa lang as ya or y sucrs, pvest, bailzeis, counsaill, and coinite peciablie bruik ye said lands of Ardlar, on acouit and ouptenit fray ya be ye law. To ye qlk ye saids provost, bailzeis, counsail, and coffiite, had bunden and oblest ya and y sucrs, pnt and to cum, for ye tjnne, be ane atctik band and obligationn, und ye c'omond seill and subscriptionn of ye maist part of yr handis for ye tjane, togidd w^ ye subscriptionis of tliuf famous notars, in ye souest forme; and 5=eft ye said Maisf Alexr Galloway, psone of Kynkell, deliuit and or gaif ye said Brig frelie, wt ye ptintte, to ane honorable ma Alexr Ruyfurd, ane of ye bailzeis of ye said burt, sitand in iugract for ye tyme, togidd wt ye actetik chartour and peept of seising of the said landes of ArdLir, wt y ptinete, seilit and subscriuit, actetiklie, as is afor writin; and ressauit, be ye handis of ye saids Alexr Ruy- furd, ye actetik band and obligationn of ye said pvost, bailzeis, counsall, and comite, seillit and sub- scrivit, in dew forme, as said is, for ppetual meding, reparing, ouphalding, and biging of new of ye said Brig, als oft as neid beis, as said is. And yeft ye saids Maisf Robert Elphinstoun and Alexr Gal- loway, in name and behalf of ye said reuerend fay, dene, and chaptour, forsaid, obligit \ame yat gif ye saids chartour and peept of sesing war not sufficientlie maid and dilitat yis tyme, to reform and mak of new ye same aye and qll ya war fundin and c'bsiderit sufficient be me ofwisdome and understand, ing; and elikwiss ye said pvost, bailzeis, counsall, and comite, forsaid, oblcgit ya ; nd sucrs, pnt and to cum, gif yar said band and obligan be not sufficient, to reforme, mend, and mak of new ye 418 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. might have an opportunity of exercising solemn acts of devotion at its altar, of which Sir WiUiam Eae was chaplain. * There belonged to this institution a silver crucifix, chalice of silver, an image of the Virgin, over gilt, three embroidered napkins, and other sacred uten- sils, some of which were preserved at the Reformation, when the chapel was probably demolished. In the year 1592, the lands of Ardlair were sold, by the magis- trates and town council, to John Leslie of Balquhain, for the sum of four thousand merks. This money was afterwards applied towards payment of the price for which the community had repurchased from Gilbert Menzies of Pitfoddels the feu of the town's public mills, to which he had, some years previously, acquired right. It appears, however, from the public accounts, that this money was afterwards accounted for, by the treasurer, to the Bridge of Dee funds, and that these were laid ovit at interest, and improved by ac- cumulation in such a manner as to enable the administrators to de- fray the expense of rebuilding the bridge, and to leave a consider- able surplus behind. This was again improved by profitable pur- chases of lands,! for the benefit of the bridge; and a very ample fund still belongs to it, under the administration of the town council. On the south end of this fabric, there was, in ancient times, a porch, with a watch tower over it, in which the citizens mounted guard, in the time of commotion in the country, or on the alarm of the plague samy, aye and qll it be cbsiderit sufficient be me of kw and understanding, als oft as neid beis. And fory ye saids Maistis Robert Elphinstoun and Alexr Galloway oblegit ya, in name and behalf of ye said rcuereud fay, dene, and chaptour, to deliu to ye said pvost, bailzeis, counsall, and coffiite, ye liail pees of ye rcognitionn of ye saids landis of Ardlar, quhire ya wai* recognest fra umcjll Andw Elphinstoun, &c. togidd wt all instiuts and documets maid to ye said reuerend fay, or his pdeces- sours, of ye said landis, and all uy euidents and documets c'ocerning ye samy landis, wtout ony langer delay. "-—[Coioicil Register, vol. xii. p. TSi.] * The patronage of this foundation belonged to the bishop of Aberdeen, as proprietor of the lands of Ruthrieston, on which the chapel was built, and which now belong to Alex. Duthie, Esq. t Council Register, vol. xxxiv. p. 736. vol. xxsvi. p. 708. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 419 plague spreading northward, that strangers might be prevented from entering the town, without obtaining permission. In the time of the civil war, in the seventeenth century, the bridge was often a disputed post by contending armies, a circumstance which we have already had occasion to notice. In the year 1679, the porch was ornamented with the town's coat of arms, and that of Bishop Elphinston, the original founder, placed over it. About the beginning of the eighteenth cen- tury, the bridge had fallen so much into decay, that it became neces- sary to rebuild the greatest part of it, particularly the arches and su- perstructure. In the year 1718, the work was commenced, and, in the course of the four subsequent years, completed, as it stands at the present time. The stones used in the work were imported, by sea, from Moray, and from the frith of Forth, which circumstance will account for the materials of which the bridge is composed being different in quality from any in this part of the country. It was finished on the south end with an elegant porch of dressed stone, al- most of the same construction with the original one ; but, about the year 1773, it was removed, for the purpose of affording more conve- nient access to carriages. The bridge is a light building, of seven semicircular ribbed arches ; but, although it is regularly and sub- stantially built, according to the rules of architecture, there are not two of the piers finished, in the upper part of the parapet, on the same parallel line, which can easily be discovered by the eye. The bridge was long complained of as incommodious for modern wlicel- carriages, by reason of its narrowness, but that has lately been reme- died by certain improvements on the carriage way. The line of road to the bridge from the north was also indirect and inconvenient, but, of late years, the approach has been made in a direct line to it over the hollow grounds, by means of a bridge, which is finished with a handsome cast metal railing. On the south end, the a])proach has also been improved, and made direct, since the turnpike road was completed. In the accounts of the master of kirk and bridge works, made up under the new system, in the year Ibll, the funds belonging to the bridge stood as follows :— T<» 3 H 2 420 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. To the value of the feu duties of the lands of Gilcomston, pay.ible partly in grain and partly In money — (L.88 yearly) - - - _ L.17()0 ^ ditto of teck of Mill of Gilcomston, and Lint Mill — (L.8 1 6s. 8d. yearly) - 200 »» Feu duty Caparstone - - - - 12 »» Money advanced to the Commutation Road Trustees ... 300 L.226I 2 Since that time, these funds have been increased, by the accumu- lation of interest, and may now amount to about L.4000. OF THE BRIDGE OF DON. This ancient fabric is also under the charge of the magistrates and council, who are the administrators of a considerable fund be- longing to it. Some of our historians relate, that it was projected by Bishop Henry Cheyne,* who was in the episcopal see of Aber- deen in the end of the thirteenth century, and built at his expense ; but this information must have been fovmded entirely upon conjee^ ture, which shall be immediately shown. Sir Alexander Hay, one of the clerks of session, afterwards lord clerk register, by a charter, f dated February * Principal Boece, in his Life of Bishop Cheyne, takes no notice of such a work having been executed by him, although he is very circumstantial in his account of the erection of the Bridge of Dee by Bishops Elphinston and Dunbar, in his account of their lives. — £Boelius de Vitis Ej)is. Abredoneyir] + The following is an extract taken from the original Charter, in the archives of the town :— " Omnibus hanc cartam visuris vel audituris Magister Alexander Hay, clericus senatus et consi. lij S. D. N. regis ac hereditarius proprietarius omnium terrarum feudifimarm et annuorum redditum olim ad capellanos seu vicarios chori ecclesie cathedi-aljs Aberdoneii spectaii eternam in domino sa- lutem noueritis me pro zelo motum In honorem Dei omnipotentis, et ut sustineatur policia hujus regni, in hac parte, Et quia annales testantur pontem lapidium super aquam de Done, prope burgum de Aberdene constructum fuisse ex mandato et impensis Quondam invictissimi principis Roberti Brucij, Scotie regni optime memorie Regis, qui partim injuria temporis pai-tim quod nuUi proventus suppetant unde sustineatur ad intim perduci videtur Et quia plurimum interest toti borcali parti prefati regni presertim civibus dicti burgi ne antiquum illud monumentum corruat et ex alijs causis rationi consonis animum mcum ad hoc moven itaque donasse concessisse alienasse et hac presenti carta mca confirmasse Tenoreq^ presentium donare concedere alienare et hac presenti carta mea con. firmare preposito, ballivis, consulibus, et communitati dicti burgi de Aberdene, et eorum successori- bus, totas et integras firmas feodifirmarias et annuos redditus nieos subscriptos annuatim leuau et percipieii ad terminos cons dc tcrris et croftls subscript, viz. Annuam firmani feudifirmaiiam qua- ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 421 February 1st, 1605, granted to the council and community certain annuities, amounting to L.27 8s. 6d. Scottish money, arising from va- rious crofts of land in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, to answer as a fund for defraying the expense of repairing and otherwise sup- porting the bridge. These annuities had formerly belonged to the chaplains of the cathedral church of Aberdeen, and were acquired by him subsequent to the Reformation. In that charter, he particu- larly mentions that the bridge was the noble work of the renowned and illustrious King Robert Bruce ; and that he had obtained this information from certain annals, to which he had had access. This donation from Sir Alexander Hay, being only L.2 5s. 8-l^d. ster- ling, was the original mean of raising the present opulent fund be- longing tuor decern librarum usualis monete regni Scotie de croftis subscriptis debltam olim Mgro Roberto Lumsden de Clovath incnmben et nunc ad Alexandrum Culeii burgen de Abd heveditarie spectafi jacen infra tei-ritorium croftanim burgi de Aberdene, viz. Una crofta vocat adie pingill jacen inter croftam quondam Alexandri Gray ex australi croftam quondam Johannis Cheyne ex boreali com- raunem viam regiam ex orientali et Lie Cruiked myre ex occidental! paitibus ac alia crofta terra nun« cupat Lie langi-igg inter croftam Alexancki Kempt ex australi croftam olim fratribus predicatoribus incumbeii ex boreali coiiiuri viam regiam ex orientale et dictum lie Cruked myre ex occidentali par- tibus Et alia crofta jaceii prope domum leprosorum inter croftam ad collegium regale de Aberdene spectan ex australi croftam quondam Johannis Wear ex boreali communem viam regiam ex orientali et lie Calseymyre ex occidentali partibus ac alia crofta prope lie Spittellhill inter croftam dicti quon- dam Johannes Wear ex australi lie Spittelhill ex boreali communem viam regiam ex orientali et b'e Calsymyir ex occidentali partibus et alia crofta vocat fiU ye cop per quondam Magistrum Adamum Gordoun fundat jacen prope lie theiffis brijjgies inter croftam Davidis Mar ex australi et orientali partibus croftam olim dictis fratribus predicatoribus pertineu ex boreali et coem viam regiam ex oc- cidentali partibus Item aliam firmam feudifirm.iriam novem librarum monete predicte de terris quon- dam Magri Alexri Galloway, rectoris de Kinkell, vocat Cryns wallis nunc Thome quhyit naute bur- gen dicti burgi incurabefi jacen in territorio de Futtie infra libertatem dicti burgi inter terras Davi- dis Andersoun ex boreali terras vocat thrie '. ang riggis ex australi fluxum Maris es occideu et terras quondam Johannis Mar ex occiden partibus Et de dictis terris vocat thrie Lang riggis jaceii ex aus- trali parte de b'e auld wallis inter terras dicti Davidis Andersoun et terras Anchee Murray ex aus- trali terras vocat Sandilandis et terras Johannis Mar ex boreali terras communitatis de Aberdene lie Linkis ex oriefi et terras dicti Andree Murray ex occideii partibus et de dictis terris vocat Sandi- landis Jaceii inter dictas terras vocat thrie Lang riggis ex australi terras Andree Murray ex boreali terras lie Linkis nuncupat ex orieii et terras dicti Johannis Mar ex occiden partibus Et de terras nuncupat lie cuttingis de Putties myre Jacen inter terras dicti Alexandri Cullen ex australi Putties myre ex boreali dictas terras vocat lie Linkis ex orien et terras quondam Willelnii Puddis ex occi- dentali partibus ac de terris dicti quondam Magri Alexandri, jaceii inter viam publicam vocat bouj. get ex boreali aqueductum discenden a lie Putties myir ex australi terras quondon domini dc .Bar- nis ex occideu et Putties myir/' &c. 422 A^'^'ALs of Aberdeen- lonffino: to the brldo-e. The annuities which he transferred were lent out and improved at interest, under the direction of the admi- nistrators, till the year 1709, when the council having purchased the lands of Easter Skene, for the behoof of various public institutions under their administration, a certain portion of these lands was appro- priated to the bridge, and the accumulated fund applied, in part, to the payment of the price. By the rise in value of the property which had been thus purchased, the yearly revenue of this fund has now in- creased to about L.600 sterling, and the property belonging to it is estimated to be equal to L.I 2,000 sterling. The structure is formed of one Gothic arch, founded upon a rock on each side of the river, where it is narrowest. It is sixty six feet ten inches wide at the bottom, and thirty four feet six inches high above the surface of the river, which, at ebb tide, is here nineteen feet and an half deep. The bridge is so narrow that two carriages cannot pass upon it, and is become very much decayed ; besides, the approaches to it from the higher grouncls, on each end, are extremely inconvenient, and even dangerous, to loaded carriages. In ancient times it would appear that the bridge, distinguished by the name of Polgown,* was provided with a chapel, for religious pur- poses, in the same manner as the bridge of Dee, according to the custom of the age, and was under the sole charge and direction of the magistrates of Aberdeen. In the year 1443, they voted the ad- mission fees of a burgess of guild to be paid to Sir William Ettles, the chaplain, for defraying the expense of repairing the bridge ; and, in 'the year 1605, the community voted the sum of five hundred merks, for the same purpose;! but the donation from Sir Alexander Hay, which followed within a few months after, superseded the ne- cessity of levying this grant from the citizens. As the funds are now so ample, and the bridge only deserving to be preserved as a memorable structure of antiquity, on account of its illustrious * It is so written in the record. t Council Register, vol. v. p. CSO. vol, xlii. p. 148. 169. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 42S illustrious founder, it has been in contemplation to appropriate the funds to the expense of constructing a new bridge over the river, a little way below the old one, so as to form a connexion betwixt Ellon turnpike road and the new line, made out from the Castle-street, to- wards the Don. If this project were accomplished, it would undoubt- edly be of essential advantage, not only to the town, but to the public at large. The situation of the old bridge is extremely picturesque, the left bank of the river being here a high precipice, covered with wood. The preservation of the old fabric would be a desirable ob- ject ; and if this were obtained, then the benevolent designs of the original founder of the very ample stock now belonging to it woidd be completely answered ; while the funds, in place of being hoarded up for no purpose whatever, would be usefully and beneficially em- ployed for the advantage of the community at large. In the new system of accounts of the master of kirk and bridge works, made up in the year 1811, the funds belonging to the bridge stood as follows : — To 3-lOth parts of the lands of Skene, having a revenue, in rents and feu duties, of L.226 l6s. es- timated at twenty five years purchase - - L.5670 *» estimated value of Annuities granted by Sir Alex. Hay, Lord Clerk Register - 45 14 6 »» Debt due by the Commutation Road Trustees, for Road to tlie Bridge - 650 O L.G365 14 G Since that time, the fund has increased, by the accviraulation of interest, and is now conjectured to be about L. 12,000, as already mentioned. DISTILLERY. About the year 1794, a very extensive work for the distillation from corn, of spirits, for the English market, was projected, near the bridge, upon the left bank of the river, and completed in the end of the year. The great inducement for erecting it there was the com- mand of a water-fall for driving machinery, upon the bank of the river, which is navigable for small vessels as far up as the bridge. It was intended to distil annually the produce of 12000 quarters of corn. The unfavourable season 1795, the embargo on shipping, and other circumstances, 424 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. circumstances, however, prevented the company from consmning more than 8215 quarters, from which spirits were distilled, and paid, upon importation into London, L.2G,800 sterling of duty, besides about L.IOOO, which had been paid for the duty on malt. The prin- cipal part of the corn was the produce of Aberdeenshire, and the re- mainder was imported from the adjacent districts, the whole being the growth of Scotland. In this distillery half barley and half bear were used, it being found, by experience, that there is more farina, or saccharine matter, in barley than in bear, and it is that only which produces spirit.* This undertaking was conducted, for several years, with the greatest prospect of advantage to the proprietors ; but, owing to an alteration having taken place in the excise laws, and other unfavour- able circumstances, it was relinquished. Part of the works were de- molished, and part of them were afterwards converted to other purposes. * Statistical Account of Scotland^ vol. xix. p. 222. ANNALS OP ABERDEEN. 42i CONTINUATION OF THE NARRATIVE, From Pace 374. Proceedings of the Burgesses, Incorporated Trades, and Admhilslralors of the Borough, for the restoration of its elective franchise — Pro- ceedings before the Privy Council — Warrant granted to the Magis- trates and Council elected at Michaelmas, 1816, to nominate the New Council, Magistrates, and Office-bearers, ^-c. The judgment which was pronounced by the court of session in A.D. 1818. the important question between the burgesses and the administrators of the town, as formerly noticed, having become final, the three bail- lies and three counsellors, who had been elected at IMichaelmas, 1817, and had accepted, surrendered their several ofiices, in com- pliance with that judgment. On the 20th of April, the burgesses, along with many respectable heritors and householders of the town, assembled in the West church, for the purpose of petitioning his Majesty for the restoration of a regular government to the borough. A petition having accord- ingly been prepared, was subscribed by nearly two thousand citizens, and, some days afterwards, transmitted to Lord Sidmouth, his Ma- jesty's principal secretary of state for the home department, in order to be presented to the Prince Regent in council. In the course of preparing this petition, a difference appears to have arisen between the members of the incorporated trades and the burgesses of guild, with regard to its terms, as not comprehend- ing any reference to an extension of their political influence in the town council, or to the pecidiar grievances of which they complained. 3 I In 426 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1818. In certain resolutions* which they had previously adopted, they, among other articles, demanded, that, before expressing their concur- M, rcnce ^ inthAjml, 18 IS.]— REPORT of the GENERAL COMMITTEE, appointed ev the SEVEN INCORPORATED TRADES of ABERDEEN. In laj'ing tJie following Report before their constituents, the committee take the liberty of im- pressing on them the absolute necessity of ha\ing the common indenture of 1587 annihilated and laid aside. By this deed, the trades, for tlie last two Imndi-cd and thirty years, have been subjected to the vassalage and tjTannical oppression of the magistrates of Aberdeen ; and, unless this indenture be now done awaj', anj' new constitution that may be obtained for the borough can only have the effect of anmsing tile fancy, without conferring any permanent advantage on the corporations. With the imderstanding, therefore, tliat this obnoxious instnmient shall be entirely kept out of view, in laying dowii the grounds of a new constitution for the borougli of Aberdeen, the committee now beg leave to state the following as the result of their labours, in so for as regai'ds tlie interest of the seven incorporated trades ; and they may premise tliat, in the meantmie, they have confined llioir deliberations to the subject of the pri\ ileges tliey should enjoj' — the extent of their rcpresenta- tion in council — the terms of entering with the town— and the mode of election of their represen- tatives. In the first place, then — As it is proposed that the ti'ades should pay to the common good of the borough cquallj' witli the guildry, the committee couCeive tliat it would be reasonable and proper that the two bodies should be on an equal footing in regard to the privilege of exporting and im- sporting, dealing in merchandise, carrying on ti'ade witliin the borough, and to the payment of cus- ttims and dues: and that unfrecmen, w hethcr merchants or tradesmen, should be obliged toxnter witii that partk^HS^ whose occupation they respectively profess. Sccomla/i^ihey recommend that the incorporations should have six representatives in council— their convener, ex officio, being one of tliat number ; and that the other thirteen should be represen- tatives of the guildry, making, in aU, nineteen : And that all the comisellors, whether from the ' guildry or the trades, should be equally eligible to hold any situation iu the council. It being under- stood, that the deacons of crafts shall go up to the council, and vote, according to use and wont, at the election of the oHice-bearers ; and tJiat the convener shall, at all times, be a member of council committees. TMrdhj — The committee propose, that the seven corporations should agree, that all entrants -witli them shall pay tlie same dues to the common good of the borough as those entering the guikhy shall be obliged to pay ; but that no entrant trades' burgess shall pay any thing whatever to the guildry funds — it being provided, that the funds of the guildry and treasury of Aberdeen be kept entirely separate and distinct in time coming ; and the committee recommend, that measures should be taken for the purpose of obtaining the annual publication of the treasurer of Aberdeen's accounts. It may also be stated, that it would only be fair in the corporations to give up any controul which they at present possess, by means of tlicir counsellors, iu the management of the guildry limds,. which should be left entirely to the burgesses of guild. At the same time, it must be observed, as the guildry and the trades arc to pay equally to the common good, or treasury funds of the borough, if ever it should happen that tlicse funds, appropriated for the common good of tlie borough, should ANNALS OF ABIIRDEEX. 427 rence in any application to be made to their sovereign, for rcstorin;^ A.D. jsis. the elective franchise, the common indenture, which had, for upwards of two hundred and thirty years, marked the pohtical line of distinc- tion between them and the guildry, should be annulled and sot aside ; that they should thenceforward be on the same footing, with respect to the privilege of exporting and importing goods and com- modities, of dealing in mercliandize, carrying on trade within the town, and as to the payment of customs and sliore-dues ; tliat thev should have six representatives in the council, their convener, e.v officio, being one of that number ; and that all the counsellors, whether members of the guildry or of the incorporations, should be eligible to hold any situation in the council, except the office of dean of guild. These fresh demands of the trades, so injudicious, and altogether incompatible with the nature of the respective privi- leges* of the guildiy and of the incorporations, could not, with pro- 3 I 2 piiety, accumulate to more thnn what is neccssaiy for the ordinary cxpencliture, and should affoi-d the means of support to, tlie indigent, (as has been the case in otiicr boroughs,) that tlie members of the seven incoiiDorations will be equally entitled with the mcmbci-s of the guildry to the benefit of ^ these fimds. In the fourth place — The committee have only to recommend, on this point, that the representa- tives of the seven corporations in council should be trades' burgesses only, and not burgesses of guild, and that they should be elected and sent up by the seven trades themselves. With rcgai'd to the " pai'ticular mode of election by the seven corporations, the committee liavc not come to any decided resolution." The above report was approved of by the general meeting of the seven coi-porations, licld on the iCth April current; and the unanimous thanks of Uic meeting were voted to tlic «6muiittcc, for their assiduous and persevcring"'cxertions in endeavouring to procure a liberal constitution to the borough. * In few royal boroughs of the kingdom are the respective rights and privileges of the gm"ldry and of the incorjiorated trades so distinctly defined as in that of Aberdeen. Though these now form an integral part of the constitution of tlie borough, and p.irticipate in the political influence of the town council, their ancestors derived their rights and privileges from the burgesses of guild, by whose concessions they afterwards accjiiii-ed, during an early period, certaiji imnumities, iuid also the privilege of inland trade, which, by the then existing laws and usages, was confined to the guildry solely. This and every other privilege which was confirmed to them by tlie decree arbitral on the common indenture, formerly noticed, they inherit from their ;uicestors, but bo3-ond that they can liave no just pretension. For this extended privilege, and towards the expense of supjiorting the dignity of tlie borough, they, by that solemn compact, reciprocally made by tlitm and the gullchy. 428 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1818. priety, be acceded to, on the part of the burgesses. They evidently had a tendency to remove that line of distinction between them, which had been so long observed ; to destroy the balance, so care- fully poised, between the merchants and trades ; and even to under- mine the ancient set and constitution of the borough. The burgesses of guild, therefore, resisted every attempt to introduce, in their peti- tion, the conditions upon which the artificers desired a restoration of the civil government of the borough. The consequence of this was, that the members of the corporations declined to have any further political intercourse with the burgesses ; and few, if any of them, signed the petition. Being thus frustrated in their attempts to ac- quire additional privileges and immunities, to which they could have no just pretensions, and to extend their influence in the political af- fairs of the borough, they adopted separate measures ; and prepared and transmitted a petition from themselves to the Prince Eegent. In the meanwhile, the members of the town council, who had been duly elected at Michaelmas, 1816, and had served for the svibsequent year, were advised to present to their sovereign a memorial or sub- mission, stating the error or informality which had been committed in the election of their successors, whereby that election had been annulled by the supreme court, and the borough left without a re- gular magistracy ; therefore praying that his Koyal Highness, by and with the advice of his Majesty's most honovirable privy council, would interpose such remedy as to his wisdom might seem fit. This memorial was afterwards svipported by a petition from a small number of burgesses, and others, praying that the Prince Re- gent w^ould, according to the plan which had been adopted by his royal predecessors on some previous occasions, grant an order to the town agreed to pay certain compositions to the dean of guild and the treasurer, upon their admission to the respective corporations. Hence those restrictions, and the payment of those compositions, which the incorporated trades now consider as real grievances and objects- of serious complaint, without re- flecting upon their nature, or the circumstances under which they originated. Wlien laws ai-e made and customs are established, these must be the rule and the guide. — [^Fide Charters from King William, from Alexander II. Sf III. vol. i. p. 8, 9- H, 12, 13. — Acts of Parliament, vol. ii. p. '19. 36. 178, for the years 1457. 1466. 1487.— 'Ond Common 'Indenture, vol. ii. p. 448-3 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 429 town council who had retired from office at Michaehnas, 1817, to re- A.D. isis. assemble and elect their successors, conformable to the usual practice. On the 9th of May, this interesting case, of so much importance to the citizens of Aberdeen, and even to those of other royal bo- roughs in Scotland, in a similar situation, came to be heard, by emi^ nent counsel, before the lords of his IMajesty's privy council. The petitions which had been presented, were taken up in the following order. — The two first were the memorial and submission from the members of the old council, and the petition from the few burgesses, and others, formerly noticed ; the third petition was from the bur- gesses at large, and the inhabitants, " praying that his Royal Highness, in order to restore a regular magistracy to the borough, would grant his warrant for a poll election by the whole burgesses ; and, as a re- medy for the grievances of which they had so much cause to com- plain, in the present mode of election, and of management of the public affairs of the borough, that he would also concede to them the privilege, thenceforward, of electing, annually, in the same manner, a majority of the town council." The fourth jDetition was from the in- corporated trades, framed nearly in the terms of their resolutions, al- ready noticed. After counsel had been fully heard in support of these several pe- titions, they were ordered to be transmitted, along with the various papers and documents to which they had reference, to the lord advo- / cate of Scotland, and to the attorney and solicitor general of England ; with instructions to prepare a report, and opinion thereon, for the information of the privy council. These reports having accordingly been prepared and presented, the case came u.nder the final determi- nation of the privy council upon Monday the 3d of August, when his Royal Highness, having taken these reports into consideration, was pleased, in the name and on the behalf of his Majesty, and by and with the advice of his privy council, to approve thereof, and to " or- der, that, for restoring the peace and good government of the borough of Aberdeen, the same persons who might have elected the magis- trates, counsellors, and other office bearers of the said borough, on Wednesday the 24th of September last, or such of their number as * may 400 ANNALS OF ABERDEKN. ISIS, may be alive, or capable of acting, do, on Wednesday the 23d of September, in this present year, assemble in the common council house of the said city of Aberdeen, at twelve o'clock at noon ; and do then and there proceed to make or complete the election of magis- trates, counsellors, and other office bearers, to serve in the said bo- rough of ^Vberdeen from the said 23d day of September, in this pre- sent year, until the ordinary time of the annual change of the magis- trates, counsellors, and other office bearers of the said borough, in the year 1819; and that then and from thenceforth the procedure in the election of magistrates, counsellors, and other officers, be made and continued, according to the constitution, set, and custom of the said borough." Such has been the result of this arduous struggle for political power between the burgesses of guild and the administrators of the borough ; a struggle which has excited much discontent, ferment, and political animosity, in the community ; and has terminated con- trary to the expectations of those citizens who favoured a popular election. How far his Majesty's legal advisers have acted, in this case, ac- cording to wisdom, or with a due consideration to the ancient con- stitution of the borough, we shall not presume to question : nor is it, indeed, our province to inquire into the motives which have influ- enced them to advise the sovereign to exercise the royal prerogative, in the manner that has been done, for restoring the civil government of the borough, or to anticipate consequences. It is our duty to re- late the real occurrences only, in this political contest, and to explain their causes and effiscts ; but beyond these we must not, as annalists, make any excursion. Though the burgesses had failed in their effi3rts to obtain a war- rant for a poll election, they were far from being dismayed by the preference which had been given, by his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, to the former magistrates and counsellors to elect their suc- cessors. On the 14th of September, a numerous body of the burges- ses assembled, and adopted certain resolutions, which were chiefly ^ confined ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 431 confined to expressing their sentiments, not only with regard to the AD. isis. present state of the pubhc affairs of tlic borough, but upon the na- ture of the warrant issued by the privy council, which, they were ad- vised, was illegal, and without precedent.* At the same time, if any election * Since the union of the two kingdoms, in the year 1707, no instmice has occun'cd of a magis- tracy having been restored, otherwise tlian by a poll election of the burgesses, except in those cases where tlie magistrates were prevented from meeting to elect tlicir successors in office by the insur« rections in 1715 and 17*5. In confirmation of tliis, we shall annex a List of Royal Warrants which have been granted to Royal Boroughs of Scotland, since that epoch, extracted from the registers of the privy council, as stated in the Scotsman newspaper, of the 5th of September, 1818:— Places. Dates. I. Burntisland, March 31, 1700. Poll Election. 2. Kirkcaldj-, August 31, 1715. Poll Election. . Dundee, March 10, 171 J-lC Poll Election. 4. Perth, March 10, 1715-lG. Old Magistrates to elect. 5. Aberdeen, March 10, 1715-16. Old Magistrates to elect. Reason for Granting, Petition of Burgesses &c. for regulation of Magistracy, for some years, abandoned. Petition of Burgesses and Inliabitants, stat- ing want of regulation of the Magistracy. Report of the Lord Advocate and Solicitor General, of Boroughs, of elections prevented by rebellion. Same report as in the case of Dundee, No. 3. Same as in the case of Perth, No. i. Form of Grant. Popular election by the Bur- gesses, and whole Community, of a Provost, &c. according to the ancient constitution. Popular election by tlie Bur- gesses and Inhabitants, bearing a share of the common burdens, by poll of 21 persons to be Counsellors, with power to elect their Office-bearers. Popular election by the Bur- gesses and Inhabitants, &c. ver- batim as in the case of Ku-k- caldy. No. 2. The Magistrates who served for the preceding year autho- rised to proceed in the election of Magistrates and Council, to serve till the ordinary time of tlie annual election, in such manner as they ought to have done, if not ilisturbed by re- bellion. The Magistrates of last year authorised to elect, as in the case of Perth, No. 4. Places. 432 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. A.D. 1818. election under it should be attempted, the meeting pledged itself to oppose it, and all proceedings connected with it, by every legal and constitutional mean. These Tlaces. ti. Montrose, Poll Election. Dates. April e, 1716. 7. Brechin, Do. PoU Election. 8. Aberbrothick, Do. Poll Election. 9. Fortrose, June 1, 1716. Poll Election. 10. Inverness, June 25, I716. Poll Election. 11. Elgin, Do. Poll Election. 12. Burntisland, June25, I719. Poll Election. 13. Montrose, August 27, 1723. Poll Election. 14. Haddington, Sept. 19, 1723. Poll Election. 15. Cupar, June 1, 1725. Poll Election. Reason for Granting. Motion at the Board as in the case of Dun- dee, No. 3. Do. Do, Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Petition of Burgesses and Inhabitants, stat- ing, by reason of the rebellion, no Magis- trates elected. Petition of Burgesses stating, that the Court of Session had reduced the elections of two contending sets of Ma- gistrates. Petition of Burgesses, stating, that the Court of Session had reduced the election of two contending sets of Ma- gistrates. Petition of Burgesses and Inhabitants, stat- ing that the Coiu-t of Session had reduced the elections of 1722 and 1723. Form of Grant. Popular election by the Bur- gesses, &c. verbatim as in the case of Kirkcaldy, No. 2. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Do. Popular election to Burgesses and Inliabitants, and whole Community, of a Provost, ac« cording to the ancient consti- tution. Poll election by all the Bur« gesses, (qualified as by law re- quired) of Town-Council, Pro- vost, and BaUlies, according to the ancient constitution. Poll election by all the Bur- gesses (qualified as by law re- quired) of Counsellors and Ma- gistrates, according to the an- cient constitution. Election to be made of Coun- sellors and Magistrates, accord- ing to the set or constitution, by the poll of all the Burgesses who bear scot and lot, taking the oaths prescribed by law. Plates. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 433 These resolutions of the burgesses, however, do not seem to have intimidated those who were authorised by tlie warrant of the Prince 3 K Kegent, Places. 16. Dysart, Poll Election. 17. Jedburgh, Poll Eleclion. Dales. July 6, 1725. July 31, 1733. 18. Perth, May 28, 1746. Old Magislrales to elect. Reason for Granting. Petition of Burgesses &c. stating, that the C. of S. had reduced the election of two sets of Magistrates. Petition of Burgesses &c. stating, that the C. of S. and House of Lords had reduced the election of two sets of Magistrates. Petition of late Ma- gistrates, &c. stating that they had been driven from the town by the rebels at last election, and petition of the Burgesses, &c. 19. Montrose, June 16, 1746. Old Magistrates to elect. 20. Edinburgh, June I6, 1746. Poll Election. Similar petitions as in the case of Perth, No. 18. Petition of Commit- tee of General Meeting of Burgesses who had been Magistrates and Counsellors, stating, that last Michaelmas election could not be held, the city having been in possession of the rebels. Form of Grant. Election to be made of Magis- trates and Counsellors, by a poll of the Burgesses. Poll election by all the Bur- gesses and IiJiabitants of the borough. The Magistrates and Council who served for last year autho- rised, on 9th June, 1746, to proceed to election of Magis- trates and Council, to serve till the time of the annual election, in such manner as they ought to have done, if not disturbed by the rebels, &c. Similar order as in the case of Perth, No. 18. The 14 incorporations of crafts to meet on 14th Nov. next, to choose their deacons for the en- suing year, 6 to be elected part of the ordinary council of 25, the other 8 to be extraordinary deacons and council for the year ensuing; the said 6 deacons out of the 14, the Magistrates and others of the ordinary council of 25, to be by the Burgesses, &c. residing within the town and suburbs, (excluding honorary Burgesses, &c.) the Magistrates, &c. elected by the majority to continue till tlie usual time of election. Places. 4S4 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. Kegent, to make and complete the election. On Wednesday the 23d of September, being the day fixed for the purjDose, the magis- trates and counsellors who had retired from office at Michaelmas, 1817, Places. 21. Aberdeen, Sa»ie perso7is ivho vtight have elect' cd to make the election. 22. Brechin, Old Magistrates to elect. 23. Linlitligow, Poll Election. Dates. May 28, 1746. U. Dingwall, Poll Ekcliott. 25.1nvcrkeithing Poll Election. 26. Pittenweem, Poll Election. June 16, 1746. May 4, 1759. Reason for Granting. Petition of the Go- vernors of the City ap- pointed by his R. H. the D. of Cumberland, stating that last elec- tion had been disturb- ed by the rebels. Petition of the late Magistrates, &c. stat- ing that last Election had been disturbed by the rebels. Two Petitions from the Borough, stating, that double elections of Magistrates, &c. had been reduced by the C. of S. and House of Lords. Aug. 26, 1760. The return made opposed by council. May 12, 1766. The return oppos- ed by one petition, and supported by another. June 26, 1767. The return op- posed by petition. Petitions from two sets of Burgesses, stat- ing, that the Magis- tracy had been dis- solved by the C. of S. Petition of Burgesses stating that the C. of S. had, in 176I, reduced a double election. Petitions of two sets of Burgesses, stating, that the Michaelmas election, 1 760, had been reduced by the C. of S. Form of Grant. The same persons who might have elected the Magistrates, Counsellors, &c. at Michaelmas last, to make or complete the election of Magistrates, &c. to serve in the said city till the or- duiary time of election. The Magistrates and Council who served for last year autho- rised to proceed to the election of Magistrates, and to finish what had been left undone at last election. The 8 corporations to assem- ble and elect their 8 deacons, to make part of the ordinaiy council of 27. The Magistrates, office bearers, and 12 merchant counsellors, to be elected by the Burgesses and Tradesmen, ex- cluding honorary Burgesses, &c. The Burgesses and Heritors (excluding honorary Burgesses) to assemble and elect fit persons to be Magistrates and Counsel- lors. The Burgesses (excluding ho- norary Burgesses, &c.) to as- semble, and elect fit persons to be Magistrates & Counsellors. The Burgesses resident on the 10th Sept. 1765, bearing a part of the public burdens, (exclud- ing honorary burgesses, &c.) to elect Magistrates and Counsel- lors, &c. Places. ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. 43o 1817, assembled in the town hall, and proceeded to the nomination of the new council, according to the terms of the warrant. The following gentlemen were chosen magistrates, counsellors, and office bearers of the borough, for the year, from that date to Mi- chaelmas, 1819: — Alexander Brebner, Esq. of Lairney, Lord Provost. Alexander Galen, Esq. Charles Walker, Esq. James Milne, Esq. John Young, Esq. 3 K 2 Alexander BailUes Places. 27. Anstruther Wester, Poll Election, 28. Jedburgh, Poll Election, 19. Stirling, Poll Election. 30. Montrose, Poll Election, Dates. June 26, I767. Petition opposed by Council. May 4, 1774. May 23, 1781. Sept. 7, 181' Reason for Granting. Petitions in similar terms with those of Pittenweem, No. 26. Petition of the Bur- gesses, stating, that the Michaelmas Elec- tion, 1767^ had been reduced by the C. of S. Petition of Burges- ses, stating, that the Michaelmas Election, 1773, had been re- duced by the C. of S. and the judgment af- firmed by the House of Lords. Petition of GuUd Brethren, Burgesses, Trades, &c. stating, that the Michaelmas Election had been re- duced by the Court of Session. Form of Grant. Order similai- to the above, in the case of Pittenweem, No. 26. The Burgesses and Inhabi- tants, qualified according to law, to assemble and elect, by poll, Magistrates and CounciL The Burgesses and Trades (excluding honorary Burgesses, &-c.) to assemble and elect fit persons, not exceeding 21 in number, to be Magistrates and Town Council. An alteration also made of the set of the borough. The Guild Brethren, Trades, and Inhabitant Burgesses, who resided in the borough at and previous to Michaelmas, 181 6, (excluding honorary- Burgesses, &c.) to assemble and elect fit persons, 19 in number, to be Magistrates and Counsellors. An alteration also made in the set of the borough. 4S6 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. Alexander Brown, Esq. Dean of Guild. Alexander Duthie, Esq. Treasurer. Mr. Alexander Mackie, Master of Shore Works. Mr. John Collison, Master of Kirk and Bridge Works. Mr. Charles Fyfe, Master of Mortifications. Mr. Andrew Duncan, Master of Guild Brethren's Hospital. Merchant Counsellors. Alexander Eraser, Esq. Alexander Hadden, Esq. William Johnston, Esq. James Hadden, jun. Esq. James Smith, Esq. William Duguid, jmi. Esq. Trades Counsellors. George Gibb, David Marshall. APPENDIX. APPENDIX. No. I. MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS OF THE INHABITANTS OF ABERDEEN. Mefared to in page 350. In a General Meeting of the inhabitants of Aberdeen possessing houses, &c. rated at L.S sterling of yearly rent, and upwards, held in the public Court House of Aberdeen, the 26th day of February, 1799» at 12 o'clock noon, in consequence of an advertisement from the Commissioners of Police for the city of Aberdeen, acting under authority of an act of parliament passed in tlie year 1795, en- titled, " An act for the better paving, lighting, cleansing, and otherwise improving the streets, lanes, and other public passages of the city of Aberdeen, and the roads and avenues witliin the royalty thereof; for the better supplying the inhabitants with fresh water, and for the removing and prevent- ing all obstructions and annoyances within the said city and royalty," — Present, Tlieophiliis Ogilvie, Esq. ; James Bishop, merchant ; George Petne, merchant ; John Jameson, merchant ; John Ross, baker ; John Gill, merchant ; John Clark, flax-dresser ; Robert Balmanno, auctioneer ; Adam Singer, merchant ; Baillie Littlejohn ; John Jolinston, merchant ; John Dingwall, Esq. ; Adam Wilson, merchant ; Baillie Garden ; Garden and Innes ; George Angus, watchmaker ; William Raitt, mer- chant ; Alexander Booth, merchant ; William Dingwall Fordyce, advocate ; Robert Gibb, mercliant ; George Roger, goldsmith ; John Paull, merchant ; John Robertson, glazier ; Thomas Black, mer- chant ; Charles Walker, merchant ; Dr. Henderson ; Alexander Brown, bookseller ; James Staats Forbes, merchant ; James Coutts, shoemaker; William Dalmahoy, shoemaker; Andrew Hall, flesher ; James Anderson, perfumer; Andrew Hay, merchant; William Gray, hairdresser; Donald M'Don.ild, tailor ; Thomas Burnett, advocate ; Baillie Duguid ; Andrew Jopp, advocate ; Alexander Scott, upholsterer ; John Low, advocate ; John Gartly, watchmaker ; Alexander Marr, vintner ; William Gordon, vintner ; John Lumsden, turner ; Alexander Walker, skinner ; John Allan, goldsmith ; William Cowie, saddler ; Stephen Masson, merchant ; Robert Smith, merchant ; Alexander Shirrei's, advocate ; Alexander Smith, jun. merchant ; George Still, merchant ; William Leslie, merchant ; George Sim, merchant ; David Webster, weaver ; Chai-les Lunan, watchmaker ; Alexander Forljes, stabler; William Wright, stabler ; Patrick Henderson, clerk ; Mr. Martin of N'ellfield ; John Watson, advocate ; Eraser and Mole, merchants ; John Alexander, shoemaker ; Robert Troup, mercliant ; Adam Watt, baker ; Provost Leys ; Robert Gibbon, merchant ; William Johnston ; James Webster, merchant ; Marianus Massie, hosier ; Alexander Robertson, merchant ; James Thomson, cashier ; John Ewen, merchant ; George Courage, ale-seller ; James Melvin, merchant ; Mr. Carnegie, town- clerk; Walter Synie, Esq.; Alexander Brebner, Esq.; James Nielson, merchant; Patrick Scott, mason 438 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. [^Appendix. mason; William Forbes, niMchant; Robert Bruce, shipmaster; Samuel Gordon, masofn ; Arthur Gibbon, sliipmaster ; David Walker, shipmaster ; George Tower, merchant ; George Hogarth, mer- C'liant ; William Copland, advocate ; Mr. Thomas Bannerman, merchant ; James Hadden, merchant ; '\\'illiam Still, jun. cooper ; Robert Grant ; James Matthews, shoemaker ; George Daniel, merchant ; John Mitchell, merchant ; Joseph Alexander, glover ; ^^■ill^am Stirling, advocate ; Thomas Duncan, advocate ; Lewis Nicol, hairdresser ; George Symmers, merchant ; George Thomson, merchant ; John Low, tailor ; Jolm Bruce and Son, merchants ; Alexander Ross, youngest, mercliant ; James Bartlet, merchant; James Thomson, jun. mercliant; George Smith, glazier; John Barron, watchmaker; William Simpson, merchant ; Dr. Dauney ; James Leslie, auctioneer ; Baillie Adam ; Henry Brodie, shoemaker ; George Taylor, shoemaker ; William Matthews, shoemaker ; Alexander Tytler, shoe- maker ; John Fraser, shoemaker; Robert Spring, baker ; William Mackie, WTight ; Peter Farqiiliar- son, advocate ; Baillie Ritchie ; Mr. Gordon of Premnay ; Dr. Skene ; James Ferguson, manufac- turer ; George Duncan, wright ; Baillie Shepherd ; Provost More ; Baillie Murray ; John Donald, hosier ; Baillie Farquharson ; Moses Tough, painter ; James Milne, merchant ; Arthur Farquhar, shoemaker ; Charles Farquharson, auctioneer ; William Dawson, taylor ; James Mellis, merchant ; Convener James Clark, tailor ; Samuel Chalmers, merchant ; Joseph Simpson, merchant ; George Craig, shoemaker ; Chalmers and Stuart^ merchants ; George W'right, merchant ; William Ander- son, gardener; John Gordon of Craig ; James Milne, Porthill factory; Ebenezer Murray, merchant; Jrovost Abercrombie ; James Smith, flax-dresser ; Patrick Simpson, hosier ; Alexander Dingwall, jun. merchant ; William Lumsden, merchant ; William Roger, glazier ; Mr. Brand, bank ; Hugh Imlay, shoemaker ; John Wallace, baker ; David M'Allan, shoemaker; John Garvock, stayraaker; Charles Bannervnan, advocate ; William Still, cooper ; William Jamieson, advocate ; Alexander Mearns, hosier; Charles M'Hardie, merchant ; William Johnston, merchant ; John Falconer, cooper ; Alexander Barron, baker ; John Smith, youngest, merchant ; David Morice, advocate ; Baillie Bur- nett ; John Strachan, upholsterer ; Hary Lumsden, advocate ; Gavin Hadden, merchant ; Robert Walker, manufacturer ; John Henderson of Caskieben ; John Wilson, hosier ; Thomas M'Combie, merchant ; Joseph BeiTy, weaver ; Andrew Simpson, merchant ; W^illiara Gibbon, jun. merchant ; Thomas Napier, land-surveyor. Thomas Leys, Esq. of Glasgowforest, provost of Aberdeen, was elected preses of this meeting, and Alexander Shirrefs and Jolm Low, advocates in Aberdeen, to be clerks thereto. The commissioners of police, being called upon to explain to the meeting their intentions in call- ing the same, referred to their printed address to the public, and estimates thereto subjoined, and to the advertisement published by them in the Aberdeen Journal of the 11th, 18th, and 25th current, of which advertisement the tenor follows, viz. : — " Police-office, Aberdeen, 8th Februari), 1 799- The commissioners of police for the city of Aberdeen, elected and authorised, in terms of an act of par- liament passed in tlie year 1 795, referring to their address to the inhabitants, of date 1 0th November, 179s, to which estimates were armexed, do hereby appoint a general meeting of the qualified electors, paying I'ents of L.5 sterling and upwards, in the public court-house of this city, on Tuesday the 26th instant, at 12 o'clock noon, to determine by ballot on the two following questions : — I. If, or not, aw assessment of one shilling and sixpence in the pound rent shall be imposed on all subjects liable in assessment by the present act, for the space of seven years, from and after the period of the said meet- ing, and that in reference to an estimate for finishing the improvements, for obtaining a farther sup- ply of spring water in the upper and lower water-courses, building a reservoir, and distributing the water in public wells to the utmost extent of wliich it is capable, for the service of the inhabitants in the different streets and laues within the royalt}-, as well as to supply the same with a sufficient number of fire-pipes and cocks, with such other improvements, to which the sum levied shall be found equal. « n. If Appendix.'] annals of auerdeen. 439 " II. If, or not, application shall be made to parliament for a renewal of the present act, but witli the difference only of raising the assessment to one shilling and sixpence in the pound rent, and ren- dering the same perpetual, and that with a view of extending the improvements specified in the act to all the districts within the royalty. " The commissioners, in thus addressing themselves to the public, are actuated solely by a sense of public duty, and what they conceive to be a very general desire in the inhabitants. Without the most distant view of giving an undue bias to public opinion, they may be permitted to observe, that, if the determination shall be made in favour of the first proposition, the expence of an application to parliament will be savetl. The improvements, indeed, must be carried on in a manner comparatively slow in this case, and directed chiefly, in the first instance to the very necessary and important ar- ticle of water ; but, considering what has been already done with the sum of L.3000 borrowed, L.7OO of which was paid for the expence of obtaining the act, the commissioners are decidedly of opinion, that, observing the same system of economy, much may be done even bj' means of the aid of what the first prqposition will produce. " If the second proposal shall, however, be adopted, not only the improvements in water, but all the others may be accomplished with all possible expedition, and the more immediate advantages will be generally felt. Whether, then, it shall be deemed best to try the experiment of the additional assessment for a limited period, without incurring the expense of a new act, which, if this experiment should even fail, may still be afterwards resorted to, or apply at once to parliament for a perpetual act, is the single question, on this occasion, in which the public interest is concerned, and on which they are called to form their determination. " It is surely unnecessary to add, that if any elector should disapprove of both propositions, he may certainly so express himself in the ballot, as the commissioners can have no object in \'iew, but to be guided solely by the opinion of the community. " To the considerate and candid decision of the electors, therefore, the business is thus, in the ut- most confidence, submitted." After which, sundry objections having been stated by a member of the meeting against the ne- cessity or expediency of the additional assessment proposed, and these objections having been second- ed, and the commissioners of police heard in answer, the meeting were unanimously of opinion, that it is not expedient at present to authorise any new assessment for the purposes mentioned in the ad- vertisements ; but that, as the making further alterations and enlargements of the present streets, roads, and avenues, and the opening of others, may be necessary and useful, it should be remitted to a committee of this meeting, to consider what roads, streets, &c. it may be necessary to alter or en- large, and what new ones it may be proper to open, what further supply of water, and all other ne- cessary improvements are wanted; to procure plans thereof, and estimates of the expense, and to re- port their opinion upon the whole, with such plans and estimates as they may obtain, to a meeting to be held m this place, on or before Monday the 1 st day of July next. And that such committee should be requested to examine the present state of the funds under the management of the commissioners of police, and to report their opinion as to these, and as to the proper mode of providing a further efli- cient fund for carrying such plans as maybe approved of into execution ; and tliat the commis- sioners of police be requested to give the committee such infoi-mation on these points as may be wanted. For the purposes aforesaid, the meeting did, and do hereby name the following gentlemen to be a committee ; thirteen to be a quorum, and Provost Leys to be convener of the meeting, viz.— Thomas 440 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. [Appendix. Thomas Leys, Esq. provost of Aberdeen Mr. Alexander Brebner, merchant Alexander Moir, Esq. of Scotstow-n, sheriff-depute Mr. John Ewen, merchant Mr. John Dingwall, merchant Mr. Robert Gibbon, merchant Mr. Charles Bannerman, advocate Mr. Jmnes Hadden, merchant Alexander Allardyce, Esq. M. P. Mr. Gavin Hadden, merchant, and dean of guild Dr. Skene Mr. Gordon of Premnay Mr. Thomas Bannerman, merchant Provost Jlore Mr. Alexander Milne, merchant Mr. James Tliomson, junioi-, merchant John Henderson, Esq. of Caskieben Mr. Alexander Slm-refs, advocate Alexander Martin of Nellfield Mr. Adam Wilson, merchant Dr. Dingwall Fordyce, commissary Rev. Dr. Brown, principal of Marischal College Mr. Hary Lumsden, advocate Professor Copland Provost Abercrombie Mr. Copland, town-clerk-depute Mr. George Craig, convener of the trades Baillie Littlejohn Mr. George Smith, master of trades' hospital Mr. William Michie, Wright Mr. Adam Watt, baker Dr. Dauney Mr. David Morice, advocate George Ogilvie, Esq. comptroller of customs Mr. Carnegie, to\vn-clerk Baillie William Shepherd Thereafter, the thanks of the meeting were voted to Provost Leys for his very proper conduct in the chair. And, upon a motion from a member present, the thanks of the meeting were also voted to the commissioners of police, for the trouble they have taken in the matters under their management since they have been in office. (Signed) Thos. Leys, Preses. ^^v^v^^^v^^^^^^-v^^^^^^v^v* At an adjourned general meeting of the inhabitants of Aberdeen, possessing houses, &c. rated for police-tax at five pounds sterling of yearly rent and upwards, held in the public court- house, upon Monday the first day of July, 1 799, in consequence of advertisements published in the Aberdeen Jom-nal, of which Thomas Leys, Esq. provost of Aberdeen, was unanimously elected preses. The committee named by the general meeting, held here the 26th of February last, to consider what roads, streets, &c. it might be necessary to alter or enlarge, and what new ones it might be pro- per to open ; also, what further supply of water, and other necessary improvements, might ap- pear to be wanted within and about the town ; to procure plans and estimates of the expense there- of; and to report their opinion of the whole, along with such plans and estimates as they might ob- tain, to a meeting to be held in the same place, on or before Monday the first day of July next,— Reported, That they had frequently met, and deliberately considered the sundry important ob- jects, specified in the remit, and for facilitating, as well as expediting the whole of the business, had divided themselves into sub-committees, for the more particularly examining what the committee considered to be the principal and most essential objects committed to them, viz. the two new avenues or streets proposed to be opened from the south and north country into Castle-street, according to the plan and delineation thereof, made out by Mr. Charles Abercrombie, surveyor ; and the better and more abundant supply of the inhabitants with fresh water. That the committee had obtained from Mr. Colin Innes, surveyor, an actual and accurate survey of the said two intended avenues, both to the soutli and north, according to Mr. Abercrombie's original plan; and that after walking over along Appendix.'] aknals of Aberdeen. 4-il along with him, and deliberately considering the line of both, according to the separate plans thereof now approved of by him and Mr. Inncs, the committee are unanimously of opinion, that tlie proposed new avenues or streets, both from the south and north, should be carried into execution according to the said plans, as being not only most commodious for the ])ublic in general, but also as being more adapted to extend, open up, and beautify the town, than any other lines of road which have yet been proposed : while there is every reason to expect that they may be executed without ultimately bur- dening the inhabitants with the expense ; as the committee are induced to believe, from the infor- mation they have obtained, that these desirable improvements would finally reimburse the expense of their execution. The two plans are now laid before the meeting as relative hereto. With respect to the south avenue or entry, the committee have had frequent meetings and com* munings with the heritors and occupiers of the houses and grounds along the course of it, from the top of the Windmill-brae, eastward, to Castle-sti-cet, and have procured from a very considerable part of them their voluntary consent and agreement to dispone and give off the whole, or such part of their respective properties, as may be found necessary for the purpose of executing the new street, includ- ing building areas to the extent in whole of l60 feet in breadth, upon such terms as the committee consider to be fair and equitable, particularly the Marischal college, the Trades' hospital, and incor- poration of hammermen, according to the subscription of the parties herewith also given in ; tliat some others of the proprietors had proposed tlie immediate sale of their property at certain fixed prices, but which the committee did not think themselves authorised to accept of. That the com- mittee do not, in this stage of the business, think it expedient to cause any particular valuation be made of the houses, and other heritage, which may be necessary to be purchased for the execution of this street ; but, from the best information they have received, it may amount to about L.20,000. With respect to the north avenue or entry proposed, the committee, upon examination, find, that the proprietors along the course thereof are inclined to dispose of their properties upon fair and li- beral terms, although the committee have not applied to them to subscribe any written agreement to that effect, owing to their having but very lately received Mr. Innes's plan. And to the general ex- pense of its execution, the committee are satisfied, that, in proportion to the very great accommoda- tion which will accrue both to the public and proprietors along its course, it will be, comparatively with the south avenue, inconsiderable, especially after examining the ruinous state and situation of most of the tenements that fall within the line of this road. It is with great satisfaction the committee fartlier observe, that, in recommending these new open- ings, they only revive what have been desirable objects with the inhabitants of Aberdeen, on former occasions, and which, indeed, have been attended to in the present existing law, for the better paving, &c. the streets of this city, in a very particular manner. And when they compare the present im- proved state of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and even Perth, with Aberdeen, they cannot help expressing some regret that the execution has been so long retarded. As to water, the committee, after deliberating fully on the subject, and taking into consideration the result of the enquiries and experiments they have caused to be made, are unanimously of opinion, that the present supply is not fully adequate to the service of the inhabitants, nor to what the increas- ing taste for cleanliness and elegance requires, much less to what would be wanted for any consi- derable additional number of inhabitants ; and which, from the now flourishing state of trade and ma- nufactures, there is reason soon to expect. That in the present mode of distribution, although of late considerably improved, there are several parts of the city, within the reach of delivery, without a supply ; while there are others, above the elevation, to which none of the present courses would rise :— That the former of these situations is that extensive track from the Woolmanhill to Little 3 L Belmont* 442 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. [^Appendix. Belmont-street inclusive, and which might be furnished with at least a partial supply from the old or upper course, leaving, at the same time, what is supposed would be sufficient for those parts which have their supply from that course. And, as the expense of laying a pipe, &c. for this temporary re- lief, would not, from the estimates which liave been given in, exceed tlie sum of L.150 sterling, and may be executed in the space of a few weeks, the committee have taken the liberty of suggesting to the commissioners of police the propriety of giving directions for executing this work with all con- venient speed, as being a measure contributing essentially to the convenience of so large and respec- table a part of the community ; and with respect to the more abundant supply, for furnishing such persons as may be desirous of having water delivered from the main by private pipes into their liouses, the committee have caused a subscription-paper to be sent round among tlie inhabitants, in order to ascertain their sentiments, as to availing themselves of the benefit of that accommodation, at an annual sum not exceeding thirty shillings each, over and above the expense of introducing the water into their houses from the main, after it is laid in the street, and under such other regulations and conditions as may be fixed upon by a majority of the subscribers, or a committee to be elected by tliem : and that a considerable number of subscriptions to this purpose have already been obtain- ed ; and so far as they have been able to learn, the scheme meets with very general approbation among the inhabitants. It appears to the committee to embrace two desirable objects ; first, to afford the inhabitants an accommodation at a chai'ge perfectly voluntary, and, when compared with the advantages, but in- considerable ; and, next, to put the attaimnent of that accommodation in the power of every inhabi- tant without distinction, on feii- and liberal principles ; with this farther advantage, that it neither di- minishes the funds applicable to the present supplies of water, nor increases the coixsuraption ; but, on the contrary, evidently tends to reduce it, and thereby rather add to the accommodation of the poorer class of inhabitants. The committee have had little opportunity, as yet, of investigating the expenditure of the funds, under the management of the commissioners, for the better paving, &c. this city ; but such inform.i- tion as they have obtained satisfies them that it has been done with strict economy and attention. But as this committee have not yet learned the views of the commissioners, as to extending, improv. ing, or altering in any manner the existing law, the conamittee have not applied their attention to the Consideration of that part of the remit. The committee are sensible that the foregoing report is not so complete as they could have wished or expected to have rendered it in a short time ; but tliey thought it incumbent on them, against the time appointed, to acquaint their constituents with the progress they had made, in the hope that what is already done wiU in part meet the wishes of tlie meeting, and furnish some materials for pro- secuting the business. If the meeting aje pleased to adopt the plans that are suggested, the committee beg leave to re- commend the appointment of another, for continuing what has been begun, and so far carried on by the former, for considering the most proper means of procuring the temporary advance of tlie sums necessary for the undertakings ; to give the necessary notices in terms of the orders of the House of Commons ; and to prepare a draught of a biU for the requisite act of parliament, framed so as to specify its purposes, and to leave little more than the execution to the commissioners to be named imder it ; which draught, with a report, the committee should be instructed to lay before a meeting, to be held on or before the second Monday of September next, that, in case the same is approved of, there may be time to apply to parliament next session, for having it passed into a law. And the said report ha\ing been deliberately considered by the meeting, they unanimously ap- prove thereof, and resolve that the same shall be printed for the information of the inhabitants ; and, in Appendix.'] axnals of abludeex. 44o in order that no time may be lost, in advanciiij; tlic sjrcat and essential improvements recommended by the report, the meeting do hereby of new name and continue the same committee of gentlemen re- porters, for carrying into execution what is suggested in the report, and whom the meeting hereby invest with full powers for that purpose. And they request the committee will bestow their immediate and finther attention to the different objects now in view, so as to be enabled to furnish, not only the specific particulars of the different branches and plans, but also estimates, as nearly as possible, of the general expense of carrying the same into effect, with a draught of the bill for the requisite act of parliament, for the information of tliis meeting, and all others concerned, on or before the second Monday of September next. And the meeting recommended to such individuals as may have any information to communicate to the committee, that they will do so under their proper signatures or names only, so that the com- mittee may have an opportunity of conversing with tliem on the subject of such information, if they find it necessary, and this meeting are unanimously of opinion, that no regard or attention wliatever ought to be paid to any anonymous 'WTiting, or to commmiications under fictitious signatures. The meeting unanimously return their best thanks to Provost Leys, and the other gentlemen of the committee, for their great attention and perseverance in this business, and also to Provost Le^-s, for calling the same^ and for his proper conduct in the chair this day. (Signed) Thomas Leys, Preses. At an adjourned general meeting of the inhabitants of Aberdeen, possessing houses, &c. rated for police-tax at five pounds sterling of yearly rent and upwards, held in tlie public court-house, upon Tuesday the 1 7th day of September, 1799) in consequence of advertisements published in the Aberdeen Journal, of which Thomas Leys, Esq. provost of Aberdeen, was unanimously elected preses : — Provost Leys reported, " That, agreeably to the appointment of the general meeting, the com- mittee had lost no time in bestowing their attention on the different objects recommended to them. " That Mr. Charles Abercrombie, surveyor, having been in town lately, they had obtained from him estimates of the general expense of forming and opening the two proposed new streets from the south and north, to communicate witli Castle-street : That the expense of executing the south street, or entry, including the building of four bridges, with the necessary embankments, amounts in whole to L.6493 ()s. 8d., and the expense of the north entry, L.625 3s. 4d., conform to Mr. Abercrombie's estimates now on the table. " That the committee had also calculated, as nearly as they could, the probable expense of the purchase of the necessary property for the execution of tlie south entry, from C:istle-stieet to the cast side of the Denbum, which, they were of opinion, would amount to L.30,000. « That they had not made any minute calculation of the expense of piuchasing the necessary pro- perty for the execution of the nortli entry ; but, from the view they liave formed of it, it will be com- paratively small. " That as a fund for answering a part of the e.\pense of executing the south entrj', the commit- tee find, upon considering the plan which has been made out, that 90 stances for houses of 30 feet in front by 50 feet deep each, will be obtained betwixt Shiprow and the Denbum, which, at a moderate calculation of L.300 each at a medimn, will amount to L.27,000, leaving only a balance of L.3000 to 3 L 2 l>e 444 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. lAppefldi.V. be provided for, besides interest of money and incidental expences, ■which the committee are of opinion may be raised from the sale of stances of ground, on the new street, to the westward of the Denburn and Dove-cot brae, not included in the above estimate, and which they are of opinion will be fully sufficient for the purpose. " That, for answering the expense of executing the north entry, the committee find, on examin- ing, that about 60 stances for houses, from the north side of Castle-street to the new slaughter-mar- ket, will be obtained, allowing 30 feet in front by 50 feet deep for each stance, which, estimating at a moderate rate, will be fully adequate to the purpose. " That, in a work of this kind, where no tax whatever is proposed to be raised, a temporary ad- vance of a large sum of money must be obtained, and the committee, being satisfied that it will be ultimately reimbursed, are of opinion, that the most proper mode of raising such a sum is, for the town-council to interpose the credit of the communitj' ; and thai it should be reconmiended to that body to do so accordingly, under the authority of an act of parliament to be obtained for that purpose. " That in this view the committee have formed a draught of a bill to parliament, for enabling the trustees to purchase the necessary property for the streets, and building areas, upon fair and equitable terms, such as have been already agreed to by a great many proprietors ; which bill is now given in, and submitted to the meeting : And the committee have also caused give the necessary notices^ agreeably to the standing orders of the House of Commons ; so that matters are ripe for an act being applied for, on the sitting of parliament, if the scheme meets with approbation. " With respect to water, the committee are still of opinion, that the present supply is not suffi« ciently ample for the accommodation of the inhabitants, and that the Hazlehead springs, which are so abimdant, and of so excellent a quality, ought to be brought into town, so as to furnish a sufficient quantity for the use of such persons as may wish to have water delivered from the main by private pipes into their houses. That, by the estimates which have been obtained, it appears that the expense of collecting, bringing to town, and distributing these springs into mains through the streets, may amount to about L.4500 ; and as the magistiMtes and council are by the present police act now in- vested with powers for bringing in the above springs for this purpose, the committee are of opinion, that it should be earnestly recommended by this meeting to the town council to carrj* the measure into execution as speedily as possible, being fully persuaded that the revenue which will be raised on this account, at a moderate rate, from persons who may wish to avail themselves of the accommodation of a private pipe, will be fully adequate to answer the expence." Which report, and draught of the proposed bill, IiavLng been read to, and deliberately considered by the meeting, they unanimously approve thereof, and of the different objects recommended. And they request, that the lord provost will take an early opportunity of laying the report and draught of the proposed bill before the town council, with the unanimous and earnest request of this meeting, that they will take the proper measures for carrying the same forthwith into effect, both as to opening the proposed new streets, and bringing into town the water of the Hazlehead springs, for supplying private pipes to such inliabitants as may desire to have the benefit thereof; and, thereafter, that they will order the minutes of this meeting, along with the report and draught of the proposed bill, to be printed and distributed, for the infonnation of all concerned. Thereafter, resolved unanimously. That the cordial thanks of this meeting be given to the lord provost for his conduct in the chair, in testimony of the sense the community entertain of his un- wearied exertions in promoting the foregoing measures, which will tend so much to improve and beau- tify this city, and be attended with the greatest utility and accommodation to its inliabitants, and the P'.iblic at large. Resolved Appendix.'^ annals of Aberdeen. 445 Resolved also, unanimously. That tlie thanks of the meeting be given to the gentlemen of the com- mittee, for the great attention and tiouble they have bestowed on the matters remitted to their con- sideration. (Signed) Thomas Leys, Preses. ^Appendix lo the Duplies for Robert Garden, and others, in the case of John Elphinston, No. III.'} EXTRACTS OF ACTS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF ABERDEEN, RESPECTING THE NEW STREETS, OR ENTRIES TO THE TOWN. 29th Julj/, 1796. — Sederunt — George More, Esq. Provost; BaiUies Copland and Ritchie; Mr. Liimsden, Treasurer ; Provost Abercrombie, Baillie Duguid, James Thomson, Arthur Milner, William Johnston, and Convener Clark, The said day the provost laid before the council an extract of a minute and resolution of a gen&« ral meeting of the trustees under the turnpike act, for the county of Aberdeen, together with a mi- nute of a committee named by the said general meeting, and which are of the following tenor, viz. : " Aberdeen, SOth April, 1796- — At the stated general meeting of the trustees under the tunipike act, for the county of Aberdeen. — The meeting considering that, by the act of parliament for making and repairing certain roads in this county, the magistrates of Aberdeen are bound to make and keep in good and sufficient repair the road between the town and bridge of Dee, on which condition no toll can be exacted on said road ; and considering further, that the present track of said road, by Newbridge and the Bowbridge, is acknowledged, on all hands, to be highly improper, and the entry to the town thereby, through steep, narrow, and angular streets, extremely inconvenient ; and being satisfied that the justices of peace, commissioners of supply of the county, and trustees un- der the said act, are entitled to ascertain and mark out the track or direction of said road ; and being desirous to have the same conducted in the best and most beneficial direction for the town and county of Aberdeen, that it may be made without delay, do, therefore, hereby nominate and appoint the Earl of Aboyne, Alexander Molr of Scotstown, Alexander Irvine of Drum, George Skene of Skene, John Menzies of Pitfodels, Captain Henderson of Newton, Mr. Charles Bannennan, advo- cate, Archibald Grant, younger, of Monymusk, and John Dumo of Catie, as a committee, of which Alexander Irvine of Drum shall be convener; with full power to them, or any three of their number, to meet at such time or times as they shall judge proper ; and to employ Mr. Abercrombie to make a plan, and mark upon the ground such a track as he judges most proper for the accommodation of the town and county of Aberdeen, and to report the same to the above committee, who are hereby authorised to carry the same into execution. And, for that purpose, to point out the same to the magistrates of Aberdeen, and require them, within such a reasonable period as sliall be judged proper by tlie said committee, or their said quorum, to purchase tlie ground necessarj', and make the fore- said road, in the same good and sufficient manner as a turnpike road south of the river Dee. And in case it shall be necessary to ascertain the value of any houses or ground in the track of the foresaid road by jury, the said committee and their quorum are hereby invested with the wlioie authority of the commissioners under the foresaid act of parliament, with full power to them and their said quo- 446 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_Appendid-. rum, in conjunction with the magistrates, or otherwise, to take whatever measures are proper or ne- cessary for valuing such ground or houses, and accomplishing all the purposes of this appointment. The meeting appointed the clerk to transmit a copy of the above minutes, by to-morrow's post, to Mr. Abercrombie, requesting that lie will lose no time in coming nortli, in order to make the above plan. Extracted from the Sederunt Book uf the Trustees. — Signed, Tiio. Bursett." (Then follows the minutes of the meeting of the committee, dated llth July, 1796, and also a copy of Mr. Aber- crombie's letter to the clerk.) And the council having deliberately considered the foregoing mi- nutes, together with Mr. Abercrombie's plan and report, and having also seen and considered the turnpike act for this county, are unanimously of opinion, that the trustees under the said act are not tliereby authorised to ascertain and mai-k out and require the magistrates of Aberdeen to make any pai'ticular track or direction of road between the town of Aberdeen and the bridge of Dee, which they, the trustees, may judge proper, or to purchase the ground necessary for this purpose : be- cause, by the clause in the act, exempting this piece of road from payment of toll, the council are bound only to keep the same in good and sufficient repair ; but are under no obligation, in order t» obtain this exemption, to make out any new line, without their own consent. And with regard to the plan proposed by Mr. Abercrombie, by the Dovecot brae, the council are also imanimously of opinion, that, although it may possess advantages very desirable to be obtained, yet the very great expense necessarily attending the cai'rying it into effect, particulai-ly the purchase of private property after it enters the town till its junction with Castle-street, far exceeding what the funds of the com- mmiity can afford, renders the scheme, at present, altogether impracticable. The council being, nevertheless, extremely desirous to obtain, on reasonable terms, a commodious approach to the town from the south, recommended to the magistrates to meet and confer on this important subject with the gentlemen of the county, or their committee, and endeavour to settle the present question in a way beneficial both to the town and county of Aberdeen, and to report the result of which confe- rence to the council, for their consideration. (Signed) George More, Provost. ^Council Register, voLlxvu. p. 11 9.] 25tk March, 1799. — Sedenmt — Provost Leys, and four Baillies, Dean of Guild, and Treasurer, Provost Young, Provost More, John Dingwall, Thomas Black, Alexander Fraser, Deacon Fraser, and Deacon Falconer. The said day, the provost reported that the committee appointed by the general meeting of the inhabitants qualified for electing commissioners of police, at their meeting, held upon the 26th day of last month, for the general improvement and extension of the police of the town, had held seve- ral meetings for the purpose of considering the most effectual and expeditious method of carrying in- to execution the proposed new street, or avenue to the town, from the top of the Dovecot brae, through Saint Katharine's hill to the Castle-street, according to Mr. Abercrombie's plan, in wliich the committee had made some progress, and framed a subscription paper, intended to be signed by the heritors through whose property the proposed new street will pass, for their approbation 01 the measure, and agreeing to dispose of their respective properties at a fair and reasonable price, and that they found that several of the houses and grounds along the course of the said new street be- longed to the treasurer, and other of the town's office beai'ers, part of which had been originally pur- chased for the purpose of forwarding the said plan, particularly the bouses and garden in the Ship- row, AppendixJ\ annals of Aberdeen. 447 row, belonging to the late Mr. Fraser of Fraserfield : And the council lieing desirous to do every thing in their power for promoting a measure of so great public benefit and utility, they authorise and empower the treasurer, and the master of kirk and bridge works and mortifications, and any other of the to^vn's office bearers, who may be proprietors of houses and grounds along the said in- tended new road, to subscribe the said consent and agreement, along with the other heritors, ac« cording to the copy thereof, now laid before and approved of by the council. (Signed) Thomas Levs, Provost % « %'«^i««/^ «^«^^ ^.^^.^ v^A^^vk^ « tlst August, 1799. — Sederunt — Thomas Leys, Esq. Provost; the four Baillies, Dean of Guild, George Thomson, John Dingwall, Alexander Brebner, James Masson, Thomas Black, James Mackie, and Deacon Fraser. The said day the provost laid before the council a printed copy of tlie minutes of a general meet- ing of the inhabitants, held upon the first of Jidy last, upon the report of a committee appointed by a former meeting, relative to the opening and making out two new streets, or avenues, from the south and north country, into the Castle-street of Aberdeen, according to the plans, and delineation thereof, made out by Mr. Charles Abercrombie, surveyor, whereby the said committee reported their unanimous opinion, that the proposed new aventies or streets, both from the south and north, should be carried into execution, according to the said plans, as being not only most commodious for the public in general, but also as being more adapted to extend, open up, and beautify the town itself, than any other lines of road which have yet been proposed, while there was every reason to expect that they might be executed without ultimately burdening the inhabitants with the expense ; as the committee were induced to believe, from the information they had obtained, that these desirable im- provements would finally reimburse the expense of their execution. WTiich report having been con- sidered by the said general meeting, they had unanimously approved thereof; and, in order that no time might be lost in advancing the great and essential improvements recommended by the report, did of new name and continue the same committee of gentlemen reporters, with fiill powers to con- sider the most proper means of procuring the temporary advance of the money necessary for carrying on the undertakings, recommend to give the necessary notices in the newspapers, in terms of the or- ders of the House of Commons, and to prepare a draught of a bill for the requisite act of parliament, framed so as to specify its purposes, and to leave little more than the execution, to the commissioners to be named under it, ^\'hich minutes and procedure of the said general meeting, and report of the committee therein referred to, having been heard, and deliberately considered by tlie council, they unanimously ratify and approve of the same, in so far as they are concerned, particularly the open- ing and niidiing out of the said two new proposed streets, or avenues, as being a measure which they are satisfied wiU greatly tend to extend, enlarge, and beautify the town, and what has also been much desired and wanted by the inhabitants for several years past : And in order that no time may be lost in applying for and obtaining the proposed act of parliament during the ensuing session, tlie council authorise the magistrates, in their name, to cause notices to be published in the newspapers of the intention to apply for such an act, in terms of the standing orders of the House of Commons. (Signed) Thomas Leys, Provost. ^[Council Register, vol. \xvii. p. 216.] ISIk as ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_Appendu\ I8tk September, 1799.— Sederunt — The Provost, Baillies Farquharson, Diiguid, and Murray, Dean of Guild and Treasurer, Jolm Dingwall, Provost Young, James Mason, Thomas Black, and Deacon Fraser. The said day, the provost laid before the council the minutes of the general meeting of the in- habitants, rated for police tax at L.5 of rent and upwards, held in the pubUc court-house yesterday, the 1 7th curt, proceeding upon the report of their committee, by which it appears that, from esti- mates they had procured from Mr. Abercrombie, surveyor, and other calculations they had made, that the expense of opening and making out the proposed new street, or avenue, from the town to the south, and the purchase of the necessary property for its execution, from the Castle-street to the east side of the Denburn, might amount, in whole, to about L. 30,000 sterling ; and that the execution of the proposed new north street, or entry, would be but comparatively small, including both opening and forming it, as well as the purchase of the necessary property : That, as a fund for answering as pai't of the above expense of the south entry, it appeared that ninety stances for houses, of thirty feet in front by fifty feet deep each, would be obtained, betwixt the Shiprow and the Den- burn, wliich, estimated at L.300 each, upon a medium, would extend to L.27,000, leaving only a balance of L.3000 to be provided for, besides interest of money, and incidental expense ; which ba- lance may be raised, from the sale of stances of ground, to the westward of the Denburn and Dove- cot brae, not included in the above estimate, and which, the committee were of opinion, would be fuUy sufficient for the purpose. That, for answering the expense of the north entry, it appeared, that about sLxty stances for houses, thirty feet in front by fifty feet deep each, might be obtained, from the north side of the Castle-street towards the town's new slaughter market, which, estimated at a moderate rate, would be fully adequate for defraying the expense. That, in an extensive -work of this kind, the committee were of opinion, that the most proper method of raising the sum necessary for its execution, would be, for the town council to interpose the credit of the community ; and that it should be recommended to that body to do so accordingly, under the authority of an act of par- liament, to be obtained for that purpose, a draught whereof had been made up and prepared by the committee, for the consideration of the general meeting. — (The minutes then enter upon the matter of the Hazlehead spring.) — Which report, above narrated, having been read to, and deliberately considered by the said general meeting, they unanimously approved thereof, and of the different ob- jects thereby recommended, and requested that the lord provost would take an early opportunity of laying the same, with the draught of the proposed bill to parUament, before the town council, ac- companied by the unanimous and earnest request of the general meeting, that the council would take the proper measures for carrying the same forthwith into effect ; and that the council would or- der the minutes of said general meeting, along with the committee's report, and draught of the pro- posed bill, to be printed and distributed, for the information of all concerned. All which having been heard, and deliberately considered by the council, they unanimously approved of the important work, as recommended to them by the above general meeting of the inhabitants, and are of opinion that the town council should afford every aid in their power for promoting the same. But, in re- spect that the annual change of the magistrates and council will take place in a few days, they re- commend to their successors as early as possible to take up and seriously consider tlie above objects, so earnestly recommended to them, and to take such steps therein as the importance of the said works may appear to require ; and the council appoint the clerk to lay this act, and the whole papers therein referred to, before the first meeting of the next council, so as the same may be kept in view and attended to by them as early as possible. (Signed) Thomas Leys, Provost. ^Council Register, do/. Ixvii. p. 21 9-3 Z8th Appendix.'] annals or abluueen. 449 28lk September, 1 799-~-Sederunt — John Dingwall, provost, Baillies Murray and Lunisden, Dean of Guild and Treasurer, Provost Lej's, Mr. James Hadden, Mr. Thomas M'Combie, Mr. John Gill, Mr. Alexander Galen, Mr. George Mole, and Deacon Ross. The said day, Mr. Carnegie, the clerk, laid before the council the act of their predecessors, of date the 18th of September current, containing the substance of the report of a committee of a general meeting of the inhabitants rated for police-tax, at L.5 of yearly rent and upwiu-ds, relative to the opening and making out of two new streets or avenues to the town from the south and north, by the bridges of Dee and Don, according to separate plans thereof made out and subscribed by Charles Abercrombie and Colin Innes, surveyors ; and also respecting the bringing into town the springs of water at Hazlehead, for affording a more abundant supply to the inhabitants by private pipes into their houses, as made and reported to a general meeting of the same class of inhabitants, held upon the 1 7th of September current, along with estimates of the expense, as nearly as could be obtained, of executing both the said important public works ; and the draught of a bill proposed to be brought into parliament in this present session, for the more ready and effectual execution of these works ; together with an act of the said general meeting, requesting that the council would take the proper measures for carrying the whole forthwith into effect, both as to the proposed new streets, and the bringing into town the water of the Hazlehead springs ; and thereafter, that they would order the minutes of the said general meeting, along with the report, and proposed draught of a bill, to be printed and distributed, for tlie information of all concerned. In consequence of all which, the last council, by their act above-mentioned, unanimously approved of the execution of both the said im- portant works, and were of opinion, that the town council should afford every aid in their power for promoting the same. All which having been read over to, and deliberately considered by the present council, they unanimously concur in opinion with their predecessors, with respect to both tlie above important works, and resolve and agree to afford every assistance in their power for promoting and forwarding their execution ; and particularly, by interposing the credit of the community in raising a sum of money to a certain extent, for helping to defray such expenses as it shall be found necessary to be disbursed in the beginning of works of such magnitude and extent ; and in order that as little time as possible may be lost in beginning to their execution, the council name and appoint Provost Dingwall, Provost Leys, Baillie Shepherd, Mr. More, dean of guild, Mr. Thomson, treasurer, and Mr. James Hadden, or any three of them as a committee, to whom they hereby remit full power to take such measures as shall appear to them to be the most speedy and effectual for promoting and for forwarding the execution of both the above important objects ; and particularly, to cause the proposed bill to parliament, along with the minutes of the said general meeting of the inliabitants, to be printed and distributed to such of the inhabitants as are interested and concerned therein for their infonna- tion ; with power also to the said committee to call for the advice and assistance of any of the other members of council, or of such of the inhabiunts whom they may deem most proper — Provost Ding- wall to be convener of the above committee. (Signed) John Dingwall, Provost. [^Council Register, vol. Ixvii. p. 225.] •* W% V* *'V»r%* l\th December, 1799. — Sederunt — The Provost and four Baillies, Dean of Guild, and Treasurer, Thomas M'Combie, William Johnston, John Gill, John Young, Alexander Galen, Convener Craig, Deacon Ross. 3 M The 450 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. ^Appendix. The said day, the provost reported, that the committee, appointed for conducting tlie progress of the bill authorised by the council to be brought into parliament this session, for empowering certain tnistees to open and make out two new streets, from the south and north, to commiuiicate with the Castle-street, according to their act, of date the 28lh of September last, had caused print and dis- perse a sufficient nmnber of copies of the said bill ; and particular!)', that they had caused deliver full copies thereof, and of the minutes and resolutions of the general meeting of the inhabitants, and act of the town council respecting the same, to be delivered to all the heritors of houses and lands through which the said intended streets are proposed to be carried, or to their known agents, accord- ing as they are individually described in the bill itself: That the committee had now finally ad- justed the whole of the said bill, which, along with the several notices and intimations made thereof, in terms of the standing orders of the House of Commons, by the council, for leave to bring in the bill how soon the parliament sits down ; which petition it was intended to send up with Mr. AUar- dyce, the town's member, who proposed to set out for London in the beginning of next month, and to be presented by him to the House. The provost farther represented, that it would be necessary to procure a loan, against the ensuing term of Martinmas, of a considerable sum of money, not only for defraying the expense of obtaining the proposed act of parliament, but also for enabling the trustees to be thereby appointed to proceed in the execution of it, after it was passed into a law. All which having been considered by the council, they unanimously ratify and approve of the whole conduct and procedure of the said committee in this business ; and they remit to and empower the magistrates to endeavour to procure, against the 20th of this month, the loan of any sum or sums of money to be borrowed by the treasurer of Aberdeen, not exceeding in whole the sum of L. 10,000 sterlmg, to be applied for the particular purposes before-mentioned, and to report the amount of the several sums they may obtain, and the names of the particular persons who are to lend the same^ in order the treasurer may be empowered to grant them the proper securities therefor. (Signed) John Dingwall, Provost. ^Council Register, vol. Ixvii. p. 232.] «'VV%«^%««/»«'-W%«%«.%%«%%V« 21s/ Jam/an/, 1800. — Sederunt — The Provost and four Baillies, Dean of Guild, and Treasurer, Thomas M'Combie, John Gill, George Tower, John Young, George Mole, Alexander Galen, Convener Craig, and Deacon Ross. The said day, the provost laid before the council a letter, of date the 13th current, which liad been received by Mr. Cai-negie, the clerk, from Mr. James Chalmers, solicitor, London, owning re- ceipt of the printed draught of a bill pi'oposed to be brought into parliament, for opening the two intended new streets from the south and north, with the minutes of the general meeting of the inha« bitants, approving of that measure ; and transmitting, at same time, to the clerk a MS. copy of the bill, made out by Mr. Chalmers, from the draught sent him, along with a petition to the House of Commons, to be signed by the provost, in name of tlie council, for leave to bring in the bill : That Mr. Chalmers advises that the bill, as printed, seemed to be well penned, and the method devised for valuing the property very fair and proper, but tliat he had taken the liberty to make some small im- material alterations ; the principal of which was, leaving out in the first enacting clause what was said of the plans and surveys of the engineers, for two reasons : first, because the way in which they are introduced seemed to tie down the trustees not to deviate an iota from these plans, wliieh, how- ever perfect they may be thought, would be improper ; and secondly, the plans were in this way made part of the act, while tliere Avas no mode by which they could be authenticated by the legisla- ture : Appendix.^ annals of aberdekn. 4.,1 ture: and noway to shew that the plans to which the trustees will hold arc idehticallv the same with those produced in parliament, and refeiTcd to in the act. Instead of v hich, he had introduced, in the preamble of his copy, that surveys and plans had been made, a matter of fact which would be proved, and was proper to shew that the scheme had been formed deliberately, and on proper advice : That all the notices required by the standing orders of the House of Commons, as to tlie bill, had been complied with, and sent him ; but that some body here behoved to go through all tlic persons interested, and deliver or leave for them a notice that such a bill is depending, and that their pro- perty will be affected thereby ; and the person so emploj'ed for this purpose must go up to London, and be sworn, and attend the committee of the House of Lords. Mr. Chalmers farther advises, that he had had a meeting with Mr. Dorington, the out-door clerk of the House of Commons, ujjon tin's subject, who approved of all Mr. Chalmers' alterations, and what he had said on the subject ; which letter of Mr. Chalmers', with his MS. copy of the proposed bill to parliament, as altered by him, with the petition to the House of Commons, having been all deliberately considered by the council, they unanimously approve of the same, and of the alterations proposed to be made on the bill by Mr. Chalmers, and appoint the petition to the House of Commons, after being signed by the provost, in their name, and having the city seal affixed to it, to be delivered to Mr. Allardyce, their member in parliament, in order to be presented by him to the House of Commons, how soon he goes up to Lon- don ; and remit to and empower the committee, formerly named in this business, to cause transmit to Mr. Chalmers, the solicitor employed by them, the MS. copy of the bill, now laid before the council, along with the plans of the two intended streets, and such other documents and papers as may be farther necessary in the progress of the bill through parliament ; and also to employ some proper per- son to give intimations and notices to all the heritors, and others interested, along both the intended streets, as desired by Mr. Chalmers' letter ; and to send him up to London, in order to certify and swear to such notices being made, in the committee of the Lords : .\nd, in general, the council em- power the said committee, or quorum of them before-named, to take such measures as shall appear to them the most speedy and effectual for promoting and forwarding, by every means in their power, the progress of the said bill through parliament, in all its stages, aye and until they obtain it passed into a law. (Signed) JoiiN Dingwall, Provost. AN ACT FOR OPENING AND MAKING TWO NEW STREETS IN THE CITY OF ABERDEEN. April 4, 1800. Whereas the principal avenues to the centrical parts of the city of Aberdeen, from the south and ■jiorth, by the bridges of Dee and Don, are narrow, indirect, and incommodious ; and the increase of the inliabitants of the said city, and demand for houses and other buildings, render it expedient to open certain new streets and passages ; and, by the direction of tlie magistrates of the said city, sur- veys have lately been made, and plans formed for two new streets, with areas on each side tliereof, intended for new buildings to occupy the property hereia-after described, which will be attended 3 M 2 with 452 ANNAL9 OF ABERDEEN. \^Appendl.V. ■w-ith great utility and advantage to the public in general, and to the said city and its inhabitants in particular; but as this design cannot be accomplished without the authority of parliament- May it please your majesty, that it may be enacted, and be it enacted, by the king's most ex- cellent majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the lords spiritual and temporal, and commons, in this present parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same. That the magistrates and other members of the town council of the city of Aberdeen for the time being, the members in par- liament for the town and county of Aberdeen, the principal of the Marischal college of Aberdeen, the president of the society of advocates in Aberdeen, the convener of the incorporated trades, and the president of the society of shipmasters of Aberdeen, all for the time being, shall be, and they are hereby appointed trustees for executing this act, seven of whom are hereby declared to be in all cases a quorum ; and the said trustees shall be, and hereby are authorized and empowered, from and after the passing of this act, by themselves or their deputies, agents, workmen, servants and others, to be employed by them, but upon the terms and conditions herein-after mentioned, to open and make two new streets or avenues, the one from the soiith-west part of the town of Aberdeen, begimiing at a foot-path, or lane, leading from the entry of the Damhead road, towards the Chapel of Ease, and to be carried from thence eastward, nearly in a straight line along the grounds on the north side of the Windmill-brae, across the Denburn, and the Back and Correction wynds, and through St. Catherine'* hill, and the Narrow-wynd, until it join the west end of the Castle-street, or market place, of the said city ; and the other beginning at the south side of a foot road or lane adjacent to and upon the east side of the high road leading to Old Aberdeen, called Love-lane, and to be carried from thence nearly in a straight line south, through the neighbouring grounds by the town's meal mar- ket and North-street, until it enter the north side of the Castle-street ; or as near to the said se» veral lines of direction as conveniently may be. II. And be it further enacted, That the said trustees, or quorum of them, shall have full power and authority, and they are hereby empowered and authorized to ti'eat and agree with the several owners, occupiers, liferenters, lessees, and all others interested, for the purchase of such lands, houses, tenements, leases, and hereditaments, as may be necessary for the making and completing the said two new streets or avenues, in the direction before described, or either of them, and areas on each side thereof, not exceeding in whole one hundred and sixty feet in breadth, whereof sixty feet is to be appropriated for the street, and fifty feet on each side thereof for areas ; particularly with George Walker in Bents of Skene — (here follow the names of the other heritors, &e. in the line of the south entry) ; who are all the heritors, occupiers, or liferenters at present known or discovered, of lands, Jioiises, or other hereditaments intended to be occupied by tlie said south street or avenue, and build« ing areas along the same : And also with Alexander Moir, Esq. of Scotstown — (here follow the names of the heritors, &c. in the line of the north entry) ; who are all the heritors, occupiers, or liferenters at present known or discovered of lands and hereditaments intended to be occupied by the said north street or avenue, and building areas along the same ; or with the heirs and disponees of all or any of the aforesaid persons ; and with any other person or persons, body or bodies corporate, who are or may be proprietors, liferenters, occupiers, or lessees of any of the said lands, tenements, or heredita- ments, or with the owners, liferenters, or occupiers of any other lands, tenements, or hereditaments, which may be found necessary in the making out the said intended two new streets or avenues before described, and the areas on each side thereof to be occupied thereby, in the lines or directions before mentioned to the extent before and after specified. III. Provided always, that although any of the lieritors, occupiers, or liferenters of any of the said lands, tenements, and other hereditaments, shall, through misinformatioij, have been wrong named or described, it shall not afford any ground or pretence for the said heritors, or others interested, or any of them, for objecting to, or interrupting the execution of the said works under the present act. IV. Provided Ajypendix.'] annals of Aberdeen. 453 IV. Provided also, and be it enacted, that the said trustees shall be obliged, on or before the 31st day of December, 1800, to give notice by advertisement, to be inserted in the newspaper called the Aberdeen Journal, and in one of the newspapers published at Edinburgh, to the several heritors and liferenters of the said lands, tenements, and other hereditaments, whose properties are intended to be taken and purchased for the puqioses of this present act, describing such properties, and the owners thereof, and others interested therein, as far as known ; otherwise this act shall be no longer binding upon the said heritors and liferenters ; and after such notice and advertisement, it shall be in the power of the said heritors and liferenters severally, if so inclined, to compel the trustees to proceed and complete the purchase of such lands, tenements, and heritages, in the terms and upon the condi- tions of this act. V. And be it further enacted, that it shall and may be lawful to and for all bodies politic, cor- porate, or collegiate, trustees, heirs of entail, tutors or curators for infants, minors, ideots, furious or other persons, and to and for all and every other person or persons whomsoever, who are or shall be seised, possessed of, or interested in any of tiie said lands, houses, tenements, or other hereditaments, to sell and convey to the said trustees, all or any such lands, houses, tenements, or other heredita- ments, or any part thereof, and all their right to and interest in the same, for the purposes afore- said, &c. VI. Provided always, and be it enacted, that in case no agreement shall be concluded between the said trustees and the said heritors, liferenters, or lessees, or any of them, either by the heritors and others interested refusing or neglecting to treat and agree, or to accept of the value and price offered to them by the said trustees, within ten days after being I'equired under form of instrument so to do, or from the said persons interested being under incapacity or unknown, then it shall be com- petent to the sheriff-depute of the county of Aberdeen for the time being, or his substitute, upon ap- plication being made to him by the said trustees, to name and appoint seven skilful and indifferent persons, who, after being sworn by the said sheriff faithfully to discharge their duty, shall have full power and authority, and they are hereby empowered and required to value and appreciate the se- veral properties, one or more specified in such application, within two calendar months after tlieir being so appointed ; and their decision and determination therein shall be final and obligatory on all the parties concerned : Provided nevertheless, that it shall be optional to any heritor, lifcrenter, lessee, or other person interested, either to allow the appreciation to be made as aforesaid, or (within six days after the nomination of appreciators by the sheriff is intimated to him or her) to name one ar- biter for him or herself, who, along with another arbiter, whom the said trustees shall be obliged to name within si.\ days after being required so to do, shall liave full power, and they are hereby em- powered to ascertain and determine the value and price to be paid to the heritor or other party sub- mitter, for his or her property, within one month after they are named ; and that such arbiters, in case of differing in opinion between themselves, shall have full power and be obliged, within ten days after such difference is declared, to name an oversman or umpire with the like powers as them- selves, to be continued during fourteen days after he is so named, and within wliich time he shall be obliged to determine. VII. And be it further enacted, that in case of the said arbiters failing to determine or to name an oversman, or of the oversman named declining to accept and act, within the respective times before limited; in either of these events, it shall be competent to and in the power of tile said sheriff-depute, or his substitute, and he is hereby empowered and required, upon application of the said trustees, to nominate and appoint three skilful and indifferent persons lor ascertaining and determining upon oath, by the decision of all or any two of such persons, the value to be paid to the lieritor or heritors, or other party submitters, for their property or interest, and which last decisions and determinations shall 454 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_Appendix. shall also be final and binding upon all the parties concerned ; notice in writing being always given to the person or persons interested, if they can be discovered, at least ten days before the time of such valuation or assessment, either by the valuators or arbiters to be named by the sheriff, or the parties themselves, intimating the time and place of the meeting of the valuators ; by delivering such notice to such person or persons personally, or by leaving the same at his, her, or their usual place or places of abode, or with some tenant or occupier of the said lands, tenements, or other hereditaments intended to be valued, in case such party cannot otherwise be found out, to be served with such no- tice ; and all which decisions and determinations to be made and pronounced, either by the appreci- ators to be named by tlie sheriff, or the arbiters named by tile parties themselves, or the oversman, after being didy authenticated, shall be entered in the records of the sheriff court of Aberdeen, and the same, or copies thereof, signed by the clerk of court, shall be deemed and taken as good and lawful evidence in all courts of law and equity whatever. VIII. Provided nevertheless, that it shall not be lawful to or in the power of the said trustees to compel any proprietor of houses or heritages in the line of the said streets, or within the proposed areas intended to be built upon, to sell or dispose of the satiie, by valuation or otherwise, as hereby directed, for the purpose or with a view of the said trustees again selling or disposing of such houses or heritages as they formerly stood, but only for the purpose of taking down the same, and disposing of or using the ground and areas for the purposes of this act ; nor shall it be lawful to the said trus- tees to enter upon the premises, or to dispossess the proprietors, occupiers, or lessees for the time, of any part of the said houses, tenements, or other hereditaments, at any time sooner than it shall be- come necessary to use and employ the same for the purpose of opening and making either of the said intended new streets, or the execution of the plans of building on the areas on each side thereof; and particularly, that it shall not be in the power of the said trustees to sell or dispose of any of the said houses, tenements, or other hereditaments, or to cause any part thereof to be taken down or re- moved, except for the execution of the purposes of this act only ; but such proprietors, after their ac- ceptance and receipt of the agreed or awarded price of their respective properties, shall be liable and obliged, during their possession thereof, to pay to the said trustees such reasonable rent or annual consideration for the same, as shall be agreed on between them and the said trustees, or as shall be fixed by the arbiters who previously determined the value and price to be paid therefor. IX. And be it further enacted, that if any of the owners, proprietors, and lessees of the said lands, houses, tenements, or other hereditaments, upon legal tender made to him, her, or them respectively, either personally or at their dwelling houses, if residing within the city of Aberdeen, or if residing without the said city, made at the dwelling house of some tenant or occupier of the premises, shall refuse or neglect to accept of such offered price, or if the party or parties interested shall not be able to make out a good title to the premises, to the satisfaction of the said sheriff depute, or that the sub- jects are encumbered or entailed, so that the price of the same cannot be safely and legally paid to the parties immediately interested ; in any of these events, the said trustees are and shall be authorized to make payment and consignation thereof, with the approbation and warrant of the said sheriff-de- pute, or his substitute, into tlie Bank of Scotland, or Royal Bank of Scotland, for the use and behoof of the parties truly interested, &c. X. (Clause for reinvesting purchase money of lands belonging to persons who are disabled or in- capacitated from receiving the prices of properties.) XI; (Liferenters to be secured in 5 per cent, of the price.) XII. (In case the price awarded shall not be paid, the award to be null and void.) XIII. And Aj)j)endix.'] annals of Aberdeen. 455 XIII. And be it enacted, that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said trustees, and they are hereby authorized and empowered, after making pajnment of such sum or sums of money as shall be agreed on between them and the said owners and occupiers, or other persons interested therein respectively, or adjudged or awarded as aforesaid, for the purchase of the said lands, houses, tene- ments, and other here'o. III. VOLUNTEERS. There is, we believe, no class of men, in general, more loyal and independent than the burgesses of the royal boroughs of Scotland. During the late arduous contest between Great Britain and the government of France, their conduct was exemplary for patriotism, and distinguished by the strittcst principles of loyalty on every occasion. The burgesses, and other citizens of Aberdeen, did not neglect to display their loyalty and patriotism at this important crisis with union of sentiment. At the commencement of the war, they formed themselves into associations as volunteers, for interu:il defence ; and continued to serve with ardour and zeal, while their services were required. We cannot produce more ample testimony of this, than by annexing a list of the officers of the several volunteer corps at the peace of Amiens in 1801 ; and also at the commencement of hostilities in the year ISOJ". VOLUNTEER CORPS in 1801. Royal Aberdeen, (About 400 rank and file.) Lieutenant- Colonel Commandant, Thomas Bannerman Major, C. Bannerman Ca]:U.ai7is, Thomas Leys Chas. Gordon Alex. Brebner John Eweri John Dingwall Lieutenants, Peter Farquharson Alexander More Charles Farquharson James Thomson William Black Thomas Burnett WiUiam D. Fordyce WiUiam Gibbon WilUam Carnegie George Hogarth Chaplain, James Shirrefs Adjutant, William Byres Surgeon, W. Robertson Royal Aberdeen Light Infantry, (About 800 rank and file.) Lieut. 'Colonel Commandant, Alexander Dauney 1st Major, James Hadden Sd Major, William Dauney Captains, James Chalmers James Littlejohn Alexander Barron John Blaikie John Johnston Charles Baird Arthur Farquhar Alexander Duncan Alexander Brown Alexander Hall 1st Lieutenants, Alexander Duthie Thomas Duncan Robert Spring Charles Fyfe George Smith Charles Panton John Imray John Allan Robert Caie Robert Smith 2d Lieutenants, James Matthews David Reid George Barclay Alexander Cooper John Gordon William Troup David Chalmers Alexander Low John Law Artillery Company. 1st Lieut. Francis Dodds Sub-Lieut. James Harvey Adjutant, Andrew Affleck Chaplain, W. L. BroMTi Surgeon, William Dyce Qi-.-Mr. Thomas Duncan Old Aberdeen Volunteers, (About 1 .OO rank and file.) Major Commandant, Gilbert Gerard Captain, William Jack 1st Lieiits. R. E. Scott James Gordon 2d Lieuts, John Irvine Robert Low Chaplain, Skene Ogilvy 3 N Volunteer 460 AKNALS OF ABERDEEN. {^AppenduT 1st Regimeiil Aberdeen Volunteer Infantry. (About 1000 rank and file.) Liait.-Colonel Commandant, William Finlason Lieut.-Col. Hay Livingston Major, William Black Captains, Charles Skene James Roy James Moir Alexander Fraser James Bannerman Thomas Burnett W. Gilbert David Chalmers Lieutenants, Henry Lumsden George Mackenzie Thomas Sangster William Skene James Simpson Alexander Smith John Brown James Morison H. Fullerton James Turriff James Dyce Charles Grant Charles Baird John Middleton Robert Gibb James Spalding Alexander Duthie R. C. Grant Alexander Abercrombie George Shinie Ensigns, John Gordon VOLUNTEER CORPS in 1803. Alexander Simpson James Grant James Blackball William Donald Adjutant, Andrew Affleck Chaplain, G. Gordon Surgeon, W. Livingston Assistant, W. Donaldson Qr.-Mr. James Grant Pay-Mr. H. Lumsden James Young Thomas Black James Forbes Joseph Hogarth Adjutant, W. Lamont Chaplain, Jas. Shirrefs Surgeon, Hugh Macphersoii Qr.-Mr. Alexander Low **«/%v*w*> «'W«'%«^«/%^^ Aberdeen Volunteers. (About 400 rank and file.) Lieutenant- Colonel Commandant, Thomas Leys Lieut.-Col. James Hadden Major, Alexander Brebner Captains, Charles Farqidiarson Gavin Hadden Charles Gordon Alexander More Alexander Crombie John Ewen Alexander Pirie John Low Lieutenants, - George Hogarth Robert Tower James Young William Gibbon John Young Francis Gordon Duncan Davidson Alexander Low James Hardie Ensigns, William Carnegie R. Abercrombie Gilcomston Pikemen. (About 1 50 rank and file.) Captain Commandant, James Chalmers Captain, W. Paterson Lieute7iants, J. Cadenhead, jun. John Cowie Ckaplaiii, James Kidd Aberdeen Pikemen. (About 400 rank and file.) Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant, Alexander Tower Major, George Storey Captains, Alexander Gibbon Arthur Gibbon JohnGiU Alexander Hall James Buchan 1st Lieutenant, Alexander Fiddes Sd Lieutenants, J. Younghusband Alexander Innes James Midcalf W. Stephen Adjutant, John ErasHe Miscellaneous Appendix.'] A^'NALS Of Aberdeen. 461 No. lY. MISCELLANEOUS OCCURRENCES IN ABERDEEN, FnoM A.D. 1707 to A.D. 1818. Nor A/ENTIO.VBD IN THE PRSCEOING SARRATirE.' V^^'W* V* v*v**^ *^ 1 740 •^^>— Geddes, ob venerem nefandatn crematus fuit apud mnntem Castri. 1742 The houses of the town brilliantly illuminated, on the arrival of the news of Sir Robert VVaU pole having resigned his place as prime minister. 1743 In the month of December, this year, there appeared a comet with a long tail, at sun-setting, and in the east early in the morning. It continued visible till the beginning of February, when it was largest to observation. 1744 One of the citizens, while engaged in a smuggling adventure, in the month of July, killed, by a pistol shot fired by one of the oiBcers of the customs ; for which the collector was com> mitted to prison by warrant of the sheriff, but admitted to bail by order of the crown law- yers. 1749 In the Raik fishing of Dee, 1500 salmon caught in one tide. 1752 William Wast, sailor, in Seaton of Auchmedden, executed and hung in chains, at the Callow- hills, for murdering his wife. At the same time and place. Christian Frane was executed, for murdering her bastard child, and burning the body. 1756 A house in the Huxter-row burnt to the ground, by an accidental fire. 1757 A Spermacete whale cast on shore on the sands of Belhelvie, and claimed by the magistrates, who brought the blubber to town, and exported it to London. 1776 Alexander Morison, wright, executed and hung in chains, at the Gallowhills, on the Cth of November, for the murder of his wife. He was the last malefactor executed at that place. 1785 In the course of the winter, there was much rioting in the town, occasioned by attempts to prevent the servants and apprentices of the artificers from making their processions through the town on the anniversary of their elections, according to ancient custom. Several of them were committed to jail, for disobeying the orders of the chief magistrate ; but they were liberated on bail, after the mob had demolished the town-house windows. 1789 The genuine dysenteria broke ont among the fishers of Futtie, and raged with considerable virulence. The persons infected were removed to the battery which was fitted up as a tem- porary hospital for their reception; money being raised by subscription for supporting tliem. TABLE 462 2 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. r L^ ippendix o< ■- < 00 00 to 00 00 Oi oc O! 0» 00 0! O O^ o »^ 1— 1 »> to (O O >.-5 to « o< j> ;c t- t- to t- 00 l^ i-< t- I-H o o o o o o o I-H o c o o o o o 1^ h4 o w o< oo oo ■* oc • « •* >o ■* Ci o — I-H Ci «\ r— i 00 i> t- to to 00 •-< 1~\ >H oc *-< l> l-l »-« 1— « ^H o o o o o o o 1—1 o c o o o o o ^ h4 i-i 9 o o o l-T •* 1- o sn a; •* Si 0) o c p^ d 00 PC < 1 I— ( o « o OS 00 0> "-T T-H t~ t~ 00 t- t^ 00 o b- rH r-l f-t l> l-» r-< o o o •4 o o o o I— 1 o c h4 o o o o o fi< O O O PH r-t r^ -< o o •* o •* C-. O CO • •^ ■■ 4 ^ • fl y^ 9 C5 J>- >H O 1> CO 00 - - o »-4 b- 00 00 CO ce t^ 00 1-1 H ^ T-l o o o o o o - f-H o o o o o o o § yA )4 ^ • O H • o o o 2 05 o •* f-4 • Cl -< 0< CM M * O • > w 1 1 •A O CO L.O 10 8 10 CO |> o O 00 oi o o to b- t^ to t- o 6 o .4 1> to 00 o o p o o • o H s 1-^ "A P5 50 P4 bl C5 0» <>» y, to *-< » o V3 o oi 0* OI ^ o « o '^ H o t> b- b- to >fl to o T-H t- 1> t- b- to 00 -^ Ph S b- I—I o o o o o O O l-H o o o o o o o to >o >*| o ^ « o o )-H g CO ^ ^^ I— t P^ o to to to to «i to 50 »-H Oi CO 00 00 t- 00 O (^ }> t^ S s 1—1 o o o o o O O T— ( o o o o o o o *A. HJ C» 00 00 00 00 CO o O "J" o Ol C5 'i' •«' P^ in o t- to to to to to 00 0(5 rH *-" 00 00 00 i> t^ 00 CO O ti i^ ^H I-H o o o o o o o ?— ( o o o o o o o • I • • rR »- '3 i- "3 •5 1 c2 . 1 • • ^ ^ . • I • S with fodi without § ■ 1 •with fod ■without OJ o ^^ •}• -H 00 to © 00 oo CO o "-I '* CSi o Ol — o o « w C«5 o 00 o 00 Ol o 1*. ■* M p. » ^ o © ^ ^ t^ •-^ ^^ "^ •^ I-H *iH t- ■-^ f-l ^-t t- .- « *1 -H —1 r^ T— ( o c o o o o o w^ o o o o o o o I-H o o o © o © o h4 •-i i-i Oi C5 O o o f-l o • 0» t- "O com »^ 00 © o to 00 © 'i" J^ ^ f-^ W5 I-H CO* o? t~ t~ o 00 o ^-t M 00 Oj oe Ol O 00 o ^M ■* to to t- t- to t- 00 i:^ 1-H 1-1 Pi I-H t^ »^ I-- I-H o o o o o o o I-H o c o o o o o r-t © o © © o o o i4 •4 •4 00 01 '-'^ o o CO •? 0» ■* 0» o o o pH 0» •* © © © © CO CO r^ f-* '^ »H I-H s ©? ,_, r- Oi 00 00 ^-• CO GO C5 oc Oi w 00 00 ^-4 ■* Oi CO © w © o ^H b- r-t ^ I-H J^ ^t b- •^ rH I-H ■■^ »— 1 o o o o o o o 1— ( o o o o o o o T-H © o © © o © o •^ t4 h4 iO 01 00 "» o o o e« 00 o o o "* ■* « f-< • 1-H © © 00 © 00 0« ■* ©? t~ •o oi C5 00 o ■* CO o t^ 00 00 00 t> ^^ •* © © — o w^ ^ C9 t^ — N "" i> I-H f-1 i> -H ^ 4 •— 1 "^ w^ I-H ^ TH o o o o o o o r-l o o o o o o © I-H © o © © © o o *A >A 4 w - Oi « .^ ■* 00 Tp Oi o to O) C5 o • oo 00 -? •* 'J' o •* • •- '^ oi o i~ o |iH 1:^ to I-H -H « *H fiH 05 I-H CI I-H 00 .-H T-\ o o o o o o o I— 1 o o o o o o o !-H o © o © © o © •4 i-i 4 '^ O "^ o "rt 00 09 o * ".I O >-T 0( © • to © © © o © 00 G ^ 05 1* © • H d .H ^ 00 I-H I-H o< OJ 00 O e» Ci >H »H CO 00 »> 00 00 to 00 o t^ 1—1 I-H •iH t^ I-H i^ ■^ 1—1 o CI CJ o o o o I-H o o o o o o © r-l o © © © © o o i4 4 H-i •<}" o< o ■o Oi o o o ^ o VI O to » o o © o N © FH »-H •^ c^ t-^ "^ ot 00 t^ 00 t- r~ o o o< o 00 O Ol o o I-H CO © t- o w CI o ^^ fr- I-H "^ J> rH I-H I-H iiH »-l r- ^ '^ ^ rH o o o o o o o I-H © o o o o o © I-H o © © o © © o >-i ^ ' , i 1 ■ >-j fc. ■ 1 I I 1 •4 f. 1 ■ t • 1 s V a> •3 TJ 2 ^ TJ u. 13 fc "3 =2 . ■ 1 I c2 • ■ I 1 "3 =2 . ■ ■ 1 -a 4-> u *^ ■*-> o TS •*-> u =2 3 o g ^ 3 o § t2 3 o 1 "3 •s ■ at ■ 1 I ^ rS • % . 1 ■ •S ■5 • */i 1 1 a ■? ■? Cj ■? i Oi '% ■? a> O 1 4-> 1 ■ I 1 1 o 1.1 1 • • s • in o pa f 1 4J •4^ IS o White Malt Pease o -a 1 k-H 1 4J "a o ■& o ^ 464 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. {_Jppendi.v ae O o O to 'J' O CS^ »o -• o e« N e« M x^ t- ■^ '"' "* "^ '^ ■^ ■^ »-H o )4 o o o o o O to «o *« ■" l-H o o O O o O o >^ •* t~ o o •* o ■* (O ■* O •* o »o o> 10 00 CO OC 00 "^ T— 1 o o o o o o o i-i O CO o •* o ^ •* O^ ^ ^ ■«* O t^ ejo 00 00 c» M t- •^ ^ 1~i O O o o o o o i-i 00 rj. — O O O '* • 00 -^ — 00 -' 00 O O M t^ M — . _ » ^ >— i o o o o o o o h4 o o> O O O O -" ^ • I-H *™ t~ ^ 00 t» 00 00 O O — J> •— I -^ -H T-1 o o o o o o o J ;o o "I «5 00 oj =2 g § :S 5 ■ 12 . • . ■? ? Ci 6 t Bear Meal, 13 arke hite alt ase heat c S^SiS^ lO 00 CO 0> t^ O t- OJ ^ " r-t o o o o o i4 o o o o o •* o o o 00 "H — " lO O « O 00 O o * t- »-r ^ « " -^ »— ( o o o o c o o 0*00 c^ ^ i> iO o O i/l c^ u^ ■* CO b- '*"'"*"* ^m ^m »— ( - o o o o >4 O o eo •* 00 C O o o CO " iO CO C-^ CO lO ^ >n — t- "■ rH O C O o o o - «o O CO OO " — •* »o "" »o 01 o — — — — CO i> T— ( o o o o o O o O <3i o o o O CO '^^ "" "" »o O l~ O 00 O o — b- ^H »" — -H *^ T— t o o o O o h4 o c * O O CO 00 o •* erS iO M o 2 2 :^ O M j> -^ "■ I— i O O o o o o o fe ' ' ' "« V. T3 ^ c2 • I • I r:3 w Q) £2 3 fi «- o S ■5 -S ■ " • • 1 ■^ 'g Ci wT § "a ■ • I ^j ^ O o 13 Si s £ n -a ^ s -* Q S^ S s^ 00 00 00 CO 00 -*• o 00 CO — o> — — — CO t- "^ """**"" T-S o o o o o 1-i O O O o» O O O Tj- O t-1 CO ir> — in CO ^ CO O i> ■H T-^ O O O O O O - CO ■* •* OJ CO 4 o o O ■* **■ 00 O rf. O GO CO 0) O CO o ■* CO ■* t- r^ •-> T-H o o o o o i4 O O O '}• o •* « ^ o o? CO O CO ifj in •* CO r» l> »— f— — ^ p^ ^- 7— t — o o o o i4 o o N CO CO O O •* •}• ,_< ^^ CO O t» C5 00 O 00 CO J> ~" "■ I— t o o o o o o o -'.... ■ a Ol "3 u 'V ^ cS . I I "? *-» V «2 3 c ^ o o ■£ -5 ' " • 1 1 ■^ ■? «» U -v »r t Bea Meal ■ I o IS S 2 llllf Appendix.'] ANNALS OF ABERDEEN". 465 . « o «o -a ■* o o l^ OOOOOO'O ■"^ ooooooo . <0 O 'O O O O 'O b- 0!<>» I— 1 ,— I FH iM r^ r^ "^ —ooooco l4 , 00«C«tOOe<5 l> -H « -, « - - »"• OOOOOOii l4 00 o O <0 O JO o CO b- -'-.-'"-'« 1—1 OOOOOOfh O^OJOOOOCOOO J-^ rM -fj* 00 ^ O ^ ^ i> „ « - rH « 1-H i-iOOOOO-< ■"J'OtOO'OOO 1— < »N« 00 ■* l-T ^ 3 O s -s ■ w I > I ^ S Oi w 03 '2 1 1 I 6 ■4^ 2 ■*-> i> '^ '- -^ -• T-H •4 o o o o o o o o o JO o o o ©? oo o ao fH 1^ t^ o 0« t- " •^ -( O "-I "-i O « M to ■* 00 O (O o O IN — to O =0 ^ f-l M ^ ^ FH O O C O o o to o o o o o O 01 01 'Ji -H 35 b- f-H — i ^-i -" 1— t 1— » l-H l-H o •4 o o o o o o I- o o o to « 1— 1 to o l-H 1— ( o >4 o o o o o o o to o o 00 o to CO 1— ( o o o l-H o ot o o o o to o •* o o o to b- b- o» *-( 0^ l-H w ■* l-H 00 PI »"< ooooooo l-J . t ■ I I I r3 tS . •«-* u - 2 c o o .a . ** •tS ' CO O o i 2 • • • Si* JJ flj rt S ^ S (2 ^ 3 o , O o eo — O 'O to o<. in o» to l-H l-l PH to FH FH "-") Ci I— 1 o o o C O o o 4 • to to to o o •* o l-H C5 t^ 01 to «5 FH CJ CO o y-t o o c o c o o HJ o o =a ■* to O o 6 C5^ uj eo •* 0« to Ol o t- ■^ ^ FH FH •^ 'r^^ o o o O c o rH l-j 00 O •* o o o O 00 — o « o to <-0 ^N t^ pM F N 1-^ '^ *^ FH r-l o o o o o o fm ^ o ■- S 'i' to ec o o 00 00 -x o t^ o to eo 00 b- l-H ' ■^ ^^ •"• '^ •^ 1— t 1— t o o o o o O o tA o * o •* to ^ o bl 00 >0 M to l-H - N -^ ^ •^ •^ FH T— ( o o o o o o o •4 o o o >* o o o CO 00 o to to •« t~ >o b- i^ " rH rt FH FH FH FH T-t rt o o o o o O I-i to o o o o o O M5 00 ^ o< 'J' 0) to ■* oo b- m f^ •^ ■^ FH FH 1— 1 o o o ^s ■ o 1 o 1 o o 1 r3 « t ' 1 1 "O *» a «« o :S ■£ • ts ■ ■ 1 ■^ '^ o U S 2 "2 ■ 1 I a pa ^H O *-» «5 1 .a: C5 V "3 1 o ;^ ^ ^H ^ 466 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_Apjiendix. o o O 00 o o o o o >o ic f-< CH >o >o >o CO i-H T— I 0< rH ») 01 A o o o o o « o o o^ « o OT o 00 to o *— »-t >— ' y—^ f-H ^H rH M i-H rH OJ . o 00 C5 00 i-t o ;o 00 O «5 'J' W5 oi eo O O O O O ■-• o (4 CO •o •» o o to 00 ■«< to o o o o to CT to '- o o o •* to 'i' >o 00 ei O O O in Oi 00 i4 r-l o CO r^ O o o to O O "< to o o o to o t— I "^ o o J_^ ■ to to o O 01 00 >-< 1-1 o o o to to o >'i O T-< O o o to to O 1^ I-H I-H O -I o o e * ■ « ^ ^ Oi o CO o 00 o 00 CD >o O to o « o o o 00 « ■* oj O t» 0» ^ — — — 0» — 01 O O O -H (V) l-l -I 1-5 o to to o o to o O -"00 — ClOOOjtO 00 - O to to O C 00 O o Oi tc 00 31 O cc 01 o o O? o t^ •J- to to to >o w^ 00 ■— ' " '~ ■H ^H »— I O o o c - o -> h4 o o to o o o o 1—1 o Ci to I-H t- to to to CO »-* 1-1 fH "■ I— 1 o o -< o -H o 1— ( lj 1 t 1 1 1 ^ "O &H -a OJ o . •n w > 1 1 ■ "2 4-> Qi tS o S J5 ■ ' 1 Sh oT 'rt 1 i 1 cj u o ■i-> IS' t5 ■•-» •«-> 4-> cu a s "^ s o s is s i CO f— < CO O O O M O o c O) 00 00 o> J^ O t^ rS >• o — -H tN o — h4 O o o Ol to to o V5 -o rH r^ M M — ^ 0) 0^ Ol H CO — "^ ^™ ' ■ ■^ "" bft 1^ O o c o o a -3 o o o o « o o 01 ^ TH "O 00 Ol 00 "1 o to 00 ■" •*" "* ■" -s rH ^ o o o o 1 6> o to o ■* o o o GO o> ^ •fl ^ •n o 01 to o •* a 00 I— 1 i4 CO o O O o o o to o • o J3 rH 00 ~* t~ — o to o Ol ts *5 O 1— ( — o — •" — o — CO )4 1 o o o ee o o o i O^ 3 o 01 00 01 <« ■* «* o 01 CO ^ I— 1 — O — — 01 — > 01 ^ ■ ■ 1 .s "5 ^ u TS a S o o -3 ^ I ■ 1 1 a "a ■4-» 0) hH t2 3 O 1 n :S -s . tc 1 1 1 % '% ^ Ci Sh •\ »r s -3 ■ t • -»-» QJ V CS PQ ten O ■M «* ■S 0) 01 ■u c/l 2 g o la IS 4S Appendix.'] annals of aberdkln. 467 No. VI. CHARTER OF THE LA>DS OF ARDLAIU, GRANTED BY GAVIN DUNBAR, BISHOP OF ABERDEEN, TO THE PROVOST, BAILLIES, COUNCIL, AND COMMUNITY OF ABERDEEN, FOR SUPPORTING THE BRIDGE OF DEE. Referred to in page 416. Omnibus banc cartam visuris vel audituris Gauin' miseratione diula Abirdonen cpus salutem in Domino sempitema Noveritis nos cu cosensu et assensu ac auisameto decani et capituli nre ecclesie cathedralis Abirdonen ad hoc specialit die capitulari per sonu campane majoris ut moris est capitula- riter c'ogregator^ vocatisq^ vocandis et interesse habeii et ptendeu precedente solenni tractatu niatura deliberatione phabita ecclesieq^ fire cathedralis Abirdoneii atq^ rei publice et regni Scotie utilitate con- sideratis dedisse cocessisse alienasse ac imperpetuu cofirniasse Nee non dare cocedere alienare et pre- senti carta nra Imperpetuu c'ofirmare dilectis nostris Gilberto Mezeis preposito balliuis consilio et cbmunitati burgi de Abirden et suis successoribus ppositis balliuis cosilio et cbmunitati pro tempore eiusdem burgi de Abirden Totas et integras terras iiras de Ardlair cum uniuersis pertinetiis suis jacen infra dominu et schyram iirain de Clate et c'omunitatu de Garioth ac vicecomuitatu de Abirdene ad sustentatione manutesione reparatione et cum opus fuerit re-edificatione noui lapidii pontis superfluuio seu aqua de Dee prope idem biu-gum de Abirdone inter terras de Kincorthe de Abbatim et couetum de Abirbrothok ex australi et terras de Ruddrestonn ad heredes quonda Hen- rici Leith olim de Bamis spectaii ex boriali partibus. Que quide terre de Ardlair cum pertinefi al- legat fuerint perjjus hereditarie pertinere Andree Elphinstone de Selmys ac de nobis et etiam nosti-a ecclesia cathedrali Abirdone per seruitium feodifirme tente in capite Et ob non exhibitionc seu ex- tesione carte sue infeodationis dietary terrari^ nobis ut de jure tenebatur per Tiros legittimos pcessus pro ut juri congruit prefato Andree ceterisq^ omnibus ad easdem tras cum pertinen interesse haben- tib'' seu jus in eisdem quomodolibet habere ptenden ad instantia nram super premissis legittime ci- tatis sepiusq^ vocatis Suisq^ cbtumatiis legittime accusatis cui' ob causam et alias rationabiles causas nobis et successorib' nostris ad perpetuo in pprietate permaneu adiudicate fiierant ac lapsis anno et die ad plegia nume dimiss' seu petitis in rem judicatam transierunt Et quas etiam terras de Ardlair cum pertinetiis Idem Andreas no vi aut metu duct' nee errore lapsus de sua niera libera ac sponta- nea voluntate pro quade cei-ta suma pecume per nos eidem Andree in sua magna et vrgenti necessitate persoluta in manib'' iiris tanc^ in manib' Dni superioris earunde cum oini jure et juris clameo titulo proprietate et possessione Si quod quem aut quam habet habent aut habere potuit in seu ad timoi terras cum pertinetiis per fustum et baculu ad perpetua remanentia pure et simpliciter resignauit cessit et diuisit pro ut in processibus et instrumetis publicis dcsuper confectis latius continetur Tb- NEN. et HABEN. totas et integras terras nras de Ardlair predictas cu pertineii supradictis pjxisitis balliuis et cbmunitati de Abirden et burgi predict ac suis successoribus ppositis balliuis et cbmuni- tati pro tempore eiusdem burgi de nobis et successorib' niis episcopis Abirdonen inf'eodo et heredita- rie Imperpetuu per omnes rectas metas suas antiquas et diuisas pro ut jacent in longitudine et latitu- dine in boscis planis morf inrasiis viis semitis aquis stagnis riuolis pratis pascuis pasturis molendinis raulturis et eorj sequelis aucupationib'' venationibus piscationib' petariis turbariis corbonariis coluni- 3 O 2 bariis 468 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_AppendtX. bariis cmiiculis cuniculariis hortis pomariis lapide et calce lapicidiis fabrilibus brasinis bruariis et ge- nestis cum cura et ears exitibus herizeklis bluid vick et mulieri^ nichetis cum cbmuni pastura cosueta et usitata libero iiitroitu et exitu ac asiametis ac justis suis pertineii quibuscuq^ tarn nominatis 4" non nominatis tam subt' terram q^'^ supra terram procul et prope ad pdictas terras spectan seu juste spec- tare valen quomodolibet in futurum Et adeo libere quiete plenarie integre honorifice bene et in pace sine impedimeto revocatione aut r^otradictione aliquali in oinibus et p omnia sicut alique tales terre infra reonu Scotie habctur tenentur seu possidentur. Reddendo inde pmeraorati ppositus ballivi et cbmunitas burgi de Abirdone predict et sui successores ppositi ballivi et comunitas p tempore eius- dem burgi de Abirdone ppetuo anuatim nobis et successoribus nris episcopis Abirdonen viginti sex solidos octo denarios vsualis monete regni Scotie ad duos anni terminos consuetos viz. festa penthe- costes et Sancti Martini in hieme per equales duas medias portiones nobis pus antedictam recogni- tione seu resignatione auuatim debitis Vnacu sustentatione manutetione reparatione c'ostructione et reedificatione cum opus fuerit predicti novi pontis sup aqua seu fluvio de Dee per nos strati construc- ti et edificati secundu vim tenorem effectum et continentia cuiusdum obligationis per prepositu bal- livos et comunitate burgi de Abirden pfat desuper nobis pro se et suis successorib'' nobis et succes- sorib' iiris episcopis Abirdonen facP put in eadem de data apud Abirdone die decimo quarto mensis Decembris anno 1529=" latius cotinetur nomine feodifirme tantu p oriii alio onere servitio esactione vel demanda q de dictis terris cum pertinen quouismodo exigi poterit vel requiri Et nos antedict'' Gavin' Abirdonen epus nostriq successores epi Abirdonen omnes et singulas predictas terras de Ard- lair cum pertinen prefatis pposito ballivis et c'omunitate dicf burgi de Abirden et suis successoribus ppositis ballivis et c-omunitati eiusdem burgi pro tempore in ornib' et per oiiiia forma pariter et effectu Smissu est contra oines mortales varrantizabim'' acquietabim' et imperpetuu defendem'' In cuius rei testimoniu sigillu nrm autenticum necno sigillu comune nri capituli Abirdonen pdict huic pnti carte nre in signu sui consens\is sunt appensa et eandem manu nra et manibus decani et canonicor^ Abirdonen capituli Abirdonen pro tempore piim subscripsim' Apud civitatem Abirdonen decimo quarto die mensis Decembris anno Domini 1629= Coram testibus viz. nobili et potenti domino Georn-io Comite de Huntlie venerabili pre Georgio priore Pluscarte coadiutore nro et successore no- bilibus venerabUibusq^ et discretis viris magistris et dominis Valtero Ogilvy de Monycabok Johanne Key' de Ravyniscrag Hectore Boetio sacrar^ Irarum professore collegii Abirdonen primai-io Willel- mo Hay earum trarum bachalario Willielmo Hay et David Makyson notariis publicis cu diversis aliis. (Signed) Gavin' Abirdonen Epus manu ppria Georgi' coadjutor Epi Abirdonen maiiu ppria David Dischintoue Cantor manu propria Thomas Myrtoun Archidiacon' manu ppria ' Jacobus Vavane de Vine manu propria Alexander Spittale de Clate manu propria Robertus Elphinstonn de Kincardin manu ppria rNecrologia Ecclesice Cathedralis Aberdonetisis, f. 26.] It appears from the original obligation, granted by the provost, baiUies, council, and community, to the bishop, that the ancient bridge was built " of fyne aislar stane and lyme wyth pQlaris pendis doubill brasis battahng and tableis contenand sax pillaris tua land stalls and seven bollis clen hevin and laid w' brandaris of aik buluark of aik and stain about the said hvig."-'lNecrologia ut supra, fol. 29.] No. Appendix.'] annals of Aberdeen. 469 No. VII. PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS. In the course of the last twenty-five years, the public unprovements both in the town and the county have been carried on to a very great extent, by the spirited exertions of many patriotic indi- viduals, distinguished for their zeal to promote undertakings of that description. Every one, whose recollection extends to a few years only beyond that short period, must be sensible of a very striking difference in the external appearance of this part of the kingdom. The consequence has been, an ex- tension of trade and manufactures ; a gradual amelioration of the condition of all ranks of the people ; and a change in their mode of living, and also in their manners. Having already had occasion to notice the public improvements of the to^vn in modem times, we shall now annex an abstract account of the various turnpike roads which have been executed within tlie county, and in which the town and community of Aberdeen are more or less deeply interested. Conjee lured Extrnt of Bridges in expenceof TURNPIKE ROADS IN THE COUNTY OF ABERDEEN. lines. ihelinesof executing M. F. Y. the Roads. Ihc «ork. No. 1. From Aberdeen to Ellon, - - 16 1 5 L.9000 2 Ellon to Peterhead, - - 16 4 9 8000 3 Peterhead to Fraserburgh, . « 18 5 7000 4 Ellon to Ditto, - - 26 7 13,000 5 Peterhead to New Pitsligo, - 16 3 6400 6 Fraserburgh to New Pitsligo, - 10 5 3 5 3000 , 7 Aberdeen to Oldmeldrum, (including the ex- pense of constructing the bridge over the river Don, at Dyce), - - 17 4 11 1 2,000 8 Oldmeldrum to Fyvie, - - 8 2 4500 9 Fyvie to Turriff, . . 8 4 3000 10 Turriff to Banff, . - 10 5 4000 11 Newburgh to Burn of Udny, - 6 2 2 2400 12 Aberdeen to Inverury, - - 16 7 12,000 13 Inverury to Huntly, . - 22 6 12,000 14 Aberdeen to Skene, ■ - 9 4 9000 15 Skene to Alford, - . 17 4 10 5000 16 Tarland to Drumlasie, - - 13 90 12 4000 17 Aberdeen to Charlestown, - 30 5 13,500 . , 260 4 93 102 L. 127,800 Besides commutation roads to a still greater extent of line in every district of the county, executed at the expense of the respective proprietors and their tenants. The following abstract will exhibit a tolerable view of the very large sums which have been ex- pended in the execution of the various public works and improvements in the town and the county, since the year 1 794. To the expense of the new streets of Aberdeen, » - . L. 17 1,000 ... Ditto of harbour improvements, &c. « - • 127,600 ... Ditto of Bridewell, - - - - - 10,000 Carried forward. L.308,600 470 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_AppcndLv. Brought forward, - L 308,600 To Expense of new prison, - . , . 8,000 Ditto of public places of worship, erected by the several congregations, - 20,000 Ditto of Lunatic Asylum, - - - - 2,000 Ditto of SCl miles, 4 furlongs, and 93 yards, of turnpike roads in the county, - \ 27,800 Ditto of Stonehaven turnpike road, executed at the expense of the treasury of Aberdeen, 1 2,000 Ditto of Aberdeenshire canal, - ... 4 1-,000 Ditto of bridges over the rivers Dee and Don, one half of the expense of which being contributed by government, the other half by the landed proprietors in the vicinity, being about .... 7,000 L.529,+00 To these may be added the stock sunk in carrying on the Greenland fishery, in which there are 14 ships employed, > . . - 112,000 L.641,400 Besides improvements of the harbours of Peterhead and Fraserburgh. This swn is greatly more than the value of the fee simple of the whole landed properly of the totvn and county, at the time of the union, of the ttvo kingdoms, in the year 1707- No. VIII. The collectors of the cess and public taxes for the county of Aberdeen are Haiy Lumsden, and Henry Lumsden, Esqrs. The following table, with which they have kindly favoured us, will shew the sums paid by the county for the several years under-noted. The valued rent of the county of Aberdeen is - - L.235,665 8 1 1 Scots. And the land tax, collected according to that valuation, at the rate of L.13 l6s. 8d. Scots, for each L.lOO Scottish money, is Table of assessed taxes of the county, for the following years. To window tax, . . « ... Inhabited house tax, - - - .. Male servants, . - . . ... Private four-wheel cai-riages, - ... Post-chaises . . - ... Stage coach . - ■ ... Wheeled carriages with less than four wheels, ... Carriage and saddle horses, ... Draught and husbandry horses, ... Dogs, - - - ... Armorial bearings, . ■ » ... Hair powder tax, 10 per cent, on duties levied for year ending Whitsimday 1808, L.1045 14 Deduct allowance for children, - - 217 19 Property tax for the year 1807, ending April 1808, Do. 1815, 1816, - 2715 4 Ste rl. 1808. 1818. L.4099 4 6 L.4944 1 6 482 16 772 16 9 680 4 1474 5 421 664 142 16 126 10 10 114 292 9 964 12 1323 5 6 3143 17 6 2455 6 6 272 4 591 2 67 4 127 4 84 50 10 6 3^ 1 _^ S97 14 ^ ^^" 0>C 1 1** L. 11,299 12 4| L.12,831 10 9 20,571 7 10 m 27,649 18 7 Appoidi.r.'J ANNALS OF ABEIIDEEN. 471 No. IX. In former parts of this work, (pages 91 and 137), we had occasion to notice, that on the return of king James VI. to visit his native kingdom, in the year l6l7, after his accession to the throne of England, a poem was composed by David Wedderburn, rector of the grammar school, at the desire of the magistrates, for which there was voted to him, by the town council, a remuneration of fifty merks. When this circumstance was noticed, we had not been able, in the course of our researches, to discover that work ; but since, we have fortunately found, in the " DcUtioe poetarum Scotorum," printed at Amsterdam, in the year l637, Mr. Wedderbum's poem on the king's visit to Scotland, and another on his return to England. As that publication is now become very scarce, and as these poems may be regarded as curious by many readers, we shall here present them as a specimen of the author's poetical talents, and attainments in literature ; and as a testimony of the loyalty and at- tachment of the community of Aberdeen to tlieir sovereign at the time. Synaiphranterion in reditu Regis in Scotiam, I6l7. Phoebe vale, vosque una olim mea cura sorores Ite novem : vanis vestra baud ego numina votis Sollicitare paro : nee jam deserta per alta Pamassi me raptat opis spes indiga vestrae : Quippe alium facili divertitur orbita clivo Ad Phoebum, cujus facies mihi reddita, anhelo Acreis nescio quos stimulos sub pectore versat. jEgide conspecta, ferali ac Gorgonis ore Diriguere homines in saxa, at saxea corda Molliat haec facies, atque enthea sensa ministret. O dilecta Deo facies ? cui Jupiter ipse Cesserit, aetherea vultus ut luce coruscos Indueret, Semeleque istos rediviva reposcat. Ergo te hie sistis reducem Rex magne .'' tueri Ora datum ? & notas audire & reddere voces } Optatam o lucem toties ! qua nulla reluxit Candidior, ne tum domita Babylone superba Magnus Alexander magni cum flexit habenas Orbis, & extremes suo sceptra extendit ad Indos. Namque licet compos tanti moderaminis, ilium Attamen baud iterum post tot repetita tropha;a Di voluere unquam patrios invisere fines. Numen et ecee tibi concessit, ut ante senectae Stamina quam serae tibi Clotho emensa, revisas Majorum, aetatisque tuae incunabula prima. Ergo veni, amplexare tuos, ulnisque tuorum Amplexare aveas magnorum o maxime regum. Nee vero allicimus tam opibus Gangetica tellus Quas fundit ; donisve, Ophyre quae flava caminis Excoquit Eois, vel quae Tagus aurifer amnis In marc purpureum rapidis devolvit arenis : Qua fidae haud corruptQ unquam libamus amorem Mentis ; & hoc patrem patria; te amplectimur uno. Quin sua tela licet jam jam mors saeva minetur, Haud nocitura tamen te viso : conjugis umbrara Laodamiasui sic pressit, laetaque vitam Exhalasse viri memoratur imagine capta. Quid vero amplexus petimus tanti hospitis .* eheu Vota retractamus : patriae nam fumus Vlyssi Gratior illecebris etsi Lotique Deacque, Solis inaccessos habitat quae filia lucos : Attamen amplexus, haud nostra: hacc munera sorti Conveniunt, gemino queis vix par orbis ab axe. AlcidcE nee enim debetur gloria tanta, Fixerit aeripedem cervam licet, atque tot omnes Sparserit in terras gravium monumenta laborum ; Quanta tibi, rex magne, tibi, cui monstra tre- menda Edomuisse datum, quse Roma efTudit, & ipsa Viscera telluris nostra- : graviore periclo Deucalionsis quam quo crevere sub imdis Monstra ea Phoebaeis quondam confixa sagittis. Ac veliiti Herculeus pcregrinas alite f;una Tot liquit memoranda labos docmnenta per aras : Haud secus hinc totum virtus tua fusaper orbem. Sint Batavi, Batavisque hostis, sit Iberia testis, Sitque omnis Rheni tractus, quaque alta fluenta Vistula tot riguos spatiose effundit in agros. Et magna Hadriaci \'eneti vos gloria ponti, Nos (quod in hunc toties oculos atque ora referre Publica res moneat) vos inquam appello, fidemque Vestrum 472 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. \_Appendix. Vestram illam, quam non populos modo flexerit, atquii Et reges regat hie, & quam umis mole sua stet. Non ita Tantalides juratos Aulidc Grajum Tot reges regumque atavos, reguraque nepotes Enituit supra solio subnixus eburno : Aut domus omnipotens caeli cum panditur, almus Inter permistos Divis heroas ab alto lupiter, & totum nutu cum concutit orbem : Qualis consilio regum procerumque coacto. Progenie hinc, bis saecla decern numerataque fastis Quam tot aevorum effert series longissima regum : Hinc veri atque aequi solerti indagine, Phcebus Quos videt, hie reges unus supereminet omnes. Scilicet is, digno virtus quae principe digna. Quid jus fasque ferant, suus & qui regibus altis Constet honos, magna proclamat voce per omnes Terra; oras, sopitque ignes, quos monstra pararunt Igneo ab Ignati quibus ordine fluxit origo. Monstra, quibus non Armeniae deserta peragrat Sanguinis innoeuti tigris sitientior ulla. Blanda quidem specie, sed si penetralia mentis Pervia, serpentum pateant spiramina mille, Mille noeendi artes, quibus baud requiesve mo- dusve. Ilia Deus, superae contemptum lucis ut aetas Nostra luat, Stygiis emergere pignora noctis Sedibus est passus : dedit hsec canis era tritaucis ; Argi oculos, eervique a\n'es, unguesque Celenus, Eumeniduuique alas, ac qui tegit omnia vultum Ambiguum Protei, nunc hunc, nunc protinus il- ium. At quaracunque novent faciem, quamcunq; fi- guram Pectoris induerint, manet, feternumque manebit Consilium hoc, reges scelerato exscindere ferro. At vero Calais Zethesque ut, sydere fausto Pulchro satos Borea quos edidit Orithya, Obscoenas dirasque procul, Phineia mensa Vt toeda sine labe foret, pepulere volucres ; Haud aliter, rex magne, Aquilo, Septemque triones Ter gemino ciijus jactant se subdere coUa Imperio, Harpyjas, Roma indignante, rapaces Has procul exegisti, atque heec tibi monstra subacta Ingenii folicis acumine, quod tibi in uno Te omaiido sese major Tritonia Pallas Annuit, & sacrant divini oracula verbi. Noctes atque dies quae dum pei"pendis, & acri ludicio rimaris, abis ad tempera prisca, Teque tuere horum exeniplo, sive irapius auras Arrius ad superas reraeet, Phlegetonte relicto ; Seu nova procudant alii sua dogmata, sectas Vt foveant : qua; (proh) tot succrevere, quot us- quam Pene urbes sacra lotae baptismatis unda Hinc ferra bella movent, & dum eoncurrere ferro Sic properant, ferrum cognata in viscera condunt. Haud secus exanguis Cadmasi dentibus orti, Quosve ita prognatos mirata est Colchica tellus, Fraternis in se versi cecidere sub armis. Interea, quorum est tantos componere motus, Reges non id agunt, posito ut certamine, Christi Mystica membra optent corpus coalescere in unu. Ast alias hos agitant curae, quin flamma perenne Duret ut ista, adliibent studiumq ; operamq ; pe- rennem. Tu vero antiquas ad fidei primaeva reducis Dogmata, & unire haec conaris ovilia sparsa, Dum non pastores sequeris, quos devius error Noxia diducit per pascua, nuda sed usque Christi sanctorumque premis vestigia patrum, O si consocies ! non cluso limine lani Augustus, tanto non Constantinus honore Magnus se jactet, quantum virtutibus addet Hoc meritum, meritisque tuis haec maxima virtus. Nee Constantino tot pectoris indita quondam Munera, quot tibi sunt prsesto, si expendere saecla Haec perversa sinant ; quae bella, heu horrida bella Irrequieto agitant animo : paeisque recidunt Semina prima, unam mentem, & cor caelitus unu. Sed pacis studiosus amor, sed dextera semper Innocua, ac mentis seu vis ilia insita, rerum Seu longo collecta usu prudentia certant Te decorare adeo, ut dubium, diademate rex sis Major an ingenio : quo non speciosior ardet Chrysolithus, quamvis native interlitus auro. Namque illud tanta illustrat dementia, ut ipses Irao hostes super irradiet, licet obvia ab ortu Et gravia & vicibus repetita pericida multis. Tuq; ANXALS OF ABEHDEEX. Appendix.'] Tuq ; adeo rex magne agedum, sic pcrgc, ncc Olim acie instructa, noslroque imbuta cruorc ausws Fortunam hie belli toties cxperta vicesque est. Impediant sanctos malesana ac hostica passim Consilia, aut quae dira fovent moliraina vota. Si Deus baud contra^ quis contra insiirgere tentet? lUe tuos hostes, ecu cera liquescit ab igne, 473 Coctilis in scrupos ut testa resolvitur, omnes Conteret, atque suae nectent sibi retia poente. Extera si regna haec concordia fcedera pacis Respuerint peritura sui, ut Narcissus, amure : Perge tamen, rex perge tuos unire, nee ullae Relliquiae invidiae subsint veterunive maloruni : Inque unum coetum & leges coeamus in unas. Hinc, veluti quae multa virum jam saecida vicit. Visceribus terra? penitus defigitur arbos, Brachiaque extendit, quas non superare vel Austri Praeeipites valeant, vel fulminis alitis irae. Nempe cohors Christi solido fundamine sedes Hie positura suas, sic te tria regna sub uno Foedera amieitia; tandem haec initura perennis. En, tola hsec mundi compages, nonne parentis Vnio naturse est, gremio dum pontus opaco Se terrae insinuat, dumque oscula mutua captat ? Hinc unum in celeri decurrunt flumina lapsu Oceanum, Ocean us refluas post egerit undas. Turn vero alterius certatura est cladibus, elieu I Devotasque animas morti per tela, per hostes Dum ruere approperant, no flentis ab ubere raatri-, Pignora flcxerunt, non chara? eonjugis uUi Amplexus, non arva suis viduata colonis. Heu desolatas urbes ! heu conjuge cassas Tot viduas, charis puerosque parentibus orbos ? Alme Pater talem hinc nostris avertito pestcni Finibus : & paeem divino robore firmans Hunc laetum Scotisque diem, Tamesique profectis Esse velis, nostrosque hujus meniinisse nepotes. Ad sit lactitiae Bacchus dator, & bona cornu Copia. Magnanimos namq; baud t'uribunda fla- gello Sanguineo Bellona duces jam poscit ad arma. Tessera non caedit signum, non flumina inundant Sanguine : sed positis armis in saecla recurrunt Aurea, & a?ternis firmissima fundamentis. Sic eat, atque hilares libeat transmittere ludo Hinc noctes, atque indedies: juvat, en juvat, alta Pervolitare juga, aut vasto qu£B saevus in antro Abdit aper catulos. Sic poscit odora canum vis, Et lato, rex magne, tua hac venabula ferro. Cursusque his variant vicibus, variantque recursus, Quaeque feras reddit faciles haec mitior aurae Haec elementa fovens aer se expandit ad omnes Terrasque, tractusque maris, genitalis & inde Humor, & inde hominu ac pecudQ^ viteq; vo- lantum. At casli hos campos liquidos en axis uterque Excipit amplexu. Tanta est concordia rerum. Complexus divelle istos, luxataque fiant Membra, hae congeneres partes, en protiniis omnis In chaos antiquum reditura haec machina mundi. Sic rerum natura parens his nexibus omnes MoUit, & in nostri penitus conspirat amorem. Tum sedes una est, uno circumsona ponto, Vni hostes, uno sociique ligamine pacis Evincti, atque una ha?c Arctoi climatis aura, Vna & lingua, atque una fides, Deus unus, & unus Rex, decus atque tui merito pars maxima regni. Quae vero coraitum, quae tanta haec turba tuoru.' Saxonidum praefecti arvis, ipsique vetusta Saxonidum de gente, tuis^ en Scotia, regnis Succedunt, stabilisque tibi quin pacis olivam Prstendunt insigne manu, qua; spicula vibrans Temperies, atq ; avidisja subditaflamraamedullis. Nam Venus, ut blandu inspiret per pectora amore. Nunc Paphou, Idaliumque suum, nunc alta Cy- thera Linquens, nota subit placide spelaea ferarum : Quas actas caecis stimulis tibi, maxime regura, Cogit ovans, raucos renovant dum cornua flatus : Montium & assensu vox ingeminata remugit. Saltibus ecce etiam Fauni, Dryadesque relictis, Virgineisque choris accedit Delia cincta, Delia quae moerens, te nempe absente, tot annos Spreverat arma suis niuiium desueta triuraphis. At comitum e latebris aliie pavitantia turbant Agmina cervorum jacula, convallibus imis Praecipitant aliae, celeri juga summa volatu Contendunt superare aliae : siraul emicat ardens Venator, cursuque leves pra^vertitur Euros: Nee prius absistit quam sixus arundiue cervus, Quisquis is, in v.icuis moribundus concidat arvis. His ubi finis erat, tandem Rex ontime, lustras Tellurem patriam, quoquo vestigia flectis, 5 P Quoquo 474 ANNALS OP ABERDEEN. l^Appendix. Quoquo oculos, pars nulla tuis non inclyta festis Ostentat raonumenta. Aquilae hie, Romanaque signa Cessere : hie Dano de ingenti erecta trophaea: Vltiina & in cineres collapsa hie gloria Pictis : Brittonum at inde plaga est tristi commissa duello. Vtraque quae capdes mente aversata priores Ingenua pacem unanirai jam pectore spiral. Hanc reges statuisse urbem dicuntur : at ista Nobilitant regutn cineres, manesque sepulchra. Hie rursus cunaeque, Laresque, & chara Penates Numina, quae prims quondam tibi conscia lucis : Hie Postquam firmata virum te fecerit aetas Exeruit tua se virtus, verique laboris Fortuna, usque adeo totum celebrata per orbem. Sic oculos rex pasce, urget breve labilis aevi Curriculum, serosque seni quae lubricat annos Canities : nisi fors primos lolaus ad annos Vt rediit dubia tectis lanugine malis. Hoc cacli tractu, puro hoc natalis & haustu Aeris, addat idem lunonia muneris Hebe, Et plenis renovata fluant tibi stamina fusls. Sicque utinam eveniat memor ista volubilis aetas ! Qua tame ; haec tanquam nunqua hinc cernenda per asvu, Du licet, hauri oculis avidis. Vt pompa deoru Invitat ! Neptunus equos, classesque, viriles Mars animos, segetesque Ceres, Nymphaeq; sa- lubres Dant fontes, altis & flumina montibus orta, Sive Caledoniis decurrant finibus, aucta Grampius haec cano seu vertice fundat, lit oras Lambat Abredoniae, quippe addictissima regi Ista suo, & reliquas supra officiosa sorores, IIIeb usque officiis celebres licet omnibus omnes. A'^in' flores ? rident horti hine, hinc prata, corollas Dum calathis sua dona legunt nectuntque Napaese. Quin ipsa invitat caeli indulgentia, amice Cunctaque conspirant elementa, tepentibus auris Laxant arva sinus, atque omnis ubique resedit Flatus, ut aequoreis placide se attemperet undis. Tum natalitiam veluti si laeta novarent Fata tibi lucem (livor depaverit atris Se licet in tenebris) totas delubra per urbes IVol. ii. p. 557.3 Latitiam, plaususque patrum, populique secundos More novo ingeminant, dum sidera voce lacessunt. Cum teneris pueri, matresque, nurisque, puellis- Edocturi inter mensas vestigia quondam Cqu-, Non strepitu rivi, non fluraina munnuregaudem. Quiu etiam fama est, Nymplias sub rupe jacentes Non vitreo undarum notos sub marmore lusus Fingere, vel saturare hylia sua pense colore, Sed desideriu lento tabescere j & usque Te veniente die, te decedente vocare. Pastum aversati cervi, dameque fugaces Lueem aversate Solis, procul in dmnetis Vitam egramque inopemque trahunt : licet immc- mor artis Delia tela, tot & comites, seque abdat in antris. Nam neque jam cordi comites, neque tela, recessus Te nemorum linqiiente sacros, & amoena vireta. Quin ne ipsum luctus exsors celum. ecce repente Scotorum jam adversus equos So! jungit ab oris, Conditus in nubeni & Libye devexus in Austros, Sol comes inde tui accessus, comes inde recursus. Sic obstricta tibi est celestia cernere signa. Queque urbes nuper lete nova carmina regi Presenti cecinere tibi plausuque trementes Indulsere choris, epulis & ubique paratis Regifico luxu, sociorum assuescere niensis Queisque voluptati socios, queis numina testes Affectus (qualis tandem genitore reducto Distinuere diu quem trans maris equora venti Pertentat natorum animos, parvosqae ncpotcs) Nunc vice (ut hand unqua constant sibi gaudia) Et tecum, ereptis Musis se solvere luctu Qversa Heu nequent. Talis tanti est pr.iBsentia Regis. Hactenus: & lachrymis in moesta cadentibus ora. Cetera non potuit. Subit hinc Aglaja serena Frontc magis niveas atque interfusa papillas Gratia letitiam lachrymis immiscet amaris. 3 P 2 Hec 476 ANNALS OF ABERDEEN. {^Appendix. Haec aute : Hunc urbes presserunt corde dolorej Scotia quotquot habet, non has sibi conscia virtus^ Non foEcunda virum tellus, non atria ciiltii Splendida regali flectunt. Tu quippe Caracenis (Vnde tuis fluxit numeris non publica vena), Duin comitatus abis, rex maxime, pangere carmen Heu raeritiim nequeunt, memoresque expendere grates, Quas tibi, quasque chore procerum, comitiumque Qtuornm, Angligenisque tuis satrapis, tua Scotia debet. Luget Edinburgum hoc regni caput, hoc Taodunu Celigenum donum Sterlinum, Glascua, Fanum Andraeae, Aonidum columen, sophieque palestra : At tam supra alias Abredonia moesta sorores. Ilia tuum quam supra alias persensit amorem. Quem si non jactet, jaceat jam ingloria, & omiii I'arta tot hospitii officiis laus concidat sevo. Nam Ptolemei etsi Devana Abredonia seclo Dicta olim (Dea Deva velut) se mille per annos, Quingentosque stetisse probarit, mille per annos Quingentosq ; taraen majora hand munera nacta est. Hujus enim ille alter tu conditor : utque Camillus Romae, sic nostrae renovas fundamina sedis Prima, tuo summo tibi suffragante Senatu. Nee satis hoc, istised dum preludisaraori, lUustres hue missi Equites sic se ore ferentes^ Vt qui non ullis veterum virtute secundi. Scilicet his placuit bona sic concordia (nostra Limina urbis), nostris adscript! ut civibus omen F irment, jam leges fatorum poscere gentera, Vtraque ut auspiciis gens his coalescat in unam. Namque ut nos hilares solida inter gaudia nocstes Egerimus, testes vestro hoc clamore secundo Qu£p fremuere viae, Bon-Accord, Abredonia testis Testes tot choreee Bacchi inter pocula laeta». Macte animi Solomon alter : quam prodis amore Tu lectos mittendo equites Aquilonis ad eras, Tam vim judicii, & mentis regalis honores Accuraulando istis, quos tractus nubium in altos Evehit incoctum generoso pectus honesto. Hec Aglaja : preces superaddit tertia, curru lam fugiente : dies namque inclinabat Iberi Gurgitis ad metas ; oculis tamen ilia sequuta (Dum licuit) currum, cupide faventia menti Longius assueto cernebant lumina, vota haec Dum geminat, teuditque manus cum voce supinas : Vos arva, atque metus mihi conscia fiumina, regi Si qua secunda meo, vestros sic usque colonos Sospitet alma Ceres, undasque recludere dulces Sic aveant dulce, nitidoac argenteus ore Fons saliat, vivus scatebrisque perennibus auctus Finibus incolumem hunc Tamesiiiis reddite regni Delicias triplicis : quibus an quid magis ab area Sol videt etherea ? gremio vel Dedala tellus Concipit, Oceani refluis qua cingitur undis .'' Vosque Em'i cohibete animos, irasque minaces, Turbida ne valeant effundera nubila vires : Sibilet aura tamen lavior, qua regis ad aures Mollius ista ferat : Regis tenet Anglia corpus Quin animumq ; sed usque animi hujus Scotia pars Dixerat : aurige torto insonuera flagello : ^fit. Luminis interea frenis per aperta solutis ^quora preecipitans aciem jam effugerat axis. [Vol ii. p. 566-3 END OF VOLUME FIRST. CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS, BY THE AUTHOE. Page 2, line 10, aj}er Buclianness, add or perhaps rather 6, Note, line 7, for this had, read These operations had 7, line 2^, far cannot with any degree of certainty be ascertained, read we find it extremely difficult to ascertain 8j Note, line 7, /or Malieul, rearf Maleuil 9j Note, line 2, ybr quietes, read quietos 9j Note — The two charters granted by William the Lion to the burgesses, in the year 1196, are both of the same date and tenor, and witnessed by the same personages as we have already noticed ; but they differ a little in some of the words, and in the mode of con- tracting them. A copy of one of those has been annexed as a note to page 9 ; the other has been engraved, and fronts tliat page. The following is a complete copy of it, with« out contractions :— WiLLiELMUs Dei gratia Rex Scottorum Episcopis Abbitibus Comitibus Baronibus Justiciariis Vicecomitibus Prepositis Ministris et omnibus probis hominibus totius terre sue clericis et laicis sa- lutem sciant presentes et futuri me in perpetuum quietos clammasse burgenses meos de Aberdon 'a tolneio de propriis catallis suis per totum Regnum meum pro bono servicio quod idem burgenses mei mihi fecerint Et ideo volo ut nuUmn per Regnum meum dent tolneium de propriis catallis suis et firmiter precipio ut ubicunque in Regno meo venerint perpetuo a tolneio qtiieti sint de pro- priis catallis suis Quare prohibeo firmiter nequis in Regno meo eos injuste vexare presumpmat in exigendo ab eis de propriis catallis eorum tolneium super meam plenariam forisfacturam. Testibus Ricardo Episcopo Moravie Comite Dunecano Justiciario Gillechristo Comite de Mar Willielmo et Waltero Capellanis meis Philippo de Valoniis Alano filio RoUandi Constabulario Willielmo de Haia Willielmo GifFard Unifrede de Berkeley Henrico Reuel Thoma Thancart Yvone de Veteri ponte Waltero filio Sibaldi Apud Aberdon xxviii die Augusti. Page 9, add to Note, line 23, Walter, the son of Sybald This JValterus flius St/baldi is often mentioned, as a witness, in the charters of that period, as well as his father Sybaldus, who, in the 129th folio of the register of the priory of St. An- drew's, penes Mr. Maule, is styled Dominus Sybaldus Miles de Meornis. They are both also frequently named in the cartulary of the abbey of Arbroath, particularly in the foundation charter by WiUiam the Lion, where, among other donations to that Abbey, is noticed, '• Et terram illam de Munetlien (hodie Mondynes) quam Philippus de Malevill et Eva Sponsa sua eis dederunt, et quam Wallcnts flius Syhaldi dedit predicto Philippo in raaritagium cum prae- dicta Eva filia sua." From this period, the Sibbalds of Kair continued to be among the greatest 478 CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. gi-eatest landed proprietors in Mearns until about the end of the seventeenth century, and are HOW represented by Stuart of' Iitchbrcck, directly and lineally descended of them. We have been favoured with this information by Professor John Stuart of Mai'ischal College, who is now the only surviving descendant of this ancient family. Page 17, Note, line 10th, /or 40,000, read 14,000 To the last Note of page 1 7th, add, The castle seems to have been of some importance in the be- ginning of the reign of Alexander III. In the Chamberlain's accounts of Scotland, for the year 1264, we find that Andrew de Garuiach, sheriff of the county, was allowed in his accounts the following articles : — Item capellano ministranti in capella castri de Abirdene de illo anno v marcas Item de illo anno unam marcam Item magro R. cementario ad operacionem castri xx marcas de quibus respondebit Item in carriagio decem doliorum vini de naui usq^ castrum cum windag x £". Page 20, line 14, after territories, add in the county of Aberdeen 22, ... 7, fl/ier popery, add Such is the effect of custom, that, at the present day, the people, immediately on leaving the church after forenoon's sermon on Sunday, proceed directly to the terrace of the Castlehill, without having any particular object in view. This practice has been in observance for time immemorial 29, line 13, Jbr its accomplishment, read for payment of the stipulated sum 50, line l6,Jor on the throne, read to the throne 51^ ... 27, /)r before, rearf in front of. — Note, at the foot of Ihe same page — It appears from tlie Chamberlain's accounts for the yeaa- 1412, that the governor was allowed for his labours and expense attending this expedition against Donald, L.122 17s. 4d.; for constructing a fort at Inverness, for the utility of the kingdom against Donald, L. 1 5 1 ; and for stones sent to Inverness, victuals, and carriage, L.32 10s. 3d. — Vol. iii. p. 47. Page 52, line 21, /w accomplished, read fulfilled ...... 79, ... 5, /or during this aera, which, 7-carf during this period. These 80, ... 19, for this form of rule, read this mode of conducting the election ^5^ after line 14, add. The lands of Rubislaw, which, by the modern improvements and ex- tension of the town, have become of very great value, were granted to the magistrates, council, and community, by Robert II. by a charter, dated at Kindiocht, or castle of Braemar, 20th of August, 1380. They were afterwards annexed to the borough by a charter from King James VI. dated at Falkland, 17th July, l6l7, and ratified in par- liament, June 28th, 1633; but the property had been feued out to a vassal, in the middle of the sixteenth century, for a trifling feu duty. 87, line 3, for in this aera, read during this period 91, last line of Note, /or lemma, read Ivmiua. 98, line 1, for appropriated for, read appropriated to 101, ... ^5, for In the course of this epoch, read In the course of this period 102, Note, at Heirship moveables. — These are the best of certain moveable goods which be- longed to the ancestor at the time of his death. The heirs of prelates, barons, and trading burgesses, (excluding honorary ones) are entitled, by the act of parliament, 1474, to the succession not only of subjects properly heritable, but to that sort of moveables called heirship. The following list of goods, which were claimed by Alex- ander Fraser, eldest son of Gilbert Fraser, burgess, from Barbara Menzies, his widow, in CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. 479 in a law suit before the baillies, in June, 1553, will afford an ample specimen of the nature of heirship moveables, belonging to a burgess of guild of Aberdeen :— To a signet of gold, value ... a gown of English russet, begarded with broad boards of velvet a new doublet of purple velvet, with teslaittis ■ a Hogtoun coat of fine French cloth > . . a cloak of new Spanish freize . a new black bonnet - > . a pair of hose of French black, lyned with Uffet a linen shirt .... a skin coat of basene leather . a close standing bed of oak ... a pair of curtains of fine new satin » a feather bed, with bolster ... a pair of blankets ^ . . a pair of sheets .... a pair of pillows, sewed with silk a verdor of a bed of Flanders bind ■ a bed matrass .... a meat board, with long seats ... a chair of oak - • . ■ a board cloth of domick, with towells, and 12 servets a salt vat of tin . . . . a gardinet, and bason of brass . . a laver .... a dozen of tin trenchers ... a plat of tin, and dish of tin • ■ . a pot and pan . . . a compter . - . ■ a board cloth of fine Scots worsted . . a meat almory .... a brewing caldron of 1 6' gallons > ■ a brass chandelier .... a silver spoon .... a quart and pint of tin ■ . ■ a chest and press ... a vessel bink .... a spit and rost iron . ■ ■ two raxes of iron ... a brew vat, with kymmone & ale stand & lummis a pair of wool kemmis - ■ ■ ■ a kemming stock - . . . a pair of tongs, and cruik of iron •• ■ a spinning wheel . ■ ■ ■ To L.io 20 12 6 13 4 * 1 3 o 1 4 1 6 13 4, 5 o 5 2 3 1 10 2 1 o i o 3 6 6 4 1 3 1 10 4 2 2 5 15 1 I 6 8 2 3 1 1 1 6 1 10 1 4 1 480 CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. To a pair of cards - - - -L.030 „ an ox • • - - 4 ^Council Register, vol. xsi. p. 418.] All Scottish Monet/. Page 115, line 1, a/?er church, add where a stone in the north wall distinguishes the place of liis interment 117, line 24, ybr Aberdeen, redrf the to'wn 127, line 12, ybr convey, rearf convoy ....:. 151, ... 28, dele office 152, ... 8, Jbr the attainment of, read in obtaining which 166, ... 1, /or dead, read deed • , ... 7,J'ordera, read period l68, ... 1 7, ybr obtain, read procure 173, Note — In 1523, John Pill was tried, and convicted by a jury, for not joining the pro- cession on Candlemas day, with his token and sign of his craft, for abusing the baillie and burgesses of guild, by calling them coffies, and desiring them to take their " salt pork and herbs" in their hands. For this high offence he was sentenced to appear in the church, on Sunday, before the high altar, bare headed and bare foot, with a candle of wax in his hand, as an offering to their patron S' Nicholas, and on his knees to ask forgiveness of the provost and baiUies. — ^Council Register, vol. xi. p. Sgg.'J In the year 1539, the following act of council was passed, on a representation from the lords of Bon-Accord : — 14^/i April, 1539. — Petition of the Lords of Bon-Accord. Curia capitalis ballivoru burgi de Aberdene tenta super monte castri ejusd decimo quarto die mensis Aprilis anno Dni 1539^ per honoles viros Thoma Mezes ppon David Andson Andrea Mezes et Alexrm Ruyfurd ballivos My lord pwest baizes and consall of yis gud towne onto zo'/ my humely menis t schawis we Walter Hay and Thomas Scherar lords of Bon- Accord That quhar zo' my put us in ye said office yis instant zeir albeit we ar no' cbvenient y'for n'eyless we sell God willand do ye best we may to zo' my honor and ye gude townes Quharfor we exhort zo' m/ y' we hef ye auld lowable use lang usit and keipit w' in yis gud towne nor in o' tyme lyk as it has bene in or predecessors tymes That is to say all ye yong able men w' in yis gud towne to c'ovoy us evy Sunday « haly day and uy' neidfuU tymes aboul- zeit as zo' m/ hes devisit « agit men to meit us at ye Crabstane or kirk yard And yai yat cbpeirs no' y' we may poynd yame cofomie to ye auld use or ellis mony of yame will no' obey &c. And als at zo' m/ pleyss ratify * affirme ye saying ze pnyst us ye ty of o' chesing in office That is to say ane of ye first fremen y' be gud at o' chesing y' we heff securite in zo' buks y'of And zo' m/ ansur heiraponn raaist humely we be- sick, &c. The qlk petitionn forsaid ye pwest baizes cosall and coite pnt for ye ty ratifeit approvit % affermit t ordanis ye s;une to be keipit t obsvit in all poynts y'of und ye panis cotenit in ye same to be ouptakin =t poyndit be ye forsaid lords at y^ plesa^ &c. In 1542, CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. 481 In IjlC, Alex. Kayn's wife was convicteil for the heavy slrubkns and wj/spcrsoiiing of tlic abbot and prior of Bon-Accord, and their company, by calling them " common beggnrs and skajfcrs," and saying their " mclli/d was but sma' fur all their culled out hose." What punishment was inflicted does not appear. — [Council Register, vol. xvii. p. iGx'.J Page 177» line ll,yor »ra, rcnrf period 181, ... 22, Jbr sera, rcrtrf period 184, ... 8, Jbr xra, read age 202, ... 16, Jbr that, rcnrf this — line IS, /or this, reafZ that 227, ... 12, o/'/cr majesty, add After remaining in the town for upwards of a week, the king proceeded to Edinburgh, in order to enter upon his administration. Ciiarles made another visit to Aberdeen in the end of the subsequent montli of February, where lie remained for some time. — Dele the paragraph from " office" to " his." 230, ... 1 2, Jor depressed, rearf oppressed 257, ... 2, /)/• incited, read excited 259, Note, _/c»r 250 pounds weight of salmon, read a barrel contains 42 gallons, £ngll:>h measure, and 400 libs, of gross salmon 263, line l\, Jbr mark, rearf remark 271, Note — In the south wall of the church yard a stone is fixed, beai-ing an inscription, which is now rendered ahnost illegible, ^^'e can, however, discover, that it had been placed there in memory of some person who had died of the plague, in the year 1647- Under the inscription is rudely sculptured on the stone a figure bearing some resem- blance to a buboe, or tumor, with an issue in it. This woukl seem to manifest that the disease had commenced with a malignant disorder of this nature upon tiie body. Being highly infectious, like the modem plague of Turkey, it generally brought on debility rapidly, and proved fatal. When the plague infested London, in 16C5, the symptoms were vomiting blood, with fever ; pm-ple, blue, or black spots on the body ; swellings in the groin, arm pits, and behind the ears. 303, line I9, for before him, read previously 336, ... 6, for to form an association, read of forming themselves into an association 358, ... 9, o/Jcr resort, arfd of borrowing money for paying interest for 391, Note — Both ferry boats now belong to the town of Aberdeen 380, line 33, a/?er extremity of, adrf King-street, near 402, ... 1, a/?er accomplishing, arft/ the execution of. 3 Q INDEX. Aberdeen, the ancient Devaiia of the Romans, i , 2. Its etymology, 5. Charters granted to, by King William the Lion, 8, 9. Is pillaged by Esteyn, one of the kings of Norway, 9. Charter to by Alexander II. 11. Ditto by Alexander 111. 12. The town is burnt by accidental fire, ib. An- cient constitution of the borough, 13. Castle of Aberdeen is taken by the English, 17 ; stormed by the citizens, and razed, 90. Grants to the borough by Robert Bruce, 23. The town is burnt by the English, 27. Charters by King David II. ib. Town of, is threatened to be burnt by the Earl of Angus and other Noble Lords, 130. Charter granted to the borough, by the English commissioners of the conunon- wealth, - . - 230 Ahoyne, James, Viscount of, collects a body of loyalists at Aberdeen, 211; is defeated by Mon- trose at the bridge of Dee, - 212 African Company, magistrates hold a share in, 261 Alderman, the ancient name of the chief magistrate, 13 .4/jgw*, the Earl of, - 126,131 Anne, Queen, is proclaimed at Aberdeen, 235 Ardlair, the lands of, granted by Bishop Dunbar to the magistrates, council, and community, for support of the bridge of Dee, 41 6, 4G7 ; are sold to John Leslie of Balquhain, - 418 Armour of the citizens, - - 102 Arran, the Earl of. Regent, visits the town, 76 Assessments made on the citizens for various pur- poses, . , - 190, 277 Auch'vtleck , George, of Balmanno, claims the fish- ings on Don, • . 122 B. Bannerman, Thomas, colonel of volunteer?, 336, 458 Baillies, origin of the office of, 14 ; list of, in 1 3th centurj', - . note, ib. Barbour, John, aichdeacon of Aberdeen, 33 Battle of Barra, and at Aberdeen, 20 ; of Harlaw, 49 ; of Corrichie, 118; of Crabestone, 120, 222 ; of Aberdeen, 225 ; of Inverury, in 1745, 301 Bon-aecord, origin of, 21 ; Abbot and Prior of, 90 Borough, disfranchisement of, is attempted by the Earl of Morton, 122. Patrunonial property of, is given off in feu to the burgesses, 145 ; pro* ceedings between tliem and administrators, re- garding the set of, - 150, et seq. Botvl'iHg and golfing, . 256 Brebner, Alexander, of Learnie, elected provost, in 1818, in consequence of a warrant from the Prince Regent in council, - 4,35 Bruce, King Robert, his grants and charters to the borough, 23 ; he visits Aberdeen, 25 King David, a benefactor to the town, 27; relieved from his captivity in England, on pay« ment of a ransom, Aberdeen being one of the boroughs bound for the stipulated siun, 29 Christian and Matilda, - 30, 31 David, &c. - - 288 Burgesses of guild, struggles between, and the administrators of the town, 150, 318, 357, 425 Canal, Aberdeenshire, - 40(J Cant, Mr. Andrew, visits the town, as a promoter of the covenant, I98 ; he is appointed one of the ministers, and his rigorous proceedings against the people, • - 253 3 Q 3 484 INDEX. Castle-street is levelled and inclosed on the south side, - - 5 Chamberlain's Accounts of Scotland, extracts from, 39 Charitable donations by benevolent individuals to the town, under the administration of the council, . - 246 Charles I. approves of the conduct of the citizens in not subscribing the covenant, 3 98 ; his let- ters to the magistrates, 198, 200, 213 ; he ad- dresses them by a letter from Oxford, 217; his interference with the political government of the borough, - - 240 ■ //. returns to Scotland, and repairs to Aberdeen, where he resides for some time, 226; address to him by the magistrates, on his re- storation, . . 230 Cheyne, John, advocate, supports the burgesses in their struggles with the administrators of the town ; he is elected provost, l62 Church music, variance among the people con- cerning the performance of, - 307 ■ ■ session, their rigorous proceedings against the people, - - 177, 252 Clerk, Town, proceedings regarding the office of, 151 Clocks, public, - ' 9Q Coinage at Aberdeen, 28, 37, 87 ; in circulation at Aberdeen in l6th century, - 185 Commerce, progress of, - 32, S9, 87 Common indenture, and decree arbitral thereupon, 150 Contributions by the town to government,- 39, 104, 189 Convention of royal boroughs' proceedings regard- ing the constitution of the borough, 154 ; their award fixing the set, &c. - l63 Corporations of artificers, original institution of, 147 ; commotion among them regarding their privileges, 148 ; their disputes settled by de- cree arbitral on the common indentiu'C, 150; their powers in the council defined by award of the convention of boroughs, l63; their va- riances with tlie bvirgesses with regard to the application to the king for a warrant for a new election, - - 425 Corrcction'hoiisc, is established, - 257 Corrichie, (vide battle) Council, Town, and office-bearers, modes of elec- tions of, 79, 81 ; charter to, from King James VI. for continuing the members during life, 153; election of, for 1818, - 435 Covenant, origin of, - 197 Covenanters, leaders of, repair to Aberdeen, and require the citizens to subscribe the covenant, which they refused, 198. They afterwards ac- cede to it, - - 207 Crabestone, (vide battle) Craig, John, appointed minister of Aberdeen, 115 Cromwell, Oliver, his scheme of an union of Scot- land and England into one commonwealth, agreed to by Aberdeen, - 229 Cross of Aberdeen - - 407 Cruive dyke demolished by the Earl of Mar and his vassals, - . 231 Cruives, the lands of, acquired by the town from Bannerman of Elsick, and annexed to the bo- rough, - - .85 Cumberland, H. R. 11. the Duke of, arrives with the royal army at Aberdeen, 302 ; entertains the citizens with a splendid ball, 303 ; appoints twelve citizens governors of the to'»vn, ib. Custoins and manners of the citizens in early ages, 88, 182, 255 D. Daunei/, Alexander, colonel of volunteers, note, 336 Davidson, Sir Robert, provost, killed at the battle of Harlaw, and his body entombed in St. Ni- cholas' church, - - 51 Debt, public, due to the town at tlie termination of the civil wai-, 247. Debt of the treasury in 1715, 249; m 1817, and proceedings concern- ing, - - 347, et seq. Dee, river, - - 2 bridge, projected by Bishop Elphinston, and completed by Bishop Dunbar, 4l6; rebuilt in 17I8, 419 J funds belonging to, (vide Ardlair) 420 Dcubnrn, ancient course of, - 4 Dcvana, the ancient Aberdeen, supposed to hare been an itinerary station of the Romans, note p. 3. INDEX. 485 Distilkry and brewery at Gilcomston, 388 ■ at bridge of Don, - 423 Don, river, - - 5, 420 bridge, erected by King Robert Bruce, 421 ; donation for the support of, by Sir Alex. Hay, ib. ; funds belonging to, . 423 Drew of the citizens, - 101,183 E. Ednard I. occupies Aberdeen with his army in July 1296, and 1303, - 17, 18 — ^— — //. sends succours for retaking the castle of Aberdeen, - - 22 Election of town council and office-bearers in an- cient times, 79 ; for the year 1 6g6, annulled by the privy council, 246 ; for the year 17 16, warrant for, granted by the king in council to the former magistrates, 288 ; ditto in 1746, 304 — — of magistrates and council for 1817, an- nulled by the second division of the court of session, 371 ; warrant granted for new elec- tion by the king and council to the former magistrates, 429 ; new election completed, 435 English army under General Monk occupy the town, and remain in it for several years, 228. A fine of L. 12, 000, Scottish money, imposed upon the citizens, but remitted by order of ^ General Monk, - - ib. F. Feasting, extravagant, of the citizens, restrained by the magistrates, - 176 Fiars of the county, from l649 to I7OO, 282 ; ditto, from 1705 to 1817, - 462 Finlason, William, colonel of volunteers, note, SS6 Fire, accidental, in the Gallowgate, 29O ; in the Broadgate, - - 291 Fishings, salmon and freedom lands, are given off in feu by the community, - 1 45 •— — of Don, grant of, to Auchinleck of Bal- manno, is revoked by King James 123 Flodden, battle of, - - 64 Forbes, Lord, and other nobles, &c. repair to Aberdeen on the death of King James III. and proceedings of the citizens on that occa- sion, . - 59 Forbes, Lord, liis contest with the community, 66 Forbes, John, of Pitsligo, and confederates, invade the towni, and are repulsed by the citizens, 67 ; theprovost and twenty-threeof these tried before the justiciary court on that account, and ac- quitted, . - 68 Eraser, John, defeats the English at Aberdeen, 20 Eraser, Lord, takes possession of Aberdeen with a body of loyahsts, - . 209 2^««crfl/« expensive, - . 182 G. George III. his coronation celebrated in the town, 30S GUcomston, village of, and improvements, 387 Glenlivat, battle of, - . 129 Gordon, Sir John, beheaded at Aberdeen, 119 ——^ the Duke of, arbiter in a political ques« tion between the administrators of the borough 244 Cowrie's conspiracy, a poem on, is composed, by the rector of the grammar school, by order of the magistrates, - . 134 Gray, WiUiam and Gilbert, provosts, buried with military honours, - . 273 Gregory, David and James, - 269, 270 Gypsies, under George and John Faw, infest the town, but are expelled, - - 72 H. Harbour improvements, variance among the citi- zens regarding the plan of, 330 1 improvements of, during different periods, - 390 Harlatv, battle of, - - 51 Hay, Sir Alexander, his donation for the support of the bridge of Don, - 42 1 Heriot, Adam, first protestant minister, 114 Huntly, the Earl of, bond of man-rent granted to, by the magistrates and community, 55 ; te- quires the citizens to join him at the Cabrach, which they decline, - - 57 — — • appointed provost of Aberdeen, 74 ——— defeated at Corrichie, and proceedings against his lordship's family, - II6 486' INDEX. Huntli/, donations to, by the magistrates and coun- cil, - - - 132 I the Marquis of, is advanced to the dignity by King James VI. 1 32 ; his lordship's recep- tion by the citizens, . - ibid. ■ , is seized by the Earl of Montrose, and carried prisoner to Edinburgh, 208; he makes preparations for commencing hos- tilities against the covenanters, 219 j carries off the provost and two baillies prisoners, ibid. ; in- vades the town, and imposes severe conditions on the inhabitants, ibid. ; evacuates it, 220 ; defeats the covenanters under Colonel Mont- gomery, and allows Aberdeen to be plundered by his army, 225 ; falls a victim to the severity of the covenanters, - - ibid. ■' abandons the cause of the rebels in the year 1715, - - 287 I. Improvements of the town, 37!) ; ditto of the county, - - 467 Iniies, John, is fined, disfranchised, and imprison- ed, for opposing assessments, and for offering indignity to the magistrates, - 251 Irvine, Sir Alexander, of Drum, is killed at the battle of Harlaw, - 51 ■ ' his son, is appointed by the citizens governor of Aberdeen, - 53 J. James I. a bond for the ransom of, is granted to England, by Aberdeen, and three other royal boroughs, - - 52 //. visits the town, 54 ; his queen presented with 1 00 merks by the community, ibid. — ///. a bond granted to, by the magistrates, for the delivery of 1 lasts of salmon, 59 ; Lord Forbes and others apply to the citizens with regard to punisiiing the traitors who had been the cause of his death, - ibid. — — IT', visits the town, 6 1 ; his marriage with the Princess Margaret of England, attended by the provost and other citizens, 63 ; the queen visits the town, ibid. ; the king killed at the battle of Flodden, . -64 James V. visits the town, and grants a remission to the community, 0'5 ; addresses a letter to the magistrates, approving of their opposing landed men or barons, • - 70 ■ VL visits the town, \ 25, 1 28 ; mamed to Anne of Denmark, 126; part of his queen's dowry lent to the town, 1 27 ; a ship fitted out .by Aberdeen, for conveying them home, ibid. ; his decree arbitral on reference by the burgesses and administrators of the town, I61 ; he is cal« led to the throne of England, \3\ ; returns to Scotland, 136; his servants and attendants re« pair to Aberdeen, ibid. ; a poem on liis return to Scotland, by David Wedderburn, rector of the gi-ammar school, - - 471 /'//. proclaimed at Aberdeen, 232 ; his in- terference with the political government of the borough, - - 245 Jameson, George, painter, - 267 K. Kidnapping, traffic of, - S*)^ King/torn, the Earl of, appointed governor of Aberdeen, by the Earl of Montrose, 205 King-street made out. 380 L. Language of Aberdeen in the 1 4th century, 35 Leper-house, grant of fuel to, by cliarter from King James VI. - - I66 Leprosy among the inhabitants, - ibid. Lennox, the Duke of, visits the town, as lord lieutenant of the north, . 130 Levant, galley, of Amsterdam, wrecked on the sands of Belhelvie, - - 261 Leys, Thomas, provost of Aberdeen, introduces in a head court overtures regarding new streets, 348; Colonel of volunteers, - 460 London, first charter to, by William the Con- queror, - -7 Lonhhip, purchasing, origin of, and municipal law against, - - 86 M. Manners and customs of the citizens, 88, 1 82, 255 Manufactures, indications of, 184; progress of, 257, 260 INDEX. 487 Mar, tlie Earl of, and his vassals, demolish the Cruive dyke, 231 ; heads the rebellion in 1715, 2S3 Marches of the town, - 381 Marischal, the Eail, governor of Aberdeen, col- lects a body of men to oppose the loyalists, 208 Marriages, births, and burials, tables of, 188, 2*9 Marshal, John, attempts to propagate the doc- trines of reformation of religion, but is restrain- ed by the magistrates, - J 10 Mary, Queen, dowager, visits the town, 77 Mary, Queen, arrives in the town, and is pre- sented by the magistrates with 2000 merks, 115 Menzies, Alexander, provost, and other citizens, attend the solemnization of the marriage of King James IV. - 63 ■^— Andrew, provost, one of the judges of the supreme civil court at Aberdeen, 55 ' David, one of the hostages for the ran- som of King James I. - 52 ■- 1 Gilbert, is nominated principal town clerk, . - 151 ^— ^— Gilbert, provost, his four sons, and other citizens, are tried before the high court of jus- ticiary, at Linlithgow, for assaulting and wounding Forbes, younger of Brux ; and ac- quitted, - - note, 69 ■ 11 Gilbert, of Pitfoddels, is removed from the town council, in 1638, by reason of his being a baron, and representative in parliament for the county, • - 242 ■ Patrick, baillie, is delegated by the ci- tizens to repair to Edinburgh, to explain to the Eegent Morton their interference in the con- tests betwixt the Gordons and Forbesses, 120 ^— — Paul, of Kinmundy, provost, attends the coronation of King Charles I. and is knighted 138 ■ Thomas, provost, comptroller to the queen, - - 77 ■ is delegated, along with Da\'id Mar, baillie, to repair to Edinburgh, to treat and conclude regarding Queen Mary's mar- riage with the Dauphin of France, ■ 139 Menzies, Thomas, of Dum is nominated principal town clerk by the council, and the appoint- ment confirmed by the community, 151 ■ is appointed commissioner from the town council to the convention of boroughs, in the political struggles with the burgesses, 156 repairs to the court of Eng- land, and presents a valuable pearl to King James VI. and is knighted, - 137 Middleburgh, Staple of, Scottish merchants esta- blished at, - .33 Mills, Town's public, given off in feu, 151; re- deemed from the vassal, in consideration of 5000 merks paid by the town, 166 ; history of, 409 Minstrels, Town's public, - 98 Mint established at Aberdeen, - 10, 28 Miracle plays or mysteries, - - 89 Miscellaneous occurrences, - 78, 1 39, 237 Monasteries of the friars demolished by the re- formers, - - 113 Monro, General, liis army oppresses the town, and pillages the county, - 21 6 Montrose, the Earl of, takes possession of tlie town with the army of the covenanters, 205 ; marches to Inverury, ibid. ; breaks up his encampment there, and returns to Aberdeen, 206 ; imposes a contribution of 100,000 merks on the citi- zens, 207 ; sends four of the citizens as com- missioners to the tables at Edinburgh, ibid. ; a fine of 40,000 merks imposed [upon them, ibid. ; he marches to the south, with the Mar- quis of Huntly as a prisoner, 208 ; returns to Aberdeen, encamps in the Links, and imposes a contribution of 1 0,000 merks on 'the citizens, 210; marches northward, returns and defeats the army of the Viscount of Aboj-ne at the bridge of Dee, 212 ; imposes a contribution of 7000 merks on the town, - 213 — — — — the Marquis of, advancetl to the dig- nity by King Charles I. ; marches towards Aberdeen, 221 ; defeats the army of the co- venanters under Lord Burleigh, sacks the town, and massacres many of the inhabitants, 222 ; marches from the town, 223 ; takes and plunders Dundee, ibid. ; defeated by 488 INDEX. General Leslie, and afterwards taken by the covenanters and beheaded, one of his quarters being sent to Aberdeen, - 224 Montrose, borough of, warrant granted by the king in council for a poll election, 367 Mortifications for charitable pui-poses, under the administration of the town council, 246 Municipal laws established, 31, 32, 183, 27S N. Nicholas, Saint of the borough, his anniversary day celebrated by the citizens, - g 1 Pageants and plays by the artificers, - Qi Parliament of Great Britain, Provost John Gordon is elected commissioner to, by the Aberdeen dis- trict of boroughs, - - 236 — — — of Scotland, Aberdeen sends commis- sioners to, - - 29, 84 Patrimony of the borough, ancient rental of, 106 -^— — ^— — — ^— ^— — is given off in feu to the burgesses, - - 144 Pearl presented to King James VI. by Thomas Menzies, provost, - 137 Pinkcy, battle of, 20 citizens killed at, - 75 Plague infests the town, 99 ; carries of I6OO of the inhabitants in the year 1647, - 270 Plays, religious and secular, - 90 Politics of the borough in the year 1588, 153 ; in the year 1752, 306; in 1783, 317; and in 1817, - - 357 Poll election of royal boroughs, warrants granted for, by the king in council, - 367, 431 Population of the town during various periods, SG, 103, 186, 274, 382 Pork, trade of, - - 259 Ports, Gallowgate, Justice, Futtie, Trinity, Ne- therkirkgate, and Upperkirkgate, 377 Pox, Small, introduction of, in the town, I68 Printing, origin and commencement of, in the town, 1 74 ; progress of, and printers of Aber- deen, - - 2C3 Privateers fitted out from Aberdeen during the American war, - - 310 Post-office, origin of, and establishment, 262 Provisions, price of, at different periods, lOC, 280 Punishments inflicted, ISO, 181. Vide miscel- laneous occurrences. Q. Quakers, origin of, in Aberdeen, 254 ; oppressed by the magistrates, . 255 Qua/iers into which the town is divided, 381 R. Rahan, Edward, first printer established in Aber- deen, - - 174 Rebellion in 1715,283; ditto in 1745, and pro- ceedings in the town, - 296 Record Office, - - 409 Reform in the political affairs of the borough. Vide politics of the borough. Reformation of religion, and proceedings in the town at the introduction of, - 109 Religious ceremonies in ancient times, - 97 Rental of the ancient patrimony of the town, IO6 Riot, military, - - 305, 337 Rioting and meal-mobbing, - 257, 309 Roads, turnpike, centering at Aberdeen, 389 ; the extent of the lines, and executing them, 469 Robert II. liis charter of the lands of Rubislaw to the borough, - . 47s Robin Hood and Little John, - 93 Rubislaw, the lands of, annexed to the borough, 478 S. Saint Andrew's college, David Bruce and si.x other students belonging to, driven ashore in an open boat near the Cove, and cared for by the ma- gistrates, - - 288 Salmon, ancient staple commodity, - 15 Salmon fishings of Dee and Don granted in pro- perty by King Robert Bruce to the community, 23 ; given off ill feu to the burgesses, 144 Salt work at Nig, - - 424 Scarcity and dearth in the end of the 17th cen- tury, 272; in the year 1740, 290; in 1 767, 309; in 1782, 311 ; in 1799, - 33Q Seton of Meldrum, his contest with the citizens, 64 Shipping of the port, - - 26l Shipwrecks, - - 342, 344 INDEX. 489 Skips of war fitted out by Aberdeen, 71 ; one fit- ted out to convoy the king and queen from Denmark, - - 127 Spaw, Well of, . - 388 Sloc/ict, forest of, 3 ; granted in property to the community by Robert Bruce, - 23 Stocking manufacture, introduction of, in Aber- deen^ - - 258 Streets, new, proceedings in head courts and town council, regarding, 347 ; Appendix, 437 Stuart of Inchbreck - 478 Suburbs and environs of Aberdeen, - 385 Taixali, original people of Aberdeenshire, 2 Theatrical amusements introduced in Aberdeen, by Lawrence Fletcher and his company, 173 Tower, Alexander, colonel of volunteers, note, p. 336 ; and Appendix, . 460 Town-house and prison, - 403 Treasury, embarrassment of the affairs of, 347 Turnpike roads, - > 389 U. Unioti'Street made out. V. Venereal disease, origin of, in the town, Vespasiana, Roman province of. 379 100 3 r;igJnia-5//fe<, formerly the track of Trinity burn, 4 Volutiteer corps raised in Aberdeen in 1 745, 303 ; in 1756, 308; in 1778, 310; in 1794, 334. Vide Appendix, - . 459 W. Wallace, Sir William, attacks the castle of Aber- deen, 18; he is taken and betrayed to tile En- glish, beheaded at London, and one of his limbs sent to the town, . 19 War, civil, commencement of, at Aberdeen, 203 ; new war breaks out, 217 ; company of foot sent by the town to the army in England, 2 1 8 War with France occasions considerable losses of ships belonging to the town, - 308 W'c«y)o«5/iaw of the citizens, - 101 Wedderburn, David, rector of the grammar school, by order of the magistrates composes a poem on the return of King James VL to Scotland, 91, 136, 471 Wells and streets, &c. commissioners of, 411 William the Lion, his charters to the citizens, 8, 9 ; his residence in tlie town, 10; he erects a palace in the east end of the Green, which he bestows on the monks of tlie Holy Trinity, ibid. ; establislies an exchequer in the south end of the Castlegate, - - ibid. William and Mary, address to, on their ascending the throne of Britain, • 234 The Charter to front page 9. Aberdeen: Printed by D. Chalmers & Co. Adelphi Court, ^ o UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form L9-100m-9,'52(A3105)444 OA Kennedy - 390 Annals of Aber- A 2K33 deen v.l ^JDA 390 A2K38 v.l 'f^ SrXfT>€»( REGO**, JBRAP' F*£l.,Tt D 000 452 711 'i •';.nu,''.iii.wmttt ;.)^m