CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY DATE DUE PniNTEDINU.S A. HD6462.S75"a3'"'"'*'"""-"'"^ ^''^iiifi'i'jPia a""''''y book. olin 3 1924 030 086 734 Overs EXTRACTS VROM THE RECORDS OF THE MERCHANT GUILD OF STIRLING. A.D. 1592-1816. Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030086734 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE MERCHANT GUILD OF STIRLING. A.D. 1592-1846. Edited by W. B. COOK AND DAVID B. MORRIS. STIRLING: PRINTED FOR THE GLASGOW STIRLINGSHIRE AND SONS OF THE ROCK SOCIETY, 1916, PREFACE. In 1884 the Town Council of Stirling issued a volume of copies and translations of the Charters and other documents pertaining to the Burgh, and in 1887 and 1889 the Glasgow Stirlingshire and Sons of the Rock Society published two volumes of Extracts from the Records of the Burgh, all three volumes being ably edited by Mr. Robert Renwick, Town Clerk Depute, Glasgow. In the 1889 volume there were included certain Extracts from the Guildry Records, contributed by the late Mr W. B. Cook, Stirling. These proved of so much interest that it was felt that the Guildry Minutes were worthy of separate treatment, without which the published Records of the Burgh would remain incomplete. About fourteen years ago Mr. Cook definitely undertook the preparation of the Guildry volume, which it was his intention to edit and print himself The work proceeded slowly, and at his death in 1912 the task was still unfinished. It was recognised that it would be a pity were all the work which had been done to go for nothing, and after some negotiations with Mr. Donald Cowan, Mr. Cook's executor, whose courtesy and willing helpfulness are here acknowledged, arrangements were made for the completion of the volume and its publication by the Glasgow Stirlingshire and Sons of the Rock Society. The origin of the Stirling Guildry is not definitely known. King Alexander II., on i8th August, 1226, granted a Charter in favour of the Burgh of Stirling, conferring the right to a weekly market and other privileges. The Charter contains this clause : — " We grant also to our said burgesses of Strivelyn that they shall have a merchant guild." The vi. PREFACE. Guildry of Stirling was, however, in existence long prior to that date. The early volumes of the Guildry Minutes have been lost, and the earliest still existing begins on 5th October, 1592, The records are continuous from then till now. This volume consists of extracts from these Minutes. They have been brought down to 1846, when the passing of the Burgh Trading Act deprived the Guildry of their exclusive trading privileges. It seemed appropriate to stop at the point when the Guildry, as it had existed for centuries, ceased to be. The ancient Incorporation is now a mere survival, except as a social organisation, and as a means of spreading the usefulness of John Cowane's benefaction. There has been placed in an Appendix a list of Deans of Guild, carefully compiled from all the available sources. It is hoped also that the full Index will add to the usefulness of the book as a work of reference. It had been intended to include in the volume an Introductory Chapter giving a historical sketch of the Stirling Guildry, a life of John Cowane, and an account of Cowane's Hospital. After Mr. Cook's death his manuscripts were carefully examined, and such as were thought of any value were placed in the Public Library, Stirling, where they have been assorted and catalogued. It was found that there was practically nothing among them referring to the Guildry. It is evident, therefore, that Mr. Cook had not started the writing of his history of the Guildry and life of John Cowane, except for certain papers bearing on these subjects which he had at various times submitted to the Stiriing Natural History and Archaeological Society, and which are published in its Transactions. When, at the request of the Glasgow Stirlingshire and Sons of the Rock Society, I took up the editorship, I went carefully into the sources from which such an Introductory Chapter might be written. I soon PREFACE. vii. discovered that there was such a wealth of material, in great part still unpublished, that it was an impossible task to compress into an Introduction anything like an adequate account of the Guildry and of John Cowane and his great benefaction. I was not free to trespass on the limit of space wisely set by the Society, and so in the meantime the story remains untold, but I hope on an early date to make public the results of my research. DAVID B. MORRIS. Town Clerk's Office, Stirling, 24.th February, 1916. EXTRACTS FROM THE GUILDRY RECORDS. Curia capitalis decani gilde burgi de Striueling, tenia in Pretoria eiusdem quinto die mensis Octobris anno domini^nillesiino quintengesimo nonogesimo secundo, per Walterum Cowan decanum gilde ejusdem pro tempore, et Davidem Forester de Blairlogie, Johannem Sinclare balliuos. — Sectis vocatis, curia affirmata. The same day, be commowine electione, Duncane Patersone is electit, Duncane nominat, and choisin den of gild to bruik and use the office thairof for this den^of°5ld zeir to cum, quha being personale present acceptit ye same, and is suorne more solito. The same day, thair are siklyk nominat and choisin be commowine gim electione the breither eftir specefeiit to be on cownsall for this present counsall. zeire, and has gewin thair ay"s more solito : — Duncan Patersone, den of gild. George Norwell. Walter Cowan. Archibald Alex"-. Robert Alex"". Johne Donoldson. James Schoirt. Johne Scheirar. The xxvij day of October, 1592, in prns of Duncan Patersone, den Drysdaill, of gild foresaid, Antone Bruice, ane of ye bailzeis, and certane ^°j^ "^'^^^ honest nytboi^s of ye gildbreiy"", Comperit James Drysdaill, coirdiner in Alloway, quha being challengit, qa being personalie present and adiugit as ane foirstaller and breckare of ye acts and statuts maid be o"" predecessors anent bying of hyds vithin o^ liberteis, confessit ye contrawension and brecking of ye said acts maid I THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1592. Drysdaill, coirdiners act. Callender, coirdiner act, Auditors to the compts. OfBcera. Malcum Villisone, bulges. Stentaiis of taxation, &c. Anent the visiting of ny*bo" how yai are in y' armo'. yanent, and y""foir become in vill. Thairfoir ye iugis foirsaids ex gratia amerciat him for transgressioun past ; Quha thairefter for keiping of guid ordof in all tymes to cum, fand Wiliame Gillespie, maltman, cawtioner for ten pounds of vnlaw, toties quoties, hes sould mak contra- wension heireftir, bay" ye principall and caW^ being present the principall hes obleist him his guids and geir mowiabill and onemowiabill to relewe his caw"' of ye premiss in all tymes to cum. The same day, Robert Callender, coirdiner, being siklyk challengit for transgression and contrawension of the saids acts, &c., fand Valter Cowan cawtioner to hawe enterit in ane gild court thair to hawe abidding tryall at ye nixt cowrt day, quha being in tyme of cowrt oft-tymes caUit and not compeirand, — The iugis amerciat his caW being pntt efter tryall taine yintill in ane vnlaw of thre pounds monie, as alswa decernit his said caW to find or becum cawtioner for obedience in all tymes yeftir actitat and vnder ye pane of ten pounds toties quoties. 30 Octobef, 1592. The same day, be comowne electioune, thair are nominat and choisin to be auditors to Valter Cowanis compts w' the den of gild, quha has promeist to entir y^lo vithin aucht dayis nixt heirefter. The same day, Eduart Hall and Alex^ Bathok are nominat and choisin officers to the breither for this present zeir, and hes gewin thair aytts niore solito. 20 February, 1592-3. The same day, Malcum Villisone, sone naturall to vmqu^e Johne Villi- sone, is enterit in the libertie of ane gildbrother and suorne more solito. The same day, yair is electit, nominat, and choisin be common electioun for ye reid made of befoir to Peibleis and ye northeland reid now instant, qlk extends to fourescoir ten pounds to ye breithers pairt — that are to say, Androw Cowan, Johne Donoldsone, James Vatsone, Jo^ Downie, and George Spittell ; and to stent yame, Valter Cowan, Normond Blakwod, and Wm. Gillespie. The same day, it is statut that ye den of gild, accompanit with sik as he sail think expedient, sail pass and visit the haill breiy, how they are inarmit and repeirilit in their armoJ-, and to yatt effect hes nominat hx^ Alexf, Jaes Schoirt, Ja^s Vatsone, Jo" Scheirair, and ye clerk to take invento"- yoff con forme to the awld acts betwix and peaxe nixtocum, quha sail the tyme of y visitatioun tak y ay"s conforme to ye auld acts. IS92-3-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 3 12 March, 1 592-3. The same day, Johne Donoldson is amerciat for desobedience quhen Disobedience the den of gild with his officir come to poynd, randerit not the same as *° '^ ® ^^^ becume him, quha grantit ye same that he geiwe not his keyis villinglie. The same day, the breither hes acceptit yis bowk as perteining to Buik 1 s. thame in commowntie, and ordains the den of gild to resaiue 1 s. yfoir. The same day, the maist nomber hes statut that euerie gildbreiy'' keip Act anent ye sondday and thuirsday's prechings in their awin loft, only sik as are aigit I'^^jn""^ c and heiris nocht veill exceptit, and sik as salbe found to contrawein toties ye loft. quoties onforgewin to pey iij s. iiij d. of vnlaw. 29 March, 1593. The auditors of compts onderswbscrywand being electit, nominat, and Walter choisin to heir, see, and considder Valter Cowane's compts preceiding, go^^^a^hard quha tuik the burding vpon him for Andro Cowan for xx s. ; Johne Pater- and admittit. sone, iij lib. ; James Shoirt, xviij lib. iij s. x d. ; and for Andro Lowrie, iij lib., and him selff for vj lib. as his particular compt beiris, and in speciall vairit and debursit be him in edefeing of ye loft in the kirk for ye breiy"", it is funden be yame that y^ rests awing to him de claro thretten punds iiij s. iiij d. — hard, sen, and considderit ye xxij of Marche, 1592, quhilk soum extends to Ivij lib. v s. debursit to that effect. Duncan Paterson, w' my hand, den of gild ; George Norvall, witness ; John Scherar, witness ; William Aysoun, John Donoldsoun, Andro Lowrie, auditors, w' o"^ hands tueching the pen of Jo° Hog, notar publick and gild clerk, at y'' c^ [commands.] J. Hoc. 14 May, 1593. The qlk day, Chrystie Swoird having challengit certane stapill geir in Act anent ane chapmans hands, is amerciate in vnlaw for vithhawlding of the same of gfa^^figfir and not presenting and deliuering the same to the den of gild immediatlie in chapmen's efter his intromission y^with, and y^foir ordanis yat na broy"^ heirefter intromitt with any stapill geir, bot sail present the same to the den of gild or to some speciall honest gildbry, to be adiugit and resawit be ye den of gild under ye paine of vj s. viij d. of vnlaw onforgewin. The same day, ordanis Ro' Alex^, James Schoirt, George Norwell, Armour, to pas with ye den of gild and his clerk to visit the brey^s armo^ ye first conuienient day betwix and Juin nixtocum, conforme to ye auld acts. THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1593- Act maid anent W" Lawsoine. Mndla Liddell, burgess. 3 June, 1593. The quhilk day, anent ane complaint proponit be the den of gild, and that in name and behalf of ye haill breither, agains Wiliame Lawsoine, quha contrair his ayth and lauchfull ordo'' observit amangs o^ predecessor's for reweilling manifestlie the breyis secreits to onefremen spoken and proponit in cowrt, and yfoir efter certane tryall taine yanent the said W™ becum in the breiy^ villes for his odious offence. The breither hawing consideratioune of the said Wiliames negligence, has ordanit him for this present to ask god forgewance, and ye breiy" and hes actitat him selfif that incaice he be found to committ ye lyk heirefter he to tyn his fredome, as alsua decernis the same puneisment to pas agains all vthers that sail committ ye lyk heireftir. The same day, Findlaw Liddell is enterit to the libertie of ane gild- broy^ and producit his hagbit and sword, and hes found cawtion for to hawe ye same redie heirefter, as alsua for his entres siluer for the qlk he is becum in vill Alex'' Bachok, and is suorne more solito. George Williameson att Falkirk. Intrants. Den of gild. \\ July, 1593. The fourtene day off July, 1593, comperit George Williameson quha being challengit ffor bying of hydis quha is amerciat in ane vnlaw of xx s., thairfoir the juge foirsaid hes amerciat him as said is, and the said W"" hes found cation, wiz. James M'Clellane, that howoft he beis found doing or contravening off the actis in tyme cuming yat he sail pay toties quoties tene pund of vnlaw vnforgevin. Undated. The qlk day, the haill breiyf ratifeis and apprewis the act maid' anent ye penultie to be payit be all intrants heirefter to their libertie, hes concludit that nather den of gild nor gild broy"" to have libertie to procure ane suspension agains ye soum of ten pounds contenit in ye act maid yi'upon vnder ye pane of x s. The qlk day, Duncane Patersone is continowit den of gild be ye haill election for the zeir to cum, and is suorne more solito. 8 Octobej, 1593. GuirdWisit . ^^^ ^^^ ^^^' ^^'"^ ^''^ nominat and constitut be ye adwyss of ye breiy to Flanders, in respect that Duncane Patersone, den of gild, is to depart godwilling to his veage to the parts of Flanderis, sua that in his plaice there is constitute 1593] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. J with adwyss foirsaid Ja^s Schoirt, quha is to vse the office of den of gildrie to Dean of his returning. {Note on margin— Res accepted the same being present.— to^Planders* J. Hog.) The same day, thair is ellectit nominat and choisin in officiaris to serve Officeris. yis present zier, Thomas Bathok and Ambrows Bryce more solito. The same day, thair are electitt to be on counsall for this present zeir : Duncan Paterson, den of gild. James Schoirte. Androw Cowane. Walter Neishe. Robert Alex^ Jo^ Donoldson. Valter Cowan. Jo° Scheirare. The same day, the haill towns counsall vnderstanding the ruinent Troublous dangers appeirand and trublis [agrees] that thair be fywe merchands and fywe of the crafts eikit with the counsall for this present zeir, by and attour the compleit nummer foirsaid q^'of the names followis : — George Norwell, James Gairdnar, Ja^^ Watson, Jo" Gaij, George Bruice. 26 October, 1593. The same day, it is statut that na gildbroy depart out of yis burgh to Gild brethren any effaires for ye spaice of four days nixt efter this present, vnder the t^e burgh, paine of ten lib. of vnlaw, to the qlk the haill brey^ consents. 12 December, 1593. The same day, Cristopher Seition hawing gewin in his bill for obteining -A-c'; of ane act of qualification to be enterit to the libertie of ane gildbroy, the Seition. haill breiy hes na vayis consentit to violate the act maid yanent, bott appreuit ye same, and y^foir the said Cristopher is becum in the breiyis vills for ye sowme contenit yintill, and hes found Androw Cowane C2.\i^, and he to releiwe him, vpon ye qlk [ye] breiy^ commandit ye clerk to gif ye testimonial to the counsall. The same day, James Mayne is amerciat w* the breiy"^ in ane vnlaw Trafficking for treffecking with onefremen, and y^foir ordains him to pay ten schillings unfreemen. and incaice he beis funden heirefter to committ the lyk vnder ye panes contenit in the auld acts. 8 January, 1593-4. Quhilk day, ar electit and chosin ffor ye present stent of ye gildbreither Stenters for ffor reparation and building up off ye tolbuy' off ye said burghe to ye the'tolbuy°. sowm off fourscoir punds money, wiz. : — James Schort, Johne Gawie, Johne THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1593-4- Stenters for Scherar, W™ Aysoun, Thomas Watsone, and to stent yame again ar chosin the^tolbuy'. be common election : — George Norwell, James Watson, and Archibald Allane ; and ordanis yis stent to be maid betuix and yis day aucht dayis vnder ye pane of xl s. Act fEor ye balk. Stent for appereting of the tolbuy". Stent to ye princes baptwm. Alex. Mitchell's entrie. Stent for the northland raid. Quhilk day, it is statut be ye den of gild and gildbreither yat quhat- sumever parson or parsonis in tym cuming borrow the wss off yair wey balk to wey irone or wther, geir to pay ffor ilk stane wecht ij d., and to gif and leif ane pleg for redelyuerance of the said balk w* the said ij d., and alss yat ye dene off gild causs mak ane pair of fyne brods acording to ye balk, and yis to be gadirit for uphald of ye said balk and burds : yis act to extend upon vnfremen. 12 February, IS93-4- The qlk day, tha maist number of the breiy"" being convenit for ordour- taking w' the payment of the stent to appoynting the tolbuyth, the haill breiyr present hes promissit to pey thair stent conforme to the roll betuix and the xxty day of Februarie instant, qlk feilzeing the contrauener to pey X s. of vnlaw, the same to be deluierit to Valter Cowan, and bro' to his boyth, quha is appoyntit resauer y^off and m'' of work. I May, 1594. The qlk day, thair is electit nominat and choisin stentaris to stent ye breiyf for twa hundrethe fyftie merks money as for the first termes peyment of the taxation of ane hundreth thousand pounds grantit to the princes baptwm : — George Norvell, W"> Aysoun, Johne Fergisoun zounger, Ar^ Allane, and Robert Alex"" ; and to stent yame Normand Blakud, W'" Gillespie, and George Spittell, and sail convein the third of May at vij hcs vnder ye paine of xl s. of vnlaw. 12 July, IS94- The quhilk day, Alexander Mitchell is enterit and resauit to the libertie of ane gildbroyr as narest and lawchfull air to vumq'e Patrik Mitchell, his fayr, and suorne in more solito, and hes found cau"" for his vyne to the breiy"", James Ayson and he to releiwe him. The qlk day, thair is nominat, electit, and choisin be commoun election stentaris to the northeland reid, James Gardner, Normound Blakwod, Johne Gaij, and Edwart Hall, and to stent thame, James Schoirt and Jo" Donoldson, qlk extent extends to ij<= lib. money, q^off the ane half presentlie to be vpliftit, and ye vy^ half as it salbe suitit. 1 594-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 7 3 October, 1594. The qlk day, it is ordainit that the poynd takin be the den of gild fra Deforcing Marion Murdo<=t for deforcement gewin be hir to Ambrois Bryce, officier, MariM°Mur- that the kairds poyndit q" satisffaction be maid to the breither remaine. ^oa'o^'s, poind. The same day, Duncane Patersone is continowit den of gild for the Election of zeir to cum be commowne election with consent of the haill breiy^, quha gifd. ^"^ ° being present acceptit the same and suorne more solito. And in con- sideration that he is godwilling to depart to his veage, James Schoirt is nominat to supplie his plaice, quha siklyk is suorne. Officer — James Forester. Officer. Duncane Patersone. Rot Alexr. Valter Cowane. James Schoirt. Gild Counsall : Valter Neishe. Jon Donaldsone. Jon Scheirare. George Bruice. Gild counsall. 9 May, 1595- The same day, efter tryall taikin anent ny^boi^^ treffekeris with onfre- Trafficking - men, and speciale with Kx^ Allane and Normand Blackvud treffekeris with unfreemsn. Thomas Forester, it is ordainit that at y returning they be pvneist conforme to ye auld acts at ye sy" of ye den of gild and his counsall. 2 October, 1595. The quhilk day, Duncan Patersone is continowit den of gild for yis Election of present zeir be commoun election. The same day, Johne B urges is chosin officer, and is suorne vtore solito. Officer. The same day, it is ordannit y' ye den of gild sail mak his bygaine Auditors of compts of his intromission, and ar chosin auditors of ye same, Robert ^ompts. Allex^, Andrew Cowan, and Wilyame Aisson, and George Spittale. ( Written in different ink at bottom of page, and afterwards struck out.) The names of yas on counsall — Ro' Alex"", Androw Cowan, Jo" Pater- sone, Jo" Donoldson, Jo" Scheirer, James Gardner, Valter Neishe, Duncan Paterson, den of gild. The qlk day, ye hail breitherin all in ane voice consents to gather Act anent ij d. oklie to be payit be all gild brether or of gildbrothers wyfs, and all peii°e.'^ vy's havand ye libertie of ane gildbrother w'in yis toun, and yis to be gadderit be ye den of gild and his officer for ye first moneth, and sua ye THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1595- Act anent ye oklie pence. Stent for redding Abbey ford and building pier. den of gild to caus tua of his brether quhome he thinks meit to gadder it monethlie ilk tua y" tym about for ye space of thre yeirs, and yis to be imploit for ye redding of ye abbais foird and biging of ane peir. The same day, ye haill gildbrethrein all in ane voice consents y' yair sail be ane voluntar stent gadderit amangs ye haill marchands and yt to be imploit wpon ye redding of ye said abbay foird and bigin of ye said peir. The same day, Cristopher Setton, brother to ye laird of Towche, is admitit to ye libertie of ane gildbrother, and is suorne more solito. 2 July, 1596. The same day, Archibald Allane, sone of vmquhile Johne Allane, baxter, is admitit to the libertie of ane gildbrother, in respect that he is resauit be ye counsall and the brether to be ane ingadderer of the ministers stipend and obeits and adwows of yis toun, and is suorne more solito. The breiy ordains the den of gild to pey to Johne Hog foure pounds for his bygane seruice. ZO July, 1596. Johne Burges xhe same day, Johne Burges is vnlawit in vj s. viijd for making ivill seruice and sua furthe toties quoties. Arch'' Allan's entrie. Johne Hog. Burges warding. For ward breaking. Anent gildbrether conveining to courts. 2 August, 1596. The same day, the dene of gild, with consent of ye gildbrey, vnder- standing yat Johne Burges being commitit in ward, brak ye same, thairfoir wes ordainit to be put in sure firmance w'in yis toun, thair to remain for ye space of xxiiij hoi's, and to pay xiij s. iiijd., befoir his owt- cuming for this fait and the preceiding fait. The same day, it is concludit be ye den of gild and haill gildbryf, that in caiss any gildbrey^ be commandit and chargit in ward, and gif he refuss ye den of gilds command or breck ward w*out his licence, that the controuenar sail tyne his fredom ipso facto. The same day, it is concludit be ye den of gild and his brether that in respect of the evile conveining of ye brether to yair courts, they all in ane voice hes ordainit that in tymes cuming they quha ar on the counsall of ye toun gildbrey sail sett and juge ye haill rest of effairis betuix merchant and merchant, and sevin of ye counsall being gildbrey^ with the den ot gild to have yis powar conforme to ye auld acts, and how they decerne the rest gildbreyi' to stand yto content. 1596.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 9 The same day, ye dene of gild and haill gildbreyi' in ane voce has Blakwood— ordanit y' Thomas Forester sail presentlie randir yis day ane subscriuit compt and compt ... to Normand Blakwood, and siclyck sail randir him his reknyng. haill free mo^ conforme to his compt and reknyng betuix and Saturday at even nixt, vnder ye pane of xx lib. vnlaw. And gif he detene ye said mo^ ane vy"^ vlk, he to pay to ye said Normand vy xx lib., and sua fur' xx lib. ilk vlk yt he detenes ye said mo« in current money of france to be deliuerit ather in yis toun or Ley', as the den of gild thinks good. The same day, ye haill breyi" present hes ordanit yat ye den of gild Peir and w' ye sevin gildbrey"^ quha ar on counsall and juges to ye gildbrey*' efifairis ""^ '^' sail choiss stentaris to stent ye haill gildbrey^ for ane hundreth p^s to ye peir and redding of ye furdis to be put in ye box. And nane of ye sex to be stentaris nor zit the den of gild. The same day thair are choisin to the effect forsaid conforme to the Stentaris for act :— Jo" Gaij, James and W^ Aysones, Jo" M'Clellane, Alex"" Bathok, ye*^furds°* and George Norvell, and ye den of gild w' his counsall to stent ye said stentaris. 24 August, 1596. The same day, the den of gild and his counsall having resonit throuchlie Anent anent the entriess of burges aires to ye libertie quha of auld ver acustomat ^^^^'^ zxx^%. to mak ye bankeit, this counsall hes concluidit that ilk persone entrand, as alsua that hes entrit, sail pay xl s. or the bankeit to be applyit to the common veile of our estait. 28 August, 1596. The same day, the den of gild is amerciat in ane vnlaw of ane quart Pine for of vyne, and Johne Hog in ane peynt for veiring of bonatts in iudgment to bonattf vit, Scotts bonatts, and ordanis the lyk puneisment to all vys heirefter. I October, 1596. The quhilk day, Johne Donaldson is electit nominat and choisin be Den of gild, commoun electioun den of gild for this p"' zeir, and is suorne more solito. Nomina Consilii : Johne Donaldson, den of gild. Walter Neische. Council. Duncan Paterson. Jn° Scheirer. Ro' Alexi". W™. Aysson. Andrew Cowan. Johne Patersowne. 10 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1596. Clerk. James Vallace enterit. The qlk daj', Johne Hog is creat clerk for this zeir and suorne more solito, and hawe fourtie schillings of [fie] qlk the haill breiy^ hes consentit to. 21 December, 1596. The same day, James Vallace is enterit and resauit to ye libertie of ane gildbreiyf as narest air to vmqhile Johne Vallace, his father, providing alwayis that incaice that he produce ane sufficient testimoniall that his tua breither are not departit, betuix and the vij of September nixtocum, in that caice ye said James obleiss him to pey to the gildbreiy^ the soume yat ane onefreeman payis for his libertie, for the qlk Ro' Alex'' is becum cautioner, and ye said James obleiss him and his aires to relieue him, and hes peyit xl s. as ane burges air, and is suorne more solito. II May, 1597. For to stent jj^e qlk day, the gildbrethren nominat the den of gild, George Spittill, stentarls. Duncane Patersone, and John Scherar, to be stentaris to stent yame quha stentit for ane hundret punds to ye calsay. 26 July, 1597. The same day, Normond Bruice, spows to Jonet Norwell, ane of ye dochters and airis of vmqie John Norwell o^ broy, is receiwit suorne and admittit to the libertie of ane gildbroyf as ane y' hes mariet ane ny^boi^s dochter, and sail pey fyftie shillings. Pledge, Valter Cowan. Defaming the den. Election of den of gild. 23 August, lt,g7. The qlk day efter yat Thomas Forester being adiugit for defaming of Duncan Paterson, den of gild for the tyme, is convict in calling him ane nastie dessauer, conform to the decreit past yupon, and yfoir ye den of gild and haill breiy, for guid ordour in tymes cuming, statutes and ordanis that quhatsumever gildbrother heirefter sail dispersone ane magistrat, ay>" den of gild or balzie, sail pey twentie pounds money of vnlaw, and yat unforgiuen but contradiction, and referis the bill quhairuntill ye said Thomas is convict to the session of ye kirk, and in speciall the said Thomas is to pey the said vnlaw ioties quoties. 29 September, 1597. The same day, Valter Cowan is electit, nominat, and choisin den cf gild be commoun electioun wt the voices of the greatest number of the breither vithout discripance, and is suorne more solito. 1 597-3 EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. ii Nomina Consilii : Walter Cowan. Robert Alex"". Counsall. John Donoldsone. Andrew Cowan. George Norwell. Jo" Scherar. W™ Aysson. Normound Blakwood. Undated. The same day, eftir resoluit resoning anent the entrie of airis to y Anent ye predecessoris fredom in ye Hbertie of ane gildbroy'', hawing consideration burges airis that the interants of befoir in all aigis vor accustomed to pey ane bankeit 8^^"^ fynes. to ye breither as ane gild fyne with y'' vax ; and seeing yat bankeits are of greit importance, the breiy"^ hes condescendit all in ane voice [that airis] sail pey fyve punds to ye breiy, or ells mak the bankeit at the option of the den of gild for ye tyme, and [ye] breiy suspendand all oys acts maid in the contrair heirof, and ratifies yir presents all in ane voice hinc inde. 7 February, 1598-9. Qlk day, the breiy"" w' ane consent ar electit stentirs for ye taxation King's stent. presentlie imposit be ye kings ma'i^ for reiking furth of imbassadors, extending to ye merchands pairt y''of to \f iij"" xj lib. xv s. : — Georg Norvell, W"" Aysson, Tho^s Yong, Johne Gawie, Alex"" Bathok, Tho^s Watson ; stentirs to yir sax, Georg Spittell, Ja^^ Aysson, and Alex^ Lowrie, and were all suorne and aditt, and sail conwein y^anent w* all diligenc, 6 March, 1 598-9. The quhilk day, Andrew Henderson having marit ane gildbroy''s Henderson , , .^ .,,.,. r -11. J - enterit dochter is resauit to the hbertie of ane gildbroy, and is suorne more burges and solito, and sail pey v lib. Pledge, W™ Aysson. g^^ Hude, notar, Androw Cowane, w' my hand. Johne Gawie, w' my hand. Johne Bourges, w' my hand. Johne Scherar, w' my hand. Hary Murray, w* my hand. George Archibald, w' my hand. James Wallace, w' my hand. Archibald Alshunder, w' my hand. J. Hog, notar. [Then follow a number of initials and marks, tracings of which are given in the Introduction.] 1 This word scored out in original. IS99-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 13 2 October, 1599. Quhilk day, h.x^ Alshunder resauit deane of gild for yis pnt. zeir, and Election of vves sworne conforme to ye ordor. deane. The same day, the personis efterwitten ar electit and chosin to be Counsall. vpon counsall for this pnt. zeir ; they ar to say : Ard Alexf, deane of gild. Walter Cowane. Johne Donaldsone. Johne Gawie. George Norvell. Duncan Paterson. W™ Aissoun. Ar Edname, his father, and siclyk, that he sail use na vther tred nor craft vnder the pane of tinsell of his fredome and is content gif he contravene voluntarlie to tyne the same, and W"^ Edname bailze, obleissis him to relieue the said Ar burgess, brethrem yat incais ony person or i personis mtrant desyris ye libertie Stentaris, Gild cownsell. For the minister. Robert Seytoun. Mr. Robert Murray. George Norwall. Ard Allane, elder ' 5 stands for " Sworn." i6os.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 23 and fredome of ane burges and gild of yis bur' in ony tym cuming, sail pay ay of yame fourtie punds to ye gild brethrein, and ilk fremannis barnes, ye eldest son being exceptit, twenty merks ay of yame. It is ordanit yat ye haill gild brethrein sail pay yair stentis qlk Stents. yaj suld pay to ye pair, extending y pairt of fyve hundrethe merks, conforme to ye stent roll, within fyftein dayis heireftir, under ye pain of XX s. quha sail failzie in payment making yof within ye said space. 13 May, 1605. Johne Scherar and James Wallace unlawit in ane unlaw of iij lib. Scherar and for ye iniurius words spokin be ay of yame to vy in presence of the den of gild and gild brethrein. 25 June, 1605. The qlk day, the haill breither all in ane voice voluntarlie consentit For support that there sould be payit furth of the comone purs, for support of the ny'bours of Arthe visitit with the present plaig, ane hunderyit merks of the first and reddiest of all their intromissions with ony their geir. 27 June, 1605. The qlk day, anent ane decreit obtenit be Duncane Patersone, den Act agains of gild, aganis Arthour Houstone, merchant, ane of the gild breither, for HousToune. contemning the said den of gild and injuring him in ane fensit court, for the qlk, be the provost bailzeis and counsall, the said Arthour was ordanit to remane in ward ay and qi' the said den of gild was satisfeit. Compeirit the said Arthour in presence of the den of gild and haill brethrein, and grantit and confessit, in presence of the said haill brethrein, that he had offendit the said den of gild in his greit misbehaviour and langage vterit be him to the said den of gild, and maist humblie askit and cravit of the said den of gild and brethrein, and maist humblie de- syring all gild breither not to comit the lyk, nor disobey the den of gild nor any vther thair magistrats. And als the said Arthour voluntarlie, with his awin consent, become actit bund and obleist in navayis to comit the lyk offence, nor ony vayis disobey the den of gild, present nor to cum, nor na vther magistrate berand the office of den of gild, under the pane of fowrtie punds to be payit toties quoties to the said Duncane Patersone, den of gild, to be imployit be the said Duncane to ony comone ado of the gild breither and thair estait as he sail think 24 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1605. Mr. Patrik Symsone. Agains James Kobeson. Anent ye wechts and elnwands. Den of gild counsell. Clerk Officer. The burgh mills. Robert Arskine enterit. expedient, and the said ordinance navayis to be dischargit in na tyme heirefter without the said Duncane's consent. Master Patrik Symsone, minister of goddis word within this bur', enterit to the Hbertie of burges and gild gratis. 8 August, 1605. James Robeson, gild brother, ordered to pay xx merks to the den of gild for contempt of the den, "in contrivving with Arthour Howstone's contemp." 26 September, 1605. The samyn day, it is concludit and ordanit be ye den of gild and haill gild brethrein present yat ye haill wechts and elnwands pertening to ye haill merchands and gild brethrein of ye said bur' be zeirlie sichtit and tryit in tym cuming, and incais there be ony fault funden yairby that ilk person yat salbe funden culpibill of ye same pay toties quoties V lib., and incais ye den of gild omit ye tryall of ye same zeirlie sail pay X lib. 3 October, 1605. Nomina Consilii : Duncan Patersone, den of gild. Valter Cowane. Ard Alshunder. George Norvell. Mr. Ro' Murray. ]o^^ Russell. Ro' Seitoun. Artho"" Howston. Extra ordiner cownsell : James Schort. Johnne Donaldsone. James Wallace, clerk ; Robert Robesone, officer. 2 December, 1605. The haill breither all in ane voce concludis and thinks expedient and giffis power that the den of gild and the merchant cownsell sail ressone and daill concerning the talking off the millnis with the rest of the cownsell. Robert Arskine, seruitor to the Earl of Argyle, enterit and resauit to the Hbertie of burges and gild, quha has maid his ay', and sail pay yi^foir xl libs. — Jo"^ Russell cautioner. i6o6.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 25 1 April, 1606. Qlk day, Duncan Patersone, deane of gild, maid compt and re- Den of gild's knyng of his intromissioun w' ye comone guid of his office of ye zeir °™^ ^" of god, jaj vj<=, four and six hundry' fyft zeirs. It is fund be ye auditors ye den of gild to be superexpendit of ye said twa zeirs ye sowm of ten punds ten shillings. 7 April, 1606. Compeared Marion Russell, spouse to John Watson at the brigend ^sains of Leithe, being "trappit for selling of stabill varis within the libertie of Russell and the burgh of Stirling, in prejudice of the gild and bretherene yof," and g^^°°n j promising not to do the like again, finds John Russell cautioner for ten cautioner. pounds " usual money of Northe Britaine." 14 July, 1606. It is aggreit be the den of gild and haill breither that according to Sohoir. the cours of the stent roll, thair salbe ane gild brother daylie to wait on at the schoir for viseing the vork men, and y' ewrie gild brother being varnit to contraveine sail pay for his dayis absence x s. onforgiven. 2 October, 1606. Duncane Paterson continued den of gild. Den o£ gild. Johnne Cunnynghame, bailze, be advyss of the haill breitherene, for '^^^ plague. guid seruice done in tyme of the seiknes of the plaig, admittit and re- sauit to the libertie of burges and gild. Andrew Killbullie, sumtyme allacay to his majestic, for his guid seruice siclyk in tyme foresaid, admittit and resauit to the said libertie off burges and gild. 26 January, 1607. The same day, the den of gild and gild breither, being convenit, rati- Acts feis all actis maid be the den of gild and gild breither from the xviij of "^"^ ' July, 1606. Names of Cownsell 1607 zeirs : Duncane Patersone, den of gild. Christopher Alshunder. himself ^"^ Walter Cowane. Ar^ Allane. George Norvell. Allexf Allane. Mr. Ro' Murray, commissiar. Edvard Hall. 26 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1607. King's taxation. John Kilbullie enterit. Brewing. For defraing the clengzeirs. Agains Arthur Howstone. Allex' Schort, prenteis to James Schort bailze. Gild cownsell. 10 March, 1607. Stentaris appointed for stenting the haill breithren for the King's taxatioun of the first termes payment of twa hunderyit and fyfteine marks. 13 Apfil, 1607. The qlk day, John Kilbullie, eldest sone and air of vm'e Andro Kilbullie, is enterit to the libertie of burges and gild, as air of his father. Edward Hall, cautioner, to satisfie the gild brither as ane gild brether sone. The haill gild breither agreis that thair be aucht d. tane up ouklie of ilk breving that salbe brevn within this bur'. 2 June, 1607. Stent of twa thousand merks to be resit upon the haill inhabitants within the burgh for defraing the charge and expensis of the clenzeirs, and of the thesurars super expensis, said stent to be resit of the haill in- habitants notwithstanding of the auld custome betuix merchant and crafts- man, to the qlk custome this present act sail mak navayis derogatioun. Arthur Howstone, being persewit be the den of gild for disobedience and brelking arreistment, be the decreit and determinatioun of the haill breider, convickis the said Arthur in disobedience and brelking arreistment, and yfoir amerciatis him in fowrtie punds vnlaw according his former act. 28 July, 1607. The quhlk day, compeirit personallie Allex"" Schort, sone to W"! Schort, baxter, quha, of his awin proper confessioun, bund and obleist him lolallie and trewlie to serve James Schort, bailze, as ane prenteis, and that for the space of thre zeirs to cum efter his entrie, qlk was at Whit- sunday in anno vj^ and sewin zeirs, and siclyk he bund and obleist to behave him self honestlie in his lyf and conversatioun as betuix ane prenteis and servand to his maister, and to the haill estait of merchands within this towne, and sail keip and defend thair liberties according to thair ordour, and has maid his fay' that he sail abyd ane trew servand. 2 October, 1607. Names of Cownsell : Duncan Patersone, den of gild. Ro' Seitoun. Walter Cowane. James Schort. George Norvell. Allex^ Bauchok. Mr. Ro' Murray. James Robesone. i6;c?.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 27 The haill breithrein of gild agreis and consenttis that the den of Mmisteris gild pay to the minister aucht bollis meill of the crop and zeir of god 24 January, 1608. in :r a jaj sY and sevin zeirs. Last day of February, 1608. The qlk day, Niniane Halden, sone to umq" Mr. Richard Halden, Niniaue is ressauit and admittit to the Hbertie and fredome of ane gild burges gUdbrother. of this burgh, and that gratis at the request and desyr of Mr. Patrik Deposed , , . , . aoaine be ye Symson, minister, and the rest of the ministers quha wer laitlie wairdit counsell. in the castell, and the said Niniane maid faith as use is, and actit him self not to exerce the said Hbertie within the said castell, under the pane of fourtie punds toties quoties. Stentmasters appointed for the second term's payment of the " grit Stent- taxatioun,'' and of the taxation " grantit for the help of Dumbartane." 14 March, 1 608. One hundred pounds borrowed for payment of the King's stent. King's stent. 21 March, 1608. James Schort pat in the box ane licht crovne qlk he resauit fra Light money. Ard Allex"-. 30 March, 1608. Tames Wallace ordained to crave pardon of the den of gild for say- Against ing he would " misken " him. Wallace. 29 September, 1608. Names of Counsell : Den of gild counsell. James Schort, den of gild. James Robesone. Duncan Patersone. Valter Cowane. George Norvell. R°' Erskine. Allexi^ Bauchok. K^^ Allane, auld thesavrer. 10 October, 1608. The haill breither of gild aggreis that the minister be payit of the For the meill betuix and Mertimes according to the accustomit forme befoir. ^^^^ ®'' 24 October, 1608. gild breither, seei thame all that thair brother, Donald Vre, is depauperat be brelking of The den of gild and gild breither, seeing it is notourlie known to For ° .... -Donald Ure. THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1608. Act aiient the keiping of the gild court. Stent to the Illis. Clerk relieved of stent. Den of gild counsel!. his bouthe be limmers and theivis, yfoir thay ordane him to haue of thair reddiest money twentie punds money. 16 January, 1609. The qlk day, it is statut and ordanit be ye den of gild and haiil gild breither that quhatsomever gild brother being warnit to the gild court being absent immediatlie efter the hour he beis warnit to the court being fensit, sail pay for his disobedience fwa schillings toties quoties. As lykvayis q'somevir gild broder beis warnit to buriall and convoye yof, they ar ordanit till convoye the den of gild and accumpane him. 6 March, 1609. The qlk day, George Norvell, Allex'' Patersone, Jo^^^ Johnnesone, and Jo"« Stewart was electit stentars for stenting the breitherin for the sowme of ane hunderyit merkis for the proclamatioun to the Illis, and ye stentars maid y ay'. To stent the stentars, Allex'' Bauchok, Edvard Hall. 19 May, 1609. Qlk day, ye den of gild and gild breither ffor ye gritt pains and trauells done be Ja^^ Wallace, notar, y^ dark, and to be done in his office be keeping y courts and wy yair commound adois, dischargis ye said James in all tym cuming of ye payment of ony stent bot of his awin guid will. 2 October, 1609. Names of Cownsell Duncan Patersone, den of gild. George Norvell. Ai-d Allane. Ard Allane. James Robesone. Jo°e Johnnesone. Andro Sandis. Allex"- Allane. 7 December, 1609. Stentars elected to stent the brethren for the sum of " for the last termes payment of ane hunderyit thowsand merks as king's stent." 27 February, 1610. v The qlk day, James Michell in Bandyi is ressauit and enterit to gildbrother. ye Hbertie of ane burges and gild brother of this burghe at ye requeist Stent. James Michell, i6io.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 29 of ye laird of Polmais, quha maid faithe more solito, and actit him self to stent and beir burding according to his traffick. 27 September, 16 10. The qlk day, the den of gild and his breither convenit for the Consent of tyme with advyse and consent of James Schort, provost, and Walter submit with Cowane, bailze, at the ernist requeist and desyre of ane Ryt nobill and *'^^ craftes. potent lord, Jo"^, erle of mar, lord erskine and garieoche, faj^^fellie promittis that gif it sail haj^pen the contraversie betuix the merchands and the craftes of this bur* anent the gild ry* acclamit be the said craftis to pertene to thame, not to reseve and tak ane finall and amik- abill decisioun amangis thame selfis betuix this and the first day of July nixtocum, that in that caiss the said den of gild and his present breithern and quha salbe present for the tyme sail thane submit thame selfis and all vy^ contraversie betuix thame and the said craftis to the com- missioners of the generall Conventioun of Borrows, quha ar or salbe appoyntit to conveine within this bur' the day of the said moneyt of July nixtocum, and sail stand and abyd be thair deliuerance yanent, but appellatioun or againe calling quhatsumewir. [Signed by all the brethren present] I October, 16 10. The qlk day, the deane of gild and his breither, with awyse of the Act anent the said proueist and baillies, ratifies and approves of the act maid of befoir to settell any upoun the second day of August, jay v'^ fourscoir sextene zeiris, q''by ooucerms it is provydit and ordanit that the gildbreither quha ar on the counsall chand and of the toun sail cognosie and juge vpoun the haill effairs of this gildrie ^'^'"'^ ^"^ ' betuix merchand and merchand, with this additioun, that in respect the nomber of the gildbrether on the counsell of ye toun is now augmentit and maid twelf personis in the haill, qi'as thair wes of befoir allenerlie auchtis merchandis, q''of the deane of gild was ane — that fra this furth thair salbe aucht of ye twelf merchands quha ar on ye counsall of ye toun chosin out zearlie out of ye saymn twelf to be on the gild cownsall with the deane of gild, and they to half the full governament in all the effcris of the gildrie betuix merchand and merchand (except that it sail riot be lesim to thame to impoise any taxation or vther stentis vpoun ye rest of ye gildbrether without thair awn consent had and obtenit yairto), and the saids aucht persones to be chosine zeirlie be the haill 30 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1610. gildbrether, and furder it is provydit that it sail not be lesim to the said deane of gild and his said cownsall to ressave and admit ony gildbrother without consent of the haill gildbrether. Deane of gild counsell. Nomina Consilij Gilda : S. Duncane Patersone, deane of gild. S. George Norwall, merchand. S. Alex'' Allane, merchand. S. Andro Sandis, merchand. S. Johnne Johnnestoun, merchand. 5. Alex"^ Patersone, merchand. 5. Alex"^ Bachope, merchand. 5. Johnne Cunynghame, merchand. S. Andro Baird, merchand. 14 October, 16 to. Dean of Guild's charge for 1609: — iji^xxxv lib. xvi s. viij d. (^235 i6s. 8d.) ; discharge, ij=xxx lib. vj d. (;^230 os. 6d.) ; balance, v lib. xvi s. ij d. {£^ i6s. 2d.). The haill gild breither is content that seeing thair is contraversie and debait betuix thame and the craftismen anent thair libertie, and that the haill gild breither is verray villing to defend the same, that ye soume of twa hunderyit punds money be stentit amangis the gild breither. jone Forsyt, chapman, being accusit for selling vairis within his chalmer of the merkat day, confessit the same, and became in the den of gild's vill of ane vnlaw of ten punds, and ordanis him newir to stand in the gait q" he enter vnder the pane of x lib. toties quoties, and gif he enteris to be fre of the vnlaw. Caution for observing the haill ex- cept the merkat day, Thomas Tovche. W"! Carrenothe, chapman, unlawed three punds for "selling waris within this bur' of the merkat day," and selling " forbidden varis " in the country. 9 November, 16 10. Set of the The custome of ye peir and schoir of ye burgh of Stirling, with ye thfpSrand anker siluer, set to William Norie, merchand, for ye sowm of fyftie schoir. punds moy for ye space of ane zeir to cum — caution yfoir, Johnn Adamson, notar. The stent aggreit be the glM breitlier. Aganis Forsy'. Aganis W'" Carrenothe. i6ii.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 31 19 July, 161 1. The qlk day, AUex"" Schort, quha vas sumtyme servand to Ja^s Aganis Schort, provest, being convenit befoir the said den of gild, bailze, and his cownsell, for vsing misbehavior to the said den of gild agains Male Nitting, spous of Allex"^ Towche, gild brother vyf, in calling of hir creichour lowne, with menzie vther injureis vnderstandit to the said den of gild and his cownsell, y''foir the said Allex'' misbehavior in presence of the said den of gild dischargis the said Allex'' in tyme cuming of all benefeit of gildrie q" he be enterit of new. 8 October, 161 1. Nomina Consilij Gilda: Dan of gild counsel!. Johnne Johnnesone. Allex"' Patersone. Allexf Bauchok. A>^d Allane. I November, 161 1. Qlk day, Rot. Robesone, merchand, confessit that he had injurit Aganis Eo' and sklanderit Johnne Johnnesone, ane of the gild counsell, and vas un- lawit yfoir and obleist him not to commit the lyk vnder ye paine of XX libs. 10 November, 161 1. Johnne Gavie, sone to umq^^ Jo"^ Gavie, gildbrother, entered to the Johnne Gavie liberty of burges and gild. 23 December, 161 1. The qlk day, the den of gild and his breitherin being convenit for Cambus- bying of the milne of Cambusbarron, the haill gild breither, all in ane voce, consenttis and aggreis that thair salbe ane generall stent amangis the merchands for bying of the same, provyding that the deaconis and craftis sail do the lyk. 5. Duncan Patersone, den of gild. S. s. George Norvell. S. Christopher Alshunder. S. s. AUexr Allane. S. s. Andro Sandis. 13 April, 16 1 2 lersonallie Andi bur', [and] confessit that he had bocht yarne and prysit the same, and Cowan'e. The qlk day, comperit personallie Androw Cowane, burges w'in this Aganis 32 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1612. lykwayis blewit sume skynnes, and yfore wsit the Hbertie of gild, and obleist him to abstene fra all tred of merchandice in tyme cuming under the pane of fowrtie punds toties quoties. 25 May, 1612. James Forsyt Thg qj]^ (j^y^ James Forsyt, gildbrother, being accusit for disobey- ing his den of gild and his officer, was fund giltie in the said disobed- ience in refusing to gif ane pund, and siclyk efter he had been chargit to vaird siclyk refusit, and efter ane waird being brokin upon siclyk disobeyit and on navayis vald acknowlage the den of gild bot past to the bailzeis, thinking be thame to have gotten reliue, quha thairefter chargit him to vaird, and thairfoir the said James greit contempt, he is amerciat in sex punds vnlaw, and to remane in waird xlviij ho''= in fast vaird, and in cace gif he do the lyk in tyme cuming he sail foirfalt his fredome. 19 September, 161 2. Eo' Wilson. Robert Wilson, deacon of the hammermen at the west port, obliges himself not to buy any hides in Stirling market without license of the den of gild. 9 November, 161 2. Names of the Gild Cownsell : John Scherar, den of gild. Allexf Allane. Andro Jaffrie. Den of gild counsell. James Schort Walter Cowane. Johnne Johnnesone James Robesone. W"^ Scherar. Jone Gawie. Act for It is ordanit be the den of gild and his breither that the haill gild the^preiching breither sail keip the owk dayis preching, and sail not hald thair bouthe wpoun the duris opin efter the third bell, vnder the pane of vj s. viii d. unforgevin oulk dayis. ■■ i j j & • 19 April, 161 3. Duncane Duncane Patersone enterit and resauit to the libertie of burges and enterit. gild, and hes maid fay' conforme to the ordur, and sail pay fourtie punds with the provision gif he marie ane gild brother's vyf or gild brother's dochter he sail pay onlie twentie punds money. i6i3.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 33 The den of gild and gild breathreine finds Johnne Robesone not Johnne sufficientlie qualefied as to be gild, and thairfoir for seruice to be done ^0^1^* to the den of gild and his breither resauis to the said libertie of burges and gild gratis, quha hes maid fay*. The den of gild and his counsell gyffs to To"™ Crawfurd, gild broyr ^°^ Jo'^n * ■ r T n„» T^ ij 11 • • ,-1 'Craufurd. ye entrie of Jon"e Donaldsone, zounger, qlk is vj libs. [Marginal Note]. — This 6 lb. was gevin to Johnne Crafuird, a gild brother layand bedfast, att ye desyr of ye gildbreither. 4 June, 161 3. The qlk day, anent the petition gevin be Duncane Millar, baxter, Craftismen deacone convener of the craftis of the said bur', and George Drummond, trade with decone of the skynners, for thame selfis and in name of the remanent '""ares, craftismen of the said bur* cravand libertie to by sell and tredd with the vairis following, that is to say, freiskelt Yokerschere clayt, carsayis all sortes of schring clayt, oyle, saipe, butter, iryne, fruit, feggis, reisings, ploumedames, vinager, fische, lynning, harden plaiding, cloiking clay', with all vy'^ sort of scottis varis, the den of gild and his breither being veil! and ryplie advysit, all in ane voce declaris that they can navayis grant libertie to the said craftismen to by sell or tredd with onie of the said varis that ar stabill varis and belongis to the said gildrie, nather yet ar the said craftesmen onie vayis capitabill of the libertie of gildrie to by tredd or sell onie of the said stapill vairis in respect of the act of parliament qlk expresly prohibeitis all craftismen within bur' to exerce or use onie tredd of merchandice except they renunce thair craft, qlk gif the said craftesmen vill do they salbe be admittit to the said gildrie sic- lyk as onie vther merchant within this bur' is admittit yto conforme to the ancient custome of this bur' past memorie of man qlk nevir permittit nor sufferit as yet onie craftisman to vse or tredd with ony sort of mer- chandice except that first he renunce his craft and enter him self be the den of gild and his breither yto as said is and sua extract. lohne Scherar and Jo"^ Cowane is electit comissioners to compeir at Commis- . sionGrSi Dunbar upon the gild expenssis for the debait of the gildries libertie. 28 June, 1613. The qlk day, the haill gildbreither, with advyse and consent of the Gildrie provest and bai4zeis present, ordains Jo°«^ Scherar our den of gild, accom- 34 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1613. paneit with Jo"« Cowane, merchant, to pas to the generall Convention of Borrowis quha ar to conveine at the bur' of Dunbar the saxt day of Julij nixtocum, to gif anser to that heid of the missiue concerning the supplicatioun gevin in be George Drummond, deacone of the skynners, at the conventioun of Arbrothak last in zeir of god 1612, and thair be goddis grace in the name of the haill gildbreither merchantts of this bur* to mentine and defend the auncient and lowabill vse and custome of this bur' fredome and previlagies of the merchand gildrie y^of allowit and warrandit be the lawis of the cuntrie and actis of parliament q^in the merchand gildrie of this bur' hes ewir beine in vse prattik and posses- sioun without onie lauchful interruption be craftismen past memorie of man, and to gif in ressonis be information to the honorabill and vys comissioners of the borrowis at the said convention quhas visdome and prudencie we houp will plais vyslie to considder off the ancient qualitie and estait of our said gildrie quha willinglie wilbe laithe to melle ywith with our awin consentis : and this testificatioun we will and ordanis our dark of the said gildrie to gif owt and subscryve at our commands, to the qlk the haill gildbreither in ane voce gififis thair full consent. 26 July, 1613. ^'^o". The same day, Tho^^ Craigingelt of that ilk enterit as burges and gild and to the libertie y>'of and hes maid fay' and sail gif the banket or sax punds as he pleiss. 5 August, 1 61 3. Aganis Andro Andro Baird was vnlawit in xx s. for absence fra the gild court Baird. being lawlie varnit at the instance of Johnne Downie. 24 August, 161 3. Aganis James The qlk day, comperit Jo"e Scherar, den of gild, anent the complent gewin in be him agains James Wallace, merchand, qlk was ordurlie tryit before the provest bailzeis and cownsell, and it was fundin that the said James had done greit vrang to the said Jo^^ Scherar, den of gild, in putting violent hand on him, quha was ordanit be the haill cownsell to mak fit amends and satisfactioun as the provest bailzeis and cownsell sould think guid, and therfoir the provest and bailzeis and gildbreither ordanis James Vallace humblie to ask the said ]o^^ Scherar, den of gild, forgevanis and the haill gildbreither and promisit nevir to do the lyk i6i3.j EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 35 againe, and gif he do or comit the lyk againe or be fund disobedient to his den of gild sail tyne his fredome. 6 September, 161 3. The qlk day, it was ordanit be the den of gild and gildbreither that Eyding of at the ryding of the faire of Stirling, the first faire, that the haill gild ^''^ ''^''■®' breither ilk faire sail ryd xx, and that thair salbe taine fur' of the haill gild breither for that effect xl, and quha rydis the ane zeir sail not ryd the vyr. Anent the complent gewin in be Allexr Stewinsone q^ David Stewin- Stewinsone sone for the sowme of ten merks for the kyndnes of vmqle James Vres stewinsone. bou', bay' the parteis present, Allex^ Stevinsone referrit to Dauid Stevin- sone's ayt gif he satisfeit for the kyndnes of the bouyt and Dauid Stevin- sone being suorne deponit that Allex"' Stevinsone was satisfeit and y^foir absoluit yfoir. 5 October, 161 3. • Nomina Cons Johnne Scherar, den of gild. ilij: W™ Mureheid. Gild cownsell. James Schort. Jo°s Jo"«sone. Walter Cowane. Dauid Stevinsone. George Norvell. Thomas Bauchok. James Robesone. 29 November, 161 3. rhe qlk day, it was statut and ordanit be the den of gild with con- For creating sent of the haill breither of gild that ilk gild brother that hes not seruit i^g gf t]^ ' as officer preceiding W"" Manes sail serue officer as his admissioun is q' officer. estait that ewir he be that tredds with merchandice, and gif he be chosin wpon cownsell or he serue as officer he sail pay fowrtie schillings to fie ane gild officer zeirlie. The same day, the haill gildbreither statut that na gild brother in Aganis gild- q'sumewir estait gentill or sempill he be that be admittit to the libertie gJatis.^"^ of gild gratis bot salbe resauit onlie during thair lyftyme, secludand all thair posteritie fra the libertie efter thair predecessors deceis. 6 December, 161 3. Item, sett to W™ Norie ye half of ye schoir mele pertenyng to ye Schoir male. gildbreither of ye zeir of god 1614 for ye sowme of xxxvj lib. ix s. 4 d. 36 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1614. Gild counsell. 26 September, 1614. Gild Cownsell : Jo"e Scherar, den of gild. James Schort. 5". Jo"^ Johnnestone. 5". James Robesone. 5. Dauid Stewinsone. 5. W"" Scherar. 5. Jone Stewart. 5. JoDo Modde'i. Andro Baird. W" Mentliey enterit. Den of Gild and Jo"» Cowane comission. Schoir mele. Gild counsell. W°> Burne. 24 April, 1615. The qlk day, W™ Mentheit, chapman at the burn of Cambis, is enterit and resauit to the libertie of burges and gild, and sail pay thairfoir fourtie punds, and hes maid fay' more solito with provision that gif he marie ane gild broders dochter betuix and michelmes he sail pay onlie twentie punds. Cautioner, Allexf Bauchok. 26 June, 161 5. The qlk day, the den of gild and haill breither has electit and chosit Jo"e Cowane to pas with the den of gild to Santandrois the fourt of Julij for defence of the gildis libertie wpon their chargis. Item, sett to W"> Norie, ye half of ye schoir mele 161 5 for ye sowme of xxxiij lib. 6s. 8d. Undated. Gild Cownsell : Cristopher Allex"', den of gild. S. Duncane Patersone, provest. Allex'- Allane. S. Jo"« Jo"esone. 5. David Stevinsone. Jo"= Gavie. 5'. Wm Scherar. S. Jone Stewart. .S". Andro Baird. 5. Schoir mele. 26 January, 16 16. The qlk [day] compeirit personellie W^ Burne, burges in ed', and being challangit this last zeir and siclyk now presently for bying of yarne within this bur* fra onfremen in prejudice of the estait of gildrie, compeirit the said W™ and being suorne be his greit ay' deponit that he bocht na yarne within the libertie of the burgh and obleiss him that he sail navayis by nane in tyme cuming within the libertie of gildrie under the pane of ten libs, toties quoties bot fra fremen. Schoir mele for 161 6 set to W™ Norie for xxx lib. i6i6.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 37 19 April, 1 616. The qlk day, the haill breder being convenit as followis, consentit that Towne lands, the towne lands be met and missorit and that the superplus yi"of salbe persevit yfoir. [Rest of minute awanting.] 28 June, 1616. The same day, the haill gildbreither ordanis twentie punds money to Jas. Hall. be given to James Hall, sone to Edward Hall, gildbrother, off the first of the entress for support of him to pas to tred in Danskeine. 3 October, 161 6. Gild Counsell : ^^""^ „ counsell. s. Walter Cowane, den of gild. Andro Sandis. ^. Duncan Patersone. Thoas Bauchok. 5. s. James Robesone. Andro Jaffra. S. s. J one Jonesone. Jone Squyar. s. David Stevinsone. W"^ Mureheid obleiss him to pay to the den of gild xl s. because he W" sould half bene officer and has not seruit. Mureheid. 10 February, 161 y. The qlk day, the den of gild with consent of the haill gildbreither. Act in favors ordanis that Jon^ Vilyeamsone, toune dark, for his panis sustenit in thair willzeam- adois sail half the entrie of the first gild brether frelie. sone. 17 February, 1617. The qlk day, it was aggreit be the den of gild and breitherin that Jo"e Ordinance Jo"esone, Andro Jaffra, with the den of gild, sail sic the gild salt reformit, gji^'salt.'^ qlk sail god willing be preformit with diligence. 4 April, 161 7. The qlk day, it vas statut and ordanit be the den of gild and haill For keiping breither, that all gildbreither sail obserue and keip the preching bay' bcfoir none or eftir none and lykvayis vpon the oulk day as sabbat day under the pane of xl d. ilk absent and that onforgevin ; and it is ordanit that na blew bonnetts blak bonnetts present the kirk nor yet gray cloiks vnder the lyk pane xl d. 24 July, 161 'y. The qlk day, Marione Wre, dochter to Jo"= Wre, merchand burges in Aganis Stirling, being challangit for selling of wyne within the libertie of gild within the fredome of this bur', confessit the same and is vnlawit in ten punds vnlaw. 38 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1617. For the den of gild. Ordinance to Jo°» Jo"*sone. Agains standing on the gait and tyleitstandis, Gild counsell. 4 August, 1617. The qlk day, the haill breither of gild allowis to the den of gild the borroving of fyftie punds money to advancement of the banket to his majesteis servands. The den of gild ordanis Jo"e Jo^^sone to mell and intromet with the haill impost for the nixt zeir to cum that vas payit to the comissioners for gowing to Londone for the bulk of ratis of all guddis bay' out and in as they var vount. 20 August, 161 7. The qlk day, Valter Cowane, den of gild, with consent of the gild breither ratifeis and approuis ane act and ordinance maid anent the standing wpon the gait of gild breither and anent the tyleit standis and anent the punisment y^foir. The den of gild and gild breither authoreis the act anent the standing on the gait and tyleit stands in all poynts maid be Valter Cowane, present den of gild, of the dait the aught of August jam V^ fourscoir and twelf and ordanis the same to be obseruit in all tyme cuming. 29 September, 16 17. Gild Cownsell : Walter Cowane, den of gild. S. Duncan Patersone. S. James Robesone. 6". David Stevinsone. Jo»e Gavie. S. S. Christopher Allexander. George Norvell. Allex"- Bauchok. W™ Scherar. M'Fattoun gildbrother. Gildbrether to attend divine service. 30 December, 1617. Andro M'Fattoun, seruitor to my lord of Mar, admitted gratis at the rcqueist and desyre of the said erle, my lord of Fentoun, and my lord Erskene. 14 July, 1618. Ordanis the haill gildbreither to convene within thair awin laftis wpon sabbot day, preching day, and day of exerce in tyme of diuine seruice vndir the pain of xl d. and that they be in the laft bay* forenone and eftirnone. And that na freman being within the towne hald ane oppin bouyt dur in tyme of preching sonday or oulk day vnder the said pane, and quha beis funden drinkand at the preching on the sabbot efter none sail pay vj s. viij d. — or ganging about the feilds. i6i8.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 39 6 October, 1618. Gild Cownsell : Gild cownsell Walter Cowane, den of gild. 5. George Norvell. Duncan Patersone. 5. Allexr Bauchok. 5, James Robesone. 5. Andro Young. 5. Tho^s Bauchok. S. W™ Scherar. 5. David Stevinsone. 19 February, 1619. The following items are appended to the auditor's report on Walter Cowane's accounts : — The half of ye schoir dowty sett to W"" Norie fra Mertinmas 1618 to Schoir Martinmas 1619 — xxi lib. vj s. viij d., with xl s. for ye omnegaddrums pairt °^ ^' of ye schoir siluer. Item, ye schoir dowty fra William Nory fra Mertinmas 161 7 to Martinmas 1618 — 20 lib. Item, ye valx, 1617 — 46s. 8d. ye valx, 161 8 — S6s. 8d. ye valx, 1619 — 56s. 8d, ye valx siluer, 1620 — II February, 1620. The schoir siluer sett to W™ Norie fra Mertinmas, 1619, to Mertinmas, Schoir siluer, 1620 zeirs, ye halfif yof, xv lib. for ye omnegaddrums pairt. No minutes are entered from above date till 14th February, 162 1, when there appears to have been written in the margin in red ink, the following : — " Johne Scherar, Den of Gild, for ye zeir to cum in ye tolbuthe of Stirling," while at the bottom of the page, also in red ink, are the names of " ye gild counsell for yis zeir " as follows : — James Schortt. Alex^ Bachope. Valter Cowane. Andro Sandis. Johne Johnsone. Andro Young. Johne Squayer. Andro Jaffraye. 1% June, 1621. The same day, the den of gild and gildbreither ratifeis ye actis maid For of befoir concerning tayled stands on the merkat days, and heirfoir ordanis ftandkiVon all friemen quha vses to stand on ye gaitt on setterdays merkat yat yai ye calsay. 40 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1621. half na tayld stands fra yis furthe and y' y stands be thrie-quarter hicht only and a litil buird befoir ye stand vnder ye paine of x s. ilk fault toties •orciapmen. ^^^^^-^^^ and likevayis ordanis the chapmen to flit and remove yame selfis affo"" ye gait on ye merkat day be tuelff hours in ye day, vnder ye paine of ane vnlaw and to haiffe na tayled standis. Thomas Bach op chapman admonisecl. Monteithe and Moir vnlawit in 4 lib. iZ June, 1 62 1. Thomas Bachope, hes fund Alex^ Bachope, his father, catioun for him for absteining fra selling of ony sort of stapill wairis in tyme cuming, except he enter burges and gildbrother, vnder ye paine of xx lib. and for keiping of ordur in standing on ye gait. 2i) June, 162 1. Anent ye complent of Nicoll Crawfurd, merchand, contrair Robert Moir and W™ Menteithe, also merchands, y' quhair ye said Nicoll agreing w* ye said W"" and Robert for careage of sum merchand vair of his with yame on lintsottis horss to ane merkat in Monteithe, efter ye vptaking of his said geir on ye horss with thairs and carrie ye same to ye dripcobill, and being yair, in ye said VV'» Menteithe and Robert Moir y defaults caused tak afif ye said Nicol's guids aff ye horss and left ye same behind yame, and compellit }'e said Nicoll to bring it bak againe to ye toun to ye hurt and hinder of ye said Nicoll, contrair to all ordur of guid ny'borhood, ye haill gildbreithcr thinks yis to be ane great fait unsemely and vncheretablie done, for ye quhilk faultt ye breither hes vnlawit the said W'" Menteithe and Robert INIoir ilk ane of yame in xl s. of vnlaw to ye gildbreithers vse, and baithe to remaine in vaird during ye vill of ye den of gild and gildbreither and to ye tyme yai mak satisfactioun to ye said Nicoll at ye syght of ye den of gild and his counsell. 6 August, 162 1. Andro Hagy, Valtcr Stirling, and W™ Donaldsone ordered to leave off the trade of buying and selling wool within the burgh in time coming, " bot sa mikill as y family sail work in y awin houssis under ye paine of con- fiscatioun yof be order of law." Fines for not Alex"^ Schort and Tho^ Jaffray fined for failing to compear before the compearing ^ . 01 at the court, l-OUrt. and failing to enter. James Robesone, bailie, fined xl s. for John Crawfurd, chapman (for whom he was cautioner) failing to enter as burgess and gildbrother. Wool for family work i62i.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 41 20 August, 1 62 1. Alex"" Schort ordained to desist and cease from selling or tapping of Tappingwool wool aff a merkat day, and to keip na oppin buthe yefter, hot only on ye day! ^^^ * calsaye, and weye ye said voll at ye hour on ye mercat day vnder ye paine of xl lbs. money vnforgifine. 27 August, i6?.i. The qlk day, it is ordoured y' ye nixt merkat daye ensevine, qlk is Tairne. settirdaye, y' a proclamatioun be maid at ye mercat cross of yis burghe y' all zairne broght into ye mercat and sauld oppinly or secreitly in tyme cuming bot with ye lang reill, y* is to saye y* it be fyve quarters lang and every cutt y^of to be six-scoir threiddis, vnder ye paine of confiscatioune of ye zairne yt beis funden schortter hespis and ye bayer yof also to be punieshed be vpliffting ane vnlaw, and also ordanis y' na chapman nor na other baye ony zairne in ye shreffdome bot yai also be astricted to bring it into ye mercat of yis burghe for trayell of ye said reill to be according to ye ordinance vnder ye paine of xx lib. ilk fault, and for better attendance in trayell of ye same, ordanis ye den of gild to mak ane reill of irun of fyve quarters brethe, and to be reddy in ye mercat for trayell y'of The same day, comperit Donald Makilroye, chapman, of new againe, Maldlroye quha being apprehendit be a gildbrother for tulzeme furthe of Thomas ^^_ Bachoppis buithe, Robert Henderson, smith, being bayiur of ane pair of cairds for ye said Thomas, sua y' ye said Donald, not content simplie to half and vse the tredd of stapill vairs as he hes beine of befoir accused and convict yfoir, bot also deceatfullie intruses him selfif in ye tred of ye gild- breither not being frie to do ye same, and y'foir convict in a great fault be so doing, and y'Toir vnlawed againe in xl s. of his geir, with ane admoni- tioun to him y' gifife he be fund vsine ye lyk formes he salbe rigorously puneished in exampill of vthers to do ye lyk presumptioun. The schoir dowty for yis zeir 1621 sett to W™ Norie, ye gildbreithers Schoir , . ^^ ..... , -■ o dowty. pairt heirorfe is x lib. xvj d. Item, ye anvlrent of 200 merks in Harye Balffuir his hands vpone Annualrent, obligation, Mr William Levingstone of Easter Greineyairds his cautioner for ye Mertinmes terme 1620 and Vitsonday terme 162 1, viij lib. vj s. 8d. Item, resauit fra ye chapmen for yair valx for ye 1621 zeiris, Chapmen's iij lib. xiiij s. viij d. 42 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1621. James Cousone enterit. Gild counsell. Johne Squyar. Allex"" Bachok. Andro Young. Johne Maclum. James Wallace. Allex' Schort enterit. Gild Counsell. 26 September, 162 1. The quhilk day, James Cousone, servitor to Mr Robert Murray, commissar, being receaved and admitted gildbrother gratis, at ye request of Sir Villiame Alexander of Menstrie, and the said Mr Robert, commissar, and gaifife his aithe of fidehty as vse is. I October, 1621. Gild Counsell : Christopher Alexander, den of gild. Duncane Patersone. 6*. S. James Schort. 6'. S. Walter Cowane. 5. 5. James Ro'sone. 4 March, 1622. James Wallace, son to James Wallace, gild brother, receives xxlib. for his support to Danskin. 2 September, 1622. Alexander Short entered for thirty-six pounds, being four pund doune of fourtie punds in respect he was prenteis to James Short. 13 October, 1622. Gild Counsell : Chistopher Alexander, den of gild. James Short. Allexr Allane. Johne Squyar. Andro Zounge. Thomas Bachok. Andro Jaffray. Hewie Niccoll. Johne M'Nair. Act anent skinis. Aitkeins his act XX s 30 October, 1622. It is ordained that na gild broy"" bye skins in houses upon the mercat evin qlk is Fryday at evin, or yet upon the Setterday befoir aucht \\.o^^ in the morning, that the skins be visittit be ye visitor of the gildbrey"^ and skinnars under ye paine of fourtie shillings (toties quoties) and sail not lift thame out of the mercat befoir they be sytit and sene. 27 January, 1623. Hendrie Aitkein, merchand, " for misbehalding words spokin be him of ye haill nybo'^ of Stirling, to wit that he wald tak no gild broy^ nor I623.J EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 43 nybr in Stirling for iiij d." fined xx s. and to remain in ward during the will of the Dean and gild brethren, " and in case it sail happin him to comit the lyk agane he to tyne his libertie and fredome." 24 February, 1623. Archibald Nicoll, for misbehaviour of speech in presence of the Dean Archibald of Gild and Gild Council, decerned to remain in ward " q" the going unlawed in doune of the sone this nyt at sax ho^^ at evin and to pay to the gild box ''xs. the sowme of xx s." 3 July, 1623. Ten marks given to W"^ Hendersone, son and heir of umquhill Andro Gild brother's Hendersone, burgess, to transport him to Danskin. Danskhi. ° lA July, 1623. Andro Gib, skinner, confessit the selling of twa blew bonnats and Selling thairfoir cam in the will of the den of gild, quha ex gratia remittit the same ''o°"ats. fault, for the quilk caus the said Andro obleisst him selfe to abstene in all tyme cuming fra selling of bonnats or ony uy^ sort of stapill wairs that perteins to the merchand estait under the paine of ten punds toties quoties. 20 October, 1623. Gild Cownsell : Allexr Allane, den of gild. 5. 5. James Short. 5. S. Allexr Bachok. 5. 5. Johne Squyar. S. S. Patrick Sword. Thomas Bachok. Andro Zounge. William Muirhead. Hewie Nicoll. Gild cownsell. Johne Gawye chosen clerk. Clerk. I December, 1623. The same day, the den of gild and certaine of ye gildbry"^ of ye Act anent ye said bur' being convenit in court, finding the great abuis usit be sum of the merchand ^^ gildbry for not keiping the preching wpon the sabbothe and oulk dayes, '°f*'.*°'^ as also for keiping of the merchands loft of ye said bur' and thairfoir the dayes. said den of gild with consent of the haill gildbry'^ all in ane voice ordanis that in all tyme cuming fra this furthe ilk merchand keips the merchand seat or loft within the paroche kirk of ye said bur' wpon the sabbothe day and oulk dayis, under the paine of vj s. viij d., and gif y^ be ony merchand buithe evir fund oppin in tyme of preiching wpon the sabbothe day or ayr the oulk dayis sail pay Vj s. viij d., also unforgiven. 44 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1624. Act anent hides and skins. Lawburrows, Johne Cowane den of gild. Clerk and ofBcer. Gild cownsell. Gild handsenzie, pinsall, and box. Sklander. Hides. 3 March, 1624. No gildbrother to sell hides or skins to any stranger or unfreman without first offering them in a gild court, or at the least to the dean of gild and three or four merchant venturers who transport them to other countries under pain of xx lib. 19 July, 1624. No charges of lawburrows to be raised without just and lawful cause of offence which shall first be tried before the dean of gild and his council or the provost and bailies. 8 October, 1624. The samin day, Johne Cowane be ellectioun of the haill gildbrey of yis burghe is resauit den of gild of yis bur* to ye brey'" yi'of and hes maid faythe as wse is. Johne Gawye clerk, Patrick Sword officer. The names of ye Gild Cownsell for yis pn' zeir : 5. James Short. 5. Thomas Bachok. 5. Allexi" Allane. 5. Andro Yowng. 6". Allexr Bachok. 5. William Mwirhead. 5. Johne Squyar. 6'. Hew Niccoll. The same day, ye said Johne Cowane, den of gild, resavit ye hand- senzie and pinsell with ye box and ane key with ane band of ane hun- dret and threscoir punds grantit be Hary Balfovr of Bolfourocht to ye den of gild and gildrie of yis bur* with onie wyr writs and evidents con- cerning ye estait of ye gildrie of yis burghe not heir set doune with ye money bak and gild kist. 6 December, 1624. The samin day, Andrew Thomson, merchand, having sclanderit W"^ Mwirhead mer'i in calling him ane desaver of his mer^s in not malking thair bills rytlie, and succumbit in proving y'of and cam in ye will of ye den of gild for ye said sklander and is unlawed in and ordanit to mak publik satisfactioune to ye partie, and obleiss him that he sail not say ye lyk of ye said W™ in ony tyme cuming under ye paine of fowrtie punds toties quoties and publik mends to ye partie at ye syt of ye den of gild and gildrie. 27 January, 1625. John Maclum offers his set of hides to the gildbrethren for fifty merk the dailker, and James Short offers his set " as they ar " for " threttie punds ye dailker." i62S.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 45 14 February, 1625. The same day, ye gildrie of yis burghe hes ordanit Jo"«= Cowane, Act Jo"' den of gild, to advance ye sowme of nyntene punds to profyit ye so wme advance to ye of xlviij lib. to ye thesaurar with ye twentie nine punds qlk is in Allex"- tl?esaurar xix Allanes hands last den of gild, qlk payis to ye thesaurar fourtie punds for ye weyhous deutie anno 1624, and aucht punds qlk restit of ye fore- said dewtie 1623, and salbe allowit to him in his compts with ye proffat yof. I April, 1625. The samin day, Ro* Broune and Tho^^s Andersone being convenit for Wearing wearring of bonnats at ane spe^n tyme o^ thair factors of Campheir was in yis burghe, wiz. ye said Ro' with ane blak bonat and ye said Them's with ane bleu bonat, the dea of gild and gildbry ordanis ye said Ro' to pay fourtie shillings and Thomas Andersone tuentie shillings. 16 November, 1625, John Cowane continued dean of gild. gild. Gild Council : Gild James Short. Thomas Bachok. S. Allex"^ Allane. ^. Androw Young. Allexr Bachok. S. William Mwirhead. John Squyar. .S. Hew Niccoll. The same day, Walter Cowane is resavit to ye fredome and libertie "falter Cowane of burges and gild of yis burghe as sone and air to wmq'i Walter Cowane entered for gild broy"^ of yis burghe, and sail pay thairfoir ye sowme of ten marks, 4^^^™^° and hes fund AllexJ^ Short cawtioner and hes maid fay* as wse is. 27 March, 1626. The same day, James Hairt having complainit wpon Allexf Allane, Snowballing auld den of gild, for poinding fra him four blew bonats for ye casting of ane snaw ball at wmq'' Walter Cowane, mer^, as was sufficientlie provin be W"^ Mwirhead, Johne Russell, mer^s, for ye qlk fault ye said James Hairt came in ye will of ye den of gild, and ye said Jarnes is content with his awin consent that ye bonats be sauld to ye availls yof to ye wse of ye gildrie and renuncis all farder actione q'sumevir and hes sub' ye same, 26 June, 1626. The auditors report that there is owing by John Cowane and John John Gawie, his clerk, the sum of four-score pounds and fifty shillings besides compts. 46 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1626. the entries of John Nicoll, and eight-score pounds due by Harry Balfour conform to his bond, with eight pounds annuahent from Martinmas 1625 to Whitsunday 1626, and ;^24 remaining over from Duncan Paterson's account, and £1^ 4s. 8d. from the late Walter Cowane's account. I November, 1626. *^il- Allane. S. Robert Broune. S. Walter Cowane. 4 March, 1627. Allex' Allane The same day, ]o'^^ Cowane, den of gild, having to go to Londone for gild. J'e estait of yis kingdome, deputs Allex"^ Allane, last den of gild, to suplie his plaice as den of gild in his absens q'' his returne, q''unto ye haill brethrene consenttit, qi'wpone ye said Allex^ maid fay' to wse and exerce the said office fay'fullie as wse is. The gild The gilds compts shew ;^2i2 due to the gildrie, besides £\6o due by Hary Balfour, and interest from Martinmas 1626, to Whitsunday 1627. 9 May, 1627. John Cowane. John Cowane present at gild court. 28 May, 1627. Muster day. The same day, Allex^ Allane, deput to Johne Cowane, den of gild, is ordanit to carye ye merchands ansenzie wpone ye twelt day of Junij nixtocum, qlk is ye muster day of this burghe. Mr Joseph jj^g samyn day, Mr. Joseph Lowrye, minister of ye said burghe, is enterit gratis, resavit to ye fredome and libertie of burges and gild with ye gildrie of yis brugh, gratis, and hes maid faythe as wse is. II June, 1627. Bailie Bruce Thomas Bruce, baillie, admitted gratis, entered. ' ^ 29 June, 1627. Against The den of gild depute and brethren ordain that John Johnson, Commissioner to the Convention of Burghs, shall acquaint that body that John Mitchell and Gilchrist Makcarvour, chapmen at the Burn of Cambs, abuse and usurp the liberty of merchant trade by keipping y"^ chalmor as i62;.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 47 partners togiy be selling of all sort of stapill guids, as also as forestallers and buyars of all sort of skins, viz. : sik as sheipe skins, wyld skins, hyds, and lambskins. 30 September, 1627. John Cowane continued den of gild. John Cowane den of gild. Names of the Gild Cownsell : Gild cownsell. S. Johne Scherar. S. James Allexr. 5. Allexr Allane. S. Andrew Zoung. S. Andrew Sands. William Mwirhead. 5. Walter Cowane. S. Robert Browne. 14 April, 1628. Malcum Sword admitted on condition that he abstene fra worlking of talcum 1 • c ■ ^ ■ 1 1 • , . . , Swordenterit ye skmnar craft m tyme cummg, and nay'' to keip court nor plamt with for xx libs. yame in ony tyme heirefter under the paine of ye loss of the libertie of gildrie. Undated. Philipe Smythe, ane Inglisseman, indwellar in the cannogait, con- Philipe fesses to selling staple wares. Fine remitted in respect it is his first fault. °™y*''^' 15 July, 1628. John Macklum, a distressed gild brother, allowed ^40 for transporting Macklum. him furth of the country to seek his better fortune. 19 September, 1628. The same day, ye den of gild and gildby"^ being ryplie advysit anent Act Jo"" ye complaint given in be Johne Waddell contra Androw Sands for y' ye Andrew said Androw Sands hes not resavit af his hands nyne quarters skarlet qlk Sands. ye said Androw be his letter directit him to buy at Londone, qlk was as ye said Johne Waddell declairs at 22s. sterling ye yaird, and now ye said Androw reffusing ye said clay' as said is becaus ye same is skalmit be salt watter be ye lek of ye shipe in the hame cuming, not the less ye said den of gild and bry ordains ye said Androw Sands to give unto Johne Waddell viij lib. Scots money. 6 October, 1628. John Cowane continued den of gild. den''of'°ild''^ 48 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1628. GUd counaall. Gild Counsall : John Sherar. 5. James Robesone elder. Andrew Sands. 5. Patrik Sword. James AUex'' 5. Androw Zoung. Robert Browne. S. Thomas Andersone. Disobeying tlie den. Jolm Cowans den of gild. ttild council. 21 September, 1629. The same day, Johne Cowane, den of gild, having complanit wpone John Nicoll, merchand, gildbry of this burghe, for ye said John NicoU his contempt in disobeying ye said den of gilds officear q" he was send for to anser to ane complaint givin in be boitman in Leithe, and at ye secund tyme being send for and having cumit ye said John Nicoll misbehavit himselfe in his carage and behavior, as also in entering in equa- litie and comparisone with the said den of gild, qlk misbehavio"^ and wyi's abovcwritten ye said Johne acknowledgit and repenttit and cam in will of ye gildbryf, and thairfoir is unlauit in ye sowme of tuentie punds money and ordanit to remane in waird during ye will of ye den of gild, and at his removing furth of waird to go to ye plaice q'^ ye offence was comittit and yi' in humbill maner acknowledg his fault and ask ye said John Cowane forgivnes, and ye said Jo"^ Niccoll acts himselfe be yir presents that he sail not do ye lyk againe to ye said den of gild nor na oy^ den of gild nor magistrat within this bur', wnder the paine of fourtie punds in ony tyme cuming, toties quoties. 19 October, 1629. Johne Cowane continued den of gild. Nomina Consilij ; John Sherar. ^. James Ro*sone elder. Androw Sands. S. James Fothringhame. S. Ro' Browne. S. S. S. s. Skins. Den of gild. Patrik Sword. Androw Zoung. James Ro'sone zounger. The qlk day, the merchands buyars of skins and hyds in this burghe accusit for observing of ye former act anent ye buying of skins in prejudice of ye mercat as is befoir set down, they all cleirrit yame selves be y ay' and it is thocht meit be ye den of gild and bry'' for ye better cleirring and observing of ye said act y' no gildbroy wse no kynd of lynying nor bloking of skins in circumventing and prejudice of ye former act 4 October, 1630. David Stewinsone elected den of gild. 1630.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 49 Nomina Consilii . S. Johne Cowane. s. s. Johne Squyar. Allexr Bachok. Uild council, s. Patrik Sword. s. Ro' Browne. 6". Androw Sands. 5. Johne Johnsone. 6". James Allex''. 6 October, 1630. The auditors' report on John Cowane's accounts, after deaHng with the Gildrie ring, finances, goes on to state that John Cowane had delivered to his successor in office, David Stevenson, " the gild box with twa keys, ane gild kist with the auld wreats and evidents perteining to ye said gildrie, with the auld handsenzie and twa pinsells, ane great wey baak and ane irone elwand, and within ye said gild box ane gild ring set with sundrie cullors of stanes, the auld gift of the gildrie, with ane extract of ane gift of wmq" King David wnder ye subscription of wmqii W™ Litstar, with ane great bunshe of wy wreats perteining to ye said gildrie." 4 My, 163 1. The same day, Johne Duncansone complanit wpone Allexf Burne, Sir Ar"" alledging ane partnarshipe of ye guids geir and plenissing of vmqll S'^geir.^" Ar'i Sterling [of] Keir, kny', and ye same being referrit be ye said Johne Duncansone to ye ay' of ye said Allexi^, and ye said Allex'' deponit he bocht nane of y' gear, bot ye same was bocht be Jo"'= Russell, merchand. 26 September, 163 1. Johne Cowane elected den of gild. Jolm Cowane den of j?ild Nomina Consilii: 0^^ i'. Johne Sqwyar. 5. Robert Broune. '=°™'="' S. Andrew Sands. S. James Robesone, zounger. 5. Allexr Bachok. 5. Ro' Zoung. S. Patrik Sword. 6". Thomas Andersone. 19 March, 1632. The qlk day, ye den of gild and gildbrey having conveinit concerning Minister. ye electione of ane minister, the den of gild and brethrein consents that Mr. Hendrye Gwithrie, minister at Gwthrie, be dealt with to cwm heir to this towne to teache and to be hard q^i farder advysment. I October, 1632. J , c ■\A ■^°'^ Cowane Johne Cowane continued den of gild. den of gild. 4 so THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1632. council. Nomina Consilii : S. Johne Johnesone. 6". Patrik Sword. 5. Robert Browne. Jj". Williame Andersone. 5. Andrew Sands. S. Robert Zoung. 5'. James Ro'sone, zowngar. S. Thomas Bachok, zownger. 4 February, 1633. Act of ane The same day, it is condescendit be ye brey"^ of this gildrre y' Johne Cowane, den of gild, as occasione servs sail caws buy ane velvet mortclay' for ye wse of ye gildrie of this burghe. 18 February, 1633. ^or W"» The same day, it is appointed be ye gildrie that ye den of gild sail give to W™ Stewart ye sowme of xx lib. for repairring of his house of ye first and rediest of ye said entress. 2 January, 1634. Death of Ane gild court balding in ye Tolbuit of Sterling, court balding be JohnCowane. ^ , ^ ,^ , ^ ?, , / . , ,?' . , , ^ . Johne hcherar as den of gild directit be ye cownsall to michelmes nix- tocum in respect of ye deathe of vmq^i John Cowane, last den of gild, now haldin in ye tolbuithe of Sterling ye secund day of Janwar, 1634. Suitts callit, court affermit. Auditors : Johne Scherar. James Ro'sone, zowngar. Johne Johnesone. Thomas Bachok, zowngar. The same day, ye saids ffour audito" is appoyntit to go to Allex^ Cowane, broy"" germene to vmq" Jo°« Cowane, with Jo^^ Gawie, thair dark, and to appoynt anoy"" for malking and hearing of ye said vmqU Johnes compts, and to report ye same thairefter. Compts off At Striviling ye xxv day of Februwar, jaj vj<= threttie ffour zeirs, the Cowane,! compts of vmq'i Johne Cowane, den of gild, being now maid be Allex^ Cowane, his brother germene, and ye same being harde sene and con- siderit be Johne Scherar, now as swcceeding in ye vice and plaice of ye said vmqU Johne Cowane, Johne Johnesone, James Robesone, zowngar, and Thomas Bachok, zowngar, merchands burgesses of ye said burghe, awdito^s appointted for hearing and malking of ye same be ye gildrie of ye said burghe, and that of ye said vmq" Johne Cowane his last swit of compts, and of ane hundrethe merks of prin'i sowme vpliftit be him fra Johne Norvell, and of all farder intromissions intromettit with be ye said I634-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. Ji vmq'i Jphne Cowane ether of annalrents or wtherwayis at anye tyme since Compts off his last swit of compts to ye tyme of his deceas, and ye same being Cowane. hard sene and considerit be ye said awdito" as said is, baythe chairge and dischairge, it is fwnd that ye said Johne Cowane was jwstlye addebtted to ye said gildrie of his haill intromissions befor the tyme of his deceas, the sowme of twa hundrethe fifourscoir ane punds sevin shillings four penneis de claw Qlk sowme abouewrittin the said Allex'' Cowane hes now presently payit and delyverit to ye said Johne Scherar to ye behwife of ye said gildrie. Lykas ye said Allex^ Cowane has delyverit to ye said Johne Scherar the gild box pertening to ye said gildrie with thair gild gift and wreats pertening to thame, togiy^ also with ye gild ring cullors and pensalls within ye said box, togiy"" also with an obligatione grantit be ye laird of Carnock and his caw^s to ye said gildrie of ye prin" sowme of iij'= lib., with ane obligatione of Harye Hwme of Argatie of ij<= lib., ane obligatione of Thomas Bachok of j^ merks, and ane obligation of Johne Gawie, gild dark, and his caw"" of j= merks bearing this present termes annalrent to Whitsunday nixtocum, with ye gild kist and brasin stane wecht and the irne elne standard. Qlk sowme of swit of compts, gild box and wthers aboue-mentionat, ye said Johne Scherar, with consent of ye awdito''^ abouewrittin in name and behefe of ye gildrie of ye said burghe, exoners quyt clames and simpliciter dischargis ye said Allex'' Cowane y'anent, be thir presents writtin be Johne Gawie, gild dark, the said Johne Scherar and remanent awditoi's hes sub' ye same day, zeir and plaice foirsaid. Johne Scherar. johnne johnesone. Ja. Robertsone. Thomas Bachok. 31 March, 1634. The same day, it is statute and ordanit be the den of gild and gild- Act anent ye brey that with all convenient diligence thair be ane handsenzie bocht and maid to ye wsse of the gildrie of ye ordinar cullors of reid and yallow wro' in sea walls with ane qwhyt S. Andrews cross frome nwik to nwik. 9 June, 1634. of gild and ! to Niccol Cr now in his seikness, xj lib. xij sh., qlk salbe allouit in his compts. ^3 Ub- xij sh. The same day, the den of gild and gildbrey ordanis that Johne Gevin to Niccoll Scherar, now den of gild, give to Niccol Crawfurd, gildbroy"", for his help crawfurd 52 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1634- To Johne Norvall xxix lib. Gild council. II July, 1634. The dean of gild appointed to give John Norvall £2^ for his support to go into England to crave in his debts. 6 October, 1634. David Stevinsone, den of gild. Council : Skins. Stent- maisters for tubalko. 5. Johne Scherar. 5. S. John Squyar. 5. S. Robert Browne. S. S. James Ro'sone, youngar. S. Patrik Sword. W™ Andersone. Williame Broune. Thomas Bachok, youngar. Act anent ye mortclaythe to gratis gildbrey''. Act anent ye potts. 20 October, 1634. Johne Sands is vnlawit for buying sheipe skins wpon Satterday last befoir awght ho^^ in xl s. 29 December, 1634. Johne Cunynghame is wnlawit for bying sheipe skins on ye mercat evin being Fryday in xl s. 9 March, 1635. The same day, James Robeson, thc^'^, Cristopher Russell, Colline Lapslie, and Allex"" Lowrie, merchands, is resavit and sworne stentmi^s anent ye seall of tubalko for stenting ye remanent gildbrey'' that sells tubalko for ye sowme of 4 May, 1635. The den of gild ordained to advance £66 1 3s 4d for payment of the import on tobacco till the same be collected from the merchant sellers from March 15 to September 15, 1635. 18 September, 1635. The same day, the den of gild and gildrie having now maid ane velvet mortclaythe for ye use of ye gildrie and gildbrey of this burghe quha hes maid payment for thair fredome and libertie with the gildrie, and now having considerat that thair is swndrie gratis gildbrey within this burghe : Heirfoir it is now statute and ordanit that na gratis gildbroy ather bygane or to cum sail have no benefit of the same to cover their corps, bo' y* ye same clay'^i sail pertene to ye wse of the gildbrey"^ present and to cum quha hes payit and payis for thair libertie allanerlye. The same day, it is statute and ordanit that q'semevir gildbroy"" of this burghe fra this furthe, sellars of pots, warranda or uphalds anye pots 1635-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 53 sauld be thame fra this furthe farder nor ye day of ye selling thairof, sua ^ct anent ye lang as ye said pot is within this burghe, sail pay ffourtie shillings for ilk pot he warrands farder nor the day of ye selling. 24 September, 1635. David Stewinson continued den of gild. Gild Council : q.\\^ Johne Scherar, Androw Sands. council. 5. Patrik Sword. ^, William Browne. S. James Robesone, youngar. S. Cristopher Russell. 5. Thomas Bachok, youngar. S. Thomas Andersone. 21 June, 1636. It is ordanit that ye den of gild give to Jo"^ Duncansone, mer ^ r distressed sent necessity. gildbrother. 3 April, 1692. The Dean and Treasurer report having seized several puncheons offj®\™''^°^ lintseed in Falkirk market from unfreemen, who on undertaking not to sell any in Stirlingshire under pain of confiscation, get the lintseed restored to them. 25 April, 1692. The Gildrie resolve to defend an action brought against them by the Action by the Incorporation of Skinners for seizure of two packs of skins and alleged fga^^tlhe spulzie thereby. Gildrie. 7 May, 1692. The Gildrie raise an action of reduction and declarator against the Action against Skinners, ci • „ against the Skinners, gji, 78 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1692, Action against the Skinners. 25 June, 1692. The Dean reports that an agreement had been come to with the Skinners' Incorporation, and the Gildrie resolve to pass from their action of declarator. Appearance of Skinners, who get back the two packs of skins seized by the Dean of Gild, and undertake to sell no goat or other skins without changing the nature of the skins by their own handiwork, under penalty of xl lib. The Gildrie recommend the Council to delay calling any second minister till the Act of the Lords of the Privy Council against Mr. James Hunter be produced to clear the vacancy, or till such be done by any other legal way, which being done they are willing to concur in calling a minister qualified by law. 16 December, 1692. Assistance to Twenty - four lib. allowed to Catherine Buchanan, a gildbrother's daughter. daughter, to transport her to London about her lawful affairs. Second minister. S April, 1693. Trading of Lieut.- Governor of Stirling Castle. The Dean and Council having received information that Lieut.-Col. John Erskine, Lieutenant-Governor of Stirling Castle, being only an hon- orary burgess and gildbrother, had upon that pretext taken upon him to traffic in all sorts of merchant wares, recommend Provost Dick, the Commissioner to the current Parliament, to take advice of the Commis- sioners from other burghs, or the most knowing and experienced merchants amongst them, what would be the most proper means to be used by the Gildrie for suppressing and stopping the Governor's trafficking, and also, if need be, to take the advice of a lawyer. 20 January, 1694. The new levy. The Town Council having asked the Gildrie to recommend the best and easiest way of raising and outreiking the town's proportion of the new levy (being seven men), the Gildrie remit back to the Council to take such methods as they shall think most fit and expedient, and declare their willingness to pay their proportion of the expense. 20 November, 1694. Second The Gildrie recommend the Town Council to call either Mr. Alex, minister, y^.^ ^j. gQjj^g other qualified minister to fill the vacancy in the second charge. i69S.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 79 25 May, 1695. The Gildrie approve of an Act of Town Council appointing Bailie Vice-Dean of John Burd as vice-Dean of Gild during Dean of Gild M'Gowan's illness — to keep Gild Courts, Councils, oversee inquests, and do everything proper to be done by the Dean of Gild. 8 August, 1695- The Gildrie approve of the Long Act, and ordain Christopher Russell, The Long late Bailie, and Harry Christison to attend the Magistrates and Council the next council day, and give the Gildrie's hearty thanks for emitting such a just Act so much tending to the common good and welfare of this burgh and hospitals therein. [Long Act incorporated in Minutes.] 7 October, 1695. First election of extraordinary auditors — Duncan Watson and James Extra- Bow, late Bailies. audhore. 25 November, 1695. Call to Mr. Ar^d., as the moiety payable by the Guildry company, at Candlemas last, including interest, the dean was instructed to write Mr. Cockburn, or others who may have influence upon him, for a delay for a month or thereby, that the behaviour of others in the same circumstances might be better known, and in case delay cannot be had to pay the money. 2 August, 1 70 1. Grant of communication of trade received from the Skinners for 14CX) Skinners, merks. II August, 1701. The same day, the gildbreithren, judging it rational that the entries Eecom- of gildbreithren sons and such as marries their daughters should be eased ^^ent'entries as to their entries as weill as strangeres, therefor they recommend to the dean of gild to represent the same to the Town Council. 19 March, 1702. The treasurer ordered to buy and cause make a black serge cloth for Mourning for mourning to be put on the whole front of the Guildry's loft upon account wiifjam. of the death of King William, and when the mourning is over the treasurer to furnish a green cloth for covering the front, and also a carpet for the particular part of the loft where the dean of guild sits, 24 October, 1702. The Guildry assent to calling Mr. Alex"" Hamilton of Airth to fill the Call to second vacancy caused by the decease of Mr. John Forrester. " ^^^^' [No entry till election of office-bearers, 2 October, 1703.] 84 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1704. Foreshops. Mechanics' loft in the church. Col. Erskine of Carnock. Col. Erskine entered. Business hours for chapmen. Second charge. Jether loapital. Guild court. 14 October^ 1704. Unfreemen forbidden to take fore-shops in case any guildbrethren may give as much for them as unfreemen really pay or offer to pay. 10 September, 1705. The brethren refuse the desire of the Mechanics to erect a loft above the scholars' loft as being prejudicial to their accommodation in the kirk, and also as it will be prejudicial to the poor of the kirk of Stirling. The Act requiring an unfreeman's bill of entry to lie on the table for a month dispensed with in the case of Col. Erskine of Carnock, and two brethren sent to Edinburgh to acquaint the Colonel therewith. (Expense of journey, £2^ 8s. Scots.) 18 September, 1705. Col. Erskine entered, and obliged to reside with his family within the burgh. Entry money, ;^ioo Scots and £i^ officer's fee. 3 December, 1705. The Town Council having represented that the restricting of chapmen to certain hours on Friday, the market day, might be prejudicial to the public interest, the Guildry agree to allow chapmen as well as county wool merchants the privilege of selling their goods during the whole Friday weekly, from sun to sun, providing the chapmen sell not staple goods nor the wool merchants keep open shops except only upon fair days. 14 January, 1706. The Guildry consent to the calling of Mr. Rob' M'Alla, of Inshinnan, to be second minister. 28 January, 1706. The tack given to Provost Napier of the house, yard and land belong- ing to the Nether Hospital being complained of as illegal, because the property was let below its value and ;^I5 sterling was offered for it, a committee was appointed to enquire and report. 27 July, 1706. A guild court appointed to be held on the first Saturday of every month at nine o'clock — absentees to be fined 8d. (Scots). i;o7.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 85 10 April, 1707. The Guildry adhere to the Town Council's decree of declarator against Fair at BrocksbrflG the laird of Polmaise anent the fair at Brocksbrae, and recommend the Council to make interruption both at Brocksbrae and St. Ninians Kirk the next fair day. 10 May, 1707. The Town Council having offered a purse of silver to be run for on Gold ring to the fair day (in order to assert their rights), the Guildry agree to give a ^^ the Mr?' gold ring to be ridden for at the ring by the dean and other twelve guild brethren and any strangers who shall think fit to ride therefor. The dean and treasurer to put what motto shall be most proper on the said ring. 23 June, 1708. The amount due by the burgh to Cowane's Hospital ascertained to Sale of burgh be 27,550 merks of principal and 41,500 merks of interest, and conform ^^^^^^g^ ° to the power given to the Magistrates by the Convention of Burghs in Hospital. 1705, they proposed to dispone the lands of Bridgehaugh and the lands lying between the shore causeway and the burgh mill dam in favour of the Hospital at the value of 30,000 merks, and in consequence of the bad circumstances of the burgh to give a bond for 18,000 merks, payable in yearly instalments of 2000 merks. The Guildry approved of the proposal, and as they were sensible and fully convinced that the doing thereof would be an advantage both to the burgh and Hospital, they seriously recom- mended to the Magistrates and Town Council to expede the same as soon as possible.- 5 August, 1708. New regulations with regard to apprentices in consequence of the Apprentices, changed circumstances of the burgh by the great decay of trade therein. No guildbrother to have more than two apprentices at once, each to be bound for four years at least, and pay as apprentice for 300 merks at least. After expiry of his indentures any apprentice worth ;^iooo merks of stock and being an actual trafficker, will be entered for £(^0 Scots. 28 September, 1708. The Guildry, taking into consideration the great service done to them Drilling as well as to the rest of the neighbourhood of this burgh by J^n^^s S^^J^^^^ Urquhart, merchant, in attending upon them and training them several days when they were rendezvoused in the park, quits him his entry and discharges him of the same. 86 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1709. 19 March, 1709. Assistance to Bailie Wordie allowed 50 merks to help to carry on his lawsuits at a litigant. Edinburgh. 24 March, 1709. Donation. ;^io Scots given to " ane distresst and opprest gentleman sufficiently recommended." 5 November, 1709. Hospital The Masters of Cowane's Hospital represented to the Town Council pensioners. ^^^ while various persons afterwards named, poor guild brethren's widows and children, had pensions out of the Hospital funds, this was not warrant- able in the precise terms of the mortification, and the Hospital was not in a condition to maintain them because of the debt lately contracted for purchasing the lands of Hood, Abbey, and others, from the laird of Alva. The Masters therefore craved that the Hospital should be relieved of these pensioners before the ist November, and the Town Council recommended the dean of guild and his council to give them a weekly or quarterly pension out of the Guildry's revenues, as being the most proper fund. The Guildry acquiesced, and gave pensions to nine widows and two families. 28 January, 17 10. Advancement The brethren appoint £^ sterling to be paid out of their public stock knowledge, towards the advancing of Christian knowledge. 3 April, 171 1. Grant to £t^Q (Scots) given to guildbrother's widow to help to get some goods brother's to her shop, whereby she may subsist, widow. II January, 17 13. Apprentices. Overtured that the entry of apprentices is too great, and the Guildry remit the consideration thereof to the guild council. 13 April, 17 1 5. New Town Guild Council held in the new Town Council house. Council house. ^ -nr 6 May, 17 16. Entry of A committee appointed to consider the entry of strangers as guild- strangers. , ^, brethren. i;i6.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 87 7 November, 17 16. The Guildry dissent from setting the converted multure, being of The opinion that if proper methods be taken for the due exaction thereof, and multiire. preventing frauds therein, the burgh may malte as much as any private person. 27 December, 17 16. The Guildry assent to the calling of the Rev. Mr. Rob' Woodrow, Call to second Eastwood, as one of the ministers of Stirling, in room of the late reverend " ^*'^^®" and worthy Mr. Robert M'Aulay. 3 May, 1717. It being overtured by James Russell, late bailie, that strangers' entries Strangers' should be augmented to 300 merks, the dean was recommended to call a ^"^ ^'^'^^' guild council and lay the same before them. 25 June, 1717. Entry money of strangers raised by a great majority from ;£i04 Scots to ;^204, as formerly before the Act lowering the same. Also resolved that no stranger be admitted after the age of fifty years, except he has been an actual trading merchant, and that no children of strangers shall have any benefit by their fathers' entry if they he forisfamiliat at the time. 30 December, 17 17. The Guildry assent to the calling of the Rev. Charles Muir, of Culross, Second as second minister. Mr. John Donaldson, Latin doctor of the Grammar School, entered at ^^^^ doctor ;£'200, and £4 for his service as officer. 2 Aprz/, 17 1 8. A representation from the Glovers that the Cordiners were buying Glovers' calf skins was remitted to the Town Council to take effectual methods complaint. for preventing such encroachments, and a complaint by Bailie Gillespie that some of the glovers bought and sold calf and other skins without changing the nature, was also ordered to be laid before the Council that they might cause prosecute and punish the guilty according to law. 28 August, 171 8. The treasurer to write for a set of hautboys to play before the Guildry's Hautboys for cornet at riding the next fair in the burgh. ^* ^^^' 88 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1718. Offer to re-build ruinous tenement. Cutting for the stone. Guildry's finances. False weights Strangers' children. Scotch highway. Burgess admonished. Strangers' children. Apprentices' entry. The Guildry agreed to rebuild the ruinous tenement on the north side of the fore-street a little below the Cross, providing the Town Council would purchase the ground and right thereof, and dispone the same to the Guildry gratis. 31 December, 17 18. ;^36 Scots allowed to defray part of the expense of cutting a guild- brother's son in Dalkeith for the stone. [Two additional grants were made for the same purpose.] 2 May, 1719. The Guildry's stock valued at ;^4000 Scots and expenses ;f 307 4s. Pensions cut down so that the interest may cover them and clerk's salary and officer's fees, &c. 15 March, 1720. Proceedings against users of false or deficient weights. II July, 1720. Ordained that in the case of strangers admitted under fifty years of age, their children procreated before their marriage shall have no benefit, but only such children as they shall afterwards have. 26 July, 1720. The dean intimated an act of the Convention of Royal Burghs for carrying on the Scotch highway to the end, that such of the brethren as felt inclined to subscribe for shares in the Company might do so in due time. 6 August, 1720. Andrew Wright, merchant burgess, admonished for giving abusive expressions to the dean of guild and visitors of the markets. 7 January, 1721. Act of nth July, 1720, rescinded in so far as regards strangers' chil- dren procreated before entry, except the child or children be forisjamiliat prior to the parents' entry. 2 April, 1721. Apprentices allowed to enter on the same footing as guildbrethren's second sons and sons-in-law, namely, 10 merks, and £\ Scots for service as guild officer. 1722.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 89 19 April, 1722. Masters to swear that the whole of the apprentice fee has been or Apprentice is to be paid, and no part to be remitted. 7 August, 1722. ;^20 Scots disbursed by treasurer for helping to furnish marriage Helping a ■ > brids's clothes to a deceased guild brother's daughter, namely, Jean Miller, married trovisseau. to Magnus Walker, one of the doctors of the Grammar School of Stirling. 18 August, 1722. Committee appointed to consider the best method of re-establishing Serges. the credit of the serges of this place by equality of thickness and fineness. [Act passed by Magistrates and J.P.'s, and afterwards opposed by the town and county weavers in the Court of Session.] 18 August, 1722. The treasurer to provide six ladders of different sizes for service in Extinction of case of accidental fires, the ladders to be hung in the close at the foot of fore-street belonging to the treasurer, for the more ready access thereto. £2,0 sterling allowed to William Cloyne to enable him to re-build his Grant for fore tenement, which accidentally fell down. tenement!^ ^ 6 October, 1722. It was overtured that no guildbrother not residing at least eight Disqualiflca- months in the year in the burgh, and bearing scot and let therein, should ygt^^gf have power to vote at the annual elections or at the guild court. Con- sideration of the overture delayed. [Overture agreed to on 7th September, 1723, persons holding property of 3000 merks excepted.] 15 June, 1723. Entry money of ;^200 Scots paid to Dr. James Johnston, present Payment to provost of the burgh, as his due, conform to old custom. provost. 9 March, 1724. The treasurer to send the standard of the Guildry's old weights to New weights. Edinburgh to be adjusted conform to the weights used for weighing Scotch and Dutch merchant goods, and likewise to get made a fine sufficient small baulk for weighing 4 lb. weights or thereby. 90 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1724. Chests for weights. John Allan admitted gratis. 13 April, i;34. The treasurer to get a large iron baulk for weighing 50 lb., and two small chests, one for holding the standard of the English and the other for the Dutch. The dean and treasurer to have a key to each chest. John Allan, writer, Stirling, admitted gratis in consideration of his charitable and liberal mortification upon which the son of a guildbrother is to be maintained from time to time. [Deed of mortification incorporated in Minutes.] Limitation oE apprentices to actual traffickers. Call to first charge. 17 April, 1725. A complaint made that brethren who are not actual traffickers, and follow other employs, were taking apprentices, which, if not prevented, would in a short time crowd the Guildry with many extraneous persons. The matter remitted to a committee, who reported on the 24th, when it was enacted that no guildbrother who was not an actual trading merchant should be allowed to take merchant apprentices, and that those who had any calling or employment besides merchandising, such as writers, chirur- geons, litsters, bookbinders, wigmakers, maltmen, wrights or others, should swear that they had in no way obliged themselves to teach their appren- tices any business but that of merchandising. Apprentice fee fixed at 400 merks and entry money at 100 merks. 23 November, 1725. Assent given to the calling of Mr. Alex''. Hamilton of Airth as first minister of the burgh. 12 February, 1726. standard measure. The Linlithgow measure having been made the standard, the Conven- tion of Burghs passed an Act appointing all merchants and retailers to sell their lintseed with that measure, stroked and not heaped. Provost Thomson intimated to the Guildry that the Justices of Peace of the burgh and shire had appointed the same to be observed in all time thereafter. 12 March, 1726. Eeddingthe The Guildry, for the encouragement of trade in the burgh and the fords. j^Qj.g speedy redding of the fords nigh thereto, order a flat-bottomed boat to be built. 1726.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 91 10 September, 1726. Mr. John Erskine, advocate, eldest son of Col. John Erskine of Car- Mr. John nath, admitted gratis on account of his many good offices as advocate on fdvocate, several occasions to the burgh in general and to several of the inhabitants admitted in particular. sratw. 5 November, 1726. Act of 24th April, 1725, relating to apprentices, declared not to apply Apprentices, to those sworn and booked prior to that date. An account of expenses of the last riding of the fair, amounting to Expenses of £\Ti 8s. lod. Scots, approved of. to°^'^^ 7 January, 1727. The treasurer to provide weights to the extent of a thousand Dutch New weights weight, and two hundred weight (Amsterdam) of lighter sizes, likewise a ^^^ I'g'^ter. triangle with sufficient boards for weighing, and a lighter for carrying goods from and to Leith and the like ports. 25 March, 1727. Resolved to prosecute James Robb, hammerman, before the magis- Prosecution IS for exposing bi liberty of the Guildry. 30 September, 1727. The treasurer to provide a suit of clothes, with some shifts, shoes, and Olficers' a pair of stockings, hat, and wig for the guild officer. clothes. 2 November, 1728. Skinners' house at the East Craigs ordered to be repaired — the Guildry Repairing to bear half the expense. hoi^."'"' 31 October, 1730. In consequence of the clamant circumstances of a great many of the Third burgesses and other inhabitants of the burgh by reason of their wanting "^"''^ ^^' seats or desks in the church for hearing and seeing the ordinances dis- pensed therein, wherethrough great numbers are obliged to stay at home on the Sabbath, it was agreed by a majority to apply to the Town Council by supplication for their finding out a fund for a stipend to a third minister. trates for exposing brass pans for sale and thereby encroaching on the man.'^*"™^'^' 92 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1731- Provision for third minister. 14 January, 173 1. From a statement of what the Council had done in regard to providing church accommodation, it appears that they offered the present ministers of the place a sufficient gratification if they would undertake to preach in both churches, which they refused to do. Then they tried if such improvements could be made on the East Church as would allow accommodation to those wanting seats, but it was found after inspection by skilled persons that this could not be done. A remit was afterwards made to a committee (consist- ing of members of all the Incorporations in the burgh) to consider how a lasting fund should be provided for payment of a yearly stipend to a third minister, which committee reported that, in their opinion, the stipend should be 1200 merks Scots, payable out of the converted multures, and further suggested that for better security the converted multure should be perpetu- ated at 1 8s. 8d. Scots for each boll of malt, being the present rate. The Guildry adopted these recommendations, and passed an Act thirling them- selves and their successors of new to the common mills, viz., the bridge and the burgh mills, and binding themselves to pay the converted multure of 1 8s. 8d. per boll of malt, " providing always that the said converted multure shall be applied for payment of the town's debts, second and third ministers' stipends, schoolmasters' salaries, drummers' and pipers' fialls, King's cess, public works of the burgh, and other public burdens, except quartering of the military, watching and warding, and the outputting of persons of men to the militia." The Guildry also made a provision that as soon as the town's debts were paid off there should be a reasonable diminution of the converted multure. 8 March, 173 1. The Guildry being convened in obedience to an Act of Council for considering on a person to be called for dispensing the ordinances in the West Church, and to take his proportion of the ministerial charge in the congregation along with the other two worthy ministers already settled therein, gave it as their opinion that the Rev. Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, minister of the gospel at Portmoak, was a fit person to be called here, and declared they were ripe that the Council should apply to the Presbytery of Stirling for moderation of a call. 32 June, 1 73 1. Guildry loft A committee appointed to look into the records to see whether the ChMch! loft i" tl^^ W^^t Church belonged to the Guildary, as their loft in the East Calling of Ebenezer Erskine. I73I] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 93 Church afforded bad accommodation for hearing the ordinances dispensed Guildry loft by reason of its distance from the pulpit, and they wished to shift into the Siil^ch" West Church. 26 June, 173 1. The committee reported that the loft in the West Church was erected at the Guildry's expense, and they were authorised to inspect it and have it properly repaired. At the same time, in consideration of the great expense the Town Council were at in repairing the roof and windows of the West Church, the Guildry voted a contribution of 300 merks towards the cost. 12 August, 173 1. The treasurer to provide a green cloth for the breast of the Guildry loft in the West Church, and also a green serge to line the first and back seats. 12 February, 1732. It being reported that the place was much oppressed by the country The poor. poor, and that on that account the town's poor were not so well taken care of, it was remitted to a committee to meet with the magistrates and con- cert proper methods for preventing this grievance. 8 April, 1732. The Synod of Perth and Stirling having prohibited the dispensing of The sacra- the sacrament in the East and West Churches at the same time, the Guildry ^^'Vest ^^* appointed the dean to apply to the Town Council earnestly desiring them Churches. to bring the said affair before the Synod at their meeting on the i ith curt, in order to have the prohibition removed and the sacrament dispensed in both churches, " which the Guildry persuade themselves the Rev. Synod will do for preventing inconveniences, confusions, and disturbance which must arise." 9 December, 1732. A number of houses and tenements declared to be waste and ruinous, Ruinous and to have been so for three years past. Summary : — 5 in the Mary Wynd, tenements. 1 in the fore street (Broad Street), 5 in the Backraw, 3 in the Baxters' Wynd, 2 in the fore street below the meal market, i in the Friars' Wynd, and i in the Castle Wynd. A tenement of land lying below the Mary Wynd port is said to be bounded by the highway to the King's stables on the south, a house and yard on the west, a maltman's house on the north, and the " high street" on the east. A tenement in the Backraw belonging to John Callander of Craigforth is said to be bounded by the nether hospital house on the west, 94 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1733- Weights and measures. Guildry and Trades. Ebenezer Erskine. Extra- ordinary auditors. 3 March, 1733. It being represented that several of the merchants differed from the rest in using different weights and measures for the same goods, a commit- tee was appointed to meet with the magistrates and bring in overtures for removing the grievance. 7 April, 1733. Resolved that there should be a communication of trade between the Guildry and the Seven Incorporated Trades, and articles of agreement ordered to be drawn up. 2 June, 1733. The Trades' Committee refusing to agree to reasonable terms, the negotiations cease, and it is declared that any guild brother can buy and sell any goods either wholesale or retail, and that if any be prosecuted by the Trades, they will be defended at the Guildry's charges. 26 July, 1733. The Guildry, considering that the affair concerning Mr. Ebenezer Erskine comes before the Commission of the Kirk in August, unanimously agree to petition the Town Council to address the Commission in favour of Mr. Erskine, and appoint the dean to attend the Commission along with any sent from the Council and assist in the matter of the address. 3 November, 1733. Considering that the affair concerning Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, their minister, comes before the Commission of the Kirk on the 14th curt., appoint the dean of guild (Mr. Allan) to attend Mr. Erskine at the said Commission, and to consult with the representatives of the Town Council how far the Council can bestow Mr. Erskine's stipend upon him after de- position in case the Commission shall proceed to such a sentence. I December, 1733. The dean reports his diligence anent Mr. Ebenezer Erskine, with which the Guildry are satisfied, and order his expenses, amounting to £2t, 4s., to be paid. 3 October, 1734. Consideration of a protest against any member of the Town Council voting in the election of extraordinary auditors delayed by a majority of twenty-three, 1734] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 95 7 December, 1734. The which day, the dean of guild and guild brethren of the said burgh Act con- being convened in a guild court and taking to their consideration that there Gui™£'g''^ is a libelled summons of reduction lately executed against the present opinion and Magistrates and Town Council of this burgh, and after discoursing of the concerning same it was clearly the opinion of the meeting that the said libel and pre- "^^^ 1?*^ ^ .,, ,.., .,,, ,.^, election of tended reasons therem contamed were without all ground m fact, law, or Magistrates equity, and tend to overturn and subvert the legal constitution and good couiwir° government and order of the burgh, the peace and quiet of the same, and the flourishing of the manufactories, trade, and commerce therein happily established, and that the said process of reduction can have no good nor just consequence but must introduce and strengthen the animosities, divi- sions, factions, sedition, and other great and sore evils, and being fully con- vinced that it is our duty to the town and to our country (in which the town of Stirling is so considerable) to join heartily in supporting the legal con- stitution and due exercise thereof, and the just rights, privileges, freedoms, and immunities of the same, and to support and strengthen the magistrates and Council elected and governing according thereunto against all malicious, groundless, and factious pretexts whatsoever the same may be, — Therefore, the dean of guild and his brethren aforesaid did, and hereby do declare that their opinion and judgment is, upon due inquiry and deliberation, as above expressed, and that therefore they resolve as becomes honest men, loyal subjects, and faithful burgesses and guild brethren of the said burgh, to stand by, support, and defend the Magistrates and Council thereof against the foresaid prosecution and reduction and all such other groundless, vexa- tious, and unjust attacks as have been or may be made by the pursuers of foresaid reduction or by any other person or persons whatsoever. The approving and engrossing of which act foresaid was, after calling of the rolls, agreed to by a majority of forty-four, as also there was a paper relative to this act signed by forty-five of the Guildry in face of court. 3 May, 1735. Hugh Mackaile, only lawful son of Hugh Mackaile, writer in Edinburgh, John and Elizabeth Short, eldest daughter of the late Alex. Short, merchant in Stir- great-grand- ling, applied to be admitted to the Guildry, and as his father had neglected nephew. to enter he offered to pay entry money for both. The Guildry, m regard that the petitioner was great grand-nephew and only male representative of John Cowane, founder of the merchants' hospital, admitted him for .^15 96 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1735- John Cowane's great-grand- nephew. Entry o£ strangers. Act anent a criminal prosecution. Hon. James Erskine of Grange entered. Compromise of legal processes. Scots, whereof lo merks and £4. officer's fee were for his iather, and 6s. 8d. and £4. for his own entry, but declared that his admission should never be interpreted or understood to be a rule for admitting any person as a guild brother hereafter who should claim to be admitted upon the grounds men- tioned in this bill of entry. 7 June, i;3S. A committee appointed to draw up overtures as to the qualifications necessary for strangers being admitted. 10 July, 1735. The which day, the dean of guild and guild brethren being convened in obedience by an act of the Magistrates and Town Council of the date the 9th curt, appointing the Guildry's opinion to be taken whether or not the indictment or criminal libel at the magistrates' instance against the persons therein named with respect to what fell out on the King's birthday in October last shall be prosecuted so that they may obtain satisfaction, and particularly payment of the charges already laid out or that may be laid out in the matter ; after reasoning on the said affair, the vote was stated whether the Guildry should instantly proceed to give their opinion in the matter, or whether they should refer it to the Council to do in it as they shall think proper, and it was carried by a great majority that they should refer as said is. 4 August, 1735. The Hon. James Erskine of Grange, advocate, admitted gratis in consequence of the many good services done to the burgh glinns in his signal appearance for the magistrates and several of the inhabitants in the civil and criminal processes lately depending, without receiving any fee, reward, or other remuneration, and of his known and steady adherance to the interests of the burgh. 2 October, 17^$. The Guildry having been acquainted with the compromise lately made of the processes, civil and criminal, in which the burgh was engaged, ap- proved thereof, and warned all the brethren hereafter to abstain from all such factious and sinisterous ways, and that minding the real and true advantage of the kingdom, they would in all affairs act as "became men who had the same at heart above all things. 1735] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 97 From the discharge appended to the minute, it appears that the pur- Compromise suers against the Town Council were William Allan, late dean of guild, processes. John Galloway, Andrew Millar, and James Jeffrey, all merchants and late bailies, and Robert Banks, George Munro, and James Mitchell, all mer- chants in Stirling. 8 March, 1735. A committee appointed to meet with the Weavers for the purpose of The trade in drawing up a petition to the Trustees for Improving the Manufactures in ^^ Scotland, that they might obtain an Act of Parliament to regulate the trade in yarn. The Weavers' petition sets forth that the great quantities of in- sufficient yarns, particularly from the south country, being brought into Stirling and surrounding district, which will neither work nor dye aright, the serges, plaids, and other woollen manufactures — the greatest if not .the principal branch of trade in the burgh and country round about — are much out of request, and have turned to little or no account abroad, and the prices thereof are reduced to one-third less than they gave nine months ago, which, if not speedily prevented, must undoubtedly ruin that great branch of trade and render many hundreds, both in the town and country round and such as live in the town, to be necessarily burdensome to it. Form of petition and proposals read to Guildryon the 15th November, and ordered to be laid before the Council with a request to submit it to the Trustees, supplicating them to make suitable application for having the aforesaid grievances remedied and prevented in time coming. 3 January, 1736. Bailie Gibb protested against the entry of Alexander Bryce, maltman. Over age, on the ground that he was over fifty years of age, which he offered to prove. On a division, it was carried by the casting vote of the dean to admit the allegation to Bailie Gibb's probation this day five weeks. The bill of entry was afterwards withdrawn. 17 January, 1736. A representation given in against the Hammermen and Weavers and Merchandis- some strangers as to their unwarrantable way of buying and selling what ^^ ^ they did not make, buying and selling victuals of all sorts by importing the same at the town's shore, and keeping grenils [granaries] within the burgh. The Guildry appointed a committee to meet with the Convener of the Trades, and see if an arrangement could not be made without the expense or trouble of a lawsuit. The committee reported on the 7th February their 7 98 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1736. Merchaadis- opinion that to prevent any disputes arising betwixt the Guildry and the Trades for the future, the dean should recommend to his brethren to be very cautious of doing anything that may be an encroachment on the privileges of the Trades, and that the Convener should on the other hand recommend the like to the Trades. Copy decree of declarator. Complaint against writing master. Modified entries. Guildry weights. Guild writs. The Long Act. Right of protest. Admission gratis. Fines. Notarial copy ordered to be made in a separate book of the decree of declarator at the Guildry's instance against the Trades, dated 15 th January, 1697, in order that every guild brother might read the same. ;^i8 Scots allowed to the clerk for this work. 15 March, 1736. Mr. Adam Stewart, writing master, complained against for encroach- ing on the Guildry's privileges by selfing paper, pens and ink, and bound under ;^'io sterling not to be guilty of the like in future. 18 September, 1736. Five chapmen present a bill of entry to exercise the art and calling of merchandise in the burgh during their lives, without any claim to other privileges for themselves or their children. Amount of entry £Qo Scots. Petition ordered to lie on the table till the first Saturday of November, when there does not appear to have been any meeting. The Guildry weights appointed to be kept in one of the rooms of Cowane's Hospital, whereof one key shall be kept by the dean, and another by the treasurer. An inventory of the Guild writs ordered to be made. These were afterwards reported to be in very bad condition, and the clerk was in- structed to record the charters and contracts in a book by themselves. 25 September, 1736. The Long Act appointed to be read yearly on the election day. 18 December, 1736. Any member dissenting from the decision of the majority to have the right of protesting and having his protest and reasons recorded in the guild court books. I January, 1737. Alex. Monro of Auchenbowie admitted gratis on account of services done to the inhabitants of the burgh and other personal merits. Fines and " wax mealls " ordered to be paid in to the treasurer. I737-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 99 5 March, 1737. Part of the Guildry's lofts in the East and West Churches ordered to Church seats be let for the benefit of the Guildry's poor, a great many of the brethren ^"^ ^"""^^ being well provided with seats of their own. 6 August, 17 2)7 • Hon. Thomas Erskine, M.P. for the burgh, admitted guild brother for Hon. T. ;£'200 Scots, which was paid over to the Hon. James Erskine of Grange, admitted, provost of the burgh, " as his due, conform to old custom." The court recommend the whole brethren to observe the laws in force Smuggling. against smuggling. 14 January, 1738. Staple goods mentioned — Dutch collene, Nyskins, tyken, tea, musline. Staple goods. Half-an-ounce of tea sold for 2d. 28 January, 1738. John Hill, merchant, appointed to keep and take care of the West West Church Church loft for a year at the rate of £6 Scots. ° 2 September, 1738. The Guildry being convened to consider and give their opinion whether Bridgehaugh. feuing and setting the Bridgehaugh and the land betwixt the burgh mill and the shore would be most advantageous to the Hospital, it was carried by a great majority that the lands should be set in tack to the best advan- tage, but not under three bolls of oatmeal of yearly rent for each acre. 2 October, 1738. The Guildry convened to give their opinion on a memorial sent to the Common Town Council, as Patrons of Cowane's Hospital, by James Forsyth, writer, Ho°spi°tal. relative to the management of the common good of the Hospital by a factor instead of masters. It was agreed by a majority to ask the Patrons to delay choosing masters until legal advice was obtained, and a committee was appointed to draw up a memorial on the subject and give their opinion at a future meeting. 7 October, 1738. The committee reported that it was not necessary to take a lawyer's opinion concerning the election of hospital masters as set down in the 100 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1738- Common good of Hospital. Second minister. decree of declarator at Bailie Jack's instance, and they recommended that the Patrons should in future choose only one master, instead or two, at the salary formerly given to the two ; that sufficient caution be taken ; that the master exact diligence for recovery of the Hospital's debts ; that the accounts be made up yearly at Martinmas ; and that the Patrons should not stop the master from using diligence but upon weighty and necessary occasions. The Guildry approved of this report with the following amend- ments : — (i) That the Hospital master be annually charged in terms of the decree of declarator ; (2) that the Patrons elect the Hospital master at Michaelmas, immediately after the new Magistrates and Council are elected ; and (3) that the salary be ;^io sterling yearly, which is the present salary of the two masters. II November, 1738. The Guildry recommend the Rev. Mr. James Balbgate, of Dalgety, as second minister in room of the late Mr. Charles Moore. IS March, 1739. School fees. A committee anent clothing and schooling children reported their opinion to be as follows : — That for boys belonging to the Guildry at the Grammar School, the masters should have only half-wages quarterly, seeing they had salaries off the town ; that Mr. Sloass, the writing master, should only have the same for teaching guild brethren's daughters for the like reason ; that the schoolmistresses should be allowed is. 6d. per quarter for their past accounts for guild brethren's daughters, but only fifteen pence in future. Report approved of, and the treasurer instructed to inform the schoolmasters and mistresses that the schooling of Guildry children will not be paid for after Whitsunday, there being no common fund for it. Several sums allowed for clothing, but the Guildry declare that they will allow none of their children to be clothed on their charges hereafter, for the same reason that they allow no schooling, viz., that there is no fund for it. 26 May, 1739. Hospital hall The cloth on the table in the Hospital hall being much torn and worn, table cloth, ^j^^ Guildry recommend the Hospital council to buy a carpet offered for sale by Brigadier Cockburn, Stirling Castle, and which would serve the said table, or to furnish any other cloth for it. 1739] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. loi A committee appointed to consider what repairs are necessary on the Repairs on Hospital house and to lay their judgment and opinion before the Patrons for their determination. 29 September, 1739. A bad and disallowable practice having lately crept in upon the Treasurer's Guildry of allowing £\ Scots or thereby of charges yearly to the treasurer, ^^ ^^^ ' abstract from the £\2 allowed of salary, it is declared that £\2 Scots is in full of all salary, charges, and expenses that can be demanded by the treasurer, and that no more will be allowed in his accounts. 13 October, 1739. A committee appointed to consider encroachments on the privileges Encroach- of the Guildry reported that in their opinion no weaver or other person ™uSdry° in the burgh unentered with the Guildry could buy serges within the burgh privileges, in order to sale, and this they took to be founded on the decreet of declara- tor betwixt the merchants and trades, dated 1697. Likewise, that no skinner could buy skins or hides of any kind in order to sale without changing the nature of them, according to the decreet of declarator afore- said, and the act of agreement with the skinners, dated 2Sth June, 1692. Report approved of, and ratification ordered to be given through the burgh accordingly. 13 October, 1739. Instructions to visitors of the market appointed annually: — (i) That Visitors of they detect and complain of all hawkers and travelling chapmen vending and retailing all sorts of merchandise in houses or taverns ; (2) that they detect and complain of all tradesmen within the burgh buying and selling any sort of the goods that they do not make themselves, such as weavers buying serges in order to sale ; skinners buying hides in order to sale, without changing the nature of them ; tailors selling cloth, silk thread, buckram, mohair and buttons, &c., and all other tradesmen merchandising ; (3) that they discover all merchants within the burgh packing and peiling with unfreemen, viz., merchants dealing conjunct trade with tradesmen &c., and also that they discover all country traders buying serges, &c., off the market days. 21 June, 1740. The Guildry, being convened in consequence of an Act of Council Redding the anent the redding of the Town, Abbey and Manor fords, appointed a com- 102 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1740. Kedding the mittee to visit tiie Town ford this afternoon, and report to the Council in fords. . 1 1 writing how far the redding of it was practicable. Vacant charges. 19 July, 1740. The Guildry approve of a leet for supplying the vacant charges of the late Mr. Alex. Hamilton, first minister, and the late Mr. Charles Moore, second minister, but recommend to the Council and Kirk Session not to proceed to the election of any in the leet as ministers for a fortnight, that time may be had to inquire into their character and practices. 16 August, 1740. Question as to fhe Guildry, asked to give their opinion as to the following words in minister. Act of Relief of i6th January, 173 1, granted by the Town Council to the whole communities : — " That each of the communities shall have a voice in the calling of the second and third ministers," the question being whether the import and meaning of these words were that each individual member of a community, or only each community by a representative, ought to have a decisive voice in the calling of a second minister, on a division as to whether any explanation should be given or not, it was carried by a great majority to give none. The Guildry appointed a delegate to attend the moderation of a call to one to be second minister. The poor. Pension rescinded. The poor. Bankrupt. 29 December, 1740. The Council having proposed that each of the communities should contribute weekly to the support of the poor to prevent them publicly begging, the Guildry agreed to give £6 Scots per week till ist May next. The Guildry, considering that Agnes Miller or Keir, one of their pensioners, does not stand in need of the Guildry's supply, rescind and cut off her pension in all time coming. 14 June, 1741. Contributions to the poor continued till the ist October, in conse- quence of their pinched and straitened circumstances by reason of the present dearth. 12 December, 1741. The Guildry agree to accept a composition of los. per £ as creditors of John Cowan, merchant, one of their number. i;43-j EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 103 7 April, 1743. Entry money (;^20O Scots) of Robert Leckie, writer, paid over to Gift to the William Don, present provost, as his due, and conform to old custom. P'^°'^°^*' 18 April, 1743. The Guildry unanimously approve of the Town Council's proposal to Election of elect the town clerk annually in future. ^""^"^ '^'®*' 17 December, 1743. The treasurer to cause cover the seats in the Hospital hall with green Seats for rock and wheel serge, and to cause make two new large chairs, in place of °^^' ^ the old ones, and cover them with leather. 13 July, 1745. It was resolved to petition the Town Council to take off the duty or Tax on barley dues (4s. per boll) exacted by the tax man of the meal market on barley sold in the merchants' shops. 16 February, 1747. A proposal for a community of trade between the merchants and the Community trades approved of, and a committee appointed to meet with the trades thereanent. 23 June, 1747. Mr. Patrick Haldane admitted gratis on account of his many good ^ Patrick services, particularly his appearance before the Synod for the burgh in the admitted affair of a settlement of a third minister without fee or reward. gratis. 28 November, 1747. Remitted to a committee to consider as to the admission of trades- Proposed men and allowing them to merchandise during life on paying a sum to tradesmen. the Guildry. 5 December, 1747. The Guildry, taking into consideration a custom that has prevailed Present to , . . ,, . , ,. , , 11,.,- the provost for a long time past of allowmg the provost of the burgh, when he is first discontinued. chosen into that office, the benefit and dues of the entry payable to the Guildry by any stranger who first enters after the choosing of the provost ; and as they look upon this as very detrimental to the interest and common 104 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1748. Present to good of the poor of the Guildry, and that they can find out no just cause the provost ,, .-,■,,, r , \ ■,■ r discontinued, or reason why such custom was introduced, they therefore, by plurality of voices, rescind every Act or Acts of Guildry allowing and authorizing the said practice or custom, and declare the same void and null as to any effect in time coming. 2 September, 1748. Landing- A committee appointed to bring in an overture concerning a creek or goods. ""^ proper landing-place for goods between Alloa and Stirling shore. Walking the The Guildry express the opinion that los. is the most any guild marc es. brother should pay in going the marches, except country gentlemen, who are left at liberty to pay as has been customary. Modification The last clause of the guildbrother's oath touching his buying a lord- ° °^ ■ ship over the dean of guild and his brethren, not being as to the meaning thereof well understood, is expunged as quite unnecessary. 5 May, 1750. Fisheries. The Guildry recommend the dean of guild and the provost to write to the magistrates of Glasgow, Ayr, Campbelltown, and Inverary, for advice how these burghs are to proceed with regard to the fisheries, that the Guildry may be the better enabled to know what share they ought to take therein. 8 December, 1751. Warehouse at A committee appointed to consider whether the Guildry should build ^ °^^' a warehouse, &c., at the shore, or if ground for that purpose should be set apart by the Town Council, and feued by roup to the highest bidder. 7 October, 1752. Ring for The treasurer appointed to give the chapmen a ring worth 20s., or chapmen. p^y. ^^^ that sum for this year only. 6 January, 1753. Landing- The Guildry approve of a petition to the Barons of Exchequer to have place. Ruthery Pow declared a creek or landing-place for goods. Half the ex- penses borne by the Guildry. 15 December, 1753. Election The Guildry express their disapproval of a process of reduction of the dispute. j^gj. election of Magistrates and Council. I754-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 105 2 February, 1754. Thd Guildry, judging proper that the guild officer should have a dis- Officer's tinguishing habit or livery, appointed his clothes to be of green cloth with a laced hat, the sum allowed to be the same as formerly, £/^Z Scots. 7 September, 1754. £\2 Scots (20s. sterling) allowed for chapmen's ring. Chapmen's ring. 2 November, 1754. The following scheme for admitting strangers during life adopted : — Entry of (i) Any stranger applying to be entered to be an actual trading man, ot\:^^^^^ °^ at least qualified for trading and under the age of fifty years ; (2) such stranger to have a trading stock, or be worth at least ;£'iooo Scots, and to pay ;6ioo for his entry, in addition to the usual payment to the Town Council ; (3) each stranger so entered shall be obliged to reside at least eight months in the year within the town or territory thereof, and shall bear scot and lot, watching and warding, with the burgesses, and shall not, on any pretence whatever, distill any spirits except within burgh, and paying the common dues of i8s. 8d. for each boll of malt ground and used in the business of distilling. Besides the oath to be taken to the town, the entrant to swear the usual guild oath ; (4) the stranger is not to be a member of or allowed to act or vote in the Guildry on the affairs of the guild brethren, or Town Council and town's affairs, or to have any benefit of their common good or revenue, nor is the posterity of such as enter for life to have any claim whatever on the town or Guildry, in virtue of their predecessors entering and obtaining the tolerance aforesaid ; (5) if any stranger admitted during life wish to enter with the Guildry in the most ample way, he shall have discount out of the entry money to the extent of the sum paid for the privilege of trading during life, providing that he have the necessary qualifications required of guild brethren at their entry, both as to stock and age ; (6) no member of the Seven Incorporated Trades to be entitled to have the privilege of claiming or being admitted as aforesaid in regard of the Trades refusing to enter into a community of trade with the merchants ; (7) this agreement and resolution only to subsist for the space of three years to come. Alex. Bryce, writer, the first entrant under above conditions, admitted for £(iO instead of £\(X>, as his application was made at the time the afore- said Act or resolution of the Guildry was on the carpet. On 20th Decem- ber, 1756, Mr. Bryce was admitted full guildbrother without paying any additional entry money. io6 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [i7S4- 7 December, 1754. Schooling of None of the children of decayed guild brethren, schooled at the ex- children. pense of the Guildry, to be put to any but the established schools, particu- larly as to English, writing, &c. 2 March, 1755. A new standard made of brass for the ell and yard, and the brethren ordered to adjust their measures thereby, and to have them shod with brass or iron at both ends the better to prevent frauds. John John Callander of Craigforth admitted gratis in respect of his friend- admitted sh'P ^"d good offices to the town and inhabitants and the services he may gratis. do and the usefulness he may be of to the place. Standard measures. Statute labour. Rectorship of Grammar School. 6 April, 1755. Intimation made that the town was to be prosecuted before the Quarter Sessions anent being obliged to perform statute work on the turnpike roads, and a committee appointed to act with the representatives of the Town Council in resisting the imposition of the burden. 2 August, 1755. The provost and dean of guild, as commissioner and assessor to the last Convention of Royal Burghs, reported that the opinion of the Lord Advocate had been taken as to the liability of the inhabitants of royal burghs to be called out to repair the turnpike roads, and his opinion was that the burghs were not by any law yet in being subjected to high roads^ The expense of defending any prosecution was to be paid by the Burghs' agent. The Guildry agreed to contribute part of the expense of consulting the Lord Advocate. The Guildry, considering that the office of rector to the Grammar School is vacant, and the evident necessity of having that post supplied by an able and well -qualified person, and judging that the better to obtain this all suitable encouragement should be given, give it as their opinion that the school wages or quarterly payments which in time past have only been eighteen pence for each scholar, should be augmented and made half-a-crown, and appoint Bailie Galloway to represent this opinion to the Town Council and urge them to enact that the school wages be fixed at the said rate. I7S5-] EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES. lo; 12 August, 1755. The dean reported that the Town Council had taken trial of two Bectorship of candidates for the rectorship, viz., Mr. Levy and Mr. Anderson, and they fch^^"^ wished to know if the Guildry wished trial of any other. None of the brethren demanded any more trials. 6 December, 1755. The Guildry distribute ;^io8 Scots among the poor. The poor. 27 December, 1755. Resolved to grant ;^ioo Scots towards the repair of the turnpike roads Repair o£ adjoining and leading to the town. roads.' ^ 4 December, 1756. The guild brethren, considering that the dean of guild chosen at Non-accept- Michaelmas last has not as yet accepted of that office, so that this court by dean of wants a president, do therefore make choice of James Jaffray, late dean of guild, guild, to be president to the meeting of the Guildry, not only for this day, but at all subsequent meetings till the new dean of guild accept or another is chosen. 28 January, 1757. ;^ioo Scots voted for distribution among the poor in this "straitening The poor, time." 17 May, 17S7. The dean moved that the freedom of the burgh be conferred on the Freedom of Right Hon. W. Pitt, late one of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, jj^. Pitfand and the Right Hon. Henry Bilson Legge, late Chancellor and Under Mr. Legge. Treasurer of His Majesty's Court of Exchequer, and that application be made to the Town Council that they would concur and order that the said gentlemen be presented with and admitted to the freedom of this burgh in proper manner. This motion was carried by a great majority. Eodem die, post meridian. — The dean reported that a Town Council having been convened this afternoon, he had laid before them the repre- sentation of the Guildry, and they had delayed consideration of the Guildry's appHcation. It was then moved in the Guildry that this court should return their thanks to the two honourable gentlemen, Mr. Pitt and Mr. Legge, for their disinterested and laudable behaviour when in the io8 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [175;. Freedom of Administration, and that they should have the compliment of what privi- Mr. Pitt and lege the Guildry could bestow upon them. Against this proposal Com- Mr. Legge. misary Finlayson protested for the following reasons: — (i) Because it would be contrary to the uniform practice and constitution of this burgh to niake any person whatever a guild brother before he be entered and admitted as a burgess ; (2) though this court should admit them as guild brethren (as they cannot), it would be putting affront on the gentle- men to offer them a compliment of no meaning and understanding, and therein he took instruments to which some of the brethren adhered. Answered by Bailie Gourlay that there is no intention in the motion of making these gentlemen any compliment but what the Guildry can bestow. The vote was put — Agree to the motion or not, and it was carried "Agree " by forty-six to ten. 25 May, 1757. Extracts of admission enclosed in silver boxes to be sent to Messrs. Pitt and Legge along with the following letter to each : — Sir, — I am ordered by the Guildry of this burrow to express in their name the just sense they entertain of your merit in proposing dureing the late administration the wise, virtuous, and frugal measures you was to have followed in the conduct of publick affairs had you continued in the man- agement thereof, measures extremely propper in themselves, but more particularly necessary at present in order to retrive former errors, whereby through the faults of ministers, the honour and interest of His Majesty's Crown and kingdom has been neglected, corruption become almost universal, and the national debt increased to such a bulk as to afford very gloomy prospects to all true lovers of their country, even in time of pro- found peace, but much more so when engaged in a dangerous war with a powerful enemy. The corporation. Sir, are persuaded that with the bless- ing of Almighty God, the methods you so wisely proposed, if followed out under your direction, would have, in a great degree, removed these evils, prevented the same for the future, and thereby have restored these king- doms to their ancient felicity and glory, wherefore they have ordered me to return you their thanks, flowing from hearts full of gratitude for such laudable endeavours, and as a testimony of their respect they beg you would be pleased to accept of the freedom of their Society herewith sent you. I have the honour to subscribe myself with the greatest esteem. Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant, Andrew Wallace, D.G. i;S7-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 109 a, June, 1757. The dean reported that he had caused make two silver boxes and Freedom of therein put extracts of the freedom of the Guildry to each of Messrs. Pitt Mr.pJtfand and Legge, and transmitted the same, along with the letter signed by him, Mr. Legge. to Col. George Haldane, Member of Parliament, to be presented by him to them, which the Colonel had accordingly done, and the Colonel had sent to the Guildry the answers made by each of the recipients. The dean's conduct was approved of, and Messrs. Pitt and Legge's answers were ordered to be engrossed in the minute book and copies of the correspond- ence made and transmitted to Edinburgh so as to be put in the Courant and Mercury at full length. 17 September, 1757. The expense of complimenting Messrs. Pitt and Legge with the freedom of the Guildry in silver boxes reported to amount to ;£'i8 9s. sterling, which the dean insisted the guild treasurer should pay. Provost Jaffray protested against payment because, as he alleged, both the dean of guild and Bailie Gourlay had given their faith and promise that the Guildry should not be at any expense, to which protest Bailie James Jaffray and John Wright adhered. Answered by the dean and Bailie Gourlay that they refused the protesters' alleadgeance, and the vote being put whether the Guildry should pay the account or not, it was carried by a great majority in the affirmative. 3 December, 17 S7- The Act anent the admission of strangers for life continued for three Life members years to come, with the following alterations, viz. : — That the stranger claiming the privilege during the continuance of the Act is not to be refused on account of his age, though 50 years or above ; that his trading stock needs only be £$0 sterling, and he is only to pay for the privilege of merchandising £60 Scots. 23 September, 1758. Ring of 20s. value given to chapmen. Chapmen's ring. 7 October, 1758. The Guildry approved of a leet of candidates for supplying the vacant Second charge of Mr. Daniel M'Queen, late second minister, but on the proposal ™™^^ ^''• being made that a delegate should be chosen to act and vote at the no THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [I7S8. Second moderation of a call, some of the members wished delay and it was there- fore proposed to take a vote, " proceed " or " delay." Before putting the vote. Provost Chrystie protested against the magistrates and such of the Town Council who were guild brethren voting on the question because they would vote in a double capacity. The vote was — proceed, 46 ; delay, 22 ; and before putting the vote as to who should be delegate, Provost Jaffray protested against the appointment of a delegate, as it was the privilege of each member of the Guildry to vote in the matter of the in- tended call, and in evidence of this he appealed to the Act of Agreement between the Town Council and the communities of this burgh. Provost Chrystie adhered, and he and the other protesters withdrew from the meeting, and a delegate was then appointed, forty-two members voting. 10 February, 1759. A committee appointed to concert a proper overture for a community of trade between the merchants and the Seven Incorporated Trades, which, though often formerly attempted, had hitherto had no effect. The same The begging committee to consider of a proper expedient for preventing the incon- venience of allowing the poor to beg openly and from door to door. The Guildry agree to contribute two guineas for one year for an established carrier between Stirling and Glasgow. Community of trade. poor. Carrier. Chapmen's ring. Second minister. 2 September, 1759. Chapmen's ring given of 20s. value. 13 November, 1759. The opinion of the Guildry being asked by the Town Council relative to the decision of the Synod of Perth and Stirling in October last in the appeal which came before them concerning the settlement of a second minister, it was resolved by a majority of six that application should be made for a moderation to Mr. Muschet singly, instead of a moderation at large. 2 December, 1759. The Guildry, being convened to fix upon a second minister, the protest as to members voting in a double capacity was renewed. On a division, 21 voted for the Rev. David Plenderleith, Dalkeith, and 18 for Mr. John Muschet, probationer, Perth, and a delegate was appointed to represent the Guildry at the Presbytery. [Delegate's expenses, 6s. 6d. sterling.] i76o.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. iii 20 September, 1760. No person to be an extraordinary auditor for more than two years in Extra- succession. If any difficulty is found in passing the town and Hospital audSorf accounts, instructions to be taken from the Guildry. 2 May, 1761. Ten guineas voted towards the purchase of a machine or engine for Fire engine, extinguishing fire. Five guineas given for a bridge over the water at Kirkliston. Kirkliston bridge. 27 October, 1761. The Magistrates and Council, having agreed to an address of thanks Address to to the Hon. William Pitt, Esq., late one of His Majesty's principal secre- taries, the Guildry resolved to apply to the Town Council to join in the address, and to be particularly mentioned therein. 25 September, 1^62. Mr. James Erskine, advocate, son of the late James Erskine of Grange, Mr. James Esq., some time provost of the burgh, admitted guild brother for 10 merks admitted. and £^ as officer's fee. 3 December, 1763. Liberty granted to John Mackenzie to trade in the wholesale way in Liberty to timber, iron, and other articles for the space of five years, he paying to the guild treasurer los. sterling yearly. He is in no way entitled, but ex- pressly prohibited, to keep a retailing shop. Three guineas granted to the finishing of Tullibody bridge. Tullibody bridge. I January, 176/^. Trading license granted to Alexander Christie, son of John Christie, Trading Sherrifmuirlands, for five years, at los. sterling yearly. license. 30 March, 176$. A committee appointed to consider the petition of the Skinners for Skinners' the re-building of their house, which had fallen, ^°^^^- 112 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [i;6s. Mortcloths. Trading licenses. Admission gratis. 13 July, 176s. Two new mortcloths bought for ;^22 iis 8d. sterling. All strangers in the town getting the use of them to pay 5s. for the larger one and 3s. for the lesser, but they are not to be lent to be carried out of the town. Guild brethren residing in the town to have the mortcloths for burying in the country, but none residing in the country to have them except when the corpse is brought into and buried in the town. 6 November, 176^. Trading licenses granted to James Edmond and John Christie, Stirling, for five years at los. annually. 2 August, 1766. John Paterson, guildbrother's son, admitted gratis in respect of his straitened circumstances. 27 September, 1766. Half the expense of repairing the Skinners' house (£s is. Qd.) de- Repair of house. frayed by the Guildry. 17 October, 1767. Trading licenses to chapmen. Licensed traders to take guild- brother's oath. Bill of entry of John Barronet, a suspected Jesuit. Trading licenses granted to two chapmen for five years at los. per annum. 13 December, 1767. Edward Christie and Andrew Wingate received liberty to merchandise for five years at los. per annum, and swore the usual oath of a guild brother, the Guildry recommending to the guild council to cause those formerly entered on the same footing to swear the said oath. 26 March, 1768. Anent the bill of entry given into court this day by John Barronet, residenter in Stirling, craving to be admitted a guildbrother of said burgh, and offering to pay the dues accustomed for his entry — upon reading of the bill. Commissary Finlayson, guildbrother, out of regard to this burgh and Guildry thereof, of which he has the honour of being a member, pro- tested that as the said John Barronet was an intire stranger and altogether unknown to this Court and the inhabitants of this burgh, and by many suspected to be a Jesuit or trafficking priest, his bill ought to be rejected. 1768.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 113 at least not proceeded in untill, Prima, that he satisfied the court as to his Bill of entry way and manner of life for some years past and produce proper certificates Barronet, a thereof and of his moral character from the places he last resided in for the ^^^P?f=*ed space of an year or an half year or so. It was not riches alone that he pre- tended that was the only qualification of a gildbrother, for these might be acquired by many evil ways, unless these be joined with a good moral character, which is the principall qualification of a man for civil society. And secundo, untill he removed the suspicion of his being a Jesuit or tra- fficking Priest, such persons being declared enemys to our constitution, both of Church and State, by taking and subscribing the formula prescribed by law, which if he be not a person of these characters he could have no hesitation to do. And if he be a man of a good moral character he could have no difficulty of procuring proper certificates thereof, and all these within the space of one month from this date, which is the time appointed by the laudable laws of the Gildry for strangers' bills of entry to lye on the table. That in that space the Gildry might have proper information of the character of the person applying to be entered, both as to his morality and otherwise, and examined the same. And thereon took instruments in the clerk of court's hands. To which it was answered by John Forrester, gildbrother, that the principall qualifications necessary to intitle one to be entered with the Gildry of this burgh is his age, which is not objected to, next that his stock be 3000 merks Scots. As to the last, he very lately purchased property in this town to the extent of ;^I92 sterling and paid the same down in ready money, and has been seen possessed of cash to a greater extent than that, and has been in and intends carrying on a very extensive trade, so that there was no necessity for allowing his bill to lye on the table a month, as there are recent precedents to this purpose in such circumstances. And as to the story of the Jesuitism, the clerk at writing out his bill this morning caused read over the formula, when he declared that he was born and bred a Protestant, and would swear and subscribe to that oath whenever required. But this court is not competent to it, therefore he ought to be immediately admitted. Therefore the vote being put, allow the said John Barronet's bill to lye on the table or not, it carried by a majority not to lye, the Gildry finding him qualified, but before ad- mission remitt him to be sworn as a burgess of the burgh in the Town Council as usuall. Eo. die. — Having been sworn as a burgess, John Barronet was admitted as a guildbrother on payment of ^204 Scots and £0, officer's fee, 8 114 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1770. Scheme of Entries. New Fire- Engine, Entries. Act for applying to to the Council to take off the outgoing customs. 15 December, 1770. A committee appointed to make out a clean copy of the scheme anent the entries of guildbrethren. 30 March, 1771. ;^20 sterling granted for a new fire-engine, the present one being found insufficient. 7 December, 1771. The committee formerly named for making proposals anent the entries of guildbrethren and strangers, to make out their report to be presented at next meeting. The same day, a petition was given into the Guildry signed by a good number of the guildbrethren, setting forth that the custom exacted for goods exported furth of the burgh has always been a great grievance and done much hurt to the trade of the burgh, that thereby dealers in the neighbourhood are enabled to undersell the merchants of this burgh, and therefore praying the court would make application to the Magistrates and Town Council to fall upon proper methods for removing this grievance. The Guildry unanimously approve of the said motion and humbly propose to the Council to adopt the same, and in order so far to make up for the loss the revenue may thereby sustain, that the Council would give a tack of Cowane's Hospital fishing boats for ninety-nine years at £'i,6 Scots yearly, or for such time and at what low rent they think proper ; and if this should be found not sufficient, to fall upon some other fund to make up the deficiency, and if possible that the inhabitants may be free of out- going custom after next sett or sooner if found convenient, and appoint an extract of this to be laid before the Council at their next meeting. The Guildry unanimously approve of a scheme for bringing water into the burgh, and resolve to aid and assist the Magistrates and Council in the execution thereof as much as in their power, and recommend to the dean of guild to acquaint the Council of their resolution, and to desire the Council to proceed with all convenient expedition. 18 June, 1772. The purchase A petition was given in for the Seven Incorporated Trades praying of Comtown. ^^^ ^^ Guildry would concur with them in the summons of reduction intended at their instance before the Lords of Council and Session against Water Scheme. 1772.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 115 the other members of the Town Council for reducing the purchase of the The purdiase lands of Corntown lately made for Allan's Mortification, and the Guild- °* ^'°'''''°^°- dry, having considered the said petition, they unanimously refuse the desire thereof. 2 September^ ^772. The same day, it was represented to the Guildry by Provost Gourlay ^"t anent the and other members that the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital in Stirling had fending the" by an act of the August last agreed to dispose the superiorities be- of cowane^s^ longing to that Hospital in the county of Clackmannan to Thomas and Hospital, and Charles Dundasses without any onerous cause, which they judged to be an'in^quiry prejudicial to the Guildry and unconstitutional, and desired that the said thereanent. transactions should be enquired into, and the minutes of a meeting of several merchants of the 31st August last being produced and read, it was mentioned f ? motioned] that the opinion of the Guildry should be given whether to approve and adopt the measures proposed by the minutes or not, and that these minutes should be engrossed in the Guildry Records and made part of the Act of the Guildry. Before putting of which ques- tion. Provost Jafifray, for himself and in name of the Magistrates and merchant Council and other guildbrethren, or who shall adhere to him, protested against putting the motion at all or engrossing the minutes of any private meetings of any of the merchants, and that nothing therein proposed shall stop them from voting. And Bailie John Gibb protested in his own name and in name of all who now or hereafter shall adhere to him, that if the Guildry shall so precipitantly resolve to enter into any process against the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital anent the matters alleged against them ; as the funds of the Guildry were originally intended to have been always applied in educating and clothing the children of indigent guildbrethren and paying their apprentice fees, that some [? none] of the said Guildry funds shall be appropriated or ordered to be applied for the on- carrying of any such action or process, but that the promoters or raisers thereof and all who shall vote for the same being done at the expense of the Guildry shall be liable in all cost, skaith, damage, interest, and expense to be sustained by the Guildry or funds thereof, and answerable for the consequences of any action to be brought against them for such misap- plication, and which the said John Gibb and those his adherents hereby declare they will bring to a trial, and therein took instruments. To which protests the said Provost Gourlay and others declared they would give in answers in due time, and William Christie, jun., for himself and all his ii6 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1772. Act anent the Councils de- fending the superiorities of Cowane's Hospiral, and appointing an inquiry tbereanent. adherents, protested that the Town Council should have no vote in this question ; and the foresaid question being put, viz., Whether to approve and adopt the resolutions contained in said minutes and engross them as part of the Acts of the Guildry or not, it carried approve, adopt, and engross by a majority of 34, 49 having voted for it and 1 5 against it, and 3 members voted for delaying the matter till an extract of the Act of Council was got and laid before the Guildry for their consideration. Here follow the minutes referred to, which bear that the Town Council had agreed to dispone some superiority in the county of Clackmannan belonging to Cowane's Hospital to Colonel Masterton, M.P. for the Stirling District of Burgh, and others, which the meeting of mer- chants desired to prevent, and accordingly made application for a guild court to consider the matter, and appointed a committee for that purpose. William Christie, jun., mentioned to the meeting, that at the desire of a number of respectable inhabitants of the burgh, he had written a letter to Colonel Masterton on the subject, a copy of which letter was produced and approved of. The meeting was of opinion that in the guild court no member of the Town Council ought to be allowed to vote on the above matters when they came to be agitated ; that in the event of the Guildry being of opinion that the Town Council had agreed to give away any part of Cowane's Hospital funds gratuitously, they ought to appoint a committee with full powers to raise a reduction of such Acts of Council and all con- sequences thereof, and that the expense ought to be defrayed out of the funds of the Guildry. The Guildry agree to continue the committee named in the foregoing minutes for carrying their resolutions into execution, and add to them Bailies Stevenson and Littlejohn, and Mr. Moir, and appoint them to report their proceedings to next meeting on Saturday come eight days. 12 September, 1772. The committee reported they had yet nothing done since last court, and were continued with their former powers. Act anent The same day, the dean of guild and guildbrethren ordain the Guild chui^h wHh Council, guild auditors, and extra auditors and clerk to walk every Sunday the dean of to church with the dean of guild, and sit in the fore seat of the merchant loft, and appoint the officer to prevent any other person sitting there, and ordain this act to be observed in all time coming. guild. 1772.] EJ^tRACtS FROM THE RECORDS. 117 5 December, 1772. The clerk, having represented that Mr. Hew M'Kaill, writer in Edin- The thanks burgh, had made the Guildry a pre.sent of ane original copy of the agree- given to Hew ment betwixt the Town Council of Stirling and Alexander Cowan, and M'Kaill. which he had copied with the other writings of the Guildry in terms of a former act, and that said agreement was in his custody, — Moved that the thanks of the court be given Mr. M'Kaill for said present, which was unanimously agreed to, and a copy of this act appointed to be transmitted him by Mr. Moir, who is appointed to thank him in name of the Guildry. The clerk reported that in terms of the Guildry's appointment last Copies of Charters &c court, he had copied over King David's Charter, Alexander Cowan's agree- ' ment with the Town Council, and the Decrees of Declarator at the instance of Alexander Jack against the Town Council and at the instance of the Guildry against the Trades, in a book for that purpose, and also made out indices to the three volumes of the Acts of the Guildry, all of which he produced. The committee appointed 2nd September last reported to the Guildry Eeport of the what they had done in consequence of the powers formerly committed to a^^' ^^ them respecting the Council's having given away the votes belonging to Cowane's Cowane's Hospital, and particularly that they had advised counsel there- supmorities. upon and been advised that the Guildry were well founded in an action for reducing the Council's deed in giving away these votes ; and that the committee had given in certain proposals to the Town Council with a view to have differences settled, so as to prevent any law plea, and that though it be now seventeen days since the Council got their proposals they have made no answer thereto to the committee. The committee therefore desired to know from this court what further steps they should take in the matter. Upon which motion, the dean of guild, as president of the Council, informed this court that the Council had the committee's proposals laid before them, and appointed a committee of their number to make up answers to these proposals, which answers were to be laid before the Council the 12th curt, and that day the Council's answer will be given to the guild clerk, who is a member of the committee. All which being considered by the court, they approve of what the committee have done, re-appoint them to go on to a process unless an answer to the committee's satisfaction be given against the 12th curt., and to draw on the treasurer for what money may be necessary for that purpose, and he is hereby authorised to advance it ii8 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1772. Report of the accordingly, and the vote being put as to this matter it carried for the anent above judgment, 30 members voting for it and 8 against it, of which eight Cowanes g were members of the Town Council. Hospital superiorities. The Guildry also appoint the committee to comprehend the other articles of their proposals to the Council on the process to be raised in the event of the Council's answer not being satisfactory. 14 December, 1772. Abstract of The dean of guild produced in Court answers by the Town Council the Councils Council to the proposals given into them by the committee of Guildry the appointed to obtain redress for the Council's disponing the superiorities propoaair^ belonging to Cowane's Hospital and otherwise, and also produced a protest anent signed by the convener for himself and the other deacons of the Seven Hospital's Incorporated Trades, both which and the proposals of the committee being superiorities. j.g^j ^-^^ reasoned upon, the court came to the following state of a vote, — Proceed or delay, by proceed it being understood that the committee shall immediately proceed to execute the powers already committed to them, and by delay it being understood that the committee shall take the answers now given in into consideration and report their opinion to the court, and the votes being marked it carried proceed, 40 members voting proceed and 18 members voting delay, of which forty 10 were members of the com- mittee, and of which eighteen 12 were members of the Town Council and 2 Hospital masters. A protest having been made against hasty procedure, the Guildry appointed that nothing further concerning the affair should be agitated in the guild court till the first Saturday of March next. 17 April, 177 z. Discount on Hugh Smith having been admitted a guildbrother, some of the mem- entry money, j^^j.^ proposed that as he was married to a merchant's daughter who had been formerly married to Archibald Innes, by whom she had no child now living, and therefore could bring no burden on the Hospital, the Guildry should discount him so much of his entry money, but several others ob- jected, and the vote was taken, when it was carried by a majority to give five guineas discount, and the entry money paid was ;^ii 8s. 6d. sterling, including £4 Scots as officer's fee. I773-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 119 10 May, 1773. The Guildry approve of the Town Council opposing the passing of Mortmain the Mortmain Bill on the ground that it might be prejudicial to the morti- fications of the burgh and infringe on the will of the mortifiers. 7 August, 1777,. The Guildry agree to pay the Glasgow carrier three guineas, and Glasgow and recommend to the Town Council to give two more. A committee ap- carriers.^ pointed to regulate the carriage to be paid for carrying goods and money to and from Glasgow. The Guildry also recommend the Magistrates to oblige the Edinburgh carrier to grant receipts for all goods and money delivered to him when the same shall be required. The Guildry appoint a committee to meet with the Magistrates and Committee concert measures for bringing in water to the town, and to report their anent bring- procedure. ^^^ ^^ water. 26 August, 1771. The Committee anent the Glasgow carrier recommend that the carriage Eeport of of all goods to and from Glasgow be at the rate of one shilling sterling per anwit Gias- cwt. for goods weighing i cwt. and upwards, and is. 2d. per cwt. from % gow carrier. to I cwt., and below "%, what sum the proprietor and carrier can agree for. The rate of carriage of money to be as follows: — Every sum from ;£'io to ^50, 6d. sterling ; oi £ip to £\(X), is. ; for every £100 sterling, is. Report approved of. The dean of guild laid before the meeting the proceedings of the The water committee of Council relative to the scheme for bring in water to the town ^° ®™®' from Gillieshill, which was unanimously approved of, and many present subscribed voluntarily to the expense of the scheme. 31 August, 177 1. The Guildry agree to contribute .^100 sterling to the water scheme, and recommend the dean of guild to apply to the Town Council to take from Cowane's Hospital funds such sums as may be necessary for complet- ing the work, so far as there shall be a deficiency in the subscriptions and other funds which are to be applied in the execution of the scheme, and the court recommend to the Trades and communities to be as liberal as their funds will allow, in order to save the fund of the Hospital. lio THE STIRLING GUlLDRY BOOK. [1773- 22 September, 1773. The water The dean of guild read extract of Town Council's minute stating that Mr. Murray of Touchadam had agreed to give the town a perpetual grant of the water of some springs in Gillieshill, which were so situate as the water from thence could be brought nearly as high as the market cross and probably higher, and it was judged in sufficient quantities to supply the town sufficiently. Mr. Murray was also to give ground for buildings about springs and any space necessary to collect the feeders and allow pipes to be laid, on receiving a compliment of and being paid damages in carrying through the work. It was suggested that the committee to be appointed for carrying the scheme into execution should consist of 23, whereof 9 from the Council, 7 from the Guildry, and 7 from the Trades and four communities, five of the 7 to be chosen by the Trades and two by the communities. Approved of, and committee appointed accordingly. 6 November, 1773. Actanentthe Mr. M'Killop moved that the prosecution against the Magistrates against the anent Cowane's Hospital superiorities should be discontinued for various magistrates, reasons, especially because the Town Council had offered very large assist- ance to the completing of the water scheme from the funds under their management, as well as from their own private purses. On a division 50 voted prosecute and 20 no. Tlie water The Guildry approve of an act of Council giving £20^ sterling to the water scheme on the security offered for ;^io a year perpetually, and authorising the Hospital master yearly for twenty years to come to [give] the guild treasurer £^ sterling, to be applied by the Guildry to the educa- tion and clothing of their poor and orphans. 13 August, 1774. Act anent the The dean submitted a minute of the Town Council asking the opinion ow ar e. ^^ ^^ Guildry as to whether the town should at the request of the Trades give up the tack of Spittall's Hospital park set to them for behoof of the community and accommodating the burgesses with grass for cows, and after long arguments it was carried by 19 votes against 3 that the Council should stick or abide by the tack of the foresaid parks. 1774] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 121 2 September, 1774. The Guildry unanimously agreed that they should be at no expense Act anent the Cow PsitIcs in any process betwixt the Town Council and the Trades with regard to the Cow Parks, but leave it to the Town Council to act in the matter as they thought proper. I October, 1774. A committee appointed to apply to the Town Council and concur with The poor, them, the Kirk Session, communities and inhabitants to concert a proper scheme for maintaining the poor within doors, and prevent the town being troubled with beggars not belonging to the parish. 15 November, 1774. The committee to meet with the Magistrates and Kirk Session in order to take up subscriptions from the inhabitants for maintaining the poor within doors, and recommend to Provost Alexander to apply to the ministers in town to intimate from their pulpits the days on which the subscriptions are to be taken up. 5 August, 1775. The Guildry unanimously disapprove of the condescendence in the The process process against the Council, and appoint a new committee to meet with a marfstrate^s. committee of the Patrons and form proposals for rectifying any abuse that may subsist, the process to be sisted in the meantime, but if no agreement is come to before the 12th November, it shall then be proceeded with. 8 October, 1775. Committee's report, and Act of Patrons approving thereof; — The Guildry committee did meet by themselves the loth day of August last and on several other days till the 2Sth, and having examined the several articles of charge in the late committee of Guildry, their condescendence and the answers thereto, given in last July in the process before the Court of Session before mentioned, and had inspection of the Hospital records and accompts, which were very minutely gone through. The committee observed that it was not the practice from the 1695, when the Long Act was made, nor for many years after, to set the Hospital lands by roup ; the Patrons were in use sometimes to do so, and at other times either to order tacks to be granted by the masters to particular tenants or other persons, or to authorise the masters to set the lands themselves. The Committee 122 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1775. also observed that from the 1695 downwards, Patrons or members of Council were possessors of lands and others belonging to both town and Hospitals, and for many years down to the 1739, for the most part the Hospital masters were Patrons also — one they observe was 14 years a master of Cowane's Hospital and all the while councillor, bailie, and provost alter- nately, — and another for s years together and others for less space of time. The committee likeways observed that it was the practice from the 1695 ^nd for some years after, for the Patrons or greatest part of them to meet jointly with extraordinary auditors and fitting and auditing the Hospital masters' accounts, and the Patrons ordering payment of particular accounts of themselves. And that afterwards 5, 6, or 7 of the Patrons were appointed ordinary auditors for auditing the accounts before laying them before the Patrons. With regard to the condescendence, the Guildry committee did not discover any instance of the Patrons having alienated the property of the Hospital gratuitously, either to friends or any other person. 2d. — They discovered no instance of a purchase being made at any time by the Patrons of the Hospital for the private sanctionment of the Patrons for the time. They found that the Patrons at any capital pur- chase made for the Hospital had not friends belonging thereto to pay the price and keep the lands before belonging to the Hospital. In the year 1724, at the conclusion of the purchase of the Abbey lands, it appears that whatever other sums were borrowed, an heritable bond was granted to the Bank of Scotland, 26,000 merks, bearing interest at 5 per cent. It also appears that in 1742 the Hospital owed of principal sums £2861 2s. 2iVd. sterling, and that the same was reduced to a small amount at the time of the purchase of Muirtoun about 20 years after, and betuixt that and the purchase of Carsebonny the former debt and part of the price of Muirtoun were paid off. The debt at present exceeds that in 1742 in the sum of £26gg 8s. 3i^jd., and comparing the rental of Muirtoun and Carsebonny as at present with the interest of the increased debt at 4^ p.c, the interest paid the rents exceed the interest in ;^I95 14s. iid. sterling yearly, and having also calculated the rent and the interest of their two purchases the yearly rent exceeds the annualrent at 4^ p.c, in ;^34 8s. 5d. sterling. 3d. — With regard to the tack of the small croft adjoining Whinwell, the fact turns out as stated in the answers to the condescendence. William Shaw owed a considerable debt to the Hospital, the fund of payment was his property at Whinwell, and the right of his possession of that croft, whereof II or 12 years were to run, a sale by roup was attempted without effect by Shaw's Trustees, who then represented to the Patrons that enlarging 1775-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 123 the space of the tack from 11 to 12 to 19 years might have a good effect. This was agreed to on condition that ;£'iSO sterling of the price of Shaw's subjects should go towards paying his debt to the Hospital, which was higher than had been offered, while his other creditors were entitled to a dividend. The property of Whinwell, with the tack prolonged 7 or 8 years and the then current one, and the price Provost Alexander paid at the second roup, was about £igo sterling, whereof the Guildry got the ;^I50 stipulated, and ordered thereon the tack to be made out for 19 years. The former would not have expired till Martinmas, 1778, more than three years hence. The provost parted with the whole for his own money to Captain Graham, retaining a corner of the croft, and the Captain would be content to part with his bargain at a considerable discompt as is known to some of the committee. This transaction the committee think was ad- vantageous to the Hospital. With respect to Bailie Burd, he appears not to have been a Patron when he took any of the Hospital lands, that what of Carsebonny he possesses was taken at a public roup by John Stevenson, his brother-in-law, who at the same time took a larger part of Carsebonny, which Baillie Muschet entered to possession of Afterwards, John Stevin- son yielded these to them, while Baillie Burd was in Council and Baillie Muschet out of it. The committee found no defalcation of rent given to any tenant who was a Patron or is one at present. 4th. — The committee discovered no blending of the accompts of the town and Hospital, each being kept quite separate and distinct from the other. 5th. — Except in the instance of Baillie Stevinson when master of the Hospital, which proved no disadvantage to the Hospital, but which should not be followed, the committee found that the masters have yearly made their accounts for many years past. 6th. — The committee cannot ascertain how long the balances have been unpaid, because the preceding master charges himself with these balances, and except in William Shaw's case they do not dis- cover a master giving up in arrear any former balance of his predecessor, and no doubt the new master who cannot for some time touch rents re- quires money from his predecessor to pay the weekly pensioners, and a continued master is in the same situation. 7th. — The committee observe that the accounts have been laid before the auditors before being approved by the Patrons, and find no instance of the Patrons passing accounts dis- allowed by the auditors. 8th. — The committee do not think it contrary to the spirit of the Long Act for any member of Council offering for town and Hospital lands at a public roup, providing he do it openly and not by another, thereby leaving himself one of the judges of the roup in his own 124 THE STIRLING GUlLDRY BOOK. [1775. favour, and by the practice subsequent to the Long Act, 1695, before taken notice of, it had not been thought incompatible for a tacksman to continue such and be at the same time eligible as a member of Council and Patron. The more that are at liberty to bid at a roup, so much the better for pro- curing an equal rent in price, and when a set or sale is by public roup it prevents purchasing or procuring at easy rates, which was what the Long Act guarded against when roups of the Hospital lands were unusual, and to prevent even the suspicion, members of Council may be declared incap- able of taking assignments to tacks. The committee having proceeded thus far, they next deliberated on the further regulations they should propose to the Committee from the Patrons, and, with their approbation, to offer to the Patrons and Guildry, as the joint report of both committees, and suggested those following in aid of the Long Act, 1695, as proper, considering the difference of times and circumstances since that Act, and that from experience these may be proper, though the said Act contains very proper regulations of itself. imo. — That when the affairs of the Hospital require a meeting of the Patrons, the whole of them being duly warned by order of the chief magistrate in the place at the time personally, or at their dwelling-houses if residing in the town, at least the day before the meeting, and that the officer certify the same verbally at the meeting, otherways the act and orders of any meeting not so called shall be ipso facto null and of no effect, excepting less matters, as the ordinary supply to needy objects entitled in urgent cases, which may be done as formerly. This is not hinted from anything that appears to have happened, but as a preventative in time coming. 2nd. — As the debts of the Hospital are considerable, but which may be paid off in a number of years by good management without neglecting the objects of the mortification, it be de- clared that it shall not be in the power of the Patrons, present or to come, to make any purchases of lands or other subjects for the Hospital, nor to burden its estates for the payment of the price thereof, until the debt be paid off, unless the proposition be laid before a regularly called meeting of the Guildry, and approved of by the majority of such meeting. 3rd. — That to prevent all collusion in the sets or sales of all or any of the Hos- pital's lands hereafter, the same be by public roup on three or four weeks' public advertisement weekly through the town and all other places judged needful, and any sales or sets otherways made to be ipso facto void and null, and challengeable by any one or more members of the Guildry, and the Patrons making sales or sets otherways to be liable in the whole expense of challenge. 4th. — That the Patrons shall not have power to 1775] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 125 quit or abate any of the rents, rests, or other debts due or to be due to the Hospital without the approbation of a regular meeting of the Guildry or majority of such meeting, otherways that the discharge or abatement shall have no effect, and the Patrons themselves to be liable for the debt and the expense of any suit against them therefor at the instance of any of the Guildry. In case this restriction be restricted to debts due by any of the Patrons, it may suffice. Sth. — With regard to the accompts of the Hospital, as well the particular as the general accompts, that they be audited before approbation in terms of the Act, 1695, and the accompts of the Hospital be made annually at or before Candlemas by the master for the preceding year, and from the i st of March after the balance to bear interest till paid, whether due to or by the Hospital, and that the bonds by the Hospital master and his cautioner be in these terms, providing that if a master is continued in office after the former year, and he owing a balance, he only pay up or pay interest for what is over the necessary supply till the other funds answer the occasions of the Hospital, and if a balance is due to him by the Hospital, that he be not entitled to interest thereof without showing by his cash book and vouchers that he is not in cash of the Hospital, and for how long. 6th. — That on no pretence shall the master be allowed credit for any rents due beyond a year to the Hospital at making his accompts without showing he has done due and prudential diligence for securing or recovering thereof, and that the interposition of the Patrons to prevent him shall be no excuse to him for his neglect. And as considerable arrears are now resting to the Hospital, many of them old and recoverable, let the Patrons examine the list as soon as they conveni- ently can, and distinguish those desperate, not to be sought after, from those that are good or probable, that the present master may be in dili- gence before he make his accompts against these last mentioned, either to recover payment or obtain sufficient security for their respective debts. 7th. — Agreeable to the practice since 1739, the committee think that it may be proper to resolve that a Patron, while such, be not capable of being elected sole master of the Hospital or one of the masters thereof And the Guildry committee and that from the Patrons having met on the 28th of August last, and resolved and deliberated upon the foregoing seven proposed regulations, they unanimously approved thereof, and appointed the same to be made out in form against this day, when they appointed to meet and subscribe the same, and directed that a copy thereof be laid by the Patrons' committee before a meeting of the Patrons to be called in the way above directed, and in case of their approving thereof that this 126 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1775. report and this act of approbation be laid before the Guildry for their opinion, and that this should put an end to bygone processes and disputes. And that the said regulations, if approved, should be declared a part of the set of the burrow, and annually sworn to at the same time with the Long Act, to which they are intended a supplement, and be read there- with at the meeting for electing the Guildry's extraordinary auditors, and that the same shall remain unalterable unless with consent of the majority of a meeting of the Patrons and also a majority of a meeting of the Guildry at meetings regularly convened in the manner foresaid, signified by their several Acts to that effect. In testimony whereof the whole members or both committees subscribe these presents at Stirling, the ist day of Sept- ember, 1775 years. Guildry committee — (Sgd.) William M'Killop, Wm. Christie, jun., Robert Graham, John Glass, Henry Galloway. Patrons' committee — (Sgd.) Jas. Alexander, James Burd, James Adam, James Tower, Robert Alexander. And the Patrons having considered the fore- going report, they unanimously approve thereof, with the restriction made on the fourth article or regulation so as that article shall only be extended as to giving discompts to Patrons for the time being. And appoint an extract of the said report and of this Act to be laid by the dean of guild before the Guildry. (Sgd.) James Gibb, D.G. And the question being put whether this Court shall now proceed to the consideration of the said report or delay the same, it carried proceed by a majority of 25 to 2, several members declining to vote. And the seven regulations proposed to be observed being again separately read over, and the same with the said report and Act foresaid being duly deliberated upon, the meeting unanimously, except one, approved of the said report with the restriction made on the 4th regulation, and so approved of by the Patrons, 31 members having voted approve and 7 members declining to vote. Against which procedure, John Campbell, for himself and all that should adhere to him protested that as the report was nugatory and con- tradictory in itself, and because the meeting had not sufficient time to deliberate thereon, and thereon took instruments. Actanentthe The meeting, upon the application of Alex. M'Intyre, residenter in ' Stirling, letter carrier in the burgh for several years, complaining he was allowed nothing for that trouble from the Government post master, recom- mended to the dean of guild to write to the Government post master thereanent, and to lay his answer before the Guildry. 1776.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 127 20 March, 1776. The Guildry made choice of Mr. James Moir, merchant and guild- Appointment brother and Sheriff-Substitute of Stirlingshire, as preses of this court, seeing ° ■^'®^®^- they have now no dean of guild owing to the total reduction of the Magis- trates and Town Council of this burgh, and that the Court of Session have given the office of dean of guild to the Sheriff during the vacancy. Michael Connal, eldest lawful son of Patrick Connal, merchant and Michael guildbrother, admitted for 10 merks Scots and £^ Scots as officer's fee. admitted. 13 July, 1776. Every new guildbrother to pay $s. sterling to the water scheme, and Payment the other communities recommended to adopt the same plan with regard scheme. to new entrants. A motion was made by Peter Connal for himself and a number of Minute others, who had formerly presented a petition to the Guildry respecting theatrical theatrical exhibitions, That this court should so far show their disappro- exhibitions. bation of such exhibitions as to refuse the liberty of this guildhall in time coming to the actors of such performances. The Guildry delay considera- tion of this matter till afterwards. 8 September, 1776. The court recommend to the managers to refuse the use of the Theatricals Hospital house to theatrical people, and further, considering that the said "" anomg. house, in its windows and otherwise, is sometimes abused on occasion of dancing, they recommend that it shall not be given for any use of dancing till the person procuring the favour oblige himself to repair any damage the house may sustain. A Committee of two appointed to examine the tradesmen's accounts Tradesmen's in room of the extraordinary auditors. accounts. Bills of entry upon a marriage, instead of bearing that the claimant is Bills of entry entitled to be entered in right of his marriage or his father-in-law's entry, °'^ carnage. to run, " That the claimant craves it may please the Guildry to take the matter into consideration and do as they see proper," as they judge that such entry is not a matter of right, but of favour, and that they are entitled to judge as to the propriety of the entry of the person claiming upon a marriage. 128 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [i;77- Repair of highways Guildry auditor. 4 January, 1777. Committee appointed to attend county meeting and object to proposed Bill respecting the making and repairing the highways in the county. 7 January, 1777. Dr. Graham reported that a memorial on behalf of the inhabitants of the burgh had been presented to the county meeting, and attention was paid thereto in so much that the gentlemen and heritors unanimously gave up that part of the heads of the prepared Bill anent taxing the opulent inhabitants of towns, villages, and other places within the shire, and reserved to the burgh the statute work of their carters, horsehirers, and others. The Guildry continued the Committee with instructions to endeavour to have the Bill framed so as to be least burdensome to the inhabitants and the Hospitals, and in particular that a composition in place of performing the statute work by householders be Sxed not higher than what has been paid in consequence of the Turnpike Acts, being 18 pence yearly for each, and to prevent a separate tax from being laid upon coal and lime carters and others carrying goods for hire. 4 March, 1777. Alex. Cunningham elected one of the Guildry's auditors. I August, 1777. Bills of entry The Act of 28th September, 1776, allowing the form of bills of entry on marriage ypQjj marriage, rescinded and annulled as highly improper. 20 September, 1777. Act anent the Bailie Wallace moved, "That this Court do now fall upon proper restOTation of ffjgasures for applying to His Majesty for a restoration of this Burgh its privileges, to its privileges," and gave as his reasons — That the dignity of the burgh required a speedy restoration, especially as the persons entrusted with the management of the burgh were privately squandering away the funds and alienating and disponing of the property of the burgh in favour of particular persons. And Messrs. Cunningham, Tower, Banks, Campbell, and several others observed that there were no grounds for any impeach- ment against the conduct of the Managers, on the contrary, by their pru- dence and good management the burgh was in a flourishing condition, and if they were to continue their management a few years longer the town i;;;.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 129 and Hospitals would be much freed of debt. On a division, Delay con- Act anent the sideration of the motion for a month was carried by a great majority, and the Burgh to a Committee was appointed to inquire into the conduct of the Managers, its privileges. 18 October, 1777. The Committee declared they were not prepared to report, and the Guildry, by a great majority, resolved to apply for the speedy restoration of the burgh's privileges. Bailie Wallace's reasons formulated as follows : — The want of the conveniency of applying for justice by way of summary complaint to the Magistrates in small matters occurring between burgesses. Secondly, the town being at present undivided and uninfluenced by any member of Parliament, by which means they could make a more free and independent choice than otherways. Thirdly, the dignity of the burgh and a regard to the sentiments of our ancestors required it at our hands ; and lastly, that the town is not represented in the Convention of the Royal Burrows where the public taxes are proportioned and laid on. 7 December, 1777. The Committee's proposals as to the new set of the burgh, the persons entitled to vote, and the expense of the application to the King adopted. The set proposed was nearly that which was eventually granted. The electors were to be only guildbrethren and members of the Seven Incor- porated Trades, residents before Michaelmas last. No honorary burgess, pensioner, or town's servant such as Town officer. Guild officer, Kirk officer, bellringer, jailor, or quarter-master of the army was to have a vote. The expense of the application and scheme was to be defrayed out of the funds of the Town and Hospitals. 3 January, 1778. The Guildry resolved to make application for restoring the burgh, and instructed their Committee to draw up a memorial to the Lord Advocate. 31 January, 1778. The new Road Bill disapproved of NewKoad ^^ Bill. Eo. die. — It being represented that the Managers had offered a reward Act anent the of two guineas to every volunteer who would enlist in a particular com- gerv^e!"^ pany belonging to a regiment now levying, the Court were of opinion that this was an improper application of the Town and Hospital funds, because it was not aiding the public service in general, but a private gentleman, 130 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1778. Act anent the for raising a particular company, but they expressed their consent to the service. Managers offering 2 guineas to recruits belonging to the parish and royalty, for any corps whatever, up till 24th March. It was also stated that a number of the Guildry and inhabitants proposed to open a subscription paper for doubling the bounty. 7 March, I'j'jZ. Burgh A motion carried that if the Managers of the burgh refused to defray the expense of the restoration out of the Town and Hospital funds, it should be defrayed out of the Guildry funds, to be reimbursed by the Council when the burgh was restored. 14 March, 1778. (98 Members present.) The resolution to defray the expense of restoration out of the Guildry funds was reversed by fifty-eight to thirty, and it was agreed that if the Managers could not apply the public funds for that purpose without the authority of the Court of Session, the Committee should make application to that Court for warrant to the Managers. 7 August, 1778. Act anent the Provost Gourlay, one of the Managers, laid before the meeting a letter ^ ™^" from Mr. Callender of Craigforth relative to a new set of the fishing — that he thought setting his fishing together with the town's was by far the most eligible method, but that the former resolution on the tacksman being obliged to serve the town of Stirling at a certain rate and for a less price than they could get from another, was improper, and that this resolution should be taken off in all future sets as such a servitude would deter offerers from bidding. The matter was delayed. 15 August, 1778. The Guildry were unanimously of opinion that the terms of the former set should be continued, and that the tacksman should be obliged to serve the inhabitants at the former rates. 26 September, 1778. ken into consideratic the keeping of a Tc would be a proper way of redressing that abuse to have a certain number Act anent a The Court, having taken into consideration the great abuse of that ■ excellent article of police, the keeping of a Town Guard, resolved that it 1778.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 131 of men fit for the purpose of guard-keeping to be nominated and kept up -^ct anent a by a subscription of the inhabitants and public funds and put under proper regulations. A Committee was appointed to wait upon the Managers and to propose the matter to them, and concert with them for carrying the measure into execution. 19 December, 1778. The Guildry unanimously agree to the remonstrance and application Statutes to His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament against the repeal of the pop™. penal statutes against Popery, and appoint a Committee to meet with the Committee appointed by the Trades and confer and deliberate with them upon pioper measures for carrying their resolutions into execution. 19 January, 1779. Petitions praying for liberty to be heard against the Bill for repealing the present statutes against Popery approved of, and the Guildry resolved instantly to repair to the East Church to meet with the other Royal Incor- porations and tolerated societies in town in order if possible to elect one common Preses to subscribe their petitions as the joint applications of the whole. At the meeting in the Church, which was duly constituted by prayer, the Preses of the Guildry (Sheriff-Substitute Moir) was elected Preses, and duly subscribed the petitions to which the town seals were appended. The meeting was unanimously of opinion that it would be very proper to address the Throne upon this occasion, and recommended to their Preses to write to London to know of the loyalty and propriety of this measure. 3 February, 1779. The Preses laid before the meeting a letter from Mr. Spottiswood, their Act auent solicitor at London, stating that the petition for restoring the burgh had re^tcmfon been referred to the Attorney-General, the Lord Advocate, and Solicitor- General of England with instructions to report their opinion and what was fit to be done. As heavy expense was now incurring, it was necessary ;!£"200 or ^250 should be remitted to him in course. The Guildry agreed to recommend to the Managers to advance £iQO from the town's funds in addition to the ;£^50 already remitted, and to issue £100 from Cowane's Hospital. When further demands were made, the Guildry would contri- bute from their public funds, and they recommended to the several Com- munities to do the same as far as their funds would admit. 132 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1779. Actanentthe Eo. die. — Provost Gourlay represented that several applications had and Guildry's been made to the Managers by inhabitants who were not accommodated lofts. ^j^j^ seats in the East Church, that as the old Magistrates' and Guildry lofts were not properly appropriated, these should be converted into pews or desks and set by public roup, the rents to be applied to the public funds. 4 February, 1779. New New Managers and Hospital Masters recommended to Court of Managers Session. 28 June, 1779. Burgh Xhe Committee for the restoration of the burgh laid before the meet- restoration. . r 1.X1 • r • t t t • • r mg a letter from their London agent mformmg them that the petition for the restoration and alteration had been agreed upon by the Privy Council, and the writ of election would be issued after the Lord Advocate returned from Scotland, whither he had gone to inform himself about the election of deacons, &c., which he meant to shorten. 6 November, 1779. Cattle The Guildr}', in order to bring back the cattle market at the Latter Market at t-. > i i i i» /r » . i • . Latter Pair, tair, agreed to recommend to the Managers to make it a condition in selling the customs that cattle in droves coming to the said market should only pay half custom, and to take off the odd fractions as they used to occasion great dispute. And as it was to be feared that the South and other fields belonging to the town might be too small for holding the market, the Guildry also recommended the Managers to apply for and secure the King's Park for the better accommodation of all persons con- cerned. 12 August, 1780. Second The Guildry approve of the appointment of Mr. Walter Buchanan as ^'^*' minister of the second charge, in the event of the Rev. John Muschet being translated to the first charge. 9 September, 1780. Proposals by The following proposals were made on the part of the Trades : — ist, porations!"'^" That in the place of the Dean of Guild being Preses of the Council as formerly, the Provost should in future be Preses of the Council ; and 2nd, that in the election of the Deacon-Convener at the poll, each Trade should I78i.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 133 choose a delegate to join the Deacon that may be elected at the poll in the Proposals by choice of the Convener, and this delegate to continue a member of the porations. Convener Court till the next election of Council. These proposals were adopted, and all farther opposition from the Trades ceased. The following resolutions of the Trades were also adopted : — That the Guildry do choose yearly four of their number to sit in Council, one of whom to be Dean of Guild, and the Trades each their Deacon, independent of the Council short- ening their leets, and the former set in other respects to continue. 27 January, 1781. The Managers laid before the Guildry a summons of declarator served Actanentthe upon them at the instance of James Morrison and other pensioners upon the mwiage" Cowane's Hospital, complaining of the mode of management of the funds ™e'i* °\ thereof. The meeting appointed a Committee to inspect the management Hospital. of the revenues of the Hospital and the objects upon whom they had been bestowed, and in the meantime they agreed that the Managers employ counsel for opposing the process. The Guildry recommend the Court of Session to continue the present Managers, Hospital Masters, and office-bearers till a restoration of the burgh take place. 3 March, 1781. The Committee appointed on 27th January having had sundry meet- Actanentthe ings upon the business recommended to them, and having in the course of ^^g^^^mige^ their inquiry perused the original contract or deed of mortification of™6°*of Cowane's Hospital, and examined the records of the proceedings of the Hospital. Patrons from the establishment thereof to the present time, together with several of the Hospital Master's late fitted accompts, they report as follows : — In the first place, according to their conception of the mortifica- tion, the original sum of 40,000 merks Scots was destined for the support of twelve decayed gildbrethren resident in the burgh, at least what remained of that sum after defraying the expense of erecting and upholding the hospital or alms-house and garden under the denomination of Cowane's Hospital. But there is no provision made for the application of whatever excess or savings might happen of the annual revenue, which, therefore, seems to have been at the discretion of the Patrons. At the same time it does not seem to have been intended to restrict the proper objects of the 134 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1781. the mnnage' ment of Cowane's Hospital. Actanentthe charity to less than a comfortable subsistence, and the Committee discover process about , ,.,.,, ..,.,. ,.,. that such as applied for the benefit of this charity were amply subsisted in the earliest period, because it appears that was in 1661, above twenty years after the establishment, before any one applied for or was installed on the fund, and only two or three more pensioners were installed in the course of ten years. In the second place, the Patrons seem to have understood that they had full powers to bestow the excess of the original fund to beneficial purposes for the good of the widows and children of gildbrethren, for it appears in the records that as early as 1662, the Patrons bestowed a sum from the Hospital's funds to carry a gildbrother's wife and child to London. In six years after, they gave 400 merks to a gildbrother's son to set him up as a mechanic, and the following year a like sum to a gildbrother to enable him to carry on trade. In a few years after, a gild- brother's son had his expense at the college defrayed, and it has been the practice since of bestowing apprentice fees on gildbrothers' children, and they find also that the widows of gildbrethren came to be installed as pensioners as early as 1674, which practice has been ever since continued. They find also that only a part of those subsisting gn this hospital did at any time reside in the house, and that it was not till 1671 that any of the pensioners resided in the house. In the third place, the Committee find that the number of gildbrethren who for many years past have had pen- sions from the hospital have been thirty and upwards, and that the last list shown to the Committee have drawn by the year ^^178 19s. 4d. sterling, which is more than double the interest of the original mortified sum after deducting the charge of erecting the original alms-house and garden. The Committee are of opinion that the aged widows and helpless children of gildbrethren are very proper objects of this charity, especially when the profits of twice the original sum are bestowed upon men, and that the widows and children reside in the place. Lastly, the Committee, in ex- amining the Hospital Master's accompts, are satisfied therewith. They do not find that there has been any misapplication on roads and bridges. The proprietors of other estates contribute as well as the Hospital, and even individual inhabitants, for the benefit of access to the burgh and to their landward estates. The Committee, having also been shown the summons against the Patrons presently depending before the Court of Session, they think it proper to certify what they know with regard to the prosecutors and each of them separately. The first, James Morrison, the only one of the whole that was an actual trader, is possest of heritable subjects in the town, and, as far as the Committee know, free of incumbrances, yielding him i78i.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 135 above ;£'20 sterling yearly. As to the second, John Dinely, the Committee Actanentthe know of no burgess and gildbrother of that name. There was a stranger the manage- came here some years ago who boasted of his opulence and called himself 5'^'^''°^, Mr. Ready Money. He got acquainted with some of the gildbrethren and Hospital, applied to be admitted a guildbrother under the name of John Baronet, and in a frolic in the first meeting, and a very thin one, was admitted by the casting vote, contrary to the rules of the Guildry, for his bill ought to have lain a month, and his adoption was protested against. He soon after left the place and was not heard of for years, but coming back and complaining of poverty, got a weekly allowance from the hospital, and this is probably the John Dinely in the summons. The third is John Smith, an old coach- man, who married the daughter of a pensioner on the hospital and was but a short time admitted a gildbrother in the right of his wife, with the sole view of getting a pension when he applied, and was installed accordingly. But it is lately discovered that he has a separate annuity of ^12 sterling a year. The fourth, John Young, a dyer who follows that business, has pro- perty that yields about £6 sterling a year. The fifth is John Rob, bred a country blacksmith, married a gildbrother's daughter, afterwards was a small pot distiller, and some years ago left this part of the country and his wife and bairns a burden upon the place. She got a pension from the hospital for support of his and her children, and not long ago he returned to partake thereof, and is a stout man not far advanced in years, and has beside the pay of a sergeant of the Town Guard two nights of the week or oftener that he mounts, and is no object. The sixth is Patrick Harvie, who never traded but was bred a wright, which he still works at. He pursues with a bad grace, who at different times upon his application got allowances from the hospital to put his children to businesses, and not long ago to carry one of them to the West Indies. The seventh is Thomas Gilfillan, entered a gildbrother by his wife but is Kon compos mentis since he got a fall from a horse; and though an object of charity, is no proper judge of what he is about. The last of them, John M'Killop, is much in the same situation as to capacity, and both of them seem to have been drawn in by this John Dinely and his confederates, especially James Morrison, who, it is said, has advanced the expense of the prosecution hitherto. (Signed) James Moir, S.S., John Campbell, William M'Killop, Alex. Wingat, John Gilchrist. Which Report having been considered by the Guildry, they do unanimously approve thereof and resolve to adopt the same, and return their thanks to the Committee for the great care and attention they have shown to the interests of the Guildry. 136 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1781. I June, 1781. Actanent The meeting being called to consider the propriety of removing Hospital Cowane's Hospital bell to the Kirk steeple to be rung along with the bell. Kirk bells, the bell still remaining the property of the Hospital and at their disposal, and the question being put whether remove the bell or not, it carried not remove by a great majority. Before putting the ques- tion, Robert Alexander protested against the motion, to which several adhered. Proclamation The proclamation of the Sheriff-Depute of this shire, of this date. Election. notifying a poll election for a Magistracy and Council, to commence the nth June curt, was read to the meeting. 7 June, 1781. Warrant for a The Restoration Committee laid before the Guildry a report of feportLd'^to"'^ yesterday's date with a notarial copy of the Poll Warrant, which were the Guildry. of the tenor following : — Report of Sederunt of the Guildry Committee for the Restoration of the Burrow of Stirling. — Stirling, 6th June, 1781. The Committee report to the Guildry that in consequence of the coali- tion between them and the Trades, they had renewed the application for the poll election of this Burrow, and the same had been obtained and issued by His Majesty and Privy Council of date the 23rd of May last. And the election is thereby ordered to begin and commence before the Sheriff-Deputes of the shires of Stirling, Perth, and Lanark, or any two of them, upon Monday, the nth day of June current. And the whole alterations prepared and agreed to by the Guildry and Trades at their last meeting on that subject are adopted and ordered and directed to take place in all future elections, of which warrant the Committee herewith produce a notarial copy for the use of the Guildry, the publi- cation by the Sheriff having been already intimated to the Guildry. (Signed) David Gourlay, Robert Banks, Duncan Glasford, James Moir, Colin M'Laren, Alex. Cunningham. Poll Warrant. " At the Court of St. James, the 23rd of May, 1781 — Present, the King's Most Excellent Majesty, Lord President, Earl of Sandwich, Lord Chamberlain, Earl of Hilsborough, Earl of Salisbury, Lord George Ger- main, Earl of Denbigh, Viscount Stormont. Whereas, there was some time since presented to His Majesty at this Board a petition of James i;8i.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 137 Moir, David Gourlay, Duncan Glasford, Colin M'Laren, Robert Banks, Poll Warrant. Alexander Cunningham, and John Campbell, for themselves and in name and behalf of the other Burgesses and Inhabitants of the Borough of Stirling in North Britain, stating that by the set or constitution of said Burgh of Stirling, as practised for near a century past, the Common Council consisted of a Provost, four Bailies, a Dean of Guild, and Trea- surer, seven ordinary merchant Councillors, and seven Deacons of Trades, making in all twenty-one, fourteen of whom were of the Guildry and Merchants, and the other seven of the Incorporated Trades ; That the Provost, four Bailies, and Dean of Guild, were annually chosen out of the fourteen Guildry or merchant Councillors; that seven of the merchant Council and four of the Trades Council were changed or turned out of Council yearly, seven merchants elected by the Common Council in place of those turned out, and each of the Seven Incorporated Trades made up a list or leet of four of their members, to be sent to the Council, and the Council cut off two from each of those lists and returned the other two to their respective Incorporations or Companies, that they might elect one of them to be Council Deacon for the year ensuing. That the Guildry or merchants had no choice of the seven members brought into Council out of their own members, neither had they any choice of their own Dean of Guild, he being elected and presented to them by the Common Council ; That though no person could by elec- tion be continued in the magistracy of the said Borough longer than two years at one time, yet one magistrate might, and often by practice did, continue in Council as one of the seven ordinary merchant Coun- cillors, or be made Dean of Guild, and so remain in any of these offices for another year, and could again be re-elected Provost or Bailie for another year, whereby the leading men in the Council had it in their power to perpetuate themselves in office, and to manage and do in all the matters of the Borough as they thought proper; That three of the leading men in the Council having greatly abused this power, a com- plaint was made to the Court of Session in Scotland for having the election of Magistrates and Councillors of the Borough made at Michael- mas, 1773, set aside and made void as being brought about by undue influence and corrupt practices, and upon a proof brought and hearing of parties, the said Court of Session declared the said election at Michaelmas, 1773, to be void and null ; and upon an appeal to the House of Lords the decree was affirmed, whereby the said Borough of Stirling has not only been ever since and is now without Magistrates 138 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1781. Poll Warrant, or Town Council, but has also since that time been deprived of a re- presentative in the Convention of Royal Boroughs in Scotland, and dis- qualified from voting in the election of a member to serve in Parliament, and humbly praying that His Majesty will be graciously pleased to restore the said Borough, and to direct a Magistracy and Town Council to be chosen by poll election, and that some part of the former set or constitution of the Borough may be altered in order to prevent in future the abuse which occasioned the present disfranchisement. His Majesty taking the said petition into his royal consideration, and having received the opinion of His Majesty's Attorney-General, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, His Majesty's Solicitor-General, and also a Committee of the Lords of His Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, therefore is pleased by and with the advice of his Privy Council to order that for restoring the peace and good government of the said Borough, the inhabitants, burgesses of the Guildry or merchants, and Incorporated Trades of said Borough, who resided therein at and previous to Michaelmas, 1777, ex- cluding all honorary or non-resident burgesses, and such who were not members and had not a residence in the said Borough at and previous to Michaelmas, 1777, whether members of the Guildry or Incorporated Trades, and also Town and Hospital servants, and pensioners who are now or shall be under any incapacity in acting at such election, be and they are hereby authorised and commanded to assemble themselves at the Council Chamber, within the said Borough of Stirling, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, upon Monday, the nth day of June next, with continua- tion of days, of which the Sheriff-Depute of the County of Stirling shall give public notice eight days before the day of election, then and there to elect fit persons, not exceeding twenty-one in number, being the number elected at Michaelmas immediately preceding the vacated election, pro- perly qualified in terms of the set and usage of the said Borough, to be Magistrates and Town Councillors of the same, and that the election be made in the manner following, that is to say : The merchants or Guildry to elect the fourteen Guildry or merchant Councillors, and the Seven Incorporated Trades each to elect their own respective Deacon, who shall thereby become constituent members of the Town Council. The Guildry or merchants at large to chuse one of the fourteen Guildry or merchant Councillors to be the Dean of Guild, and the seven new Deacons, with a delegate to be chosen by each Incorporation, to elect one of themselves to be Deacon-Convener, the said fourteen to compose the Convener Court until the next election, and the fourteen members 178 1.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 139 of the Guildry or merchants so selected as aforesaid, together with the FoUW'arrant. seven Deacons of the Trades so selected as aforesaid, to chuse the Pro- vost, four Bailies and a Treasurer, out of the fourteen Guildry or merchant Councillors, exclusive of the one elected Dean of Guild, and that the persons so elected by a majority of the persons aforesaid shall continue from that time Magistrates and Councillors till the usual time of elec- tion in the year 1781. The Provost to be Chief Magistrate and Preses of the Council, in place of the Dean of Guild, who was Preses of the former set ; and that all persons claiming to vote give in their burgess tickets and acts of admission, or authentic extracts from the records of the Borough of their admission in the freedom thereof, at and previous to Michaelmas, 1777, six days at least before the day of election, to the Sheriff-Depute or the Guildry Clerk of the town of Stirling, that their names may be enrolled before the election, and that the Sheriff- Depute of the County of Stirling, within which the Borough lies, the Sheriff-Depute of the County of Perth, and the Sheriff-Depute of the County of Lanark, being two counties adjoining to Stirlingshire, or any two of them, be, and they are hereby authorised and required to attend, observe, and direct such election according to law, and the rules used to be observed in such cases, and to form an authentic instrument there- upon under their subscription manual, to be reported to His Majesty in Council for confirmation, and to administer to the electors, before they be admitted to poll, the oaths appointed by law to be taken in Scotland by the electors at ordinary elections of Magistrates, and likewise the oath against bribery and corruption, if required by any person having a right to vote at the election. And for the better order and good government of the said Borough in time to come, His Majesty, by and with the advice of his Privy Council, is hereby pleased to alter the former set or constitution of the said Borough, and to order and direct that the election be made at Michaelmas, 1781, and at all future elec- tions, the Guildry or the merchants at large who, at time of such , election, and for the three months immediately preceding the said elec- tion, have been resident within the said Borough, do elect four of their number to be new Councillors in place of four of the seven who by the set or constitution of the Borough go out of Council yearly at the Michaelmas election ; and that the said members of Guildry or mer- chants at large do elect and chuse one of the said four persons to be Dean of Guild, to continue in office for the year ensuing, and that at the said election, 1781, and at all future elections, the Seven Incorporated HO THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1781. Poll Warrant. Trades do yearly each of them choose their own respective Deacons out of their number, without sending lists or leets to the Council to be shortened, as practised under the former set or constitution of the Borough, except that as by the former set four of the Deacons must be yearly changed, the Council, previous to the election of Deacons, shall cut off or declare four of the Deacons elected the former year incapable of being re-elected for the year ensuing. That the Provost shall be Chief Magistrate and Preses of the Council, and that all the different steps of election be carried on upon the following days, namely, that the Council shall meet on the Tuesday preceding Michaelmas at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, to cut off and declare the ineligibility of the four Deacons; that the Guildry and Seven Incorporations shall meet next day, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, in their respective convening places, to elect their several Deacons and members of the merchant Council and Dean of Guild ; and the Council shall, on the following day, being Thursday, meet to conclude the annual election by voting of the seven members who go out of Council, chusing three new members, receiving in the members chosen by the Guildry and Trades, and chusing a Provost, four Bailies, and Treasurer. But that in all other respects the former set or constitution of the said Borough of Stirling be observed as the mode of annual election. (Signed) W. Fawkener." Committee to The roll of Guildry claiming to vote at the poll election being read, EoUofVoters ^^^ Guildry nominate and appoint Messrs. Gourlay, M'Killop, James at the Poll. Young, William Christie, jun., John Gilchrist, Alex. Wrip-ht, and Alex. Littlejohn, or any five of them to meet and examine the said list of voters and state such objections as may appear to be good against their voting at said election, in terms of the Poll Warrant to be laid before the Sheriffs, the overseers of the election. 9 August, 1781. Anent a new The meeting being called to consider of a plan for obtaining of a wSerT ° further supply of water to be brought into town to remedy the scarcity which generally in some degree takes place every summer, and has in a more particular manner done so at present, and the Court being assured that a large supply of water could be brought from Touch Hill, or from some other place, and joined with the present pipes at Gillies- hill, which would be more than sufficient to answer the end in view, and the members present having reasoned on the subject at consider- 1781.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 141 able length, they were unanimously of opinion that a further supply ofAnentanew water would be a great benefit to the inhabitants. And with regard tOwaterT° the expense of the necessary work, they are of opinion that a considerable part thereof might be taken from the funds of Cowane's Hospital, the numerous pensioners on which Hospital would be equally benefited with the other inhabitants, especially [seeing] that the said Hospital contributed nothing when the water was brought into town in 1773, although that was once in view and recommended to the Guildry by the Patrons accordingly, and that it will be highly proper to address the Patrons of that Hospital for that purpose ; and in order that the Managers, Town Council, and whole Corporations may be consulted and concur in the same measure with the Guildry, it will be proper to lay this matter before the present Managers and to desire that they may appoint certain of their number, and the Corporations certain of theirs, to join with a Committee of Guildry to examine where a proper supply may be got and at what expense, after which, if the scheme be practicable, it may be carried into execution. And in respect that a spring in the lands of Touch is spoke of, and that Mr. Gourlay expects to see Mr. Seton this day, it is recommended to Mr. Gourlay to speak with him on what terms he will grant the supply and the means of conducting it to the present fountain head, as Mr. Seton is seldom in the country. And the meeting nominate and appoint the following members as their Com- mittee to the above purpose, namely, Dr. Graham, Mr. Campbell, Mr. M'Killop, Mr. Gibb, and Provost Alexander, or any three of them ; and Provost Alexander and Mr. M'Laren were the only two who differed from the meeting in recommending it to the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital to contribute out of their funds towards executing the present scheme, giving as a reason that the Patrons, upon consultation of a lawyer, were told that they could not warrantably take any expense off the Hospital. 25 September, 1781. Alex. Littlejohn, Robert Banks, John Moir, hosier, and John Glass, Election of sen., elected Councillors under the new set, Robert Banks being elected Dean of Guild. 29 September, 1781. A list of pensioners on Cowane's Hospital ordered to be laid before Hospital the Guildry every quarter, Pensionera. 142 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. 14 November, 1781. [1781. Act anent the expense of tlie restora- An Act of the Town Council laid before the Guildry recommending them to contribute out of their funds, in terms of their Act of 3rd February, tion and Poll, towards the expense of the restoration and poll, as ;^i57 sterling was still due on that account. The Guildry recommended to the Town Council first to take from the funds of Allan's and Spittal's Hospitals what could be spared for defraying that expense agreeable to the communings of the General Committee when the restoration was going on, after which a committee of the Guildry and of the Seven Incorporated Trades would meet to proportion amongst themselves what might be still wanting of that expense. 8 December, 1781. Entrants to Guildry. The Dean submitted an act of Town Council of 21st November, stat- ing that Mr. Spottiswood, the solicitor's account, had been given in, and the balance due of the expense of restoration amounted to £\6^ 9s. lod., whereof Cowane's Hospital was to pay £^^0 ; Spittal's Hospital, £\o ; and Allan's Mortification, £2^, 9s. lod., leaving a balance of ^^50. The Guildry appointed Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Camj^bell, and Mr. Connal as a committee to meet with a committee to be appointed by each of the Trades to ex- amine the accounts and proportion out of their funds the balance still wanting. 19 January, 1782. The Dean read to the meeting a list of the young men that fell to be entered with the Guildry, and the meeting recommended the Dean and his Council to take the proper measures to prevent those persons from trading till they thought proper to enter with the Guildry. Guild Loft, Eo. die.- — Estimates for repairing Guild Loft remitted to a committee, tradesmen who are members of the Guildry to have the preference. Bankruptcy Eo. die. — The Guildry suggest several alterations in the Bankruptcy Laws, Laws. 26 Match, 1782. New Guild The Guildry approve of the contract made with Robert Bowie, wright in Stirling, for the erection of the new Guild Loft at 40 guineas. 1782.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 143 25 April, 1782. The Dean informed the meeting that the new loft in the church was about completed, and it was agreed by a majority to set the loft by public roup, reserving the back pew next to the scholars' loft for the use of the Guildbrethren. 13 June, 1782. The Guildry agree to petition for the revival of the Act of 1690 A-boIitionof abolishing Patronage, with the extension of the power of voting to heads of families as well as heritors and elders. 39 June, 1782. The Guildry recommend to the Town Council to endeavour to fix Sacraments, the sacraments, both in the Established Church and other congregations, in town to be held in future on one and the same day. 25 September, 1782. (70 Members present.) Resolved that no person shall be proposed Acceptance to be elected to any office unless he immediately accepts and agrees to discharge the duties for which he shall be elected, otherwise the Guildry shall immediately elect another in his place. Bailie Buchan laid before the meeting a representation importing that none of the present Town Council should have a vote in this election, and after reasoning the matter at large, it was the opinion of the Court that the Town Council could not be excluded in voting, and this opinion was formed after the poll warrant was read over. 28 September, 1782. It was represented that the laws of the Guildry respecting the Entry of entry of persons who had married merchants' daughters and claimed to be admitted members were not clearly understood, or only known to a very few, which might in time occasion irregularity and confusion, and the meeting nominated a committee to examine into the whole records of the Guildry and report as to the regulations and uniform practice. 3 October, 1782. The Guildry being convened to say whether or not it was their Act anent the opinion that the establishment of a national militia in North Britain 144 THE STIRLLNG GUILDRY BOOK. [1782. ^*;*.^?^^* *^^ was necessary and proper, they unanimously agreed that such establish- ment would be oppressive and hurtful to the trade, manufactures, and agriculture of this country, and recommended to the Seven Incorporated Trades, the Maltmen, and other tolerated communities, to meet and express their sentiments on the subject. The Guildry also appointed a committee to meet with any committee of the Trades, &c., so that the sense of the whole communities might be communicated to the Dean of Guild to be by him reported to a committee of county gentle- men who were to meet in the town on the 5 th curt. 19 October, 1782. Master of xhe Guildry resolve to recommend the Town Council to change Cowanes ^ . _ Hospital. the nomination of Mr. James Burd as Master of Cowane's Hospital, as he was tacksman of a great part of the Hospital lands, and for other good reasons well known to the Council. Act anent applying to Failiament for renderia the repre sentation in Parliament more equal. 22 February, 1783. The meeting considering that the King's Ministers have intimated their intention of bringing a Bill into Parliament for equalizing the re- K presentation in Parliament, declare their opinion that such a measure will be attended with very salutary effects, and that it will be of great advantage to the interests of the Burghs in Scotland to have their re- presentatives chosen by the people instead of the Town Councils, and appoint a committee to correspond with other burghs and take certain steps. The Clerk is instructed to cause these resolutions to be inserted in the newspapers, and the Guildry engage to defray any expense that may be incurred in the prosecution of this plan. 22 March, 1783. Act anent A committee appointed to meet with a committee to be appointed the expense , ir.ir,,,, ., , , of the by each of the Irades to examme the accounts anent the expense of restoration, j-j^g restoration and poll election, and to proportion out of their funds the balance still wanting according to their abilities. Inspection of The committee appointed to inspect the records as to the practice Tpoords of entering tradesmen, and as to the right of guildbrethren who had a title to take merchant apprentices, gave in their report, consideration of which was delayed and lOO copies ordered to be printed. i;83.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 145 19 April, 1783. The committee re - appointed, with additional members, to inspect Act for the the records with the utmost care and attention, and to look as far back payin"'£33 as they go as to the laws regarding indentures and apprentices, and sterling likewise to examine into the laws of entries. paying the balance Eo. die — The report of the Restoration Committee given in and owian of the approved of, and in accordance therewith the Guildry authorise their of the Treasurer to pay ;^33 sterling towards the expenses. Mr. Wright pro- '®'*'"'***''"' tested against any sum being allowed for the above purpose, because a report has been circulated that the Town Council want to defray the loss on the cargo of bad meal lately imported into the town, which would be an improper application of the public funds as the meal is such as cannot be used with safety, and therefore it would be improper at present to give away any of the Guildry's funds, as the money would be more properly employed in preventing the Council from such mis- application of the public money, and it is insisted the money be left in the Treasurer's hands for that purpose ; and several adhered to Mr. Wright's protest. 12 August, 1783. There was presented and read to the meeting an extract act of the Act Town Council setting forth that numbers of the new-entered guild- eaeh'"'*"^ brethren neglect to attend the annual perambulation of the marches of ™en>.''er to the town and Hospital lands and to pay the customary fees due on certain sum these occasions, and therefore recommending to the Guildry to cause "*?!* f"''^ . each guildbrother, when his bill of entry is presented, consign a certain going the sum with the Guild Treasurer as his dues of going the marches, and ™"'' ®'' to cause these consignations be yearly paid over to the Dean of Guild towards defraying the expense of the march dinner. The Guildry, being sensible of the propriety of this recommendation, appoint each member who enters as a stranger to pay to the Guild Treasurer one guinea at the time of his entry, and every other member to pay at his entry lO-^. 6d. sterling as the dues of going the marches, and appoint the money so collected to be yearly paid over to the Dean of Guild to- wards defraying the expense of the march dinner. The Fraternity of Writers in Stirling allowed the use of the east Writers' side room of the upper hall of Cowane's Hospital for their library, on * '"""^' condition of paying one shilling yearly to the Guild officer. TO 146 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1783. •*ct'i°^t'he There was presented and read to the meeting an application sub- plans for the scribed by sundry members and other inhabitants, addressed to the ment'o/new Magistrates and Town Council, proposing a plan for building new schoolg. school houses, and which had been remitted by the Council to the con- sideration of the Guildry. And the meeting, having reasoned at length upon the matter, they unanimously approve of the proposal for the erection of new schools, as the same are much wanted on account of the ruinous and unhealthy condition of the present school houses, and nominate Dr. Graham, John Glas, sen., Thomas Glas, Alex, Wright, Provost Jaffray, Bailie Alexander, any three being a quorum, to meet with the Committee to be appointed by the Council and Trades, and to adopt such measures as may be thought most expedient for the public good and will tend to obviate the grievances complained of, with power to receive such plans and estimates from tradesmen as may be. necessary. And the Guildry hereby declare their willingness to con- tribute handsomely out of their own funds for so laudable a purpose, and recommend to the Town Council to consider what may be proper to take from Cowane's Hospital for the same purpose, and appoint the committee to report their procedure when necessary. 6 December, 1783. Arrears of The Clerk appointed to write to Mr. Campbell, writer, for the entry entry money, mQ^gy of Messrs. John and James Francis Erskine. Act appoint- The meeting, considering that it is proper that there should be a iXet^^''" cushion provided for the Dean of Guild's seat in the East Church, they cushion to appoint one to be provided by the Treasurer of the best genuine green for^hTijenn velvet, with three gold tassels, and a short green silk fringe all round. of Guilds seat. 7 February, 1784. Sons-in-law Entry of several sons-in-law of guildbrethren on the new condition en ry. ^j^^^ their entry should not benefit any future wife or family. Such future wife to have no claim on Cowane's Hospital, or the children any title to be entered as guildbrethren in consequence of such marriage. Arrears of The Clerk instructed to write to Mr. John Erskine at Alloa for en ry money, payment of the dues of his and his brother's entry. 2 September, 1784. Actanent jhe meeting resolve — That clearing the fords of the river Forth cleanng the 1 1 1 /• 1 fords. would be of great advantage to the country, as thereby vessels of from 1784] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 147 one to two hundred tons burden would navigate on the river, whereas Act anent at present vessels of from seventy to eighty tons can only navigate at foj^""^ ^'^^ spring tides. That the improvement of the navigation is a matter of great importance, and as the funds arising from the restoration of the forfeited estates are to be applied to works of national advantage in Scotland, it is apprehended applying part of the money in clearing these fords would he of public utility. The meeting resolve to request the Marquis of Graham to give them his assistance in making an applica- tion for part of said money for that purpose, and this they the. more readily do, not only on account of his being immediately connected with the county of Stiriing, but for his known zeal for the interest of his country at large. . . . Resolve to make the like application to the Lord-Advocate. Eo. die. — It v/as unanimously agreed that the freedom of the Guildry Act anent be renewed to the Right Hon. William Pitt, a freedom which his noble the frTldfm father enjoyed. The vote being stated whether the freedom be trans- of the mitted in a silver box or not, it carried not. Mrlpitt.*"* The Court recommend to the Magistrates and Town Council, when Act anent they set the fishings, to make the price 4d. per lb. till the first of '^'^ *®'^^°S8. May, and two pence per lb. after the first of May till the end of the fishing season, except small fish at or below eight pound weight, to be sold at three halfpennies per lb. after the first of May. The report of the committee anent the schoolhouses approved of, New schools, and the committee recommended, in conjunction with the committee appointed by the Town Council, to receive plans and estimates for putting the intended laudable design into execution. Act of Admission of the Right Hon. William Pitt at Stirling the second Entry of the day of September, Imvij<= and eighty-four years. WUliam Ktt. Which day the Guildry or Merchant Company of the Burgh being met in their common hall, they unanimously did and hereby do admit and receive The Right Hon. William Pitt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and one of the members of His Majesty's most honourable Privy Council, a merchant and guildbrother as a testimony of their approbation of his zealous attention to the interest of his country and that the illustrious Earl of Chatham had formerly done their Company the honour of ac- cepting the freedom of their incorporation. 148 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1784. 25 September, 1784. Clearing the Letters read from the Marquis of Graham and the Lord-Advocate torus anent the application for a grant towards the expense of clearing the fords in the river Forth. The Lord-Advocate writes : — " The disannex- ing fund, so far as not already applied, is at the disposal of Parliament. The balance will be very small, and nothing can arise from it for years. An infinite number of applications, similar to that of the Guildry of Stirling, have already been received and it is certain that the fund cannot be sufficient for the hundredth part of them." 29 September, 1784. Election of (95 Members present.) The Guildry being met to elect four of under new their number to be new Councillors and one of them to be Dean of set of Burgh. Guild, Mr. Campbell objected to the votes of the following guildbrethren as being disqualified under the new set of the Burgh, viz. : — William Patersoh, master of Cowane's Hospital ; Hugh Smith, master of Allan's Hospital ; George Edmond, master of Spittal's Hospital ; Robert Sconce, billet master; Christopher Bell, schoolmaster, in respect they were town's servants; and Ralph Jarvie and William Jaffray, jun., in respect they had not been entered for three months previous to the election. William Jaffray, jun., objected against the votes of Lieutenant Hugh Paterson and Lieutenant James Fairford as they were not residenters within the Burgh agreeable to the set. On the motion of Mr. Littlejohn it was resolved by a majority of two to proceed with the election leaving the objections to be discussed in the proper Court, whereupon Mr. Camp- bell protested in his own name and all those that should adhere to him that their proceeding to vote in the election of four members to be re- turned to the Council should not infer any acquiescence or homologation of the procedure now had by the Guildry. The following were then elected : — John M'Killop, by a majority of 4 votes ; William Jaffray, jun., by 5 votes; Alex. Wright, by i; and David Gourlay, by 5 — William Jaffray being elected Dean of Guild by a majority of 5. Mr. Campbell and all those who voted for Mr, John Glas, jun., and Mr. William Christie, sen., required the Clerk to return them as two of the four members duly elected by those having a title to vote, Mr. Jaffray being ineligible, and protested that if he did return Mr. Jaffray or Mr. Gourlay he would be liable for a malversation of office and for all damages that should be incurred on account of his making such illegal return ; and Mr. Littlejohn i;84.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 149 answered that the Clerk could return no other but those who had the Election of majority of votes and that he could not judge of the ineligibility of voters, u^alj^ng^^''^ /I ^ i -o set of Burgh. 2 October, 1784. Mr. W. Jaffray took the chair as Dean of Guild and took the oath de fideli, against which Mr. Alex. Wright protested and was adhered to by a great many who took instruments and protested that their proceeding in any election should not infer acquiescence in Mr. Jaffray's alleged right to be Dean of Guild. It was then moved and seconded that Mr. John M'Killop, duly elected Dean of Guild, should be preses of the meeting, and it was also moved and seconded that Mr. Jafifray be preses. The roll being called, 42 voted for Mr. M'Killop, and the other members, with the exception of Alex. Cunningham, Thomas Gallaway, and Thomas Gilchrist, who declined to vote, declared their adherence to a protest of Messrs. Moir and Jafifray against the legality of taking the vote on such a question. The minority, including Mr. Jaffray, numbered 24. The Dean of Guild (M'Killop) refused to leave the chair and proposed to proceed with the business of the day, which was done, and the office- bearers elected. * Against all which procedure Wm. Jaffray, James Moir, and R. Alex- ander protested, and the said William Jaffray as Dean of Guild proposed to proceed to the due election of the proper officers of the Court, in which he was seconded by Mr. Baird and others. Answered by Mr. Campbell and others that the election had been legally proceeded in, and the persons elected were chosen by a great majority of the meeting and protested against any other election, or that the Clerk should make any other in the books. Thereafter, the said Mr. Campbell laid hold of the book, and the foresaid William Jaffray, Dean of Guild, having demanded the book from him, the said Mr. Campbell delivered it to Mr. M'Killop as Preses foresaid, upon which Mr. Jaffray protested against this procedure as well as that formerly laid, and the said Mr. Campbell protested against any election that Mr. Jaffray or his adherents might now pretend to make, the business of the day being concluded. And therefore all the members who voted for Mr. M'Killop being Preses and in the election of office- bearers, which are a great majority of the meeting, withdrew, and required the Clerk either to go with them or deliver up the minutes of the election, * This minute is crossed out and in the margin is the following note : — These minutes delete by the Dean of Guild, Mr. John M'Killop, on the 7th June, 1785, in consequence of an act of Guildry of that date. ISO THE STIRLING GUILD RY BOOK. [1784- Election of and the said Dean of Guild demanded the book foresaid from Mr. M'Killop wder^new"^^ who answered that it was put into his hands by a majority of the meeting set of Burgh, and that he would keep it, and the said William Jaffray required the Clerk to remain till the election is orderly and regularly made under the eye and authority ol the Dean of Guild, and that the want of the said book shall be no impediment to said election. Thereafter, Mr. M'Killop delivered to the Clerk the book on him, and the others adhering to him going out of Court. The remanent members, 23 in number, then proceeded to the election of office-bearers de novo. M^'pittf"'" A letter was read from Mr. Pitt acknowledging the freedom of the Guildry. " I think myself," he says, " greatly obliged by this mark of approbation of my public conduct, and beg leave to express to you very particular acknowledgment for the handsome manner in which you have been pleased to communicate this intelligence to me." II December, 1784. Loft in A committee appointed to inspect the Guildry loft in the East Church ' and take the opinion of skilled tradesmen as to the proper alterations to the end that the sitters in it may hear better. 7 June, 1785. Actanentthe The meeting considering that an improper attempt was made on ofiSce-beaiers. the second day of October last to make a new election of Clerk, Guild Councillors, Treasurer, extra auditors. Guild auditors, visitors of the mercates and offices after the election was completed under the authority of Mr. M'Killop, they, without a vote, order the procedure held that day, subscribed by Mr. Jaffray as pretended Dean of Guild, to be ex- punged, and declare the election made at that meeting under authority of Mr. M'Killop to have been the legal election and appoint the persons then elected to act in their several capacities till next election, and Mr. M'Killop to subscribe the minutes of that day's procedure as Dean of Guild, and ordain an extract hereof to be sent to the Town Council that they may not pretend ignorance or attempt to have their accompts passed by the extraordinary auditors improperly elected. Act anent The meeting having been informed by the Dean of Guild that the d^ner Council had refused this year to have a march dinner as usual, they request the Dean of Guild to appoint the marches to be gone upon Monday next and that he shall order a dinner for the guildbrethren in the same manner as formerly, to be paid out of the usual funds. 178s] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 151 A committee appointed to meet with the Town Council and Town House. " remonstrate " to them the propriety of taking down the gavel of the prison in order to make a larger room in the Town House than what is adopted by the Council in their present plan. Mr. Fairlie, dancing master, prohibited from selling merchant or Illegal use of grocery goods in the hall in all time coming, and ordained to pay the ^^ usual dues to the Guild officer for his attendance and sweeping the room. 18 June, 1785. Robert Shearer, lawful son of the deceased Robert Shearer, late Entry of merchant and guildbrother, entered for 10 merks Scots, £4 Scots of shearer. officer's fee, Ss. sterling to the water scheme, and los. 6d. sterling as his share of going the marches. The Guildry's plan (prepared by Mr. Glas) of the alteration on the Town House. Town House remitted to the Deacons of the different incorporations for their opinion as between it and the Council's plan. 7 January, 1786. Clerk's The Clerk's salary fixed at £2 2s. sterling annually. salary. A committee appointed to draw up a memorial to the Council Old soldiers. respecting old soldiers who set up in any branch of business in order to have them stented to pay the land tax. A committee appointed to examine the present state of the wells Wells. and to take some proper measures to get them put in repair. 31 May, 1786. There were produced and read the minutes of the committee ap- New English pointed 12th August, 1783, upon the proposed plan for erecting new ""i^o^l*^""^ school houses, from which it appeared that it would require the sum of ;^382 7s. sterling to build the Writing and English Schools in the vacant ground in Cowane's yard, besides the expense of plans, &c., and that the committee were of opinion the same should be executed this summer and that the Grammar School and Rector's house should be rebuilt afterwards on their present situation. There were also laid before the meeting the plans mentioned in the report, and the Court, having heard from the Treasurer that he had £60 sterling in his hands without en- croaching on the funds, unanimously agreed to give that sum as the 1 52 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1786. New English Quildry's contribution to the expense of the new schools, and renewed and wrmng , , . , _ „ ., .11 - , ■ schools. the recommendation to the Town Council to consider what might be proper to take from Cowane's Hospital for the same purpose, the grant being made expressly on the condition that the Council are to defray the expense of rebuilding the Grammar School and Rector's house next summer out of the town's own proper funds without expecting any as- sistance from the Guildry or Hospital. 30 September^ 1786. Actanentthe Mr. Alex. Cunningham, one of the extraordinary auditors, com- tion^of Mr,' plained of the misappropriation of the Hospital funds by the Town Cunningham Council, and gave as his reasons for not auditing the master of Cowane's of the mis- Hospital accounts that a great number of his accounts were paid and application discharged long before being presented to be audited, and therefore he the Hospital could not say whether they were just or not ; also that he found a funds. number of the accounts charged to the Hospital that ought to have been paid by the town, some of which are noted below : — To cash paid at different times for repairing the Long Causeway Road, - - - £^^ 8 7^ To cash building and causewaying a pier at M'Baes, 26 13 5>^ To cash for taking 41 stones out of the Abbey ford, 76 13 5^ To cash for blowing a stone at the Shore, o 10 7^ To cash to James Mathie for cleaning the Town's ford, 4 17 6 To cash to William Paterson to ropes to do., i 2 8^ ;f8S 12 loYz All the above were wrong charged as they all belonged to the town and could in no way belong to the Hospital, and as the town drew the shore and pier dues they should keep the navigation of the river clear, A committee was appointed to meet with a committee of the Council and enquire into the matters complained of by Mr. Cunningham and report to next meeting. 18 November, 1786. hawkers The Guildry agree to contribute towards the expense of getting 1786.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 153 an Act of Parliament to restrict hawkers and pedlars from trading, and Trading by express the wish that discharged soldiers be included in the Act under the description of hawkers and pedlars. The Guildry, considering that of late years His Majesty has been Act graciously pleased to nominate the Dean of Guild for the time being a committee to be one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace for this county, and to enquire being desirous that their Dean should appear with that dignity and expense of a respect suitable to his office, and for that purpose that he should have f°'^i^g^al a gold chain and medal thereto appended for wearing around his neck, for the Dean they therefore nominate Provost Young, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. byme, ° " ' and Mr. Runceman as a committee, any three being a quorum, to write to Edinburgh and enquire what will be the expense thereof and to report their answer to the next meeting of Guildry. 25 November^ 1786. Michael Connal elected Preses in absence of the Dean of Guild. Preses. The officer, being called upon, reported that he was desired by Act anent the Mr. Gilchrist, the present Dean of Guild, to warn the Guildry to meet q^^^^ this day and place at 11 o'clock forenoon in consequence of an ap- plication to him which is subscribed by Mr. Gilchrist, and the words, "Saturday, 11 o'clock forenoon," adhibited to his subscription. And the meeting having sent the officer for Mr. Gilchrist, he returned and re- ported that he had found him and that he had informed him of the meeting waiting on him, and that Mr. Gilchrist answered that he was throng and could not come, and the officer being asked what Mr. Gilchrist was doing, he answered that he was weighing indigo. The meeting are unanimously of opinion, except William Paterson, Mr. Gibb, Thomas Paterson, Alex. Christie, and John Miller, that the con- duct of the Dean of Guild is an insult to the Court and reprehensible. Eo. die. — It was moved that a committee be appointed to draw up Act anent the a memorial to the Council representing the hardship the inhabitants ^"°8^*' would be laid under if the fishings were set without the tacksmen being obliged to supply the inhabitants in the manner stipulated by the pre- sent set, and requesting that in the ensuing set the same terms shall be stipulated in favour of the inhabitants with power to the said committee, in case the Council will not agree to these terms betwixt and Tuesday next, to apply to the Court of Session for an interdict to prevent the proposed set without such stipulation, and that the said committee 154 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1787. Act anent the should be empowered upon complaint of any of the guildbrethren of their being refused fish by the tacksmen this ensuing season, to prose- cute the tacksmen for implement of the articles in favour of the inhabi- tants, and that the whole expense to be incurred by the said committee in said business should be defrayed out of the Guildry's funds, and further, that said committee should examine into the original grants of the fishings and report their original constitution to the Guildry. And which motion, being agreed to by the meeting, Mr. W. Paterson only dissented therefrom and protested that no money shall be taken from the funds of the Guildry for the foresaid purpose. 17 March, 1787. Law The Guildry agreed by a majority of twenty-eight to pay over to ■ Mr. M'Killop the balance of his account of the expense incurred with the Magistrates relative to the salmon fishing plea, against which Mr, Paterson protested that the persons who voted for the motion should be liable to the Guildry for the money, to which the Dean of Guild, Provost Young, Bailies Banks and Gibb, and ten others adhered. Act anent a A committee appointed to consider the propriety of raising the raismpTthe'^ f^^s of entry of strangers and allowing them to trade for life without dues of entry, having any title in the public funds, and to consider anything that may occur to them in regard to entries. 14 April, 1787. Report of committee considered and delayed. Police. Eo. die. — The meeting having taken into consideration the reform of the internal police in the Burgh, resolved unanimously that it is the opinion of the meeting that the Magistrates and Town Council annually accounting for the revenue of this Burgh and Hospitals in terms of the Act, 1695, is productive of great advantage to the community at large, and that the late alteration in the set of the Burgh has been highly beneficial to the inhabitants ; that, sensible of these advantages, the Guildry wish to see the other burghs in Scotland possessed of the same privileges, therefore resolve to recommend to Major Campbell, representative for the District of Burghs, and Sir Thomas Dundas, representative for the county, to give their support to the Bill proposed to be brought into Parliament for the reform of the internal police of the burghs, in so far as it goes to put the other burghs on a footing with the Burgh of Stirling. i;88.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 155 A committee appointed to draw up a memorial to the Town Council Memorial requesting from them that redress in the matters complained of by Mr. CounciL Cunningham to which the Guildry was entitled. 17 February, 1788. The Treasurer authorised to purchase a big coat for the Guild Unifonn for officer, of blue cloth, from betwixt 8s. to los. per yard, with a green ^^*'^' cloth neck and yellow buttons. 19 June, 1788. William Cunningham, undertaker in Edinburgh, appointed Edinburgh Edinburgh carrier and allowed three guineas annually, the Council being recom- ^'''"''^'■ mended to instal him in this office and allow him three guineas from their funds, and to advertise his admission in the newspapers after he had lodged his bond of caution. A committee appointed to regulate the price of carriage of goods between Stirling and Edinburgh. 17 November, 1788. The Guildry authorize the Dean of Guild, Mr. Harvie, Mr. Cunning- Act for a ham, Mr. Runceman, Mr. Connal, and Mr. John Christie as a committee, 4° ti,eD^ any three of them being a quorum, to purchase a gold chain with a "^ Guild, medal appended to it for the Dean of Guild, and to endeavour to get it on as reasonable terms as possible, and appoint their treasurer to pay the expense thereof and to take credit for it in his accompts. 12 January, 1789. The Guildry resolved to express their sincere and warmest ack- Act approv- nowledgments to their very respectable and worthy guildbrother, the thinks of the Right Honourable William Pitt, and by him to the 267 members Guildry to of the Honourable the House of Commons for their very strenuous support of the important right of the Lords and Commons of the realm to provide the means of supplying the defect of the personal exercise of the Royal authority arising from His Majesty's indisposition, and appoint the Dean of Guild to subscribe and transmit these their resolu- tions by first post, and that the same be published in all the Edinburgh newspapers. 1S6 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK [1789- 7 February, 1789. Act fOT The Clerk laid before the meeting an extract Act of Council of guildbrethren ^^^e 1st November last, which had been transmitted to him by the without the Town Clerk, regulating the mode of entering Burgesses in future and DGC6SS1 u y OX their being enacting that the Guildry should not enter any persons guildbrethren entered^^^ unless they were previously admitted Burgesses by the Town Council, burgesses. The meeting, having heard the said Act of Council read, are unani- mously of opinion that the Town Council have no right to interfere in the admission of members of Guildry, and therefore refuse to adopt the mode proposed by the said Act, and appoint their Clerk to transmit an extract hereof to the Town Clerk to be by him laid before the Council. Actanentthe It was represented to the meeting that the letters are not delivered of letters^ from the Post Office so early as they ought to be and that they should be sent out by the letter-carrier within an hour after the arrival of the Post-boy, and it was moved that a requisition should be made to the Postmistress to deliver them out within that time, which, if not agreed to, an application should be made to the Postmaster-General to have an order to the above effect. The meeting unanimously approve of the motion and appoint their Clerk forthwith to transmit an extract thereof to the Postmistress and to report the answer he receives. Act for Mr. Connal represented that it would be very advantageous to the a'mMnfoach P^^^^ *^° ^PPV to Mr. Palmer to send a mail coach this way. The meeting approved of the motion and named a committee to write to Mr. Palmer to the above effect. Letters (Letters from Earl of Chatham and Mr. Legge to Mr. A. Wallace inm?nutes. when he was Dean of Guild engrossed in minutes and originals re- turned to Mr. Wallace.) 5 March, 1789. Actanent Mr. W. Christie appointed a delegate to meet with the Town thesecond Council and others having a voice in the election of a minister to the minister's second charge and instructed to vote for the Rev. Mr. David Davidson, ^ ' Dundee, to succeed the Rev. Walter Buchanan, translated to the Parish of Canongate. 28 April, 1789. Mr. Davidson having refused to come to Stirling, Mr. Christie was again appointed the Guildry's delegate with instructions to vote for the Rev. Mr. James Sommerveil, Whitburn, to supply the second charge. 1789.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. iS7 16 May, 1789. The meeting took under consideration the altering and amending Act anenUhe „.,,,/'. , , . . . ? , J Guildry loft. the Guildry loft in order to cause the sitters in it hear better, and sundry alterations were proposed. The Dean of Guild proposed to lower the front of the loft fourteen inches on a level with the Grammar School loft, to turn the pews into desks, and to raise the loft gradually backwards but no higher than the present pitch, and in the meantime to make no amendment or alteration on the vacuum at the back of the loft till the effects of this alteration are known, which proposal was approved and the committee formerly named authorised to carry the same into immediate execution. 18 /ulj>, 1789. A committee appointed to prosecute James Hunter for opening a Prosecution shop in the Burgh and selling merchant goods to the prejudice of the Hunter, guildbrethren when he had no right to exercise such a privilege. The committee were also empowered to purchase the several Acts of Parlia- ment respecting the privileges of old soldiers. 2 December, 1789. John Sandeman, lock-keeper at Grangemouth, having applied for L^ws of admission to the Guildry in right of his wife, a committee was appointed ' to consider the application, and they reported as follows : — The com- mittee having communed together and conversed with some old guild- brethren experienced in the practice of entries, are unanimously of opinion that John Sandeman's bill of entry should be rejected, because his wife was previously married to a former husband now dead, and as he neglected to claim the privilege the said Ann Osburn has now lost her right and cannot confer it to a second husband. The committee never heard of any precedent similar to the case of John Sandeman, nor is there any such to be found in the Guildry records, and they are of opinion that if such an entry were admitted it would be opening a wide door to many troubles, burdens, and inconveniences, and would be a measure fraught with a multitude of evils, and they are further of opinion that if the first husband of a merchant's daughter neglect to enter, his wife shall have no privilege to communicate the right to any second or future husband. A salary of £2 los. sterling per annum allowed to the Eilinburgh Edinburgh carrier if he reside in Stirling. salary. IS8 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1789. Guildry scholars. Rev, George Srskine entered. 26 December, 1789. Complaint having been made that the Guildry scholars were not being taken proper care of by Mr. Douglas, schoolmaster, the Dean was recommended to put them to the school of James Easson for twelve months for a trial, 2s. per quarter being allowed for each scholar. 2 January, 1790. Rev. George Erskine, Ardoch, husband of Margaret Sconce, lawful daughter of Robert Sconce, merchant and guildbrother, entered for 10 merksj £i^ Scots officer's fee, 53. sterling for the water scheme, and I OS. 6d. sterling as his dues of going the marches. 6 February, 1790. Emigration The Treasurer authorised to pay four guineas to the Captain of brrtiher's ^^ ^"^'P taking out to America Janet Jack, spouse of John Jack, guild- wife, brother, and her family, as she intends going to her husband. The meeting declare they will not allow the Edinburgh carrier any salary out of their funds unless he reside in the town of Stirling. 14 April, 1790. Provost Jaffray craved that the Guildry would take off his hand the front seat of their loft which he had taken for behoof of Mr. Hal- dane, Airthrey, as that gentleman declined possessing it any longer. This was agreed to, and the Dean and his Council empowered to set the seat for two years. 25 January, 1791. Thomas Lucas, surgeon, admitted for ;£'200 Scots, £^ Scots of officer's fee, 53. sterling to the water scheme, and one guinea as his dues of going the marches. 12 May, 1791. Parliament- The Guildry disapprove of the petition and complaint proposed to be ary e ec ion presented to the House of Commons in name of the Town Council of Stirling, &c., against the election of the Hon. Andrew Cochran, son of the late Thomas, Earl of Dundonald, who was chosen representative for this district of Burghs on the 4th current, being of opinion that the said petition and complaint is frivolous and vexatious, and declare that if the Town Council shall attempt to apply any part of the public funds of the Burgh Edinburgh carrier. Seat in Guildry loft ¥bomaa Lucas entered. 1791.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 159 to prosecute such a groundless complaint, they will take every legal measure Parliament- to prevent the same, as they will consider such procedure to be a gross ^'^ ® *" '°''' violation of the trust reposed in the Magistrates and a squandering of the public money. I October, 1791. The Guildry enact and declare that such of their scholars as are only School wages taught English shall pay two shillings each per quarter, and for each of gdioiJJjg'^ those who are taught both English and writing two shillings and sixpence shall be paid per quarter, besides a sixpence for every scholar to provide for coals during the winter season. 4 February, 1792. The Treasurer to pay to John Moire, guildbrother, iive guineas towards Fitting out defraying the expense of fitting out his son Henry, who is said to be going Srcrther's eon. abroad. 16 February, 1792. Which day, in a numerous and respectable meeting of the Guildry of Act anent the Stirling assembled in the Guildhall to consider the propriety of joining in an application to Parliament for the abolition of the slave trade, they came to the following resolutions : — 1st. — Resolved unanimously that the practice of kidnapping and buying slaves on the coast of Africa and afterwards exposing them to sale is con- trary to the inherent laws of humanity and repugnant to those principles of justice and civilization which are the reputed characteristics of the British Constitution. 2nd. — That the abolition of this inhuman traffic, and a gradual exten- sion of freedom over all the Colonies, while it will reflect the highest lustre on the British Government, must in the end greatly contribute to the en- hancement of the wealth of individuals. And upon these grounds the Guildry of Stirling have 3rd. — Resolved to concur in an application to Parliament to procure such desirable ends and to contribute towards paying the expense of such application. And furthermore, resolve that the thanks of the Guildry are due to Mr. Wilberforce and the other honourable and respectable characters who have been so assiduous in carrying forward measures for obtaining the abolition of this inhuman traffic ; and appoint their Dean to correspond with the Committee at Edinburgh, and these resolutions to be inserted in i6o THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [i;92. Aetanentthe the different Edinburgh and Glasgow newspapers, and a copy thereof transmitted to the Hon. Andrew Cochrane, Representative in Parliament for this district of Burghs. T'le Back The Guildry resolve that the funds of Cowane's Hospital ought not to be applied toward repairing the Back Walk or walls thereof, in respect that the Hospital has no property or interest there, and in case the Patrons of the Hospitals shall attempt to apply any of the funds to these purposes the Guildry will take proper measures for preventing the same. 28 February, 1792. The slave The Dean of Guild laid before the meeting three letters, one from the Hon. Andrew Cochrane, one from Mr. Wilberforce, and a third from Mr. Halyburton, secretary to the Society for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, and these were ordered to be recorded in the Guildry books, but were returned to the Dean without being recorded. 3 May, 1792. Skinner's An annualrent of 6s. 8d. from the Skinners' Mailing being in arrear mai mg. f^^ twenty-six years past, the Guildry authorise the Treasurer to prosecute the Skinners before the Magistrates for payment of the arrears. 3 December, 1792. Aetanentthe The Dean of Guild laid before the meeting Resolution of the Town reform of the „ .,,„.,. ^, .,.,., .,. • onstitution (-0'in:il of Stirlmg of date 1st curt., expressing their highest satisfaction with the present Constitution and their abhorrence of any innovation upon the same ; and the Guildry, considering the dangerous tendency of the mischievous principles that are just now disseminated against the State by means of seditious publications and the illegal meetings of designing men, they, by a great majority think it their indispensible duty publicly to testify their detestation thereof The Guildry are fully sensible of the great happiness and liberty they enjoy under the present Government, and they think it incumbent on every good subject to support and defend the same. The British Constitution has long been the admiration and envy of the surrounding nations, and the Guildry earnestly wish that it may continue to be so till the remotest ages, when the names of the present reformers will he forgotten and their fanciful and idle schemes buried in oblivion. At same time the Guildry are far from being against a reform of any ' ■■ ',' 1 ' ■ -^ f'l ^ ma)' ex's' if applied for in a legal and constitutional mcmner diid adopted by the Legiilaiure, 1793] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. i6i II May, 1793. The Guildry concur in the agreement of a joint meeting of the Town First and Council, Kirk Session and heritors, that the Rev. Mr. James Somerville, Ministers, their present second minister, should be translated to the first charge, and that Mr. William Innes, who has for some time officiated as Mr. Muschet's assistant, should be recommended to those having power to elect as a proper person to succeed Mr. Somerville in the second charge. 9 November, 1793. The Guildry, by a great majority, approve of an Act of the Town Town Clerk. Council dated 7th curt., to rescind the Act of Council dated i8th May, 1743, as to the election of the Town Clerk, and to grant Mr. John MacGibbon, the Clerk now in office, a commission for life and during good behaviour, as a reward due to his merit and as a recompense for his assiduity and unwearied attention which he has shewn in promoting the interest of the Burgh and in the prudent discharge of every branch of his duty. Against all which Mr. Andrew Wallace protested and offered to give the town three hundred guineas if he was allowed to procure a Clerk which he said could do equal to the present one, and therein took instru- ments in the Clerk's hands and craved extracts, to which protest John Miller adhered. 27 September, 1794. A Committee nominated to draw up a memorial to the Town Council The Fairs. to have the fairs held upon a Friday in all time coming. [This alteration was accordingly made.] I January, 1795. The Treasurer authorised to pay twenty guineas to the Stirling Volun- Stirling ,. , , .'^, . f Volunteers, teers and to take credit therefor m his accounts. \6July, 1795. The Guildry, in consequence of a vote by a majority of eighteen, Anent; statute and ordain that the children of any subsequent marriage lawfully «"i'"es. procreated between a guildbrother and his spouse have a just right and are entitled to be admitted guildbrethren, although their mother was not a merchant's daughter. Against which Bailie Killop, in his own name and in name of all who should adhere to him, protested and took instruments in the Clerk's hands. II l62 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1796. Oatmeal for the poor. Assistance to emigrate. Act anent persons dis- qualified to vote at elections. 3 March, 1796. The Guildry, taking into consideration the great distress in which the poor of the Guildry are at present owing to the scarcity of oatmeal, authorise their Treasurer to advance the sum of thirty pounds sterling to a Committee, who are authorised to purchase a quantity of good oatmeal and sell it out to the poor of the Guildry at the rate of fourteen pence per peck. 21 March, 1796. The Treasurer authorised to pay ten guineas to James Brown, guild- brother, to assist him in purchasing clothes and in defraying his passage to America, where he intends to go and reside. I October, 1796. Mr. Banks represented to the meeting that their independence in the election of the Dean of Guild and Councillors is in some measure defeated by the members of this Court holding offices either for a short time or during the pleasure of the Magistrates and Council of this Burgh, and that disputes have often arisen at elections respecting the validity of votes from this cause, and therefore moved that the Guildry should enact that in future no billet master appointed under the Magistrates for quartering soldiers, or in general the holder of any office, post, or employment with salary or perquisites annexed thereto, holden as aforesaid at the discretion of the Magistrates or the Magistrates and Council (other than expressly allowed by decision of the Court of Session), or who receive any pension or charity from Town or Hospitals in their own name or in the name of others for their own or families behoof, either statedly or occasionally, shall have a vote in said election, which, being considered by the meeting, they nomin- ate and appoint the Dean of Guild [and others] as a Committee, any three a quorum, to consider the foregoing motion and to report thereon to next Guild Court. S October, 1796. Report of Committee : — " The Committee having deliberated at great length on the subject, they are unanimously of opinion that the following persons ought to be excluded in all time coming from voting in the election of Dean of Guild and Merchant Councillors, viz.: — The billet master for quartering soldiers in the burgh; the collector of the cess within the burgh; the Procurator-fiscal before the Town Court; the Town Clerk; the keeper 1796] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 163 of the town clock ; the manager of the water for the time being, the Guild Act anent Treasurer, the Guild Officer, and every person who shall either by them- qualified to selves or by others for behoof of them, their family, or children, receive '^ofe ?,t ■' elections, supply either steadily or occasionally by drafts from any having power to that effect either from the funds of the Town, Hospitals, or Guildry, or those who are resident in family with any who are installed as pensioners, or who receive supply in manner foresaid from any of the public funds aforesaid, or the holder of any office that may hereafter be created by the Town Council or Magistrates of the Burgh whereby any emolument may accrue in favours of said person or persons ad libitum of the said Magistrates or Town Council. (Signed) JNO. Sutherland. The Court, having heard the said report read, it was moved and seconded that the Guild Treasurer should not be excluded from voting, and that the following clause of said report, viz. : — " or those who are resident in family," &c., should be delete or expunged from said report, and this motion was carried by a very great majority, the report otherwise being adopted, and enact- ment made accordingly. Mr. William Paterson moved, and was seconded by sundry members, that in addition to those persons found this day disqualified to vote in the annual election of Dean of Guild and merchant Councillors, the whole members of the Town Council, and the schoolmasters of the Burgh should be also debarred as having no right or title to vote, which motion having been considered by the Court, they remit the consideration of the same to a committee, and appoint them to report their opinion to next meeting of the Guildry. For the purpose of assisting to procure an increase of water to the Water Burgh, the meeting having reasoned at some length on the subject, enact ^'^ ^'"'^" that in all time coming every person at his entry with the Guildry should^ if a stranger, pay one guinea, and every other person, half a guinea in place of the five shillings at present paid, and they recommend to the Magistrates and Town Council that they should immediately set about to bring in a supply of water to the place, there being great scarcity at present. They nominate a committee to meet with any committee of the Town Council in order to concoct measures for obtaining an additional supply of water, and to assure the Council that the Guildry will contribute liberally thereto, both individually and from the public funds, and that for such a general good it would be proper that the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital should apply part of the funds thereof for accomplishing this necessary measure. i64 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1796. I November, 1796. Act anent The Guildry, convinced of the want of accommodation in the present minister and East Church, resolve to apply by petition to the Presbytery of Stirling for th^ w^%™^ having the roof, walls, and windows of the West Church repaired, and the CJhurch. vacancy of a third minister therein supplied in terms of the existing agree- ments to that effect. 3 December, 1796. A certified copy of the minutes of a meeting of delegates from the different communities and Kirk Session, held on the 30th ult, for the purpose of obtaining the West Church repaired and a third minister called to officiate therein, the Guildry, by a large majority, approved of the procedure of the delegates as mentioned in their report, and agreed that £20 sterling should be paid out of the funds of the Guildry for the purpose of raising and carrying on before the Lords of Erection and Plantation of Kirks an action for erecting the West Church into a legal benefice. It was agreed that in case the Town Council should think proper to oppose the united wishes of the communities at large, they should not be allowed to apply any part of the public funds for that purpose, but should defray the expenses out of their own private funds allenarly. 12 January, 1797. The Clerk represented that the West Church was at present in great disrepair, and therefore moved that it should be recommended to the Town Council and to the proprietors to set about putting the same in good and sufficient repair for the purpose of a third minister, and that the third minister should be appointed Preceptor to Cowane's Almshouse, with such salary appended thereto as the Patrons shall think proper to be imputed pro tanto of his stipend. The Court unanimously agree to this motion, and further unanimously agree that the salary be fifty pounds sterling, payable from the funds of Cowane's Hospital, and the Guildry are hopeful that the cheerful acquiescence in this measure will preserve peace and harmony among the different communities in this place. I March, 1797. The Guildry having heard the report of their delegates for carrying forward the reparation of the West Church and settlement of a third minister, approve of said report and procedure, and at same time cannot I797-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 165 help expressing their regret at and disapprobation of the inconsistent Act anent conduct of the Town Council in that business, and the Guildry recom- minister and mend to and enjoin their delegates in consequence of the powers formerly for ^pairing committed to them, to concur with the delegates from the other corpora- church, tions and communities in the action of declarator mentioned in their report, and to take all steps required for accomplishing the united wish of the inhabitants before either the civil or the ecclesiastical Courts, the delegates reporting their procedure from time to time. I April, 1797. The Guildry, by a majority, adopted the report of a Committee Fees of entry appointed to consider the raising of the fees of entry, which were accord- "^creased, ingly fixed as follows, the amounts stated to include the sums usually paid in name of the water scheme, march dinner, and officer's fees, but not the usual fee of 3s. 4d. paid to the Clerk for writing the bill of entry and the half-crown to the officer : — A merchant's son, whether eldest or younger, and whether the father be living or dead, two pounds sterling ; a Guild- brother's son-hi-law, two pounds sterling ; an apprentice, ten pounds sterling; a stranger or neutral person, twenty-one pounds sterling. And the Guildry further declare that no stranger or neutral person shall be admitted a guildbrother hereafter unless he says in his bill that he is to carry on the business of a merchant within the burgh, and also be found qualified to do so by the Dean of Guild and his Council. I May, 1797. It was proposed by James Weir, tacksman of the Town's fishings, to The sale of deliver at the weigh-house from and after the ist day of May at ten o'clock salmon. each day till the end of the fishing season this year, the whole salmon and grilses caught by him and his partners in the several fishings possessed by them under the town and other proprietors in the neighbourhood, and to sell the same to the inhabitants for use and consumption in their own families at the rate of three pence per pound weight, and to employ a man to sell the fish and to receive the money, leaving to the purchasers to divide the fish that they buy as they may think proper, the sale to continue each day from ten till two o'clock. Which being considered by the Court, they unanimously approve of the proposal and recommend the Town Council to agree to the same accordingly. 1 66 The sale of salmon. Dispute about the Guild Hall. THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. 9 May, 1797. [1797- Mr M'Killop moved that the last Act of Guildry relative to the fishing being illegal, the same therefore ought to be rescinded, and Provost Alexander moved that instead of going into parties upon the present motion, it would be better to contrive something for the general good of the town, and that it was more for their advantage to receive the whole fish at three pence per pound at the weigh-house than two-thirds at two pence per pound at the Bridge, and he therefore proposed that the Court should approve of the proposal made by Mr Weir to the last Court, and it should be recommended to the Trades to meet in a body and consider said proposal ; and the vote being stated it carried, by a majority in favour of Mr M'Killop's motion. The Guildry therefore recommend to the Town Council to cause the salmon be brought up in the same manner as last year. 10 June, 1797. The Dean of Gu. d represented to the meeting that having on Monday last granted to a guildbrother the use of the upper and lower halls, Robert Young, a present Bailie, did send to him by a town officer requiring said grant to be superceded and the key delivered to him, which being refused, the said Robert Young, with John M'Gibbon, Town Clerk, did wait upon him and threaten to break open the door if the key was not immediately given up to them as having a right thereto, which assertion the Dean of Guild denied and dared them to put their threat into execution, and he now craves the opinion of the Court upon the same. The Guildry having considered the above statement, are unanimously of opinion — (i) That the Patrons of Cowane's Mortification can appropriate the Hospital House to no other use than as an habitation for decayed guildbrethren, but with the consent of the Guildry, who are the only fiars of that Mortification and pertinents. (2) That the Dean of Guild has officially the disposal of the same while not so appropriated, he representing the Guildry at large. (3) That no individual member of the said Patrons has authority to demand the key of said hall contrary to the inclination of the Dean of Guild. (4) That Robert Young, Bailie, John M'Gibbon, Town Clerk, and Alexander Wright, another Bailie, by granting warrant to break open the hall door, acted improperly, injudiciously, and contrary to the practice and privileges of the Dean of Guild. (5) That the Dean of Guild's conduct in this matter was highly proper. The Guildry do therefore resolve to support I797-J EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS 167 the Dean of Guild in the just and lawful execution of his rights, which they Dispute consider as their own, and they direct a copy of this Act to be laid before Qi^n^ Hall, the said Patrons. 5 Augiisl, lygy. The Court, on the motion of the Dean of Guild, recommend to the Apparatus Town Council the propriety of having the necessary apparatus for re- ing fej'wned covering [apparently] drowned persons. persona. 30 September, 1797. Mr. William Paterson moved that it be enacted that no member shall Term of office* be allowed to remain in any office under the Guildry longer than two years, except the Clerk and the officer, and Mr. John Mackillop moved as an amendment that the Guildry should retain the power of electing annually into these offices any person whom they please, which amendment carried by a very great majority. 20 January, 1798. The Dean of Guild laid before the Court a paper bearing that aActanenta number of the guildbrethren had met on the i8th curt, to consider of p, o^ggj jj^g proper measures to provide a sufficient number of men as a watch in the merchants' . , . . ... ^ , . , , r. T 11. shops in the night-time to protect their shops from being broken [into] and their night. property stolen, attempts having been lately made to break into some shops in town ; and the said paper having been read to the meeting, they resolve that a watch of eight able-bodied men shall be procured to mount each night and patrol the streets from the ist September till the 31st March, and appoint a committee to meet with a committee of the Town Council for carrying forward this measure; and they agree to allow .£'15 sterling annually out of their funds to defray the expense attending the same. They also recommend to the Town Council and to the different incorporations and communities to allow a suitable sum annually from their respective funds, and that the balance be defrayed by voluntary annual subscription. 27 January, 1798, The Dean of Guild laid before the Court a copy of the minutes of the committee of Guildry and office-bearers, of date the 25th curt., respecting the proposed watch for protecting the merchants' shops, &c., which minutes contained a recommendation to the Guildry to apply to the Town Council to assess the inhabitants in an annual sum for the establishment and support of a nightly watch. The meeting unanimously disapproved of i68 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1798. Act anent a said recommendation, as it would be entailing a heavy burden for ever protect the on the inhabitants, and besides that, the Town Council have no power sho^'s'in th ^^ '^^ ^'^ make such assessment ; and they delay further consideration of night, the whole business till the military at present in the town are called off in the service of their country. Confinement Mr. Connal stated to the Court that a number of bad women made it women ^^^^'^ practice to be sauntering nightly up and down the streets of the burgh to the disturbance of every well-disposed person, and that they were an encouragement to depredation and breaking of shops. It was agreed to recommend to the Town Council to fit up some apartment for confining such loose and disorderly women as may be found infesting the streets, and that they shall be kept at hard labour to earn their livelihood. Sale of The Guildry approve of the proposal of James Weir, tacksman of the salmon. Town's fishing, as to selling salmon ui supra. 15 February, 1798. Act anent the The Dean of Guild laid before the meeting an extract Act of the FraiiTe'^ Town Council, dated 13th curt, stating that they had contributed ;£^ioo sterling to be paid annually out of the Town's funds during the present war to support the natives against the threatened invasion of the French, and recommending to the Guildry to allow something from their funds, before reading of which extract, Mr. John Mackillop represented that he was very willing to contribute as an individual, and he believed every member of the Guildry would do the same, but considering the small balance in the Treasurer's hands at present, being only about £2^ sterling, and that the funds of the Guildry were destined for the clothing and educating guildbrethren's poor children, in that case it would be cruel to take anything from their funds. The Court delayed further con- sideration of this business till a future day. 17 March, 1798. It was moved by Provost Alexander that the Guildry should give ;^50 sterling out of their fund for the support of Government in the present alarming crisis, when the nation is threatened to be invaded by France, and everything dear to us in danger, but Commissary Mackillop objected on the grounds stated above. On a vote being taken, " Give " or " Not Give," the latter was carried by a very great majority, 83 members being present. 1798.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 169 30 June, 1798. It was recommmended that the phrase, " packing and peeling," which "Packing ^ is mentioned in the Guildry oath, should be explained, as the sense of it is rather dark and not well understood by new-entered members. The Court remit the consideration of this till a further meeting, when they wish that part of the oath to be clearly elucidated. 4 August, 1798. The Guildry unanimously (with the exception of Mr. Robert Sconce) Act refusing refused to admit James Paterson, who had served a regular apprenticeship ja^^s*'^ to a Stirling merchant, in respect that he lived in Glasgow and was not to Paterson. reside or carry on business as a merchant in this burgh. 39 December, 1798. On the recommendation of the Dean's Committee, the Guildry resolve Act allo-wing to allow persons to open shops and carry on business as merchants within merchandize the burgh, for their lifetime, on payment of £\ annually to the Guildry, it *°r l^^^- being always declared that persons so entering shall have no claim or pretension to any part of the funds of Cowane's Hospital, nor any seat or vote in the Guild Court, and that they shall pay the Clerk's and officer's accustomed fees. The Guildry recommend to the Town Council to augment the weekly Pensions, pensions of guildbrethren on Cowane's Hospital according to their necessi- ties, as the present allowance is too small, and four shillings will go no farther now than half-a-crown would have done thirty years ago. A petition was read, addressed to the Magistrates and Town Council, Billeting for having the billeting of soldiers extended over all the inhabitants of the ^° ^'^^' town. The Court recommend the consideration of the petition to the Town Council, and deliver it to the Dean of Guild to lay before them. From which petition and recommendation the Clerk dissented. 19 February, 1799. The Guildry agree to the repair and improvement of their loft in the Guildry loft East Church, according to the plan of the Town Council, on condition ^^^^ that no alteration be made upon the arches or pillars of the Church. lyo THE STIRLING GUlLDRY BOOK. [1799. 13 April, 1799. Mail coach to Report of Committee appointed to inquire into the propriety of having a mail coach established betwen Edinburgh and Stirling : — " Sederunt of Committee of Guildry — Dean of Guild, Provost Glas, Mr. Banks, Mr. Telford, and the Clerk. Stirling, 9th April, 1799. — The above Committee, having met and reasoned upon the business remitted to their consideration by the Guildry, being the propriety of establishing a mail coach to run between Edinburgh and Stirling, to set off in the morning from Edinburgh about nine o'clock and to arrive at two o'clock, and to set off from Stirling about seven o'clock and to arrive at one, the Dean of Guild and Provost Glas were of opinion that a mail coach should be tried, and if it could not be obtained that an attempt should be made to prevail on the General Post Office to forward the post from Falkirk, who brings the English letters there by the South Ferry, and the other four members of committee were of opinion that the present dispatch of the post at night and his arrival in the morning was preferable to the dispatch or arrival of the mail coach, as it is delivering the great bulk of the letters several hours earlier ; and they are also of opinion that the alteration of the post is of such consequence, and will affect the landed interest and other towns in the neighbourhood so much, that they ought to be consulted. But they ap- prove of applying to the General Post Office to forward the English letters from Falkirk as before mentioned. (Signed) JAMES Edmond." The Court, on the motion of Mr. M'Killop, which was seconded, recommend to the Magistrates and Town Council to apply to the General Post Office to have a mail coach between Edinburgh and Stirling. 7 May, 1799. Act thanking The Guildry unanimously return their thanks to the officers, non- teers fo™' commissioned officers, and privates of the Stirling Royal Volunteers, for quelling a their spirited exertions and prudent conduct in suppressing a very alarming Burgh. riot that happened in the town last Friday evening, and recommend to the Dean of Guild to transmit this vote of thanks to Major Mayne to be by him communicated to the corps. 13 July, 1799- Stamp ofSce The Guildry, having taken into consideration the great inconvenience at Edinburgh. ^^^ heavy expense laid on the mercantile interest at large throughout the country from every piece of paper requiring a stamp being sent to the head I799-J EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 171 office at London, do unanimously recommend to the Town Council to Stamp office make such application as to them shall seem proper for having^ a Stamp * ^^^ ' Office established at Edinburgh for the accommodation of Scotland. The Guildry recommend to the Town Council to make appearance on Second Wednesday next at the meeting of Presbytery, and to request that they ^^I'^ister. may declare the second charge of the parish vacant by the resignation or absence of Mr. Innes, the late incumbent, so as steps may be immediately taken to have that charge supplied according to the rules of the Church. 28 September, 1799. The Guildry refuse to allow the usual compliment of twenty shillings Chapmen's sterling for a ring to the Chapmen, in respect that there was no horse race "°^' this year. 19 October, 1799. Mr. Robert Banks, writer, appointed delegate to meet with the Town Second Council and others having a voice in the election of a minister to the ™°^^'^®''- second charge, and recommended to vote for Mr. John Russell, minister of the gospel in Kilmarnock.* The minute bears that the vacancy was occasioned by the abdication and subsequent deposition of the Rev. Mr. William Innes, the late incumbent. 14 December, 1799. The Dean of Guild laid before the Court an extract Act of the Town Act anent Council, of date the twelfth of December current, stating that the Council meal for the had met and taken into their consideration the present state of the poor P°°'' from the high price of provisions, and that Bailie Thomson, in name of the Stirling Banking Company, had made offer to the Council of a cash credit of five hundred pounds sterling for six months from that date, without interest, to enable the Council to purchase meal for the poor, the money to be repaid to the bank as the produce of the sales are collected, of which offer the Town Council had accepted, and recommending to the Guildry to contribute such a sum from their funds as they could afford for the above laudable purpose, which, being considered by the Court, they unani- mously agree to advance from their funds to the extent of fifty pounds sterling if necessary, to make up their proportional share of any deficiency which may arise in the concern. A committee nominated to meet with the other committees of the Town Council, Trades and Communities, and to co-operate with them in carrying the scheme into execution. * Burns's "Black Russel," who was translated to Stirling, 30th January, i8oo. 172 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1800. Adam Tjie Guildry unanimously grant liberty to Adam M'Leran, tailor in allowed to Stirling, to open a shop within the burgh and to carry on the business of diSiieT^^^ a merchant during his life upon his paying annually to the Guild Treasurer lite. the sum of one pound sterling for said privilege, declaring always that said privilege is granted to him personally, and is not to extend to his wife or children, nor is he or they to have any claim or pretension to any part of the funds of Cowane's Hospital, nor any seat or vote in the Guild Court. 2 January, 1800. Charities. Total amount of pensions for half-year, £^() 5s. sterling. 10 February, 1800. Public It having been stated by the Dean of Guild and Mr. William Paterson the poor, that the scarcity of meal was so great as that none could be procured, the Guildry empower their former committee to co-operate with the other committees in the establishment of a public kitchen, or to adopt such other measures as these joint committees may think most propM' and salutary for the relief of the poor in their present needy condition. 15 March, 1800. Loft in West A committee appointed to consider the setting of Guildry loft in the West Church reported as follows : — ist. — That several of the seats need repair. 2nd. — That the desk upon the right hand of the Dean of Guild should be reserved for strangers, and likeways one bottom room in the end of the seat behind it for the Guild officer. 3rd. — That the four desks on the left hand of the Dean of Guild and the three immediately behind the one reserved for strangers shall be let by public roup until the term of Whitsunday, 1801, the rents payable in advance. 4th. — That it be an article of the set that in the event of public worship being discontinued in the West Church previous to Whitsunday, 1801, the tacksmen of the seats shall have a sum of money returned to them equivalent or corresponding to the time for which they shall so want public worship. 5th. — That the other seats of the said loft should be reserved for the purpose of poor guildbrethren having the opportunity of attending the ordinances and hearing the gospel preached, and that no rent should be demanded for these back seats. The Guildry approve of the above report and remit to their committee to set the said seats without delay in terms thereof i8oo.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 173 6 May, 1800. There was produced and read to the Court a letter (undated) from The salmon William Clark and John Miller, addressed to the Dean of Guild, respecting ^ ^°^' the salmon fishing, of the following tenor, viz. : — " Sir — The Fishing Com- pany here were called upon yesterday by the Magistrates to consult with them about the division of the town into quarters, and the Fishing Company, taking into consideration the great rent they are subjected to, and the rise upon men's wages, and the present high price of provisions of every kind, did inform the Magistrates they would bring all the salmon belonging to the town to the weigh-house, but as they are in possession of the Queenshaugh boat fishing separate from the town's water and not under the town's direction, they did propose to the Magistrates that if the town of Stirling will agree to give them threepence sterling per lb. for all the salmon they catch, and twopence halfpenny per lb. for all the grilses to the end of the season, the Company will oblige themselves to deliver all the salmon and grilses taken upon the waters to the end of the fishing season." The Guildry, by a great majority, agree to the foresaid letter and desire the Dean of Guild to communicate the same to the Town Council. The Guildry, considering the great inconvenience to commerce and The mail manufactures which have arisen from the establishment of a mail coach *^°*'' ' betwixt this and Edinburgh, agreed to take the necessary steps for having the arrival and departure of the post fixed upon the old approved plan, and remit to a committee to carry the resolution into force. 10 May, 1800. Mr. Alexander Smith gave in the following report which the Court Act anent appoint to be inserted in their records, viz.: — Stirling, 9th May, 1800. — minister. The Guildry, by their Act of ist March, 1797, having directed their committee to raise an action before the Court of Session against the Magistrates and Town Council upon their refusing to concur in settling a third minister in the town, they accordingly did so on the following grounds: — That the Communities of the Burgh did by their several Acts of the 13th and 14th January, 173 1, agree to thirl themselves and successors, burgesses, to the town mills, and to pay a certain sum of money in name of multure for each boll of malt ground thereat, the same to be in place of all public burdens whatsoever; that on these terms the Magistrates and Council on the i6th January, 1731, granted an Act of Relief binding themselves and successors in office inter alia to make due and thankful payment of 1200 merks Scots money as stipend to a third minister ; that 174 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1800. Act anent the third minister. the regular step.s were gone through and a third minister was settled in said year, 173 1, but became vacant in the year 1739-40; and that as the inhabitants have and still do continue to pay the multure, the Magistrates and Council are bound to concur with them in reviving the said charge. It was answered for the Magistrates and Council : — That although a third minister was settled in 173 1, yet when it became vacant the inhabitants at that time did not apply to have the charge continued, and it being only of about nine years standing, the right jus devolutum did not fall to be exercised by the Presbytery ; that when the General Assembly ordered enquiry to be made why the charge was not filled up, the Synod of Perth and Stirling, by their Act of Sederunt, 14th April, 1747, found after all they had heard or seen, " that there was not sufficient foundation for continuing the establishment of a third minister in the town of Stirling," whereupon Provost Wallace took instruments in name of the town — all which leaves the matter in the same state as if no such charge had ever existed ; that they are bound to pay the said sum of 1200 merks only when a minister is settled, the stipend being an accessory right is liable to be pursued for by the minister solely when legally installed ; that any process for an additional minister must be made de novo by applying to the proper Church Courts, but that no Court, civil or ecclesiastical, is competent to compel them to make such application. Which several arguments, having been considered by the Lord Ordinary, he pronounced the following interlocutor: — "Edinburgh, 18 November, 1797. — The Lord Ordinary having heard parties' procurators upon the libel and defences, dismisses the action as incompetent, and decerns, superseding consideration of expenses until the issue of the cause." A representation having been given in by the Committee praying that they might be allowed to amend their libel with the following addition : — " That they had a right to a reasonable reduction of the multures, aye and until a third minister was settled " ; upon advising the same with answers, his Lordship was pleased to adhere to his former judgment and to prohibit any more representations, against which interlocutor the committee, having petitioned the Inner House, received the following judgment: — "Edinburgh, 17 June, 1798. — The Lords having advised the petitions with the answers, they adhere to the interlocutor of the Lord Ordinary reclaimed against in the present shape of the cause, and refuse the desire of the petitions, but remit to his Lordship to allow the petitioners to amend the libel with regard to the agreement by which the communities consented to pay certain multures to the Town Council upon the terms therein mentioned, and to hear parties upon the i8oo.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 175 libel so amended, and to do as he shall see cause." Against which sentence Act anent the committee gave in a reclaiming petition, when their Lordships were minister, pleased to adhere to their former sentence in the following terms : — " Edinburgh, 13 November, 1798. — The Lords having resumed considera- tion of this petition, in respect the conclusion for declaring the validity of the agreement libelled on is still entire to the petitioners when there shall be termine liabiles for insisting on it, they adhere to the former interlocutor reclaimed against and refuse the desire of the petition." Which, having been considered by the committee of Guildry and delegates of the com- munities, they agreed to desist from any further prosecution of the cause, being of opinion they have done all that was required of them by their constituents, and an account of the process, as also of the money received and disbursed by their treasurer being produced and examined, they find the same correct, and that the money received by him being wholly ex- pended, there still remains a balance of £6 19s. Jd. sterling due to the agent. Which, being considered by the Guildry, they approve of the said report and of the conduct of their committee, and they hereby rescind the powers formerly vested in them. 17 May, 1800. The Guildry statute and enact that in all time coming every stranger Entry of who enters as a merchant and guildbrother shall pay at his entry to the s*^^°g6™- Guild Treasurer for behoof of the Guildry the sum of thirty pounds sterling, and that every person who shall be admitted by the Guildry to the benefit of merchandizing within the Burgh shall pay the annual sum of one pound ten shillings sterling during his life to the Guild Treasurer for behoof of the funds of the Guildry. Total amount of pensions for half-year, ;£"34 15s. Charities. 19 June, 1800. The Dean of Guild laid before the meeting an extract Act of the Scheme for Town Council of yesterday's date, respecting the scheme adopted by ^^j^^ '°^ diiiferent societies in Edinburgh for importing grain from foreign markets, and also a copy of the regulations adopted by these societies, and they unanimously approve of the foresaid scheme and agree to advance five hundred pounds sterling to purchase wheat and Indian corn meal, and authorise their Treasurer to discount a bill for that sum and to take credit for the same, and appoint a committee to co-operate with the other committees to be named by the Trades and Communities for carrying the scheme into execution. 176 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1800. 17 July, 1800. Entryrefused After hearing the report of the Dean and Council respecting the stock rfnon-"" '^"^ non-residence of William Jaffray, farmer at Throsk, who professed to residence. lodge a sum of money with his brother, John Jaffray, guildbrother, and to share part of his trade, the Guildry refused by a majority of twenty votes to nine, to admit him a guildbrother, against which decision a protest was lodged by the minority. 30 August, 1800. Mary The Guildry, by a majority, grant liberty to and authorise Mary allowed to Thomson, in Stirling, to open a shop within the Burgh, and to carry on merchandize, the business of a merchant during her life, on her paying annually to the Guild Treasurer for behoof of the Guildry the sum of one pound ten shillings sterling for said privilege. 6 September, 1800. Merchandiz- The Guildry grant liberty to Duncan Chrystal, bookseller in Stirling, mg for life. ^^ open shop within the Burgh and carry on the business of a merchant during his life on the usual terms. Act discon- Thereafter, the Guildry took into consideration the above practice, and practiced °^^ sundry members expressed their disapprobation thereof, and insisted that the same should be repealed. On a vote being taken, it was carried by a majority of twenty to fifteen to rescind the Act of 29th December, 1789. 20 October, 1800. The copper The Dean of Guild laid before the Court a requisition from sundry coinage. guildbrethren wishing that a meeting of Guildry might be called to take into consideration the burden that dealers in this place are under by the great influx of copper coin being poured in among them, and alleging that no copper coin except the new coinage is current in any other town ; and . the meeting having talked on the subject, and sundry members having stated that no person durst refuse the legal and current coin of the realm, it was proposed by Bailie Alexander that the Dean of Guild be instructed to request the Magistrates to issue an intimation to the dealers in town that they are not obliged to take in payment of goods more than five pence halfpenny of halfpence and eleven pence of penny pieces at a time. The Court agree to said proposition accordingly. i8oo.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. i;? 17 November, 1800. The Guildry agree to continue the five hundred pounds sterling Importation formerly granted by them to be employed along with the money allowed America, by the Town Council and Communities in the town in importing Indian corn and other grain from America to supply the inhabitants of this place and to be afterwards replaced by the sales thereof. The Treasurer authorised to pay to Bailie Alexander the sum of Guildry loft J^7 IIS. I id. sterling as the Guildry's half of the expense incurred in ^^jgh. repairing the Guildry and Tailors' lofts in the West Church and in erecting a stair thereto. 27 December, 1800. The Guildry recommend to the Magistrates to apply to the Com- MiUtary manding Officer of the West York Militia, presently in Stirling, to know if the guard mounted by them have orders to patrol the streets and to protect the property of the inhabitants ; and if they have not such orders, to request the Commanding Officer that the same be given to them, as of late several shops have been broken into and considerable mischief and depredation committed within the Burgh. 7 February, 1801. The Guildry agree to pay annually to each of the Edinburgh and EeUnburgh Glasgow carriers the sum of £t) sterling, and they recommend to the Town carriers. Council to allow the same from their funds. 16 May, 1801. Archibald Gilchrist, jun., a guildbrother, being about to leave this Grant to country for America, along with some of his younger brethren who would to'^Mica. require aid, the Guildry agree to allow each of them a sum not exceeding £i^ sterling. The Guildry, after long reasoning, and by a majority of ten votes. Act allowing rescind the Act of date the 6th of September, 1800, discontinuing the ^Merchandize, practice of allowing persons to merchandize for life, and again revise and enforce the Act of date the 17th of May, 1800. 27 August, i8or. The Guildry agree to recommend to the Town Council to take off the Outgoing custom on goods going out of the burgh at the first setting of the annual customs. 12 178 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1801. Distillation from grain, Water scheme. Entry refused. Merchandiz- ing during life. Grain im- portation scheme. Loft in the East Church. Merchant Banking Company, 2 December, 1801. A committee authorised to draw up a remonstrance to the Lords of the Treasury against allowing any distillation from grain. 9 February, 1802. A new committee appointed for the purpose of bringing into the town an additional supply of water. 23 February, 1802. The Guildry unanimously agree to allow £200 sterling out of the funds for the water scheme. It was objected against James Anderson, soldier, entering the Guildry as husband of Elizabeth Brechin, a deceased guildbrother's daughter, that she was married before, and entry was therefore refused. 9 October, 1802. The Guildry, by a majority, rescind and discontinue the practice of allowing persons to merchandize during life. The Treasurer authorised to pay an account of ;£^356 iis. 4d. sterling due to the Stirling Banking Company as the Guildry's proportion of the American grain importation scheme, the committee to sell the meal and corn on hand, with sacks, to the best advantage. 21 September, 1803. The Guildry refuse seats allocated to them by the Town Council in East Church gallery, but are willing to accept one half of the Guildry loft from front to back on either side, the two backmost seats to be kept for the use of the poor. 24 September, 1803. The Guildry accept of the seats now allocated to them, and appoint them to be set this day by public roup for five years from Michaelmas next. 7 April, 1804. The Dean of Guild stated to the Court that there was at present in circulation a set of notes issued by John Belch of this place under the firm of the Merchant Banking Company of Stirling, but on enquiry he finds there is not a single merchant a partner in the concern, excepting the said i804.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 179 John Belch, who may claim that title from his being a guildbrother though Merchant not an actual merchant. The Court were unanimously of opinion that as Company, this is a notour fact to the whole Court, the public at large ought to be acquainted thereof, and that an advertisement should, at the expense of the Guildry, be inserted in the different Edinburgh and Glasgow news- papers, stating that there is no merchant in this place a partner in said Company, unless the foresaid John Belch may claim that title from the circumstance of his being entered with the Guildry. Mr. John Belch being present in Court, the Dean of Guild put the question to him from the chair whether or not there is any actual merchant of this burgh a partner in the said Merchant Banking Company, and he answered there has been none since his father's death. II April, 1804. After hearing a letter from Mr. John Forman, W.S., Edinburgh, stating that the newspapers declined to take the responsibility of in- serting the advertisement ordered by the meeting of 7th April, and also a protest by Mr. John Belch setting forth that the resolution of the Guildry was illegal and unwarrantable, it was agreed (Mr. Belch dissenting) to delay publishing the said advertisement, to print the proceedings of this and the former meeting, and send a copy to every member residing in the town, and to meet on this day six weeks in the Guildhall at twelve o'clock noon to take the whole business into consideration. 14 April, 1804. The Guildry, being met in consequence of legal warning, the Dean of Guild laid before them a copy of the summons served upon him and the Guild Treasurer by John Belch, banker in Stirling, which was read, after which Mr. Cunningham proposed that if Mr. Belch would agree to enact himself that in the course of two months from this date he would change the present firm of the Merchant Banking Company and assume another, and alter his plate and not re-issue his notes, all further dispute between the Guildry and Mr. Belch should be dropped, and the whole Guildry agreed to Mr. Cunningham's proposal except Mr. Belch. The Guildry, in respect of Mr. Belch's non-agreement, nominated a committee to conduct the defence before the Sheriff. Against which proceedings the said John Belch protested for reasons given. i8o THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1804. Merchant Banking Company, Mail coach. Steelyard for coals. Benefit of entry to youngest child of strangers discontinued. Entry as burgess compulsory. Unfree traders. 5 July, 1804. Mr. Sconce laid before the Court the sentence of the Sheriff in the process at the instance of John Belch against the Guildry, and they authorised their Treasurer to pay the expenses awarded by said sentence, and also to pay Mr. Sconce his account as their agent in the cause. 29 August, 1804. It was stated by Provost Connal and Provost Glas that it would be very advantageous to have a mail coach established between Edinburgh and Stirling for the purpose of conveying the foreign and English letters, and a committee was appointed to meet with the gentlemen at Falkirk and adopt such measures as might be thought most eligible for the public good. 3 September, 1804. A committee appointed to draw up a representation to the Magistrates and Town Council to have a steelyard fixed in some proper quarter of the town for weighing the coals brought to the place, as there are great impositions made upon the inhabitants by many coal drivers not giving proper weight and measure. 29 September, 1804. The Guildry, having taken into their consideration the very bad practice which has of late years crept into their proceedings when strangers enter with the Guildry, of extending the privilege and benefit of such entry to the stranger's youngest child, they do now resolve to put an end to such an improper custom, and therefore hereby statute and enact that in all time hereafter the said practice shall cease and be discontinued, and that it shall not be in the power of any meeting of Guildry hereafter to alter the present Act, unless such meeting consists of a greater number of members than the present Court. 9 October, 1804. The Guildry statute and enact that no person hereafter shall be ad- mitted a guildbrother till he is previously admitted by the Council to be a burgess, and produce a certificate of such admission. 20 December, 1804. On the complaint of Messrs. Anderson, Forman, and M'Leran, book- sellers, it was resolved to prosecute, as unfree traders, James Walker and John Turnbull, who sold books by auction every night, and even at times by retail. i8os.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. i8i 5 January. 1805. The Guildry agree to recommend the Town Council to advertise for a Assistant proper assistant to Mr. M'Dougal, the writing-master, and that the garret masters, storey above Mr. M'Dougal's school should be repaired for the purpose of teaching ; also, that the like recommendation should be made for an assistant to Mr. M'Leran, the English schoolmaster, and that ;^20 sterling be taken from Cowane's Hospital, and something from the funds of the other Hospitals and town to defray the expense of paying the assistant to Mr. M'Dougal, and that ;^io sterling be taken from the funds towards defraying the expense of Mr. M'Leran's assistant. 23 February, 1805. It was reported that the Magistrates had given sentence against Unfree Messrs. Walker and Turnbull as unfree traders, and that they had advocated ^'^ ^'^^' the process to the Court of Session. The Guildry authorised Mr. Sconce, their agent, to cause the advocation to be answered and to prosecute the business till the opinion of the Lord Ordinary is obtained. The Dean of Guild laid before the Court a paper which had been given An alleged to him by Daniel M'Gregor, which, Mr. M'Gregor alleges, is a sufficient ^o^ tllT discharge from the Navy and entitles him to carry on the business of a Navy, merchant. The Guildry, having read and considered said paper, they are unanimously of opinion that it is no discharge whatever, and that Mr. M'Gregor is not entitled by it to carry on business without entering with the Guildry, and that if he does not enter between this and Whitsunday next he will be prosecuted for that purpose, and the said paper was re- turned to the Dean of Guild. 16 April, 1807. Mr. Sutherland moved the adoption of an Address to His Majesty in Address to his steady and manly determination to oppose the late Emancipation Bill ^® ^' in favour of Roman Catholics. Bailie Alexander moved delay, and on a vote being taken 40 voted for the Address and 18 for delay. I August, 1807. The Guildry enact that from and after this date no man shall have Strangers liberty to open shop previous to his entry without leave from the Dean of ghop!"^ Guild and Council, and that every stranger who enters shall pay a sum not exceeding one pound sterling to defray the expense annually incurred at making the enquiry by the Dean of Guild and Council into his stock and circumstances. l82 THE STIRLING GUlLDRY BOOK. [1807. Cowane'a Hospital peusions. Salmon fishings. Strangers' entries. Dean's farewell supper. Hawkers. Strangers merchandiz- ing. 26 December t 1807. Mr. William Paterson stated that as the administration of the affairs of Cowane's Hospital, the property of the Guildry, is vested in the Town Council and first minister of the Burgh, and as the funds of that Hospital have increased under the wise management of the Council to an astonishing degree, and as the declared purpose of these funds originally was the support of decayed Guild brethren, in which way these funds have always been in part applied, but as the value of every necessary of life has increased in a fourfold degree since the institution of said Hospital, and as there never was any regular augmentation or increase of pensions made, that this Court should hereby recommend to the Patrons of said Hospital to take these things under their consideration and make an augmentation of all pensions from said Hospital in a degree corresponding with the circumstances of the pensioners, the present price of provisions, and with the dignity and ability of the Hospital. The Court unanimously agree to Mr. Paterson's motion, and recommend the same to the Town Council accordingly. A Committee appointed to enquire into the tack which the town has of Cowane's Hospital fishing boats, and report. 14 May, 1808. The Guildry statute and ordain that in all time coming the dues pay- able by strangers or neutrals at their entry with the Guildry shall be £^0 sterling money, exclusive of Clerk's and officer's fees and stamp duties. 28 September, 1808. The Guildry statute and ordain that in all time coming they shall be at the sole expense of defraying out of the Guildry funds the Dean of Guild's farewell supper, provided that the same does not exceed the sum of £\o sterling. The Guildry recommend to the Magistrates to discharge the town drummer or bellman from advertising the sales of any goods belonging to hawkers, as such sales are prejudicial to the interest of the Guild brethren. 31 December, 1808. The Dean of Guild stated that it was the wish of several members that the practice of admitting strangers to the privilege of merchandizing within the Burgh on paying a certain sum annually be renewed, and the Court remit to a Committee to consider this business, and report their opinion to the Guildry. iSo8.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 183 25 February, 1808. The Guildry, taking into their serious consideration the great benefit Proposed and utility that would accrue to the commercial and trading interest of the house at county if a custom-house were established at Grangemouth, and considering <^range- that Grangemouth is held only as a creek by Bo'ness, notwithstanding that in point of revenue Grangemouth is the fourth port in Scotland, that the distance from Grangemouth to Bo'ness is about eight miles, and in the winter season, when the river Avon is impassable, which often happens, the distance by Linlithgow Bridge is about three miles farther, and the roads in general very bad ; and the Guildry being impressed with these particular hardships, and likeways considering that people at Grangemouth are obliged to go to Bo'ness to make all entries inwards and outwards, fre- quently five or six times on one cargo, for certificates of duties being paid, for payment of debentures and over-entries, and every other piece of business, however trifling, when the law requires the merchant or agent to appear at the custom-house ; that shipmasters are obliged in like manner to travel the same distance twice every voyage to report their cargoes inwards and clear their ships outwards in ballast, or if they carry goods outwards they are obliged to go to the custom-house three times, and independently of the loss of time, which is generally the greatest part of a day, the expense is very great ; that nothing can be done in the unloading or shipping of goods until a warrant or sufferance is obtained from the custom-house, by which means one day is always lost to the ship before she begins to discharge, and another day lost when the master goes to clear, . which to a foreigner may lose his passage, and to a British vessel not only her passage but her convoy ; that the grain or goods landed in joint custody are obliged to be sent to a different port to the great prejudice of the importers as well as the proprietors and possessors of warehouses ; that small quantities of goods are frequently wanted to be sent coastwise for which there are almost daily opportunities, but from the greatest part of two days being lost in getting a sufferance from Bo'ness and going there to clear, shipmasters can very seldom be prevailed upon to lose so much time ; that these are grievances of which the whole trade of this port have much cause to complain ; and the Guildry, further considering that the duties of the customs paid from the port of Grangemouth for the year ending the Sth January, 1806, amounted to about ;£'44,ooo sterling, being fully nine-tenths of the whole revenue of the district, that the 1 84 THE STIRLING GUILDRV BOOK. [i8oa. Proposed custom- house at Grange- mouth. shipping loaded and unloaded in the harbour and basins of Grangemouth in the year 1805 were as follows, viz. : — 335 vessels in and out coastwise, - - 16,487 tons. 9 vessels outwards, foreign, - - - 1,213 „ 146 vessels inwards, foreign, ... 27,371 „ Strangers merchandiz- ing. Table of customs. Objection at election of Town Coun- cillors. Aggregate tonnage, - - 4S.071 » exclusive of Carron Company's ships, coast vessels and others loaded and unloaded in the river Carron above Grangemouth, which amounts to an extensive tonnage, and may be considered as part of the trade of that port : the Guildry do unanimously recommend to the Magistrates and Town Council to apply by memorial to the Lords of the Treasury to have a custom-house established at Grangemouth for the benefit and conveniency of the public, and likewise to apply to their Member of Parliament to use his influence for getting such a laudable scheme carried into execution. Strangers to be allowed to merchandize within the Burgh on paying to the Guild Treasurer, for behoof of the Guildry, the sum of £2 sterling annually, payable in advance. 10 January, 18 10. One thousand copies of the Table of the annual customs of the Burgh of Stirling and weigh-house dues at the Meal Market to be printed in form of a duodecimo and sold at one penny each copy. 25 September, 181 1. John Murray having been nominated as one of the four Town Councillors to be chosen by the Guildry under the new sett, it was objected that he was not eligible, because by the sett no person could hold any public office unless he had been three months resident within the Burgh previous to the election, to which it was answered that Mr. Murray was eligible because he resided in the feus set by the Magistrates and kept a public office in Stirling. On a vote being taken, Mr. Murray was elected by a majority of 34, and a protest being lodged, it was answered by Mr. Murray that other persons holding office were in the same position as himself, and that the clause in the Poll Warrant upon which so much stress was laid could not and never was meant to apply to the present case or any similar to it. It was well known that in former times and under the old sett of the Burgh, persons from a great distance were eligible to hold i8ii.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 185 offices, and it was believed that upon one occasion the Duke of Montrose Objection at was Provost, and it was solely for the purpose of preventing such palpab6 Town Coun- abuses as these that this clause was very properly introduced. It cillors. could never be argued from thence, however, that a measure solely calculated to prevent persons possessing an interest merely nominal in the affairs of the Burgh, and resident at many miles distant, from improperly using their election franchise for a particular friend or political purpose, and to the injury of those more materially interested, could be construed into any prohibition upon a person, who, although strictly speaking not resident within the actual territory, was nevertheless, by the titles of his property in every respect subject to the jurisdiction of the Burgh, who paid scot and lot as well as every customary service, who carried on a profession in the very centre of the town, and was in every other respect fully qualified, from exercising his just right ; and it was only for party purposes that this objection was started upon the present occasion by those very men who were accessory to the precedents already quoted. Mr. John Murray, having been elected Dean of Guild by a large majority, the protest was renewed and the protester took instruments in the Clerk's hands. 4 January, 18 12. A committee appointed to apply to the Town Council for an account ^"°?'^" . and state of the money left by the deceased Mr. Alexander Cunningham, fication. merchant and Guildbrother, to the Guildry, and to know in what manner that fund has been hitherto applied, and likeways to get a copy of Mr. Cunningham's will and settlement so as the same may be inserted in the Guildry books, that the Guildry may see whether or not that donation is applied agreeably to the will of the donor. Extracts of the following papers to be applied for, viz : — i. The first Act of Council for making the Ballengiach Road. 2, The several Acts of Council relating to that business. 3, Estimates for making the same. 4, Account of the different sums of money expended, and from what funds these sums were taken. 5, The protest taken by John Sutherland against the road. 8 February, 181 2. The Treasurer authorised to pay to the Dean of Guild the expense of any extracts respecting the Ballengiach Road and Cowane's Hospital boats that may be got from the Town Clerk. i86 TH£ STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [i8i2. Lancastrian School. East India Company's Charter, Mr. William Paterson having enumerated the many advantages arising from the establishment of a Lancastrian School in this place, moved that the thanks of the Guildry should be given to the Dean of Guild and Magistrates for the great zeal and attention shown by them in promoting and protecting such an institution, and he hoped that they would continue to exert their best endeavours in the support of such a laudable measure. The Guildry unanimously agree to Mr. Paterson's motion, and return their thanks accordingly. 9 April, 1812. The Dean of Guild stated that he had called this meeting for the purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of adopting such measures as may be best calculated to obtain a general participation of the East India trade hitherto confined to the East India Company exclusively, and gave in a paper proposing the following resolutions to be entered into if agreeable by the Guildry, viz. : — 1. That every British subject has an undoubted right to exercise a free trade with every country dependent upon or in amity with the British Empire. 2. That the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by the East Indiai Company has been very prejudicial to the British Empire at large, and so far from operating to the advantage of the Company, it has laid them under the necessity of repeatedly applying to Government for enormous sums of the public money to support their establishment, so that even in this respect it is a national grievance. 3. That the British merchant, being excluded from all participation in the trade, is denied the benefit and advantage which foreigners are allowed to enjoy. 4. That the argument used by those interested in the monopoly, of a free trade being prejudicial to private merchants, is completely refuted by the circumstance of foreign merchants carrying on an extensive trade to the East Indies. 5. That the continuance of this monopoly bears peculiarly hard upon British merchants at all times, and in an especial manner at present when the obstacles which political circumstances have almost everywhere interfered, continue to cramp and fetter the operations of British merchants. i8i2.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 1^7 6. That by a free trade to these countries included in the charter of Kast India the East India Company of such vast extent and variety of charter, climates, such a wide field would be opened for British enterprise and industry as could not fail to enliven languishing commerce and manufactures at home, restore confidence and energy in the mercantile class, and most effectually defeat and disappoint the designs of an inveterate foe on the Continent. 7. That the Guildry, being deeply impressed with these sentiments, deems it expedient that a petition founded on these resolutions be forthwith prepared and presented to Parliament, praying that the monopoly enjoyed by the East India Company may be suffered to expire with their existing charter, and a petition framed accordingly being submitted to the consideration of the meeting, it was unanimously approved of and adopted. And the Guildry, having heard the said resolutions and petition read, they unanimously approve of the same, and appoint the petition to be sent off to General Campbell of Monzie, representative for the Burgh, to be by him presented to Parliament, and recommend to the Town Council to make a similar application to the House of Commons. 9 July, 1812. It having been stated to the Court that a person of the name of Jacob Act for pro- Cohen has for some time past been selling hats within the Burgh, thereby jacolT'cohen. greatly injuring the trade which the Guildry are all bound to protect, and that this obnoxious trade he has carried on for two Fridays past and on other days of the week — Resolved that the Dean of Guild do prosecute the said Jacob Cohen for violating the privileges of the Guildry, and immediately apply for an interdict to prevent him from carrying on his sale till parties be heard and judgment given. The Guildry appoint their officer to apprehend all contraveners, and Act anent to carry them before a Magistrate, and to lay before the Dean of Guild the encroach on names of such persons as may have commenced business within the Burgh ^^f Guildry's without lodging a petition with the Clerk for permission to carry on the business of a merchant. 188 tHE: STIRLING GtJlLDRY iBOOiC. [1813. ■3,0 January, 18 13. A firm of Isabella Flint and Agnes Young, both residing in Stirling, allowed the allowed to privilege of merchandizing for life under the firm of Flint & Young, on to'lifSI"^^^ their paying to the Guildry the sum of £2 annually in terms of the Act of Guildry of date 2Sth February, 1809. 8 February, 181 3. Tax on The Guildry, taking into consideration the Act of Parliament which lays the sum of £2 sterling annually on all clerks and shop apprentices, which the Guildry look upon as a heavy grievance, they remit to a com- mittee to correspond with the Chamber of Commerce at Edinburgh and other mercantile societies in Scotland, with power to co-operate with them, and to take every legal measure to obtain redress for the Guildry. 2 June, 1813. Education of xhe following regulations were submitted for the better conducting of scholars. the education of poor children of Guild brethren : — 1. That boys should get English, writing, and arithmetic, and girls should get the same, with common sewing. 2. That boys and girls should not be put to school sooner than six years of age, and not allowed to remain longer at the English than four years. That boys should attend the writing, and girls likeways, the last year that they are at the English, 3. That after the boys are ten years of age, they shall continue their writing and learn arithmetic not exceeding two years, and the girls are to be put to the sewing when they are ten years old, and to continue learning writing, and also to learn arithmetic not exceeding two years. 4. That each boy and girl, while they are at the English school, is to receive one copy of the book taught and no more. 5. That these children shall not be allowed to absent themselves from school without a proper excuse, or in the case of sickness, and if this clause is contravened they shall be dismissed from the school. i8i3.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 189 6. That no children shall be put to school without application to the Education of Dean of Guild, Guild auditors, and Guild treasurer, who are to schoto. give the orders for putting them to school, and who are to visit the schools quarterly to see that these articles are implemented, and the treasurer is to mark their entry to the school in a book. The Guildry approved of the foregoing regulations, appointed them to be engrossed in their book, and extracts sent to the English and writing schools for their direction in time coming. 13 November, 181 3. The Guildry recommend to the Magistrates to apply to the Postmaster Letter General that he would be pleased to order an annual allowance to be paid to the letter carrier of this Burgh and neighbourhood for his trouble in delivering the letters, so as the persons who receive them may be free from any charge except the payment of the postage. 8 January, 1814. Alexander Stewart, saddler in Stirling, being accused of merchandizing Prosecution and encroaching on the privileges of the Guildry by selling ropes and twine, acknowledged that he did so, and stated that he would still continue to carry on the said practice. A prosecution against him in the name and at the instance of the Dean of Guild for behoof of the Guildry, ordered to be instituted. 5 March, 18 14. The Dean of Guild laid before the Court Mr Baird's report of the Union Cunal. proposed Edinburgh and Glasgow Union Canal, and they were unanimously of opinion that the said Canal, when carried into execution, would be very advantageous to the country. The Guildry remit to a Committee to correspond with the Chambers of Com Laws. Commerce in Edinburgh and Glasgow in order to know their sentiments with regard to the proposed alterations in the Com Laws, and to report to the Guildry. 190 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1814, 24 March, 1 8 14. Corn Laws. The Clerk produced and read to the Court the report of the above Committee, dated 22nd March. The Committee having deliberated on the subject were unanimously of opinion : — 1. That the proposed alteration in the existing Corn Laws would be highly injurious to the commercial and manufacturing interests of the country, in as much as it fixes permanently the price of bread, corn, and other necessaries of life at a high rate, while the price of labour must vary according to the state and circumstances of the country. 2. That it is a self-evident maxim that a growing population and useful employment must certainly increase the value of the land much more than any artificial expedient for raising the price of any part of its produce. 3. That in all countries improvements in agriculture have kept pace with the progress of trade and manufacture, and wherever these continue to flourish agriculture never can fade. This report was unanimously approved of, and a petition to the House of Commons in similar terms drawn up for transmission to Kirkman Finlay, Esq., M.P. for Glasgow, &c., to be presented by him to the House of Commons. 22 June, 1 8 14. Taking down The Dean of Guild stated to the meeting that they had been called at Mercate, the request of several members of the Guildry to consider of the measure at present in contemplation of the Town Council to take down the Meal Mercate, and further stated that some difference of opinion existed as to the mode of disposing of that valuable spot ; whereupon Bailie Alexander Wright mentioned that the Town Council had already anticipated the wishes of the Guildry, for they had yesterday agreed to erect a genteel building of three stories in the place where the said Mercate stands, containing two elegant shops with suitable apartments above for an assembly room, library, and reading-room, with a steeple in the centre, and therefore moved that the thanks of the Court be given to the Magistrates and Town Council for such praiseworthy conduct, to which motion the Court unanimously agreed, and hereby return their thanks accordingly. i8i4.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 191 31 December, 1814. The Guildry recommend to the Provost, Magistrates, and Dean of|^J^™™ Guild to procure from the Town Clerk information where the salmon fishing lies which is possessed by the Town under Cowane's Hospital, and at what time the alleged tack of said fishing was granted by the Hospital to the Town, and what are the terms of the said tack, and to report to the first Guild Court. 4 February, 1815. The Guildry having considered it highly proper and expedient that Petition the Property Tax Act should not be renewed, agreed to forward the follow- property tax. ing petition to General Campbell of Monzie for presentation to the House of Commons : — Unto the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom. The humble petition of the Royal Incorporation of the Guildry of Stirling, sheweth : — That during a long and calamitous war the petitioners have borne with unexampled patience the burden of many heavy and oppressive taxes, and have suffered in silence many privations with- out ever their complaint being heard. That among the many evils which pressed hard upon them, no one was felt with greater severity than the property tax. That, however, as this tax was imposed for the purpose of calling forth the power and wealth of the nation against the desperate attempts of a cruel and ambitious usurper, and as it was to expire at the end of six months after signing the treaty of peace, the petitioners looked forward with hope and anxiety that that happy period would some day arrive. That this glorious event has now taken place, and in the month of April next this unpopular tax must cease and die a natural death. That the Guildry of Stirling will never presume to brand with wanton or opprobrious epithets any tax that the Legislature may impose on the country ; all they shall say is this, that the property tax was far heavier than they could bear. (Signed) John Jaffray, D.G, 192 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1815. 15 March, 1815. Corn Laws. It was unanimously agreed to petition Parliament against the Bill now pending imposing additional restrictions on the importation of corn, and especially the precipitation with which it is attempted to carry the same into effect. Trial by jury It was also resolved to petition against the insertion in the Bill at present in ciTi cases, pending in Parliament for introducing trial by jury in civil cases in Scot- land, of that clause which requires unanimity of the jury in returning their verdict, and also against some other objectionable clauses in the proposed Bill. I May, 1815. Building at The Guildry congratulate the Town Council on the very advantageous Mercate. contract which they have entered into with Mr. Johnstone for the public building and steeple at the Meal Mercate ; at the same time they regret the long delay that has already taken place in commencing operations, the 23rd of November last being the day specified in the contract, whereas it has been protracted till this day. The Guildry do therefore entreat the Town Council not to admit of another hour's delay on any account whatever, and recommend to them to send the key of the old Mercate instantly to Mr. Johnstone, requiring him to proceed to his operations forthwith, and further, to furnish Mr. Johnstone with a working plan and every other requisite, that there may be no room for complaint for the smallest delay. 20 May, 1815. Eescinding a In consequence of a protest against the extension of the privilege of the granted to an entry of David M'Leran, merchant, on 14th March last, to all his children, entrant. jn respect that he had served his time as an apprentice with a merchant in Stirling, although he was not bound a merchant apprentice, and that he had carried on the business of merchandizing in the Burgh and been paying an annual sum for that privilege, the Guildry by a great majority recall the clause in the Act of Mr. M'Leran's admission protested against, because it was illegal and contrary to the express law and Act of the Guildry, dated 29th September, 1804, and hereby confine said privilege to the child born after the period of entry. i8i5.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 193 20 November^ 181 5. The Court having taken into consideration the tax proposed to be laid on Shop tax. shops, they are of opinion that the same will be very oppressive, and agree to co-operate with the Chamber of Commerce at Edinburgh, and with any burgh or community that may be thought necessary, in every legal and constitutional measure in opposing the same. 27 April, 1 8 16. The Dean of Guild and others wished to have the opinion of the Court Daughters of whether or not a guildbrother's daughter had a right to take a merchant fj'ethren not apprentice in order to communicate the freedom of the Guildry to him by to ^'^^ » his indenture, so as he might afterwards claim to be entered as a merchant apprentice. apprentice. The Court were unanimously of opinion that no guild- brother's daughter had any such privilege, that there never was an instance of any such thing being done, and that it would be most illegal to permit such a practice. 10 August, 1816. There was produced and read a memorial from the Guild Council Privilege of respecting the rescinding of the present existing law allowing strangers to ^^^ ™ ^' merchandize for life on paying £2 sterling annually, and the Guildry having considered the same, they statute and ordain that in all time coming every person claiming to be allowed the privilege of merchandizing for life shall pay £}) sterling annually per advance to the Guildry, and likeways produce to the Dean and his Council sufficient evidence that he is worth ;£^ioo sterling of stock or capital, and, besides, shall be obliged to conform in every respect to the Act of Guildry of date 25 February, 1809 years. 18 November, 18 16. The Guildry authorise the Treasurer to furnish each of the scholars at Books to Mr. MacDougal's school, on the Guildry funds, with a copy of Mr. Mac- scholar^. Dougal's new arithmetic book, and when they are done with school they allow the Dean of Guild and his Council to give them the book in a compliment if Mr. MacDougal says that they have behaved well and are deserving of it. 17 February, 18 17. Application to be made to the Magistrates requesting of them to Unfreemen. discharge the town drummer and bellman from calling through the Burgh the auction or sales of goods of unfreemen, whether they reside within the Burgh or suburbs thereof. 13 194 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1817. Election of second minister. Public walks. Storing gunpowder. Thanks and presentation to retiiing Clerk. Chapmen's ring. 24 May, 1 8 17. Mr. Alexander Smith chosen delegate to meet with the Town Council and Kirk Session, and with the other delegates to be chosen by the Incorpoj-ations and communities, within the Town House on Tuesday, 27th May, for the election of a second minister in room of the late Rev. Mr. John Russel. The Treasurer authorised to pay to Mr. Ebenezer Brown, surgeon in Stirling, the sum of ;^io sterling, to be expended in extending, repairing, and improving the public walks. g/une, 18 17. The Treasurer authorised to pay to Mr. Ebenezer Brown the sum of ten guineas, to be expended by him in extending, repairing, and improving the public walks, so beautiful and beneficial to the health of the whole inhabitants. The Guildry, considering the very alarming consequences that may ensue from merchants or others being allowed to keep quantities of gun- powder in their houses or shops, recommend to the Magistrates to discharge such a dangerous custom, and beg leave to suggest to the Magistrates to look out for a proper centrical place for a powder magazine wherein powder might be deposited with safety, and the Guildry are of opinion that the old dovecot on the south side of the town would be a proper place for such powder magazine. 27 September, 1817. Alexander Dow having resigned the office of Guildry Clerk, which he had held for thirty-five years past, the Guildry unanimously nomina- ted and elected Alexander Littlejohn, junior, to be the Clerk for the year to come, who accepted of the office, and gave his oath defideli; and the Guildry unanimously returned their thanks to Mr. Dow for the long and faithful services rendered by him to the Guildry, and for the distinct and accurate manner in which he kept their Records, for the pleasant and affable manner in which he gave information, and for his rendering important service to the Guildry at all times when required ; and it was further unanimously resolved that a piece of plate of the value of ten guineas should be presented to him in token of their approbation. The Guildry refuse to allow the compliment to the chapmen of £\ stg. for a ring in regard there has been no race. i8i7.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 195 8 November, 1817. The Dean of Guild laid before the meeting an extract Act of the Stipend of Town Council, dated i8th August last, unanimously agreeing that no part minister. of the stipend of the third minister should be taken from the funds of Cowane's, Spittal's, or Allan's Hospitals without the consent of the Guildry and Trades, but that the Council should, in terms of their guarantee already reported to the Presbytery, raise the sum in the meantime from the con- verted multure and any other funds under their administration, and from private subscriptions and contributions from the seatholders ; and for that purpose recommending to the Guildry and other public incorporations to allow the revenue of their seats in the West Church and any other funds under their power to be applied towards the present stipend. The Guildry unanimously agree to delay consideration thereof until a future opportunity. The Guildry recommend to the Town Council to examine into the state ^"^'l^"'^ of the tenants of the Town and Hospital lands. They are decidedly hostile tenants' rents to deductions of every kind, as being against the interest of the community, as well as unhinging the system of rouping the Common Good of the Town and Hospitals. They consider it the imperative duty of the Council to avoid giving deductions, but if on inquiry the Council shall find that any of their tenants hold their leases at rents greatly above what they are able to pay from the produce of their lands, they recommend that the Council should accept renunciations of such leases under proper arrangements, and let the lands anew by public roup in the usual way. The Dean informed the meeting that in consequence of the recom- Gtunpowder ° ■" magazine, mendation of last Court relative to gunpowder, the Magistrates had obtained a plan by Mr. Alan Johnston for converting the pigeon-house belonging to the Trades into a gunpowder magazine, the place having been granted by the Trades, which plan was laid before the Court, and the Dean stated that the Magistrates conceived that the expense of the alteration ought to fall upon the Guildry funds. All which being considered, the Court remit the same to the Dean of Guild and his Council to receive estimates and superintend the business ; as also to consider whether individuals using the magazine should pay rent. The meeting unanimously return thanks to the Magistrates for their attention to this business and to the Trades for their grant of the place. 196 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1817. Gift to Stirling Library. Chaiities. Repair of West Church, Accounts of Royal Burghs, Pauper lunatics. 20 December, 18 17. A letter having been received from Mr. Dow, late Clerk to the Guildry, asking that the ten guineas voted for a piece of silver plate to be presented to him should be paid to the Stirling Library for the purpose of purchasing books, this was agreed to and the Treasurer instructed accordingly. * 3 January, 181 8. Allowances varying from los to £2 los, and amounting in all to £t,2 los, granted to needful guildbrethren, widows, and children. 14 February, 1818. It was unanimously resolved to pay to the Town Council the sum of los for each sitter's room belonging to the Guildry in the West Church in full of their proportion of the expense of repairing and new seating that church, it being understood that the Guildry are to have the same quantity of seats in the new gallery as they at present possess in the old one. 2 May, 1818. The meeting took into consideration the Bill lately brought into Parliament by the Lord-Advocate for regulating the mode of accounting for the revenues of the Royal Burghs, and resolved to petition for its amendment, at least to the extent of excepting this burgh from its opera- tion, and confirming the Act of the Town Council of Stirling in 1695, commonly called the Long Act, by virtue of which the accounts of the burgh have hitherto been audited. The Guildry cannot allow this oppor- tunity to pass without expressing their decided opinion that no enactment for protecting the Common Good of the other Scotch burghs can be of great or continued avail while the present absurd system of self-election is allowed to remain in force ; and the Guildry therefore hope that the Burghs now in this corrupt and degraded state will speedily obtain the benefit of constitutions at least equally liberal with that which Stirling has enjoyed for more than thirty years, to the good effects of which the Guildry can safely bear testimony. The Guildry were also of opinion that the plan of providing for pauper lunatics in Scotland as proposed by Lord Binning in the Bill lately brought in by him would be highly oppressive, and is not called for in the circum- stances of the case. i8i8.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 197 13 June, 1818. The meeting having taken into consideration the proposal for erecting Monuments a marble slab with an appropriate inscription to the memory of John cowane and Cowane near to his supposed burial place, unanimously apprpve of the Alexander proposition, and they authorise the sum of ;^20 sterling to be paid from the Guildry funds for the purpose of erecting a like marble slab, with an appropriate inscription, to the memory of the late Alexander Cunningham, merchant in Stirling. It was moved and seconded that information should be laid before J^^'^, ^p™ next Court on what footing the ;^300 taken from Cowane's Hospital funds to assist in completing the new Corn Market was granted. 10 September, 18 18. The Court having met to consider the most beneficial plan of disposing Kouping the of their seats in the East and West Churches, the Dean gave in an alloca- in the tion of the seats in the West Church belonging to the Guildry, being Nos. churches. 2-8 in the gallery, and they appoint their seats in the churches to be set by public roup to the highest bidder for one year from this date. A Committee appointed to examine into the state of the education Education of of the Guildry scholars, and the causes of their not attending the school scholars. regularly. 24 October, 1818. The following report on the education of Guildry scholars was given in by the Committee : — There are five schools to which it has been the practice to send the children educated at the expense of the Guildry, viz. — Mr. Jamieson and Mr. Rae for English ; Mr. MacDougal, writing and arithmetic ; and Mrs. Bayne and Mrs. Sutherland for sewing, &c. Of the two English teachers, Mr. Jamieson has been the one to whom, of late years, the children have been principally sent, and the number attending him might average 21 or 22. The Committee therefore thought it best to visit his school in the first instance, and they are sorry to report that the complaints of non-attendance appeared to be too well founded, for out of 19 scholars for whose education Mr. Jamieson was paid for the quarter ending ist October, only 10 were present. For some of them, no doubt, satisfactory 198 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1818. Education of excuses were given, but the majority of those absent were repre- Scholars. sented by the teacher as children whom he never could get to attend regularly. At the school of the other English teacher there were also 7 of the Guildry children, two of whom had lately come to him from Mr. Jamieson, but Mr. Rae stated that they were all regular in their attendance at school. As a remedy for the evil complained of, the Committee beg leave to recommend : ist. That, in future, the option which is now vested in the Dean of Guild and Auditors of choosing to what school the children shall be sent, shall be given to the parents of the children, confining them always to the teachers above mentioned or their successors ; and 2ndly, they would recommend a strict enforcement of the regulation by which children absent for a certain time without proper reason are not entitled to enter the school without a new order in writing from the proper Guildry authorities. On this point your Committee would suggest that in future, when any child shall be absent for two days at any time without sufficient cause, to be certified under the hand of the parents or by them personally to the teacher, the teachers be strictly enjoined not to receive them back without a new order. The Com- mittee also recommend that such order shall not be renewed more than thrice, but that a fourth absence shall forfeit the privilege altogether. The Committee are, however, of the opinion that without the hearty co-operation of the parents of children, any regulation that can be adopted will be of little avail, and they would therefore further recommend that the Dean of Guild and Auditors, who have the power of sending children to school, should strongly press upon parents applying the necessity of their using their utmost endeavours to enforce the attendance of their children at school, and point out to them the evils which a negligence on this point must occasion. And your Committee are satisfied that if the parents act up to their duty, it will, joined to the other measures which they have proposed, remedy in a great measure, if not altogether, the evil which has been complained of. The Guildry recommend to the Dean of Guild and Auditors to visit the schools as frequently as they can find it convenient. i8i9.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 199 2 January, 18 19. The meeting having taken into consideration the resolutions of the Municipal general meeting of the burgesses of Edinburgh on the 3rd November last, Aberdeen. and the circular notice from the burgesses of Aberdeen, both on the subject of the royal warrant appointing the old Council of Aberdeen for 1817 to appoint a Council at Michaelmas, and refusing a poll election or any alteration on the Set of that Burgh, it was unanimously resolved : — 1. That the warrant lately issued by the Crown for restoring the Town Council of Aberdeen appears to this meeting to have been illegal, as well as highly prejudicial to the interests of the Burgh. 2. That as the case of Aberdeen may eventually be that of Stirling and every other Burgh in Scotland, it is the interest and duty of all to make common cause with those burgesses of Aberdeen who are about to try the validity of this measure ; and par- ticularly to afford them every reasonable pecuniary assistance. 3. That therefore the sura of fifty guineas be given from the Guildry funds in aid of their subscriptions, and that, if necessary, an addition shall afterwards be made to the present grant. 4. That it be recommended to the Magistrates and Town Council, and to the Trades Incorporations of this Burgh, to contribute towards the same object from their respective funds. 27 March, 18 19. It was moved by John Murdoch that the thanks of this Court be given Political, to these members of Council from this Court who voted for and supported the election of Provost Wright as delegate in the interest of the Honourable Mr. Primrose as candidate for being chosen Member of Parliament for this and the sister Burghs ; which motion having been seconded by William Paterson, it was objected by Alexander Littlejohn, junior, that the Court had been warned for entries only, and no other business being expected, there were not twenty members present, and that the motion was therefore irregular and premature. But the objection being overruled by the Court, the motion was carried without a vote. 200 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1819. Burgh reform. Assessment for Clerk. 29 April, 1 8 19. A requisition having been presented to the Dean for a petition to the House of Commons for an alteration of the Set of the Burgh so far as that the three Councillors elected by the Magistrates and Council should be elected by the Guildry, along with the Dean of Guild and others, " which will make the system much more pure, and give satisfaction to all the inhabitants," it was unanimously agreed, after considerable discussion, that a petition be immediately presented to the House in favour of Burgh reform in general, reserving the particular wants of this Burgh until a proper occasion. It was stated to the Court that a charge had been made against the Guildry of £2 yearly as duty for their Clerk under the Assessed Tax Laws, and as it appears doubtful whether this charge is warranted under these laws, it is ordered that an appeal be given in in name of the Guildry, that the point may be ascertained. 27 May, 1 8 19. Proposed The Dean laid upon the table a letter which he had received from alteration of L|^j.j Archibald Hamilton, the Chairman of the Select Committee of the 6et of Burgh. ... ^ „ , ^ . , 1 House of Commons, on the subject of Burgh reform, requestmg that he would forthwith make known to the petitioners in this Burgh that the Committee was ready to receive from them statements in writing of the nature of the evidence by which they thought that the allegations of their petition might be established, and the meeting resolved to appoint a committee to draw up a petition, stating particularly the defects of the Set of the Burgh of Stirling, suggesting the necessary improvements, and praying the honourable House to legislate accordingly ; and also a state- ment of the evidence by which the evil consequences which had resulted from the defects of the present Set since the institution of it in 1781 were to be proved. The thanks of the Guildry were unanimously given to Lord Archibald Hamilton for his motion for a Committee on the subject of Burgh reform, and to the Honourable Mr. Primrose and the other independent members of the House of Commons who supported his Lordship upon that occasion. 16 October, 18 19. Cowane'B The Dean stated that he had called this Court to hear the opinion of arrwrs^ the Guildry whether or not it would be proper to discharge the arrears i8i9.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 201 due from the tenants of Cowane's Hospital for 18 16 on account of the Cowane's Hospital peculiar hardship of the case. After hearing several brethren on the arrears. subject, it was moved by John Morrison that the Guildry adhere to the opinion given by the meeting on 8th November, 18 17, namely, that no deduction shall be allowred. On the other hand, it was moved by John Paterson that while the Guildry adhere to the general principle then laid down, it is their opinion that the deduction should be given for 1816, without admitting this peculiar case as a precedent, as they feel they would otherwise be acting in the face of the example of every liberal landlord in Scotland. The vote being put, the first motion was carried by 30 to 7, some declining to vote as being members of Council. 27 November, 18 19. The Dean of Guild laid before the meeting a letter of date the 9th ^^f^'^f^^']; current, which had been received by Bailie M'Laren, as late Dean, from John Sim, Esq., advocate, Aberdeen, agent for the Committee of Burgesses of Guild there, stating that the sum voted them in January last for insisting on a reduction of the Privy Council's warrant had never been called for, because the burgesses had been advised that it would be improper to attempt such a step from the strong feeling expressed against them by the Court of Session in their action for setting aside the election under that warrant ; that they had therefore directed all their endeavours towards a Parliamentary discussion of the illegality of the warrant of the general abuses of the system ; that they had by a great deal of correspondence and printed statements and memorials addressed to every independent member of the House of Commons, enabled Lord Archibald Hamilton nearly to carry his first motion, and were mainly instrumental in enabling his Lordship to carry the general question ; that immediately on this event they sent an agent to London, who remained there for three months giving assistance to the Committee of the House, and that the report of that Committee must perhaps speedily, and at all events with ultimate certainty, ensure reform to all the Scots burghs ; that for the last three years the burgesses of Aberdeen have fought very hard for the liberties of all the burghs, and have necessarily incurred a great expense, and their Committees are largely in advance, and they therefore hope their brethren in Stirling will continue their countenance and support, and grant them the subscription before voted for their past exertions. Which communication, together with the resolutions of the 2nd January last on this subject, having been considered 202 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1819. Aberdeen by the Guildry, they unanimously resolve to comply with the request of their brethren of Aberdeen, and therefore authorise the Dean of Guild to remit fifty guineas to Mr. Sim for the use of the Committee. Set of the The Committee appointed on 27th May to prepare a petition to "'^ ■ Parliament with regard to a proposed alteration of the Set of the Burgh, reported that the Trades demanded the choice of ten out of the twenty-one members of the Town Council, including by one proposal two, and by another at least one Bailie ; that the Committee had not been able to effect any conference with the Town Council, but had come to the opinion that the Council as a body was inimical to any reform in the Set of the Burgh. 15 December, 18 19. After a long discussion, the Court appointed a new Committee to prepare a petition in terms of the resolution of 27th May, exposing particularly not only the present defect of the election of the three Guild Councillors, but also the imperfect state of the representation of the skinners and butchers, and such other matters as they may conceive worthy of notice. Work for the The meeting considered the propriety of voting a sum from the Guildry funds for the purpose of relieving the poor by making an addition to Bridge Street from the foot of the street to the bridge, and making a footpath from Cowan's Street to Causewayhead, and resolved that Messrs. Farquhar and Morison be appointed a Committee to co-operate with the Committee from the Town Council in seeing the above work completed, and to see that none but the poor unemployed inhabitants of Stirling and the immediate vicinity be employed in the work. Fifty guineas were voted for the completion of the work. 26 January, 1820. Pensioners In addition to 109 guildbrethren present, who attended in consequence no ovo e. ^^ legal warning, there were present 16 other guildbrethren, who received aid from the funds of Cowane's Hospital, but it being moved and seconded that the pensioners have no vote, the motion was unanimously agreed to, and they withdrew out of Court, 1 820.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 203 The Clerk (Mr. Alexander Littlejohn, jun.), haviner tendered his Resignation u- • i. . • • .L T- Ai V .u j-j . ofClerkand resignation on his appointment as joint Town Clerk, three candidates were appointment nominated to fill the vacancy, viz. : — Peter Wright, writer, son of Provost °^ successor. Thomas Wright, newly admitted a guildbrother, Robert Hill, writer, and James Lucas, writer. The roll being called and votes marked, there appeared — For Peter Wright, 41 ; for Robert Hill, 31 ; for James Lucas, 31. Mr. Wright was accordingly declared elected and accepted office. 15 February, 1820. The Committee on Burgh reform reported that owing to the death of Burgh the late Town Clerk they had not been able to procure full information or evidence of the evils which they were directed to investigate, but they had prepared the draft of a petition to Parliament, which they now submitted to the Court. The petition narrated the history of Burgh reform in Stirling in the following terms : — The present Set of this Burgh has certainly in it less of the vice of self-election than the Sets of most of the other Burghs of Scotland. This superiority arose from the former Set of the Burghs having been so totally corrupt that it naturally produced evils so gross and clamant as rendered its continuance impossible. In 1773, while the former Set subsisted, three members of the Town Council entered into a joint bond, ever since known by the appropriate name of the " Black Band," which illustrates the effects of the system of self-election, and it is a fair inference that the system which produced such effects is in its nature evil and ought to be abolished. The new Set was granted by the King in Council in May, 178 1. By the old Set, at all elections, seven of the Merchant Council were changed or turned out of Council yearly, and seven merchants elected by the Common Council in place of those turned out. The present Set provides that at all elections the resident Guildry or merchants do elect four of their number to be new Councillors in place of four of the seven who by the old Set were chosen by the Council, and the remaining three members of the Guildry are chosen by the Council as formerly. The total number of the Council is 21, made up as follows : — Members of Council continued by the old Council, 7 Members of Council elected by the old Council, 3 Total number of self-elected members, ... 10 Chosen by the Guildry, 4 Trades Deacons chosen by the Trades, 7 11 —Zl 204 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. I1820. Burgh Hence it will be seen at once that the old Council, by procuring the vote of any one of the Trades Deacons, will instantly become the majority, and will thereby be enabled to " perpetuate themselves in power, and do in all the matters of the Burgh as they think proper." This has accordingly happened, for, from the granting of the new Set in 1 78 1 to this date, a period of about 40 years, the administration of the affairs of the Burgh has been monopolised by four or five parties. In this connection, the petitioners request the attention of the honourable House to two facts which, in their humble apprehensions, amount to a moral certainty that the old Council will at any time find it an easy matter to procure the vote of one Trades Deacon. The first of these is that by the present Set the Council is empowered, previous to the election of Deacons, to cut off and declare four of the Deacons elected the former year incapable of being re-elected for the ensuing year. It requires no argument to prove that the fear of this power of cutting off must give to its possessors a mighty influence over the Deacons who are the objects of it, and must prove a proportional temptation to each individual Deacon to yield every compliance to the cutters-off which may exempt him from falling under their displeasure. The other fact is that the number of some of the Trades is so small that they afford a fair picture in miniature of what in England are termed " rotten burghs." The Skinners consist of seven members, resident and non-resident, of which number the residents only ought to be allowed to vote. The Fleshers (or butchers) for a con- siderable time past have consisted of precisely five members, three of whom only have been in use to vote, viz. : — William Dougal and Thomas Ander- son, partners under the firm of Dougal & Anderson, and Peter Blair, their servant. It is apparent that though Dougal and Anderson and their servant are numerically three, they are substantially one, and the two principals, Dougal and Anderson, do not reside within the Burgh, nor indeed any one member entitled to vote, except Peter Blair aforesaid. The evidence of the number of members of these two Incorporations will be found in their respective records, which, although petitioners cannot get access to them, yet your honourable House will no doubt find means to make forthcoming. Those records will afford evidence of another fact — that in the year 18 12 Messrs Dougal and Anderson first became members of the Incorporation of Fleshers, and that immediately after their accession, the entry money, or sum payable by every person admitted as a member, was raised from a small sum, not in any event exceeding j^io, to the enormous sum of ^70 i820.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 205 sterling, which must necessarily deter any other person from becoming Burgh . i- . T . XT f . ,.", .reform. members of the Incorporation. Now, here again, little or no argument is necessary to show how easy it is for the old Council to bring over to their views the Deacon of a Trade who, let him do what he will, has in truth no constituents to whom he is responsible, whose displeasure might prevent his re-election, or in meeting with whom he might be put to the blush. He is, as a Deacon, freed from all the restraints of shame and self-interest. By the present Set, it is doubtful whether members of the Incorporated Trades, though not residing within the Burgh, may not elect and be elected Deacons, and it is obvious that this point ought to be fully fixed, because non-residents cannot feel a due interest in the concerns of the Burgh, which, in fact, are not their concerns. Your petitioners submit that from the foregoing statements, the undoubted result is that the alteration made by the new Set, though favourable as far as it goes, still leaves a most undue measure of the power of self-election, or of what is perfectly equivalent to it, the power of being elected by persons necessarily under the influence of those who need their votes. The inference is that the present Set must still produce in a very considerable degree evils of the same nature which flowed from the former system of total self-election. The abuses complained of in this Burgh are (i) The perverting of the funds of charitable institutions to other purposes than those to which the founders destined them ; and in some instances to the erection of buildings and others, no part of the revenues of which are applied to the use of the charitable institutions ; (2) Abatements of rent to a very high extent to the tenants of lands belonging to the said charitable institutions. Such an abatement was recently voted by the Council to tenants, one of whom was at the time a member of Council, and, if the petitioners are not misinformed, sat in Council when the resolution passed ; (3) In several cases where the said tenants were taken bound to keep and leave in repair the houses on their farms, the Magistrates and Council, in the face of that obligation, made the repairs at the expense of the Hospital ; (4) The petitioners will here only add as one striking proof of the inefficiency of the present Set to check abuses, that Henry Jaffray, one of the parties to the " Black Band," was actually under the new Set chosen into Council by the old Council, and was thereafter twice Chief Magistrate. It is scarcely necessary to add that a person convicted of so gross corruption could not again have been elected an office-bearer had the 2o6 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1820. Burgh election been sufficiently subject to control from those whose interest it was to prevent corruption. The above petition was subscribed by all the members present and ordered to be sent to Lord Archibald Hamilton with a request to his Lordship to present and support it in the House of Commons. 5 April, 1820, The Court having taken into consideration the conduct of the author of a petition against reform in this Burgh carried through for signature by Thomas Spence, pensioner, and also the conduct of these non-residents, pensioners, and others who had subscribed the same, expressed their decided censure on the framers and instigators of this counter-petition and declared them hostile to the independence and prosperity of the Guildry. They lamented to learn that several of their brethren had signed both petitions, and highly disapproved of the unworthy means used to betray them into such an inconsistency. It was resolved that the thanks of the Guildry be voted to the Incorporated Trades of the Burgh for their spirited conduct in disapproving of the smuggled petition to Parliament against all reform. 24 June, 1820. The Guildry The Select Committee of the House of Commons on Royal Burghs tSm."^^"'*" having called for a return of every Corporation, the Dean of Guild reported that he had furnished the Town Clerk with the following information : — 1. The Incorporation over which I preside is styled "The Royal Incorporation of the Guildry and Merchants of Stirling." 2. The number of guildbrethren resident within the Burgh and entitled to vote in all matters is 141. There are 86 non- resident members who are entitled to all the privileges of the Incorporation, except that of voting at the election of the Dean of Guild and the three members annually chosen to represent the Guildry in the Town Council. The pensioners are 100 in number and cannot vote in any case whatever. 3. The office-bearers are chosen annually, and are as follows : — (i) A Dean or President ; (2) A Clerk or Returning Officer ; (3) A Treasurer, whose duty it is to take charge of the private funds of the Incorporation, to pay out of these funds the accounts of i82o.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 20; expenses, charities, &c., incurred by the Incorporation, after The Guildry they are audited by the ordinary auditors, to receive payment tion. of all monies paid by those persons who are admitted members of the Incorporation, and also by those who, although not members, are allowed to merchandize within the Burgh in the same manner as a guildbrother, upon paying 30s. to ;^3 annually ; (4) The extraordinary auditors. These are two in number, chosen by the Guildry in terms of the unanimous Act of the Town Council in the year 1695. Their duty is to inspect and audit the books of the City Chamberlain, and of the different Masters or Factors for the various charitable mor- tifications, &c. ,' (s) The Dean of Guild's Councillors, who are eight guildbrethren not members of the Town Council, but chosen by the Guildry to assist and counsel the Dean in all matters connected with the privileges, regulations, and interests of the Corporation ; (6) The ordinary auditors. These are three in number, and are chosen by the Guildry. Their duty is to inspect and audit the accounts of the Treasurer, and to see that those children of poor guildbrethren who receive their education gratis from the Guildry, pay regular attendance at the schools ; (7) Three visitors of markets, whose duty it is to watch any infringement by unfreemen on the exclusive privileges of this Incorporation. 4. The privileges of the Guildry are : — (i) An exclusive right to merchandize within the Burgh ; (2) A right and interest in the property and revenue of Cowane's Hospital, which charitable mortification was made by John Cowane, merchant and guild- brother in Stirling, anno 163 1, for the purpose of affording support and relief to decayed guildbrethren ; (3) An interest in the sum of ;£^4000 sterling bequeathed by Alexander Cun- ningham, merchant and guildbrother in Stirling in 1804, to the Magistrates and Town Council of Stirling as patrons or „ managers, to be applied towards the maintenance and education of four boys of this Guildry and Society of Mechanics of Stirling ; (4) The privilege of being represented in the Town Council by the Dean and three brethren who are elected annually by the Guildry. It may be mentioned, although the Guildry do not conceive it one of their privileges, that besides 208 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1820. The Guildry Incorpora- tion. Burgh Mill lands. Cowane's Hospital funds. these four elected by themselves, ten of the constituent members of the Town Council must, by the Set of this Burgh, be guildbrethren, seven of whom are annually continued or re-elected by the old Council, the places of the other three being yearly supplied by new members of the Guildry, who are also chosen by the Town Council, independent of the Guildry, who have no voice in this election ; (5) The privilege of choosing their own office-bearers ; (6) The management and disposal of their own private funds, which are composed of the monies paid by persons who are admitted members of the Incorporation, &c., as already stated. 15 July, 1820. The Town Council having advertised the sale by public roup of part of the Burgh Mill lands belonging to the town, and measuring about one- fourth of an acre, the Guildry are of opinion that this part of the lands will in all probability be found of essential advantage to the public interest in the event of new mills being erected on these lands. No necessity exists for the Town Council selling or feuing any part of the Burgh Mill lands, neither can such sale serve any possible purpose of public utility, but directly the contrary. The guildbrethren and burgesses, having right and interest in this matter, highly disapprove of this unnecessary and injurious step on the part of the Town Council in alienating the said part of the public property under these circumstances, and in the event of their recommendation that the proposal should be departed from, being ineffectual, they authorise their delegates to the Council to make such offers, and adopt such measures, as shall ensure the said part of the Burgh Mill lands remaining public property. 4 November, 1820. A number of resolutions agreed to for the protection of the funds of Cowane's Hospital against the mismanagement and misapplication of these funds by the Patrons of the Hospital, especially with respect to the quitment or abatement of any part of the rents or other debts due or to be due to the said Hospital. 2 December, 1820. It was reported that an extract of the above resolutions had been presented to the Town Council at their meeting on nth ult, and the same I820.J EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 209 having been read, the Dean moved that they be received and recorded in Cowane's the Minutes of Council, which being seconded, the Provost moved that funds. the same be put up among the papers of the year, and being seconded, the Provost's motion was carried by a majority of eleven voices to five ; where- upon the Dean for himself and all that shall adhere to him protested against the said decision and also against all abatements of rent made or to be made by the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital to the Hospital tenants, and thereupon took instruments in the Clerk's hands and craved extracts in Common form. To which Protest Messrs. Connal, M'AuIy, and Morrison adhered, and took instruments in the Clerk's hands. — Extracted furth of the Records of said Hospital by (Signed) William Galbraith. 2 Decemher, 1820. It was stated to the Court by the members of Council present that at crane's the meeting of the Town Council mentioned in the said extract, the Hospital Provost, John Buchan, Esq,, in order to insult the Guildry, declared that "they might protest to all eternity, as their protests were not worth a damn.'' 9 December, 1820. A report by the Guild Council was read to the meeting, bearing that Address to in pursuance of the appointment of the last Court, they had prepared a tlie Queen. draft of an address to the Queen, and now submitted it to the Court. And the address being read, it was unanimously approved of, and the Dean was authorised to sign the same in name of the Court, and to transmit it without delay to Lord Archibald Hamilton, requesting him to present it to Her Majesty. It was further resolved that the address should be recorded in the Guildry books and inserted in the Stirling Journal and Scotsman newspapers. Follows a copy of the address. To Her Majesty Carolina Amelia, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. We, the Dean of Guild and Guild Brethren of the Ancient Royal Burgh of Stirling, in Corporation assembled, venture, with the greatest veneration and respect, to express to Your Majesty our heartfelt congratu- lations at your recent honourable triumph over the odious conspiracy which had been formed against you. 14 210 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1820. Address to the Queen. When we take a retrospective glance of the unmerited disgraceful treatment you have all along experienced — when we reflect that those whose duty it was to solace you in your hours of trial were your persecutors — when we reflect that their unremitting study was how to effect your ruin, and in particular, how at one distressful period they barbarously wrung from you " all that your soul held dear," we cannot too cordially express our sympathy for your many and protracted sufferings. It was with feelings of the most profound disgust we witnessed the dastardly means your enemies had recourse to, with a view to hurl you from that exalted sphere in which it is your undeniable right to move — we saw with grief and detestation the attempts made to estrange from you the hearts of an aff"ectionate people, and we rejoice at your escape, the more heartily as your conviction (however unjustly it might have been effected) would have been a prelude to more grevious infringements on the liberty of the subjects. When we consider the power, the influence, the illegal and oppressive measures which have been arrayed against you, in defiance of the essential principles of justice, we admire the magnanimity displayed throughout by your Majesty — a magnanimity worthy of the ancient and noble House of Brunswick — and we trust with confidence, that the public voice which has so strongly been lifted up against those men who have thus unjustly persecuted you, will continue to be lifted up against any future attempts of a similiar nature to the injury of your name and honor. We conclude by expressing our earnest prayer that your Majesty may long live amongst us — not only in the enjoyment of health and every other comfort, but in the practice of all those virtues which fail not to command the attachment of an enlightened and loyal people — and that the supporter of innocence, while guarding your Majesty by his broad shield of protec- tion from the malice of your foes, may afford our country escape from impending degradation, and reinstate us in our just liberties and rights. Geo. Dalgleish. Irregular Address to the King. 16 December, 1820. The Court having met, in consequence of legal warning, for the purpose of publickly disclaiming an irregular address to the King, pur- porting to be an address by the Guildry which is privately circulating i82o.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 211 through some of the members for signature, and to consider the propriety ■^^K^^'^'^. c 1* i Address to 01 votmg a loyal and constitutional address to His Majesty by the the King; Corporation, the following resolutions were moved and unanimously adopted : — 1st. That it appears that the self-elected members of the Town Council, and several individuals connected with the Guildry, amongst whom are a number of persons holding situations under the auspices of the present ministry have adopted and subscribed an address to our Sovereign Lord the King, couched in such ambiguous terms as to appear to be an address from the Guildry of this Burgh. 2nd. That the said address has not been exhibited to the great majority of this Corporation, but has been privately carried through a certain description of the members for signature by a Town's Officer, or common sergeant, a person under the authority of the Provost and Magistrates, which sufficiently shews the source from whence it emanated ; and that the framer of this lame address, skulking as usual behind the curtain, was ashamed to offer it for signature in person. 3rd. That this Court, therefore, do now not only publicly disclaim the said address, but express their high disapprobation of the conduct of its authors and subscribers, not in consequence of their having subscribed a loyal address to our Lord the King, but in giving their countenance to an irregular address, so framed as to convey an untrue idea, viz., that it was an address of the Guildry, and farther, containing names described in the outset as " Guildry members of the Burgh of Stirling," some of whom are not Guildry members. 4th. That a loyal address and petition be presented by this Corporation to His Majesty the King, praying him to dismiss his present ministers. Thereafter the following address and petition was read and unanimously Address to adopted by the meeting, which, with the foregoing resolutions, it was agreed *'^® ^™S- should be inserted in the Stirling Journal. To the King's most excellent Majesty. Sire, — We your Majesty's loyal subjects the Dean of Guild and Guild brethren of the ancient Burgh of Stirling, in corporation assembled, approach your Majesty with feelings and sentiments becoming all those of your subjects who have a due and disinterested regard to the constitution and laws of our country, and the honor and happiness of our King. 212 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1821. Address to We beg leave to present the sincere expression of our loyal and dutiful attachment to your Royal person — our unfeigned wish that your Majesty's reign may be long and happy over a free and happy people. These sentiments and this wish necesarily lead to a further wish that under your Majesty's reign, no measures may be pursued which have a tendency to injure the rights and withdraw the confidence of the people, or to weaken their attachment to your Majesty's Royal person and Government, and the august house of which you are the head. And we account it our indispensable duty humbly to state to your Majesty our conviction, that such is the tendency of many of the measures of your present ministry. We do not wish to enter into a detail of these ; but we cannot refrain from noticing two which stand conspicuous among them — the doctrine avowed by one at least of their number, that the employment of spies is necessary in this country — and the recent measures against the Queen. The first is virtually maintaining that the Throne needs to be supported by the debased and odious agency of spies ; the undoubted tendency of which is to demoralize the nation, and the very name of which must excite the disapprobation of unprejudiced men of all parties — the second — the measures attempted (and happily only attempted) by the Ministry against your Royal Consort, we are persuaded is also admitted by every unprejudiced individual in this realm of whatever party to be highly imprudent, and tending to bring Royalty itself into disrespect. We, therefore, feel it to be our duty humbly to pray your Majesty to dismiss your present Ministers from your Councils and presence, that their places may be filled by those better fitted to discharge so important a trust, and to secure the fulfillment of our ardent wishes for the stability and happiness of your reign and the prosperity of our Country. Geo. Dalgleish. 6 January, 1821. Report of the Thomas Balfour and William Thorburn, extraordinary Auditors of the Aud^tors.'"^"^^ accounts of the Town and Hospitals for the Guildry Report to this Court, 1st — An account by John Anderson, Member of the Town Council, amounting to £1 4s. 6d. for meat and drink furnished by him to the Council Deacons, at meeting the Judges last Spring Circuit, by order of Convener Telford, and charged against the Town. That upon due enquiry they found that none of the public funds within Burgh were chargeable therewith. i82i.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 213 2nd — An account by Peter Blair, Flasher and Changekeeper in Stirling, Report of the for the last Convener's farewell dinner furnished by him, amounting to Auditors. ^16 4s., and which account was adjusted by the Council to be paid, one half from the funds of Spittal's and the other half from the funds of Allan's Hospital. From various authentic reports which reached their ears they were led to eye this account with peculiar suspicion and to believe that it did not merely contain a charge for what was actually consumed by the Convener and his friends at said dinner, but that certain creatures and whippers in were taken to Blair's for several days, both before and after the dinner took place, and treated with the best his house could afford — the expense of which was also foisted into said account, altho all charged to the said dinner. 3rd — An account against Cowan's Hospital by Messrs. Dougal & Anderson, Fleshers, residing in the County of Clackmannan (one of whom, viz., William Dougal, is a member of Council), amounting to £\2 12s. for providing a Bull for the Cow Park belonging to Cowane's Hospital, for the three bygone seasons. 4th — An account by Mr. Ebenezer Balfour, Merchant in Stirling and a member of Council, for several furnishings made by him to the Town, and cloaths to the Convener Court officer amounting to £1^ 2s. It appears that on the day of November last the decision of the extraordinary auditors upon these accounts was reported to the Town Council, when some of the members thereof who call themselves ordinary auditors, and to some of whom most of these accounts belong, made an attempt to procure an Act of Council to submit them to the nominal ordinary auditors. The danger of this experiment, however, was plainly seen by several members of Council, and the attempt was overruled. These interested persons being thus foiled in their plan, laid seige to the Lord Provost, whose attic storey being rather weakly garrisoned, they succeeded in bringing him over to their schemes. He accordingly on the 19th December last issued a precept requiring the six ordinary and four extraordinary auditors to meet together at the Town Clerk's office next day at 12 o'clock for the purpose of auditing certain accounts, and no doubt with the intention of setting the six in array against the four, and thereby whitewashing the said rejected accounts from all filth and corrup- tion, and passing them by dint of a majority of votes. The extraordinary auditors, however, refused to meet with them, and came to the resolution not to allow the trust committed to them to be 214 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1821. Report of the trampled upon with impunity, nor to suffer any invasion upon their Auditors. unquestionable right. In defiance of common sense, the established usage of this Burgh, and the spirit and intention of the Long Act, William Dougal and John Anderson, both nominal ordinary auditors, had the shameless effrontery to sit in judgment upon and pass their own personal accounts ; and the whole of the auditors to fit and audite Peter Blair's account altho' personally interested therein, they having been parties to the Convener's farewell dinner. The Guildry authorised a Committee to watch the Town Council's proceedings, and if necessary to raise an action at law. 3 February, 182 1. The Queen's The following letter from Lord Archibald Hamilton to the Dean of Guildry Guild and the answer of her Majesty to the address from the Guildry Address. enclosed therein were read. Chapel Street, Jany. 23. Sir,— I had the honour of presenting to her Majesty, yesterday, the address from the Guildry of Stirling — which she was pleased to accept most graciously and to return the enclosed answer. I remain. Sir, Your most ob'. humble serv'., (Signed) Archd. HAMILTON. To Mr. George Dalgleish, Dean of Guild, Stirling. Follows a copy of Her Majesty's answer — The Dean of Guild and Guild Brethern of the Royal Burgh of Stirling will accept my cordial thanks for this loyal and affectionate address. The conduct of my friends forms a splendid contrast with that of my enemies. My enemies have persecuted me with a degree of malignity beyond what is usually found in the human heart, but my friends have afforded me solace in the expression of their amiable sympathies, and in the proffer of their disinterested support. The unsocial passions of my enemies have been mitigated in their effects by the affectionate feelings of my friends. The flagitious hard-heartedness of one has been counter- acted by the generous sensibility of the other. 1 82 1.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 215 Throueh the whole of my trial the hearts of the people have been with The Queen s ... , , ,. , , Answertothe me, and even m situations where penury and distress would seem to stunt Guildry the growth or prevent the expansion of liberal feelings, I have experienced •^'^^^'esS' a degree of high-mindedness and attachment which are rarely found in more favourable circumstances. If my enemies had prevailed my friends might well have grieved, for their triumph would have proved the sensible diminution if not the total loss of public liberty. When I reflect upon the victory which the people have accomplished, I rejoice in thinking that the preservation of my rights will contribute to the more secure enjoy- ment of their liberties. 29 March, 1821. A Petition was presented to the Court for James M'Laren, residing in Transference Stirling, representing that on the 17th February, 18 19, he entered into Apprentice's indentures with the now deceased David M'Laren, Merchant and Guild- Indentures. brother, for the space of seven years after 16 November, 18 18, and craving that the said indentures be transferred to James Prentice, Merchant and Guildbrother, in order that he might serve out the term of his apprentice- ship. The Petition was granted. 30 June, 1 82 1. The Court authorise the Treasurer to pay to Mr. Alexander Littlejohn, Procesaes writer in Stirling, the sum of six pounds one shilling and five pence half unfreemen. penny, being the expenses allowed in two several processes before the Magistrates against unfreemen, which Mr. Littlejohn conducted on behalf of the Guildry. There was submitted a letter from the Dean of Guild of Cupar-Fife as Dispute, to a dispute between the Guildry and the Incorporated Trades there. It R'^^^*^'^^'^^ was agreed to forward to Cupar a copy of the Decreet of Declarator — The and Magistrates of Stirling against the Trades, 1697. iTadS?'"''*^^ 8 September, 1821. By 45 votes to 19 (10 not voting), Mr. George Anderson, surgeon, was A Surgeon admitted to the Guildry in respect of his selling drugs, the minority ^'^'"itted. considering that these were not merchant goods. 2l6 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. 29 September, 1821. [1821. Ring for Chapmen's Race. Child born before father's entry excluded from Guildry privileges. The Guildry authorise the Treasurer to pay to the chapmen the usual allowance of 20s. for a ring for the race. It having been stated to the Court that George Anderson, surgeon in Stirling, has a child of the name of Henry, who was born previous to the date of his entry, Mr. Anderson disclaimed any intention of demanding for that son any right to the privileges of the Guildry thro' his own entry. 15 November, 1821. Q"^'^°**'0" Reported the opinion of Counsel obtained from Mr. William Bell and Councillor. Mr. Cranston, that, with the exception of the four Guild Councillors elected by the Guildry, residence in the town is not a qualification for a Town Councillor. The question arose through the Town Council electing as Provost a gentleman whose domicile was without the limits of the Burgh. Apprentice. Unfreemen. Vote of chanks to Mr. Hume, M.P. 24 December, 182 1. The Court order the Treasurer to pay the usual sum of 20s. to Robert Brember, lawfull son of the deceased Peter Brember, farmer at Kipmad, who, it appears, from indentures presented to the Court is bound as an apprentice to Croal and Kinross, smiths in Stirling. 29 December, 1821. David Reddie, plumber, Stirling, who carried on a business with William Gibson, plumber, Edinburgh, under the form of Gibson and Reddie, applied for admission to the Guildry in order that he might sell articles connected with his trade, but stated that in view of his partnership he could not swear not to " pack nor peel with unfreemen." Admitted by a majority on paying a fine of ten pounds. Mr. Balfour moved the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, and ordered to be published in the Stirling Journal and one of the Edinburgh newspapers, and the Dean was requested to transmit an extract of them to Mr. Hume : — That the thanks of this meeting be given to Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P., for his unwearied zeal and activity in promoting the true interest of this country by striving in Parliament to induce a system of retrenchment and economy, and that he shall be presented with the freedom of this i822.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 217 Incorporation as a testimony of their grateful sense of the many valuable Vote of .,.,,, , , , ? ., , , , , thankstoMr. services which he has rendered to them m common with the other branches Hume, M.P. of the community. That while the Guildbrethern of Stirling revere in the highest degree the patriotic and zealous exertions of Mr. Hume, whose talents have called forth the admiration and respect of every independent burgess of the kingdom, they in common with that learned gentleman cannot but deprecate the present mode of the Scottish Burgh elections, in which the citizens are precluded from the just and lawful privileges of a free-born and enlightened people, and they can by words but feebly express the thanks which Mr. Hume so justly merits for his disinterested and praise- worthy conduct in endeavouring to abolish a system of election abhorrent to every liberal-minded subject, and in aiding to institute a mode by which the burgesses will have a voice in the election of the members of Parliament who represent them, and by which they will have it in their power to take cognisance of the mismanagement of the public affairs with which the managers of burghs are usually entrusted. 19 January, 1822. The Court having proceeded to take into consideration certain late Resolutiona acts of the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital respecting tenants of the Hospital jjogpita"^ lands relieving certain of the tenants of the Hospital farms from their tacks Farms. and letting part of these lands without bringing the same to public roup, and other matters connected with the management of the revenues of said Hospital. And these matters being debated, Thomas Balfour moved the following resolutions : — 1st — That the act of the Town Council Patrons of Cowane's Hospital, of date the 2nd current, relieving William Dougal and James Robertson and their cautioners from their tacks and obligations as tacksmen of the farms of Ladyneuck and Craigton belonging to Cowane's Hospital is highly unwarrantable under the circumstances connected therewith, and that in the case of William Dougal, the state of his fences and steading which he is bound by his tack to uphold, has not been inspected by disinterested persons properly qualified to report their true state. 2nd — That the Act of the Patrons, of date the loth current, taking a large park from the farm of Ladyneuck occupied by the said William Dougal, and giving it in tack to Thomas Anderson, his Partner, without putting up the same to public roup, is an overstretch of the power of the 2l8 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1822. Resolutions respecting Hospital Farms. Patrons and contrary to the regulations fixed and agreed upon by the Guildry and Patrons of Cowane's Hospital in the year 1775, and to the uniform practice consequent thereupon of letting the Hospital lands by public roup — and seems more calculated to suit the private views of these two gentlemen by making Ladyneuck less an object of public competition than to serve the interest of the Hospital. 3rd — That the Act of the said Patrons, of date the , ordering the whole fences on the farm of Craigton to be repaired at the expense of Cowane's Hospital (which expense according to the accounts given in amounts to £g2 8s. 3d.) is a sacrifice of the funds of that Hospital in order to accommodate the present tenant, brother-in-law to William Dougal — the fact being notorious that by the articles of roup of the last set of that farm it is expressly stipulated that the tenants shall maintain and uphold the whole fences, and prune and dress the hedges during his tack, and leave the same sufficient and fencible on his removal, and that the Hospital shall be put to no expense whatever either for houses or fences thereon. 4th — That these improper proceedings on the part of the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital have all the appearance of a design to bestow undue preferences on certain of the tenants, and to ensure to them their farms at undue rates to the detriment of the Hospital, and this appearance seems confirmed when the following striking circumstances are taken into view : — 1st — The all-powerful influence of William Dougal, Deacon of the Fleshers, and his Partner in the Town Council. 2nd — The fact of William Dougal himself being one of the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital, and consequently both landlord and tenant of his own farm. 3rd — That on a former occasion the said William Dougal, altho' bound by the articles of roup and tack of his farm to maintain and uphold the fences and farm-steading thereon, got by a certain influence, first a sum of ;£^300 sterling paid on his account from the funds of the said Hospital to build for himself a new house on that farm, and thereafter £\g 12s. lod. for repairs. 4th — That on another occasion his partner, Thomas Anderson, in like manner got his farm-steading repaired at the expense of ;£^7i sterling from the said funds, although he also was bound by the articles of roup and tack of the Hood Farm to make these and other repairs at his own individual expense ; and 5th — The two celebrated clauses introduced into the articles of roup at the last set of Hood and Craigton farms in 1818; namely, that the Hospital should give no steading to the incoming tenant of Craigton, and that the incoming tenant of Hood should pay ;^ioo sterling to Thomas Anderson, both clauses i822.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 219 apparently designed to prevent competition at the roup, and thereby to Resolutionn secure continued possession to the old tenants. Hospital Farms. Sth — That this Court highly disapprove of the conduct of the Town Council Patrons of said Hospital, etc. 6th — That this Court, fully sensible that legal measures are necessary to check such proceedings, do instruct the Dean of Guild and the other three Councillors elected by the Guildry to lay these resolutions before the said Patrons at their first meeting, etc. Which resolutions were adopted by the Court and ordered to be printed and circulated among the members of the Guildry, under the direction and superintendence of Mr. Balfour. From all of which proceedings the following brethern dissented, viz., William Galbraith, Robert Paterson, John Aikman, and Walter Smith. 19 January, 1822. A Committee appointed to confer with the Town Council as to the New Bridge, intended application to Parliament for a Bill for building a new bridge over the River Forth. 20 April, 1822. The Guildry considered a Bill brought into Parliament for regulating Scotch Burgh the Common Good of Royal Burghs, preventing the non-residence of the ^^"• Magistrates thereof, and for restraining undue compacts regarding their election. The Bill disapproved, and free elections of Town Councillors advocated, with other stipulations. Agreed to send these resolutions to both Houses of Parliament. 14 September, 1822. Thereafter it was moved by William Thorburn, and unanimously Gold Chain to agreed to, that a gold chain, and a medal with a suitable device and Ouiia^^" ° inscription, should be procured, to be worn in future by the Dean of Guild for the time, and the following brethern were nominated as a committee to purchase the same, and the Treasurer was authorised to pay the price, and take credit in his accounts therefor : — The Dean of Guild. Messrs. Redpath. Messrs. Buchanan. Gillies. Thorburn. The Dean to be convener, and three to be a quorum. 220 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1822. Powers of the Dean of Guild. Weights and Measures. Chain and Medal for the Dean. 3 December, 1822. The Dean stated that many of the powers which his predecessors had been in use to exercise had of late been questioned by the Town Council, and that at a late meeting of the Town Council it was resolved that he had no power to regulate the weights and measures except when he acted in conjunction with the Deacon Convener. The Clerk was instructed to obtain information as to the powers and duties of the Dean of Guild. The following report was then presented by Eben. Bow and read : — The Committee appointed by the Guildry on the 14th September last with instructions to purchase a gold chain and medal, to be worn by the Dean of Guild, beg leave to report to this Court that after making many enquiries at jewellers and goldsmiths in Edinburgh and Glasgow, in order to ascertain the form of such chains, the kind of gold they are generally composed of, and what a chain and medal of a certain length, quality, weight, and workmanship would cost, found that Mr. John Mann, jeweller in Edinburgh, had made the lowest and most advantageous offer to make the said chain and medal. That the Committee, as in duty bound, accordingly gave him the order to make the same of gold of the value of three guineas per oz., and the whole to the ten ounces bullion weight. The chain to have fluted links, and the medal to be chased and ornamented, and authorised him to get an inscription and part of the town of Stirling's arms engraved upon the latter, the inscription to be : — " The Guildry of Stirling to the Dean of Guild and his successors in office, 1822." That the chain consist of 279 links, with two spring rings for attaching to it the medal and the antient gold ring, long worn by the Deans of Guild of this burgh, and which was given to the Guildry anno 1365, by David Bruce, King of Scotland. That Mr. Mann has executed the whole to their satisfaction, so far as they can judge, for which he charges agreably to estimate £iiO 4s., and the engraver's account £2 15s. 6d., making together ;^42 19s. 6d., and the Committee now deliver the same to this Court, with the account of the price thereof The Court unanimously approved of the above report, and directed the Treasurer to pay the said sum of ;^42 19s. 6d. sterling, and to take credit therefor in his accounts. Thereafter the chain and medal were presented to the Dean. i822.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 221 10 December, 1822. The Court authorised and directed the Dean of Guild to procure two Beam and beams — a large and a small one — to supply the place of those formerly in °°*'^^' the possession of the Guildry, which seem to have been lost. I March, 1823. John Dick, flesher in Stirling, who was admitted a Guild brother at Plesher last Court, being present, also made faith as use is, and paid the dues of his entry. The minutes of the Guild Council respecting the action lately raised Unfreemen. against James Taylor, haberdasher in Glasgow, being read, a debate ensued respecting the right of the Guild Council to raise actions against unfree trades without the sanction of the Court, and thereafter it was unanimously agreed that in time coming no action whatever shall be instituted without the approbation and express orders of this Court. It was then moved by Mr. M'Kintosh that it is quite notorious that a most groundless action was begun and carried on at the instance of the Dean of Guild against a man of the name of Taylor without the authority of this Court. 8 March, 1823. Resolved to ask Mr. Downie, member for the Burgh, to request the Tax upon Chancellor of the Exchequer to repeal the assessed Tax on Apprentices. Merchani; 20 March, 1823. A Committee appointed to consult counsel as to the mismanagement Mismanage- of the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital, and thereafter to take such measures cowane'a as to the Committee shall seem fit. Resolved that the lower Guild Hall Hospital. shall not in future be let as a dancing school, and that the upper hall shall be divided by a wooden partition, which can be occasionally removed, and Hall!°^ one end let to Mr. John Espaline, teacher of dancing, for a guinea per month. 26 March, 1823. The Guild Council reported respecting the process at the instance of Process the Guildry against Mr. John Weir, teacher in Stirling. Mr Weir was in j^n Weir the habit of selling books to his scholars. Negotiations having had no Unfreeman. effect, an action was raised before the Magistrates in September, 1821. On 27th November the Bailie found that Mr. Weir's practice of selling books 222 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1823. Process against John Weir, Unfreeman. New Bridge. New Bridge. Unfree Traders. to his scholars without license from the Guildry and without being a Burgess was an encroachment on the privileges of the Guildry. Mr. Weir lodged a Petition, and on 5th February, 1822, the Bailie adhered to the previous decision of the Court. The full bench of Magistrates were appealed to, who on 27th June, 1822, called upon the Guildry to produce their Charters, and on 20th March, 1823, decided in favour of Weir. The arguments used in the case are narrated in full. Resolved to take the opinion of counsel. 29 March, 1823. The names of the brethern present, 63 in number, are given. Proposed to oppose the Bill for a new bridge and thoroughfare, and to employ the solicitor who has been retained by the Counties of Stirling and Clackmannan and the Road Trustees in Perthshire for that purpose, but agreed by a majority of 44 to 18 to approve of the proposed new bridge and thoroughfare according to the plan of Messrs. Telford and Playfair, and of the principle of the Bill, and appoint a Committee to confer with the Town Council. 7 June, 1823. The Guildry objected to the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital giving free a piece of ground for a road to the proposed new bridge. 8 July, 1823. Objection to certain hatters selling hats not manufactured by themselves without entering with the Guildry. 12 July, 1823. Guildry of Declined to give assistance to the Guildry of Cupar in their law plea ^"P'''^' against the Trades of Cupar. 27 September, 1823. Children on Guildry auditors requested to watch over the conduct of the children MortifioC on Cunningham's mortification. 27 December, 1823. Charity. List of persons (32 in number) to be provided with money or clothes. 15 September, 1824. Indenture. An indenture rejected because it was not written by the Guildry Clerk. 1824.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 223 20 November, 1824. Actions between the Report of the three several actions and supplementary action in the Guildry and „ r /-. • . • /-111 Patrons of Court of Session at the instance 01 the brethern. Cowane's Hospital. 24 March, 1825. Agreed at the request of the traders of Leith to petition Parliament Leith Doclii. against a Bill promoted by the Magistrates and Town Council of Edin- burgh to transfer the wet docks at Leith to a Joint Stock Company. 4 August, 1825. The extraordinary auditors reported that they had disapproved of the Report of Patrons of Allan's Mortification charging the Hospital with schoolmaster's Auditors. and Town Officer's salaries and lamp lighting, and called attention to Provost Thomson and other feuers in Allan Park being in arrears of sums due for road making, that the Patrons had expunged that part from their docquet and insulted the auditors. Agreed to requisition the Provost to call a meeting of the Town Council to give satisfaction. The Guildry protested against the Town Council as Patrons of the Ministers of Church and Parish of Stirling, with concurrence of the Presbytery, appoint- ^gg^ ing the second minister to officiate to the West Church congregation in Churches. place of the third, and the third minister to officiate as colleague to the first minister to the East Church congregation in place of the second, because this innovation upon the ancient arrangement of the charges is the first that has been attempted since the formation of a regular Protestant Presbyterian Church in Scotland. 26 November, 1825. Fourteen persons reported as carrying on business as merchants Unfreemen. although they are not entered with the Guildry. 12 January, 1826. Actions against Report of the actions in dependence in the Court of Session against Patrons of ITT • I Cowane's the Patrons of Cowane s Hospital. Hospital. Delayed consideration of a proposal to charge Cowane's Hospital with Fords on half the expense of carrying through Parliament a Bill for clearing the ^^^^'' ^°'^^'°- fords in the river Forth. 224 Children of Guild brother by second marriage. THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. 28 January, 1826. [1826. Agreed that the Act of 1795 confers upon all the children of a Guild brother by a second marriage, although the mother of such children was not a Guild brother's daughter, a right to enter with the Guildry upon paying the lowest rate of entry money, and that the benefit be extended to the children of all Guild brethren entered previous to that date. Unfreemen. King's Freeman. 27 February, 1826. The Dean reported that Thomas M'Lennan, who along with William Leslie had come from Edinburgh lately, and opened a haberdasher's shop in Bakers Street, had been called before the Guild Council to exhibit their right to merchandise within the Burgh, when the said Thomas M'Lennan stated that he was the servant of John Mackay, merchant in Edinburgh, to whom the goods belonged, and he produced a discharge said to be in favour of Mackay's father, bearing that he had served in ye Edinburgh Volunteers and Local Militia, and two Acts of Parliament, which, in the Opinion of the Council, did not support his claim to merchandise as a King's freeman. That the Council was further of the opinion that even supposing Mackay to be a King's freeman he was not entitled to carry on business in different places at the same time by means of servants. The Court having considered this report, they remit to the Dean of Guild and his Council or Treasurer to apply without delay to the Magistrates for an Interdict against the said Thomas M'Lennan and William Leslie, and to report their proceedings to the next Court. 30 December, 1826. Apprentices. The following Indentures were presented, viz. : — ist. Indenture between James Prentice, Merchant, and John Prentice, son of the deceased Robert Prentice, Officer of Excise for four years after i July last, dated 12 December current. 2nd. Indenture between the said James Prentice and John Watson, son of Archibald Watson, Woolspinner in Dunblane, dated 12 December current. The indenture last mentioned was ordered to be recorded in the Guildry books, but it being stated with regard to the first that John Prentice is notoriously carrying on the trades of a joiner and builder, and is not bona-fide acting as an apprentice to the said James Prentice, the Court remitted to the Dean and his Council to enquire into the circumstances of the case, and to report. 1827.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 225 The Court authorise and empower the Dean of Guild and his Council Unfreemen. to admit to the privilege of merchandising within the Burgh such of the unfree traders in Cowans Street and Bridge Street, against whom a complaint was lodged lately, as they may deem deserving, and at such modified rates as may correspond with their circumstances and the extent of their trade. 5 March, 1827. Considered Report of Committee as to Bill for the erection of a new New Bridge. bridge. 17 March, 1827. -'&'■ The meeting having taken the subject of the Corn Laws into Com Laws, consideration, were of opinion that the resolutions lately submitted to the House of Commons by Mr. Canning were not calculated to remove the evils arising from the existing regulations, but that they would be remedied by imposing a permanent duty of 15s. p. Winchester quarter on all wheat imported into this country, and a corresponding duty on other kinds of grain. The meeting therefore resolved to petition the House of Commons to that effect, and a petition having been laid on the table and read, it was approved of, and the Dean of Guild was authorised to sign and transmit the same to Robert Downie, Esq., of Appin, with a request that he would present it to the House. The meeting having learned with much satisfaction the issue of the Mr. Downie, question which was lately agitated in the House of Commons regarding ^■'^" the validity of Mr. Downie's election to represent this district of Burghs whereby he has been declared the sitting member, resolve that a letter congratulating Mr. Downie on the occasion be wrote to him in name of the Guildry. The meeting considering how much the population of the town and Supply of neighbourhood has increased of late, and how ill the inhabitants are supplied Meat^"^ with butcher meat, one of the necessaries of life — there being but one public market day in the week, and not a single flesh shop in the town. Appoint the Dean of Guild, Messrs. Smith, T. Balfour, Thorburn, and Hill — the Dean to be convener, as a Committee, to consider and report how the evil may best be remedied. 4 July, 1827. It was stated to the meeting that it had been the practice for sometime Guildry past to grant indiscriminately all applications that were made for the S<=^°1^'^^- IS 226 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1828. Guildry education of the children of Guildbrethern without enquiring whether the Scholars. parents stood in need of assistance from the Guildry. The Court resolve that the children of those Guildbrethern only who are in necessitous circumstances shall be educated at the expense of the Guildry. 24 September, 1828. The sederunt of meeting for the election of office-bearers given. 117 present. 22 November, 1828. New The Guildry having met in consequence of legal warning to consider Thoroughfare ^jjg improvement proposed to be made on the present thoroughfare through the Town of Stirling, and the means of defraying the expense thereof, and, having read the report of the Committee of Guildry given into the Court on the 5th March, 1827, are still of the opinion then expressed by the Guildry that the line leading up through Port Street and King Street, the Saracen Head Inn, and the Star Inn, and south of the Chapel to York Place, is the most eligible line for the thoroughfare, and that every exertion should be made by the Guildry to get this line adopted as being the • most beneficial for the town. It was stated that the gentlemen of the County preferred the lower line thro' John Calder's house and along Mill Lane on account of its being the least expensive, but were willing to adopt the line first mentioned if the difference of expense were borne by the Town Council or inhabitants. The Guildry having seen estimates of the expense of the different lines made up by Messrs. Legate and Traquair whereby it appeared that the expense of the upper line will considerably exceed that of the lower line, and, considering that it is of great importance to get the upper line adopted, resolve that the sum of Five hundred pounds sterling be given from the funds of the Guildry towards defraying the additional expense, and that it be recommended to the Magistrates and Town Council to give a liberal donation from the Town's funds for the same purpose. 25 June, 1829. New Bridge. ^he Dean stated that he had called this meeting for the purpose of considering whether it would be most for the advantage of Cowane's Hospital that the new bridge should be placed above or below the present one, and the meeting having fully discussed the matter, it was unanimously resolved that it would be highly for the interest of Cowane's Hospital, as well as for the public conveniency, that the New Bridge over the Forth 1829.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 227 should be erected below the old one in place of farther up the River as laid New Bridge, down in the plan referred to in the late Act of Parliament. 2. That this meeting do therefore recommend to the Patrons of the Hospital to apply to the Trustees in favour of this change, and they are of opinion that it would be expedient to give the necessary ground for payment of the same sum of money that it would cost the Trust to acquire the ground for the Bridge and access to it on the upper line laid down in the plan. 2 July, 1829. Stipulated that access to new bridge be from Lower Bridge Street on New Bridge, the west end of Cowane Street. 20 October y 1829. The Dean of Guild stated that he had called this meeting to receive Actions the Report of the Committee appointed by the Guildry at their meeting on Patrons of the 20 March, 1823, and 12 January, 1826, in relation to the actions at h°7*^1^ present in dependence before the Court of Session at the instance of the Guildry against the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital and others. Whereupon Mr. Ebenezer Bow, as Convener of the Committee, stated that the Committee had had various conferences with the Committee appointed by the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital, and ultimately the two Committees agreed to recommend to their respective constituents that minutes should be lodged in the three actions of the following tenor, vizt. : — Minute to be lodged in Process in regard to the Farm of Ladysneuk. Pursuers stated that the parties in this cause had come to an arrangementi and, in terms thereof, craved the Lord Ordinary, of Consent, to decern against the Defenders, William Dougal and Thomas Anderson, Tenants in Ladysneuk, to make payment to the present Factor of Cowane's Hospital for behoof of the Funds thereof, of the sum of £6^,, in lieu of the deduction of ;^I2S 14s. mentioned in the Summons as given to them by the Patrons from their rent for crop 1822, by the Act of the Patrons, of date 12th March, 1823, with Interest thereon from the date hereof. Counsel for the Defenders, the Patrons, and for the said William Dougal and Thomas Anderson, who are called as Individuals, consented to what is above craved. Minute to be lodged in the Process in regard to the Farm of Eastside of Abbey. 228 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1829. Actions against Patrons of Cowane'a Hospital. Counsel for the Pursuers stated that the parties in this cause had come to an arrangement, and, in terms thereof, craved the Lord Ordinary, of Consent, to find that the Defender, the said Thomas Anderson, has no claim to the new dwelling house which the Patrons of the Hospital became bound by the Articles of Roup of the Second day of April, Eighteen hundred and twenty-three, to build on that Farm for William Dougal, the ostensible Tenant thereof, and to decern and ordain the said Thomas Anderson to keep the present dwelling house and offices of said farm of Eastside of Abbey in habitable condition during the present Lease, and to leave them in that condition at the termination thereof Counsel for the Defender, the said Thomas Anderson, and the other Defenders, the Patrons, consented to what is above craved. Minute to be lodged in the Process in regard to the Hood Farm, and repeated in the other two actions. Counsel for the Pursuers, represented that the Guildry of Stirling had raised in the Court of Session the following Actions : — 1st. An action of Reduction against the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital and Thomas Anderson, Flesher in Stirling, concluding for reduction of an Act or Minutes or resolutions of the said Patrons, dated the Twelfth day of March, Eighteen hundred and twenty-three, whereby they agreed to take the Farm of Eastside of Abbey off the hands of the said Thomas Anderson, their Tenant, whose tack had not then expired, and concluding also for damages and expenses. 2nd. An action against the said Patrons and against William Dougal, Flesher in Stirling, and the said Thomas Anderson individually, concluding for Reduction of the Articles of Roup and Set of Minutes and Enactments following thereon of the Farm of Ladysneuk, one of the Farms of the Hospital occupied by the said William Dougal, and for damages and expenses. 3rd. The present process against the Patrons and the said Thomas Anderson concluding for Reduction of the Articles of Roup and Set of the Farm of Hood, one of the farms of the Hospital let to the said Thomas Anderson, and for damages and expenses. In all these actions, and in particular in the present process, the title of the pursuers has been finally sustained after a discussion in the Inner House in the foresaid process relative to the Eastside of Abbey, and certain further proceedings have occurred. In the meanwhile, as the pursuers 1829.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 229 raised these actions from no personal animosity against the defenders as Actiona individuals, and merely to obtain justice to a charitable institution, and patrons of more especially to obtain such an administration of its affairs in time coming S;°^*taf as might prevent disputes and any room for complaint against the administrators of the Revenues and funds of Cowane's Hospital, the parties had extra-judicially held meetings and come to an understanding, and the pursuers had agreed to discharge the actions on decree being pronounced by the Court, of consent, regulating certain matters with the defenders, William Dougal and Thomas Anderson, relative to the Farms of Ladysneuck and Eastside of Abbey, in terms of minutes separately lodged in these actions of this date, and on decree being pronounced, finding, decerning, and declaring that the affairs of Cowane's Hospital shall, in all time coming, be administered, and the rights of parties held to be established on the principles and under the regulations herein after mentioned : — 1. That the application and expenditure of the rents, interests, profits, and funds, arising from or belonging to the estate of Cowane's Hospital, shall not be considered as restricted to the support of any special or fixed and limited number of Guild Brethern, Burgesses of the Royal Burgh of Stirling. 2. That all feus or sales or leases for more than a year of the Hospital's heritable Property shall in future continue to proceed by Public Roup or auction after due advertisement, and the Patrons or Masters making or concerned in any feus, or sales, or leases for more than a year, of the Hospital's heritable property that have not proceeded by Public Roup or auction after due advertisement shall be personally liable in all damages resulting to the funds of the Hospital therefrom, and in the expense of any action which may be brought against them for the same at the instance of the Guildry, or any Member thereof, or of any Commissioners of that body or a Committee appointed by them. 3. That the present and future factors shall, in time coming, do exact Diligence for recovery of all arrears of Rent due by Tenants, balances due by former Factors, and Debts of whatsoever nature due to the Hospital, by sequestrating, charging, arresting, poinding, and imprisoning the Debtors, and bringing their Effects to Sale within three months from each term of payment at farthest, with certification if they fail or neglect to do so, they and their Cautioners shall be personally liable for such arrears, balances, and debts, and not be entitled to credit in their Accounts therefor ; and if 230 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1829. Actions against Patrons of Co wane's HospitaU the Patrons, present or to come, or any of them, shall interfere, directly or indirectly, to prevent any Factor from doing such Diligence, they, along with the said Factor and his Cautioners, shall, in like manner be personally liable for the said arrears, balances, and debts, and this article, in so far as it concerns the Factor of the Hospital, shall be inserted as an additional obligation upon them and their Cautioners, in the Bonds of Caution to be granted by them. 4. That as the practice of relieving solvent tenants and their cautioners from their tacks, and of giving them abatements from their rents, has, in various ways, been detrimental to the Hospital, it is agreed that, in all time coming, the Patrons, or Masters for the time being, shall have no power to relieve from their tacks, or to give abatements or deductions from their rents or other prestations, to any tenants of the Hospital or their cautioners without the consent of the Guildry at a meeting regularly called, or the majority of such meeting, and in case they shall do in the contrary, they shall be personally liable in all damages which the Hospital may in consequence sustain, and in the expense of any suit which may be brought against them therefor at the instance of the Guildry or any member thereof, or of any Commissioners of that body or a Committee appointed by them. 5. That the Patrons and their successors in office shall in no case accept of any of their number as cautioners for any Master or Factor of the Hospital, or for any of the Hospital's tenants, and shall receive only such persons as cautioners for factors and tenants as are habit and repute responsible and of undoubted credit for the time. 6. That the Act of Council, of date the 3rd day of August, Sixteen hundred and ninety-five, commonly called the " Long Act," is hereby declared to have been, from its date, and to remain in all time coming an Act of the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital, as well as an Act of the Town Council, and binding on the Patrons and Masters and their successors in office. 7. That the accounts of the Hospital, as well the particular as the general accounts, shall be audited in terms c^ the said Act, of date the third day of August, Sixteen hundred and ninety-five, and that the said accounts shall be made up annually at, or before the first day of January, by the master for the preceding year, and from the term of Candlemas thereafter the balance shall bear interest till paid, whether due to or by the Hospital and the bonds of the Hospital Master and his cautioners, shall be in these terms. 1829.J EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 231 8. That an Abstract of the Accounts of the Hospital shall be published Motions annually in the Stirling newspapers immediately after they are audited, in Patrons of terms of the said Act, of date the third day of August, Sixteen hundred ^ Jp^^^l! and ninety-five. 9. That agreeably to the practice since Seventeen hundred and thirty- nine no Patron, while such, shall be capable of being elected Master of the Hospital. 10. That this Minute, and the Interlocutor to be pronounced, decerning and declaring in terms thereof, shall be printed together with the Long Act of Sixteen hundred and ninety-five, and shall be read along with the said Long Act, at the annual election of Magistrates and Town Council, and a copy of the whole shall be in future delivered by the Town Clerk to each member of Council and the Masters or Factors of the Hospital, and to each extraordinary auditor annually at the period of their several elections, and none of the stipulations now made and declared binding shall be liable to alteration except with the consent of a majority of a meeting of the Patrons of the Hospital and a majority of a meeting of the Guildry, signified by their Acts at meetings regularly convened for that purpose. Lastly, in consideration of the present amicable adjustment of all disputes, it is agreed that the full expenses of process and proceedings on both sides, to be taxed as between agent and client, shall be paid by the Factor of Cowane's Hospital, which he is hereby authorised to do, and to take credit in his accounts for such disbursements. Counsel for the Patrons and the said Thomas Anderson, the defenders in the said action, consented to what is above craved. The meeting having considered what has now been stated by their Committee, and having fully deliberated on the terms of the proposed minutes, unanimously approve of the same, and instruct their agent and counsel to concur with the agent and counsel of the said Patrons of Cowane's Hospital and the other defenders in procuring these minutes to be regularly lodged in the several processes and an Interlocutor or Judgment of the Court or Lord Ordinary pronounced in terms thereof, and, upon this being done and extracts thereof procured, and the sums decerned for, including the expenses being settled and paid, the Guildry, so far as they are concerned, declare that the law proceedings shall be at an end, and the rules and regulations contained in the said minutes shall come into effect 232 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1829. Merchand- ising. East India Trade. Deepening Fords of River. Reform in Representa- tion of Scotland. 19 December, 1829. It was stated by the Clerk that by directions from the Guild Council he wrote Andrew Buchanan, Grocer, Cowane Street, for payment of £2 due by him at Martinmas last, being the annual payment which he has for several years made for license to merchandise, and that he, the Clerk, had received an answer from Messrs. Hill & M'Gowan, Buchanan's agents stating that it was Mr. Buchanan's intention to discontinue the payment in consequence of the Guildry allowing several individuals in his neighbour- hood to trade without requiring them to pay any sum whatever, and that he had more than once complained of this to the Guildry, but received no redress. It was also ' stated by the Clerk that Buchanan had not applied for nor obtained liberty to merchandise from the Guildry, but had just continued the payment in use to be made by Malcolm M'Lellan, his prede- cessor in the shop which he occupies. The Guildry, after hearing Mr. Hill on the part of the said Andrew Buchanan, instructed the Clerk to apply for an Interdict against him merchandising, unless the usual payment of £2 was instantly made. 27 March, 1830. The Guildry petitioned Parliament to throw open the trade between this country and the East Indies and China on the expiry of the East India Company's present Charter. 8 July, 1830. The Guildry subscribed £i,o to a scheme for deepening the fords of the river Forth. 4 December, 1830. The following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — 1st. That this meeting have heard with great satisfaction that His Majesty's ministers, in whom we are disposed to place unlimited confidence, have pledged themselves to propose some reform in the representation of the Country. 2nd. That the state of the elective franchise of Scotland is altogether unsuitable to the existing condition and circumstances of the Country, and has long been matter of just complaint to all classes of the community. 3rd. That, as the security of our institutions, as well as the happiness of the nation, depend upon the confidence which the people place on their representatives in Parliament, it is no less necessary than expedient that the trading and manufacturing portion of the community should possess a share in the elective franchise. 1831.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 233 4th. That in order to preserve the loyalty of His Majesty's faithful Reform in subjects, and the peace and quiet of the community, this measure ought no tion of longer to be delayed. Scotland. Sth. That petitions to both Houses of Parliament be prepared in the spirit of these resolutions praying for a reform of the representation of Scotland. The Dean stated that an additional volume of the Guildry's Records Recovery of from 1592 to 1669 and a small book entitled " Guildry Court book for the Guildry skinners swearing to maintain their right and communication to the Guildry Records, &c. begun in 1702," containing a copy of a deed by the skinners in favor of the Guildry conveying inter alia, the half of a piece of ground called the skinners mailing, together with a variety of papers relating to the Guildry's affairs, had been lately discovered in the Town Clerk's office and had been obtained from the Magistrates, which books and papers, being exhibited to the Guildry, were ordered to be placed in the custody of the Clerk, who was directed to procure an extract of the infeftment in favor of the Guildry, proceeding upon the conveyance before mentioned, and to record the same in the book kept for copies of the Guildry's deeds. 8 March, 1831. The following resolutions were moved by the Dean, and unanimously Parliamen- , , tary Reform. agreed to : — I St. That in consequence of the measures proposed by Lord John Russell for reform in Parliament, this Incorporation deem it right for the purpose of strengthening the hands of His Majesty's Ministers, to express their approbation of these measures. 2nd. That petitions to both Houses of Parliament be immediately prepared, praying them to concur in the proposed plan of Reform which the petitioners are of opinion will conduce to the best interests of the United Kingdom, and in particular to the welfare and prosperity of Scotland. 3rd. That His Majesty having been graciously pleased to give his high sanction to the plan of his Ministers, it is fitting and proper that the Incorporation present an humble address to His Majesty expressive of their thanks for his condescension in so readily listening to the petitions of his subjects. 234 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1831. 19 March, 1831. Parliamen- The following letters submitted :— tary Reform. Whitehall, March 14, 183 1. Sir,— I have had the honour to lay before the King the loyal and dutiful address of the Guild of Incorporation of the Burgh of Stirling, which accompanied your letter of the 8th instant. And I have the satisfaction to inform you that His Majesty was pleased to receive the same in the most gracious manner. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, (Signed) MELBOURNE. London, March 14, 1831. John Irvine, Esq., Dean of Guild, Stirling. Dear Sir, — I had the favor of your letter of the 8th (accompanying the Petition of the Incorporation of the Guildry of Stirling). A few days since I had the honor of presenting the Petition of my friends and constituents on Friday night to the House of Commons, where it met with marked attention, and was ordered to be printed. I was particularly proud in being able to state that it was the First Petition from Scotland which had been presented to the House in favor of the New Bill, and for the purpose of strengthening His Majesty's Ministers, and that it met with my entire concurrence : upon reading the last clause, one of the Ministers said, in name of the rest, " that they were particularly proud in having obtained the approbation of the good people of Stirling, and desired their best acknowledgments to them for their support and good wishes, which they would hope to continue to deserve." I must now conclude by requesting that you will convey my sincere and heartfelt thanks to my friends and constituents for the honor which I consider they have more than ever conferred upon me by confiding to me a Petition to Parliament so nobly and patriotically expressing their sentiments on this occasion, and I trust that you will also convey to them my congratulations on the almost certainty of their soon participating largely in the Election of their representative to which they are so justly entitled. Believe me, dear Sir, with best thanks for your attention. Your ever faithful and obliged ob'. Servant, (Signed) JAMES JOHNSTON, 1831.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 235 23 June, 1 83 1. £20 given towards the relief of the distressed peasantry of Ireland, Donation to the Irish 21 September, 1831. Poor. Agreed to petition the House of Lords to pass the Reform Bill. Parliamen- tary Reform. IS October, 1831. Agreed to send an Address to the King protesting against the Pariiamen- rejection of the Reform Bill by the House of Lords. ^^"^ ^^^'"''"■ 12 November, 1831. Actions Arranged for paying expenses of Actions against the Patrons of pttronsof Cowane's Hospital. Cowane's Hospital. 17 December, 1831. Report of ^Expenses of Actions, agreed to record Decree in Guildry Actions Books, and to take other steps to keep same in mind for the future. pttrons. Two grocers and a tailor threatened with interdict. tjnfree Traders. 12 January, 1832. Agreed to give ;£^20 to Board of Health. Cholera. Guild Hall, 13 February, 1832. Recommended the Patrons to give the Guild Hall for use as a Cholera cholera. Hospital. Guild Hall, 15 February, 1832. Agreed to give up the march dinner dues to the relief of the poor cholera, under the Board of Health. Justiciary Court Room, 8 May, 1832. Agreed to send petition to the House of Lords and address to the Reform. King in favour of the Reform Bill. 16 May, 1832. Agreed to send petition to House of Commons and address to the King. Reform. It was stated by Mr. Galbraith that in order to get rid of the difficulty y-odA. for an arising from the circumstance of the present ministers of the East and Assistant to West Churches being each entitled to a colleague and to do away with Bennie. 236 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1832. Fund for an Assistant to Kev. Mr. Bennie. Instrumental Band. New Thorough- fare. those dissensions and heart burnings that have in consequence exi.sted for many years, it was proposed that the sum of ;^8o should be raised for the purpose of providing an assistant to Mr. Bennie during his incumbency, who would in that case offer no opposition to the settlement of the third minister in the new church proposed to be erected, Mr. Marshall being willing, if such an arrangement were gone into, to give up his right to a colleague. That the subscribers to the new church had agreed that ;^50 of the third minister's stipend should be applied to that purpose, and it was hoped that the remaining £^0 would be made up by contributions from the Heritors and others. Mr. Galbraith therefore submitted to the meeting whether it might not be proper that part of the funds of Cowane's Hospital should be applied to the furthering of the object in view which would, in all probability, tend much to the peace and harmony of the community. It therefore lay with the Guildry to consider whether they would recommend to the Patrons who were favourable to the scheme to devote a small part of their funds towards making up the £80 wanted. It was stated by Mr. Lucas that such an appropriation of the funds of the Hospital was in direct violation of the terms of the donor's grant, and might be challenged by any member of the Guildry thg' sanctioned by this meeting. He, therefore, moved that the proposal to contribute for an assistant to Mr. Bennie from the funds of Cowane's Hospital be dismissed, which motion was seconded and unanimously carried. 21 July, 1832. ;f 20 voted to the Stirling Instrumental Band. Justiciary Court Room, 15 December, 1S32. Reported that the Saracen's Head Inn has been purchased by the Bank of Scotland. A Committee appointed to confer with the Bank and the Road Trustees as to the new thoroughfare. Rent of Fishings. Sheriff Court Room, 12 March, 1833. Committee appointed to consider reduction of rent of fishings. Widening Foot of Baker Street. Street. Sheriff Court Room, 29 March, 1833. ;^50 voted to be paid Bank of Scotland for widening foot of Baker 1833-] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 237 Agreed to recommend Patrons to give ground for new thoroughfare New through the Cow Park from York Place to the New Bridge upon the Road fare. Trustees paying a fair value therefor. Sheriff Court Room, 5 April, 1833. Committee reported on the Burgh Reform Bill. Justiciary Court Room, 25 May, 1833. Sederunt given. 178 present. John Mathie elected Clerk. Burgh Reform Bill. Clerk Elected. Guild Hall, 9 July, 1833. The daughter of a Guild apprentice, born before her father's entry as a Daughter '^ i-r > J Excluded from Privileges. Guild brother, excluded from privileges. 25 September, 1833. Robert Smith, present Dean of Guildry, elected President. 28 September, 1833. President's Council elected. 10 October, 1833. Pteaident. President's Council. The two large arm chairs to be covered with calf leather and hair Chairs. stuffed. 24 September, 1834. William Forbes elected Dean of Guild. 21 November, 1834. Agreed to send the following Address : — Unto the King's most excellent Majesty. The Humble Address of the Incorporation of the Guildry of Stirling. Sheweth,— That this Incorporation has heard, with mingled feelings of astonish- ment and alarm, of the abrupt dismissal of Lord Melbourne and the rest of Dean of Guild. Address to the King. 238 THE STIRLING GUILDRYBOOK. [1835. Address to the King. your Majesty's Ministers before that Ministry, under their present leader, had an opportunity of showing what they intended to do for the Nation. That the members of this Incorporation had the utmost confidence that these Ministers would have proceeded cautiously but firmly in perfecting those Reforms of Abuses in existing institutions which were auspiciously commenced under their former venerable head, and a door to which was so happily opened by the Reform Bill. That in a particular manner your faithful subjects are alarmed at the report that your Majesty has entrusted the formation of a ministry to his Grace the Duke of Wellington, as they cannot forget his memorable dismissal from his former Cabinet of his most liberal and enlightened member, the lamented Mr. Huskisson, nor of his extraordinary declaration at a subsequent period against all reform whatever. That this Incorporation beg farther humbly to represent to your Majesty that they can place no confidence in the Duke of Wellington nor in any administration to be formed by him, and they, therefore, humbly entreat your Majesty to recall to your Councils a ministry pledged to reform all existing abuses, and of a character and abilities sufficient to warrant this great nation putting entire confidence in their intentions and your memorialists will ever pray. Boring for Coal. 9 March, 1835. Agreed to recommend the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital to bore for coal at Raploch, but not to exceed the depth of seventy fathoms. Sewing Mistress for Guildry Scholars. 30 March, 1835. A petition from Mrs. Angel M'Farlane, Guildry Sewing Mistress, stating that she had been teacher of the girls, belonging to the Guildry, for upwards of eight years without receiving any salary or being allowed a school room rent, and that her school was daily increasing, and craving the Guildry to allow her as much as would pay the rent of a school room, was presented and read. After being considered the Court agreed to allow Mrs. M'Farlane the sum of three pounds ten shillings for a school room for the year commencing at Whitsunday next, and to be paid half-yearly. i835.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 239 2. July, 1835. Agreed by a majority that the sums of £2 and £'^, levied by the Guildry openThe^ from non-freemen for the privilege of carrying on business within the Corporation Burgh be discontinued, and that the entry money of freemen apprentices Freemen. be the same as the sums charged for the entry money of neutrals or non-freemen. 13 February, 1836. The consideration of altering the oath administered to Guild brethren Oath upon their admission into the Incorporation was resumed, when it was unanimously resolved that the last clause of the oath, which regards packing and peeling with unfreemen, be hereafter abolished as being no longer necessary. 16 February, 1839. Agreed to petition Parliament for the repeal of the Corn Laws. Repeal of the Corn Laws. Guild Hall. 18 January, 1840. Agreed to the Patrons letting the Guild Hall for a school room, the Guildry to have the use of the hall. 29 May, 1 84 1. Agreed to petition Parliament for a repeal of the Corn Laws. Com Laws. ^ II November, 1841. Considered communication from Mechanics as to the investment of Mortifioation^ the money mortified by Alexander Cunningham for behoof of the poor boys belonging to the Guildry and Mechanics. 2 February, 1842. Agreed to petition Parliament for the repeal of the Corn Laws, and to Repeal of the transmit the petitions to Lord Dalmeny, Member for the Burghs, to be C°''"^*^^- presented to the House of Commons, and to the Right Honourable Earl Roseberry for presentation to the House of Lords. 18 February, 1842. Agreed that an address be sent to Her Majesty against the Corn Law Repeal of the Measure introduced by Sir Robert Peel, and expressing the Guildry's want ^°''" ^^^^' of confidence in his administration. 240 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1842. 19 March, 1842. £20 to Relief The Court, being met in consequence of a requisition subscribed by ° °°^' sixteen Guild brethren, for the purpose of taking into consideration the conditiori of the poor and operative classes of the Burgh, with the view of voting a small sum from the Guildry funds towards their relief £20 agreed to It was moved by Bailie Smith that the sum of twenty pounds be given the^RTlief of ^'^ovo. the Guildry Funds for the above purpose, the same to be placed at the Poor and the disposal of the Committee who have t]\e superintendence of the funds Classes' of the for managing the Soup Kitchen, which motion was unanimously agreed to. Burgh. 27 August, 1842. Newspaper Agreed that newspaper reporters be warned and admitted to Guildry Reporters. .. - <■ ^ ^ meetings m future. 27 August, 1842. Resolution as A letter from the Town Clerk to the Dean of Guild stating that the the^Queen^ Quecn, on her intended visit to Scotland, was expected to pass thro' Stirling when visiting on or about Saturday, the loth of September, when it would be proper that she should be received by the inhabitants, and more especially by the public bodies in a manner befitting the ancient Burgh of Stirling. It was resolved that the Guild brethern should, on the occasion, appear in black dress, with black stock, white gloves, and wearing a rosette of green and gold on the left breast, and that each member should carry a white rod or staff, the rosette and staff to be furnished to the brethern at the expense of the Incorporation, and the Court remitted to the Dean and his Council to get these prepared and to act in concert with the Provost in making such other arrangements as may be necessary. 27 September, 1842. Queen's Visit. The following report received : — 27 September, 1842. Report by Report by the Dean of Guild and his Council in reference to the remits GuildTnd°his "i^de to them at last meeting of Guildry with the proceedings which Council. followed on the occasion of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and His Royal Highness Prince Albert, passing thro' the Burgh of Stirling on the Thirteenth day of September, Eighteen hundred and forty-two. The Guild Council, considering that an event so important and auspicious as 1842.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 241 the visit of our beloved Queen and Her Royal Consort to this ancient town Report by the should be faithfully chronicled in the records of the Guildry, particularly as Council as to the members of the Incorporation took a prominent and distinguished part ^e Queen's in the transactions of that day, take leave respectfully to report to the Incorporation. 37th September, 1842. 1st. That in terms of the resolutions of last meeting, the Dean and Council prepared an address to the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Albert, to be presented on their arrival in Edinburgh, which the Dean subscribed in name of the Guildry and transmitted to their principal secretaries for presentation. The following is a copy of the address to the Queen : — Unto the Queen's Most, Excellent Majesty, we, the Guildry of Stirling, incorporated by Charter granted by your Majesty's royal predecessors, most humbly approach your august person with our deep and affectionate feelings of loyalty and devotion to your Majesty's person and Government. We hail with lively satisfaction this auspicious visit to your ancient Kingdom of Scotland, and we most ardently desire to welcome your approach into this Royal Burgh, of old times the residence of your Scottish predecessors. We humbly pray Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to receive the acknowledgements of this Incorpo- ration, and our hope is that you will long live to confer on these realms the blessings of a constitutional Government. Signed in name and by authority of the Guildry at a meeting legally convened the day of September, Eighteen hundred and forty-two, by (Signed) WILLIAM Wright, Dean of Guild. A somewhat similar address was forwarded to the secretary of His Similar Royal Highness Prince Albert, to be presented to him, and to both the ^^^^l^T^'^ Dean of Guild received the following answers, viz. : — Albert. 16 242 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1842. Dalkeith, 5th September, 1842. Copy Letter S^'^' acknowledg- I have had the honor to lay before the Queen the loyal and AldreVs' to°^ dutiful address of the Incorporation of the Guildry of Stirling, congratu- Her Majesty, lating Her Majesty on the occasion of Her Majesty's visit to Scotland. And I have the satisfaction to acquaint you that the same was graciously received by Her Majesty. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedt. sert, (Signed) Aberdeen. Dress worn by the Brethren. Sir, Dalkeith House, 6th September, 1842. I have received the command of His Royal Highness Prince Albert to acknowledge the receipt of the address which you have transmitted to his Royal Highness from the Incorporation of the Guildry of Stirling, and to request you will return the Prince's most sincere thanks for the kind congratulations which the address contained on His Royal Highnesse's first visit to Scotland with Her Majesty. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your faithful and obedt. servant, (Signed) G. E. Anson. (Addressed to William Wright, Esq., &c., &c.) In carrying the resolutions of the Guildry regarding the banners and dress to be worn by the brethren on the day of Her Majesty's visit into effect, the Guild Council considered it an improvement to have the staves made, terminating with a ball guilded with gold and a small pennon of green silk edged with gold attached to each stave, which, with the rosettes of green and gold, and a pair of white gloves, were furnished to each Guild Brother who signified an intention of joining in the procession. On the morning of the 13th inst, at 9 o'clock, the brethren accordingly, to the number of seventy, mustered at the Guild Hall, and having resolved that they should walk according to seniority, two and two deep, they unanimously appointed Mr. James Lucas, writer, to be standard-bearer. The brethren then formed into line, Mr. Lucas taking up his position in front carrying the Incorporation flag of green and gold, followed by the Dean and Clerk, the whole being preceded by the Guildry Officer and a 1842.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 243 band of music. In this way, the body marched to the Barrier Gate at Report by the Stirling Bridge, where, in terms of the programme, they took up their council as to position next to the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council, the Convener the Queen's and Seven Incorporated Trades being immediately behind the Guildry. At half-past eleven o'clock forenoon, the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Albert reached the Barrier Gate, accompanied by Sir Robert Peel, First Lord of the Treasury, Lord Aberdeen, principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and other members of Court, having left Drummond Castle, the seat of Lord Willoughby, about half-past nine o'clock. The Provost having delivered the keys of the Burgh to Her Majesty, and presented His Royal Highness Prince Albert with the freedom of the Burgh, the procession moved to the Castle by Upper Bridge Street, St. Mary's Wynd, and Broad Street, and on reaching the Draw Bridge were received by Sir Archibald Christie, the Deputy Governor. After inspecting the Castle, the royal party again returned, passing down Broad Street, Baker Street, King Street, and Port Street. At the termination of Port Street, the Magistrates, Guildry, and other public bodies filed off, and the royal party immediately proceeded to Dalkeith Palace. The Guildry then returned to the bowling green, where the Dean had provided wine and other refreshments for the Brethren, and, having invited the Seven Incorporated Trades and afterwards the Magistrates and Town Council and Clergy of the town to join them, the health of the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Albert, and several other appropriate toasts, were drunk with every feeling of loyalty and respect. The Guild Council cannot conclude these brief remarks without adding that the appearance and conduct of the Guildry on this never-to-be-forgotten day were the theme of universal admiration, and the thanks of the Provost and Magistrates were publicly tendered for the services which they rendered. (Signed) William Wright, D.G. Robert Forrester. ,, John Lennox. „ Alexander Mowat. Ebenezer Bow. „ Robert Steel. John Sawers. „ Thomas Gillies. P. G. Morison. 244 THE STIRLING GUILDRV BOOK. [i§42 31 December, 1842. ^ame on Agreed to protest against the Patrons of Cowane's Hospital letting the game on the Abbey Craig to Lord Abercromby. 25 October, 1844. Scottish The Dean of Guild stated that he had called this meeting in conse- Systemf quence of a requisition presented to him by a number of Guild Brethren to consider the best means of resisting the threatened interference of the Government with the currency and present banking system of Scotland. Resolution After some observations on the subject by Mr. William Forbes, he reference to moved that the following resolutions be adopted by the Guildry : — the proposed interference i. That the present system of banking in Scotland and its paper mentwrththe currency has met with the most cordial approbation of every class in the Scottish community, and particularly of all those engaged in mercantile and System. agricultural pursuits ; and, so far from any change being called for, all classes unite in deprecating an alteration in a system which has worked so well and so beneficially. 2. That the average circulation of notes in Scotland is about two million and eight hundred thousand pounds, while the aggregate capital of the existing banks of issue is twelve millions sterling, thus affording, independent of the responsibility of their numerous partners, the most undoubted guarantee to the public for the safety of the currency. 3. That, although all payments are made by the banks in Scotland in their own notes, and gold is practically excluded from the circulation, the paper currency is restricted to the lowest amount requisite for carrying on the trade of the country, and whilst its immediate convertibility is secured by the present system, it does not, and cannot, fluctuate in amount otherwise than as a purely metallic currency would fluctuate. 4. That the system of allowing interest on current and deposit accounts holds out an inducement to everyone to retain as few notes in his possession as possible, and the multiplication of branch banks having increased the facilities of making these lodgements, the average circulation has been considerably reduced, and has a tendency to diminish, notwith- standing the vast increase both in the mercantile and agricultural capitals of the country. 1844.J EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 245 5. That the circulation of bank notes in Scotland is thus much less both Resolution movtd in in proportion to the population and to the general business of the country, reference to than that of England, although England has no notes under five pounds. interference* by Govern- 6. That the currency in Scotland has no direct dependence upon the mentwiththe state of foreign exchanges, but varies with the demands of trade, or with l""*^!^** the regular recurrence of money terms and large cattle markets. System. 7. That the substitution of gold for bank notes, or any restriction on the issue of notes, which would render gold necessary as a medium of circulation, would be attended with many inconveniencies in a country situated as are many important districts in Scotland, not only from deficient weight and counterfeits, but also from the increased risks of transmissions, rendering it vexatious to the people, accustomed as they have been to a currency which, for so many generations, has acquired their entire confidence. 8. That the suppression or restriction of the one pound notes would subvert the present system of Scotch banking, and lead to the withdrawal of the banking accommodation from many of the small districts and small manufacturing and fishing villages, and would thus inflict a severe blow on the commercial and agricultural prosperity of the country. 9. That any such interference would cause the banks to cease allowing interest on the twenty-seven millions of money at present deposited with them, which would thus be thrown loose for investment in every wild speculation which the fancy of the needy adventurer might suggest, and the withdrawal from the banks of so large a fund, hitherto employed in accommodation to the trading and agricultural classes, would inevitably lead to the imposition of heavy additional charges for banking accommoda- tion to supply the loss of former profits (of which these classes enjoyed the benefits), and would thereby cramp the trade and commerce of the country^ 10. That for these reasons any alteration or restriction of the present currency of Scotland would be highly impolitic ^ and injurious, and any attempt to interfere therewith ought to be resisted and opposed. 11. That this Incorporation in the meantime present a memorial to Sir Robert Peel, framed in the spirit of these resolutions ; and, should it become necessary, when Parliament meets, they further resolve to petition both Houses, praying that no alteration be made in the present banking system of the country. 246 THE STIRLING GUILDRY BOOK. [1844. Reaolutiou moved in raference to the proposed isterference by Govern- ment with the Scottish Banking System. Resalutions agreed to. 12. That the following members be appointed a committee to watch the Government proceedings in reference to this question, and also for carrying the foregoing resolutions into effect, viz., the Dean of Guild, Patrick Graham Morison, Esquire, John Sawers, Esquire, William Wright, Esquire, William Forbes, Esquire, Doctor Runciman, and Mr. John D. Mathie, the Clerk — the Dean of Guild to be convener. 13. That the resolutions be published in the Stirling Observer and Journal and Scotsman newspapers. Bailie Jaffray having seconded Mr. Forbes' motion, the same was unanimously agreed to, and the thanks of the meeting given to Mr. Forbes for the able manner in which he had brought the subject under the consideration of the Court. Shore Road Railway Crossing. Resolntion about crossing the Shore Road by the Scottish Central Railway. 29 April, 1846. The Dean of Guild stated that he had called this meeting in consequence of a requisition presented to him, subscribed by a number of Guild Brethren regarding the crossing of the Shore Road by the Scottish Central Railway, on the level. After reasoning on the matter, the following resolutions were moved by Mr. Forbes, seconded by Dr. Runciman, and unanimously agreed to: — 1. That the crossing of the Shore Road by a railway on the level will prove most injurious to the traffic on that most important thoroughfare, dangerous to the lives of the inhabitants, and most destructive to the property of Cowane's Hospital. 2. That said undertaking ought therefore to be vigorously opposed by the Guildry, and for this purpose appoint the following gentlemen as a committee to co-operate with the Town Council and Inhabitants' Committees, viz., the Dean of Guild, Messrs. William Forbes, Ebenezer Bow, John Sawers, banker, and the Clerk — three a quorum, and the Dean to be convener ; and further, to see that fair compensation is awarded to the Hospital for the ground to be taken for the purposes of the railway. 1846.] EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS. 247 Note. — On 14th May, 1846, there was passed The Burgh Trading Act, 1846, by which it was enacted that it should be lawful for any person to carry on or deal in merchandise and to carry on or exercise any trade or handicraft in any burgh and elsewhere in Scotland without being a burgess of such burgh, or a Guild Brother, or a member of any guild, craft, or incorporation. The Records of the Stirling Guildry contain no mention of the Act. Since their resolution of 2nd July, 1835, the Guildry had taken no steps to enforce their exclusive privilege of trading within the burgh. APPENDIX. APPENDIX. LIST OF DEANS OF GUILD. 1 470- 1. Thomas Guide. 1471-2. James Redehucht. 1472-3- Thomas Guide. 1479-80. Alexander Muschet 1509-10. John Broune. 1 520- 1. John Brown. 1521-2. Duncan Patonsoun. 1522-3. John Broun. 1524-5- Duncan Patonsoun. 1525-6. David Greig. 1527-8. David Greg. 1528-9. James Feme. 1529-30. Duncan Patonsoun. 1544-5- Robert Cousland. 1545-6. James Ferny. 1546-7. Robert Cousland. 1547-8. James Fairny. 1551-2. Archibald Spittal. 1554-5- William Noruell. 1555-6. Walter Cousland. 1556-7- James Watsoun. 1 560-1. Robert Alexander. 1 561-2. Robert Alexander. 1562-3. John Lecheman. 1563-4- Alexander Ray. 1564-5. Andro Cowan. 1569-70. William Norwell. 1575-6- Andro Cowane. 1576-7- Robert Alexander. 1577-8. Robert Alexander. 1579-80. Robert Alexander. 1587-8. Andro Cowane, 254 APPENDIX. 1663-4. James Stevinsone. 1664-5. James Stevinsone. 1665-6. James Stevinsone. 1666-7. James Russell. 1667-8. James Russell. 1668-9. James Russell. 1669-70. James Russell. 1670-r. James Russell. 1671-2. James Russell. 1672-3. Duncan Watson, Younger. 1673-4- Duncan Watson, Elder. 1674-5. Duncan Watson, Elder. 1675-6. Duncan Watson, Younger (appointed in place of Duncan Watson, Elder, who was chosen, but refused to accept office.). 1676-7. Duncan Watson, Younger. 1677-8. Duncan Watson, Younger. 1678-9. John M'Culloch. 1679-80. John M'Culloch. 1680-1. Christopher Russell. 1681-2. Christopher Russell. 1682-3. John M'Culloch. 1683-4. John M'Culloch. i684'-s. Thomas Miller. 1685-6. James Russell. 1686-7. Alexander Jack (appointed by Privy Council). 1687-8. Alexander Jack (appointed by Privy Council). 1688-9. John Dick (appointed by Privy Council). 1689 (3 June). John Dick (elected at Poll election). 1689-90. John Stevinsone. 1690-1. John Moir. 1691-2. Thomas Millar. 1692-3. Thomas Millar. 1693-4 David Moir. 1694-5. John M'Gowane (John Burd, Interim). 1695-6. John M'Nair. 1696-7. Harye Chrystisone. 1697-8. Harie Chrystisone. 1698-9. William Cowan (Harye Chrystiesone, Interitn). •3UBAV03 Uljof "9-5291 •3UBIIV JspuBxaiv •■^-£291 •j3puEX9jY J9qdo;suq3 '£-2291 •j3puBX9iv 43qdoisuq3 •2-1291 •J3J9qs uqof 1-0291 •3UEAV03 J3;iB^ -02-6191 •3UEM03 J3;iEyy\ "6-8191 •3UBM03 JS^I^M "8-^191 "3nEM03 J3;iEA\ "Z-9191 •j3puBX9[y J3qd04suq3 "9-5191 "jEjaqDg uqof "5-t'i9i •jBjaqog nqof "■{'-£191 •jEjaqog aqof "£-2191 •uosj3;ej ■(■XuBf 91) 6fgi ■(pasodap) 3uemo3 uqof ■6-2^91 •3UBM03 uqo£ ■8-/^91 ■uiEqSuia3q}o_j sauj-ef ■/-9't'9i •ui-BqSuuaqioj; saujBf ■g-Sfgi •UJBq§uu3qioj; satUBf •S--H'9i •tuBqSuuaqjo,^ saiunf ••t7-£t'9i ■uiEq§uu3q;o^ ssuuBf •£-21791 •tUEqSuusqioj; saiuBf ■2-lt'9I ■tuBqSuuaqjoj: ssuiEf ■1-0^91 ■lUEqSuijraq^oj ssiUBf •of-6£9i •uiEq§uu3q;oj; satUBf ■6-8£9i •UOSUIAS^S piABQ •8-^£9i •UOSUIAa^CJ piAEQ ■/-9e9i •uosuiA3;g Piabq •9-se9i UOSUIAajg piAEQ ■S-t'£9i •jBasqag 3uqo]" •(•XuBf2) fe9i ■3UBM03 uqof •^-££91 •3UBAV03 uqof •£-2e9i •3UBAV03 uqof ■2-i£9i ■3UOSUIA31S piABQ •i-o£9i •3UBM03 uqof •o£-629i ■3UBM03 uqof ■6-8291 •3UBAi03 uqof ■8-^^91 ^s^ 'XiaNaddv APPENDIX. 1 699-1700. Alexander Bauchope. I700-I. Alexander Bachope. 1 70 1 -2. James Chrystie. 1702-3. William Leask, 1703-4- William Leask. 1704-5- James Chrystie. 1705-6. Edward Jervay. 1706-7. William Leask. 1707-8. James Chrystie. 1708-9. John Don. 1709-10. William Leask. 1710-1. John Don. 1711-2. John Don. 1712-3. Patrick Stevenson. 1713-4- Patrick Stevenson. 1714-5- John Don. 1715-6. John Don. 1716-7. Alexander Burd. 1 7 17-8. David Gillespy. 1718-9. Patrick Gillespie. 1719-20. James Russell. 1720-1. John Don. 1721-2. James Russell. 1722-3. James Littlejohn. 1723-4- James Burns. 1724-5. James Wallace. 1725-6. Robert Wingate. 1726-7. William Maiben. 1727-8. James Urquhart. 1728-9. Robert Wingate. 1729-30. William Allan. 1730-1. William Allan. 1731-2. Robert Wingate. 1732-3- William Mayben. 1733-4- William Allan. 1734-S- James Alexander. 1735-6. George Henderson. 1736-7. John Gillespie. 1737-8- James Alexander. 255 1738-9- James Stivenson. 1739-40. John Gillespie. 1 740- 1. Thomas Christie. 1741-2. William Christie. 1742-3- William Danskin. 1743-4- John Jaffray. 1744-5- Patrick Stevenson. 1745-6. William Danskin. 1746-7. John Gillespie. 1747-8. Patrick Stevenson, Junior. 1748-9. Thomas Gillespie. 1749-50. John Gillespie. 1750-1. James Alexander. 1751-2. George Henderson, 1752-3- John Gillespie. 1753-4- James Alexander. 1754-5- William M'Killop. 1755-6- James Jaffray. 1756-7. Andrew Wallace (James Jaffray, Interim). 1757-8. William M'Killop. 1758-9. Andrew Wallace. 1759-60. Alexander Bryce. 1 760- 1. William M'Killop. 1761-2. Andrew Wallace. 1762-3- Alexander Bryce. 1763-4- William M'Killop. 1764-5- Nicol Bryce. 1765-6. Alexander Bryce. 1766-7. George Muschet. 1767-8. Nicol Bryce. 1768-9. Alexander Bryce. 1769-70. James Burd. 1770-1. Nicol Bryce. 1771-2. William Wright. 1772-3- James Burd. 1773-4- Nicol Bryce. 1774-S- John Burn. 177 5-6- James Gibb. 1776 (20 Mar.). James Moir, Preses, in virtue of Decree of Court of Session, APPENDIX. 257 1776-7- James Moir, Preses. 177^-S. James Moir, Preses. 1778-9. James Moir, Preses. 1779-80. James Moir, Preses. 1780-1. James Moir, Preses. 1 78 1 -2. Robert Banks. 1782-3. James Gibb. 1783-4. James Young. 1784-5. William Jaffray, Junior. 1785-6. Michael Connal. 1786-7. John Gilchrist. 1787-8. Michael Connal. 1788-9. John Glass, Junior. 1789-90. John Christie. 1 790- 1. John M'Killop. 1791-2. James Thomson, Junior. 1792-3- Alexander M'Killop. 1793-4- John Glass, Junior. 1794-5- Alexander M'Killop. 1795-6. William M'Killop. 1796-7. John Sutherland. 1797-8. James Thomson, Senior. 1798-9. James Edmond. 1799-1800. Edward Alexander. 1 800- 1. William Paterson. 1 801-2. Alexander M'Killop. 1802-3. John Sutherland. 1803-4. Thomas Balfour. 1804-5. John Glas, Junior. 1805-6. Alexander Runciman. 1806-7. Robert Gillies. 1807-8. John Sutherland. 1808-9. John Thomson. 1809-10. Patrick Connal. 1810-1. Alexander Runciman. 181 1-2. John Murray. 1812-3. James M'Ewan. 18 1 3-4. John Buchan. 1814-5. John Jaffray. 17 258 APPENDIX, 181S-6. 1 8 16-7. 1 817-8. 1 81 8-9. 1819-20. 1 820- 1. 1821-2. 1822-3. 1823-4. 1824-5. 1825-6. 1826-7. 1827-8. 1828-9. 1829-30. 1830-1. 1831-2. 1832-3. 1833-4- 1834-5- 1835-6. 1836-7. 1837-8. 1838-9. 1839-40. 1 840- 1. 1841-2. 1842-3. 1843-4. 1844-5. 1845-6. 1846-7. 1847-8. 1848-9. 1849-50. 1850-1. 1851-2. 1852-3. 1853-4- George Taylor. Peter Walker. Walter Stirling Glas. Duncan M'Laren. James Burns Buchanan. George Dalgleish. Ebenezer Bow. John Morison. Thomas Balfour. William Thorburn. Ebenezer Bow. John Morison. Alexander Mowat. Alexander Mowat. William Gilchrist. John Irvine. William Robertson, Robert Smith. William Thorburn. William Forbes. James Drummond. William Gilchrist. Adam Steel. Thomas Gillies. James Prentice. Robert Forrester. William Wright. John Sawers. Patrick Graham Morison Ebenezer Bow. George Mouat. John Sawers. Thomas Steel. John Runciman. William Graham. John Davidson. James Weir. Andrew Drummond. John M'Ewan. Members appointed by the Town Council to perform the duties of Dean of Guild in the Town Council under the Royal Burghs (Scotland) Act, 1833, Section ig. William Forbes. William Forbes. William Forbes. William Gilchrist. William Gilchrist. William Gilchrist. James Prentice. James Prentice. James Prentice. John Sawers. John Sawers. John Sawers. George Mouat. John Sawers. John Sawers. John Sawers. William Graham. William Graham. William Graham. Andrew Drummond. Andrew Drummond. APPENDIX. 259 1854-5. Walter Reid. 1855-6. James Cowbrough. 1856-7. John Christie. 1857-8. Peter Low. 1858-9. James Robb. 1859-60, James Chrystal. 1 860- 1. James Chrystal. I86I-2. George Mouat. 1862-3. Patrick Graham Morison. 1863-4. Patrick Graham Morison. 1864-5. Patrick Graham Morison. 1865-6. Thomas Low. 1866-7. Thomas Low. 1867-8. Thomas Low. 1868-9. Thomas Low. 1869-70. Thomas Low. 1 870- 1. James Baird. I87I-2. James Baird. 1872-3. James Baird. 1873-4- James Baird. 1874-5- James Baird. 1875-6. James Baird. 1876-7. James Baird. 1877-8. James Baird. 1878-9. Robert Stewart Shearer. 1879-80. Robert Stewart Shearer. 1 880- 1. Robert Stewart Shearer. I88I-2. James Baird. 1882-3. Thomas Low. 1883-4. Thomas Low. I884-S. Robert Mercer. 1885-6. Robert Mercer. 1886-7. Robert Mercer. 1887-8. Robert Mercer. 1888-9. Robert Mercer. 1889-90. Robert Mercer. Members appointed by the Town Council to perform the duties of Dean of Guild in the Town Council under the Royal Burghs (Scotland) Act, 1833, Section ig. Andrew Drummond. James Cowbrough. James Cowbrough. James Cowbrough. James Robb. James Robb. James Robb. Patrick Graham Morison. Patrick Graham Morison. Patrick Graham Morison. Patrick Graham Morison. Patrick Graham Morison. Patrick Graham Morison. Thomas Low. Thomas Low. Thomas Low. William Campbell. James Baird. James Baird. James Baird. James Baird. James Baird. James Baird. James Baird. Robert Stewart Shearer. Robert Stewart Shearer. Robert Stewart Shearer. Robert Stewart Shearer. Robert Stewart Shearer. Robert Stewart Shearer. Robert Mercer. Robert Mercer. Robert Mercer. Robert Mercer. Robert Mercer. Robert Mercer. 26o APPENDIX. 1 890- 1. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1 891-2. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1892-3. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1893-4. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1894-5. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1895-6. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1896-7. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1897-8. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1898-9. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1 899- 1 900. Samuel Forrester Millar. 1 900- 1. Parlane Macfarlane. 1901-2. Parlane Macfarlane. 1902-3. Parlane Macfarlane. 1903-4. John King. 1904-5. John King. 1905-6. John King. 1906-7. John King. 1907-8. John Steel. 1908-9. John Steel. 1909-10. John Steel. 1910-1. John Steel. 191 1-2. John Steel. 1912-3. John Steel. 19 1 3-4. John Steel. 19 14-5. John Steel. Members appointed by the Town Council to perform the duties of Dean of Guild in the Town Council under the Royal Burghs (Scotland) Act, 1833, Section 19. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Samuel Forrester Millar. Parlane Macfarlane. Parlane Macfarlane. John King. John King. John King. John King. John Steel. John Steel. John Steel. John Steel. Robert Menzies. Robert Menzies. Robert Menzies. Robert Menzies. INDEX. INDEX. Abbey ford, redding of, 8, 101, 152. Cambuskenneth, 77- purchase of lands, 86, 122. letting of farm, 229. Craig, 244. Aberoromby, Lord, 244. Aberdeen, 18. burgh reform in, 199, 201. Lord, 242, 243. Act of relief as to calling of ministers, 102, 173. Acts, old, of the Gild Court, 73. Action with crafts, 12, 13, 13, 14, 16, 17, 29, 3'>, 33, 34, 36. against magistrates as to illegal election, 75. Gildry, 76. by skinners against Gildry, 77, 78. against Alexander Cudbert, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117,215. laird of Polmaise, 80, 85. Guildry against trades, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117,215. Alexander Jack, as to annual election of hospital masters, 82, 100, 117. with weavers as to quality of serges, 89. of reduction of Town Council election, 95. civil and criminal, compromised, 96, 97. of reduction of Town Council election, 104. against purchase of Coriitoun, 114. sale of Cowaue's Hospital superiori- ties, 115, 117, 118, 120. seven incorporated trades and cow parks, 120, 121. against patrons as to management of Cowane's Hospital, 121, 133, 133. as to letting of fishings, 153, 154. as to settlement of third minister, 173. against John Belch, banker, 178, 179, ISO. unfree traders, 180, 181, 215, 221, 222. Action against Town Council as to hospital funds, 214, 223, 227, 235. between Cupar Guildry and Trades, 218, 222. against James Taylor, haberdasher, Glas- gow, 221. John Weir, teacher, 221, 222. Andrew Buchanan for merchandis- ing, 232. Adam, James, 126. Adamsone, John, interim clerk, 21. additional Gild Councillor, 22. Address to Prince Albert, 241, 242. to Queen Victoria, 241, 242. Admission. (See Entrants.) Advows, 8, 15. Africa and slave trade, 159. African Trading Coy., Gildry subscribe to, 79, 83. Ague, 67. Aikman, John, 219. Airth, liberty to sell in, 19. plague at, 23. ministei called from, 83, 90. Airthrey, 158. Aitken, Henry, fined, 42. Albany, Duke of, visit, 75. Albert, Prince, visit to Stirling, 240. address to, 241, 242. Ale, duty on, 75. Alexander, see Alshunder. Archibald, Gild Councillor, 1, 22, 24. to inspect armour, 2. light crown, 14. accounts, 15. Bailie, 181. Christopher, Dean of Guild, 36, 38, 42, 42, 252. Edward, Dean, 257. James, Gild Councillor, 47, 48, 49. 264 INDEX. Alexander, James, member of Patrons' Com- mittee, 126. Dean, 255, 256. Provost, 121, 123, 141, 166, 168. Robert, Gild Councillor, 1, 5, 7, 7, 9, 10. to inspect armour, 3. stenter, 6. auditor, 7, 12. cautioner, 10. plea with crafts, 13. Robert, 126, 136, 146, 149. Robert, Dean, 251. Sir William, of Menstrie, 42. Allan, John, admitted gratis, 90. mortification or hospital, 90. purchase of Cointoun, 114. contributes to burgh restoration, 142, 145. — master, excluded from voting, 148. funds mismanagement, 213. management challenged, 22o. Park feuars, 223. William, 97. Dean, 255. AUane, Alexander, officer, 13, 15. slack service, 15. stenter, 19. Gild Councillor, 25, 28, 30, 31, 32, 36, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47. Dean of Gild, 43, 252, poinding four blue bonnets, 45. interim Dean of Gild, 46, 252. Archibald, stenter, 6, 6, 14, IS, 19, 20. trafficking with unfreeman, 7. admitted free, 8. Gild Councillor, 13, 15, 18, 19, 20, 22, 2.5, 27, 28, 31. plea with crafts, 13. auditor, 14. cautioner, 17. James, complaint, 54. John, 8. Thomas, complaint, 53. Alloa oordiner challenged, 1, 14. burgess admitted, 66. river traffic, 104. Alshunder. (See Alexander.) Archibald, obligation, 12. Dean, 13, 252. Alshunder, Archibald, auditor, 17. Christopher, Gild Councillor, 25, 31. Alva, laird of, 80, 86. Ambassadors, stent for, 11. America, James .Jack assisted to go to, 158. James Brown assisted to go to, 162. Gilchrist family go to, 177. importation of grain from, 177. Amsterdam hundred weight, 91. Anderson, George, surgeon, admitted, 215, 216. Henry, 216. James, soldier, 178. John, account objected to, 212, 214. Mr., candidate for school rectoiship, 107. bookseller, 180. Thomas, fined, 45. Gild Councillor, 48, 49, 5.;, o6, 60, 60. flesher, 204, 217, 218, 227, 228, 229, 231. William, Gild Councillor, 50, 5'J. Ansenzie. (,See Handseiizie.) Anson, C. E., secretary to Prince Albert, 212. Appin, 22 1. Apprentice, bound for three years, 26. entered, 42. to be booked, 62. preutis fee, 62. to be bound for five years, 62, 70. form of indenture, 63. for three years allowed, 63. indenture recorded in full, 63. benefits forfeited for fornication or adul- tery, 69. master to be five years a Guild brother, 69. regulation of, 69, 70, 73, 85, 90, 91, 144, 145. admission to Guildry, 100 merks, 70. fee, 400 merks, 70. to be notified to Dean and- Council, 70. to possess £1000 Scots, 70. fee, strangers' sons, 500 merks, 73. - Guild broth .3r allowed two or more brethren's sons, 73. strangers' sons, 100 merks for freedom, 73. fee, 300 merks, 85. new regulations owing to decay 'of burgh, 85. not more than two allowed, 85. INDEX. 265 Apprentices to be bound for four years at least, 85. worth 1000 merks to be entered for £50 Scots, 85. entry of considered, 86, 88. entry, 10 merks, and £4 Scots for ser\'ice as Guild officer, 88. fee not to be remitted, 89. brethren not actual traflicers to have no apprentices, 90, 91. not to be taught any other business than merchandising, 90, 91. title to take apprentices considered, 144, 145. tax on objected to, 188, 221. to daughters of Guild brethren not allowed, 193. indenture transferred, 215. usual payment to, 20s., 216. indenture rejected because not written by clerk, 222. indentures presented, 224. Arbrothak, 34. Archibald, George, obligation, 12. Ardoch, 158. Argaty, 51. Argyle, Earl of, 24. Lady, 16. Marquis of, 66. Armour and arms, 2, 3, 4, 55, 61, 71. Army, militia expenses, 75, 76. payment to volunteers, 129, 130, 161. Militia Bill objected to, 143. old soldiers setting up in business, 151. volunteers thanked, 170. military patrol, 177. West York Militia in Stirling, ] 77. Edinburgh volunteers, 224. local Militia, 224. volunteers' right to merchandise, 224. Arrestment, breaking of, 26. Arskine, Robert, servitor to Earl of Argyle, 24. Gild Councillor, 27. Assembly room (King Street), 190, 192. Assessed tax appealed against, 200. Attorney General reports on Petition for restor- ing Burgh, 131. Auohenbowie, 98. Auditors extraordinary. (See Extraordinary.) Auditors to walk to Church with Dean, llf;. duties, 122, 207. Ayr fisheries, 104. Aysou, James, cautioner, 0. stenter, 9, II, 14. auditor, 12. Aysoun, William, auditor, 37. stenter, 6, 6, 9, 11. Gild Councillor, 9, 10, 13. cautioner, 11. Baehop, Bachope, Baohopp, Bauohop, Bauchope, Bachok, Bauchak, Bathok, Alexander, officer, 2, 4, 5. stenter, 9, 11, 14, 21, 28. plea with crafts, 13. auditor, 16. Gild Councillor, 26, 27, 30, 31, 38, 39, 39, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 49. — cautioner, 36, 40. Dean, 253. Thomas, stenter, 18, 19. Gild Councillor, 35, 37, 39, 42, 43, 44, 45. to abstain from selling staple wares, 40. booth, 41. Younger, auditor, 50. Gild Councillor, 50, 52, 53, 53, 55, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 59. obligation, 51. to lease King's Customs, 57. cautioner, 58. apprentices, 63. Treasurer, 72. Dean, 253. Back Walk, 160. Baekraw, 93. Bailie, defaming, 10. Baird, Andro, Gild Councillor, 30, 36, 36, 55, 56, 60, 60, 61, 63, 66. fined for absence, 34. setting builyioue, 60. cautioner, 70. .James, Dean, 259. Mr., 149. Bak Weigh, 6, 44, 49, 56, 75, 89, 90. Baker Street, 224. widening, 236, 266 INDEX. Balbgate, Rev. James, called as minister, 100. Balfour, Ebenezer, merchant, 213. Hay, of Bolfonrooht, 41, 44, 46, 46. Mr., 216, 219. Thomas, extraordinary auditor, 212. Dean, 257, 258. Balk Way, 6, 44, 49, 56, 75, 89, 90. Ballengeaoh Road, 185. Baud Instrumental, 236. Bandeath, 28. Bandolara, 55. Bank of Scotland, 122, 236, 236. Banking, Stirling Banking; Co., 171, 178. Merchant Banking Company of Stirling, 178, 179, 180. system, Guildry petition Parliament, 244. Bankruptcy laws, 142. Banks, Bailie, 154, 162. Mr., 170, 171. ~ Robert, 97, 128, 136, 137, 141. - Dean, 257. Banners, 44, 46, 49, 51, 56, 63, 75, 242. Banquet on entry of brethren, 9, 11, .34. to His Majesty's servants, 88. Baptism of prince, 6. Barley, tax on, 103. Barons of Exchequer, petition to, 104. Barrel wecht of merchandise, 20. Barronet, John, suspected Jesuit, 112, 135. Bathok. (See Bachop.) Bauchop. (See Bachop.) Baulk. (See Balk.) Baxters' Wynd, 93. Bayne, Mrs., sewing mistress, 197. Belch, John, banker, action against Guildry, 178, 179, 180. Bell, third, 32. of Over Hospital, 74. at Cowane's Hospital removed to kirk, 136. Christopher, schoolmaster, 148. William, advocate, 216. Bellman, 182, 193. Bellringer excluded from voting, 129. Bennie, Rev. Mr., 235, 236. Billet master excluded from voting, 148, 162. Billeting of soldiers, 169. Blacatr or Blakwood. Normand, stenter, 2, 6, 6- Blacatr traffieing with unfreeman, 7, 9. Gild Councillor, 10. auditor, 12, 14, 17. plea with crafts, 13. Black Band, 203, 205. Blair, Peter, flesher, 204, 213, 214. Blaspheming the stenters, 21. Blythe's Hole, 20. Board of Health for cholera, 235. Boat, flat-bottomed, for redding fords, 90. lighter for Leith traffic, 91. Boats. (See Shore.) Bo'ness, timber arrested at, 74. creek at, 183. Bonnets, unlaw for wearing, 9. black, 37, 45, 66. blue, 37, 43, 45, 45, 61, 66, 68. not to be worn in kirk, 37, 66, 68. when Campheir factors present, 45. Book for minutes procured, 3. Guildry Court, 233. Bookbinders as Guildry members, 90. Bootli, Walter Cowan's, 6. Booths, 6, 15, 17, 28, 32, 35, 38, 39, 41, 57, 61, 71, 84. Bordie, Walter Callander of, 21. Borrowing money prohibited without consent of Guildry, 77. Bounty to volunteers, 129, 130, 161. Bow, Ebenezer, 220, 227, 243, 246. Dean, 258. James, extraordinary auditor, 79. Bowie, Robert, wright, 142. Box, Gild, 11, 14, 16, 27, 43, 44, 49, 51, 56, 59, 63, 81. Brandy, 80. Breaking word, 8. Brechin, Elizabeth, 178. Brember, Peter, farmer, Kipmad, 216. Robert, 216. Brewing, tax upon, 26. Bridge, Kirkliston, 111. new, 219, 222, 225, 226, 227, 236, 237. Tullibody, 111. Street, addition to, 202. 225. Stirling, Queen Victoria met at, 242. Bridgehaugh, purchase of, 85. feuing of, 99, INDEX. 267 Broad (Braid), 57. Street, 243. Brocksbrae fair challenged, 85. Brods for balk, 6. Brog, William, Gild Councillor, 15, 18, 19. Brown, Broune, Browne, Ebenezer, surgeon, 194. James, goes to America, 162. John, Dean, 251. Robert, fined, 45. Gild Councillor, 46, 47, 48, 48, 49, 49, 50, 52. William, Gild Councillor, 52, 53, 53, 55, 57. Bruce, Bruioe, An tone, Bailie, 1. George, extra Town Councillor, 5. Gild Councillor, 7. Normond, 10. Robert, Gild Councillor, 63, 66, 66. Thomas, entered gratis, 46. Bryce, Alexander, 97. writer, admitted, 105. Dean, 256. Ambrows, officer, 5, 7. Nicol, Dean, 256. Buohan, Bailie, 143. John, Provost, 209. Dean, 257. Buchanan, Andrew, grocer, 232. Catherine, goes to London, 78. James Burns, Dean, 258. John, sent to Glasgow College, 74. Mr., 219. Rev. Walter, 132, 156. called as minister, 132. Bullat for musket, 55. Burd, Alexander, Dean, 255. Bailie John, 79, 123. James, 126, 144. Dean, 256. John, interim Dean, 254. Burges, John, officer, 7, 8. imprisoned for breaking ward, 8. • obligation, 12. stenter, 18, 10. fined, 20. to collect shore dues, 20. Burgesses, mode of entering, 156. Burgh, Gild brethren not to leave without consent, 5. Burgh mills, 24. mill dam, 85. lands, sale of objected to, 208. Trading Act, 1846, 247. Burials, brethren to attend, 28, 67. brethren to ride at, 54. Burn of Cambus, 36. Alexander, complaint, 49. arbiter, 53. Gild Councillor, 60, 60, 61. John, Dean, 256. Burne, Robert, Dean, 253. William, challenged, 36. Burnet, David, minister's stipend, 67, 68. Burns, James, Dean, 255. Butchers. (See Fleshers.) Butter, 33. weighing of, 58. Calder, John, house, 226. Calf skins, bought by Cordiners, 87- Callander, John, of Craigforth, tenement in Back raw, 93. admitted gratis, 106. Robert, Cordiner, 2. Walter, of Bordie, 21. Calsay, stent for, 10. Cambusbarron Mill at, 31. Cambuskenneth, 77, (See Abbey.) Campbell, General, of Monzie, 187, 191. John, 126, 128, 135, 141, 142. Major, M.P. for District of Burghs, 154. Mr., writer, 146, 148, 149. William, Dean, 259. Campbelltown fisheries, 104. Campheir (Campvere), factors of visit Stirling, 45. Canning, Mr., 225. Canongait, 47, 156. Carnook, 51, 84, 91. Carpet for kirk loft, 83. procured from Castle, 100. Carrenothe, William, Chapman, 30. Carrier to Glasgow, 110, 119, 177. to Edinburgh, 119, 155, 157, 158, 177. Carron Company, 184. Carsayis, 33. Carsebonny, purchase of, 122, 123. Cart (card) new, to be bought, 60. 268 IND£X. Cartels forbidden, 22. Castle, sergeant sells tobacco, 73. Governor traffics in merchant wares, 78. Wynd, 93. carpet procured from, 100. Queen Victoria visits, 243. Castlehill, wool seller in, 60. furth of the burgh, 68. Cattle market at Latter Fair, 132. Causewayhead road footpath, 202. Cess. (See King's taxation.) Cess collector excluded from voting, 162. Chain for Dean, 153, 155, 219, 220. Chairs for Hospital hall, 103. to be stuffed and covered, 237. Chamber of Commerce, Edinburgh, 188, 189, 193. Glasgow, 189. Chancellor of the Exchequer, 221. Chapel the, 226. Chapman, Chapmen, challenged, 3. (oreilman) at market, 19. fined, 30. admitted, 36. cautioner for, fined, 40. to remove from market by twelve hours, 40. to bring yarn to burgh market, 41. payment for wax, 41, 72. reported to Convention of Burghs, 46. entering Gildry, 55. one day's merchandise, 58. relieved, 67. chambers to be searched for staple wares, 77. allowed to sell all day on market day, 84. allowed to merchandise for life, 97. to be detected in market, 101. ring to be given to, 104, 105, 109, 110, 171, 194, 216. two to merchandise, 112. Charles II. , charter by, 75. Charter by King David, 49, 81, 117. by Charles II., 75. by King James V., 81. Charters produced, 222. Chatham, Earl of, 156. Chests to hold English and Dutch standards, 90. Children, Guildry. (See School.) China trade, 232. Chirurgeons as Guildry members, 90. Cholera, 235. Christian knowledge, advancement of, S6. Christie, or Chrystie Alexander, to merchandise, 111. Alexander, 153. Edward, to merchandise, 112. James, Dean, 255. John, SherifEmuirlands, 111. to merchandise, 112. to purchase chain, 155. Dean, 257, 259. Provost, 110. Thomas, Dean, 256. William, junior, 115, 116, 126, 140, 156. senior, 148. Dean, 256. Chrystal, Duncan, bookseller, 176. James, Dean, 259. Chrystisone Harye, and Long Act, 79. Dean, 254 ; interim Dean, 254. (See Crystisone.) Church. (See Kirk.) Clackmannan, County of, 115, 116. Clerk to inspect armour, 3. salary, 8, 10, 151. interim, 21. relieved of stent, 28. to walk to church with Dean, 116. appointed, 194, 203, 237. thanked, 194, 196. assessed tax for appealed against, 200. Clerks, tax on objected to, 188. Cloaks, grey, not to be worn in kirk, 37, 67. Clock, town, keeper excluded from voting, 163. Cloth makers, stranger, stent for, 18. shore dues on, 20. clocking, 33. freiskelt Yorkshire, 33. sohring, 33. hoUand, 59. fine for short measure, 67. not to be out in market, 72. black serge for kirk loft, 83. green for kirk loft, 83. quality of serges, 89. regulation of trade, 97. various kinds mentioned, 99. — — for table for Hospital Hall, 100. Cloyne, William, receives donation, 89. tNt>E3^. 1^)^ Coals, steelyard wanted for, 180. Coal, boring for at Raplooh, 238. Cochran, Hon. Andrew, 158, 160, 160. Cookburo, Andrew, cashier of African and Indian Co., 83. Brigadier, 100. Cohen, Jacob, prosecuted, 187. College of Glasgow, 74. CoUene, Dutch, 99. Colquhoun, John, AUoa, entered gratis, 66. Patrick, 66. Commissioners to England, 22. Committee for water scheme, 120. Common Good, management of, 99. - contributes£150toburghrestoration, 131. Communities and water scheme, 120. Company, Scotch Highway, 88. Conditions of membership. (See Entrants.) Connal, Michael, admitted, 127. Preses, 153, 155, 156. Dean, 257. Mr., 142, 209. Patrick, 127. Dean, 257. Provost, 180. Contempt of Dean, 24. Convener. (See Seven luoorporated Trades.) Convention of Burghs, 29, 46. authorises sale of Bridgehaugh, 85. — — Scotch highway, 88. ^. appoints Linlithgow standard measure, 90. statute labour, 106. disenfranehiseraent of Burgh, 129. Copper coinage objected to, 176. Cordiner ia AUoway challenged, 1, 14. challenged, 2. buy calf skins, 87. Corn Laws, Guildry consider, 189, 190, 192, 225, 239, 239. Corn Market, new, 197. Cornet of Guildry, 87. Corntoun, purchase of challenged, 114. Corslet, 55. Corslets, stent for, 21. Courant, 109. Ourt Gild, 8, 28, 29, 40, 67, 74. Court of Session. (See Action.) . restoration of burgh. (See Restoration.) Court appoint Sherifif to Act as Dean, 127. Cousland, Robert, Dean, 251. Walter, Dean, 251. Cowsone, James, Servitor to Mr. Robert Murray, 42. re-entered, 53. Cowane, Alexander, makes up John Cowane s accounts, 50. agreement with Town Counsil, 117. Andrew (Aridro) stenter, 2. accounts, 3. Gild Councillor, 5, 7, 9, 10. cautioner for Christopher Seition, 5. auditor, 7. obligation, 12. ■ plea with crafts, 13. unfreeraan, 31. Dean, 251. Archibald, entered, 58, officer, 61. John, Commissioner to Dunbar, 33. to St. Andrews, 36. receives handsenzie, box, key, &c. , 43. — elected Dean of Gild, 44, 45, 46, 47, 47, 48, 49, 49, 252, 253. accounts, 45. advances treasurer nineteen pounds, 45. goes to London, 46. complains of John Nicoll, 48. — accounts, 49. — — Gild Councillor, 49. — to buy velvet mortoloth, 50. — death of, 50, — natural son of, 68. great grand nephew, 95. marble monument to, 197. of Taylorton, admitted, 61. Dean of Gild, 63, 253. demits office as Dean, 63. — ^ (1741) payment to creditors of, 102. Robert, Seamairs, 76. Street, 202, 225, 232. Walter, V>&&n pro tempon, 1, 17, 252. Gild Councillor, 1, 5, 7, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 24. accounts, 2, 3, 12, 13, 16. cautioner, 2, 10. 2j^0 INDEX. Cowane, Walter, stenter, 2, 6, 21. booth, 6. master of works for tolbooth, 6. Dean, 10. auditor, 17. Gild Councillor, 25, 26, 27, 32, 35, 39, 42. bailie, 29. Dean of Guild, 37, 38, 39, 252. Accounts, 39, 46. admitted, 45. Gild Councillor, 46, 47, 55, 59. to receive key, 59. William, son admitted, 58. entered, 76. Dean, 254. Cowane's Hospital work, 54. loan to, 76. purchase of Bridgehaugh, &o. , 85. objection to relief of widows, 86. . purchase of Hood and Abbey, 86. relieved by Guildry of certain pen- sions, 86. weights to be kept in Gild Hall, 98. feuing of lands, 99. hall, cloth for table, 100. house repairs, 101. hall seats and chairs, 103. fishings, 114. proposed sale of superiorities challen- ged, 115, 117, 118, 120. original agreement, 117. to contribute to water scheme, 119, 141. action as to management of, 121, 133, 133. proposal to exclude theatrical exhi- bitions from hall, 127. dancing in Gild Hall, 127, 151, 221. subscribe to Burgh restoration, 131, 142, 145. bell removed to kirk, 136. — . — . master objected to, 144. used for library of Fraternity of Writers, 145. master excluded from voting, 148. hall, sale of goods prohibited, 151. Guildry object to expenditure, 152, 155. Cowane's Hospital charged with expense of clearing fords, 152, 223. tunds used for repair of Back Walk, 160. Preceptor for Almshouse, 164. dispute as to letting hall, 166. pensions to be increased, 169, 182. contributes to schoolmasters' salaries, 181. fishings to be inquired into, 182, 185, 191. contributes to new Corn Market, 197. funds mismanagement, 200, 208, 209, 212, 217, 221, 223, 227, 235. as a Guildry privilege, 207. ground for road to new bridge, 222. Guild Hall given for a cholera hospital, 235. boring for coal at Raploch, 238. letting game on Abbey Craig, 244. give land for railway, 246. Cowane's Yard, school to be erected in, 151. Cowbrough, James, Dean, 259. Cows' grass for burgh, 120, 121. Crafts. (See Seven Incorporated Trades.) to elect five additional Town Councillors in troublous times, 5. plea with, 12, 13, 13, 14, 16, 17, 29, 30, 33, .34, 36. submission of dispute to Earl of Mar, 29. Craftsmen to assist in building pier, 20. to share expense of plague, 26. Craigengelt, Thomas, admitted, 34. Craigforth, 93, 106. fishing, 130. Craigs Bast, Skinners' house, 91. Craigton farm, 217, 218. Cranston, Mr., advocate, 216. Crawfurd or Crawford, John, assisted, 33. Crawford, John, chapman, 40. and Gild secrets, 58. setting builyione, 60. Gild Councillor, 60, 60, 61, 63, 66. apprentices, 63, 64. ■ assisted, 69. • apprenticed, 70. Nicol, complaint, 40. helped in sickness, 51. Creihnen, 19. INDEX. 271 Croal & KinroBB, smiths, 216. Cross, 88. Crown light, 14, 16. Crystisone, George, fined, 57. Sabbath breaker, 57. (See Chrystisone. ) Cudbert, Alexander, encroaching on privileges, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117, 215. Cullers, 51, 6.3. (See Handsenzie.) Culross, 87. Cunningham or Cunynghame, Alexander, 127, 128, 136, 137, 142, 149, 152, 153, 155. Alexander, marble monument to, J97. Cunningham's mortification, 185. as a Gulldry privilege, 207. conduct of children, 222. investments, 239. Cunynghame, Cuthbert, Dumbarton, 18. .Tohn, admitted gratis for service in plague, 25. , Gild Councillor, 30. fined, 52. makes complaint, 53. Mr., 179. William, Edinburgh carrier, 155. Cupar, dispute between Guildry and Trades, 215, 222. Currency, Gulldry petition Parliament, 244. Customs at shore, 20. of the realm, Gildry take lease of, 57, 60. foreign excise to be taken by Town Council, 82. dues, proposed abolition of, 114. reduced for cattle fair, 132. outgoing proposed to be taken off, 177. house at Grangemouth proposed, 183. table of to be printed, 184. Dakir of hides, 20. (See Hides). Dalgety, 100. Dalgleish, George, Dean, 210, 212, 214, 258. Dalkeith, 88. Dalkeith Palace, 243. Dalmeny, Lord, M.P., 239. Dancing in Guild Hall, 127, 151, 221. Danskin (Dantzig), James Hall leaves for, 37. James Wallace leaves for, 42. William Henderson leaves for, 43. accounts, 53, Danskin, William, Dean, 2.56. Daughter's husband entered, 10, 11. David King, gift, 49, 81, 117. Davidson, John, Dean, 258. — - Rev. David, called, 150. Deacon. (See Seven Incorporated Trades. ) Dean audits accounts, 3. disobedience to, 3, 26, 32, 48. to inspect armour, 3. interim appointed, 4, 7, 46, 63, 79, 107, 127, 153. ■ to procure brods for wey balk, 6. command to be obeyed, 8. to give licence to liberate prisoner, 8. to collect weekly pence for redding Abbey ford and building pier, 8. and Council to judge betwixt merchant and merchant, 8, 29. of Guild Court, 8, 28, 29, 40, 67, 74. unlawed for wearing bonnet, 9. defaming of, 10, 16, 23, 24, 27, 88. Depute, 46. Preses appointed in place of, 127. to cease presiding at Town Council, 132 139. disputed election of, 149, 150. censured for absence, 153. — — a .Justice of Peace, 153. chain and medal for, 153, 155, 219, 220. farewell to be defrayed out of Guildry funds, 182. powers to be reported on, 220. of Guild, List of Deans, 251. Debt of burgh, 83. Declarator. (See Action. ) Decree. (See Action.) Defaming Magistrate or Bailie, 10. Dean, 10, 16, 23, 24, 27, 88. the stenters, 21. gild brethren, 23, 42, 43, 44. Gild Councillor, 31. Alex. Towche's wife, 31. visitors of markets, 88. Defence of liberties. (See Liberties, Uufree- men.) Deforcement of Officer, 7- Denbigh, Earl of, 136. Denny, 76. Depute Dean, 46, 272 INDEX. Dick, John, 77, 254. John, Provost, 78. John, to go to Edinburgh to defend privileges, 80, 81. John, fiesher, 221. Sir William of Braid, 57. Diuely, Sir John. (See Baronet.) Dinner given up for relief of poor, 235. Disobeying the Dean, 3, 26, 32, 48. _ — John Covvane, Dean of Gild, 48. Distillation of grain objected to, 178. Distressed Gentleman relieved, 86. Doctor admitted, 215. Don, William, Provost, 103. John, Dean, 253. Donaldson, James, unfreeman, 15. auditor, 16. John, Gild Councillor, 1, 5, 7, 7, 10, 13, 19, 20. stenter, 2, 6. auditor, 3, 17. disobedient to the Dean, 3. Dean, 9, 253. accounts, 12, 13. obligation, 12. extra Gild Councillor, 24. younger, entered, 33. Latin Doctor of Grammar School, 87. William, selling wool, 40. Donation for Hospital poor, 21. — — for cutting for the stone, 88. to rebuild fallen tenement, 89. Dort, staple port at, 73. Doune, unfree traders, 72, 73. Dougall & Anderson, fleshers, 204, 213, 217, 218, 227, 228, 229. Dougall, William, flesher, 204, 214, 217, 218, 227, 228, 229. Douglas, Mr., schoolmaster, 158. Dow, Alexander, Guildry Cleric, 194, 196. Downie, .John, stenter, 2, 18. questionsabsence from Gild Court, 34. Robert of Appin, M.P., 225. Dress of Guildry for Queen Victoria's visit, 240. Drilling Gild brethren, 85. Drinking prohibited during preaching, 38. Drip Coble, 40. Dron, 79. Drowned persons, recovery of, 167, Drugs considered merchant goods, 215. Drummond, Andrew, Dean, 258, 259. Castle, 243. George, Deacon of Skinners, 33, 34. James, Dean, 258. Drummer, 67, 182, 193. Drummer's fees, 75, 92. Drysdale, James, cordiner in AUoway, 1. Duelling forbidden, 22. Dumb woman relieved, 74. Dumbarton College Kirk, IS. stent for help of, 27. Dunbar, 33. Dunblane, unfree traders, 72, 73. wool spinner in, 224. Duncansone, John, complaint, 49. gets £28, 53. elder. Gild Coancillor, 60, 61, 63, 66. Dundas, Charles, 115. Thomas, 115. Dundee, 67, 156. Dundonald, Earl of, 158. Dunning, 76. Dutch merchant goods, 89. standard weight, 90. weights to be provided, 91. coUene, 99. Kadie, John, called as minister, 79. Easson, James, schoolmaster, 158. Ease Calder, 71. East India Company's Charter objected to, 186. East Indies, 186, 232. Easter Greenyalrds, 41. Eastwood, 87. Edinburgh burgess buying yarn, 36. carrier, 119, 155, 157, 158, 177. Chamber of Commerce, 188, 189, 193. Convention of Estates, 77. " Courant," 109. Dean's chain to be got from, 153. men buying skins, 20. "Mercury," 109. newspapers, 109, 155, 160, 179. scheme for importing grain, 175, 177, 178. stamp office wanted at, 171. tack of customs, 60. Town Council, 223. volunteers, 224. INDEX. 273 Edmond, Ueorge, Master of Spittal's Hospital, 148. James, to merchandise, 112. 170. Dean, 257. Election illegal, 75. of Town Council forbidden, 76. of Town Council challenged, 95, 104. of Town Council under new set, 136, 141, 143, 148, 150. Poll, 136. of Dean disputed, 149, 150. of M.P. challenged, 168. Elnwand, Elwand, to be tried, 24. iron, 49, 51, 56. short, fine for using, 67. brass, 146. England, commissioners to, 22. recovery of debt in, 52. English master in school, 181. Entrants, payments and qualifications — £10, 4. 40 shillings or the bankeit, 9. to possess £500, 21. £40, 23. ilk freeman's bairns, except eldest son, 20 merks, 23. posterity of gratis entrants excluded, 35. heir, son and daughters' rights reserved, 54, 69, 82. £60, 55. chapmen, 200 merks Soots, 69. apprentice, 100 merks, 70. stranger, 300 merks, 73. stranger to possess 3000 merks, 73. strangers' sons as apprentices, 600 merks, 73. eldest sons, 10 merks, or 6/8, 73. other sons and sons in law, 10 merks, 73. bill to lie a month on table, 81 ; exception, 84. £100 Scots, 82. children forisfamiliated excluded, 82. reduction recommended, 83. apprentice worth 1000 merks to be entered for £50 Scots, 85. strangers' entry considered, 86, 96. strangers' 300 merks, 87. children of strangers admitted under fifty excluded, 88; rescinded except as to forisfamiliated children, 88, 19 Entrants, apprentices 10 merks and £4 Si;ots fur service as officer, 88, 127. age limit 50, 105. to possess £1000 Scots, 105. £100, 105. to reside eight months in year, 105. not to distil spirits, 105. to pay dues on malt, 106. entrants already merchandising to have discount, 105. clean copy of scheme to be made out, 114. to be reported on, 114. discount to husband of merchant's daughter a widow, 118. entry of son in law to be of favour, not of right, 127 ; rescinded, 128. entry of sons-in-law, 11, 143, 146. entry of tradesmen reported on, 144. rights of brethren to take apprentices, 144, 145. to pay dues of walking marches, 145, 165. arrears of entry money, 146, 146. dues of strangers to be raised, 154. need not be previously entered burgesses, 156. second husband of a daughter not admitted, 157, 178. children of second marriage admitted, 161, 224. to contribute to water scheme, 163, 165. to pay officer's fee, 165. not to pay clerk's dues, 165. son, £2, 165. son in law, £2, 165. apprentice, £10, 165. stranger, £21, 165. to carry on business within burgh, 165. to be found qualified, 165. resident in Glasgow not admitted, 169. "packing and peeling'' in oath to be defined, 169. stranger, £30, 175. farmer at Throsk not admitted, 176. stranger's youngest child excluded, 180. no one to open shop previous to entry, 181. strangers to pay £1 for expense of enquiry, 181. stranger £50 and clerk's and officer's fees, 182. 274 INDEX. Entrants, children born before father's entry- excluded, 192, 216. guild- brother's daughter not to take apprentice, 193. daughter of an apprentice excluded, 237. freemen apprentices to be charged same as non-freemen, 239. Burgh Trading Act, 1846, 247. gratis. (See Gratis.) for life. (See Merchandising. ) Emancipation, Roman Catholic, 181. Erskine. (See Arskine.) Ebeneier, Rev., called as minister, 92. casebeforeKirkcommission, 94. George, Rev., admitted, 158. James, Hon., admitted gratis, 96. Provost, 99, 111. son, admitted. 111. advocate, admitted. 111. James Francis, entered, 146. John, Lieut. -Col. ,of Carnook, trafficking, 78. entered, 84. son, entered, 91. advocate, admitted gratis, 91. Captain, entered, 80. entered, 146. Lord, Earl of Mar, 29, 38. Espaline, John, teacher of dancing, 221. Ewing, Katherine, relieved, 74. Thomas, 21. Exchequer, Petition to, 104. Export rates, book of, 38 Extraordinary Auditors, neglecting duty, 79. first appointed, 79. dispute as to voting in election, 94. to hold office for two years only, 111. to walk to church with Dean, 116. functions of 122, 207. Fair, riding of the, 35, 75, 87, 91. tumults at, 71. Mary Salamin's, 75. wool merchants allowed to keep open shop, 84. Brocksbrae challenged, 85. gold ring to be tilted for, 85. races at, 85. riding, hautboys at, 87, Fair, Latter, cattle market at, 132. to be held on Friday, 161. Fairford, Lieut. James, 148. Fairlie, Mr., dancing master, 151. Falkirk, liberty to sell in, 19. unfreimen, 74, 77. post to, 170, 180. meeting as to mail coach, 180. Farquhar, Mr., 202. Fawkener, W., 140. Feggis, 33. Fentoun, Lord, 38. Ferguson, Alexander, apprentices, 62, 63. Andro, cautioner, 14. James, apprentice, 63. John, younger, stenter, 6. John, entry, 72. Ferny, James, Dean, 251. Feuing of Cowane'a Hospital lands, 99. Figs, 33. Fines to be paid to minister, 15. Finlay, Kirkman, M.P., 190. Finlayson, Commissary, 108. Fire ladders provided, 89. engine purchased, 111, 114. Fische, 33. Fisheries, 104. Fishing Company, 173. Fishings, price of fish fixed, 147. of Cowane's Hospital, 115. joint letting of town and Craigforth, 130. dispute as to letting, 153. salmon to be sold to inhabitants, 153, 165, 166, 168. tack to be inquired iuto, 182, 185, 191. Fitfaills' skins, 20. Flags, 43, 44, 46, 49, 51, 56, 63, 75, 242. Flaiks foment stands, 15. Flanders, 4, 7, 57. Flemings, stent for, 18. Flesher, selling skins, 19. admitted, 221. Fleshers, scarcity of, 204, 225. Flint, Isabella, allowed to merchandise, 188. Flint & young, 188. Fodringhame. (See Fotheringham. ) Forbes, William, Dean, 237, 258. frames resolutions as to banking, 244, 246. INDEX. 27S Forbea, William, objects to Bhore Road level oroBsing, 246. Fords. (See River.) Abbey, redding of, 8. redding of, stent for, 9. boat to be built, 90. to be reported on, 101. clearing of, proposed aa a, national work, 146, 148. expense of clearing charged to Cowane's Hospital, 152, 223. clearing of, Guildry subscribe to, 232. Foreshops, unfreomen forbidden to take, 84. Forest, James, 54. Isobell, 54. Forestalling, 1, 2, 14, 15, 19, 41, 47. Forester, David, of Blairlogie, Bailie, 1. James, officer, 7. — — plea with crafts, 13. stenter, 14, 19. John, called as minister, 80. Thomas, unfreeman, 7. to render account, 9. defaming Dean, 10. to pass of the country, 19. Rev. Mr., admitted, 80. Robert, 243. Dean, 258. Forfeited estates, funds proposed to clear fords, 147, 148. Forman, John, W.S , Edinburgh, 179. - Mr., bookseller, 180. Forsythe, Ard., unfreeman, 68. Forsyth, James, disobeying Dean, 32. writer, 99. John, chapman, 30. Forth. (See River.) Fotheringhame, Duncan, apprentice, 64. James, Gild Councillor, 46,48. Dean of Gild, 55, 56, 56, 56, 58, 59, 59, 59, 60. son apprenticed, 64. William, cautioner, 16. stenter, 18. France, current money of, 9. war with, 168. Fraternity of writers, 145. Freedom of Burgh, Right Hon. W. Pitt, 107, 108, 109. Freedom of Burgh, Right Hon. H. B. 107, 108, 109. of Guildry. (See Gratis.) Freemen King's, 224. Friars' Wynd, 93. Fruit, 33. Gaij. (SeeGawie.) Gairdner. (See Gardner.) Gait, standing on the, 14, 38, 39, 40. Galbraith, William, 209, 219. Mr., 235. Galloway, John, 97. Thomas, 149. Game on Abbey Craig, 244. Gardnar, James, extra Town Councillor, 5. Gardner, James, stenter, 6. Gild Councillor, 7. Gawie or Gaij, John, stenter, 5, 6, 9, 11, 14. John, extra Town Councillor, 5. auditor, 12, 16, 17. obligation, 12. Gild Councillor, 13, 18, 32, 36, 38. entered, 31. Clerk, 43, 44, 45, 50, 51. Geir, carrying through the country, 15. Germain, Lord George, 136, Gib, Andro. Skinner, 43. Gibb, Bailie, 97, 115. 154. James, Dean, 256, 257. Mr., 153. Gibson, Thomas, Alloa, 14. William, plumber, Edinburgh, 216. and Reddie, plumbers, 216. Gift of King David, 49, 81, 117. (Charter) by Charles II., 75. Gilchrist, Archibald, Junior, 177. John, 135, 140. Dean, 153, 257. Thomas, 149. William, Dean, 258. Gildry. (See Guildry.) Gilfillan, Thomas, 135. Gillespie, David, Dean, 255. John, Dean, 255, 256. Patrick, Dean, 255. Thomas, Dean, 256. William, maltman, cautioner, 2. £/6 INDEX. Gillespie, William, stenter, 2, 6. Gillies, Mr., 219. Robert, Dean, 257. Thomas, Dean, 258. Glas, John, junior, 148. Dean, 257. senior, 146. Mr., prepares plan, 151. Provost, 170, 180. Thomas, 146. Walter Stirling, Dean, 258. Glasford, Duncan, 136, 137. Glasgow College, 74. newspapers, 160, 179. resident in, refused admission, 169. Chamber of Commerce, 189. M.P. for, ISO. Glen, Alexander, Cambuskenneth, 77. Glenorquhay, Lady, 59. Glovers, litigation with Alexander Oudbert, 80. 81, 98, 101, 117, 215. complaint against Cordiners, 87. Gloves, white, worn, 240. Goat, skins, 20, 78. Gold. (See Ring.) Gourlay, David, 136, 137, 140, 141, 148. Govan, 72. Graham, Dr., 141, 146. Marquis of, 147, 148. William, Dean, 258. Grain, scheme for importing, 175, 177, 178. distillation of objected to, 178. Grammar school. (See School. ) Grange, 96, HI. Grangemouth, lock-keeper at, 157. custom house proposed, 183. Gratis, Master Partiok Symsone, 24. John Cunnynghame, Bailie, 25. Andrew KilbuUie, allaoay to His Majesty, 25. entrants to have their posterity excluded, 35. Town Clerk entered, 37. • Lord Mar's servitor, 38. Mr. Robert Murray's servitor, 42. minister entered, 46. bailie, entered, 46. Joseph Lowrie, minister, 46. John Colquhoun, 66. Gratis, James Urquhart, admitted for drilling Gildry, 85. John Allan, admitted in respect of Mortification, 90. John Brskine, advocate, 91. Hon. James Erakine, of Grange, 96. Alex. Monro, 98. Right Hon. W. Pitt (1757), 107, 108, 109. (1784), 147, 150. Greenyairds Easter, 41. Greig, David, Dean, 251. Grenils (granaries), kept, 97. Grocers threatened with interdict, 235. Guard, Town, 130, 135. Guild Hall. (See Cowane's Hospital). Guildry, armour and arms, 2, 3, 4, 55, 61, 71. staple goods, 3, 33, 40, 41, 47, 47, 73, 77, 80, 84, 99. brethren not to leave burgh without con- sent, 5. augment Town Council in troublous times, 5. regulate booths and stands, 6, 15, 17, 28, 32, 35, 38, 39, 41, 57, 61, 71. wives paying weekly pence, 7. brethren not to break ward, 8. Courts, 8, 28, 29, 40, 67, 74. powers of Gild Council, 8. and wearing of bonnets, 8, 9, 37, 43, 45, 45, 61, 66, 68. Box, 11, 14, 16, 27, 43, 44, 49, 51, 66, 59, 63, 81. brethren to stand on the gait, 14. brethren to attend meetings, 28, 67, 84. brethren to attend funerals, 28. Town Council members augmented to twelve, 29. to keep the Sabbath day, 37, 38, 43, 56, 57, 57. forbid wearing bonnets in kirk, 37, 66, 68. give banquet to His Majesty's servants, 38. regulate wool, 40, 41, 60, 84. regulate yarn, 41, 72, 97. flags, 43, 44, 46, 49, 51, 56, 63, 75, 242. writs, 44, 49, 51, 63, 74,98, 117, 233. kist, 44, 49, 51, 56, 63, 74. brethren drilled and trained, 46, 85. ring, 49, 51, 56, 81, 220. sale of tobacco, 52, 53, 55, 61, 73. INDEX. 277 Guildry subscribe to Company for African and Indian trade, 79, 83, relieve Cowane's Hospital of certain pensions, 86. subscribe towards advancing Christian Knowledge, 86. provide hautboys for riding the fair, 87. propose to acquire tenement below Cross, 88. stock valued, 88. members not actual trading merchants, 90. bear half expense of repairing Slsinner's house, 91. thirl themselves to bridge and burgh mills, 92. agree to have communication of trade with Seven Incorporated Trades, 94. petition in favour of Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, 94. criminal proceedings as to King's birth- day, 96, 97. petition for an Act to regulate traffic in yarn, 97. regulate education of Guildry children, 100. to have a voice in calling ministers, 102. resist imposition of statute labour on roads, 106. desire school wages raised, 106. contribute to Glasgow carrier, 110. propose abolition of customs dues, 114. support water scheme, 114, 119, 120, 127, 140, 151, 158, 16.3, 178. challenge sale of Cowane's Hospital superiorities, 115, 117, 118, 120. records copied, 117. minutes indexed, 117. oppose Mortmain Bill, 119. restoration of Burgh, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 136, 144, 145. payments to Volunteers, 129, 130, 161. petition Parliament against repeal of Popery laws, 131. l)ean to cease presiding at Town'Counoil, 132, 139. election under new Act, 141, 143, 148. suggest alterations in Bankruptcy laws, 142. Guildry petition for abolition of Patronage, 143. object to establishment of "Militia, 143. support Parliamentary Reform Bill, 144, 160. support erection of new schools, 146, 147. contribute to new schools, 151. - support Act to restrict hawkers and pedlars, 151. propose alteration of Town House, 151. provide chain for Dean, 153,155, 219, 220. object to let of fishings unless inhabitants supplied, 153, 165, 166, 168. support Bill for internal police of burghs, 164. thank Mr. Pitt for action caused by King's indisposition, 155. refuse to adopt Town Council's rule as to new burgesses, 156. petition Post Master General as to delivery of letters, 156. scholars' school changed, 158. assist Janet Jack to go to America, 158. object to Town Council challenging elec- tion, 158. scholars' fees fixed, 159. assist Henry Moire to go abroad, 159. petition for abolition of slave trade, 159, 160. object to repair of Back Walk out of Cowane's Hospital funds, 160. petition that fairs be held on Friday, 161. assist James Brown to go to America, 162. contribute to night watch, 167. decline to contribute to war fund, 168. approve of mail coach to Edinburgh, 170. thank volunteers for quelling riot, 170. petition for stamp office atj Edinburgh, 170. object to copper coinage, 176. assist Gilchrist family to go to America, 177. ■ petition Treasury against distillation of grain, 178. litigate with John Belch, banker, 178, 179, 180. ask steelyard for coals, 180. decline to allow discharged naval man to trade, 181. oppose Roman Catholic emancipation, 181. 278 INDEX. Guildry support proposed custom house at Grangemouth, 183. residence as a qualification for Town Council, 184, 216. elect non-resident Dean, 185. petition against charter of East India Company, 186, 232. objeet^to"tax on clerks and apprentices, 188, 221. scholars, "regulations for, 188. support union canal, 189. consider Corn Laws, 189, 190, 192, 225, 239, 239. petition against property tax, 191. as to trial of civil causes by jury, 192. object to proposed tax on shops, 193. to keeping of gunpowder, 194. to deductions in Hospital tenants' rents, 195. petition for amendment of Royal Burghs Bill, 196. oppose plan for providing for pauper lunatics, 196. support Hon. Mr. Primrose, candidate for Parliament, 199. object to mismanagement of Cowane's Hospital, 201, 208, 209, 212, 217, 221, 223, 227, 235. contribute to work for unemployed, 202. return to House of Commons, 206. privileges enumerated, 207. object to sale of Burgh mill lands, 208. send address to the Queen, 209, 214. disclaim an irregular address to the King, 210. send address to the King, 211. receive answer to address to' Queen, 214. thank Joseph Hume, M.P., 216. disapprove of Scotch Burgh Bill, 219. consider new thoroughfare to bridge, 219, 222, 225, 226, 227, 236, 237. assist Cupar Guildry against Trades, 222. petition against Leith Docks Bill, 223. object to mismanagement of Allan's mortification, 223. to Town Council's act of church patronage, 223. consider scarcity of butcher meat, 225. Guildry petition for opening of trade to East Indies and China, 232. Court book, 233. cholera, 235, 236. subscribe to instrumental band, 236. to widening foot of Baker Street, 236. address the King on Lord Melbourne's dismissal, 237. approve of boring for coal at Raplooh, 238. throw incorporation open to non-freemen, 239. fix dress for Queen Victoria's visit, 240. report of Queen Victoria's visit, 240. present address to Queen Victoria, 241. 242. present address to Prince Albert, 241, 242. protest against letting game on Abbey Craig, 244. petition Parliament as to banking system, 244. object to Shore Road level crossing, 246. list of Deans of Guild, 251. admission of brethren. (See Entrants.) apprentices. (See Apprentice. ) banquet at entry. (See Entrants. ) Burgh reform. (See Reform.) defence of privileges. (See Action, Chapmen, Crafts, Unfreemeu.) education. (See School, Scholar.) Parliamentary reform. (See Reform.) Guide, Thomas, Dean, 251. Guthrie, Henry, minister, 49. Gunpowder, keeping of objected to, 194. house provided, 195, Hagbit, 4. Hagy, Andro, 40. Hairt, James, fined for snowballing, 45. Halberts to be kept in booths, 61, 71. Haldane, Col. George, M.P., 109. Mr., Airthrey, 158. Ninian, admitted gratis at request of Mr. Patrick Symson, 27. Patrick, admitted gratis, 103. Richard, 27. Hall, Edward, ofHeer, 2. stenter, 6, 14, 28. obligation, 12. plea with crafts, 13. auditor, 16. INDEX. 279 Hall, Edward, Gild Councillor, 19, 25. cautioner, 26. son goes to Danskeine, 37. James, goes to Danskeine, 37. H&ly burton, Mr., Society for Slave Trade Abolition, 160. Hamilton, Alexander, called as minister, 83, 90, 102. Lord Archibald, 200, 201, 206, 209, 214. John, drummer, 67. Hammermen, Deacon of, 32. prosecuted for selling brass pans, 91. accused of merchandising, 97. Handsenzie, 44, 46, 49, 51, 56, 63, 75, 242. Harvie, Patrick, wright, 135. Mr., 155. Hatter, unfree, prosecuted, 187. Hatters objected to, 222. Hautboys, 87. Hawkers to be detected, 101. objected to, 153. not to advertise their sales, 182, 193. Hay, George, Aberdeen, 18. John, called as minister, 72. Health, Board of, for cholera, 235. Heirs, entry of, 9, 10, 11. Henderson, Andrew, admitted, 11. oflBoer, 18. Andro, son goes to Dauskin, 43. George, Chapman, 58. Dean, 255, 256. Robert, smith, 41. William, goes to Danskin, 43. Hides, 1, 4, 14, 19, 20, 21, 32, 42, 44, 44, 47, 48, 52, 77, 78, 83, 83, 87, 101, 233. Highway Scotch, Company, 88. Highways. (See Roads, ) Hill, John, 99. & M'Gowan, writers, 232. Robert, writer, 203, 232. Hilsborough, Earl of, 136. Hock, 80. Hog, John, Gild clerk, 3, 5, 8, 10. unlawed for wearing bonnet, 9. obligation, 12. Holland cloth, 59. staple port at Dort, 73. weights to be procured from, 75. . Dutch merchant goods, 89. Holland Dutch standard weight, 90, 91. weights to be provided, 91. ooUene, 99. Honorary burgess. (See Freedom. ) burgesses excluded from voting, 129. Guild brethren. (See Gratis.) Gild brother, protest against his trafficing, 78. Hood of Cambuskenneth, 77, 86, 218, 228, 229. Hospital, Cowane's. (See Cowane's Hospital. ) ] poor, 21. over, 70, 74, 76, 82. tenement next Tolbooth, 82. Neth»r, 82, 84. masters, 82, 99, 100. Houston, Arthur, obligation, 12. — plea with crafts, 13, Gild Councillor, 15, 24. auditor, 16. defaming Dean, 23. fined for breaking arrestment, 26. Hume, Henry, of Argaty, 51. Joseph, M.P., 216. Hunter, James, called as minister, 76. minister. Act against, 78. to be prosecuted, 157. Huskisson, Mr., 238. Import rates, book of, 38. Indenture. (See Apprentice.) India, East, Company's charter objected to, 186, 232. Indian Trading Coy., Gildry subscribe to, 79, 83. corn meal, 175, 177. Indigo, 153. Innes, Archibald, 118. William, called as minister, 161. resigns, 171. Inshinnan, 84. Instrumental band, 236. Interim Dean appointed, 4, 7, 46, 63, 79, 107, 127, 153, 252, 254, 256. Intrants. (See Entrants.) Inverary fisheries, 104. Irish peasantry relieved, 235. Iron, 6, 33. merchant allowed to merchandise, 11], Irreving, Margret, 18. 28o INDEX. Irvine, John, Dean, 234, 258. Isles,' proclamation to, stent for, 28. Jaok,'Alexander, decree of declarator, 82, 117. Dean, 254. Janet,' 158. John,^at^St. Niniana kirk, 80, in America, 158. Jaiirie, Jaffray, Jeffrey, Andro, Gild Councillor, 32, 37, 39, 42. — to see church seat reformed, 37. Bailie, 246. Henry, and Black Band, 205. James, action against Town Council, 97. ■ — — interim Dean, 107, 256. Bailie, 109. ProTost, 110, 115, 146, 158. Dean, 256. John, 176, 191. Dean, 256, 257. Thomas, fined, 40. William, Throsk, 176. junr., 148, 149, 150. Dean, 257. James V., King, Charter by, 81. Jamieson, Mr., English master, 197, 198. Jarvie, Jervay, Ralph, 148. Edward, Dean, 255. Jesuit suspected, 112. Johnston, Johnson, Alan, 195. Dr. James, Provost, 89. James, London, 234. John, stenter, 28. John, &ld Councillor, 28, 30, 31, 32, 35, 36, 36, 37, 39, 46, 49, 50, 57, 58, 59. John, slandered, 31. to see church seat reformed, 37. John, to intromit with impost, 38. John, auditor, 50. Mr., builder of steeple, &c., 192. Journal, Stirling, 209, 216, 246. Jury trial in^^oivil causes, 192. Justice of Peace, Dean as, 153. Kairds, poinded, 7- Kar, Ker, Andro, 18. John, 18. Lady, 59. Keir, 49, Keir, Agnes Miller or, pension cancelled, 102. James, clerk, 61, 66. Ker. (See Kar.) Keraebonny, purchase of, 122, 123. Keys rendered for poinding, 3. of box, 44, 49, 59, 63. KillbuUie, Andrew, allaoay to His Majesty, 25, 26. John, 26. Killop, Bailie, 161. Kilmadock, 80. Kilmarnock, 171. Kincaid, Andrew, 56. ■ Captain, George of Milton, 56. King David's gift, 49, 81, 117. Charles II. , Charter by, 75. David's rina:, 81, 220. James V., Charter by, 81. William, death of, 83. petitioned for restoration of Burgh, 128. - — grants poll warrant for election, 136. indisposition of, 155. address to, on Roman Catholic emancipa- tion, 181. irregular address to, 210. Guildry send address to, 211. Street, 226, 236, 243. John, Dean, 260. King's lackey, 25. taxation, 26, 27, 28, 92. servants, banquet to, 38. birthday proceedings, criminal libel, 96. Stables, 93. Park, used for cattle market, 132. freeman, 224. Kinnear, Andrew, appointed colleague minister, 71. Kinross, Croal and, smiths, 216. Kipmad, 216. Kirk, preachings to be attended, 3, 32, 37, 38, 43, 56, 57, 57, 62, 68. Sabbath to be observed, 3, 32, 37, 38, 43, 56, 57, 57. Gildry loft, 3, 37, 38, 43, 61, 62, 66, 68, 70, 71, 75, 83, 92, 93, 99, 132, 142, 143, 146, 150, 157, 158, 169, 172, 177, 197. Sundays' and Thursdaj's' preachings to be kept, 3. Guild brethren to attend in Guildry loft, 3, 38, 43, 62, 68. INDEX. 2SI kirk, Minister's stipend, 8, 15, 22, 27, 27, 67, 68. session to receive unlaw, 10. minister to receive fines, 15. week-day preachings,, booth doors to be shut at third bell, 32. forenoon and afternoon preachings to be kept, 37, 38. blue or black bonnets or grey cloaks not to be worn in, 37, 66, 68. fine for drinking in time of preachings, 38. fine for ganging about the fields, 38. fine for keeping open booth during preach- ing, 38, 43, 57. minister entered gratis, 48. Henry Guthrie appointed minister, 49, censer, 56. travelling on Sabbath prohibited, 56. uncouth strangers and boys with blue bonnets not to enter merchants' loft, 61. General Assembly change market day, 62. loft to be erected in West Church, 70. Andrew Kinnear appointed colleague minister, 71. Ard. Muschet nominated minister, 71. John Hay called, 72. Patrick Murray called, 72. Trades loft in, 75. Gildry to be free of stipend, 75. James Hunter called, 76. Act against James Hunter, minister, 78. Alexander Ure called, 78. Archibald Riddell called, 79. John Eadie called, 79. John Logan called, 80. John Forrester called, 80. black cloth put on loft on King William's death, 83. green cloth for loft, 83. Alexander Hamilton called, 83, 90, 102. Mechanics refused permission to erect a loft, 84. scholars' loft, 84, 143, 157. Robert M'Alla called, 84. Robert M'Aulay, death of, 87. Rev. Robert Woodrow called, 87. Bev. Charles Muir called, 87. third minister proposed, 91, 92, 164, 173, 195. 20 Kirk, shortage of seating in, 91, 92. Rev. Ebenezer Erskine called, 92. West Church roof and windows repaired, 93. Synod prohibit sacrament in both churches at once, 93. Guildry petition in favour of Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, 94. Rev. Ebenezer Erskine's case before Commission, 94. part of lofts to be let, 99, 132, 143. caretaker of West Kirk loft appointed, 99. Rev. James Balbgate called, 100. Charles Moore, minister, 100, 102. act of relief by Town Council, 102. communicants to have a voice in calling ministers, 102. Patrick Haldane's appearance before th« Synod, 10.3. Daniel M'Queen, second minister, 109. dispute as to procedure in calling minister, 110. ■ John Muschet called, 110. Synod of Perth and Stirling, 110. Rev. David Plenderleith called, 110. Guild Council, auditors and clerk to walk to church with Dean, 116. Session, scheme for poor, 121. officer e.'ickuled from voting, 129. meeting as to repeal of penal laws against Popery, 131. JJagistrates and Guildry lofts to be let, 132. Walter Buchanan called, 132. — — Rev. John Muschet translated, 132. bell removed from Cowane's Hospital, 136. • abolition of Patronage, 143. sacraments proposed to be un one day, 143. cushion lor Dean's seat provided, 146. loft to be altered tliat sitters may hear better, 150, 157. Rev. David Davidson called, 156. Walter Buchanan translated, lot). James Somerville called, 15G. Mr. Haldane, Airthrey, declines to posseso seat, 158. Rev. James Somerville translated to first charge, 161. 282 INDEX. Kirk, Mr. VVilliam Innes called, 161. Rev. Mr. Musohet, 161. ■ Repair of West Church, 164. Mr. Innes, resignation of, 171. Rev. John Russell (Black Russell) trans- lated, 171. settlement of third minister, 173. Tailor's loft, 177. re-arrangement of seats, 178. Rev. John Russell, death of, 194. stipend of third minister, 195. new seating of West Church, 196. ■ mitfble monument to John Cowane, 197. marble monument to Alexander Cunaing- ham, 197. Guildry seats to be let by public roup, 197. Town (Jouncil's patronage objected to, 223. asistant to Rev. Mr. Bennie, 235. Kirkliston, bridge at. 111. Kist, Gild, 44, 49, 51, 56, 63, 74. Kitchen, public, for poor, 172. Ky, hides, 14. (See Hides.) Kyndnea (rent) of Booth, 35. Lackey, King's, 25. Ladders provided for fires, 89. Ladyneuck farm, 217, 218, 227, 228, 229. Lamb skins, 20. Lamp lighting, 223. Lancastrian school approved, 186. Land wart ileshers, 19. Lanrick (Lanark) weights to be procured, 81. Lapslie, Colline, stenter, 52. Gild Councillor, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 59. James, 54. Larbert, 71. Latin doctor of grammar scliool, 87. Latter Fair, cattle market at, 132. Lawburrows, 43. Lawrie, Lowrie, Alexander, stenter, 11, 52. Andro, accounts, 3. auditor, 3. plea with crafts, 13. ■ cautioner, 18. Dean, 253. LawBon, William, challenged, 4. plea with crafts, 13. Leask, William, Dean, 255. Leeheman, John, Dean, 251. Leckie, Robert, writer, 103. Legate, Mr., surveyor, 226. Legge, Mr., 156. • Right Hon. Henry Bilson, freedom of burgh, 107, 108, 109. Leith, 9, 25, 48, 91. doeks, 223. Lennox, John, 243. Leslie, Mr., purchase of mills from, 67. William, 224. Letters, delivery of, 156, 189. Levingstone, William, of Easter Greenyairds, 41. Levy of seven men, 78. Mr. , candidate for school rectorship, 107. Liberties, defence of. (See Uufreemen, Action, Crafts, Chapmen.) Liberty to sell in Falkirk and Airth, 19. Library of Fraternity of Writers, 145. Library (King Street), 190, 192, 196. Liddall, John, Gild Councillor, 55, 56, 59. Liddell, Finlaw, 4. Lighter for Leith traffic, 91. Linen, 33, 75. Linlithgow standard measure, 90. Bridge, 183. Liiitseed seized at Falkirk, 77. to be sold by measure, 90. Litigation. (See Action.) Litstar, William, 49. Litstare, apprentice to, 70. Litsters as Guildry members, 90. Littlejohn, Alexander, 199, 215. junior, clerk, 194, 203. James, Dean, 255. Livingstone. (See Levingstone.) Loft in kirk. (See Kirk.) Logan, John, called as minister, 80. London, Commissioners go to, 38. John Cowane goes to, 46. - skarlet bought at, 47. merchant traffioers for, 57. tobacco brought from, 73. Catherine Buchanan goes to, 78. Long Act, 79, 98, 121, 230. Causeway Road, 152. Lord Advocate consulted as to statute labour on roads, 106. INDEX. 283 Lord Advocate petitioned to restore burgh, 129, 131, 132. petitioned as to clearing forda, 147, 148. Lords of Erection and Plantation of Kirks, 163. Low, Tliomas, Dean, 259. Lowrie. (See Lawrie.) Lucas, James, writer, 203, 242. • Thomas, surgeon, 158. Lvinatics, pauper, 196. Mabon, Maiben, John, 68. Maiben, William, Dean, 255. Magistrate, defaming, 10. Magistrates and scheme for poor, 121. Mail coach, 156, 170, 173, 180. Maine. (See Mayne.) Malt thirled to town mills, 67, 74. duty on, 75, 82, 83, 92. Maltmen as Guildry members, 90. and Militia Bill, 144. Managers of Burgh, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133. Manes, William, officer, 35. (See Ma3me.) Mann, John, jeweller, Edinburgh, 220. Manor ford, 101. Manufacture in Scotland, trustees for, 97. Mar, John, Karl of, 29. Earl of, 70. Lady, 16. Lord, servitor, entered gratis, 38. Marches, payment in going, 104, perambulation, 145. dinner, 150. dinner given up for relief of poor, 235. Market, sale of skins and hides. (See Hides.) not to be forestalled, 14, 15, 19, 41. standing on the hie gait, 14, 39, 41. regulations for stands, 15, 39. ■ fleshers, 19. time for selling prescribed, 19, 39, 41, 42, 84. in Monteith, 40. wool, 40, 41, 60, 84. yarn, regulated, 41, 72, 97. Cross, 41, 120. visitors to see skins, 42. day changed from Saturday to Friday, 62. tumults at, 71. Market, cutting cloth and buying yarn to be punished, 72. visitors of, abused, 88. duties of visitors defined, 101. meal, barley tax, 103. cattle, at Latter Fair, 132. meal, dues to be printed, 184. taken down, 190, 192. Marriage clothes furnished to Guild brother's daughter, 89. Marshall, Mr., 236. Mary Salamin's Fair, 75. Wynd, 93. port, 93. Master of Cowane's Hospital objected to, 144. Masterton, Colonel, M.P., 116. Mathie, James, 152. John D., clerk, 237, 246, 246. Mayne, James, challenged, 5. Major, 170. Walter, officer, 15. William, officer, 35. Meal Market, barley tax, 103. dues to be printed, 184. Mereate taken down, 190, 192. Measures. (See Weights.) Mechanics refused permission to erect a loft, 84. Incorporation and Cunningham's Mortifi- cation, 207, 239. Medal for Dean, 153, 155, 219, 220. Meetings, brethren to attend, 28. (See Guildry. ) reporters to attend, 240. Melbourne, Lord, 234, 237. Members, new. (See Entrants. ) Menstrie, 42. Menteith, market in, 40. — — William, chapman. Burn of Cambus, 3fi. complaint against, 40. Menzies, Robert, Dean, 260. Mercat. (See Market. ) Mercer, Robert, Dean, 259. Merchandising, committee to consider, 82, 154, 182. conference with Trades, 97, 105, 110. five chapmen desire, 98. community of trade with Trades approved, 103. strangers to be admitted during life, 105, 169, 177, 184, 284 INDEX. Merchandising, conditions set forth, 105, 109 184, 193. to be under fifty, 105. to possess £1000 Soots, 105. to pay £100, 105. to reside eight months, 105. to bear soot and lot, 105. to watch and ward, 105. not to distill spirits, 105. to pay dues on malt, 105. not to vote, 105. not to have benefit of Common Good, 105. to have discount if he enter Guildr3', 105. member of Trades excluded, 105. Trades refuse community with Guildry, 105. arrangement continued for three years, 109. above fifty to be admitted, 109. to possess £50 sterling, 109. to pay £60 Scots, 100. overtures to Trades, 110. wholesale timber and iron merchant admitted, 111. admission for five years. 111, 112, 112, 112. to pay 10/- per annum, lU, 112, 112, 112. admission for life considered, 154. admission for life agreed to, 169. to pay £1 annually, 169. to pay Clerk's and Officer's fees, 169. tailor admitted for life, 172. wife and children excluded, 172. woman admitted for life, 176. woman pays 30/- per annum, 176. bookseller admitted for life, 176. act allowing merchandising rescinded, 176, 178. again allowed, 177. again rescinded, 178. reconsidered, 182. ^ again allowed, 184. to pay £2 annually, 184. firm of women admitted for life, 188. to pay £3 annually, 193. to possess £100 sterling, 193. King's freeman not admitted, 224. Cowane Street traders admitted, 22.J. Bridge Street traders admitted, 225. rates modified, 225. dispute with Cowane Street grocer, 232. Guildry thrown open to non freemen, 239. Merchandising, payments for merchandising discontinued, 239. Burgh Trading Act, 1846, 247. Merchants' loft. (See Kirk.) Merchant and merchant, questions between, 8, 29, 68. Banking Company of Stirling, 178, 179, 180. goods, drugs allowed, 215. Mercury, 109. Military patrol, 177. Militia expenses, 75, 76. Bill objected to, 143. West York in Stirling, 177. local, 224. Mill burgh, 24, 07, 74, 87, 91, 99. lane, 226. Millar, Miller, Andrew, 97. David, Gild Councillor, 60, 61, 66. cautioner, 66. Duncan, baxter, 33. Jean, 89. John, 15.3. Samuel Forrester, Dean, 260. Thomas, Dean, 254. Mills, Guildry thirl themselves to, 91. (See Mill.) Milton, 56. Minute book procured, 3. Mitchell, Alexander, entered, 6. officer, 13. James, Bandeatli, 28. litigant, 97. John, chapman, 46. selling vrool, 60. Patrik, 6. Minister. (See Kirk. ) Moddell, John, Gild Councillor, 36. Moir, David, servitor, 81. Dean, 251. Henry, 159. James, 116, 127, 135, 136, 137. appointed Preses, 127, 254, 255. John, 141, 149, 159. Dean, 254. Robert, complaint against, 40. Money, current, of France, 9. light, 14, 16, 27. usual, of North Britain, 25. INDEX. 285 Monro, Alex., admitted gratis, 98. (See Munro. ) Monteithe, market in, 40. Montrose, Duke of, Provost, 185. Mouxie, 187. Moore, Charles, minister, 100. Morison, P. G., 243, 246. Patrick Graham, Dean, 258, 259. Morrison, James, action as to Cowane's Hos- pital, 133, 134. John, 201, 202, 209. Deau, 258. Mortoloths, 50, 52, 56, 63, 76, 112. rules for, 112. Mortification by John Allan, 90. Mortmain Bill opposed, 119. Mowat, Mouat, Alexander, "43. Alexander, Dean, 258. GeorEje, Dean, 258, 259. Muir, Rev. Charles, called as minister, 87. Muirton, purchase of, 122. Multures, conversion into money, 74, 92. letting of, objected to, 87. Munro, George, 97. (See Monro.) Murehead, William, Gild Councillor, 35, 43, 44, 45, 47. fined for not serving as oflScer, 37. slandered, 44. witness, 45. Murdoch, John, 199. Marion, 7, 18. Murray, Hary, obligation, 12. John, election objected to as non-resident, 184. Dean, 257. Mr., of Touchadam, gives water to town, 120. Patrick, called as minister, 72. Robert, Commissar, 17, 42. Gild Councillor, IS, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26. cautioner, 21. Thomas, Polmaise, 18. William, Polmaise, 18. Musohet, Adam, uses short elwand, 67. Alexander, Dean, 251. Ard., nominated for minister, 71. Bailie, 123. George, Dean, 256. ilusohet, John, called as minister, 110. Rev. John, translated, 132, 161. Musket, 55. Musline, 99. Muster, 46, 85. M'Aulay, Mr., 209. Robert, called aa minister, 84. death, 87. M'Bae's pier at, 1.52. Makcarvour, Gilchrist, chapman, 46. M'Clellane, James, cautiemer, 4. John, stenter, 9. M'CuUoch, John, Dean, 254. M'Doiigall, Mr., writing master, 181, 193, 197. M'Ewan, James, Dean, 257. John, Dean, 258. Macfarlane, Parlane, Dean, 2G0. M'Farlane, Mrs. Angel, sewing mistress, 238. M'Fattoun, Andro, servitor to Lord Mar, 38. M'Gibbon, John, Town Clerk, 161, 166. M'Gowan, John, Dean of Gild, 79, 254. Hill &, writers, 232. M'Gregor, Daniel, 181. llakilroye, Donald, ohajjman, 41. M'Intyre, Alexander, letter carrier, 126. M'Kaile, Hugh, great grand nephew of John Cowane, 95, 117. M'Kay, John, 224. Mackenzie, John, timber and iron merchant, 111. M'Killop, Alexander, Dean, 257. John, 135, 140, 141, 148, 149, 150, 154, 161, 166, 167, 168. Dean, 257. William, 126, 135. Dean, 256, 257. M'Laren, M'Leran, Adam, 172. Bailie, 201. Colin, 136, 137. David, 192, 215. Duncan, Dean, 258. James, 215. Mr., 141, 180, 181. M'Lellan, Malcolm, grocer, 232. M'Lennan, Thomas, 224. Maclum, John, Gild Councillor, 42, offers hides, 44. 286 INDEX. MiGlum, John, to leave country, 47. daughter, 38. M'Nair, John, Gild Counoillor, 42, 60, 60, 61, 63, 66, 66. setting builyione, 60. Dean, 254. M 'Queen, Daniel, second minister, 109. M'Yueine, Duncan, Perth, 16. Nairne, Duncan, Gild Counoillor, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59. to lease King's customs, 57, 60. Dean, 66, 253. Napier, Provost, reports on Cudbert's case, 81. ■ — — lease of house challenged, 84. Navigation. (See River. ) Navy, discharged sailor claims right to trade, 181. Neishe, Walter, Gild Councillor, 5, 7, 7, 9, 19, 20, 22. Nether Hospital, 82, 84, 93. house, 93. New members. (See Entrants.) Newspaper reporters to attend meetings, 240. Niooll, Niccoll, Archibald, fined, 43. — — David, unfreeraan, 59. Hewie, Gild Counoillor, 42, 43, 44, 45. John, complaint, 46, 48, 54, 59. Margaret, sella wines, 59. Night watch agreed on, 167. Nitting, Male, spouse of Alex. Towche, 31. Norie, William, leases pier custom, 30, 35, 36, 39, 41. Northland raid, 2. Norway, timber from, 74. Norwell, George, Gild Counoillor, 1, 10, 13, 30. witness, 3. to inspect armour, 3. extra Town Councillor, 5. stenter, 6, 6, 9, 11, 19, 21, 28. auditor, 12, 14, 16, 17. obligation, 12. Gild Counoillor, 15, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 35, 38, 39. Janet, 10. John, 10, 50, 52. William, Dean, 251. Nyskins, 99. Oath, form of, 17, 104, 169, 239. altered, 104, 239. Guild, merchandisers to take, 105. burgess, merchandisers to take, 105. to be explained, 169. difficulty with, 216. Oatmeal given to Andrew Reid, 77. to be supplied to poor, 162. Obeits, 8. Observer newspaper, 246. Office, to be accepted on election, 143. term of, discussed, 167. Officer chosen, 2, 7, 7, 13, 15, 18, 18. — — poinding, 3. - deforced, 7. fined for evil service, 8. breaking ward, 8. Gild brethren to serve in rotation as, 35. brother fined for not acting as, 37, 68. to be appointed yearly and paid, 71. Latin doctor admitted for service as, 87. provided with clothes and wig, 91. uniform determined, 105, 155. excluded from voting, 129, 148, 162, 163. provided with big coat, 155, town, salary, 223. Oklie. (See weekly.) Onfreemen. (See Unfreemen.) Omne Gadrum to assist in building pier, 20. part of shore silver, 39. Osborn, Ann, 157. Otter skins, 20. Ounce weight, 81. Over Hospital, 70, 74, 76. Oyle, 33. Pack, assistance to begin, 69. Packing and Peeling. (See Oath, Unfreemen.) requires to be explained, 169. Palmer, Mr., 156. Pans, brass, made by Hammerman, 91. Park, rendeivous in, 85. Parliament, Commissioner for, 68. allowance of Commissioner to, 77. Parliamentary reform. (See Reform. ) Partisans for reception to Duke of Albany, 75. Paterson, Alexander, 21. stenter, 28. — Gild Counoillor, 30, 31. INDEX. 287 taterson, Duncan, Dean, 1, 4, 5, 7, 7, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 250. interim Dean, 10. voyage to Flanders, 4, 7. unlawed for wearing bonnet, 9. — ■ Gild Ooimoillor, 9, 13, 27, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42. stenter, 10, 20. accounts, 11, 25, 46. defamed, 23. entered, 32. Provost, 36. — • — Lieutenant Hugh, 148. James, 169. John, accounts, 3. Gild Councillor, 7, 9. admitted gratis, 112. (1819), 201. Dean, 252. Robert, 219. Thomas, 153, 154. William, Master of Cowane's Hospital, 148, 163. 152, 153, 167, 172, 182, 186, 199. Dean, 257. Patonsoun, Duncan, Dean, 251. Patrol, Military, 177. Patronage, abolition of, 143. Pauper Lunatics, 196. Peaxe (Pasc), 2. Pedlars objected to, 153. Peebles' raid, 2. Peel, Sir Robert, 239, 243, 245. Penal laws against Popery, 131. Pension cancelled, 102. Pensioners excluded from voting, 129, 162, 163, 202. (juarterly list to be laid before Gnildry, 141. Pensions to be out down, 88. to be increased, 169, 182. reported, 172, 175. Perle of wine, 54. Perth, burgess of, 16. unfree traders, 72, 73. woman to go to, for eye cure, 83. Synod of, 110, 174. Pier. (SeeSliore.) Pigeon house used as gunpowder magazine, 195. Pike, 55. Pinsells, 44, 46, 49, 51, 56, 63, 75, 242. Piper's fees, 75, 92. Pitt, Right Hon. W., freedom of burgh, 107, 108, 109. address to. 111, 155. freedom of Guildry, 147, 150. Plague at Airth, 23. in Stirling, 25, 26. Plaiding, harden, 33. Playfair, Mr., plan of new bridge, 222. Plenderleith, Rev. David, 110. Ploumedamcs, 33. Poinding, 3, 7, 22. Police, internal, of burghs. Bill proposed, 154. Poll, election of Magistrates and Town Council, 136, 254. Polmaise, 18, 29. laird of, dispute as to Gildry privileges, 80, 84. Poor. (See Pension.) of the Hospital, 21. Committee to inquire into, 93. of Guildry to be relieved, 99, 120. each community to contribute, 102. money distributed, 107, 107, 120, 196. not to_beg from door to door, 110. scheme for, 121. to be supplied with oatmeal, 162, 171. relief of, 172, 222, 235, 240. Popery, penal laws against, 131. Port. (See Shore.) Street, 226, 243. Portmoak, 92. Postman, 126. Post master, 126. Office, complaint as to delivery of letters, 156. mistress, 156. boy, 156, 189. Master General, 156, 170, 189. Office, mail coach proposed, 156, 170, 173. Pots, sellers of, 52. Pouldre for musket, 55. Preachings. (See Kirk.) Preceptor of Cowane's Almhouse, 164. Prentice. (See Apprentice.) James, merchant, 215, 224. 288 INDEJ^. James Dean, 258. John, 224. Robert, 224. Presbytery. (See Kirk.) Preses appointed in place of Dean, 127, 153, 237, 256, 257. Press to attend meetings, 240. Primrose, Hon. Mr., M.P., 199, 200. Prince Albert, visit to Stirling, 240. address to, 241. Prince's baptism, taxation for, 6. Prison. (See Ward. ) Privileges, defence of. (See Liberties, Un- freemen, Action, Crafts, Chapmen.) of Guildry, 207. Privy Council restore burgh, 132. appoint Dean, 254. Prizes for races, 85. Proclamation to Isles, stent for, 28. Procurator Fiscal excluded from voting, 162. Property tax, petition against, 191. Protest, right of, allowed, 98. Provost, allowance to, 72, 89, 99, 103, 104. to preside at Town Council meetings, 132, 139. Public walks to be improved, 19i. Punshone of wine, 54. Purse of silver, prize for race, 85. Qualification for Guildry. (See Entrants.) Town Council, residence, 184, 216. ' — voting, 89. Quarter master excluded from voting, 129. Sessions, 106. Queen Carolina Amelia, address to, 209, 214. Victoria, visit to Stirling, 240. , address to, 241, 242. Queensfei-ry, post to, 170. Qneenshaugh fishing, 173. Races, prizes for, 85. Rae, Mr., English Master, 197, 198. Alexander, Dean, 251. Raid to Peebles, 2. Northland, 2, 6. Railway level crossing. Shore Road, 246. Raisins, 33, 80. Raploch, boring for coal at, 238. Rates, book of, export and import, 38. Ray. (See Rae.) Reading room (King Street), 190, 192. Ready Money, Mr., 135. Recruiting, 129, 130, 161. Rector of Grammar School, 106, 107, 151, 152. Reddie, David, Plumber, 216. Redehuoht, James, Dean, 251. Redpath, Mr., 219. Reel for measuring linen, 75. of yarn, 41. Reform Bill, Parliamentary, 144, 160, 232, 233, 234, 2.35, 235, 237, 238. Burgh, 154, 196, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 206, 208, 232, 237. in Aberdeen, 199, 201. Reid, Andrew, relieved, 77. John, Sabbath breaker, 57. Walter, Dean, 259. Relief, Act of, as to Third Minister, 173, 195. by Town Council, 102. Rendezvous in park, 85. Repeal of penal laws against Popery, 131. Reporters to attend meetings, 240. Reports not to be made from Gild Courts, 58. Residence as a qualification for Town Council, 184, 216. Restoration of Burgh, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 136, 142, 144, 145. Riddell, Archibald, called as minister, 79. Riding of the fair, 35, 75, 87, 91. Ring, Gild, 49, 51, 56, 81, 220. Gold for chapmen, 104, 105, 109, 110, 171, 194, 216. to be tilted for at fair, 85. River, clearing of fords, 8, 9, 90, 101, 146,'148, 152, 223, 232. feuing lands at shore, 99. importing goods at shore, 97. landing goods between Stirling and Alloa, 104, 104. — — leak in ship, 47. Ruthery Pow declared a landing place, 104. shore causeway, 85. dues, 20, 30, 35, 36, 36, 39, 39, 41. repair of, 8, 20, 25, 152. traffic lighter for, 91. Road Bill considered, 127, 129. Roads, statute labour on, 106. turnpike, contribution to repair of, 107, INDEX. 289 Eob, John, blacksmith, 135. Eobb, James, Hammerman, prosecuted, 91. Dean, 259. Robertson, Robeson, Robison, Robieson, James, cautioner, 66. James, unlawed, 11, 40. donation, 21. stenter, 21. ofBoer, 22. fined for contempt of Dean, 24. Gild Councillor, 26, 27, 28, 32, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 42, 48. Younger, Gild Councillor, 48, 49, 50, 52, 53. Auditor, 50. stenter, 52. tacksman, 217. John, entered gratis, 33. Gild Councillor, 59, 60, 61, 63, 66, 66. Robert, packing with unfreemen, 15. officer, 24. slanderer, 31. William, Dean, 258. Rod, white, to be carried, 240. Roman Catholic emancipation, 181. Roseberry, Earl, 239. Rosettes for Queen Victoria's visit, 242. of green and gold worn, 240. Ruinous tenements enumerated, 93. Runciman, Alexander, Dean, 257. Dr., 246, 246. John, Dean, 258. Mr., 153, 155. Russell, Christopher, stenter, 52. Gild Councillor, 53, 53, 55, 59, 66. witness, 66. Bailie, 79. Dean, 254. James, Dean, 74, 254, 255. Bailie, 87. John, cautioner, 24. Gild Councillor, 24. witness, 45. merchant, 49. Lord John, 233. Rev. John (Black Russell), translated, 171. death, 194. Marion, selling staple wares, 25, Russell, Provost Robert, 76. Ruthery Pow declared a landing place, 104. Sabbath, 37, 38, 43, 56, 57, 57. breakers fined, 57, 57. travelling on, prohibited, 56. Sacraments proposed to be on one day, 143. Saddler prosecuted, 189. Saipe, 33. Salamin, Mary, fair, 75. Salisbury, Earl of, 136. Salmon. (See Fishings.) Sandeman, John, Grangemouth, 157. Sandis, Andrew, officer, 20. Gild Councillor, 28, 30, 31, 37, 39, 47, 48, 48, 49, 49, 50, 53. complaint, 47. John, fined, 52. Sandwich, Earl of, 136. Saracen Head Inn, 226, 236. Sawers, John, 243, 246, 246. Dean, 258. Scales. (See Weigh.) Scarlet, 47. Scheme for importing grain, 175. Scheirar, Soherar, Shearer, Sherar, Johne, Gild Councillor, 1, 5, 7, 7, 9, 10. to inspect armour, 2. witness, 3. obligation, 12. stenter, 6, 10. additional Gild Councillor, 22. unlawed for injurious words, 23. Dean of Gild, 32, 35, 36, 39, 50, 51, 250, 251. Commissioner to Dunbar, 33. Dean, violence to, 34. Gild Councillor, 47, 48, 48, 52, 53, 53, 55, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59. auditor, 50. to deliver key, 59. Robert, 151. Robert Stewart, Dean, 259. William, Gild Councillor, 32, 36, 36, 38, 39. Scholars. (See School. ) School. Scholars' loft in kirk, 84. John Donaldson, Latin doctor, 87, Magnus Walker, doctor, 89. master's salary, 92. 290 INDEX. School writing master oomplained of for selling pens and ink, 98. fees fixed, 100. mistress fees fixed, 100. Mr. Sloass, writing master, 100. • established, Guildry children to be put to, 106. rectorship vacant, 106, 107. wages raised, 106. new, proposed, 146, 147, 151. masters excluded from voting, 148, 163. loft, 157. of Guildry scholars changed, 158. Mr. Douglas, 158. Mr. James Easson, 158. Guildry scholars' fees fixed, 159. assistant to Mr. M'Dougall, writing master, 181. to Mr. M'Leran, English master, 181. Lancastrian approved, 186. regulations for Guildry scholars, 188. English, 189. writing, 189. books for Guildry scholars, 193. Mr. Jameson, English master, 197, 198. Mr. Rae, English master, 197, 198. Mr. M'Dougall, writing master, 197. Mrs. Bayne, sewing mistress, 197. Mrs. Sutherland, sewing mistress, 197. report on education of Guildry scholars, 197. action against John Weir, teacher, 221, 222. conduct of Cunningham's Mortification children, 222. master's salary charged to Cunningham's Mortification, 223. Guildry scholars to be necessitous, 225. sewing mistress for Guildry scholars, 238. Schort, Short, Alexander, apprentice, 26. Alexander, slanderer, 31. fined, 40. to cease from selling wool, 41. prentice, 42. cautioner for Walter Cowane, 45. son-in-law, entered, 54. merchant, 95. Elizabeth, 95. -. James, Gild Councillor, 1, 5, 7. Sohort, James, to inspect armour, 2, 3. accounts, 3, 16. stenter, 5, 6, 20. interim Dean, 5, 7. plea with crafts, 13, 29. Dean, 15, 18, 18, 19, 27, 250. slandered, 16. auditor, 17. absent, 17. extra Gild Councillor, 24. — Bailie, 26. Gild Councillor, 26, 32, 35, 36, 39, 42, 42, 43, 44, 45. has apprentice, 42. umquhile, 55. admitted, 62. Gild Councillor, 63, 66. entered, 74. John, entered, 55. Gild Councillor, 55. Provost, 74. William, baxter, 26. Sconce, Mr., 180, 181. Margaret, 158. Robert, billet master, 148, 158, 169. Scots bonnets, unlaw for wearing, 9. Scotsman newspaper, 209, 246. Scottis wares, 33. Scottish Central Railway, 246. Seamoirs, 76. Second Minister. (See Kirk.) Secrets of the breither, 4, 58. Seition, Christopher, 5, 8. Seitoue, James, of Tullibody, 17. Seitoun, Robert, Gild Councillor, 20, 22, 24, 26. cautioner, 21. Serge, quality of, action as to, 89. for church loft, 92. not to be bought and sold by weavers, 101. covers for seats in Hospital hall, 103. Set of Burgh, 129, 132, 137, 141, 148, 154, 196, 199, 200, 201, 202, 203, 206, 208, 232, 237. Seven Incorporated Trades. (See Crafts. ) to elect five Councillors in troublous times, 5. plea with, 12, 13, 13, 14, 16, 17, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36. to share expenses of plague, 26, INDEX. 291 Seven Incorporated Trades submit dispute to Earl of Mar, 29. decree against, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117,215. litigation, Alexander Cudbeit, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117, 215. to have oomraunioation of trade with Guildry, 94, 103. conference with, 97. excluded from merchandising, 101, 105. to be allowed to merchandise on payment, 103. merchandising reconsidered, 110, seek to reduce purchase of Corntoun, 114. water scheme, 119, 120. Spittal's Hospital, 120, 121. new set of burgh, 129, 132. repeal of Popery laws, 131. contribute to burgh restora- tion, 142, 144, 145. Militia Bill, 144. new schools, 146. alterations of Town House, 151. salmon fishings, 166. meal for the poor, 171. give pigeon house for gun- powder magazine, 195. set of Burgh, 204, 206. meet Queen Victoria, 243. Sewing mistress, 100, 197, 238. Shaw, William, Whinwell, 122. Sheep skins. (See Hides.) Shearer. (See Scheirar.) Sheriff appointed by Court of Session to act as Dean, 127. Clerk, 21. Sheriffmuirlands, 111. Ship, leak in, 47. Shoes, importation of, forbidden, 69. Shoirgaits, 20. Shops. (See Booths. ) fore, unfreemen forbidden to take, 84. tax on objected to, 193. Shore. (See River. ) causeway, 85. creek for landing goods between Stirling and Alloa, 104, 104. Shore dues, 20, 30, 35, 36, 36, 39, 39, 41. feuing lands at, 99. importing goods at, 97. proposed warehouse at, 104. repair of, 8, 20, 25, 152. Road level crossing objected to, 246. Short. (See Schort.) Sim, John, advocate, Aberdeen, 201. Sinolare, John, Bailie, 1. Gild Councillor, 15, 18. accounts, 17. Skarlet, 47. Skinners, visitor of, 42. admitted on refraining from craft, 47. action against Gildry, 77, 78. Alexander Cudbert, glover, 80, 81; 98, 101, 117, 215. privileges bought up, 83, 83, 101. complaint against cordiners, 87. house repaired, 91. encroaching on Guildry privileges, 101. house rebuilding, 111, 112. rent of Skinners' mailing, 160. numbers of in 1820, 204. mailing, conveyance of, 233. swear to maintain communication to Guildry, 233. Skins. (See Hides. ) Slandering. (See Defaming.) Slave trade, petition for abolition, 159, 160. Smart, John, appointed Clerk, 60. Smeitton, John, litstare, 70. Smith, Alexander, 173, 194. Bailie, 240. Hugh, admitted, 118. Master of Allan's Hospital, 148. John, coachman, 135. Robert, Dean, 237, 258. Walter, 219. William, seller of shoes, 69. Smuggling forbidden, 99. Smythe, Philipe, Englishman, 47. Snowballing Walter Cowane, 45. Soap, 33. Society for abolition of slave trade, 169. Soldiers, old, setting up in business, 151. privileges to be inquired into, 157. billeting of, 169. Solicitor General for England reports on Burgh restoration, 131. 292 INDEX. Somerville, Rev. James, called as minister, 156. translated to first charge, 161. Soup kitchen, 240. South fields, cattle market, 132. Spence, Thomas, pensioner, 206. Spirits, burgess not to distill, 105. Spittal, Archibald, Dean, 251. George, stenter, 2, 6, 10, 11. ■ auditor, 7. Spittal's Hospital park, 120, 121. contribute to cost of Burgh restora- tion, 142, 145. master excluded from voting, 148. funds, mismanagement, 213. Spottiswood, Mr., solicitor, London, 131. StaflF, white, to be carried, 240. Stalfe for musket, 55. Stamp office wanted at Edinburgh, 171. Standard. (See Weight.) borne at fair, 75. Standing on the gait, 14, 38, 39. Stands. (See Booths.) 15, 38, 39. Staple goods — goods arrested to be delivered to Dean, 3. in chapmen's hands, 3, 41, 47, 77, 84. uufreeman fined for possessing, 11, 40, 41, 80. Perth burgess sells in Stirling, 16. Leith man and woman fined for selling, 25. list of staple wares, 33, 41, 80, 99. Burn of Oambus chapmen challenged, 46. Englishman in Canongate challenged, 47. exported staple goods to go to Dort, 73. chapmen's chambers searched for, 77. glover challenged for selling, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117, 215. chapmen not to sell except on fair days, 84. Staple port at Dort, 73. Star Inn, 226. Statute labour on roads, 106, 127. Staves for Queen Victoria's visit, 242. Steel, Adam, Dean, 258. Jolm, Dean, 260. Robert, 243. Thomas, Dean, 258. Steelyard for coals wanted, 180. Steeple of Tolbooth rebuilding, 82. (King Street), 190, 192. Stent for Peebles raid, 2. Northland raid, 2, 6. Tolbooth, 5, 6. prince's baptism, 6. redding Abbey ford and building pier, 8, 9. the oalsay, 10. ambassadors, 11. defence of liberties, 12, 14, 30. — — one hundred thousand merks, 17. stranger cloth makers, 18. pursuit of liberty of Falkirk and Airth, 19. building pier, 20, 23. corslets, 21. Commissioners to England, 22. pier, 23. roll, 25. King's Taxation, 26, 27, 28. plague, 26. help of Dumbarton, 27. proclamation to the Isles, 28. mill of Cambusbarron, 31. commissioners going to London, 38. on the sale of tobacco, 52, 55. the King's customs, 55. poor, 82. Stenters, defaming the, 21. Stenting old soldiers, 151. Stevenson, Stevinsone, Stewinsone, Alexander, 35. Bailie, 116. David, Gild Councillor, 35, 36, 36, .37, 38, 39, 46. — dispute as to rent of booth, 35. Dean of Gild, 48, 52, 53, 55, 233. James, Gild Councillor, 66, 66. Provost, 72. Dean, 253, 254, 256. John, Gild Councillor, 55, 55, 56, 58, 59. process against magistrates, 123. Dean, 254. Patrick, Dean, 256, 256. junior. Dean, 256. Robert, setting builyione, 60. Gild Councillor, 60, 60, 61. Treasurer, 60, 61. cautioner, 70. Stewart, Alexander, sergeant in the castle, 73. 189. John, stenter, 28. INDEX. 293 Stewart, John, Gild Councillor, 36, 36. William, house repaired, 50. Stipend Ministers'. (See Kirk). Stirling Banking Company, 171, 178. Sir Archibald, of Keir, 49. Walter, 40. Stone weight, brazen, 51, 56. Stormont, Viscount, 136. Straits Trading Coy. , Gildry subscribe to, 79. Strangers. (See Entrants). Street, new. (See Bridge). St. Andrews, 36, 80. cross on handsenzie, 51. St. Mary's Wynd, 243. St. Ninians Kirk, 80, 85. Sugar, SO. Sunday. (See Sabbath). Superiorities, proposed sale of challenged, 115, 117, 118, 120. Support of Margret Irving, with bairn, 18. . — - Marion Murdoche, 18. Thomas Forester to pass of the country, 19. Surgeon admitted, 215. Surgeons, 90. Sutherland, John, 163. Dean, 257. Mr., 181. Mrs., sewing mistress, 197. Sword, each gild brother to possess, 55. produced, 4. Christie, 3. Malcolm, 47. Gild Councillor, 57, 58, 59. Patrick, Gild Councillor, 43, 46, 48, 48, 49, 49, 50, 52, 53, 53, 55, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 59. arbiter, 53. Syme, Mr., 153. Sympsoun, Matthias, minister, 68, 71. Patrick, minister, entered gratis, 24. wairdit in castle, 27. Synod of Perth and Stirling, 93, 103, 110, 174. Tack of King's customs, 57. Tailors not to sell cloth, ftc, 101. loft in West Church, 177. threatened with interdict, 235. Tax on shops objected to, 193. Taxation. (See Stent.) Taylor, George, Dean, 258. Taylor, James, haberdasher, Glasgow, 221. Taylortoun, 61. Tea, 99. Telford, Mr., 170. ■ plan of new bridge, 222. Convener, 212. Test taken by Gildry, 76. Theatrical exhibitions, 127. Third Minister. (See Kirk.) Thomei, arbiter, 53. Thomson, Andro, packing with unfreeman, 15. slandering Dean, 16. officer, 18, 18. fined, 20, 44. Bailie, 171. James, junior. Dean, 257. senior. Dean, 257. John, Dean, 257. Mary, to merchandise, 176. Provost, 90. 223. Thorburn William, extraordinary auditor, 212, 219. Dean, 258. Thoroughtare, uew. (See Bridge.) Throsk, 176. Thursday preachings, 3. Timber merchant allowed to merchandise. 111. Tobacco, stent on the sale of, 52, 55. import on, 52, 61. tacksmen of, 53. • list of sellers to be made up, 61. sergeant in Castle sells, 73. Tods' skins, 20. Tolbooth, 5, 6, 50, 82, 86, 151. • steeple, rebuilding, 82 Touch, Thomas, officer, 18. cautioner, 30;' Towche, Alex., wife slandered, 31. laird of, 8. Tower, James, 126, 128. Town Clerk, 21, 37, 76, 103, 161, 162, 191, 203, 233, 2J0. • entered gratis, 37. administers Test, 76. excluded from voting, 1 S2. Council, Set. (See Set.) reform. (See Reform.) 594 INDEX. Town Council, additional members appointed in troublous times, 5. to be assisted in building pier, 20. Burgh Mills, 24. to take customs, foreign excise, 82. lease to ProvostNapierchallenged,84. sell Bridgehaugh, &c., to Cowane's Hospital, 85. House, new, 86. to purchase tenement for Guildry , 88. method of election objected to, 95. management of Common Good, 99. Act of Relief, 102. resist statute labour on roads, 106, 127. and purchase of Corntoun, 115. Mortmain Bill, 119. disenfranchised, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 136, 142, 144, 145. meetings, Provost to preside, 132, 139. poll election of, 136. restored, 136. election under new set, 141, 143, 148. election, proposal to exclude Coun oillors from voting, 143. consider erection of new schools, 147. regulate mode of entering burgesses, 156. challenge Parliamentary election, 158. asked to provide steelyard for coals, 180. residence as a qualification for, 184, 216. Third Minister, 173, 195. Sale of Burgh Mill lands, 208. meet Queen Victoria, 243. — — shore road level crossing, 246. Town ford, 101. Guard, 130, 135. House, 5, 6, 50, 82, 86, 151. lands to be measured, 37. Trades. (See Seven Incorporated Trades.) loft in Kirk, 75. action against, 81. Traquair, Mr., surveyor, 226. Treasurer elected, 60. - salary fixed, 101. Treasurer excluded from voting, 163. Triangle and boards for weighing, 91. Tron wecht, 58. Troyes wecht, 58. Trustees for improving manufacture in Scot- land, 97. Tullibody, 17. bridge. 111. Turnbull, John, bookseller, 180, 181. Turnpike roads, 107, 127. Tyken, 99. Tyleit stands, 15, 38, 39. Unemployed, work for, 202. Unfreemen — cordiner challenged, 1 , 2, 14. Alloa cordiners, 1, 14. sale of skins to or by forbidden, 1, 2, 4, 14, 19, 20, 32, 44, 47, 77, 78, 87, 101. chapmen challenged, 3, 41, 46, 77, 101. traflBcking with, forbidden, 3, 5, 7, 15, 15, 17, 19, 20, 44, 68, 101. secrets not to be revealed to, 4, 58. allowed to use wey balk, 6. trafficking by, forbidden, 11, 12, 16, 25, 36, 41, 41, 59, 72, 73, 74, 77, 80, 87, 91, 101, 157, 180, 187, 189, 215, 221. plea with crafts, 12, 13, 13, 14, 16, 17, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36. Perth burgess fined, 16. sale of skins to Edinburgh men challenged, 20. Leith woman fined, 25. deacon of hammermen of West Port chal- lenged, 32. Edinburgh bui'gess challenged, 36. selling wool oflf market day, 41. Englishman in Canongate challenged, 47. woman selling wine, 59. cutting cloth on market day, 72. buying yarn on market day, 72. traders in Doune and Dunblane objected to, 72, 73. sergeant in Castle selling tobacco, 73. timber arrested at Bo'ness, 74. Falkirk, trading at, objected to, 74, 77. lintseed seized at Falkirk, 77. litigation with skinners as to sale of skins, 77, 78. INDEX. 295 Unfreemen — encroachment by John Jack at St Ninians Kirk, 80. litigation with Alexander Cudbert, glover, 80, 81, 98, 101, 117, 215. litigation with laird of Polmaise, 80, 85. Brocksbrae fair objected to, 85. St. Ninians Kirk fair to be interrupted, 85. gloveis' encroachments, 87. cordiners' encroachments, 87. hammermen prosecuted for selling brass pans, 91. Seven Incorporated Trades not to enoroaeh, 98. Weavers not to sell serges, 101. tailors not to sell cloth, thread, &o, 101. hawkers not to sell in houses and taverns, 101. young men not to trade before entering, 142. shop keeper prosecuted, 157. soldiers' privileges to be inquired into, 157. sellers of books by auction prosecuted, 180, 181. discharged naval man prosecuted, 181. shops not to be opened before entry, 181. Jacob Cohen prosecuted for selling hats, 187. contraveners to bo taken before magistrate, 187. saddler selling ropes and twine, 189. drummer and bellman not to call auction sales of, 193 litigation with, 215, 221, Cupar Fife, dispute in, 215, 222. partner of unfreeman admitted, 216. Glasgow haberdasher prosecuted, 221. schoolmaster prosecuted for selling books to scholars, 221. hatters objected to, 222. fourteen persons reported on, 223. King's freemen objected to, 224. Cowane Street unfree traders, 225, 232. grocers threatened with interdict, 235. tailor threatened with interdict, 235. non-freemen allowed to carry on business, 239. Burgh Trading Act, 1846, 247. Union Canal, 189. Upper Bridge Street, 243. Ure, Alexander, minister, 78, Donald, booth broken into, 27. John, 37. Marione, selling wine, 37. Urquhart, James, Dean, 255. Vallaoe. (See Wallace.) Vatsone. (See Watson.) Velvet cushion for Dean's seat in church, 146. Venturers, 44. Victoria, Queen, visits Stirling, 240. address to, 241, 242. Victual brought to shore, 20. Villisone. (See Willisone.) Vilyeamsone (See Williamson.) Vinager, 33. Violence to the Dean, 34. Visitors. (See Market.) Volunteer claims right to merchandise, 224. Volunteers, payment to, 129, 130, 161. thanked for quelling riot, 170. Voting, no one to vote not residing eight months in year, 89. officers and others excluded, 129, 148, 162, 163, 202. pensioners excluded, 129, 162, 163, 202. Vresbout, James, rent of booth, 35. Waddell, John, 47. Walker, James, bookseller, 180, 181. Magniia, doctor of Grajnmar School, 89. Peter, Dean, 258. Walking in fields during preaching prohibited, 38. Walks, public, to be improved, 194. Wallace, Andrew, Dean of Guild, 108, 256. • 156, 161. Bailie, 129. James, entered, 10. Clerk, 11, 18, 22, 24. obligation, 12. to collect shore dues, 20. officer, 20. unlawed for injurious words, 23. defaming Dean, 27. relieved of stent for services as clerk, 28, 296 INDEX. Wallace, James, commits violence to the Dean, 34. goes to Daiiakin, 42. Dean, 255. — — John, 10. Wapinshaw. (See Muster, Armour). War with France, 168. Ward, breaking of, 8. Watch night agreed on, 167. ^ater gate at Cambuskenneth, 77. for hurgh, scheme approved, 114, 119, 120, 140, 163, 178. scheme, levy on new Guild brothers for, 127, 151, 158, 163. — • — manager excluded from voting, 163. Watson, Archibald, 224. — — Duncan, commissioner, 72, 73, 74. younger, Dean, 74, 254. extraordinary auditor, 79. elder. Dean, 254. James, to inspect armour, 2. extra Town Councillor, 5, stenter, 2, 6. Dean, 251. John, Leith, 25. 224. Robert, Sabbath breaker, 57. fined, 58. — — Thomas, stenter, 6, 11. • obligation, 12. Wax and wine, on entry, 21, 68. meale received from chapmen, 41, 72. Weavers, action against, 89. Guildry petition for an Act as to yarn, 97. accused of merchandising, 97, 101. Weekly pence to be gathered, 7. W^eems, 79. Weigh balk, 6, 49, 56, 75. baulk, new, fine, to be procured, 89. large iron, to be procured, 90. house, 45, 173, 184. beams to be procured, 221. Weighing machine for coals wanted, 180. — — triangle and boards for, 91. brazen stone, 51, 56. trone, 58. troyes, 58. Weights to be tried, 24. ■ standards to be provided, 71. —. — to be procured from Holland, 75, Weights, Lanark, to be procured, 81. false, proceedings, 88. to be adjusted in Edinburgh, 89. to be provided, 91. and measures, different, used, 94. to be kept in Cowane's Hospital, 98. — — and measures. Dean's powers to be reported on, 220. Weir, James, fishing tacksman, 165, 166, 168. Dean, 258. John, teacher, action against, 221, 222. Wellington, Duke of, 238. Wells, repair of, 151. West Indies, allowance to send child to, 135. York militia in Stirling, 177. Weybalk. (See Weigh.) Wheat importation of, 225. Whinwell, 122. Whitburn, 156. Whitehead, Margaret, assisted, 83. Widow helped by Guildry, 86., to be relieved, 71. relief out of Cowane's Hospital objected to, 86. Wife of Gild brother paying weekly pence, 7. — — to receive snpport, 18. blaspheming the stenters, 21. Wig for ofiScer, 91. Wigmakers as Guildry members, 90. Wilberforce, Mr., thanked, 159, 160. William, King, death of, 83, Williameson, George, challenged, 4. Williamson, John, Sheriff Clerk and Town Clerk, 21. Town Clerk, entered gratis, 37. Willisone, Johne, 2. Malcolm, 2. Willoughby, Lord, 243. Wilson, Robert, Deacon of Hammermen, 32. Winchester, quarter of wheat, 225. Wine as unlaw, 9. shore dues on, 20. and wax, on entry, 21. selling, 37, 59. dispute as to, 54. as staple goods, 80. Wingate, Alexander, 135, 140, 148. Andrew, to merchandise, 112. Robert, Dean, 255. INDEX. 297 Wingzet, William, Sabbath breaker, 57. Women, disorderly, to be confined, 168. Woodrow, Rev. Robert, called as minister, 87. Wool, buying and selling, 40, 41, 60, 84. merchants allowed to sell on market and fair days, 84. Woolspinner in Dunblane, 224. Wordie, Bailie, assisted in law suits, 86. Wre. (See Ure.) Wright, Alexander, 146, 149, 166. Andrew, admonished, 88. John, 109, 145. Peter, appointed clerk, 203. Provost, 199, 203. William, Bean, 243, 246, 256, 258. Wrights as Guildry members, 90. Writers as Guildry members, 90. Fraternity of, 145. Writing master complained against for selling pens and ink, 98. master, assistant appointed, 181. Writs of Guildry, 44, 49, 51, 63, 74, 98, 117, 233. Yard measure, brass, 106. Yarn, 41, 72, 97. York Place, 226. West Militia in Stirling, 177. Yorkshire cloth, 33. Young, Agnes, allowed to merchandise, 188. Alexander, apprentice, 62, 63. Gild Councillor, 63, 66, 66. Andro, Gild Councillor, 39, 39, 42, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 48. James, 140. Dean, 257. John, dyer, 135. Provost, 153, 154. Robert, Gild Councillor, 49, 50, 53, 59. arbiter, 53. Sabbath breaker, 57. Dean, 63, 66, 251. Bailie, 166. Thomas, stenter, 11, 18, 21. obligation, 12. _ plea with crafts, 13. Gild Councillor, 15, 18. to depone, 15. Zoung. (See Young.) 22 Printed at the Sentinel Office, — 9 Barnton Street, Stirling. —