Publications of the Scottish History Society, Vol. 36
by
Sir John Lauder
Part 6 out of 9
[601] The Advocates objected to an article fixing their fees in the
Regulations for the Court of Session, drawn up by a Commission and
ratified by the king. Sinclair, Dean of Faculty, expecting
preferment, instead of championing the bar, was the first to swear
to the Regulations. The Advocates withdrew from practice for two
months, and never forgave the Dean. See p. 222.
[602] A participle coined on the same principle as the modern
'boycotted.' The point of the comparison with the hero of Butler's
satire is not obvious. It seems to mean simply 'made a fool of.'
[603] Took with it, _i. e_. acknowledged it. The expression is
still common in the north-east of Scotland.
In the beginning of May this year died Mr. James Wemes, Advocat, brother to
the Laird of Lathoker.
On the 28 of June 1671 was Sir Thomas Wallace receaved ane Ordinar Lord in
the place vacand throw the promotion of my Lord Stair to be President.
On the 13 of July 1671 died Sir John Home of Renton, Justice Clerk. He was
indeid advanced by Lauderdale, and for his sake componed the more easily
with Sir Robert Murray;[604] yet Lauderdale his kindnes relented much on
this occasion. In _anno_ 1664, being minded to bring in my Lord Tueddale to
be Chancelor, St. Androis entrefaired. Glasgow, thinking he should have a
hand in it as weill as his brother the Primate, he enters in termes with my
Lord Renton. Its commoned[605] that Sir Alex'r may marry the Archbischop's
daughter, who was afterward Ladie Elphinstone, and that he at London may
propose Renton to be Chancelor. My Lord Lauderdale was hudgely dissatisfied
with that, yet having calmed, he told him Renton had not the fortune able
to bear out the rank of a Chancelor. Burnet replied, Renton had a better
fortune then ever Chancelor Hay[606] had. Lauderdale could never be pleased
with him therafter for offering to aspire so hy. He was also at another
disadvantage, my Lord Hume offered to compromit the difference betuen them
to my Lord Lauderdale. Renton shifted it. He was a most peremptor man to
his inferiors or aequalls, but a slavish fearer of any whom he supposed to
be great at Court, on whom he most obsequiously fauned.
[604] Murray was his predecessor. Apparently there was a bargain for
his retirement.
[605] Agreed.
[606] Sir George Hay of Nethercliff, Lord of Session, Chancellor,
1622-1635, Lord Kinnoul.
In the end of July, vid. the 27 day theirof, Mr. Alexander Suinton, one of
the under clerks of Session, dimitted his place, and was admitted ane
advocat _per saltum_ upon a bill. Adam Chrystie, reader of the Minut Book,
succeided instantly in his place of clerk. That same day died Mr. Archibald
Campbell, Advocat, sone to the Shireff of Argile.
About the last of July 1671 came Collonell Lockhart from London, and
brought doune a patent with him in favors of his father Lee to be Justice
Clerk in place of Renton: he being an old man, and not supposed he can
enjoy it long, its talked it is for the behoof of some on or other of his
children, but especially the Collonells selfe. This was our Donna
Olimpias[607] doing.
[607] Duchess of Lauderdale.
On the 14 day of August 1671 died Sir John Gilmor, late President, in his
house of Craigmiller, and was buried the 24 day theirof in Liberton Kirk.
In the beginning of September died my Lord Bellenden, sometime Thesaurer
depute at London.
On the 1 of October 1671 died Alexander,[608] Lord Halkerton, at his oune
house, of the age of 77. He entered to his place in Session by simony, or
rather _committendo crimen ambitus_, for he payed to my Lord Balmanno 7000
merks (a great soume at that tyme when their salaries ware small), to dimit
in his favors, and by my Lord Traquaires moyen, then Threasurer whosse
creature he was, he got the dimission to be accepted by his Majesty. This
was about the 1643. I shall not say of him, as was said of Pope Hildebrand
_alias_ Gregory the 7th, _Intravit ut vulpes, regnavit ut Leo, mortuus est
ut canis_. Only this I shall say, wheir places of justice are bought, whow
can it be otherwayes but justice will be sold. The family is said to be
pretty old, and both their name and stile to be taken from the charge they
had at the tyme our Kings of Scotland resided in the Mernes, whosse
falconers they ware, and their village was hence called the Haukerstoune.
They say my Lord Arbuthnet was at that tyme King's porter, and that he hes
a peice of land yet designed Porterstoune; and that some other their was
landresse, and so had a village called Waschingtoune.
[608] Falconer.
On the 15 of October 1671 died Mr. William Douglas, Advocat, or rather the
poet, since in that he most excelled.
In the end of the preceiding summer Session Adam Cunyghame, sone in law to
James Wallace, Maisser, was received conjunctly to the office of maisserie
with the said James, conforme to ane gift of the said place to them both
conjunctly and to the longest liver of them tua.
Arthur Forbes, having some clame upon the estate of Salton, and pershuing
the Laird of Philorth, now Lord Salton, he was very rigorously and
partially handled by my Lord Newbayth,[609] who heard the cause. It being
againe enrolled in the beginning of November, and my Lord Newbayth falling
to be ordinar in the Utter house, Arthur, out of a just resentiment of the
past wrong and fear of his future carriage, come to my Lords chamber and
boasted (as my Lord Newbayth sayes) in thir words, If you call that action
of Philorth against me I vow to God I'le sie the best blood in your body.
Newbayth having complained, and Arthur being theiron incarcerat and
examined, denied he spoke any such words, and declared he only said, My
Lord, if you continue to do me wrong (as you have done already, as appears
because the Lords redrest me) I'le have the sentiment of the haill 14
Lords on it; and if that be denied, I'le complain to the King. After he had
lyen some 4 or 5 dayes in prison he was set at freedome, having first
acknowledged a wrong and craved my Lord Newbayth pardon in presence of the
haill Lords and Advocats on the 10 of November. Before he did it the
President had a short discourse whow the gentlemans carriage had bein
modest thitherto, and my Lord Newbayth was earnest intercessor for him, and
theirfor they resolved not to make him the first exemple; but they assured
all, of whatsoever rank or quality they be, that they will not tolerat any
to expostulat with them or to give them hard or sharp words in their oune
chambers or any wheir, and that they will not suffer their authority, which
they hold of his Majesty, and to whom they are answerable if they malverse,
to be convelled,[610] but what sanctions their are already to that purpose
they will endevor to sie them peremptorly keipt and execute. Vide Act 68,
Parliament 1537; Act 104, Parliament 1540; Act 173, Parliament 1593; Act 4,
Parliament 1600; and this is consonant to the Common law by which the
killing of one of the Kings great consistory is declared treason, and if so
then the menacing of them must be a haynous crime. Vide L. 5, C. Ad 1.
Juliam Majestatis: item Clarum[611] par. laesae Maj. num. 5, item
Perezium[612] ad T. c. de L. 3, Majest. num. 3.
[609] Sir John Baird of Newbyth, still pronounced Newbayth.
[610] Torn to pieces.
[611] Clarus, Ant. Sylv., _Commentarius ad Leges_, etc. Paris, 1603.
[612] Perez, Antonio, Spanish Jurist, 1583-1678.
On the 17 of November 1671, Mr. William Bailzie, Advocat, gave in a
complaint on J. Watson of Lammyletham for having abused him, and called him
a base rascall and threatning to draw on him. My Lord Newbayth being
appointed to examine the witnesses, and having reported the Lords, called
him and Mr. William in alone, rebuked him, and commanded him to cary him
selfe more soberly in tyme coming.
On the 23 of November 1671, Sir Androw Ramsay of Abbotshall, Lord Provest
of Edinburgh for the 10't year altogither, was received ane ordinar Lord of
the Session upon his Majestys letter to that effect, in the place vaicand
throw the deceas of Alexander Lord Halkerton, who possest that place of
before.
I find in the records of Sederunt about the year 1553 and afterward on Sir
William Hamilton[613] of Sanquhar Hamilton a Lord and provest of Edinburgh
both at once. I find also that Chancelor Seyton[614] for some years that he
was President Fyvie and some years that he was Chancelor (for he was 10
years altogither provest) was also Provest of Edinburgh; but that was at a
tyme when the Senators of the Colledge of Justice grasped at the haill
power of the toune upon their delinquency and uproar of the 17 of December
1596, for he entred at that tyme when the toune was at their feet, and when
they had the approbation and reprobation of the toune their yearly
election, but whow soon the toune begane to recover strenth and the memory
of that foull slip waxed old they hoised him out; and for fear of the like
inconveniency, and to bolt the door theirafter, they procured ane Act of
Parliament _in Anno_ 1609 (Vid. the 8't Act), declaring that no man shall
in tyme coming be capable of provestrie or magistracy but merchants and
actuall traffiquers duelling within burgh. Its true Sir John Hay (who was
at first toun Clerk of Edinburgh) when he was Clerk Register and a Lord of
the Session, he was made Provest of Edinburgh, but it was not put upon him
out of any favor, but was done by Traquaire, then Tresaurer, of designe to
break him: so that none of thesse instances quadrat with our case; heir a
merchant, one who entred _cum bona gratia_, and who hes maintained himselfe
by his oune parts and moyen in that office by the space of 10 years
altogether, on who toped with the Colledge of Justice for the precedency
and carried it from them, and who feared not to make open war with the
greatest of them; he as the only single instance is made a Lord of the
Session.[615]
[613] Lord of Session (Sanquhar), 1546-61; Provost, 1554.
[614] Alexander Seton, Extraordinary Lord of Session, 1586, Ordinary,
1588, President, 1593, Chancellor, 1605-22, under the successive
titles of Prior of Pluscardine, Lord Urquhart, Lord Fyvie, and
Earl of Dunfermline.
[615] See Appendix III.
On the 14 of December 1671, Richard Maitland of Pitreichy was received ane
ordinar Lord in the place vaicand throw the advancement of my Lord Lee to
be Justice Clerk upon his Majesties letters to that purpose.
On the 5 of January 1672 died Sir John Scougall of Whytkirk, and was buried
in the Grayfriers on the 7 day of January theirafter in great pomp, his
goune being carried before the herse.
On the 4 of March 1672 was Mr. Robert Preston of that Ilk installed in his
place in obedience to his Majesties letter direct to the Lords to that
effect.
On the 16 of February 1672 died John Ramsay, keiper of the Register of
Hornings and Inhibitions, and on George Robertsone was admitted in his
place by my Lord Register.
About the end of March, this same year, died Mr. Alexander Hamilton,
Justice Clerk Depute, to whosse place on Mr. Robert Martin was received by
my Lord Lee. (_Vide infra._)
About the 14 of May 1672 died Charles, Earle of Dumfermeling, Lord Privy
Seall, and ane extraordinar Lord.
Its reported that Mr. Martin hes payed saltly for his place, vid. 500 pound
English money to the Justice Clerk, 500 merks Scots to Mr. William Cheisley
as agenter, and 1000 merks to the widow.
About the 20 of May this yeir died Mr. John Morray, advocat.
Upon the 27 of June 1672, Sir Robert Sinclair fell unto a lamentable
pramunire in this manner. Some merchants in Glasgow being quarrelled by the
manadgers of the Royall Fisching for exporting herrings, that being their
priviledge, their is a bill drawen up for them by Sir Robert, and given in
to the Lords of Secret Counsell, wheirin, among other things, he had this
expression, that the petitioners ware frie natives, members of a royall
borrow, whosse priviledges ought not lightly to be reversed, else
malcontents would thairon take occasion of grudge, and of sowing fears and
jealousies betuixt his Majestie and his people. At the hearing of which my
Lord Commissioner,[616] guessing the author, began to baule and foame, and
scrued up the cryme to such a height as that it deserved emprisonment,
deprivation, and a most severe reprimande. At last the Counsell agried in a
more moderat censure, that he should with close doors (tho my Lord
Commissioner would have had it publick) acknowledge his offence upon his
knees before the wholle Lords, and recant and disclame the forsaid
expression as seditious and not becoming a subject: And theiron, as its
said, ane act was made, that no petition should be presented heirafter but
subscryved ather by the party or the Advocat.
[616] Lauderdale.
Theirs no expression so innocent wheirupon malice will not fasten its
teeth; and truly their hes bein many expressions by far harsher then this
escaped the pens of advocats, and which hes never bein noticed. And yet I
think its _justo Dei judicio_ casten in Sir Roberts lap for his so
dishonourable complying, yea, betraying the priviledges of the Advocats,
and breaking the bond of unity amongs them, and embracing first that brat
of the Regulations. The excuse that he made for so over shoting him selfe
was most dull and pittifull, vid. that they had come to him just after he
had dined, and he had drawen it then, and so was hasted.
On the 24 July 1672, in the Parliament, Sir Colin Campbell was reproved for
disorderly tabling of the Summer Session:[617] the circumstances see
_alibi_. So the Commissioner seimed in a manner set to afront the Advocats.
[617] The proposal to abolish the Summer Session of the Court and add a
month to the winter was made by the Commissioner in his speech,
and argued before him in the Exchequer Chamber, where he decided
against it. The account of the matter given by Mackenzie
(_Memoirs_, 222 _sqq._) is curious and interesting. In favour of
the change it was argued that 'before men could settle at home
after the Winter Session, they were called again to the Summer
Session, so that their projects and designs were interrupted and
ruined, and the months of June and July, which were the only
pleasant months, and the only months wherein gardens and land
could be improved, were spent in the most unwholsome and
unpleasant town of Scotland [Edinburgh].' Sir C. Campbell tried to
revive the question in plain Parliament, but the Commissioner
vetoed it.
In November 1672 died Mr. Andrew Beaton, Advocat, and brother to the Laird
of Balfour.
On the 2d of November 1672, my Lord Newbayth being challenged for passing a
Suspension of a Decreite Absolvitor given by the Admirall, he denied it was
his subscription, and at last his servant, Jeremiah Spence, acknowledged he
had forged the same, for which he got a guiny[618] for procuring, as the
parties thought, his Masters subscription therto; wheirupon, being
imprisoned, the Lords, on the 6 of November, having called for him to their
presence, they did declare him infamous and uncapable of any charge or
imployment about the Session, and seing he had judicially confest it, they
remitted him to the Kings officers for his furder triall. Its thought this
was not the first of many forgeries he hes committed, so that his master
lay under very much obloquy and reproach, which hes bein greatly occasioned
throw his default, only it cannot be denied that my Lord gave to much ear
to the mans recommendations, yea gave very grosse insinuations of his
contentment and favor when his man got money, so that it was confidently
affirmed that his man and he shared the profit that accrued from the
Saterdayes roll, the syde bar, etc., amongs them; and it is now judged the
liklier because my Lord concernes himselfe exceidingly to bring his man of
only with a sweip of a tods taill, wheiras in generosity he should be his
main prosecuter.
[618] Guinea. See Introduction, Money.
In the beginning of November 1672 died William, Earle of Dalhousie, being a
very old man, wheiron my Lord Halton, Thresurer Depute, was made Shireff
principall of Edenboroughshire during his lifetyme in place of the said
Earle; And Mr. Alexander Suinton, advocat, was made his depute and Mr.
Laurence Charteris.
About the same tyme, Mr. John Stewart of Ketleston, on of the Admirall
deputes, died, and Walter Pringle, Advocat, by the mediation of Sir Charles
Bickerstaffe, the other depute, succeided in his place, [and in November
1674, Mr. Patrick Lyon was nominat in place of W. Pringle, deprived].[619]
[619] Interlined.
In the same moneth of November the Earle of Atholl was made Lord Privy
Seall in place of the Earle of Dumfermeling, who died in the May before.
[As also the Earle of Kincardin was made Justice Generall upon the
dimission of the Earle of Atholl. This held not.][620]
[620] The two lines in brackets are scored through. See p. 225.
In England, the great seall at the same tyme was taken from Sir Orlando
Bridgeman, and the Earle of Shaftesbury, formerly Lord Ashley Couper, is
made Hy Chancelor of England. Sir John Duncombe is made under threasurer,
in place of Ashley Couper. The Lord Clifford, lately but Sir Thomas
Clifford, is exalted to be great Treasaurer of England. [He is the 1[621]
Thesaurer since the death of the Earle of Southhampton],[622] and the
Commissioners for the Threasurie are suppressed, and its expected that
they, as the _primum mobile_, will draw us as ane inferior orbe rolling
within theirs after them. The Lord Mainart, brother in law to the Duck of
Lauderdale, is made thesaurer of the Kings house. Sir Robert Howard,
commonly called Sir Positive, is made Secretary to the Treasurer. The Duck
of Monmouth is made Lord Cheiff Justice of all the forrests in England
benorth the Trent. My Lord Lauderdale hes undoubtedly had a great hand in
this extraordinary revolution; for they are on the caballe with him, and
are all his confident privado'es. The old nobility cannot but repute them
selfes slighted when they sie thesse great offices of State conferred upon
[muschroomes][623] upstarts. But this is a part of the absolute power of
kings to raise men from the dunghill and make them their oune companions.
[621] i.e. first.
[622] Interlined.
[623] Interlined.
In the beginning of December 1672 died Mr. George Norvell, advocate, on of
the greatest formalists that was in all the tolbuith. His place as agent
for the Colledge and toune of Edinburgh was by Act of the Toune Counsell
conferred upon Mr. Robert Lauder, portioner of Belhaven, some few days
after.
At the same tyme died Mr. Thomas Buck, advocat.
On the 14 of December 1672 the Faculty made choice of Sir G. Lockhart for
their Dean, Sir Robert Sinclar having of some tyme before showen a
willingnes to demit in regard he discovered many of the faculty displeased
at him for his faint surrender and breaking the unity of the Faculty in the
matter of the Regulations and for sundry other particulars.
On the 2'd of January 1673 died Mr. John Andersone, advocat.
About the beginning of January 1673 James Hamilton was received ane under
clerk in place of Jo. Kello, who died (_ut supra notatum_) in May 1670.
On the 14 of January 1673 the Earle of Atholl was received ane extraordinar
Lord on the Session in place of the Earle of Dumfermeling, who died (_ut
supra dixi_) in May 1672.
In May 1673 died Mr. John Muirhead, advocat.
In June 1673 I was named by the Lords to be on of the advocats for the poor
the yeir enshueing, but upon the mediation of my Lord Abbotshall I was
excused.
On the 19 of July 1673 Forbes of Tolquhon was fined by the Lords in 40 lib.
Scots for opprobrious speaches to Mr. David Thoires, advocat, and calling
him a knave.
On the 5 of Januar 1674 I was appointed on of the privat examinators of
such as offered to enter advocats for that year.
On the 10 of Januar 1674 died Mr. Robert Dicksone, advocat.
In the beginning of this year 1674 died Mr. William Wallace, advocat, and
on of the Shiref Deputes of Edenbrugh shire.
In the beginning of March 1674 died Sir James Lockhart of Lee, Justice
Clerk.
On the 4 of June 1674 Mr. Thomas Murray of Glendoick, advocat, was admitted
and receaved, in obedience to the Kings letters, a Lord of the Session, in
place of Lee deceissed, as he was ane ordinary Lord, for they say Sir
William Lockart the Collonell had his place by way of survivance and
reversion of Justice Clerk.
On the same 4 of June Mr. David Balfour of Forret or Glentarkie was, upon
the Kings letter, receaved ane ordinar Lord in the place vaikand by the
dimission of Sir Androw Ramsay of Abbotshall.
On the 5'th of June 1674 died Sir James Ramsay of Whythill, advocat, and
Mr. James Hamilton, advocat, sone to the Bischop of Galloway.
On the 2'd of June 1674 I was nominat on of the advocats for the poor for
the year enshueing.
About the 10 of June 1674 the Earle of Argile was admitted and receaved ane
extraordinar Lord of the Session upon the Kings letter, in place of the
Earle of Tuedale, turned out, as also the said Earle of Argyle got Tuedales
place as one of the Commissioners of the Tresaury.
And my Lord of Atholl at this same tyme got that place of the Thesaury
which was lying vaikand thesse severall years by the deceas of Sir Robert
Moray.
On the 4 of June 1674, in obedience to a new comission for the Secret
Councell, sent doune by the King, the Councell was of new modelled, 6 of
the former members put out, viz. the Earle of Queinsberry, Earle of
Roxbrugh, Earle of ----[632], Earle of Tuedale, the Lord Yester, and
Generall Major Drummond, and 6 new Councelors assumed in their place, viz.
the Earle of Mar, Earle of Kinghorne, ----[624], Lord Rosse, my Lord
Colinton, and my Lord Craigie.
[624] Blank in MS.
On the 3 of July 1674 the Lords of Session deprived about 49 advocats who
partly adhaered to Sir G. Lockhart and Sir J. Cunyghame, who ware declared
uncapable, conforme to the Kings letter on the 24 of June preceeding, and
partly refused to officiat under the tyes and obligations contained in his
Majesties letter anent appealls, and the Lords of Session their sentences,
that none charge them of injustice.
On the 7 of July 1674 died Mr. James Rosse, advocat.
In October 1674 died Sir Robert Preston of that Ilk, on of the Lords of
Session.
And in the midle of November 1674 James Foulls, Advocat, younger of
Colinton, by the name of Lord Reidfuird, was admitted and receaved a Lord
in his place, in obedience to his Majesties letter, and was the first who
was tryed in the new manner prescribed by his Majesty in July last.
In June 1675 died Collonell Sir William Lockhart of Lee at Paris, wheir he
lay embassador for his Majesty of Great Brittain, and so the Justice
Clerkship waiked, which was immediatly bestowed and conferred on my Lord
Craigie, but his gift bears _ad bene placitum_ only.
In his place as on of the criminall lords succeided my Lord Glendoick.
And at the same tyme my Lord Newbayth, by a letter from his Majesty, being
eased and dispossest of his place in the Criminall Court, the same was
given to my Lord Forret, so that his entrie both heir and on the Session is
not so cleanly.
The Earle of Atholl having at his being chosen Privy Seall oblidged
himselfe to dimit the office of Justice Generall when his Majesty saw cause
to dispose of it, now in June 1675 the Earle of Murray is created Justice
Generall.
In July 1675 died Mr. Robert Winrahame, advocat.
On the 5 of August 1675 Sir Androw Ramsay, Lord Abbotshall, was, upon his
Majesties letter, readmitted and sworne upon the Privy Councell, which and
his other offices he had dimitted to my Lord Commissioner under trust on
the 1 of December 1673.
In the end of September 1675 died Mr. Alexander Spotswood of Crumstaine,
advocat, of 2 dayes sicknes. Item, Mr. Patrick Oliphant, of a few dayes
sicknes, about that same tyme.
In the end of November 1675 died James Chalmers, advocat.
In the beginning of Januarie 1676 died James Hamilton, on of the under
clerks of Session, and his place was bestowed on John Hay, wryter, and
criminall clerk depute under Mr. Robert Martin.
On the 8 and 11 of January 1676 all the outed advocats to the number of 35
ware admitted again to their employments, conforme to his Majesties letter
theranent.
In the end of March 1676 died Mr. William Strachan, advocat, and brother to
the Laird of Glenkindy.
On the 16 of June 1676 was Sir Archbald Primerose, Clerk Register, by a
letter from his Majesty, removed from his place of Register and from the
Session, and a patent sent him to be Justice Generall, and the Earle of
Murray gets a pension of 400 lb. Sterling for it, and his place in Session
was instantly supplyed by a letter from his Majestie in behalfe of Sir
David Falconer of Neuton, Advocat; and the office of Register was conferred
theirafter in February 1678 (neir 2 years vacancy) on Sir Thomas Morray,
Lord Glendoick. See it in my remarks then.
On the 24 of June was a letter red from his Majestie, appointing their
should be only 3 principall Clerks of Session, and that the Lords remove
the rest, appointing them some satisfaction from thesse who stayed in.
Heirupon the Lords voted Messrs. Alexander Gibsone, Thomas Hay, and John
Hay to be the 3 who should only officiat (See the manuscript[625] at
November 1682, page 73), and removed Sir John Gibsone, but prejudice of the
contract betuixt him and his sone of 100 lb. sterling yeirly, Alexander
Monro and Robert Hamilton, and modified them 7000 merks from the other 2,
which Comissar Monro refused unles they gave him a reason of their
depriving him, which was refused till he raised his declarator if he had a
mind to doe it. He within a 4'tnight after accepted it. The letter also
commanded the Advocats consulting togither.
[625] Interlined.
On the 28 of June 1676 was a letter from his Majesty red in the Thresaury
commanding Sir John Nisbet his Advocat to call for Sir George M'cKeinzie in
the concernes of his office, and act by his advice, and establist 100 lb.
Sterling of pension upon him for the same. See the other Manuscript of
Session Occurrents, page 13 and 42.
On the last of June 1676 Mr. John Eleis and Mr. Walter Pringle ware
suspended from being Advocats by the Lords, because they shifted to depone
_super inquirendis_ if their was any combination amongs the late restored
advocats not to consult with thosse who stayed in. See the Sentence _apud
me_.
On the 8 of July 1676 was Mr. John Eleis readmitted because he complyed
with the Lords and deponed. W. Pringle readmitted in June 1677.
On the 20 of July 1676 a new Commission of Secret Councell from his Majesty
was red, wheirin six of the former Councelors ware left out and discarded,
viz. the Duc of Hamilton, Earles of Dumfreis, Morton, and Kincairden, the
Lord Cochrane and Sir Archibald Primrose, late Lord Register.
In the beginning of June 1676 died Mr. James Aikenhead, on of the comisars
of Edinburgh; and in the end of Jully Mr. James Dalrymple was presented by
the Archbischop of St. Andrewes in his place who had got the right of
presenting all the comisars of Edinburgh during the vacancy of that
diocesse in _anno_ 1671, only his gift was caution'd that he sould confer
them gratis, and on qualified persones.
On the 19 of August 1676 died Mr. Laurence Charteris, Advocat, and on of
the Shireff deputes of Edenborough shire, in which office succeided to him
by the gift of deputation from my Lord Halton immediatly Mr. Thomas Skein,
brother to Halzeards, in West Lothian, and afterwards admitted ane Advocat.
On the last of October 1676 died Mr. John Bailzie, advocat.
On the 13 of November 1676 Sir Archibald Primrois, late Register, took his
place in the Criminall Court as Lord Justice Generall, and gave his oath
_de fideli_. See more of it, _alibi_, page 144.
See the continuations of the changes and alterations and remarkable
emergents of and in the Session in another paper book besyde me that
opens by the lenth.
(4)
OBSERVATIONS ON PUBLIC AFFAIRS, 1669-1670[626]
[626] From MS. II.
[In anno 1669 died the Q. mother of England. In anno 1670 died madame our
K's sister mons'r the Duc of Orleans his Ladie she having bein in England
but a litle while before. On the 24 of October 1670 was the church of the
Blackfriars in Glasgow touched with lightning of thunder about seven a
cloak of the morning, and having brok throu the roof it catcht hold upon
its jests and had undoubtedly brunt the church to ashes had it not bein
extiuguished in tyme. They say it brook also on their great church at the
head of the toun.
What follows in thir 9 leives is copied and enlarged alibi.
In anno 1667 the French make ane invasion upon the Spanish Netherlands, and
after he had ransact the country and made himselfe master of divers
tounes][627] as Doway, Lisle, Tournay, etc., a peace was at last concluded
in May 1668, wheirof the articles ware, 1'o to be perpetuall. 2'do so soon
as the peace is published all hostility most cease. 3'do the French to keip
the couquiest of the late campaigne. 4'to that he hold them with their
dependances in soverainetie and the Spaniard to yeald them to him for ever.
5'to that the French King restore la France conte. 6'to the Spaniard most
restore all places tane by him in the war. 7'o that all princes authorize
the treatie and that nothing be retracted of the traitty of the Pyrenees
save what is disposed on by this: To be mutually interchanged, ratified,
and sworne by oath.
[627] The first page, as above, within brackets, is scored out in MS.
Upon the 27 of September 1669 was Candie toune (being the losse of the
wholle Ile to the Venetians) surrendred to the Turks after a long seige
wheir the French got a great overthrow, and their Admirall the Duc de
Beaufort was killed with many other persons of note: and wheir Monsieur
Annand our Master Annands brother behaved himselfe most gallantly, and
since hes bein so hylie complemented for that his service by the Venetian
senat that I beleive never was any stranger more. He is admitted unto all
their counsels and sits upon their Ducks right hand: the Englishs ware so
affrontedly impudent as in their new books first to cal him ane Englishman,
and being challenged for that they designed him after a subject of his Maj.
of Great Brittain, so loath are they to give us our due praise.
In anno 1670 was ane insurrection of the paisants of the country of
Vivarets in Daulphinee in France, upon the occasion of some extraordinarie
tax cruelly exacted. They ware soon dissipat. Their is presently, in
October 1670, a fellow called Ratzin[628] who hes taken up armes in Mosco
agt the Emperor, and hes got of followers neir 100,000 men: he was a
gunner, had a brother, who, being put to death for some crime, he in
revenge of his brothers death hes made this commotion craving nothing lesse
but that thesse who ware the cause of his brother's death (now they are the
greatest men about the Ducks persone) may be delivered up to him.
[628] Rebellion of Stenka Razin against the Tsar Alexis.
It is apprehended by the wiser sort that this Union[629] is mainly set on
foot by his Majestie, and so much coveted after by him, that he may rid
himselfe of the house of Commons who have lyen verie heavy upon his loines
and the loins of his predecessors Kings of England and especially of his
brave father, and who have ever most crossed ther great designes. Now it
being proposed that their should be but on parliament for all Britain, it
will follow that the house of commons constitut no more a house apart, but
that its members sit togither with the Lords in the house of peers: and for
the better effectuating this great point, I hear his Majesty caresses and
complements thesse of the house of commons a great deall more then ever he
was in use to do, and that he converses most familiarly with them, seikes
their company, and that they get accesse when many great persons cannot.
But this is not all, such of them as seimed most active and concerned in
pressing the priviledges and liberties of that house and of the commonalty
of England, his majesty within this short tyme hes nobilitat them, and by
this hes both engadged them to his oune party, and by setting them in a
hyer sphoere weakned the house of commons.
[629] Charles II. having renewed the proposal for the union of the
kingdoms, Commissioners were appointed for England and Scotland,
and sat in London for some months in the autumn of 1670.
I confesse the King hes reason to wrest this excessive power out of the
commons their hand it being a unspeakable impairment of his soverainetie,
but I fear it prosper not. I hear the Earle of Strafford, who was Deputie
of Ireland, was at first but a mean gentleman yet a member of the house of
commons, and on of the most stirring amongst them, which K. Charles
perceiving he created him a nobleman and by that so endeared him to his
intrest that we know he suffered for it.
In the middle of 1669 came his majesties letter to the secret counsell for
indulging some of the outed ministers libertie to return to their oune
kirks if vacant, or to preach at any other vacant churches the S. counsell
should think fit to place them, and that they should not be answerable to
the Bischop of the diocese where they ware, but to the counsell. Then in
the Parl. 1669 was the King's supremacie in a very hy straine established.
This procedure startled all our Bischops extreimly, yet all of them ware so
cunning and such tyme servers as they seimed to applaud it, only Mr. Alex'r
Burnet, Arch B. of Glascow, and the Dean theirof, with some others more
ingenuous then the rest, pens a remonstrance (which also they put their
hands to) to be presented to the King, showing his majesty whow that course
he had tane for uniting distractcd parties and healing our breaches would
prove unsuccesfull, yea was to be feared would produce the just contrare
effect, vid., more dissentions, etc.
Upon this occasion he[630] gets a passe, and if he refused to dimit
voluntarlie then their is a warrand from his Majesty for processing him
criminally: upon that and other heads, he ather judging it not safe to
contend with his m'r, or else not daring bid[631] the touch, dimits in his
Majesties hands and _ex gratia_ his Maj. grants him a pension out of the
fruits of that benefice of 5000 mks. per annum for all the dayes of his
lifetyme.
[630] _i.e._ the Archbishop.
[631] _i.e._ to abide.
Then Lighton, Bischop of Dunblaine, was presented to it, who, after much
nicety, and a journey to London, at last condeschended to take a tryall of
it for a tyme under the name of Commendator Superintendent over the
spirituality of that Bischoprick or some such like name, who took much
paines to take up the differences betuixt the conformists and non-
conformists, and to that purpose, in my Lord commissioners Audience in
August 1670, ware then sundrie freindly conferences betuixt himselfe and
some others adjoined to himself and some of the non-conformist ministers,
upon which nothing then followed. He also in September 1670 took some
moderat men, as Mr. Nairne, Mr. Cook, and others along wt him to his
diocesse, by them to allure the people to frequent their oune parish
churches, but he found them so exasperat wt the loud and scandalous cariage
of the ministry that was planted amongs them on the removall of their
former, that his great paines had not answerable successe.
In anno 1668 was Honieman B. of Orkney shot in the arme, being sitting in
the coach wt Arch. B. Sharp, for whom, it was thought, the pistoll was
levelled. Some sayd it behoved to be some great hater of the Bischops,
others said it might be out of privat splen and not for the privat quarrell
of Religion; others said he was but suborned to do it by the Bychops
themselves, that they might lay the blame on the Presbyterians, and draw
the greater odium on them, and stoop the favor that was intended them of
opening some of their ministers mouths; and the truth is, it did retard
that better almost a year.
In anno 1670, about July theirof, Mr. John Meinzeis, brother to the Laird
of Culteraws, and minister at[632] in Annandale, left his church and
emitted a declaration bearing what stings he suffared in his conscience for
conforming with the present church governement, which he fand to be a
fertile soyle for profanity and errors of all kinds, and theirfor he gives
all to whom thir presents may come to know that he disapproves of the said
governement and of his bypast complyance, and that in tyme coming he will
forsake the ministrie, since he cannot exercise it unlesse he wound his
soull farder by that sinfull compliance. The Bisc. ware verie pressing to
have had him punisht, but his friends got him borne by.
[632] Blank in MS.
In that same year 1670 was that monster of men and reproach of mankind (for
otherwayes I cannot stile him), Major Weir, for most horrible witchcraft,
Incest, Bestiality, and other enorme crymes, at first confest by himselfe
(his conscience being awakned by the terrors of the Almightie), but
afterwards faintly denied by him, brunt. So sad a spectacle he was of
humane frailty that I think no history can parallell the like. We saw him
the fornoon before he died, but he could be drawen to no sense of a
mercifull God, yea sometimes would he scarse confesse their was a God, so
horribly was he lost to himselfe. The thing that aggravated his guilt most
was the pretext and show of godlinesse wt which he had even to that tyme
deceived the world. His sister also was but a very lamentable object, for
she ran on the other extreem and praesumed exceidingly on the mercy of God,
wheiras their ware no great evidences in hir of soull contrition. She was
hanged.
They say their is some difference fallen in betuen my Lo. Lauderdale and my
Lo. Argyle about some desire my Lo. Lauderdale had in relation to the Lady
Balcarras, now Lady Argile, which Argile relished not, and said, I think
your grace would take the ward of my marriage. He answered, I may weill
have that, for I once had the waird of your head, which was true in anno
1663, when the sentence of death and forfaultor was past on him as a
traitor.
In anno 1669 did his majesty in his Royall wisdome compose the differences
betuixt the tua houses of parlia. in Engl., which ware likely to have
occasioned great strife, it being anent their priviledges and liberties
alledged brook[633] in the case of on Master Skinner, a member of the house
of commons. His majesties course was that all memorie of discord betuen his
2 houses that might be found on record should be totallie abolished and
expunged both out of the Registers of Parl., Exchequer, Counsell, and out
of all other monuments, that the ages to come may not so much as know their
was any variance betuixt them. On the 28 of September 1670 was Colonell
Lockhart admitted a secret Counseller, and they say that Lambert is also
made a Counsellor in England.
[633] _i.e._ broken.
The King in 1670 craving of his parliament a subsidie for defraying his
debt, they proposed that ere any new tax could be granted account should be
made of the former subsidies, whow the same ware employed by Mr. Cotteridge
and others, whom the King made use of to that purposc. Sure this was very
grieveous to the King to sie himselfe so controlled in his expence, and
that he could give no gratuity to my Ladie Castlemain (now Dutchesse of
Cleveland, etc.) but that which they behoved to get notice of, behold the
stratagem he makes use of. The Presbyterians at that tyme, hearing of the
Indulgence given to some ministers in Scotland, they offer to the King to
pay all his debt, and advance him a considerable soume besyde, provydeing
the same liberty be granted them. At the nixt sitting doune of parl. his
mai. in a speach showed them whow harshly and uncivilly they had dealt with
him, and, after much plain language, he told them if they would not grant
his reasonable demands he know them that would do it. After they had come
to know his majesties meaning by this,[634] who ware more forward then
they, they passe fra craving any account of the former, they grant him a
new subsidy of a million, they consent their should be a treaty wt Scotland
anent ane union; yet onlie the dint of their fury falls on the
Presbyterians, and they enact very strict statutes against them and against
conventicles, because they had been the pin by which his mai. had scrued
them up to that willingnesse. So we sie its usefull sometymes (as
Matchiavell teaches) for a prince to entertaine and foment tua factions in
his state, and whiles to boast the one with the other.
[634] His majesties meaning by this, _i.e._ 'what H.M. meant by
this imtimation.' As soon as they understood that, 'Who were more
forward than they?'
In October 1667 did at last break out that inveterat hatred of the wholle
people of England against Chancellor Hide, and he is arraigned as guilty
of hy treason by the house of commons, who pressed strongly that his
persone might be secured till such tyme they had verified the crimes they
attached him of. This motion the house of peers wt indignation rejected as
derogatorie of their priviledges, he being a member of their house. While
the 2 houses are thus contending he judges it safest for him to retire till
this storme blow over, and this was also thought to have bein the King's
advice to him, who was very sorrie at their procedor, thinking it a bad
precedent for the house of commons to medle with persones so eminently neir
to himselfe; yet in the breach he durst not stand but was forced to give
them way, so much was Hyde hated in England, so that his Maj., rather then
he will in the least endanger the disturbance of his oune peace and quiet,
resolves now to quite his dearest minions and expose them to the malice of
their ilwillers and haters then stand stoutly to their defence, and so make
himselfe party against his people. So Hide makes his escape to France,
leiving behind him a declaration wherin he refutes all the crimes they lay
to his charge, as his being the author of the marriage of the King wt the
Portugues, knowing she would be barren, and that his daughter's posterity
might so reigne: item his being the occasion of the selling of Dunkerk to
the French king, wheiras if it had bein in the English their possession in
the year 1665, in their war betuixt them and Holland, they could have
annoyed the States considerably theirby. But the truth is the Queen mother
of England was wery instrumentall in that bargaine: item his being the
active cause of the war betuixt England and Holland, of which he purges
himselfe so largely that I think no man can scarse judge him any way
accessor theirto.
That war (wt pardon) was hardly weill manadged on the English syde, and
they committed errors most unpardonable in good policie: as first in that
battell that was given on the 17 June 1665, wheir Admirall Obdan and his
ship ware blowen up, being fired (as was supposed) by the English bullets
levelled at it, they contented themselves with the simple wictorie and
honor of commanding the seas, wheiras if they had followed forth their
victorie and had got betuixt the Holland their shattered fleet and the
coast of Holland and Zealand, it was thought by the most judicious men
that that on battell might have put ane end to the war and have produced
most advantagious conditions for the English: but they verified the knowen
saying, _vincere scit Hannibal sed o victoria uti_. Their pretence indeid
was that they would not pousse their victory farder by hazarding what they
had already won, because the appearand air of the croun, the Duc of York,
was present in person. But whow weak this is let any man judge, unles they
mean that by intercepting the Dutch their way home they might have made
them desperat and so fight like Devils, and that it hes ever bein a good
maxime to make a fleing ennemy a bridge of gold. Whowever the Dutch
concluded that they would have no mo Admirals that ware gentlemen (for
Obdam was so) because they never fought fortunatly with their ennemies when
they had such. But certainly this is nought but a fiction made by a
commonwealth to cast a blur upon nobility, seing thir same very states have
fought most couragiously and advantagiously under the conduct of the
Princes of Orange.
Upon his death De Ruyter was chosen admirall, and van Tromp the younger,
upon a suspicion of being to affectionat to the intrest of the King of
Britain, was disgraced. The nixt (but rather should have bein made the
first) was his Mai:s bad choyse of a false chirking willain, Mr.
Douning,[635] to be his agent to negotiat affaires at the States Generall
in the beginning of that war, who steid of composing things rancored them
worse and made them almost uncurable, judging it good fisching in troubled
waters, wheiras if a moderat and ane honest man had bein made use of in
that business, things would never have come to the height they were at,
since the offers of reparation then made by the Dutch to his Majesty ware
by all indifferent spectators judged most fair and reasonable. The 3^d is
that in the engadgement the following summer, 1666, the King's intelligence
should have bein so bad as to have apprehended at that tyme the joining of
the French fleet wt the Hollander (wheiras their was no such thing, but it
was of purpose done to divide his majesties fleet), and theiron ordering
Prince Rupert with his squade away to attend their uniting; and in his
absence the Dutch taking the advantage, provocked the Duck of Albemarle
(who was a better land sojer then a sea, and who died in 1669) with sixtein
ships to fight their wholle fleit, who more hardily then wisely
encountering them, had undoubtedly bein totally routed and defeat had not
Prince Rupert upon notice come up and releived them. By which conflict it
at last appeared that it was possible for the English to be beat by the
Hollander, which was never beleived before that.
[635] Sir George Downing, 1623(?), 1684, long Resident at the Hague
under the Commonwealth and Charles II. See _Nat. Dict. Biog._
The nixt error they committed was that the following summer, 1667, the King
(for sparing of charges forsooth) was advysed not to set to sea that year,
but to let his fleit lay up in the harbors, which gave cause to that mighty
affront (then which since England was England it never received the like)
given them at Chattan, and wheir the Scots regiment, brought over from
France by the King's order, making braver resistance then all England
beside, ware many of them slain, dying in the bed of honour. As for the
Scots proclaiming war against France, and as for the more naturall way tane
by our King in proclaiming the war then tane by France, I shall elsewheir
speak more at large.
APPENDIX
APPENDIX I
EXTRACTS FROM ACCOUNTS 1670 to 1675
Sec. 1
On the 8 of July 1670, I receaved 168 lb. in 55 dollars,[636] which
compleited one halfe a year's annuel rent,[637] vid., 900 m., wheirof first
given out to my wife 8 dollars to defray sundrie debts, vid., 5 lb. to
mistris Guthrie for 2 elle and a quarter of borders, 4 lb. 10s. to George
Reidpeth, 7 lb. 4s. for 2 chandellers, 2s. for a pint of win, 3 lb. given
to the wright with some other lesser things; then I gave une dalle
Imperiale a mon serviteur pour acheter les saintes ecritures, 8 pence for a
quaire of paper. Then on the ij of July 1670, I gave my wife 10 dollars for
keiping the familie: 4 dollars given to my wife to buy wooll with. This
makes a 100 merk. Then I gave a dollar to buy covers for the chaires, 8s.
and 8 p. for a pair of shoes, 2 lb. at a collation with Mr. Hamilton, 24s.
at a collation with Mr. Thomas Bell, 5s. for a mutchin of wine.[638] Halfe
a dollar to Walter Cunyghame, 12s. for paper and ink, 10 lb. for 20 leads
of coalls at 10s. the load, 3 dollars given to my wife, a dollar given for
a french croune to my wife, 5 p. for a mutching of win,[638] 24 p. in
Caddells with Mr. Hendersone. Item, 2s. sterling given to my wife. Item, 4
dollars given to hir, a groat to the barber, 5s. sterling for a new board,
a mark in the contribution for the burgh of Dundie, a shiling to the keiper
of my goun, 3 dollars given to my wife, halfe a dollar at a collation in
Cuthbertsones, 18 pence at a collation with Balmayne. Out of the last 3
dollars given to my wife, she bought a chamberpot for 3 shillings, a board
cloath for 3 shillings and 10 p., then I gave hir 2 dollars: this is
another 100 merks, then 20 lb. payed for 40 load of coalls, 10 pence given
in drink money to the cawer,[639] 12 pence at a collation with Colinton, 7
pence at on with Sir George Lauder, 3 lb. at a collation with Mr. Falconer,
12 p. for wine, a dollar to my wife, then 2 dollars given hir for the
familie, so this is the account of the other 9 dollars remaining of the 55
dollars, togither with 5 other dollars pris de l'argent donne a la
nourrice.
[636] The dollar is here equal to 5s. 1d. sterling.
[637] From his father secured on the lands of Carington, settled in his
marriage-contract.
[638] The shilling Scots and penny sterling are here used for the same
value.
[639] 'Cawer,' driver, carter.
Then on the 16 of August 1670, I received from my father 20 dollars, the
accompt wheirof follows:--
Item, payed for my press making and colouring, etc., 9 lb. 10s.
For the glasses footgang, 2s.
For seing the Duke's Berge at Leith, 2 lb. 10s.
Given to my wife, 2 dollars.
Given to the nurse to buy a bible with, one dollar.
With Kilmundie, 10 pence.
For the articles of Regulations, 10 pence.
Then given to my wife, 2 doll. and a shilling.
Then given hir to buy shoes, linnen, and other
things with, 5 dollars.
For 2 quaires of paper, 18 pence.
At Hadoe's man's wedding, a dollar.
For seck with Thomas Robertsone, 10 pence.
For wine with my landlord, 5 pence.
Given for the houses use, 2 dollars.
For a coatch, 2 shillings.
Summa is 19 dollars and a halfe.
Then on the thrid of September 1670, I received my years annuel rent from
Thomas Robertsone, vid., 300 merks, the count wheirof follows:--
Imprimis, given to my wife when she went to Wauchton, 2 dollars.
Given to the barber, halfe a mark.
Given to a poor boy, halfe a mark.
Given in drinkmoney to my goodfather's nurse, a dollar.
Given to Huntar, my goodfather's man, a 6 pence.
A dollar to Jo. Scots nourrice, a dollar.
Given to the woman Margaret, 2 dollars.
Spent on Rhenish wine at Hadingtoun, 30 shilling.
For my breakfast at Lintoun bridges, 22 shiling.
To Idingtoun's men bigging the hay rick, 20 shiling.
To his gairdner, halfe a dollar.
To the kirkbroad, 10 shiling.
To Idington's serving woman, a dollar.
To his hielandman, 15 shilling.
To my goodbrother's man Lambe, a mark.
For the horse meat at Hadingtoun, 10 pence.
To the tailzeor for mending my cloaths, a shilling.
To my father's man Arthur, 45 shilling.
To Wodstone's man Florie, a shilling.
To the kirk broad at Abbotshall, a 6 pence.
For Rhenish in Kirkealdy, 55 shiling.
Then given to my wife for the house, 10 dollars.
For binding Durie's 2'd volume, 2 lb. 2 shil.
This makes one 100 merks of the 300 merks.
Then gave for the acts of the 2'd session of parliament, 10 pence.
Then for a pair of shoes, 1 lb. 19s.
Then for Androw Young's nurse for my selfe, a dollar.
Given then by my wife, halfe a dollar.
Given then for a pint of wine, 20 shiling.
Given to my wife to buy some slips with, a dollar.
Given to Grissell Ramsayes mother for drink furnisht
by hir to us by the space of 10 weeks, 3 dollars.
Payed for wine, 7 pence.
Payed for 2 horse hires to Preston, 3 shilings and 6 pence.
Payed for wine in Daniel Rosses, 3 shilings st.
For a quaire of paper, 9 pence.
For ink, 2 pence.
Given to my wife, 4 shilings s.
Payed for causing intimat the assignation to H.
Sinclar at Binny, 6 shil. st.
Given to my wife, 6 pence.
To the barber, 6 pence.
10 of October given to my wife for the house, 8 dollars.
Given to Pitmedden's nurse, a dollar.
Sent to a poor persone, a mark.
Payed for Heylin's Cosmographie, 22 sh. and 6 pence.
Given to the provest's woman, 6 pence.
Given for paper, 9 pence.
This makes another 100 mks. and 2 dollars more.
Then payed at a collation with Mrs. Wood and Bell, a dollar.
Payed to John Nicoll for a great bible, 17 shillings.
Payed again to Grissel's mother for drink, 2 dollars.
Given to my wife, halfe a dollar.
Given also to my wife, a dollar.
Given for a paper book by my brother for me, 12 p.
Given to my brother William at that tyme, 6 pence.
Given to my wife, 2 shil. 9 pence.
Given to the woman in part of hir fie, a dollar.
Given for 2 quaire of paper etc., 18 pence.
Expended farder on the intimating Hew Sinclar's
assignation, a shilling.
For binding the reschinded acts of parl., halfe a crowne.
At a collation with the Laird of Grange, 33 shiling.
On win with Ja. Lauds, 5 pence.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Item given to hir, halfe a mark.
Given to the barber, a 6 pence.
Given in Pentherer's, 8 pence.
Given to my wife for my ...[640] a dollar.
Item given to my wife for the house, a dollar.
Given for new wine, a shilling.
Given to my wife, 29 shilling.
Given againe to my wife, a dollar.
Given for the house, a dollar.
Given to my wife, 3 dollars.
[640] Word interlined illegible, like 'manninie.'
This is the account of the wholle 300 mks. all till about a dollar which I
remember not of.
Then towards the end of November I received from my father about 200 mks.
and 3 dollars which with all the former made 1200 mks. wheirof
imprimis.[641]
[641] In the first of these entries the value of the dollar comes out
about 4s. 11d., in the second at 5s.
A dollar and a halfe given to a man for teaching
my wife writing and arithmetick, 4 lb. 8s.
Then a dollar for the serving woman's halfe fie, 3lb.
Item in drinkmoney to the bedell and others, halfe a croun.
Item to my wife, a dollar.
Item at Geo. Lauder's penny wedding, a dollar.
Item to the fidlers, a 6 pence.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Item, given hir for the use of the house on the 2'd
of December, 10 dollars.
To the barber, 10 pence.
Upon win and at cards, 13 pence.
To my wife, a mark.
For a pair of shoes and gallasches[642] to them, 5s. and 10 p.
To my wife, 6 pence.
Given to my wife to buy to hir nurse a wastcoat
with and shoes, etc., 2 dollars.
At a collation with Rot. Bell in Pentherer's, 34 shiling.
To Mr. Thomas Hay that he might give up the
papers, 2 dolars.
For Broun's Vulgar errors, 6 shilings 6 p.
For the Present State of England, halfe a croun.
For the moral state of it, 2 shilings.
Then given at the kirk door, halfe a dollar.
[642] Overshoes.
This is neir ane account of ane 100 mks. and the 3 dollars.
Then on the 21 of December 1670 was payed to
the nurse as hir fee, 14 dolars.
Item given hir as a pairt of the drinkmony she had
receaved, 9 dollars.
which two soumes make up the other 100 mks.[643]
[643] 23 dollars equal to 100 marks. Taking the mark at 13-1/2d. dollar
equal to 4s. 10-1/4d.
Then I receaved from my father other 200 mks., which made 1400 mks. of all
that I had received from him.
Wheirof first payed to the nurse to compleat hir
drinkmoney, which amounted in all to 18 dollars, 9 dollars.
At a collation with Idington and others, a dollar.
Given to my wife to buy a plaid with, 3 dollars.
Given to my wife to buy lace with to hir apron, a dollar.
Then on the end of December 1670 given to my
wife 4 dollars and a halfe to pay 8 barrell of ale
furnished us at 32s. the barrel, 4 dolars and a halfe.[644]
Item given to my wife, 18 pence.
Item payed for another pair of shoes, 3 shilings 3 pence.
Item for wine with Mr. G. Dickson in Caddell's, 16 pence.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Payed for wine, 10 pence.
Given to my wife, halfe a dollar.
Then given hir, a dollar.
which makes up on hundred mks.
[644] Dollar equal to about 4s. 9d.
Then on the 2'd of January 1671 being hansell
Monday I gave my wife to give out to people
who expected handsel, 4 dollars.
Then that same day I gave hir for the house, 8 dollars.
Given for the Acts of G. Assembly 1638, 2 shillings.
Given to my brother William, a dollar.
Given to my wife, 2 mark.
Also given to hir, a dollar.
Then given to my wife to pay the waterman with, 30 shils.
Then payed for Goodwin's Antiquities, etc., 7 shilings.
Then given to my wife to buy linnen to make me
shirts with, 2 dollars.
Given at Mr. David Falconer's woman's brithell,[645] a dollar.
Payed for a chopping of win, 10 pence.
For a quaire of paper, 6 pence.
For wine, 6 pence.
At a collation with Idington, 23 shilings.
Given to my wife to buy sugar with, 6 shilings st.
Then given to Dr. Stevinson's nurse, a dollar.
[645] Bridal.
This is the other 100 mks. which makes in all the wholle 200 mks.
Then I receaved my pension, vid., 200 mks. from the toune of Edenburgh: out
of which imprimis:
Given by my wife to Doctor Stevincon's nurse, a dollar.
Given also to my wife, a dollar.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Payed to John Jack for a pair of broatches to
William Ramsay, 5 lb.
Payed for wine, 15 pence.
Payed for a quaire of paper, 8 pence.
Payed to my man of depursements for me, 14 pence.
Payed for Papon's arrests of Parliament, a dollar.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Given to my wife, a shilling.
Payed in a contribution for the poor out of money
given me in consultation, 4 lb. Scots.
Payed for a pair of gloves, 30 shil.
Given on the 2d of Febr. to keep the house with, 7 dollars.
Payed for horse hires when I went out and meit
the provest, 6 shilings and 6 pence.
Given to Rot. Lauder's man in Belhaven, a shiling.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Given to Mr. Andro Wood's man in Dumbar, halfe a dolar.
Given at Waughton to Darling and Pat. Quarrier, a dollar.
Given at Gilmerton to the workmen their, a dollar.
Given for 20 load of coalls furnisht to us, 10 Ib.
This is on 100 mks.
Then given 5 lb. to the nurse for hir child's halfe
quarter, 5 lb.
Then payed on the 15 of Febr. 1671 to my onckle
35 lb. in 12 dollars[646] for 6 bolls of meall, the first
3 bolls being at 5 lb. 12 s. the boll, the other 3
being at 6 lb. the boll, 12 dollars.
Given to my wife, halfe a dolar.
Given to Walt. Cunyghame, halfe a dolar.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Given to my wife also, a dollar.
Given for the use of the house, 3 dollars.
Spent upon wine, 18 pence.
Given to the macer's man, a mark.
Given to my wife, 2 dollars.
Given to the under keiper of our gounes, a mark.
Given to the barber, a mark.
[646] 1 Dollar equal to 4 s. 10-1/2d.
This is the count of the other 100 mks. of the 200 given me in pension.
Then I received from Wm Binning thesaurer 10 dollars, 4 of them
consultation money, and 6 of them to make the 12 lb. st. or 150 lb.
Scots,[647] of pension to me, out of which:
[647] 150 l. Scots ought to have been equal to L12, 10s. This shows
that the Scots money was not at the time at par with the English.
Imprimis, given at a collation with Mr. Wm Lauder, 30 shils.
Given to the bedell at Leith, 6 pence.
Given to my wife, 2 shilings.
For sweit pouder, 2 shilings.
For wine, 5 pence.
Given to my wife, 6 pence.
Given for wine, 16 pence.
Given to my wife to buy shoes with and lint, a dollar.
Given for the use of the house, a dollar.
Payed for wine in Lieth, 20 shil.
Given at Hew Boyde's contribution, a shiling.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Given to buy lint with, a dollar.
Given for a drinking glasse, 6 pence.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
Given for the State of England, 2d volume, 3 shilings.
Spent on wine, 18 pence.
Given for the use of the house, a dollar.
This is all the 10 dollars.
Then I receaved on the 17 of March 1671 from my father 300 mks. which made
in all of what I had receaved from him 1700 mks., out of which:
Imprimis, given for the use of the house, a dollar.
Given to my wife to buy lace for a pinner, to buy
holland for napkins and aprons, etc., 5 dollars and a halfe.
Item, for a chopin of win, 10 pence.
Item, given to my wife, 10 pence.
Item, for the use of the house, a dollar.
To my wife to buy lace for apron and napkins, a dolar and a halfe.
Payed at a collation with collonell Ramsay, 42 shiling.
Lent to James Lauder, 2 dollars.
Given for the house, halfe a dolar.
Given to the barber, a shiling.
Payed to the baker conforme to his accompt, 13 lb. 5 s.
Payed for halfe a quarter's fie with the nurse's
child, 5 Ib.
Given to my wife, 2 shilings.
Payed at a collation with Mr. Charles Wardlaw, etc., 29 shil.
Item, to buy figs with, 9 pence.
Item, for Knox his History and Navarri Manuale, 2 dollars.
This is the accompt of one 100 mks.
Then of the rest.
Imprimis, given for the use of the house on the 1 of
Aprile 1671, 7 dollars.
On the 8 of Aprill given to the midwife, 5 dollars.
Given to my wife to buy a litle silver dish with,
which cost hir 33 shiling, a dollar.
Given to my wife for sundry uses, 2 dollars.
Spent upon wine, 24 shiling.
Then given to my wife to buy turkies, etc., 2 dollars.
Then given for ribbans to be garters, etc., 35 shil.
Then on beir in Peter Wats at a morning drink, 5 shil.
Then to Sir John Dalrymple's child's nurse, a dollar.
To Mr. Archbald Camron for taking up[648] the child's name, a dollar.
To the scavinger, 2 shilings.
At the kirk door, a 6 pence.
To the bedells, a dollar.
Given to my wife for sundry uses, 3 lb. 15 shil.
[648] Registering.
This makes 200 mks.
Then given out of the other:
Imprimis, to my wife, a dollar.
At a collation with Patrick Don, 43 shil.
To my wife to pay a quarter for
the nurse hir bairnes fie,[649] 2 dollars.
Item for the houses use, 2 dollars.
For a quaire of paper, 8 pence.
Item given to my wife, 5 pound.
Item given hir for buying meat to the gossips when they visit, 2 dollars.
Given to pay the win and seck gotten out of Painston's, 4 dolars.
Given to buy a coat to the bairne John, a dolar.
Given to buy wool with, 2 dollars.
Given to the poor, a shiling.
Given for wine, 20 shiling.
Given to the house, a dollar.
Given by my wife and me to Sir Androw's nurse, 2 dollars.
Waired on wine, 30 shiling.
Given to my wife, 2 mark.
On win with Mr. Alex'r Hamilton, 10 pence.
Given for paper and ink, 12 pence.
Given for wine, 10 pence.
Given to the woman Margaret, 18 pence.
[649] Wages of nursemaid eight dollars, about L2.
Sie the rest of their accounts alibi. This is the accompt of the said 300
m. very neir. So that their is nothing resting to me to make up a
compleit years rent: vid., from Lambes 1669 to Lambes 1670, but only one
hundred merks, which I allowed to my father in respect he payed a compt of
that value for me to John Scot: as also of his oune moneyes he was pleased
to pay 90 lb. for me which I was addebted to the same John for 23 elle of
cloath tane of for my bed and appertenances, at 4 lb. the elle and did not
at all place it to my accompt.
Sec. 2
O Lord, teach me so to be counting my dayes, that I may apply my heart to
thy wisdome.[650]
[650] These words stand as a motto at the head of MS. K.
* * * * *
Sie my counts praeceiding this in a litle black skinned book alibi.
[_Supra_, p. 239.]
On the 25 of May 1671, my father was debitor to me in the soume of 1800
mks., payable out of the lands of Carington, and that as my year's annuity
from Lammas, in the yeir 1670, till Lambes coming in this instant year
1671; all preceidings are payed to me and discharged by me.
Of this 1800 mks., I receaved the formentioned day from him 200 mks., out
of which I payed:
Imprimis, to the Janitor for 4 books, vid., the English laws,
Polidorus Virgilius, Zosimus and aliorum Historiae, and
Vimesius Theses, etc., 16 shil. st.
Given to my wife for sundry uses, 3 dollars.
For wine and seck in the Janitor's, 50 shil.
To my father's skild nurse by myselfe and my wife given, 2 dollars.
For 2 elle and a quarter scarlet ribban fra James Dick, 24 shil.
For this paper book wheiron I write thir compts., 6 pence.
Given to my wife, 6 pence.
For wine in Pentherers, 16 pence.
Given to the poor, a 6 pence.
Given to my wife for the use of the house and other things, 4 dollars.
Given to Joseph for shaving me, a shiling.
Given to my wife for sundry uses, 4 shilings.
On win, 6 pence.
Item, to my wife, 9 pence.
For a quaire of paper, a leather bag, and sundry
small things, 14 pence.
Item, given to my wife for the use of the house, 7 dollars.
This is 100 mks. laking on by halfe a dollar.
Then given to my wife for divers uses, 2 dollars.
For a pair of shoes, 3 shil. and 6 pence.
Upon win at Leith with Mr. Wood, etc., 16 pence.
Since on win and otherwayes, 8 pence.
Item, given since on beir, in Leith, for a velvet
cod,[651] etc., 10 pence.
On the 20 of June, given to my wife for the use of
the house, 7 dolars.
Item, for another pair of shoes, 42 shiling.
Item, for wine, 12 pence.
Item, for tent to my wife, a mark.
Item, for wine to the landlord when I payed him
100 lb., 10 pence.
Item, for sundry other adoes, 45 shiling.
On win. with Doctor Steinson, 13 pence.
Given to my wife to give hir wobster,[652] 3 shilings.
For more tent, a shiling.
Item, a dollar as a part of 6 lb. payed by me of
annuity, a dolar.
Item, on the 1 of July, given to my wife for the use
of the house, 6 dolars.
Item, at a collation with Kilmundy, 40 shil.
Given to my wife, halfe a dollar.
At a collation with Mr. Pat. Lyon, 50 shiling.
Item, on sundrie other uses, a dollar.
This is the accompt of the saids 200 mks.
[651] Pillow.
[652] Weaver.
Then on the 10 of June 1671, I received from the Provest, Sir A. Ramsay,
100 lb. Scots as a termes annuel rent of the principal soume of 5000
mks.,[653] addebted by him to me, vid., from Candlemas 1670 to Lammas 1670.
Which 100 lb. I payed to James Wilsone, my landlord, in part of my house
maill, which was 160 lb.,[654] so that I remaine yet debitor to him on that
accompt in 60 lb., afterwards payed and all discharged.
[653] Unpaid half of his wife's marriage portion. See page xli; 3 per
cent., equal to 6 per cent. per annum.
[654] House rent, L13, 6s. 8d. half-yearly.
Then on the 15 of July, I receaved from my father 400 mks., which made up
600 mks., of the year 1671, received by me, out of which
Imprimis, payed to my landlord to compleit his maill, 60 lb.
Item, to his woman Nans, a dollar.
Item, to William Borthwick, the apothecar, conforme
to his accompt, 36 lb.
Item, to William Mitchell, the Baker, conforme to
his accompt, 26 lb.
Item, to Rot. Mein, for sweteis, glasses, etc., conforme
to his compt., 14 lb.
Item, given to my man when he brought me my 12
lb. sterl. from Wm. Broun, the burrows agent, a dollar.
Item, given to my wife, 2 dollars.
Item, upon win with Guus Grein, 15 pence.
Item, to my wife for the use of the house, on the
22 of July 1671, 9 dollars.
Given to my wife when she went to Innerkeithing
fair, 2 dollars.
Item, given hir to pay the deing[655] of hir hangings, 4 dollars.
Item, on the 4 of August, given to my wife to buy
a goune and petticoat, and furniture, conforme, 100 lb.
[655] Dyeing, I presume.
And because the 400 mks. receaved last from my father did not reach so far
as to compleit it, theirfor I took 10 dollars out of 200 mks. payed me in
July by Wm. Broun, in name and be halfe of the borrows for my pension,
1670, and made up the 100 lb. I gave to my wife theirby.
Item, farder payed out of the said 200 mks. of pension for 25
barrells of aile furnisht to the house from the midst of January
till August, at 32 shil. the barrell, 12 dollars and a halfe.[656]
[656] Here the dollar is equal to 5s. 4d.
This is near ane accompt of one 100 mks. of the 200 m. payed to me in
pension.
Item, given to my wife, 3 dollars.
Payed in R. Gilbert's when I was at Leith with the
Lady Wauchton, a dollar.
Item, payed for the coach hyre, a dollar.
Item, given to my wife to help to buy black lace
for hir goun, 2 dollars.
Item, given hir to buy coalls with from Leith and
elsewhere, 5 dolars.
Item, in Painston's with Sir Andro, 27 shill.
Item, given to my wife when she went to Waughton
to sie hir sone, 2 dollars and a halfe.
Item, in Painston's with Mr. Rot. Lauder and Rot.
Bell for our supper, 38 shill.
For 2 quaire of paper and ink, 18 pence.
For ane 100 plumes, 8 pence.
To Idington's Man when he come from Dundy
with the cloath, 29 shil.
To my man for sundrie depursements for me, 29 shil.
To the woman Marion for buying meall to the house, a shilling.
Item, in Peirson's with Rot. Bell, 27 shill.
Item, for my dinner in Pentherer's with Rot. Bell, etc., 48 shill.
Item, for a coach hyre out of Leith, 30 shiling.
Item, to Grange's man, a shilling.
Item, to my wife, halfe a dollar.
Item, for a mutching of tent, a shilling.
Item, given to the nurse to be compted in her fie, 2 dollars.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar.
This is the full accompt of the said 200 mks.
Then about the 14 of August I receaved from my father 300 mks. which made
with all the former 900 mks. of this year 1671.
Out of which imprimis:
Given to my wife to pay the making of her goune
and other things, 4 dollars.
In Painston's with Mr. Jo. Eleis, 29 shiling.
To my wife, 50 shiling.
For a choping of brandy, 14 pence.
Item for a hat in Broun's, 7 shilings.
Item, to my wife, a dollar.
Item, to Grange's nurse, a dollar.
Item, to the barber Henry Porrock, 6 pence.
Item, to George Gairner, a mark.
Item, to W'm Binning the thesaurer his nurse, a dollar.
Item, to David Colyear, 36 shilling.
Item, on the 5 of September given to my wife for
the use of the house, ij dollars and a halfe.
This is one 100 merks.
Then on the same day given her farder for the
same use, 11 dollars.
Item, given hir, halfe a dollar.
Item, for wax and soap, 7 pence.
Payed to Henry Hope for ports of letters when
I was in Holland, 5 lb. 10s.
For the acts of parlia. in June 1649, 34s.
For 6 dozen of gold strips to the hangings at 7s.[657]
and 6 p. the dozen, 9 dollars.
Upon seck, 5 pence.
[657] Sterling.
This is another 100 mks.
Then given to my wife, a shilling.
For a quaire of paper, 9 pence.
At a collation with Hary Grahame, 36 pence.
To John Scots nurse, a dollar.
On win their, 26 shill.
In the Lady Home's yeards,[658] 6 pence.
Payed for my man's horsehire to Wauchton, 46 shill.
Payed of sundry depursements to my man, 20 shilling.
Given to George Gairner, a shilling.
Given to my wife, 10 dollars.
Item, on win with Walter Pringle, 35 shill.
Item, for a pair of botts, 17 shilings and sixpence.
To Alex'r Todrig's nurse, a dollar.
For a quaire of paper, 9 pence.
For rasing[659] me at 2 severall tymes, 18 pence.
Given at Coldinghame kirk, a 6 pence.
Given to the foot boy their, a 6 pence.
Upon sundrie other uses neir, a dollar.
Item, given to my wife, twa dolars.
[658] Probably means gardens.
[659] Shaving.
This makes neir the other 100 mks.
And in wholle it makes up the 300 mks. receaved from my father on the 14 of
August last.
Then on the 3 of Nov'r. I receaved other 300 mks. from him, which makes
1200 mks. of what I received of my annuity 1671, out of which, etc.,
etc.[660]
[660] This account is omitted as of no interest.
* * * * *
On the 20 of february 1672 I receaved 300 mks. more from my father, which
with the former made 1500 mks. of the 1800 mks. due to me of annuity from
Lammes 1670 till Lambes last in 1671, out of which, etc., etc.
* * * * *
Then on the 17 of Aprill 1672 I farder receaved from my father other 300
mks., which being joined with all the former makes up 1800 mks., which is a
full years annuity owing to me by my father, vid., from Lambes 1670 till
Lambes last in anno 1671: wheiron I retired all my partiall discharges and
gave him a full discharge of that year's annuity and of all preceiding
Lambes 1671.
Out of this last 300 mks.
Imprimis, payed to Margaret Neilsone in part of
2 years fie owing hir (it being 23 lb. Scots by
year)[661] at Whitsonday approching, 34 lb.
So that their yet rests to hir of thesse 2 years fie 12 lb. Scots.
Item, payed to Bailyie Drummond for the cloath of
my wife's black goune, 46 lb.
Item, for Auctores Linguae Latinae, vid., Warre,
Isidorus, etc., 40 shiling.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar.
Item, given hir to buy worsted stockings for me, 3 shillings.
Given at a collation with Eleiston, 30 shilling.
Item, for a quaire of paper, 9 pence.
Given to my wife for the use of the house on the
27 of Aprill, 15 dollars.
All which depursements make 200 mks. of the last 300 received from my
father.
[661] Women servants wages, nearly L2 sterling.
Item, for the Covenanters Plea, a shilling.
Given for a new quarter with the nurse
hir bairne, 3 dollars and a halfe.
For the Informations about the Firing of London, 6 pence.
At a collation, 30 pence.
For a quaire of paper, 8 pence.
Given to my wife, a dollar.
At a collation with Wm. Aickman, 26 shil.
Item, given to the nurse in part of hir fie, 4 dollars.
Item, for G. Burnet's letter to Jus populi and for
the Tragi comedy of Marciano, 9 pence.
For a book against the commonly received tennents
of witchcraft, 8 pence.
Given to my wife, tua dollars.
Given to my unckle Andrew in compleit payment
of his meall, 9 dollars.
Given for the Seasonable Case and the Survey of Naphthali, 50 pence.
Given for Milton's Traity anent Marriages, 2 shillings.
Item, upon win, 2 shillings.
Item, for a pair of shoes, 40 pence.
This is the accompt of the haill 300 mks. last received by me from my
father on the 17 of Aprill 1672.
Then on the 1 of June 1672 I receaved from Thomas Robertsone 350 lb. Scots:
200 lb. of it was a years interest of my 5000 mks. he hes in his bond,
vid., from Lambes 1670 till Lambes 1671: the other 150 lb. was my pension
fra the toune of Edr for the year 1672. Given out of the 300 mks.
Imprimis, to my wife, 20 rix dollars.
Item, for Petryes History of the Church, 15 shills. sterl.
This is one 100 merks.[662]
Item, for Taylor's Cases of Conscience or Ductor, etc., 22 shillings.
Item, for Baker's Chronicle of England and Blunt's
Animadversions on it, 20 shillings.
Item, for Plinius 2dus his Epistles cum notis variorum, 6 shillings.
Item, for Cromwell's Proclamations and other Acts
of his Counsell from Septr. 1653 till Decr. 1654, 4 shillings.
For a pair of silk stockings, ij shills: 6 p.
Given to the nurse's husband, a dollar.
Given for Tyrannick love and the Impertinents, tuo comoedies, 40 pence.
Given for Reflections upon the Eloquence of this tyme, 18 pence.
Given for the Mystery of Iniquity unvailled by G.B., 9 pence.
Given for the accompt of the sea fight betuixt E.
and D. in 1665,[663] and are answer of our Commissioners
to England in 1647, 4 pence.
Given for ane answer to Salmasius Def. Regia,. 7 pence.
Item, for my dinner and other charges at Leith,
the race day, 3 shillings stg.
Given for Holland to be a halfe shirt, 5 shillings.
Given to my wife for the house, a dollar.
Given for the life of the Duck D'Espernon, 15 shillings.
This is another 100 mks.
[662] This makes the dollar about 4s. 9-1/2d.
[663] English and Dutch.
Item, given to my wife for the use of the house, 18 dollars.
Item, at Halbert Gledstans woman's marriage, a dollar.
Item, at the comoedy, halfe a dollar.
Item, that night in Rot. Meins for wine, halfe a dollar.
Item, in James Dean's the consecration day, 23 shillings.
Item, payed to Jonet's nurse and hir husband,[664]
For hir fie drink money, bounty and all, 24 dollars.
which absorbed all the 300 mks. received by me from Thomas
Robertsone as my annuel rent and put me to take 21 dollars
out of the money given me in pension.
Hence of the 150 lb. given me in pension I payed
to the said nurse as already is got doune, 21 dolars.
Item, given to my wife, 2 dollars.
Item, given hir for the use of the house on the 1 of August 21 dollars.
[664] Amount torn off.
This is 128 lb. of the 150 receaved by me in pension, so that their remains
with me 23 lb. of that money, out of which 23 lb.
Imprimis on the first of September 1672 given the said haill 23 lb. to my
wife for the use of the house.
Then on the 24 of August I had received from Thomas Robertsone the other
year's interest of my 5000 mks. in his hands (being 300 mks.) vid., from
Lambes 1671 till Lambes immediately bypast in 1672.
Out of which imprimis:
Given to my wife the forsaid 1 of September for
the use of the house, 5 dollars.
[Item lent to Eleiston, 3 dollars.[665]]
repayed.
Item, at a collation with Pat. Waus, a dollar.
Item, on the 16 of September 1672, given to the midwife, 6 dollars.
Payed in annuity from Whitsonday 1671 till Whytsonday
1672 in 3 dollars and a halfe, 10 lb. and a groat.[666]
Item, at a collation, a mark.
For a letter from France, 14 pence.
To my father's man, a mark.
For paper, vid., a quaire, 8 pence.
Item, given to Grissell Ramsay for the use of my house, a dollar.
Item, given at Gosfoord, 20 shiling.
Item, to St Germain's nurse, a dollar.
Item, to Mr. James Fausyde's man, 30 shill.
Item, for win at Cokeny,
[665] Erased in MS.
[666] Apparently the last groat coined in Scotland was the copper
twelvepenny groat of Francis and Mary in 1558. James V. coined a
silver groat in 1525 worth 18d Scots. The groat here is an English
groat, which was worth 4d.
This is more then one 100 mks. of the 300.
Item, given to my wife on the 28 of Septr. 1672,
for providing things to the christning, 22 dollars.
Item, to Doctor Stevinson's nurse, a dollar.
This is 200 mks. of the 300 received from T. Robertsone.
Item, for registration of my daughter's name to Mr.
Archbald Camron, a dollar.
Item, to Thomas Crawfurd, kirk treasurer because
not christned at sermon tyme, a dollar.
To the kirk bedell, 42 shilling.
For a letter from France, 14 pence.
On win in Rot. Meins, a mark.
For a coatch hyre to Ja. Dean's house, a shilling.
For a pair of shoes, 3 shillings.
Given in with a letter to Paris, a shilling.
For a quaire of paper and for ink, 10 pence.
For a mutching of seck with Mr. William Beaton, 9 pence.
Item, on the 13 of October, given to my wife, 9 dollars and a mark.
Item, for win., 10 pence.
Item, given to Pitmedden's man, a mark.
Item, to William Broun's man when he payed me my pension, a dollar.
Item, on the 22 of October, given to my wife, 7 dollars.
Item, on incident charges, a dollar.
This is the 300 mks. of annuel rent received by me from Thomas Robertsone
on the 24 of August last.
Item, on the 22 of October 1672, I receaved from William Broun, agent for
the borrows, 12 pounds sterling, being my pension as their assessor for the
year 1671, of which:
Imprimis, for a pair of shoes, 40 shiling.
Item, in charity to Ja. Hog, 29 pence.
Item, for 4 quare of paper, 30 pence.
Item, for a letter from France, 14 pence.
Item, at a collation in James Halyburton's, 50 shiling.
To Robert Boumaker, a dollar.
On coffee and other things, 16 pence.
Item, given to my wife, two dollars.
Item, given to my wife, dollars 21.
So then their remains of the said 12 lb. st. given me by William Broun only
22 dollars.
With the which 21 dollars given to my wife, she payed first
to Rot. Mein, for confections, wine, etc., to the christening, 28 lb.
Item, to William Mitchell for baken meit at the same tyme, 18 lb.
Item, for sundrie other accompts, 15 lb.
Which is the haill 21 dollars.[667]
[667] This brings out the dollar at about 4s. 10d.
Item, of the 22 dollars remaining to me of the foresaid money given me in
pension,
Imprimis, given to my wife for the use of the house on the 5
of November 1672, 14 dollars.
Item, at a collation or on win in Grissel Ramsay's house, 2 shillings.
Item, for seing the comedy called the Silent Woman, halfe a dollar.
Item, at a collation after it, 14 pence.
Item, on some other charges, 2 shillings.
Item, at a collation, 35 shillings.
Item, given on the 13 of Nov. to my wife for the
use of the house, 6 dollars.
This is all the 12 lb. of pension.
Then at a consultation of the Toune of Edrs, I receaved 23 dollars, of
which:
Imprimis, given to my wife the tyme aforsaid, 2 dollars.
Item, for sundry books, vid.:
Barronius Annals compendized, 2 tomes,. \
Summa conciliorum, Tyrius Maximus, Danaei Antiquitates, |
Benzonis Historia Americae, Demosthenis | 15 shillings
Olynthiaca, | and 6 pence.
Apulei opera omnia, Bucholzeri Chronologia, |
S.G. M'Keinzies Plaidings, /
Item, for myselfe and my wife at the comedy called
Love and Honor, a dollar.
Item, on win after I came home, 18 pence.
Item, given to my wife for the use of the house on
the 20 of November, 16 dollars.
Item, upon win at sundry times, 40 shiling.
This is the haill 23 dollars.
Item,[668] at sundrie consultations, vid., on of George Homes, 4 dollars;
on of Henry Lindsay's for the Laird of Guthry, 4 dollars. Item, from James
Gibsone, 2 dollars; on of Mr. P. Hamilton of Dalserfes, 4 dollars; from Mr.
Alex. Seaton in name of my Lord Winton, 10 dollars. Item, at a consultation
with the toune of Edr., 10 dollars, making in all 34 dolars, wheirof upon
sundry occasions which do not now occurre, I spent 8 dollars long ago. So
then their remains 26 dollars, out of which Imprimis:
[668] Example of counsel's fees.
Given or lent to Margaret Ramsay at the hilhead, 3 dollars.
Given in charity to on Anna Gordon upon hir testificats, a shilling.
Item, at Jo. Meggets relicts brithle, a dollar.
Item, at collations since, a dollar.
Item, upon other affairs, tuo dollars.
For seing the comedy called the Siege of Granada,
2d part, for my selfe, my wife, and Grissell
Ramsay, a dollar and a halfe.
Item, to the bassin at the church door, halfe a dollar.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar.
Given to G. Patersone, the wright, his woman or
nurse, a dollar.
Item, at a collation with Charl. Oliphant about Touch, 24 pence.
Item, at the comoedy, being the first part of Granada's
seige, for my selfe, my wife, Rachel, and
Grissell Ramsayes, 2 dollars.
Item, given to my wife for the use of the house, 8 dollars.
Item, for the acts of parlia., session 1672, etc., 30 shiling.
Item, for binding Hadington's Praitiques, 42 shilling.
For a quaire of paper, 6 pence.
Item, upon other uses, 40 shilling.
Item, to my wife, 2 dollars.
This is the accompt of the haill 26 dollars.
Item, receaved at 2 sundry consultations 6 dollars, out of which:
Imprimis, given to my wife, 2 dollars.
Item, on win at Aberdour, a mark.
Item, for sieng the house and yairds of Dunybirsell, a mark.
To G. Kirkcaldie's servante, a dollar.
To my wife, halfe a croun.
For the New art of wying vanity against Mr. G.
Sinclar, 15 pence.
Item, to my wife for the use of the house on the
last of Decr. 1672, 8 dollars.
Which was out of other money I had besyde me, which 8 dollars with what I
gave formerly makes up 14 dollars and 3 shillings sterl. of the money due
to hir for the moneth of January 1673.
Item, again to my wife, a dollar and 4 merks.
Item, given hir, 2 merks.
As also given to hir, two dollars.
Item, given to hir again, a dollar.
Item, given hir, thrie dollars and 2 shillings.
Item, given hir, 2 dollars.
Then on the 19 of february 1673, I receaved from Rot. Govan, gairdner, 20
lb. in payment of his tack duety for all termes preceiding Martinmas 1672,
out of which Imprimis:
Payed for my selfe and Mr. John Wood for seing
the comoedy called Sir Martin Mar-all, a dollar.
Item, to my wife, 3 dollars.
Given in with the trades bill, a dollar.
Item, at a collation, l6 pence.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar.
Item, waired upon sundrie things, 40 shil.
This is the accompt of the 20 lb.
Then upon the 5't day of March 1673 I receaved from my father 400 merks,
the first monie I lifted furth of the annuity payable to me from Lambes
1671 till Lambes 1672 last bypast: all preceiding Lambes 1671 being payed
to me by my father as I have already marked, out of which:
Imprimis, given to my wife, 23 dollars.
to pay hir ale compt which was 9 dollars: hir baxter compt,
5 dollars, hir wobster, 2 dollars; hir coalman, 3 dollars. Hir
nurse for the bairne Jonets quarter, 4 dollars.[669]
Item, given my wife for the use of the house during
this moneth of March, 10 dollars.
Item, for a pair of gloves, halfe a dollar.
Item, at a collation and on other uses, 3 shilings.
Item, spent upon the race day, 3 shillings.
Item, at a collation, 26 shiling.
Item, sent to Calderwood's man's wedding, a dollar.
Item, at a collation in Heriot's yards, 18 pence.
Item, for seck with A. Todrigde, ij pence.
To the Lady Pitmedden's nurse, a dollar.
Item, in Ja. Haliburton's, tua merks.
Item, to a poor woman, a mark.
Item, for a quair of paper, 6 pence.
Item, to the barber, 6 pence.
Item, to the kirk basin, 6 pence.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar and a halfe.
Item, given hir, tua dollars and 2 mark.
Item, spent in Ja. Haliburton's, 2 marks.
Given to my wife, tua dollars.
Given to the barber, a 6 pence.
Given for a timber comb, 8 pence.
Given on other uses, 8 pence.
Item, in the taverne, 20 pence.
Item, to my wife,. 20 pence.
Item, on the 1 of April given to my wife for the
use of the house that moneth, 12 dollars.
Upon win at sundry tymes, 40 shilling.
Item, to the barber, 6 pence.
Upon other uses, 9 pence.
Item to the kirk deacon for a year's contribution 2 dollars.
[669] Wages of a nurse sixteen dollars, or about L4 yearly, double the
wages of an ordinary woman servant.
[Sidenote: [This money is repayed me.][670]]
[Item, payed out for my Lord Provest's use and by his vreits[670] a hundred
merks and 8 dollars to Marie Hamilton in pairt of payment of the right she
had upon Popill][671] which being joyned with the former makes up exactly
the haill 400 mks. receaved by me from my father on the 5't of March last.
[Sidenote: [Which money is yet owing me.][671]]
[670] Writs.
[671] Erased in MS.
Then out of 4 dollars receaved in a consultation, I gave first
To the maid at Dudingstone, a mark.
To the kirk broad their, a mark.
Item, to Rot. Craw, a shilling.
Item, for confections at Bervick, 2 shillings.
Item, to Idington's man, a mark.
Item, at Pople for shoing the horse, item at Auldcambus
for brandy to the Dutchmen, a shilling.
Item, to a barber at Hadinton, 6 pence.
Item, given to my wife, 31 shiling.
Item, to the kirk broads, a shilling.
Item, given to my wife, 2 shillings.
Item, spent at Leith and else wheir, 50 shilling.
In the beginning of May 1673, my father and I having made our accompts he
was debitor to me in the soume of 1400 merks as resting of 1800 mks. of my
annuity from Lambes 1671 till Lambes 1672 (for on the 5 of March last I got
from him 400 mks. of the 1800, hence rested only 1400 mks. of that years
annuity) and I was found resting to him the soume of 40 pounds sterling or
720 merks[672] as tuo years maill of my dwelling-house[673] videlizet-from
Witsonday 1671 (at which I entered to it) till Whitsonday nixt approaching
1673, which being deducted and retained by my father in his oun hand, of
the 1400 mks. their remained 680 merks; wheirof I receaved at the said tyme
from my father 380 merks in money, wheirupon their rested to me behind of
my annuity preceiding Lambes 1672 just 300 mks: and I gave my father a
discharge of the said 720 mks. of house maill, and of the said 380 mks.
receaved by me in money, making togithir ij00 mks, which with the
preceiding 400 mks. gotten by me on the 5 of March last makes up 1500 merks
in all.
[672] This is normal. L1 equal to eighteen marks.
[673] His house rent was L20 a year.
Out of this 380 mks. receaved from my father on the 8 of May 1673,
Imprimis, given to my wife for paying hir meal and
hir children's quarters, etc., 6 dollars.
Item, for 2 quaire of paper, 18 pence.
Item, for my decreit and charging Rot. Johnston, 18 pence.
Item, on other uses, tua shillings.
Item, on win with Mr. Pat. Hamilton, a shilling.
Given to my wife on the 10 of May for the use of
the house, ij dollars.
Which making up 18 dollars and more compleit the 80 merks,
so their remains 300 mks. behind, out of which imprimis:
In Haliburton's with Sam. Cheisley, 40 shiling.
Item, to the kirk broad at Dudiston, 6 pence.
Item, to the barber, halfe a mark.
Item, in Masterton's with G. Gibson, 31 shilling.
Item, to Will. Sutherland, a mark.
For G. Burnet's reply and conferences, 3 shillings.
To Mr. Mathew Ramsay's nurse, a dollar.
For a pint of win their, 24 shilings.
For copieng a paper, 40 shiling.
Item, for mum and walnuts, 9 pence.
Item, at the kirk door, 6 pence.
Item, for win and sugar, 7 pence.
Given to my wife for furniture to my cloaths and
hir oune goune, 5 dollars.
Item, in Haliburton's for mum, 22 shiling.
Item, upon seck, 9 shiling.
Item, in James Haliburton's, 18 pence.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar.
Item, at the kirk door and on other uses, 13 pence.
Item, to Jo. Steinsone, gairdner, 14 pence.
Item, to my wife to be given to hir washer and other uses, 2 dollars.
Item, to Lancelot Ker for copieng a book to me first, a dollar.
Item, given to my wife, 6 dollars.
Upon other use I remember not, 2 dolars.
This is on 100 mks.
Item, on coffee, the poor and other uses, 3 shillings.
Item, given to my wife to pay hir servants fies on
the 31 of May 1673, ij dollars.
[Lent to Mr. Jo. W.][674] repayed me [3 dollars.][674]
Item, upon mum, 12 pence.
Item, for the provests last act, to Jo. Trotter in his
Improbation, 30 shilling.
For a quaire of paper, 9 pence.
Given to my wife on the 4 of June, 1673, 5 dollars.
In James Haliburton's, 14 pence.
Payed for 2 pair of shoes, 6 shillings and a groat.
On a quaire of paper and other uses, a mark.
[674] Erased in MS.
This is near another 100 merks.
Item, given to my wife on the 9 day of June 1673, 6 dollars.
To Joseph the barber, a shilling.
Item, in Ja. Haliburton's, 18 pence.
Item, for a timber chair, 18 pence.
Item, on Leith on the race day, 3 shillings.
Item, at the kirk door, 6 pence.
For the post of a letter from my goodbrother, 14 pence.
Item, in Maistertons with young Idington when he went away, 32 shiling.
At dinner in Haliburton's, 20 pence.
Item, to the barber, 6 pence.
Item, upon other uses, 6 pence.
Item, to my father's woman who keips the child
George, given by myself and my wife, 2 dollars.
Item, given to my wife, a dollar.
Payed to the coallman, 10 lb.[675]
Item, upon paper and ink, 10 pence.
Item, in Ja. Haliburtons, 10 pence.
Item, given to my wife for buying a scarfe, hood, 10 pence.
fan, gloves, shoes, linnen for bands, etc., 7 dollars.
[675] This is one of the few instances in which an item of
expenditure is stated in pounds.
This is another 100 merks. And which compleits the haill 380 merks receaved
from my father on the 8 of may 1673.
Upon the 20 of June 1673 I receaved from William Binning a years salarie as
tounes assessor which he was owing me for the year 1671 wheirin he was
tresurer, being 150 lb. Scots, which is about 229 merks, out of which:
Imprimis, for a pair of net leather shoes, 3 shillings.
Item, in Painston's with Mr. Todridge, 48 shill.
Item, given to my wife partly to pay Margaret
Neilsons fie and partly for other uses, 3 dollars.
For a triple letter its post for Rome, 15 pence.
Item, for seing the play called the Spanish Curate, halfe a dollar.
Item, for cherries to Kate Chancellor their, halfe a dollar.
Item, theirafter in Aikman's, 14 pence.
Item, at the kirk door, halfe a mark.
Item, spent when I was at Liberton kirk, 2 shillings.
Item, for Thomas the Rymer's Prophecies, 4 pence.
For the Lords answer in Fairlies case, a dollar.
Item, given to my wife to compleit Margaret Neilsons
fie during the haill tyme of hir service
besides what was payed hir formerly, 6 dollars and a mark.
Given to my wife for sundry uses, 10 dollars.
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