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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 407 members of Council, including Mr. Hutton, were accordingly hurried away to Inverkeithing, and there committed to durance in the common jail.’ The rest of the councillors having assembled at the hour of meeting, it was proposed by Mr. John Wilson, that before proceeding to business Mr. James Gibson, W.S. (afterwards Sir James Gibson-Craig, Bart. of Riccarton), should be “brought in to assist the Council with his advice at this election, in order that it may be conducted in a regular manner, and all the necessary forms be observed.” This motion was seconded by Bailie James Hunt, and carried by a majority of nine to six. Mr. Andrew Adie then moved “ that no election of a delegate for the burgh can take place, on account of Provost Moodie and other five of the Council having been carried off by an illegal and improper warrant; and therefore insisted that Mr. James Horne, W.S., be brought into Council to take a protest on that head ; and that no procedure w-hatever can take place until these councillors are returned to Council.” This was seconded by Mr. James Cowper, but negatived by nine votes to six. Mr. Adie and five other members’ now left the Council-Room, and the remaining nine unanimously elected Mr. Wemyss of Cuttlehill as their commissioner, to vote at the ensuing election. A desperate effort, however, was made by his opponents to regain the fortunes of the day. Proceeding on foot (for want of a conveyance) to Cramond Bridge, Mr. Williamson, advocate (afterwards Lord Balgray), drove from thence to Edinburgh, where he obtained an order, on lodging the requisite security, for the release of the imprisoned electors ; and, on the return of the party from Inverkeithing, late at night, the Provost immediately summoned a second meeting of the Council, which of course was attended only by those in the interest of Colonel Johnstone. The following are the minutes ; and we quote them nearly verbatim, as highly curious, as well as illustrative of the events we have been recording :- Thus Sir John Henderson’s party were triumphant. “The Magistrates and Council of the burgh of Dunfermline having assembled betwixt the hours of ten and eleven o’clock at night, of the 16th June 1796, in respect they were prevented from proceeding to the election of their delegate at the hour fixed by their minute of sederunt of 30th May last, being twelve o’clock of this forenoon. “ Mr. John Black, clerk of the burgh, having declined, though required, to officiate &s clerk to this meeting, the Council did thereby unanimously appoint Mr. John Black, junior, Writer in Dmnfermline, to be their clerk. ‘‘ The Council consider it necessary to state on their record why this meeting comes to be held at so late an hour, viz.- “ The whole twelve members now present observing yery strong symptoms of tumult and disorder to have been excited in this burgh for some days put, and that some of themselves Sir John Hendemon’s party prevailed on Dr. Davidson (Professor of Civil and Natural History in Marischal College, Aberdeen), then residing in Dunfermline, to go to Kinghorn and examine M ‘Millan’s hurt ; and it was in consequence of his certiieate, stating the man’s life to be in danger, that a warrant was obtained from the Crown Agent. An action was afterwards raised by the parties imprisoned, before the Court of Session, against Sir John Henderson, in which they were successful. The Pmvost obtained 6200, and the other councillors X100 each, of damages. 9 Measrs. James CowperlJaniea Lowson, David Beveridge, John Smith, and George Swan.
Volume 9 Page 543
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