nisi_fw-la dominus_n frustra_fw-la information_n for_o james_n mclurg_n late_o dean_n of_o guild_n of_o edinburgh_n george_n clerk_n robert_n blackwood_n and_o other_o merchant_n and_o tradesman_n of_o edinburgh_n against_o sir_n john_n hall_n sir_n archibald_n muir_n and_o other_o the_o present_a magistrate_n and_o council_n thereof_o the_o perpetuate_n of_o the_o magistracy_n and_o government_n of_o the_o city_n of_o edinburgh_n in_o the_o same_o person_n or_o in_o the_o hand_n of_o few_o by_o turn_v be_v contrary_a to_o the_o fundamental_a law_n and_o constitution_n of_o the_o city_n tend_v not_o only_a to_o the_o discouragement_n of_o other_o well_o deserve_a citizen_n but_o also_o to_o the_o appropriate_a and_o waste_v of_o the_o common_a good_a for_o support_v the_o private_a interest_n and_o end_n of_o such_o as_o aim_v at_o perpetual_a magistracy_n these_o project_n and_o design_n have_v always_o be_v most_o unacceptable_a to_o the_o generality_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n there_o be_v never_o a_o more_o open_a and_o manifest_a design_n of_o perpetuate_a the_o magistracy_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o few_o than_o at_o this_o time_n a_o particular_a faction_n have_v continue_v constant_o in_o the_o council_n and_o influence_v all_o the_o election_n these_o four_o year_n by-gone_a during_o which_o time_n more_o violation_n and_o invasion_n have_v be_v make_v upon_o the_o set_a and_o constitution_n of_o the_o city_n then_o can_v be_v instance_a in_o any_o precede_a age_n and_o that_o not_o only_o by_o overturning_a and_o contemn_v the_o law_n for_o regulate_v the_o manner_n of_o leet_a and_o election_n but_o by_o gross_a and_o exorbitant_a gratification_n and_o donative_n without_o either_o cause_n or_o pretext_n notwithstanding_o that_o during_o the_o influence_n of_o this_o magistracy_n the_o good_a town_n lose_v the_o imposition_n upon_o malt_n which_o be_v the_o great_a part_n of_o their_o revenue_n and_o which_o be_v enjoy_v and_o possess_v by_o their_o predecessor_n with_o the_o universal_a consent_n of_o the_o inhabitant_n the_o brewars_n and_o all_o who_o bear_v the_o burden_n and_o thereby_o be_v so_o far_o difference_v from_o the_o case_n of_o the_o illegal_a exaction_n discharge_v by_o the_o claim_n of_o right_n that_o the_o privy_a council_n upon_o full_a debate_n do_v continue_v the_o magistrate_n in_o possession_n thereof_o and_o according_o they_o do_v possess_v it_o until_o it_o be_v discharge_v and_o cut_v off_o by_o a_o act_n of_o parliament_n and_o if_o their_o imprudence_n be_v not_o the_o occasion_n of_o that_o act_n at_o least_o it_o must_v be_v say_v that_o no_o donative_n whereof_o ever_o their_o predecessor_n be_v possess_v be_v discharge_v by_o any_o king_n or_o parliament_n except_z what_o fall_v out_o during_o their_o magistracy_n yet_o that_o misfortune_n do_v not_o hinder_v the_o exorbitant_a gratification_n which_o be_v design_v to_o support_v and_o advance_v their_o faction_n for_o which_o there_o lie_v a_o complaint_n at_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o same_o pursuer_n before_o the_o lord_n commissioner_n of_o their_o majesty_n thesaury_n against_o these_o who_o have_v have_v the_o influence_n of_o the_o magistracy_n these_o year_n by-gone_a and_o who_o unwarrantable_o elicit_v and_o deliver_v up_o a_o bond_n for_o a_o great_a sum_n of_o money_n and_o who_o to_o cover_v their_o shame_n in_o deliver_v that_o bond_n do_v appear_v before_o the_o thesaury_n to_o support_v it_o as_o a_o just_a debt_n contrary_a their_o trust_n which_o do_v oblige_v they_o to_o defend_v the_o common-good_a against_o all_o unjust_a burden_n and_o imposition_n there_o be_v such_o regard_n due_a to_o the_o magistracy_n of_o this_o metropolitan_a city_n that_o the_o citizen_n of_o it_o can_v not_o be_v induce_v to_o state_n any_o public_a complaint_n against_o they_o upon_o a_o few_o or_o small_a transgression_n but_o find_v at_o last_o that_o the_o fundamental_a constitution_n have_v be_v utter_o neglect_v and_o contemn_v at_o three_o several_a successive_a election_n and_o that_o by_o these_o streatche_n the_o government_n of_o the_o city_n be_v now_o divide_v betwixt_o sir_n john_n hall_n and_o sir_n archibald_n muir_n who_o have_v succeed_v by_o turn_v and_o who_o still_o continue_v the_o same_o person_n upon_o the_o council_n that_o influence_v the_o former_a election_n and_o who_o be_v retain_v and_o act_v in_o the_o council_n manifest_o contrary_a to_o the_o set_a and_o the_o general_a inclination_n of_o the_o city_n both_o merchant_n and_o trade_n and_o all_o that_o be_v any_o clog_n or_o weight_n upon_o they_o be_v now_o throw_v out_o of_o the_o magistracy_n &_o council_n some_o of_o the_o neighbour_n who_o join_v not_o in_o any_o of_o their_o illegality_n nor_o be_v elect_v to_o any_o office_n since_o michaelmass_o 1690_o and_o refuse_v to_o sit_v and_o act_n with_o sir_n archibald_n after_o his_o election_n until_o they_o take_v a_o formal_a protestation_n which_o the_o record_n bear_v that_o their_o come_n to_o council_n shall_v not_o import_v any_o approbation_n of_o the_o election_n have_v at_o last_o be_v constrain_v to_o raise_v a_o process_n before_o the_o privy_a council_n for_o punish_v of_o these_o who_o contraveen_v the_o same_o and_o have_v enter_v into_o the_o magistracy_n by_o illegal_a election_n and_o for_o annul_v the_o last_o election_n that_o the_o magistrate_n and_o council_n of_o the_o precede_a year_n may_v proceed_v to_o a_o new_a legal_a and_o formal_a election_n exclude_v only_o such_o particular_a person_n as_o shall_v be_v prove_v guilty_a or_o accessary_a to_o the_o invasion_n and_o encroachment_n libel_v this_o process_n be_v call_v the_o privy_a council_n be_v please_v to_o hear_v party_n distinct_o in_o their_o own_o presence_n upon_o every_o article_n of_o the_o libel_n point_n by_o point_n and_o afterward_o to_o allow_v both_o party_n to_o inform_v upon_o the_o ground_n that_o be_v debate_v that_o the_o business_n may_v be_v distinct_o understand_v and_o deliberate_o determine_v according_a to_o the_o weight_n and_o importance_n of_o it_o the_o first_o article_n of_o the_o libel_n be_v that_o sir_n john_n hall_n be_v elect_v in_o may_n 1689_o and_o be_v bind_v by_o oath_n in_o the_o usual_a form_n not_o to_o continue_v above_o two_o year_n in_o the_o office_n together_o be_v necessitate_v to_o dimit_v in_o april_n 1691_o at_o which_o time_n there_o appear_v a_o faction_n in_o the_o town_n council_n who_o be_v determine_v by_o right_a or_o wrong_n to_o advance_v sir_n archibald_n muir_n to_o the_o vacant_a office_n and_o albeit_o that_o party_n have_v a_o great_a support_n at_o the_o time_n yet_o the_o appearance_n of_o a_o faction_n give_v early_o suspicion_n of_o the_o design_n of_o perpetuate_a the_o magistracy_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o few_o and_o this_o procure_v such_o opposition_n to_o that_o design_n that_o it_o can_v not_o be_v bring_v about_o without_o extraordinary_a streatche_n the_o ordinary_a council_n of_o edinburgh_n consist_v of_o 25_o person_n and_o the_o provost_n or_o praeses_fw-la do_v vote_n first_o and_o have_v a_o second_o vote_n in_o case_n of_o equality_n and_o the_o set_a require_v a_o council_n of_o thirty_o person_n to_o be_v all_o present_a at_o the_o leet_a of_o magistrate_n and_o 38_o at_o the_o election_n who_o must_v also_o be_v all_o present_a so_o that_o the_o council_n of_o 30_o have_v power_n of_o make_v leet_n may_v exclude_v who_o they_o please_v from_o these_o leet_n and_o consequent_o from_o the_o magistracy_n and_o therefore_o the_o great_a intrigue_n of_o election_n be_v the_o frame_n of_o the_o council_n of_o 30_o for_o whoever_o be_v master_n of_o the_o plurality_n of_o that_o council_n be_v by_o consequence_n master_n of_o the_o election_n by_o exclude_v all_o competitor_n the_o method_n of_o make_v up_o the_o council_n of_o 30_o be_v by_o call_v all_o to_o be_v present_a who_o have_v right_o to_o vote_n in_o the_o leet_a and_o if_o any_o be_v absent_a these_o who_o be_v present_a have_v power_n to_o choose_v other_o to_o represent_v the_o absent_v and_o these_o who_o be_v elect_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o council_n be_v call_v proxy_n so_o the_o struggle_v on_o either_o hand_n be_v to_o have_v proxy_n elect_v favourable_a to_o the_o design_n of_o either_o party_n and_o upon_o the_o matter_n the_o plurality_n of_o these_o who_o be_v present_a and_o upon_o the_o place_n have_v the_o true_a influence_n to_o turn_v the_o election_n to_o either_o side_n it_o happen_v that_o there_o be_v only_o 22_o of_o 30_o upon_o the_o place_n whereby_o eight_o proxy_n be_v to_o be_v elect_v for_o fill_v up_o the_o council_n of_o 30._o the_o provost_n have_v demit_v the_o elder_a baillie_n do_v precede_v and_o as_o praeses_fw-la have_v the_o first_o and_o last_o vote_n in_o case_n of_o equality_n and_o in_o the_o choice_n of_o the_o eight_o proxy_n some_o be_v elect_v cross_a to_o the_o design_n of_o advance_v sir_n archibald_n by_o a_o
uncontroverted_a plurality_n but_o as_o to_o the_o great_a number_n of_o proxy_n the_o council_n divide_v equal_o eleven_o to_o eleven_o whereby_o the_o praeses_fw-la who_o do_v not_o favour_n sir_n archibald_n do_v cast_v the_o balance_n against_o he_o by_o his_o odd_a vote_n sir_n archibald_n and_o his_o party_n hope_n be_v defeat_v by_o loss_n of_o all_o the_o proxy_n they_o protest_v against_o the_o praeses_fw-la his_o take_v a_o odd_a vote_n and_o do_v withdraw_v in_o a_o most_o irregular_a and_o mutinous_a manner_n these_o who_o remain_v may_v have_v join_v with_o the_o eight_o proxy_n nominat_fw-la who_o be_v elect_v have_v as_o good_a right_n to_o act_v as_o any_o other_o member_n of_o the_o council_n and_o may_v have_v elect_v new_a proxy_n in_o place_n of_o these_o who_o have_v withdraw_v but_o have_v no_o other_o design_n than_o peace_n and_o concord_n they_o rather_o choose_v to_o adjourn_v the_o council_n to_o another_o diet_n and_o to_o justify_v their_o procedure_n do_v exhibit_v a_o information_n to_o the_o duke_n of_o hamilton_n precedent_n of_o the_o privy_a council_n which_o his_o grace_n have_v communicate_v to_o the_o board_n and_o answer_n be_v make_v to_o it_o both_o party_n be_v call_v to_o debate_v the_o point_n anent_o the_o right_n of_o the_o odd_a vote_n sir_n archibald_n and_o his_o faction_n find_v themselves_o worsted_n in_o the_o matter_n of_o the_o odd_a vote_n do_v take_v the_o boldness_n and_o confidence_n to_o assert_v a_o manifest_a falsehood_n at_o the_o council_n barr_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o annul_v the_o former_a election_n of_o proxy_n and_o introduce_v sir_n archibald_n to_o the_o magistracy_n and_o of_o all_o the_o stretch_v in_o the_o follow_a election_n viz._n that_o the_o proxy_n be_v not_o at_o all_o regular_o elect_v by_o either_o party_n in_o so_o far_o as_o two_o old_a counselor_n of_o the_o former_a year_n who_o be_v upon_o the_o place_n have_v right_a to_o have_v concur_v with_o the_o present_a ordinary_a council_n which_o will_v have_v make_v up_o the_o number_n of_o twenty_o four_o whereby_o there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o eight_o but_o six_o proxy_n to_o fill_v up_o the_o number_n of_o thirty_o this_o impudent_a and_o false_a assertion_n do_v gain_v credit_n with_o the_o privy_a council_n who_o find_v that_o the_o two_o old_a counselor_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v call_v to_o a_o extraordinary_a election_n be_v upon_o the_o place_n and_o that_o no_o proxy_n shall_v have_v be_v choose_v for_o they_o unless_o they_o have_v refuse_v when_o call_v and_o that_o any_o election_n without_o their_o be_v call_v be_v informal_a and_o irregular_a and_o therefore_o ordain_v the_o magistrate_n and_o council_n to_o begin_v a_o formal_a election_n de_fw-fr novo_fw-la sir_n archibald_n and_o his_o faction_n have_v the_o advantage_n of_o this_o unexpected_a interlocutor_n they_o know_v their_o impudent_a assertion_n will_v not_o abide_v a_o second_o view_n and_o therefore_o do_v peremptorly_a resolve_n to_o precipitate_fw-la a_o election_n before_o the_o next_o diet_n of_o privy_a council_n and_o when_o they_o be_v meet_v to_o begin_v this_o new_a and_o regular_a election_n the_o first_o step_n be_v still_o to_o choose_v the_o proxy_n for_o fill_v up_o the_o council_n of_o thirty_o and_o then_o they_o consider_v that_o the_o penalty_n of_o transgress_v the_o set_a be_v infamy_n and_o incapacity_n they_o dare_v not_o adventure_v to_o admit_v these_o old_a counselor_n as_o have_v any_o proper_a right_a to_o sit_v and_o vote_n with_o they_o in_o the_o election_n of_o the_o other_o proxy_n but_o rather_o choose_v to_o throw_v off_o the_o mask_n and_o own_o to_o the_o world_n how_o impudent_o they_o have_v aver_v a_o falsehood_n at_o the_o council_n bar_n as_o if_o any_o old_a counselor_n have_v a_o proper_a right_a to_o concur_v with_o the_o ordinary_a council_n in_o elect_v of_o proxy_n and_o a_o quorum_fw-la of_o the_o ordinary_a council_n of_o they_o present_a do_v elect_a proxy_n so_o fill_v up_o the_o council_n of_o thirty_o in_o the_o very_a same_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o the_o former_a proxy_n have_v be_v elect_v without_o admit_v these_o old_a counselor_n so_o that_o if_o the_o first_o election_n of_o proxy_n be_v void_a the_o second_o election_n be_v much_o more_o so_o be_v after_o the_o act_n of_o council_n found_v upon_o their_o own_o assertion_n and_o be_v contrary_a to_o and_o inconsistent_a with_o both_o and_o if_o the_o first_o election_n of_o proxy_n be_v regular_a and_o formal_a as_o true_o it_o be_v there_o be_v no_o place_n for_o a_o second_o election_n of_o proxy_n this_o be_v a_o important_a article_n which_o be_v the_o foundation_n of_o the_o present_a magistracy_n and_o all_o the_o illegality_n that_o follow_v the_o pursuer_n make_v use_v of_o no_o other_o probation_n than_o the_o town_n council_n book_n produce_v wherein_o be_v record_v the_o information_n exhibit_v to_o the_o duke_n of_o hamiltoun_n with_o the_o answer_n and_o act_n of_o privy_a council_n annul_v the_o former_a election_n of_o proxy_n all_o in_o the_o sederunt_fw-la the_o 5_o the_o of_o june_n 1691_o and_o upon_o the_o 6_o the_o of_o june_n there_o be_v mark_v a_o sederunt_fw-la of_o the_o ordinary_a council_n not_o comprehend_v these_o old_a counselor_n and_o in_o the_o same_o sederunt_fw-la the_o say_a james_n baillie_n and_o patrick_n johnston_n who_o be_v pretend_v to_o have_v a_o proper_a right_o to_o join_v with_o the_o ordinary_a council_n and_o have_v a_o vote_n in_o the_o election_n of_o proxy_n be_v elect_v proxy_n in_o place_n of_o two_o old_a counselor_n which_o prove_v the_o point_n as_o perfect_o as_o any_o thing_n imaginable_a can_v be_v it_o be_v answer_v 1._o that_o it_o appear_v by_o the_o council_n book_n produce_v that_o james_n baillie_n and_o patrick_n johnston_n be_v present_a in_o the_o council_n of_o thirty_o at_o the_o leet_a and_o in_o the_o council_n or_o thirty_o eight_o at_o the_o election_n of_o sir_n archibald_n muir_n and_o whether_o they_o be_v mark_v present_a as_o counselor_n or_o as_o proxy_n be_v but_o a_o mere_a niceity_n which_o the_o clerk_n may_v not_o have_v regard_v in_o the_o mark_v of_o the_o council_n book_n and_o it_o be_v of_o no_o moment_n or_o importance_n whether_o they_o be_v there_o as_o counselor_n or_o as_o proxy_n see_v they_o be_v present_a neither_o can_v every_o small_a error_n or_o omission_n be_v sufficient_a to_o annul_v a_o election_n which_o will_v lessen_v the_o authority_n of_o magistrate_n 2._o the_o election_n 1691._o can_v be_v quarrel_v after_o so_o long_a time_n because_o there_o have_v interveen_v two_o election_n so_o that_o the_o magistrate_n then_o elect_v have_v enjoy_v the_o full_a time_n of_o their_o office_n and_o have_v now_o fall_v out_o by_o course_n and_o by_o such_o a_o consequence_n the_o pursuer_n may_v run_v back_o to_o quarrel_v election_n at_o any_o time_n within_o the_o prescription_n of_o forty_o year_n it_o be_v reply_v the_o council_n book_n do_v clear_o prove_v that_o the_o procedor_fw-la at_o sir_n archibald_n election_n be_v unsuitable_a to_o what_o he_o have_v assert_v and_o contrary_a to_o the_o act_n of_o privy_a council_n and_o see_v the_o law_n have_v fix_v certain_a rule_n in_o election_n for_o no_o other_o end_n but_o to_o prevent_v faction_n in_o and_o inhaunce_v of_o the_o magistracy_n these_o rule_n ought_v to_o have_v be_v precise_o perform_v especial_o when_o there_o be_v so_o equal_a a_o iustle_n that_o a_o grain_n weight_n be_v sufficient_a to_o cast_v the_o balance_n and_o sir_n archibald_n think_v it_o no_o trifle_n to_o assert_v to_o the_o privy_a council_n that_o old_a counselor_n who_o ought_v to_o have_v be_v call_v to_o the_o leet_a be_v neglect_v but_o when_o that_o falsehood_n do_v gain_v credit_n and_o serve_v his_o turn_n he_o plead_v its_o now_o become_v but_o a_o trifle_n though_o upon_o that_o trifle_n his_o magistracy_n be_v found_v but_o under_o his_o favour_n if_o he_o have_v either_o assert_v a_o falsehood_n to_o the_o privy_a council_n or_o if_o his_o assertion_n be_v true_a and_o yet_o he_o have_v neglect_v to_o perform_v what_o both_o the_o privy_a council_n and_o the_o set_a do_v require_v he_o and_o all_o who_o promote_v that_o election_n aught_o to_o be_v most_o severe_o and_o examplar_o punish_v 2._o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o it_o be_v the_o same_o thing_n whether_o they_o be_v mark_v present_a as_o counselor_n or_o proxy_n the_o defender_n be_v in_o a_o wilful_a mistake_n for_o the_o whole_a intrigue_n of_o a_o election_n be_v to_o gain_v the_o plurality_n of_o those_o who_o have_v right_a to_o elect_a the_o proxy_n and_o therefore_o sir_n archibald_n plead_v before_o the_o privy_a council_n that_o these_o old_a counselor_n have_v right_a to_o be_v elector_n of_o the_o proxy_n and_o the_o election_n be_v not_o annul_v because_o they_o
be_v not_o elect_v proxy_n but_o because_o they_o be_v not_o call_v to_o the_o election_n of_o proxy_n and_o they_o be_v not_o so_o call_v at_o the_o 2_o do_v election_n more_o than_o at_o the_o first_o 3._o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o the_o mark_v of_o these_o as_o proxy_n may_v be_v a_o mistake_n of_o the_o clerk_n it_o be_v answer_v may_v be_v be_v no_o defence_n but_o true_o it_o be_v impossible_a to_o be_v so_o for_o immediate_o after_o the_o act_n of_o privy_a council_n be_v record_v upon_o the_o five_o the_o sederunt_fw-la of_o the_o six_o of_o june_n begin_v which_o contain_v all_o the_o member_n of_o council_n that_o be_v then_o present_a thereafter_o follow_v the_o act_n of_o that_o council_n and_o one_o of_o the_o act_n thereof_o be_v that_o they_o elect_v james_n baillie_n and_o patrick_n johnston_n to_o be_v proxy_n and_o for_o a_o further_a evidence_n that_o it_o will_v not_o possible_o be_v a_o mistake_n the_o same_o sederunt_fw-la contain_v a_o protestation_n ingross_v take_v against_o the_o council_n for_o the_o time_n because_o they_o have_v walk_v downright_o contrary_a to_o the_o act_n of_o privy_a council_n in_o that_o particular_a even_o before_o the_o election_n of_o magistrate_n so_o they_o can_v not_o pretend_v ignorance_n to_z the_o 2_o d_o that_o the_o magistrate_n elect_v in_o june_n 1691_o be_v now_o go_v out_o by_o course_n before_o they_o be_v quarrel_v and_o by_o that_o preparative_n a_o election_n may_v be_v call_v in_o question_n at_o any_o time_n within_o prescription_n it_o be_v reply_v the_o pursuer_n do_v not_o conclude_v the_o annul_n of_o that_o election_n 1691._o but_o do_v libel_v these_o violation_n and_o invasion_n upon_o the_o set_a as_o crime_n punishable_a in_o sir_n archibald_n and_o these_o who_o be_v accessary_a to_o that_o illegal_a procedor_fw-la and_o to_o satisfy_v the_o privy_a council_n that_o this_o magistracy_n have_v its_o foundation_n upon_o a_o falsehood_n and_o that_o it_o have_v be_v continue_v by_o a_o tract_n of_o practice_n illegal_a and_o unjust_a that_o therefore_o the_o last_o election_n shall_v only_o be_v annul_v and_o that_o these_o of_o the_o former_a council_n who_o have_v no_o accession_n to_o the_o foresay_a violation_n may_v proceed_v to_o a_o new_a and_o formal_a election_n the_o next_o point_n insist_v on_o be_v the_o precipitation_n of_o the_o first_o election_n the_o act_n of_o council_n be_v of_o the_o 4._o of_o june_n without_o call_v or_o hear_v the_o first_o proxy_n who_o be_v legal_o elect_v the_o ordinary_a council_n fall_v to_o be_v upon_o friday_n the_o 5._o of_o june_n &_o the_o town_n council_n have_v continue_v till_o after_o one_o a_o clock_n the_o praeses_fw-la &_o a_o number_n with_o he_o have_v withdraw_v the_o young_a baillie_n do_v take_v upon_o he_o to_o preside_v &_o do_v call_v a_o extraordinary_a council_n upon_o saturnday_n the_o sixth_o where_o proxy_n be_v elect_v to_o fill_v up_o the_o council_n of_o 30_o which_o can_v not_o be_v find_v out_o in_o all_o edinburgh_n without_o call_v the_o town_n servant_n and_o pensioner_n who_o by_o the_o 22._o act_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o estate_n be_v exclude_v from_o vote_v in_o the_o election_n by_o the_o pole_n and_o even_o these_o can_v not_o be_v have_v without_o threat_n and_o promise_n and_o another_o extraordinary_a diet_n be_v call_v upon_o monday_n without_o the_o warrant_n of_o the_o first_o magistrate_n for_o the_o time_n and_o at_o that_o diet_n sir_n archibald_n be_v both_o leet_v and_o elect_v provost_n whereas_o the_o set_a appoint_v the_o leet_a to_o be_v in_o one_o day_n and_o the_o election_n in_o another_o page_n 15_o and_o 16._o and_o all_o this_o be_v necessary_a because_o both_o council_n and_o session_n be_v to_o sit_v the_o day_n follow_v which_o will_v have_v stop_v their_o procedure_n it_o be_v answer_v the_o privy_a council_n have_v appoint_v a_o provost_n to_o be_v elect_v it_o be_v their_o duty_n to_o proceed_v with_o all_o convenient_a diligence_n and_o though_o the_o elder_a baillie_n do_v withdraw_v he_o can_v not_o dissolve_v the_o council_n without_o their_o consent_n and_o any_o magistrate_n may_v call_v a_o council_n and_o a_o quorum_fw-la be_v meet_v they_o may_v proceed_v 2._o there_o be_v no_o law_n or_o custom_n exclude_v town_n pensioner_n from_o vote_v and_o these_o who_o be_v aim_v at_o be_v person_n who_o have_v be_v in_o the_o chief_a magistracy_n they_o be_v yet_o capable_a of_o the_o same_o office_n much_o more_o to_o be_v proxy_n and_o the_o act_n of_o the_o meeting_n of_o estate_n relate_v only_o to_o that_o particular_a article_n 3._o the_o leet_a and_o election_n of_o the_o whole_a magistrate_n at_o michaelmass_n do_v require_v two_o diet_n but_o the_o election_n of_o a_o single_a magistrate_n at_o a_o extraordinary_a diet_n do_v not_o require_v the_o same_o and_o the_o defender_n deny_v any_o threat_n or_o promise_n it_o be_v reply_v that_o the_o three_o elder_a baily_n have_v withdraw_v after_o one_o a_o clock_n and_o after_o the_o council_n be_v adjourn_v to_o the_o next_o ordinary_a diet_n it_o be_v a_o presumption_n without_o precedent_n that_o the_o young_a shall_v not_o only_o take_v upon_o he_o to_o act_v as_o praeses_fw-la at_o that_o diet_n but_o also_o to_o call_v a_o extraordinary_a council_n the_o next_o day_n it_o be_v the_o constant_a rule_n of_o all_o judicature_n that_o none_o can_v call_v a_o extraordinary_a meeting_n except_z the_o praeses_fw-la or_o principal_a member_n upon_o the_o place_n especial_o in_o matter_n of_o the_o great_a moment_n and_o importance_n 2._o the_o meeting_n of_o estate_n have_v exclude_v town_n pensioner_n and_o servant_n from_o vote_v by_o the_o pole_n it_o be_v incongruous_a and_o illegal_a that_o such_o shall_v be_v admit_v as_o member_n in_o a_o council_n of_o 30._o and_o the_o call_n of_o they_o have_v a_o tacit_n insinuation_n of_o threaten_v in_o case_n sir_n archibald_n election_n have_v proceed_v without_o they_o so_o that_o they_o be_v neither_o at_o freedom_n to_o stay_v away_o nor_o at_o freedom_n to_o vote_n when_o they_o come_v lest_o they_o shall_v lose_v their_o pension_n without_o which_o several_n of_o they_o can_v not_o subsist_v and_o there_o be_v more_o direct_a threaten_n use_v against_o other_o to_o force_v they_o in_o and_o all_o this_o practise_v notwithstanding_o of_o protestation_n take_v which_o be_v also_o record_v in_o the_o sederant_fw-la of_o the_o 6_o of_o june_n 3._o the_o leet_a and_o election_n in_o one_o day_n be_v unwarrantable_a and_o what_o the_o set_a do_v appoint_v 〈…〉_o be_v to_o be_v observe_v at_o every_o extraordinary_a election_n unless_o there_o can_v be_v some_o important_a reason_n of_o disparity_n otherways_o all_o that_o be_v appoint_v by_o the_o set_a may_v be_v neglect_v at_o a_o extraordinary_a election_n upon_o that_o pretence_n for_o the_o set_a suppose_n the_o ordinary_a time_n of_o election_n and_o by_o that_o reason_n the_o defender_n may_v pretend_v that_o there_o be_v no_o need_n for_o 30._o or_o 38._o person_n for_o the_o leet_a and_o election_n of_o a_o single_a magistrate_n and_o there_o be_v nothing_o more_o suitable_a than_o that_o the_o leet_a and_o election_n shall_v be_v at_o different_a diet_n because_o after_o the_o leet_n be_v complete_v the_o trade_n who_o 〈…〉_o of_o 30._o be_v bind_v to_o retire_v and_o meet_v with_o the_o eight_o extraordinary_a deacon_n in_o the_o magdalen_n chapel_n before_o the_o election_n and_o it_o be_v very_o incongruous_a that_o the_o magistrate_n and_o merchant_n council_n shall_v continue_v to_o sit_v in_o council_n when_o they_o can_v act_n nothing_o till_o the_o trade_n do_v return_v and_o as_o to_o the_o instance_n of_o the_o leet_a and_o election_n of_o sir_n thomas_n kennedy_n and_o sir_n magnus_n prince_n in_o one_o day_n that_o can_v be_v no_o precedent_n because_o they_o be_v name_v by_o the_o king_n letter_n and_o there_o be_v only_o the_o shadow_n but_o not_o the_o substance_n of_o a_o free_a election_n the_o next_o point_n insist_v in_o be_v that_o the_o set_a page_n 10_o provide_v that_o none_o be_v upon_o the_o council_n above_o two_o year_n together_o except_o they_o be_v office-man_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n be_v upon_o the_o coucil_n and_o by_o the_o set_a page_n 9_o tit._n council_n it_o be_v clear_a that_o none_o be_v reckon_v office-man_n but_o the_o seven_o magistrate_n and_o the_o rest_n of_o the_o 25_o be_v 18_o person_n be_v only_a counsellor_n and_o by_o the_o set_a page_n 8._o tradesman_n be_v not_o capable_a to_o be_v magistrate_n or_o office-man_n yet_o george_n stirling_n have_v be_v upon_o the_o council_n ever_o since_o the_o popular_a election_n albeit_o instrument_n be_v take_v against_o he_o at_o michailmass_n 1691_o that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v continue_v and_o the_o like_a at_o michaelmass_n 1692._o and_o
he_o be_v so_o far_o convince_v of_o it_o that_o he_o acknowledge_v in_o face_n of_o council_n the_o continue_n of_o he_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o set_a yet_o the_o be_v persuade_v to_o make_v bold_a with_o it_o in_o like_a manner_n william_n menzies_n have_v be_v above_o two_o year_n upon_o the_o council_n without_o office_n and_o these_o be_v active_a instrument_n in_o the_o last_o election_n who_o ought_v not_o at_o all_o to_o have_v be_v member_n or_o concern_v in_o it_o it_o be_v answer_v the_o set_a prohibit_v any_o to_o be_v above_o two_o year_n upon_o the_o council_n contain_v a_o quality_n viz_o except_o they_o be_v office-man_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n on_o the_o council_n and_o george_n stirling_n and_o william_n menzies_n be_v both_o in_o the_o case_n of_o that_o exception_n for_o neither_o of_o they_o be_v ever_o above_o two_o year_n together_o upon_o the_o council_n in_o the_o same_o capacity_n for_o deacon_n stirling_n be_v first_o a_o trade_n counsellor_n than_o two_o year_n a_o ordinary_a deacon_n and_o then_o a_o trade_n counsellor_n and_o now_o be_v continue_v upon_o the_o council_n and_o in_o like_a manner_n william_n menzies_n be_v first_o treasurer_n and_o then_o old_a treasurer_n afterward_o old_a baillie_n and_o last_o old_a dean_n of_o gilled_a and_o so_o change_a office_n yearly_a 2._o custom_n have_v clear_v this_o for_o william_n hamilton_n tailyor_n continue_v eight_o year_n on_o the_o council_n by_o change_v his_o character_n from_o deacon_n to_o trades-counselâ—or_a and_o alexander_n reid_n goldsmith_n be_v continue_v in_o the_o same_o way_n upon_o the_o council_n seven_o year_n and_o the_o pursuer_n mistake_n be_v in_o this_o that_o they_o do_v not_o cansider_v a_o deacon_n as_o a_o office_n whereas_o ordinary_a deacon_n be_v certain_o by_o their_o office_n upon_o the_o council_n and_o so_o george_n stirling_n fall_v under_o the_o exception_n of_o the_o set._n it_o be_v reply_v that_o the_o defender_n give_v so_o much_o proof_n of_o their_o ingenuity_n in_o the_o former_a plead_v anent_o the_o odd_a vote_n that_o the_o pursuer_fw-mi can_v be_v afraid_a that_o the_o privy_a coucil_n will_v be_v easy_o impose_v upon_o to_o take_v their_o commentare_fw-la upon_o the_o set_a as_o good_a corn_n and_o what_o be_v now_o pretend_a be_v just_a as_o false_a and_o absured_a as_o the_o old_a assertion_n of_o the_o right_n of_o old_a counsellor_n to_o vote_n at_o extraordinary_a election_n and_o this_o commentare_fw-la upon_o the_o set_a will_v utter_o enervat_fw-la and_o overturn_v the_o whole_a design_n of_o it_o which_o be_v to_o exclude_v the_o possibility_n of_o inhance_a magistracy_n for_o at_o this_o rate_n the_o bulk_n of_o the_o council_n may_v continue_v for_o life_n by_o change_a character_n once_o in_o two_o year_n and_o the_o thereby_o be_v absolute_o master_n of_o election_n and_o the_o exception_n will_v be_v just_a all_o be_v large_a as_o the_o rule_n 2_o as_o this_o consequence_n be_v most_o absurd_a so_o the_o commentare_fw-la destroy_v the_o text_n for_o neither_o of_o the_o the_o two_o defender_n fall_v under_o the_o exception_n of_o person_n that_o may_v be_v continue_v above_o two_o year_n and_o it_o be_v absolute_o false_a that_o either_o of_o they_o be_v office-man_n or_o upon_o the_o council_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n for_o clear_v of_o this_o important_a point_n the_o meaning_n of_o the_o word_n office-man_n be_v express_v page_n 9_o title_n council_n bearing_z that_o the_o council_n do_v consist_v of_o 18._o person_n beside_o the_o office-man_n to_o wit_n provost_n baily_n dean_n of_o guild_n and_o treasurer_n who_o be_v the_o seven_o magistrate_n so_o that_o office-man_n and_o magistrate_n be_v the_o same_o thing_n and_o the_o seven_o magstrat_n with_o the_o 18._o counsellor_n make_v the_o number_n of_o 25_o and_o it_o be_v a_o mighty_a measure_n of_o confidence_n to_o pretend_v that_o a_o ordinary_a deacon_n or_o a_o old_a baillie_n or_o old_a dean_n of_o guild_n be_v a_o office-man_n or_o more_o than_o a_o counsellor_n see_v this_o be_v express_o contrair_a to_o the_o say_a page_n 9_o title_n council_n which_o do_v not_o only_o express_v the_o number_n of_o the_o council_n but_o set_v down_o the_o person_n that_o make_v up_o that_o number_n of_o 18._o viz._n old_a provost_n four_o old_a baily_n old_a dean_n of_o guild_n and_o theasurer_n and_o three_o merchant_n mo_z with_o eight_o craftsman_n whereof_o six_o deacon_n and_o two_o other_o craftsman_n common_o call_v tradesman_n counsellor_n and_o the_o pursuer_fw-mi desire_n to_o know_v if_o either_o oâ—_n the_o two_o complain_v upon_o be_v in_o other_o capacity_n than_o these_o that_o be_v contain_v in_o the_o enumeration_n of_o the_o council_n except_o the_o time_n that_o william_n minzies_n be_v theasurer_n which_o the_o pursuer_n do_v not_o reckon_v or_o complain_v on_o 3._o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o at_o the_o least_o the_o two_o defender_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n be_v upon_o the_o council_n and_o so_o they_o fall_v under_o the_o latter_a part_n of_o the_o exception_n it_o be_v answer_v this_o be_v another_o quibble_n in_o the_o vain_a hope_n that_o the_o set_a will_v be_v mistake_v and_o though_o that_o one_o mistake_n shall_v overthrow_v the_o whole_a intent_n of_o it_o the_o defender_n make_v no_o matter_n but_o for_o clear_v the_o meaning_n of_o that_o part_n of_o the_o exception_n the_o import_n of_o these_o word_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n be_v upon_o the_o council_n be_v such_o as_o be_v upon_o the_o council_n without_o election_n and_o that_o be_v the_o seven_o old_a magistrate_n for_o these_o who_o be_v magistrate_n this_o year_n be_v old_a magistrate_n the_o next_o year_n of_o course_n by_o their_o office_n without_o election_n as_o appear_v by_o the_o set_a page_n 9_o and_o more_o full_o by_o the_o two_o year_n act_n subjoin_v to_o the_o set_a page_n 4._o which_o be_v annual_o confirm_v by_o oath_n and_o there_o be_v no_o other_o can_v enter_v into_o or_o remain_v upon_o the_o council_n without_o election_n or_o by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n except_o the_o old_a magistrate_n allanerly_a and_o whereas_o it_o be_v pretend_v that_o william_n meinzies_n be_v a_o old_a magistrate_n and_o george_n stirling_n as_o a_o ordinar_a deacon_n be_v upon_o the_o council_n it_o be_v answer_v none_o of_o they_o be_v upon_o the_o council_n by_o virtue_n of_o their_o office_n but_o by_o election_n for_o albeit_o the_o present_a magistrate_n of_o this_o year_n continue_v upon_o the_o council_n the_o next_o year_n without_o election_n yet_o if_o any_o of_o they_o be_v advance_v to_o a_o high_a office_n or_o die_v or_o demit_fw-la in_o that_o case_n there_o be_v a_o vacancy_n of_o a_o old_a magistrate_n place_n which_o must_v be_v supply_v by_o election_n as_o in_o this_o case_n william_n meinzies_n be_v advance_v to_o be_v old_a baillie_n on_o the_o decease_n of_o thomas_n wyllie_n and_o although_o thomas_n will_v have_v be_v old_a baillie_n of_o course_n by_o his_o office_n yet_o william_n menzies_n come_v there_o by_o election_n and_o can_v by_o change_v his_o character_n be_v perptuat_fw-la in_o the_o council_n by_o several_a election_n in_o like_a manner_n it_o be_v a_o rare_a pretence_n that_o george_n stirling_n by_o his_o office_n of_o ordinary_a deacon_n be_v upon_o the_o council_n for_o it_o be_v council_n that_o elect_v he_o a_o ordinary_a deacon_n and_o he_o be_v not_o a_o ordinary_a deacon_n without_o election_n but_o the_o trade_n do_v make_v choice_n of_o fourteen_o deacon_n and_o out_o of_o these_o the_o council_n do_v choice_n six_o ordinary_a deacon_n and_o the_o council_n choice_n have_v this_o restriction_n by_o the_o set_a that_o they_o can_v by_o election_n continue_v any_o person_n above_o two_o year_n a_o single_a counsellor_n but_o if_o a_o counsellor_n be_v advance_v to_o the_o magistracy_n which_o a_o crafts-man_n can_v he_o may_v be_v advance_v the_o three_o year_n and_o may_v a_o four_o year_n be_v a_o old_a magistrate_n and_o so_o may_v advance_v to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o the_o magistracy_n till_o at_o last_o he_o go_v out_o and_o whereas_o several_a precedent_n be_v condescend_v upon_o which_o be_v allege_v to_o introduce_v a_o custom_n of_o continue_v person_n long_o than_o two_o year_n upon_o the_o council_n it_o be_v answer_v the_o example_n be_v only_o two_o not_o sufficient_a to_o introduce_v a_o custom_n and_o a_o practice_n contrair_a to_o the_o set_a can_v be_v no_o rule_n to_o overturn_v what_o be_v clear_o provide_v by_o it_o and_o it_o can_v be_v condescend_v upon_o that_o ever_o protestation_n be_v take_v against_o these_o person_n or_o that_o their_o continue_n be_v approven_v by_o any_o judicature_n and_o it_o be_v not_o every_o violation_n of_o the_o set_a that_o draw_v person_n to_o a_o public_a complaint_n against_o a_o