Peace of the Kingdom 1411. where the Provest and many of the best Citizens did assist to gain the Victory of that day with the loss of their lives Also that fatall Battell of Pinkie where there were lost and killed many brave Towns-Men of Aberdeen that went thither though at so far a distance for the Honour of their Soveraign and of the Nation King CHARLES the first in the year 1633 at his Coronation in this Kingdom confirmed and ratified all our above written Priviledges and Liberties of new given and granted by his Royall Father and Progenitors with this addition making and constituting the Provest and Bailies Sheriffs within their Burgh and freedom-Freedom-Lands and the Priviledge of having an unground Malt-Market and honored PAUL MENZIES of Kinmundie then present Provest with the Honour of Knight-hood In the year 1649 when the Parliament of Scotland out of their dutifull Respects and Loyaltie to their undoubted Soveraign King CHARLES the second had proclaimed Him King of Great Britain France and Ireland and immediatly did choose Commissioners of all the three Estates of this Kingdom to invite their King to this his Ancient Kingdom to receive the Crown which had now of right descended to him from 108 Kings The Parliament made choise of ALEXANDER JAFFRAY of Kingswells Commissioner for Aberdeen to be one of the two Burrowes to go over to Holland to the King who was a Wise Pious and Discreet Man all his time And he to be faithfull to the City he had his Commission from intreated the Parliament to consider the most important Article in his Commission that so he might undertake that weighty Employment with the greater Alacrity which was to visit the counts of the extraordinary losses of Aberdeen relating to the Publick The Parliament had that respect to him and was so desirous to grant his so just demand that forthwith they did Deput some fit Members who after hearing and considering made their report and thereupon the Parliament by an Act did acknowledge themselves as the Representative of the Nation to be justly resting to the City of Aberdeen the summ of nine hundreth threescore and nine thousand Merks and did grant the Cess of the City to be allowed to them for as many Moneths as drew to eighteen thousand Merks because this great summ that was due to them had exhausted the summs of Money that was Mortified to Hospitals Schools the Colledge and the Common-Poor of that City and had ruined almost the Common Thesaurie thereof but this was all they could spare at that time till an opportunity might fall out to make them more full payment which hitherto hath ever failed and hath been the cause of the severall heavy burdensom Taxations that have of late years been laid on and of procuring that relief which hath been obtained thir five or six years bygone by the Magistrats who withall have made themselves lyable to the grudge of such as are so selfiish that before their particular suffer but a little they could let the Publick come to utter ruine and perish without remedy and unavoidably but of two evils the least is to be chosen But to return Our abovenamed Commissioner obtained also an Act of Parliament that no Souldiers should be quartered in Aberdeen for three years thereafter such was the great respect the Parliament had to him whereupon he went to the King with the rest of the Commissioners of the three Estates And after his return being Commissioner to the Convention of Burrowes at Queensferrie obtained half a merk down of Aberdeens proportion of the 100 Pound of Stent-Roll which was a great advantage to the City He being chosen that year Provest of Aberdeen went with the rest of the Commissioners the next year 1650 to the Hague in Holland where it pleased GOD so to prosper their endeavours as to bring the King home with them Aberdeen being the first City of the Kingdom he came to there he was received with all the Demonstrations of joy and cheerfullness that the Magistrats and Inhabitants could evidence as also the Silver-Keyes of the City were delivered to him by the Provest who tame sometime before to prepare for the Kings reception with an Eloquent and Pertinent Harrangue therewith made by Mr. James Sandilands of Cotton the Cities Recorder or Clerk In the end of February and beginning of March 1651 the King came to Aberdeen where he stayed a week at which time Mr. Robert Farquhar of Munie was Provest Alexander Jaffray who had been Provest the former year having been taken Prisoner at Dumbar-fight which was on the third of September 1650. the King was pleased to honour our then present Provest with the Honor of Knighthood together with Patrick Leslie of Eden who had been Provest some years before with the like Honor. As also in the Year 1681 GEORGE SKENâ— of Fintray was Honoured with the Title of Knighthood at EDINBURGH by JAMES Duke of Albany and York then Commissioner to the Parliament of SCOTLAMD for the late KING CHARLES the Second His ROYALL-BROTHER CHAP. VI. Concerning the STATE of ABERDEEN AS for the State of ABERDEEN if it be taken for the Yearly Revenue of their Thesaurie it is not so considerable as some lesser Towns in the Kingdom It is mostly exhausted in paying Stipendiaries and other incidencies especially since the time of Queen Mary at which time our freedom-Freedom-Lands and Salmon-Fishings were all fewed out to particular men which though it brought in considerable summs at first yet now the Fewes both of Lands and Waters are but very inconsiderable all of them extending but to seven hundreth sixteen Pounds ten shillings Scots money Yet that it may appear how considerable this City is in reference to the Kings Exchequer if we consider the Customs and Excyse of Merchant-Goods one with another as also the Excyse of Ale Beer and Aquavitae or Strong-Waters with the Yearly Supplie given to the King by Act of Parliament this City one Year with another will be of in-come to the Exchequer about thirty thousand Pounds of Scots money If this were duely considered it might easily be perceived that the Prosperity and Flowrishing of this City is of speciall concernment to the King and the Publick Interests of the Nation and incaice of its decay the prejudice of both will be no less considerable We acknowledge we have severall of the Chiefest Staple Commodities in the Kingdom as Plaiding Fingrams Stockings Salmond Stuffs Serges Sheep-skins and Lamb-skins When Plading was giving good price in Holland the old Conservator SIR PATRICK DRUMMOND frequenty reported that the Kingdom of SCOTLAND was more obliedged to the City of ABERDEEN for the abundance of money the Merchants thereof brought to the Nation then to all the Towns of this Kingdom besides but the Trade of this so profitable a Commodity is greatly decayed and become very low The Rivers of Dee and Don besides what is brought from Ythan and Ugie which two last Rivers belong to the Earle MARISCHALL and
others and that so far as they know all the Goods pertain to Free-men As also that before the loadning of the Ship for her return they swear that the Goods pertain to themselves and not to Strangers otherwise the Conservator may arreast the Ship and Goods at least all the Goods of the refuser Ja. 6. P. 15. c. 257. The Conservator should put the Acts against Usurie in execution upon all Scots Merchants Skippers and Factors in the Low-countries and compt thereupon to the Thesaurer Ibid. c. 259. Acts anent the Staple THat an Incorporation be made of Scots in the Low-countries and their Priviledges ordaining the Scots residing there and pretending to the saids Priviledges to give their Oath of obedience to the KING and his Laws as if they were dwelling in Scotland and that they pay for their entries ten Pounds Fleemish and the persons refusers to be deprived of all benefite or commerce with his HIGHNES Liedges Ja. 6. P. 6. c. 96. That no Ships passing to the Low-countries land any mans Goods but at Campvere or the ordinary Staple and that no person go on land or take any thing out of the Ship untill her arrivall there under the pain of ten pound Fleemish and the Conservator should take the Merchants and Skippers Oathes thereanent Ja. 6. P. 15. c. 258. That Merchants coming from the Low-countries give to the Conservator an account of the quantity and quality of the Goods under the pain of confiscation thereof and that a subscribed Cocket thereof be sent home to the Thesaurer Ibid. c. 260. CHAP. XIII Concerning some Means in generall by which a Burgh may flowrish IT ought to be the care of a faithfull Senate and vigilant Rulers over a City and Common-wealth seriously to consider by what means a Town may most flowrish grow in Greatness prosper in Riches and increase in Numerous and Vertuous Inhabitants I shall name some of these 1. Religion was a mean whereby Jerusalem was not onely made head of that Kingdom but also greatest in all Asia because all the Males behooved to appear there thrise a Year There was the Temple of the LORD there the High Priest and all solemn Oblations and Sacrifices hence it was called the Holy City but now there are no places that have any Holiness in them under the Gospel Joh. 4.21 22. For GOD may be Worshiped every where and any where if it be in Spirit and in Truth I know not any Religious Concernment that might more greaten a City nor be a more attractive motive for Strangers that had any Principle ruling in them of the fear of GOD then a Holy People Isa. 4.3 and 60.21 When the Inhabitants of a City generally did walk so Christianly and so Sweetly together according to Gospell Rules that they might give evidence of the fullfilling these blessed Promises Isa. 1.25 26. upon which account a Town might be justly termed a City of Righteousness the Faithfull City this was a sure foundation of all true Prosperity and Greatness therefore let all profane and ungodly persons be esteemed the chiefest enemies to a Cities wellfare and the Pious and truely Godly the chiefest Jewells and Blessing thereof A 2 d. mean of making a Town flowrish is a dilligent care to have Trade and Merchandise thriving by all due encouragement thereunto and to endeavour if possible to have some distinct and particular Commoditie to be exported or imported that no other neighbour Town hath or some usefull Manufacture that is not in any other place of the Natiâ—â— or at least not so good or cheap It weâ—â— a desireable thing in Scotland to see every Town to improve their Situationâ— and soyle their Rivers Lochs Trades Arts and Engines and in a word their particular properties and advantages by industrie that each of them might be found to have some special and distinct commodity to vent for their own great benefit and their Countries service A 3 d. mean is to cherish Industry and Arts and Handy-crafts See Botero on the greatness of Cities Pag. 84. and to procure excellent Wits and Persons of eminent Qualifications for that end 4 ly The erecting and maintaining Schools of Learning and Professors of all usefull and commendable Sciences which may draw the Youth of the Countrey to be bred in Cities and Towns in doing whereof speciall care would be had that strict Laws and Orders might be set down for the good and quiet behaviour of the Students and these duly execute by faithful Masters and carefull Magistrats that Parents and Relations may send their Children thither in a measure of confidence and security and so the Inhabitants be preserved in Peace 5 ly Inviting by immunities from Taxes and Tolls all that have any commodities to sell to frequent Mercats and great Faires within Burgh which would need to be procured from the KING and Parliament for that end by which a Town may have severall advantages though the Taxes were quited at least very low As Monethly Mercats in every great Town for Horse and Oxen by which the Countrey may be served at all seasons and the Burgh be benifited by the change that the Countrey People should make 6 ly That all the Judicatories that may be had be set up within Burgh whereby the Subjects may have occasion to make frequent resort to the Town 7 ly To endeavour to order well all necessaries for Food and Fireing and for keeping and mantaining Families within Burgh that all Persons of Quality may be encouraged to buy and build Houses in Towns which would undoubtedly contribute much for the Prospering of Trades and Arts in a Town by their change and greatly enlarge the City 8 ly If there be any speciall Blessing of Nature in or near to the Town that may be for pleasure or profit to Strangers that the same may be published and set forth with the best advantages for inviting the concurse of Strangers to the place as the Waters of Bath in England the Medicinall Wells and Fountaine at Spa in Germany and Orges in France and that health giving Spring for Gravel Gout Hydropsie and Collick at Aberdeen being drunk according to Dr. William Barclay his printed prescriptions in the Summer-Moneths Or if there be any notable or curious device invented or illustrated by Art which may adorn or ennoble a Town the same will influence and not a little concur to advance it All these former means have been drawn from profit it is to be considered that pleasure hath been a special mean to draw Strangers to a City And for this 9 ly Curious Gardens fruitfull Orchards in or about a City especially when so so placed as may most beautify the Town which may be no less profitable then pleasant according to the saying Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci. I shall in the next place enlarge upon some of these in particular in the fourth-Chapter I did treat of Religion at some length and shall not therefore insist now but regrate
surely will not miss If all our Rulers shall account of this Then these Memorialls shall esteemed be And by our Cities keept in Memorie A Friend to the Author Another to the AUTHOR of these MEMORIALLS HEre doth a Publick Spirit breath Tho by a privat Pen Both to provock and to incit Like minds in powerfull Men More to preferr the Publick Good And seek that to advance Then Property or Interest Or Breeding brought from France And if Ambition laid some men To seek Renown and Praise How much more should Religion then Above this Region raise True Christian Vertue doth aspyre To Eternize their Fame Before the LORD by doing so As He 'll approve the same A lover of the Publick Good Here is this Authors Name Let all who read this Book make choise Of this habituall frame A Lover of the Author The Contents or Index of the Memorialls contained in this Treatise CHAP. I. Anent the Diversitie of Burghs Viz. Burghs of Barrony Regality and Burghs-Royal Pag. 17 CHAP II. Anent Government in generall and in speciall and the advantages of the Burghs-Royall by the Ingredients of the severall sorts of Government Pag. 19. CHAP. III. Of the Councill and their Duties in generall and their two chief Ends they should aim at Pag. 25. CHAP. IV Anent Religion and Holiness wherein it consists not and wherein it doth consist Pag. 27. CHAP. V. Anent Iustice and Righteousness and the Branches and Effects thereof in a City Pag. 32. CHAP. VI. Anent Sobriety and Moderation Pag. 34. CHAP VII Anent bearing down Ambition and joyning in Elections of Magistrats and Councill Pag. 38. CHAP VIII Anent Sloath and Neglect in Rulers and their publick Administrations Pag. 44. CHAP. IX Anent Envy and Vain-Glory being both enemies to Vertue Pag. 55. CHAP X. Anent Love and Concord as the surest foundation of a Kingdom City or Common-wealth Pag. 62. CHAP. XI Anent Observation of Laws both Nationall and Municipall Pag. 70. CHAP. XII Some select Acts of Parliament anent Royal-Burghs the Conservator anent the Staple Pag. 74. CHAP. XIII Concerning some Means in generall by which a Burgh may flowrish Pag 88. CHAP. XIV Concerning Merchandising Pag 94. CHAP. XV. Concerning some general Overturs for improvement of Trade mostly relating to the Chief Rulers of the Kingdom Pag. 98. CHAP. XVI Concerning Mechanick-Trades Pag. 111 CHAP. XVII Concerning Planting both for Profit and Pleasure Pag. 115. CHAP. XVIII Concerning Charity and care of the Poor Pag. 120. CHAP. XIX Concerning Magistrats in Generall and the Qualifications requyred in them Pag. 125. CHAP. XX. Concerning the Duties Office of the Provest Pag. 134. CHAP. XXI Concerning the Office and Duties of the Bailies Pag. 137. CHAP. XXII Concerning the Office and Duty of the Dean of Gild. Pag. 140. CHAP. XXIII Concerning the Office and Duty of the Towns-Thesaurer Pag. 146. CHAP. XXIV Concerning the Office and Duty of the Town-Clerk or Recorder Pag. 148. CHAP. XXV Concerning some Duties incumbent upon the Magistrats joyntlie Pag. 151. CHAP. XXVI Concerning Iustice of Peace Courts to be holden within Burgh by the Magistrats thereof Pag. 159. CHAP. XXVII Concerning some Considerations laid before the Youth in every City or Corporation Pag. 165. CHAP. XXVIII Directed to the Inhabitants and Freeâ—men of Cities Pag. 176. CHAP. XXIX Some Overtures humbly offered to the Nobles and Gentry of the severall Shires in Scotland Pag. 182. MEMORIALS For the Government of ROYALL-BURGHS in SCOTLAND CHAP. I. Anent the Diversitie of Burghs Viz. Burghs of Barrony Regality and BURGHS-ROYALL IN the Kingdom of SCOTLAND there are three sorts of Burghs some are Burghs of Barrony some are Burghs of Regality and some are Royal-Burghs Burghs of Barrony are such as the Barrons hath full power to choise their Bailies Burghs of Regality are such as the Lord of the Regality hath the full power to choise their Bailies unless power be given them in their Infestments be him to their Commonalitie to choise their own Bailies whereof there are diverse instances in the Kingdom Some are Royal-Burghs so called because they hold immediatly of the KING and by their first Erections have power to choise their Provest Bailies and Councill and have the onely Priviledge of Forraign-Trade and Merchandising and have their own common-Common-Lands holden of the KING their Houses and burrow-Burrow-Lands holden in free Burgage of the KING can enter an Heir to Tenements of Land within Burgh brevi manu without Service or Retour and enter them thereto and give them Seasing by Hesp and Staple and have many more Priviledges conferred on them some of them being Sheriffs within themselves as Edinburgh Aberdeen Striviling c. Having briefly set down the differences betwixt the three severall sorts of Burghs My design relating onely to Royal-Burghs I shall set down first the manner of the Government thereof 2 dly Shall set down the nature of the Town-Councill and the Duties incumbent unto them in reference to GOD and the wellfare of the City 3 dly Shall set down the Qualifications of an able and fit Magistrat upon whom a chief part of the prosperitie and happiness of a Town depends And then the particular Duties relating to each of the severall Magistrats in particular and next of their Duties joyntly together CHAP. II. Anent Government in generall and in speciall and the Advantages of the BURGHS-ROYALL by the Ingredients of the severall sorts of Government AS to the Government of our Cities and Towns severall Politick Writers have concluded that a well mixed Government made up of all â—states and Ranks of Persons is to be preferred to any of the three sorts of Governments that hath been or at this day is in use in Kingdoms Common-Wealths or Cities as they are simply considered as Democracie which is when the People or mixed Multitude have the Supream Power in them Magistrats are chosen by them Laws are made by them and that which is carried by the greater part is esteemed to be the Judgement of the whole Their great end is Liberty to live as they please and do what they think fit and this kind of Government degenerats often into confusion and many gross abuses have been committed by it Secondly Aristocracie which is when a few persons have the Soveraign Power in them and this often degenerats into Faction and Division Thirdly Simple Monarchie when one person hath absolutely the whole Power in himself to make what Laws he will and do whatsoever he thinks good and this often degenerats into Tyrannie But as is said a well mixed Government made up wisely of all Estates and Ranks of persons is preferred before any of these Such is the Government of this our Ancient Kingdom and in some respect our Cities are mostly so constitute for since a Common-Wealth or Citie consists of severall Degrees of men of different conditions and imployments some Merchants some considerable Heritors that live upon their Rents some Tradsmen and Handicrafts the want of which would make a great defect in a
importance comes to be consulted off if the present Councill find it meet they call the former years Councill and joyne both in consultation and determination And if it be a business of setting on of a Tax or levying of Money whither for Nationall or Particular Usâ— or such like the consent of the whole City is called for in a Publick Head-Court conveened by Authority of the Magistrats where the reasons of the said Tax or Imposition are holden forth by the Provest c. unto them So by this it is evident to the Judicious that we have the best Ingredients and Advantages of all the severall sorts of Government And to compleat our Power our Provest and Bailies are made Sheriffs within their own City and Freedom-Lands by K. CHARLES the first 1633 by which our Citizens are fred from the Power of any Sheriff that at times have sought to oppress them yea to pannell them for life without a just cause as in Allexander Rutherford Provest his time when the Sheriff-Deput pannelled a Burger called Patrick Corser for resetting stollen Brass which he had bought on a Maâ—ket-day innocently and would not admit of surety for any summ of money whatsoever offered by the Provest the Sheriff having a pick against the man pannelled which the Provest perceiving that no reason could prevaill commanded Patrick Corser down staires upon any hazard that might follow and so fred him As also the Magistrats a moneth or thereby before the yearly Election cause the Drummer go through the Town inviting all the Inhabitants Free-men to come and hear the accounts of all the Office-bearers counted fitted and subscrived by the Magistrats and the rest of the Auditors of the counts chosen in the day of the Election for that end so that any that pleases may see how uprightly all the Towns-Revenues and Moneys received are bestowed CHAP. V. Concerning the Fidelity and Loyall-Duty which the Citizens of Aberdeen have alwayes payed to their SOVERAIGNES together with the gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief Magistrats thereof THis City having been erected into a Burgh-Royall by King GREGORIE the Great and Priviledged with many Donations by Him as some Notes and Scrolls bear Record gathered by the Recorders and Town-Clerks afterwards The Principall Evidents being destroyed in the common Callamities of these sad times formerly hinted at This City was had in speciall favour with many of the succeeding KINGS as by King William surnamed for his Valour and Fortitude the Lyon He built a Palace in Aberdeen where sometime he remained with his Court which afterward he dedicated to a new order of Friars called the Trinity-Friars for setting up an Abbacie for them two of that order which Pope Innocent the third had newly Erected being recommended by the Pope and sent from Rome To this Abbacie he gave Gifts and some Rents intending if he lived to give them greater this Order was erected 1211. Which Abbacie was burnt when the City was destroyed where now the Trades-Hospitall stands being re-edified but of late years by Dr. William Guild Likewise it is Recorded that the three Kings Alexanders had here in this City a pleasant Pallace which afterwards was translated to the Friars-Predicators or Dominicans Alexander the second did greatly adorn this City and give it Liberties and Priviledges the like with Pearth 1214 which was the first year of his Reign immediatly after the death of his Father King William Boyes holds forth in his History pag. 283. ver 65. That this KING came to Aberdeen with his Sister Isobell after he returned from England and honored it with many Priviledges as King Gregory King Malcome the second and David brother to King William had done before It is said he called this CITY His own City the Infefâ—ments of the said King Alexander the second under his Seal in green Wax is yet extant as a Record of the Priviledges given by Him to this City having by Providence escaped from the common Calamity King Robert Bruce in these most troublesome times wherein he began to Reign or recover his Kingdom out of the hands of Edward the first King of England being beaten severall times and finding all his attempts unsuccessfull retired to ABERDEEN as a place of safety where he found that his Enemies and his former bad success might be overcome for when he had no hope of his Effaiâ—s but despaired of all Victory intending to go out of the Kingdom till better times might fall out and get Forraign Forces for his assistance Incontinently the Citizens of Aberdeen came and exhorted Him to better hopes and more confidence and gave Him assistance both in men and money and followed him to the Town of Inverurie where they fought with the Enemie and obtained his first Victory whereof they were the speciall Instruments and Helps the King being so sickly that he was carried in his Bed as Boyes â—elates fol. 312. whence there began to be a method setled to recover the Kingdom By which service he was moved to bestow upon the City of ABERDEEN the whole Lands of the Kings-Forrest called the Stockâ—d-Wood with the whole parts and pendicles of â—he same with the Mills Waters Fishings â—mall Customs Tolls Courts Weights Meaâ—ures Free Port and Haven and all other Priviledges and Liberties whatsomever pertaining or that might pertain justly to a Royall-Burgh within this Realm Under the Reign of King David Bruce John Randell Earle of Murray being for the â—ime Governour of the Kingdom amongst â—his chiefest Designes for recovering the Kingdom he saw it was most expedient to pursue David Cumming Earle of Atholl whom King Edward of England had appointed Governour for him and having collected his Forces came â—traight to Aberdeen where notwithstanding â—he Tyrrany of the Enemies they were under â—he was informed where David Cumming was knowing their Loyaltie to King David Bruce â—heir Naturall KING and so straight way pursued him Some years after the Englishes having conâ—inued their Rapine and Cruelty in Aberdeen â—y keeping a strong Garison in the Castle the Citizens taking Counsell how they might free themselves of that Yoke and Servitude at last resolved to fall upon the Garison whom they cut off and thereafter levelled the Castle with the ground Whence it was that in honour of that resolute Act they got their Ensignes-Armoriall which to this day they bear witness that late Book of Heraldry set forth by Sir George Mckenzie of Rose-haugh Knight His Majesties Advocat who hath blazoned the Arms of Aberdeen particularly thus The Arms or Ensigns Armoriall of the Burgh Royall of Aberdeen beareth Gules three Towres triple towered in a double-Tressure counter flowred Argent supported by two Leopards propper the Motto in an Escroll above BON-ACCORD whence there are these Verses Arx triplex arcem testatur ab hoste receptam Hostis utrinque doces tu Leoparde genus Lillia cum Clypeo voti Rex pignora jussit Esse color fusi signa cruoris habet Haec
hostes sensere Bona at Concordia virtue Qua res usquè viget publica culta domi In English thus The threefold Towres the Castle showes regain'd From Enemies who it by force mantain'd The Leopards which on each hand ye view The cruell temper of these foes do shew The Shield and Lillies by the Kings-Command As pledges of his great good-will do stand The Collour calls the Blood there shed to mind Which these proud Foes unto their cost did find And BON-ACCORD by which doth safely come To Common-Wealths establisht was at home I. B. And upon the reverse of the Seal of the said Burgh is insculped in a field Azure a Temple Argent St. Nicholas standing in the Porch Mytered and Vested propper with his Dexter-hand lifted up to Heaven praying over three Children in a Boylling Caldron of the first and holding in the Sinister a Crosier Ore these were the Old-Arms of the Burgh-Royall of Aberdeen as His Majesties Advocat in his book above-mentioned relates After the Castle was thus taken and ruined the English being deeply affected therewith as also with the loss of their men did gather their Forces together to avenge this Injury against Aberdeen The Citizens then following Joannes Fraser who Commanded these Forces that adhered to the Interest of King David Bruce did most stoutly fight the English in their own Church-Yard and although with much Blood and the loss of many of their men yet at last obtained the Victory Hence four years after Edward the third having sent a great Navie to recover his loss in thir Northern-parts his Forces fell upon Aberdeen after they had spoiled the Religious-Houses and the City they coming by surprize and greatly incensed for the loss of their men which they had sustained both in the Garison and in the forementioned Fight did cut off Men Women and Children none being spared except such as had by flight saved themselves they burnt the City six dayes together as hath been touched above and being thereafter re-built is ever after called the NEW-TOWN of ABERDEEN King David Bruce had ever after a great favour and respect for Aberdeen and sometimes dwelt in it and set up a Mint-House here as some peeces of Money not long since extant with the inscription of Aberdeen did testifie and the King did ratifie and approve of all the Donations of Lands Waters Fishings and all other Priviledges which King Robert his Father or any of his Predecessors had formerly given or granted to the said Burgh because of their good Service both to his Father and himself against the common Enemie Also all the King James's 1 st 2 d. 3 d. 4 th 5 th and 6 th did all ratifie and approve all these Priviledges and Donations of what ever any of their Predecessors had done before and some of them witnessed their favourable Respects to the Magistrats thereof upon severall occasions As for instance King JAMES the fourth upon a complaint made against SIR JOHN RUTHERFORD of Tarlane after one of the Elections when he had been chosen Provest having for many years enjoyed that Office The King wrot to the Town Councill desiring an exact account of the ground of the Complaint made against His Loved Familiar SIR JOHN RUTHERFORD as the Kings Letter dated November 5. 1487. recorded in the Towns Books doth bear Again King JAMES the fifth was often in Aberdeen and did singularly shew Favour and Respects to the Familie of the MENZIESES who for many years did wisely and happily Govern our City Also King JAMES the sixth did not onely confirme in Parliament all the Ancient Priviledges and Liberties given to this City by his Royall Predecessors but likewise when â—s by the Laws of this Nation the King might have exacted his Burrow-Mailes in Sterling-Money which would have been nothing else but the utter undoing and extirpation of this Re-publick He out of his Princely Clemency and Favour which he did ever bear to this his Ancient-City did of new again Re-erect and found the samen and did quite abolish and abâ—ogat the payment of Sterling-Money by dissolving the same from the Crown in Parliament so far as concerns this City allennarlly the like benefit being denyed to any other Burgh in the Kingdom as also disponning and giving of new the Burgh Common-Lands Fishings and all other Liberties thereof whatsomever for payment of current money allennarly And at the same time honored our then present Provest THOMAS MENZIES of Durne or Cults with the Title of Knight-hood in his own Privy-Chamber in the presence of the best sort of the Nobility of both the Kingdoms whom he acknowledged before them then present worthy of that honour be reason of his Birth besides the good service lately done by Him and the City of Aberdeen to the King by the gentle entertainment of his Honorable Servants who came at that time to visit Aberdeen by the Kings appointment 1617. This SIR THOMAS MENZIES of Cults having procured that Famous Pearl which was found in the Brook or Burne of Kellie as it runs into the River of Ythan which Pearle for beauty and bigness was the best that hath been at any time found in Scotland our said Provest having found by the Judgement of the best Jewelers in Edinburgh that it was most Precious and of a very high Value went up to London and gifted it to the King this was in the year 1620. Who in retribution gave him twelve or fourtteen Chalders of Victuall about Dumfermling and the Custom of Merchant-Goods in Aberdeen during his life But it pleased GOD he dyed at Wooller on the Border in England in his return home Nevertheless this did signifie the speciall Favour the King did bear to our then Provest though he did not live to enjoy the effects of the Kings Royall and Princely Respects This Pearle was reported to be one of the Jewells of the Crown of England Likewise when the King called the Commissioners of both Kingdoms to treat anent the Union betwixt Scotland and England ALEXANDER RUTHERFORD Provest of Aberdeen being one of the four chosen for the State of the Burrowes the King did put it upon Him to speak in behalf of the Burrowes who did acquite himself so satisfyingly to the King that pulling a rich Diamond Ring from his Finger he gave it him as a token of his Royall-Respects I have heard some relate that when he had delivered his discourse in our Scots-dialect which was not so intelligible at that time to the English Commissioners he spoke to the same purpose in Latine that the Bishops might understand then gave a like account to the Nobility amongst the English Commissioners in the French-Language which did affect the King with very much complacency who carried a singular Respect to the Subjects of this his Native-Country and Ancient Kingdom and made every thing acceptable that had a tendency to the repute thereof The Battell of Harlaw did witness the Zeal of Aberdeen against the Enemies of the King and for the