and must be one that can speak the Law and judge according to the rule thereof not weak for abilities of Government Thus William Shepherd in his Epistle to the Reader before hiâ— Book on the Justice of Peace who hath set down these Qualifications that none needs expresâ— them better to which I referr the Reader Secondly He must be a man of Courage that will doe what ever he finds to be his Duty notwithstanding of all opposition from men Psal. 82.3 4. Defend the poor and fatherless deliver the poor and needy and rid them out of the hand of the wicked Men that would perform such Duties would needs be men oâ— Spirit for so doth the word Defender and Deliverer import hence it is that Faithfull Rulers are called Patres Patriae Fathers of their Countrey because defenders of their Countrey because defenders and deliverers Therefore one that will be boasted and put from their Duty by the threat of a greater person or down cast of countenance from men or the like is not fit to be a Magistrat Men of Spirit and Courage will not be frighted from their Duty by any thing but will hazard all that is dearest to them in the discharge of a necessary Duty the Rules of Prudence being duely and discreetly observed and for this ought not to be judged as proud or willfull for the work is the LORDS and therefore hath the promise of his presence and out-bearing 2. Chron. 19.6 11. Thirdly An able man is a wise man and this teacheth not onely the Duties themselves as to the matter but reacheth the circumstances of them as the time place and manner of doing them So Prov. 8.15 By me sayes Wisdom Kings Reign and Princes decree Justice And vers 20. I lead in the way of Righteousness in the midst of the paths of Judgement So that a man by Wisdom will propose not onely a good end and endeavour to perform a good Duty and also will use right means and so circumstantiat it as every very step and path of his way shall be in Righteousnes A wise man ponders all his actions Psal. 112.5 He will guide his affairs with discretion discerning when to doe and when to forbear and the manner how and how not every thing is to be done thus much for an able man Fourthly He must be a man fearing GOD not a man wicked in life and conversation for Power without Piety is but armed injustice and if he be an active man that can do much he will be sure to do much mischief I think it a bad maxime that an ill man may be a good Magistrat it seems to have more truth in it that he that hath no care to reforme himself will never have care to reforme others Magistrats are called Gods Psal. 82.6 I said ye are Gods And it were well that they did represent more of Divine Perfections and it is a shamefull thing to see a man in honour have no likness to GOD in Holiness The Emperour Constantius said when he had made a discovery of these Courtiers who were easily tempted to forsake the Christian Religion They can never be faithfull to me that are not faithfull to GOD. It is the fear of GOD that makes a Magistrat behave himself as one that GOD takes special notice of in all his administrations and will be more affraid to do any wrong than if all the men on Earth were to judge him for his actions ever remembring that word Psal. 82.1 GOD standeth in the congregation of the Mighty he judgeth among the Gods Thirdly He should be a man of Truth that is a plain upright man that loves truth in himself and others and counts it his duty and dignity to sift it out in all things and having found it to embrace and mantain it to the uttermost for he will easily prove a false friend that will at any time dare to falsifie truth for his friend such men cannot be stable and firm in any good duty neither will he stand for the Truth and Righteousness in an hour of temptation Jam. 1.18 The double minded man is unstable c. Fourthly He must be a man hating Covetousness there is little ground to expect justice from such as are covetous for Prov. 28.21 Solomon sayes for a piece of Bread that man will transgress that is for any carnall advantage or gain that man will wrest justice for covetoâ—sness is not onely Idolatry but it makes a Judge an Idol as Psal. 115.5 6. That hath eyes and see not eares and hear not and a mouth but speaketh not Fifthly He should be a just man equall to all not partiall nor respecting persons this is holden out from 2. Sam. 23.3 4. He that ruleth over men must be just ruling in the fâ—ar of GOD c. Rulers should doe as the LORD himself would doe 2. Chron. 19.7 With the LORD there is no respect of persons nor taking of gifts Sixthly He must be a man Gentle Affable not a froward hasty or passionat man for such will not patiently endure to hear many complaints of the Poor Moses a great Ruler is highly commended for his Meekness Numb 12.3 So CHRIST as a KING is said to be Meek Mat. 21.5 Seventhly He should be an active man and diligent in prosecution of duty and not lazie Eightly He should be a man of good repute and known amongst the People as Deut. 1.13.15 Not an obscure and mean man for Power will arme Skill I say not that every Magistrat in a Town must be worth so many Thousands c but he had need to have so much as he may live honestly upon without being necessitated to use any Trade or Employment unbeseeming his Office It was a fault amongst the Carthaginians justly taxed by Aristotle and esteemed to be one of the causes of the ruine of that great and mighty Common-wealth that in their choise of their Magistrats they had a greater regard to rich men then to men of worth and vertue and their reason was because men of great Estates might the more easily attend the Effaires of the Common-wealth therefore when men are rich and vertuous also they are preferable to all others But this was a ready way to open a door to all avarice and fraud said that great Philosopher and to take the Government from the Noble and truely Vertuous and monopolize it into the hands of a few covetous ambitious rich men whereas they might have easily and in duty ought to have prevented it by taking such order that the best men and these of greatest abilities and vertues might not onely abstain from base Callings and Employments when they were actually Magistrats but also when they were out of Office so that Corporation in their Government might have been cured and their ruin happily prevented It were good policie to prefer the Vertuous though meaner than the vicious and unworthy though richer for it were fit he did excell other men though not in Riches and Estate yet
for qualifying Magistrats and persons in publick trust such as these that treats of Kingdoms and Common-wealths c and Laws thereof and Histories Geographie that treat of the manners of Nations our own Acts of Parliaments Regiam Majestatem and generally all other such like Books that may become Civil Rulers to be acquainted with But it may be there are but few acquainted with the Latin-Tongue or French-Language that afford severall such as Bodin that writs copiously of a Common-Wealth in French So Franciscus Patricius Senensis that writs of the Institution of a Common-Wealth and of the Institution of a Kingdom Wendilini Polititia but these are in Latine and are old but there are many Modern that may be found at London Also books fit for a Dean of Gild and his Assessors as Lex Mercatoria Roberts Map of Commerce the knowledge of the Sea-Laws as the Roll of Oleron or Consolato of Barcellona c. which being keept in some Publick Place where the Magistrats and Counsellours by the persons that had the trust of them under inventour might at all occasions have access unto Sure I am it were a very commendable thing to have such a Liberary in your Council-house which would be at hand and continually under your eye and care and might be made use of at any time convenient Sixthly Ye are with the rest of your Neighbours of the Town once every year to ryde your Land-Marches both outward and inward Marches the outward is that ye see that none of your Neighbour-Heritours encroach upon your Freedom-Land nor upon the properties of your Fewers And the inward Marches is that ye may see none of the Heritors of the Burrow-Roods encroach upon the High-Wayes or beyond the bounds of your March-stones and while I mention this it were fit ye should take some effectuall couâ—se with the High-Wayes or Avenues that come into the Town that horses with loads may come into the Town all the Seasons of the Year in Winter as well as in Summer and the rather that ye have the advantage of the publick Acts and Orders for your assistance therein Seventhly Were it not worth your serious consideration to fall upon some suitable way to stirr up all Magistrats and privat persons to perform notable services to the wellfare of the Town and to bethink your selves what may be of greatest efficacie to encourage all sorts of persons thereto I think amongst many other wayes which ryper judgements may fall upon it might be a good one to imitate the LORDS own way set down in Mal. 3.16 Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another and the LORD hearkened and heard it and a Book of Remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD and thought upon his Name See vers 17. And they shall be mine saith the LORD of Hosts c. This was a bad time for they that wrought wickedness were set up and they that tempted GOD were delivered and the proud were called happy and because it was rare to hear any speaking aright of the Wayes of GOD yet they that feared the LORD did speak often together and GOD hearkened and heard it and insert it in a Book of Remembrance for time to come For they shall be mine saith the LORD of Hosts in that day when I make up my Jewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him This was the way the LORD took even to record notable Service that in due time he might reward them So when the LORD blesses any man to do any notable Act for the common Good of the Town either for profit or reputation I think such an Act ought to be recorded even in a Register apart that they and theirs may find the more respect if there fall an opportunity to manifest it in tâ—me to come The puting Mordecai's good Service on record was the occasion of his exaltation the Jews preservation and Hamans destruâ—tion Esther 2.23 And 6.1 2 3. The Romans and Graecians had their own wayes for stirring up their Citizens to all Heroick Acts but they were deeply tainted with vain glory as their Triumph and Lawrel-Crowns as their Corona Ovalis of Myrtle for a victory gotten with little hazard Corona Civica made with leaves of Oake for him that saved a Citizen from the Enemie so also Corona Populea for Young men that were found industrious and studious in the exercise of Vertue which was made of Poplar leaves These were but triviall things but much intended to gratifie vain glorious humours But the puting notable Services and Acts upon record is for the encouragement of the Posterity and others that may be observers thereof and therefore may be done with such solemn circumstances as may be thought fit and most consistent with modesty and sobriety so as the posterity may be influenced to the same or such like exercises Rom. 13.3 4. They that do good are to have Praise and Rewards from Rulers as well as evil doers are to be punished by them who are to be a terrour to such If these had been recorded there had been Honourable mention made of many stately Buildings and Monuments in many of our Royall-Burghs which long ere now or shortly will be quyte forgotten Neither these Artists and privat persons that do good Service or find out good inventions for profit or ornament to the Town should be neglected CHAP. XXVI Concerning Iustice of Peace Courts to be holden within Burgh by the Magistrats thereof IN the foregoing Chapters I have presumed to suggest severall particulars which may conduce to advance the Polilcy good Government and prosperity of a City or Common-wealth as men and in his I am to mind the Rulers more particularly â—ow they shall order it as Christians in eviâ—enceing their zeall against sin for the honour â—nd Glory of Him who is the PRINCE of â—he KINGS of the Earth and upon whose â—houlders the government is laid from whom â—lone all blessings of peace prosperity and preâ—ervation can be expected and without whose â—racious favour no skill power wisdom or â—eans that men shall use can profit according â—o Psal. 127.1 Except the LORD build the â—ouse they labour in vain that build it Except the LORD keep the City the watch-men waketh â—â—t in vain Then seeing all our mercies spring from this fountain it concerns all Magistrats very near to be carefull that no gross sin be indulged amongst them such as Whoring Drunkenness and Swearing these are the most common Scandalls unsuitable to the Gospel and such as profess it that are to be found in Cities and Towns These are sufficient to provock GOD to withdraw his mercies and to send sad Plagues and Rods and to confound all your Counsells and blast your best Endeavours for suppressing whereof I know no better outward mean then a conscientious faithfull and diligent Court of Justice keeped by well principled Magistrats assisted by pious honest and zealous Constables weekly Now I
Plenty and Prospeâ—â—ty upon us according to Isa. 62.4 Thou â—â—alt no more be termed forsaken neither shall thy â—â—nd any more be termed desolate but thou shalt be â—â—lled Hephzibah and thy land Benlah for the â—ORD delyteth in thee and thy land shall be â—arried It is well worth the noticeing what Bodin 〈◊〉 his third book of his Republick Chap. 7. Pag. â—2 writs of the Province of Languedock in France at the Nobility and Gentry of that Countrey in their conventions had ordered 1200 Livers or an hundred pound sterling yearly for training up the Youth of that whole Countrey in the City of Nimes besides what was done by other Societies and that they builded brave Fortresses or Forts in the Kingdom That they caused execute Buzac who was the most noble and notable Volens or Robber in that Age whom neither Judge nor Magistrat no nor the Parliament of Tholouse it self could get any order taken with Also they appointed other great sums for other brave uses and ends of publick concernment And so goeth on to shew the great profit which accrues to a Nation or Countrey by such conventions and societies and showes that these were better governed in the Cantons of the Switzers then in any other part of the World for every Canton yea every rank of men as Merchants and Trades had their common and general Meetings there for the good of the Publick Also that the ten Circuits of the Empire of Germany have their distinct Meetings a part all which are in such order and correspondence one with another that the Empyre sayes he would have long agoe been brought to ruine had not this Policy and Government prevented it It were much to be wished that there were appointed dyers of Meeting from that Love and Friendship which ought to be amongst Neighbours and Relations in the bounds of every Presbitry or Parish and it were expedient that some Justice of Peace might be present where conveniently they may be had to confer what might tend to the good of the bounds within their precincts and accordingly â—o put such things in practice and to prepare Overtures at every such meeting for the good of â—he whole This questionless would greatly â—end to the good of the Land and would â—ypen matters not onely for more publick conventions but also for a Parliament when â—uch occasion offered or for any other meetâ—ngs which the Kings Councill appoints as they â—id lately for repairing Hye-Wayes and Bridges Every Parish might have their Heritors with â—uch others of the discreetest of their Yeomanrie â—o meet once or twise every Moneth in a conâ—enient House unless it be in Winter which â—ere a mean to preserve freedom and friendship â—n the Parish where they might confer at large â—nent the general Concernments thereof as the â—roportioning of the Cess or other Subsidies â—nd laying down a way for a publick Purse â—r defraying publick Charges of the Parish â—roviding for the Poor mending Hye-Wayes Bridges and Calsies within their bounds and â—â—king course with idle persons Numa Pompilius King and Law-giver to the â—omans Solon and Lycurgus these Graecian-Lawâ—â—vers were much for such Meetings and Fraternities and all such means as might tend to beget and confirm Friendship and Love and advance the common interest see Plutarch on Solon and Lycurgus lives These are but a few hints of such Vertuous Employments and Improvments as our Great Men might lay themselves out in which is humbly conceived might tend much to the Honour of GOD Good of the Countrey and profit of Posterity if effectually prosecuted But because many great Wits are ready to reject every motion which flowes not from themselves or from some of a higher station then they are and forâ—this end raise objections against such things I shall answere this with one singular observation of the forementioned French Author Bodinus in his fourth book Pag. 593. There are sayes he two remarkable faults which oftentimes men of sharpest spirits fall into concerning the Government of Societies c. One is that they look narrowly to the inconvenients of a Law or of a good motion without considering the good that may flow from it The other is they run from one extream to another So I shall wish the Benefits which may flow from this may be laid in the ballance against any inconvenients which men can imagin can follow upon this Next I wish such may not run from the diligent and carefull observation of such good Overtures and profitable Motions to a supine and totall neglect of all that may tend to the Glory of GOD good of the Countrey and of their Posterity but rather as I hinted in the beginning may improve their accutest Parts and more noble Enduements to fall upon a way of prosecuting these Honorable Ends â—o the compleatest period In which caice I have attained all I ever aimed at being a true Zelot of the Publick Good and in soberness â—hall close with one that was a good Countrey-man in his time who said Vive vale si quid novisti rectius istis Candidus imperti si non his utere mecum Englished thus Live and farewell if better things thou knows Impairt them freely if not make use of those PHILOPOLITEIUS A Succinct SURVEY Of the famous CITY OF ABERDEEN With its Situation Description Antiquity Fidelity and Loyalty to their SOVERAIGNES AS ALSO The gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief MAGISTRATS thereof With a Catalogue of THEM since the CITY was burn'd for LOYALTY about the Year 1330. TOGETHER WITH The Epigrams of ARTHUR JOHNSTOUN Doctor of Medicin upon the said CITY and severall other of the Principall ROYALL-BURGHS in this Ancient Kingdom of SCOTLAND Translated into English by I B. By a Zealous Lover of BON-ACCORD 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Aberdeen Printed by Iohn Forbes 1685. BON ACCORD Insignia Vrbis abredonie Psal. 87 4. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me behold Philistia and Tyre with Ethiopia this man was born there vers 6. The LORD shall count when he writeth up the people that this man was born there Prov. 17.6 The glory of children are their fathers Philip. 4.8 Finally brethren whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Unto the Right Honorable SIR GEORGE SKENE of Fintray Lord Provest ALEXR. ALEXANDER Bailie WALTER ROBERTSON Bailie ALEXANDER GORDON Bailie ANDREW MITCHELL Bailie PATRICK GELLIE Dean of Gild JOHN GORDON Thesaurer And to the rest of the Honorable Councill of the City of ABERDEEN RIGHT HONORABLE It hath been the â—avourable Advantage and signall Providence that hath attended Aberdeen for many Ages that it hath had a honorable Character among the Burghs of Scotland which I wish may never declyne the sense whereof made me
Cities-Effairs but now the Bishop hath taken back that Court to the Old-Town as being his Priviledge There is a smaller Fabrick builded by the Citizens for the Inhabitants of the Village of Futtie appointed for Catechiseing that People which since hath had a Minister to preach though not as a distinct Parish All the Citizens and that People being under one Session or Consistoriall for Discipline There is a great Towns-house in the Mercat-place called the TOLL-BOOTH which hath a fair and spacious Rowm for the Courts of Judicature to sit in such as the Head-Courts of the Shyre and City with the Sheriff and Bailie Courts above which there is a MAGAZINE or Store-house for Warlike Ammunition c. It hath also another large stately Rowm where the Magistrats and Town-Councill conveen under which is the low Councill-house where the Dean of Gild and his Assessors meet for effairs peculiar to the Brethren of Gild as also the Commissioners of the Shyre for Cess or such like common concernments together with an other Rowm called the Clerks-Chamber which hath accommodations for Clerks and Writters Upon the East end thereof there is an high-Tower with two Battlements upon which there â—s erected a high and stately Spire or Steeple â—overed with lead under which is a great Clock and Bell and under the samen are severall Rowms for Prisoners both high and low There is also a large and high House called â—he Pack-house and Weigh-house wherein are a â—reat many Rowms for Merchant-Wares of all â—orts near to the Shoar the Shoar being as â— said of late years greatly enlarged so that it â— a pleasant considerable walk from the City to go to the furthest end thereof which leads to the Fields and towards the Harbour-mouth The Mercat-place is larger then in any Town of the Kingdom being an hundreth twenty and four double space in length and about a third part thereof in breadth where it is narrowest so that two Regiments of foot Souldiers may be drawn up in rank and fyle tho in open order There is one of the stateliest Bridges in the Kingdom over the River of Dee of seven Arches of a like and equall largeness within two short myles of the City And there is another be-North the City of an high and great Arch over the River Don both which are mantained by the City upon propper Rents mortified for the same use In the middle of the City there is a Philosophie-Colledge the houses whereof were purchased by the City in consideration that George Earle Marischall Grandfather to this present Earle out of his zeal to the Publick Good and his respect to the City of ABERDEEN did mortifie publick Rents for the Principall and four Regents of the said Colledge whence it is called the Marischall Colledge and makes up an half of the Carolin-University for it hath a Principall and four Regents oâ— Teaching-Masters and now hath a publick Professor of School-Divinity who teacheth a publick Lesson two dayes every Week during the sitting of the Colledge Also a Professor of Mathematicks who upon other two dayes every week teacheth two Lessons There are also Lessons of Arithmetick and Geometrie taught by â—ther Masters thereunto appointed by that Renowned Famous and Learned Physician DR DUNCAN LIDDELL who mortified a conâ—â—derable Rent to the Professor of Mathematicks and six Mathematicall and Philosophicall Bursers or six years There are many summs of moâ—ey mortified to the said Colledge since the eâ—ection thereof whereto the Town-Councill of Aberdeen are mostly Patrons so that it appears â—here hath been more Charity extended within â—hir hundred and twenty years since the Reâ—ormation of Religion from Popish Idolatry and Superstition then hath been in all the Ages beâ—re which our Towns Counts of Mortified Moâ—ies for Schools Colledge Hospitalls Gild-Box Common Poor c. can evidence This Colledge hath a copious Library which was at first plenished by the City of Aberdeen who â—ook all their books they had laid up in the â—pper rowm above their Session-house and transâ—itted them to their own Library in the Colâ—dge for the uses of all concerned and Dr. Reid Secretary in the Latine-Tongue to King Charles the first left a Sallary to the keeper â—f the said Library which Library hath been â—ugmented in its books by severall Mortifiers â— by the said Dr. Reid the forementioned Dr. Liddell who mortified about 2000 Merks worth of Books and 20 Merks yearly to buy Mathematicall Books and Instruments and Dr. William Johnstoun Phisician and Professor of the Mathematicks here and by Dr. Patrick Dun a learned Physician and Principall of this Colledge Also there is a Grammar-School which hath a chief Master and three teaching Masters under him to whom the said Dr. Dun mortified 1200 Merks of yearly Rent by which the City is disburdened of what they payed yearly to the former Masters thereof We have a School for Musick which was taught of old by very eminent Musicians in this City There wants no opportunities in this City for Youth both Male and Female to learn any manner of good and commendable skill or knowledge in such things as may best qualifie them There are four Hospitalls in this City one for decayed Brethren of Gild. A second for indigent Widowes and Virgins of Brethren of Gild lately purchased by a sum of money mortified by Dame Marion Dowglas daughter to the sometâ—me Earle of Buchan and late Lady-Drum for the Honour the Magistrats and Citizens conferred on her deceased Husband at his buriall in Aberdeen 1632. The rents whereof were augmented by a considerable summ mortified to this Hospitall by James Milne Elder Merchant who also mortified 100 Pounds yearly to two Philosophicall Bursers in this Colledge with 500 Merks to this Kirk-session A third Hospitall for Trades-men founded and built by the deceast Dr. William Guild sometime Preacher in Aberdeen and lately Principall of the KINGS Colledge in the Old-Town This Hospitall hath a spacious comely Rowm where the Deacon or Conveener-Courts meet A fourth Hospitall for Litsters the Rent whereof was mortified by Archbald Beans Litster by which they have builded a goodly House with a stately entry The use of this Rent is for the benefit of decayed Litsters their Wives Children and Servants severall of whose Daughters have been provyded with sutable portions out of the said Rent and thereby honestly married There are eight Mills belonging to the City and lands thereunto pertaining whereof a new Wind-Mill is builded of stone and lyme at the South-entrie of the City which may be of excellent use if carefully keeped There are two Water-Mills within the suburbs of the City and five near by in the adjacent territories belonging to the City We have a choise Medicinall Spring called the Well of Spa at the Wool-man-hill built with hewen-ston very specifick for Gout Gravell Collick and Hydropsie as the late Famous Dr. William Barclay Physician did learnedly describe 1615 which is now re-printed when the Well was re-built 1670 the copies
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