[1648/3/151]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The estates of parliament, taking into their consideration that by their act for the monthly maintenance of 9 May instant they have suspended to the sheriffdom of Nairn the sum of £103 6s 8d of the sum of £315, which is the total monthly maintenance payable by that shire, and that in relation to the burnt and wasted lands there until further trial be taken anent the said burnt and wasted lands thereof; for trying whereof and what parts and portions of the suspended maintenance may be raised of these shires in whose favour the same is suspended, commissions are ordained to be granted and taken out as the same shall be called for by the said shires and burghs to such persons as the parliament or committee shall appoint; and the trial ordained to be reported between now and 31 August next to come, otherwise [Sir John Wemyss of Bogie], commissary-general, after the said day is to charge for the whole maintenance, as the act of maintenance aforesaid at more length bears. The said estates of parliament have therefore given and granted and do hereby give and grant full power and commission to Ninian Dunbar of Grangehill, Robert Dunbar of Easterbin, Walter Kinnaird of Cowbin, Mr David Stewart of Newton, John Dunbar of Whitemyre, Arthur Forbes of Thornhill, John Robertson of Insch and James Cuthbert of Drakies (or any five of them, persons condescended upon by the commissioners of the sheriffdom of Nairn) to take an exact and true trial of what lands of the sheriffdom of Nairn are so burnt and wasted that they pay no duty at all, or what duty they really pay to the master and heritors thereof; and accordingly to consider and condescend what part and portion of the suspended maintenance of that shire may be raised and paid of these lands. With power to the said commissioners (or any five of them as the quorum) to meet and convene to the effect above-mentioned at such places, times and occasions as they shall think expedient; and in their first meeting to choose one of their number to preside with a clerk, and then all to give their oaths for faithful administration anent the true and exact trying of the said burnt and wasted lands, the present condition thereof and what duty is paid for the same; and thereafter to cause set down in writing under their hands and subscriptions the true report of the trial taken by them relating thereto, that the same may be reported to the parliament or committee of estates between now and 31 August next, that accordingly the aforesaid suspended maintenance may be paid or suspended totally or partially as after consideration of the report shall be found just. And the estates declare that none of the commissioners above-named who have interest in the aforesaid burnt and wasted lands hereby appointed to be tried is admitted to have place or voice in this commission.
[1648/3/152]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Item, the same commission is granted to Alexander Ogilvie of Kincardine, Alexander Abercrombie, elder, of Birkenbog, Doctor Alexander Douglas in Banff, Thomas Abercrombie of Skeith, Gilbert Moir, bailie of Banff, and Robert Wilson, sheriff depute of Banff, (or any four of them as the quorum) for trying the burnt and wasted lands within the sheriffdom and burghs of Elgin and Forres. The suspended part of the maintenance of the shire is £333 6s 8d; the total maintenance thereof is £1,890; the suspended part of the burgh of Elgin is £53 6s 8d; the total maintenance of that burgh is £135.
[1648/3/153]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Item, the same commission to Thomas Forbes of Waterton, Andrew Meldrum of Iden, John Forbes of Byth, James Baird of Auchmedden, Patrick Leslie [of Iden], provost of Aberdeen, George Leslie of Kincraigie and John Forbes of Pitnacalder (or any four of them as the quorum) for trying the burnt and wasted lands within Banffshire. The suspended part of the maintenance of that shire is £318; the total maintenance thereof is £1,431.