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The estates of parliament, having taken into their consideration a supplication given in by Colonel John Cockburn, late governor of the castle of Stirling, making mention that where the committee of estates by their act of 20 July 1647, having read and considered the account given in by him to the auditors who were appointed by the said committee to revise the same, did approve thereof, and accordingly then declared the public debtor to him in the sum of £10,305 Scots; and that for his pay from 1 August 1644 to 1 July 1647, being 35 months according to £200 per month for supporting certain prisoners and gentlemen of fortune for intelligence and fortifications in the said castle and hill about it, according to the said Colonel John's particular account given in to the said committee, and that over and above the sum of £2,266 13s 4d received by him, and also over and above what more was then craved by him for his pay as governor of the said town and castle from 1 April 1645 to 1 July 1647, being 27 months, and for his extraordinary charges of allowance to St Andrews, Edinburgh and elsewhere in the public service, and a consideration for his honest carriage at the time of James Graham, [earl of Montrose] passing the river, and for keeping the crown, sceptre and sword. Which was then remitted by the auditors to the consideration of the committee of estates, and which sum of £10,305 the said committee by their said act did oblige the estates of this kingdom to make payment to the said Colonel John Cockburn, as the duplicate of his accounts containing the said act produced with the said supplication bears. Notwithstanding of which act, true it is that he has ever since patiently waited on, still expecting payment of what was found due to him by the public, during which space and of before he has contracted great sums of money for maintaining himself and his family, and as yet has received no satisfaction from the public at all. In respect whereof, and of his present necessity for maintaining himself and his family and for giving satisfaction to his creditors, who are extremely pressing him for payment of such sums as he is owing them and who have raised horning against him and therewith caused charge and denounce him, so that he cannot now know what to do, but only has his recourse to the parliament for his speedy relief and supplement, humbly therefore craving, in consideration of the premises and of his faithful and honest service during the time he was in charge, that therefore his present estate and necessity may be taken into serious consideration, and that such present course may be taken for relieving his debts and maintaining him and his family, and therewith the payment of such sums as are justly resting to him as shall be thought fit, as at more length is contained in the said supplication. Which being remitted by the said estates of parliament to the committee of common burdens to see the same instructed, and being reported by them with their opinion anent the payment thereof, the estates of parliament have ordained and ordain the aforesaid sum of £10,305 resting to the said Colonel John Cockburn in manner above-specified to be paid to him, and that out of the first and readiest of the fines and borrowed monies to be uplifted; and for his more sure payment thereof, the estates have recommended and recommend the said Colonel John Cockburn to the committee of monies, that some effectual course may be taken for payment to him of the said sum.