[1695/5/134]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The process of treason at the instance of his majesty's advocate against the earls [John Drummond, earl of] Melfort and [Charles Middleton, earl of] Middleton, and others in France contrary to law, called, and his majesty's advocate declared that he would proceed only, at this time, against the earls of Melfort and Middleton and Sir Adam Blair, and the indictment against them being read, and the said persons again called, the same was admitted to probation, and several witnesses being called and compearing, his majesty's commissioner gave them assurance in plain parliament that they should have free and full remission for their having been in France since 1 August 1693, and thereafter, they being sworn and purged, and interrogated conforming to the libel, testified affirmative, conforming to their respective depositions by them signed in the face of parliament.
Thereafter resolved and voted in parliament, nobody dissenting, that any doom of forfeiture to be pronounced in this present process against John, earl of Melfort, shall in no way affect nor taint the blood of the children procreated between the said earl and Sophia Lundie, heiress of the estate of Lundie, and that this be an exception in the doom of forfeiture.
Then the depositions of the witnesses read and the question stated if the treason libelled and proceeded on by the king's advocate against the said persons was proven or not, and carried in the affirmative.
Then the sentence and doom of forfeiture was pronounced, being touched by the commissioner with the sceptre in the usual manner.
Thereafter moved that the said process of treason against the rest of the persons contained in the libel may be remitted to the justice court, with power to them to proceed against them although in absence, which being put to the vote remit or not, carried remit.