The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al eds (St Andrews, 2007-2024), date accessed: 7 October 2024
[A1641/8/85]1
[Report of the committee regarding the confluence of people to Edinburgh]
Particulars represented by the committee to the king's majesty and parliament2
13 October 1641
At the meeting with [Alexander Leslie, earl of Leven], lord general, [John Campbell, lord Loudoun], lord chancellor, and others of that committee appointed by the parliament for setting down some solid course for preventing any prejudice which may arise by the confluence of people to the town and by their frequent repair upon the streets and that all proceedings may be peaceable and regular:
1. It is thought necessary that all those in Edinburgh, Canongate, Leith and suburbs within the town of Edinburgh's jurisdiction who have any persons lodged within their houses or in chambers or rooms set by them shall give up in roll the names of all those so lodged either within their houses or in separate chambers and rooms as said is, with their designation to whom they belong and upon whom they depend, to the provost and bailies of Edinburgh; that thereby both the numbers and the occasion of their being in town may be known, and that accordingly as they shall change their lodging that the rolls be accordingly renewed and given up to the magistrates in manner foresaid.
Item, that all those in the Potterrow and West Port whereof [Sir George Towers], laird of Inverleith is superior and those of the other suburbs and other parts near adjoining to the town and not within the town's jurisdiction shall likewise give up a list and roll of all persons lodged within their houses, chambers or rooms to the lord general, his excellency, to the effect foresaid. And it is represented that public proclamation may be made to the effect above-written by warrant from the parliament and that the magistrates of Edinburgh and other superiors foresaid see the same put to execution within their jurisdictions respectively; and that those who fail to give up the said rolls after the proclamation shall lose their freedoms and liberties, and shall pay for each fail £100 to their magistrates and be further punished in their persons as the parliament shall think fit.
2. It is thought expedient that there be strong guards kept by the town of Edinburgh both for night and day of such numbers and at such places as the magistrates by the advice and appointment of the lord general shall think fit, and that the guards be not injured, resisted or forced by no persons of whatsoever quality under the pain of death to the resisters and forcers; and the injurers of the guards to be punished by his excellency according to the demerit of the delinquent and quality of the fact. And that it may be declared that what shall be done by these guards in performance of their duties against any persons the time of their resisting or forcing of the said guards shall infer no hazard nor peril of law against those of the guard, actors thereof. As also that the placing and ordering of these guards shall be without prejudice of the constable, marischal, town of Edinburgh or any other parties' rights and liberties which shall remain unimpaired hereby.
3. It is thought fitting that those regiments which are yet not disbanded shall be drawn near toward Edinburgh, to the effect the same may with the greater conveniency be mustered and monies provided for their pay that thereafter they may be licensed; and that in the meantime those regiments may be quartered in such manner and in such places near about the town as the lord general shall think fit and expedient.
4. It is likewise represented that no man of whatsoever quality keep with him any more than his own domestic servants, and that all persons who have not necessary attendance at this present parliament shall be ordained to repair to their several homes and dwellings.
5. Item, that all persons of whatsoever quality who either has already brought their friends, followers and dependants to Edinburgh or any parts adjoining thereto that they presently dismiss them back to their own houses, and that all those who have given order to their friends, followers or dependents to repair here to Edinburgh that they immediately discharge their incoming and that proclamation be made at the market cross of Edinburgh to this effect above-written.
6. It is likewise thought expedient that with all diligence proclamations be made at all the head burghs of each shire discharging all convocation of his majesty's lieges within any part of this kingdom under whatsoever pretext, and that these proclamations be made under such pains and penalties as the king's majesty and parliament shall appoint, under the pains contained in the acts of parliament.
7. It is in like manner thought expedient that notice be presently taken of the whole officers and soldiers and what of them have got pay and who wants. And that those who have received pay may be ordained to retire from the town unless the lord general shall tolerate their stay upon their necessary business in town represented and known to his excellency. And for such as yet wants their pay, that course may be taken for the same.
8. It is also thought fitting and represented that order be presently taken for levying of 40 or 50 horsemen to attend the lord general's orders for the good and peace of the kingdom, and these to be levied and paid upon the public charge.
14 October 1641
Read, voted and passed in parliament as the same stands corrected under the clerk's hand, together with the animadversion made by the noblemen. And his majesty and estates of parliament command the same to be published by open proclamation at the market cross of Edinburgh, and that the same be granted, and that the same be drawn up in instructions to the general from the king and parliament.
[John Elphinstone, lord] Balmerino, in presence of the lords of parliament
- NAS, PA6/5, 'October 14 1641', f.1r-1v.
- This clause is written on the rear of the document.