[1661/1/51]¹

William Forbes, fugitive

The estates of parliament presently convened by his majesty's special authority, having heard a petition presented to them relative to a petition formerly given in to the committee of estates on behalf of John Irvine of Kincousie complaining of the cruel murder of his father committed by William Forbes, bastard son to John Forbes of Leslie, and, therefore, craving he might be cited to hear himself decreed to find caution to underlie the law for the said cruel murder before the criminal court or any other authorised by his majesty, or else to be declared fugitive, conforming to the which, citation being granted, the said William Forbes was by virtue thereof lawfully summoned to have compeared before the said estates of parliament on 15 January instant, at which time Mr George MacKenzie, advocate, compearing on behalf of the said William Forbes, desired a longer time for finding of the said caution and 26 January was assigned him for that effect, and the caution to be under the pain of £500 sterling or else to be declared fugitive, as the foresaid summons and executions thereof and acts made thereupon more fully contains. And the said estates of parliament, considering that the foresaid caution was not as yet found, therefore, they have decreed and by the tenor hereof decrees and ordains the said William Forbes to be denounced rebel for his contumacy and disobedience foresaid and fugitive, and ordains letters to be directed and executed hereupon in form as appropriate.