[1704/7/106]¹

Legislation

Act in favour of [John Lindsay], earl of Crawford

Anent the petition given in and presented to his grace her majesty's high commissioner and the right honourable the estates of parliament by John, earl of Crawford, showing that where the petitioner was necessitated to engage his private credit and contract with Sir George Home and his partners, and with Alexander Bruce and Patrick Chambers in the year 1695, for clothing the regiment of foot then under the petitioner's command, and on that account he became personally engaged to pay them a very great sum and whereof he has been since obliged, by legal diligence, to make payment of a considerable part, and it is perfectly known that, since his regiment was disbanded, he has never been able to recover payment nor relief of his engagements nor to procure payment of his arrears, which extend to no less than thirteen months' retention and clearance and which, for his whole regiment, amounts to a very considerable sum, whereby his grace and their lordships will plainly see the great hardships and inconveniences which the petitioner lies under on this public account and how just and reasonable it is that he should not only be reimbursed of what he has advanced, but likewise that he should be paid of his arrears and relieved of what he stands engaged for and, for payment whereof, he is daily molested and threatened with the utmost rigour of all legal diligence, so that at present his whole effects are arrested and he shall be no longer able after rising of this parliament to protect either his person or his effects from the diligence of these persons to whom he stands engaged on the foresaid public account. And albeit, upon his late application, her majesty has been graciously pleased to recommend his present case most favourably to the right honourable the lords of her majesty's treasury, yet hitherto there is nothing effectually done for his payment or relief, but he is left exposed to the greatest hardships unless his grace and their lordships timeously prevent the same. And, therefore, craving his grace and their lordships seriously to consider the pressing and urging circumstances of the petitioner's present case and seeing the difficulties he is afflicted with arise from his engagements for the public, therefore, to provide such effectual remedies and give such certain orders that he may not only be reimbursed of what he shall instruct he has truly advanced and paid, but also that he may obtain payment of his whole foresaid arrears which are now resting these six years bypast and full relief of his said engagements on the foresaid public account, as the said petition bears. Which petition and desire thereof, being this day read in the presence of her majesty's high commissioner and the estates of parliament and they, having considered the same and being therewith well and ripely advised, they have ordained and hereby ordain Sir William Menzies, in the first of the sums due by him, to pay to the petitioner what he is engaged in for clothing as shall be instructed before the treasury or commission to be named for auditing the public accounts. Extract.