[1704/7/148]¹

Judicial Proceeding: protection to Patrick Steel

The process of Patrick Steel against his creditors called and, none compearing, a protection was granted to him until the next session of parliament inclusive in manner following.

Protection in favour of Patrick Steel

Her majesty's high commissioner and the estates of parliament, having heard the petition of Patrick Steel, vintner in Edinburgh, showing to them that the petitioner, having last session of parliament represented to his grace and their lordships that his affairs had run into disorder by his misfortune in being cautioner for persons who proved insolvent by losses at sea, bad debtors, negligent and unfaithful servants and partly by the too great rigour of some of his own creditors, as also, that he had done everything in his power for their satisfaction in denuding himself of all his heritable and moveable estate in their favour, and in order to the obtaining a protection from her majesty and the high court of parliament for his person, the petitioner did summoned his creditors to compear and adduce what reasons they could why the desire of his petition should not be granted. But they, being convinced that his liberty to look after his business would contribute to their advantage as well as the petitioners, made no opposition to the indulgence and the honourable estates of parliament were graciously pleased to grant it. But the time of the continuance of this benefit being almost expired, the petitioner is necessitated again to make application to his grace and their lordships, and to show that he has made no ill use of the favour and compassion that was granted him, he humbly begged leave to represent that since that time he has paid £13,615 Scots to Whitehill and Craigforth, two of the most preferable of his creditors, and £5,000 to others, which not only disburdens his effects of a considerable sum, but shows his willing inclinations to do them all justice. And now seeing its well known that the petitioner's present circumstance has been occasioned more by his misfortune than fault, that his creditors have been already cited, that most of them have consented to a supersedere and that a very few remain peevish and obstinate, therefore, craving his grace and the honourable estates of parliament to take the premises to consideration and to prorogue his liberty to such a term as their wisdom should think requisite for settling the petitioner's affairs to his and his creditors' satisfaction, as the said petition bears. And her majesty's said commissioner and the estates of parliament, having fully considered the said petition and that the petitioner had caused call his creditors in form of law to the effect above-mentioned, and that the said creditors, though this day called in the usual manner, yet failed to compear and, being therewith, well and ripely advised, they renewed and hereby renew the protection in favour of the petitioner until the next session of parliament inclusive, but on condition always of his doing justice to Daniel Campbell, merchant in Glasgow, according to the nature of his debt.