for the ensuing year, They agree and appoint, that the haill magistrates and Councill shall meet in the Councell house tomorrow at ten o clock, or when the Provost can conveniently attend, and waitt upon him in procession to the church, and ordain the Toun serjants with their halberts to walk before the Provost, in like manner, and as is usually done in other Burghs, the Sunday after the provost is elected, or when he goes first to Church. VIII 351.

21 NOVEMBER 1761.

The Committee named for meeting with Mr Middleton anent the channell represented that in order to have said meeting the Provost haid wrote a card to Mr Middleton of which the tenor follows :—

"Sir James Reid presents his compliments to Mr Middleton begs leave to acquaint him that the Magistrates of Old Aberdeen intend waiting on him this day twixt 12 and 1 o clock if it is convenient for him, if otherways entreats to know when it will be agreeable".

To this card which was dated the 20th current the following answer was returned:

"Mr Midletons compliments to Sir James Reid he is pre-engaged. The Magistrates and Community of Old Abd" have been long used to Mr Midletons good neighbourhood but as they have broke it so uncivilly and illegally Mr Midleton declines any meeting with them on the subject."

The Councill haveing considered the within report along with the two cards within minuted, They are of opinion that the Toun and Community are ill used by Mr Midleton, and therefore they agree that in the first place a petition be given into the Sheriff of Aberdeen for haveing the channell water allowed to run for the benefite of the Toune as formerly, at least till it be tryed to whom the property belongs and if the Town and Community have a servitude therein, and in the next place as its troublesome to be calling a Council on every emergency thereanent, The Councill unanimously agree to and doe name the Magistrates and the Principall of the Colledge as being concerned for the hospital a committee for meeting and advising as to all steps necessary to be taken in relation to the above affair, and in case of any plea being found necessary they name John Clerk senior, advocate in Aberdeen as their agent and doer. VIII 417.

3 MAY 1763.

The Theasurer haveing again refused to sign a complaint agst two persons lyable in terms of law for a clandestine marriage and haveing also refused to sign any complaints of that nature for the future it was agreed that John Johnston Clerk depute be ordained as Pror fiscall of Court for the future for signing and complaining on all delinquents as the Magistrates shall think proper. IX 9.

22 DECEMBER 1764.

Thereafter the Councill having taken under their consideration that the Port at the Chaplains is a nausance ruinous and in danger of falling Therefore the Councill appoint the said old gate to be selt to publick roup on Saturday next the twenty-ninth of December current. The highest bidder on carrying the roup to pay the proceeds thereof to the Treasurer. . . . And likeways they ordain that the purchaser shall remove the said gate and rubish thereof twixt and the first day of March next upon their own proper charges and expenses. IX 25.

12 JANUARY 1765.

The Magistrates reported the selling of the stones of an old gate called the Chaplains Port at three pound three shillings and sixpence sterling to Bailie Skene for behoof of Baillie Clark. The Council approve thereof and think the price adequate. IX 25.

23 FEBRUARY 1765.

COPY INTERLOCUTOR CAUSA MIDLETON OF SEATON AGT THE PROVOST AND MAGISTRATES OF OLD ABERDEEN.

Upon Report of the Lord Bargeny-the Lords Advocats both causes from the Sherreff and find that the Toun of old Aberdeen has a right to the use of the water both of the Angle and Tanners Wells subject to the necessary uses of Mr Midletons farm and find that the said Town has a right to remove all obstructions which may happen in the channells of said two wells, and to clean the same up to the respective fountain heads, and that at all times and seasons when such obstructions shall happen and cleaning shall be necessary with such number of hands as shall be judged fitt upon previous intimation of

days

being made to Mr Middleton personally or at his dwelling place And find that Mr. Middleton must allow access to the persons sent to clean the said channells through his inclosures when demanded And find no expences or dammages due to either party and assolzie from all other conclusions of the processis. IX 28.

31 MAY 1769.

It was represented to the Councill that in consequence of former proposalls anent bringing water to the Town the Committee for the purpose had now agreed with the plummer and entered into writing with him thereanent and had also agreed with the Colledge masters as to the property of the water springs . . . And whereas it is absolutely necessary to have a reservoir for the water within the Town the Councill went and visited the low or ground flatt room of the Prison and found it not only the most commodious place for the purpose but that the useing of it will save a deal of expence to the Town They therefore approved of useing the said lower ground flatt room of said prison for the purpose of said Reservoir, and as by useing it in that way the prison room must be carried to the third flatt. IX 67.

5 OCTOBER 1769.

The old and new Councill haveing considered the small funds of the Town and that they are unable to pay some entertainments usually given at the expense of the Town particularly what is spent on the nights of the two mercats They agree to curtail that expence in so far as only to allow the Theausurer to pay four pound scots to the men that mount guard and to be used by them as they think proper. IX 71.

25 APRIL 1772.

The Treasurer reported that the officer of court wanted a coat and the Councill haveing considered that the late officers coat was sufficient appoints two tradesmen to inspect and put a value upon the same and appoints the Treasurer to pay the officers widow for the same. IX 89.

29 MARCH 1779.

The Council haveing considered the Petition given in anent building a new Town house by subscription they approve of such and

empower their Theasurer in name of the Town to subscrive thirty pounds for that purpose Besides the materialls of the old Town house which they will also give to the undertaker for the building and which must be estimet in going about said work. IX 138.

30 OCTOBER 1780.

There haveing [arisen] doubts and disputes anent the entering of second sons as burgesses jure pat: on shewing that the eldest son is abroad, and on granting obligation to pay the composition if the eldest son ever appear to claim his right. The Council for avoiding disputes of this kind for the future agree to receive ane second son in the place off the first But they agree to receive the second and all other sons for half of composition and dues paid by burges's either merchant or trads as they incline to enter And if a burges has no sons and only dau's the husband of the eldest shall be entered in the same way as the eldest son could have been and the husband of the second and all other daurs shall be entered on the same terms as the second and other sons could have entered and if a burges shall have both sons and daurs all of them may be entered for half composition except the eldest son who still enjoys his priviledge. IX 149.

26 JUNE 1782.

Baillie McKleod produced to the Councill and which was read over a letter from Mr Elphinston Sheriff of Abd" shire inclosing the Earl of Shelborns letter and heads of a plan for arming the principall towns in Scotland all which being considered by the council they ordered B. McKleod to write the Sheriff and in the meantime recommend to the Conveener of the trades betwixt and this day fourteen days to call the different trades and report to the Councill the sense of their meetings so as some plan may be formed and resolved on and they order the said letter and plan to be left with the Theasurer to be seen by all the inhabitants who chuse to call for the same. IX 162.

25 JULY 1782.

At the first meeting of the Military Association of this town, formed in compliance with his Majestys recommendation for the purpose of learning the military exercise, and assisting in the defence

of this Town and neighbourhood in case of hostile invasion. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed upon viz1

• Ist Every regulation respecting this Association is to be formed by the votes of the majority of the members, and afterwards to be binding upon the whole.

2d The arms and accoutrements of the Volunteers to remain in their custody, during the time of their learning the exercise, and afterwards to be deposited wherever the Commandant of the Corps may think proper to direct. Each volunteer to give a receipt for the arms and accoutrements placed in his possession.

3d Hugh McLean of Coll as chief Magistrate of this Town when present at a field day or review, to have the compliment paid him as Commander in Chief But as he is not a military man he is in no respect to command or give orders, which is only to be done by the Commandant of the Corps.

4th The officers of the Corps to consist of a commandant, one captain, one lieutenant, and one ensign.

5th The following gentlemen and inhabitants of this Town are unanimously voted to fill those stations viz' Major Achd Mitchell, formerly an officer in his Majesty's service and lately a major in the service of the East India Comp" to be Commandant of the Corps. Captain Alexander Geary many years in his Majesty's service and late a captain in the service of the East India Comp" to be Captain. Hugh Leslie Esq of Powis, to be lieutenant, Mr Wm Volum, Conveener of the Trades to be Ensign.

6th A committee to be chosen, consisting of Hugh McLean Esq' Provost, the four officers of the corps and five other members of the Association, for the purpose of regulating the business of the whole. The following members are chosen for the Committee vizt

7th The officers of the corps and members of the Committee to be selected at the expiration of every three months.

8th In case of invasion it is to be at the option of the corps whether they will choose to leave the Town, in order to assist their neighbours. In such cases and when acting in conjunction with his Majestys regular