counterbalance it. This they accomplished yesterday at the quarterly meeting of the Guild of Merchants, where the freedom of that corporation was voted to Lord Chief Juftice Pratt, in a gold box.

It is to be obferved, that by a standing law of the Guild of Merchants, which has always been adhered to till now, the perfon that is to be honoured with the freedom must be propofed at a previous meeting; and a fubfequent meeting votes his being received or rejected.

On the present occafion this method of proceeding was over-ruled, the party refolving to carry their point by a coup de main; and they fucceeded. They kept the fecret among themselves till the meeting was opened; and then difplayed all their eloquence on the fubject of the laws, the rights, the liberties of their country; "all which," they alledged, "had been at the brink of destruction; all which had been faved and recovered by the unexampled conduct, matchlefs zeal, and invincible fortitude of his Lordship," &c.

Against granting this freedom in the manner it was proposed to be granted, it was alledged, That it was neither prudent nor decent for the Guild of Merchants in Dublin to force themselves into a party, and take fhare in the disputes and animofities which at present difturb and inflame Great Britain: That the reafons affigned for this freedom might be made ufe of as the ftrongest arguments againft it: for to say, that it was granted," as a teftimony of the Guild's fenfe of his Lordship's fidelity to his Majefty, at seeing the principles of liberty vindicated and maintained, and the rights of the fubject protected, by the juft determinations and fpirited conduct of his Lordship," feemed to be a kind of imputation of infidelity upon others; and was pronouncing a fixed, determined, and abfolute judgment, upon queftions in law which appeared to be ftill litigated and undetermined: That it was afluming a privilege and right which belonged only and exclufively to the highest and most refpectable tribunals of Great Britain: Nay, what was worse, that it was, as far as their influence extended, and for any thing they knew, anticipating the judgment of thofe tribunals, and inciting the minds of men to difcontent and fedition; for fhould the queftions ftill in difpute be determined, in the last refort, differently from what his Lord hip had determined them, then their folemn honorary act would not only

appear abfurd, but the minds of all who thould be influenced by this pre and anticipating judgment of theirs, t remain foured, turbulent, and di tented at the laws, and the most pe and conftitutional decifion of their m ing and force:

That it might be understood as pr ture, dictatorial, and infulting:

Premature, in as much as they ha example for what they did, from the of London, or any other city or bodyporate in G. Britain: Dictatorial, in much as by this act they feemed to exhibited themselves to public view as leaders and chieftains of both kingdo to alarm and declare to the people, the principles of liberty have been tacked, and the rights of the subject vaded; of which they had conftitu themselves judges, and bestowed the nour of their freedom as a reward for defence and protection of them: Inft ing, in as much as they belonged to ar ther kingdom, had a feparate legiflatu and were not principals in the matters question; yet appeared to have affum by this public act, the authority of pafli fentence upon, and reproaching the t derftanding and fpirit of all the people a incorporated bodies of G. Britain, w must have been fenfible of the deprec tions committed on liberty and the fu ject, had there been any fuch, althou they had tamely fubmitted to them, 1 had had gratitude or courage to diffic guilh, honour, and reward the protecto

That it might be confidered as irreg lar, fubverfive of all good order, and direct violation of an exprefs law of t Guild, in full force before, at, and aft granting it: A law which wifely and j diciously provides against the Guild beite furprised into any act, by giving the time to prepare, examine, and judge the bufinefs coming before them; an in confequence of its being thus violate establishes a precedent for juntos of pa fionate or interefted men to furprife incorporation into measures hereafter, the may be most ridiculous and inconfifter with their honour and intereft.

Such reafons as these were made ufe to oppofe this freedom as to the manne of granting it. Nevertheless, the pro vious queftion being put, Whether the fhould proceed on the vote of, Freedom not? and it being carried to procee there was not a fingle negative to the cond queftion, for voting the freedom

bis Lordship: for there were none in the appofition, but honoured and refpected kis Lordship's character as highly as those did whom they opposed."

SCOTLAND.

As Lady Charlotte Murray, daughter and only child on life of James Duke of A. thol, and wife of the Hon. John Murray, Ffq; of Strowan, fucceeded to the Engfb peerage of Strange, and to the Lordhp of Man and the Ifles; on his Grace's death, which happened on the 8th of Jamary laft, the ufual and accustomed writs, according to the laws of the island of Man, bearing date at Dunkeld, about the 9th of January, were iffued, in the name of Charlotte Baronefs Strange, Lady of Man and the Ifles, and her husband, for proclaiming her acceffion, and for continuing in office, the former governor, and all the public officers of the island, till further orders: which writs were dispatched by exprefs, published according to former age and cuftom, and entered in the public records of the island. The peerage of Athol, and the Scotch eftate of the family, defcended to the aforementioned Mr Murray, who was not only fon-inlaw, but likewife nephew and heir-male to the late Duke. After his Grace's death, Mr Murray presented a petition to the King, fetting forth the patents of honour of the family of Athol, particularly the ads 1o Geo. I. and 60 Geo. II. XXV.695.] and his right as heir-male, and claiming the title and dignity of Duke of Athel, &c. This petition was referred by his Majefty to the house of Peers, and by their Lordhips to a committee. On eport, the houfe, Feb. 9. sustained the laim. Which judgment having been approved of by the King, John Duke of Athe had the honour to kifs his Majefty's hand, and received the compliments of the nobility and gentry, on his fucceeding to the honours of that ancient and illurious family. As Mr Murray was reprefentative in parliament for the county of Perth, his feat now became vacated, and it was ordered by the house of Com Fun, Feb. 17. "That Mr Speaker do Lue his warrant to the clerk of the crown, to make out a new writ for the electing of a commiffioner to ferve in this prefent parliament, for the fhire of Perth,, in the room of John Murray, Efq; now Duke of Allol, a peer of Great Britain." Op the 24th, the Duke and Dutchefs of Ahol arrived at Edinburgh from Londen,

on their way to their Graces feat at Dunkeld.

In December laft, the trustees, for im proving the manufactures of Scotland fent to Col. Græme, the Queen's fecretary, a piece of fine linen, exquisite in beauty and fabrick, to be prefented to her Majesty; and foon after they were honoured with a letter from the Colonel, written by her Majefty's command, very graciously expreffing her wifhes for the fuccefs of the trustees endeavours to promote the manufactures of this country. The linen was manufactured by John and Walter Biggar, at Siennes, near Edinburgh.

Agreeably to the refolutions for that purpose [xxv. 526. 637.], an action was brought laft winter before the court of selfion, in the name of Alexander Millar glafier, and the united incorporations of Mary's chapel, against Alexander Nicolfon plumber, and the Lord Provost, Magiftrates, and Town-council of Edinburgh, for reducing the judgment of the towncil of Sept. 21. 1763, fuftaining the election of Mr Nicollon as deacon of the mafons; for declaring Mr Millar to be duly elected into that office; and alfo for reducing the fubfequent election of the magiftrates and town-council made at Michaelmas laft, in which Mr Millar was excluded from voting. This laft conclufion was, however, paffed from at the first calling of the caufe. After memorials for both parties, and a proof, the court pronounced the following interlocutor Feb.21, "Find the reasons of reduction of Alexander Nicolfon's election, as deacon of the mafons, relevant and proven, and reduce, decern, and declare, accordingly: but affoilzie the defenders from the conclusions of the libel, in fo far as concerns the declarator in favour of the purfuer; and decern." But against this interlocutor both parties have reclaimed.

A collection was made in the churches and meeting-houses of Edinburgh on the 19th and 26th of February, for fupporting the fick fervants of the city, admitted into the royal infirmary, on their being taken ill of fevers, or other acute difeafes. Two wards are allotted for these fervants, one for men, the other for women, ten beds in each; and the expence is about 200 l. a-year; which is wholly fupplied from the city, none of the proper funds of the hofpital being applied for that purpose. The fuccefs of this undertaking has been extraordinary. From January 1757 to January 1762 400 fick fervants were

P 2

admitted,

admitted, and were all difmiffed cured, except fourteen; and from January 1762

to January 1764, 260 were admitted, of whom only thirteen died. [xxi. 211.]

P. S. The hunters annual ball was given in the royal palace of Holyroodhoufe on the 6th of March, Shrove Tuesday, with the ufual fplendor; the Earl of Haddington (in the room of James Campbell, Efq: of Arckin'afs, who is at London, attending the fervice of parliament) king, and Mrs Drummond of Blair queen.

On feveral days of the fame week there were races at Leith. On Monday, the 5th, a fubfcription-purfe of thirty guineas was run for by three horfes, belonging to the Earl of Galloway, Mr Lockhart of of Carnwath, and Baron Grant; and won by Baron Grant's Young Sweeper. On Thursday, the 8th, the King's plate, 100 guineas value, was run for by fix horfes, belonging to the Hon. Francis Charteris, Capt. Thomas Maitland, William Cuningham of Craigends, Matthew Hender fon, Abraham Dixon, and James Edgar, Efqs; and won by Mr Charteris's Dunce, On Friday, the 9th, the city of Edinburgh's plate, thirty guineas value, was un for by fix horses, belonging to Mr Charteris, Capt. Thomas Maitland, and Mr Cuningham of Craigends, Mr Parker of Newcastle, James Boyd ftabler in Edinburgh, and Jofeph Forrefter; and won by Mr Charteris's Chefnut colt. On Saturday, the 10th, a fubfcription-purfe of twenty guineas was run for by three horfes, belonging to Mr Charteris, Abraham Dixon, Eiq; and Andrew Montgomery; and won by Mr Charteris's Favourite. So that he won three of the four races, and head no horfe at the fourth.

Pursuant to his fentence [54.], Walter Graham was executed at Edinburgh, March 7. for robbing the mail. He confefied the juftnefs of his fentence, and his having lived a wicked life; particularly that he feduced many young women under promife of marriage; which lay heavy on his mind, and put him upon drinking to filence his confcience. To one of thefe women he wifhed he might come to fuch an end as he met with, if he deceived her, and took God to witness; whole juftice, he obferved, executed the wished-for vengeance, to make him an example to fuch faithless men. By order of the poma fer-general sol. has been diftributed a mong thefe who were remarkably active in apprebending this criminal; which must be in encouragement to all perfons to exert themfelves on any fuch future occasion.

To the author of the SCOTS MAGAZINE. SIR, Edinburgh, Feb. 24. 1764. A Tranference of property has lutein

been made in Scotland, which is evi dently for the benefit of the country, and allo of the public, viz. the fale of fome of the eflates forfeited in 1715. The follow ing narrative of the facts may possibly be agreeable to your readers.

By an act 1° Geo. I. c. 50. certain e fiates were forfeited to his Majefty, ar commillioners were appointed for inqu ring into fuch eftates, and determining claims upon them.

By an act 4° Geo. I. c. 8. the afore mentioned commiflioners were impowered to fell thofe eftates, by auction or roup Which was foon after done; and a greas part of them was purchased by the York building company, at fixteen years pur chafe.

This company having become infolvent, their creditors attached those eftates, ac cording to the forms prefcribed by the law of Seotland, and a competition arole 2mongst them. After twenty years litiga tion, thofe who prevailed in the litigation, entered very generously into an a greement, by which they reftricted their claims to lels than three fourths of what they were intitled to be ranked for. The all parties agreed to apply to the court feflion for the fale of certain parts of the eftates: but as the forms of procedure in fuch cafes require long time, an act of parliament was applied for laft feflion, for carrying the aforementioned agreement in to execution; which paffed without oppo fition. [xxv. 236.]

By this act the court of feffion were im powered, without delay, and without waiting the conclufion of the ranking of any of the company's creditors, to pro ceed to the fale of certain parts of the e fates of Panmure, Southeique, Marichal and Pitcairn, which had been leafed by the company to Sir Archibald Grant of Monynuk, and Alexander Garden of Troup, at the yearly rent of 4000 L. Ster ling, or thereabout, and which leafe expired; the fale to be by public roup t auction, to the highest bidders, either in feparate baronies, or in fmaller lots, as fhould appear to the court to be moft for the intereft of the company; the court to afcertain the rent by a proof, and the number of years purchase, but not under thirty, at which the lands ought to be expofed to public auction.

All the directions of this aft having been complied

plied with, judgment was given by Court of feflion, appointing the fale to by pullie roup in the parliament-houfe, the 19th of December.

Against this judgment certain of the totors having entered an appeal, the are of Lords, Jan. 31. difmiffed the ap, and afmed the interiocutors com Ased of, with 1001. costs to be paid by e appellants to the repondents;" with et pojedire to the creditors of the apts infifting, as they fhould be advied, that the managers for the appellants had brought and profecuted the ap tal, ought, under all the circumstances fe cale, perfonally to pay the expence ned thereby."

So that the agreement made by the creters, cet firmed by an aft of the legiflaure, carried into execution by the fuPre court in this part of the united com, and affirmed in the laft refort, we the foundation on which this fale proreed. And indeed the reafons for the given in the preamble of the act, are ery fatisfactory, viz. "That these cPater had been long neglected and uncultivated while remaining in the hands of an inolvent company, and would, by transferring them to purchafers, be impoved, to the great benefit of the public; n the intereft of the money at which they might be fold, would greatly exceed i e prefent rent, and the company and their creditors be freed from the expence fmanagement, and fundry risks to which they were liable." It is likewise to be

caterved, that the estates were bought by

Lets.

the company at fixteen years purchase, and fet up, for behoof of their creditors, at thirty years purchase, at a public roup, where every man had the privilege to offer. The eftates were accordingly put up to public roup or auction, on Monday after noon, Feb. 20. in the parliament house, before the Lord Auchinleck, appointed by the court judge of the roup. The houfe was crouded. The Earl Marifchal, the Earl of Panmure, and Sir James Carne gie of Pitarrow, heir-male of the family of Southefque, were there in person, attended by fome of their friends; and each purchased what had formerly belonged to his family, at the upfet price, no body of fering against them. The people in the galleries could fcarce forbear expresing their joy by acclamations, on seeing these eftates return to the reprefentatives of the ancient and illuftrious families to which they had formerly belonged. The fmall eftate of Pitcairn was purchased, likewife at the upfet price, by a gentle. man for behoof of the fifters and heirs of the former proprietor, who was the only fon of the celebrated Dr Archibald Pit cairn of that Ilk, phyfician in Edinburgh, and died without iffue. The fums of the feveral purchases were as follows, in. Sterling money.

But to encourage bidders they were set up in the following lots.

Downie

2. Lands of Carmylie and Barry

00.0 m +

3. Lands of Innerpefer

4. Barony and lordship of Arbroath

3

4

398

232 II

74

7

7

6.

8. Barony of Kinniell

9. Barony of Fearn

230 12 3 259 5 10

12620 10 O

383 4 5

140 S 8 27 16

8

121 15 3 325 7 S 59 8 2

3652 17 9761 2 6 1782 S

2994 5 O