Inclosed We send You for Your Government and Direction, a Copy of
a Letter from the Lord Justice Clerk and General Guest Commander
in Chief of His Majestys Forces in Scotland, Containing an order
and Instructions for bringing over all Ships, Vessels, Boats and
Yoals of all sorts and sizes lying in the Harbours and Creeks
betwixt Stirling Bridge and S^t Andrews inclusive on the North
side of the Frith with their Apparel and Furniture, and for
laying them up in the several Harbours therein Specified on the
South side of the Frith, and in the Execution of these Directions
and Instructions, all Officers whatsoever under Our direction,
are to give You their utmost assistance when required so to do,
as they will answer the Contrary at their Peril, and You are
particularly to apply to the respective Officers in the several
Ports and Precincts for their Aid and Information. The General
having given proper orders to the Captain of the Milford Man of
war to concur and assist You in this Servise, You are to meet
and Concert with him proper measures for the Effectual Execution
thereof. We are,
Your Loving Friends,
CO: CAMPBELL.
ALEX ARBUTHNOTT.
RD. SOMERS.
Customh^o Edinb^r }
8^{th} Decem^r 1745. }
Coll^r Alloa.
_Enclosure to No. IV._
Edinb^r Decem^r 9^{th} 1745.
GENTLEMEN--We think it absolutely necessary for the Good and
Service of the Government at this Conjuncture, that all the
Ships, Vessels, Boats and Yoals of all sorts and Sizes, with
their Apparel and Furniture, in all Harbours and Creeks etc.
betwixt Stirling Bridge and S^t Andrews inclusive on the North
side of the Frith of Forth, be brought over and Moord in the
several Harbours of Dunbar, Leith, Queensferry and Borrowstoness,
and these on the South side of the said River, betwixt Cramond
and Eymouth be Carried to Leith and Dunbar, as the Persons to be
Employed by You in the Execution hereof, shall Judge to be most
Conveneint, all to remain in these respective Harbours untill
further orders; We therefore earnestly recommend it to You as
proper Judges, to Nominate and Appoint such of Your Officers
under Your Direction and Government to Execute our Orders as You
shall think most fit to be Employed for the doing of so necessary
a Duty, And as some former Orders of this Nature have not been
observed and obeyed so punctually as Directed for want of other
proper Assistance, We do therefore hereby direct and ordain all
Magistrates of Burghs Justices of the Peace, Constables etc.
within the respective bounds aforesaid, laying aside all Excuses
whatsoever, to be aiding and assisting to the Person or Persons
that are possessed of Copys hereof, and of Your Instructions
given by You to them, as they will be answerable upon their
highest Peril; and in Case any of the Proprietors or others
Concerned in said Ships etc. as abovement^d shall not forthwith
Comply with these Our orders, Then the Persons so Employed
are hereby ordained to burn and Destroy the same, where any
objections or refusals are made to obey and Comply herewith, and
the aforesaid Copys hereof with your Instructions as above, shall
be to them a Sufficient Warrant for destroying of the above Ships
etc. not doubting of Your Compliance and Concurrence, We are,
Sign’d { AND: FLETCHER.
{ JOS: GUEST.
_N.B._--Buys Boat who has been often Employed in transporting of
Rebels frequently, should be burnt out of hand.
Hon^{ble} Comm^{rs} of the Customs Ed^r.
V
_Lieutenant-General Guest to Walter Grossett_
_Edenburgh December the 15^{th} 1745._
SR,--I agree to your hiring the Borrowstness Ship at the Rate
you mention, provided the owners dont insist on my Insuring her
from the Enemy, for that I cant consent to--if they comply,
you’l immediatly station her at Higgins Nook, and Nicol at
Carse’s Nook, or wherever they can be best placed for His
Majestys Service. You’l give them positive Derections to be very
carefull, in watching both sides the River, and sending immediat
Intelligence to the L^d Justice Clerk, on discovering any Motions
of the Enemy.
You’l consider the Ship is not ensured now, and is in as much, or
more danger than when employd by his Majesty.--I am S^r your most
Obed^t humble Servant,