" Further, "the said persons, by virtue of the
same commission, intended to proceed against them most partially
and wilfully, and thereby to drive the said complainers to that
strait that either they shall satisfy his unreasonable desire, or
then to lose their lives, with the sober portion of goods made by
them for the sustenance of themselves and their poor bairns: howbeit
it be of verity that they are honest women of repute and holding
these many years bygone, spotted at no time with any such ungodly
practices, neither any ways having committed any offence, but by all
their actions behaved themselves so discreetly and honestly as none
justly could or can have occasion of complaint - they being ever
ready, like they are yet, to underlie the law for all crimes that
can be laid to their charge," and having to that effect, "presently
found caution for their compearance before the justice and his
deputes, or any judge unsuspected, upon fifteen days' warning."
Their prayer, accordingly, is that the said commission be discharged.
Hector Munro appearing for himself and his colleagues, and the
complainers by Alexander Morrison, their procurator, the Lords
ordain Mr Hector and the other commissioners to desist a from
proceeding against the women, and "remit their trial to be taken
before the Justice-General or his deputes a in the next justice
court appointed to be held after his Majesty's repairing to the north
parts of this realm in the month of July next, at which time, if
his Majesty shall not repair thither, or being repaired shall not
before his returning cause the same trial to be taken, "in that
case commission shall be given to Thomas Fraser of Knocky, tutor
of Lovat, John Urquhart of Cadboll, tutor of Cromarty, and Alexander
Bayne of Tulloch, or any two of them to administer justice conform
to the laws of the realm.
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