The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

250 Ihe Hio/iland Monthly,
An entry in the Session records in 1725 refers to the
difficulty of getting payment of the interest upon bonds,
viz.:— " The Session, considering the clamant condition of
the Hospitall Pensioners, did appoint a commission be
drawn up to John M'Bean, Messenger, to pursue for the a.
rents due preceding and until Whitsunday last, and that he
set about this with all expedition. As also, to prevent the
prescribing of Cationrie, that the several Debitors to the
Hospitall shall renew their Bonds, and that the Cationers
hereafter shall be Quo-principals [? Co-principals], and
appoints the Moderator to write a letter to the several
Debitors, making intimation hereof"
The Session Records also confirm the statement of the
Committee's report upon Gilbert Gordon's accounts relative
to the interest of Bailie David Fraser's mortification having
been applied by his son to charitable objects by order of
the Session; for on 15th December, 1724, a letter from
Alex. Fraser of Fairfield was presented, and read to the
Session, in which he stated that his father's mortification
was granted " on the condition that he and his heirs should
have the sole power of presenting to the Kirk Session of
this Burgh proper objects [of relief], one or more, who
should enjoy the a. rent of rhe above thousand merks." He
" accordingly presented two persons of the name of Fraser,
one for a year's enjoyment, another for life." This request
was granted for a year in the following April, provided Fair-
field produced receipts under the beneficiaries' own hands.
A similar claim was made and granted on i8th May, 1725,
and in June, 1728 ; but on the former of these two occasions
the Session resolved " that Alex. Baillie, Town-Clerk, be
applied to, with whom the mortification is lodged, that he
draw up and bring in a Bond, conform to the tenor of the
said Mortification, obliging the said Fairfield to pay the
said summ of a thousand merks to the Hospitall Treasurer,
and that the said Fairfield bring in his representation of
the said persons in write."
ll'O BE CCNTIXIEU.J