The Heart of Mid-Lothian - Penn State University

“At length the enquiry began to open a little, and the
Sollicitor was under some difficulty how to proceed. He
very well saw that the first warrand that was issued out
would start the whole gang; and as he had not come at
any of the most notorious offenders, he was unwilling,
upon the slight evidence he had, to begin. However, upon
notice given him by Generall Moyle, that one King, a
butcher in the Canongate, had boasted, in presence of
Bridget Knell, a soldier’s wife, the morning after Captain
Porteus was hanged, that he had a very active hand
in the mob, a warrand was issued out, and King was
apprehended, and imprisoned in the Canongate
Tolbooth.
“This obliged the Sollicitor immediately to take up
those against whom he had any information. By a signed
declaration, William Stirling, apprentice to James
Stirling, merchant in Edinburgh, was charged as haveing
been at the Nether-Bow, after the gates were shutt, with
a Lochaber-ax or halbert in his hand, and haveing begun
a huzza, marched upon the head of the mob towards
the Guard.
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“James Braidwood, son to a candlemaker in town, was,
by a signed declaration, charged as haveing been at the
Tolbooth door, giveing directions to the mob about setting
fire to the door, and that the mob named him by
his name, and asked his advice.
“By another declaration, one Stoddart, a journeyman
smith, was charged of having boasted publickly, in a
smith’s shop at Leith, that he had assisted in breaking
open the Tolbooth door.
“Peter Traill, a journeyman wright, (by one of the
declarations) was also accused of haveing lockt the
Nether-Bow Port, when it was shutt by the mob.
“His Majestie’s Sollicitor having these informations,
implored privately such persons as he could best rely
on, and the truth was, there were very few in whom he
could repose confidence. But he was, indeed, faithfully
served by one Webster, a soldier in the Welsh fuzileers,
recommended him by Lieutenant Alshton, who, with
very great address, informed himself, and really run some
risque in getting his information, concerning the places
where the persons informed against used to haunt, and