The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

17IG.] FINF.l) FOi; XONCOXFOIIMirV. 303
iU)pointed l)y the I'livv iJuuncil as a coinnussioii "to prosecute all persons
guilty of church disorders, and other crimes, in all the l)onnds Ijctwixt
Spey and Ness, including- Strathspey and Abernetliie, and their iii'st
meefivi'i' to he at Ele;in the 2L!d of January followino;." The cornmis-
sionsis are reported by ^^'odro^v to h.ave "caused erect a ne.w gallows ad
terror' ra," as soon as the\' came to Elgin. Most of the Pj esbyterians in
the district were summoned before the Commission, "tho' they had no
crimes to charrre them with but absence from the kirk and being at con-
venticles ; none
here having been at Bothwel, or in any thing termed
rebellion."' The authority of the commissioners was further supported by
letters mider the Signet, dated 1 nth January 1G8 5, charging all person.^
guilty of the crimes libelled, that is, sedition, intercommuning with rebels,
fugitiAes, vagrant preachers, etc., I'efusing to renounce the Solemn League
and Covenant, withdrawing from their parish kirks, attending liouse or
field conventicles, and other similar offences of a more or less heinous
nature, that they should appear and answer for their share in such prac-
tices." Messrs. Eraser of Brea, Alexander Hepliurn, James Ninnuo, Alexander
Dunbar, James Urquhart, James Park, and Thomas Ross are among those
named as " oiited " persons whom it was treasonal)le to have dealings with.
The Laird of Freuchie and his lady duly appeared before the com-
missioners, and were examined as to the charges against them. In his
declaration, the Laird stated that Mr. Alexander Eraser frequented his
house before the parliament,^ and prayed in it ; that he gave him money
upon the account of charity, but not for service ; that after the parliament
he put him away, and he had been but twice in his house since the par-
liament ; that he had heard i\lr. James Urquhart preach o)ice at Lethen,
and pray several times when he [the Laird] was there visiting his mother-
in-law ; that he had heard Mr. Alexander Duril)ar piTiy several times ; that
he saw James Nimmo at Lethen's house, and that he was free to declare on
oath that he did not know him to be a rebel ; that his lady chd not
frequent the parish church since 1(379 till September last. He declared on
oath that the above was truth, and that he was altogether free of the plot
1 Diaries of the Lairtls of Rrodie. iirLl.iCo, ]>. Ixi.
' Copy Letters at Castle ("Jrant. King Charles il.'s rei^m.
'' Tlic [larliamcnt of 16SI, tlio last parliaiiiiMit of