1815 - 1817 Scroll Book - Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee

meeting in the Toun hall of the Sub committee of the Guildry, the Gentlemen the Mediators
and he and some of the Magistrates would attend it to talk over the matter.
At this Meeting were Provost Riddoch, Mr David Blair, Mr P. Anderson, Dr Crichton, Mr
Peddie, Mr Thomas, all Magistrates, Mr John Baxter, Mr Reid, Mr Bell, Mr Miller, Mr Small,
and Mr William Baxter. Messers Roberts, Lindsay, Sturrock and Miln the sub committee of
the Guildry.
Mr R. Miller said the Gentlemen with whom I am acting have much pleasure in seeing the
Magistrates and Guildry together and trusts from the good temper and moderation be had
discovered that the object of he Meeting would be obtained and that the differences between
the Magistrates and Guildry would be adjusted.
Mt Roberts then said Gentlemen, Mediators the Guildry so justice to the motions which have
induced you to come forward on the present occasion to act as Mediators between them and
the Magistrates and I am instructed to say that the Sub committee have instructions from
their constituents to second your endeavour to adjust the present unhappy differences
between the Guildry and Magistrates in an amicable manner, if the Gentlemen the
deputation from the Toun Council are actuated by similar sentiments the I conceive our
negotiations no wise difficult. All being anxious to see peace restored in the Toun that object
will soon be obtained.
Gentlemen the deputation of the Toun Council you know what we ask, we demand nothing,
we ask Gentlemen the election of our dean, assessors and officers the uncontrolled
management of our funds as an independent Corporation, in short gentlemen was ask you,
we pray you to carry into execution your resolutions of the 9 th August 1815. why these
resolutions were not carried into effect I will not enquire being confident no good could
result to the cause of the Guildry from such enquiry: but I assure you gentlemen the Guildry
take their full share of blame that they were rescinded, in our discussions gentlemen, let us
therefore every thing that has passed, let me entreat you to do so and consider us here as
applicants convinced at last that no procedure of your own can give us the right of electing
our dean unless the Magistrates join us in our application to the Convention of Burghs for
that purpose. Of our Funds we may and indeed have a very different opinion we are advised
that we can recover them by an action at Law, but gentlemen it will be much more grateful
to our feelings to receive them from the hands of the Magistrates than from the decision of a
higher Court. This is all we have to say Gentlemen, we ask you must admit nothing but what
the Magistrates can with honour grant, and being granted peace and good will is restored to
the Toun.
Provost Riddoch here said he wished it to be understood that they were no deputation from
the Toun Council – he and his friends came there as Individuals and not as Magistrates.
Here some discussion took place with Mr Peddie how the Guildry were to state what they
wanted, whether in writing or here, and he concluded by insisting that it should be stated in
writing; but it was observed by Mr Small that since Mr Peddie and his friends were not a
deputation from the Toun Council it would be premature in the Guildry to come under any
pledge- what he would recommend therefore was, that what had passed should be laid
before the Toun council and a deputation from that body be appointed to meet the Guildry
and then all would be on the same footing.
Mr Roberts said notwithstanding Mr Smalls observation that the Guildry would state their
claims in writing if the Gentlemen present who were Magistrates would recommend such
claims to the Toun council, but this was declined – they would not pledge themselves to any
thing. –
After much vague talk Provost Riddoch at last suggested that Mr Roberts should meet Mr
Anderson to talk over the matters and arrange how the Guildry cause should be brought
before the Toun Council. – Mr Roberts met Mr Anderson that evening with whom he had
much conversation. – It was at last agreed that Mr Anderson should state the prayer of the
Guildry to the Toun Council at its first meeting. The substance of that prayer was to be to the
Magistrates to carry into execution their resolutions of the 9 th August 1815. – Mr Cook hoped
for Mr Andersons support to which he replied that as an Individual he wished well to the
Guildry cause – but he could not pledge himself as a Magistrate to any specific line of
Conduct. –
Saturday: Mr Anderson waited on Mr Roberts and said that there had been no meeting of
the Toun council, and he wished to mention that tho’ there had been no meeting the subject
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