Summons of the Prince Regent to the City of Edinburgh, September 16, 1745

The following summons was addressed by the Prince Regent (later King Charles III) to the Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Edinburgh.

A printed version of the text can be found on pages 249 and 250 of volume 1 of The Lyon in Mourning, edited by Henry Paton (Edinburgh: Scottish Historical Society, 1895).

Being now in a condition to make our way into this capital of His Majesty's ancient kingdom of Scotland, we hereby summon you to receive us, as you are in duty bound to do. And in order to it we hereby require you upon receipt of this to summon the Town Council and take proper measures in it for securing the peace and quiet of the city, which we are very desirous to protect. But if you suffer any of the usurpers's troops to enter the town, or any of the canon, arms, or amunition now in it, whether belonging to the public or to private persons, to be carried off, we shall take it as a breach of your duty and a heinous offence against the King and us, and shall resent it accordingly. We promise to preserve all the rights and liberties of the city, and the particular property of every one of His Majesty's subjects. But if any opposition be made to us we cannot answer for the consequences, being firmly resolved at any rate to enter the city, and in that case, if any of the inhabitants are found in arms against us, they must not expect to be treated as prisoners of war.

Charles, Prince Regent

From our Camp, 16th September, 1745

Upon the magistrates receiving the above, the inhabitants were called together and almost unanimously agreed to surrender the town, and sent deputies to the Prince to treat with him, viz., Baillies Gavin Hamilton, John Yetts, and David Inglis, and James Norrie, Deacon Convener, to whom the Prince caused deliver the following answer:

His Royal Highness the Prince Regent thinks his manifesto and the King, his father's, declaration, already published, are a sufficient capitulation for all His Majesty's subjects to accept of with joy. His present demands are to be received into the city as the son and representative of the King, his father, and obeyed as such when he is there.

His Royal Highness supposes that since the receipt of his letter to the provost and magistrates no arms or ammunition have been suffered to be carried off or concealed, and will expect a particular account of all things of that nature.

Lastly, he expects a positive answer to this before 2 o'clock in the morning, otherwise he will find himself obliged to take measures conform. By His Highness's command,

John Murray

At Gray's Mill, 16 September, 1745

After this a second deputation was sent to the Prince, viz., Provost Coutts and Baillie Robert Baillie, who brought the following answer:

His Royal Highness has already given all the assurances he can that he intends to exact nothing of the city in general, nor of any in particular, but what his character of Regent entitles him to. This he repeats, and renews his summons to the magistrates to receive him as such. By His Highness's command,

John Murray

Gray's Mill, 3 o'clock in the morning, Tuesday, 17 September, 1745