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Hunt Down The MacGregors!

Commission under the Signet, in the name of King James the VI, to Archibald, Earl of Argyll, against the Clan Gregor, Dated at Haliruidhous, 24 February 1603.

Stating that whereas "the disorderit and wicked thevis and lymmaris of the Clangregour quha hes sa lang continewit in murthour, bluidsched, thift, reif, sorning and oppressioun vpoun our peaceable and guid subjectis" had in February instant "in oppin hostilitie, enterit within the Lennox, quhair in maist barbarous and cruell maner they have murdreist and slan sax or sevin scouir of our honest and peaceable subiectis, without respect to man or bairnes", and had "herryit the haill countrey" to the displeasure of God, Contempt of the King's authority, and slander of the whole nation, if the offense should remain unpunished.  Therefore, "we and lordis of our secrett counsall, hes resolvit and avowed that this viperous and vnhappy generatioun sal be followit, huntit, and persewit, with fyre and suord, ay and quhill thay be extirpat and rutit out, and expellit the haill boundis of our dominionis".  For that purpose making Archibald, Earl of Argyll, justice and commissioner within the bounds of Argyll and Tarbat, with power to convene the inhabitants, pursue all of the name MacGregor, apprehend them, and execute justice on them according to the laws and to prosecute them with fire and sword and all kind of rigour and extremity, and never leave off the pursuit of them until they be utterly expelled from the said bounds; and to warn the justices of the neighbouring bounds to which the said "lummaris" might flee; to levy a hundred "able fechtand men" within the said bounds; with warlike provisions, appoint chieftains, and commanders, etc., and that these be ready to meet the forces to be raised by the other justices at the head Lochrannoch, on the sixth day of April next to come and concur with them in the pursuit of the said limmers.  With the power to appoint watches, and as he might need to employ some men "quha ar not ansuerable to our lawis", promising that they should not be challenged while so employed, only that he must be answerable that they did not "reiff, sorne, herry nor oppress the countrey, nor tak meit and drink bot for reddy and present payment." With power to the barons and gentlemen to lay on a stent for the support of the said forces.  And charging all the inhabitants to concur with the Commissioner and follow his directions in the pursuit of Clan Gregor, "vnder the paine of tinsall of lyfe, landis and guidis".

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Clan Gregor Society (Scotland)

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