United Kingdom House of Lords Decisions

It was answered, that it was true that an agreement of the nature described had been gone into; but finding that it led to the very evils which it was meant to prevent, a reduction in 1739 was brought of that agreement; and the Lords of Council and Session, after considerable discussion, reduced the same, and found and declared “the Lord Provost, Magistrates, and Town Council of Edinburgh, to have the only right of presenting ministers to all the vacant churches built, or to be built, within the city.”

Feb. 18, 1763.

The Lord Ordinary pronounced this interlocutor:

“Having considered the minutes of debate, &c., finds that the Magistrates and Town Council of Edinburgh, have the sole privilege, exclusive of, and without consulting the ministers and kirk-sessions, of presenting ministers to all the vacant churches within the city of Edinburgh; and therefore repels the reasons of reduction with respect to that point, assoilzies the defenders in the reduction, and decerns. But with respect to the proceedings of the Town Council, with regard to the presentation of Mr John Drysdale, before answer, appoints the chargers to give in answers to the suspenders' condescendence.”

July 1, 1763.

July 15, 1763.

After several representations to the Lord Ordinary, who adhered, a reclaiming petition was presented to the Court, and the Lords unanimously adhered; and thereafter ordered a special condescendence to be given in; whereupon, and after considering this condescendence, the Lords pronounced this interlocutor:

“Repel the reasons of suspension, and reduction of the presentation granted to Mr John Drysdale, find the letters orderly proceeded with, assoilzie the defenders from the reduction and declarator. Find no expenses due, and decern.”

Against these interlocutors the present appeal was brought to the House of Lords.

After hearing counsel,