| Description | Annual election, 24 September 1817
[Sederunt given]
The Council elected the following thirteen Burgesses to be members of the new Council for the year 1817 to 1818: Mr Robert Garden, Mr James Andrew Sandilands, Mr John Garioch, Mr William Johnston, Mr Alexander Low, Mr Alexander Pirie, Mr Robert Brown, Mr Arthur Gibbon, Mr Alexander Dingwall Fordyce, Mr John Smith youngest, Mr John Whyte and Mr William Catto, all merchants in Aberdeen, and Mr Charles Forbes of Auchmedden, Member of Parliament. (151r)
The Council elected the following four members of the old Council to be members of the new Council: Provost Alexander Fraser, Baillie David Chalmers, Baillie James Milne and Mr William Read. (151v)
The Council elected Deacon John Dunn, tailor, and Deacon Adam Low, baker, to be Trades councillors. (151v)
The Council (and William Cruickshank, John Moir, William Mortimer, James Buchan, William Rae, James Bowman, John Elphinstone, George Hunter, David Thom, William Todd, Alexander McKay, Robert Weir, William Selbie, Robert Duncan and Robert Jack, Burgesses of Guild as Assistants) met to elect the office bearers. The Convener of Trades, on behalf of himself and his adherents, protested against the election under existing circumstances, and refused to cast his votes. The meeting, with the exception of the Convener of Trades and members of the Crafts elected the following office bearers for the year 1817 to 1818:
Charles Forbes - Provost
Robert Garden - Eldest Baillie
David Chalmers - Second Baillie
James Milne - Third Baillie
Robert Brown - Youngest Baillie
Alexander Dingwall Fordyce - Dean of Guild
John Whyte - Treasurer
William Johnston - Master of Shoreworks
Arthur Gibbon - Master of Kirk and Bridge Works
William Catto - Master of Mortifications
James Andrew Sandilands - Master of Guild Brethren's Hospital
(151v - 153r)
Baillie Chalmers made a statement qualifying his acceptance of the office of Second Baillie, only if the Council made an application for a change in the constitution of the burgh, which was founded on mutual confidence between the magistrates and citizens. [Statement engrossed.] Baillie Milne concurred, and agreed to hold his office under the same conditions. (153r - 154r)
The Council elected Provost Charles Forbes, Baillie David Chalmers and Baillie James Milne to be Keepers of the Keys of the Town's Charter Chest for the year 1817 to 1818. (154r)
The Council elected the Provost and the four Baillies, the Dean of Guild, Mr William Johnston, Mr John Smith youngest, Mr William Read and Mr Alexander Fraser as Commissioners of Infeftments for the year 1817 to 1818; and them and the two Trades councillors as Auditors of the Town's Accounts. (154r - 154v) |