APPENDIX (B), 



PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 



SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING, 13th MAY 1868. 

 Sin Thomas Buchan Hepburn, Bart., in the Chair. 



This meeting was held to vote an address to Her Majesty the Queen on the 

 providential escape of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh from the recent 

 attempt on his life, and also to congratulate His Royal Highness on his merciful 

 preservation. 



The Chairman, before proceeding to the special business of the meeting, stated 

 that owing to the Duke of Buccleuch, the President of the Society, being on the 

 continent, it was impossible for his Grace to take the chair on this occasion. He 

 also mentioned that letters of apology had been received from a large number of 

 noblemen and gentlemen who were unable, from previous engagements, to be 

 present. 



Viscount Melville read and moved the adoption of the following Addresses : — 



" To the Queens Most Excellent Majesty. 



"Most Gracious Sovereign, — 



" We your Majesty's most devoted and loyal subjects, the Highland and Agri- 

 cultural Society of Scotland, incorporated by royal charter, in special general 

 meeting assembled, deeply impressed with feelings of ardent attachment to the 

 sacred person of your most gracious Majesty, and in all our national warmth of 

 loyalty, beg respectfully to approach the throne with an expression of the abhor- 

 rence which we, in common with all classes of your Majesty's subjects, feel for 

 the atrocious attempt which has been recently made on the life of His Royal 

 Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. 



" AVe deeply sympathise with your Majesty and the Royal Family in the distress 

 this murderous assault must have occasioned, and we humbly beg leave to offer to 

 your Majesty our heartfelt congratulations on the merciful interposition which 

 has preserved the life of your beloved son, who, by his manly and generous con- 

 duct on all occasions, has so endeared himself to his country. 



"We thank Almighty God that He has been pleased to spare the life of His 

 Royal Highness, and we earnestly pray that he may be speedily restored to his 

 wonted health. 



"Sealed with the corporate seal, and signed at the 'desire and in presence of a 

 Special General Meeting of the Society, by Sir Thomas Buchan Hepburn 

 of Smeaton, Bart., Senior Director present, Chairman, in the absence of his 

 Grace Walter Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K.G., President of 

 the Society. 



"Society's Hall, Edinburgh, 13th May 1866." 



" To His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. 



' ' May it please your Royal Highness, — 



" We, the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, assembled in special 

 general meeting, beg most respectfully to offer to your Royal Highness our 

 sincere congratulations on the providential escape from the danger to which your 

 life has been recently exposed. 



" Your Royal Highness being connected with Scotland by many ties, we desire 

 to express our most devoted feelings of national indignation on the infamous 

 attempt upon your life, and to express our heartfelt gratitude at the merciful in- 

 terposition of Almighty God in preserving you from the hands of an assassin. 



/ 



