CHAPTER XV. 



CHARLES RACKET OF INVERAMSAY A LOCAL SCENE 

 IN THE FORTY-FIVE HACKET AS AN IMPROVER. 



DURING the closing days of September 1745 the 

 good town of Aberdeen was put in a sad stir by reason 

 of a certain irruption then made. Prince Charles 

 Stewart had landed on the west coast, had advanced 

 to Edinburgh, had fought and won the battle of 

 Prestonpans. And now, on the 25th day of the 

 month named, the very day, as it fell out, of the Town 

 Council election, when, according to use and wont, 

 the old Council had elected the new, and they had not 

 yet got the length of electing the Provost, John 

 Hamilton, in Strathbogie, entered the town in a hostile 

 manner, " drums beating and colours flying," with " a 

 band of armed men, both horse and foot," at his back. 

 The rebel forces were paraded at the Market Place 

 and Cross. Meanwhile the valiant councillors had 

 promptly taken to flight, and John Hamilton had it 

 all his own way. He sent in quest of " James Morri- 

 son, Esq., present Provost," and his messengers not 

 finding that gentleman at home, a second party was 

 sent with orders to burn his house if he did not 

 appear. What effect this threat may have had is not 

 apparent ; but the Provost was at last found, and 

 carried down prisoner to the town-house. They next 

 set him up upon the Cross in the company of a couple 

 of Baillies and certain of the councillors, where he had 

 to listen to a disloyal Sheriff-substitute reading the 

 Pretender's manifestoes. " Thereafter they caused 



