Memorial for William Muir, late Bailie, and James Davidson, late Counsellor of the Borough of Burntisland, constituent members of the meeting for the election of counsellors of said borough, at Michaelmas last, complainers; against William Fergusson, Esq; of Raith, pretended Provost, and the other pretended magistrates and counsellors of the Borough of Burntisland, chosen at Michaelmas last 1790, respondents..
Muir, William,Bailie.
[Edinburgh? : s.n.,
1791]
Caption title.
Signatures: A-C² (C1+x1) D-I² K1 ²A-B²
At head of caption: April 28. 1791. / Mem. Wil. Muir & James Davidson, / against / William Fergusson, Esq; and others, / pretended Magistrates of Burntisland. / J. Bremner, agent. / H. Clk.
Concludes with a set of appendices.
The case of Muir and Davidson vs. Ferguson was about political power in the community in Fife and the political representation of Burntisland in Westminster during the period of the "rotten boroughs" (i.e. a parliamentary borough with a tiny electorate). The "memorialists" argued that the election of magistrates and counsellors was void and illegal. The pamphlet gives an overview of how Burntisland had been run and organised since the late seventeenth century, in respeoct of commerce, jurisdiction, administration and politcal representation.
ESTC
Ferguson, William, of Raith, Provost.
Davidson, James, Counsellor.
Elections