This case concerns disputed elections for council in the Burgh of Elgin. John Duff, defender, and his group controlled the Burgh council up to the election in the Michaelmas 1770 term. Duff was provost of the burgh, with members of his group serving other positions on the council. In that 1770 election, Thomas Stephen, pursuer, won and became provost of the burgh of Elgin. Stephen was a member of a rival group. In the next election, the Michaelmas 1771 term, Duff and his group won the election and regained their positions on the council. Each group accused the other of resorting to riots, disturbances, bribery, and other improper means to affect the Michaelmas 1771 election.
Documents in this case (3)
- Thomas Stephen, John Laing and Alexander Brander v. John Duff, Robert Leslie, John Jamieson, James Anderson, George Simpson, John Clark junior, Alexander Brodie, William Brodie, Adam Watson and Alexander Cook — Answers, 18 Dec 1771
- Thomas Stephen senior, John Laing and Alexander Brander v. John Duff and others — Replies, 4 Jan 1772
- Stephen and others v. Duff and other Magistrates and Counsellors of the Burgh of Elgin — Memorial, 4 Aug 1772
People involved
- Thomas Stephen Sr. — Pursuer
- John Laing — Pursuer
- Alexander Brander — Pursuer
- Sir Ilay Campbell, Lord Succoth, 1st Baronet of Succoth — Advocate for Pursuer
- John Duff — Defender
- Robert Leslie — Defender
- John Jamieson — Defender
- James Anderson — Defender
- George Simpson — Defender
- John Clark Jr. — Defender
- Alexander Brodie — Defender
- William Brodie — Defender
- Adam Watson — Defender
- Alexander Cook — Defender
- William Robertson — Defender
- Joseph Wilson — Defender
- John Baron — Defender
- Alexander Gray — Defender
- Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville — Advocate for Defender
Places
- Elgin (principal)
This case concerns disputed elections for council in the Burgh of Elgin. John Duff, defender, and his group controlled the Burgh council up to the election in the Michaelmas 1770 term. Duff was provost of the burgh, with members of his group serving other positions on the council. In that 1770 election, Thomas Stephen, pursuer, won and became provost of the burgh of Elgin. Stephen was a member of a rival group. In the next election, the Michaelmas 1771 term, Duff and his group won the election and regained their positions on the council. Each group accused the other of resorting to riots, disturbances, bribery, and other improper means to affect the Michaelmas 1771 election.
