Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 600 Title: Letter from David Dalrymple, Lord Hailes, to Dr William Leechman, Containing Reasons For Not Giving a Bill of Suspension for David Woodburn Author(s): Dalrymple, Sir David That the parties may know upon what grounds I refuse this bill of suspension, I observe That Mr Woodburn's conduct on St Patrick's Day may admitt of excuse in ſeveral particulars; he heared indecent healths given in the presence of other tutors: Mr. Robison seems to admitt that he himself laughed at the drollery of the indecent songs which were sung: The health which Mr. Woodburn proposed may be obscene, but I do not see that it is proved to be such, otherways than by his commentaries on it. If Mr Robison & Mr Woodburn had left the company upon the first mention of obscene healths they would have acted according to the decency of their characters as tutors, & the young gentlemen whose guests they were would have applauded their conduct. By remaining too long in the company they erred & the consequences have been hurtfull to both. Whether a fine of two guineas & a rebuke & admonition were sufficient censures upon Mr. Robison is not teh present question. The irregularity of Mr. Woodburn's attendance on College duties seems not to be fully proved, at least his defence of indisposition ought to have been enquired into. The Scuffle which happened betwixt Mr. Robison & him does not much affect me in judging of the case. Mr. Robison ought to have sought redreſs in an accademical way, & not by blows, & he seems to have [premeditately] occasioned that scuffle. My reason for refusing the bill is founded on the advertisement. I cannot explain that advertisement in any other sense than that which the university meeting put upon it. The advertisement was a deliberate thing communicated to different persons and I have no doubt that both editions of it were composed by Mr. Woodburn. His explanation of it in the replies does not seem satisfactory. If Italian paſsion means Jealousy, how comes it that the correspondent expreſsion in the other [copie] is unnatural feelings. Such being my understanding of the advertisement, I am under no neceſsity of finding that Mr. Wodburn falls under the 10th. section of the University laws & consequently of refusing the bill of suspension. I do not see sufficient reason for paſsing the bill on account of supposed Informalities in proceedings. The sentence pronounced seems justifiable from the circumstances of the case, nor does there appear to have been any neceſsity for a formal trial. Such being my Sentiments, I refuse the bill. Other Judges may perhaps think otherways. [I reserve] reduction as accords. Signed Dav Dalrymple Sept. 16, 1769 Dr Sir I received the above on Sundays Night & I do not know whether you saw it before it came to my hand. Leaſst you should not have seen it, I have sent it for your peruſal & that of the other Gentlemen concern'd. I am glad we have so far gained our [Pound] & that the Suspenſion is refuted. Pleaſe keep the Letter becauſe if Mr Woodburn should try Proceſs of Reduction we may have an opportunity to set Lord Hailes right, as to some of his Observations. Will: Leechman Dr Doctor Lord Hailes has refused Mr Woodburn' Bill, reserving his action of reduction as accords, and he has thought proper to make out a note of his Reasons to be shown to both parties, whereof you have a Copy [¿], which that at present occurs from Dr Doctor, Your most [¿], William Wilson [¿] 16 Sept, 1769