| Citation |
VGW(HU.751.026
14 Mar 1751:22 (10)
London. . . Jan 3. We hear from Aberdeen, that not long
since Captain Stafford, of Lieutenant General Pulteney's
Regiment of Foot, quartered there with a detachment from the
said regiment, detected a person crying treasonable ballads
about the streets of the town, whom he took up, and sent
before the chief magistrate; and likewise caused the
published of the said ballads to be brought before the
magistrates in their council chamber, and insisted upon
their being proceeded against according to law. Upon the
magistrates neglecting to do that, he applied to them, that
the ballads might be publickly burnt by the common hangman,
and upon their refusal, he caused it to be done by his
drummer, in the market place, upon a market day. Captain
Stafford made a speech to the spectators, who were very
numerous, declaring the reasons for his so doing, which,
then the ballads were committed to the flames, was as
follows: May all the enemies to his most sacred Majesty
King George, our rightful and lawful King, be consum'd away
from the face of the earth, as this fire consumeth those
vile and treasonable ballads.
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