Complainers Thomas Goodsir and James M’Bain accused John Hutton of violating a statute that prohibited certain officials from voting in parliamentary elections. The premise of their complaint was that Hutton served as a distributor of stamps. Hutton explained that because stamps were not available near his home, he generally kept some on hand for use in his work as a writer. Hutton occasionally accommodated neighbors who wanted a bill or receipt stamp. He argued that this activity did not disqualify him from voting under the statute.

Published Reports

William Morison, The Decisions of the Court of Session (1811), pg. 8736
View Report
"Shaw's Digest." Bell and Lamond, Digests of Cases Decided in the Supreme Courts of Scotland, pg. 765

Locations

Session Papers

Answers

Answer for John Hutton writer in Kinghorn, to the Petition and Complaint of Thomas Goodsir, factor to Sir John Henderson of Fordel, Bart. and James M'Bain Deacon of the Tailors un South Queensferry

 		26 Nov 1802
Duplies

Duplies for John Hutton Writer in Kinghorn, to the Replies for Thomas Goodsir Factor to Sir John Henderson of Fordel, Baronet, and James M'Bain Deacon of the Tailors of South Queensferry

 		15 Dec 1802
Answer

Answers for John Hutton Writer in Kinghorn to the Petition of the Thomas Goodsir Factor to Sir John Hernderson of Fordel, Bart, and James M'Bain Deacon of the Tailors in South Queensferry

 		19 Feb 1803
Petition and Complaint

Unto the Right Honourable The Lords of Council and Session, the Petition and Complaint of Thomas Goodsir, at Otterston in Fifeshire; and James MBain, Refidenter in South Queensferry;

 		14 Oct 1802