Act, 20 March 1706, Edinburgh

Procedure: committee formed, 28 December 1706, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Twentieth day of March Jaj vijc and six years. Councell Called extraordinary

A1706/3/311

Act

Act for a voluntar Levie of Seamen

Act for a voluntar Leavie of Seamen, Read, voted and approven, and the Samen in her Majesties letter to be prefixed therto ordained to be printed and recorded, and the Lords of her Majesties Privie Councell Doe heirby Recommend to David Earle of Weemes Lord high Admirall To fill up the day betwixt and which the Seamen are to repair to Leith, and that befor the Samen be printed.
The Lords of her Majesties Privie Councell In prosecution of her Majesties letter direct to them on the Twentie Sevinth of February last, And makeing mention that one of her men of warr, Sent for Convoy into the road of Leith, Is to ly some dayes their, and to receive what Seamen will voluntarly enter themselves to Serve in the Royall Navie, who for ther incouragment are to have fourty Shillings Sterling each Seaman at his entrie; And from that tyme the Same pay and intertainement that her Majesties English Seamen doe receive; And therfor recommending to ther lordships care to fall wpon Such methods as they Judge proper for giveing notice to all Seamen, that Such as are willing to enter into her Majesties Service on board her fleet, may know wher to goe and List themselves, And to give all other incouargment and assistance to the Captain of the said man of warr for raising Seamen that may be consistant with the laws of the kingdome, Giveing alewayes Speciall order for preventing abuses and disorders in makeing these levies, Doe therfore heirby ordaine the Magistrats of the repsective burghs and Sea-touns within the Firths of Scotland, or els wher upon any of the coasts therof, or any other persone haveing warrand from the said Captain to beat drums within ther saids burghs and Sea-touns for intimateing to all eable Seamen who voluntarly of ther own free consent given befor a Magistrat attesting the Same, are willing to Serve aboard her Majesties fleet that they repair to Leith betwixt and the first day of May nixt to come, and ther offerr themselves to the said Captain, or any he Shall appoynt, wpon payment to be made to each of the said Seamen of Fourtie Shilling Sterling of free bounty, and levie money befor ther goeing aboard of the said man of warr, and the said Captain his engageing that they Shall be received into her Majesties Service aboard her fleet, and Shall have the Same pay and intertainement with her English Seamen; And the Saids Lords of Councell ordaine all Magistrats and others within the burghs and Seatouns forsaids to give ther concurrance to the said Captain, And Such as Shall be imployed by him for Secureing the persons of the saids Seamen who Shall willingly ingage and receive payment in maner forsaids, wpon the Captains proper charges and expences; And the saids Lords doe heirby Strictly prohibite and discharge all disorders or abuses to be committed in makeing the said voluntar levie, But that all concerned keep themselves within the bounds and rules of law, Recommending to the Committie of Councell for prest men to hear and redress Summarly all Complaints that Shall be made to them in the said matter.

At Edinburgh 20 March 1706. Council called extraordinarily

A1706/3/311

Act

Act for a voluntary levy of seamen

Act for a voluntary levy of seamen read, voted, and approved, and the same in her majesty’s letter to be prefixed thereto ordained to be printed and recorded, and the lords of her majesty’s privy council doe hereby recommend to David earl of Wemyss, lord high admiral, to fill up the day between [now] and which the seamen are to repair to Leith, and that before the same be printed.
The lords of her majesty’s privy council in prosecution of her majesty’s letter directed to them on 27 February last, and making mention that one of her men of war, sent for convoy into the road of Leith, is to lie some days there, and to receive what seamen will voluntarily enter themselves to serve in the royal navy, who for their encouragement are to have 40s Sterling each seaman at his entry, and from that time the same pay and entertainment that her majesty’s English seamen do receive, and therefor recommending to their lordships’ care to fall upon such methods as they judge proper for giving notice to all seamen, that such as are willing to enter into her majesty’s service on board her fleet, may know where to go and list themselves, and to give all other encouragement and assistance to the captain of the said man of war for raising seamen that may be consistent with the laws of the kingdom, giving always special order for preventing abuses and disorders in making these levies, do therefore hereby ordain the magistrates of the respective burghs and sea-towns within the firths of Scotland, or elsewhere upon any of the coasts thereof, or any other person having warrant from the said captain, to beat drums within their said burghs and sea-towns for intimating to all able seamen who voluntarily of their own free consent given before a magistrate attesting the same, are willing to serve aboard her majesty’s fleet, that they repair to Leith between [now] and 1 May next to come, and there offer themselves to the said captain, or any he shall appoint, upon payment to be made to each of the said seamen of 40s Sterling of free bounty and levy money before their going aboard of the said man of war, and the said captain his engaging that they shall be received into her majesty’s service aboard her fleet, and shall have the same pay and entertainment with her English seamen. And the said lords of council ordain all magistrates and others within the burghs and sea-towns foresaid to give their concurrence to the said captain, and such as shall be employed by him for securing the persons of the said seamen who shall willingly engage and receive payment in manner foresaid, upon the captain’s proper charges and expenses. And the said lords do hereby strictly prohibit and discharge all disorders or abuses to be committed in making the said voluntary levy, but that all concerned keep themselves within the bounds and rules of law, recommending to the committee of council for pressed men to hear and redress summarily all complaints that shall be made to them in the said matter.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 461.

1. NRS, PC1/53, 461.