Procedure, 19 December 1704, Edinburgh

Edinburgh the 25th Janwary 1704

D1704/1/13

D1704/1/13¹

Act

Act Infavours of The Earle of Hoptoun

Anent the petition given in and presented to the Lords of her Majesties privie Councill by Charles Earle of Hoptoun Shewing That where the petitioners Tutors haveing severall years agoe caused build a wind milne at Leith for grinding and otherwayes refyneing the petitioners Lead oar which as it was a work of great Charge to the petitioner so it was reasonablie and profitablie designed for the petitioners benefite by his Tutors at the time and had a good effect Tho in regaird of a Bargain then concluded by his Tutors and some Merchants in Holland the petitioner hes not had occasion to make use of the said Milne till now that the forsaid bargain is at ane end The petitioner needed not informe the saids Lords that the Grinding and refyneing of the Lead oar at home in this Kingdome would be a great encurragement to the pottars and pottar trade as also the export therof so Refyned is of great benefite to the Countrie by help to keep a balance in trade upon these motives as weell as in view of his oune particular profite The petitioner Intended to Sett the said miln at work and for that end had agreed with John Smyth who is the only man understood in that manner of workmanship and who for prooff therof did sett up the saw milne at Leith, To Repair and put in order the said Leadmiln who haveing accordingly entered to the said work he is dayly molested and Interrupted by some pretended wrights Burgesses violently via facti without the order and concurrence of any Magistrat to the great damnage of the said work and to the petitioners prejudice therby albeit that it is sufficiently knoune that non of the saids wrights Burges of Edinburgh have ever been bred to such work or have any skill therin But by want therof when the said milne was first Built the petitioner is now necessitat to take doun most pairt of the work wherin they were Imployed and seing that therby so usefull a work is put to a Stopp and cannot be furder caried on without the Councils interposeing therin And therfore Craveing To the effect aftermentioned As the said petition bears The Lords of Her Majesties privie Councill haveing considered the said above petition given in to them by Charles Earle of Hoptoun and the Samen being read in their presence The saids Lords Doe heirby Discharge and prohibit all persons whatsomever now and in all time comeing To trouble molest or Interupt John Smyth wright or any other person or persons whatsomever That he shall Imploy under under him whether they be freemen of Edinburgh or not to Repairt and put in order the petitioners wind milne at Leith for grinding or otherways refyneing the petitioners Lead oar And for that effect ordains the Magistrats of Leith to give their due protection to the petitioners said work and workmen against all who shall presume to Interrupt the Same