Letter: from the council, 29 January 1692, Edinburgh

Act, 29 December 1692, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh The Tuentie nynth day of January Jaj vjc Nyntie tuo years

A1692/1/771

Letter: from the council

The draught of a Letter to the Magistrats of maritim tounes Anent seamen

A draught of a Letter from the Councell to the Magistrats of the severall maritim Burghs of this kingdome to take on and Ingadge seamen for their Majesties service Red and Recommended to the Lord Chancellor to signe the particular Letters And lyke wayes to signe a Letter to the Laird of Ardkinglass shirreff depute of Argyle for that shyre and another to the stewart of Orknay and Zetland or his deputes for that Bounds Conforme to the list of the Letters formerly sent at the last Levy of Seamen In Anno Jaj vjc nyntie Folloues the Letter
His Majestie having by his royall Letter of the nynteenth day of January Instant Recommended to the Lords of privy Councell to provyde a Thousand seamen or more for serving in the fleet royall And being resolved to Give strict ordors that noe seaman of this kingdome be pressed for the future Contrare to the freedome and to the prejudice of the trade therof Therfore the saids Lords of their Majesties privy Counsell Doe requyre yow to cause beat drums and make Intimatione upon the nixt mercat day after this comes to your hand for Levying and taking on for his Majesties service such seamen as voluntarly offer themselves uithin your Jurisdictione and in the tounes and uithin the bounds of etc And appoynte and Requyre yow to Give ane report of what number of seamen yow have soe taken on uith ane exact list upon oath of the haill other seamen and fishermen uithin your bounds and places above mentioned That the Councell may Consider how farr the Thousand seamen to be furnished to his Majesties Navy falls short That so the seamen may be made up in a just proportione by lott out of the said other list of seamen And ue Certifie and assure yow That Immediatly upon report of the Numbers of such seamen as have voluntarly taken [on] for his Majesties service Fourty shillings sterline for each of them shall be putt into your hands To be payed to them befor they march from home to Leith wher they are to be shipped with Competent provisiones or pay in the tearmes of the proclamatione for their subsistance from that tyme to their being shipped And yow are to Certifie and assure all and each of the said seamen who shall voluntarly take on accordingly And the Councell Is to have speciall Regaird to such places wher seamen voluntarly offer themselves when they shall proceed to proportione and make up by lott what is wanting of the Thousand seamen after the volunteirs are Computed This by warrand and In name of the Councell Is Signified to yow By your Assured freind sic subscribitur Tueeddale Cancell

At Edinburgh 29 January 1692

A1692/1/771

Letter: from the council

The draft of a letter to the magistrates of maritime towns concerning seamen

A draft of a letter from the council to the magistrates of the several maritime burghs of this kingdom to take on and engage seamen for their majesties’ service read and recommended to the Lord Chancellor to sign the particular letters, and likewise to sign a letter to [Sir Colin Campbell] laird of Ardkinglass, sheriff depute of Argyll for that shire, and another to the stewart of Orkney and Shetland or his deputes for that bounds conform to the list of the letters formerly sent at the last levy of seamen in 1690. Follows the letter:

His majesty having by his royal letter of 19 January instant recommended to the lords of privy council to provide a thousand seamen or more for serving in the royal fleet, and being resolved to give strict orders that no seaman of this kingdom be pressed for the future contrary to the freedom and to the prejudice of the trade thereof, therefore the said lords of their majesties’ privy council do require you to cause beat drums and make intimation upon the next market day after this comes to your hand for levying and taking on for his majesty’s service such seamen as voluntarily offer themselves within your jurisdiction and in the towns and within the bounds of etc., and appoint and require you to give a report of what number of seamen you have so taken on with an exact list upon oath of the whole other seamen and fishermen within your bounds and places above mentioned that the council may consider how far the thousand seamen to be furnished to his majesty’s navy falls short that so the seamen may be made up in a just proportion by lot out of the said other list of seamen, and we certify and assure you that immediately upon report of the numbers of such seamen as have voluntarily taken on for his majesty’s service forty shillings sterling for each of them shall be put into your hands to be paid to them before they march from home to Leith where they are to be shipped with competent provision or pay in the terms of the proclamation for their subsistence from that time to their being shipped, and you are to certify and assure all and each of the said seamen who shall voluntarily take on accordingly, and the council is to have special regard to such places where seamen voluntarily offer themselves when they shall proceed to proportion and make up by lot what is wanting of the thousand seamen after the volunteers are computed. This by warrant and in name of the council is signified to you by your assured friend. Signed thus, [John Hay earl of] Tweeddale, chancellor.

1. NRS, PC1/47, 602-3.

1. NRS, PC1/47, 602-3.