Att Edinburgh The Tuentie sixth day of January Jaj vjc nyntie tuo years
A1692/1/62
A1692/1/621
Letter: royal
Letter Anent Seamen
A Letter from the Kings Majestie to the Councell Anent Levieing of seamenn Redd and ordored to be recorded wherof the tenor folloues
Suprascribed William Rex
Right trustie and right well beloved Cousin and Councellor Right trustie and entirely beloved Cousine and Councellor Right trustie and Right well beloved Cousins and Councellors Right trustie and well beloved Cousins and Councellors Right trustie and right well beloved Councellors And trustie and well beloved Councellors Wee Greet yow well Wheras we have seen a Letter from yow directed to our secretary Complaining that your seamen are pressed Contrary to the freedome of that our antient kingdome And to the prejudice of your Trade Ue are resolved to Give strict ordors That noe such thing be done for the future But we doe expect from yow That being Ingadged in a warr which concernes not only our kingdome of England but Lykewayes Scotland and almost all Christendome yow will Contribute what yow Can for our assistance in provyding to our Navy a thousand seamen or more And for their Incouradgement we will pay to each seaman at his Enterie Fourtie shillings Sterline and full pay therafter as our English seamen doe receave Therfore we doe recommend to yow to use your outmost Endeavours to provyde a Thousand seamen as quickly as can be in the same methods which have been used formerlie in the Lyke occasiones or what other way yow shall find most expedite And to advertise our secretary when yow have such competent Numbers togither at Leith That we may send shipps to transport them And we have Given ordors to have the entery money ready ther which so much concerns our service And so we bidd yow heartily farewell Given at our Court at Kensingtoune the nynteenth day of Janwary Jaj vjc nyntie tuo And of our reigne the third year By his Majesties Command sic subscribitur John Dalrymple
1. NRS, PC1/47, 594-5.
1. NRS, PC1/47, 594-5.