Procedure, 19 December 1704, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Fourth day of January One thousand Seven Hundred and four years

A1704/1/3

A1704/1/3¹

Letter: royal

Letter from the Queen to the Councill annent the Highland Chiftans and clans ther finding Caution to keep the pace etc

Letter from the Queens Majestie To the Councill annent provyding The Garrison of Fort William Calling in the Land Lords and Cheifs of the Highland Clanns and obleidgeing them to give securitie for keeping of the peace, and annent armes for Eight Thousand men bought at Utright and Shipped at Rotterdam for Scotland Being read The same was ordered to be Recorded Wherof the tennor followes.
Sic Supra Subscribitur Anne Regina
Right Trusty and Right weell beloved Cousing and Councellor Right Trusty and enteirly beloved Cousings and Councellors, Right Trusty and Right weell beloved Cousings and Councellors Right Trusty and weell beloved Cousings and Councellors Right Trusty and weell beloved Councellors and Trusty and weell beloved Councellors We Greet yow weell We Did lately accquant yow of our being weell Informed of Designes and practices for raising ane Insurrection in Scotland By Symon Fraser and some other French Emissarys and recommended to your Cair the saifty of our Instrest and of the Kingdome, Wherin we are confident of your fidelity and Dilligence Especiallie in provyding Fort William and posting of our forces to the best Advantage yow shall also call in the Land Lords and Cheifs of the Highland Clans and obleidge them to give sufficient security for keeping of the pace and performing their Duty to us as is prescribed by our Laws and Acts of Parliament We are Lyke wayes advysed that ther are arm’s for Eight Thousand men bought at Utrecht and shipped at Rotterdame for Scotland We firmly purpose to Injure no man in his privat Rights or friedmen But in the present Circumstances as being in a state of war with France, and that their Emissary’s who latly came from Scotland hither wer in Rotterdame about that tyme gives a Just suspicion that soe great a quantitie of arm’s may be provyded and sent to Scotland on no good designe And Therfore To prevent any danger which may aryse from this to us Our people and our Laws We requyre That yow make Dilligent search for finding out of these arm’s And to seaze and secure the same or any other arms brought in in a Considerable Quantity Untill yow give particular Information therof and be accquanted with our pleasure therin In this we Expect your Exact dilligence And so We bid yow heartily fairwell Given at our Court at Windsor The Threety Day of December One Thousand seven Hundereth and Three And of our Rigne the second year By Her Majesties Command sic subscribitur Cromertie.