Act, 27 December 1694, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the fifth day of Apryle J^aj vi^c nyntie four years

A1694/4/31

A1694/4/31¹

Letter: royal

Letter from The Councill to the King Anent shipps put out against the Bass

May It please your Majestie
Wee had good Information some weeks agoe that the garrisone of the Bass was in Great straits And they having at that tyme made some attempts uith their Long boat upon some small vessells passing and repassing in the firth We thought fitt to Give ane order and Commission for provyding and outreiking a fryggott of Tuentie four Guns to Cruise upon them and hinder both their supplies and excursiones And Immediatly after the frygott was sett out Ther Came a privateer to have supplied the Bass but was repulsed and forced back to sea having only had the tyme to Land a few men upon the rock which must prove raither a farther straitning then releiff to the place But Having good reasone to apprehend That the beatting back of this privateer may occasione the sending of a Greater force we thought it necessary to order out another frygott of Tuenty Guns uith a fyreship that we may neither expose our first ship to soe visible a hazard nor lose so probable ane advantage These things we have done in the easiest manner we Could and have Recomended the defraying of the charge to the Lords of your Majesties Thesaury whose Concurrence we also had in this matter And now In all humble deuty we doe Lay these our proceedings before your Majestie to have your approbatione And to know your royall pleasure which shall be observed uith all the ready obedience that becomes May It please your Majestie your Majesties most Loyall most faithfull and most obedient subjects and servants sic subscribitur Tueeddall cancel: Melvill Southerland Cassills Leven Annandale Forfar Beilhaven James Steuart