Act, 6 October 1697, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh the Eighteenth day of February J^aj vi^c nyntie seven

A1697/2/37

A1697/2/37¹

Procedure

Memoriall of the Scotts priviledges in France approven

Memoriall of the rights and priviledges Belonging to his Majesties subjects of the Kingdome of Scotland within the Kingdome of France and of the alterations and Infringements that have been made of the same by the French In prejudice of the Scotts By ancient treaties Betuixt the Kings of Scotland and France And more especially by Letters patent granted by the King of France in the year one thousand five hundred and fiftie Eight And ane act of the parliament of Scotland made the same year relative therto The subjects of the Kingdome of Scotland are naturalized and made free subjects of the Kingdom of France as the French are made of the Kingdome of Scotland And therby the Scotts have all rights and priviledges in the Kingdom of France also fullie and freely as the French themselves. By vertue of the forsaid Naturalization and severall acts and ordinances consequent therto The subjects of Scotland Did Constantly Enjoy the forsaid rights and priviledges in France and when of Late years The King of France Imposed fifte sals per tun upon all forraign shipps and vessells arryving in France The subjects of Scotland were by express acts and Decreits past in France In their favoures exempted from the same even after the year J^aj vi^c sixtie But since that tyme the subjects of Scotland Have suffered the Infringments following Primo the forsaid Fiftie sals per tun hath been exacted of their shipps and vessells as of other forraign shipps And they have been denyed the forsaid exemption and priviledge Secundo Heavie Impositions equivalent to a prohibition have been Laid by the King of France on the product of the Scottish Manufactories such as stockings Fingerarms Pladdens and all woolen Cloath Tertio The King of France hath Lately prohibited and discharged the Importation of Herrings and other whyte fish from Scotland to France And Quarto he hath Laid ane heavie Imposition upon salmond exported from Scotland to France All which Greivances being² Contrary to the priviledges of the subjects of Scotland in the Kingdome of France And Lykeuayes to the Just Libertie of Commerce ought to be redressed and the Scotch restored to their former rights And declared and made free of the forsaid new and extraordinary Impositions and restraints Quinto the dutches of Hamilton and her family who have undoubted right to the Duche of Chastelerault in France First by Letters patent granted by Henery the second King of France in the year J^aj vi^c Fourtie Eight And solemnly Confirmed by the articles of pacification betuixt the French King Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth J^aj vi^c fiftie Eight years and Continuallie since renued and Confirmed by all the succeeding Kings of France And last of all by the persent King of France in the years J^aj vi^c fiftie Eight J^aj vi^c fiftie nyne J^aj vi^c sixtie and J^aj vi^c sixtie one Granted precepts to the present Dutches of Hamilton for Tuelves Thousand Livers yearly by way of provision till her Grace should be reestablished in the right and possession of the said duche of Chastelerault and her other rights in France Conform to a particular state and accompt therof ready to be exhibite uith all its verifications Hath Nevertheless still been keeped out of the possession of the said Duche And other rights And therfore ought to have the same restored to her And be putt in the quiet and peacable possession therof uith a Just Consideratione of her dammages Sexto Sir William Douglas in the right of his Lady a French woman daughter to Monsieur Battilie hath undoubted right to the Lands of Dunkell Sherm and Kethsherm in Allsauce and some other lands and estate in France And hath only of Late been dispossest therof And therfore ought to have the same restored And Generallie all Scotts men Having Lands and estates in France wherof they have been in possession and are dispossest ought to be therto reponed and restored uith a Just Consideration of their damnages as the said memoriall Bears Which Memoriall Being read In presence of the Lords of his Majesties privy Councill And they having Considered the same They heirby approve therof And Recommends to the Lord High Chancelor of Scotland to transmitt the same to the principall secreaties of state To be Communicat to the Kings Majestie.