Act, 6 October 1697, Edinburgh

Att Edinburgh Eadem die post meridiem

A1697/8/16

A1697/8/16¹

Proclamation

Proclamation Against Importing victuall from Ireland

William By the Grace of God King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland Defender of the faith To Macers of our privie Councill messengers at arms our shirreffs in that part Conjunctly and Severally speciallie Constitut Greeting Forasmuchas the Importing of victuall of any sort whither wheat bear barley oatts meal malt pease beans or Rye from the Kingdome of Ireland into this Kingdome Is prohibite by diverse Laues and acts of parliament and highly prejudicall to the native prouduct of Scotland And Gives occasione to the unwarrantable exporting of much money furth of this our realme wherthrough the poorer sort of poeple are altogither destitut of the necessary means of buying and provyding them selves in the dayly mercats of this Kingdome For the better obviating the Inconveniencies that may follow therupon We with advyce of the Lords of our privie Councill Doe heirby prohibite and Discharge all persons whatsoever to Import or bring into this Kingdome or any of the ports harbours Touns or places therof from the Kingdome of Ireland any sort or quantaty of the victuall abovementioned From and after the first day of september nixt to Come under the paine of Confiscation of the said victuall The one halfe therof to the persone or persons who shall make Discovery off and sease upon the same And the other halfe therof with the ships barks or boatts wherin the same shall be Imported to our Thesaury for our use and other punishments to be Inflicted upon them Conform to the Acts of parliament made theranent And ordaines all our Collectors surveyors and waiters within this Kingdome at the respective ports harbours and places wher they serve to see this Act punctuallie observed as they will be ansuerable att their highest perall With Certification to such as shall be found negligent therin they shall Incurr the Loss of their respective offices Our Will is heirfore And we Charge yow strictly and Command That Incontinent these our Letters seen ye pass to the mercat Cross of Edinburgh and to the mercat Crosses of the head burghs of the severall shires within this Kingdome And therat make publication of our pleasure in the premisses that none may pretend ignorance And ordaines these presents to be printed Given under our signet at Edinburgh the fifth day of Agust and of our reign the nynth year 1697 sic subscribitur.