Att Edinburgh The Eighteenth day of December J^aj v^ic nynty nyne years

A1699/12/13

A1699/12/13¹

Proclamation

Proclamation Anent Petitioning

Proclamation Anent Petitioning, Being Read, was voted approven and Signed, and ordered to be published and Recorded wherof the Tenor Follows.
William By the grace of God King of Great Brittain France and Ireland defender of the faith To; […] macers of our privy Councill, messengers at armes our Sheriffs in that pairt Conjunctly and Severaly Specialy constitute Greeting. Forasmuchas We by our Letter, under our Royall hand, dated att Kensington The Twelfth of December Instant, have Signified to the Lords of our privy Councill, That Whereas we are Informed, That notwithstanding of our answer to the late Petition of the Councill Generall of the Company of that our Kingdom, trading to Africa and the Indies, which we think ought to have given Intire Satisfaction to all our good subjects; yett There is one foot a design of Addressing us of new, on the same heads carryed on after such a manner and with so litle respect to our Government, as gives us too just grounds to apprehend the Consequences, that we have never hitherto denyed our subjects their Just priviledges nor will we Ever discourage the liberty of Petitioning when the same is done in ane orderly and dutifull manner, But that having Fully declared our mind as to the Subject of the last address, we cannot but take particular notice of that unusuall method; that is taken to procure Subscriptiones to ane new one, And That some persones who Signalize themselves in carrying on the same, have given no Evidence of their good affection to our Government. And make it their Endavor to lodge the late misfortune of the Company on proclamations Emitted in the West Indies, tho they cannot but be Sensible, That the Same did proceed from other causes. And being Convinced That such practices may tend to alienat from us the hearts of our good Subjects, and that it is necessar for the Support of our Government, and preserveing the publick peace of the nation, that they be discouraged and prevented. We did Therfore Recommend To the saids Lords of our privy Councill, To Signifie and make Known our Displeasure and Dissatisfaction with Such proceedings, and to take the most Effectuall methods consistent with law, for discouradgeing the same. And for preventing these that are well Inclined to our Government, from Joyning with them, wherfore we with advice of the Lords of our privy Councill have Thought Fitt, That publick Intimation be made in manner underwritten, of our displeasure and dissatisfaction with the forsaid proceedings and That we will Take the most Effectuall methods Consistent with Law for discourageing the Same and For preventing these that are well Inclined to our Government from Joyning with them. 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 Remanent marcat Crosses of the whole head Burghs, of the severall Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and thereat in our name and authority by open proclamation make Intimation of the premisses, that none pretend Ignorance. And ordaines our Solicitor, To Transmitt Coppies to the Sheriffs Stewarts and their Clerks for that Effect, And ordaines these presents to be printed. Given under our Signet att Edinburgh The Eight day of December and of our Reign the Eleventh year i699. Sic Subscribitur.