Forasmuch, as We understanding, that several persons do at their own hand Intromet with the Goods and Gear of those Rebels and Traitors lately forfaulted by Our Parliament and Justice-Court, and others Fugitives and Rebels from Our Laws; and more especially, Cut and Destroy the Woods, Trees, Plantings, and Orchards of the Lands lately belonging to them, in high Contempt of Our Authority, and to Our Enorm Prejudice, these Lands being annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Our Ancient Kingdom. And We being Resolved, that the former Transgressors, as well as these who may hereafter be guilty of the saids Crimes, may be brought to condign Punishment: Do with Advice of Our Privy Council, hereby strictly Require and Com­mand all Our Sheriffs, and other Magistrates within whose Jurisdiction the foresaid Abuse and Crimes have been committed, to make strict Inquiry and Tryal anent the Delinquents, and Sentence and Punish them as well for their by gone Guilt aforesaid, as for what may be done by them or any others in time coming, according to Our Laws and Proclamations, as Committers of Thieft, and for Reset of Thieft. Certifying hereby, Our saids Sheriffs and other Ma­gistrates, that if they fail in their Duty herein, they themselves shall be lyable, for concealing, to the same Pains and Penal­ties, which might have been, or may be Incurred by the saids Transgressors, besides being otherways punished, as Our Coun­cil shall think fit. And for Encouragement of such as shall any ways Discover either the Negligence, Tolerence, or Conni­vance of Our saids Magistrates, or the Transgressors, so as they may be found guilty by Sentence. We hereby Declare, That those Informers and Discoverers shall have for their Reward, the one half of their Fynes, the other half thereof being to be paid in to Our Cash-keeper for Our Use. And that Our pleasure in the Premises may be known; Our Will is, and We Charge you strictly and Command, that incontinent these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh, and all the other Mercat-Crosses of the Head-Burghs of the Shires of this Kingdom; and thereby open Proclamation, in Our Roy­al Name and Authority make Publication of Our Pleasure in the Premises that all Persons concerned, may have notice there­of, and give Obedience accordingly, as they will be answerable; and Ordains the Sheriffs of the several Shires to cause Pub­lish this Proclamation.