ACT, In favours of the Ʋndertakers of the Cloath-Manufactory at New-Milns.
FOrasmuch as there being an Address, with a Memorial given into the Lords of His Majesties Privy Council, by the Undertakers of the Cloath-Manufactory at New-Milns; both which being Remitted to a Committee of their Number, to Consider thereof, and Report: And this day the Report made by the said Committee, being fully Considered, The Lords of His Majesties Privy Council, Do for the said Manufactories Incouragement, Hereby give full Power and Warrand to the Undertakers therein, or those to be intrusted by them, to seize on all foraign Cloath, and Searges, Silk-Gloves and Stockings, Silk and Worsted Stockings, which has been Imported into this Kingdom, contrary to Law, either before or after the Date hereof, to be disposed of according to Law; And this bu [...] [...]rejudice of Pursuit against Delinquents, for the three Months preceeding, and in time coming, as is prescribed by the Acts of Parliament and Council; and do hereby strictly Prohibit and Discharge all persons whatsomever, either by Collusion, or otherwise to Import, or Trafficque within this Kingdom, concerning the Conveying, Vending, or Selling any foraign Woolen-Cloath, and others aforesaid within the same, under the Pains and Penalties made there against; Declaring that if any of the Undertakers of the said Manufactory shall be found guilty aforesaid, That they shall not only lose and amit their Priviledge of the said Manufacture, with all their Interest therein: but shall be otherwise punished as aforesaid.[?] And for the said Manufactories further Encouragement, it is hereby Declared, That if they shall[?] within three Months Advertisement, sufficiently furnish His Majesties Officers and Souldiers, with Woolen-Cloath, of what Dy or Colour shall be ordered, and at such a rate as by them shall be agreed upon (the Council being to determine the rate, in Case of any discrepance betwixt them) all further Importing of English Cloath, for furnishing, as said is, is hereby Discharged; And in case they fail, the Council is to see them provided, as they shall think fit; This being but prejudice of punishing the saids Undertakers, if they fail herein, as shall be Determined by the Council. And the saids Lords Do hereby allow the saids Undertakers to pursue the Transgressors aforesaid, after the date hereof, before any Judge Competent; and for defraying their Charge and Expences of Plea, allow them the benefit of the Acts of Parliament and Council, being the half of the value of the Seizure; the other half being to come in to the King, according as shall be determined by the Judges: And for the Manufactures further Encouragement. The Lords do Declare, that they will be every manner of way concurring and assisting to them, according to Law; And as a first proof of their Encouragement, Do hereby Discharge the wearing of all Woolen-Cloath, and Searge, Silk-Stockings and Gloves, Silk and Worsted Stockings, and Worsted Stockings, except that which is Native, under the Pain and Penalty of five hundred Merks Scots Money for each Transgression; the Transgressors being to be punished as said is, and the Penalty to be applyed to the said Manufacture, or any other Informer, equally betwixt the King and Them, as shall be Determined by the Judge; The person or persons challenged being alwise hereby obliged to Declare upon Oath, from whom they had any of the saids Prohibited Goods: And further Allow the wearing of all Native Woolen-Cloath, Searge, and others aforesaid, conform to the Power given to the Council, by the late Act of Parliament, of the thirteenth day of May last by-past; And Ordain all former Laws, and Acts of Parliament and Council, made in favours of Manufactures, for Encouragement of Trade, and Prohibiting the Importing of foraign Goods, to be put to full and vigorous Execution, by the persons respectively intrusted, to that effect, as they will answer, under the Pains and Penalties therein contained. It is always hereby Provided and Declared, That these Presents are not to hinder, or Impede any person or persons, to wear out the Cloaths, and others aforesaid, already made by them, or the wearing out of made Cloaths, brought into this Kingdom, and worn by them, where the persons have been a considerable time abroad, without incurring the Certification aforesaid. Requiring hereby all Magistrates, whether to Burgh or Land, to be concurring and assisting to the saids Undertakers in the Premisses, as they will be answerable. And to the effect all persons concerned may have notice hereof, and know their hazard, if they fail in any part of the Premisses, The saids Lords Ordains the Macers of Council, to pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh, and make publication hereof, that none pretend Ignorance.
GOD save the KING