WILLIAM By the Grace of GOD, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To Macers of Our Privy Council Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that Part Conjunctly and Severally Specially Constitute Greeting; Forasmuch, as We, by Our Letter, under Our Royall hand, dated at Kensingteun, the twelfth of De­cember instant, have signified to the Lords of Our Privy Council, 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 Affrica and the Indies, which We think ought to have given intire Satisfaction to all Our Good Subjects; Yet there is on foot a Design of Addressing Us of New, on the same heads, carryed on after such a Manner, and with so little 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 Dutiful manner, But that having fully declared Our Mind, as to the Subject of the last Addresse, We cannot but take particular Notice of that unusual Method that is taken to procure Subscriptions to ane new one, And that some Persons, who signalize themselves in carrying on the same, have given no Evidence of their good affection to Our Government. And make it their Indeavour 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 Practises may tend to Alienat from Us the Hearts of Our good Subjects, and that it is necessar, for the Support of Our Govern­ment, and preserving the publick Peace of the Nation, that they be discouraged and prevented, We did therefore Recomend to the saids Lords of Our Privy Council, to signifie and make known Our Displeasure, and Dis-satisfaction with such proceedings, and to take the most effectuall Methods consistent with Law, for discouraging the same: And for preventing these that are well inclined to Our Government, from Joyning with them, Wherefore, We, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Councill, have thought fit, that publick Intimation be made in manner underwritten, of Our Displeasure, and Dis-satisfation with the foresaid Proceedings, And that We will take the most effectuall Methods consistent with Law, for Discouraging the same, and for pre­venting these that are well inclined to Our Goverment from Joyning with them, OUR WILL IS HEREFORE, And We Charge you strictly, and Command, that Incontinent these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, and Remanent Mercat 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 pretent Ignorance. And Ordains Our Sollicitor to transmitt Coppies to the Sheriffs, Stewarts and their Clerks for that effect. And Ordains these presents to be Printed.