THere being many things fit to be considered in Par­liament, for the good of the Nation, and since Mat­ters are oftimes past over with too much hast, or neglected, where lesser things are supported by Clamour. To the effect that what has been humbly proposed, may be considered by any who pleases to Reflect on them in calm Blood; And, e're they be Overtured by the Proposer (or any other who pleases so to do) in the House. These things are moti­oned by one, Unbyassed in, or by Contention, or Humor.

That our Duty, the nature of the thing and his Majestie's Letter, requiring the maters of Religion, to be considered in the first place, and our Confession of Faith being already recognized in statute, our Kirk Government and Ecclesiastik Policy established by Law, with Moderation to Peaceable tho' dissenting Protestants, and censures appointed for Pro­fanity and Immoralities; There yet remains a great Evill, and a cause of many others viz. the unadverted, at least [Page 2]the unremedied evil of Vacant Churches; This Remedy, (but prejudice of others) is proposed. That whenever a Kirk is Vacant by Death or Deprivation of the Incumbent, if the Heretors do not call a Minister thereto within [...] Months after the vacancy occurs, that the Sheriff of the Shire be obliged to uplift the Vacant stipend; for the said half Year (it not falling in Ann) and thereafter during the Vacancy, monethly in Proportion, and to secure the same as a stock on Land Security within the Shire, for the use of the Begging Poor within the Vacant Parish, viz. the Yearly Annual-Rent thereof, and the stock to continue al­ways as Mortified for that use, and that the Heretors, who do not concur in calling some Minister in the legall methods within the saids [...] Moneths, shall pay Moneth­ly Cess according to their valued Rent, during their not calling a Minister; to be uplifted and applyed for the Poors use, in manner foresaid; and in case of different Calls given in to Presbytries, the samen to be Judicialy discust before the Judges Competent, according to the present standing Laws; and that the Heritors, who after legall calling of a Minister, shall not insist within the space [...] after the said Call, in prosecution of that call, and if it come to an Appeal, who shall not insist with diligence to have such an Appeal discust in legal manner, and such Heritors as shall not after their Call is legally rejected, of new call another Minister in manner foresaid, shall be lyable to the Pains, and in manner foresaid.

THat all Burghs be obliged to take up all the Young Beggars within their Burgh and Parish, of either Sex, above four Years old, and under ten; and to imploy them in some Labour, whither of Trade, Husbandry Fishing or Hearding of Cattle: and that according to the former Laws, the Burgh may have the service of all these so assumed till they be fortie five Years of Age, or rather dureing Life, but prejudice to any Heretor or other re­spo [...]al Person to seaze any such Young Persons, for their Privat use, if thay be the first Seazers: And the Persons so to be assumed, to be Recorded in the Kirk Sess [...]on-Books, signed by the Minister, Clerk, and Elders as full Proof of their assumption with Prohibitons &c. of Re [...]etting such Servants.

FOR a new Encouragment to the African, and Indian Company; It's proposed that his Majestie and Par­liament may extend their Immunity from all Taxes to any Portion of their stock Imployed in Fishing on that Companies account, As to the Import of Materialls for use of their Fisherie, their Fish exported, and to the return of all goods, purchased with effects of their exported Fish: o [...] sufficient Evidence that it is so.

And farther, that in general, the Privileges of the for­mer Royal Company for Fishing be extended to all the Leidges, who shall stock, [...] lib. Scots or upwards, on Fishing Trade; they all­ways having a Seal, in everie Company, for marking of their Fish, and that they be lyable to answer for the Loyall cureing of all exported Fish; under pain of Forfaulture of [Page 5]the Value of what shall be found and proved to be un­loyalie cured; to any who shall discover, and prove the Faultiness, before any Judge Competent; and Particu­larly, that all Foraigne Salt imployed on Fishing be abso­lutly declared free of all duty, and the useless or rather hurtfull drawback, be cast off. That Exportation of Wool be more strictly forbid, and the Farmer or Collectors and Surveyers of Customes be lyable for the value of Wool Exported within their Districts, and this Action to be declared Popular, and the fine to belong to the Pursuer.

That all French Wine be strictly Prohibited, till France take off all Imposts of our Fishes Imported to France; and till they restore us to our former Immunities, as the 50 Sous per Tun &c.

That the Farming of Customes renders all Laws in Fa­vours of Native Manufactory, and Prohibitory of hurtfull Import, illusory and of no effect. And therefore an Act for­bidding Farming of Customs, seems necessary.

FOr the Peace of the Nation, especialy for curbing of Robberies, Sorning and Theft; It is Proposed, That the Justiciary be re-established, but their Authority, & Exercise thereof, to be extended only to Robbery, Theft, and Sor­ning; and a prohibition of Intermedling with all other Commissarior Actions, And that the next adjacent of the Garrisons or Guards be obliged to assist the Legal Execu­tion of their Decreets, gratis; and the Commanding Officer in the place, be obliged to this concurrencie without waiting for Superior order.

Item, That all Footmen be forbid to travell with Arms, un­der pain of Imprisonment, loss of their Weapons, and ten pounds of fyne toties quoties.

Item that no Cowes, Horse, Sheep, or Goats, be bought from Highlanders without Erugh and Ha [...]er, or a writen Testificat from their Land Lords of their being responsal for the value of the Goods sold and exprin [...]ed in the Attest­ation.

Amongst other true Grievances, it's Proposed that the Parliament may take present Cognizance of thi That Gifts are procured and oftimes by obreption, from his Majestie, which affecting undetermined Subjects, are abus­ed to excessive damnage on multitudes of his Majestie's good Subjects to their enorm lesion; as particularlie, the Actions Pursued by Hary Dowglas, in a manner against the Whole Nation, without regaird to lyable or not lyable, And but Prejudice of farther Censure for so illegall an abuse, It is Proposed that all Persons who shall be Assoilȝied from his Persute, or who shall not be found lyable to any Summ on his Gift, shall without rebate pay the Parties Expence and damnage, at the Parties Oath, and that the Judge be ordained to determine accordingly in the defender's Fa­vours.