Forasmuch, as We and Our Estates of Parliament, by several Acts, have (upon diverse weighty considerations,) discharged the Importation of all Irish Victual and Cattel into this Kingdom, under the pains, and certifications therein contained: And whereas the Lords of Our Privy Council have emitted several Acts and Proclamations in pursuance of the saids Acts of Parliament, notwithstanding where­of, and of all the care and endeavours taken, to hinder and prevent the importing of Irish Victuall and Cattel, finding the same is imported into this Kingdom: And considering the best and firtest way for preventing thereof, might be to commissionat some persons of Power and Authority in the several places of the Countrey where the said Victual and Cattel is ordinarly brought in and landed. We therefore, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council have thought fit, to grant full Power, Authority, and Commission to Our Right trustie and well beloved Cousins and Councellors, Archibald, Earl of Argyle, and George, Lord Rosse, and to Our well beloved, Richard Murray of Brughtoun, by themselves, their Deputs, Servants, and such as they shall think fit to appoint (for whom they will be answerable) to search for, seize, and appre­hend all Irish Victual and Cattel, and Salt-beef made thereof, that shall happen to be imported from Ireland unto this Kingdom in the particular places after-specified, viz. The said Earl of Argyle in all places, from Lechlung to the Mule of Kintyre, and round about the same. The said Lord Ross in all pla­ces, from the Burgh of Glasgow, to the March of Galloway on the South, and from Glasgow, to Lochlung on the North: and the Isles of Arran, Bute and Comray: and the said Richard Murray, from the March of Galloway, to the March of Nithsdale. And for the more ready and effectual prosecu­tion of the said Commission, have granted full Power and Authority to the saids Earl of Argyle, Lord Ross and Richard Murray by themselves, their Deputs, servants, and such as they shall think fit to entrust in the respective bounds foresaids, to secure all Barks, or travelling Boats whether Scots or Irish, until the Skippers or Owners shall find Caution that they shall import no Irish Victual or Cattel hereafter. The saids Commissioners or their foresaids are thereby authorized to search all Barks, Boats, or other Vessels, wherein any Irish Victual or Cattel are suspected to be; and to seize and secure the same, incase they find the saids prohibited Goods therein; And for better discovery thereof, all Merchants, Skippers, or Owners of Boats, Barks, or other Vessels travelling to and from the places foresaids, are thereby ordered before they break bulk, or liver any goods, to advertise the saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them at one or other of the Ports following, viz. at the Point of Garvel near Greenock, the Towns of Largs, Irving, Turnberry, Dumbarton, Rothesay, Brodick, Dinnon, Tarbet, Campbletoun, Innerarey, Portpatrick, Glenluce and Kirkudbright (at which Ports, Offices are stablished to receive these Advertisements;) under the pain of Confiscation of the saids vessels and goods, and being holden as confest Importers of Irish Victual: Provided that the Skippers or Owners, shall not upon such occasion be obliged to wait longer then one Tydes water. If upon pregnant presumptions the saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them shall suspect any person or persons guilty of importing Irish Victual or Cattel, they are thereby authorized to conveen any such person or persons before the nearest Magistrat in Burgh or Landwart, and to lead all manner of probation against them for proving thereof: whereupon the saids Magistrats are to give present and ready justice. All Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailyes of Royalties, Regalities, and Baronies, and all Heretors are thereby ordered to give their speedy and ready assistance to the saids Commissioners, or these en­trusted by them, when ever they shall be required, either as to the searching of vessels by night or day, making open and patent doors, searching of sellars, or other suspect places for Irish Victual or Cattel, which they are thereby authorized to do. As also the Officers of any Garrison are ob­liged to concurr, and assist them with a Party of souldiers as they shal be desired upon any extraordinary occasion. In case any seizure be made by the saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them; The Heretors next adjacent to the said place are thereby required to cause carry the Victual to some convenient place nearest, untill Our Council shall give order thereanent: And these so employed shall be payed by the person who makes the seizure for each horse carriage; not exceeding two shilling scots the mile. The saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them are thereby empowered with consent of the Magistrat of the place to send any person or persons to prison who shall be found guilty of contraveening the saids Laws, or shall be contumaci­ous in refusing to depone; The Magistrats of the place being alwayes free of the prisoners charges: In which case, the Magistrats are to secure the prisoners and their vessels, and to be comptable for them: And in case any person or persons shall make open resistance against the saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them in the execution of Our said Commission, and that there shall happen blood-shed, mutilation or slaughter to follow, through the said resistance; It is declared that the saids Commissioners, and these entrusted by, or giving assistance to them, shal never be called in question, or pursued therefore civily or criminally in time coming. And further, by the said Commission, it is declared, that the same shall no wayes free or liberat the Importers or resetters of Irish victual or cattel, or Heretors upon whose ground the same shall be imported, but that they shall continue still lyable to the pains and penalties appointed by the saids Acts of Parliament and Council; As if the said Commission had never been granted: Which Commission is to begin and take effect, from, and after the first day of January next, and to continue until the first day of January, 1678 years. And to the effect, all Our Leidges and others concerned, may have due and timeous notice thereof, We have thought fit, that these Our Letters of publication of the same should be direct in manner under-written. Our Will is herefore; and We charge you straitly, and command, that incontinent these Our Let­ters seen ye passe, to the Mercat-crosses of Edinburgh, Glasgors Dumbariours, and other places needful: And thereat, in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation, make publication of the Premisses; to the effect, that all Our Leiges, and others concerned, may have due and timous notice of Our pleasure in the Premisses, and may give ready obedience to Our Commands therein, as they will be answerable at their highest peril.

GOD save the King.