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: Forasmuchas it is found, that on the occasion of Illuminations, and other Expressions of publick Joy, by Bonfires or otherways, several Inconveniences and Abuses happen, no ways to be suffered or tollerat under any civil Government: Therefore, We with Advice of the Lords, of Our Privy Council, have thought fit to Prohibit and Discharge; Likeas, We hereby prohibit and Discharge all Illuminations or Bonfires used for Expressions of publick Joy to be made in any Burgh within this Realm, or any pretence whatsoever; Certifying all such as shall do on the contrair, or be accessory thereto, that they shall be re­pute and punished as guilty of a Ryot, and Breakers of the publick Peace; And farther, we with consent foresaid, do hereby impower, and strictly Re­quire all Magistrats of Burghs, and other Officers of the Law that may be con­cerned, to do their outmost diligence, and if need beis, to call for, and use the Assistance of such of Our Forces as shall be found within their Bounds, for preventing and repressing thereof, and Seizing and Apprehending the Con­traveeners, as they will be answerable on their highest perril. 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 haill Head-Burghs of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and there in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation, make Intimation of the Premisses, that none pretend ig­norance, and Ordains these Presents to be Printed and Published.

God save the King.