Our Lyon King at Arms, and his brethren Heraulds, Macers of Our Privy Council, Purſevants or Meſſengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that Part, conjunctly and ſeverally, ſpecially conſtitute, and to all and ſundry Our Leidges and Subjects whom it Effeirs, Greeting. Whereas, by the Law of all Nations, the laying of Reſtraints and Impoſitions upon Forreign Imported Merchandiſes, Is acknowledged to be proper to, and inherent in the Perſons of all Soveraign Princes, as an undoubted Prerogative of the Crown. And that by the 26. Act of the 3. Seſs. of Our firſt Parliament, the ordering and diſpoſal of Trade with Forreign Countreys, and the laying of Reſtraints and Impoſitions upon Forreign imported Commodities, Is aſſerted to belong to Us and Our Succeſſors, as an undoubted Priviledge and Prerogative of the Crown; And that by vertue thereof, We may lay ſuch Impoſitions, and Reſtraints upon Forreign Imported Commodities, and ſo order and diſpoſe upon the trade of them, as We ſhall judge fit for the good of Our Kingdom. And there being ſeveral Repreſentations made to Us and Our Privy Council, by diverſe of the moſt conſiderable Merchants of this Kingdom, and others, that by the undue ballance of Trade, occaſioned chiefly by the Import of many unneceſſary, and ſuperfluous Commodities, conſumed upon vanity and luxury, a great part of the ſtock of the Mony of the Kingdom was Exported, and the improvement of the native Export, and Manufacture of the Kingdom neglected, nothwithſtanding of the many good and wholſome Laws made by Us and Our Royal Anceſtors for encouragement thereof: And We, being ever ready to improve all occaſions and opportunites for the good and advantage of this Our Ancient Kingdom, By a Proclamation of the firſt of March laſt, with advice of Our Privy Council, thought fit to put a preſent ſtop to ſeveral ſuperfluous, unneceſſary, and expenſive Commodities, viz. of all Silver and Gold Threed, Silver and Gold Lace, Fringes, or Tracing, all Buttons of Gold and Silver threed, all manner of Stuffs and Ribbans, in which there is any Gold or Silver threed and Philagrane work to be worn upon Apparel; as alſo all Forreign Holland-Linen, Cambrick, Laun, Dornick, Damask, Tyking, Buſtein or Damety, tufted or ſtripped Holland, Calligo, Muſline, Sileſia and Eaſt India Linen, and all other Cloths made of Linen or Cotton; as likewiſe, all Forreign Cloths and Stuffs whatſomever, made of wool-yairn, or wool and lint; all Forreign ſilk and woolen Stockings, all Forreign Laces made of ſilk, gimp, or threed, and all manner of Laces and Poynt of any ſorts or collours; all Forreign made Gloves, Shooes, Boots, and Slippers; and ordained, all ſuch Goods as ſhould happen to be Imported, to be burnt and deſtroyed, and the importers and reſſetters fined in the value of the Goods ſo Imported.

And whereas, that Affair concerning the Improvement of the Trade, and the Manufacture of this Our Kingdom, of ſo great conſequence to the benefit and advantage thereof, hath been frequently and fully conſidered: We, with advice of Our Privy Council have thought fit, not only to renew and ratifie the ſaid Proclamation; But farder, We do hereby diſcharge all Merchants or other perſons whatſoever, to Import into this Kingdom, any manner of Floured, Stripped, Figured, Checkered, Painted, or Printed ſilk Stuffs or Ribbans; all made Cloaths Imported from Abroad for men, Night-gowns, Petticoats and other Cloaths for women, and all made Cloaths for children, after the date hereof, excepting only ſuch as can be made appear upon Oath to have been ordered by preceeding Commiſſions, and Shipped before the twentieth two day of April inſtant, which time is allowed to the Merchants or others to recall their Commiſſions if any ſuch have been given; With certification, that all ſuch Goods as ſhall be otherwiſe Imported, ſhall be burnt and deſtroyed, and the importers or reſſetters fined in the value of the ſaids Goods. It's hereby declared, that in this Prohibition, Silk ſtuffs, or Ribbans, changing colloured, or watered, are not comprehended, nor plain Silk-ſtuffs, nor Ribbans. As alſo, that in the Prohibition in Our former Proclamation of the firſt of March, diſcharging the Importing of all Manufacture of Wool or Lint, Arras-Hangings and Carpets made abroad and Imported, are not diſcharged, but the ſame may be Imported as formerly.

And conſidering the great prejudice, not only the Merchants, who have great parts of their Stocks in theſe Goods upon than hands, but others may ſuſtain, if a total prohibition of wearing at a definit day, were appointed and prefixed: And, upon the other part, how difficult it may prove to make the ſaid Proclamation practicable and effectual againſt the Import & Sale, if the Merchants be not ſtrictly bound up from any further Import or Sale: We have therefore thought fit, hereby to diſcharge all Merchants, or other perſons whatſoever, by themſelves, their wives, bairns, or ſervants, or any having warrant from them, or with whom they have any intereſt or ſhare in gain or loſs, To vend, ſell, barter, or exchange any of the ſaids prohibited Goods contained in the ſaid former, and this Our Proclamation, to any perſons reſidenters in this Our Kingdom, after the fifteenth day of June next; Except they ſign and fend in to Our Council, and give Oath before the Magiſtrat, at the times, and in manner following, contained in the Band ſubjoyned; with certification to them, if they refuſe to give up the ſaid Inventor, and Bond, and Oath, or give the ſame unfaithfully, they ſhall be holden repute, and eſteemed importers, venters, and reſſetters of the ſaids prohibited Goods, and that the ſaids Goods ſhall be ſeized upon, burnt and deſtroyed, and they fined in the value thereof, Ioſe their freedom for ever, and be otherwiſe proceeded againſt, conform to the Laws for their contempt. And the Magiſtrats of the ſeveral Burghs, are hereby ordered from time to time, to ſearch the Shops, Houſes, and Chambers of ſuch Merchants and others, as ſhall not give up Inventor, and give the Bond and Oath aftermentioned, 〈◊〉 burn and deſtroy the ſaids prohibited Goods; which Bond and Inventor, the ſaids Magiſtrats are ordered to take from the hail Merchants within their Burghs, and ſend in the ſame to the Council, betwixt and the fifteen days of June and November next reſpectivè, for this year, and yearly thereafter in June and November; and ſhall ſend in with the ſaid Inventor, Swatches of the ſeveral Stuffs and Ribbans contained in the ſame, marked and ſealed upon a paper apart, bearing the ſame to belong to ſuch a Merchant; And the Magiſtrats alſo are hereby ordained to ſend in with the ſaid Inventor, Oath, Bond & Swatches, yearly a report in write upon Oath, that they have truly and honeſtly performed their duty, & have ſpared and paſt by no Merchant, and a liſt of ſuch perſons as ſhall refuſe the ſaid Bond and Oath. And We do hereby declare, That whoſoever ſhall delate any tranſgreſſors of this or Our former Proclamation, either as to Linen or Woolen Manufactures, or prohibited ſilver and gold Ribbans, or Laces, or Threed, or prohibited Silk-ſtuffs and Ribbans, or any otherwiſe has tranſgreſſed the ſaid Proclamation, ſhall have the one half of the fines or other benefit ariſing thereby, for his incouragement. And the Tacks-men or Collectors of our Cuſtoms, Surveyors, Collectors, Waiters, and their ſervants, are hereby ſtrictly required, and commanded, to ſearch for, ſeize upon, apprehend, burn and deſtroy, any of the ſaids prohibited Goods ſhall happen to be Imported contrair to the tenour of this and Our former Proclamation, and not to ſuffer the ſame to eſcape: With certification to them if they failȝie, and ſuffer the ſaids prohibited Goods to be imported, either by tollerance or connivance, they ſhall not only amit and loſe their Places, and forever be declared incapable to ſerve in that or any ſuch publick Charge, and be fined in the value of the Goods, that through their default or neglect, ſhall happen to be Imported, but otherwiſe fined by Our Privy Council, conform to the quality and nature of their offence. And any Merchant or other perſon, who ſhall inform againſt any of the Fermorers, Collectors, Surveyors or Waiters, for neglect of their duty in the premiſſes, and prove the ſame, ſhall have their fines for a reward; and the Tacks-men and Collectors, are to ſend in their own Oaths, and the Oaths of ther Surveyors, Collectors and ſervants twice in the year to the Council, that they have done their duty, as is before preſcribed, under the penalty and certification foreſaid, and that at the foreſaids diets appointed for the returning of the Bonds of the Merchants.

And, whereas there are divers good Laws and Acts of Parliament already made for the incouragement of the Manufactories of this Kingdom, and for encouragement of Strangers to come thereto, to ſet up in their ſeveral Callings, againſt the export of Linen and Woolen yairn, anent the Weaving and Bleetching of Linen Cloth. And particularly, by the 4. Act of Our 1. Parl. Intituled, Act for erecting Manufactures, It is ſtatute and ordained, that the Priviledges following, ſhall be granted to all ſuch perſons as have, or ſhall undertake to ſet up Manufactories, viz. If any ſtranger ſhall come, or be brought into this Kingdom by natives, to ſet up, work, and teach his Art in making of Cloth, Stuffs, Stockings, Soap, or any other kind of Manufactury, he ſhall enjoy the benefit of the Law, and all other Priviledges that a Native doth enjoy, with power to erect Manufactories either in Burgh or Landward, as they ſhall think fit, and there to dwell and exerciſe their Trade without any ſtop or trouble. And for their further encouragement, all Oyl, dying Stuffs, Forraign Wool, Pot aſhes, or any other Materials whatſoever uſeful for Manufactories that ſhall be Imported, Are declared to be free of Cuſtom and Exciſe, and other publick Dues; and that all Cloth, Stuffs, Stockings, or any other Commodity to be made and exported by them, be free of Cuſtom and Exciſe, for nineteen years after the Month of January, 1662. And all Cuſtomers, Collectors, Fermorers of Cuſtom and Exciſe, are diſcharged to demand any Cuſtom or Exciſe, or any other Impoſition for ſuch Materials before-mentioned, belonging to Manufactories, as they will be anſwerable. And if any Stock ſhall be imployed for erecting or intertaining of any Manufactories, the ſame is to be free of all privat or publick Taxes whatſoever: and of all quarterings or levying of Souldiers upon Manufactories or the Maſters thereof, are diſcharged; With power to the Maſters, Erectors, or Intertainers of Manufactories, to meet by themſelves for making of Ordinances for the good and advancement of their Trade, for the right ordering their ſervants, and for the ſufficiency of their Stuffs, Cloths, and others, and choiſe one of the moſt expert of their number, for viſiting their Work.

And by the 43. Act of the ſame Parliament, The Exporting of Linen yairn forth of the Kingdom is diſcharged, under the pain of Confiſcation of the ſame. All the Weavers are diſcharged to make any Linen Cloth of the price of ten ſhilling Scots the Elne or above, under the breadth of an Elne and two Inches, that the ſame be taken up by the Selvedge, and not by the Rig, and be ſo preſented to the Mercat, and that the ſame be bleetched without lime, under the penalties of Impriſonment and fining.

By the 46. Act of the ſame Parliament, All Woorſted, Woolen-yairn, raw or unwaked-Cloths or Stuffs, except Plaiding, are diſcharged to be exported forth of the Kingdom, under the pain of Confiſcation thereof. And by the 7. Act of the 1. Seſsion of Our ſecond Parliament, it is Statute and declared, for the increaſe and promoting of Trade and Manufactories, That all Strangers of the Proteſtant Religion, who ſhall come to, and ſet up new Works and Manufactories in the Kingdom, ſhall be naturalized as Native-born Subjects of this Kingdom, and are to enjoy Our Royal Protection, the benefit of the Law, and all other Priviledges which a Native doth enjoy; that they ſhall have liberty and freedom of Trade, to buy and purchaſe Lands, Hererages, and other goods, moveable and immoveable, and all other priviledges libertier and capacities which do belong to any Native Subject born within this Kingdom, as theſe ſeveral Acts of Parliament, containing divers other priviledges and immunities in favours of perſons who ſhall erect. Manufactories, or ſet up, and work in the ſame, more fully bears. Which ſeveral Laws and Acts of Parliament foreſaid; We, with advice of Our Privy Council, have thought fit, for the increaſe and promoving of Trade and Manufactories, to ordain to be put to due and punctual Execution in all points. And We or ſain theſe perſons, who have already ſet up any Manufactories in this Our Kingdom, to have the whole priviledges and immunities therein expreſt. And particularly, We ordain all Materials whatſoever, uſeful for Manufactories, that ſhall be imported, to be free of Cuſtom and Exciſe, and other publick dues, for the ſpace of nineteen years after the date hereof, conform to the power reſerved to Our Privy Council by the ſaid 40. Act of Our firſt Parliament, in caſe the ſame be not found to be perpetual, but only temporary.

And in regard the Execution of the ſaid 40. and 43. Acts of Our ſaid firſt Parliament, Is committed to Magiſtrats of Burghs, Sheriffs of Shires, Lords of Regalities and Baronies, in their reſpective bounds: And that by their overſight and neglect the ſame has not been put in execution, We ordain and require, the ſaids Magiſtrats to put the ſame to due and punctual execution, to puniſh the tranſgreſſors, and exact and uplift the penalties. And do declare, that if the ſaids Magiſtrats be remiſs or negligent in their duty, they ſhall be called and purſued before our Council, and fined therefore.

And, conſidering that the gifting of the Penalties of theſe Acts may be an occaſion to obſtruct the execution thereof, by the Donators componing therefore, We declare, that we will not hereafter grant any gift of the ſame, and recommend to the Lords of Our Theſaury and Exchequer, not to grant any gift thereof, in prejudice of the execution of theſe Acts.

And whereas, albeit by the ſaids Acts it is determined, what the breadth of Linen-Cloth ſhall be wrought at by the Weavers, to make the ſame fit for ſale, and have credit abroad; yet nothing is determined as to the length of the ſeveral pieces, We ordain, that hereafter, Linen brought to Mercat for publick ſale, be made up in Pieces and half Pieces, and that the Piece contain twenty Elns, and the half Piece ten Elns, and that none be made up of ſhorter nor longer length for publick ſale, under the pain of confiſcation of the ſame. And We ordain the Weavers of all Linen Cloth for publick ſale, to work the ſame at the breadth foreſaid, and no otherwiſe; and betwixt and the firſt day of August next, to provide themſelves with fine Reeds, Work-looms, and other fit materials for their Trade, under the penalty of Impriſonment for the ſpace of fourteen dayes, and of twenty Pound Scots for ilk fault toties quoties, to be exacted by Magiſtrats of Burghs, Sheriffs of Shires, Lords of Regalities and Burghs in the reſpective bounds, and Confiſcation of the ſame to the uſe of the Attatchers thereof. And the ſeveral Magiſtrats foreſaids, are ordained in their reſpective bounds, betwixt and the firſt Thurſday of September next, to give an account of the perſons diſobedient, that they may be further puniſhed, in which they are not to fail, as they will be anſwerable.

And whereas divers un-free-men and others, who do not bear publick burthen within Burghs, are in uſe to import prohibited Commodities in Noblemen and Gentlemens Trunks, to the great prejudice of Trade; The Tacks men or Collectors of our Cuſtoms, Surveyors, Collectors, Waiters, and their ſervants, are hereby required to ſight the Trunks of any perſon of what quality ſoever, at their landing, and to ſeize upon, burn and deſtroy, the ſaid prohibited Goods; with certification to them if they failȝie, they ſhall not only be liable for the value of the ſaids Goods, to be payed to the uſe of any Merchant, Maſter or Member of any Manufactorie, who ſhall firſt diſcover the ſame, beſides, that they ſhall loſe and amit their places. And it is hereby declared, it ſhall be leiſome to the Deacons of the SKINNERS, TAYLORS and SHOOMAKERS, upon information given to them of the importing of any Forraign made Gloves, Cloaths, Shooes, Boots, or Slippers, now prohibited to be imported, to ſearch for the ſame wherever they can be found: and in caſe they find any, to repreſent it to the Magiſtrats, to the effect the Magiſtrats upon trial and probation, may cauſe burn and deſtroy the ſame: or in caſe the ſame be imported and concealed, ſo that they cannot be diſcovered and ſeized, to purſue the importers or reſſetters thereof, for the value of the ſame, which is to be applyed to their own uſe, for their pains in the diſcovery.

In regard that by the Book of Rates, the Impoſition put upon made Work of Iron, Copper, & Braſs, imported into this Kingdom, is appointed to be by the Stone weight; We have thought fit for the encouragement of the Manufactorie thereof in this Kingdom, and for ballance of Trade in theſe Commodities hereafter, to ordain and appoint five of the hundred for Cuſtom, and as much for Exciſe, to be put upon, and exacted by, Our Cuſtomers, for each hundred value of all ſuch imported made Work, and not to be uplifted by the Stone weight.

Whereas it may be of great advantage to Trade, and improvement of Manufactorie, that ſome encouragement may be given for building of Ships within this Kingdom; We have thought fit to ordain all Materials neceſſary for building and rigging of Ships in this Kingdom; ſuch as Timber and Planks for Shipping, Sails, Anchors, Cables and Towes, to be free of all manner of Duty; and do prohibite and diſcharge, the buying or building abroad, any Ships or Veſſels, after the firſt day of June next, under the penalty of Confiſcation thereof.

And ſeing for the encouragement of Fiſhing and export of Herring, being one of the greateſt Commodities of this Kingdom, albeit Forraign Salt did all pay Cuſtome and Exciſe at the the entry; yet, it being intended, that Forraign Salt employed upon Herring, ſhould be free of Burthen; The Act of Parliament in the year, 1669, ordains the Merchant exporter, to have allowed or repayed by the Cuſtomers, ten Pounds four ſhilling Scots for the Salt of each exported Laſt of Herring; And whereas, by the Act of Parliament in the year, 1673, anent the taking away the Praeemption of Salt, it is appointed, that the exporters of Herring ſhall only be free of Cuſtom at the export, being only twenty four ſhillings upon the Laſt, whereby the Merchants have ever ſince wanted the allowance of nine Pounds Scots, being a great detriment to the Kingdom; We have ordained, and ordain, that in time coming, the Merchant exporter ſhall have allowed or repayed by the Cuſtomers, ten Pounds four Shillings for the Salt of each exported Laſt of Herring, conform to the ſaid Act of Parliament in the year 1679, and former practice.

And whereas, by divers Acts of Parliament, and the book of Rates, there are great Impoſitions laid upon Forraign Commodities, for the encouragement of Manufactures of this Kingdom, near to the nature of a Prohibition, and that by the connivance of the Cuſtomers, the ſaids Goods are permitted to be imported upon Compoſition; We do hereby ordain the Tacks-men or Collectors of our Cuſtoms, Surveyors, Waiters, and their ſervants, to exact the Cuſtom and Exciſe put upon the ſaids Goods, without any manner of abatement or compoſition, under the penalty of loſing their Offices, and being fined, and the one half of their fines to belong to Us, and the other half to the diſcoverer.

And for the encouragement of Learning and Manufactorie of Book-binding; We have thought fit, to ordain ten of the hundred to be exacted off all bound-Books warrantably imported for publick ſale, conform to the book of Rates; but that all Books warrantably imported in Sheets not bound, be free of all manner of Duty.

And whereas upon tryal it is found, that the Goldſmiths in the City of Edinburgh, and other Burrows, do work below the Standart of eleven penny fine, conform to the 56. Act of the 6. Parliament of Queen Mary; We do hereby Require and Command the Goldſmiths of Edinburgh, and the reſt of the Kingdom, to work up to the ſaid Standard of eleven penny fine, under the pain of Death and Confiſcation of their Moveables, which is the certification of the ſaid Act of Parliament. And for tryal of the Plate, Ordains the Deacon of the Goldſmiths of Edinburgh, to take Eſſay thereof, by the Copel-Eſſay and no otherways, and that the new made work bear the date, by the A. B. C. And the Deacon for the time is to be anſwerable for the Lignet the time of his Deaconry, that it ſhall be according to the Standard, and for every particular piece of work marked by him, under the certification foreſaid. And declares, that any Silver Work ſhall be found made and tryed, and marked otherways, after the firſt day of June next, or found in the Goldſmiths Work-houſes or Shops, or in their poſſeſſion, ſhall fall under the foreſaid certification. And for a Check to the Goldſmiths of Edinburgh, We ordain the Deacon once in two years, at the end of his Deacon-ſhip, to make up a Lignet of the ſeveral Eſſays, and give in the ſame to the Maſter of Our Mint, to be tryed by the Eſſay Maſter. And We diſcharge all Goldſmiths of any other Burghs, to make any Silver Plate hereafter, except of the fineneſs foreſaid; and appoint the Goldſmiths of each Burgh, to keep and Eſſay Box of all Plate made by them; which Box, they are ordained to ſend in to OUR GOLDSMITH, or Deacon of the Goldſmiths of Edinburgh for the time, once in the year, to be tryed by them, or either of them, and thereafter by the Eſſay-maſters of Our Mint, under the pain of Death and Confiſcation of all their Moveables, conform to the Act of Parliament foreſaid; and the Goldſmith, or Goldſmiths in other Burghs of the Kingdom, ſhall ſet his Name upon his Work, marked with the A. B. C. as aforeſaid, and any Work otherways made or marked by him, or which he ſhall have in his Shop, or poſſeſſion, after the firſt of June next, ſhall fall under the foreſaid certification. And we allow the Goldſmiths to take price for the new Work, conform to the augmentation of the fineneſs, as it is now preſcribed; and for their Workmanſhip being plain, or better Work, as they and the buyers ſhall agree. And for the incouragement of the Goldſmiths, and that the Lieges be not deceived and abuſed by Silver-work, under the foreſaid fineneſs, imported from other places; We hereby diſcharge the Importation of all Silver-work by Merchants, or others for ſale, except that which is marked with the ordinary marks of Silver-work of London or Paris, under the penalty of confiſcation thereof, the one half for Our Uſe, and the other to the diſcoverer.

And ſeing by the Prohibition but by Us upon the ſeveral Commodities mentioned in Our former, and this Our Proclamation, and by the execution of Our Laws, for the incouragement of Manufacturies, the deduction allowed for the Exciſe of Salt, imployed upon Fiſhes exported, and materials imported for building of Ships, the ſame will conſiderably diminiſh Our Cuſtomes and Exciſe. And We having, with advice of Our Council, fully conſidered, what imported Commodities may beſt bear a further Duty, for ballancing and making up the ſame, with the leaſt inconvenience to Trade, and the profite of the Kingdom; We with advice foreſaid, conform to the foreſaid 26. Act of Our 3. Seſſion of Parliament, have ordained, and ordain the additional Exciſe under-written, to be put upon, and exacted off the ſeveral Commodities following, viz. That whereas French Wine now pays of Cuſtome, Exciſe and Bullion, ſix Pounds two ſhillings Sterling upon each Tun, We ordain each Tun of French Wine to pay eighteen ſhillings Sterling more of additional Exciſe: And each Tun of Brandy, which pays now ten Pounds Sterling the Tun, that the ſame pay twenty Pounds Sterling the Tun, with the burden of Bullion as formerly. And ſeing that Tobacco that comes immediatly from the Plantations, pays ſixteen pennies Scots of Duty upon each pound weight, and that which comes from London and other parts, not immediatly from the Plantations, pays now two ſhilling Scots; We ordain, that the Duty upon Tobacco, coming immediatly from the Plantations, continue as formerly; but that 〈…〉 place pay eight pernies more, be 〈…〉 upon each pound weight, in regard ther • 〈…〉 ••• modities Tranſported to the Plantations, but none 〈…〉 for Tobacco, but only ready Money: and 〈…〉 beer, and other forraign B ••• or Ale imported, to pay 〈◊〉 ſhillings Sterling the Tun of Cuſtome and Exciſe. And that 〈◊〉 Subjects may have no ground to murmur of any new burd •• We do declare, that the additions foreſaids upon Wine, Bra •• , Tobacco, Mum-beer, and other Forraign Beer and Ale, is on •• in compenſation of the Detriment, Our Cuſtoms and Exciſe 〈◊〉 ſuffer by the ſaids Prohibitions, and are to continue and end un •• while the Prohibitions appointed by this and Our former Proclamations are in vigour, and Our Cuſtoms and Exciſe in Collection and no longer. Our Will is herefore, and We Charge you ſtri •• ly and Command, that incontinent, theſe Our Letters ſeen, ••• paſs to the Mercat Croſs of Edinburgh, and other places need ••• and thereat, in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation make Publication of the Premiſſes, that none pretend ignorant 〈◊〉 as alſo of the Bond hereto ſubjoyned; the which to do, We commit to you conjunctly and ſeverally Our full Power, by theſe Our Letters, delivering them by you duely execute, and 〈◊〉 again to the bearer. And ordains theſe Preſents to be Pri •• ed.