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 are informed, that several Souldiers belonging to Our Forces within this Our An­cient Kingdom, have Deserted; And We being desirous rather to reclaim Transgressours by Clemency, than to punish them with the outmost Severi­ty; Therefore We, with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, have thought fit to Require, and do hereby Require all Souldiers that have De­serted, to return to their Colours, and to Our Service, betwixt and the First day of January next to come, promising to Indemnifie, likeas We do hereby fully Indemnifie for their by past deserting, all that shall return in manner fore­said; But on the other hand, certifying such as shall not return betwixt and the day foresaid, that both they and their Resetters shall be prosecute with the outmost severity, conform to the Laws and Proclamations emitted against them. And farder, We do hereby Impower and Require all Officers what­somever, belonging to Our Forces, either at home or abroad, to seize and apprehend after the day foresaid, all such Deserters as shall not accept of this Our gracious offer, to the effect they may be condignly punished, as said is. 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 to the Mercat-Crosses of the remanent Head-Burghs of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and there in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation, make Publication of the Premisses, that none pretend ig­norance; And Ordains these presents to be Printed.