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A58640 The laws and acts of the first Parliament of our most high and dread soveraign Charles the Second ... holden at Edinburgh the first of January, 1661 by a noble Lord, John, Earl of Middleton ... with the special advice and consent of the estates of Parliament / extracted and collected from the records of Parliament by Sir Archibald Primerose.; Laws, etc. Scotland.; Primrose, Archibald, Sir, 1616-1679. 1661 (1661) Wing S1271; ESTC R30550 109,236 124

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loss shame and dishonour to their native Countrey and have justly forfeited and favour they might have pretended to from His Majesties former concessions And forasmuch as now it hath pleased Almighty GOD by the power of His own right hand so miraculously to restore the Kings Majesty to the Government of His Kingdoms and to the exercise of His Royal Power and Soveraignty over the same The Estates of Parliament do conceive themselves oblieged in discharge of their duty and conscience to GOD and the Kings Majesty to imploy all their power and interest for vindicating His Majesties Authority from all these violent invasions that have been made upon it and so far as is possible to remove out of the way every thing that may retain any remembrance of these things which have been so injurious to His Majesty and His Authority so prejudicial and dishonourable to the Kingdom and destructive to all just and true interests within the same And considering that besides the unlawfulness of the publict Actings during these troubles most of the Acts in all and every of the Meetings of these pretended Parliaments do highly incroach upon and are destructive of that Soveraign Power Authority Prerogative and Right of Government which by the Law of GOD and the ancient Laws and Constitutions of this Kingdom doth reside in and belong unto the Kings Majesty and do reflect much upon the honour loyalty and reputation of this Kingdom or are expired and serve only as testimonion of dissloyalty and repraoch upon the Kingdom and are unfit to be any longer upon Record Therefore the Kings Majesty and Estates of Parliament do hereby Rescind and Annull the pretended Parliaments kept in the years one thousand six hundred and fourty one thousand six hundred and fourty one one thousand six hundred and fourty four one thousand six hundred and fourty five one thousand six hundred and fourty six one thousand six hundred and fourty seven and one thousand six hundred and fourty eight and all Acts and Deeds past and done in them and Declares the same to be henceforth void and null And His Majesty being unwilling to take any advantage of the failings of His Subjects during those unhappy times is resolved not to retain any remembrance thereof but that the same shall be held in everlasting oblivion and that all difference and animofities being forgotten His good Subjects may in a happy union under His Royal Government enjoy that happiness and peace which His Majesty intends and really wisheth unto them as unto Himself Doth therefore by advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament grant His full Assurance and Indempnity to all persons that acted in or by vertue of the said pretended Parliaments and other Meetings flowing from the same to be unquestioned in their Lives or Fortunes for any Deed or Deeds done by them in their said usurpation or by vertue of any pretended Authority derived therefrom excepting alwayes such as shall be excepted in a general Act of Indempnity to be past by His Majesty in this Parliament And it is hereby Declared That all Acts Rights and Securities past in any of the pretended Meetings above-written or by vertue thereof in favours of any particular persons for their civil and private interests shall stand good and valid unto them untill the same be taken into further consideration and be determined in this or the next Session of this Parliament XVI Act concerning Religion and Church Government OUr Soveraign Lord being truly sensible of the mercies of Almighty GOD towards Him in His preservation in the times of greatest trouble and danger and in His miraculous Restitution to His just Right and Government of His Kingdoms And being desirous to improve these Mercies to the glory of GOD and honour of His great Name Doth with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Declare That it is His full and firm resolution to maintain the true reformed Protestant Religion in it's purity of Doctrine and Worship as it was established within this Kingdom during the Reigns of His Royal Father and Grand-father of blessed memory And that His Majesty will be carefull to promote the power of Godlinesse to encourage the exercises of Religion both publict and private and to suppresse all prophanesse and disorderly walking And for that end will give all due countenance and protection to the Ministers of the Gospel they containing themselves within the Bounds and Limits of their Ministerial Calling and behaving themselves with that submission and obedience to His Majesties Authority and Commands that is suitable to the Allegiance and Duty of good Subjects And as to the Government of the Church His Majesty will make it His care to setle and secure the same in such a frame as shall be most agreeable to the word of GOD most suitable to Monarchicall Government and most complying with the publict peace and quiet of the Kingdom And in the mean time His Majesty with advice and consent foresaid Doth allow the present Administration by Sessions Presbyteries and Synods they keeping within bounds and behaving themselves as said is and that notwithstanding of the preceeding Act rescissory of all pretended Parliaments since the year one thousand six hundred and thirty eight XVII Act for a Solemn Anniversary Thanksgiving for His Majesties Restauration to the Royal Government of His Kingdoms THe Estates of Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland taking to their consideration the sad Condition Slavery and Bondage this ancient Kingdom hath groaned under during these twenty three years Troubles In which under the specious pretences of Reformation a publick Rebellion hath been by the treachery of some and mis-perswasion of others violently carried on against Sacred Authority to the ruine and destruction so far as was possible of Religion the Kings Majesty and His Royal Government the Laws Liberties and Property of the People and all the publick and private Interests of the Kingdom So that Religion it self which holds the right of Kings to be Sacred hath been prostitute for the warrand of all these treasonable invasions made upon the Royal Authority and disloyal limitations put upon the Alleagiance of the Subjects And hath it not also been pretended unto for the warrand of all those vile and bloody Murthers which in high contempt of Almighty GOD and of His Majesties Authority and Laws were under colour of Justice committed upon His Majesties good Subjects meerly for the discharge of their Duty to GOD and Loyalty to the King Hath not that Royal Government under whose Protection this Nation hath to the envy of the World been so famous for many ages been of late trode under foot and new Governments and Governours established and kept up without His Majesties Authority and against His expresse Commands Hath not Law which is the Birth-right and Inheritance of the Subject and the Security of their lives and fortunes been laid in the dust and new and unjust Edicts and Orders past and published for subjecting both life and fortune
and what else was dear unto any of His Majesties good Subjects to the Cruel and Ambitious Lusts of some usurping Rulers Hath not Religion and Loyalty been the only objects of their Rapine and Cruelty And hath not their new and arbitrary Exactions and Burdens upon the People exceeded in one moneth what ever had been formerly in many years paid to any of the Kings of this Kingdom And when the best of men and the most Excellent of the Kings of the earth had in an unusual way of confidence rendred His Person to the Trust and Loyalty of His Native Subjects was not the security of Religion pretended unto by some who then governed in Church and State for the ground of that base and never enough to be abhorred transaction in leaving such a Prince their Native and Dread Soveraign to the will of these who were in open Rebellion and for the time had their swords in their hands against Him And that when by these and many such like undutifull carriages the Kings Majesty was removed from His Kingdoms the foundations of this ancient and well constitute Government was overturned the Liberties and Property of the people inverted And this Kingdom exposed to be Captives and Slaves to Strangers and nothing left unto them but the sad meditation of their increasing miseries and the bitter remembrance of their by-past disloyalties Yet even then it pleased Almighty GOD to compassionat their low condition and by the power of His own Right-hand most miraculously to restore the Kings most Sacred Majesty to the Royal Government of His Kingdoms And thereby to redeem this Kingdom from its former Slavery and Bondage and to restore it to its ancient and just Priviledges and Freedom And the Kings Majesty acknowledging with all humility and thankfulness the Goodness Wisdom and Power of GOD in this Signal Act of His mercy to Him and His people Doth with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Statute and Ordain That in all time coming there be a Solemn yearly Commemoration of the same And for that end the twenty ninth day of May which day GOD Almighty hath specially honoured and rendred auspicious to this Kingdom both by His Majesties Royal Birth and by His blessed Restauration to His Government be for ever set a part as a Holy day unto the LORD and that in all the Churches of the Kingdom it be imploied in publick Prayers Preaching Thanksgiving and Praises to GOD for so transcendent Mercies And that all Trade Merchandize Work Handy-labour and other ordinary imploiments be forborn and the remaining part of the day spent in such lawfull divertisements as are suteable to so Solemn an occasion And it is hereby recommended to all Ministers of the Gospel and to all Sheriffs Justices of Peace and other publick Ministers in the several Counties and to all Magistrates within Burghs to be carefull that for this present year and in all time coming the twenty ninth day of May be accordingly kept and observed within their several Jurisdictions And for the speedier and more full intimation hereof to all His Majesties Subjects It is Appointed thir Presents be printed and published at all the Mercat Crosses of the Royal Burroughs XVIII Act for the due Observation of the Sabbath-day THe Kings Majesty considering how much it concerns the honour of GOD that the Sabbath-day be duly observed and all abuses thereof restrained And that notwithstanding of several Acts of Parliament made in that behalf particularly the third Act of the sixth Parliament of King James the sixth of blessed memory the said day hath been much prophaned by Salmond-fishing going of Salt-pans Milnes and Killes hiring of Shearers and using of Merchandize on that day and otherwayes Therefore our Soveraign Lord with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Ratifies and Approves all former Acts of Parliament made for observation of the Sabbath-day and against the breakers thereof And by these presents Inhibits and Discharges all Salmond-fishing going of Salt-pans Milnes or Killes all hiring of Sheaters carrying of Loads keeping of Mercats or using any sorts of Merchandize on the said day and all other prophanation thereof whatsoever under the pains and penalties following viz. The sum of twenty pounds Scots for the going of ilk Salt-pan Miln or Kill on the said day to be paid by the Heritors and Postessors thereof and the sum of ten pounds for ilk Shearer and Fisher of Salmond on the said day the one halt thereof to be paid by the Hirers and Conducers and the other half by the persons hired and the said sum of ten pounds for every other prophanation of the said Day And which Fines and Penalties are to be uplifted and disposed of in manner contained in the Act and Instructions anent the Justices of Peace and if the party Offender be not able to pay the penalties foresaid then to be exemplarly punished in his body according to the merit of his fault XIX Act against Swearing and Excessive Drinking OUr Soveraign Lord being desirous that all His Subjects within this Kingdom may live a quiet and peaceable life under His Government in all godlinesse and honesty and in order thereto having resolved to curb and suppresse all sort of sin and wickednesse and especially these abominable and so much abounding sins of Drunkennesse and all manner of Cursing and Swearing Therefore our said Soveraign Lord Ratifies and Approves all Acts of Parliament made in former times against the said crimes or either of them And further Declares That each person who shall Blaspheme Swear or Curse and whosoever shall Drink into excess shall be lyable in the pains following according to the quality of the offenders viz. Each Nobleman in twenty pounds Scots each Barron in twenty Merks each Gentleman Heritor or Burgess in ten merks each Yeoman in fourty shillings each Servant in twenty shillings toties quoties each Minister in the fifth part of his years Stipend and that the saids Fines and Penalties be uplifted and disposed upon in manner contained in the Act and Instructions anent the Justices of Peace And if the partie Offender be not able to pay the penalties foresaid then to be exemplarly punished in his body according to the merit of his fault XX. Act against Cursing and Beating of Parents OUr Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament considering how great and atrocious a crime it is for Children to beat or curse their Parents And how the Law of GOD hath pronounced just sentence of death against such as shall either of these wayes injure either of their Parents Therefore His Majesty with advice of His said Estates Doth hereby Statute and Ordain That whosoever Son or Daughter above the age of sixteen years not being distracted shall Beat or Curse either their Father or Mother shall be put to Death without mercy and such as are within the age of sixteen years and past the age of pupillarity to be punished at the arbitrement of the Judge according to
pretexts made for the same did meet and conveen without any lawfull Warrand or Authority And therefore the Kings MAjESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament doth Declare the same with all that was done therein void and null and Rescinds and Annuls all Acts or Deeds whatsomever ratifying and approving the same VII Act concerning the League and Covenant and discharging the renewing thereof without His MAjESTIES warrand and approbation FOrasmuch as the power of Armes and entering into and making of Leagues and Bonds is an undoubted priviledge of the Crown and a proper part of the Royal Prerogative of the Kings of this Kingdom and that in recognisance of His MAjESTIES just Right the Estates of Parliament of this His most ancient Kingdom of Scotland have Declared it high Treason to the Subjects thereof of whatsoever number less or more upon any pretext whatsoever to rise or continue in Armes or to enter into Leagues and Bonds with Forraigners or among themselves without His MAjESTIES special Warrand and Approbation had and obtained thereto and have Rescinded and Annulled all Acts of Parliament Conventions of Estates or other Deeds whatsoever contrary to or inconsistent with the same And whereas during these troubles there have occurred diverse things in the making and pursuance of Leagues and Bonds which may be occasion of jealousie in and betwixt His MAjESTIES Dominions of Scotland England and Ireland Therefore and for preventing of all scruples mistakes or jealousies that may hereafter arise upon these grounds The King's MAjESTY with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Doth hereby Declare That there is no Obligation upon this Kingdom by Covenant Treaties or otherwise to endeavour by Armes a Reformation of Religion in the Kingdom of England or to meddle with the publick Government and Administration of that Kingdom And the King's MAjESTY with advice and consent foresaid doth Declare That the League and Covenant and all Treaties following thereupon and Acts or Deeds that do or may relate thereto are not obligatory nor do infer any obligation upon this Kingdom or the Subjects thereof to meddle or interpose by Armes or any seditious way in any thing concerning the Religion and Government of the Churches of England and Ireland or in what may concern the Administration of His MAjESTIES Government there And further His MAjESTY with advice and consent of His Estates doth hereby Discharge and Inhibite all His MAjESTIES Subjects within this Kingdom that none of them presume upon any pretext of any Authority whatsoever to require the renewing or swearing of the said League and Covenant or of any other Covenants or publick Oaths concerning the Government of the Church or Kingdom without His MAjESTIES special Warrand and Approbation And that none of His MAjESTIES Subjects offer to renew and swear the same without His MAjESTIES Warrand as said is as they will be answerable at their highest peril VIII Act against Papists Priests and Jesuits OUr Soveraign Lord considering that the publick contempt of and disobedience to lawful Authority though covered with the most specious pretexts is alwayes accompanied with great confusions and provocations to the dishonour of GOD and ruine of the People And that thereby occasion is offered to wicked and ill affected persons of all sorts upon one pretence or other to subvert Religion and pervert the Duty and Allegiance of the Subjects Whereof there be too sad evidence by the increase of Popery and the number of Jesuits Priests and Papists which have of late and do now abound in this Kingdom in far greater numbers then ever they did under the Government of His MAjESTIES Royal Father and Grand-Father of blessed memory And His MAjESTY being desirous to trace these His Royal Ancestors in a due and vigorous prosecution of these many excellent Laws made by them against the Saying of Mess and the stay and resset of Jesuits Seminary and Mess Priests and Trafficking Papists within this Kingdom Doth therefore with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament command and charge all and sundry Jesuits Priests and Trafficking Papists that none of them presume hereafter to Say Mess within this Kingdom And that within a moneth after the publication hereof they remove forth of the Kingdom under the pain of death And sicklike His MAjESTY with advice and consent foresaid doth command charge and inhibite all His MAjESTIES Subjects of what quality or degree soever that none of them presume to hear Mess resset supply entertain furnish meat or drink nor keep intelligence nor correspondence with any Priests Jesuits or Trafficking Papists under the pains contained in the Laws and Acts of Parliament made in that behalf And to the end that this Act may receive the more exact obedience and prosecution His MAjESTY with advice and consent foresaid doth hereby command all Sheriffs of Shires and their Deputes all Magistrates of Burghs and other publick Ministers of the Laws to make exact enquiry and search in their several bounds and jurisdictions and to apprehend all such Jesuits Priests and Trafficking Papists as they shall finde within the same after the last day of March next to come and to commit them to the next sure Prison there to remain till they receive due punishment according to the Laws And also that with all possible diligence they send in to the Parliament or in case of their not Sitting to His MAjESTIES Privy-Council the List of such persons within their bounds as are known or suspected to be Papists that course may be taken with them conform to the Laws of the Kingdom And hereof the Sheriffs and Magistrates and their Deputes are to take special notice as they will be answerable at their highest peril Likeas His MAjESTY considering how dangerous it is that Children be educat by persons popishly affected do therefore conform to former Acts of Parliament appoint that children under popish Parents Tutors or Curators shall be taken from them and committed to the education of some well affected and religious friend at the sight and by order of His MAjESTIES Privy-Council And Ordains publication hereof to be made at the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh and other places needfull IX Act approving the Engagement 1648. and annulling the pretended Parliaments and Committees kept thereafter FOrasmuch as in the year one thousand six hundred fourty and eight the Estates of Parliament of this Kingdom and His MAjESTIES good Subjects therein from the sense of their duty to Almighty GOD and the King's MAjESTY did chearfully undertake and concur in an Engagement for relief of His late MAJESTY of glorious memory from His imprisonment and for His restitution to the Royal Government of His Kingdoms And the Estates of Parliament now conveened by His MAjESTIES special Authority taking that Engagement to their consideration do find it to have been an Honourable Just Necessary and Seasonable Discharge of that indispensible Duty whereunto this Kingdom and the Subjects thereof are by the Law of God by the Law of Nature and
Parliament of this Kingdom by their several Acts of the eleventh and twenty fifth of January last have from the sense of their humble duty and in recognisance of His Majesties just Right Declared That it is an inherent Priviledge of the Crown and an undoubted part of the Royal Prerogative of the Kings of this Kingdom to have the sole choice and appointment of the Officers of Estate Privy-Councellors and Lords of Session That the power of calling holding and dissolving of Parliaments and all Conventions and Meetings of the Estates doth soly reside in the Kings Majesty His Heirs and Successors and that as no Parliament can be lawfully kept without the special warrand and presence of the Kings Majesty or His Commissioner So no Acts nor Statutes to be past in any Parliament can be binding on the people or have the Authority and force of Laws without the special approbation of His Majesty or His Commissioner interponed thereto at the making thereof That the power of Armes making of Peace and War and making of Treaties and Leagues with Forreign Princes or States or at home by the Subjects among themselves doth properly reside in the Kings Majesty His Heirs and Successors and is their undoubted Right and their's alone And that it is high Treason in the Subjects of this Kingdom or any number of them upon whatsoever ground to rise or continue in Armes to maintain any Forts Garisons or Strengths to make Peace or War or to make any Treaties or Leagues with Forreigners or among themselves without His Majesties Authority first interponed thereto That it is unlawfull to the Subjects of whatsoever quality or function to convocat conveen or assemble themselves for holding of Councils Conventions and Assemblies to Treat Consult and Determin in any matters of State Civil or Ecclesiastick except in the ordinary Judgements or to make Leagues or Bonds upon whatsoever colour or pretence without His Majesties special consent and approbation had thereunto That the League and Covenant and all Treaties following thereupon and Acts or Deeds that do or may relate thereunto are not obligatory nor do infer any Obligation upon this Kingdom or the Subjects thereof to meddle or interpose by Armes or any seditious way in any thing concerning the Religion and Government of the Churches in England and Ireland or in what may concern the Administration of His Majesties Government there And that none of His Majesties Subjects should presume upon any pretext of any Authority whatsoever to require the renewing or swearing of the said League and Covenant or of any other Covenants or publick Oaths concerning the Government of the Church or Kingdom And that none offer to renew or swear the same without His Majesties special warrand and approbation c. I do conform to the Acts of Parliament aforesaid Declare That I do with all humble duty acknowledge His Majesties Royal Prerogative Right and Power in all the particulars and in the manner aforementioned and that I do heartily give my consent thereto by these presents Subscribed by me at XII Act concerning the Judicial proceedings in the time of the late Vsurpers FOrasmuch since the year of GOD one thousand six hundred and fifty one the late Usurpers did take upon them to establish Judicatories superior and inferior within this Nation as Judges for Administration of Justice in place of the Judicatory of the Session formerly established by Law Commissioners for the Admirality Sheriffs of Shires Commissars Justices of Peace and other inferiour Courts In which Courts the people did in name of the Usurpers or under the notion of the Keepers of the Liberties prosecute and defend their several Causes and Interests these many years past And His Majesty considering that the matters agitate pursued and concluded were for the most part things of course belonging to the ordinary Judicatories formerly established in this Kingdom and being unwilling that the people should be put to any further trouble where Matters have been acted and Cases determined according to Law Therefore His Majesty with consent of the Estates of Parliament Declares That all and whatsoever Acts Interloquiters Decreets and Sentences made pronounced and given forth by the saids Courts superiour and inferiour with all execution thereupon and all execution by Horning Inhibition Caption Comprising Poynding and others to have been and to be valid and stand in full force notwithstanding of the unlawfulness of the Authority by which these Courts were held and the execution used But because the Judges or Commissioners for Administration of Justice did sometimes proceed in an arbitrary way contrair to Law and Justice and at other times many of them being strangers and ignorant of the Law did proceed unwarrantably and unjustly betwixt parties Therefore His Majesty with consent foresaid doth Declare That whatsoever person or persons hath any just reason to quarrel their Acts Interloquiters Decreets and Sentences they are hereby warranded and allowed to do the same without any Reduction or Suspension within the space of one year next after the down-sitting of the Session And if parties complainers be Minors within the space of year and day next after they shall attain the age of twenty one years compleat Parties alwayes being lawfully cited thereto And if any person or persons be charged under the pain of Horning Suspension shall be granted to them upon Caution or if they be not able to find Caution super cautione Juratoria And if it shall be found that the Complainer doth without any just ground unnecessarly vex the party complained upon in that case the Lords of the Session are hereby authorized to determine the parties damage and charges to be paid by the unjust Complainer Likeas all Decreets before the saids pretended Commissioners for Administration of Justice whether given in absence or parties compearand are hereby allowed to be brought in question revised and recognosced in manner foresaid And whereas there be many Processes as yet depending undecided upon Summons and Letters raised in the saids Usurpers names the same Processes shall be all wakned in His Majesties Name and be put to a final close by the Lords of Session as if they had been intended from the beginning in His Majesties Name and Authority And whereas any Acts or Decreets have been made or given forth in the Admiral Courts or any other inferiour Courts the same may be brought in question before the Lords of Session in the same forme and manner as was formerly established by the Law and Practick of this Kingdom And forasmuch as the said Usurpers did from time to time nominate and appoint Commissioners of Exchequer having the same power to passe all sorts of Writs Signators and others and to discusse Processes and Suspensions in the same manner as His Majesties Treasurer and Commissioners appointed by His Majesty had power to do Therefore His Majesty with advice and consent foresaid for the good and case of His people under the provisions underwritten doth Declare all and whatsoever Writs
the prices of the Footmantles be raised in the same way and by the same execution with the daily allowance aforesaid the Commissioners alwayes at the rising of each Parliament making the Footmantles forthcoming to the Shire to be disposed as they shall think fit XXXVI Act anent Presentation of Ministers FOrasmuch as the Kings most Excellent Majesty considering how necessar it is for the right and orderly administration of Gods Worship and the exercises of Religion and for keeping of His good Subjects within their duties they owe to GOD to His Majsty to their native Countrey and fellow Subjects especially at this time after so many confusions and distractions both among Church-men and others That more then ordinary care be had in presenting of Ministers to all such Kirks as are or shall be vacand within this Kingdom hath given particular Commission under His great Seal as to all Presentations to all Personages Vicarages and other Benefices and Kirks at His Majesties presentation And as to all other Benefices and Kirks whereof the presentation belongs to any other Patron or Patrons whatsoever His Majesty with advice and consent of His Estates of Parliament Statutes and Ordains That all Patrons or Persons whatsoever who hath or pretends any right to the Presentations to any Patronages Vicarages or other Benefices of cure Kirks or modified Stipends be carefull in all time coming that Presentations to these Benefices Kirks or Stipends be granted by them to such persons only as shall give sufficient evidence of their Piety Loyalty Literature and peaceable Disposition And shall in presence of the Patron or his Atturney and of the Sheriff of the Shire Stewart of the Stewartry or heretable Baily or Commissar of the bounds if it be in the Country and of the Magistrates of the Burroughs within the Burgh before the granting and their accepting the Presentation take and subscribe the Oath of Alleagiance the said Sheriff Stewart Baily Commissar and Magistrates having first taken the Oath themselves And it is hereby Declared That if any person who hath not so taken the Oath of Alleagiance shall be presented by any Patron not only shall the Presentation be void and null of it self but the right of the Patronage as to that vacancy shall belong to the Kings Majesty and the Patrons be repute dis-affected to His Majesties Government and contemners of His Royal Authority And Ordains thir presents to be printed and published at the Mercat Crosses that none pretend ignorance XXXVII ACT concerning the Bullion OUr Soveraign Lord with advice of the Estates of Parliament now presently conveened by His Majesties special Authority considering how much the penury and scarcety of His Majesties Coyn here in Scotland is occasioned by the meannesse and smalnesse of the proportion of Bullion at first imposed never heretofore considerably augmented notwithstanding His Majesties Customes have been several times augmented Enacts Statutes and Ordains That all Commodities lyable in paiment of Bullion shall pay according to the Rates mentioned in the Alphabet of Bullion after-following as the same is now augmented and condescended upon Which Alphabet of Bullion His Majesty with advice foresaid Ordains to be printed and published And to prevent all abuse and prejudice to the said Mint that may occur and fall out by the Customers exacting of His Majesties and His Predecessors their own Coyn from the Merchants exporters of the Commodities lyable in paiment of the quantities of Bullion as is aforesaid or else exacting so much per ounce of the said Merchant exporter to the great prejudice and utter destruction of the said Mint His Majesty with advice foresaid Statutes and Ordains that every Fermerer or Customer within this His Majesties Kingdom shall by the advice and concurrence of the several Clerks of Cocquet cause all and every Merchant whether Native or Forraigner exporter of the Commodities lyable in paiment of the quantities of Bullion set down in the aforesaid Alphabet of Bullion condescended upon and agreed to as the same is now augmented and Ordained to be printed and published find sicker Surety and Caution or give Pledges that he may answer for that Bullion equivalent in proportion to the quantity of goods exported be delivered to the Officers of His Majesties Mint and that of Forraign Bullion either Plate or burnt Silver twelve Denier fine and being baser to be considered by weight and reckoning and the said Surety or Pledges to be taken before the said Merchant receive his Cocquet Transire or other Warrand whatsoever for exporting the saids goods lyable in paiment of the quantities of Bullion as is aforesaid and Prohibites and Discharges all and every of the saids Customers and Clerks of Cocquet within this Kingdom to exact or receive any of His Majesties or His Predecessors Coyns or any other satisfaction whatsoever except the said Forraign Bullion at the fineness aforesaid and that not only under the pain of deprivation of their Offices but also of punishing of their persons and fining of them in their goods by the appointment and at the discretion of the Lords of His Majesties Secret Council and to the effect any such collusion or transaction may be discovered His Majesty with advice foresaid Statutes and Ordains that each person delating or discovering any such collusion or transaction as is aforesaid shall receive and have paid to him the third part of the value of the Bullion that was due to have been paid by the Merchant exporter but prejudice of the certification foresaid As also it is Statute and Ordained That the saids Customers their Accounts be controlled upon the quantity of Bullion delivered to the saids Officers of His Majesties Mint according to their Letters of receit thereof and what rests not delivered that the Customers be answerable therefore and that the saids Customers grant a convenient time for home-bringing of the said Bullion correspondent to the distance of the port at which the goods exported are to be delivered the longest time not exceeding seven moneths And in like manner it is Statute and Ordained That the Alphabet of Bullion as the same is now established and appointed to be printed and published be of full force from the date of thir presents And that all Commodities exported after the said day be lyable to the several proportions of Bullion therein contained notwithstanding of any Act or Acts made or to be made in this present Parliament in favours of any Manufactories Companies of Fishing or Trade or other Acts whatsoever which are hereby Declared not to impede the paiment of Bullion augmented in manner foresaid Follows the A B C. of Bullion as it is now established by our Soveraign Lord and Estates of Parliament A AShes Pot-ashes Wood or Soap-ashes the last four ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Aquavitae the barrel containing ten gallons two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Alum ilk two hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver twelve Denier fine Anniz-seids ilk hundred weight two ounces Bullion Silver