By ANDREW FRASER (designed) of Kinmundie, Sheriff-Deput of Aberdeen.  
ADVERTISEMENT for Collecting His MAJESTY'S Revenue of Inland excise, within the Sheriffdooms of Kincardine, Aberdeen and Bamff.  
WHereas the High and Potent (his Grace the Duke of Queensburry) Lord high Thesaurer of SCOTLAND, by his warrant of date the tenth day of October instant, hath Commissionat Me to regulat and appoint the manner of Collecting the Inland excise of Ail, Beer, Brandie and strong Waters to be browen and vented after the last of this instant within the Shires of Kincardine, Aberdeen and Bamff, and to give Advertisement that no Brewer presume to leave off their brewing and venting upon any pretext whatsomever: and also that I should appoint Collectors and Overseers, and give them reasonable allowance in each Shire or parts thereof as I shall find needful, for taking notice of the quantities browen and vented, and inbringing the excise thereof to the Cass-keeper, not exceeding two Marks for each Boll of Malt browen and vented conform to the Acts of Parliament thereanent, and with power to call the present Collectors or Tacksmen of excise and others concerned to give a clear account of the Condition and State of the current excise, and that I send Parties (if need be) for ordering these matters, as in the said Commission at more length is expressed: In Obedience to which, These are Intimating to all Brewers and Ventners within the said Shires, that they continue their Trade of brewing and venting as they will be answerable, wherein if they failie they will be punished to the outmost rigour that Law will allow, and to be looked upon as disaffected and seditious persons, and imbaselers of His MAJESTY'S Revenue: And to the effect they may be encouraged in their brewing, These are signifying that discreet and understanding Collectors will be immediately appointed in each presbytery, and these Collectors will receive such Instructions as may be most conducible for the orderly inbringing of the excise, and with most ease to, and equality amongst the Brewers, who may in this expect as much favour and fair dealing as any others within the Kingdom, and judicious Persons will be appointed to hear and redress their just Complaints if any be: And therefore, seeing that such equal and fair ways will be taken for Stenting and Collecting the said excise in these Shires, and that there is no impediment why the Brewers may not take such competens Pryces for their Ail, Beer, and strong Waters as may answer the value of the Malt, with the excise and reasonable Profit, they can pretend no just excuse for not continuing to brew and vent these Liquors, which if they fail to do, it will be inquired into, and looked upon as contempt of Authority in those that give over brewing, or yet shall advise any so to do: And further, to the effect his Grace my Lord High Thesaurer may be truly informed of the present state of the current excise, and the manner of Collecting thereof at any time their three years' last by past; Therefore these are requiring all Magistrates of burgh's, all Collectors or Tacksmen of excise within the said Shires, that they immediately bring in to Me subscrived lists of all Brewers within their bounds, whether those that be ordinary Brewers, or those that be extraordinary Brewers at Mercats, Weddings, or other public Occasions, and the Quota that each Brewer pays weeklie, or in set, and after what manner, and to whom, whether it be to the Collectors or Tacksmen, or to their Masters in whose Land they dwell, or others appointed for that end, where the excise is laid upon the Land-Rent; and that the lists be so exact as that they may make faith thereon, and that if their Books be not clear thereanent they may yet take pains thereon, by calling for lists of their respective Parishes within their bounds, and all Heritors and others concerned are required to give concourse, and that either by themselves or Chamberlanes they give up the Names of the Brewers, and Quota of their payments when ever they shall be required by the Tacksmen and Collectors thereanent, and that the whole Tacksmen and Collectors give account of their diligence to Me at my House in Aberdeen, betwixt and the twelfth day of November next as they will be answerable, or else Parties will be direct for that effect. And that none pretend Ignorance their presents are forthwith to be Printed, and Published at the Mercat Cross of the head burgh's of the respective Shires, and Copies sent to each Parish Kirk thereof, direct to the Conveener and Reader of these Parishes to be publicly read the next Lord's Day immediately after Divine-Service, and that the Conveener or Reader return executions of the publications thereof to the nearest Collectors of excise, to be transmitted to Me within eight days thereafter, as they will be answerable to Authority.  
Given under my hand at Aberdeen, the twenty eight day of October, 1685 Years. ANDREW FRASER.