The Grievances Represented by the Estates of Scotland, to the KING'S Majesty, to be Redressed in Parliament. Together with His Majesty's Instructions to His Commissioner, for Redressing the same. Published by Authority. Instruction 2. 1. THE Estates of the Kingdom of Scotland, Do Represent, That the Committee of Parliament, called the Articles, is a great Grievance to the Nation, and there ought to be no Committees of Parliament, but such as are freely Chosen by the Estates, to prepare Motions and Overtures that are first made in the House. Instr. 4. 2. That the first Act of Parliament 1669. Is inconsistent with the Establishment of the Church-Government, now desired, and aught to be Abrogate. Instr. 6. 3. That Forefaultures in prejudice of Vassals, Creditors and Heirs of Entail, are a great Grievance. Instr. 10. 4. That the obliging of the Liedges to Depone upon Crimes against Delinquents, otherways than when they are Adduced in special Processes, as Witnesses, is a great Grievance. Instr. 7. 5. That Assizes of Error are a great Grievance, and that Juries be considered by Parliament. Instr. 8. 6. That the eighteenth Act of Parliament 1681. Declaring Accumulative Jurisdiction, is a Grievance. Instr. 9 7. That the Commissariot Courts, as they are now Constitute, are a Grievance. Instr. 7. 8. That the Twenty seventh Act of Parliament 1663. Giving to the King Power to impose Custom at pleasure, upon Foreign Import and Trade, is a Grievance, and prejudicial to the Trade of the Nation. Instr. 11. ●. That the not taking an Effectual Course to Repress the Depredations and Robberies by the Highland Clans is a Grievance. Instr. 13. 10. That the Banishment by the Council of the greatest part of the Advocats from Edinburgh, without a Process, was a Grievance. Instr. 12. 11. That most of the Laws Enacted in the Parliament Anno 1685. are Impious and Intolerable Grievances. Instr. 14. 12. That the Marriage of a King or Queen of this Realm to a Papist, is Dangerous to the Protestant Religion, and aught to be provided against. Instr. 19 13. That the Levying, or Keeping on Foot a Standing Army in time of peace, without Consent of Parliament, is a Grievance. Instr. 15. 14. That all Grievances relating to the Manner and Measure of the lieges, their Representation in Parliament be Considered and Redressed in the first Parliament. Instr. 16. 15. That the Grievances of the Burrows be Considered and Redressed in the first Parliament. Hamilton. WILLIAM R. Instructions to Our Right Trusty, and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin and Councillor, William Duke of Hamilton, Our Commissioner for holding the First Session of Our next ensuing Parliament of Our Ancient Kingdom of Scotland. 1. YOU are to pass an Act for turning the Meeting of Estates into a Parliament; and the three Estates are to consist of the Noblemen, Barons, and Burgesses. Grievance 1. 2. You are to pass an Act for Regulating the Articles, to consist of twenty four persons, besides the Officers of State, whereof eight are to be chosen by the Noblemen, of their Estate; eight by the Barons, and eight by the Boroughs, of their Estate: And in case of the Decease of any of these persons, that Estate out of which the person Deceased, shall supply the same: These are to prepare Matters and Acts for the Parliament, but not to exclude the Parliament to take any Matters into their Consideration, though it hath been thrown out, or rejected in the Articles; and all former Acts, especially the first Act, Parliament 1st, Ch. 2, Sess. 3d, inconsistent with this, are to be Rescinded. 3. You are to pass an Act Recognising Our, and the Queen's Royal Authority, and Right of the Crown; Ordaining an Oath of Allegiance to be taken in place of all former Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, Declarations and Tests. Griev. 2. 4. You are to pass an Act, Establishing that Church-Government, which is most agreeable to the Inclinations of the People, rescinding the Act of Parliament 1669, and all other Acts inconsistent therewith. 5. You are to endeavour to pass an Act for raising such a supply, as may be necessary for securing the Kingdom from the present danger, and Foreign Invasion. Griev. 3. 6. You are to pass an Act, that Forfeitures shall only be extended to such Interest as the Rebel had, and that Innocent Vassals, or Lawful Creditors for Debts upon Record shall not be prejudged, nor such Heirs of Entail, whose Rights of Succession are established by a public Infestment. Griev. 5. 7. You are to pass an Act, either to take away Assizes of Error, or otherwise, that they shall take Place as well against a Jury that Condemns, as a Jury that Assoilzies any Pannal. Griev. 6. 8. You are to pass an Act, rescinding the 18th Act of Parliament 1681. asserting the Prerogative in Point of Jurisdiction. Griev. 7. 9 You are to pass an Act, regulating the Abuses in the Commissary Courts, and all other Inferior Courts. Griev. 4. 10. We are satisfied, that an Act should be passed for securing the Liege's against Inquiries by way of Inquisition, but in Respect of the present Juncture of Affairs, this matter would be well considered by the Parliament; and therefore when the Terms of this Act shall be adjusted, you are to transmit the same to US, that We may give you particular Instructions thereanent. Griev. 9 11. You are to endeavour to procure an Act for an Effectual Course for Redressing the Depredations, and Robberies by the Highland-Clanns, and when this Matter is digested, you are to transmit the Proposals to US, that you may get particular Instructions thereanent. Griev. 11. 12. You are to pass an Act, rescinding such Acts as were made in Parliament 1685. as are justly grievous to the People. Griev. 10. 13. You are to pass an Act, that no Person be Banished out of the Kingdom, or from any part thereof summarily without a Process. Griev. 12. 14. You are to pass an Act, that the Kings, or Queens of that Realm shall not Marry with Papists under this Certification, that a Popish Queen Consort, or the Husband of a Sovereign Queen shall be incapable to enjoy the Benefit, or, Advantage of any Provisions, or Settlements, which the Law provides, or particular Contracts, or Agreements may have secured to them. Griev. 14. 15. You are to pass an Act that the greater Shires of that Kingdom, such as Lanerk, Air, Perth, Fife, Aberdeen, and Midlothian, or others where it shall be found convenient, may send three or four Commissioners, to Parliament, that the Representation may be the more equal. Griev. 15. 16. You are to pass an Act, ratifying the Privileges of the Burroughs, and securing their Rights, in Electing of their own Magistrates for the Future, and that the Burroughs of Glasgow and St. Andrews shall have the Electing of their own Provosts, Bailies, and Town-Council, as the other Royal Burroughs of the Kingdom have. Griev. 8. 17. You are to endeavour to procure an Act, or Acts for the Encouragement of Trade, and if the 27th Act of Parliament 1663. be found inconvenient, it may be regulated, or rescinded, and when the Proposals are adjusted you are to transmit them to US, that you may receive our Instructions thereanent. 18. You are to pass an Act for regulating the Universities, so as good Order and Discipline may be preserved, and that Pious and Learned Persons may be employed and provided. Griev. 13. 19 You are to pass an Act against a standing Army in time of Peace, but so as the Guards, Garrisons, and necessary standing Forces may be continued. 20. You are from time to time to adjourn the Parliament as you shall find necessary, and in respect the meeting may not be fully convened upon the 5th Day of June, which is appointed for the first Diet; Therefore after passing the first Act of turning them into a Parliament, you are to adjourn them to the 17th Day of the Month. 21. You are impowered to confer the Honour of Knighthood upon such Persons as you shall find deserving of the same, not exceeding the Number of Six. You have particular Instructions anent what is represented to US, as Grievances, if there be any other things that may be necessary for the Good of that Kingdom to be passed into Laws, you are to acquaint U S, from time to time with such Overtures, that you may be authorised with particular Instructions thereanent. Given under Our Royal Hand and Signet, at Our Court at Copt-Hall, the 31th day of May, 1689. And of our Reign the First Year, By His Majesty's Command, Melvill. William R. An Additional Instruction to Our Right Trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and Councillor, William Duke of Hamilton, our Commissioner. YOu are to Nominate Our Right Trusty, and Well beloved Cousin and Councillor, William Earl of Crawfurd, to be Precedent of the first Session of Parliament, in regard We have no Chancellor for the time being. Given under Our Royal Hand and Signet, at Our Court at Copt-Hall, the 31th day of May, 1689. And of our Reign the First Year. By his Majesty's Command, Melvill. WILLIAM R. Additional Instructions to Our Right Trusty, and Right Entirely beloved Cousin and Councillor, William Duke of Hamilton, Our Commissioner. 1. BY the Second Article of your Instructions, Dated the 31th of May last, you was impower'd to pass an Act for regulating the Committee, Called the Articles, which were to consist of Twenty four persons, besides the Officers of State; Notwithstanding of which, These are to authorise you, to pass an Act for them to consist of Thirty three Persons, besides the Officers of State; whereof Eleven to be chosen out of every Estate, according to your former Instructions, who are to prepare Matters, etc. as is therein expressed, not excluding the Parliament to take Matters into their Consideration, though it hath been rejected in the Committee, nor to prevent their moving of any thing, and regulating of it to them, and the said eleven out of every Estate● to be chosen Monthly, or oftener, if the Parliament think it fit, and all former Acts especially the first Act Ch. 2. Sess. 3. inconsistent with this, are to be Rescinded. 2. You are to pass what Acts shall be proposed for settling the Church-Government, according to your former Instruction. 3. You are to pass an Act, Rescinding all Forfeitures passed against any of Our Subjects, either in Parliament, or Criminal Court, since the first day of January 1665. which shall be thought fit by the Parliament to be Rescinded: Likewise you are to consent to what Our Parliament shall propose for Restitution to be made of Fines, or Compositions for Fines, or Forfeitures, from those who had the Benefit of them, and you are to Rescind such Acts as were made in the year's 1681. and 1685. as are justly grievous. although the first of the above Instructions is not complied with yet, you are to move the other two, and have them past before any Adjournment. Given under Our Royal Hand and Signet, at our Court at Hampton Court, the 4th Day of July, 1689. And of our Reign the First Year. By His Majesty's Command, Melvill. WILLIAM R. Additional Instructions to Our Right Trusty, and Right entirely beloved Cousin and Councillor, William Duke of Hamilton, Our Commissioner. 1. YOu are to touch the Act already past, abolishing Episcopacy as soon as you can, and to Rescind all Acts inconsistent therewith. 2. You are to Rescind the Act passed in 1685. annexing Forfeitures to the Crown. 3. By the third Article of your Instructions, Dated the 4●h instant, We did empower you to reduce all Forfeitures passed against any of Our Subjects since January 1665. Now We do Authorise you to pass what Acts shall be proposed for reducing Forfeitures, etc. since the year 1660, if the Parliament desire it, and to consent to what shall be proposed for making restitution of Fines, or Compositions for Fines or Forfeitures, as is expressed in the Article, and you are to touch what Acts passes conform to this. 4. You are to recommend to the Parliament to raise a Supply of Money for paying the Army, and supporting the Government, according to your first Instructions. 5. You are to allow the Parliament to choose Committees for the three foregoing Instructions notwithstanding the Committee of the Articles be not appointed, as also for what concerns Church Government. Given under Our Royal Hand and Signet, at Our Court at Whitehall, the 17th day of July 1689. And of Our Reign the First Year. By His Majesty's Command, Melvill. Printed at London, and reprinted at Edinburgh, 1689.