WR  
HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE  
DIEV ET MON DROIT   royal blazon or coat of arms  
PROCLAMATION Anent Petitoning.  
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, by Our Letter, under Our Royal hand, dated at Kensingteun, the twelfth of December instant, have signified to the Lords of Our Privy Council, That whereas We are Informed, that notwithstanding of Our Answer to the late Petition of the Council General of the Company of that Our Kingdom, Trading to Africa and the Indies, which We think aught to have given entire Satisfaction to all Our Good Subjects; Yet there is on foot a Design of Addressing Us of New, on the same heads, carried on after such a Manner, and with so little respect to Our Government, as gives Us too just Grounds to apprehend the Consequences, that We have never hitherto denied Our Subjects their just Privileges, nor will We ever discourage the Liberty of Petitioning, when the same is done in ane Orderly and Dutiful manner, But that having fully declared Our Mind, as to the Subject of the last Address, We cannot but take particular Notice of that unusual Method that is taken to procure Subscriptions to ane new one, And that some Persons, who signalise themselves in carrying on the same, have given no Evidence of their good affection to Our Government. And make it their Endeavour to lodge the late misfortune of the Company, on Proclamations emitted in the West Indies, though they cannot but be sensible, that the same did proceed from other Causes. And being convinced, that such Practices may tend to Alienat from Us the Hearts of Our good Subjects, and that it is necessary, for the Support of Our Government, and preserving the public Peace of the Nation, that they be discouraged and prevented, We did therefore Recomend to the said's Lords of Our Privy Council, to signify and make known Our Displeasure, and Dis-satisfaction with such proceedings, and to take the most effectual Methods consistent with Law, for discouraging the same: And for preventing these that are well inclined to Our Government, from Joining with them, Wherefore, We, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, have thought fit, that public Intimation be made in manner underwritten, of Our Displeasure, and Dissatisfation with the foresaid Proceedings, And that We will take the most effectual Methods consistent with Law, for Discouraging the same, and for preventing these that are well inclined to Our Government from Joining with them, 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 Remanent Mercat Crosses of the whole Head burgh's, of the several Shires, and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and thereat in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation make Intimation of the Premises, that none pretent Ignorance. And Ordains Our Solicitor to transmitt Copies to the Sheriffs, Stewarts and their Clerks for that effect. And Ordains these presents to be Printed.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh the Eighteen day of December, and of Our Reign the Eleventh Year 1699. Ex deliberation Dominorum Secreti Concilii. GILB. ELIOT. Cls. Sti. Concilii. God save the King.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, Anno Dom. 1699.