A DECLARATION OF HIS HIGHNESS' COUNCIL IN SCOTLAND, For the Election of MAGISTRATES.  
WHereas by an Ordinance of His Highness the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, bearing date the twelfth of April, one thousand six hundred fifty four, Scotland is United into one Commonwealth with England, and therein it appears, That the Shires and burgh's of Scotland, by their Deputies convened at Dalkeith, and again at Edinburgh, did before the then Commissioners of Parliament, accept of the said Union and assent thereunto, and did promise to live peaceably under, and in obedience to the Authority of the Commonwealth of England, exercised in Scotland. And, whereas by an other Ordinance of His Highness, Entitled, An Ordinance of Pardon and Grace to the People of Scotland, It is desired, that they may be made equal sharers with those of England in the present settlement of Peace, Liberty and Property, with all other Privileges of a Free People; The Council in pursuance thereof, taking all the Premises into their consideration, As also, the many prejudices that may arise to the good People, Burgesses and Inhabitants of the several Cities, burgh's and Incorporations within this Nation, from the want of the due Nomination and Election of their respective Magistrates according to their Laws and Customs; And to the end the Inhabitants of the said Cities, burgh's, and Towns may receive all due encouragement, and have Government and justice righteously administered unto them; Do declare, That all Prohibitions as to Elections of Magistrates are taken off; And that all Cities, burgh's, and Towns Corporate in Scotland, to whom the Privilege of Choosing their Magistrates belongs, may from henceforth Meet and Conveen for that end, within their respective Cities, burgh's and Towns, and there proceed to the due and lawful Nomination and Election of their respective Magistrates, wherein the said Council expects due and particular care be taken, That no person be chosen who is dangerous to the Commonwealth, dis-affected to the present Government, or scandalous in Life or Conversation; Which Persons qualified, duly Elected and Chosen as aforesaid, are, and shall be the Magistrates for the ensuing Year: And, the Council do likewise further Declare, That in case this Declaration shall not come so soon to all the burgh's, as that they may Elect their Magistrates by the times limited in their Charters respectively; That in such case such burgh's, not having such timely notice thereof, may proceed to the Election of Magistrates for their burgh's respectively, as aforesaid, that day fortnight. Provided always, That in the Oath of their faithful Administration of justice, and in all other Cases where formerly the Name or Style of King, or, Keepers of the Liberty of England, hath been used in the exercise of the aforesaid Government of the said Cities, burgh's and Towns, The Name of His Highness, The Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the Dominions thereunto belonging, be inserted and used.  
EMMANUEL DOWNING, Cl. of the Council.   

Monday 24. September 1655., At His Highness' Council in EDINBURGH.  
ORdered, That the above Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published  
EMMANUEL DOWNING, Cl. of the Council.   

EDINBURGH, Printed by Christopher Higgins in Hart Close, over against the Tr●●e Church. 1655.