ACT Of the Committee of Estates for bringing up of Deficients and Runaways, and Quartering of them, and for ane account from the Shires of their diligence in execution of former public Acts.  
April 23. 1645.  
THe Committee of Estates, Taking into consideration The many Acts of Parliament, and Orders sent to the Shires For raising and putting out of their Deficients and Runaways of the former Levies, And the small effects that the same hes wrought hithertils, upon pretext that there is no allowance settled for the maintenance of these Soldiers & Runaways till they be carried to their Colours; Notwithstanding that the same be provided to be out of the readiest of the Fines of such as have reset any of them, And out of the Excise, conform to the Act of Parliament made the 14 Junii 1644. And the Act of Parliament made the 18 of Julii 1644. Both in the first Session of this present currant Parliament: Therefore they have ordained, Likeas the Committee of Estates by their presents ordain, That whatever Deficients or Runaways shall be apprehended within any Shire by the Commissioners of the Shire appointed for that effect, Shall be entertained from the time of their first apprehending till they be sent to their Colours, out of the first end of the Fines of Deficients and Resetters of Runaways, at the rate of Four shillings Scots a day the Foot, And Horsemen at Fourteen shillings, sua long as they stay within the Shire where they are or shall be apprehended, And four shillings a day thereafter, till they be brought to their Colours and Companies, They Matching 12 Milesilk day at least; And the Horsemen at Fourteen shillings daily, they Marching 20 Miles daily: And failing of the foresaids Fines of Deficients and Resetters of Runaways, That the same be paid out of the Excise of the Shire within the which the saids Deficients and Runaways shall happen to be apprehended and put out, as said is: And to that effect ordains the Commissioners of ilk Shire for uplifting of the said's Fines, and the Collectors of the Excise respectiuè, as said is, To advance to the Committee of War within the several Shires the said's sums for entertainment and upbringing of the saids Deficients and Runaways to their Colours and Companies. And sicklike the Committee of Estates ordains, that whatever Deficients or Runaways shall be apprehended within any Burgh by the Magistrates of the Burghes, who are both Commissioners within themselves for Deficients and Runaways, And als Collectors of the Excise and Fines of the Deficients and Resetters of the Runaways, Shall be entertained from the time of their first apprehending till they be sent to their Colours, out of the first end of the Fines of Deficients and Resetters of Runaways, at the rate of Four shillings Scots a day sua long as they stay within the Burgh where they are or shall be apprehended, and Four shillings a day thereafter till they be brought to their Companies and Colours, They Marching 12 Miles ilk day at least, And Horsemen as aforesaid: And failing of the foresaids Fines of Deficients and Resetters of Runaways, That the same be paid out of the Excise of the Burgh within the which the said, Runaways and Deficients shall happen to be apprehended and put out, as said is. And to that effect, ordains the Magistrates and Commissioners of ilk Burgh for uplifting of the said's Fines, and the Collectors of the Excise respectiuè, as said is, To advance to the Committee of War of the Shires respectiuè, within the which the said's burgh's lies, The foresaids' sums for entertainment and upbringing of the saids Deficients and Runaways to their Companies and Colours. And to the effect the Committee of Estates may get an account of the diligence of the Shires and Burrows respectiuè, in putting out of Deficients and Runaways, and exacting of the penalties of the Resetters, and in putting their Shires and burgh's in a Posture of War, and performing all other public duties, conform to the public Acts given out for that purpose, They do ordain Messengers of Arms To pass and charge the Committee of War of the several Shires within this Kingdom, To compeir by one of their number sufficiently instructed by them, before the Commit of Estates at Edinburgh, or where it shall happen them to be for the time, upon the day of _____ Provided to give an account of the particulars foresaids, And to hear and see course taken thereanent, conform to the Acts made thereanent, With certification to the Committees of War if they failyie therein, The Committee will proceed and Fine them and every one of them, in such sums as shall be thought fitting, And Letters direct against them for payment of the said's Fines: And declares that ane Copy hereof being given Judicially to the Conveener or Precedent of the Committees of War respectiuè at their Session, in presence of these who shall be present, shall be als sufficient against the whole persons on the Committees of War respectiuè, as if ane Copy hereof had been given to every one of them in particular.  
Arch. Primrose.