At Edinburgh the twenty day of May 1645.  
THe Committee of Estates taking to their consideration the traitorous designs of the intestine enemy against this Kingdom, specially the Town of Dundie, as being a place of very great importance and concernment, and the divers assaults made be them thereupon; Together with the resolution and courage of the Inhabitants of the said Town, in opposing this Enemy; Whereupon hath followed not only the slaughter of many of the said's Inhabitants of consideerable condition, but also a great part of the bigging of that Town, with the Corns and Movables belonging to the Inhabitants thereof, hath been burnt to ashes; whereby the said Town (which was one of the chief of this Kingdom) is fearfully defaced, and the Inhabitants, most part of them ruined; the Town itself disabled to undergo these services and burdens for the public, which formerly they did, and without supply and help, this so steadable a member of the Commonweal, is like to decay. And the Committee of of Estates finding this Kingdom obliged by the mutual League and Covenant, not only to be sensible of their sufferings, for this good and common Cause, but also to do what in them lies to set up the losses of the said Town, and to uphold the same from decay; And being confident of the affection and charity of all good Patriots, and Christians of this Kirk and Kingdom, for advancement of so good a work, as is the upholding of the said Town; which hath been a bar to the overflowing outrages of the public Enemy, and doth still strengthen themselves against the same, in regard the enemy does not cease, but is rather enraged with desperate spite and malice against the said Town. Therefore the Lords and others of the Committee of Estates hath recommended, and be the tenor hereof Recommends the condition of the said Town to the Christian and charitable consideration of all persons of whatsomever rank, quality, or degree, in Kirke and Sat within this Kingdom, and to the whole Judicatories, Civil and Ecclesiastical within the same. Requesting and desiring them, and every one of them to extend such proportion of their liberality and charity for the relief of the Inhabitants of the said Town, as the importance of the Cause requires. And the said's Lords hath entrusted the collection of this contribution and benevolence to such persons as shall be nominate and authorised be the Provest, Bailies and Council of Dundie. Giving, granting, and committing unto them full power and commission to deal and travel with the whole Noblemen, Barons, and Gentlemen, Synods, Presbyteries and Sessions of Kirks, Burrows towns and Villages and all others his Majesty's subjects to Burgh and Land, anent the benevolence and voluntary contribution to be given for the supply of the said Burgh. Which Commissioners shall have a book delivered to them be the Clerk of the , whereof every leaf shall be marked be him. And wherein the Committee requests the Contributers to insert their contributions. And if any by flouth or negligence omit to do the same, that the Commissioners insert themselves, and report their diligence herein, with their books to the Committee upon the day of _____ To the intent they may know what sums are collected and how the same shall be employed. And the said's Commissioners shall give their great and solemn oath at the reporting of their diligence and books, that they have not omitted nor left out of the said's books, any of the persons contributers nor sums contributed, Requesting hereby the Moderators of Synods and Presbyteries to give direction to the Ministers of their several Parishes to stir up their Parishioners to put to their helping hand to this so important and necessary a business. This Commission to endure for the space of a year after the date hereof. And the Committee declares, that what shall be gotten for supply of the said Burgh, be virtue of this Commission, shall be accounted in part of payment of their loss, for trial whereof, commission is granted.  
Extractum Per me. Arch: Primrose Cler: Commiss. Par.