I ⁷ R  
DIEV ET MON DROIT  
HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE   royal blazon or coat of arms  
ACT OF PRIVY COUNCIL, Discharging the Export of Oysters forth of this Kingdom, for the space of three years.  
Edinburgh, the first day of December 1687.  
WHereas, by reason of the frequent Export of Oysters forth of this Kingdom, in great quantities, not only the Scalps of Oysters are like to perish, but exorbitant Rates are exacted off the lieges, for such of them as are sold within this Kingdom: Therefore, the Lords of His Majesty's Privy Council, Do hereby expressly Prohibit and Discharge all Merchants, Skippers, Mariners and others whatsomever, from Exporting Oysters forth of this Kingdom, for the space of three years after the Date hereof, under the pain of Confiscation of the Ship, Boat or Bark, in which any Oysters shall be so Exported, or payment of the value of such Ship, Bark or Boat for His Majesty's use, besides what other punishment the Council shall think fit to inflict upon the Contraveeners toties quoties. And further, The saids Lords Do hereby Require and Command all Magistrates Collectors, Waiters, Customers, and others at Seaports, to take special notice, that the said's Prohibit Goods be not Entered or Embarked, and in case the same shall be offered to be Entered, or shall be Embarked without their knowledge; Ordains them upon notice thereof, to stave and destroy, not only the Boats who shall furnish any Oysters to be Exported, but to seize and secure the persons Owners of the Boats, until further Order from the Council, as they will be answerable at their peril; and do hereby expressly Prohibit and Discharge all and every of the lieges, to furnish Oysters to Foreigners for Export: Declaring hereby, that the person or persons so furnishing, shall be Fined as the Council shall think fit, the one half of the Fine being to be applied for His Majesty's use, and the other half to the Informers, for their encouragement, and that toties quoties, as said is; And Ordains these Presents to be Published at the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, by a Macer of Council, and at all the other Mercat Crosses of the Head burgh's of the Shires of this Kingdom, and Seaports, that none may pretend ignorance. Extracted forth of the Records of Privy Council, by me  
COL. McKENZIE, Cls. Sti. Concilii. 
 GOD save the KING.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Sacred Majesty, Anno Dom. 1687.