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C R  〈…〉 A PROCLAMATION, Against the Importation of Irish Victual and cattle.  
CHARLES', by the Grace of GOD, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith; To Our Lovites, _____ Messenger, Our Sheriffs in that part, conjunctly and severally, specially constitute, Greeting:  
Forasmuch, as We and Our Estates of Parliament, by several Acts, have (upon divers weighty considerations,) discharged the Importation of all Irish Victual and cattle into this Kingdom, under the pains, and certifications therein contained: And whereas the Lords of Our Privy Council have emitted several Acts and Proclamations in pursuance of the said's Acts of Parliament, notwithstanding whereof, and of all the care and endeavours taken, to hinder and prevent the importing of Irish Victual and cattle, finding the same is imported into this Kingdom: And considering the best and firtest way for preventing thereof, might be to commissionat some persons of Power and Authority in the several places of the Country where the said Victual and cattle is ordinarily brought in and landed. We therefore, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council have thought fit, to grant full Power, Authority, and Commission to Our Right trusty and well beloved Cousins and Councillors, Archibald, Earl of Argyle, and George, Lord Rosse, and to Our well beloved, Richard Murray of Brughtoun, by themselves, their Deputs, Servants, and such as they shall think fit to appoint (for whom they will be answerable) to search for, seize, and apprehend all Irish Victual and cattle, and Salt-beef made thereof, that shall happen to be imported from Ireland unto this Kingdom in the particular places after-specified, viz. The said Earl of Argyle in all places, from Lechlung to the Mule of Kintyre, and round about the same. The said Lord Ross in all places, from the Burgh of Glasgow, to the March of Galloway on the South, and from Glasgow, to Lochlung on the North: and the Isles of Arran, Bute and Comray: and the said Richard Murray, from the March of Galloway, to the March of Nithsdale. And for the more ready and effectual prosecution of the said Commission, have granted full Power and Authority to the saids Earl of Argyle, Lord Ross and Richard Murray by themselves, their Deputs, servants, and such as they shall think fit to entrust in the respective bounds foresaids, to secure all Barks, or travelling Boats whether Scots or Irish, until the Skippers or Owners shall find Caution that they shall import no Irish Victual or cattle hereafter. The said's Commissioners or their foresaids are thereby authorized to search all Barks, Boats, or other Vessels, wherein any Irish Victual or cattle are suspected to be; and to seize and secure the same, incase they find the said's prohibited Goods therein; And for better discovery thereof, all Merchants, Skippers, or Owners of Boats, Barks, or other Vessels travelling to and from the places foresaids, are thereby ordered before they break bulk, or liver any goods, to advertise the said's Commissioners, or these entrusted by them at one or other of the Ports following, viz. at the Point of Garvel near Greenock, the Towns of Largs, Irving, Turnberry, Dumbarton, Rothesay, Brodick, Dinnon, Tarbet, Campbletoun, Innerarey, Portpatrick, Glenluce and Kirkudbright (at which Ports, Offices are established to receive these Advertisements;) under the pain of Confiscation of the said's vessels and goods, and being holden as confessed Importers of Irish Victual: Provided that the Skippers or Owners, shall not upon such occasion be obliged to wait longer than one Tides water. If upon pregnant presumptions the said's Commissioners, or these entrusted by them shall suspect any person or persons guilty of importing Irish Victual or cattle, they are thereby authorized to conveen any such person or persons before the nearest Magistrate in Burgh or Landwart, and to lead all manner of probation against them for proving thereof: whereupon the said's Magistrates are to give present and ready justice. All Sheriffs, Stewarts, Bailyes of Royalties, Regalities, and Baronies, and all Heretors are thereby ordered to give their speedy and ready assistance to the said's Commissioners, or these entrusted by them, when ever they shall be required, either as to the searching of vessels by night or day, making open and patent doors, searching of sellars, or other suspect places for Irish Victual or cattle, which they are thereby authorized to do. As also the Officers of any Garrison are obliged to concur, and assist them with a Party of soldiers as they shall be desired upon any extraordinary occasion. In case any seizure be made by the saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them; The Heretors' next adjacent to the said place are thereby required to cause carry the Victual to some convenient place nearest, until Our Council shall give order thereanent: And these so employed shall be paid by the person who makes the seizure for each horse carriage; not exceeding two shilling scots the mile. The said's Commissioners, or these entrusted by them are thereby empowered with consent of the Magistrate of the place to send any person or persons to prison who shall be found guilty of contraveening the said's Laws, or shall be contumacious in refusing to depone; The Magistrates of the place being always free of the prisoners charges: In which case, the Magistrates are to secure the prisoners and their vessels, and to be comptable for them: And in case any person or persons shall make open resistance against the saids Commissioners, or these entrusted by them in the execution of Our said Commission, and that there shall happen bloodshed, mutilation or slaughter to follow, through the said resistance; It is declared that the said's Commissioners, and these entrusted by, or giving assistance to them, shall never be called in question, or pursued therefore civility or criminally in time coming. And further, by the said Commission, it is declared, that the same shall no ways free or liberat the Importers or resetters of Irish victual or cattle, or Heretors upon whose ground the same shall be imported, but that they shall continue still liable to the pains and penalties appointed by the saids Acts of Parliament and Council; As if the said Commission had never been granted: Which Commission is to begin and take effect, from, and after the first day of January next, and to continue until the first day of January, 1678 years. And to the effect, all Our lieges and others concerned, may have due and timeous notice thereof, We have thought fit, that these Our Letters of publication of the same should be direct in manner under-written. Our Will is herefore; and We charge you straight, and command, that incontinent these Our Letters seen ye pass, to the Mercat-crosses of Edinburgh, Glasgors Dumbariours, and other places needful: And thereat, in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation, make publication of the Premises; to the effect, that all Our Liege's, and others concerned, may have due and timous notice of Our pleasure in the Premises, and may give ready obedience to Our Commands therein, as they will be answerable at their highest peril.  
Given under our Signet at Edinburgh, the fourteen day of December, and of Our Reign, the twenty eighth year, 1676. Per actum Dominorum Secriti Concilii. Tho. Hay. Cl. Sti. Concilii.  
GOD save the King.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to the King's most Sacred Majesty. 1676.