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A PROCLAMATION, Anent Runaways, and Deserters from the Scots Regiments lately come from Holland.  
Present in Council, 

The Earl of Perth, Lord High Chancellor.  
The Duke of Queen's berry, Lord High Thesawer.  
The Earl of Drumlanrig.  
The Earl of Panmure.  
The Earl of Kintore.  
The L. Viscount Tarbet.  
The L. Livingstoun.  
General Dalyell.  
Lord Advocate.  
Lord Justice Clerk.    
JAMES by the Grace of GOD, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, To Macers of Our Privy Council, or Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that part, conjunctly and severally, specially constitute, Greeting:  
Whereas We are informed, that several of the Soldiers of Our Scots Regiments in the Service of the States. General of the United Netherlands, do daily desert and run away from their Colours, without the leave of their Officers, and that thereafter they are either harboured and employed in this Our ancient Kingdom, notwithstanding of this their Crime of deserting, or entertained in Our Forces here, to the great prejudice of Our Service, and the ruin of such Officers, whose , Moneys, and Arms they steal, and at whose Expenses they have been brought into the Service. We therefore with Advice of Our Privy Council, Do hereby strictly Forbid and Discharge any of Our Subjects from employing any of the said's Desercers and Runaways: And hereby Require all Our Sheriffs, Stewarts, Lords of Bailiaries, or Regalities, Magistrates of Burrows, and Officers of Our Forces, Justices of the Peace, and others having Our Authority, to search for, take, and apprehend all or any of the said's Deserters or Runaways, who have nor sufficient Passes from their Officers, and to commit them to Goal, until they shall be demanded by the next Officers having Our Orders for Recruiting those Regiments, to whom they are to be delivered: And if any of them shall be taken on in any of Our Forces, or Garrisons (not having good Passes as aforesaid) they are at the demand of the Officers authorized by Us to Recruit those Regiments, to be delivered unto them to be disposed of in the Regiments and Companies, as if they had been taken upon the place of their deserting: And herein we Require all Persons concerned to give obedience accordingly. And that Our pleasure in the Premises may be known, Our Will is, and We Charge you strictly, and Command that incontinent these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh, and all the other Mercat-Crosses of the Head-Burghs of the Shires of this Kingdom, and other places needful, and there in Our Royal Name and Authority, by open Proclamation make Publication of Our pleasure in the Premises, that all persons concerned may have notice thereof, and give obedience thereto, as they will answer at their peril.  
Given under Our Signet, At Edinburgh, the last day of July, 1685. and of Our Reign the first year. Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Concilij. WILL. PATERSON, Cls. Sti. Concil●● 
 GOD save the KING.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson, Printer to His most Sacred Maj●●●y, Anno 〈◊〉. 16●●…