A PROCLAMATION  
Discharging Persons to Travel to Ireland without Passes.  
WILLIAM by the Grace of God, King of Great Britain France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, To Macers of Our Privy Council, Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that part, Conjunctly and Severally, specially Constitute; Greeting,  
Forasmuch as, seve●●al Vagabounds and other Idle persons have been in use to haunt and frequent this our Kingdom, for several years by past, during the Summer time only, and have retired themselves into the Kingdom of Ireland, how soon the Winter did approach; as also many young men have put themselves out of settled Service, that they might be at the greater Liberty to withdraw themselves and retire out of the Kingdom, whenever Recruits were to be made up for our Service, or the time of making the Levies appointed by Act of Parliament drew near, to the great prejudice of our Service, and Increase, and Encouragement of Vagabounds and idle persons, who might be well employed therein: for Remedy whereof, We with Advice of the Lords of our Privy Council do strictly prohibit and discharge all persons whatsomever, either as Passengers or howsoever, otherways Employed in Ships, or Boats, to go or Transport themselves into the Kingdom of Ireland, without sufficient Passes under the hand of one of the Lords or others of Our Privy Council, or of the Sheriff of the Shire, Stewart of the Stewartry, or Bailies of the ●eg●lity or Bailliery, within whose Bounds the persons intending for Ireland does dwell and reside, bearing their Names, Designations, and places of their Abode, and Inployment for the last year preceding; and We wi●h Advice foresaid, do hereby Require, and strictly Command all Collectors of our Customs, Surveyors, Clerks, Waiters at the several Ports, and all Masters, and Sea men of Ships, Barks, or Boats, that they suffer no person whatsomever to Pass or Transport themselves to the said Kingdom of Ireland, without they be furnished and provided with a sufficient Pass, granted in manner abovementioned, as they will be Answerable at their highest Peril; and if any shall attempt to Transport themselves to the said Kingdom, otherways then is above provided, that they seize upon their persons, and deliver them to the next Magistrate by him to be committed and detained in Prison till farther Order. Our Will Is Herefore, and We Charge you strictly, and Command, that incontinent, these Our Letters seen ye pass to the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh, and to the Mercat Crosses of the whole Remanent Head burgh's of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and there in Our Name and Authority by open Proclamation make Intimation hereof, that none may pretend Ignorance; and Ordains these Presents to be Printed.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the Thirtieth first of December, and of Our Reign the Seventh year, 1695. Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii, GILB ELIOT Cls. Sti. Concilii, 
 GOD Save the King.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty, 1695.