PROCLAMATION For Discovering and Apprehending House-breakers, Thiefs and Robbers, and their Resetters.  
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 it is certainly informed, that of late there has been many Houses broken, and that this Crime of House breaking is become is a manner general over all the Kingdom, by Thiefs and Robbers, who have stolen, rob, and away-taken, great quantities of Goods out of the said's Houses, to the great loss and damage of many people; and to the effect that the said's Thiefs and Robbers may be discovered, and brought to condign punishment: Therefore We, with advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, have thought fit by open Proclamation to give notice, that if any person or persons shall discover any of these Thiefs, Robbers, and House-breakers, or their Resetters, so as that they may be apprehended and brought to punishment, they shall have the Sum of an hundred pounds' Scots Money as a Reward for every person that shall be discovered and apprehended, so as they may be brought to punishment, as said is. As also, if any of these Thiefs, Robbers and House-breakers, or the Resetters, shall discover any of their Accomplices, so as that they may be apprehended and brought to punishment, as aforesaid, the discoverer shall not only be indemnified for the Crime, but likewise have the foresaid Reward. And farther, We with Advice foresaid, recommend to, and empower all Our good Subjects, to seize and apprehehend all Idle and Vagrant Persons, or Vagabonds, and bring them before the next Justice of Peace, or other Magistrates to Burgh or Landwart, to be by them secured as Law will. 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 other remanent Mercat Crosses of the hail Head burgh's of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and thereat in Our Name and Authority, by open Proclamation make Intimation of the Premises, that none pretend ignorance. And ordains these presents to be Printed and Published.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the second day of August, and of Our Reign the twelfth year 1700. 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 King's most Excellent Majesty, Anno DOM. 1700.