PROCLAMATION, For putting former Acts and Proclamations anent Beggars in Execution.  
WILLIAM and MARY by the Grace of GOD, King and Queen of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, Defenders 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 many good Laws have been made by Our Royal Predecessors, for maintaining the Poor, and relieving the lieges from Vagabonds, in Prosecution whereof, several Proclamations have been Emitted by Our Privy Council, for the better putting the saids Laws in Execution, notwithstanding whereof, Due Obedience hath not been hitherto given to the same; So that the Poor are not duly Provided for, nor the Vagabonds restrained in many places: Therefore We, with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, hereby Require and Command the Ministers, heritors, and Elders of every Paroch, and householders, and Inhabitants within the same respectivè, to follow forth, observe and give ready obedience to the Acts of Parliament, and Proclamations of Our Privy Council, already made and Emitted thereanent. And further, We, with Advice foresaid, Require and Command, the Sheriffs of the several Shires and their Deputs, Justices of Peace, and magistrates of the Royal Burghs of this Kingdom, within their several Jurisdictions, to take trial how far, and in what manner the saids Acts of Parliament, and Proclamations of Council have been obeied and put to execution, comform to the Tenors thereof; and where any have neglected or been deficient and wanting in what is Required of them by the saids Acts and Proclamations, to Amerciat and Fine them therefore in manner therein specified and prescribed; And if any difficulty shall happen in the after Prosecution thereof, through what cause or occasion soever, not provided for by the saids Laws and Proclamations already Emitted thereanent; the magistrates respectivè foresaid, are hereby required to Represent the same to the Lords of Our Privy Council, that they may give such order thereanent, as may bring this good Work of relieving the Poor, and restraining Vagabonds to the desired issue. For the better effectuating whereof, We, with Advice foresaid, Have Nominat and Appointed a Committee of the Lords of Our Privy Council, to receive in any Representations from the magistrates respectivè above-named; And likewise with Power to them to call and convene before them the Sheriffs and other magistrates respectivè foresaid, to whom the Execution of the saids Acts and Proclamations are committed; and particularly the magistrates of Edinburgh, and to Examine and take trial of their Negligence in the said Matter, and to modify the Fines and Penalties to be exacted from them for the same, and to Report their Opinion therein to a full Council, the first Council Day of September next. 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 remanent Mercat-Crosses of the Head-Burghs of the several Shires within this Kingdom, and there, in Our Name and Authority, make public Intimation of the premises, that none may pretend Ignorance.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh, the last Day of July. And of Our Reign the sixth Year, 1694. Per actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii. GILB. ELIOT, Cls. Sti. Concilii.  
GOD Save King William and Queen Mary.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to Their most Excellent Majesties, Anno DOM. 1694.