[M1706/10/33]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Prayers said.
Rolls called.
Minutes of the last sederunt read.
Address of the barons, freeholders and others within the shire of Mid-Lothian, subscribing the same, against a union with England in the terms of the articles, given in and read.
The sixth article of union again read, and a proposal given in for adding the word 'drawbacks' to both clauses of the said article, which was agreed to.
And the said article as so amended was again read, as also the proposal mentioned in the minutes of the last sederunt in relation to oats and oatmeal, with the addition of a further clause in these terms: and that the bear of Scotland have the same rewards and drawbacks as barley.
And it was likewise moved that another clause should be added thereto allowing the same premium or drawback on the exportation of oatmeal as is allowed on the exportation of rye in England, and, after debate thereupon, it was agreed that the sixth article with the proposals for amendments should be remitted to a committee.
Thereafter there was a clause offered to be added to the said sixth article in these terms, namely: but Scotland for the space of [...] years after 1 May next shall be free from and in no way subject to the prohibition and restrictions made against exporting of wool, skins with wool upon them and woollen yarn, which, by the oaths of the seller and buyer, shall be made appear to be the proper growth and product of Scotland and spun within the same, which shall in no way be comprehended under any of the laws already made in England or to be made during the space aforesaid.
As also a clause in these terms, namely: excepting and reserving the duties upon export and import of such particular commodities from which any persons, the subjects of either kingdom, are specially liberated and exempt by their private rights, which after the union are to remain safe and entire to them in all respects.
And likewise another clause in these terms: that after the union all sorts of Scots linen or any kind of cloth made of flax or hemp be exported out of the united kingdom free of all customs or other impositions whatsoever.
And another in these terms: that before the union we may now have such a drawback adjusted as may enable us to export beef and pork and butter to the West Indies and other foreign parts, which will be a considerable branch of our trade after the union.
And likewise another clause in these terms: that from and after the union all duties or bounty-tolls or other exactions upon black cattle or any other product of Scotland when carried into England, or product of England when carried into Scotland, payable either to the public or private persons, shall in all time coming be void and null.
And another clause in these terms: that from and after the union the kingdom of Scotland shall have liberty for ever to manufacture plaiding, fingering, Galloway-whites, sarges, stockings and all sort of linen as they have been in use to do, according to the regulations contained in their own laws, and to export the same to England or dominions and plantations thereto belonging or to any other place beyond seas free of any duty or imposition whatsoever to be laid thereon. But in case any of the subjects of that part of united Britain now called Scotland shall export any other sort of woollen manufacture than what is above-mentioned, they are to be liable to the regulations and taxes of England imposed before the union or to be imposed by the British parliament after the union.
And it was agreed that all the clauses above inserted should be likewise remitted to a committee.
Whereupon it was moved that the sixth article and proposals and additional clauses relating thereto should be remitted to the committee for examining the calculation of the equivalent, which was agreed to.
Thereafter it was also moved that a further number of the members of each estate should be added to the said committee, and thereupon a vote was put add or not, and it carried add.
Then it was moved that two of each estate be the number to be added, and likewise moved that the number of four of each estate be added. And, after some reasoning, it was put to the vote two or four, and it carried two; and the next sederunt of parliament appointed for choosing the additional members.
Then the seventh article of union was read, and the reasoning thereupon delayed until the next sederunt of parliament, to be then proceeded upon prior to all other business after choosing of the additional members for the committee.
Then the lord chancellor, by order of her majesty's high commissioner, adjourned the parliament until tomorrow at 10 o'clock.
[James Ogilvy, earl of] Seafield, chancellor, in the presence of the lords of parliament