[1643/6/24]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Forasmuch as various ships, barks and other vessels pertaining to his majesty's good subjects of this kingdom have been spoiled, robbed and burnt, and the sailors and passengers cruelly tortured, demeaned and made captives by some frigates of Dunkirk or the Irish rebels, who have waited on the said ships and vessels upon the north coasts and other parts of this kingdom as they were in their lawful course of commerce and trade, especially towards Ireland for supply of the Scottish army there, resolving thereby not only to undo that army for want of necessary supplies from this kingdom, but also to interrupt the course of trade by sea, to the great prejudice of the nation; and these robbers have so strengthened themselves by increase of their number as no ships can go from here without hazard. In regard whereof, the noblemen and commissioners now presently convened, finding it their bound duty in this national and extreme necessity to provide for his good subjects and securing of the nation from these and similar robberies and piracies, especially by making use of the shipping of this kingdom for that effect as they find occasion, which cannot at this time be so well employed as in the service aforesaid, therefore ordain macers or messengers of arms to pass to the market cross of Edinburgh and other places needful, and there by open proclamation to command, charge and inhibit all and sundry owners, masters, mariners or pilots of ships that none of them presume nor take upon hand to undertake any voyage or send or conduct any ship belonging to any of the subjects of this kingdom out of the same without express licence and warrant in writing from the said convention of estates until 1 August next, under the pain of confiscation of the ship and goods; in respect of which if they fail, the said pain shall be executed upon them without favour.