[1645/11/307]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
The estates of parliament, now convened in the fifth session of this first triennial parliament, have ratified, approved and confirmed and do hereby ratify, approve and confirm the acts and articles set down and condescended upon at Edinburgh upon 10 March 1643 by the lords and other commissioners for the manufactories (appointed by his majesty and the parliament in 1641 by virtue of the commission then granted to them by act of parliament) for the advancement of virtue within this kingdom, cherishing of poor people who are willing to work and for restraining idle, sturdy beggars and masterless vagabonds who are a burden to the country, as the best ways and means to erect and support manufactories of all sorts within this kingdom, especially such as be made of wool. Which acts, articles and overtures are particularly mentioned and set down in the printed paper of the said 10 March 1643, and then ordained by the commissioners for the manufactories to be printed and published at the market crosses of the head burghs of this kingdom, and copies thereof to be sent to the moderator of every presbytery for every parish within each presbytery, to be read at every one of the said several kirk doors after divine service upon a Sabbath day, that none pretend ignorance thereof, as the aforesaid printed paper of the date above-written more fully purports and bears; together also with the proclamations made according thereto in the whole heads, articles and clauses of the aforesaid acts, articles and overtures resolved, set down and condescended upon by the said commissioners for the manufactories and contained in the printed paper of the date aforesaid, according to the tenor thereof in all points and proclamations made thereupon. And the estates of parliament interpose the authority of parliament to the said acts, articles and proclamation respectively aforesaid, and ordain the same to have the force and strength of laws and acts of parliament according to the tenors thereof as said is.