[1585/12/12]¹

An act concerning fees of the seals and chamber and subscription of the officers

²Our sovereign lord, understanding of the grudge and complaint of diverse his loving subjects for alleged extortion used on them in taking of greater fees [for] seals by the ushers of his chamber and for subscription of his officers than heretofore has been accustomed, howbeit the ancient lovable custom ought not to be transgressed, therefore, by advice of his three estates convened in this present parliament, gives full power and commission to [John Graham, earl of Montrose], his highness's treasurer, master usher, [John Maitland of Thirlestane], secretary, [Andrew Wood of Largo], comptroller, [Walter Stewart, prior of Blantyre], keeper of the privy seal, [Sir Robert Melville of Murdocairnie], treasurer depute, [Sir Lewis Bellenden of Auchnoull], clerk of justiciary, [Alexander Hay of Easter Kennet], clerk register, [David MacGill of Nisbet and Cranstoun-Riddel], advocate, and director of the chancellery, or three of them, to convene, enquire and try by truth of registers and information of persons most ancient and of best knowledge what was the ancient and is the present form of payment for seal fees, chamberlain fees and subscriptions of his said officers, and to appoint such reasonable fees and duties as should be paid by his subjects in time coming, that they, knowing the certainty, may do that which becomes them without grudge or murmur; and in case they be extorted, may the better complain and seek remedy of his highness and his council, which ordinance allowed by his majesty and published shall have the like force and effect as if it were statute by his highness and his whole estates in parliament, until his next parliament and further until the same be discharged or reformed by parliament.