[C1639/8/58]¹

[Overtures against the report of the subcommittee for the book of rates considered; supplications regarding the privileges of merchants and craftsmen debated]

In the report produced by the committee for the blue book, the commission for ordering the judicatory of the commissioners and clearing the limits thereof is granted to [James Hamilton, marquis of Hamilton], chancellor, [John Stewart, earl of Traquair], treasurer, [Robert Ker, earl of Roxburghe], privy seal, [Sir Thomas Hope of Craighall], advocate, [John Maitland, earl of] Lauderdale, [David Carnegie, earl of] Southesk, [John Elphinstone, lord] Balmerino, [Sir Alexander Gibson] of Durie, [Sir Andrew Fletcher of] Innerpeffer, [Sir James Learmonth of] Balcomie, [Sir William Cunningham], laird of Cunninghamhead, [Sir William Cunningham of] Caprington, [Master William Cunningham of] Brownhill, John Smith [of Grotehill], Patrick Bell and John Semple [of Stainflett], or any five of them, there being one of the said officers, one of the noblemen, one of the sessioners, one of the barons, and one of the burghs, the chancellor or treasurer or privy seal being convener and sine quo non, to meet 1 November, with power to appoint diets. Item, [Sir James Carmichael], treasurer depute, produced reasons in writing against some articles contained in the said report for the signet, which, being read by the articles, they considered and answered the same as is written upon the report. Item, [Sir John Scott of Scotstarvit], director of the chancellery, presented a supplication against the prejudices sustained by him through the change of the prices due to him contained in the report, which, being read and the reasons thereof considered by the lords of articles, they refused the desire thereof and allow the articles contained in the report produced.

The two supplications presented by the merchants, the one craving the explanation of some particulars formerly prohibited to be imported by the merchants, and that the merchants may have liberty to sell the said craftsmen's work, being made in the country; the other craving that no craftsmen may exercise the trade of merchandise. Which supplications being read and the reasons produced by the merchants, with the answer made thereto by the crafts, and the parties heard verbally, it is agreed that under the restraint of the goldsmith work, silver or gold passements, buttons or ribbons shall not be discharged and discharges the importation of all blacksmith work which has been heretofore made in this country, and as shall be made appear from time to time by the crafts to the council. Item, that the discharge of importation extends only to leather belts and not to embroidered belts or hatbands. Item, it is agreed that by this restraint the merchants are only prohibited the importation of foreign commodities for breaking book and selling in this kingdom, but not for transportation thereof to foreign kingdoms. Item, it is agreed that importation of chairs and stools shall be discharged. Item, the importation of leather belts and suchlike is discharged until the merchants make it appear to the council that the craftsmen are not able to serve the country. Item, that the merchants may import the blades and hilts of swords unmounted, which shall be mounted by the craftsmen at home. The remainder continued until tomorrow.