[1644/1/12]¹

Procedure: commission to Mr Alexander Foulis

Deputation to Mr Alexander Foulis to be subcollector of the loan and tax

The convention, having read and considered the deputation underwritten produced by [Sir Adam Hepburn of] Humbie, they do allow thereof and ordain the same to be registered, whereof the tenor follows:

Be it known to all men by these present letters, me, Sir Adam Hepburn of Humbie, knight, one of the senators of the college of justice and collector general of the loan and tax lately appointed to be raised by the late convention of estates, forasmuch as the said convention of estates, by their act and commission of the date 17 August last, did nominate and appoint me to be general collector of the sum and loan of 1,200,000 merks, with 100,000 merks allowed by the said act for the expenses in collecting thereof and for exemptions mentioned in the said act, and of the tax of £120,000 appointed by the said estates to be raised and uplifted within this kingdom in manner and for the causes mentioned in another act of the said convention of estates, dated 15 August last, and by the which act and commission granted to me as general collector aforesaid, the said convention of estates have given power and warrant to me to nominate and appoint deputies and under-receivers under me (for whom I shall be answerable) for receiving the said loan and tax respectively from the several commissioners and subcollectors for shires and parishes and other intromitters thereupon and indebted in payment of the same. As also to nominate and appoint subcollectors for the whole shires of the kingdom where the same are not already nominated by the said act of convention, for receiving, collecting and bringing in thereof, as the said gift and commission granted by the said convention of estates to me as general collector aforesaid at more length purports. And I having experience of the fidelity and ability of Mr Alexander Foulis, lawful son to the late George Foulis of Ravelston, for exercising and discharging the said office and place of general collector depute to the said loan and tax respectively, therefore, namely by me, the said Sir Adam Hepburn, general collector aforesaid, to have nominated and appointed, likewise I, by this act, nominate, appoint and constitute the said Mr Alexander Foulis general collector depute for me for receiving the said loan and tax respectively from the several commissioners and subcollectors for shires, burghs and parishes and intromitters thereupon indebted in payment of the same, and give and grant to him the said office of general collector depute, with all privileges, liberties and immunities pertaining and belonging thereto or which may pertain or belong to the same or has pertained or belonged to the office of general collector depute of any preceding taxations. With power to the said Mr Alexander Foulis to crave, exact, receive, intromit with and uplift the aforesaid sums appointed and ordained to be raised by way of loan and tax respectively out of every shire, burgh, parish and land within this kingdom and from the several commissioners and collectors for shires and subcollectors for parishes and from all others liable in payment of the same or either of them respectively, and to raise and direct letters and all manner of execution requisite for collecting and payment thereof, either in my name or his own name or both, and to cause put the said letters to due execution, according to the tenor of the said act of convention. As likewise with power to the said Mr Alexander Foulis, general collector depute aforesaid, to give and subscribe acquittances and discharges in his own name, which I will by this act shall be as sufficient to the receivers as if the same were subscribed and delivered by myself; and with power to the said Mr Alexander Foulis to nominate and appoint subcollectors for the whole shires of the kingdom (if there be any as yet not nominated) for receiving, collecting and bringing in the said loan and tax respectively, and generally all and sundry other things anent the premises likewise and as freely in all respects as I, by virtue of my said gift, or any other collectors general of any preceding taxation, their deputies, subcollectors and under-receivers and all other officers have done heretofore, providing always, likewise it is hereby provided and ordained, that the said Mr Alexander Foulis shall be accountable to me and the said estates of this kingdom or to the committee to be appointed by them having power for that effect for account and reckoning of his intromission with the aforesaid loan and tax respectively and for his diligence anent the same. And for more security, I ordain this act to be registered in the books of the aforesaid convention of estates or in the books of the aforesaid collection and loan, there to remain for future memory, and for registering hereof, constitutes [...] my procurators, promising concerning authorisation etc. In witness whereof, written by William Wright, servant to Alexander Ogilvie, writer in Edinburgh, and subscribed by me at Edinburgh, 3 January 1644 before these witnesses, Robert Neill, my servant, and the said William Wright, writer hereof, and William Cairns, servant to the said Sir Adam. Signed thus, A. Hepburn, with my hand, R. Neill, witness, W. Cairns, witness.