[Report of the committee read and additional clause approved; overture concerning additional premiums on exported victual read]

Then a second report of the committee to whom the sixth article is remitted was brought in and read in these terms: the committee of parliament appointed for considering the sixth article of the treaty of union and proposals made in parliament relative thereto, having considered the clause underwritten, are of opinion that it should be added to the articles of union as follows: and in respect the importation of victual into Scotland from any part beyond sea would prove a discouragement to tillage, therefore that the prohibition as now in force by the law of Scotland against importation of victual from Ireland or any other place beyond sea into Scotland do after the union remain in the same force as now it is.

And, after some reasoning, it was proposed to add to the above report the subsequent clause, namely: until more proper and effectual ways be provided by the parliament of Great Britain for discouraging the importation of the said victual from beyond sea.

And, after some further reasoning, the said second report was agreed to, and it was put to the vote add the above clause to the said report or not, and it carried add.

Thereafter an overture for an act for additional premiums on exportation of victual to commence 1 February and to end 30 April both next to come inclusive, given in and read, and agreed that the same be taken into consideration immediately after the reports relating to the sixth article of union.

[Reports of the committee read and approved; continuation]

Then a third report brought in from the said committee was read in these terms: the committee of parliament appointed for considering the sixth article of the treaty of union and proposals made in parliament relative thereto, having considered the clause mentioned in 27 November's minutes anent the making and exporting of plaiding, fingering, Galloway-whites, sarges, stockings and all sorts of linen to England, dominions and plantations thereof, or any part beyond sea, free of any duty or imposition; and having considered the English acts of parliament relative thereto, particularly the 32nd act of the first of William and Mary and the 20th act of William, 11th and 12th, in regard there appears to be no restraint at present regulating the way and manner of making English woollen cloths and others to be exported, and that all the woollen manufactures are declared to be free of duty and imposition whatsoever at exporting, and that by the said sixth article of the treaty of union all parts of the united kingdom are to have the same allowances and encouragements, therefore the committee are of opinion that the adding the aforesaid clause to the articles of treaty is unnecessary.

And, after debate, the vote was put approve of the said third report or not, and it carried approve.

Thereafter a fourth report was brought in from the said committee and read in these terms, namely: the committee to whom the consideration of the sixth article of the union and proposals made in parliament relative thereto are remitted, having considered that clause mentioned in 27 November's minutes that after the union all sorts of Scots linen or any kind of cloth made of flax or hemp be exported out of the united kingdom free of all customs or impositions whatsoever, after full reasoning on the said clause, the committee are of opinion that the adding of the said clause to the articles of the treaty of union is unnecessary, the English duty on linen being only 6d sterling on the 40 English elns.

And, after debate thereon, a vote was stated approve of the said fourth report of the committee or alter, and it carried approve.

Then the lord chancellor, by order of her majesty's high commissioner, adjourned the parliament until tomorrow at 10 o'clock.

[James Ogilvy, earl of] Seafield, chancellor, in the presence of the lords of parliament