[1535/15]¹

The matter of money and coin²

³Item, for the retention of money in the realm, it is statute and ordained that the acts made thereupon of before in our sovereign lord's time that now is, and by his most noble progenitors of good mind, whom God absolve, be put to execution in all points and that searchers be made thereto according to the tenor of the said acts. And where any person is apprehended passing out of the realm having money with him in opposition to the tenor of the said acts, of whatever estate or degree he be of, the searchers shall have the third part thereof for their labours and the remainder to be brought in to the king's use and account to be made thereof yearly in the exchequer. And presently the lords of articles make and constitute James Colville of Easter Wemyss, Master Adam Otterburn [of Auldhame and Reidhall] and Sir John Campbell of Lundie, knight, all personally present, universal searchers over all the realm, with power to deputise under them others at all ports and harbours, for whose diligence and their own they shall be held to answer to the king's grace. And because the matter of coin is complex and not well decided but with the advice of men of craft and those that are expert in the aforesaid, therefore, the lords ordain [William Stewart, dean of Glasgow], lord treasurer, [Sir James Colville of Easter Wemyss], comptroller, [James Lawson], provost of Edinburgh, Sir John Campbell of Lundie, [James Foulis of Colinton], clerk register, Master Francis Bothwell and [James Kincragie], dean of Aberdeen to convene with such other craftsmen and men of experience as they please to take to them to consult and devise in this matter, and as they devise and think to be done in the said matter according to the article, to refer again to the lords of the articles, and to do likewise regarding the mines, and that Sir James Hamilton of Finnart, knight, be with them regarding the devising of the aforesaid matters.