Page:The Laws and Acts of Parliament of Scotland.djvu/602

 32. The fir ft 'Parliament of Act 37, XXXVII. AU concerning the Bullion. OUr Soveraign Lord, With advice of the Eftates of Parliament, now prefently conveened by His Majefties! fpecM Authority, confidering how much the penury and icarcety of His Majefties Coyn here ill Scotland, is cccafioned by the meannefle and fm'alnefle of the proportion ot Bullion at firft impofed, never heretofore considerably augmented ; notwithftanding His Majefties Cuftomes have been feveral times augmented, Ena&s Statutes and Ordains, That all Commodities lyable in paiment of Bullion, ihall pay according to the Rates menrioned in the Alphabet of Bullion after-fol- lowing, as the fame is now augmented and condefcended upon. Which Alphabet of Bullion, His Ma* jefty with advice forefaid, Ordains to be printed and publifhed. And to prevent all abufe and pre- judice to the faid Mint, that may occur and fall out by the Cuftomers exacting of His Majesties, and His predeceflbrs, their own Coyn from the Merchants exporters of the Commodities lyable in paiment of the quantities of Bullion, as is aforefaid, or elfe exacting fo much $>e r ounce of the faid Merchant exporter, to the great prejudice and utter defiruction of the laid Mint, His Maiefty, with advice forefaid, Statutes and Ordains, that every Fermerer, or Cuftomer, within this His Majefties Kingdom, fhail by the advice and concurrence of the feveral Clerks of Cocquet, caufe all and every Merchant, ( whether Native or Forraigner) exporter of the Commodities lyable in paiment of the quantities of bullion, let down in the aforefaid Alphabet of Bullion condefcended upon, and a- greed to, as the fame is now augmented and Ordained to be printed and publifhed, find ficker Surety and Caution, or give Pledges that he may anfwer for, that Bullion equivalent in proportion to the quantity of the goods exported, be delivered to the Officers of His Majefties Mint, (and that of Forraign Bullion J either Plate or burnt Silver, twelve Denier fine, and being bafer, to be confidered by weight and reckoning, and the faid Surety, or Pledges, to be taken before the faid Merchant receive his Cocquet, Tranfire or other Warrand whatfoever, for exporting the faids goods lyable in paiment of the quantities of Bullion, as it is aforefaid ; and Prohibites and Dilcharges all and every of the faids Cuftomers, and Clerks of Cocquet within this kingdom, to exa£t or re- csceive any of His Majefties, or His Predeceflbrs, Coyns or any other fatisfa&ion whatfoever; ex- cept the faid Forraign Bullion at thefinenefs aforefaid, and that not only under the pain of deprivation of their Offices, but alio of puniihing their perfons, and fining of them in their goods, by the ap^ pointmentand at the du'cretion of the Lords of His Majefties Secret Council; and to the effe£t any fuch collufion or tranfaftion may. be difcovered, His Majefty, with advice forefaid, Statutes and Or- dains, that each perfon delating or difcovering any fuch collufion, or tranlaclion, as is aforefaid, fhaH receive and have paid to him, the third part of the value of the Bullion, that was due to have been paid by the Merchant exporter, but prejudice of the certification forefaid. As alfo, it is Statute and Ordained, That the faids Cuftomers, their Accounts be controlled upon the quantity of Bullion de- livered to the faids Officers of His Majefties Mint, according to their Letters of receit thereof; and what refts not delivered, that the Cuftomers be anfwerable therefore ; and that the faids Cu- ftomers* grant a convenient time for home-bringing of the faid Bullion, correfpondent to the diftance of the port, at which the goods exported are to be delivered ; the longeft time not exceeding feven moneths. And in like manner, it is Statute and Ordained, That the Alphabet of Bullion, as the fame is now eitablifhed and appointed to be printed and publifhed, be of full force from the date of thirprefents. And that all Commodities exported after the faid day, be lyable to the feveral propor- tions of Bullion therein contained ; notwithstanding of any Ad or Acts, made or to be made, in this prefent Parliament, in favours of any Manufactures, Companies of Fifhing or Trade , or other Adts whatfoever ; which are hereby Declared, not to impede the payment of Bullion, augmented in manner forefaid. Follows the A> B, C. of Bullion, as it is now eftabliftjed by our Soveraign Lord and Eftates of 'Parliament. Bullion. J A Silver, twelve 'Denier pie. Shes, £ot-afhess, Wood, or Soap-afhes, the laft.. — — four ounces. Aquavits, the barrel containing ten gallons ■ -two onnces. Alum, ilk two hundred weight, two ounces. Anniz-feeds, ilk hundred weight - ■■■■■■ -■■ • i -. — ^_ _. -two ounces. Apples, ilk two bolls, or ilk four barrels = — - —— — — two ounces. B