The rates of marchandizes as they are set down in the Booke of Rates for payment of the Kings Majesties customes, and import of wynes within his kingdome of Scotland: the famine booke being signed by his Majestie, and subscryued be the Lords auditors of His Heighnes Exchecker, and sealed with the great seale of his said kingdome. And by special commandement from his Majestie published in print, for the information and direction of all sic as the famine doth concerne.

251 Act of his Maiesties 15 Parliament xix of December 1597. All Marchandize brought within this Realme sould pay Custome.

OVR SOVERAIGNE LORD, And Estates of this present Parliament, ratifies, approues and confirmes the act made at Dondie, the thirtenth day of Maij, the yeare of God, ane thousand, fiue hundreth, ninetie seaven yeares, anent OVR SOVERAIGNE LORDS Customes, of the whilk the tenour followes. FOR-SA-MEIKLE As it is vnderstand to the Kings Majestie, his Nobilitie, Councell and Estates, presentlie conveined, that the subjects of all Fo∣raine Nations, whilks brings and transports any kynde of claith, or others waires or marchandize, from any Foraine Countrie, to their awne natiue Countrie, hes bene in vse, and yet still continues in the payment of certaine custome, or other exaction therefore, cheeflie at the tyme of their arrivall, and in-comming within the famine: And almaist few or nane of the subjects of any Realme exeemed there-fra (the subjects of this Countrie onely excepted) wha be reason of ane alleaged by-past immunitie, claimes the priviledge of exemption: Albeit it can not be denyed bot his Majestie is a free Prince, of a Soveraigne power, hauing als great liberties and prerogatiues be the lawes of this Realme, and priviledge of his Crown and Diadame, ay any other King, Prince or Potentat whatsomever: And therefore aught to haue the like custome and exaction, for intertaining of his Princelie Estate of al claith and others wares and marchandize to be brought within this Realme, by his Heighnes subjects, at all times hereafter. For the whilk purpose his Majestie with advice of his said Nobilitie, Councell and Estates, hes thought meet, concluded and ordeined, that all claith and others Marchandizes what-some-ever to be

broght within this Realme from all foraine Nations, sall pay the custome following, at the tyme of their arrivall and entrie therein, in all tyme comming: That is to say, Twelue pennies of every pounds worth of all sorts of the saids wares or mar∣chandize. And to this effect, his Heighnes, and his saids No∣bilitie, Councell and Estates, giues full power and commission to the Lords, Auditours of his Exchecker, and others of his Nobilitie and Councell, to the number alwayes of elleven per∣sons, at the least, to set down the A. B. C. of the custome of all claith, and others wares and marchandize whilks sal be broght and enter within this Realme yearlie hereafter: With power lykwaies to them to set pryce vpon the saids wares: conforme to the whilk the Customers to be appointed by his Majestie to that effect, sall vp-lift custome thereof: And to make all other ordinances necessar for the ease of the Marchants, and suretie his Heighnes custome, in the execution of the premisses. And also of sic others gudes to be transported forth of this Re∣alme, as are not as yet expressed in the A.B.C. alreadie made. Provyding this act be not extended to Earles, Lords, Barrons and Free-halders; but it sall be lesome to them, to send their gudes beyond sea, for their awne particular vse. AND ALS it sall be lesome to them to bring within this Realme, Wynes, Claiths, and other furnishings, for their awne particular vse; and na waies to make marchandize thereof, conforme to the lawes and liberties granted to them of before. The whilk act aboue written, OVR SOVERAIGNE LORD, and Estates foresaids, decernes and declares, to stand as ane law in all tyme comming.