Unto his Grace his Majesties High Commissioner, and the honourable Estates of Parliament, the petition of George Mackenzie sub-tacksman of the additional and annexed-excise of the northern shires.

DECLARATION In Favours of the BREWERS and TACKSMEN of the EXCISE, with the Tenor of the Representation given in by the Noblemen, Gentlemen, and Magistrats of the North Shires, concerning the Dearth and Famine in their Shires and Towns, with the Reasons why the Brewers have given up, and the Excise cannot be made Effectual; Viz.

WE the Noblemen, Barons and Heretors of the Shires of Angus, Merns, Aber∣deen, Bamff, and Be North; Considering that George Mackenzie Subtacks∣man of the Annexed and Additional Excise, has several Processes depend∣ing before the Commissioners of Supply and Excise, against several of our Tennents who have been in use of brewing upon our Ground, for their giving over that Trade of Brewing at this time: Do therefore Testifie and Declare, That there was an absolute ne∣cessity for their giving over, by reason of the want of Malt and Bear, and the Dearth there∣of this year; the price of the Malt and Bear giving with us 12 of 13 lib. Scots to Martinmas next, which is more than triple value of former years, being occasioned by the last years bad Cropt, and the unnatural Storms of Rain which fell out in Harvest last, and our Ten∣nents being in Arrear to us the full half part of their Rent in several places, so that by these Calamities the Brewers have given over, and generally quite broke, and the few that does Brew are not able to pay the foresaid price for the said Malt and Bear, with the double Ex∣cise; so that for this Season there is no hope of Brewing, and the scarcity and badness of the last years Cropt, has occasioned not only Dearth, but Famine to all the Poor, who are dy∣ing in several parts for Want, and a great part of the Land is not sowen for want of Seed, so that we are necessitat to discharge Brewing in several places: And to Order the making the Meal of Bear, and to keep up the famine for the use of the Poor, that are in a starving Condition. The like Scarcity and Want not being seen for many Ages. This We in all Humility, Represent to the Right Honourable the Lords of His Majesties Theasaury and Exchequer, praying them to consider the Condition of the Brewers and Tacksmen, and to forbid their Farmers to molest the said Brewers on their desisting from Brewing, by rea∣son of the foresaids sad Calamities, and to Discharge any Trouble to be given them on that account, that the Poor may have Bread, and not Starve, which even this will hardly pre∣vent.

The Names and Designations of the Subscribers, as follows, viz.

For Aberdeen-shire.

• EArl of Errol,
• Earl of Kintore,
• Lord Pitsligo,
• Sir Thomas Burnet of Lyes,
• Sir John Forbes of Craigievar,
• Samuel Forbes of Foyeran,
• Andrew Frazer of Kinmundie Sheriff-Deput,
• James Gordon of Seatoun,
• Robert Ross of Auchlossen,
• John Ʋdney of that Ilk,
• Roderick Forbes of Brux,
• George Keith of Creichy,
• James Moor of Stonywood,
• John Ʋdney of Newtyle.

For the Town of Aberdeen.

• Robert Cruckshank of Banchry, provost.

Bamff-Shire.

• EArl of Finlator,
• the Lord Boyne,
• James Abernethy of Birkenbog,
• Alexander Ogilvie of Foirgland,
• William Bumbar of Durn,
• Alexander Gairden of Troup,
• George L••slie of Burdsbank,
• Alexander Hay of Arnbath.

Angus and Kincardine-shires.

• DAvid Grahame of Fintrey,
• Hercules Scot of Brothertoun,
• Mr. Robert Burnet of Glenbervie,
• James Scot of Logie,
• William Barclay of Balmagequand.

Town and Shire of Inverness.

• GEorge Cuthbert of Castlehill,
• William Robertson of Inches,
• James Mackintosh of Termitt,
• Angus Mackintosh of Kelachie,
• William Duff of Diple,
• Hugh Frazer of Belladrum,
• William Baillie of Dr••nzeain,
• William Baillie Commissar of Inverness,
• John Grant of Corimonie.

Machpherson of Clunie,

• Mr. Daniel Polson of Kinmyle, Sheriff-deput of Inverness,
• William Frazer of Erchert,
• Alexander Frazer of _____ _____
• James Baillie of _____ _____

Cumming of Dalshanie

• Hugh Robertson, Provost,
• James Macklain Baillie,
• Alexander Duff of Drummor Baillie.

Cullen Town

• JOhn Baird Baillie,
• Patrick Sanders Baillie
• Thomas Murray Clerk
• John Lorimer Counsellor
• William Strachan Counsellor
• William Wall••ce Councellor.

Bamff Town

• ALexander Lesly of Kinninvie Provost,
• Walter Stuart late Provost.
• Robert Sanders Baillie
• Alexander Wallace Baillie
• James Ogilvie Baillie,
• George Leith late Baillie
• William Scot Dean of Guild,
• James perik Thesaurer

The Declaration of North Inverness, Ross and Cromarty, has this Addition, &c.

LIkewise, We declare, that by reason of the badness of the last years Cropt, there is such Scarsity of Beer and Malt here, that there is a great Dearth and Famine a∣mongst our Commons, and in several places, the Land is not Sowen for want of Seed, and all this Summer they could hardly get Beer to buy to make Meal thereof, and we are necessitate to buy up Beer wherever we can get it, and furnish them, to make Meal thereof, for the use of the poor that are in a Starving Condition. This we in all humility represent to the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesties Thesaury and Exchequer, to consider the Condition of the Tacksmen and Brewers, and to allow the Brewers their desisting that the Poor and Commons may have Bread and not Starve, which we are afraid of, if GOD in his Infinit Mercy prevent it not.

• SIR John Monro of Foulis
• Sir Alexander Mackenzie of Coul
• Hugh Monro Younger of Foulis
• David Monro of Kiltearn,
• David Monro of Teaninich
• William Monro of Teanerd,
• George Mouro of Culrain,
• John Beaton of Calwaskea,
• Sir Donald Bayne of Tulloch,
• Alexander Forrester of Culnald,
• Colin Mabkenzie Elder of Redcastle.
• Rod. Mackenzie Younger of Redcastle
• Rod. Mackenzie of Culcovie.
• Alexander Maskenzie younger of Dachmaluag:
• David Monro of Dalmoir,
• John Ross of Achnaloch,
• William Ross of Aldy,
• Alexander Ross of Pitherry,

Cromarty Shire

• Kenneth Mackenzie of Cromarty
• Alexander Clunies of Neilstoun
• Alexander Ʋrquhart of Newhall
• John Ʋrquhart of Craighouse

The Burgh of Tayne

• Walter Ross Provost of Tayne
• John Ross late Provost of Tayne
• Alexander Hay Baillie of Tayne,

The Burgh of Fortross

• Thomas Forbes Balilie of Fortross.

The Declaration by the Shire of Cathness has this Addition, viz.

WE the Commissioners of Supplie, and other Heritors of the Shire of Caithnese, un∣dersubscribing, Do hereby Testifie and Declare, that the Scarcity of Victual, and especially of Bear in the said Shire, for the Crops 1695. and 1696. is, and has been such, that none living among us have seen or felt a greater Famine, and that many have starved for want of Bread; So that the Excise cannot make near the half of what formerly it did, by reason of the foresaid Famine.

• Sir George Sinclair of Clyth
• David Sinclair of Freswick,
• Alexander Sinclair of Blebster
• James Sinclair of Forse
• William Suther and of Gees
• William Cunninghame of Reasbo
• John Sinclair of Stirkock,
• James Murray of Claden.
• Patrick Murrray of Scots-Cadel.
• Alexander Williamson of Borseskirk.

The Burgh of THORSO

• Alexander Rorieson Baillie of Thorso
• John Swanson Baillie of Thorso

The Burgh of WEEK,

• James Doul Baille of Week