Proposal of an act to be past, for restraining of the expenses of apparel

a*
PROPOSAL
Of an ACT to be pa$, for Reftraining of the Expenfes of Apparel.
UR SOVERAIGN LORD, Confklering the great Advantage that doth accrue to the Nation,
by Manufa&oring their own Product $ Do therefore with Advice and Confent of the Eftates of Parlia¬
ment, ftri&ly Prohibite and Difpharge, not only the Importing by any Merchant, or other perfon
whatfomever ; But alio the wearing of any of His Majefties Subje<5ts,or others dwelling or refiding with¬
in the Kingdom, of any Gold, or Silver Threed, or Fiiegran, Gold, or Silver-Lace,Freinges or Trea-
fings, all Buttons of Gold or Silver-Threed, or Fiiegran, all manner of Cloaths, Stuff or Ribbons, in
which there is any Gold or Silver-Threed to be worn upon, all Wearing Apparel, or Horfe-Furniture,
and all the Counter fits of them r That is, the Importing thereof after the Day and Date of thefe Pre-
fents, and the wearing thereof at any time, or in any place, after Whitfunday next to come, under the
pains following. To the Importer, and llefetter of the Import, of the Burning and Deftroying of what
mal be Imported, contrary to this Prohibition,and to be furder Fined in the Sum of five hundred Merks.
And as to the Wearer, that the perfon wearing the famen, befummarly Attached by any of His Maje¬
fties free I eidges, brought before any judge Ordinary on the place, and by him upon Convi&ion, im-
mediatly Fined in the Sum of five hundred Merks toths quotiesfay and actour Confifcation of the Subjedl,
upon which any of the Goods above Prohibit ihal be found. Which five hundred Merks, is cither im-
mediatly to be payed, or the perfon Fined therein, to be immediatly Imprifoned, unlefs he find good
and fufficient Caution to make due Payment thereof, within the fpace of thirty days thereafter without
any Sufpenfion. And the faid Fine to be applied, half thereof to the Attacher or Difcoverer, the Pro¬
curator Fifcal of the place if Difcoverer, included ,* and the other half to the judge himfelf, either for his own ufe, or theufe of the Poor, as
he fhal think fit* L^e*w,His Ma/efty with Confent forefaid, ftri&ly Prohibits and Difcharges all Merchants, or other perfons whatfomever,to
Import to this Kingdom any For raign Holland, Lin^n, Camrick, Lawn, Dornick, Damask,Teicken, Buften or Dimmity, Tufted or Stript
Holland, Silefia or Eaft-India Unen, Bafes,Cairfes, Sarges Milned, orUnmilned3 Droggats, and all other Stuffs made of Linen, Wool or Lint,
except Flanel and Muflen : all Forraign Stockens, Silk or Woolen,all Forraign Laces made of Silk, Gimp or Threed, all Forraign Lace, all
Bougil, all Poynt White or Coloured, all Forraign-made Gloves, Prohibited by a former A& in the year all Forraign Shoes or
Slippers, all Wearing-Cloaths made Abroad, for Men, Women, or Chiidren, excepting Wearing-Cloaths wanting Silver or Gold**Threed, or
Linens brought Flome by perfons for their own ufe, who have been Abroad and there ufed the fame : And they are hereby allowed half a year
for wearing their faids Cloaths after they come into this Kingdom ,• and if they be found wearing them after the half year is elapfed, then they
flial be Attached and Fined in five hundred Merks ,* which five hundred Merks is to be applied as aforefaid- dnd farder. His Majefty with Con¬
fent forefaid. Prohibits and Difcharges the Importation or Wearing any Silk-Stuffs, that are above twelve /hillings Sterling Value the Ell her e;
Excepting always from this prefent A (ft, all Goods that fhal be Imported by the African-Comfany 3 Conform to their Rights, Liberties and Privi-
ledges; except as to the wearing of Gold and Silver-Threed; with Certification, that ail fuch Goods as lhall be Imported contrary hereto* fhal
be Burnt and Deftroyed; and the Importers^or Refetters of the Import, Fined in the Sum of five hundred Merks ; and the Tackfmen or Colle-
iftorsof the Cuftoms^and all their under Officers and Servants,(for whom the faids Tackfmen or Colledors are declared lyable) are hereby ftrid-
ly Required and Commanded tofearch for. Seize, Apprehend, Burn, and Deftroy any of the faids Goods prohibite, that (hall be Imported con-
itrare to this A<ft s With Certification, if they fuffer the faids Prohibite Goods to be Imported, cither by Toilerance, Connivance,or Componing,
they fhall not only Amitte and lofe their Offices, but (hall alfo be Fined iji the Sum of one thoufand Merks totks quoties, and the Tackfman or
Collecftor, lyable for his Sub-Tackfmanor Co 11 eft or as faid is; which Tollerance, Connivance or Compofition, fhall be probable by Writ, Oath
of Party, or Witneffes; and the Fine (hall be applicd,two part to the Informer,and a third to the Judge for himfelf; or for the ufe of the Poor as
he fhall think fit. And His Ma/efty with Confent forefaid, doth hereby farder Impower the Lords of His Ma/efties Privy Council, to extend
the Prohibition contained in this Aft, to fueff other Cloaths and Stuffs of all forts, for the ufe of Man as they mall think fit. And likeways, to
give fuch farder Orders as may be conducing to make the Prohibition above fet down, the more effeftual. And farder it is Declared, that this
Aftion is, and dial be Competent to any of His Ma/eftics Leidges, to Seize and Purfue for the laid? Prohibite Goods, and to make fearchfor the
famen with the Afliftance of a Judge, And it is likewife Declared, That all Sheriffs and their Deputies, Stewarts of Stewartries, Baillies of
Regalities, Magiftrats of Burghs,' and Juftices of Peace, are Judges Competent to the faids Purfuits* Andlaftly, for better Encouragement of
Silk Manufaftories within this Kingdom, It is Declared and Enafted, that all Silk-Weavers fhall be allowed to fet up their Manufaftories with¬
in any Burgh or Burghs within the Kingdom, and (hall have the Priviledge of Burgeffes and Freemen therein, gratis: and they and their Ser¬
vants to be Free from Quartering, Watching, Warding, or other Town-Duties and Taxes payed, and performed by the other ordinary Bur¬
geffes of the faids Towns: and that all the Commodities Imported for the ufe of their Manufaftories, or Exported from them, fhall be Free of
all Taxes: And their Priviledges to continue for the fpace offeven Years, after the Date of the Aft procured by them, at their Entry to their
Work; which all Magiftrats are Ordained to give to fuch Workmen,when demanded. And for farder Encouragement of Manufaftories with¬
in this Kingdom, all Colleftors, Sutveyers, Waiters and their Servants, ( for whom they fhall be lyable ) fhal Exaft punftually the Cuftoms and
Impofitions upon all Cloaths not Prohibit, according to the exprefs Tenor of the Laws and A<ftsof Parliament, without Concealing, Conni¬
ving, or Componing for any Diminution thereof, under the Bains and Certifications above mentioned. And it is farder Declared, that all
Refetters and Conceakreof the faids Goods which are not Entered, arc to be lyable to the Penalties above mentioned, as the principal Delin-
Sucats* * *
- T A R B A T /: P. Com.
Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Succeffors of Andrew Anderfort, Printer to the King’s Moft Excellent Majefly, 1698.