WILLIAM by the Grace of GOD , King of Great-Britain , France and Ireland , Defender of the Faith ; To _____ Macers of Our Privy Council , Messengers at Arms , Our Sheriffs in that part , conjunctly and severally , specially Constitute , Greeting : Forasmuchas it is found , that on the occasion of Illuminations , and other Expressions of publick Joy , by Bonfires or otherways , several Inconveniences and Abuses happen , no ways to be suffered or tollerat under any civil Government : Therefore , We with Advice of the Lords , of Our Privy Council , have thought fit to Prohibit and Discharge ; Likeas , We hereby prohibit and Discharge all Illuminations or Bonfires used for Expressions of publick Joy to be made in any Burgh within this Realm , or any pretence whatsoever ; Certifying all such as shall do on the contrair , or be accessory thereto , that they shall be repute and punished as guilty of a Ryot , and Breakers of the publick Peace ; And farther , we with consent foresaid , do hereby impower , and strictly Require all Magistrats of Burghs , and other Officers of the Law that may be concerned , to do their outmost diligence , and if need beis , to call for , and use the Assistance of such of Our Forces as shall be found within their Bounds , for preventing and repressing thereof , and Seizing and Apprehending the Contraveeners , as they will be answerable on their highest perril . OUR WILL IS HEREFORE , and We charge you strictly , and Command , that incontinent these Our Letters seen , ye pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh , and remanent Mercat-Crosses of the haill Head-Burghs of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom , and there in Our Name and Authority , by open Proclamation , make Intimation of the Premisses , that none pretend ignorance , and Ordains these Presents to be Printed and Published .