Forasmuch as the Importing and bringing from Forraign Countreys , any Wheat , Bear , Barley , Oats , Meal , or Malt , into this Kingdom , is highly prejudicial to the Native Product thereof , and to the Trade upon the growth of the same , and gives occasion to the unwarrantable Exporting of much Money forth of this Realm : For preventing whereof , and obviating the inconveniencies that follow thereupon , We with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council , do hereby strictly Prohibite and Discharge all Persons whatsoever , to Import or bring by Sea or Land into this Kingdom , or any of the Ports , Harbours , Towns , or Places thereof , any sort or quantity of the Victual above-mentioned , without licence had from Our saids Lords for that effect , under the pain of Confiscation of the said Victual ; the one half thereof to the person or persons , who shall make discovery of , and seiz upon the same , and the other half thereof , with the Ships , Barques , or Boats , wherein the same shall be Imported : To Our Thesaurie , for Our use ; and other punishments to be inflicted upon them , conform to the Acts of Parliament made thereanent ; and Ordains all Our Collectors , Surveyers , and Waiters within this Kingdom , at the respective Ports , Harbours , and Places where they serve , to see this Act punctually observed , as they will be answerable at their highest perril ; with certification to such as shall be found negligent therein , they shall incur the loss of their respective Offices . Our Will is herefore , and We Charge you straitly , and Command that incontinent , these Our Letters seen , ye pass to the Mercat-Cross of Edinburgh , and whole other Mercat-Crosses of the Royal Burrows , and Sea-Ports within this Kingdom , and thereat make Publick Intimation of Our pleasure in the premisses , to the effect none may pretend ignorance .