Act anent the recruting the Armies . S. Andrews . February 4. 1646.

THe Estates of Parliament now conveened in the fifth Session of this first Triennall Parliament , Having upon consideration of the continuing troubles of this Kingdome , and of the condition of their Armies , both at home , and in England , bethought themselves of the duty which in the present conjuncture of affairs they owe unto God in defence of his Truth , against all opposition , and to this Kingdome ( whom they represent ) the maintenance of its Lawes and Liberties , according to the Covenant , Have thought it necessary , that the Armies within this Kingdome and in England , be recruted , strengthened , and inabled , so to prosecute the Warre this ensuing Summer , as by blessing of God upon their endeavours , the long-lasting troubles of this Kingdom may end in an happy and sate Peace ; which being so much desired by all good Christians and Countreymen , The Estates of Parliament have reason to be confident of their ready and cheerfull concurrence with their persons and fortunes in the way and mean for attaining the same , whereunto also ( albeit Religion were not in hazard ) the Kingdomes honour so much interessed , were of it self a motive strong enought to prevail with every true Scottish heart : And therefore have statute and ordained , that any Leavyes formerly appointed by warrant of the Parliament , Convention of Estates , or any Committee from them respectivè , or Run-aways from any Regiments , who have returned back to their Shires , and are now lurking in the same , be with all expedition put out and delivered to those Regiments unto which they are assigned by any Acts of Parliament , Convention , or Committee , or from which they are Run-aways , and that there be no neglect in the due execution hereof , The saids Estates Ordaines the Committees of War in ilk Shire respectivè , to be carefull herein , as one of the most speciall and necessary points of the trust committed unto them . And because the number of the saids Deficients and Run-aways will not be sufficient to make up the Ten thousand Foot , appointed to be entertained within , and for the service of this Kingdome , and also to strengthen and recrute the Armies in England ; They have therefore statute and ordained , that a new Leavye of Foot to be layde on and raised out of the severall Shires and Burghs of this Kingdome , according to such proportions , and for the Recrues of such Regiments as shall be contained in the List to be made up by the Committee of Estates : And because upon the speedie and effectuall execution of this Ordinance ( as the only probable humane means ) so much dependeth all the honour and happinesse of this Kingdome , The Estates of Parliament have thought fitting seriously to recommend to the Committees of Warre of the severall Shires , heartily and with publick spirits , over all difficulties , to adde unto the former , this new testimony of their resolutions , to pursue the ends exprest in their Covenant , with their lives , fortunes , and estates , and speedily to deliver their severall proportions of men , to such Officers of the aforesaid Regiments respectivè , as shall be appointed for receiving of the same from them . And further Statutes and Ordains , that the saids number of men appointed to be raised out of the severall Shires and Burghs , be in readinesse , and be delivered betwixt and the Tenth day of March next , to such Officers as shall be appointed by the Colonels respectivè foresaids for receiving of the same . And that betwixt and the said Tenth day of March , the Committees of Warre of the severall Shires , shall send some of their own number , fully instructed , to give an accompt of their diligence , both in putting out this new Leavy , and their former Deficients , unto the Committee of Estates .

Alex . Gibsone Cler . Registri .

S. Andrews . February 20. 1646.

THe Committee of Estates taking to their serious consideration ths condition of the Forces within and without this Kingdome , imployed for defence of Religion , and carrying on the Warre against the enemies thereof , and how necessary it is that the Forces be strengthened and put in an present posture , for prosecuting of this great Work , against all opposition , together with the List of a new Leavy remitted to them by the Estates of Parliament upon the fourth day of February instant , whereby the consideration of the number of the said Leavy , and application thereof , is by the Parliament remitted to the said Committee : and therewith taking to consideration the condition of the severall Shires within this Kingdome , and the necessity of raising the severall proportions of Foot after mentioned , out of the severall Shires , in manner , and to the effect after specified , Have Ordained , and Ordaines the number of Eight hundreth Foot to be forthwith raised out of the Sheriffdoms of Roxburgh and Selkirk , for recruting the Earle of Louthian , Master of Cranstoun , and Colonell Scots Regiments . Out of the Sheriffdome of Berwick six hundreth , for recruting the Laird of Wedderburne , and Colonell Lodovick Leslies Regiments , to be divided according to the former proportions which each of them had in their first Leavy , when the Laird of Aytoun lifted his Regiment . Out of the Sheriffdome of Hadingtoun three hundreth , for recruting the Lord Humbies Regiment , which with three hundreth formerly put out by that Shire over and above their just proportion , makes six hundreth for the present Leavy . Out of the Sheriffdome of Edinburgh six hundreth , for recruting the Master of Yesters Regiment . Out of the Burgh of Edinburgh six hundreth , for recruting Colonell Raes Regiment , which proportion to be levied out of the said Sheriffdome and Burgh of Edinburgh , is superceeded till the next meeting of the Committee of Estates at Linlithgow . At which time the Gentlemen of that Shire , and Magistrates of that Burgh , are ordained to be present , and heard upon their losses by the Plague , that consideration may be had thereof , and course taken thereanent . Out of the Sheriffdome of Linlithgow , two hundreth threescore two , for recruting the Earle of Callanders Regiment . Out of the Sheriffdome of Drumfreis six hundreth , for recruting of Kelhead and Colonell Er kines Regiments . Out of the Sheriffdom of Wigtoun and Stewartrie of Kircudbright six hundreth , for recruting Colonell Stewart , and the Viscount of Kenmores Regiments equally . Out of the Sheriffdome of Air and Ranfrew eight hundreth , for recruting the Earle of Cassils , and Lord Chancellours Regiments equally , according to the bounds of their former divisions . Out of the Sheriffdome of Lanerk six hundreth , for recruting the Generall of the Artilleries Regiment , whereof the Committee thinks fit to deduce two hundreth ▪ in regard of their over-charge . Out of the Sheriffdome of Stirling and Clakmannan foure hundreth ninetie nine , whereof an hundreth for recruting the Earle of Callanders Regiment , and the rest for recruting the Lord Levingstouns Regiment . Out of the Presbyterie of Dumfermling ( the rest of the Sheriffdume of Fyffe being eximed by reason of their grear losses formerly sustained ) two hundreth for recruting the Earle of Dumfermlings Regiment . Out of the half of the Sheriffdome of Perth foure hundreth , for recruting the Laird of Freelands Regiment , but prejudice of former Companies appointed to be levied out of that Shire , for recruting of the Laird of Lawres Regiment , and the Marques of Argyles new Regiment . Out of the Sheriffdome of Forfar seven hundreth and fifty , for recruting of the Lord Cowper , Colonell Mauld , and Lieutenant-Generall Bailies Regiments . Out of the Sheriffdome of Dumbartan and Bute three hundreth , to be joyned to the Companies of my Lord Argyles Regiment , that are in Berwick , Dundee , and Glasgow . Out of the Sheriffdome of Kincardin , and the Earle Marshals part of Aberdeen six hundreth , for recruting the Earle Marshals Regiment . Out of the rest of Aberdeene and Sheriffdome of Bamff eight hundreth . to be equally divided betwixt Ludquhanre ; and Colonell Forbes , for making up their Regiments ; with this provision , that if betwixt and the 〈…〉 day of 〈◇〉 each of their Regiments be not at , or above the strength of six hundreth men , the samine shal be imployed for recruting and strengthening other Regiments . Out of the Sheriffdomes of Elgin , Murray , and that part of Innernesse , on this side of the Nesse , five hundreth and fifty , whereof foure hundreth for the Garrisons of Dundee , Monros , and Perth , the rest for recruting of Sir James Lumsdens Regiment . Out of the Earle of Seaforth and Lord Lovats division of Innernesse , five hundreth for recruting the Earle of Seaforths Regiment , or otherwise to be dispose of , as the Committee of Estates shall think fit . Out of the Earle of Sutherlands Division of Innernesse and Caitnesse , eight hundreth , for recruting the Earle of Sutherland and Lord Sinclars Regiments equally . Out of the Sheriffdome of Peebles , two hundreth , for recruting the Master of Yesters Regiment . Out of the Sheriffdome of Orknay five hundreth , for recruting Scottiscraigs Regiment . And for recruting the Lord Levingstouns Regiment , the remainder Run-awayes and Deficients of the Laird of Buchanans Regiment in Stirling Shire , together with that Company of Buchanans Regiment now in Innernesse , to be brought out and joyned with the Lord Levingstouns Regiment , how soon the Recruits of the Laird of Laweres Regiment shall be brought to Innernesse . And for the better and more speedy raising of the saids Leavies , The Committee of Estates Ordains the Committees of War of each Shire , to be assisting to the Officers of each Regiment , appointed to receive the saids Recruits , as they shall come and require the samine . And Ordaines the saids Committees of War , to go effectually about the drawing together of the saids Leavies within their severall Shires , as they will be answerable to the Committee of Estates or Parliament , and to give an accompt of their diligence and proceeding herein to the Committee of Estates , betwixt and the Tenth day of March next to come , that thereafter such course may be taken with Deficients in this present Leavy , as the Committee of Estates shall think fit .

Loudoun Cancellarius . 1. P. D. Com .