WILLIAM and MARY by the Grace of GOD , King and Queen of Great-Britain , France and Ireland , Defenders of the Faith ; To 〈◇〉 Macers of Our Privy Council , Messengers at Arms , Our Sheriffs in that part , conjunctly and severally , specially constitute , Greeting : Forasmuch as many good Laws have been made by Our Royal Predecessors , for maintaining the Poor , and relieving the Leidges from Vagabonds , in Prosecution whereof , several Proclamations have been Emitted by Our Privy Council , for the better putting the saids Laws in Execution , notwithstanding whereof , Due Obedience hath not been hitherto given to the same ; So that the Poor are not duly Provided for , nor the Vagabonds restrained in many places : Therefore We , with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council , hereby Require and Command the Ministers , Heretors , and Elders of every Paroch , and Housholders , and Inhabitants within the same respectivè , to follow forth , observe and give ready obedience to the Acts of Parliament , and Proclamations of Our Privy Council , already made and Emitted thereanent . And further , We , with Advice foresaid , Require and Command , the Sheriffs of the several Shires and their Deputs , Justices of Peace , and Magistrats of the Royal Burghs of this Kingdom , within their several Jurisdictions , to take Tryal how far , and in what manner the saids Acts of Parliament , and Proclamations of Council have been obeyed and put to execution , conform to the Tenors thereof ; and where any have neglected or been deficient and wanting in what is Required of them by the saids Acts and Proclamations , to Amerciat and Fine them therefore in manner therein specified and prescribed ; And if any difficulty shall happen in the after Prosecution thereof , through what cause or occasion soever , not provided for by the saids Laws and Proclamations already Emitted thereanent ; the Magistrats respectivè foresaid , are hereby required to Represent the same to the Lords of Our Privy Council , that they may give such order thereanent , as may bring this good Work of relieving the Poor , and restraining Vagabonds to the desired issue . For the better effectuating whereof , We , with Advice foresaid , Have Nominat and Appointed a Committee of the Lords of Our Privy Council , to receive in any Representations from the Magistrats respectivè above-named ; And likewise with Power to them to call and conveen before them the Sheriffs and other Magistrats respectivè foresaid , to whom the Execution of the saids Acts and Proclamations are committed ; and particularly the Magistrats of Edinburgh , and to Examine and take Tryal of their Negligence in the said Matter , and to modifie the Fines and Penalties to be exacted from them for the same , and to Report their Opinion therein to a full Council , the first Council Day of September next . 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 Head-Burghs of the several Shires within this Kingdom , and there , in Our Name and Authority , make publick Intimation of the Premisses , that none may pretend Ignorance .