4 <5 4 KING JAMES THE S E X T — 9 ■ ACT XIX. Ratification of the Act of 'Council ', anent the pryces of Writfes , Scales, &c. made 1606. OUR SOVERAIGNE LORD With Advice and Confent of the ESTATES of Parliament, Having confidered the Adl and Ordinance of Secret Council, made anent pryces , fet down to be taken by all Writers , Clerkes , Keepers of Seales , and others , particularly exprefled in the faid Act. Which is of the date at Edinburgh, the fourth day of Februarie , one thoufand fix hundreth , and fix yeares, Hath ratified and confirmed the fame, in every poynt and Article thereof. Which all and fundry the pre- riiifies , OUR SOVERAIGNE LORD with advice and confent forefaid , ratifieth, and approveth, in all poyntes , in manner as the fame proportes : and gives unto them the ftrength of Lawes , and Actes of Parliament : and ordaines execution to pafle upon the lame as effeires. Of the which the tennor hereafter followeth. Apud EDINBURGH, quarto die menfis February, 1606. THE LORDES of Secret Council and Sej/ion, confideringthe great extortionufed by the Writers andClerkes of all judicatories withinthis Realme , in extorting from the fubjecles of the Countrey, fiichunreafonable and exorbitant pryces , for their Writtes , as ought not to he fujfered in a well-governed Comtnon-wealth : Procuring thereby not ouely private grudges , butpublicke exclamations , againft the with- gate and libertie granted unto fiichfhamefulfcafferie and extortion, highlie to his CMajefiies offence, and contempt, hurt and prejudice of His CMajejiies good fubjecles , and to the reproach andflaunder of the judges, under whofe Office and Judicatories thefaids Clerkes and Writers ferve. FOR Remeed whereof in times comm'mg , 7 he Lordes of Secreet Council and Sejfion , have fet down the prices of all Letter s , t^Actes, Infeftments , and Writtes, proper unto what foe ver Clerkfhip within tbif Realme: together with the prices ef the Signet , Trivie and Great Seales. Whereby tloe fubjectes of the Countrey may know , and under fl and, what prices they ought to give for everie Letter, Writte , Extract, and fe ale hereafter : and be no wayesfubjecJ to the undifcretion of the Writters , and Keepers of the Seales. Which prices now fet down , by thefaids Lordes, for the eafe, benefit e, and reliefe of the fubjectes of the Countrey, Thefaids Lordes ordaines , andcommaudes , all, and jimdrie Writters , andClerkes , and the Keepers of the fe ales : everie one in their own fever a I Charge and Office , To obferve and keepe , and in no- way es to exceede thefaids prices , upon whatfbever colour or pretence : under thepaine ofDeprivation of the cmtraveenerfrom the Office , andfeale , which heepoffeffeth. And ordaines , and commandes , the faids Clerkes, and Writters, To write all their Letters, Actes, Writs, Regiflers , and fuch other things as paffe thorow their Office and handes , compact lie : and in no wayes to abufe the 'People with differ fe writing: under thepaine to be cenfured andpunifhed:, as abufers of His CMajejiies fiibjectes , and as contraveeners of the faids Lordes Ordinance , nowfet down anent the faids prices. Commanding and charging alfoaU and jimdrie Clerkes and Writters , bearingpublick Function and Charge within this Kingdome , That they, £§ every one of them, within thefpace of a Moneth after the date hereof have thejujl aiidauthenticke double of this Act , and of 'the pryces following thereupon , affixed in fome pub lick and patent place oj "their Buith , and chamber where they write: where-thorow all his CMajejiies fubjects having adoe with them, may have in- flection of the fame: and accordingly , know what to pay. x^And that the faids Writters , and Clerkes, pall write upon the backes of all Writs to bee given out by them , tbejuji and ordinarie price which they re- ceive from the party for their pains: and fiibfcribe the fame with their hands, under the faid paine of de- J privation of the contraveener. TheTryces fet down to the Clerkes of our Soveraigne Lordes Signet, to be taken hereafter for all Signatures , to be formed, and written by them. AN E Signature of Efcheat to pay . .... Ten fhillings. Ane Signature ofEfcheat and Life-rent , . . . . _ xx.fhilings. Ane fignature of Warde.iVo// entres, Reliefe, and Marriage , . . . xx. millings. .;■:. Ane fignature of Marriage onely, Non entres onely, or Reliefe onely , . . x. {hillings. Ane fignature of whatsoever Infeftment , Refignation , or Confirmation , or Erection , for the firft meet thereof, . . . " . , » . xxx. millings. And for every fheetmoe, befide the firft flieete , , xx. fhillings. The Precepts upon the fignatures to pay accordingly as the fignature payeth. A Remiflion, or Refpite, ..... x. fhillings. The Precept upon the Remiffion , . . . . . x. fhillings. - Ane prefentation to a Parfonage and Vicarage, . . , xiij. fhill. iv. d. . Ane fignature of a Bifhopricke, orAbbacie, containing a flieete of paper , . . xxx. fhillings. And
