175 THE LAWS AND ACTS Pad in the Fourth and laft S E S SI Of the SECOND O N PA R LI A M E N T> Of Our Moft High and Dread Soveraign, c H T H A R L E E SECOND. By the Grace of G O D , King of Scotland, England, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith. Helden by his Grace , John Duke of Lauderdale , Marquefs of March, Earl of Lauderdail, Vifcount Maitland , Lord Thirleftane , MufTelburgh and Bolton , &c. His MAJESTIES Qommiffioner , &c. This Seffion continued from the ix. olNovemb. 1673. to the %. of Decemb. thereafter ; and then being by His tJMajefties Authoricy feveral times Adjourned : The Parliament was by His CMajeflies Royal Proclamation the 19. of tJMay , 1674. Diflblved. ACT concerning the Tre-emption and Excife of Salt. At Edinburgh , the % 5- . of November , 1673. H E King's moft Excellent Majefty , having, from the conftant affecti- on and care , which Jhe hath alwayes had of the concerns of this His Ancient Kingdom , Refolved further to gratifie His good Subjects , by fuch Grants aod publick Laws as he fhall judge to conduce moft for their good and advantage : And understanding by the profecution and management of the Pre-emption of Salt within this Kingdom ; that the fame hath been occafion of trouble and burden to His Subjects , His Majefty doth therefore Annull and Difcharge the faid Pre-emption , and all Pre-emptions of Salt in time coming , and Declares the fame , and all Acts , Commisfions , or other warrands whatfomever autho- rizing it , to be , from and after the firft day of 'December , this pre- fent year , one thoufand , fix hundred , and feventy three , vacated , void and null. And in order thereunto , His Majefty , with advice and confent of His Eftates of Parliament , Doth hereby refcind and Annull, allandfundry the Contracts, which in profecution of this Pre-emption , were entred into by the Salt- mafters , and thefe perfons who , by warrand of the Commisfioners of His Majefties Thefaurie , con- tracted with them for the fale of their Salt. And declares the faids Contracts and every of them to be Void and null , after the faid firft of December next to come : It is alwayes hereby declared, that thefe Y 3 Contracts