A PROCLAMATION Discharging the Transporting of persons to the Plantations of Foreigners in America.  
WILLIAM by the Grace of GOD, King of Great-Britan, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, To Macers of Our Privy Council, Messengers at Arms, Our Sheriffs in that Part, conjunctly and severally specially Constitute, Greeting;  
Forasmuchas, It is Inconsistent both with the Honour and Interest of this Our Ancient Kingdom, that any persons should be transported out of the same, either by Natives or Foreigners to Plantations belonging to Foreigners not Natives of this Kingdom, without leave and allowance first obtained from our Privy Council: Therefore We with Advice of the Lords of Our Privy Council, Do hereby strictly Prohibit and Discharge all Persons Masters or owners of Ships and others whatsoever, whether Natives of this Kingdom or Foreigners, to presume to take up, engage or carry Abroad any of the Subjects of this Our Ancient Kingdom, in Order to their being Transported to the foresaid Plantations after the day and date hereof, without licence first obtained from Our said Privy Council, under the pains to be repute and punished as Men-steallers, and to be prosecute accordingly. OUR WILL IS HEREFORE, and We Charge you strictly and Command, that incontinent these Our Letters seen, ye pass to the Mercat Cross of Fdinburgh, and to the remanent Mercat Crosses of the hail Head-Burghs of the several Shires and Stewartries within this Kingdom, and there in Our Name and Authority by open Proclamation, make Publication hereof, that none may pretend Ignorance and ordains these presents to be Printed.  
Given under Our Signet at Edinburgh the 27 day of December and of Our Reign the tenth year 1698. Per Actum Dominorum Secreti Concilii GILB. ELIOT, Cls. Sti. Concilii 
 GOD Save the King.   

Edinburgh, Printed by the Heirs and Successors of Andrew Anderson, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majesty, Anno Dom. 1698.