Page:The Laws and Acts of Parliament of Scotland.djvu/447

XXII. PARLIAMENT. XXVIII. of June, i6i 7 . 4%$ And if there be any Shire where there is not any Geaille or Prifon-houfe, they fliall inform his Majefties Coun- cel thereof, that they may appoint and give order for building of one within the head Burgh of the Shire , and according to the directions to be given there-anent , the Juftice lhall be holden to proceed. XVI. AN D becaufe there be a great many of Prifoners apprehended and committed , who having no meanes of their owne for their maintenance and entertainment , will otherwifefamifh and flerve before they can come to their tryal: who not the lefle in regard of the crimes they have committed , cannowayes be put under furety, or otherwife in faults of lefle confequence , are unable to finde fufficient caution to be made forth-coming and anfwerable at the next Seffion. Therefore it lhall be lawful to the faids Commif- fioners, and Juflices at their Quarter-Seffion , to rate every Parochin for a weekly proportion for the en- tertainment of thofe poor Prifoners , providing they do not exceed the fumme of five millings Scots money, [at the molt, nor under one milling at the leaft: which fumme mall be up-lifted for that ufe by the Minifter or Reader , who fliall ferve at every Paroch , from fuch Deacons who fliall be appointed to collect the fame : and the faids fums to be delivered by the Conftable of the Paroch, at the Quarter-Seffions , in prefence of die whole Bench then conveened, to fuch perfons as the faids Juftices fliall truft therewith , and who ac- cordingly fliall make due account in paying the Geailers fuch rates as fliall be allowed for the poor Pri- soners i and making the reft forth-coming for fuch ufe and intent of the like nature, as die faids Jufti* ixs fliall appoint. XVII. AL L Magiftrats of Burghs , and keepers of any Gailes or Prifons, fliall receive into their Prifons all fuch perfons as either fliall be brought by Conftables , or fent unto them by warrands , under the hand of any lone Juftice of Peace (the faids Juflices caufing fatisfie for their entertainment) and if any Magiftrates , or their Gailers , fuffer any perfons , committed by the Juflices to their prifons , toefcape, they fliall be con- dignely punifhed therefore , at the difcretion of his Majefties Counccl. XVIII. ITEM, Our Soveraigne Lord with advice forefaid , ordains the faids Commiflioners to let a price upon Crafts-mens work , and upon the ordinars of Penny Brydals , together with the price of Shearers fees, and to punifh the contraveeners as appertainetli. XIX. IT""' Hey fliall caufe fufficient fingle and double Ale to be brewed in every Shire, and fliall appoint vifl- [ tors to that effect, with confentofthe Baron and Over-Lord of the Ground. They fliall fet down Acts againft notorious and common Drunkards, and impofe fummes upon the contraveeners, according to their qualities and deferts. XX. U R Soveraigne Lord , with advice aforefaid , declareth that three Juflices of Peace fliall be a full num- ber and Seffion to decide in matters occurring betwixt the four Quarter-Seffions. XXI. ALfo declares , that no Letters of Caption ought to be granted againft the faids Juflices for apprehending of Rebels , except they be found fubject to do the fame by poflelTing of fuch other Offices and places , to the which the obedience and putting to execution of any fuch charges doth belong. XXII. AN D becaufe there is fenfible prejudice feen and felt through many parts of the Kingdome , by reafon of the diverfitie of Meafures and Weights ufed in the fame , Therefore OUR SOVERAIGNE LORD, with advice forefaid, for removing of all abufes, which may enfue in any time to come thereby, Hath found expedient, and by this Decreet and Statute of Parliament, decernes, flatutes, and ordaines, That there fliall be but one jufl Meafure and Weight through all the parts ol the Kingdome , which fliall uni- verfally ferve all his Highnes Lieges, by the which they fliall fell and buy , and receive and give out in all times to come: which Meafureliis Majefly , with advice forefaid, findes, fliould be that Meafure of Lin- lithgow, which is now commonly ufed, and which hath been ufed moll cuflomably thorow the greateft part of the Kingdom thefe fiftie or threefcore yeeres bypafl. And for fetling of a perfeel order , whereby all (the Meafures that are now ufed maybe reduced to the conformitie of the faid Meafure now authorized , And for making of proportion anfwerable betwixt the lefler meafure and weights , and die greater , His Majefly, Iwidi advice forefaid, hath granted full power and commiffion to Sir James Weymes of Bogie Knight , Sir George t_Anchinlekeo{BaimannoKm$ii, Sir James Fowles of Colington Knight, Sir Robert 'Stewart of SchiUinlaw, Sir John Wans of Barnbarro Knight, Sir William Greirfon of Lag Knight , and to James Nifbet Baillie and Burges of Edinburgh, Mafter Alexander Wedderburn Clerk o$T)undie , Sir Thomas Men- Mmm 3 zies o