To the public. There is at present levied annually, [electronic resource] : ... upon the merchants, shopkeepers, and tradesmen of the City of Edinburgh, 1250l. sterling, ... Application has lately been made by the Lord Provost, ... to Parliament, for leave to bring in a bill to remove the busines of killing or slaughtering of cattle, out of the royalty. It is, therefore, submitted to the public, whether this bill may not vest in the magistrates and Council, a power ... of employing the foresaid 1250l. tax, to maintain a body of 50 or 60 stout watchmen, ...