Vol 5 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

Trannactions. 25Burgh, wherewith it was threatnit by the falling of the saidbridge. Your Mie. for this effecte was graciouslie pleasit to givedirectioune that the mater sould be recommendit to the charit.able consideratione of your Mies, good subjectis to burgh andland, throughout the whole kingdom. Of whose benevolencetowardis this so necessar and common a wark your Male, reposedwith great assurance. Lykeas we embracing this your greatovertures as a solidground whereupon we builded our hopes of atimous and liberal supplie, we made some trial tliairof amongisthe barronis and gentlemen adjacent to our burgh, who in regardof their vicinity with us have their own conduct interest in themater ; but finding their charity to be cold, and their dispositionismost averse from contributionis of this kynde, we left oflfall prosequteing of that efibrt, being loth to lay upon you our newand necessarie burdens wherein help nor relieff was to beexpected. And so being lefte to our selfiss without alle hope ofhelp that way, we resolved to interpryse and begin the wark ourselffis, quhairin eftir long stryving and in end overcoming alledifficulties with continuall turmoyle, trouble, and labour both dayand night (wlierefrom none within the said burgh were exemptneither in their personis nor pursis) we brocht the wark to agude and happie conclusioune. And in one year we accomplishedand performed the samen in a inore substantious and stateliemaner nor it was befoir. And we may truly affirme withouteostentatione idyle or vain show that it was tlie greateste warkethat wes evir dune in Scotland in sa shorte a spaice be anehandful! of poor personis without the help or assistance of utheris,wherein as we have striven againis our oune weaknesse andagaine all appearans or likleyhood of ane guid success to havefollowed. And in that has gone verrie far beyond the expectiouneof all personis, quho mesuring the greatnesse of the wark withour inhabilitie did apprehend that we did stryve againe thestreame, and that our power was not answerabil to such a greateand chargeable work.In doing whereof we ha^e exhausted thewhole common rent and patrimony of that toune, and has not lefteso much as ane pennie thairof free. And by continuall and daylycontributione most freely and willingly advancit amongis ourselffisoure purses are so emptied and tliairby disabilled from undertakinganie uther chairge either for the weill of the said toune, orcommonweill of the kingdome, that we are forced to yield tonecessitie and to sink under theheavie burden which we have so4