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

—Field Meetings.'65levying; duos. The following is a copy of the Act, read by outguide,and is of antiquarian interest :"A.D., 1061. Act in favours of the Burgh of Sanquhar. Oiu- SovereignLord and Estates of Parliament, takeing to their consideration a supplicationpresented to them by Johne Williamson, Commissioner for tlie Burghof San(]uhar, Shewing that the said Burgh of Sanquhar, being situat andbuilded upon the water of Nyth, ane verie great considerable river, whichin the Winter tyme is nowayes pasable at the beist dureing the time ofany raine or storme. The bridge which was thereupon being now totalliedown and ruined, which is very prejudicial! not only to the said Burgh,bot also to the haill Cuntric ncir the saime, and all otliers who have occasionto passe that way, wlio sumtyme will be forced to stay tliree or fourdayes ere they can passe over the said water. And the said burgh, throtlie calamities of the tyme and great sufferings they have had, are nowredacted to such povertie as they are nowayes able to build up the saidbridge, which so much concernes the weill of the said burgh and the publictgood of that cuntrie. And, therefor, craveing ane recommendation to theseverall presbetries within this Kingdome upon this side of the ffortli forhelp and supplie for building ixp the said bridge, which so much concernesthe Weill of the said burgh and all that cuntrie. And, also seeing such acontribution will he unconsiderable for as great a work, therefor alsocraveing ane certaine small custome to be payed at the said bridge forsuch years and aff such persones and goods as should be thought fit. And,having considered ane testificat of verie many Noblemen and Gentlemen inthe Shire and circumjacent bounds, Testifieing the necessity and conveniencieof the said bridge, and haveing heard the said Johne Williamsonthereanent, who, in name of the said burgh, had undertaken the buildingof the same bridge within the space of two years. And haveing also consideredthe report of the Commissioners of Parliament appointed for billsand tradcing (to wliom the said mater was referred) thereanent, HisMajestic, with advice and consent of the said Estates of Parliament,Have ordained and ordaines ane contribution and Voluntar collection tobe made and ingathered within all paroches, l)oth in burgh and landward,on the South side of the water of fforth, for building of the said bridge,And that either personally or parochially as the Magistrates of the saidburgh sliall desire. And hereby Seriously Recommends to and require allNoblemen, Gentlemen, Magistrats, and Ministers of the law and gospell,within tlie said bounds, to be assisting to the said Magistrates of Sanquharfor so good a work, and for ane liberal contribution for that effect. Andseeing it is expected that the foresaid collection will not be as considerableas to defray the charges of so great a work. Therefor His Majestic, withadvice and consent foresaid, hath given and granted, and hereby give andgrant to the said burgh, ane custome to be lifted by them, or any otherthey shall appoint for uplifting thairof, for the space of twentie sevenyears after the liuilding thairof, at the rates following— viz. , for ilk footmanor woman, two pennies Scots ; for ilk nolt beast or single horse, fourpennies ; for ilk horse with his load or rydder, six pennies Scots ; And forilk sheip, two pennies Scots money. And ordaines all passengers what-9