60 Transactions. 



Extracts from the Minutes of the Dumfries Town 

 Council. By W. R. M'Diarmid. 



November, 1653. On this date tlie Magistrates and 

 Council "vvith consent of the community passed an act for 

 taxing malt for the relief of the widows and orphans of those 

 who were killed in the wars. 



July, 1657. The Council ordained that, in consequence 

 of great abuses from excessive numbers of persons attending 

 bridals and baptisms, not more than 12 persons were to be 

 present at the latter or 24 at the former under certain penal- 

 ties : the fines for excessive bridals to be paid one-half by 

 the bridegroom and one-half by the innkeeper in whose 

 house the bridal had been held. 



November, 1659. The common lands of the Burgh were 

 set for a year from Maiiiinmas at 1000 merks Scots ; the 

 Bridge dues for 2000 merks ; and the dues of the other three 

 ports at 525 merks. 



Same date. Bailie Cunningham was appointed to meet 

 the Earl of Nithsdale anent the ground before the Castle. 



March, 1660. The Council finding that some of the in- 

 habitants send their children to other schools than the High 

 School ordain all but especially lads to be sent to the High 

 School. Parents abstracting a manchild from the High 

 School to be fined 5 merks and the teacher who receives 

 such child to be fined the same sum. 



11 February, 1661. The Council considering the dearth 

 of wine in the burgh ordain all vintners to sell their French 

 wines for 5 groats a pint under penalty if they charge more 

 of 10 merks Scots. Thomas Irving eldest Bailie protested 

 against this as being against all order for the council to 

 interfere in the sale of foreign goods. 



Zd December, 1661. The Council prohibit the sending 

 any tallow out of the burgh as all can be sold within : candles 

 are not to be sold above 5s. per ft. 



2d April, 1662. James Dickson was fined 30 shillings 

 for coming out of prison without leave. 



