42 The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 



House of Commons was appointed to inquire into tlie matter, but 

 it was not until the Common Council of London endeavoured to 

 set up a rival post that the question was finally settled, for the 

 Commons, although they had loudly denounced the formation of 

 the Crown monopoly, now promptly put down this infringement, 

 and from that time the carriage of letters has remained, as a 

 monopoly, in the hands of the Government. 



As far as Scotland is concerned it is largely to the wisdom 

 and foresight of Oliver Cromwell that we are indebted for the 

 establishment of the Post Office on a business footing. Changes 

 in its constitution there havd been, it is true, but in every case the 

 object in view has been increased etficiency. 



II. — The Dumfries Post Office — Early History. 



Coming now to deal with local developments, we find the 

 earliest record of a post in a Proclamation of Summons made at 

 the Market Cross of Dumfries in 1592. 



As the person summoned had fled, the messenger, Nicoll 

 Newall, had drafted an Instrument stating that he had performed 

 his duty as aforesaid. The document, which was witnessed by 

 John Finlayson "callit the Post," and John Aitken in Kirkgait, 

 was then (presumably) sent to the Clerk of Parliament. ^ 



At a later date we have mention of another post in the 

 Minutes of Dumfries Town Council. 



"At Drumfreis the twentie ane day of marche 1622. — The 

 qlk day George Ramsey post to the burrowes resauit fra Johne 

 craik thesaurer of the said burghe in name of the provest and 

 bailleis thairof the sowme of fourtie markis monev and that for 

 his paines and trubell in carrleing the missive letteris throw the 

 heed burrowes of Scotland for ane generall convention to be 

 halden in Drumfreis the secund day of July nixt and thairupon the 

 provest and baillies decernit act." 



Again, in the Burgh Treasurer's Accounts for the year 1635, 

 we have the following entry : — 



" Itm to Georg ramsay the burrowes post, 48 sh." 



This was not a local post. At an earlier date George Ramsay 



2. Acts of Pari. Scot, Vol. III., pp. 529 and 535, in H.M 

 Eegister House, Edinr. 



