The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 47 



respect the theasre is not here the same is continued in his hand 

 till it be delyvered in face of counsell." 



It is greatly to be regretted that these " badges or Blazones " 

 have now disappeared. 



Notwithstanding such precautionary measures references ex- 

 pressing mistrust in the posts are frequently met with, and the 

 following examples from local records are of peculiar interest : — 



" Drumfries, Aug. 15, 1694. — The Clerk is appoynted to 

 wryte to Mr Black Minister of Gratney to gett all the intelligence 

 he can find annent Jannett Maire." 



"Drumfries, Oct. 8, 1694. — In regard the Clerk could not 

 gett a sure bearer to carie a letter to Mr Black Mini' of Gratney 

 anent informatione about Jannot Maire, the appoyntment is yet 

 continued upon him."i*' 



Again, in a letter from James Armstrong, Moderator of the 

 Presbytery of Middlebee, to Mr Wm. Dunlop, Principall of the 

 Glasgow Colledge, dated Oct., 1696, we find the following: — 

 " If ye send your answere by Drumfries it will readilv miscarry." 



In contrast we quote the following extract from a letter dated 

 from Drumfries, 14 April, 1762, and addressed to Mr Gilbert 

 Grierson, Chamberlain to the Duke of Buccleuch at Dalkeith: — 

 " I could not get a bill upon Edinr for £30 I wanted to remit you 

 so I shall be obliged to send it in the posts pocket upon Monday. " 



It can scarcely be said that this mistrust was not warranted 

 for, on occasion, liberties were taken with the correspondence of 

 the individual. 



In the minutes of Dumfries Town Council, under date 3rd 

 June, 1689, we find it deliberately recorded: — "The sd day the 

 Magistrates and Cowncill takeing to their consideration the pre- 

 sent troubles of the tymes and that Correspondence may be 

 suspected to be keept by dissafected persons in prejudice of the 

 present governemint and for acuseing of the people. Therfifore 

 appoyntes and ordaines the post Master of this burgh to bring 

 the poist letters to the Clerkes Chamber (dureing ther pleasi') that 

 the directions of the lers may be read and any suspect Irs broken 

 up and considered before sealling of the bag. And that at 

 Sealling yrof the seall of any ane of the Magistrates be also put 

 upon the same And att the returne of letters fra Edgr the poist 



10. Dumfries Presbytery Records, 



