The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 51 



generall postnii' for forrayne and domestick news from candle- 

 mass last to candlemes nixt weeklie for ffive ginneis free of 

 postage whereof the counsell approves and by this present act 

 declair the sam the tonnes debt and disljurdeins the provost 

 yrof." 



In further illustration of the Council's dealings with the Post 

 Office in regard to the supply of News Letters and Newspapers 

 " for the touns behoove " we quote the following additional 

 extracts from the Council Minutes : — 



"16 March, 1702. 



And the provost further reported That in respect the postmi' 

 was deed he knew not who represented him and therefore could 

 not pay the composition made for news letters for the last year 

 but withall reported that he has agreed with Mr Simpson 



deput postmaster to Mr George Main^^ for the news letters for a 

 year after the first of Febry last for six pound sterling. Whereof 

 the Council likewise approves and which is payable quarterly 

 And because the sd post Mr deput charges ane exorbitant rate for 

 the English votes of parliament The Councell recommends to 

 the Provost to Avrite to the sd Mr Simpson discharging the same. 

 The aforsd Discharge and Recept and accompt all mentioned in 

 this act is delivered to John Brown present thessi" to be keeped by 

 him until they be called for to be put up in the charter chest." 



" 20th Apr. 1702. 



Accompt due by the Toun to George Main Postmr Generall 

 of Two pounds Twelve shillings and one pence sterline for news 

 furnished by him to ym with ane bill subjoin 'd to the sd accompt 

 Desiring pe)^ of the accompt to Rob. Johnstoun postmi" in this 

 burgh." 



" Monday last of May, 1703. 



The Councill considering yt the news sent by George Main to 

 the Magistrats are not so satisfying to the toun as might been 

 expected Therefore they think fitt to give precept for what is 

 resting him and to discharge the sending ym in time coming and 

 Recommends to the Provost to write to Provost Johnston to settle 

 wt some carefull man to send in the Scots Gazetts and minute of 

 Parliament and Recomends to Bailie Robert Corbett to write to 



13. Farmer of the Post Office in Scotland. 



