The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 53 



May 8, 1710. 



To iMr.s Johnston, Robert Johnstone postmr Relict for a 

 quarters news due the first of May 1710 p Mr Mains precept— the 

 Councils precept and her recept £18 



August 1st, 1710. 



To John Johnston postmr for a quarters news due at Lambas 

 1710 p. Mr Mains precept, the Councils Precept and John John- 

 stons recept. £18 q q 



Nov. 13, 1710. 



To John Johnston Postmaster for a quarters newspapers 

 furnished by Mr Main to the Town viz. from August 1, 1710, to 

 1 Nov., 1710, per the Councils precept upon the back of Mr 

 Main's recept yrof to John Johnston and the sd John Johnstons 



^^c^Pf- 181ib. Os Od 



Nov. 29, 1710. 



To John Johnston postmaster for 3 weeks new.spapers fur- 

 nished by Mr Main to the Town viz. from 1 Novr to 21 ditto per 

 the pro\-osts precept on Mr Mains Recept yrof to John John- 

 ■''^'■' . ' 41ib. 10s Od 



About this time, dissatisfaction appears to have again arisen 

 and the supply of news was therefore obtained from Carlisle. 

 The entry in the Treasurer's Accounts in reference to this is as 

 follows : — 



Feb. 8, 1711. 



By the provosts order to Mr Parker of Carlisle for ne,v3- 

 papers sent formerly by him to the Town 61ib. Os Od 



Under date June 20, 1711, we find the following entrv, which 

 seems to indicate that the original arrangement had again been 

 reverted to : — 



To John Johnston postmaster for news p. the Councells 

 precept and his recept lUib. lOs Od 



At the Union of 1707 the Post Office in Scotland was united 

 with that of England and it appears to have been found necessary 

 to discontinue the post between Carlisle and Dumfries. 



Much correspondence in regard to this matter passed between 

 the Magistrates and Council of Dumfries and the authorities in 

 London, and the following letters, preserved among the Records 

 of Dumfries Town Council, enable us to ascertain the steps taken 

 to meet the difficultv. 



