The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 57 



Of the thirty-four Postmasters, who at this period existed in 

 Scotland, twelve only were paid by salary, the remaining twenty- 

 two being allowed, as their remuneration, a certain portion of the ' 

 postage on inland letters. The Postmaster of Dumfries was one 

 of the twelve who were paid by salary, the amount of which was 

 £12 per annum. i^ Runners, who performed the full journey from 

 town to town, were maintained at fixed charges, and it may be of 

 interest to record that the earliest " Runners " of this class known 

 to us, are Archibald Frazer, Post,^^* Dumfries (1740), and Robert 

 Slowan, the Drumfries to Sanc]uhar and Kirkconnell post (1741- 

 1745)." 



In addition to these appointed " Runners " we find numerous 

 instances of special messengers being used in cases of urgency and 

 importance. At a time when the facilities of the post were 

 limited such instances must have been of frequent occurrence, and 

 the following records of " Expresses " from the Dumfries Burgh 

 Treasurer's Accounts are of peculiar interest. 



lib. s. d. 

 1641-42. — Itm. to Jon Edger offici" for carieing of 



tua paketis of Ires to Lochmaben ... ... 00 12 00 



6 Mairch, 1655. — Itm for ane poist to Wigtoun ... 02 08 00 

 23 May, 1655. — Itm to Thoas Symsone to go to 



portpaytrek 03 00 00 



5 day of Jannuar, 1657. — Given to Wm Carruthers 

 for earring of ane letter to saunt Monngo to try 



about the sikness 00 12 00 



Dec. 26, 1688. — Itt to Thomas Ramsay and two 



posts to Carlyle ' 16 04 00 



Aprile 18, 1708.— Itt payed to Will Sturgine for 



caring a letter to Apellgirth 00 06 00 



Oct. 29, 1709.— Itt payed to ^^"illiam Creary for 

 going twise to Carlyle to times to fetch news by 



Bailie Gilcrists order 03 00 00 



Novr. 8, 1710.— To Thomas Jarding by the Pro- 

 vost's order for going to Carlile express about 

 the toun's affairs ... .. ... ••• 1 10 



16. Joyce's History, p. 118. 



16*. Register of Baptisms (Dumfries), in H.M. Reg. House, 

 Edinburgh. 



17. Ardwall House papers. 



