The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 75 



The application does not, however, appear to have com- 

 mended itself to the Council. Under date 25th Feby., 1805, we 

 read : — " The said day the Magistrates and Council Authorized 

 the Magistrates to sett the old Court House and Guard House at 

 such rents as they shall think proper, to advertise for proposals 

 to be given in to them. — If necessary to sett them by public roup 

 for such a number of years after the term of Whitsunday next as 

 they may think fit and to report." 



Again, under date 22d April, of the same year, we read: — 

 " The said day the Provost reported that he had lett the old 

 Guard room and small apartment below the Steeple to Joseph 

 Hinchcliffe, Cutler for the space of fifteen years after the term of 

 Whitny next at the yearly rent of sixteen pounds Stg and the 

 burden of repairing the room at his own expence ; of which the 

 Council approve and authorise the Magistrates or any two of 

 them to enter into a Lease of the premises accordingly."^^ 



Some time prior to the year 1819 Mr Threshie removed the 

 office to the shop, No. 12 Castle Street. "^^ 



During Mr Threshie's tenure of office the salary attaching to 

 the office of postmaster was £100 per annum. ^ In the year 

 1832 the Revenue of the Post Office in Dumfries amounted to 

 almost £2500, after deductions for salaries.^* 



Some interesting details of the business transacted at the 

 office is furnished to us by the following tables of postal informa- 

 tion : — 



1820-1-2.35 



■"Post Office. Robert Threshie, Post Master. — The Mails from 

 Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, and Carlisle arrive at Dumfries at 

 half-past eight, p.m., and the Mail from Port Patrick arrives at 

 Dumfries at twelve at night. 



The Mails for Edinburgh and Glasgow are despatched 

 from Dumfries at half past five a.m. ; the Mail for Port Patrick is 



31 . Town Council Minutes. 



32. Wood's Plan of Dumfries, 1819. 



33. "Dumfries Standard," Oct. 27th, 1906. 



34. New Statistical Account of Scotland. 



35. From the Commercial Directory of Ireland, Scotland, and 

 the Four Most Northern Counties of England for 1820-1-2. In the 

 possession of Mr W. Allan, Chemist, Dumfries. 



