The Dumfries Post Office, 1642-1910. 101 



lib. s. d. 



July 7, 1712. — For postage of a letter from Edr 



to ye Magrats 00 16 00 



Sept. 15, 1712. — To John Johnston postmaster for 

 postage of Letters and Gazetts to the Town p. 

 the Councels precept at ye end of ye [partiar] 

 accot and his Receipt ... ... ... ... 17 01 00 



Feb. 23, 1728.— Postage of 2 Letters from Liver- 

 pool about the bell mettal ... ... ... — — 8 



Apr. 14, 1728. — Postage of a Letter from Edr.... — — 2 



May 4, 1728. — Postage of a Letter from Edr. wt 



the Act & Commission in John Irving's affair — ■ — 6 



For postage of a Letter from Prov. Irving at 



London ... ... ... ... ... — — 6 



12 Aprile, 1742. — To postage of a Double Letter 

 to the provost from Glasgow anent the Linen 

 manfr ... ... ... ... ... ... — — 8 



Such entries are of frequent occurrence, and many of them 

 are of more than passing interest. 



In the year 1764 a concession in the rates of postage for 

 distances not exceeding two post stages was granted, to take 

 effect from and after 10th October, 1765; but the tariff for the 

 longer distances remained unchanged. 



By the same Act (Section vii.) the Rates of Postage between 

 England and Ireland through Carlisle, Dumfries, Port Patrick, 

 and Donaghadee were arranged as follows : — 



" And whereas, for the more ready and extensive Convey- 

 ance of Letters and Packets between that Part of Great Britain 

 called England and Ireland, and for the Conveniency of Trade 

 and Commerce between the said Kingdoms, it may be convenient 

 and expedient to improve the Communication for the Convey- 

 ance of such Letters and Packets by the Post through Carlisle, 

 Dumfries , and Port Patrick, or some other convenient Port in 

 Scotland; and through Donaghadee, or some other convenient 

 Port in Ireland; be it further declared and enacted by the Autho- 

 rity aforesaid. That it shall and may be lawful to and for the 

 said Postmaster General, and his Deputy or Deputies by him 

 thereunto sufficiently authorized, to demand, have, receive, and 

 take, for the Port and Convevance of all Letters and Packets 



