How Annan Built a Bridge. 325' 



ful for the winter season, and also to represent that we are con- 

 vinced the work cannot be perfected at the rate first agreed 

 upon; the town willingly offers any further security they are 

 capable to give ; earnestly recommends that a speedy and 

 effectual answer be given." 



3d May, 1703. — An Act is passed in favour of the town- 

 clerk in consideration of certain sums advanced by him for pay- 

 ing the workmen, masons, and barrowmen, working at the bridge 

 their wages. The same day certain creditors of Partis and 

 Woosley within the burgh agreed to lend ;£ioo sterling of re- 

 covered money to the Council towards the bridge work, the 

 burgh having come greatly in arrear. 



I St November, 1703. — George Blain, collector, to receive 

 collections for our bridge, has received from the Magistrates, 

 Council, and community of the burgh of Dumfries the sum of 

 ;^i32 1 6s 6d Scots for helping to build our bridge, and which 

 sum the said George Blain is to apply towards defraying the 

 expense of the said bridge. 



On the 9th of the same month the Marquis of Annandale 

 gifted the vacant stipend of the year 1702, being the last contri- 

 bution noted in the records, towards the bridge fund. 



The let of the customs in November, 1704, provides that if 

 an Act of Privy Council is obtained for an additional custom 

 upon account of the bridge of Annan within the year the benefit 

 is to accrue to the taxman ; and in November, 1705, bridge 

 custom is included in the let for the first time, not, however, by 

 authority of the Privy Council, but by an Act of the Town 

 Council. The bridge work had at last, it is presumed, reached 

 completion. 



The conditions of let of the customs vary according to cir- 

 cumstances, but always exhibit Border influence. In 1683 it 

 is provided that the taxman shall pay, without defalcation, be 

 it peace or war ; next year the expression is, without defalcation 

 either for peace or yet in time of war. The terms in 1705 are,, 

 that in case the prohibition upon linen cloth and cattle prohibi- 

 ting the importation of them from Scotland into England be con- 

 tinued or allowed, or in case of open war betwixt the said 

 kingdoms, or in case the Act of Council for the bridge customs- 

 be suspended by any merchant or others, the taxman shall have 

 allowance therefor. After the Union it is conditioned that in 

 case linen cloth or cattle be stopped from going into that part 

 of Britain formerly called England, or in case of war betwixt this, 

 kingdom and any other so as trade be stopped, or should the 

 bridge custom be suspended by any merchant or drover or other- 

 wise, allowance is to be made therefor. 



The dues were re-arranged 30th October, 1706, as fol- 

 lows : — " The which day it is statute enacted and ordained That 

 the town and bridge customs of this burgh for the goods after- 



