Extracts from Annan Burgh Records. 393 



Gibson accused him of resetting the Egyptians and corresponding 

 with them and also eating and drinking with them. 



Irregular Marriages. 



2oth March, 1696. — Robert Johnstone, son to the deceased 

 David Johnstone, confessed to irregular marriage over the march, 

 and was fined five hundred merles Scots, conform to Act of 

 Parliament. 



4th January, 1702. — George Johnstone confessed irregular 

 marriage and fine 100 pounds Scots conform to Act of Parlia- 

 ment, and ordained to be in-prisoned till he satisfy the same. 



Councillors Farming the Town's Revenues. 



The customs of the town were let by public roup, but were 

 always taken up by one or other of the magistrates or members 

 of Council, no one bidding against them. On one occasion, 

 however, an outsider made offer and took the customs. 

 Immediate payment was never exacted from any town councillor ; 

 but in this case (the only one which he observed in which the 

 lessee was not in the Council) they required him to pay the 

 money before noon of next day under penalty of being fined 

 and losing his bargain. The following is the entry: 



31st October, 1695. — Customs set to Robert Johnstone for 

 1 2 ID merks Scots to be paid betwixt and 12 hours the morrow 

 in the forenoon in Scots money or milned money, and in case 

 of failure to be fined and the custom to be rouped over again. 

 Failed and fined 100 pounds Scots. The treasurer ordained 

 to collect and uplift the custom and account. 



22nd December, 1692. — Customs set to Bryce Blair for 710 

 merks Scots, the common meadows to John Johnstone of Galla- 

 bank for 40 pounds Scots, and the boat set to John Smith 

 for 43 pounds Scots. Enacted that none of the money for 

 which the common goods are set for be disposed upon except 

 my Lord Annandale, provost, his consent be given and precepts 

 under his lordship's hand before disposing thereupon and like- 

 wise the persons who have had the common goods in times by 

 past with the magistrates, bailies, and their clerk is to attend 

 the Provost at Lochwood when called and account therefor. 



I St November, 1705. — The public town and bridge customs 

 were with consent of William Whyte rouped and set for ;^iooo 



