Transactions. 245 



Another celebrated man, Hugh Clapperton, the African 

 explorer, was born in Butts Street, in 1 788. His father (a native 

 of Lochmaben) was the only surgeon resident in the healthy town. 

 Miss Clapperton, the explorer's cousin, had kindly allowed the 

 exhibition to the Society of Dr Clapperton's ticket of admission as 

 a burgess of the royal burgh. 



Annan, it was mentioned, was also the birthplace of Thomas 

 Blacklock, the blind poet-minister, author of the beautiful sixteenth 

 parajihrase ; but the house in which he was born has long since 

 disappeared — its very site has been unknown for at least fifty 

 years. 



Towards the close of his troubled life Eobert Burns had often 

 occasion to visit the town, which was then the home of numerous 

 smugglers, a large contraband trade being carried on with the Isle 

 of Man. " The Deil's Awa' wi' the Exciseman " was written in a 

 house in High Street, not on the shore of the Solway, as stated by 

 Chambers on the authority of Lockhart. The poem, immediately 

 after composition, was read by Burns to a large company assembled 

 in the house. Mr Miller explained that this fact was made known 

 to him by Dr Williamson, whose father and grandfather were both 

 included in the poet's audience. 



Another building in High Street was worthy of notice. In 

 December, 1745, the retreating army of Prince Charles Edward 

 bivouacked at Annan, and " Scotland's Heir " found shelter 

 in the Buck Hotel. The burgesses were prudent enough not to 

 quarrel with the Highlanders ; but over their " white port " they 

 breathed devout Avishes for the speedy destruction of the Prince 

 and all his followers. During the Rebellion the JMagistrates and 

 Council met in the public-houses almost daily to discuss the move- 

 ments of the enemy. Much liquor was, of course, consumed at 

 the expense of the burgh, and some of the publicans' bills remained 

 unpaid until 1749. A quotation from the minute of the Council 

 meeting at which payment of the outstanding debts was author- 

 ised may be acceptable. 



Find upon examination of the said accompts that the greatest part 

 of the articles therein stated have been contracted by some of the 

 Councillors when met together for intelligence and advice about their 

 common safety in the years 1745 and 1746, when the country was in the 



utmost confusion by the late unnatural rebellion Do declare 



that this indulgence is only on account of the late troubles, and that this 

 act shall be uo precedent to invalidate or infringe the foresaid act of the 



