542 OF THE SOLWAY FIRTH. 



On thefe carts, which, when drawn by a Tingle 

 horic, carry a quantity equal to the load of two 

 London wheel-barrows, a duty was laid in 1783, of 

 each ; and in 1784, it was enacted, that the half- 

 ftarved farmers who ride thcfe half-ltarved horfcs, 

 flu 11 pay a duty of los. for each horfe fo rode 

 upon ; 'which duties on horfcs and carts, in a coun- 

 try thus milerably circumftanced, have occafioned 

 univerfal difcontents and murmurings, while the 

 revenue derived therefrom, after deducting the ex- 

 pence of collecting, &c. is fcarcely worth bringing 

 to account. 



The people of thefe parts alfo behold, with much 

 concern, the unequal prices, between that coaft and 

 Ireland, of candles, foap, fait, leather, iron and other 

 neceffaries, for manufactures, filhcries and common 

 life, owing to the high duties to which the Scottifl\ 

 nation are fubject. 



Abridgment of Anjwers, 



Dumfries. The cod fifhery in the Solway firth is 

 very inconfiderable, owing to the rapidity of the 

 tides, and the bottom being all loofe and fandy. 

 Upon the Englifh fide it is better, the bottom being 

 harder and firmer, and of courfe more food for the 

 fifh. Thefalmon filhery is the moft confiderable on 

 this coaft. They have alfo a little herring fifhery, 

 moftly towards the ifk of Man, but of no great con- 

 feqtience. 



Kirkudbright. The cod fifhing on this part of 

 the coaft, is alfo very poor, and the herring fifhing 

 trifling. The bed are the falmon fisheries, one of 

 which alone is let for 384!. and is moftly carried to 

 the Liverpool and \Yhitchaven markets, and a few 

 to the Weft Indies. 



Wigtown. The cod fifhing near this, is better 

 than in the two former ports, but not very con- 

 fiderable. The herring filhery very indifferent, and 



the 



