91 

 LOCAL DOCUMENTS. 



This is intended as an example of what might become a series 

 of nsefnl articles of general interest, to which Members of the 

 Clnb might lend assistance, for the preservation of valuable 

 papers elucidative of local history, which may be of sufficient im- 

 portance to be put in print. Possibly several of the grievous 

 blanks and meagre outlines in documentary evidence respecting 

 Border events, family chronicles, and topographical details, 

 might be supplied from private sources, or neglected manus- 

 cripts ; if encouragement was given for their production, and for 

 their being carefully edited. In the meantime, as a commence- 

 ment, I avail myself of the transcripts, kindly placed at my dis- 

 posal by three of our members, of the unpublished documents 

 which follow J. H. 



I. DUNSE. 



Copy of the Charter of King James IV., erecting the Town of Dunse 

 into a Burgh of Barony, Feb. 23rd, 1489. (Communicated by 

 Mr Charles Watson). 



Jacobus Dei gratia Eex Scotorum, omnibus probis hominibus suis totms 

 terre sui, clericis et laicis, ad quos presentes literes pervenerint, Salutem ; 

 Sciatis quod cum avisamento dominorum nostri Concilii pro singulari favore, 

 quern gerimus erga dilectos familiares armigeros nostros Georgium Hume de 

 Aytoun, et Jobannem Hume suum filium et heredem apparentem, ac pro bono, 

 fideli, et gratuito servitio nobis per eosdem impenso, infeodavimus, creavimus, 

 et fecimus, ac tenore presentis carte nostre infeodamus, creamus, et facimus 

 villam de Duns cum pertinenciis, jacentem infra vice-comitatum nostrum de 

 Berwick, liberum burgum in baronia pro perpetuo ; quam villam ac etiam 

 terras de Duns cum pertinenciis dicti Georgius et Jobannes bereditarie babent 

 per cartas quondam Serenissimi Patris nostri cujus anime propitietur Deus 

 desuper confectas Concessimus etiam ac tenore presentis carte nostre con- 

 cedimus inbabitantibus dictum burgum et imposterum inbabituris, plenam 

 potestatem et liberam facultatem emendi et vendendi in ipso burgo, vina, 

 ceram, pannum, laneum et lineum latum et strictum, aliaque mercimonia, 

 cumque potestate et libertate babendi et tenendi pistores, brasiatores, carni- 

 fices, et tarn carnium quam piscium macellarios, aliosque artium operarios ad 

 libertatem burgi in baronia spectantes, seu qualitercunque spectare valentes 

 in futurum. — Concessimus, ac tenore presentis carte nostre concedimus, ut in 

 dicto burgo sint burgenses. Et quod idem potestatem babeant futuris tetn- 

 poribus eligendi ballivos et allios efficarios pro gubernatione ejusdem burgi 

 necessarios, nee non concessimus et tenore presentis carte nostre concedimus 

 burgensibus et inhabitantibus dictum burgum, ut in ipso burgo, babeant, 



L 



