Warrant, 31 December 1695, Edinburgh

Att Holyruidhouse Thursday 16 May 1695

D1695/5/2

D1695/5/2¹

Act

Act The Toune of Lanerk for a Bridge

Anent the Petition given in to the Lord² high Commissioner and Lords of his majesties privy Councill be Baillies Dean of Gild Thesaurer and remanent members of the toune Councill of Lanerk for themselves and as representing the Community of the said burgh Shewing That wher the violent Current of the river of Clyde near the said burgh wher ther has been ane February boat keeped for transporting passingers to and from the west Countrey does not only render the said river frequently Impassible to the great incomodation and prejudice of his Majesties Leidges But likwayes has severall times caried away the said boat with passingers in her, over ane high Linn Called Stone byre Linn wherby and by others passing the said river at Foords many have lost their Lives and perished in the said watter as appears by the testificats produced under the hands of severall gentlman of the shire Which the petitioners taking into their Consideration Have Judged it very necessary for the safety of passingers and for encouragment of Trade and Comerce that ane suficient ston bridge be builded over the said river of Clyde near the said burgh at the foot of the Inch of Clydeholme the one end upon the saids Clydsholme pertaineing to the said burgh and the other upon the Kirkfeildholm pertaineing to Major James Weir of Kirkfeild who has Cheirfully Consented to the same as ane most necessary work and Lying most Conveniently for passingers being the Center betwixt Bothwellbridge and Litle-gill bridge which are Eightein myles distant and upwards And In Respect the said burgh of Lanerick having been so miserably wasted and spoilled dureing the late rigne by Forfaulters and exactiones of fynes free quarters for souldiers and the like Is not in ane Capacity to bear the Charges of so good and so necessary a work And Therfore Humbly Supplicating the saids Lords to the effect aftermentioned His Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of privy Councill having Considered this petition Given in to them be the above magistrats and Toune Councill of Lanerk They heirby Grant the desire of the said petitione as to the building of the bridge at the place forsaid and interpones ther authoritie therto and allowes a free voluntar Collectione to be made within all the paroches and at the Doors of all the paroch Churches and meeting houses of the severall shyres and burghes within this kingdome And Nominats and appoints Archibald Simpson merchant in Lanerk to be factor for uplifting and receiveing of the saids Collectiones In Respect he hath given bond and found sufficient Cautione acted in the books of privy Councill That he shall Imploy the Collectiones which shall be made be him upon the building of the forsaid bridge and shall hold compt to the Lords of his majesties privy Councill for what of the saids Collections shall not be so Imployed And Recomends to the ministers within all the paroch Churches and Congregationes of this kingdome To make intimation heirof in their saids Churches and Congregationes upon the Lords day Imediatly preceiding the day upon which the saids Collectiones shall be made and allowes these presents to be printed and the factor to Condescend upon what day or dayes the forsaid Collection shall be made.