Act, 28 December 1703, Edinburgh

Edinburgh the 20th September 1703

D1703/9/6

D1703/9/6¹

Act

Act Infavours of James Earle of Galloway and others

Annent The petition given in and presented to His Grace Her Majesties High Commissioner And the Lords of her Majesties privie Councill By James Earle of Galloway William Viscount of Kenmure and John Viscount of Stair for themselves and in name and behalfe of the whole other Remanent Inhabitants withine the Sherriffdome of Galloway and Steuartry of Kircudbright Shewing That wher the watter of Dee in the said Steuartry Being ane great and Impetous River scarce passable even in the Drought of Summer and not without the greatest of hazerd The same not being Foordable But in one place Called the Blackfoord of Dee which is at leist Tuelf Miles Distant from any other passage or Lodging when stopt in their way wherby Travellers are oft put to the greatest danger and Extreamity And this being the most frequented and near Road for all Travellers from Ireland To England and from Galloway, To Edinburgh, Drumfries and all other southern places in this Kingdome and more Especially for the Droves of Cattell which sustain great loss and damnadge in such a dangerous passage And that ther being no other method that can be taken To remove such a parilous Inconveniencie Then by building ane Brige over the said River Which will prove soe Expensive as that (²without the bountyfull assisstance of those who may charitably regaird such ane universall good work The same can never be attempted And Thairfor Creaving his Grace and Honourable privie Councill To grant warrand and allowance for ane volentar Contributione through out this Kingdome for building ane bridge over the said River Being the only mean to secure Commerce and the saifty off poor Travellers as the said petition bears³ His Grace Her Majesties high Commissioner and the Lords of Her Majesties privie Councill Haveing considered the above petition given into them by James Earle of Galloway, William Viscount of Kenmuir and John Viscount of Stair for themselves and in name and behalfe of the whole remanent Inhabitants off the Sherriffdome off Galloway and steuarty of Kirkcudbright And the samen being read in their presence His Grace and the saids Lords Doe heirby grant to the petitioners ane volentar Contribution To be collected within all the paroch Churches upon this syde of the watter of Forth upon such dayes as the petitioners shall appoint after Intimation at the paroch Churches the sabbath day befoir collecting therof either at the Church doors of the respective paroches or in such other manner as shall be conserted and aggreed upon by the petitioners And that for building ane Bridge over the River of Dee near that place called the Blackfoord And ordaines the said Collection to be payed to Mr Andrew Ewart Minister at Kells He allwayes extracting heirof Giveing Bond and find Sufficient Caution acted in the Books of privie Councill That the Contribution soe to be Collected shall be applyed to the end forsaid and that at the sight and by Direction of the petitioners.