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[^EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF THE ROYAL BURGH OF STIRLING, 
1667-1752. ED. R. RENWICK. VOL. II.
GLASGOW 1889.
PP. 1.1-28.5^]

<P 1>
[} [\1 JANUARY 1667.\] }]
   The provest, baillie Stevinson, dean of gild, and conveener, #
made report
that they had met with Mr. James Forsith and shown him the      #
dissatisfaction
of the merchands and trads to consent to the calling and        #
presenting of Mr.
John Hay till they hear him preach, and Mr. James ansuer was    #
that there was
no possibilitie for that unles they would goe to his awin       #
church and heare him;
but, seing the counsell had once aggried to present him, they   #
cannot pas from
it till Mr. John give a refuisall; and for Mr. James pairt,     #
incase the councill
be negligent, he would ather seek out for an uther plaice or    #
els mean himself
to the supream judicatorie for a helper.

[} [\18 FEBRUARY 1667.\] }]
   The dean of gild, conveener, and deacons, made report, as    #
of before, that
their severall brethreen will not at all consent to the calling #
and presenting of
Mr. John Hay to be second minister till they heare him preach.

[} [\23 MARCH 1667.\] }]
   Compeired Walter Cowan, present visitor of the maltmen, and  #
being
desired be the councill to give his aith that he sall           #
faithfullie visite the haill
malt made within this burgh and report the insufficiency therof #
everie counsell
day, that the faulteris may be punished, and to take the oath   #
of alledgeance
and subscrive the declaratione, sieing he is a person of        #
publict trust, the said
Walter was willing to give his aith (\de fideli                 #
administratione\) , but refuised to
<P 2>
take the oath of alledgeance and subscrive the declaratione;    #
and therfore, the
magistrats and counsell refuises to admitt him with their       #
auctoritie to the
exercise of the said charge as visitor; and seing he hes        #
exercised the said
office be the maltmens election, without taking the said oath   #
of alledgeance
and subscriveing the said declaration, he is to be ansuerable   #
to the censure of
the privie counsell for the same.
   Recomendis to the provest [\and five others\] to meet with   #
Mr. James
Forsith, minister, and take a vew of the Over Hospital well,    #
and to caus build
a dyke about the same for preservatione of the yaird from those #
that getis 
water out of the well.

[} [\1 JUNE 1667.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and counsell, receaves and admittis  #
the persons
following to the libertie and fredome of burgesses and gild     #
brether of the said 
burgh, gratis, viz., James marqueis of Montrois, lord Graham    #
and Mugdock,
Robert lord Carnegie, Sir Robert Douglas of Tulliwhillie, Sir   #
Thomas Ker of
Fairnilie, John Dundas of Barronshall, Mr. Robert Cockburn,     #
major John
Sympson, captain John Dunbar, captain John Nairn, [\and certain #
"servitors" 
and others, thirteen in all. Also six "servitors" admitted "to  #
the libertie and
freedome of burgesses and neighbouris."\]

[} [\28 AUGUST 1667.\] }]
   James Norie, clerke, produced againe the towns great         #
chartour and great
seale which was in his custodie and are delyverit to the dean   # 
of gild and
conveener to be put upe, the chartour into the chartourhous and #
the seale in
the boill of the counsell hous.

[} [\16 SEPTEMBER 1667.\] }]
   Nominatis James Norie, clerk, to ryd to Paisley with the     #
comptis of 
quarterings dew be the lord Carnegies troop to this burgh and   #
to get payment
therof before they be disbanded.

[} [\23 SEPTEMBER 1667.\] }]
   Alexander Jack and Robert Andersone, new counsellers, tooke  #
the oath
of alledgeance to our Soveraigne Lord and subscrivit the        #
declaration of
parliament; and John Matthison, chosen deacon of the cordinars  #
be their 
craft, and refuising to take the said oath, was removed.

<P 3>
[} [\18 NOVEMBER 1667.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill hes aggried with Mr. James       #
Forsith, minister, 
for a tack to be granted be him to the towns thesaurer, for the #
towns behove,
of the small teind or viccarage of the haill yairds within the  #
said burgh of
Sterling and territorie thereof, with the viccarage and small   #
teind of the haill
salmond cobles upon the water of Forth that properlie belongs   #
to the said
burgh and payes immediatly their duetie to them, with the       #
viccarage teind of
that frie coble perteaning to the lands of Raploch, and that    #
uther free coble
belonging to the lands of Shiphaugh, and that for the space of  #
the said Mr.
James his service of the cure at the kirk of Sterling, for      #
payment yearelie
be the said thesaurer to the said Mr. James of the soume of     #
thriescore poundis
Scottis money yearelie.

[} [\10 FEBRUARY 1668.\] }]
   The councill, conforme to the custome observit be their      #
predicessouris,
ordeanes the town thesaurer to pay to James Stevinson, present  #
provest, the
thriescore pounds Scotts receavit fra John Ferguson,            #
chyrurgion, for his
freedome as gild brother; which, with twa hundered merkes the   #
said provest
is to receave from the gild thesaurer, is to be in satisfaction #
to him of an gild
brothers entrie which he is to get, being once provest.

[} [\24 FEBRUARY 1668.\] }]
   Ordeans James Brown, thesaurer, to send to Holland for a new #
bell to
the town knock as big as the tollbuith steeple will receave;    #
and the size of
the said bell to be sent over.

[} [\18 APRIL 1668.\] }]
   Ordeans the clerke to write to Hugh Stevinsone, servand to   #
Sir Peter 
Wedderburn, to know quhat is the first dyet of the privie       #
councillis sitting,
that supplication may be made to their lordships for removeing  #
the castell
sojeris that are quartered in this town to their owin           #
garrisone.

[} [\13 JUNE 1668.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, dean of gild, and thesaurer, made    #
report to the
councill that they had mett with the commissioners of excise    #
and justices of
the peace of the shire, in order to the setlement of the        #
militia of the shire and
towne, and at their last meeting it was concluded that a        #
particulare list be
<P 4>
given in of all the fencible men within the shire and town, and #
that the Earle
of Callander, collonell, and the commissioners, had put it to   #
the magistrats and
councill to make choyse of a captain, leiftennent, and          #
ensigne, within themselves;
quhilk being considered be the councill, they have unanimouslie #
recommended
to the saids magistrats, dean of gild, and thesaurer to take    #
upe a particuler
list of all the fencible men within the said burgh, be the      #
constables or other
persons whome they shall think fitt to choise, that it may be   #
given in with the
rest of the lists of the shire at the next meeting, and to      #
nominat and setle
with the fittest persons they can have within the town to be    #
captain, leiftennent,
and ensigne.

[} [\24 JUNE 1668.\] }]
   Report being made that the commissioners of excise and       #
justices of the
peace for the shire had past from the listing of all fencible   #
persones, and hes
resolved to outreike the militia conform to the levies in       #
(\anno\) 1648, and
therafter, and that they have imposed upon the town a           #
proportion of the
troope horse or as many foot in lew therof as they alledge the  #
town was
formerlie in use to doe; and the counsell finding it contrair   #
to former custome,
or the custome of any burgh in Scotland, to put out troope      #
horse, have therfore
comisionat [\the provost and six others\] to repair presentlie  #
to the lords of his
Majesties privie councill and to supplicat their lordships for  #
exemption of all
proportion of hors and to debeat against the shire theranent,   #
and nowayes to
condiscend to any proportion of hors without the counsell       #
determin the contrary.

[} [\29 JUNE 1668.\] }]
   The provest, baillies, dean of gild, and thesaurer, made     #
report that as they
were readdie to goe to Edinburgh to the lords of privie         #
counsell for supplicating
exemption to the town of all proportion of horse in this        #
present militia, the
earle of Callander and the rest of the commissioners desired to #
compose and
setle the difference peaceably amongst themselves without       #
publict debeat,
which they aggried unto; and having mett togither they have     #
aggried and
condiscended with the saids commissioners that the town sall    #
onelie outreik
and put out, as their full proportione of the haill six         #
hundered thrie score six
footmen and foure score eight horsemen imposed upon the shires  #
of Sterling
and Clakmanan and burghs within the same, the number of fyftie  #
footmen
sufficientlie armed with twa pairts muskets and thrie pairt     #
pikes.

<P 5>
[} [\27 JULY 1668.\] }]
   The councill nominatis and appoyntis the baillies, dean of   #
gild, theasurer,
and conveener, to take upe a list of all the fencible persons   #
within this burgh
that out of the said list the fyftie footmen may be chosen out, #
with consent of
the captan, for the towns proportion of the militia, and for    #
encouragement of
the saids sojers so to be chosen the counsell allowes six       #
shilling Scottis to be
given each of them at their ontakeing, uther six shilling to    #
ilk an of them
quhen they receave their armes, six shilling every an of the    #
muster dayes of
the yeare, and six pounds Scottis to ilk an of them for an      #
years service to such
as will not accept of their freedome as burgesses and           #
neighbouris for them and
their childreen; and such as will accept of their said freedome #
are to have the
same for them and their childreen in als great force as if they #
payed for the
same.

[} [\17 AUGUST 1668.\] }]
   Certane overtouris being made in councill what may the       #
charges and
expences depursit and to be depursit for paying of the officers #
and sojers of
the towns militia and buying of armes, and other contingent     #
charges to be
expended in relation to the said militia, may be best payed, it #
was concluded
and aggried upon, by pluralitie of voices, that the samyn be    # 
stentit and
imposed upon the severall incorporations proportionablie, as    #
the second
ministers stipend is imposed and collected, till some other     #
easier way be
condiscended upon be the magistrats and counsell for defraying  #
the saids
charges for the futur.

[} [\29 AUGUST 1668.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, upon report made be the deacon  #
conveener
and remanent deacones, that their crafts hes absolutelie        #
refuised to consent to 
an imposition of twentie shilling upon ilk boll malt for        #
defraying the townes
debtis and publict charges, it was concluded and aggried upon,  #
by pluralitie of
voices, that supplication salbe made be the councill to the     #
Kings Majestie and
his privie counsell for the said imposition; against the quhilk #
John Galloway,
deacon conveener, for himself and in name of the haill crafts,  #
protested.

[} [\21 SEPTEMBER 1668.\] }]
   The magistrats and counsell, considering the great expence   #
upon the
town in paying twentie foure shilling Scottis, weeklie, to      # 
Robert Mein, postmaster
<P 6>
in Edinburgh, for newes letteres and gazets, and that in this   #
peaceable 
tyme there is no necessitie to be at such a charge, they have   #
therefore quat
the said Robert from continowing any longer in sending any moe  #
newes letteres
or gazetts to this town till they be farder advysed.

[} [\13 OCTOBER 1668.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and councill, considering it were    #
fit and expedient,
after soe long vaccancie of the second ministeris place of the  #
said burgh, there
were some effectuall course taken for planting the same; and    #
having heard
one Mr. Patrick Murray, expectant at Gask, preach here these    #
twa Sabboathes
last, they unanimouslie declare themselves weell satisfied with #
his doctrine,
and upon the testimonie they have seen and heard of his good    #
life and
conversatione they resolve to call him to be second minister of #
this burgh and
to grant him a presentation thereto. [\Opinions of guildry,     #
crafts, maltmen,
mechanicks and omnigatherum to be obtained.\]

[} [\17 OCTOBER 1668.\] }]
   The dean of gild, conveener, deacons of crafts, visitor of   #
the maltmen,
and representatives of the mechanicks and omnigatherum, made    #
report to the
councill that their severall incorporationes are weell          #
satisfied with the doctrin
of Mr. Patrik Murray, expectant, and with the councillis        #
purpose and intention
to grant him a presentatione to be second minister of this      #
burgh.

[} [\28 NOVEMBER 1668.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, nevertheles of the statutis     #
latelie made
appoynteing the pynt of ale to be sold for xiiij d., yet        #
whatever brewers are
willing to grant to the town an merke Scottis of ilk boll malt  #
to be brewed
be them, for defraying the charges of the towns militia, they   #
shall have libertie 
to take for their ale what they pleas.

[} [\11 MARCH 1669.\] }]
   The councill appoynts the thesaurer to send over the old     #
knok bell to
Holland and to caus cast a good new one, and the new bell which #
came home
for the Over Hospitall to be put upe and hung in the kirk       #
steeple, and the
bell that is for the present in the knok hous to be hung upe in #
the steeple of
the said hospitall.

<P 7>
[} [\5 APRIL 1669.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, considering that divers         #
persons, burgesses,
gild brether, and neighbouris of this burgh, hes deserted the   #
same and removed
themselves and familie to the cuntrey and uther burghs to       #
reside in, contrair
to the acts of burrowes and counsell of this burgh, therfore    #
the saids magistrats
and counsell statuts and enacts that all such persones sall     # 
ather return to this
burgh and reside therin, and bear their proportion of watching, #
warding, and all
other impositions, with the rest of the neighbouris and         #
inhabitantis, certifieing
such as failyies they sall amitt and lose their said freedome   #
for them and their
posteritie in all tyme therafter.
   Report was made be the proveist, baillies, dean of gild, and #
conveener,
that they have setled with Mr. Patrik Murray, now their second  #
minister, to
pay him twelve hundered merkis Scottis yearelie for his stipend #
and twa
hundered merkis yearelie for his mans and gleib.

[} [\11 OCTOBER 1669.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and councill of the said burgh,      #
being conveened,
report was made be the deacon conveener and remanent deacones   #
that none
of their trads will consent to any impositioun to be imposit    #
upon the boll malt
for defraying the charges of the militia this last yeare and in #
tyme comeing;
quhilk being considered be the saids magistrats and councill,   #
and conceaveing
that the common good of the said burgh is not able to defray    #
the same,
therefore they have unanimouslie aggried that a perfyt list of  #
all the fencible
men within the said burgh, betwixt sixtie and sixteen yeares of #
age, be taken
upe presentlie be the baillies of their severall quarters; and  # 
quhatever expences
is alreaddie depursit upon the militia that a stent be imposit  #
for the same
upon ilk person be the head. And quhatever master sall conceale #
any prenteis
or servant he is to be lyable for the said concealed person     #
himselfe.
   The magistrats and councill appoyntis the thesaurer to caus  #
make six
double and six single ledders for the townes use, and not to    #
lend them to any
persone without fourtie shilling for ilk lend, and to buy twa   #
dozen of leather
bucketts, and a green cloath for the counsell table.

[} [\8 NOVEMBER 1669.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and councill, takeing to             #
consideration the great
debt dew be the said burgh and the daylie increase thereof      #
through the
<P 8>
manifold burdeens layed upon the same, which the common good of #
the said
burgh is not able to defray; therefore, by pluralitie of        #
voices, they have aggried 
that all means be asseyed for a gift to be had from the Kings   #
Majestie for an
imposition upon the malt brewed within the said burgh for       #
defraying the
charges of the towns militia, and payment of the towns debts,   #
repairing of the
tolbuith, and uther publict charges of the said burgh, and      #
recommends to the
magistrats, dean of gild, and conveener to purchas the same     #
upon the towns
charges. [\This act rescinded 7th October 1671.\]

[} [\31 OCTOBER 1670.\] }]
   Aggried that there be a councill keept every first Saturnday #
of ilk moneth
in all tyme comeing for treating upon the common affaires of    #
the said burgh,
and the haill members are requyred carefullie to keep the same, #
but prejudice
alwayes to keep oftner dyets as occasion sall requyre.

[} [\7 JANUARY 1671.\] }]
   Recomendis to the minister to acquaint the kirk session that #
a collection
be gathered at the kirk upon a Sabboath for helping to build a  #
stone bridge
in the Kers of Polmais over Bannokburn water.

[} [\4 FEBRUARY 1671.\] }]
   Report was made be the magistrats that a collection was      #
gathered for the
bridge over Bannokburn in the Kers, but the same was verie      #
inconsiderable 
for supplie of such a worke, and therefor they recomend to the  #
magistrats to
help the same as they shall think fit.

[} [\1 APRIL 1671.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and councill, takeing to their       #
consideration the
hurt and prejudice that is done to the wrights, coopares,       #
glassinwrights,
litstares, and sklaitters, free burgesses and inhabitants       #
within the said burgh,
in suffering strangers of the saids callings, and not freemen   #
nor residenters
within the same bearing burdeen with the rest, to worke within  #
the said burgh,
and to take prenteises for shorter space then uther trads       #
doeth, and suffering
them to set upe worke at their owin hands before they attaine   #
any knowledge
of their trade, wherethrow the saids freemen who are            #
sufficiently furnished to
serve the inhabitants of the said burgh in their respective     #
callings and trades
<P 9>
are rendered unable to bear their pairt of the common burdeens  #
of the said
burgh without remead be provyded; for remead quherof, in tyme   #
comeing, the
saids magistrats and councill statutis and ordeans that noe     #
wright, coopare,
glassinwright, litstare, or sklaitter, not being freemen and    #
inhabitants within
the said burgh, salbe suffered to worke their saids trades      #
within the libertie
of the said burgh in tyme comeing till first they be enterit    #
burgesses and
neighbours of the said burgh be the magistrats and councill and #
pay therefore
as uther strangers are in use to pay, and reside and beare all  #
publict burdeens
with the rest of the neighbours of the said burgh; and that     #
none of the
freemen of the callings foresaid take any prenteises in tyme    #
comeing for
shorter space then fyve yeares, under the paine of an unlaw to  #
be exacted be
the saids magistrats and councill; provyded alwayes that the    #
saids freemen of
the callings foresaid worke at as easie rates and pryces as     #
heretofore hes been
wrought at, and incase of differences or complaints to be made  #
therannent 
that they be alwayes regulat be the magistrats for the tyme.

[} [\3 JUNE 1671.\] }]
   The magistrats and counsell, takeing to consideratioun the   #
desire of James
Russell, dean of gild, in name of the gildrie, craveing         #
libertie to sett upe a
cran at the shore upon the gildries expences, for the common    #
use of the gildbrether,
doe hereby grant libertie to the said gildrie to set upe the    #
said cran
for the use foresaid and to build a litle hous at the shore for #
keeping the
towes from rain.
   The magistrats and councill, considering the great abuse     #
heretofore 
comitted within this burgh by woole sellers, especiallie the    #
cuntrey people,
bringing in their woole to the mercat and selling the same be   #
thrie howers in
the morning; for preventing of which abuse in tyme comeing,     #
they have
statute and ordeaned that no woole seller whatsomever presume   #
hereafter to
open their sheets or packs, or sell any sort of woole within    #
this burgh, on the
calsey or in shops and houses, till seavin howers in the        #
morning, under the
paine of ten pounds ilk person.

[} [\31 JULY 1671.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, for preventing of a fyn to be   #
imposed by the
lords of privie councill for not mending the hie wayes, have    #
ordeaned the town
thesaurer to caus mend the way from the foot of the Mary Wynd   #
to the bridge
<P 10>
and to enlarge the same and imploy quarriers to levell the      #
craigs therin and
build a new dyke on the eist syde in upon the hospital croft.

[} [\2 DECEMBER 1671.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill have nominat James Stevinson,    #
proveist, and
Robert Russell, baillie, to goe to Edinburgh, soe soon as       #
adverteisment comes
from the towns advocatis, and attend the calling of the sumonds #
raised be the
Earle of Callander against the towne for the allegit staig and  #
shirreff gloves
acclamed be him.

[} [\6 JANUARY 1672.\] }]
   Ordeans that no muck or fuilyie be carried furth of the said #
burgh to lay
upon any land but such as belongs to the said burgh and         #
hospitallis, unles
the transporters therof obleidge themselves to grind their      #
victuall at the towns
milnes and pay the ordinare multour therfore.
   The magistrats and councill, understanding that the flesh    #
mercat is
abused by the landwart fleshouris in bringing in to the mercat  #
to be sold old
kye with milk in their papes, and selling the same for huddron  #
vaillis, by
cutting aff the papes and lewers and priking them bak, and      #
bringing in
casten calfes unlicked and wanting the head and selling the     #
same for good
calf vaillis; for preventing of which abuse and uthers in tyme  #
comeing, the
saids magistratis and councill statutis and ordeans that noe    #
landwart fleshour in
tyme comeing bring in to the mercat to be sold any kye abone    #
the age of
foure yeares to be sold for huddron; and that all such kye and  #
huddrons, and
all calf vaillis brought in to be sold have their heads brought #
in with them
uncutt off; and that noe ew be brought in to be sold by the     #
landwart fleshouris
or killed and sold be the town fleshouris from the first of     #
Januar till Whitsonday
yearelie, and that none of them kill nor sell any bull or toop  #
from
Michaelmes to Lambes yearlie; ilk person contraveening under    #
the paine of
fyve pounds and confiscatioun of the saids beasts.
   The proveist, baillies and counsell, takeing to their        #
consideratione the
great hurt and prejudice susteaned be the litstares of this     #
burgh through the
abuse comitted be the litstares dwelling in landwart, who keeps #
houses within
the said burgh for resett of all sorts of yairn and cloath      #
brought to them by
the neighbouris and cuntrey people to be litted, and bringing   #
in and carrieing
out of the samyn be themselves and their servantis, wherethrow  #
the saids
<P 11>
town litstares are rendered unable to beare their pairt of the  #
common burdeens
of the said burgh; for remead quherof the saids proveist,       #
baillies, and councill,
statuts and ordeans that noe litstare dwelling in landwart,     #
presume, after
Candlemes next, ather be themselves, their servants, or uthers  #
in their names,
bring in any litted cloath or yairn within the said burgh, or   #
carry any yairn
or cloath furth of the same to be litted be them, nor yet that  #
they keep any
hous or shop to receave any cloath or yairn therin to be taken  #
out and litted
as said is, under the paine of confiscation of the said yairn   #
and cloath, (if it be 
apprehended within the said burgh in their possession), and     #
payment of ane
unlaw of fyve pounds to the towns use; provyded alwayes the     #
saids town
litstares lit at as easie rates as the saids landwart           #
litstares, and to be regulat
be the saids magistrats and councill; and that it sall be       #
lawfull to any neighbour
or inhabitant of the said burgh, be themselves or their         #
servantis, to carry furth
of the said burgh their owin cloath and yairn to landwart to be #
litted be the
saids landwart litstares and to bring in the same litted as     #
said is.

[} [\3 FEBRUARY 1672.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, considering the sad accidents   #
latelie befallen
in this burgh through the old ruinous houses within the same,   #
pairt
quherof hes killed some persons in their fall; for preventing   #
of the lyke hazard
in tyme comeing they nominat the haill baillies, with the dean  #
of gild and
conveener, to take some honest neighbouris and craftsemen and   #
take a view
of all the old waist houses within the severall quarters of the #
town, and to
caus take down such as are ruinous and likelie to fall soe far  #
as may prevent
hazard in tyme comeing.
   The thesaurer is ordeaned to send to London for twa dozen of #
leather
buckets for the towns use.

[} [\16 MARCH 1672.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill appoyntis the masters of the     #
Over Hospital
to pay fourtie shilling Scots, weeklie, to each of the          #
ordinares that are to reside
in the said hospitall, for their aliement, and to lay in ane    #
load of coallis to ilk
chamber weeklie in the summer tyme and twa loads weeklie in     #
the wintare
tyme, and to furnishe candle necessary for their use.
   The councill recommends to the saids magistrats, dean of     #
gild, and
thesaurer, to meett with the commissioners of the shire annent  #
the towns
<P 12>
proportion of the present leavie of foot imposed on this        #
kingdome for his
Majesties service, comonlie called the Blue Coats.

[} [\22 APRIL 1672.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, takeing to their consideration  #
the expences
and charges alreaddie depursit and to be depursit be the town   #
thesaurer out
of the common good of the said burgh in the outreikeing of the  #
twa land sojers
and ane half sojer, with their cloaths and blue coatts, and the #
three seamen
imposed on the said burgh be the lords of privie councill for   #
his Majesties
service of the fleet, togither with their transport money to    #
Leith and Burntiland,
which the said common good is not able to defray, they have     #
therefore
unanimouslie aggried that there be three monethes assesse       #
casten on upon
the inhabitants of the said burgh and territorie thereof for    #
defraying the 
foresaids charges; and recommends to the magistrats to setle    #
with such persons
as will engadge for the said service at as easie rates as can   #
be aggried upon.
And nominats James Brown, baillie, to take twa footmen with him #
and conduct
the twa land sojers to leith and to delyver them to the captane #
and get a
discharge; and nominats Robert Anderson, conveener, and uther   #
twa footmen
with him, to conduct and delyver the thrie seamen at Burntiland #
and to get
a discharge to the town from such as hes power to receave them.

[} [\1 JUNE 1672.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, considering the manifold        #
complaints against
the master and doctours of the grammer schoole for their        #
negligence and non
proficiencie of the children therein, wherethrow the said       #
schoole is decayed, to
the great hurt and discredit of the burgh, they have            #
unanimouslie aggried
that the said master and doctours be discharged and their place #
vacand at
Mertimes, and that no master or doctour be admitted in their    #
place but by
comon consent of the magistrats and haill councill.

[} [\15 JULY 1672.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill hes aggried with John Inneis,    #
pyper, to be
common pyper to the said burgh, and to accompany the drum every #
evening
and morning as the custome was formerlie; and for his service   #
they allow him 
twentie foure pounds Scotts yearlie for fie and cloathes, with  #
ane hous to dwell
<P 13>
in or the meale of an hous; and grantis him the priviledge of   #
playing to all
penny brydellis within the said burgh.

[} [\8 MARCH 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill hes condiscended that the horse  #
race be run
in the Brighaugh 15 dayes after Coopare race, and recomends to  #
the magistrats,
dean of gild, and conveener, to see the ground and caus provyd  #
a silver cup as
good as the former.

[} [\29 MARCH 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill considering the differences that #
aryses
betwixt the town and their fewers and heretors adjacent annent  #
the mertches
of their lands, which is occasioned by the want of mertch       #
stones, and conceaveing
that the most insensible way to procure the saids stons is by   #
imposeing
upon ilk burges and gildbrother at their entrie twentie foure   #
shilling Scotts
as the pryce therof, or els to furnish the said stones of the   #
quantitie following;
therefore they hereby enact that the burgesses and gildbrether  #
to be enterit
this day, and all such as salbe enterit hereafter, be obleidged #
at their entrie
to pay in to the town thesaurer (beside their entrie money)     #
tuentie four 
shilling Scotts for a mertch stone of thrie foot long and one   #
foot square, of
broatched worke, with the year of God hewin in figures on the   #
upmest end,
or els to furnish the said stone accordinglie at the thesaurers #
option.

[} [\7 JUNE 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill hes condiscended that an         #
handsome sun
dyall be sett upe in the hospitall yaird for the decorement     #
thereof; and
understanding that John Buchanan, mason, has ane good dyall to  #
sell for that
purpose, they nominat the saids magistrats, with the dean of    #
gild and conveener,
to setle with the said John thereanent as easie as they can,    #
and to
caus sett upe the same in the said yaird; and the masters of    #
the said over
hospitall to pay the pryce therof as salbe aggried upon.

[} [\5 JULY 1673.\] }]
   Receaves and admittis the persons following to the libertie  # 
and freedome
of burgesses and gild brether gratis, viz., Williame Andersone  #
of Clayslop,
provest of Glasgow, John Semervell of Townhead, provest of      #
Ranfrew, William
Wallace, late baillie of Glasgow, Hugh Nisbet, late baillie     #
there, George
<P 14>
Anderson, town clerke, there, Alexander Knox, merchand there,   #
David Spence
town clerk of Rutherglen, John Cunynghame, sone to John         #
Cunynghame,
provest of Dumbarton, and Robert Davie, servitor to the said    #
proveist of
Glasgow.

[} [\11 AUGUST 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats and councill, considering the vaccancie of    # 
the grammer
schoole of the said burgh, through decease of Mr. Thomas        #
Ronnald, last
schoolemaster, they recommend to the magistrats, dean of gild,  #
and conveener,
to speake to the ministers and take their advyce in the         #
planting of the said
schoole with ane able schoolemaster.

[} [\16 AUGUST 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats, dean of gild, and conveener, made report     #
that they had
mett with the ministers, and after conference togither annent   #
the persons in
leit to be master of the grammer schoole, they have concluded   #
that master
William Brown, master of the grammer schoole of Culros, is the  #
fittest person
to supplie that charge; which report was approven of be the     #
councill, provyding
the said Mr. Williame be content to accept and submitt hinself  #
to the laws
of the land.

[} [\15 SEPTEMBER 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats, dean of gild, and conveener, made report to  #
the councill
that they, with advyce and consent of the ministers, have       #
setled with Mr.
William Brown to be schoolemaster of the grammer schoole of     #
this burgh, and
hes subscrivit ane minute of aggriement with him, whose entrie  #
is to be at
Mertimes next and is to continow for an year and langer dureing #
the
magistrats and councills pleasour, and his fiall to be foure    #
hundered merkis
yearelie, and to enjoy the casualities that the deceast Mr.     #
Thomas Ronnald
injoyed.

[} [\22 SEPTEMBER 1673.\] }]
   The magistrats and counsell being informed that Thomas       #
Campbell,
deacon of the glovers, did not give upe to the counsell a just  #
leit of the
persons of his craft who were chosen be his brethreen, but that #
Hugh
M'Hewn, being one who was chosen be voyce to be in the leit,    #
the said
Thomas held him out and pat in John M'Ley in his stead who was  #
not leited;
therefore they ordeane the haill trade to be warned to the nixt #
counsell day
<P 15>
that tryall may be taken of the truth therof and the person     #
guiltie of giveing
upe the said unjust leit punished.

[} [\4 OCTOBER 1673.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell unlawes Thomas Campbell,        #
glover, in the
sowme of fourtie pounds for the wrong late given in be him, in  #
respect of his
confessioune, and to remaine in waird till he pay the same and  #
farder dureing
the magistratts will.

[} [\3 JANUARY 1674.\] }]
   The proveist produced ane ordour from his Majesties high     #
commissioner
for quartering thrie companies of his Majesties regiment of     #
guard, dated the
13 December 1673, ordoureing the magistratts to delyver upe to  #
the commander
in cheife the keyes of the bridge and ports; which ordour is    #
delivered
to the dean of gild and convener to be putt in the boill.

[} [\28 FEBRUARY 1674.\] }]
   Approves of Robert Russall, proveist, and Thomas Bachope,    #
baillie, ther
report annent Alexander Burnes denunciatione of the             #
magistratts, and ordaines
ther charges to be peyed out of the first end of the            #
conventicle keepers fynes,
and what furder charges is expedient nor what the saids fynes   #
will satisfie the
thesaurer is ordained to satisfie the same.
   Ordaines Robert Andersone, conveener, and Oliver Murray,     #
their clerk
deput, to goe to Edinburgh annent the letteres intrusted to     #
their charge for
summonding of the conventicle keepers in Patrick Thomsones      #
house, upone the
15 of February last, and ther charges to be payed out of the    #
first end of the
conventicle fynes, and what they will not satisfie the          #
thessaurer is to pay the
same.

[} [\7 APRIL 1674.\] }]
   Recoments to the dean of gild for the gildrie, the deacone   #
conveener for
the deacons and trads, Cristopher Rusall, baillie, to acquaint  #
the maltmen,
Thomas Bachope to acquaint the mechanicks and omni gatherum, to #
provyde
bucketts incaise (as God forbid) fyre sould fall in the towne,  #
and they are to
report the same the nixt counsell day; and the thesaurer to     #
provyde cleiks
and towes.
   Ordaines ane ansuer to be sent to my lord Argyll his letter  #
anent his
desyre of Alexander Burns liberatioune, and appoynted Robert    #
Russall, proveist,
<P 16>
and James Browne, late baillie, to goe to Edinburgh and inform  #
the said lord
Argylle theranent and uther lords of the counsell who may be    #
misinformed.

[} [\165 APRIL 1674.\] }]
   Appoynts Robert Russall, proveist, and Oliver Murray, clerk  #
deput, to goe
to my lord Atholl and treat with him annent the quartering of   #
his troup.

[} [\15 JUNE 1674.\] }]
   The magistrats is to meit for ordoring quarters for the      #
conventione of
burrous againest the [\7th July when the convention of burghs   #
was to be held
in the burgh\] and to ordain all ventoners to have meat and     #
drink againest the
same tyme for the credit of the burgh.
   The councell having red ane desyre of John Grahame,          #
postmaster generall
of this kingdome, for their assistance anent the setling ane    #
letter office for
giving the town and contrey therabout intelligence from         #
Edinburgh tuice a 
week, and having taiken the same to ther consideration they are #
not fullie
resolved upon their ansuer but shall give the same to him       #
within ane short
space.
   The councell grants to commissar Monro the benefite of the   #
ringing of
the councell bell everie court day for better advertisement of  #
the toun and
contrie people of the dyat of court, and to continue during     #
their pleasure.

[} [\18 JULY 1674.\] }]
   The proveist and baillies, being conveined anent the         #
opposing of ane
signatur presented to his Majestie in favores of the mechanicks #
of this burgh
for the libertie of ane deaconrie within the same, the whol     # 
counsell, in one 
voice, declairs they know nothing of nor hade hand in the       #
contraiving of the
said signatur anent the liberties therin contained, nor of the  #
presenting
theirof; and theirfor they, in pluralitie of voyces,            #
condescends to oppose the
samen to the utmost of their power, and for that effect they    #
have nominat and
appoynted Cristopher Russall, baillie, and Oliver Murray,       #
clerk, to goe to
Edinburgh and consult the maner of opposing the same, and       #
quether or not
ane lettere sall be drawn to the duke of Lauderdail.

[} [\29 AUGUST 1674.\] }]
   The magistrats and councell, taking to consideratione the    #
project of the
<P 17>
measons, wrights, and uther mechanicks, factiously invented and #
caried on be
John Buchanan and others, without the privite, knowledg, or     #
consent of the
magistrats and councill, quherby they seek the priviledg to     #
elect ane deacone
of ther oun who sall have power to enter and admitt friemen and #
to seclud
and debarr all others from working within the toun and          #
territories therof, with
comand to the magistrats and councill to admitt that deacone to #
be ane
counceller and to fortifie and assist with him to put his acts  #
and ordors againest
unfriemen to executione, and quherupon the saids mechanicks had #
drawn and
prepaired ane signator for his Majesties hand and thought till  #
have gotten it
secreitlie past; and the councell forseing that if this designe #
of the saids
mechanicks should proceid it wold prejudge the whol heritors    #
within the burgh
that have houses to build and repair, and it wold also break    #
the harmonie
and good concord of the toune councell and the ancient          #
estableishment their
by an additional trads conceller; theirfore the councell, by    #
pluralitie of vots,
have resolved to oppose the said designe of the mechanicks by   #
all laufull means
and wayes. Theirefter the councell having called the said John  #
Buchannan,
measone, befor them, as the chife contraiver and promoter of    # 
the forsaid
designe, and desyred him to desist and not to proceid any       #
further therin, and
being a thing soe obnoxious to the weil and pace of the toune,  #
the said John
most arrogantly and insolently ansuered that he wold persecut   #
and sett fordward
the designe with his heall meins and fortune to the utmost of   #
his power, say
the contrair who wold; quhilk cariadge of the said John         #
Buchannan being
thought by the councell to be a great fault and ingratitude     #
done againest the
toune who gave him his burgess gratis, and finding this his act #
directly
repugnant to his burges oath, theirfore the councell, be        #
pluralitie of voyces,
declaired the said John Buchanan to have omitted and lost the   #
benefite of his
freedome as ane burges for him and his in the said burgh, and   #
the same to be
void and null in all tyme coming. And the said sentence being   #
intimat to
him he protests againest the samen and appealled to the supream #
judicatorie
for remeid theirof.

[} [\7 NOVEMBER 1674.\] }]
   Appoynts Walter Patersone, thesaurer, to bigg the guard      #
house upon the
High Street quher it was in the tyme of the Inglishes, and to   #
beginn the work
upon Mononday come eight dayes.

<P 18>
[} [\19 MAY 1675.\] }]
   Ordeanes the thessaurer and clerk to make search concerneing #
the old
court books of the fisheing of the watter of Forth and rights   #
belonging therto,
to the effect the saids magistratts may be the better informed  #
of any priviledge
or debaitts betuixt the feuars of Corntowne and the townes      #
fishers.
   Appoynts Robert Russall, proveist, [\and four others,\] to   #
treat and lay
downe ane way for setleing the horse and letter post offices.
   The magistratts and counsell, considdering of the hazards    #
incurred both
be the nighbours of this burgh and uthers through the great     #
stanes lyeing in
the towne and abay foords, that veshells are not able to goe    #
upe or downe without
the loss of both men, goods, and veshell, therfore they         #
ordained Robert
Russall, present provest, [\and eight others\] to lay downe the #
best way how to
conveen men furth of everie incorporatione for repaireing of    # 
the saids foords.

[} [\28 JUNE 1675.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell hes receaved and admitted ane   #
noble
marques James marques of Montros [\and several others\] in      #
nighboures and
gild brether of the said burgh, gratis.

[} [\14 AUGUST 1675.\] }]
   Walter Patersone, thesaurer, receaved twentie six rix        #
dollors, being 76 li. 
17 s. for the pryce of the cupp which sould have beene rune in  #
(\anno\) 1674,
after roupeing therof.

[} [\6 NOVEMBER 1675.\] }]
   Appoynted Duncane Watsone, younger, to keep the townes keyes #
which
were in Duncane Watsone, elder, late deane of gild, his         # 
custodie, till Michaelmes 
nixt, in respect the said Duncane Watsone, elder, wold not      #
accept of his
place at Michaelmas last as dane of gild, albeit he was chosen  #
be the counsell
to exerce the said office.

[} [\10 NOVEMBER 1675.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell being conveened for setting of  #
the revenewes
of this brugh and hospittall lands, and considdering that       #
everie persone overbiddeth
another out of prejudice and invy, and afterward maketh moyane  #
with
counsellers by bills to gett ease, therefore they have          #
unanimouslie condescendit
that in tyme comeing ther be noe bills given for any ease of    #
any taks ather
alreadie sett for preceeding yeares, or what sall happen to be  #
this day sett, or
<P 19>
heirafter salbe sett, certifieing any counseller who shall      #
speake in favours of
any of the saids taksmen they shalbe repute and holdine as      #
unfaithfull counsellers
and persones not freinds to the said brugh.

[} [\27 NOVEMBER 1675.\] }]
   Ordained ane dyk to be biggit with stone and lyme frae the   #
towne wall
downe wher the old trinch stands at the Borrowmylne.
   Appoynts ane letter to be sent to the archbishope of St      #
Androis annent
the planting of the first minister of this brugh.

[} [\4 DECEMBER 1675.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell who had receaved ane letter     #
from the
proveist and baillies of Kirkcaldie annent ane voluntar         #
contributioune for
bigging of ane peer at the said towne, they granted that ane    #
contributioun
sould be ingathered; and the way and maner of colecting therof  #
they remited
to the gildrie and the deacone conveener and trads to consider.
   The magistratts and counsell receaved ane letter from        #
Innerkeithing for
ane supplie for releiveing the poor prisoners that are lyeing   #
under the slaverie
of the Turks, conforme to the privie counsells ordour           #
therannent, and the saids
magistratts to interpone ther authoritie for ingathering of the #
supplies of the
presbetrie; which letter being considderit they ordained the    #
same to be
communicat be the proveist to the presbetrie the first          #
presbetrie day.

[} [\27 DECEMBER 1675.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell having receaved ane letter from #
the lord
chancellar, dated the 16th September instant, ordaines the      #
proveist and baillies
to send in ane accompt to the lords of his Majesties privie     #
counsell of all
persones who hes taken the declaratioune at Michaelmas last and #
to report
the first of February nixt; which letter being considderit they #
have delayed
any ansuer therannent till they gett notice what other burghs   # 
hes done therin;
and ordaines the clerk to wreat to Hew Stivinsone what other    #
burghs hes
done therannent.

[} [\15 APRIL 1676.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell receaved ane supplicatioune     #
under the hand
of Captaine Robert Johnstowne, and other gentlemen archers      #
within the said
burgh, mentioneing that the sport of archerie was almost        #
decayed within this
<P 20>
kingdome, yitt that other royall burrowes were rediviveing the  #
same againe,
humblie intreating therefore that the saids magistratts and     #
counsell wold give
out ane pryse to be shott for as they sould think fitt; which   #
supplicatioune
being considderit be the saids magistratts and counsell they    #
ordaine ane pryse
to be shott for to the value of 24 lib. Scotts yearlie dureing  #
ther pleasour, and
the tyme of the shootting therof to be appoynted be them.

[} [\29 JULY 1676.\] }]
   Ordaines the masters of the Over Hospitall to buy ane great  #
Byble,
ane bell, and other things neidfull, for the pensioners of the  #
said hospitall ther
accomodatioune for ther devotioune, at the sight of the         #
magistratts, dean of
gild and a tradsman.

[} [\27 NOVEMBER 1676.\] }]
   The right reverend Mr. Patrick Murray, minister of the said  #
brugh, gave
in his petitioune to the saids proveist, baillies, and          #
counsell, mentioneing that 
at the aggreement betuixt the saids magistratts and him, and    #
when he
receaved ther presentatioune to the said ministrie, it was      #
aggreed upon that
he sould have ane act of counsell for his securitie annent the  #
peyment of
tuelve hundreth merks yearlie of stipend and two hundreth merks #
yearlie
for his manse and gleib, to be peyed to him at Wittsonday and   #
Mertimes
yearlie proportionablie, dureing his service of the cure as     #
minister of the said
burgh, and that notwithstanding of the thankfull payment of the #
said stipend
and mans, yett he had no securitie granted for the tyme to      #
come, and therfoir 
craveing their might be ane act past in his favours for his     #
securitie of the said
stipend, manse and gleib money; which being considered be the   #
said proveist,
baillies, and counsell, they not onlie approve of the said      #
aggriement but also
enactis and ordaines that the said Mr. Patrick Murray have the  #
forsaid twell
hundreth merkis yearlie of stipend, and twa hundreth merkis for #
his manse and
gleib, also yeirlie, dureing his service of the cure ... and    #
thir presentis
shall be ane sufficient warrand to the thesaurer and others     #
lyeable for
payment yeirlie of the said stipend, manse and gleib money.

[} [\7 SEPTEMBER 1677.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell approves of the report [\of     #
provost Russall,
dean of guild, and bailies,\] of their procureing of warrand    #
for transporteing of
ane warlock and three witches, imprisoned by ane warrand from   #
the earle of
<P 21>
Wigtowne, as ane privie counseller, at the instance of Robert   #
Douglas of
Barloch; and syclyk approves of the said Robert Russall and     #
George Lapslie,
baillie, ther being at the counsell the said day.
   The saids magistratts and counsell approves of ane act in    #
the court book
against severall of the tailyeors therin mentioned, wherin they #
are found to be
extraordiner spenders of ther owne comon good, therfore what is #
yett resting 
of the said exorbitant spending in all tyme bygaine to          #
whatsomever persone
of persones, or what heirafter they sall exorbitantlie spend,   #
it sall not affect
the comon good of the said trad in any tyme comeing.

[} [\6 OCTOBER 1677.\] }]
   Robert Andersone, deacone of the baxters, and conveener of   #
the trads,
made complent to the magistratts and counsell upon huksters and #
severall
other inhabitants within the said brugh who vents and tops oatt #
bread, to
the great prejudice, libertie, and interest of the baxters of   #
the said burgh;
which complent being considderit be the saids magistratts and   #
counsell, they,
for the better incoradgment of the said trad, hes statut and    #
ordained, and be
thir presenttis statuts that in noe tyme comeing noe kynd of    #
bread salbe sold
or vented within the said burgh and territories thereof be any  #
inhabitant butt
be the members of the baxter trade allennerlie.

[} [\20 OCTOBER 1677.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell have appoynted and condescendit #
that the
earle of Marr gett 2500 merks for ilk chalder of the lands of   #
Raploch with the
right of patronadge, and that the right be drawne with consent  #
of lawers on 
both syds, and that they approve of the bargane made with the   #
said earle to
this purpose.

[} [\31 DECEMBER 1677.\] }]
   Appoynts the proveist, baillies, deane of gild, and          #
conveener, to meett in
the clerks chamber and conveene the wholl persones within the   #
said burgh 
that are not entered, that they enter themselves, and these who #
will enter to
the militia company of this burgh to be admitted burges gratis, #
they serveing
in the said company for the space of three yeares.

[} [\16 FEBRUARY 1678.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell, taking to ther considerationne #
that it is
<P 22>
fitt and necessar that infeftment be taken of the lands of      #
Raploch be the
masters of the Over Hospittal, in name of the poore, and the    #
saids masters to
take upe ane list of the wholl tennants and conveene them       #
together ay and
whill they find catioune for peyment of ther dewties, at the    #
sight of the saids
magistratts, deane of gild, and conveener.
   The magistratts and counsell, taking to ther consideratioune #
the great
charges the towne is putt to by putting out fyftie men for      #
serveing of the
militia, and for better satisfeing therof they ordaine the      #
wholl old poll money
to be colected, as also that everie persone within the said     #
brugh above the
aige of sixteen yeares sall pay 20 s. Scottis money of new      #
poll.

[} [\8 APRIL 1678.\] }]
   The magistratts and counsell approves of John McCulloch,     #
baillie, and
Duncan Watsone, younger, dean of gild, ther being at Air at the #
comitte of
the counsell, with the report of the saids magistratts and      #
counsell ther subscryveing
of the band for not keeping of conventicles, with the report of #
the
persones who will not subscryve for the magistratts releife.
   The magistratts and counsell receaved ane ordour from the    #
privie counsell,
dated the 27 February last, bypast, commanding the magistratts  #
and
counsell of the said brugh to present the band to the recusants #
therin contained,
and for that effect authorizes them to prosecute the same       #
conforme to the
tennor of the said act, and to report to the privie counsell    #
the next Munday.
   Ordanes the townes thesaurer, [{to buy ane silver arrow{] to #
be shott at,
to the value of twentie four pound Scottis, and that with all   #
conveniencie.

[} [\27 APRIL 1678.\] }]
   Appoynted Robert Russall, proveist, and John M'Cullo,        #
baillie, to goe to
Edinburgh and attend the summonds given to them at the instance #
of his
Majesties advocat and Sir James Campbell of Lawers, for the     #
aleadgeing some
persones to escape furth of ther tolbuithe, aleadgit guilty of  #
thifts and
robberies.

[} [\2 MAY 1678.\] }]
   The magistrats and councell, taking to ther consideratione   #
the great
abuse and convocatione of prenteises of this burgh, upon the 20 #
of Aprile
last, contrair to the acts of parliament, without libertie or   #
licence of the
magistrats, and of ther breaking up of prisone doors, in hye    #
and manifest
<P 23>
contempt of his Majesties authoritie, and ane obligatione being #
presented to
Robert Andersone, deacone conveiner, and remanent deacones of   #
the trades
within the said burgh, not onlie for their peaceable behavior   #
in tyme coming
but alsoe for submission to the magistrats for their former     #
misdemanure, the
said Robert Andersone, conveiner, for himself and in name of    #
the rest, and
they be themselves, craved Mononday next to interpose ther      #
moyane for suppressing
the said fault and for giving obedience and submissione of the  #
said
fault, and incaice the magistrats be not satisfied with the     #
said report that the
councell authorizes the saids magistrats to proceed for the     #
saids insolences
conforme to the act of parliament.

[} [\5 AUGUST 1678.\] }]
   Robert Russall, proveist, made report that he had gotten ane #
signatour
past in favoures of the said burgh, be his Majesties exchequer, #
discharging
any burgh of barronie or regalitie within two myles of the said #
burgh, and of
quhich signature the said Robert Russall presented ane double   #
to the councell,
quhich was red and approven be them.

[} [\9 NOVEMBER 1678.\] }]
   Nominat Robert Russall, proveist, to goe to Edinburgh and    #
consult with
Sir George Lochart, or some other advocatts, annent the         #
declarator depending
before the lords of sessioune upon the gift granted be his      #
Majestie and
exchequer in favours of the said brugh dischargeing burghs of   #
regallitie or
barronie to be within two myllis of the same.

[} [\29 MARCH 1679.\] }]
   In regaird of the decease of Oliver Murray, town clerk, the  #
magistrats
and counsell admitted James Norie, notar, as clerk (\pro        #
tempore\) , who made
faith as use.
   Robert Russall, proveist, produced the decreit of declarator #
recovered
upon the lait gift granted be his Majestie to this burgh        #
dischargeing regalities 
or brughes of barronie to be within twa mylles therof, off      #
whois cair and
dilligence the counsell approves; and the samin decreit and     #
charter or gift,
yit in the proveists handis, is ordained to be putt up in the   #
boill.
<P 24>
   The magistrats and counsell electis and choyses William      #
Rind, notar in
this burgh, their clerk whill Michealmas next.

[} [\7 MAY 1679.\] }]
   The magistrats and counsell takeing to consideratioun that   #
the first new
fair of this brugh falles upon the 29 instant, and that the     #
said day is appoynted
to be ane anniversarie thanksgiveing for his Majesties          #
restoratioun to his
government of his kingdomes, thairfoir they continow the        #
begining of the fair
whill the 30 May instant; and appoyntis the samin to be         #
proclaimed throw
the toun be tuck of drum the morrow and the morrow fourtnight.
   Appoyntis the thesaurer to buy ane bow and arow of silver,   # 
to the value
of twentie four pundis, which is to be given as ane free pryze  #
to the archers to
shoot for in the Frier yaird.

[} [\3 JUNE 1679.\] }]
   The magistrats and counsell takeing to ther consideratioun   #
the necessitie
of putting of the toune in ane postur of defence against the    #
appeiring dangers
of these phanaticks in the west now risen in armes, useing soe  #
many actis of    
hostilitie at Lowdoun Hill and other places, and killing and    #
murdering his
Majesties forces, they have appoynted the baillies and with     #
them the persones
following, viz., [\three persons for each quarter\] to pas with #
all dilligence throw
their severall quarters and caus secure the armes of all        #
persones known to be
disaffected therin, which they are to deliver to the baillies   #
imediatlie, with
what powder and lead sall be found in their custodie, and to    #
command them
to keip within their own dores under all hiest pain that after  #
may follow; and
also to the saidis baillies and these commissionat with them to #
take notice of
the number of the men and youthes who lies ordorlie and how     #
they are armed,   
and to command them upon the beatting of the drum that they     #
repair with
their haill armes to the hospittall, under the pain forsaid.

[} [\21 JULY 1679.\] }]
   Approves of baillie Watsone and Robert Anderson, lait        #
conveiner, ther
goeing to Edinburgh to supplicatt the privie counsell for       #
keiping of the militia
regiment heir the time of the lait rebellion.
   Appoyntis the thesaurer to receave in ane account of the     #
work done at
the port, borow mylne and sluce, to persones for getting        #
intelligence, and other
<P 25>
contingencies the tyme of the lait rebellion, and after         #
approven be the
magistrats to pay the respective persones to whom they are dew.
   The proveist gave in the new gift and declarator therupon,   #
which ar put 
up in the boill. Alsoe he produced ane lettere frae Alvae anent #
the fischeing
in the Girnell, quherunto the clerk is appoynted to draw ane    #
ansuere; and
ordains interuption to be made with all dilligence.
   The proveist, baillies, and counsell, considering that throw #
the want of
ane advocatt thir severall yearis bygane, as the tounes         #
ordinarie assessor, they
have been at great charges in consulteing evrie particular      #
affair quherin the
samin brugh is concerned, and that the setling and choyseing    #
upon ane fitt
and qualified person to be the touns advocatt for advysing of   #
ther severall
affaires may tend much to the weell and profitt of this place;  #
and the
proveist, baillies, and counsell, haveing experience of the     #
qualificatiouns
and abilitie of Mr. Robert Colt, advocatt, they therfoir all in #
one voice elect
and choyse the said Mr. Robert Colt to be, indureing his        #
lyftyme, at least
dureing ther pleasure, advocatt for the toun of Stirling, and   #
to have fiftie
eight pundis Scottis yearlie of sallarie, which was payed to    #
umquhill Mr.
George Norvell, formerlie the tounes advocatt.

[} [\9 AUGUST 1679.\] }]
   The counsell thinkis it fitt, with all diligence, that cair  #
be takin for 
supplieing the vaccancie of the ministrie be the decease of     #
doctor William
Pearsone, minister.
   The clerk produced ane instrument bearing Alvae to be        #
interupted in his
fischeing of the Girnell, upon the fourt of August instant,     #
which is ordained 
to be putt up in the boill.
   The counsell ratifies and approves all former actis made     #
against hocksters,
cadgers, and retailers, their buying, makeing paction for, or   #
receaving, of any
fleshes, fisches, butter, cheese, foulles, and other vivers,    #
untill the tymes and
under the paines at lenth therin exprest; with this addition    #
that no hockster,
cadger, or retailer, presum on any day to buy any fisch taken   #
in the tounes
watters whill they first come to the mercat and the fisches lye #
upon the hie
streit for the space of twa houres therafter; and that non of   #
ther others vivers
be bought or made paction for be the saidis cadgeris,           #
hocksteris, or retaileris,
whill they be brought to the mercat and abyde therin whill      #
elevin houres in
<P 26>
the foirnoone, ilk persone under the pain of fyve punds for     #
ilk failyie, by and
attour the confiscatioune of the vivers they shall happin to    #
buy or receave sua as
said is.
   The proveist, baillies, and counsell, not onlie ratifies and #
approves all
former actis prohibiting all neighbours to persew others befoir #
any inferior
court, except the toune court, gildrie, or trades court, sua    #
far as they have 
power to judge, unles the debt be consistoriall; and als        #
statuts and ordaines
whatevir neighbour sall in tyme comeing persew other save       #
befoir the inferior
courts above exprest, unless the caus be consistoriall, shall   #
incurr the penaltie
of ten pundis Scottis money for each contravention heirof.
   Upon complaints made to the magistrats and counsell that     #

albeit they
recover decreits befoir the toune court yit they are delayed of #
payment by the
officeris negligence in not putting the decreits to             # 
executioune, the saids
magistrats and counsell have ordained that each officer, as he  # 
is employed, putt
to execution the haill decreits, and precepts upon registrat    #
bandis, shall be
delyverit to him be any partie; and upon complaint of ther      #
negligence they
shall incurr the penaltie of fyve pundis for ilk failyie attour #
imprisonment of
ther persons. And when any neighbour refuissis to goe to ward   #
when charged
that they imediatlie make the samin knoune to the magistrats    #
that the
contraveineris may be punished.

[} [\25 AUGUST 1679.\] }]
   Robert Russall, proveist, shew that he had spoken with the   #
earle of Marr
anent ane minister to succeid in place of doctor William        #
Pearson, whois
ansuere was that Mr. John Monro was fitt for the place and      #
weell principled
and he would consent to ane presentation to him, which report   #
the counsell
approved of.
   Recomendis to the baillie of each quarter to ingather the    #
armes borrowed
out of the castle or tolbuith the tyme of the last rebellion,   #
and to delyver
back to the castle soe many as was borrowed furth therof, and   #
retire the
thesaurers receipt he gave to the governour therof.

[} [\28 AUGUST 1679.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and counsell, have condiscendit and  #
aggried that
Mr. John Monro succeid as minister in place of umquhill doctor  #
William
Pearsone, and therfoir have subscrivit ane presentation to him.
<P 27>
   [} [\22 SEPTEMBER 1679.\] }]
   The proveist, baillies, and counsell, takeing to             # 
consideratione that some of
the cheefe and most eminent burghs of the kingdome have, for    #
removeing of
the inconveniencies and debaitts that happined concerning the   #
too long
continwoance of some persones in the magistracie amongst them,  #
thought fitt
to limitat the tyme of ther endurance in office for the future; #
and the saids
magistrats and counsell of this burgh being desyreous to follow #
the good
example and to cutt of all practices, mistakes, jealousies, and #
offences, that
may occurr in this place on that behalfe in all tyme heirafter, #
have enacted
and ordained that in all tyme comeing the proveist, baillies,   #
deane of gild, and
thesaurer, (they being allwayes dewly elected yeirly) may       #
continow or be
continowed in office for the space of two yeires without        #
intervell and noe
longer; and, to the end this good designe shall not become in   #
desuitud in tyme
comeing, it is alsoe ordained that each counseller at his       #
admission shall
solemnly swear that they shall never recall nor infringe this   #
act, but observe
the samin fullie, and that naither they themselves shall cairie #
nor vott for any
proveist, baillie, deane of gild, or thesaurer, to carie or     #
continow in the said
respective offices noe longer nor the tym above prescryved. 
  
[} [\13 OCTOBER 1679.\] }]
   The proveist produced the right of patronadge granted be the #
earle of
Mar to the toun, which is ordained to be putt up in the boill.


[} [\3 JANUARY 1680.\] }]
   Recomendis to the proveist and baillies to convein befoir    # 
them the
inhabitantis in the Castlehill and to comun with them anent     #
ther bearing of
ther pairts of the publict burdens, and to report the nixt      #
counsell day.

[} [\20 JANUARY 1680.\] }]
   Recomendis to the proveist, conveiner, and clerk, to repair  #
to Allowae
and deall with the earle of Mar for ordoreing the weavers in    # 
the Castlehill to
beare ther partis of publict burdens with the toun as           #
formerlie, in regaird of
ther refuiseall, and the said noble earles desyre to continow   #
the samin when
last heir whill his returne frae the west.

[} [\1 MAY 1680.\] }]
   The proveist, conveiner, and clerk, made report of ther      #
meitting with the
<P 28>
earle of Marr anent the weavers in the Castlehill, and that the #
debaitt was by
his lordship referred to Captain George Erskin and John Keirie  #
of Gogar,
the magistrats, deane of gild, and conveiner; which reference   #
the counsell
approves of,
and recomends to their number to doe their pairts and report    #
the  
nixt counsell day.

  

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