COPY Act of Parliament for repairing the Northwater-Bridge.
THE King's Majesty and Estates of Parliament, having heard a Supplication presented unto them by David Erskine of Dun, mentioning, That the Bridge upon the Water of Northesk, commonly called the Northwater-Bridge, built by the Petitioner's Predecessors, is now decayed, and in many Places thereof become ruinous, and wants Rails and Ledges; which being a common Passage to and from the North of Scotland, there is a great Necessity that the samen be repaired and upheld: HUMBLY therefore desiring, a certain Custom might be appointed and ordained to be uplifted and collected by the Petitioner, and such as should be authorized by him, for repairing and upholding of the said Bridge, as the Supplication at length bears. Which being taken into Consideration, the King's Majesty, with Advice and Consent of the Estates of Parliament, Statutes and Ordains, That for the space of Twenty Years after the Date hereof, an Imposition of Two Penies Scots on each Foot-person carrying Burden, Four Penies upon each Cart, Four Penies upon each Horse carrying Load, Four Penies upon each Bull or Cow, Four Penies upon each Sowm of Sheep, Two Penies on each Sowm of Lambs, and Six Penies upon each Horse with a Rider; Of all Persons, Bestial, Loads, and others foresaid, that shall happen to cross the said Northwater-Bridge, to be uplifted, collected and gathered thereat, by such Persons as shall be appointed by the said Laird of Dun for that Effect: And to the end the said Imposition may be truly collected and applied for the Use aforesaid, the King's Majesty and Estates of Parliament, do recommend to the Lairds of Balmain and Pittaro younger, for the Shire of Mearns, and to the Lairds of Balnamoon and Clova for Angus, to see that the Sums collected, be imployed for repairing and upholding of the said Bridge, in Manner abovementioned.
Nota, This Act tho' temporary, was thereafter, in the Parliament held 1685, made perpetual, in favour of the Laird of Dun and his Successors.