[1641/8/347]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
Our sovereign lord and estates of parliament, understanding that his majesty's late dearest father of eternal memory, taking to heart the ruinous and deplorable estate of the burgh of Perth by the occasion of the fall of their bridge situated upon the water of Tay, and how necessary it was to have the same re-edified both for preserving the burgh from utter ruin, which is one of the most ancient burghs of this kingdom, and also for the universal benefit of his majesty's lieges in their going and returning from the south to the north, it was his majesty's great care to provide a means whereby the said bridge might be re-edified by an ordinary contribution through the kingdom, in manner at length specified in an act of secret council made relating thereto, dated at Edinburgh, 23 September 1637. And forasmuch as his majesty and the estates think the course for re-edifying of the said bridge very fit and expedient, therefore and to the effect the same may be followed forth and prosecuted to the end, his majesty and estates of parliament ratify, approve and confirm the foresaid act of secret council in all and sundry heads, points, articles and circumstances except in so far as the same is innovated by the commission after-specified; and further recommend this pious and important work to all noblemen, barons, gentlemen, sessions of kirks, meetings of presbyteries, provosts and bailies and all other particular persons of whatsoever rank and quality within this kingdom, as well in burgh as landward, desiring every one of them to extend such portion of their benevolence and Christian liberality for re-edifying of the said bridge as the necessity thereof does require; desiring also all presbyteries and kirks to give order to the several ministers within the presbyteries to stir up the people of their particular parishes, recounting the equity and piety of the work to extend their liberality thereto, and for the better ordering of this work both regarding the collecting of monies and employment thereof for building of the said bridge his majesty and estates of parliament have nominated and by this commission nominate and appoint John [Drummond], earl of Perth, John [Lyon], earl of Kinghorn, Patrick [Murray], earl of Tullibardine, George [Hay], earl of Kinnoull, Mungo [Murray], viscount of Stormont, Sir Patrick Ogilvie of Inchmartine, Sir John Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Sir Thomas Blair of Balthayock, Sir Thomas Ruthven of Freeland, Master Francis Hay of Balhousie, John Oliphant of Bachilton, Peter Hay of Leyes and David Carmichael of Balmedie, William Butter, son to the late Patrick Butter of Gormock, and the provost and bailies of the said burgh of Perth for the time, or any seven of them, as commissioners to the effect after-specified, with full power and commission to them, or any seven of them, to convene, meet, consult, determine and conclude upon the best and most commodious manner of re-edifying of the said bridge of Perth and for providing workmen and materials necessary thereto, and for collecting, bringing in, conserving, utilising and disbursing of all monies given or to be given for re-edifying of the said bridge, and to make, create and constitute treasurers, collectors, clerks, overseers, attenders and other officers requisite for advancing of the said work such times as the said commissioners, or any seven of them, jointly shall think expedient, and to remove, displace, place, input and output them for such reasonable causes as the said commissioners, or any seven of them, shall think fit at their pleasure; and to give and grant to them and each one of them such particular privileges and liberties in their several offices concerning the premises as need be, and to modify and provide to them such fees and allowances for their services as the said commissioners, or any seven of them, conveniently shall think expedient, and generally all and sundry other things in the premises that to the office of commissaries in such cases of the law and custom of this realm are known to pertain, to do, use and exercise in the same way and as freely in all respects as any other his majesty's commissioners and estates of parliament in such cases or affairs might have lawfully done in any time bygone or may do in time coming, which commissioners foresaid shall be held to report once yearly or after as they shall be required of their proceedings in the said matter to the said lords of secret council, and to show to the said lords of secret council the books of their accounts, receipts and voluntary contributions received and disbursements thereof subscribed by the said commissioners or any seven of them.