[1661/1/494]*[print] [email] [cite] [preceding] [following]
At Edinburgh, 12 July 1661, the estates of parliament, having heard a supplication presented to them by Adam Newall on behalf of some poor people and tenants in Annandale who, by their industry and toilsome labour, do from sand draw salt for the use of some private families in that bounds, and who in regard of the painfulness and singularity of the work have ever been free of any public imposition or exaction until the year 1656 or thereby, that the late usurper, contrary to all reason, equity or former practice, forced from them an exaction to their overthrow and ruin, and thereby so depauperated them that they are in a starving condition; humbly therefore, desiring that they may be freed of that unwarrantable exaction; as also, having heard and considered the report from the commissioners for trade and bills, with their opinion thereon, the king's majesty, with advice and consent of the estates of parliament, declares the said salters, winning and making salt within the bounds above-specified in manner above-written, to be free of any payment of excise therefore, and discharges all collectors or others from any uplifting or exacting of the same from them in time coming.