Strangers and vagrants

A broadside from 17th November 1746 forbidding the inhabitants of the Burgh to lodge any strangers without notifying their presence and identity to the magistrates, so that "their Condition, Quality and Business may be known."

This measure was taken in response to several crimes committed by unknown persons and there was a fine of twenty pound Scots per transgression for those who did not respect the ordinance.

It is interesting to note that the order did not apply to the Country People who came to Town to provide food for inhabitants or soldiers. This would have been a regular occurrence.