Descriptive account of the principal towns in Scotland

20
mittee of the Heritors. There is a well conducted Sub-
scription Library, and several benevolent Societies.
Formerly Annan carried on a considerable trade in wine
and the exportation of corn, — at present the principal trade
is in cured bacon, hams, and the exportation of corn to the
amount of 20 to 30,000 bushels annually. A manufactory
for spinning cotton has been established by a Manchester
Company, which has greatly added to the prosperity and
population of the Town.
The old bridge across the river Annan has been taken
down, and a new one is now erecting on its site, towards
the expence of which a grant of £3000 has been obtained
from Government, and the remainder of the expence, sup-
posed to amount to £4000. additional, will be defrayed by
the County.
The mouth of the river forms a good harbour, having
water for vessels of 250 tons to within half a mile of the
Town, where a commodious quay has been erected.
Annan is governed by a provost, two bailies, fifteen
councillors, a treasurer, dean of guild, and town-clerk. It
possesses extensive burgh roods and commonties, the latter
of which have been divided, and are in a state of high im-
provement. The revenue of the Town, arising from Fishe-
ries, Tolls, Feu-duties, &c. is about £600 per annum. It
joins with Dumfries, Lochmaben, Sanquhar, and Kirkcud-
bright, in sending a member to Parliament.
Annan was a Roman station, and the veromum of the
geography of Ravenna. It seems to have been held by the
Britons after the departure of the Romans, till they were
subdued by the Saxons of the Northumbrian Kingdom,