Memorials of the lineage, early life, education and development of the genius of James Watt

/ fa MEMORIALS OF
certain proportion of the cess laid upon them by the Legislature for
the privilege of trade. Among others, " Sir John Schaw of Greenock
offered fyve shilling Scots, for freedome, as is above specified, to him-
self and tennants wt'in his haill lands belonging to him and inhabitants
of the Tonne of Greenock." " Item, James Tailzeour, merchant in
Craufurdsdyck, for himself, and in name of the town of Craufurdsdyck,
and the Laird of Cartsburn, his tennants in Greenock, for the freedom
above wryten, offered eighteen pennies Scots money." To the offers
so made, the Provost of Renfrew, the only Royal Burgh in the county,
appeared, and objected that the offers made by " Sir John Schaw for
himself, vassals, tennants, and possessors," and by " James Tailzeour
for himself, and in name of the inhabitants of Craufurdsdyck, were
not proportionable to their rexive (respective) trade, and offered to
adduce probatione for that effect, and craved a competent dyet might
be assigned to him thereanent ; and for that effect the saide Com-
missioners appoynted Tewsday nixt thereafter, and granted warrand
for diligence against witnesses for that effect."
Accordingly, " on the threttie day of Aprile, 1700," certain witnesses
were examined at Paisley, before Sir John Maxwell, Lord Justice
Clerk, and other proprietors. The depositions relating to Greenock
and Crawfordsdyke are as follows : —
" Compeared, Allan Speir, Bailie in Greenock, aged 40 years, married, who being
solemly sworne, purged, and interrogate — Depones, that there is ane ship called the
Nepptoun, that, as he hears, belongs to Greenock and Crawfordsdyck, but doth not
know what pt. thereof belongs to each of the saids towns and inhabitants thereof.
Depones also, that there is ane called the John that is called ane Greenock shipe, but
knows not whether there be any other partners thairin or not that dwells in any other
towne or not. Depones also, that there is ane shipe called the George, qr'of Eobert
M'Clcarie is master, but that ane pt. of her belongs to Glasgow ; and in lyck manner,
t hat there is ane other called the Hendrie, and that ane great part thereof belongs to
(rlasgow. Depones also, that there is ane bark that is reported to belong to William
liowand, but knows not whether there be any partners in her that resids clsvvhere ;