Duke of Montrose, &c., showing that she is the granddaughter of the Lord Kilpont, who was son to the Earl of Airth, that her mother the Lady Catherine Grahame, having married beneath her rank, lost her fortune, and that the petitioner and her sister Elizabeth are in very great poverty; and, therefore, craving his Grace to obtain for them the Royal bounty to keep them from starvation. [Not dated.] 63. Another petition by the same Alice Sellick to His Majesty the King in similar terms.

64. A third Petition in name of Alice Sellick and Elizabeth Sellick to His Grace the Duke of Montrose in similar terms.

MENTEITH LETTERS.

Letters of King Charles I. to William, seventh Earl of Menteith, afterwards for some time Earl of Strathern, and created Earl of Airth, President of the Privy Council of Scotland.

65. Whitehall, 28 October 1628.-Urges the Earl to use his diligence for apprehending and imprisoning, during His Majesty's pleasure, Sir John Ogilvie, of Craig, and George Ogilvie his brother who, notwithstanding many "fair admonitions" of the clergy, openly professed Popery, and frequently resetted priests and Jesuits, and had been excommunicated by the Church and denounced as rebels by order of the Council; and asks him to take the like course with others guilty of the same offence, and accused by the King or Clergy.

66. Whitehall, 27 November 1628.-Informs the Earl that he had ordered the Ministers of Edinburgh, who had deferred to administration of the holy Sacrament on account of the turbulent disposition of certain persons in their congregations now to administer it for the benefit of the obedient: that he had ordered the Magistrates to bring obedience among the people to their pastors, and the Lords of Session, for an example to the people, to communicate with them in the Church of St. Geills [Giles], and he asks the Earl" in particular to be present and countenance that holy action."

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67. Greenwich, 7 June 1629.-This letter contains twelve Instructions, one being, that the Earl should sound how His Majesty's Decree was liked; another, that he should treat with such as having no heritable office were desirous of a title of honour, and find out how many men each could furnish for the plantation of New Scotland; a third, that he should advise what course might be taken for making out the number of Knight Baronets that the plantation of New Scotland might be prosecuted; and a fourth, that he should represent to the Council for purpose of remedy the sufferings of Scotland from immigration of so many of the people to England.

68. Hampton Court, 29 September 1629.-That in consequence of the shortness or generality of "Sodaine Cita"tions" before the Circuit Courts, the Earl should give orders to the Judges of said Courts, and others, whom it concerned, that parties to be indyted before them have copies of their dittayes (indictments) according to the time limited by a late Ordinance of the Privy Council.

69. Hampton Court, 17 October 1629.-About Nova Scotia as follows:

"Whereas our trustie and welbeloued counsellor Sir "William Alexander, our Secretarie, hath agreed with "some of the heads of the cheefe clannes of the High"lands of that our Kingdome and with some other persones, "for transporting themselffes and followers to settle in "New Scotland: as wee doe verrie much approve of that

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course for advanceing the said plantation, and for dis"burdening that our Kingdome of that race of people, "which in former times had bred so many troubles there, "so, since that purpose may verrie much import the publict "good and quyet thereof, wee are most willing that you "assist the same by all faire and laufull wayes: And "because (as we are informed) diuerse are willing to con"tribute for their dispatch by their meanes, we requyre yow to take the best and most faire course herein that "posiblie you can, that a voluntarie contribution may be "made for that purpose," &c.

70. Whythall, 30 December 1629.-That the Earl should hold on the 10th March next a Justice Court at Jedburgh for executing justice against some theeyes and rebels of the borders who had been apprehended by Sir Richard Grahame, knight, and if no evident proof could be had against them, that, so far as law would permit he should admit of probable and apparent circumstances and presumptions for their condign punishment.

71. Whitehall, 9 February 1630.-The King is pleased to require of the Earl of Menteith that he summon for trial, and thereafter take a "speedie course for their con"digne punishment," a list of men, 33 in number, whose names are given, and which includes a number of Elliots and Armstrongs, who had rescued from the son of the

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Viscount of Drumlanerick, commissioned against the border robbers, "those three theues, fugitives, and rebells, "William Weigin, in Whisgills, and James Weigin, his sone, and Johne Armestronge, alias Tweden ;" and also to give orders for the apprehension of these thieves. 72. St. James, 2 June 1630 [Holograph].-Contains five instructions regarding the convention, taxation, the maintaining of the King's house, and the casualties of the Crown.

73. St. James, 18 June 1630 [Holograph].-Asks the Earl to call on all His Majesty's servants to show themselves really so at the Convention, specifying the Chancellor, Mar, and Haddington.

74. St. James, 18 June 1630 [Holograph].-To the same purpose, the Archbishop of St. Andrews being specified.

75. Oatlands, 31 July 1631 [Holograph].-Asks him to leave out certain places from the number of those reserved for fishing.

76. Bagshott, 30 August 1632 [Holograph]. - This letter contains instructions concerning the Earl of Carrick and Lord Ochiltree.

77. Hampton Court, 3 October 1632.-To the Chancellor and others, asking them to make arrangements for his intended visit during the next year.

78. Whythall, 7 May 1633.-Granting licence to the Earl, now Earl of Airth, to retire to any of his houses in the Country against the King's visit to Scotland, pending the investigation into the treasonable charges against the Earl.

79. Court at Berwick, 27 June 1639.-Authorising the Earl to treat with the Earl of Mar regarding his surrender of the Offices of Sheriffship of Stirlingshire, of the Chamberlainry of the Lordship of Stirling, and Bailliary thereof, and of the Water of Forth.

80. Barwike, 27 July 1639.-Commanding the Earl, as a Member of Council, to give his attendance and best assistance to the King's Commissioner at his next ensuing Assembly and Parliament.

After the death of King Charles the First, his successor, King Charles the Second, addressed the following letter to William, Earl of Airth. The letter is in the handwriting of the King, and is dated at Perth on the 19th of November, without year, but probably 1650:

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81.

My Lord,

"Perth, the 19th of November [1650].

"I could not lett this bearer, your sone, returne to you "without taking this occasion to lett you know how sen"sible I am of your affection to my seruice; and to assure you that there is nobody more sensible of you and your "families sufferings (for my father of ever blessed memorie) "and myselfe than I am. I make no doubt but to be one day in a condition to make you better returnes than in paper, which [is] all for the present I can doe. I desire you to contineu your affection to me, and to be ready vpon "all occasions, and you may be confident that I shall ever be "Your louing frind, "CHARLES R.

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Pray lett your son returne to me againe.
"For the Earle of Airth."

It appears from another letter that King Charles the Second had visited the district of Menteth in the month of February 1651. On the tenth day of that month His Majesty granted a warrant for the payment of 7,000l. sterling to William, Earl of Airth, and that warrant was granted at the Portend of Menteth. The Port of Menteith was erected into a Burgh of Barony by King James the Third in favor of Malise, first Earl of Menteith, of the Graham family, in the year 1466, already referred to [Vide No. 16.] It is probable that, owing to the state of the weather in the middle of winter, the King had been unable to visit the Earl of Menteith in his Island residence at Talla in the Lake of Menteith; and this would account for the King staying at the Port of Menteith, instead of at the Earl's residence of Talla.

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DUKE OF MONTROSE.

Letters of John Grahame, of Claverhouse, afterwards Viscount of Dundee, to William, eighth Earl of Menteith. 82. Circa 1679.-Claverhouse urges upon the Earl of Menteith the advantage of settling his affairs, establishing his successor in time, for "it can doe you no prejudice if you com to have any childring of your owen body, and "will be much for your quyet and comfort if yoe "have non; for whoever you mak choyse of will be in "place of a sonne." He instances the wisdom of Julius Cæsar in adopting Augustus, securing a thankful and useful friend, as well as a wise successor; "neither of "which he could have promised himself by having "childring, for nobody knows whether they begit wyse men or fooles; beseids that, the tays of gratitud and friendship ar stronger in generous mynds then those of

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DUKE OF

"natur." Then he proposes himself as heir, a resolution MONTROSE. the Earl seems to have already formed, marshalling with great vigour and regularity several reasons: the kindred name, and the fact that he could, more easily than any other, obtain the Earl's cousin, which union continued the family in right line; his toiling for honour, though it had been his "misfortun to atteen but a small shear," and the "francness and easiness" he lives in with all his friends. He ends with this forcible sentence: "But, my Lord, after all this, if these raisons cannot perswad you that it is your interest to pitch on me, and if you can think on anybody that can be mor proper to restor your family, and contribut mor to your comfort and "satisfaction, mak frankly choyse of him, for without "that you can never think of geating any thing don for your family; it will be for your honour that the world see you never had thoghts of alienating your family, "then they will look no mor upon you as the last of so "noble a race, but will consider you raither as the restorer "then the ruiner, and your family raither a rysing than

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falling; which, as it will be the joy of our friends and "relations, so it will be the confusion of our enimys."

83. Dumfries, February the 14th [16]79.-He had been waiting on the return of his "man " from Ireland, that the Earl might know of his [Claverhouse's] affairs, but he fears the success of the voyage, as the servant had not yet arrived. He had heard from Lord Montrose of the

too probable elopement of the Lady with an Irish gentleman. Protests the warmth of his friendship, which he was resolved should not only equal but surpass all rarer examples "either in history or romance, either in nature or "the fancy."

84. London, July the 3 [c. 16801.-This letter at great length seeks to change the resolution, formed and almost carried out, of the Earl of Menteith to transfer his title and estates to the Marquis of Montrose, showing that all he [Claverhouse] had of estate would go along with that of Sir James Graham [Menteith's uncle, and whose daughter he was to marry], towards the settling of the Menteith estates; but now the estate was in danger of being "rent" from his own family. "But, my Lord, we "must all submit to the pleaseur of God." He states that he might yet recover his estate by application to the King and Duke. Things were flying very high against the Duke, but he assures the Earl of his fidelity, cheering him in this way :-" When my affairs go wrong, I remem"ber that saying of Loucan, Tam mala Pompeii quam prospera mundus adoret,' and therefor provyd me treues, as you promised, and a good bleu bonet, and I "will asseur you there shall be no treuse trustier than myn."

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85. London, July the 8 [1680].-This letter shows him smarting under the same trouble as the last, and intimates the probability of his going to Dunkirk with the envoys to see the Court of France.

86. London, August the 24 [1680].-Informs the Earl that he was mistaken as to his affairs in Scotland, and that his affairs and troop were never in better order, only as regards the passing of his signature of the forfeiture which he, the King and Duke, had at last secured after much opposition. Still on the subject of succession.

87. London, October the 1 [1681].-Indignantly denies and swears vengeance for the slanderous report that had "given ill characters and said things" of the Earl to the Duke of Lauderdale that he was ashamed to repeat. He had "always laid the sadle on the right horse," and refers to Sir James as witness of his good feeling toward the Earl. The Isles of Menteith are the first place he will visit in Scotland, so "in love" is he with them.

In concluding these Reports on the Montrose, Lennox, and Menteith Muniments, I have humbly to suggest that they should be arranged and catalogued in the order in which I have reported upon them.

Note of Inspections of Charter Repositories made in the year 1871.

During the year 1871, and chiefly in the course of my short official vacation, inspections were made by me of the Family Muniments of the following Noblemen and Gentlemen :1. His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry at Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfriesshire.

This Collection is extensive and valuable, both as regards ancient charters, extending back to the twelfth century, and historical correspondence in the time of King Charles the Second and King James the Second of England.

2. His Grace the Duke of Roxburghe, at Floors Castle, in the County of Roxburgh.

This collection is valuable for Border history.

3. Lord Blantyre, at Lennoxlove, in the County of Haddington.

4. Andrew Fletcher, Esq., of Salton, at Salton Hall, in the same county.

This collection contains very extensive correspondence on the Insurrection, in the year 1745.

5. The Honourable Mrs. Hanbury Lennox, at Lennox Castle, in the County of Stirling.

6. George Stirling Home Drummond, Esquire, of Blair Drummond, in the County of Perth.

7. John Glencairn Carter Hamilton, Esquire, M.P. for South Lanarkshire, at Dalzel, in that county.

8. Robert Vans Agnew, Esquire, at Barnbarroch, in the County of Wigton.

On these muniments I intend to make Reports as soon I can overtake them, as well as on the other muniments belonging to His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, preserved at Dalkeith, which are distinct from those at Drumlanrig; Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, as Countess of Cromartie; the Duke of Argyle, the Duke of Athole, and several other noblemen and gentlemen who have readily authorised me to make Reports on their Family Muniments.

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE MOST HONOURABLE THE MARQUIS OF BUTE AT MOUNTSTUART, ROTHESAY. There is here a very extensive series of family charters, beginning with those from Robert III., Johanni Senescalli de Bute, dilecto fratri nostro. One of them, dated 11th November 1400, confirms an earlier grant by his father of the office of Sheriff of the Isles of Bute and Arane. Another, of the same date, confirms a charter by his father of the lands of Ardumlese and Grenane, in Bute, and Corregelle, in Arran.

Charter by Robert, Duke of Albany, to John Stuart, Sheriff of Bute, his brother, and Janet Semple, his spouse, daughter of John Semple, of Eliotston, of the lands of Barone, in the Island of Bute, dated at Renfrew, 4th July 1419.

Charter by James IV. to Ninian Stewart, Sheriff of Bute, of the keeping of the Castle of Rothesay, of which he is made captain and keeper, with a yearly payment of forty marks out of the rents of the granter's lands and lordship of Bute. Dated at our New Castle in Kyntir, 5th August 1498.

Record of a Sheriff Court of Bute, held under a Commission in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, on 15th August 1579, when Decreet was pronounced at the instance of John Stewart, Sheriff Principal of Bute, and as captain and keeper of the Castle of Rothesay, in use to receive the following wedderis and dewties "furth of the lands "eftir specifeit, that is to say, furth of the landis of Cowbasbeg yeirlie ane wedder, ane creill full of peittis, and ane sled full of stray; furth of the landis "of Cowbusmore yeirlie ane weddir, four creill of "peittis and four sled full of stray," &c. &c. "The price of the peice of the said wedderis yeirlie over"heid xiiiis., price of the creill full of the saidis peittis "xviiid., and price of ilk sled full of the said stra xxxd.

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money of the realme." The Decreet is against Niniane Bannatyne, of Kames, heritor of the said lands. Another Decreet, but by the Lords of Council, dated 11th November 1690, is at the instance of Robert Stewart, of Ascog, advocate, against John McKinley, in Meikle Kilmorie, and others, tenants in Bute, and sets forth that "where umquhile Robert Jamieson "Crouner of Bute, be verteu of his rights granted by umquhile had good and undoubted right "to one firlot of corne and ane lamb yeirly from each persone who are worth one, two, three, four, fyve, or six horses, plewed, tilled, laboured, or manured any of the few lands within the Isle of Bute." It was found that the said Robert had good and undoubted right" to ane lamb, and firlott good and sufficient oats "to be paid out of the haill few lands of Bute, . . "wher there is but one man about one plough; and "where there is two or more men about one plough, two lambs and two firlots, good and sufficient oats." In a Charter under the Great Seal, dated 27th August 1703, in favour of Sir James Stuart (afterwards Earl of Bute) of the heritable office of Constabulary of the Castle of Rothesay, there is a clause of Novodamus erecting the whole lands into a regality, and a revenue is specified as annexed to the said office of Constable, viz., "unicum Corbem glebarum et unam galinam de "unaquaque domo fumosa infra burgum de Rothesay,"

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with an annual rent of 65 marks out of the rent and dues of the Mill of Rothesay.

The erection of these lands into an independent regality, and of others, "some holden by the Earl of Bute

of the Duke of Argyll," was supposed to involve an invasion of the duke's rights as Justiciar General of the whole bounds of Argyll and the Isles, and it led to inquiries, of which one part is a document dated 4th December 1703, entitled, "Privat Memorial for his “Grace the Duke of Argyll anent the right to the jus"ticiarie generall, and a Memorial and queries for his "Grace anent the rights of Justiciary General, with "Answers anent the present state of the family of Argyll, dated 24 Dec. 1703."

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Among the miscellaneous papers is a gift under the Privy Seal by James VI. to David Cuming, Master of the Sang Scule of the burgh of Edinburgh, narrating that his Majesty understanding the art of musick to be neglectit and to becum almaist in decay within our "realme, we not willing it sa to be, but rather the "science thereof to be followit, and the followiris to "be sustenit upoun the foundatiounis of colleges and levingis as wer erectit and dotit for uphalding thairof, " and remembering how that laitlie for the better "mantening and setting fordward of the said airt, and "of sic as will giff thair diligence and travellis thairin "in tyme cuming, we maid and constitut our louit "David Cuming, now maister of the Sang Scule of oure burgh of Edinburgh, being ane actual teichar "of the said airt and expert thairin, to be preceptor "and maister of the College Kirk of Restalrig, and " of all prebendaries and chaplanreis thairof, whilkis "all wer foundit of auld to the decorie and mantenance "of the said airt, and have gevin to him the care "thairof for all the dayis of his lyif, and now us willing "to reduce the foundationis to the pristine estat, to "wit, that the personis to be provydit tharto ar expert "in the airt or will gif thair diligence in lernyng thairof " and following furth the samen in tyme coming, and "that utheris not of that sort sall nawayis possess the "commoditie thairof, have now gevin grantit and

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disponit to the said David Cuming, maister of the Sang Scule of our burgh of Edinburgh, all and haill "that prebendarie callit Bute tercius, foundit within "the said College Kirk of Restalrig, with all and sundry "lands, annuals, teinds, &c. pertaining therto .

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now vacand in our hands be deceiss of umquhile Sir "William Barbour, last prebendar lauchfullie provydit "tharto, and be the insufficiencie or inabilitie of Johne "Barbour now pretendand the tytil thairof, as disponit "to hald him at the sculis, he not being ane scollare,

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noyther using the musick or uthir science, bot ane "mareit man awaitand upon secular effairis and sa "unhabill to brouk the said prebendarie." Therefore revokes any grants thereof to him, and confers the prebendary on the said David, &c.

Instrument on a gift of the marriage of James Stewart;

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Apud Burgum de Irweine, 26th Feb. 1616. The "whilk day in presence of us Notars Public compeared "John Glass, servitor to Johne Stewart, Sheriff of Bute, "and as his procurator, and having the gift of our

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sovereign lord to him, his heirs and assignees, of the mareage of James Stewart, son lawful to umquhile "John Stewart, of Ardmoleis, with all profits therof . . . "and past to the personal presence of the said James "Stewart, and the letter of gift having been read, the " said John Glass offerit to the said James, Elizabeth "Bannatyne, dochter lawful to Hector Bannatyne, of "Caymes, in mareage, as pertie aggreable to him, ane "frie woman, of perfyt age, of honorabill parentage, "and to whom he may have access to resort and "repair unto, and quhais parents are willing to per"forme the said mareage and to compleat and solem"nizat with hir the holi bond of matrimonie in face of "holie kirk, with all solemniteis requisit, and thair appoyntit and assignit to him the 12th day of Mairch nixt to cum within the Kirk of Rothisay, in Buitt, "for convening, ending, and perfytting of the said mareage as offerit; to which the said James answerit "that he wold adwys with his mother and freindis "thereanent. Therefore the said John Glass, procurator foresaid, in respect of the foresaid deferring answer, protestit solemplie the samen micht be holden "for ane absolut refuis and for the doubl availl of his "said mareag and haill profeittis thairof to the said "donator, in so far as be the lawis and consuetud of "this realm may be had, &c."

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Instrument dated "At the Kirk of the Largis the xxiii "day of July 1549," showing that in presence of a notary, James Stewart, Sheriff of Bute, protested that

OF BUTE.

he being pursued for treason, was compelled through MARQUIS dread of his life, to sell his lands of Arran to James, Earl of Arran, Governor of the Kingdom, &c., and that when he can get justice the said selling shall be of no effect.

Dispensation addressed to the Bishop of Sodor, or his vicar in spirituals, for the marriage of [Alexander ?] Bannachtyn, laic, and Cristina McKall, a woman of that diocese, related in the third and fourth degrees of consanguinity. 10th June 1532.

Dispensation by Balthasar Stuerdus, prothonotary of the Holy See, addressed "decano de Bute," for the marriage of John Bannatyne with Marion Gonyburch, related in the fourth degree. Edinburgh, 11th July 1514.

A docquet on the back by Mr. Finlay Lenax, Dean of Bute and Vicar of Kingarth, witnesses its execution.

JOHN STUART.

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF SEAFIELD AT CULLEN HOUSE.

In the Charter Room at Cullen House there is a valuable and extensive series of charters and documents connected with the many lands and baronies belonging to the Earl of Findlater and Seafield, of which a careful inventory was prepared by Mr. William Robertson, of the General Register House, Edinburgh, entitled "Inventory of the Writs of the ancient Estate and "Regality of Ogilvie, comprehending the Baronies of "Findlater, Deskfoord, Drumnakeith, and many other "lands, from 1405 to 1705, when the whole estate came "into the person of James, Earl of Findlater and Sea“field, Lord High Chancellor of Scotland."

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The Earl of Seafield is also representative of the ancient family of the Grants, of which clan he is the chief. At Castle Grant there is a collection of papers connected with the history of this family and their extensive estates, which are not included in this report.

Among the papers at Cullen House is a manuscript of the 16th century (2 pp.), containing a genealogy of the family of Findlater, beginning with Sir Walter Ogilvy, who is described as one of two brothers of the House of Lintrathin, in Forfarshire, sons of Sir Walter Ogilvy, High Treasurer to King James I., who married Elizabeth Glen, heretrix of Lintrathen.

Sir Walter married Margaret Sinclair, heretrix of Findlater and Deskford, and by her had two sons, James and Walter. James was married to a daughter of Sir Robert Innes, and had issue five sons and five daughters. The eldest son was married to a daughter of George, Earl of Huntly," the second son callit "Mr. Walter Ogilvy was governour and tutour to "Henrie the 8 of England."*

Several of the earliest documents relate to the acquisition of the Barony of Findlater with the heiress of Sinclair.

On 15th December 1435, Alexander de Sinclair renounces in favour of Margaret de Sinclair, daughter and heir of John de Sinclair, of Findlater and Deskford, all right he could claim under a tailzie or entail made betwixt him and his brother, the said John Sinclair; and in 1437, Alexander de Sinclair, son to Ingram de Sinclair, grants a charter to Sir Walter Ogilvie of the lands of Deskfurd and Findlater.

In the same year is a notarial instrument, at the instance of Sir Walter Ogilvie, setting forth that a seal bought from a certain goldsmith in Dundee by Alexander Sinclair, with which he had sealed the deeds of resignation of Deskfoord and Findlater, was his seal of arms, and that he ratified and approved of the said deeds.

Other two like instruments, dated 30th September 1437, at the instance of Sir Walter Ogilvie and Margaret de Sinclair, relate to their arms or coats armorial.

Another instrument, dated 22nd Feb. 1458, contains a declaration by Margaret Ogilvy, Lady Deskfoord, setting forth that she was not detained against her will in the Castle of Finlater: "et dixit quod vox populi "scandilosa esset quod est aut fuit infra clausuram de Fynlater vi aut contra velle tenta sive incarcerata : Quiquidem Mergareta non vi aut metu ducta nec errore lapsa sed sua libera et spontanea voluntate "animo non variando ut apparuit publicauit asseruitque jurauit quod nunquam hactenus infra dicte domus

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In the Advocates' Library is a MS. (33. 2. 24.), being a panegyric in honour of and addressed to King Henry VIII. by Walter Ogilvy.

EARL OF SEAFIELD.

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"clausuram est aut fuit contra velle tenta siue incarcead sue libitum voluntatis extra dictam clausuram quando et ubi sibi melius placuerit deambulare potest. This was done, at Fynlater, presentibus "honorabilibus vel discretis viris Roberto. Guthre, "fratre dicte Mergarete, Johanne Nicholson, capellano, "Alexandro Wardroper, et Ricardo Scot, cum multis "aliis ad premissa vocatis."

On 9th February 1445, Sir Walter obtained the Royal licence of James II. for building towers and fortalices in his Castle of Findlater.

Several early deeds relate to the office of Constabulary of Cullen and the annexed lands of Pittenbringan. On 21st July 1408, Robert Duke of Albany granted a charter to David de Haya, son of John de Haya, of Tulibothi, and Elizabeth his wife, in which he confirmed all grants and gifts by John Matulan of Natherdale, to the said John de Haya, of the lands of Pittenbringan, and office of the Constabulary of Cullen.

By a charter under the Great Seal, dated 10th March 1481, King James III. confirmed to Sir James Ogilvy a charter granted by John de Haya, Constable of the Constabulary of Cullen, with the office and pertinents thereof.

On 10th Nov. 1407, the above John Matulan or Maitland, of Netherdale, granted a bond of man-rent to David de Hay and Elizabeth his spouse, whereby he obliges himself to loose and make free from Alisander Comyne" and fra al othyrs all the lands of Drumna"keith, and to warrant their lands of Pettnabringan."

Several documents illustrate the history of the Collegiate Church of Cullen. On 6th March 1455, a ratification was granted under the Great Seal, of the erection and endowment made by King Robert Bruce in the College Kirk of Cullen, and on 13th July 1543, Mary Queen of Scots granted a ratification of several endowments in favour of the Provost of the College Kirk of Cullen. The deed narrates that "the auld chaiplanrie "of fiwe pundis infeft be umquhile our predecessoure "King Robert the Bruce, of gude mynde of the burrow "rudis of oure burghe of Culane, with thretty thre schillingis four pennyis gevin in augmentatioun "thairof be the bailleis and communitie of the said

"burgh to sustene ane cheplane daylie ... to pray "for the saule of Elizabeth, his spous, quene of Scottis, quhilk deceissit in our said burgh of Culane, and hir "bouallis erdit in oure Lady Kirk thairof, be perpetu"allie, unit incorporat, and erectit in help and

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supplement of oure College Kirk newlie erectit be "bailleis, burgesses, and communite of Culane, Alex"ander Ogilvy of that ilk, and Alexander Dyk, archi"dene of Glasgow, be consent and confirmation of the bischop and chapter of Abirdene."

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By a deed of erection and foundation dated 10th Dec. 1536, the chaplainry of St. Anne was instituted in the Collegiate Kirk of Cullen, on the gift of John Duff of Muldavit (ancestor of the Earls of Fife).

In a lengthy document written on 10 folios of parchment, dated February 1552, the Archbishop of St. Andrews confirmed the erection of the Collegiate Church of St. Mary of Culan. It prescribes minutely the duties and qualifications of the prebendaries, describing their dresses, fixing their hours of service, and the nature of their musical performances. It is thus a good specimen of the ideas involved in a Scotch collegiate foundation shortly before the Reformation.

Among the other miscellaneous papers, I may note a commission, in French, dated at St. Germans, 9th October 1560, by Queen Mary, and signed by her, to Sir James Ogilvy, to be steward to her in France.

Copy of a bond of chieftaincy (attested by the Earls of Rothes and Findlater), granted by Sir George Ogilvy of Dunlugas, Walter Ogilvy, heir apparent thereof, and George Ogilvy, son of Walter, ratifying a contract betwixt James Ogilvy of Cardell and the predecessors of the granters, whereby they esteem, honor, and accept of Sir Walter Ogilvy of Findlater and his heirs to be their chief, and to ride with, assist, and accompany them in all actions concerning the weill and honor of the house of Findlater, dated 11th January 1613.

There are several deeds relating to the settlement of a serious disturbance which occurred between the families of Ogilvie and Gordon, about the middle of the 16th century. Sir Alexr. Ogilvie married, first, a daughter of Lord Saltoun, by whom he had a son, James Ogilvie (of Cardel); second, Elizabeth Gordon, by whom he had a daughter Margaret, who married John Gordon, son of the Earl of Huntly. By advice of his wife, Sir Alexr. Ogilvie attempted to disinherit his son James Ogilvie, and settled the greater part of his estates on his son-in-law, John Gordon, who succeeded

thereto in 1555. James Ogilvie was at this time absent in France in the service of Queen Mary, but on his return with her Majesty to Scotland, he took steps to reclaim his hereditary possessions, which being resisted by Gordon, the two families and their retainers had recourse to arms to settle their dispute, and the north of Scotland was on the eve of being embroiled in civil war, when by the mediation of some friends, the contending parties were induced to submit their dispute to the arbitration of Queen Mary, who accordingly came to the north accompanied by the Earl of Murray, and received the keys of the castles of Auchindoun and Findlater in token of their submission to her authority; the Queen met the disputants in the Church of Cullen, where peace was sworn and ratified between them before the high altar in presence of Her Majesty. The Solemn Decreet Arbitral pronounced by the Queen is dated 24th March 1566.

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1. "Yow shall not permit the General Assembly to approve the Synod or Presbytery Books, which contain their late association or covenanting band, nor the said "bond itself, which relates to Church government." 2. "Yow shall not permit nor debate to be moved or brought in which relates to the Churches pre"tended intrinsic power for calling of assemblys or synods, otherwise than by our authority, and if you can not stop them by smooth means you shall dis"solve the assembly, and, if they refuse to obey, you "shall require our Privy Council to interpose their "authority."

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3. "If they do proceed, as we hope they shall not, to sitt or act in opposition to our authority, you shall "order the Commander in Chief to dissipate them, and you shall require our Council's concurrence to "that effect."

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Of this period is a "Memoriall for my Lord Chan"cellor about the Chancellor's right of signing inter"loquitors in the session." Somewhat later are Copies of some letters containing observations about the improvement and refor"mation of the West Highlands, and obstructions the "manufactures may meet with in the Highlands con"sidered." "Causes of ye present disorderly state of "the Highlands of Scotland."

Copy letter, my Lord Lovat to the Earl of Islay, dated Beaufort, 27th May 1737, as to the accusations made of his being disaffected, and a plotter to disturb the Government.

Two fasciculi of copies of letters between the Earl of Findlater, Ludovick Grant of Grant, Lord Lyon, Lord Lewis Gordon, Lord Loudon, Lord President of the Court of Session, with documents, and a statement by the Laird of Grant.

A series of letters from Lord Hardwicke to the Earl of Findlater in 1747, 1748, 1751, 1753, and 1764, generally in regard to the settlement of the country after the rebellion; the employment of the factors on the forfeited estates; and the politics of the day.

In one, dated 25th August 1747, in answer to a letter from Lord Findlater as to the state of the country and the measures for keeping order, Lord Hardwicke writes, "I own it surprizes me that any of the sensible "Jacobites who know the world can still, after all the

THE MANUSCRIPTS OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE EARL OF GLASGOW, AT CRAWFORD PRIORY, IN FIFESHIRE, HAWKHEAD, IN RENFREWSHIRE, AND KELBURNE, IN AYRSHIRE.

Among the many Charters at Crawford Priory, several are of considerable antiquity and interest.

The first document, in point of date, is a notarial Instrument of Transumpt, dated, in the chapel of Byres, 20th September 1378, of a Precept by William of Keith, Marischal of Scotland, to Robert Normanville, Baillie of all his lands of Tolghfraser, desiring him to give sasine to William of Lindesay, and Cristian his spouse, and in her right, of the lands of Tolghfraser now in his hands, except 81. of land in the same which he reserved. The Precept is dated, at Elgin, 5th August 1378.

Procuratory of Resignation by William of Keith, Marischal of Scotland, and Margaret, his spouse, to James de Lyndesay, Alexander de Lyndesay, and William of Dyschynton, Knights; Thomas Sybald, John of Cragy, and William Talyfer, Esquires, for resigning the lands of Ochtyrothyrstrothyr into the hands of the Bishop of St. Andrews, of whom they are held, dated, at Kyntor, 19th August 1380. (No witnesses.)

Charter by William of Keith, Marischal of Scotland, and Margaret Fraser, his spouse, to their son Robert of Keth, of the lands of Auchterutherstruther (now Struthers), in Fife. To be held of us and Robert of Keth our heir, son of the late John of Keth, our son and heir, and his heirs male, whom failing from the Bishop of St. Andrews, in capite. Rendering the said Robert and his heirs to the said Robert, our heir, a pair of gloves in name of Blench farm, dated, at our Manor of Kyntor, 20th October 1380. Witnesses, Robert, Earl of Mynteth, James and Alexander of Lyndesay, Knights, Sir John Barber, Archdeacon of Aberdeen, William of Fenton, Alexander of Stratoun, Johne Crabe, burgess of Aberdeen, and many others.

In this party, gathered together at the seat of the Marischal at Kyntor, we find the future Regent of Scotland, with the poet Barbour, and a wealthy burgess of Aberdeen descended from Crab, the Fleming, who so bravely helped to defend Berwick in the time of Edward II.

At this time the lands and rock of Dunnottar belonged to William Lyndesay of the Byres, son-in-law of the Marischal, and an arrangement was made whereby the latter exchanged his lands of Struthers for those of Dunnottar, as I have explained in my report on the papers of Sir Patrick Keith Murray, of Ochtertyre.

The next Charter is the deed by which this was carried out.

Charter by William of Keth, Marischal of Scotland, and Margaret, his spouse, to William of Lyndesay, Knight, Lord of Byres, and the granter's daughter, Cristiana, spouse of the said William, in excambion for the lands of Dunoter, granting their lands of Ochtirothirstruthir with the chief messuage of the same, which formerly belonged to their son Robert of Keth, Knight, and were resigned by him. Sealed (without date or place being specified). Witnesses, Walter, Bishop of St. Andrews, Robert, Bishop of Dunkeld, Stephen, Bishop of Brechin, Robert, Earl of Fife and Menteth, George, Earl of March, Sir James of Lynde say, Lord of Buychan, Sir David of Lyndesay, Lord of Glenesk, and Sir Alexander Fraser, Knights.

Charter by William of Keth, Mareschal of Scotland, and Margaret, his spouse, to Sir William de Lyndesay, Knight, and their daughter Cristiana, spouse of William, of their lands of Ochtirothirstruthir, Wester Markynche Petyndreyche, with 81. of annual rent of the lands of Dunotyr, with the castle and pertinents specified in their Charter to the said William and Christian. In default they bind themselves in 1,000l. of sterlings of Scotch money to the said William and Christian, and in 1,000l. of sterlings to the fabrics of the churches of Aberdeen and Glasgow in name of penalty, and for the more security the said Margaret, spouse of William, having touched the Gospels in presence of a notary and witnesses, took her oath not to come against the said grant. Dated, at Fetheresso, 8th March 1392-93.

Charter of Confirmation following thereon by Walter, Bishop of St. Andrews, dated, at Lochleven, 1st July 1393.

Notarial instrument, dated at Aberdeen, 30th July 1428, showing that a noble lady, spouse of Alexander of Setoun, Lord of Gordon, gave oath that she had not been compelled to join in an obligation granted by her and her husband, the said Alexander, and Alexander their heir,

to John de Lyndesayof Byris on the ratification of an excambion between the late William of Keith, Marischal of Scotland, and Margaret Fraser, his spouse, or Robert of Keith, their son, who is now Marischal of Scotland, on the one part, of their lands of Ochtiruthirstruthir, Wester Markynche, and Petyndrech, belonging in heritage to the said Margaret, with the late William of Lyndesay, Lord of Byrys, father of the said John of Lyndesay, for his lands of Dunotir, which the said Robert of Keith now possesses.

Confirmation by Alexander of Setoun, of Tulibodi, son and heir of Lady Elizabeth Gordoun, to a noble lord, John de Lindissai, of Byris, Knight, son and heir of Sir William of Lindissai, of the excambion narrated in the preceding Charters, dated at Edinburgh, 23d February 1439. There are many writs in the collection connected with the "offices of the Regality and Priory, Justiciary, Bailliary, Crownery, and Admiralty of St. Andrews, "and Customs Cocket and Searchery."

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Among these are the following:

Charter by King David II. to William, Bishop of St. Andrews, of the cocket and custom of the regality of St. Andrews, 5th June 1363.

Charter by King Robert III. to Henry, Bishop of St. Andrews, of said cocket and custom, 28th May 1405. Charter by King James II., confirmed by King James III., conferring on the Bishop a free regality of all his lands north of the Forth, 1452, and confirmation, 1480. The privileges conferred are very ample, and include the right of coining money.

Charter by John, Archbishop of St. Andrews, to Patrick Learmouth, of Dairsey, of the offices of custumary and keeping the cocket, within the regality of St. Andrews, 16th Dec. 1556.

Charter by the Archbishop, of same date, to said Patrick, of the offices of stewartry, bailliary, justiciary, and crownery, 4th April 1562.

Another Charter by the Archbishop to the said Patrick, dated 5th March 1577, confers on him the right of searching all ships in the hail ports of the regality of St. Andrews, to be held for payment of a penny Scots in name of Blench farm. These offices were apprised from William Learmouth, of Dairsey, by John Lord Lindsay in 1609.

Among the old writs of the lands of Balmain are several which preserve the names of sundry provosts of Kirkheugh, a collegiate foundation at St. Andrews, which came in room of the early Culdee Monastery of that place.

Charter by John Kennedy, Provost of Kirkheugh, to David Lindsay, eldest son to John Lord Lindsay, of the Byres, and Janet Ramsay his spouse (on the resignation of the said Janet), of the third part of the lands of Balmayne, 10th Nov. 1458.

Precept of Clare Constat, by James Allardyce, Provost of Kirkheugh, in favour of John Lord Lindsay, of the Byres, as heir to his brother David in these lands, 2d Dec. 1497.

Charter by Sir James Kincraig, Provost of Kirkheugh, to John Lindsay, of Pitcrevie of the said lands, 28th August 1521.

Precept of Clare Constat, by James Learmont, Provost of Kirkheugh, to Alexander Sibbald, as heir of James Sibbald, of Rankeiller, his father, in said lands, dated 28th Aug. 1557.

Robert Buchanan, Minister of Ceres, is Provost of Kirkheugh, in 1606, when he ratified a gift of the patronage of Ceres by the King to John Lord Lindsay, on 26th July of that year.

Among the writs of the lands of Cassindilly is a Charter, by Joan, Queen of Scotland, confirming another granted by James Kinninmouth, of that ilk, to John Lord Lindsay, of the Byres, to be held of the Earl. of Fife, dated 13th March 1440. The Queen's confirmation is dated 31st March 1440-41.

Connected with the Kirk of Crail is a procuratory of resignation by Dame Isobel Hepburn, Prioress of Haddington, of the Kirk of Crail, parsonage, and vicarage, in favour of Sir Andrew Murray, 29th Dec. 1606.

Presentation, collation, and institution by Mr. William Murray to be minister of the said Kirk of Crail, with the decreet conform against the parishioners, dated 27th June 1607.

Among the writs of the lands of Parbroich, Ladyfrene, Kingask, and others, are the following:

Precept by Robert Duke of Albany, for infefting Andrew Scrimzeor as heir to Nicol Scrimzeor, his father, in the lands of Lillock, dated 18th April 1404.

Three notarial instruments upon the refusal of James Pitblado to give seisin to James Scrimzeor of these lands, dated in 1446.