and obtained a grant in the same terms of ye Lands and Barony of Nova Scotia, 12th July, 1625.

2o. He was created Viscount of the Town of Stirling, and Lord Alexander of Tullyebodie, by patent, dated Sept'. 4, 1630, "sibi et heredibus suis masculis cognomen et arma de Alexander gerentibus."

3o. He was raised to ye dignity of Earl of Stirling, Viscount of Canada, and Lord Alexander of Tullyebodie, by patent, dated 14th June, 1633, "sibi suisque heredibus masculis imperpetuum cognomen et arma de Alexander gerentibus."

4. Being under great dejection of spirit after losing three of his sons, who had given him the brightest hopes, and fearing, from the declining state of health of two of ye survivors, that his honours might, at no distt period, pass to a collateral branch of his family, the noble Earl did make a resignation of his titles and estates, into the King's hands, who, by charter under the Gt Seal, bearing date 7th December, 1639, was graciously pleased to confer them de novo "upon him and the heirs-male of his bodye; which failing, to ye eldest heirsfemale, without division of ye last of such heirs-male hereafter succeeding to the titles, honours, and dignities aforesaid, and to the heirs-male to be procreated of the bodys of such heirsfemale respectively, bearing the sirname and arms of ye family of Alexander, which they shall be holden and obliged to assume; which all failing, to the nearest legitimate heirs whatsoever of the said William, Earl of Stirling, with the former precedency."

[Note. I have not met with this charter in our publick records, but from a marginal reference to ye 57 volume of ye Reg of the Gt Seal, wh I noticed while I was taking the foregoing clause of limitation from Mr Ja' Hay's transcript, I am led to conclude that the charter was entered in a part of that vol. where several leaves now are wanting. Be my conjecture true or false little importeth however, since the original charter is at this time in the possession of Tho Conyers, Esq. of Catherlough, in ye kingdom of Ireland, who will no doubt let you have inspection thereof, and, for aught we know, may further be willing to give it up to you, as it can be of no use to him.]

To what is herein written I have now only to add the style of ye present Earl, as followeth :

The most noble and puissant Lord, Henry Alexander, Earl of Stirling, Viscount of Stirling and Canada, Lord Alexander of Tullyebodie, and Baronet of Nova Scotia.

For description of the arms, see No. 4.

Edinb. Jan. 14, 1723.

W. G.

(Quoted on the back, in the handwriting of the Rev. John Alexander.)

No. 3, from Mr W. Gordon.

Edin. 14. Jan. 1723.

Recd 27th.

I have compared the limitations copy'd on the other side in English by Mr Wm Gordon, with those contained in the original charter of 7th Dec. 1639, at present in my keeping; and for Mr Alexander's satisfaction I do hereby certifie, that the said Wm Gordon has given a true and faithful translation of the clause by which the estates and titles of Lord Stirling are limited, in the aforesaid charter, to descend to the heirs therein mentioned.

Witnesse my hand, this 10th day of July, 1723,

THOS CONYERS.

ORIGINAL LETTERS, the Reverend John Alexander and Mrs Hannah Alexander, his Wife, to Mr Benjamin Higgs, at the Reverend Mr Cole's, near the Southgate in Glocester.

DEAR BROR,

It is with great satisfaction that I can now call you bro', upon another account than our common Xtianity and ministerial character; for I am now to let you know, that your sister and I have at last accomplish'd the affair that was so long in dependence, and were marry'd privately at Hartlebury, last Tuesday, being the 8th instant. I am very sensible of my great happiness in having such a relative every way desirable; and I adore the kind providence of God that has favour'd this design, and bro't us thro' some difficulties that lay in the way. We both desir'd your company, but tho't best, for the sake of greater privacy, to defer requesting that

favor 'till the ceremony was over: and now my dear spouse joins with me in requesting a visit, as soon as may consist with convenience. If it should happen to be inconvenient next week, we shall write to you again, as soon as we can fix a time for settling some affairs between you and my dear; and you'll have less fatigue if you give us the meeting at Evesham, and allow yourself time to return hither with us, that we may enjoy your company a while. I bless God we are both in good health, and desire you wd assist us with your prayers, that God would vouchsafe his blessing to us in our new relation, and grant us his presence and favor in all our motions. May the good Sp' of God rest upon you, and the blessing of God attend you in all your studies and labors. I remain, with all due resp', D Bro', your affectionate Bro' and humble servt., Jo. ALEXANDER.

Stourbridge, Aug. 11. 1732.

My service to Mr Cole, whose prayers I request, and to his spouse, with all frds there.

DEAR BRO.,

I could not be easy without adding two or three words to excuse for not answering your kind letter sooner. I began more yn once to write, but being so thoughtfull about entering into this new relation, it much disordered me; but I bless God am better, and hope it will be to all our satisfaction, if God afford his blessing. If you dont come soon, give us a line. I wish for your company to Dublin. Shall say more when I see you. I am your affectionate sister, HAN. ALEXANDER.

Service to ye family.

SKETCH OF DESCENTS FROM WILLIAM, FIRST EARL OF STIRLING.

d. May, 1640.

No. III.

INTERLOCUTOR

BY

LORD COCKBURN, ORDINARY,

IN THE

PROCESS OF REDUCTION IMPROBATION,

THE OFFICERS OF STATE

AGAINST

ALEXANDER HUMPHRYS OR ALEXANDER,
CALLING HIMSELF “Earl of Stirling," &c.

The Lord Ordinary having considered the Record, proof adduced, and whole process, and heard parties' procurators thereon, as betwixt the pursuers and the defender Alexander Humphrys or Alexander; FINDS, that the question put by the defender to Eleanor Battersby, and objected to by the pursuers, is incompetent: FINDS, that the question put by the said defender to Samuel Battersby, and objected to by the pursuers, is incompetent: FINDS, that the letter dated, "Newtonards, 9th June, 1836," addressed to "Ephraim Lockhart, W.S. Edinburgh," signed "Charles Campbell," is inadmissible, and directs it to be withdrawn from the process: FINDS, that the said defender has not established that the character of lawful and nearest heir in general or in special to William, first Earl of Stirling, belongs to him, or that his services as such are warranted by the evidence produced either before the jury, or in this action: Therefore REDUCES the said two services, general and special, and the retours proceeding thereon, and decerns. Further, with regard to the defender Thomas Christopher Banks, for whom defences were lodged in this cause, but for whom no appearance has since been, or is now made, REPELS the said defences: and in so far as the conclusions of the action are applicable to him, REDUCES, IMPROVES, FINDS, DECERNS, and DECLARES accordingly ; and finds no expenses due to either party, and decerns.

(Signed) H. COCKBURN.