Stirling peerage

iv APPENDIX TO INTRODUCTION.
part of the paper than of the rest, and that the greatest decay
is at the top of the paper, where he sees on the one side the
commencement of the affidavit, and on the other tiie notary's
docquet. Depones, tliat the certificate, signed Tliomas
Conyers, is also on the back of the paper, and that it is not
so much decayed at that part. Depones, that the paper of
the top margin, on which are tiiree stamps, and the paper of
the bottom margin, on which is tiie subscription of J. Pock-
lington, are quite entire, and apparently not touched by the
substances which have injured the rest of the paper. Depones,
that by the apphcation of chemical re-agents, indications may
be given on the paper, by which it mny be ascertained
whether there had been previously any writing ; but the
absence of these indications would not necessarily prove that
there had been no writing. Depones, that he has at present
in his possession such re-agents, and that he is ready to apply
them, if permitted ; and that they will not destroy the texture
of the paper, or efface the present writing. Whereupon the
clerk to the process declared, that he could not permit this
without the authority of the Court ; and being interrogated,
Whether, in his opinion, the paper has been tampered with,
and the writing on it altered or deleted ? Depones, that he
cannot answer that question farther than he has already done ;
but adds, that the appearance of the paper is such, that the
injury can have hardly happened by accident. Cross-exa-
mined for the defenders, and interrogated, Whether he has
been much in the habit of examining old manuscripts ? De-
pones, that he has not been much in the habit of examining
them, but that he has done so occasionally. All which he
declares to be truth. Fifteen words delete before signing.
(Signed) And. Fyfe.
R. Handyside, Comr.
James Keddie, Clh.
At Edinburgh the -ith day of June, 1836.
Appeared parties by their counsel and agents above named.
Compeared William Gregory, M.D. Fellow of the
Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, a witness cited for
the pursuers ; who, being solemnly sworn, purged of partial
counsel, examined and interrogated, depones. That he is, and
has been seven years, a lecturer on chemistry in Edinburgh.