Stirling peerage

Jvjji APPENDIX TO INTRODUCTION.
and obtained a grant in tlie same terms of y'^ Lands and
Barony of Nova Scotia, 12tii July, 1625.
2^ 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 arnia de
Alexander gerentibus."
3°. He was raised to y'^ dignity of Earl of Stirling, Viscount
of Canada, and Lord Alexander of Tullyebodie, by patent,
dated 14th June, 1633, " sibi suisque heredibus masculis im-
perpetuum cognomen et arma de Alexander gerentibus."
4°. Being uiKler great dejection of spirit after losing three
of his sons, who had given him the brightest hopes, and fear-
ing, from the declining state of health of two of y"^ survivors,
that his honours might, at no dist' 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 char-
ter under the G' 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 y° eldest lieirs-
female, without division of y* 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 heirs-
female respectively, bearing the sirname and arms of y° family
of Alexander, which they shall be holden and obliged to
assume ; which all failing, to the nearest legitimate heirs what-
soever of the said William, Earl of Stii-ling, with the former
precedency."
[^Note. — I have not met with this charter in our publick
records, but from a marginal reference to y'' 57 volume
of y" Reg'' of the G' Seal, w'^ 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 Cather-
lough, in y'^ 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 y^ present Earl, as foUoweth :