SIR WILLIAM ALEXANDER. 89 



On the 28th of May proceedings were resumed by the appointment, under 

 Sir William's direction, of three persons as undertakers, who were at the same time 

 baronets. These were Sir Robert Gordon, son of the Earl of Sutherland, William 

 (Earl) Marischal, and Alexander Strachan. On the following day five others were added 

 to the roll, viz.. Sir Duncan Campbell, of Grlenurquhie ; Robert Innes, of Innes ; Sir John 

 Wemyss, of Wemyss ; David Livingston, of Dunipace ; and Sir Robert Douglas, of 

 Gleubervie. According to the new arrangements, the lauds included in the baronies of 

 New Scotland were surrendered by Sir William to the King, who was to regrant them to 

 the knights baronets, so that they were to hold them direct from the sovereign. 



The patent constituting Sir William Lieutenant of New Scotland, though approved 

 by the Scottish Privy Council, had not been ratified by Parliament, the Estates not liaAang 

 assembled between the date of its issue and the death of King James. On the 12th of 

 July, 1G25, therefore, the King (Charles I.) granted under the Great Seal a charter of 

 Norodamus, in which is recited the previous charter, and all the privileges previously 

 conferred are renewed, with a promise that the former grant should be confirmed by 

 Parliament as soon as It should meet. It contained additional clauses recognizing the 

 creation of the Order of Knights Baronets of New Scotland, whose number was now 

 limited to 150. On the 19th of the same month the King informed the Privy Council 

 that certain baronets of New Scotland had been created, to each of whom he had granted 

 territory in that country six miles in length by three in breadth. His Majesty also 

 authorized the council to confer baronetcies on intending undertakers, without their 

 proceeding to London, so that a colony might be despatched to Nova Scotia in the 

 following spring.' Accordingly, on the 31st of August, the council issued a public 

 proclamation in terms of the King's letter. (Reg. of Letters.) 



But now the project met with unexpected opposition. At the Convention of Estates, 

 held at Edinburgh in November of the same year, the barons presented a memorial 

 complaining that the precedence granted to the new order of baronets interfered with 

 their hereditary dignities and was otherwise unjustifiable. By a majority the Estates 

 approved of the sentiments of the memorialists, and adopted a resolution to that effect for 

 transmission to the King. This, with the memorial, was embodied in their records and 

 duly forwarded to His Majesty. In this they deny Sir William's allegation of the necessity 

 of such precedency to the success of the undertaking, and offer that, if the plantation of 

 the colony be found expedient, to carry it out without charge. (Acta. Pari. Scot., vol. 5, 

 pp. 185-188). 



This last undertaking they must have known they could not accomplish, and, indeed, 

 had no idea of attempting. The fact is that a party were jealous of Sir William's powers 

 and influence. Their leader was Thomas Hamilton, Earl of Melrose, a favourite of the 

 late King, who now held office as principal secretary. The result, however, was his 

 prompt dismissal from office and the appointment of Sir William in his place. By this the 

 latter reached the highest pitch of greatness, not only being virtually monarch of all New 

 Scotland, but holding the highest position to be held by a subject of the old kingdom. 

 Nor was he disposed to allow his power to remain dormant. He was determined to carry 



' Sir Daniel Wilson also informs me that part of Edinburgh Castle was set apart as part of New Scotland, 

 to which the baronets might repair to receive infeftment of their lands. 



Sec. II., 1892. 12. 



