104 EEV. GEORGE PATTERSON ON 



represented as having taken place in the years 1629 and 1630, when, as we have seen, 

 the Scotch colony still held its own Though this representation is given in the 

 Canadian Archives (1883, 121 and 1886 civ), and by mor.^ than one of our historians, 

 it is not only without evidence, but is entirely contrary to the facts of the case. On 

 the 14th of September, 1633, three years after the alleged sale to La Tour, a commission 

 was granted, under the Great Seal, to the High Chancellor of Scotland and seven other 

 distinguished officials and gentlemen, for the passing of enfeoffment of lands in New 

 Scotland, and on the 15th February, 1634, they accepted the commission with all the 

 requisite forms. It was the duty of this commission to convey to the knights baronets 

 the lauds surrendered by Sir "William Alexander to the Crown for that purpose. 

 Accordingly, we find him making such surrenders up till within two years of his 

 death, in 1640. Moreover, in a deed of assignment for the benefit of his creditors, 

 signed a few days before his death, the lauds granted in New Scotland under his 

 patent are recognized as still held by him 



These facts show conclusively that Alexander had not made over his rights to 

 La Tour. It is easy to see, however, how the report arose. At the time mentioned 

 Sir William did grant to the La Tours (father and son) land in Acadia. The situation 

 and boundaries we have already given. It extended from Yarmouth to Lunenburg, in 

 Nova Scotia, but this was only a small corner of the New Scotland of Sir William's 

 grant, sufficient to form two baronies. On the 24th of August, 1659, the La Tour family 

 registered this grant in the Records of the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, (the 

 county in which Boston is situated). The reason for this step at that date was that a 

 detachment of Cromwell's army had captured Nova Scotia, and his government were 

 likely to hold it permanently. In these circumstances the La Tours thought it 

 important to establish an English title to their lands. From this fact, and parties not 

 examining the bounds stated in this grant, arose the report of Alexander having granted 

 his rights in Acadia to La Tour. Had the latter any more extensive grant than this it 

 would undoubtedly have been produced. This action shows that they claimed no more 

 than the two baronies granted in 1630.' 



But new troubles began to accumulate upon the head of our hero. His second son. 

 Sir Anthony, di«d on the 17th of September, 163*7, and his eldest. Lord Alexander, on 

 the 18th of May following. On the latter occasion Robert Baillie, the learned Presbyterian 

 divine, wrote : " With the President came word of my L. Alexander's death. I have into 

 itt a losse of a near coosin and familiar friend. The King did profess his losse of a 

 servant of great hopes. Ye know, beside the galantries of his person, he was both 

 wise, learned and verie well spoken. The countrey makes not much doole for him, for 

 they took him for ane advancer of the episcopall causes to his power. It feares me 

 his death will undo that rysing House. Their debts are great," 



His pecuniary difficulties increased. The i; 10,000 granted to pay his expenses con- 

 nected with his Nova Scotia colony, was not paid, and he received nothing for his rights 

 there. Notwithstanding the losses he sustained in this undertaking, he might from the 

 emoluments of his offices -have maintained himself free of debt. But on obtaining one 



' Tlie whole subject is treated exhaustively in Rev. E. F. Slafter's " Sir William Alexander and American 

 Colonization," published by the Prince Society. 



