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384 Gaelic Society of Inverness.
unto him what is usual to be granted unto other persons, in
business of the like nature : and for your so doing, these shall be
your warrant.
Theobald's, July 21, 1626.
(Signed) Charles R.
The earliest instance of a birth brief, or " Litera Prosapia,"
in the Paper Register is dated 26th of January 1637, and from
that date downwards entries are numerous. It is well known that
many of these recorded Vjriefs are full of inaccuracies.
Duncan Forbes, 3rd of Culloden, writing prior to the year
170-4, and treating of the genealogy of the family of Tolquhon,
says that Malcolm Forbes, INIarquis ot Montilly, some 30 years
before, sent to Scotland for his coat-armorial certificate, which was
given him utterly wrong by tlie then Lord Lyon and his deputy
clerks.
—
It is still competent to issue birth briefs, the course being by
application to the Lord Lyon, who, upon proper proof being
established before him, issues a certified pedigree under the seal
of the Lyon office.
Colonel Monro of Obsdale's genealogy is shown in the
annexed. He was grandson of the laird of Fowlis, nephew of
Major-General Sir Robert Monro, and brother of Lieut.-General
Sir George Monro. His services are done full j ustice to, neither
squalor of a prison, tedium of exile, nor loss of fortune in the
Royal cause daunting him in his zeal and devotion to the Royal
House of Stuart.
The following is an exact translation of the original Latin
brief :
" Charles, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, England,
France and Ii-eland, and defender of the faith, to all and -undry
emperors, kings, princes, dukes, marquises, archbishops, bishops,
barons, councillors and magistrates of states, and to all and sundry
or their lieutenants, chief governors of provinces,
cities, castles, fleets, and finally to all exercising supreme or subordinate
authority by sea or land in civil or ecclesiastical affairs
and others whomsoever who shall read or hear these letters
piitent everlasting greeting in the author of everlasting salvation :
Whereas the cheif concern of those to whom the supreme administration
of the commonwealth has been entrusted ought to be that
due honour should be bestowed on those studious of virtue and
their posterity, and since we, so far as circumstance will allow
deligently make it our sedulous care, that whatever rights or distinctions
of noble blood or of renowned achievement have been