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Granting Diplomas by ScottisI] Kings. 385
derived from ancestors, should remain repaired and protected
among posterity (unless they shall have revolted fi-om tlie probity
of their ancestors) in the longest scries that is possil)le to b(^, to
the end that both the said descendants mindful of their lineage
should commit nothing unworthy of the unsullied fame and greatness
of their parents, but inflamed to the like should superadd
some praise by their own virtue, and accession of light to the
Ijrightness of their ancestors, and so emulating their forefathers
afford to us and to their country faithful subjects and citizens in
all things according to their power. We to our faithful and well
beloved countryman Alexander INIonro fully imbued in the schools
and academies of his native country, with the humaner and more
subtile letters, who in his novitiate of sterner warfare under his
uncle Sir Robert Monro, Major-General, and Sir George Monro,
our Lieuteuant-General, most valiant knight, his brother being
exti-emely well instructed, followed the parly of our most serene
parent of blessed memory and ours in circumstances sufficiently
adverse, valiantly fought for us as Lieutenant-Colonel for sixteen
years, and by his blood and his wounds made a sacrifice to our
cause and to the glory of his own loyalty, and that to such a degree
that not by the squalor of a prison nor tedium of exile, nor loss of
fortune did he suffer his fidelity to his kings due and devoted to be
stained or besmirched by any blot of treason or supineness of spirit,
but individually and indefatigably remained a comrade with our
forces, through straits, through cold, through mountains and all
that could be inflicted on our faithful subjects in that lamentable
time of treason : I say, to this most valiant man, and who has
deserved exceedingly well of us, on his request and supplication
we deny not for justice and righteousness sake our firm testimony
to the honours and offices bestowed on Lis ancestors by our forefathers
the most serene Kings of Scotland (which may be to him
after careful in-
in place of a l)enefit among others) . Wherefore
quiry has been made by illustrious and trust-wcrthy men (to whom
we intrusted that duty), concerning the descent of the foresaid
gentleman, it has been found by us, and we therefore make it
known and certain, and publicly bear witness that it is manifest
that our well beloved Alexander Monro, Lieutenant-Colonel, was
born lawful son and of lawful marriage by either parent of noble
and gentle birth, and for many ages by-past has derived his paternal
and maternal descent from distinguished and honourable
families ; to wit, that he is the son of a truly noble gentleman, John
Monro ot Obsdall, Colonel among the Swedes, and Katharine Gordoun,
united to John in lawful matrimony and John of Obsdall to