And whereas this our laudable designe hath already met with such considerable encouragement from persons of all ranks, that we have ordered Mr James Gregorie, professor of the Mathematical Sciences here to goe to London, and there to provide so far as the money already received from our Benefactors will reach, such instruments and utensils as he with advice of other skilful persons shall judge most necessary and usefull for the above mentioned design: Like as be these presents we the under subscribers all with one consent constitute the said Mr James our factor for the effect forsaid, Giving and granting him our full power and ample commission for transacting and buying the forsaid instruments in so far as the money forsaid will extend, or as he shall be further furnished by us upon what is to come upon our letters and precepts for that effect: Obliging ourselves to ratifye and approve what the said Mr James should doe in this our commission directed to him by us during his residence there, and to acquit and relieve him of all prejudice he may incur and sustain in execution of this our commission, or any other commission sent by us to him during his residence there: And to take notice of the fabric and form of the most competent observatorye that ours here intended may be builded with all its advantages: And also considering the intended work to be of such moment and expenss, that we ar not able to accomplish it with the contributions of these only who have already listed themselves encouragers of it; Therefore we also by these presents do nominat and constitute the said Mr James Gregorie our factor and special mandator for making application unto all whom he knows to be favourers of learning for their concurrence unto the advancement of the forsd work with full power to do everything proper and requisit in this affair, as others formerly employed therein have been impowered by us to do, He being in like manner accountable to us anent the premisses. As witness these presents, written by William Sanders, one of our number, clerk for the time, and subscrived with our hands in the University Hall, on the 10th day of June J. m. vjc. seventy three years. D. Will Comrie, _Provost of St Marie’s Colledge_ Ja. Rymer Edw. Thomson Ja. Strachane Jo. Comrie And. Bruce, _Rector_. D. Geo. Weemss, _Provost of the Old Colledge_. D. James Weemss, _Principal of St Leonard’s Colledge_. Jo. Hay. Alex^r. Grant. Alex^r. Skene. W. Sanders.’ * * * * * Professor James Gregorie in his search for funds went to Aberdeen, and there he achieved what was quite the most wonderful success of his life—he got a church-door collection in all the churches in Aberdeen to provide for astronomical instruments at St Andrews. Rob Roy need never have taken to the high hand, if he had a tongue at all as persuasive as his great cousin!