[Deed of Resignation, 24 novembre 1736]
" I, William St Clair of Rosaline, Esquire, taking to my consideration that the Massons in Scotland did, by several deeds, constitute and appoint William and Sir William St Clairs of Rossline, my ancestors, and their heirs, to be their patrons, protectors, judges, or masters ; and that my holding or claiming any such jurisdiction, right, or privilege, might be prejudiciall to the Craft and vocation of Massonrie, whereof I am a member, and I being desireous to advance and promote the good and utility of the said Craft of Massonrie to the outmost of my power, doe therefore hereby, for me and my heirs, renounce, quit, claim, overgive, and discharge, all right, claim, or pretence that I, or my heirs had, have, or any ways may have, pretend to, or claim, to be patron, protector, judge, or master of the Massons in Scotland, in virtue of any deed or deeds made and granted by the said Massons, or of any grant or charter made by any of the Kings of Scotland, to and in favours of the said William and Sir William St Clairs of Rossline, or any others of my predecessors, or any other manner of way whatsomever, for now and ever : And I bind and oblige me, and my heirs, to warrand this present renounciation and discharge at all hands ; and I consent to the registration hereof in the Books of Councill and Session, or any other judges books competent, therin to remain for preservation ; and thereto I constitute [ ] my procurators, &c. In witnes whereof I have subscribed these presents, (written by David Maul, Writer to the Signet), at Edinburgh, the twenty-fourth day of November one thousand seven hundred and thirty-six years, before these witnesses, George Fraser, Deputy-Auditor of the Excise in Scotland, Master of the Canongate Lodge, and William Montgomerie, Merchant in Leith, Master of the Leith Lodge.
Sic Subscribitur,
Wm. St Clair.
Geo. Frazer, Canongate Kilwinning, witness.
Wm. Montgomerie, Leith Kilwinning, witness "
Reproduction intégrale de la transcription citée en tête de page, dans l'orthographe d'origine, sans commentaire ni modernisation. Les titres et notes d'époque sont conservés ; l'appareil éditorial moderne a été écarté.