‘Commission, University of St Andrews, to Mr James Gregorie, Professor of Mathematics.
‘10th June 1673.
‘Be it knowen to all men be these presents, Us, Rector, Principals, Doctors, and Professors of the University of St Andrews, under subscribing: For as much as we have formerly taken to our serious consideration the great detriment and losse this ancient seminary hath been at in times past, and doeth yet sustain by the want of such proper and necessary instruments and utensils as may serve and conduce for the better, more solemn and famous profession, teaching and improving of Naturall Philosophy and the mathematical sciences, and especially for making such observation on the Heavens and other bodys of this Universe (as easily may be by such helps, with the great advantage of the pure air and other accommodation of this place) whereby we may be enabled to keep correspondence with learned and inquisitive persones in solide philosophy everywhere, for the forsaid effect: And having purposed (to be forthcoming to our duty and the encouragement of others) to set as effectually as may be about this laudable and necessary work, for providing the forsaids instruments of all kynds, ane observatory, and all other accoutrements requisite for the improvement of the forsaid sciences, the benefite, advantage and delight of youth to be trained up here, the honour of the Kingdom, the reputation of our benefactors, and the lustre and splendour of the University: Did therefore commissionat some of our number to make application unto all persons, whom they knew to be encouragers of learning, and patrons to the professors thereof, representing unto them that we were instantly upon the effectuating of the forsaid designe, And to that end to crave their affections and such other encouragements for the said work as they please to bestow; And to report to us their diligence therein, with the names of our benefactors, to the effect this University may record them, and endeavour to make such respectfull resentments to them and their posterity, as becomes: giving them power to do every other thing proper and requisit in the said affair; They being always answerable and accountable to us anent the premises. 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.